Monday, March 1st

Wow! March already! Today the students are working on researching their explorer/conquistador. They are getting ready for their Explorers Convention 2010 which happens on Monday, March 8th. They will portray their person and come ready to announce what they are most remembered for accomplishing...

Friday, February 26th

Students finished presenting their notes on the 4 events leading to the Great Age of Exploration. We made our Behaim Globes!

Thursday, February 25th

Began with a discussion of the homework last night - "So, have there been any groups that have moved around the world before Columbus?" Next, we began to look at why there was a great age of exploration. After the fall of Rome, Europe fell into a period in which no significant achievements emerged for almost a thousand years. It was mainly a Feudal society dominated by the Roman Catholic Church. Then, around the 1400's, they suddenly begin exploring all around the world?  The students are learning about four important, key events that will lead to this Age of Exploration - The Decline of Feudalism, the revival of Towns and Trade, the Crusades, and the Renaissance.  Students were placed into four groups to research each of these. After they find what they feel is important out of our textbook, they will share with the other groups. Mr. M will then compare what they found with what he wants them to know - the group that discovers and presents the most correct information will get a treat!

Wednesday, February 24th

Introduction to the Great Age of European Exploration. Started class by taking care of some business first - clearing out binders, progress reports, student rubric reflections, and collecting missing work.

1492 and 1620 - important dates in history...Columbus and Pilgrims...stories learned as little kids. But what does it all mean? While visiting Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts, why do people ask, "Is this where Columbus dropped off the pilgrims?" and, "Did the Mayflower crash into this rock?" These 128 years represent one of the most unprecendented eras of exploration in all human history - the opening of the Americas to the rest of the world. They described this place as "a garden of Eden". Verrazano wrote that he could smell America before he saw it!  The smell of trees, cedar trees where he was, was thick in the air.

There are thousands of stories from this time, this time period that Americans today know very little about. Thus we begin our look at the Great Age of European Exploration as it pertains to America. Mr. M shared the story of Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca. We learned what the Columbian Exchange was. And, finally, Mr. M introduced the homework - "Were there other individuals or groups to come to the Americas before the Great Age of Exploration?

Tuesday, February 23rd

Guest Speaker - Mr. Paul Salerno. For the final activity in the Pre-Columbian America unit, Mr. Salerno came in to talk about his experiences on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Mr. Salerno's message focused on how much you really receive when you give and how important service is. Thank you Mr. Salerno

Monday, February 22nd

Short classes today for the Redline/Social Justice collaborative project with English/Art was introduced today. We had a special schedule. In class we:

a. did our binder check

b. reviewed the test

c. began our look at the Student Rubric for Social Studies

Friday, February 19th

Pre-Columbian America test. Big 7/8 grade ski trip tonight!

Thursday, February 18th

Review/Game day for tomorrow's test.

Wednesday, February 17th

Finished the handout on the Iroquois Confederacy. Getting ready for our test on Pre Columbian America on Friday.

Tuesday, February 16th

Welcome back from the four day weekend! First, we got organized. Papers handed back and then progress reports. Then we talked about Friday's test on Pre-Columbian America. There will be study guides and other study aids available on the Test and Quiz Prep page. Then Mr. M finished a look at the Moundbuilding cultures of the Mississippi River Valley area and other points east. Finally, we began the last topic of this unit. This is a look at the Iroquois Confederacy and their Great Law of Peace.

Thursday, February 11th

The Mound Builders!

Wednesday, February 10th

The Anasazi

Tuesday, February 9th

Started class by discussing the readings from the night before. What are some of these new ideas regarding early migrations of ancient American peoples? Then began to look at some early "civilizations" in North America. From a previous homework, what constitutes a "civilization"? The Anasazi are a good example. Mr. M showed some pics and then we moved to the lab to take a brief tour of Anasazi sites.

Native Tribes to North America

Monday, February 8th

So, where did the Pre-Columbian peoples (Native Americans) come from? We looked at the Bering Land Bridge (Clovis First) theory. Then we watched a video about Kennewick Man and began a discussion about alternate theories of early human migration in North America.

 The Bering Land Bridge Theory

Friday, February 5th

Began the Pre-Columbian America unit today. After initially getting organized, Mr. M started our first history unit with some stories about early contact with Europeans/Americans and the native peoples of North America.

Thursday, February 4th

The Big Geography Test was today! See you tomorrow for the start of Pre-Columbian America.

Wednesday, February 3rd

Review Activity - Geo Olympics! The events were: Where in the U.S. are you? States! Where's Your Capital? and finally the Salt Map Dash!

Good luck on the Test tomorrow!

Tuesday, February 2nd - Ground Hog Day!

Mr. M out with sick little girl. Test moved to Thursday. Students practiced for the test. They also watched some of the Ken Burn's documentary series - National Parks!  Ground Hog did not see his shadow in Wis!

Tuesday, February 2nd! Ground Hog Day!

The Geography test is officially moved to Thursday! Students practiced with a blank map filling in the states and capitals. Next, they watched a short video about Ken Burn's latest series - National Parks - America's Best Idea. 

Here is the link: http://www.pbs.org/nationalparks/watch-video/#872

Students also composed an essay after watching the video clip!

If you liked that clip check out this other one from a guy who spent 3 months trekking the Brooks Range. That's northern Alaska, y'all!

Monday, February 1st

Finished our whirlwind tour of the United States. We coasted through the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern states. Map Quiz #5 was today!