Tuesday, March 30th

The importance of August 1588 - England defeats the Spanish Armada, big underdog victory. Power of Spain begins slow decline, Englands ascends. England is will begin to construct and support settlements on the vast and wild North American continent. Some of these settlements will become the first English colonies.

Roanoke was the first attempt, attempts actually. In 1585 and 1587 Sir Walter Raleigh supports attempts by English colonists to plant a colony on Roanoke. Both attempts fail miserably. In fact, the group of men, women, and children in the 1587 attempt disappear forever - the "Lost" colony.

Monday, March 29th

Welcome back from Spring Break! Post-Test review today. Introduced the second to last unit of the year. This is the Foundation of E Pluribus Unum. We covered what it translates into and the meaning. From Many, One - can refer to from many different people, one people-Americans!, or from many colonies, one nation. Looked at important "dates of destiny" and gave students a chance to guess them leading up to August, 1588. The Defeat of the Spanish Armada is important to American History. Underdog England defeats the mighty Spanish naval power. Importance we will talk about tomorrow!

EXTRA CREDIT UPDATE!

Sorry, gang, I couldn't get the video to upload to my blog - too large a file, I guess. I will figure something out for you! You have until April 6th for EC. Not to worry! But, if you are worried, just email me! See you soon!

Friday, March 12th! Spring Break begins!!!!

Students took their Great Age of Exploration test today. Have a nice spring break!

STAY TUNED HERE FOR EXTRA CREDIT OVER BREAK!

Thursday, March 11th

Focus of today:

• Finished our lessons on the Great Age of Exploration by learning about Spanish society in the Americas. Also, discussed the importance of Mercantilism in creating weathy, powerful European states.
• Finished out look at the Legacy of the Conquistadors - how could these Christians be so cruel and brutal towards native peoples? Easy - they didn't think of them as people - more like godless, heathen, animals. The differences between the people from the eastern and western hemispheres was vast. Human sacrifice disgusted the Spaniards. This gave more fuel to their fire, however misguided it was. What happened in those years 1492-until really the 20th century was a tragedy of monumental proportions.
• We heard some "Eyewitness" accounts of Human Sacrifice.
• Watched a little of "Apocolypto"
• Watched the beginning of the Military Channel's special on "Cortes"

Wednesday, March 10th

In class today:

• Finished the Explorers "Claims to Fame" notes
• Reviewed and corrected answers to the Great Age of Exploration handout/ notes
• Began a look at the "Legacy of the Conquistadors"
• Mr. M shared Bartolome de las Casas "eyewitness" account of the Spanish campaign to conquer Cuba (c. 1513)

Picture to the left is of de las Casas writing his account of his time in the "New World"

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

Explorers Convention! Nice job, students, everyone looked great in their costumes! After a few rounds of speed-greeting, some snacks and drinks, and picutures - the students settled into learning about who these more well-known explorers and conquistadors were.

Monday, March 8th

The Explorers Convention has been moved to Tuesday, March 9th. Mr. M is home with sick girls. Today, the students worked on completing some important readings and info about the Great Age of Exploration. We will be reviewing these when I return!

Wednesday, March 3rd

The Door is Opened! 

Christobal Colon - the man, the journey, and the controversy.

Tuesday, March 2nd!!

SORRY - I didn't get the homework questions updated on time. We will do the questions later. But still do your reading and your "claim to fame" for your explorer/conquistador.

Today our topic was "So, Who Gets the Age of Exploration Started?" The answer is tiny Portugal. Our focus was on Prince Henry and his efforts to 1. increase trade and wealth of Portugal, 2. increase knowledge about the world, and 3. spread Christianity. We did a play and wrote down some important things.