Summer 2011 has begun!!

Well, okay, so officially summer doesn't begin until June 10th, but the exams have started! This means class is over for the year. 7th graders, it was a fun year! You were great!

Have a nice summer! Rising 6th Graders, see you in August!!!!

Get outside and enjoy your summer!

May 31st - June 2nd, 2011

Well, the test on the American Revolution closed the last chapter for 7th grade social studies this year!

The next three days will be filled with mysteries, taking care of end-of-year things, cleaning, and having fun.

Enjoy the last few days and have a great summer!


See you in the fall for Economics! Go to Mr. M's Economics blog! (link to the right)

The British Surrender at Yorktown!

May 23rd - May 27th, 2011

American Revolution Week.

Students are learning about the overall strategies of the war used by both sides, as well as, what the Revolution is really all about. Looking at Common Sense and the Declaration of Independence, we are beginning to grasp that this is more than just a protest against taxes. It really is about the rights of the people - and what those rights are.

Test is on Friday, May 27th - the study guide is on the homework page.

Friday, May 20th, 2011

Bunker's and Breed's Hill  (The First Major Battle of the American Revolution)

Mr. M explained the situation around Boston after Lexington and Concord. We talked about what the war is really going to be about using the homework from the night before. Then, we learned about the first real battle of the war. Next, we went back outside and reenacted it!  This is the "Lesson on the importance of holding the high ground."  On the berm out back students learned 1. why it is important to hold the high ground - great vision and mobility, and 2. how hard it is to attack uphill (like the British did). It was a slaughter with gatorskin balls!

Thursday, May 19th

"The Shot Heard Around the World"

We learned about the situation in Boston in early 1775 and the decision to send British Regular troops to Concord resulting in the fighting that begins the American Revolution!

We went outside and marched our "twenty miles" out and back through the gauntlet of Provincial musketfire.

Wednesday, May 18th

The Road to Revolution - the final day

Topics today:

• The British response to the Tea Party
• The Coercive Acts
• The Meeting of the First Continental Congress

Tuesday, May 17th

The Road to Revolution!

Today we looked at the Declaratory Act, the Townshend Acts, and reenacted the Boston Massacre!

Paul Revere's inaccurate depiction of the "massacre".

Monday, May 16th

The Road to Revolution!

For the next few days we will be looking at the different events leading up to the American Revolution. This period of time is generally regarded as being between 1763 and 1775. Today we learned about the horrible Stamp Act! Mr. M is using the Liberty DVD series while teaching about these important events.

Friday, May 13th

GRADUATION - War College of the French and Indian War

Cadets received their new ranks as officers in the British Army (circa 18th century), as well as their insignia. Some cadets received higher ranks in the army due to points earned at the War College.

Then we had some fun picking our fates. Now that they graduated, what happened to them in life? Mr. M created about 50 different fates. Here is an example of one: 

Of all the cadets in the French and Indian War College, you will have the most successful military career. You serve in the French and Indian war, the American Revolution, and the Napoleonic Wars. In fact, you were there at Waterloo when Napoleon was defeated. Your division was responsible for crushing Napoleon’s left flank. You retire a full Field Marshall. Your name will be in the history books.

Thursday, May 12th

Okay, so now that blogger is alright, I will put my blog entries back online. They erased our other ones...

Today we finished re-fighting the battle of Quebec 1759. Students were awarded points based on who won according to the victory conditions. Overall, they did a nice job. Students have almost completed their final exams online. Tomorrow will be our graduation from War College.

Wednesday, May 11th

War College of the French and Indian War - Final Exams!!!!

Part one of the Finals is to take command of an army and defeat other cadets in the room. Cadets are re-fighting the Battle of Quebec. There were lots of interesting moves made by the cadet commanders today.

Part two - go to the Homework Page and you will find the link to the Final Exam at the classmarker site. Good luck!

Tuesday, May 10th

War College of the French and Indian War:

Lesson #5 - The British Fight Back and Win!

Mr. M outlined British strategy and victories from the years 1758-1760. Made mention of the change in trading practices with the Indian peoples that led to great hardship for them. Ended with a closer look at the Battle of Quebec 1759. This will lead us into the Final Exams of the War College.

• Exam #1 - Assume command of an army and re-fight the Battle of Quebec against another War College cadet.

• Exam #2 - How well did you learn your lessons? Online War College quiz.

Monday, May 9th

War College of the French and Indian War

Lesson #4 - THE hero of the French and Indian War - Robert Rogers (The British Answer to "La Petite Guerre)

A brief look at the life of Robert Rogers, his successes on "impossible" missions, his contributions to guerrilla warfare (Rules on Ranging), a look at the Battle on Snowshoes and his mysterious escape off of Roger's Rock!

Friday, May 6th

French and Indian War College:

Today was Lesson #3 - "The French win in the beginning"

Students learned about early French victories. Two case studies were used to support the lesson.

Case Study #1  Fort Carillon - Beginning in 1755/1756, the French began to construct a massive timber and stone fort on the Ticonderoga peninsula on the southern end of Lake Champlain. It was made in the Vauban style. We learned about Sebastien Vauban. Mr. M explained that Fort Carillon/Ticonderoga is a gem of American History and we are lucky to have it!


Case Study #2 - The attack on Fort William Henry in 1757. A discussion was held first on the story of this battle and the people involved. Using one of the best movies out there to show what this time period was like (Last of the Mohicans), Although there are inaccuracies in the movie, like any movie dealing with a historical subject, it really does a great job showing the vast wilderness of the North American continent and the beauty and brutality of life in the mid-1700s. Mr. M showed four scenes:

• The ambush on the way to Fort William Henry (Ex. La Petite Guerre )
• The siege of Fort William Henry by the French (European siege tactic - digging to get close for mortars/howitzers)
• The demonstration of mortars/howitzers to force forts surrender (European siege tactic)
• The massacre after the surrender (Ex. La Petite Guerre)

Thursday, May 5th

Today, the cadets had lesson #2 - "La Petite Guerre".

Cadets learned about the difference between the ways of Europeans in warfare to those of the Native Americans in North America. The European way of fighting in large, organized armies in rows and ranks spread out over large areas will not work well in North America. North America was a wilderness. The Indian way, or as the French called it - "La Petite Guerre" focused on surprise attacks and ambushes, while hiding behind trees, rocks, and other cover. Sometimes the attack was quick and then the Indians dispersed, only to launch another surprise attack later.

Case study for today was Braddock's Defeat. Cadets examined the Battle of Monongahela and the resulting disaster on the part of the British and Major General Edward Braddock. We also reenacted the battle in class. Complete chaos and the British were routed again!

We began our class with an activity to determine if the cadets had learned their British Army officer ranks of the 18th century.
 "La Petite Guerre"

Wednesday, May 4th

French and Indian War College - Day 2

Lesson #1 - Understanding geography and how to make effective you of it.

Cadets learned about the importance of geography in the French and Indian War. There were no paved roads at that time. The "highways" were the rivers and lakes. You could move more stuff faster and farther by water. Thus, the need to protect and defend the waterways.

Cadets received a map of North America circa 1755. Using the map, the cadets completed a geography exercise. Next, the cadets took on the role of French officers and placed seven forts on the maps in the areas they thought were important. Mr. M then showed them where the real forts are actually located. It was fun to see if there choices matched up with what the French really did during the war.

Tuesday, May 3rd

WAR COLLEGE 2011

The students are now officer cadets in our fictional War College about the French and Indian War. This is the beginning of our final unit of the year. Students received their buzz cuts, personal identification numbers, and signed their initials to become official cadets of the War College.

Our first lesson: Background on the conflict known as the French and Indian War.

Monday, May 2nd

Colonial America Test!

Friday, April 29th

Binder check day and review for the test day!

Thursday, April 28th

Plantation building day. While we were continuing our look at the colonial South, the students learned a little about plantation life. Next, Mr. M supplied each group (in each class) with a pre-painted landscape, certain supplies, and a time limit. Students had to recreate a plantation based on what they had learned.  It was fun and they did a nice job.

Wednesday, April 27th

Focus of today was the Southern Colonies. After the reading quiz about the Southern Colonies, Mr. M led a discussion about life in the old south. For an activity, the students learned about the wealthy planters and the plantation lifestyle of the Antebellum South. We are going to construct our own plantations tomorrow.

Tuesday, April 26th

Focus today was the Middle Colonies. After the Middle Colonies reading quiz, we discussed the major characteristics of the region. For an activity, we talked about candlemaking and then made some candles. Fun Activity!

Monday, April 25th

Students spent time today starting their study guides for the Colonial America test. They also got organized by checking the Binder Page. Also, they finished some assignments too, like the USM Primer from our look at the New England Colonies.

Thursday, April 21st

Colonial America Test is coming soon!  Friday, April 29th!!

Began a look at the growth of the colonies. Focus of today - The New England Colonies! Students had a short 9 question quiz from the reading the night before. Then they looked at education in the New England colonies.  Students constructed a USM Primer based on the New England Primer!

Wednesday, April 20th

A look at the famous witch trial phenomenon in Salem, Massachusetts (1692).

Tuesday, April 19th, 2011

Puritan Day in Court.

We reviewed the reading from the night before. Students checked to see if their main ideas aligned with those from the passage:

• The Puritan Family was to be a mini-version of Puritan society.
• The behavior of the individual reflected upon the entire community and their relationship with the Lord.
• Puritans were not just boring, strict, and wearing only white and black clothes.
• Time wasting was frowned upon in Puritan society.
• Punishments varied but mainly 1) based on public humiliation and/or 2) corporal punishment  - the idea was to correct poor behavior and that the person would not repeat the offense in the future.

Then, we had our Day in Court - 3 students were accused of crimes - Breaking the Sabbath, Gambling, and Gossipping! Trials were held, punishments were handed out, and behaviors corrected!

Wednesday, April 13th - Monday, April 18th

Working on our Puritan stories!!!

Tuesday, April 12th

Began by reviewing homework from the night before - the Jamestown story timeline.....
Next, we finished the "Story of the Separatists" play and discussed.
Finally, we took a final look at the Pilgrims and their story. Mr. M used some video clips and we discussed.

Monday, April 11th

Mr. M introduced the last of the early English settlements that we will learn about - Plymouth!
Mr. M revealed the answers to the FACT or FICTION activity from last Friday.
Students began to perform the "Story of the Separatists" play.

Friday, April 8th

Mr. M in Chicago giving a presentation at JRPO about economics and 7th grade.

Students began to look at the final early settlement in our E Pluribus Unum unit. That settlement is Plymouth. They did a FACT or FICTION activity for me that I will address on Monday. They also began to look at the story of the pilgrims, too.

Thursday, April 7th

Finished the look at the student constructed powerpoint slides for our Jamestown Story. Then, we took some time looking at Life and Death in Jamestown.

A lot of people died at Jamestown for a variety of reasons. PBS Secrets of the Dead did a show on theories about why this took place. Next, we looked at several of the human remains found at Jamestown. Even those old bones have stories to tell. Forensic science can even put a human face to these 400 year old remains. We used the National Geographic Jamestown Interactive site and the Jamestown Rediscovery site to take a closer look at Life and Death. If you get the chance, take a moment to listen to the speaker in the Autopsy on America link at the National Geographic site.

Wednesday, April 6th, 2011

Began class with a review of the previous night's work with Jamestown and Werowocomoco.

Next, we began our look at the student produced Stories of Jamestown. These will be linked soon!

Tuesday, April 5th

Began the class questioning the students on the previous night's work with the History Channel's Jamestown interactive site. They did a nice job.

Then, we went to the lab and began a deeper look at the story of Jamestown. We are going to make a collaborative story. Mr. M showed an example using power point and how it can be animated. Students were given a piece of the story and began to work.

Mr. M will assemble the stories and we will look at them in class tomorrow.

Monday, April 4th, 2011

The Story of Jamestown

Thursday, March 17th!

1. Discussed the reading from the night before - Rethinking Roanoke. Students did well identifying Sir Francis Walsingham as the person behind the Roanoke tragedy. We discussed reasons why and talked about the link to the pilot of the expedition, Simon Fernandez.

2. Jamestown!!! The first permanent English settlement in North America. Mr. M showed where the site is and talked a little about the fort. Today, we focused on the site and its importance as an archaeological gem for us. Mr. M spoke about what archaeology is and got us ready for our dig tomorrow.  We watched the first 10 minutes of Raiders of the Lost Ark just to show what archaeology is not (even though that looks fun!)

Wednesday, March 16th

The English come to North America - Roanoke Island!

Tuesday, March 15th

Field Trip - Redline and Museum

Monday, March 14th, 2011

Reviewed the Age of Exploration in North America quiz.
Began our 2nd to last unit of the year: Colonial America - the Foundation of E Pluribus Unum

• Translated and defined E Pluribus Unum (and gave 2 meanings for it)
• Looked at dates of Destiny - where the world changed after the event
• Introduced August 1588 - The Defeat of the Spanish Armada
• Learned about the "Northwest Passage" and English "meddling" in North America

Wednesday, March 9th

Began class reviewing Cabeza de Vaca's chapter on "Indian Warfare". Students did a good job understanding what de Vaca wrote so long ago about the way the indios fought and conducted warfare.

Main focus - Cortes and the destruction of the Aztec empire!  Good stuff!

Tuesday, March 8th

Focus today - continue the Legacy of the Conquistadors!

Story of Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca
Story of Francisco Vasquez de Coronado

Cabeza de Vaca's route back to Mexico City!

Monday, March 7, 2011

Finished more of the Christobal Colon For/Against arguments.

Began a look at some real bad guys - Spanish Conquistadores!

• Mr. M explained what happened in the years after Columbus "opens" up the Americas.
• Spain conquers much - but how? An honest look at atrocities and genocide committed at that time.
• Bartolome de Las Casas - a voice for the native peoples.
• Read de Las Casas's account of the conquering of Cuba c. 1513.

Wednesday, March 2nd

Christoforo Columbo - Hero or Villain

 

Today we did something a little different - formulated arguments on whether the students think Columbus is an important/great figure in history or the opposite.

 

• Video clips to gather some info for either side
• A reading which presents both sides of the argument
• Explanation from Mr. M about writing an argument/opinion - must have solid, supporting statements.
• Time to write their opinion

 

Using the soap box - students stood to deliver their opinion and Mr. M acted as rebuttal for each side.

 

Tuesday, March 1st

Yay, it is March 1st.

Topic of today - Tiny Portugal gets it all started! (The Age of Exploration that is).

• Play - Life of Dom Henrique
• Video clip and discussion about Prince Henry
• Notes on the importance of Prince Henry and his school

Prince Henry's Nautical school at Sagres, Portugal

Monday, February 28th

Class agenda today:

1. "Did you get it?" Mr. M handed out what looked like a quiz about How The Great Age of Exploration Began. It wasn't. Students had five minutes to complete it. Then, Mr. M explained that this was an opportunity for them to see, "Do I get it?" Did they understand the lesson from last Thursday and Friday.

2. Okay, so I made this claim that Trade with the Middle East post and during the Crusades was important. But, is this really true? How do we know that Europeans valued trade with muslims and their goods from the near and far east. Using art from the time period we can "see" that they did! Mr. M showed some works of Art pre-Renaissance and during the Renaissance to show this to be true. Many paintings were "stuff" paintings - Europeans showing off their "stuff". Much of the stuff was due to trade with Muslims. Arnolfini Wedding by Jan Van Eyck was one example.

3. What did Europeans know about the world in the 15th century? Was the world flat? No, Martin Behaim's globe or "Erdapfel" (Earth Apple) came out in 1492, same year as the Columbus voyage. In fact, the two men probably knew or knew of each other having both been in the court of King John of Portugal. Students saw the Behaim globe and we discussed its inaccuracies but it is definitely round. We then made our own Behaim globe using baloons and sharpies. Fun stuff!

Friday, February 25th

Continuation from yesterday. Today we completed our look at HOW the Great Age of Exploration Began:

finished the last two topics:

The Crusades and Trade with the East
The Renaissance

Mr. M lectured, we had another incredible Mr. M skit, watched some important video - and even had some time left to see a clip from Kingdom of Heaven - the best MR. M has seen on warfare during the Crusades. We watched part of the siege of Jerusalem.

Thursday, February 24th

Mr. M Back!

Began our look at How the Great Age of Exploration Began. Examined four main reasons for it.
Feudalism and it's decline
Resurgance of Towns and Trade
The Crusades and Trade with the East
The Renaissance

We focused on the first two (Feudalism and the Revival of Towns and Trade) - had a skit, watched some video, and Mr. M lectured on the rest.

Wednesday, February 23rd

Mr. M Sick!  Students worked on the HOW the Great Age of Exploration Began....? handout.  Getting ready for the next couple of days.

Tuesday, February 22nd

The Door is Opened! 

October 12, 1492

Monday, February 14th

The Mound Builders!