Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Friday, March 15th, 2013

Our agenda today was:

  • The students investigated two sites today - Jamestowne and Werowocomoco. They learned about the early Jamestowne colony and it's neighbors, the Powhatan.
  • Students may retrieve the Jamestowne and Werowocomoco handout from Edmodo.
  • The activity is on this blog - over to your right. See it? It is titled Jamestowne and Werowocomoco. This is very handy for any students that left early on spring break. We will finish this on Monday, April 1st.

We are on spring break from Friday, March 15th - Monday, April 1st!  Have a great break!

John Smith description of Werowocomoco

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Thursday, March 14th

Big Day Today - Introduction of Jamestowne! This is the most important and largest archaeological site in American History! Here is what we did:

  • MrM finished the story about Sir Francis Walsingham and the possible sabotage of the Roanoke Colony.
  • 20 years later, the English return to Virginia. Jamestowne is established 1607. We discussed the homework from the night before. Focused on questions like - What brought people here? 
  • Focus on the Jamestowne archaeological site - massive site, looked at artifacts, learned what an archaeologist is and what they are looking for - artifacts and features in the soil. 
  • Students gathered around both of our "digs" in the classroom. They analyzed the soil features and artifacts and shared what they thought they were looking at in the site. Fun!
James Fort superimposed on the archaeological dig!



Wednesday, March 13, 2013

March 13th, 2013

Alright, today our plan was to be History Detectives. The students were given the facts of the case for America's oldest cold case - the disappearance of the colonists at Roanoke. They did a nice job sifting through the primary sources. Some were outstanding!

Tuesday, March 12th, 2013

Today our agenda was:

  • Students received their grades on the Native American story project. They did a great job! Thanks to the first and second graders for allowing us to share our stories!
  • We began the binder check for the unit of Pre-Columbian and Age of Exploration history
  • Mr.M finished giving the background on how/why the English will come to North America and what they hoped to accomplish by establishing a base at Roanoke Island. We focused on:
    • The Columbian Exchange
    • The Treaty of Tordesillas
    • The search for the Northwest Passage
    • The Defeat of the Spanish Armada
The English defeat the Spanish Armada 1588!

Monday, March 11, 2013

Monday, March 11th, 2013

Happy Monday!  Today we:

  • Spent a lot of time reviewing the previous test - especially our writing. 
  • Began to lay the foundation of E Pluribus Unum - we started Colonial America!


Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Wednesday, March 6th

Test on Pre-Columbian History and the Age of Exploration in North America is today!

Extra Credit opportunity this weekend only! See the EC page to the right........


Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Tuesday, March 5th, 2013

For class today:

  • MrM began by explaining the advantages the Spanish had over native peoples in the Americas. These four important advantages allowed them to conquer empires of millions of people. 
  • We learned that some Spaniards took a stand against their countrymen to fight brutality and injustice shown native peoples. Quick discussion about Bartolome de las Casas. Also read a quick excerpt from de las Casas and the conquest of Cuba. 
  • Finally, experienced Cortes and his conquest of Cuba! Used the Warriors series from Discovery Channel. 


Monday, March 4, 2013

Monday, March 4th

Okay! Our focus today was on story of Francisco Vasquez de Coronado!

  • MrM explained the background to the story of Coronado and the 7 Cities of Gold! 
  • We watched a short clip from the PBS series "The West" on Coronado's journey. 
  • Using the official record of Coronado's journey (primary source) students read about the beginning of this trip. 
  • Students then set about proving or disproving these statements. They had to cite the evidence to support their decision. 
    • The expedition met with no resistance on its way to Cibola. 
    • Spanish soldiers were known for being so well disciplined that they never panicked when attacked. 
    • The Friars (priests) got along well with the soldiers. 
    • Coronado (the leader!) was almost killed outside Cibola!

Friday, March 1, 2013

Friday, March 1st!

Happy Friday! Today we:

  • Finished looking at artwork of the Renaissance which shows evidence of European trade with Islamic peoples continuing after the end of the Crusades. 
  • Discussed the importance of Prince Henry the Navigator and the Portuguese initiating the Great Age of Exploration.
  • Finally, began our look at the Conquistadors! Told the story of Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca. Used a clip from PBS series The West. 
  • Students read Chapter 39 of La Relacion the night before - Indian Warfare. Animated discussion about this until class ended!
Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca