Friday, May 25th, 2012

Final Test of the year! The Road to Revolution and the War for Independence!

Thursday, May 24th

The End of the American Revolution!

• The War in the South
• British Strategy in the South
• Yorktown and the End.
• Re-fight Yorktown in my room - complete with trenches and redoubts!

Wednesday, May 23rd

The American Revolution continued -

• War in the Middle Colonies
• British Strategy
• Burgoyne's March
• Howe's March
• Saratoga!

Tuesday, May 22nd

The American Revolution continued -

• The Invasion Force Arrives
• The Battle of Long Island
• American Crisis
• Trenton and a Morale Boost!

Monday, May 21st

The Declaration of Independence (Day 2)

• Students worked in pairs on simplifying Jefferson's words of the Declaration. They were working on excerpts from each of the five sections of the DOI. 
• We read the list of 27 grievances (with modern explanations) 
• Any remaining time - we began to look at the summer of 1776 and the British invasion of Long Island

Friday, May 18th

Common Sense and the Declaration of Independence (Day 1)
Read excerpts from Common Sense for clarification and understanding
Watched some dramatic clips from John Adams (HBO series) about the Declaration (good stuff!) Here they are below:

Thursday, May 17th

The Americans Move Closer to Independence!

• An Army that Wasn't An Army
• The Olive Branch Petition
• Common Sense

Flower Sale Day - no class.

Tuesday, May 15th, 2012

The Battle of Bunker Hill.

Mr. M explained what happened after Lexington and Concord. There was a stalemate outside Boston. This changed on June 17th, 1775.

We learned about how the experience at Bunker Hill (Breeds Hill) on the Charlestowne peninsula most likely affected Sir William Howe's decision to not press the attack on the final American defenses at Brooklyn a year later. This probably would have won the war for the British.

We went outside to re-fight the Battle of Bunker Hill on the berm behind school! Fun!

Monday, May 14th

Main topic of the day was - "Why was there an American Revolution?" Using some digital documents the students made inquiry into why there was a revolution. It was more than just a revolt over taxes or for independence. The students learned what this was really about - the power of government over our lives. It was also about something really growing in importance at that time - the idea that there are basic human rights.  This is a precursor to our talk about the Declaration of Independence.

Friday, May 11th

A second day of learning about the importance of Lexington and Concord. Shortened classes this day. Had time to reflect on what happened April 19th, 1775.  We watched part of the clip from America - The Story of Us about Lex and Concord.

Thursday, May 10th, 2012

"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 9th

The Road to Revolution continued...

Topics today:

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

The Continental Congress Meets in Philadelphia

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 7th, 2012

The Road to Revolution and the War for Independence!

Today our agenda was:

• We reviewed the lesson from Friday - the three big problems left over from the French and Indian War - from the perspective of the British Empire and its relationship with their American colonies.
• Mr. M explained the situation in the colonies just after the French and Indian War - using his wonderful diagram Mr. M spoke about Benign Neglect, the Colonial Assemblies, how and where taxes were paid, the importance of trade revenue between Britain and the Colonies, and how the British were now going to attempt to change the "rules" on how they administered the colonies. 
• Build up to the big event - the Stamp Act. Watched part of the Liberty Series by PBS - specifically the part on the Stamp Act:
• Pointed out how Parliament bypasses the Colonial Assemblies and later ignores their petitions.
• How this is a change, a shift in how things have been done in America - first big change ever! First direct tax ever.
• Contrasted emotions in Britain compared to those in the Colonies - discussed the Colonial response to the Stamp Act.
• After the repeal - point out that Britain and America can be "friends' again - but not everyone is happy (Sons of Liberty).

Friday, May 4th!

• Graduation Day for the War College Cadets. Cadets were given their new rank and insignia. Plus, they had the opportunity to choose their fates in life. 
• Congratulations to Kai V and Leo S - the top two point earners this year!
• Mr. M also began the final part of our last unit of the year - The Road to Revolution and the War for Independence. Importantly, students learned that much of this revolution stemmed from the disagreement about the power of government in people's lives. 

Thursday, May 3rd

Final day for the Quebec 1759 battles. Of course we had all kinds of results with the British re-winning this war, the French coming back in some and a few draws where there was not an obvious winner. Great job, Cadets! Tonight is the Final Exam for the War College - good luck!

Wednesday, May 2nd

Today we began our two day War Games drill. The cadets are re-fighting the Battle of Quebec. We will see what the final results are tomorrow.

Tuesday, May 1st, 2012

War College of the French and Indian War:

Lesson #6 - 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.

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