The Louisiana Purchase: primary documents

     With the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the United States purchased approximately 828,000,000 square miles of territory from France, thereby doubling the size of the young republic. What was known as Louisiana Territory stretched from the Mississippi River in the east to the Rocky Mountains in the west and from the Gulf of Mexico in the south to the Canadian border in the north. Part or all of 15 states were eventually created from the land deal, which is considered one of the most important achievements of Thomas Jefferson’s presidency.   
     But was the Purchase of the Louisiana Territory celebrated by everyone?  Today we will find out by looking at some primary documents.

Reform Movements

19th Century Reform Movements

The decades before the Civil War saw the birth of the American reform tradition. Reformers--female and male, black and white--launched unprecedented campaigns to educate the deaf and the blind, rehabilitate criminals, extend equal rights to women, and abolish slavery. Our modern systems of free public schools, prisons, and hospitals for the infirm and the mentally ill are all legacies of this first generation of American reform.

Today, you will begin researching 19th century reform movements.  You should pick one topic of reform, then record what problems led to the reform, some of the major reform leaders of the topic you chose, and finally, the results of this reform movement.  In other words, what was accomplished?  If you are in class you will receive reading guides.  If not, click on the link below that gives a few suggestions for your research

Reform Movement assignment 

Journal Assignment:  Reform your world!

Everyday this week, change (for the better) at least one thing you have the power to change.  Record each day's reform in a journal to be turned in on Friday.  1 entry= 1point  Every entry after 5 will be extra credit.  You may earn up to 20 extra credit points on this assignment

Watch the Discovery Education video about Helen Keller below:

Helen Keller

Should kids be allowed to have credit cards?

We’ve all heard it in line at the supermarket: “Will that be cash or credit?” Should young adults under the age of 18 be given access to credit cards? Some might argue that kids need to learn about credit, so they will be responsible with it as adults. Others say that kids buying things on credit will have the opposite effect: devaluing money and increasing impulse buying. In this Drafting Board issue, you will explore each side’s reasons and evidence. You’ll produce a structured and polished argument in favor or against credit cards for minors. 

Click on the link to start essay:  Kids and credit cards

You will have Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday to work on the essay in class.  The essay will be due Friday, April 24th.

Hands-on Banking

Below is a link to the KWL chart.  You have 3 pages: one for "Your Money and You"; "Credit and You"; and pick your own topic.  Fill out the I know column and the I want to know column before going to the site.  While going through the site, write what you learned.  You may make a copy of the KWL chart and fill it out in google docs, or fill out the hard copy I provide for you in class.


Hands on Banking

KWL Chart

National Bank to Federal Reserve

National Bank to Federal Reserve

Did you know that for most of our country’s early history, gold was used to represent money? In fact, you could go to a bank and trade in your paper money for gold!

In today's lesson, I have given you a link to a page that has reading passages and text boxes to answer your questions in.  After you have answered each set of questions, you will be prompted to email your answers to me.  Go ahead and click the email button for each set of questions.!

Go to the following link to find and answer today's questions:   The Gold Standard

Finished with the assignment?  Play the Fed Chairman Game

Lessons on money and banking:  Hands on Banking

Industrial Revolution Activities

Click on the following link for today's activities:  Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution

Industrial Revolution

Today, we will begin our unit on the First Industrial Revolution by researching inventions and inventors.  If you are not at school today, go to the following site to find the chart to copy and complete:  Inventions and Inventors of the Industrial Revolution Chart

When finished, watch the following video
clip about the industrial revolution:

http://www.history.com/topics/industrial-revolution/videos#the-industrial-revolition