The Declaration of Independence

Over the last few days, we studied John Locke's Natural Rights Theory, and two historians with differing interpretations of the Declaration of Independence.  Today, you should finish your essay.
Remember, you are to take the side of Bernard Bailyn, or Howard Zinn.  In your essay you should use evidence from the Declaration of Independence to support your answer to the question:

Was the Declaration of Independence written to state the ideological beliefs of the Founding Fathers, or was it written to gain the support of poor people for a revolution that would benefit the rich?

When you have finished, go to this link, and complete the activity:  Declaration Clarification

Causes of the American Revolution Game

Create a board game called "The Shot Heard 'round the World".   You design the game and make the rules.  Remember, the purpose of the game is to teach the player(s) about causes of the American Revolution.  You may use cards, dice, etc, to move the player along the game. 

Items on the game must include:
The French and Indian War
Proclamation of 1763
Taxes (sugar, stamp, Townshend, tea)
Writs of Assistance
Vice-Admiralty Courts
Quartering Act
Boston Massacre
Boston Tea Party
The Intolerable Acts
Lexington and Concord (Shot heard 'round the world)

Think of the game as a timeline.  Each of the laws and events above are in order as they happened.
So the game should start with the French and Indian War and should end with the battle of Lexington and Concord.

Example:  a player might land on a space that says you were arrested for smuggling and must stand trial in a Vice-Admiralty court-  you are sent to england, lose a turn. 
In this example, the player learned that smugglers stood trial in Vice-Admiralty courts and that you had to be sent to England to do so.

Scoring Rubric for Board Game:

To earn an A

-must have all events listed on board

-game must be “playable”.  In other words, possible to win, clear instructions, etc.

-game clearly teaches player about every event/law I listed on the board.

-game includes pictures, color.

-game is neat, easy to read, no spelling errors

To earn a B

-must have all events listed on board

-game must be “playable”.  In other words, possible to win, clear instructions, etc.

-game clearly teaches player about most of the events/laws I listed on the board.

-game includes pictures, color.

-game is neat, easy to read, no spelling errors

To earn a C

-must have all events listed on board

-game must be “playable”.  In other words, possible to win, clear instructions, etc.

-game clearly teaches player about some event/law I listed on the board.

-game includes pictures, color.

-game is neat, easy to read, 2 or less spelling errors

To earn a D

-Does not have all events listed on board

-or is not  “playable”.  In other words, possible to win, clear instructions, etc.

-or game does not teach player about  any of the events/laws I listed on the board.

To earn an F

Did not complete a game

Famous Protests in American History

Today, we will be looking at the British reaction to our most famous protest, The Boston Tea Party.
Click on the following link, and pick one of the top 10 American protests movements.  On a Google doc, summarize one protest that interests you, then answer the following questions.

Time Magazine Top 10 American protests

1.  How did government (U.S., city, or state) react to the protest
2.  How was the protest successful?  How was it not successful?
3.  Why do you think Time Magazine chose this as one of the Top 10 protests in American history?

The Boston Tea Party Political Cartoon

Today, you will study the Boston Tea Party.  Begin by clicking on the Boston Tea Party link, and completing the online simulation.  Then click on the comic creator link to create a cartoon to represent the event.  When you finish your cartoon, click the print button.  Instead of printing, choose save to google drive.  It will now appear in your google docs.  When you share with me, make sure you describe the cartoon.

The Boston Tea Party

Comic Creator

The Boston Massacre

One of the biggest events in American history leading to the Revolutionary War, is the Boston Massacre.  Today, you will begin looking at primary documents concerning this event.  Your job is to decide who you think was at fault.  The British soldiers, or the Colonists in Boston.

If you absent today, this is the video we watched before looking at the documents:  Boston Massacre

You can get the packet of primary documents when you return to class.

For Crown or Colony

Click on the following link to play the game:  For Crown or Colony

For those of you who are missing the Protest Poster assignment

Protest Poster assignment:  Create a poster to protest mercantilism.  You should include the following words and terms:

mercantilism
Navigation Acts
command economy
import
export
raw materials
manufactured goods

The Sons of Liberty

Today you will study two primary documents describing a protest by the Sons of Liberty.  Click on the following link to complete the lesson:  Sons of Liberty

The Stamp Act Activity

When Parliament passed the 1765 Stamp Act, colonists reacted with disbelief, scorn, and in some cases violence toward the hapless stamp agents assigned with the task of issuing stamps. Others chose to vent their anger in more creative ways. The above illustration known as An Emblem of the Effects of the STAMP appeared in American newspapers in October, 1765. As you can see, the artist who created the emblem was not particularly pleased with the Stamp Act. Design a Stamp that you think could serve as a creative protest on days when you think you get too much homework. Don’t get carried away though. Remember to be respectful toward your teachers.

Make your homework stamp design on a plain piece of print paper- you will find a pile on the computer cart.  Use markers or colored crayons to make it look cool.  Put your name on your paper and turn it in.  If you do not finish, it is due tomorrow.

The Proclamation of 1763

Fill in the Thirteen Colonies map using this site:  Map

On the map, identify the line that marked the Proclamation of 1763, and identify the Native American land Colonists were not allowed to settle in:     Proclamation of 1763

On the back of the map, summarize the reasons that England passed the Proclamation of 1763

Veteran's Day

When you have finished your test today, click on the following link to discover why we celebrate Veteran's Day.

Veteran's Day

Political Advertising Campaigns

Today you will view some of the most successful political ads in American history.  Fill out the graphic organizer for 5 of the 10 ads on the page.

Click on this link to begin:  Ten most successful political ads in history

Candidate Analysis

Today you will complete an analysis of your candidate.  I have created a T-Chart for you to copy to your account, complete and share with me.  You should describe things you like about your candidate on one side and things that you do not like on the other side.

These can include:
stance on particular issues, like marriage; gun control; abortion; taxes; government programs; the military; immigration; the environment; etc.

It may also include:
personality traits; leadership qualities; scandals; etc.

You may decide after a little research that the candidate you have chosen is not for you!  That's ok, pick another candidate.  This is a good thing, it means that you are becoming educated on the issues and where people stand.

Good luck on your journey, you are well on your way to becoming an educated voter!

Click on the following link to go to the T-Chart:  My Presidential Candidate

Political Ideaology

Nothing is sadder than a Republican who thinks they are a democrat- unless it is a Democrat who thinks they are a Republican!  Which party best represents your ideals?  Maybe neither one of these. Perhaps you are more of a libertarian, or a person who would more likely vote for a candidate from the Green Party.  Today, you will try to discover which political party suits you best.

Click on the following link:  isidewith

When you are finished, try playing Win the White House

Win The White House

Today you will be playing a game on iCivics called win the White House.  The game walks you through the different aspects of a political campaign.  You will learn some of the important topics that are discussed by each party and learn how candidates work to win electoral college votes.

Click on the following link to play the game:  Win The White House

Executive Command

As we prepare for the upcoming election, it is important that you understand what a President really does on a daily basis.  Presidents are very busy. You will get a taste for what the job of the President really entails as you play the game Executive Command.

Click on the following link to play the game:  Executive Command

Puritan Passenger Lists

Click on the following link to complete the lesson:

Passenger list assignment

The Mayflower Compact

Click on the following link for today's lesson:

The Mayflower Compact

What happened at the first Thanksgiving?

Click and go to find today's lesson:  Investigating the First Thanksgiving

KWL Chart for the First Thanksgiving

Once you have finished your investigation of the Pilgrims and Wampanoag Indians, you will write a historical fiction story.  Try looking at these links to get some ideas:

Short story: The Gift of the Magi
Short story:  To Build a Fire
Short story:  The Treasure in the Forest


 How to write historical fiction

10 Tips for writing historical fiction

The Starving Time

The Starving Time at Jamestown in the Colony of Virginia was a period of starvation during the winter of 1609–1610. During this time, all but 60 of the 400 colonists died. Lack of rain and access to water had crippled the agricultural production during the summer. Also, the water that the colonists drank was brackish and only drinkable half the year. Because of the drought, the local Powhatan Indians stopped sharing food with the settlers.  Relations worsened between the two groups when settlers attempted to steal food from the tribe.  That winter, colonists were forced to remain in the fort, or be killed by Powhatan tribesmen.

Letter written by George Percy, a member of the Jamestown settlement:  We are starved...

 "And now famine beginning to look ghastly and pale in every face that nothing was spared to maintain life and to do those things which seem incredible . . .”

What were these incredible things that George Percy wrote about? National Geographic

Time Video


Click on the Google Doc, copy it, and answer the questions- share with me:  The Starving Time

The English in America

Today in class, you have two games to play and an article to read.  

History Globe:  Jamestown Adventure 

National Geographic: On the Trail with John Smith




Jamestown: First English Colony in America 

---

On This Site • American History Glossary • The First European Settlements in America • Colonial Times

Explorers had been landing in America for some time before English settlers arrived in what is now Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607. But it was in that spot on the James River that English colonization began and with it, the history of America. 

James I was king of England at that time, and he had granted approval for a group of businesspeople to settle in this new land. They were part of the Virginia Company, and they got the go-ahead in 1606. By December of that year, the expedition was ready.
In all, 214 people set sail for America. They reached it on May 14, 1607. Very soon after they landed, the English found themselves under attack from Algonquins, a Native American tribe who had been living in that area for some time and who didn't exactly welcome new settlers. The English managed to drive off the attackers, who came back every now and then. The English, however, were there to stay.
Under the leadership of Captain John Smith, the English built a fort and other buildings designed to protect their new colony. They also found friendly Native Americans, like Powhatan, who was willing to trade with them. 
The terrible winter of 1609 convinced most of the settlers to abandon their new life, however. Only 60 of the 214 settlers survived this harsh winter, which was also hard on Powhatan's tribe and other neighboring Native Americans.
(It is this Powhatan, also, whose daughter Pocahontas eventually married John Rolfe.)
One of the main crops grown by the English settlers was tobacco, which they sold to Native Americans and to people back in England, beginning in 1612. Tobacco became a very popular crop because it was easy to grow and because it brought in so much money.
Once the money started flowing in regularly, the Jamestown colony grew, as did other settlements in Virginia and in other states along the eastern seaboard.
America's first elected assembly, the House of Burgesses, met in Jamestown for the first time on July 30, 1619. This group boasted many famous members through the years, including Patrick Henry, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson.
The year 1619 also saw another significant development: the first arrival of black workers on boats from Africa. These men and women were originally indentured servants, who worked a plot of land for a few years and then got to keep the land as owners. (The slave trade didn't get into full swing in this part of America until the 1680s.)
Jamestown was also the capital of Virginia and remained so until 1698. 

This article is from a site called   "Social Studies for Kids".  The article can be found online athttp://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/jamestown.htmhe

Columbus Resources

Smack-Down Paragraph

Shared Sources

Essay Outline

Project Standards

Example of body paragraph- includes elaboration

Continuing Columbus

As you work toward your goal of writing an essay to answer the question "Was Columbus a Hero, or a Villain?", make sure that you take a look at the outline.  I have made changes on it to account for the quotes you will use.  Essay Outline

Remember that you need at least five quotes that make Columbus look like a hero, and at least five quotes that make Columbus look like a villain before you begin to write.
-You also need one quote from a historian that makes Columbus look like a hero and one quote from a historian that makes him look like a villain.

You will notice on the outline it not only has a place for the quote, but it also has something called a smackdown paragraph.   This is where you acknowledge that not everyone agrees with you and why.  In this paragraph you argue against those who disagree with you.

The Two Faces of Christopher Columbus

Click on the following link for today's lesson.  Copy the graphic organizer to your Google Docs:

Christopher Columbus- Hero, or Villain?

European Exploration

Christopher Columbus

     When it comes to European Explorers, Christopher Columbus is a giant.  However, during his lifetime and even up to the 20th century, he was not given much credit for discovering the "New World".   Instead, that honor was given to Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian map maker who first realized the land was new and named it for himself.
     Today, we give credit to Columbus because his discovery truly led to the European colonization of North and South America.

Today, you will be playing some games and reading about Christopher Columbus.  Click on the following links to play:

Merchants of the Great Exchange

Christopher Columbus

When you have finished playing rags to riches and have won the $1,000,000 prize (check's in the mail),
you can watch the following video at History.com

The real story of Christopher Columbus

If you have time, there will be many videos about Columbus that automatically play after the one above, go ahead and watch a few, I think you will find that they are very interesting.

Native American Culture

Totem Pole Project

In Social Studies we often study the cultures of groups of people.  It is convenient to split culture into four categories for this purpose:

Economics:  How do you get what you need and want?
Social:  What makes one group of people different from another?
Political:  How are rules made and enforced?
Geographical:  What are the physical characteristics of a particular area and how does that affect culture?


As we study Pre-Columbian Native American cultures, I would like for you to consider the cultural aspects of your own life.  To do this, I have assigned a totem pole project.  The instructions are below: 

 your totem pole will probably not look like this one, but this is the general shape of a Pacific Coast Indian totem pole.

 

1.  Draw a totem pole on a sheet of paper.       
2.  Next, split the totem pole into 4 equal sections,
3.  In the top section of you pole draw pictures or symbols that represent how you and your family get money to buy the things you need and want.
4.  In the second section draw pictures or symbols that represent at least one social aspect of your life.  A good example might be a family tradition.
5.  In the third section draw pictures or symbols to represent how rules are made and enforced in your home.  (Political)
6.  In the bottom section of your pole, draw symbols or pictures to represent where you live.  (Geographical)
7.  When finished, make it colorful.

Remember, you cannot use words, only symbols and pictures.
Have fun!

Culture

When we study civilizations, it is helpful to examine their culture.  Culture can be divided into  categories in the following way:

Political:  Way of making and enforcing rules/laws.  This can include villages, nations, leaders, governments, and law-making process.

Economic:  How we get what we need and want.  In modern times, this could be going to work, getting paid, and using the money to buy groceries.

Geography:  Landforms, waterbodies, climate, natural resources, etc.  This includes anything that is naturally found in a region.

Social:  Traditions, families, religion, beliefs, values, etc.

Today, we will be studying the many cultures of Native American tribes that existed in North America before the arrival of Columbus- hence the name Pre-Columbian!
In class, we will work together to create a culture grid for the Pacific Coast region, then you will pick a culture area (Great Plains, Eastern, West and Southwest) to complete a culture grid of your own.  In each area of the grid you will have to make at least one inference (a conclusion based on evidence and reasoning) based on what you know about the culture area.  You should have an explanation for every inference you make.
Click on the following link:   Culture Grid    You will need to click "make a copy" so that you can type on it.

Missing Mayan Mystery

Click on the following link, collect clues, then write your answer to the question- use evidence to

support your answer!

Why did the Mayan city of Copan collapse?

Use archaeology to discover how a great civilization disappeared!

Finished?  Try this Mayan Math site:  Maya Math Game

Welcome Back!!

Welcome to 8th Grade Social Studies

icivics

icivics

America in the Age of Imperialism

Click on the link to watch video while you fill out the questions.
America in the Age of Imperialism

Explosion of the Maine

Click on the following link to start lesson:  The U.S.S. Maine

Sodbusters

Today, you will be learning about life on the plains in the late 1800s.
Click on the following link to see pictures of sodhouses:

Sod houses

Look through the pictures for 5 minutes, then complete the photograph analysis

Photograph Analysis

Watch the sodbuster video after sharing the photograph analysis with me.

Sodbuster video 

Jim Crow

Click on the following links in order:

1)    Jim Crow and voting                                                            

2)   Jim Crow Interactive Maps



When finished exploring the site, there are two videos you will watch below:

Elaine Race Riot part 1

Elaine Race Riot part 2

Radical Reconstruction

Click on the following link to complete the Reconstruction assignment.  You will need to copy it to your Google Docs and share with me.

Radical Reconstruction

Create a test

Create a test for the Civil War.

5 Multiple-Choice questions

5 True False questions

5 Fill in the blank questions

2 Essay questions

Items on your test:

Abraham Lincoln

George B. McClellan

The Gettysburg Address

Habeas Corpus

The Emancipation Proclamation

Border States

Confederate States of America

The Union

Ulysses S. Grant

Robert E. Lee

Ft. Sumter

The First Battle of Bull Run

The Battle of Antietam

The Battle of Gettysburg

The Siege of Vicksburg

Appomattox Court House

John Wilkes Booth

Cotton Diplomacy

Copperheads
Secession
The 54th Massachusetts
Richmond, Virginia

Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

The Gettysburg Address, Abraham Lincoln's most famous speech and one of the most quoted political speeches in United States history, was delivered at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on November 19, 1863, during the American Civil War, four and a half months after the Battle of Gettysburg. Lincoln's carefully crafted address has ultimately become regarded as one of the greatest speeches in American history. In fewer than three hundred words delivered over two to three minutes, Lincoln invoked the principles of human equality espoused by the Declaration of Independence and redefined the Civil War as a struggle not merely for the Union, but as "a new birth of freedom" that would bring true equality to all of its citizens.

Today you will take a look at the interactive speech on the Smithsonian site before answering the questions you were given in class.  Click here to see and listen to the speech:

Interactive Gettysburg Address

Interactive photo of Gettysburg ceremony

Vimeo Gettysburg Address

Battle of Gettysburg 360

The Battle of Antietam

The Battle of Antietam was the bloodiest single day battle of the Civil War.  Robert E. Lee, the General of the Army of Virginia, marched north from Richmond.  It was assumed that Lee, after winning several decisive battles over Northern armies was marching through Maryland to reach Washington, D.C.   Northern General George McClellan led an army to stop him.  Both sides suffered enormous casualties and Lee retreated back to Richmond, Virginia.  The North called it a victory and Lincoln used this victory to issue the Emancipation Proclamation.

Today, you will go on a field trip to the place where the Battle of Antietam was fought.  Click on the following link:  Antietam 360

Civil War Simulation

Today we will begin our study of the Civil War.  First, you will click on the first link below to play a simulation where you make decisions as either a member of the Union or of the Confederacy.  When you have completed the simulation, click on the second link to a Google Doc that you will copy to your account.  Complete this document of the major Civil War battles.

1.  Civil War Simulation

2.  Civil War Battles Google Doc

Causes of the Civil War test on Monday! Use the Study Guide

When you have finished the Ft. Sumter assignment, click on the following link to find the study guide for Causes of the Civil War test.  Copy the page and fill out on a Google Doc.
Study Guide

Items on the test, include:
The Missouri Compromise of 1820
The Compromise of 1850
The Kansas-Nebraska Act
"Bleeding Kansas"
Dred Scott Decision
John Brown's attack on Harper's Ferry, VA
popular sovereignty
balance of power in Congress between slave states and free states
abolitionism
the Republican Party
Abraham Lincoln
secession
election of 1860
import tariffs
Fugitive Slave Act
attack on Ft. Sumter
States' Rights Theory
Eli Whitney and the Cotton Gin
pro-slavery arguments

Attack on Ft. Sumter

Today, you will go to the link below to complete an assignment about the attack on Ft. Sumter.  The link will take you to a site where you will have 5 problems to consider as Abraham Lincoln.  Create a Google Doc to state and answer the 5 questions then share with me.  You may work alone or work with a partner.  The problems need to be answered in order.  Once you are finished, you will share your work with me.

Abraham Lincoln and Ft. Sumter

When finished with this assignment, watch the following video:  Attack on Ft. Sumter

Slavery in America

When you have finished the economics assignments, please click on the following link to watch a video about slavery in America:  Nat Turner's Rebellion

One is Silver and the Other's Gold

Today we will learn more about our nation's money supply.  In this activity you will learn about the gold standard and why we no longer use it.
Click on the following link to start:  Econolink

Hands on Banking

Today, we will start our economic unit.  You will start with clicking on the following link:
Hands on Banking

When you have passed the test, you may play the Federal Reserve Chairman Game

The Federal Reserve is able to influence the economy through interest rates.
When the unemployment rate (percentage of people not working) is high, the Federal reserve will lower interest rates.  This causes people to spend money rather than save it in a bank account with low interest rates.  When people spend money on products, businesses are able to make more money, and possibly hire more people.  It also leads to people and businesses getting new loans from banks because they will pay a lower interest rate on loans.  When people borrow money for cars, homes, etc. it tends to lead to more jobs and helps to lower the unemployment rate.   Businesses are also more likely to get loans to expand their business and hire more people.  The ideal unemployment rate is 5%- That means 95% of people who can work, are working.  Those people get paid to work, spend their money on products and help businesses keep the economy running.

When the unemployment rate is low (below 5%), and lots of people are working and have money to spend, the price of goods tends to rise (inflation).  The ideal inflation rate is 2%- that means the cost of products rises by 2% in a years time.  If the rate of inflation rises, the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates.  When this happens, people tend to put their money in a bank where they can receive a higher interest rate rather than spend it.   It also means that people and businesses are less likely to get loans from banks because they know they will have to pay a higher interest rate.  With less money being spent in the economy, the unemployment rate will tend to rise- less money, fewer jobs.

When you play the Fed Game you will need to watch the economy closely to raise or lower interest rates to keep the economy running smoothly!

The War of 1812- James Madison's speech to Congress

Today, we will take a look at President Jame's Madison's speech to Congress recommending war with Great Britain.  You have questions on a Google Doc.  I will assign a color to you in class.
You will need to make a copy, answer the questions, and share with me.


Orange

Red

Purple

Green

When finished, you may play a game that let's you see the job of a powder monkey on the USS Constitution, a famous ship from the war of 1812:  Powder Monkey

Should America go to war in 1812?

Today, we will examine the arguments for and against declaring war on the British in the summer of 1812. Using an online simulation/game, you will examine numerous regional perspectives from across the country to identify the reasons given to declare and not declare war on the British. You will assess the various reasons in order to cast your vote if the United States Congress should declare war.  After completing the simulation, you will complete a written response regarding the complexity of the causes of the War of 1812 and assessing the reasons the nation was divided on the war.

Click on the following link to start the simulation, there are eight videos to watch, make sure you take notes on the hand-out you were given in class:  Simulation

The Louisiana Purchase

The purchase of the Louisiana Territory from France in October 1803 doubled the size of the United States and foreshadowed its emergence as a global power. The purchase marked an unprecedented use of executive power by President Thomas Jefferson and evoked strong resistance from Federalists. In this lesson, a timeline of the purchase along with letters by Federalist leaders help you to decide whether practical concerns or political agendas motivated the opposition.

You will all be answering questions today from the assignment- however, there are four groups of you that need different types of questions.  Click on the link color that I assign in class to go to the proper Google Doc.  Copy the document, answer the questions, then share with me.

GREEN

PURPLE

RED

ORANGE

Caucus 101 continued

If you have not finished looking at the candidate videos please do so today.  Do a little research on your candidate, then go to the following site to be part of an official poll:

Who would you vote for today?

This vote is not official, it is only for a poll of Iowa students, you may change your mind before Monday, February 1st!

The Iowa Caucus: Political Parties

Take a look at these Candidate Videos.

When you have looked at some of the videos and find a candidate that interests you, begin researching online about that candidate.  Ask yourself the following questions:

1.  What do you like about this particular candidate?
2.  What issues does he/she think are most important?
3.  Why would this candidate make a good President of the United States?
4.  Is there anything about this candidate that you do not particularly like?

Supreme Interpreters webquest

What does it mean to interpret the Constitution? Why is interpretation necessary? Who gets to do it? In this WebQuest, you explore the answers to these questions and more. Using examples from the First and Eighth Amendments, you will try your own hand at interpreting sticky situations—and compare your findings to actual Supreme Court opinions.

To begin the webquest, click here:  Supreme Interpreters

In class, you will be given a hard copy of the questions to complete.  However, if you were absent today, you may click on this Google Doc, copy the page, complete the questions, and share with me:
Supreme Interpreters Webquest questions

Court Quest

In Court Quest, people from around the country need your help to navigate our court system. Listen carefully to each case, so you can guide them to the right place!

Click here to play: Court Quest