2016 School Year Reflection

In Social Studies this year, we covered a lot of people events from the Colonial Era through the Civil War. Looking back on your year, which topics and/or people did you enjoy learning about the most and why? Which projects and/or activities did you learn the most from and/or enjoy the most? Please take a few minutes and write your reflections below. Thanks for a great year, boys and girls!! :)

Andrew Jackson: Hero or Villain of History?

After researching Andrew Jackson using multiple sources, summarize your opinion of him. Do you think he deserves to be on the $20 bill? If so, why? If not, why not, and who should be on it instead?

Modern Day "Witchcraft": A Global Problem (MP 3)

Read the brief article below:
http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/16/africa/child-witchcraft-nigeria/index.html

What are your thoughts after reading this article? How does this relate to what we have learned about in history? What can de done to solve this problem?

MP 3: Current Events

Visit http://www.cnn.com/studentnews and watch the current events recap of the day. Summarize at least one topic in the program and respond to it. Include the Who, What, When, Where, and Why in your summary. In your response you should also include an opinion, a connection and/or a question on the topic. Post as anonymous using first name, last initial and class period only.

MP 2: Patriots or Something Worse?

As we have learned, the Sons of Liberty (America's most dedicated Patriots) went to extreme measures to become free from England. Tarring and feathering tax collectors, burning down British officials' and Loyalists' homes, destroying British goods (i.e. Boston Tea Party) and creating exaggerated propaganda (i.e. Revere's engraving) are just a few examples of how far the Patriots went to express their dissatisfaction with England. Do you feel these actions were justified in order to achieve the ultimate goal of freedom or did these Sons of Liberty sometimes take things too far? Can you make any modern connections related to people going to extreme measures to show their frustration? (Post as anonymous using first name, last initial and class period only!)

British propaganda depicting the Sons of Liberty. Look closely...

Causes of the American Revolution

Using your notes, the text and other reliable resources, state which CAUSE of the Revolution was the MOST responsible for the outbreak of war. Use textual evidence to support your opinion. Don't forget to respond to your peers' posts!

MP 2: Current Events (Student News)

Visit http://www.cnn.com/studentnews and watch the current events recap of the day. Summarize at least one topic in the program and respond to it. Include the Who, What, When, Where, and Why in your summary. In your response you should also include an opinion, a connection and/or a question on the topic. Post as anonymous using first name, last initial and class period only.

MP 2: Inequalities of Past and Present

Now that you have completed your PBL on the Inequalities of the Past and Present, please share some of the most interesting information you discovered through your research. How has this research changed your views on our country or the world? (Post as "anonymous" using first name, last initial and class period only.)

Colonial Choices

If you HAD to live in one of the early colonies (Roanoke, Jamestown, Plymouth or Massachusetts Bay) for ONE WEEK, which one would you choose? Why? What would you expect to be some of your biggest challenges? (Post as ANONYMOUS using first name, last initial and class period only...don't forget to copy first!)

Pocahontas: Fact vs. Fiction

After Disney's Pocahontas was released, the Powhatan Nation was furious that the real story of Pocahontas was distorted in the name of entertainment. (See the Powhatan's letter here.) After exploring the different resources on Pocahontas, do you agree with the Powhatan in believing that Disney should not have portrayed Pocahontas incorrectly? Why would Disney have changed the facts in the first place? Give evidence from at least one source to support your opinion. (Post as ANONYMOUS, using first name, last initial and class period only!)

Roanoke-October 19, 2015

Knowing what you now know about the "Lost Colony" of Roanoke, what advice would you give the settlers that may have helped them succeed in the New World? Post as anonymous using first name, last initial and class period only! Don't forget to save to your clipboard or Google Docs before publishing (just in case!)

Current Events: Week of 9/28/15

Using a reliable news site (i.e. cnn.com) find and read an article that interests you about a global or national event. In the comments section below, summarize the news story. Make sure to include the who, what, when, where, why and how, as well as your opinion on the event. Also include the link to the article. (Post as anonymous using your first name, last initial and class period!) 1 paragraph minimum.

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forward paragraph

Going Back in Time

If you could go back in time and spend a week in any historical time period, which one would you choose? Are there any particular people you would like to meet? Explain the reasons for your choice. (Post as ANONYMOUS with your first name, last initial and class period only.)

John Brown: Martyr or Madman?

Based on the historical evidence provided in Chapter 10 of War, Terrible War by Joy Hakim, the video entitled “John Brown’s Raid in American Memory” on the Virginia Historical Society’s website, and the article “The Impending Crisis,” on page 20 of your packet,  do you believe John Brown was a martyr or a madman?  Use TEXTUAL evidence to support your opinion!

Mission US-Game Review

After completing Mission #1 and/or Mission #2 on mission-us.org, write a REVIEW for the game below. Describe the mission, what challenges you had to overcome, and what you learned from the game. Rate it 0-5 stars and explain the reasons for your rating.

U.S. Imperialism-8th Grade

After learning about how to United States became a world power, what are your thoughts on imperialism?  Was the U.S. justified in taking control of lands oversees in order to gain military strength and wealth?  Use specific examples from the text, film clips, and/or articles to support your opinion!  (Post as anonymous using first name, last initial and period only!)

Exploring Future Careers

Reflect upon what you learned after completing the career activity with Mrs. Frederick or Ms. Constantino. What did you learn about your possible future career options?  Were you surprised by your research? (Post as anonymous using first name, last initial and class period only.)

Current Events-7th & 8th Grade

After watching a current episode of the student news at cnn.com/studentnews, watching the news on TV, or reading a recent article in print, summarize an important national or international news story. (Minimum 1-2 paragraphs.) Make sure to include the 5 W's of journalism (Who, What, When, Where, & Why.)

8th Grade: Native American Assimilation

Using your notes from the presentation, the film clips, and the map and article in your packet, describe the challenges faced by our nation's Native Americans in the late 1800's-early 1900's.  (Post as ANONYMOUS, using first name, last initial and class period only.)

Risking Your Life for Your Country?

Answer one or both of the following questions:

1)  Declaration of Independence

The signers of the Declaration of Independence were committing TREASON when they signed this important document.  The punishment for treason was death.  Why do you think the delegates were willing to risk their lives to become an independent nation?  Would you have done the same thing?  Why or why not?

2)  Women in the Revolution

Why do you think so many women were willing to risk their lives fighting or helping in other risky ways during the war if they were not even given equal treatment in society?  Would you have risked your life to do this if you were a woman during the American Revolution?