DiscoveryHistory

Space Flight? How is THAT about History?

2010-09-08T19:48:00.000-07:00

Well, because I said so and because, right now, we're discussing things from our HISTORY of Space Flight, so hang on to your hats!

How to make your own really cool paper airplanes: CLICK HERE

Timelines for study!

2010-04-01T20:05:00.000-07:00

Remember, next week is a huge memory game! Here's some things to help!

Roman History Timeline

More about Alaric's takeover of Rome

Why 410 Matters

More on Atila

Constantine Review

2010-03-26T09:36:00.000-07:00

These are some reconstructed flags of the Constantinian era.

This map is where the Roman Empire will shrink to by the next class.

You can read this first paragraph for the story of Constantine's flags.

This is a brief outline of Constantine's reign and important points.

This is a picture of a statue of Constantine. And another.

The Council of Nicea is important.
HOMEWORK FOR THIS WEEK:
Read THIS ARTICLE and come to class prepared to discuss what you think. Write down your thoughts in a few sentences for class.

Roman History High School

2010-03-18T17:23:00.000-07:00

Ok, if you are looking for credit in this class for high school then I need you to do a report and present it. It can be written 3 pages or it can be verbal and be a summary of important things about that emperor and his accomplishments, family relations, heirs, etc.

Pick an emperor between Hadrian and Diocletian and write a report about him. Here's the list!

http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/emperors/a/imperialdates.htm

For everyone else, just pick one and do some research on them for homework. Come in and tell us when they were emperor and if there was anything special about their reign.

Reviewing March 4 - Vespasian thru Trajan

2010-03-04T16:25:00.000-08:00

These are the images involved in class that were throughout Roman empire

More on Trajan's Column and the puzzle of how and why and what it means.

Things we did not get to cover in class so it's HOMEWORK!!!!!

Domitian's re-building of the Temple of Jupiter

Speech

2010-02-16T12:20:00.000-08:00

Homework.
24 hours.
One page.

Answer these questions:
What is truth? Who defines truth?

No Homework for this week

2010-02-16T10:20:00.001-08:00

Obviously, with me being really sick on Thursday (Man, it drives me NUTS when that happens!) I'm hoping you guys read or reviewed last week's assignments so we can move forward.

See you Thursday!

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.hmm. maybe there will be a quiz?

Speech Assignment for Thursday Feb 11, 2010

2010-02-08T21:03:00.000-08:00

Ok, you know we are having debates and that you need to think of pros/cons, strong arguments for each of these 10-15 debates. At least one point per argument, pro and con. So..THINK ABOUT IT. Don't just come up with a quick "because". Think solid. Think "He/she who frames the argument, wins the debate." Put your answers on a piece of paper or note card so you can remember them!

1. Should the government continue to fund NASA or should private enterprise/business fund space travel?

2. Is Greek Mythology a suitable study for Christian children?

3. Should homeschoolers take the FCAT?

4. Is algebra necessary to take as a class?

5. Do pets make children more responsible?

6. Which color is more girl-colored? Purple or red?

7. Is the letter P or the letter U more useful?

8. Is the glass half-empty or half-full?

9. Should Congress have term limits on Senators and Representatives?

10. At what age should Americans be considered an adult?

11. What kind of a job best fits the idea of the American Dream?

12. Can money buy happiness?

13. There is a cow in the road. Should you wait for the cow to move or try to move the cow?

14. Is there a truly honest person in this room?

15. Can success be defined?

If you don't understand or have questions, call me or email me!

Roma Takes over Britain

2010-02-08T20:51:00.000-08:00

http://http//the-orb.net/encyclop/early/origins/rom_celt/images/orbimages.html

Ok, this is a link to a bunch of images of Roman Britain. 2010 years later, these well-built structures still exist.
While it will not occur for at least another 800-1000 years, Tintagel is where King Arthur is supposed to have been born. The fortifications are still there, after all this time.

http://http//www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/romans/mosaics_gallery.shtml

Come into class to discuss what you think of how Romans built, why they put up the art they did, did the Romans take over Britain or did they just live there? What do you think after looking at all these pictures?

For fun:
DO NOT CLICK PLAY GAME without talking to your parents!
http://http//www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/romans/launch_vt_housesteads.shtml is a virtual tour of a Roman Fort
http://http//www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/launch_gms_bfacademy.shtml is a game where you get to fight the Roman legions!

Claudius, Nero and Britain

2010-02-08T17:12:00.000-08:00

Watch this space. I will be updating with homework tonight!

Sorry about the late posting but the shuttle delay kept us at Cape Canaveral an extra day with no internet :)
Updated Monday evening:
Ok, so here is the homework for this week.
If you are in the High School Class, read this article on Claudius and come in PREPARED TO DISCUSS IT! I will be giving a quiz of sorts to see if you read it, just highlights of Claudius' reign. www.roman-emperors.org/claudius.htm

Be prepared to answer how he's related to emperors we've already passed by...Augustus, Tiberius, Gaius (Caligula)....and a few other items of interest. Read the article!

Then during class, we will be discussing the conquest of Britain which occurs during Claudius' time.

Looking for Roman History?

2010-02-02T06:03:00.000-08:00

I've been busy working on a few things this week so homework is rather light.

Here's a history of olives and a link on how they are cleaned and used:http://www.explorecrete.com/nature/olive-oil-history.html

http://www.globalgourmet.com/food/egg/egg0397/oohistory.html

http://www.globalgourmet.com/food/egg/egg0397/stonecrush.html

Why so many links about a simple food? Because olives were a staple in the Roman diet and still are to this day!

Speech Assignment Due Feb 4

2010-02-02T06:02:00.000-08:00

You should have a partner.
If you don't have a partner, call someone in the class or call me and we can arrange a partner.

Your job this week is to create an inspirational conversation. Something that the two of you discuss and get the rest of the class interested in. It can be fictional but it must be interesting :)
1-3 minutes.

Caesar Augustus and the Pax Romana

2010-01-20T20:10:00.000-08:00

Ok, last week we chatted a bit about Octavian's rise to power and his overthrow of his fellow co-governors (triumvirs), ending with the death of Antony and Cleopatra in Egypt and the death of Caesarion, Caesar's son.

This week, it's all about Caesar Augustus, as he's now called, and his Pax Romana...the golden age of Roman peace. Remember his writings about himself from last week:

http://classics.mit.edu/Augustus/deeds.html

The Aeneid of Virgil comes into play as a political and spiritual reminder of Roman glory, with Caesar Augustus sponsoring Virgil's writings and epic poetry. You don't have to read the Aeneid if you are in the younger classes (k-5) but the older class is going to have to discuss some of it :) You can read more if you choose. Caesar also patronizes Ovid, another poet.

So...if you were going to be an artist in this time period, what would you make or create that would celebrate Augustus' great works?
Draw, write or create something and bring it to class.

Speech Assignment Due January 28th

2010-01-20T19:59:00.001-08:00

"I Have A Dream" Speech from Martin Luther King, Jr. can be found here in transcript form, with citations :)
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbUtL_0vAJk is the full video of the speech.

What makes him a good speaker?
Speech for next week:
Write a speech about another speech :) You can find speeches all over the internet, youtube, etc and you should be able to tell us where you found it, what was good about it, what was bad about it, what do you think YOU can do like the speech or should you NOT do? Be prepared to read it and turn it in, 2 pages :) We will be debating whether or not we agree with you about your speech :)

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speechbank.htm
http://www.historyplace.com/speeches/previous.htm

Speech! Speech!

2010-01-13T20:49:00.001-08:00

Yes, you have to write a speech!!!

Seriously!

I mean it!

If not, why are you in this class? :)

So, the sarcasm is over and here's your assignment for the first week, in case you didn't write it down.
You need to write a speech about your parent. Pick one. This speech has to be about an event in your parent's life before they turned 20. It has to be about something that was interesting to them, somewhere they went, something they did. Interview them. Think "Who, What, When, Where, Why, How" and ask them questions about the event. Try to describe it in real terms and be as descriptive as possible.
Here's the trick. You are going to give the speech as if it were YOU doing the action. You will live through your parents. You can't use "My mom ...or "my dad"...you have to be talking in first person.

Welcome Back!

2010-01-13T20:27:00.000-08:00

Ancient in Review:

http://www.exovedate.com/ancient_timeline_p1.html

http://www.exovedate.com/ancient_timeline_two.html

http://www.exovedate.com/ancient_timeline_three.html

http://www.exovedate.com/ancient_timeline_four.html

Read em and weep! :) or is that "don't panic"?
Actually, I want you to NOT click on links. Just read through the basic history on each page for review or catch up. Even the new students can probably get an idea of most of it by reading through in the next few weeks and listening in class but you should really have an idea of this stuff in order to say you know Rome! You have no homework for next week other than to "review" where we've been. On to Augustus!!

Pompeii Videos

2009-11-13T10:54:00.000-08:00

For the discussion of Pompeii, I found several websites that allow you to learn more about the city itself

This video shows the plaster castings made of the people who lost their lives:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmwylbF3-CA&feature=related

This video shows the daily Roman life going on at the time of the eruption:
YouTube - Pompeii, The Last Day (for the parents, I have vetted that this has no questionable material on it, I watched the entire thing but it does show the city and the mountain in the background, markets, etc. The rest of the videos on youtube about this special from BBC, I have NOT watched and can't say the same.)

The 1944 Eruption of Vesuvius
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bsmv6PyKs0&feature=fvsr

Andrew Carnegie's Legacy

2009-11-13T08:27:00.000-08:00

http://www.carnegiehall.org/article/the_basics/art_overview.html

This is a quick history of the halls named in his honor.

http://library.thinkquest.org/J003298F/people.htm

This is a quick overview of the "grandest" of the Robber Barons.

Second Industrial Revolution

2009-11-13T08:24:00.000-08:00

http://faculty.wcas.northwestern.edu/~jmokyr/castronovo.pdf

That link to the article on the changing American World and the Second Industrial Revolution.

US History Final

2009-11-10T05:23:00.000-08:00

As discussed in class, you have two choices due next week (last day of class) in order to get high school credit for the class.
You can take the "Final" which is answering 3/5 of the essay questions posted below or you can write a 5 page paper on a topic of your own choosing from 1850-1900. I will help you develop the topic if you email me or if you want some additional resources.

Paper requirements:
12pt font, double spaced, bibliography, five pages not including title page. If you use wikipedia, you must use 2 other resources as well. Online, encyclopedia, book, it's all fair game :)

Essay requirements:
Answer must take up 1-2pages, 12 pt font, single spaced. No bibliography needed but if you quote or use significant information from a specific source, please footnote.

Essay Choices: (You must do 3 out of the 5)
1. Discuss Lincoln's political policies and their eventual outcome. Include the Emancipation Proclamation in your discussion.

2. Discuss Reconstruction in it's first (Presidential) phase.

3. Discuss a particular battle of the Civil War and it's ramification on the outcome of the Civil War. (You may NOT use your battle project.)

4. Discuss the economic impact of slavery and it's removal on the North and South.

5. Discuss the impact of Bessemer steel production and steam engines on the Industrial Revolution of the late 1800's and the US economy.

Julius Caesar and beyond

2009-11-06T08:35:00.000-08:00

This is the article for the timeline of what we discussed this week:

http://www.vroma.org/~bmcmanus/caesar.html

And if you are in the 2-5 or Middle/High School class, this is more about Caesar you need to read. Your homework is in another post but read this article to try to gain an understanding of the politics :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitutional_Reforms_of_Julius_Caesar

Preparation for our Legions

2009-10-23T09:09:00.000-07:00

This is for our Legions week next week!

http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/Homework/romans/equipment.html

http://www.vroma.org/~bmcmanus/romanarmy.html

For your Enjoyment Only: Roman Numerals

2009-10-23T09:02:00.000-07:00

Some of the kids wanted to know how to do higher order Roman Numerals, so here:
http://www.roman-britain.org/numerals.htm

Homework Assignment

2009-10-23T08:44:00.000-07:00

What policies did Abraham Lincoln put into place during his Presidency?

Do some research, come up with some specific information about his policies.

This next week will also be about Gettysburg so if you want to find some links and read those as well, it would be great to have some other opinions on the battle itself to discuss in class :)

The Story of Providence Spring

2009-10-23T08:43:00.000-07:00

http://www.bivouacbooks.com/bbv5i2s2.htm

This is the story I read this week about Andersonville

Gaius Marius, Sulla,

2009-10-19T16:34:00.000-07:00

Roma had some very serious conquerors from her own upper class. While Gaius Marius was considered a 'New Man', both Sulla and Julius Caesar were patrician Romans.

Sulla:
http://www.nndb.com/people/285/000097991/

Your homework is to read this:
http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/deathafterlife/a/RomanBurial.htm

and come in ready to discuss Roman Burial practices.

Getting to Yes

2009-10-19T16:31:00.001-07:00

http://www.colorado.edu/conflict/peace/example/fish7513.htm

This is the article based on the book.

1-3 min speech due.
You need to convince your audience of something based on using these principles.
Use an argument you have in real life or something you want in real life and make your speech about how you would get there based on this article.

Make your parents read it, too. If you need help figuring out the principles, they can help :)

Gladiator Types

2009-10-15T20:40:00.001-07:00

http://www.unrv.com/culture/roman-gladiators.php

This is the link to the discussion on gladiators we did today, it's a list of all the types of gladiators and how they fought.

Merrimac, Monitor, Antietam and Freedom

2009-10-15T20:39:00.000-07:00

http://americancivilwar.com/monitor.html

That's the article on the naval battle.

This is the Antietam site that there will be a quiz on next week :)

This is the Emancipation Proclamation

Antietam and POW camps

2009-10-09T15:06:00.000-07:00

http://aotw.org/

http://www.angelfire.com/ga2/Andersonvilleprison/index.html

The Punic Wars

2009-10-08T12:13:00.000-07:00

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punic_Wars

This is a brief explanation of today's class...

THIS is an article on the Elephant debate.
http://www.nytimes.com/1984/09/18/science/the-mystery-of-hannibal-s-elephants.html?&pagewanted=2

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Scipio.jpg

Ruins of Carthage
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Carthage

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaius_Marius

Speech

2009-10-01T09:32:00.000-07:00

Demonstration, Freestyle, Imaginary Invention...pick one and do a 3-5 minute speech.

Demonstration Speech:
Make sure you go through every step of the process.

Freestyle:
3-5 minutes.

Imaginary Invention:
Be detailed on how it was invented, what it does, what it's flaws/uses are.

Greedy little Laws

2009-09-30T22:30:00.001-07:00

http://www.econ.ceu.hu/download/BESS/08Dec08.pdf

This link is to a long long paper about Roman laws on greedy things. Too much wine, too many good snacks, too much waste while plain Roman people were hungry :(

So...there will be a quiz when I get back next week. If you read the article and write down the answers to these questions, you will do well on the quiz :)
What were they taxing? Fines? Why were they doing it? What were the results?

Aqua Ducks? No! Aqueducts!

2009-09-30T22:09:00.000-07:00

Ok, so today we built Aqueducts and these are the links where our information came from:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aqueduct_(Roman)

http://chestofbooks.com/crafts/scientific-american/sup4/The-Water-Supply-Of-Ancient-Roman-Cities.html **Please note, do not click on outside links on this page. I cannot guarantee where they will take you. You can go forward and back in the article, it's three pages.

http://www.technologystudent.com/struct1/roman2.htm

How Tunnels Work Hey, what do you MEAN that Tunnels are just arches all the way around?

http://www.memagazine.org/contents/current/features/feroman/feroman.html The tools they used.

Watering Ancient Rome

Lunch, Roman Style...

2009-09-30T21:52:00.000-07:00

Today's Recipes have been brought to you by:
NOVA Online

Thanks to them for the lovely meal ideas!

Today's Lead Poisoning has been brought to you by:
The University of Chicago

If you want to make the recipes, have fun!

I want everyone in the High School class to read over the article about Lead Poisoning. It's fascinating!!!

Lincoln's Election

2009-09-24T11:21:00.001-07:00

We discussed this in class but I wanted to give you the dates/names/numbers to clarify! :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_1860

Secession and WAR!

2009-09-24T10:50:00.001-07:00

Read this to find out more information on modern-day Ft Sumter.

Read THIS to find out in what order and which states seceded from the Union.

For more information on general secession read HERE

The homework for the class is simple.
Do states have the right to secede? Yes or no. 1-2 page argument for your cause.

Reminder:
Battle projects are due October 8th.

Roman Venus/Mars and Architecture.

2009-09-24T10:46:00.000-07:00

Roman History today was all about Venus and Mars.

This is a picture of the temple we tried to build to Venus Genetrix, the "Mother of all Rome".

THESE are links to some wonderful different arches and architecture. Read through them to discover how arches and temples are used and built.

This week's assignment is to look at this link and build some things to show us for next week! You can use Legos, other building materials or draw pictures of the "perfect" temple. Explain why you used the type of format you used. Read the article below to see what kind of columns you would use to decorate the exterior of the temple and why.

Next week is continuing Roman Architecture and how Columns were actually made and we will be building Aqueducts!

Venus, Mars and Roman Architecture!

2009-09-24T10:37:00.000-07:00

Roman History today was all about Venus and Mars.

This is a picture of the temple we tried to build to Venus Genetrix, the "Mother of all Rome".

THESE are links to some wonderful different arches and architecture. I really recommend talking to your children and showing them the different buildings!

If you have a child who is really into building or legos...feel free to look at this link and build some things to show us for next week!
Next week is continuing Roman Architecture and how Columns were actually made and we will be building Aqueducts!

Speech

2009-09-24T10:29:00.000-07:00

Great job everyone on the Health Care debate!

Today's class:
Cliches and Stereotypes.Blogger: DiscoveryHistory - Create Post
Wikipedia entries here: Cliche and Stereotype

There are cliche websites that have lists but please search or look for them with a parent's permission. Some cliches are more adult-toned.

Use 25 (minimum!!!) cliches or stereotypes in a speech that is 1-5 minutes long. The most cliches or stereotypes used in a speech wins a prize!

In this way, you learn what cliches are and how stereotypes are used, therefore you know WHAT NOT TO USE! as you learn to debate and think about writing speeches.

US History High School Assignment

2009-09-21T08:09:00.000-07:00

Don't forget that your assignment this week is to go back to last week's articles and read the first two of the Lincoln-Douglass debates.
I want you to understand Lincoln's position completely so that when you come into class, you can figure out why the Southerners weren't in favor of his Presidency!

War of Northern Aggression

2009-09-17T13:05:00.001-07:00

http://www.wvtf.org/news_and_notes/audio/200907301651020.CWS_02.mp3

US Constitution turns...well, old!

2009-09-17T04:18:00.000-07:00

How old is it?

http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/146611/group/Opinion/

Speech Assignment for Sept 24, 2009

2009-09-17T04:17:00.000-07:00

The website where I got our logic problem for the week:

http://www.puzzles.com/Projects/LogicProblemsArchive.html

Work on your own logic problems and see how you can get information without knowing you knew it!

Speech for the Week:
Is Health Care a Right?

Keep in mind a few questions.
What is a Right?
Who decides what is a Right?
What is Health Care?

The Roman Constitution

2009-09-17T04:15:00.000-07:00

http://www.utexas.edu/depts/classics/documents/RepGov.html

After you read the Roman Republic Constitution, think of some ways that there might be problems with the Constitution. Who is really in Charge of Rome?

Happy Birthday to our OWN United States Constitution!

Speech Class Assignment

2009-09-14T21:42:00.001-07:00

Write a speech on the subject of
Which is better: Reason or Passion? Logic or Emotion?

Keep in mind your own personality, other people's personalities, your audience? Let us know why you pick what you pick and explain how and why it matters as you give speeches or join in debates.

Laurel Wreaths and Roman Walls

2009-09-14T21:34:00.000-07:00

http://www.liza-kliko.com/laurel-wreath/myth.htm

After last week, you should all have an idea of what a Laurel Wreath is. Read these legends and come to class ready to talk about Apollo and his role in mythology.

On this page, they discuss the role of the laurel in later Rome:
http://www.liza-kliko.com/laurel-wreath/oldtimes.htm
and here:
http://www.liza-kliko.com/laurel-wreath/romanempire.htm

Also read this about Roman Architecture and Design:

The Growth of Rome

The Servian Walls.—The expansion of the city under the Tarquins is shown, in the first place, by the construction of the new and larger walls which are ascribed to Servius Tullius, and which received his name. Previous to this time the principal city wall was on the Palatine. Some of the other hills were partly fortified. But now a single fortification was made to encircle all the seven hills, by joining the old walls and by erecting new defenses. The walls were generally built of large, rectangular blocks of stone, and so durable were they that they remained the only defenses of the city for many hundreds of years; and parts of them may be seen at the present day.

The Arch of Titus

The New Temples.—Under the Tarquins, the temples of the city assumed a more imposing architectural appearance. Before this the places of worship were generally altars, set up on consecrated places, and perhaps covered with a simple roof. The Etruscan kings gave a new dignity to the sacred buildings. The most imposing example of the new structures was the temple dedicated to Jupiter Optimus Maximus, on the Capitoline hill, which contained shrines set apart for the worship of Juno and Minerva. Other new temples were the one dedicated to Saturn at the foot of the Capitoline near the Forum, and one dedicated to Diana on the Aventine.

The Cloaca Maxima.—Among the most remarkable works of the Tarquins were the sewers which were constructed to drain the city. The most important of these was the famous Cloaca Maxima, or great drain, which ran under the Forum and emptied into the Tiber. It was said to be large enough to admit a hay-cart, and one could sail down it in a boat. It was strongly built of stone, in the form of a semicircular arch, such as the Etruscans had used, and its mouth is still visible on the shore of the Tiber.

The Circus Maximus.—For the amusement of the people, games were introduced from Etruria, and a great circus, called the Circus Maximus, was laid out between the Aventine and the Palatine hill. Here the people assembled once every year, to witness chariot races and boxing and other sports, which were celebrated in honor of the gods who were worshiped on the Capitoline.

(taken from: http://www.theancientweb.com/explore/content.aspx?content_id=17)

Laurel crowns, Jupiter and Juno

2009-09-14T21:25:00.000-07:00

This is what we did in class LAST week!
http://www.education.com/activity/article/paper-laurel-crown/

Romans borrowed laurel crowns from the Greeks!

They also borrowed their Gods and Goddesses and renamed them.

Presidential Concerns

2009-09-14T21:15:00.000-07:00

Homework for this week...
1. Who were the Presidents between 1850 and 1861?
2. When were they elected?
3. What were some issues they faced?

Check out Potus.com for some of the answers to this!

4. Read this Article
http://history1800s.about.com/od/slaveryinamerica/a/KansasNebraska.htm
and this one:
http://history1800s.about.com/od/abrahamlincoln/tp/Lincoln-Douglas01.htm

Who do you think was right? Did you find any of the opposing points of view interesting? Were either of them completely right or completely wrong?

Roman History 101

2009-09-08T15:21:00.000-07:00

Ok. For this week....homework is really just finding the blog.

You can also read this article to have a start on where we are going this week:

http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/romans/religion/

Civil War Assignment for Sept 10th

2009-09-01T21:41:00.000-07:00

Interview 10 people and ask them why the War Between the States began, what state they were born in and their age. Bring the answers to class.

Battle Project for Civil War to 1900 Class

2009-09-01T21:17:00.000-07:00

In order to get honors credit for this class, you must complete a few projects.
This is the directions for the Battle Project.

You have to pick a specific battle or location of several battles during the Civil War.
Your project MUST have some sort of created audio visual (video, diorama, poster, etc) component. DO NOT bring in a Ken Burns video and expect that to count though feel free to use pieces of a video to expound on a point.
Your project must include research on the principle officers/generals/etc in the war on both sides.
Your project must include a map of the battlefield and an explanation of the strategy and HOW the battle was fought.
If you pick a general location "Gettysburg" then you must talk about all the battles fought at that location.

This project is NOT hard but you should be thorough. This is easily done in a few hours worth of research.
There is no specific length on this because your presentation will be oral but you should have 3+ pages of research.

Battlefields must be reserved so pick one quickly. Please use the sign up sheet in class for this project.
Projects will be due in late Sept-October, dates to be announced.

EDITED TO ADD:
Taken Battles: chickamauga, shiloh, bull run.
If you emailed me or commented, I have you on the list but I'm not sure who Bull Run was so please email me and/or let me know in class!

Nice quote

2009-05-04T17:41:00.001-07:00

John W. Gardner - Quote of the Day - - "History never looks like history when you are living through it."

"Negro" Sprirituals

2009-04-09T18:19:00.000-07:00

Here are the songs I played today in class:

http://jefferson.village.virginia.edu/utc/christn/hebrewfr.html
http://jefferson.village.virginia.edu/utc/christn/amazingfr.html
http://jefferson.village.virginia.edu/utc/christn/canaanfr.html
http://jefferson.village.virginia.edu/utc/christn/fieldfr.html

Mint Juleps and Key Lime Pie

2009-04-09T18:18:00.000-07:00

Today we talked about the assumptions of what Southern life and Northern life were like.
We had mint juleps and key lime pie.

Recipe:
http://www.backwoodshome.com/recipes/row060812.html

Last Assignment

2009-04-06T05:39:00.000-07:00

Read this:
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/washing.asp

and this:
http://www.africanamericans.com/ThomasJeffersonABillConcerningSlaves.htm

Final Exam Requirements

2009-04-05T18:28:00.000-07:00

Ok, in order to receive high school credit in Introduction to American History 1776-1850, you'll need to do finish the Final Exam. This exam IS 'open book' meaning that you can use the Internet links provided to finish the exam. The idea is to read the articles and complete the exam. The links are at the end of the exam. Please submit the exams via email to Mrs. Shannon by April 18 or in class by April 9. If you want a certificate for the class, please include this in the email. Thank you!

The first 50 questions are short answer. The answers should be about a sentence long.
There are five short essay questions worth 50 points total. 10 points a piece. I want complete answers that cover "who, what, when, where, why and how". If you think of that for every question, you'll get it right. :) Remember that short essays have about 10 sentences, half a page.

Short Answer:
1-10. Name the first 10 Presidents of the United States and their Vice Presidents.
11. What were George Washington's qualifications for being President?
12. Which of the Bill of Rights protects your right to wear bunny slippers?
13. Are we a Republic or a Democracy?
14. What rights are protected in the First Amendment to the Constitution?
15. Who was Thomas Jefferson's Vice President and what happened to him?
16. What year did the United States outlaw the importation of slaves?
17. Who told the Supreme Court to enforce their own decision regarding the Cherokee?
18. What war was ended by the Treaty of Paris?
19. What are the Alien and Sedition Acts?
20. Which city was the first Capital of the United States?
21. Who was the first US President to live in the White House?
22. Who saved the original Constitutional Convention notes when the British burned Washington, DC?
23. Which of the first five Presidents were not born United States citizens?
24-25. Which of the first five Presidents both died on July 4, 1826?
26. What is the Indian Removal Act of 1830
27. Who was Nat Turner?
28. What was important about the Amistad Court Case?
29. Who was the lawyer involved with defending the Africans in the Amistad court case?
30. Which countries fought in the American Revolution?
31. Who invented the cotton gin, making it easier to clean cotton?
32. What is an abolitionist?
33. What crops did big plantations grow that needed slavery?
34. Who owned the Louisiana area in 1800?
35. Who owned Florida in 1800?
36. Where were most textile mills located in the United States?
37. What was the first coeducational college or university in the United States?
38. What poisonous and toxic metal was commonly used in medicines in the 1800's?
39. What diseases ran rampant through the early United States?
40. Who declared war on the Tripoli Pirates?
41. What was John C. Calhoun a huge advocate of?
42. What did South Carolina use "nullification" for?
43. What nickname was given to the Tariff of 1828?
44. Which President became a war hero in the Seminole Wars?
45. Who was the first signer of the Declaration of Independence and what did he say about King George III?
46. What was the first state that ratified the Constitution?
47. What is the Tariff of 1828?
48. Where were the various Indian tribes relocated to?
49. What tribes other than the Cherokee were relocated?
50. Who was the "Father of the Constitution"?

Essay Questions:
51. What is the significance of the Louisiana Purchase?
52. What is important about the First 10 Amendments to the Constitution?
53. What are some of the causes of the War of 1812?
54. Name the first 10 Presidents of the United States.
55. Explain the Monroe Doctrine
56. What is the agrarian view of the United States in Jefferson and Madison's time?
57. Discuss Lewis and Clark and what they did.
58. Discuss the Second Seminole War and what caused it.
59. Discuss the Cherokee Removal from Georgia.
60. What is the Missouri Compromise?

BONUS QUESTION: Worth 10 points.
61. Pick any topic from 1776-1850 and write a short essay about it.

The Constitution/Bill of Rights:
http://www.law.emory.edu/law-library/research/ready-reference/us-federal-law-and-documents/historical-documents-constitution-of-the-united-states/amendments-to-the-constitution.html

http://www.usconstitution.net/constamnotes.html#BOR

http://www.potus.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_of_1812

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/lewisandclark/

http://www.lewis-clark.org/

http://civilwar.bluegrass.net/secessioncrisis/200303.html

http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/Missouri.html

http://www.worldalmanacforkids.com/WAKI-ViewArticle.aspx?pin=wwwwak-465

Cherokee views on Jackson:
ttp://www.cherokee-nc.com/index.php?page=64

Nat Turner
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part3/3p1518.html

http://kclibrary.lonestar.edu/19thcentury1830.htm

http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/other_documents/other_documents.cfm

Interested in a "summer history" course that's only online?

2009-04-02T19:18:00.001-07:00

I've thought about doing a 2 day a week history posting to run an online course for the summer...
if anyone is interested, let me know.

Hehehe...

2009-04-02T19:13:00.001-07:00

The Beginning of the End.

2009-04-02T09:24:00.000-07:00

Why the South was angry:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tariff_of_1828

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/States%27_rights

Seminole Wars Review

2009-03-26T04:29:00.000-07:00

http://fcit.usf.edu/FLORIDA/lessons/sem_war/sem_war1.htm

These are some basic facts of the Seminole Wars

Today's Review Assignment

2009-03-26T04:28:00.000-07:00

Ok, read this and review! This is going to be part of the midterm/final.
If you are in sixth grade or up, it's important to read the articles to know where to go back to and find the answers for the midterm/final.

http://www.bigorrin.org/cherokee_kids.htm

If you look on the Cherokee language pages, it explains how to write your name in Cherokee.

An Overview of the Why of the Cherokee Removal

2009-03-24T06:04:00.000-07:00

http://www.powersource.com/cocinc/history/trail.htm

How the Cherokee Lived at the time of removal

2009-03-24T06:02:00.000-07:00

http://www.cherokeeheritage.org/adams_corner/adamscorner.html

This is an example of a Cherokee village.

Looking for History in All the Wrong Places?

2009-02-17T11:11:00.000-08:00

Well, as most of you know, I got incredibly sick last week. This kept you all out of homework LAST week and since I'm still recovering, THIS week. Therefore, you will have a homework assignment for over our "Spring Break". I'm going to make it fun, however, and make it a scavenger hunt. I'm still working on it, so I'll post as soon as I'm done.

This week, we're going to cover some things we should have talked about last week and move forward. The Louisiana Purchase is going to be Big! :)

See you Thursday!

Life in These United States

2009-01-29T12:38:00.000-08:00

Ok, if you lived in 1800-1820, what would a day in your life be like?
What would you do when you woke up? When you went to bed? Where would you sleep? What is your family like? What do you eat? What do you do for entertainment? Where do you live?

Pick a state and tell us about life...
Here are some interesting links..I'll post more later!

http://library.thinkquest.org/C005446/text_version/English/colonial.html

http://www.pastpatterns.com/doll.html
http://www.pastpatterns.com/001.html
http://www.pastpatterns.com/men.html

http://www.ealonline.com/editorial/toc.php?id=0902
http://www.jstor.org/pss/1844854

Those population things I talked about in class are here:
http://www.census.gov/population/www/censusdata/files/table-2.pdf

The Constitution

2009-01-27T17:01:00.001-08:00

I asked everyone in class to read 1 (one) section of the Constitution. I know not everyone heard me or remembered, so I'm posting it just in case you've forgotten! It doesn't matter which section you read :0)

http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/usconst.asp

This week we will also be discussing other aspects of social history and what life was like at the time of the Constitution :)

Inauguration video

2009-01-19T09:06:00.000-08:00

The 39 Words that make a President:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQhWtRW-KKA

And Now for Something Completely Different...

2009-01-18T12:19:00.000-08:00

While this doesn't apply to US History class, this IS the International Year of Astronomy (for more information on that, click HERE ) so I thought I would post about one of the most fantastic scientific minds ever.

http://galileo.rice.edu/ is a site dedicated to Galileo Galilei with some basic overviews of how this 'scientist' crossed history, science, religion and practical mathematics.

Enjoy!

Timeline

2009-01-14T15:11:00.001-08:00

Here's where we are for this semester:

http://www.worldalmanacforkids.com/WAKI-ViewArticle.aspx?pin=wwwwak-465

A representative WHA?

2009-01-07T19:24:00.001-08:00

If you are reading this blog, you were most likely tortured by a parent into joining my American History Class. Welcome back or welcome to the class!

Every week assignments will be posted and as I already have most of them written up, they will be posted HERE :) Not given in class sometimes, POSTED HERE :) Always check HERE :)

I have a great sense of humor for most things so I like to be silly sometimes. Expect class to be serious but somewhat silly in regards to understanding that even George Washington sometimes had to take his wig off and just be "George, take out the trash".

If you don't do your homework, it lowers your grade. If you don't care about being graded and just want to learn, that's good, too, but don't look at me like "aw, why a B or C" if every time I had an assignment, you weren't there or didn't turn one in :)

Assignment #1
Define Representative Republic and tell me why the US is NOT a democracy. Ask your parents, search on the Internet, look on other sites but answer the question kind of thoroughly, at least a paragraph and DO NOT QUOTE unless you cite the article you are quoting :) Bring this to class or memorize it.

Assignment #2
Read the Bill of Rights. Could be a quiz. hmm. maybe so.

P.S. It's the right to bear arms, not arm bears. :)

Da Vinci Discovery

2008-12-18T23:21:00.001-08:00

http://news.aol.com/article/sketches-found-on-back-of-da-vinci-work/281336

History Fair

2008-11-19T18:12:00.001-08:00

For those of you who are bringing projects, we are going to have a table in the front foyer for displaying them. We may move to the gym if we have too many :)

Final Assignment

2008-11-13T03:41:00.000-08:00

Well, it's been fun teaching the class and I've really enjoyed the participation of all my students. :)

For those of you in high school, your last assignment is to give me a one page (maximum) summary of the Treaty of Paris
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/paris.asp

For the 2-4 graders, get a parent to talk to you about what's important in the Treaty and come to class to talk about it! :)

For the Kindergarteners, we're just going to celebrate :) The war is over! yeah!!

Battles of the American Revolution

2008-11-04T08:01:00.000-08:00

http://www.kidport.com/RefLib/UsaHistory/AmericanRevolution/Battles.htm

These are the major battles in the Revolution.

Pick three and bring in a short statement about them. Something you can share about what was important about them with the rest of the class.

"Things Get Ugly"

2008-10-22T19:47:00.001-07:00

Starting in 1774, the Coercive Acts begin.
What are the Coercive Acts?

Why are they punishing Boston?

What is Boston's Response?

Declaring Independence

2008-10-22T19:17:00.000-07:00

The Declaration of Independence
http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/scan.htm

What is a "Continental Congress"?
http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761567004/Continental_Congress.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continental_Congress

http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/related/congress.htm

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/continental/

And when did all of this happen??
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/continental/timeline.html

Cancelled Classes

2008-10-16T13:52:00.001-07:00

I'm sorry to have missed class today. I'm trying a new migraine medication and when I took it at 6am when I had an aura and a headache fast on it's heels, it knocked me flat out. I will be posting all assignments for this week and we will be talking about it in class next week! We can also discuss it via the comments section if I have anyone asking questions or replying :)

Don't forget to check out the History Fair Information, either!

Official History Fair Information.

2008-10-15T18:27:00.001-07:00

This is the official information regarding the History Fair.

Location of actual displays and projects are TBA at this time, pending on how many submissions we have, we may go for a larger venue than what I currently have reserved.

Topics are open. Any topic may be submitted for approval (at the judge's discretion).

Students may choose to do a paper or a display or do both. :) Displays can be artwork, dioramas, photography, or whatever medium a child chooses. Papers (other than as noted below) are open to the discretion of the student as well.

All submission topics/intent letters must be sent to me via email by Nov 7. All entries after Nov 1 are on a first come-first serve basis for space :) The actual fair will be during the week of Nov 10-15, actual date depending on venue and size needed. :)

This fair is open to all homeschool students from 0-19 years of age.

Prizes: A certificate of participation will be given to any student who submits a paper or display. Other prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd place for each age group:
K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 (Grade Levels)

Intent letters should include the following information:

Name of Student:

Address of Student:
Phone/Email of Student:

Age of Student (grade level if appropriate):

Subject of Paper or Display:

Paper/Display or both:

Special Considerations:
*All students participating in Discovery Days' High School American History Class choosing to do a pre-Civil War topic of American History and choosing to do the paper will receive Honors credit for the course. Special requirements are the paper has to be 5-10 pages in length, 10pt or 12pt font ONLY, photos and displays do not count within the paper as pages. 1in margins. Must include a title page and a copy MUST be submitted to the instructor as well as in the fair.

Any questions? Email me or leave a comment on the blog :)

Prelude to Revolution

2008-10-15T18:21:00.001-07:00

http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/revolution/rev-prel.htm

Ah, Dates! Dates! Dates! These are the things we're discussing in class this week and next week...so we're going to be reading about them. This is the initial timeline of how the Revolution builds up to an actual war.

These http://www.npg.si.edu/col/age/index.htm are important people to read about. If you don't remember me talking about them, trust me, they are interesting people!

And to start you thinking about the Presidents :

http://historywired.si.edu/object.cfm?ID=544

Those Thirteen Colonies again!!!

2008-10-09T13:09:00.000-07:00

The map from today's classes!!!

http://members.enchantedlearning.com/usa/label/13/13.shtml?p

Midterm for US History High School

2008-10-09T12:37:00.000-07:00

1. What is the name of the oldest city in the United States?
2. What is the name of the first British Colony Settlement in the Americas?
3. What type of fence did you have to build in class?
4. Who was in charge of Jamestown?
5. Who was in charge of Rhode Island
6. What was the founding document that King John signed?
7. Name the thirteen "original" Colonies.
8. Which Indians helped the Pilgrims to survive?
9. Which Tribes lived in the SouthWESTERN US and were wiped out by drought?
10. What document was signed in Plymouth Massachusetts?
11. Where did the Plymouth Colony have permission to land?
12. What type of documents did the king tax with stamps?
13. What year was Jamestown founded?
14. Who first landed in the US with three ships in 1492?
15. What were the ships named?
16. Who is America "officially" named after?
17. Which explorer conquered the Aztecs?
18. What were the "Three Sisters"?
19. Name four countries involved with the colonization of the Americas.
20. What were the original explorers of America looking for?
21. Who was looking for the Northwest Passage in North America?
22. Name 2 English Kings that were involved with American Colonization.
23. Which settlement had Captain John Smith?
24. Who helped to save John Smith's life by interceding with what Indian Chief? (two answers necessary!)
25. Typically, who could vote in the American Colonies?
26. Why did the Pilgrims leave England?
27. Who is William Bradford?
28. Which country primarily explored Florida?
29. Who owned New York in 1621?
30. In your own words, what rights do you feel most Colonial Americans believed in? (This question is worth 50 points, don't be skimpy. Answer in complete sentences and be as thorough as possible)

Remember, you can use all the links through the blog to answer these questions. It's an open book test so everyone SHOULD get a 100! If you can't find it on the blog, it's still an "open internet" test, so feel free to do some searching.

http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/states/statech.htm is the link I will be using for the Avalon project.

Stamp Act!

2008-10-09T12:36:00.001-07:00

Here's the link to the Stamp Act:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stamp_Act_1765

Our first Founding Colonies

2008-09-30T09:33:00.000-07:00

The Mayflower Compact:

http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/amerdoc/mayflower.htm

and

http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/jamestown.htm

These are NOT the same colony!!!! The first is the Massachusetts Bay Colony, which you can learn more about HERE: http://www.watertown.k12.ma.us/cunniff/americanhistorycentral/05europeansinnamerica/The_Massachuse.html

Read these and see if you can't find some things that are the same and some things that are different and bring them to class!

Those nifty thirteen colonies and their ideas!

2008-09-26T22:52:00.001-07:00

Sorry to anyone who looked yesterday, I wrote this post out, then saved it rather than publishing it. Oops.

So here is the link "again":

http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/pre18.htm

And here are the Rules of the Road:
1. EVERYONE has to read the Magna Carta. You don't have to answer questions about it. (ok...you should know for class who the king was that was involved, what country, what year?)
2. You can pick any document after 1492 and before 1776 that is not listed below. In other words, no Constitution, no Declaration of Independence. :) Try to stick to colory (future state) documents.
3. You have to answer the questions below for every document you read
4. If you do more than one document, it will count as a challenge :) You can only do a maximum of two documents :)
5. Your document has to be longer than half a page. Print it and bring it to class if you can. If you can't, please contact me at shanon.phoenix@gmail.com so that I can print it and bring it :)
6. Make sure you reply "anonymously" in the Comments with YOUR document so that others can check comments to see if it's been taken :) or just email me with the document.

Questions for project:
What is your document?
Did this document mention God or a Higher Power? How many times?
What area is this regarding?
Who is granting the power?
Who is the document giving power to?
What are some of the basic understandings of the document? (Meaning, what do the people who are writing it share in common beliefs)
How is the land described?
When was this written?
Does it mention Indians/Native Americans?
What rights does it give? To whom?

Documents already taken:
Georgia Charter
Connecticut Colony Charter of 1662
The 1629 Charter of Mass Bay
A grant of Province of Maine
The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
First Virginia Charter

I love it when History Comes Alive!

2008-09-26T22:49:00.000-07:00

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2008-09-26-plymouth_N.htm?csp=34

This is an article talking about where we were this week: Plymouth, North Virginia, right? Well, that is what the Mayflower Compact said! But no, they were not in Northern Virginia, they were in Massachusetts! (See, it's harder to read than say!)

Just in Case!

2008-09-24T21:59:00.001-07:00

In case you find historical documents riveting or need more exploration into the subject, here is the link for the historical charters we were discussing in class today :
http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/states/statech.htm#ga

and more:
http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/pre18.htm

Last Minute ...

2008-09-24T19:21:00.001-07:00

...so...some of you think you can just check the blog on Thursday mornings, hmmmm???

Well, this ONE week, there is a reward for you. You get to be reminded that this week (Class #4) there is no homework for the 2-4th graders or the middle ages class...but ....

If you are in the high school classes, remember...I said "you had better know the thirteen original colonies"....

Challenge 2

2008-09-24T19:18:00.000-07:00

Thirteen original colonies...or was that fourteen?

Ok. Challenge #3.
Name all thirteen original colonies.
Who founded them?
Who was the leader of the colony?
Was there a fourteenth? What do you think it was?
What was the primary export of this colony?

Impact of Arrival

2008-09-15T12:25:00.000-07:00

http://www.ibiblio.org/expo/1492.exhibit/c-Columbus/columbus.html

Some important points about Columbus :)

The 2nd-4th grade class can read all of the US History highschooler's links or just read the highlights that are on their blog post. I think it depends on how 'interested' they are in the US History :)

Contact, Impact and Consequences.

2008-09-15T12:15:00.000-07:00

This week is a discussion of who landed where, why were they here and how did it impact the Americas they were settling in?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amerigo_Vespucci
Read it. I'll be asking questions about his "real" job :)

And an alternative set of possible history:

Naming

World Map of Waldseemüller which first named America (in the map over Paraguay). Germany, 1507

The earliest known use of the name America for this particular landmass dates from April 25, 1507. It appears first on a small globe map with twelve time zones, and then a large wall map created by the German cartographer Martin Waldseemüller in Saint-Dié-des-Vosges in France. Nearby Strassbourg was energized by the Renaissance Spirit of science and innovation. Here, the Duke of Lorraine, purchased the latest invention of a printing press and recruited a think tank of experts to render a new image of earth as a planet, using the reported findings of European explorers. An accompanying book, Cosmographiae Introductio, explains that the name was derived from the Latinized version of the explorer Amerigo Vespucci's name, Americus Vespucius, in its feminine form, America, as the other continents all have Latin feminine names.^[13]

Vespucci's role in the naming issue, like his exploratory activity, is unclear. Some sources say that he was unaware of the widespread use of his name to refer to the new landmass. Waldseemüller may have been misled by the Soderini Letter, now thought to be a forgery, which reports that the New World is populated by giants, cannibals, and sexually insatiable females and implies it was discovered first by Vespucci.^[14] Christopher Columbus, who had first brought the region's existence to the attention of Renaissance era voyagers, had died in 1506 (believing, to the end, that he had discovered and colonized part of India^{[citation needed]}) and could not protest Waldseemüller's decision.

Map of America by Jonghe, c. 1770.

A few alternative theories regarding the landmass's naming have been proposed, but none of them has achieved any widespread acceptance.

One alternative, first advanced by Jules Marcou in 1875 and later recounted by novelist Jan Carew, is that the name America derives from the district of Amerrique in Nicaragua.^[15] The gold-rich district of Amerrique was purportedly visited by both Vespucci and Columbus, for whom the name became synonymous with gold. According to Marcou, Vespucci later applied the name to the New World, and even changed the spelling of his own name from Alberigo to Amerigo to reflect the importance of the discovery.

Another theory, first proposed by a Bristol antiquary and naturalist, Alfred Hudd, in 1908 was that America is derived from Richard Amerike (Richard ap Meryke), a Welsh merchant from Bristol, who is believed to have financed John Cabot's voyage of discovery from England to Newfoundland in 1497 as found in some documents from Westminster Abbey a few decades ago. Supposedly, Bristol fishermen had been visiting the coast of North America for at least a century before Columbus' voyage and Waldseemüller's maps are alleged to incorporate information from the early English journeys to North America. The theory holds that a variant of Amerike's name appeared on an early English map (of which no copies survive) and that this was the true inspiration for Waldseemüller.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Americas#Naming

And of Course:
http://www.ibiblio.org/expo/1492.exhibit/c-Columbus/columbus.html

History Fair

2008-09-15T12:08:00.000-07:00

This is to let everyone know we will be having a History Fair the first week in November.

More details will be posted next week about time and location for the Fair.
Here are some basics:

1. Any home educated child can participate.
2. All projects will be judged and a first, second, third place will be awarded per age group.
3. Any student in US History High School age level who chooses to do the paper option and follows all the criteria involved will get .5 credit added to their certificate of completion. Topics for these papers must be approved and must be relevant to US History prior to 1850 and can include visual displays.
4. Projects can range from photographic to art to papers. You choose your medium and express what you feel about History.
More details soon!

Byzantine Rome and the Rise of Islam and India

2008-09-15T12:00:00.000-07:00

This week is really about what happened when "Rome of the West" meaning the city of Rome itself and the empire it had, fell and the Roman Empire continued on without Rome.

We call it Byzantine but truthfully they called themselves the Roman Empire.
http://www.kidspast.com/world-history/0142-byzantine-empire.php

This week, we'll also be talking about what's going on in India at this time.

Optional Reading:
This week, we will also be talking about the Rise of Islam during the time of the Roman Empire and in that context as we seek to understand more about what was going on in the wider world. While we think of Iran as an Islamic nation, at that time, it was Persia and it was largely Christian. As Islam changes and grows, it changes the face of the Middle East as well...
http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/carolrb/Islam/islamintro.html

9-11

2008-09-10T19:20:00.000-07:00

September 11, 2001.

A quiet prayer for all the lives affected....

So...stuck in the Middle....

2008-09-09T19:01:00.000-07:00

We started the Middle Ages off rather simply. We explained that it's basically the period between the sacking of Rome and the Discovery of North America. 400's to 1400's. A thousand years of "between"?

So...what was life in Rome like at the time of the Fall?
Let's travel to one of Rome's Territories...a place called Britain....and read of a tale of legend....

Beowulf

The only manuscript of Beowulf

Beowulf is a long poem that somebody wrote down around 1000 AD. The poem is in Old English, so whoever wrote it probably lived in England. It's one of the oldest poems written in English (but not the oldest).

But the poem tells a story about things that happened in the early 500's AD - nearly 500 years before the poem was written down. The story takes place in Denmark and Sweden, and involves real people who lived in the early 500's AD, who we know about from other written stories in Swedish and also from archaeology.

When Beowulf was being composed and written, the Anglo-Saxons had only recently moved from Denmark and Sweden to England, so they still had a lot of friends and relatives back home, and they told stories about the things these people were doing.

In the story, Beowulf (BAY-oh-wolf) is a great warrior and hero. He sails to Denmark to save his relative King Hrothgar from a terrible monster called Grendel (GRENN-dell). There's a fight, and Beowulf tears off Grendel's arm, so Grendel goes home and bleeds to death.

Denmark

The next night, Grendel's mother comes and attacks King Hrothgar's hall, so Beowulf fights and kills her too with a magic sword. Everyone is very happy and Beowulf gets lots of rewards.

Beowulf goes on to have more adventures. He helps out with a Viking raid on Frisia led by King Hygelac (which is also mentioned by Frankish sources so we know it happened in 516 AD). Eventually he becomes King of the Geats, and he rules the Geats until he is an old man, for fifty years. But then he hears about a new monster that is scaring everybody: this time it is a dragon. Even though he is very old, Beowulf is still a hero, so he goes out and kills the dragon. But this time the dragon succeeds in killing Beowulf too.

(from the link at http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/medieval/literature/beowulf.htm)

The Anasazi Way of Growing

2008-09-07T15:37:00.000-07:00

While we often hear about Squanto teaching the Pilgrims how to plant corn, we don't often hear about the Anasazi way of planting or the crops that the would grow.

Read these articles about both and come to class prepared to discuss what was different about their ways of life and why:

http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/ahc/who_were_the_anasazi.html

http://www.news.cornell.edu/Chronicle/04/2.19.04/AAAS.MtPleasant.html

http://www.everyculture.com/North-America/Iroquois.html

Sound boring? Well, we're going to have a debate on which way of life was easier or harder and how does YOUR life compare to theirs. Read the articles well so that you can defend your Xboxes :)

US History Challenges

2008-09-07T15:23:00.000-07:00

Challenge #1

This is an optional assignment. You don't have to do it.
However, there are prizes for having it done.

1. Name 5 different tribes living in North America in 1600.
a. What did they call themselves?
b. What language did they speak?

2. Name 5 different countries that emigrated to the US in the 1600-1700's
a. What areas did they immigrate to?

3. What is the difference between Immigration and Emigration?

Assignment for the First Day!

2008-08-27T19:50:00.000-07:00

So you want to learn about the Middle Ages?
Your first day's assignment is:
a. find the blog! Wow...you are QUICK!
b. in your own words, what are "the middle ages"? Take a guess or look on wikipedia but remember, you have to reword it so YOU understand it. This should only be a few sentences.

See you on Thursday!

Assignment for the First Day!

2008-08-23T18:36:00.000-07:00

Ok. So you think you are coming to a boring history class?
Guess again!
This week's assignment is easy!

1. Find the Blog! (wow. so easy!)
2. We want to know your history. History isn't what happened to other people. It's where we came from, how we got here and how we interact with each other. I want you to bring in something that shows your personal American history.
A. How many generations can you trace of your history in America?
B. Where did your family come from? For those of you who can only go back one generation, the words "Iowa" or "Alaska" are fine...can you tell us where in those states? For those of you who might know more...we would love to know what other countries you represent in our history.

In the early part of our US history, where you came from was important. It could be an indicator of where you lived, how you got here (war, migrations, prisoner, slavery, religious oppression, looking for a better life?), how other people treated you and what laws applied to you. Let's see where our classes started!

King Tut's Children?

2008-08-15T14:51:00.000-07:00

The most fascinating thing about this article to me is that in all my years of reading about and owning books about King Tut, I had never known (or never realized) that there were children also in his tomb. If you click on the link, be warned there is a baby mummy there but it's not horrifically graphic. There is some interesting discussion on who the little girls' parents were and how they died. I think it's wonderful that they considered infants not yet born to still be worth mummification...

http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/08/15/king-tut-fetus.html