Happy Halloween

Lots of great costumes and disguises today. I swear I saw Michael Jackson in the D-Wing. See some fun and historical links below about Halloween!!!

Back to Business!

Today we are shifting focus from the West and back to the Eastern United States. The next chapter is about our Industrial Revolution in the late 1800's. Webegin by looking at the importance of 3 specific items to help with our growth, The Steel Industry, Oil Development and Inventions. The 2nd half of our lesson was devoted to the Wright brother's and the first gas powered flight in history at Kitty Hawk, NC.

Homework: Students are recieving new packets and are to complete the first section quiz assignment for homework.

Cool Links:
Wright Brothers (Official Site)
The 1903 Wright Flyer "Interactve Site"
The Smithsonian Museum's Exhibit

Important Announcements

Field Trip Money: "Amelia" Movie on November 6th
If it is not turned in by Thursday 10/29 you may still be able to go, but we will have to purchase a ticket for you the day of the show. I will hold your money, BUT can not take personal checks after 10/29.

West Test: Cancelled
This week we have had too many absences!!! To be fair we have had several quizzes on the Unit already. I feel we need to move on!

Class Today: We participated in a simulation where 4 Groups (Farmers, Ranchers, Miners and Ex-Slaves) all developed proposals for their local representatives to congress. The proposals were to come up with ideas on how to allocate 100,000 acres of Federal Land and 500,000 dollars of Federal money toward Western development. The groups had some heated discussions as to which groups "deserved" the funds and also which of the groups contributions were most important to the growth of America.

Great Job Classes!!!

Amelia Earhart Links of Interest:
The Offical Site
Official Movie Site
Remembering Amelia

The Oklahoma Land Rush

Today we are studying on of the last major events in Western Settlement, The Oklahoma Land Rush. By looking at photographs and maps of the event we see how the contest was set up. Americans seem to love competitions like American Idol, The World Series and Even The Biggest Loser. This contest is basically a race for land, kinda like TV's Amazing Race. Its first come first serve, so the competitors are looking for the edge. Some even cheat and sneak into the restricted boundaries of the competition ahead of time. Better not get caught by the Army! It could be very bad for your health!

Clip: Far and Away (Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman)

Summary Test Thursday: We will review past quizzes and have a review session in class Wednesday.

REMINDER: Permission Slips and Money ($%8.00) due Wednesday for Amelia

Field Trips, Fall, and Finishing,Farmers Frantically!

The 8th Grade social studies teachers are pleased to announce the field trip to Amelia on Friday Nov 6th at Shoppingtown Theater. Cost is 8 dollars and both money and signed permission slips are due by this Wednesday at the very latest. Though we are still the in the late 1800's in class, this look toward where we are going is a great opportunity we didn't want to pass up.

Plains Farmers

Today we are discussing the farmers of the Great Plains during the late 1800's. Reasons for farmers heading west were very much influenced by the growth of railroads and the Homestead Act. This act gave farmers a chance to earn free land up to 160 if they could successfully farm it for 5 years.

We also looked the the early dwellings of the Plains farmers, "The Soddie". As Eskimos used snow and Sioux used tipis the farmers used the resources around them which was sod.

Film Clip Constructing a Sod House:from the History Channel

By Request: Follow the links!
City Slickers
City Slickers II "The Legend of Curly's Gold"
Tombstone
Wyatt Earp

The Myth of the West

TOMBSTONE

Tonight's lesson will be to preview the section on Plains farmers in the Textbook. Complete Sect 4 Quiz Worksheet as your homework assignment.

Cool Link:
Haunted Tombstone Videos

Cowboys and Ranchers

Today we are studying the lives, experiences and jobs of cowboys and ranchers in the late 1800's. We started this yesterday with an introduction of the origins of the cowboys, daily jobs and responsibilities, and cattle driving to the railroads. Life and dangers on the trail were looked at as well as the duties performed by the cowhands.

Going further into the topic today, we looked at the Cow Towns at the end of the trail, wild west legends like Buffalo Bill and Annie Oakley and shows, and the rise and fall of the cattle kingdom.

Quiz Today...Loose Ends

Today we are taking a quiz on the information we learned about the Plains Indians this week.



Recommendation:
Movie.. Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
This is an HBO film that does an outstanding job telling the story of the Plains Indians and their relationship with the U.S. government. It is rated TV-14, due to violence occurring in battles and the Wounded Knee Massacre. I have copies of this if parents would like their son or daughter to view it, but I would need a parent signed note for permission.

Link to HBO Description of the Movie

End of the Indian Wars

We are finishing up the Plains Indian Wars by looking at the battle known as Little Big Horn, which is more commonly know as "Custer's Last Stand" We talk about how General George Custer's ego and desire for personal glory clouded his judgement and the whole 7th Calvary was wiped out.

We also are looking at the Dawes Act. The idea of helping the Plains Indians survive as a people by "Americanizing" them. We focused on both the farming aspect of the Act and the mandatory schooling required in the act. We also opine on whether this was the best way to help the Indians at that time.

Video Clips:
A Good Day to Die-The West
Carlyle Indian Academy- Into the West

Quiz Tomorrow
Study Corrected Worksheet Section 2 Quiz
The Dawes Act (In your Packet)
Re-read or listen to in text: 584-589

Plains Indians Events 1854-1890

Today we are further studying conflict between the Plains Indians and the Americans.

We are talking about the difference in Buffalo Hunting between whites and Indian Tribes and the near extinction of the creature. With the Buffalo decimated (nearly destroyed many Indian tribes went to the reservations while others refused. Conflict grew and both Indians soldiers attacked each other.

Your assignment is to read the Dawes Act (1 page reading)in your West packet. Use a highlighter to lighten important facts and information about the Act. We will discuss this in depth tomorrow during class.

Video Clips: Into the West: Episode 4, Scenes w Cheyenne/Chivington

Cool Sites:
Provisions of the Dawes Act

The Story of Chief Joseph

Sioux Indians and the Buffalo

Today we are examining the Sioux Indians and their relationship with the Buffalo. We are looking at how the buffalo was vital to their survival as it contains almost everything they need to survive on the Plains. We also look at the conflict Plains Indians had with white hunter

Clips from Into the West, and Dances with Wolves

Cool Link:
The Animated Buffalo

Intro to the Plains Indians

Today we are beginning a series of lessons on the Indian Tribes of the Great Plains. Specifically we are looking at their method of recording their history on the hides of Buffalo, or American Bison.

The assignment, which is due Tuesday, is to complete a buffalo hide and key that shows a combination of ten important events, interested or important people in the student's. We had class time to get started, but it needs to be finished over the weekend. A fun activity that family is encouraged to help with!!!

Great Resources
Tracking the Buffalo

Railroad Building and Native Americans

Quiz #2 Taken Today, Make Ups tomorrow

Class Video Clip: From Into the West

Today we're looking at the construction of the transcontinental railroad and the various problems encountered. Chinese contribution is highlighted along with the completion at Promontory Summit in Utah.

Homework for tonight: None :)


Cool Sites:
Meeting of the Rails Picture
Atlas of California... Read Directions, View Railroad Development

The Transcontinental Railroad

Today were are studying the building and effects the Transcontinental Railroad had on the Developement of the West.

QUIZ TOMORROW!!!
Homework: Study for a Quiz on Mining and Railroads
Review: 17 Section 1 Quiz, Notes from today's class, and text 578-581

Parent Night Tonight: 7pm Pine Grove

The Wild West

Today we are diving into the Western Unit with a look at mining, gold fever and life in "boomtowns". We watched a clip from the series Into the West about Gold and Greed.

Tonight's Homework Assignment is to finish reading, or listen to, Chapter 17 Sect 1 on Page 578

The Online Textbook

http://www.pearsonsuccessnet.com
user name: gibbons
password: socialstudies


I also gave each student a copy of their grades up to this point. Assignments not turned in can be handed in late for partial credit. Each student should know the exact assignments

I look forward to seeing your parents on Parent Night this Wednesday Evening

G

Test Today

Today we are taking the Reconstruction Exam. Make-ups will be tomorrow during class. Though I did make the announcement of the Exam on the Progress Reports, they were delayed and didn't go out until Wed. Sorry!

I think I know the names of all my students by now, and I look forward to the adventures ahead in Social Studies. We start Western Expansion tomorrow with an introductory board game that introduces the students to terms, situations and topics we will encounter in the Unit.

I think we're off to a great start!!!

G