Make Up Assignment #1

Click the following link for a make up assignment in the Reconstruction Unit. It is to be printed out or done on your own paper and turned in by this Friday October 3rd. It can be used to replace a homework zero, or raise your lowest homework grade. It will not be accepted after Friday 9/3/2014

Click HERE

The Online Textbook

Some students prefer using the online version of the Social Studies 8 Textbook. If you look to the column on the right you will see a heading. The Online Textbook. Under that heading click on the American Nation. Then Enter both Username and Password.

The Online Textbook and Text Tour

Today we will be reviewing how to use our Online Textbook, America: The History of Our Nation. If you take a look to the right of this Blog page you will see the link to the online textbook. Also included is a username and password students can use throughout the school year.

Today's Computer Lab Assignment
1) Complete the Text Tour Worksheet

2) Watch Video:  Causes of the Civil War

3) Watch the Brainpop Video: The Civil War
Brainpop Link
Click... Social Studies
Click... American History
Click... Civil War

America to the Rescue!!!!

Today we are looking at American involvement in WW1. In a way our arrival could be looked at as returning the favor to the nation of France. If you remember from 7th grade social studies, France gave the Colonists much needed naval support in our war for independence.

The Lost Battalion

Over the next three classes we will be watching the TV Movie The Lost Battalion. It is the famous story of the 550 brave Americans that were surrounded in the Argonne Forest by hundreds of Germans for 6 days.

Students need to keep up with the readings and homework for this unit. I will be giving a major exam next Tuesday covering Chapter 21. Since the movie is taking up 3 classes, you will be responsible fot covering some of the material on your own. There will be a review sheet we will start on Friday and a review class the following Monday.

The Spark that Started WW1

Today we reviewed the causes of WW1 and today we are lookin at the "spark" that ingnited the TNT! The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 started a chain reaction of events that ended up drawing most of the world into the conflict. Many countries tried to remain neutral, but eventually had to choose a side. Back in America we had to do our best to stay out of the conflict.

The Start of World War 1

Today we are moving fast into the 20th Century and looking at one of the world's worst wars. Known as "The War to End all Wars" the first world war claimed close to 20 million lives with twice as many injured and millons starving, homeless and without hope.

We are focusing on the 4 Main Causes of World War 1 using Stick Figure Theater. We also look at the "spark" that set it all off!

Militarism
Alliances
Nationalism
Imperialism
Assassination

American Expansion and Sp-Am War

Today we are finishing up the Spanish American War and looking at the results. We aquired several of Spains possession and had to decide what to do about a newly freed Cuba.

Tomorrow for periods 1,2,4,5 will have an open map quiz. Students need to bring a completed map to class to use directly on the quiz

Political Changes

In today's class we are briefly looking at two more Progressive Era presidents. The presidency of Grover Cleveland and Benjamin Harrison are examined to see how they too contributed to the reform movement started by Garfield and Arthur.

Secondly we are looking at 4 words that changed political participation.
primary
initiative
referendum
recall
Dissecting these vocabulary words and making current day comparisons will be the focus of the second half of the class.

Enrichment Group:

Presidential Reformers

Today we are looking at the work of U.S.Presidents during the Progressive Era and their contributions toward political reform. Last Friday we talked about James Garfield and his assassination. By trying to end the "Spoils System" Garfield was actually murdered by a so called supporter who felt he deserved a political appointment. It is a good story an important lesson that many Progressive did pay quite a price for their boldness.

Today we looked at Chester A. Arthur as the new president and how he continued Garfield's efforts at ending the Spoils System and patronage. He went against many in his own party to sign the Pendenton Act and set the stage for meaningful Civil Service Reforms

Enrichment Group: Video Alexander Graham Bell and Garfield

Political Cartoon Project

To end the unit on Big Business students are creating and sharing political cartoons.
Click HERE for the diretions to the project.

Management vs Labor

In today's class we will be taking apart the responsibilities and definitions of Labor and Management. We're completing a double bubble chart that compares and contrasts the two sides. New words like "Blue Collar and White Collar" are heard in the news all the time and its important the students recognize the differences.

As an extra treat I am showing an episode of the Simpsons' which deals with the topic of Labor and Management. It's funny and entertaining, but truly covers a lot of the concepts we've been learning about such as Colletive Bargaining, contracts, benefits, blacklisting, striking, picketing, and other woprkplace related topics!

Note: Friday test is changed to a Quiz.... I will hand out a review sheet in class tomorrow.

Hey!!!! Welcome Back!!!!

Ok, We're almost to the end of November and we will be finishing up the Business Unit this week. There will be a test on Friday. This week We have to finish Labor Unions and Workplace Problems. All materials needed to review for the exam will be given in class and also found on this blog.

Sorry for the lack of posts and I will get back on track when we return next week. We have been continuing the business unit and today started on a 3 day discussion of Labor Unions and the problems they fought. There is no homework for the weekend and I hope everyone enjoys the Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend.

The Richest of the Rich!!!

Today in class we looked at the richest Americans "of All Time"! The links below take you to interactive sites with these famous Americans.

NY Times List of Wealthiest Americans

another look with a different chart

Wealthiest Americans Ever

The Rise of Big Business

Today we are continuing to look at the rise of "Big Business" in the late 1800's. Technically this is the 2nd half of the Industrial Revolution. We are examining important vocabulary and looking at some of the important inventions and business leaders of the late 1800's.

Today's Vocabulary words
Patent
Assembly Line
Entrepreneur
Corporation

End of MP1 (Extra Credit Assignments)

I gave a handout in class today that gave 4 possible assignments to do for extra credit for MP1. The document is also on the right hand side of this page under assignments and handouts.

THEY MUST BE TURNED IN MONDAY.... NO EXCEPTIONS

** for the Citizenship Test ** Don't do written ones, but don't count as wrong

Immigration Test Tomorrow

Study Homework Sheets 18.3 18.4 and Immigration Notes
There are copies ion this blog on the right under assignments

For those students who took the time to visiit my blog... Here are the short answer questions for tomorrow test!

1. When allowing new immigrants come to America, what were major worries Americans had?

2.Why did Chinese Immigrants have the most prejudice and anger against them than any other immigrant group?

3.How was the Modern American newspaper changed to get more readers to purchase them?

4. Describe a typical New York City Tenement around 1900.

Test Thursday: Immigration and Cities

This Thursday there will be a test on our Immigration Unit. Students should study their notes from the immigration packet, corrected homework sheets 18 Sect 4 and 18 Sect 3 and review textbook Chapter 18 sections 3 and 4. Student may bring in to the test 2 items from their packet... The Ellis Island Processing Map and the Medical Symbols Map. See the handout section on the right side of this page if you need extra copies.

From Immigrants to Americans

Today we are looking at what happened AFTER European immigrants made it through Ellis Island. many immigrants ended up living in ethnic neighborhoods.

Video Clip: Great American Melting Pot