Today, in addition to smiling for the camera (hope you all looked good for photos!), we discussed our personal stories. I gave you some debriefing questions to answer, using your homework as a basis for your answers. Most of you said that there were at least a few differences between your version of the story and your partner's version. Those of you who didn't complete this assignment, I asked you to write down the questions we answered in class. You have the weekend to complete and return the assignment.
A few classes began looking at our first primary source document. Primary in this case means first-hand, so a primary source is a first-hand or eyewitness account. A secondary source is second-hand, or a retelling. Textbooks are secondary sources. Primary sources can tell us a lot about a particular time, place, person, or event, but we need to use our critical thinking skills to evaluate and assess what each source has to offer.
You have a little bit of homework over the weekend - I told you to have at least one intelligent thought over the next four days! In all seriousness, getting into the routine of school is fun, but challenging. Don't slip too far back into summer mode over the next four days!
See you on Tuesday!
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Keep It In Perspective, Sources and Reliability: August 27, 2014
Today, all five classes finished up with our discussion of the hypothetical "Lunchroom Fight" situation. All classes did a nice job with identifying the many reasons why we can find multiple perspectives about a single event. After that, some classes began reviewing a list of situations and figuring out which source would be preferable from a pair of options. Per 1 and 2 completed the activity, and per 5 through 7 got it underway. We will wrap up this work tomorrow and get ready to launch into our course content starting on Tuesday.
Remember, you have homework tomorrow to bring in the completed worksheet on your personal story. You need to have the story written BOTH from your perspective AND from the perspective of another witness (a family member, sibling, coach, etc.). I look forward to seeing what you have to share! If you need another copy of the handout, look at the link for the first day of school.
Remember, you have homework tomorrow to bring in the completed worksheet on your personal story. You need to have the story written BOTH from your perspective AND from the perspective of another witness (a family member, sibling, coach, etc.). I look forward to seeing what you have to share! If you need another copy of the handout, look at the link for the first day of school.
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Class Routines, Syllabus, and More About Perspectives - August 26, 2014
In class today, we're going to review my course syllabus and talk about general expectations for class routines, behavior, and the like. You'll find that most of what you need to know is covered by common sense and consideration for others. You've all been members of classroom communities for several years, and aside from a few specific rules that are unique to my class, it's the usual routine. Therefore, you all can and should be able to meet these expectations.
Moving on from behavior to content, today we are also going to discuss a hypothetical (imaginary) situation that may be one you've experienced, or maybe not. We'll use it as a springboard to discuss the theme of perspective, which is a critical part of our work this year. Tomorrow we'll continue these discussions in your groups and as a class. Don't forget to be working on your personal stories! They are due Thursday - the link to the handout is posted on yesterday's link. The course syllabus, if you want it, is posted below.
https://docs.google.com/a/sau16.org/document/d/1tX6PZ1g7OR1Z25koK94wzXEHZObxeapYWueb4UzfWdg/edit
Moving on from behavior to content, today we are also going to discuss a hypothetical (imaginary) situation that may be one you've experienced, or maybe not. We'll use it as a springboard to discuss the theme of perspective, which is a critical part of our work this year. Tomorrow we'll continue these discussions in your groups and as a class. Don't forget to be working on your personal stories! They are due Thursday - the link to the handout is posted on yesterday's link. The course syllabus, if you want it, is posted below.
https://docs.google.com/a/sau16.org/document/d/1tX6PZ1g7OR1Z25koK94wzXEHZObxeapYWueb4UzfWdg/edit
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Welcome Back!!! August 25, 2014
Wow, the past few months have flown by! Welcome to 8th grade US History. Your social studies experience this year is going to focus on our country's history, from the time when British colonists first began to settle North America successfully to the time period around and after the Civil War, when our bold experiment with self-governance nearly came to a terrible end.
Our first few meetings will focus on introducing and practicing some of the key skills necessary to "do" history the way professional historians do. Using the concepts of perspective, evidence, source, reliability, and context, we are going to identify different ways we see history. Then, we will use some of our new skills to review how different sources teach us about the early colonies in North America.
If you miss a class, or find yourself confused or uncertain about what to do, come back to this blog. I will post a brief summary of what we do in class and links to any sources or materials I can offer here. This is the first place you should look if you are absent. If this brings up any questions, you can contact me here or via my school email, at csiecke@sau16.org.
Your first Social Studies assignment is intended to help you learn about the historical concept of perspective. Review the instructions on the handout. Before you start working, find someone who can help you with the second half of the assignment. Make sure to write out your side of the story completely, with a beginning, middle, and end. Bring this to class on Thursday.
Worksheet on Perspective
Our first few meetings will focus on introducing and practicing some of the key skills necessary to "do" history the way professional historians do. Using the concepts of perspective, evidence, source, reliability, and context, we are going to identify different ways we see history. Then, we will use some of our new skills to review how different sources teach us about the early colonies in North America.
If you miss a class, or find yourself confused or uncertain about what to do, come back to this blog. I will post a brief summary of what we do in class and links to any sources or materials I can offer here. This is the first place you should look if you are absent. If this brings up any questions, you can contact me here or via my school email, at csiecke@sau16.org.
Your first Social Studies assignment is intended to help you learn about the historical concept of perspective. Review the instructions on the handout. Before you start working, find someone who can help you with the second half of the assignment. Make sure to write out your side of the story completely, with a beginning, middle, and end. Bring this to class on Thursday.
Worksheet on Perspective
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