Happy Weekend! October 30, 2015

First quarter is officially .... DONE!  And just in time for Halloween, too!

If you did not finish the homework for today correctly, please do it over the weekend.  Behave yourself and bring me some candy!

Question-Building Part 2: October 29, 2015

Today in class, you had a chance to continue working with some evidence about our "trigger event" (inciting incident) that eventually is going to lead into the Revolutionary War.  Your job is to generate inquiry - which is a fancy way of saying, you are building questions to ask about this event that will help you understand it.

In class, you looked at a number of pieces of evidence, called inputs.  You analyzed them to figure out what you can learn from them (conclusions) and what you don't know (questions raised).  Now it's time for the last two steps:

In class, we began the process of reviewing your questions.  You did the following:

• If you can answer the question, you don't need to do anything more with it.  CROSS IT OUT.
• If you THINK you can answer the question, but you aren't sure, CIRCLE it.
• If you can't answer the question, leave it alone.

Next, COPY the questions you STILL have to answer into the last column of your worksheet.  Yes, you need to write them out again.  You can combine or reword them if needed.

Finally, get a copy of the handout given for homework.  

• Read the handout.
• UNDERLINE anything in the article that helps to answer any of the questions you still have about this trigger event.  

You may need to go back and forth a few times to check your work.  Do this.

If you need the handout again, it is linked HERE.

Question-Building: October 28, 2015

Today in class, we talked about the nature of conflict.  As we discussed in class, conflict seldom arises spontaneously - there's usually some kind of root cause, if we trace it back far enough.  The main focus of our studies this quarter is going to be the Revolutionary War, and we're starting our studies by looking at the "trigger event" that set us on the path to war.

In order to learn about this event, we're using an activity called Question-Building.  The best way to learn about something new is by asking good questions, but it can be hard to know what questions to ask.  This activity will help you formulate questions that will lead you to a better understanding of this event.

HOMEWORK:  None tonight, but be ready for some homework tomorrow.

Colonial Identity and Becoming American - October 27, 2015

We are continuing to look at how American colonists started becoming a distinct culture, one that was different from what they left behind in England.  Yesterday, we talked about why people don't like to be told what to do (not even by their government), and now we are examining how the colonists started down that path (see what I'm doing here???).

The first thing you needed for class today was your homework from last night, i.e., the completed Q2-1 assignment.  It is described and linked under yesterday's blog post if you need it.

Assignment Q2-2 - I gave you some notes in the form of a mini-lecture today.  If you misplace or lose your lecture handout, the PowerPoint is linked here.  You can get a new copy of the handout from me, or you can print it straight from the PowerPoint.

After that, we talked about summarizing what we've learned.  To recap what we discussed in class, a summary takes information and shortens it to its most critical elements.  Some tips we shared about summarizing include:

• Combine similar facts into one statement
• Cut out descriptions and details when not necessary
• Use short, bulleted statements instead of sentences
• Use key words and phrases when possible

HOMEWORK:  Summarize what you learned from the lecture and the homework by completing Q2-3, the Colonial Diagram.  If you have to finish yesterday's work first, please do so!  If you choose to color your summary, please do so neatly so I can display it!!!

Colonial Diagram

Mondays are Fun-Days, Right???? October 25, 2015

Aaaand welcome back!  I hope you all had a wonderful weekend, feel good about how you did on our second major assessment, and are ready to wrap up a strong first quarter and begin second quarter.  We have Halloween at the end of this week, and then we're into November, which means a LOT of things ... student conferences on the 6th; Veterans' Day on the 11th; and of course, who can forget, Thanksgiving break at the end of the month.  It's a long month with a lot of interruptions, so let's get going....

HOMEWORK:
Please complete Q 2 and 3 of the section review from Ch 5, sec. 1.  Here is the link to the online textbook.  Otherwise, you can check one out for study hall, team time, or overnight.

Wrapping up the Week: October 23, 2015

Today, periods 5 and 6 took their later colonization assessment, while my other classes finished up assessments, finished some book work assignments, and in some cases, watched a few minutes of Colonial House.  I look forward to starting a new unit with you on Monday!  Those of you who need to finish your assessments, you will have time to get that done. Have a great weekend, because it sounds like a fall classic!  Pick some apples, rake some leaves, get lots of fresh air, and we'll talk next week.

Later Colonization Assessment: October 22, 2015

So we missed per 5 and 6 today - those of you who see me then will take your test tomorrow.  If you need to finish it, you will get time in class tomorrow, or come see me during a team time or study hall.  Thanks!  Good luck!

Resources, Resources, Resources: October 19, 2015

Today in class, we talked about your next ASSESSMENT, which is coming up on THURSDAY (except for per 5, which we will discuss).

Here are some resources and ideas to help you study.  Make sure you check back, as I will add more resources as they become available!

Here is the rubric for the assessment.  It tells you what you are expected to do, and what will qualify you for each grade (E, M, P, NTY).
Rubric for Later Colonial Development Assessment

Here are the Carousel Questions we answered in class using your colonies and regions charts.  I am using these to build the chart for your assessment!  If you are unsure of what you should know, here are the answers that we reviewed in class.  Make sure you also know your major settlements, too....

If you need to brush up on some of our "big ideas" for this unit:
Mercantilism video
Triangle Trade video
Atlantic Slave Trade video

If you need it again, here is the blank map of the colonies and the answer key.

Resources for Slavery/TT Paragraph

Happy Wednesday!  Because of testing, I don't see all my classes until tomorrow.  You should be working on your paragraphs, so I am going to give you some resources to help you with that if you need it.

For starters, here is the Paragraph Scoring Guide.  If you want to know what you're going to be graded on, this is a good place to look.

If writing a paragraph is difficult for you, use the General Paragraph Outline Shell to help you get your thoughts down on paper.  Please make sure to write out your thoughts in full sentences, and then put them on separate paper!

The Abolition Project has a very good graphic that explains some of the ways that slavery fed into Triangle Trade.  

Boundless.com has a more detailed article about much the same thing, if you want to go a little deeper.

Slavery in Virginia has a good discussion of what slaves did for work in one colony after they were bought for labor.

The chart below is from the Colonial Williamsburg site that I shared with you in class:

The Growth of the Black Population: 1625 23 1648 300 1671 2,000 1680 3,000 1700 16,390 1720 26,559 1730 30,000 1740 60,000 1775 210,000 Let me know if you need any other particular information.

Man's Inhumanity to Man? October 13, 2015

Today in class, we continued to ponder the role of slavery in the colonies and how that affected the Triangle Trade.  Would the colonies have been able to participate in Triangle Trade without slavery?  How did slavery enable the Triangle Trade?

HOMEWORK:  Please pay attention to due dates!

Write a one-paragraph response to the following question:  What role did slavery play in the Triangle Trade?

• DUE on THURSDAY for per 1&2; FRIDAY for per 5-7
• Please do your best possible work
• NEATLY handwrite or type your paragraph - may share through email/Google Drive

I will post some resources and materials for you to use.

Happy Friday! October 9, 2015

Guess what we did in class today???

Yep.  Vocab knowledge retakes!!  If you did not remember, that doesn't mean you can't retake this section - but it does mean you have to do it on your own time now.

If you are interested in revising your APPLICATION or EXTENSION portions of your test, please get that done for TUESDAY.

Today in class, we also reviewed and corrected our Carousel Questions.  These will be helpful/useful later!  Next week, we're going to talk about slavery and the role it played.  But until then, enjoy!

Round and Round: October 8, 2015

Today, we continued to work on our "carousel" questions and answers activity.  Tomorrow it has to get wrapped up for sure!  Then we will review your answers and see how well you used the textbook and how thoroughly you answered the questions.

HOMEWORK:  For homework, please complete the "Colonial Advertisement" assignment.  YOU get to try to convince people from colonial times to buy into one of the four choices of ideas listed at the top of the sheet!  You can complete the assignment on the handout itself, or you can use a blank sheet of paper, complete it on the computer, whatever works for you.  Just make sure you show me that you understand the term/phrase you chose!

Here is a copy of the handout.

Also, remember that TOMORROW is the VOCAB KNOWLEDGE RETAKE at the very beginning of class.  Be aware that:

• You must study for 15 minutes to qualify for the retake
• You must come in with your completed retake/relearn contract
• You must turn in the original assessment with the contract

If you are ready to retake but forget your contract/original assessment, you can attempt the retake, but you will not get your grade changed until the signed contract and original assessment are in my hands!

Here is a copy of the relearn/retake contract.

If you want to get to my online study guide on Quizlet, look through my past blog posts for the Quizlet link.  Thanks!

Short But Sweet: October 7, 2015

Half day (okay, two-thirds day) today!  In class, you had a chance to retake your original formative assessment on the 13 original colonies.  If you are STILL not happy with that grade, come see me during a team time to do a retake of the retake!

You had vocabulary due today.  If you didn't get it done, do it tonight.  You have no new homework.  HOWEVER, test corrections are coming due and you need to get those done!  Review the contract and my earlier blog post to see what you need to do!

The Character Does Matter club is making goodie bags for the Pease Greeters.  If you are interested in contributing to this effort, they have a wish list of items for students to contribute.  Students can bring those items to me or to Mrs. Glennon.
Here is the list.

One last word to the wise:

I just washed the desks last Friday, and they were covered with pencil marks and grubby fingerprints already by yesterday.  No one has time for that.

Enjoy the half-day, and be ready for hard work tomorrow!

Tuesday News: October 6, 2015

Homework for tonight - Please define the following terms:

• Indentured servant
• Raw materials
• Finished products (also called manufactured goods)
• Cash crops
• Import
• Export
• Duty (as in tax)
• Navigation Acts

You can look these up on line through dictionary.com, thefreedictionary.com, merriam-webster.com, or yes, even Wikipedia!

Today in class, you either finished up defining Triangle Trade and comparing your definition to mine, and then started the carousel questions on the 4 colonial regions, or you completed the carousel questions.

Many of you did not have your maps and charts done.  Get these done for tomorrow.  

Don't forget...

...colonial development maps and charts (Q1-15 and Q1-16) are due tomorrow!  Book sections are linked under Friday's blog post.

Retakes and Revisions for Historical Thinking Assessment

Today, you got back your assessment on historical thinking terms.  Here is how it was graded:

Part 1. Knowledge - matching vocab terms.  If you got these right, you have PARTIALLY MET the standard.  This is equal to a 76.  If you did not, you are NOT THERE YET, which is equal to a 64.

Part 2.  Application - using the vocab terms.  If you got these right, you have MET the standard.  This is equal to an 88.  You are now officially done and don't need to do anything else, unless you so choose.

Part 3.  Evaluation - using the vocab terms to explore an issue in more depth.  If you complete this task thoroughly, accurately, and insightfully, you have EXCEEDED the standard.  This is equal to a 100.

"What if I didn't meet the standard?"

If you have not earned a grade that you feel reflects your ability, you need to get a relearn/retake contract from me. One is linked below.

The contract spells out what you need to do. There is a part for your parents to sign, a part for me to initial, and a part for you to initial.  Please review it carefully.

To make up the KNOWLEDGE portion of the exam, you need to complete a retake.  This will be a fill-in-the-blank using the five terms.  Before you do the retake, you need to spend 15 minutes studying my Quizlet or your own flashcards.  The Quizlet is linked below. The retake is on Friday at the beginning of class.

To make up the APPLICATION portion of the exam, you need to complete a review activity.  I will post a PowerPoint for you to go through and test yourself, then you can make corrections to your original quiz and resubmit it. Please complete this by next Tuesday.

To make up the EVALUATION portion of the exam, you should review the comments and checklist you were given.  I also will have a reteaching lesson during team time that you may choose to attend. Revise your first attempt and return it next Tuesday.

PLEASE DOUBLE-CHECK YOUR RETAKE CONTRACT AND MAKE SURE YOU AND YOUR PARENTS HAVE SIGNED/INITIALED IT AS NEEDED.

Relearn/Retake Contract

Vocabulary Quizlet (online flashcards and games)

Application Level Review PPT

Test Retake Info and Other News: October 2, 2015

Today in class, you guys continued to work on getting your maps and charts for the 13 original colonies completed.  This is the last class time you're going to have for these assignments, so get the work done!

Next week, I'm going to give you a relearning contract for the first quiz you took.  Here is the rundown on how that is going to work:

• For the content knowledge portion (vocab):  You will spend some time studying with flashcards or my online resources, and then you will do a fill-in-the-blank retake.
• For the content application portion (short answer):  You will complete a review activity and then do test corrections.
• For the extended credit portion, you will get your quiz back with a checklist that indicates how close you came to meeting expectations.  If you want to retry that for more credit, you will have a certain amount of time to get that done.  

You have no new homework this weekend, but don't forget, you have the colonies map check next week!  Don't wait to practice!

Ch 4 Sec 1
Ch 4 Sec 2
Ch 4 Sec 3
Ch 4 Sec 4

Charts and Maps and Coloring, Oh My! OCTOBER 1, 2015

It's October already!!  And in light of that:

Today in class, we reviewed your debriefing of the mercantilism game and started looking at how the 13 colonies developed.  You're working on a chart and map to show how the colonies spread and what they had to offer their mother country, England.  Meanwhile, you need to keep working on your knowledge of the colonies map!  Don't forget that you will be rechecked on that next week!

If you are struggling to understand mercantilism, here's a little review.  It's dry, but to the point: