February 25, 2007 - The South

Today's agenda:
1. The South PPT (pg 28)
2. The North/South T-Chart (pg 29)
HW. Textbook Reading Notes - Pages 270-274 (pg 30)

Today, to contrast last week's study of the North, we begin our study of the economy, culture, technology, transportation, and geography of the South. We began with the South PowerPoint, then created a North/South comparison t-chart.

Some students had difficulty finding some vocabulary terms. If you can't find them in the textbook, then feel free to consult the Internet or a dictionary for help. The terms you may need a little extra help on are:
- sectionalism
- agrarian economy
- industrial economy
- martyr
We also discussed these definitions in class.

Our homework tonight is to read the textbook (pages 270-274) and take reading notes. The notes may be in whatever format you prefer (outline, bullet points, Cornell, etc.). Take the notes on page 30 of the INB, and be prepared to be quizzed on the material at our next class.

RVI

February 22, 2007 - Reform Movements of the North

Today's agenda:
1. Reform Movements in the North (pg 25)
2. Seneca Falls Convention (pg 26)
HW: Letter to Elizabeth (pg 27)
Don't forget! - Vocab also due on Monday, 2/26

Today in history we studied the many reform movements begun in the North between 1800 and 1850. These movements were inspired by the religious revival of the Second Great Awakening. American Christians in the North were inspired to improve themselves, and the world around them.

Reformers sought change in the areas of:
- Treatment of prisoners
- Treatment of the mentally ill
- Education
- Abolition of slavery
- Temperance (ban on alcohol)
- Women's rights

One of the most interesting figures in the temperance movement was Carrie Nation. She actually appeared a little bit later in the 19th century, but she was quite a character. With her trademark axe, she went from tavern to tavern smashing containers of alcohol. Want to find out more about this fascinating individual? Check out these sites:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrie_Nation
http://www.kshs.org/exhibits/carry/carry1.htm

They even have a Carry (it can be spelled either way) Nation festival in Michigan! I doubt they serve wine or beer there! :-) Check it out here:
http://www.carrynation.org/

Next class, we'll begin our study of the South.

RVI

February 20, 2007 - Beginning Antebellum America

Today's agenda:
1. A new unit: Antebellum America
2. Cover Page - "Antebellum America" (pg 21)
3. "The North" PPT Interactive lecture (pg 22)
HW: Roads, Canals, and Turnpikes (pg 23)
HW: Vocabulary (pg 24--due next Monday, 2/26)

We began the new Antebellum America unit. The word "antebellum" comes from the Latin. Ante means "before," and bellum means "war or conflict." This unit is a study of the time period leading up the American Civil War.

Today we focused on the North. We learned about the unique geography, population, culture, transportation, technology and economy that set the North apart from the South. To continue our study of the North, we focused specifically on the "Roads, Canals, and Turnpikes" that helped the people of the North to move goods from one place to another. We learned that the diversified economy and exploding population will give the North a distinct advantage when they find themselves at war with the South beginning in 1861.

"Roads, Canals, and Turnpikes" was the homework for this evening. I also encourage you to begin on your vocabulary assignment. Although vocab is not due until next week, there are 18 terms in this unit, so you may want to get an early start.

Next time, we focus on the reform movements of the early to mid-1800s. Social reform inspired by the Second Great Awakening will drive the temperance movement, the women's rights movement, and reforms for education, the prison system, and the mentally ill.

RVI

My Baby Is One Month Old!

From Libi - 4 weeks

For my photos of my very cute baby, Libi, check out our website at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/rippolito

February 15, 2007 - INB Check

Today was a 7-period day, so we only had 45 minutes to finish up our Manifest Destiny unit. We began by briefly reviewing unit exam scores, and then spent the majority of our time grading Interactive Notebooks (INBs).

I'm very excited to begin our Antebellum America unit on Tuesday!

NO homework for this Presidents Day weekend! Enjoy!

RVI

February 13, 2007 - Unit Exam

Today in history we took our Manifest Destiny Unit Exam and received our INB grade sheets. INBs are due at our next class session. The progress reporting period ends this week, so please make sure to get those INBs complete!

RVI

February 9, 2007 - The Conflict in Mexico and the Rush West

Today in history we finished discussing "Conflict in Mexico," a textbook jigsaw assignment we began in class during our last class time.  We then took the Texas and Mexican War PowerPoint quiz (sorry, no 6-8 Quiz this time).  We then finished up with "A Rush West," where we learned about both the Mormons and the Forty-Niners in their travels to the western frontier for religious freedom and fortune (respectively).  The homework for tonight was the complete the Unit Exam review.

 

In our next class, we will first review for, and then take the Manifest Destiny Unit Exam.  Be prepared and good luck!  In the following class, we will grade Interactive Notebooks and then conclude our grades for the third quarter progress report.  Please make sure you have all absent work submitted to me before the end of this week.

 

PBS has a great site on the Mexican War here:

http://www.pbs.org/kera/usmexicanwar/

 

Social Studies for Kids has a great, easy-to-read summary of the war here:

http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/mexicanamericanwar1.htm

 

A essay from a Mexican perspective on the war can be found here:

http://www.azteca.net/aztec/war/Mexican-American-War.html

 

Again, please review all the material in your INB since the beginning of the new quarter so you can be prepared for the Unit Exam in our next class.

 

RVI

 

February 7, 2007 - Conflict with Mexico

Today in history we concluded our study of the War for Texan Independence.  Were the Texan settlers pioneering freedom fighters struggling for their independence, or simply illegal immigrants who were exploiting their great numbers to overthrow a government they never had any intention to honor?

Discussions were vigorous in history today as we tackled this question.  Following our wrap-up of the Texas question, we transitioned to our study of the Mexican War.  We did a jigsaw activity where we broke up into groups to get a great deal of information from the textbook very quickly.  We didn't finish sharing our responses in class today, so we'll wrap that up on Friday, February 9.

Finally, the homework for tonight is Important People of Manifest Destiny.  Your job is to determine the significance of these individuals, then create a graphic representation that will help you remember each of these people.  Friday, we take the Mexican War head-on!

RVI

February 5, 2007 - The War for Texan Independence

We wrap up our three days of study of the War for Texan Independence by finishing the Disney film, The Alamo.  We began last week with the Texan Independence PowerPoint presentation.  We learned about the Texans' struggle for freedom from Mexico, and the homework was to make an Alamo monument.  The homework for the movie was to write a three-paragraph essay explaining whether you believe the Texans were justified in rebelling against Mexico.

Over the past two days, we've been watching The Alamo.  If you'd like to see trivia on the film, you can check out the IMDB entry here:
http://imdb.com/title/tt0318974/

There's a good Wikipedia article on the Texan Revolution here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Revolution

The Daughters of the Republic of Texas have a great site for study of the Alamo here:
http://www.drtl.org/History/index.asp

Next time, the Mexican War!
RVI