Welcome Back from Winter Break! - January 14, 2008

Welcome to an exciting Quarter Three in Yukon history! During this quarter we will study all about westward expansion (or Manifest Destiny, as it is also called), the Texan War for Independence, the Mexican-American War, reform movements of the mid-nineteenth century, California missions, slavery, the Northern and Southern ways of life in the 1800s, and the path leading up to the Civil War. There's a lot happening this quarter!

Our day began with a presentation called "Rachel's Challenge." This program, inspired by Columbine High School shooting victim Rachel Scott, is a challenge to all members of our school's community to be kind to others, to combat prejudice, and to start a chain reaction of good deeds that can be passed on.

The five parts of Rachel's Challenge are:
1. Eliminate prejudice
2. Dare to dream
3. Choose positive influences
4. Use kind words
5. Start a chain reaction

Parents, if you would like to find out more about Rachel's Challenge, there will be a special presentation this evening at 7:00 p.m. here at Rio Norte. Also, you can find out more by logging onto http://www.rachelschallenge.com.

We had really shortened periods today because of the special assembly schedule, but the homework for tonight is to create a unit cover page. The title of the unit is "Manifest Destiny," and just like every other cover page, you need the title, five symbols, and four colors. This goes on PAGE ONE of your brand new INB, and is due the next time we meet. Have a great quarter!

Some websites you can check out now to begin our new Manifest Destiny unit are listed below. Enjoy!

http://edtech.kennesaw.edu/web/westward.html
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/lewisandclark/lewisandclark.html
http://www.kidinfo.com/American_History/Pioneers.html

RVI