The Declaration of Independence - 8/29/08 and 9/2/08

Agenda:
1. Vocabulary Quiz
2. The Declaration of Independence Graphic Organizer (pg 13)
3. Hand out Year-Long Movie Permission Slip
4. Hand out Declaration of Independence Marketing Campaign sheet (pg 14)
HW: Get that movie permission slip signed and read the Marketing Campaign sheet

Today we took our very first vocab quiz of the year. We then examined the most important document in American history: The Declaration of Independence. The Declaration is divided into four parts:

I. Preamble
II. Explanation of Natural Rights
III. Grievances against King George III
IV. Formal announcement of independence

Section II, in the humble opinion of Mr. Ippolito, is the most important section of the Declaration. In it, Thomas Jefferson explains why we must break away: "We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." No government has the right to take these away, Jefferson argues, and in fact it is the government's job to protect these rights. When government fails to do this, the people have the right and responsibility to rise up against their government and create a new one.

Powerful stuff!

Next class we'll prepare a Marketing Campaign in groups to "sell" the Declaration.

RVI

School Portrait Day - Thursday, August 28, 2008

Today was school portrait day and Spirit Drive Assembly day, so there wasn't much time for work (25 min periods). Mr. Ippolito was busy in the MPR coordinating school portraits, so Mr. Schranz was our sub today. However, here's what we did:

1. Finish vocab and ask for help when needed
2. Prepare for INB check
HW: Study for vocab quiz

Be ready to present your vocabulary and take a vocab quiz in our next class!!!

Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? - August 26-27, 2008

Agenda:
1. Journal #2 - Break Away (pg 11)
2. Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? - Review and PPT
3. "No More Kings" Schoolhouse Rock
4. Review Great Awakening and Enlightenment HW
HW: Vocabulary (pg 12)

Today we spent much of our class period reviewing all the material we should have learned back in fifth grade. Fifth grade was a LONG time ago in the life of a junior-higher, so we reviewed everything from the Crusades, to King Henry VIII, to Columbus, the Mayflower, Pocahontas, and so much more. There's a lot of great American history learning and background knowledge that goes on in fifth grade, but we have to jump right into our eighth grade standards which begin with the Declaration of Independence.

We finished the day by looking at the connection between the Great Awakening, the Enlightenment, and the American Revolution. How did these three things connect? This will be important knowledge to have as we dive deeper into our study of American independence.

RVI

Finishing Primary Source Presentations - August 22-25, 2008

Agenda:
1. Go over Textbook Scavenger Hunt
2. Finish Primary Source Presentations
HW: The Great Awakening and the Enlightenment (pg 10)

We really used this day mostly as a "catch-up" day, as our schedule was shortened a bit by the assemblies and Ms. Sternberg's visit to talk about school rules.

We finished student presentations on their artifacts/primary sources, and then followed up with tonight's homework, which is the first textbook reading assignment. In case you lost the assignment sheet, here are the instructions, below. Enjoy!

HOMEWORK INSTRUCTIONS:
The Great Awakening and The Enlightenment

DIRECTIONS: Read pages 39-40 (the section called “The Great Awakening”) and pages 44-48 (the sections on “The Enlightenment”) and answer the following questions on page 10 of your INB.

1. What was the Great Awakening?
2. Who were the two greatest leaders of the Great Awakening, and how did they spread their message?
3. In what ways did the spread of religious enthusiasm during the Great Awakening reinforce democratic ideas?
4. What was the Enlightenment?
5. What idea was at the center of Enlightenment thinking?
6. What rights did people have under an absolute monarch?
7. Where did the monarch get his power to rule?
8. How did John Locke challenge the idea of “divine right”?
9. How did the Enlightenment affect people’s ideas about government? How will the colonists eventually put Locke’s ideas into action?

RVI

Primary Sources - August 18-19, 2008

Agenda:
1. Go over "Class Procedures"
2. Cover Page (pg 1)
3. Textbook Scavenger Hunt (pg 4)
5. What is a primary source?
HW: Life in America Time Capsule Project

Today in history we set up our very first INB cover page for the year. The cover page will always be the first page of each new unit. Each cover page should contain the unit's title in large print, surrounded by five symbols that represent the topics we will learn in that unit. Each symbol should be in four colors. I want students to take pride in their INB's appearance, as it will serve as their learning portfolio for the school year.

We continued class by getting to know our textbook with the textbook scavenger hunt, and finished up class by discussing primary sources. Speaking of primary sources, your homework tonight is to find a primary source artifact from your own life that represents life in America for your generation. You could choose a birth certificate (preferably a copy and not the original), a stuffed animal, a trophy, anything that says something about your life. You may NOT use your Rio Norte ID card (that's too easy). I'm looking forward to seeing what you choose as your primary source!

RVI

Guideline for the Cover Page

History in Room B-7 - August 15, 2008

Agenda:
1. Attendance
2. Course Syllabus
3. The INB
4. Class Procedures in Mr. Ippolito's Room (pg. 3)
HW: Electronic Tear-Off

Today in history, we went over our class syllabus and discussed what some of our learning goals for the year would be. We then started up our history INBs for the first semester. Please make sure you take some time this weekend to write your name and "Team Yukon" or "Mr. Ippolito" with permanent marker somewhere on the front cover of your INB in case it gets lost.

Finally, we tested our knowledge by tackling "Class Procedures"? How well were you listening yesterday? We'll go over the answers to all that next week.

The homework for this weekend is the "Electronic Tear-Off." Have a parent read through the syllabus, and then follow the instructions at the end. If you have any questions this weekend, feel free to leave a comment on this blog or e-mail me at rvi@hartdistrict.org.

Have a great weekend!

RVI

The First Day of School - August 14, 2008

Agenda:
1. Attendance - Who are you?
2. Welcome to Eighth Grade History
3. The First Day of School PPT
4. Being on Team Yukon
HW: Bring a spiral notebook to class (due tomorrow)
AND Team Yukon Contact Info Sheet (due next Wed/Thu)

Today was a great first day in Team Yukon history! Students learned about the five Yukon Values, and how to be successful in Mr. Ippolito's class.

I'm so excited to have you as part of our history experience this year! I hope you will use this blog to help you succeed in your history class this year.

Have a great eighth grade year. YU-KON!

RVI

Welcome to Mr. Ippolito's history class

Welcome to Team Yukon history and Mr. Ippolito's class! We're going to have a great school year! Check back here to see the agenda for our first day, as well as the homework (always homework in Ippolito's class!). I look forward to a great year with you.

Cheers,
Mr. Ippolito

The Accent Game

Test your knowledge of world culture and play "Can You Guess Where My Accent Is From?" It's a cool game. Enjoy!