Do you know your 13 colonies?

Where is Georgia? Where is New Hampshire? What's in between Pennsylvania and Virginia? Today students took a quiz over the 13 colonies and just a reminder students have a test this coming Friday October 1st over Early Exploration and Early Colonization (review will be handed out on Wednesday.

Back to the Future & 13 Colonies: who are the New Englanders?

Imagine being a Pilgrim coming over to the "New World" from the "motherland" and the all the hardships that you are going to have to endure in the name of your faith. It wasn't easy along the way, but they made it and established a very important principal for our future government...self-government. Students went back in time to and acted like Pilgrims making their way to the New World.

Just a reminder, there will be a quiz on Friday over the regions of the 13 colonies, be ready.

What's the big deal with Jamestown?

We finished discussing as a class the importance of joint-stock companies, the harsh conditions that settlers faced at Jamestown, and the establishment of the House of Burgesses in Virginia.

The Empires strike back!!!!!!!!!

Classes are finishing up "Empires in America" class notes and we're quickly discussing the notes. Main questions to answer:

1. Who are the major European Empires during this time?


2. What were these Empires looking for when they found America?


3. Why did these Empires what to control or conquer parts of America?

Test!!!

Today, students enjoyed taking their U.S. & World map Test.

Around the U.S. & H.S.I.

We finished reviewing for Friday's U.S. & World map Test and everyone became an investigator today. Students tried their first H.S.I. (History Scene Investigation) while looking at a picture of Spaniard exploration in the "New World."

Around the U.S. & Citizenship Test

We reviewed the Western states by playing "Around the World." Then we finished going over the Citizenship Test as a class.

Around the World & Are You a U.S. Citizen?

All classes had their U.S. & World maps checked by Mr. Xanders for correct labeling. Afterwards, everyone reviewed the World map (7 continents & 4 oceans) by playing "Around the World." Next students had to answer a series of 30 citizenship questions (the same test that individuals who want to be U.S. citizens must take before becoming a legal U.S. citizen). Tomorrow, we will finish going through the test and begin looking at a Historical scene that helped discover our country.

Back from the Rising Sun!!!

I hope your summer has been fun and I'm sure you're missing being in school and hearing my wonderful jokes, but don't be sad. I just got back from Japan and it was amazing. I tried authentic sushi but was not able to try my karate skills out on the locals. Probably wouldn't be good news for Garner MS "Garner teacher arrested for delivering a flying side kick while on vacation." I'm currently still going through all the pictures and narrowing the 1400 pictures taken, to a reasonable amount. Be on the look out for them. Sayonara!!!

Technology Test

All classes took a district assessment over technology today in the computer lab.

Test...oh yeah!!!

Students took a test over the 5 Themes of Geography & the location of some of the NBA teams.

NBA team schedules & 5 Themes of Geography

Students finished up creating their NBA class team schedules and were assigned a win-loss record at random. Afterwards, we finished discussing and reviewing the 5 themes of geography.

Create your own team schedule

All classes created an NBA team schedule for the class team. If you didn't finish in class than it becomes homework.

NBA arenas & divisions

Today we went over the suggestions for the different NBA arenas. We also divided up the NBA into 6 divisions. This will be useful for Monday when we create our class team schedule.

Where is your NBA team from?

Students decided as a class where they would like to place a new NBA team and what they should be called. They based their decision off of all the choices from their classmates.

NBA Commissioner for a day

After taking the quiz over the location of the NBA cities (latitude & longitude coordinates), students were able to look at a chart of the 50 biggest cities in the U.S. After deciding on 2 (regular classes) or 3 (Pre-AP classes) cities, students are to do a little research at home about their city selections. Students are to create team names/mascots from the cities that they've picked.

What do you think of when someone says New York?

Today, students finished up the class discussion over Location (1 of the 5 Themes of Geography). And we began talking about Place, like the question above: "What do you think of when you someone says New York?"

Where are the NBA teams?

Today, students began learning about the location of the NBA teams (which ties into our geography unit). Students were looking at Location today, tomorrow we should be able to move into Place.

Final day for Passport Project

Students turned in their Passport projects today, which means we will beginning something new on Monday. Many ideas are floating around, who knows what we'll do?

Passport Project

Just a reminder students, tomorrow will be the last day to work on your Passport Project. You may want to work on it from home tonight. See you tomorrow

Passport project

Students will be working on their Passport projects today in the library. The Passport project will allow students to look up information about 7 of the 50 states. Remember students this is a test grade.

Good morning Vietnam!!!

Today we had a guest speaker who has plenty of war experience, Mr. V (retired Marine who served in the Vietnam war). Mr. V shared with the class his first hand experience during the Vietnam war discussing the language, the culture, the conflict, and where he served.

5 Themes of Geography & Project info

Today we went over 1 of the 5 themes of geography as well as how to work on the Passport Project. Students will work on their Passport Project on Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday of this week. Students will find information regarding 7 of the 50 states and this will be a test/project grade.

Food, Inc.

Pre-AP students continued watching Food, Inc. (food documentary).

Food, Inc. or Glory...both great options

Pre-AP students continued watching Food, Inc. (documentary dealing with the food industry, health concerns, the history and future of our country).

Regular classes finished up watching Glory, a wonderful depiction of the 54th Massachusetts regiment and their efforts during the Civil War.

Movies & Questions

During Pre-AP, students watched Food, Inc. today and we discussed how corn and corn-based products are purchased, consumed, and used every day by most if not all Americans.

Regular classes continued watching Glory and answering questions that go along with the movie. Glory is an Academy Award winning movie about the first black regiment to fight for the Union in the Civil War. Students will be finishing up the movie tomorrow and turning in their questions.

Science TAKS

Science TAKS...enough said

Last chance before the big test...

Today, students took their last TAKS review quiz over Objective 1 - Issues & Events. Students if you'd like to test your knowledge further, click on the TAKS icon and enjoy.

Objective 1 Review

Students played a matching game over Objective 1 - Issues & Events using pictures, terms, and definitions. Tomorrow students will be taking a quiz over Objective 1 which will finish our preparation for the TAKS Test.

Quiz = Fun Stuff

Students took a quiz over Objective 4 of the TEKS in preparation for the TAKS test on Friday. Afterwards, students set their goal for the TAKS test, not just passing it but what they will actually get on the test. This was done in hopes of the students aiming high, working hard to reach their goal, and then seeing how their hard work paid off. Just a reminder, we will be meeting in Room 1103 on Tuesday and Wednesday due to the 7th grade TAKS test.

Quiz & Review

Let's see if you know who the U.S. gained its different pieces of land from. Students took a quiz over Objective 2 - Geographic Influence and afterwards began reviewing Objective 3 - Economic & Social Influence. We're almost there....

The Civil War is finished now onto the next adventure...TAKS

We finished discussing the Civil War and the impact it had on America. Starting today until next Wednesday, we will be reviewing for the TAKS test by refreshing our minds over the 4 major objectives. Today we looked at Objective 2 - Geographic Influences, basically how did the United States become the size it is today? Who did we acquire those territories from? And what do those territories look like in relation to each other? Reminder: there is a quiz tomorrow over Objective 2; study your worksheet from today.

The Civil War begins and ends

Students worked on and most finished a worksheet summarizing the Civil War. If they didn't finish, then it is homework and will be due tomorrow first thing in class. How did the border states play an important role in the Civil War? What was the Anaconda Plan? Why did the Emancipation Proclamation only free the slaves in the South? What were the results of the Civil War and how did they affect the United States?

the South secedes...and so it begins

We finished discussing the causes of the Civil War which led us into the beginning of the Civil War. The Union is the heavy favorite but the Confederacy has some of the best generals in America.

Causes of the Civil War

What was the Wilmot Proviso? How did Henry Clay's Compromise of 1850 help lead us into the Civil War? Why was Kansas bleeding? Why did Whig party split? Those are just a few questions discussed today in class. Reminder students, finish the notes passed out today, you never know what might be in store the next day. Take care

Quiz, more land, and there's about to be anothe war

Students enjoyed taking a quiz over the Western Trails, Manifest Destiny, & the Reform Movement. Afterwards, they read about the acquisition of new land in the United States - Mexican Cession, Gadsden Purchase, & the Oregon Territory (page 394-395). We also began working on the causes of the Civil War (Pre-AP: group work & Regular: individual notes).

It's our destiny!!

We finished discussing the Oregon Trail & the Mormon Trail along with the California Gold Rush while examining the impact that those movements made on the growth of America. Should we fight a war over land? Does the government have the authority to determine that it is in our best interest to acquire more land at the expense of the overall country.

49ers, Trailblazers, & Mormons...ohh my!!

Who are they? Where did they come from? Why did they go west? How did their actions change America? After reading the sections over the 49ers, Trailblazers, & Mormons, students should be able to answer each of those questions.

Reforming America...one huge step at a time

We finished discussing as a class the early Reform Movement during the early 1800s. Students learned about Women's Suffrage, Abolition, and the Treatment of the Mentally Ill. Reminder, next week we will be moving at a faster pace than usual due to the TAKS Test coming up in a few weeks. Have a great weekend, see you on Monday.

Reformers in America

Students were greated with a much needed surprise today...a Thursday Throwback (mini assessment covering topics throughout the school year). Afterwards, we began discussing the Reform Movement in the U.S. during the 1800s after the 2nd Great Awakening. As a class, we talked about the Temperance Movement, Workers' Rights, Improving Education, & the Treatment of those that needed care. Tomorrow we'll continue the Reform Movement and finish up with Abolition & Women's Rights.

2 Tests down, but there's still more work to go

The TAKS Math & Reading tests are done with but every student still has more work to put in for their History & Science tests. We will be finishing the Reform Movement, then onto the Manifest Destiny, and finally the Civil War

We need change in America...sound familiar?

History has a tendency to repeat itself over time. The 2nd Great Awakening caused the change in America that we talked about in class today. Students began working on the reform movements that took place during the 1800s such as the Temperance movement, Workers' Right, Education, improvement for the Needy, Abolition, & Women's' Rights.

Following your conscience...it's not a bad thing

Students read about following their conscience (page 415), found out what transcendentalism means, and how Henry David Thoreau's thoughts about civil disobedience influenced future leaders in America and the World. We also began discussing the 2nd Great Awakening (page 417) and its affects on Americans. This will lead us into the section discussing the "Reform movement" in America.

Immigrants come to America

We finished discussing the following questions in class:

1. What were the factors that pushed emigrants out of their country?



2. What were the reasons that pulled immigrants to the United States?



3. How did German immigrants influence American culture?



4. Why did the Irish immigrants leave Ireland? Explain



5. Why did some Americans fear immigrants?

Cotton Gin increases the demand for slavery

We finished our class discussion over the effects of the Cotton Gin in the South. Also, during the last minutes of class, regular classes viewed a political cartoon of Immigration during the 1800s and Pre-AP classes began working on their group skits describing the "Push & Pull Factors" during the 1800s for most of the immigrants.

Slavery & Plantations

Today, all classes began "Cutting out the fat" (a note taking strategy that help students summarize the section(s) they read by writing out the main idea using the number of words given by the teacher). The following questions should be answered after reading pages 332-337:

1. How did the invention of the Cotton Gin affect the south?


2. Why did the demand for slaves in the south increase?


3. How did slaves deal with the harsh conditions of slavery?


4. How did Nat Turner's rebellion affect how African Americans were treated in the south?

so many inventions and so much time

We finished discussing the significance of the many inventions and the results they had on the growth of America.

Do you know Andrew Jackson?

Test today over Andrew Jackson. Afterwards, class discussion over Free Enterprise System and how it affects Americans today.

Industrial Revolution

Students, just a reminder, your Test over Andrew Jackson is tomorrow and if you're missing due to orchestra, make sure that you come by during 7th period and make up your test. Today we began discussing the effects of the Industrial Revolution and how we improved as a nation. Some questions to go over:

• How did the Industrial Revolution affect Americans?


• Why were factories built near water sources and mostly in the North and Northeast?


• How did the invention of the steamboat and telegraph connect the North, South, and West?

Jackson vs. the 2nd National Bank

Students all received their review sheet for their Andrew Jackson Test (on Thursday). They also worked on the next section, Andrew Jackson vs. the 2nd National Bank. Students should be able to answer these questions:

• Why did Jackson hate the 2nd National Bank?



• How did Jackson destroy the 2nd National Bank?



• How did Jackson's actions towards the 2nd National Bank affect the United States?



• Why did the Whig Part form?

Welcome back

Spring Break is over and done with, we must now move on. I enjoyed my trip to Washington D.C. and Philadelphia over Spring Break. I'm pretty sure the others enjoyed it just as much. After hearing about some of the interesting Spring Break stories, we moved on to our review of Andrew Jackson and his presidency. Side Note: Andrew Jackson Test this Thursday March 25th.