Monday, September 29, 2008

Say You Want a Revolution

So, we are beginning our study of the Revolutionary Period. We will begin with a film. This will be good as I have a conference tomorrow during 5th and so we will have a sub. I will follow this film with discussion and then we will move to our study of the Constitution. 

See you in class tomorrow if you are in 4th, Wednesday if you are in 5th.

Mrs. Spotts

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Trivia Time! (again!)

Ok, since Google exists, you are too fast. I am going to give a second bonus question to you, same prize, same rules. 

As you learned, there were many forms of religion being practiced in the colonies. Because of this, celebrated holidays differed from colony to colony. But there were four that most did agree to celebrate. Can you name all four? Please include the dates that they were celebrated.

First to answer wins!

Mrs. Spotts

Trivia time!

Ok all you scholars out there! Here is your trivia question...

When Pocahontas went to London she was given a special gift. What was it? Who gave it? And post a link to the picture of it. (really that is two questions and a task...but the prize is so fabulous that you will have to work for it!)

Ready? First one to post the correct information wins!

GO!

Have fun everyone! and I will see you tomorrow!

Mrs. Spotts

ps, and don't forget to remind your parents about Back-to-School Night!

Monday, September 22, 2008

Anyone want to play?

Just for fun today. All I ask is that you remind your parents about Back-to-School night on Wed. at 6:00. That's all! I have to also remind anyone who would like to re-try the USA map quiz to come at lunch. Knock because sometimes I am there with the lights off. Taking a nap. Haha. j/k

Ok, so all you have to do to win a fabulous prize today is to add a comment to this post by midnight! I will pick a winner in the morning.

Good luck!
Mrs. Spotts

Friday, September 19, 2008

I take away my "hi" to Savannah...

and say "hi" to Sara instead. Oh, and hi to Carloline too! ;)

And finally, don't forget to do your essay!!! I am fine if you don't type it, just be sure it is neat enough for me to read without a struggle. Ask here if you have questions. I will check in from time to time.

Bye for now,

Mrs. Spotts

Thursday, September 18, 2008

The questions....

So, I just have a minute, I will give you some questions to think about before your head hits your pillow though....

What is one difference between primary and secondary sources?

What is historical interpretation?

Who authored the Dec of Ind?

Ok, and one more since you guys are so great...What is an artifact? (be able to identify an example)

See you tomorrow!


The Quiz....

is tomorrow!! (Friday) Ten questions on "Intro to History" and a USA map quiz. I am going to post some questions from the quiz here when I get a chance, so if you are not seeing them now, check back. They will be added as soon as I get a minute to decide which questions I want to post for you....;)

Mrs. Spotts

Monday, September 15, 2008

And the winner of our 1st contest is....

Jisoohan!!!!!!

Good for you! See me in class for your prize!

Mrs. Spotts

Friday, September 12, 2008

Such a challenge!

Hi there! I hope you were geographically challenged in class today. ;)

This is a reminder that if you want to be entered in the contest to win a fabulous prize, you must comment to the below post no later than 11:59 tonight, Sept. 12. Do not comment to this post for the prize, but you can comment just for the conversation if you would like. As some of you know I randomly check in so maybe I will be in where you are and we will say "hi" to each other! How fun. Also, add any questions that you have and I will try to answer all of them. 

Ready for your Essay Question? ........... I knew you would be. So, here it is:

Write a five-paragraph essay that answers the following question:
Have Americans lived up to the ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence?

Your essay must include the following elements:
1. An introduction, including
  • a hook that creates interest in the topic of your essay
  • a thesis statement that clearly states your perspective on the essay question
2. Three body paragraphs that each include
  • a topic sentence that clearly states one argument supporting your thesis statement
  • at least two pieces of evidence (visual details, facts, data, examples, or quotations) that support the topic sentence. For the first two body paragraphs, use evidence from Placards 2A through 2R. For the third body paragraph, use evidence from current events or from your own experience.
  • a one or two-sentence explanation of how each piece of evidence supports the topic sentence or thesis statement.
3. A conclusion that includes

  • a reworded version of your thesis statement
  • a brief summary of your main arguments

Ok! That is it for now! I will be discussing "stuff" that goes with this essay question all week, so stay tuned!

Have fun this weekend!
Mrs. Spotts


Thursday, September 11, 2008

The Question

Our essay question is going to be posted tomorrow as I have a little conflict with one little detail. Do not worry, I am going to give an extra day to complete the essays, which would mean that they will not be due until Monday, Sept. 22. Lots and lots of time. 

Anyone interested in a prize? Make a comment to this post between now and tomorrow (lots of extensions tonight!) and I (my kids) will pick a winning number to be announced on Monday morning. 

Did you begin studying your USA maps? I hope so. You will have a quiz on this soon so don't wait until the last minute. Look in the sidebars for a link to some games to practice.

Mrs. Spotts

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Ok Blog Readers!!

If you are reading this, you are doing just fine here! Now. Ready? Today we covered the Five American Ideals that we will discuss throughout the course. Can you name them? Next, there is a little survey for you to take. Look to the right to find it. Questions #1 to #5.  Yes! You see it! Right there! Good. Now. Take that survey. 

Whew. This is a lot for after class. But there is more. If you did not post in the comment section of yesterday's post, do so after you finish reading this. That is the post right below this one. FINALLY...one more thing. You need to complete your homework. The two things are: 1. your Columbus pictures and 2. your Student Timelines (due Thurs.)

Have a great afternoon and evening. I will see everyone tomorrow!

Mrs. Spotts

Monday, September 8, 2008

Yes this is the place!!

To post your name and your interest that is. I am sorry it is late to be added, I ended up getting stuck by life getting in my way of me logging on here. 

Here is one goodie for you. I made a mistake in posting my date for your Timeline project. As you will notice, I have amended the mistake. Go check out the due date now...see it? 

Friday, September 5, 2008

Thanks Josh!

Josh came to steal my computer twice today. What a guy! 

So, I need to talk homework with you now. First the Student Timeline. You should have read the directions and you should begin working on it this weekend so that you don't wait until the very last minute. (Which would be 11:26 for 4th Period and 1:06 for 5th Period on Thursday, Sept. 10...not that you would do that!) You do need to know that I am expecting something that really looks pretty spectacular hanging on my walls or sitting on that back shelf area. I DO NOT want a lined piece of notebook paper with some sketched notes on it. You are more than welcome to use my paper, I have big, medium, small, and some colors. Look in the drawer marked "Paper" and just help yourself. You don't have to ask as long as you take it before or after class. Also, I am particularly interested in your future goals. I hope to see that you put some thought into that part of this project. Whether that is going to collage, moving to New York, taking a trip around the world, you decide. But do make sure to put the details of how this will happen. I will add some tips for future goals on the right sidebar so keep checking back.

Next, (this one is just for 5th Period) I forgot to collect your Class Information sheets with the signatures. Please leave them for me on Monday. It is a great and easy way to get some points! Plus I ran out of time to tell my story. So, instead of writing it here I will finish it on Monday in class if you remind me.

Alright students! Time for me to play "Crowns and Gowns" with my little girl. I hope she lets me be Sleeping Beauty this time. ;)

Have a fun weekend,
Mrs. Spotts

Thursday, September 4, 2008

First problem...

Sorry but I am having a problem adding my links to the files for Class Info and Homework. I am going to contact my tech people and try again later...sorry again, hope you didn't misplace these papers from today!

Is this sign language?

So. First day fun, eh? My favorite question for the day was 20 minutes into a class a kid asked, "Is this sign language?" Which makes me wonder, did I use my hands a lot or something? Why else would the kid have sat there for 20 minutes? And just to give them a little credit, the Sign Lang. class is next door so they were very very close. ;)

What did we learn today students? ......cyber silence......

Ok. I will just tell you then. We learned that history is fun and great! Right? Ok.  If you didn't learn that yet, I will just let you in on what we really need to know from the day. What is a "primary resource?" What is a "secondary resource?" And why does history really matter? 

Don't forget that I gave you a Class Information sheet for your parents to sign. If you already lost it, or left it at school, or whatever, I have one linked on the first page of this blog. This is due tomorrow. And last but not least, read and get ready to begin your Student Timeline project which will be due September 11. Did you misplace that too? Well, I am feeling friendly and will post that here too. I will put that on this page. Look over there to the right...do you see it? Good. Now read it. And get ready to start it. Or start it now if you want. 

See you all tomorrow. See if you can post anything here. If you can't I will need to fix the settings tomorrow. 

Mrs. Spotts

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Hello everyone!

Welcome to my blog! Hopefully you will enjoy this. After you have signed in and have been approved to post, you will have the freedom to add posts and make comments here. Please be aware that there are some rules to follow. This is not My Space so please don't treat it that way. This is hopefully going to be a "smart", clever, and fun area to chat about class. You are welcome to just read this without ever posting, but be aware that every now and then I will have contests here as well as little incentives. (like hints or even the actual questions for our Daily Quizzes) If you are an expert on all things blog-related, please let me know. I am quite the novice at this and can use the assistance of my tech savvy students!

Again, welcome to class. Glad you made it to C-3, and also glad you found the class out in the cyber world! 

Cheers, Mrs. Spotts