Charts and Colonies

This week we used charts to help us compare and contrast the first two English speaking colonies, Jamestown and Plymouth, as well as the different types of colonial workers. Charts are a great way for you to organize information so you can identify similarities and differences. Selecting the categories for your chart is probably the most challenging aspect of the assignment. Try to think of categories that allow you to see the big picture. It is usually helpful to think about chunking information into social, political, economic and religious units. The colonial workers chart identified the categories and then asked you to think more deeply about people’s motives for coming to the New World and what the advantages and disadvantages would be for each worker. These are good questions to ask as we proceed with our study of American history. Keep in mind good historians ask lots of questions, they use multiple sources and they are open to constructing their idea of what happened.

There are numerous sites on the internet that will allow you to explore further the characteristics of these two colonies that became the foundation for our country today. A clever teacher with a great sense of humor also put together a tour of Jamestown that is worth checking.

This coming week we will focus on a group of worker who did not came to the New World freely and who arrived with shackles on their hands: African slaves. Slaves were imported to make up for the shortage of labor in the colonies. Large groups of workers were needed to work the fields that yielded the cash crops for the South and to work in the ports of the Middle and New England colonies. While the majority of slaves ended up in the Middle and Southern colonies, many New Englanders maintained slaves or were involved in the salve trade.

Election Project

Rhode Island voters are busy gathering information on candidates and issues so that when they walk into the voting booth on November 7 they select the candidate who will best represent their views. As many of you will be 18 and therefore eligible to vote during the next election, we are going to practice being educated voters by going through the research and selection process as a class assignment. You will select one race (Governor, Senator, or House) to follow. You will have a graphic organizer and a list of helpful web sites so you can collect information on the candidates and issues and make a decision as to who you would support. As a final assessment you will be presenting an evidence folder to justify your decision and writing a letter to the Editor of The Newport Daily News or The Providence Journal in support of your candidate.

In order to help you think through the issues and candidates we will be having a series of guest speakers. This past week most classes heard from Senator Whitehouse’s volunteer coordinator for Middletown and this coming week you will hear from Senator Chafee’s staffer. In late October you will hear from the Managing Editor of The Newport Daily News, Sheila Mullowney. These are great opportunities for you to ask questions. Come prepared.

Interterm Grades

It is hard to believe that four weeks have passed and interterm grades are due. In order to meet standard you must have your portfolio updated and in the bin. You are responsible for keeping track of your grades and work. If you have been given the opportunity to revise, those revisions are due the next class period. Don’t lose points by not turning in your revised efforts.

If you find that you are struggling, I am available before or after school for extra help or guidance.