Two Sides to the Story

This week we looked more deeply into the story of the colonial workers who were forced to come to the New World against their will: the slaves. As good historians, we read the story of Middle Passage from the perspective of a slave and a ship’s captain. The same event took on two very different perspectives, reminding us that history is not just one story found in a text book.

Around 1660, Virginia and Maryland began passing laws to define the status of Africans as slaves. Historians estimate that between 9 and 12 million slaves came to the Americas from 1600 to 1808. Of this number, approximately 350,000 came to the Colonies. Slaves in South Carolina and Georgia outnumbered the white population and thus were able to preserve many facets of their own culture. The Middle Colonies and New England also benefited from slave labor of approximately 50,000 people. The Providence Journal ran a special series last year on Rhode Island’s high involvement in the slave trading business. We will be visiting the web site this coming week.

This week we will also look at the Triangle Trade routes that spanned the Atlantic Ocean and connected the New World with Africa and the Caribbean. Triangle Trade was a dangerous but lucrative exchange of goods and people. The major components of the trade included rum, slaves and sugar.

Strategies
While engaging in our study of history we are also learning skills and techniques to be better readers. We used our primary source readings to practice marking up the text, summarizing, and asking questions. We also took this assignment to a new level by each of you sharing your side of the story with your partner. By telling the story you are helping to teach someone else and are therefore more likely to remember the information. Talking over your assignments with friends and family is a great way to better understand the material.

Election 2006 Project

We have had an exciting kick-off to our study of the election with two guest speakers representing the Chafee and Whitehouse campaigns (periods 7 and 8). They were able to give you the inside story on what is happening and to answer your questions. You have your graphic organizer to help you sort through the issues and the candidate’s positions. Make sure to watch the news and read the paper over the weekend so you can build your evidence file. You have a timeline for the assignments and cover sheets for the news articles. Do not wait until the last minute to collect your information.

Progress Reports

You updated your portfolio this week and reflected on your progress to date. I like the word “progress,” as it means “a moving forward or onward.” If you are meeting standard, congratulations, and keep up the good work. If you are below standard, make a plan to improve. Do you need to put more time into your homework? Have you missed assignments? Have you given up the opportunity to revise? Have you developed a strategy to stay organized? If you need additional assistance or have questions, I am available before or after school.

I have no doubt that all of you can be successful. Keep in mind:

“Those who fail to plan, plan to fail!”

Spirit Week:

Congratulations on a wonderful spirit week. I hope all of you enjoy the festivities this week and come back on Tuesday rested and ready to continue our study of early American History.

Bonus Question:

Bring in the answer to this question and earn extra credit:

How many stripes are on the American flag and what do they symbolize?