Tensions Mount

This week we lived through the major events leading up to The American Revolution.
Working with a partner, you designed a timeline to highlight those events that led to war. This activity gave you the opportunity to look at events, debate their significance and make a judgment as to which events are crucial to understanding why the colonists went to war against the British Empire.

Our primary source readings “Voices of Consent” and “Voices of Dissent” allowed us to explore the British and colonial perspective. The British government desperately needed money to finance the French and Indian War debt and the colonists were frustrated with what they saw as restraints on their rights as British citizens. Tensions mounted as taxes were imposed and boycotts conducted. Each side felt its actions were right and justified.

British troops arrived in Boston to impose order but the sight of the brightly uniformed soldiers infuriated the colonists. Next week we will once again act and think like historians as we look at the Boston Massacre using multiple primary and secondary sources. We will have to think about bias, reliability, accuracy, and intent as we sort through the accounts and try to come to an understanding of what happened that cold and snowy March evening in Boston.

John Adams

This is a friendly reminder that on November 21 period 7 will be holding its first accountable talk activity on Part I: Revolution. You will need to come with a quote from this section and your interpretation of its significance. In order to meet standard, you must have your text with you for our discussion. You are accountable to yourself, the group and the text. I am looking forward to your self directed text based discussion. The timeline on Section I is due after Thanksgiving.

What is Happening in the Outside World?

This week you were given your current events assignment. This ongoing assignment will be due every day 3. Use the rubric and the FAQs to help you meet standard. Doing current events will help you understand the major events of the day, encourage you to make connections to past events, and accumulate points for second quarter.

Student-Parent-Teacher Conferences

Thank you to all who came out on Wednesday to visit our classroom and to hear about the many exciting and interesting activities. One of the key factors leading to student success is a positive and supportive family. It was instructive to have students present their portfolios to their families. It was a great time to review work and establish goals for second quarter.

A Word about Homework

The most important homework is the assignments you give yourself. In addition to teacher directed tasks, you have to ask yourself what you need to do to understand the material in order to meet standard. Do you need to spend more time taking active reading notes? Do you need to review the links on the blog to better understand key events? Do you need to make lists or graphic organizers to help you with the content? Do you need to review study skills and time management techniques? Last, but not least, do you need to come by Mondays after school for a special extra help session? Starting November 20, I will be conducting special review and support sessions. If you missed class, don’t understand an assignment or just want to talk about our activities, please come by room 246 after school. I guarantee it will make a difference!

Let’s Beat Portsmouth

In addition to our Thanksgiving football game against the Patriots, MHS has challenged PHS to a food drive competition. The Leo Club of MHS has organized this event to build school spirit and provide much needed food to our community. Did you know that over 35 million people in the United States are classified as hungry? So look in your pantry, talk to your parents, and start bringing in cans of soup, tuna, beans, pasta sauce, vegetables, and other non-perishables for our competition. Food items may be left in the cafeteria or room 246.

Extra Credit

Who is traveling over 3,000 miles to Jamestown Virginia next year to help commemorate the 400th anniversary of the settlement?