Job Well Done
Congratulations to all! The Civil War Fair of 2007 was a big success and I congratulate all of you for putting forth a great effort. You clearly demonstrated that you know how to think and act as historians! I saw evidence of critical thinking, using multiple sources, relying on primary sources for unusual insights, grappling with complexities, making links to contemporary issues and trying to construct your own interpretation of events. Special compliments to those who made an extra effort with their home-made three-dimensional displays, especially the Andersonville Prison, the Underground Railroad, and the battle of the ironclads.
We had many traditional projects focused on battles, technology and medicine, but this was the first year for such topics as how the economy was affected by the conflict, how civil liberties were affected by the war, how our language changed because of the war, and how animals were affected by the war. It is always a special challenge to take on a non-traditional topic but the rewards can be great as you delve into uncharted territory.
In addition to historical content, this project gave you the opportunity to practice your habits of mind and real world skills that are applicable to many arenas. The use of the journal encouraged you to stay organized and to manage your time. Those who spent the time to make a work plan ended up with projects that showed a greater attention to detail and presentation. Working with a partner gave you the opportunity to practice one of the skills most employers are looking for: the ability to work on a team. The annotated bibliography illustrates your appreciation for sources and gives credit to those who researched similar topics. Plagiarism is a major problem on high school and college campuses and you don’t want to be put into a position where your work is challenged. Cite sources as all good historians do!
Periods 3 and 7 have had the opportunity to do a self evaluation and a reflection. Period 8 will have the same opportunity on Monday. After a major project it is important to take the time to think back on what you did….looking for strengths and weaknesses so the next time you are asked to tackle a major problem or task you will remember the lessons learned.
Finally, a thank you to all of our families, friends, and guests who acted as our outside audience. We appreciate you taking the time to visit the fair and to listen to the presentations. Our students have been working diligently this year and it is rewarding to share these efforts with others. Thank you!
Interterm Reports
We are half way through our final quarter and interterm reports are scheduled to go out this week. In addition to our regular homework, you had your CIM Freedom of Speech essay and the Civil War project. If you missed either project, you will be below standard. Before and after school help is always available.
Fans of John Adams
This has been a banner week for Adams fans. The Sunday New York Times crossword puzzle included the following clue:
Subject of McCullough biography
and the Adams presidential dollar coin will be released on May 18.
Quote of the Day from NY Times obituary on Karen Hess, a culinary historian:
Ms Hess was not a trained historian, but she fervently believed in the importance of primary sources and demanded that professional historians apply the same techniques to the study of the household that they did to the study of wars and presidents.
“She always believed that history was written in our daily lives, not just in battles won and court cases, which was how traditional historians had always written things,” said John Martin Taylor, a cookbook author who has chronicled the food of the Carolina Lowcountry.
We had many traditional projects focused on battles, technology and medicine, but this was the first year for such topics as how the economy was affected by the conflict, how civil liberties were affected by the war, how our language changed because of the war, and how animals were affected by the war. It is always a special challenge to take on a non-traditional topic but the rewards can be great as you delve into uncharted territory.
In addition to historical content, this project gave you the opportunity to practice your habits of mind and real world skills that are applicable to many arenas. The use of the journal encouraged you to stay organized and to manage your time. Those who spent the time to make a work plan ended up with projects that showed a greater attention to detail and presentation. Working with a partner gave you the opportunity to practice one of the skills most employers are looking for: the ability to work on a team. The annotated bibliography illustrates your appreciation for sources and gives credit to those who researched similar topics. Plagiarism is a major problem on high school and college campuses and you don’t want to be put into a position where your work is challenged. Cite sources as all good historians do!
Periods 3 and 7 have had the opportunity to do a self evaluation and a reflection. Period 8 will have the same opportunity on Monday. After a major project it is important to take the time to think back on what you did….looking for strengths and weaknesses so the next time you are asked to tackle a major problem or task you will remember the lessons learned.
Finally, a thank you to all of our families, friends, and guests who acted as our outside audience. We appreciate you taking the time to visit the fair and to listen to the presentations. Our students have been working diligently this year and it is rewarding to share these efforts with others. Thank you!
Interterm Reports
We are half way through our final quarter and interterm reports are scheduled to go out this week. In addition to our regular homework, you had your CIM Freedom of Speech essay and the Civil War project. If you missed either project, you will be below standard. Before and after school help is always available.
Fans of John Adams
This has been a banner week for Adams fans. The Sunday New York Times crossword puzzle included the following clue:
Subject of McCullough biography
and the Adams presidential dollar coin will be released on May 18.
Quote of the Day from NY Times obituary on Karen Hess, a culinary historian:
Ms Hess was not a trained historian, but she fervently believed in the importance of primary sources and demanded that professional historians apply the same techniques to the study of the household that they did to the study of wars and presidents.
“She always believed that history was written in our daily lives, not just in battles won and court cases, which was how traditional historians had always written things,” said John Martin Taylor, a cookbook author who has chronicled the food of the Carolina Lowcountry.
posted by "1776 and More" at 2:18 PM
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