To Your Battle Stations
Using your quantitative and analytical skills, you designed a chart this week showing the advantages and disadvantages of the Colonists and the British as they entered the American Revolution. We can’t help but wonder if Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and Franklin made the same list in 1776, yet knowing the cause was just, forged ahead in the name of Liberty! Using charts allows you to organize information and to look for similarities and differences.
Battle Groups
This week you also had the opportunity to practice your habits of mind as you worked in your battle groups. In order to put together an effective presentation, you had to communicate, negotiate, and organize. Just as the colonists fought with pride and conviction, I know that you will take pride in your presentations this coming week.
In addition to the facts and significance of the battles, please take a moment and look at the artists’ renditions of these moments in history. Just as the photos we see from Iraq evoke a strong emotional response, the great paintings of the Revolution captured the spirit and challenges of the times. Today, David R. Wagner, a painter from Connecticut, is working on an ambitious project depicting the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary War Route. Some of the paintings were displayed at the Colony House in Newport in the summer of 2006, and I had the good fortune of meeting the artist at a Naval War College commemoration of the French landing in Newport on July 11, 1778 (see blog for July 9, 2005).
Keep in mind that your slides help the audience understand the battle and they help you in your oral presentation. The slides should not be read to the class, but explained. Slides should appear clean, uncluttered and easy to read. Animation and other gimmicks should be used sparingly as they tend to take our attention away from the substance of the presentation. Once your slides are finished, take time to practice the presentation. Students who are working on Capstone know that ample time must be set aside to go over the presentation so it is smooth and you feel confident delivering it.
“Common Sense” and “The Declaration”
While the Founders were meeting in Philadelphia, the man on the street was reading “Common Sense,” a best seller in 1776. In easy to understand terms, Thomas Paine outlined compelling reasons why the colonists should separate from England. Paine went even further to argue that the people should rule themselves:
“Of more worth is one honest man to society, and in sight of God,
than all the crowned ruffians that ever lived.”
Your “Common Sense” assignment used the strategy of marking up the text. This strategy allows you to read more deeply and to read for understanding. By locating unfamiliar vocabulary, making connections, and asking questions, you become more active readers. This strategy can be used in all content areas and is especially useful when you take standardized exams such as the SATs or the state tests.
We also used this strategy when we read The Declaration of Independence. You did a great job rewriting the Preamble. You may want to return to your text book and read your author’s interpretation of the document.
In addition, think about what it meant for these men to sign a document that announced to the world that the colonies were breaking with England, the most powerful empire of its time.
Did our Founders commit treason? Would you be willing to sign your name to a document that could lead to your death? What were these people thinking as they went up against the British Empire?
Some of you struggled with the “quiz” on these documents. Think about how you prepared for the quiz: did you write down the questions that were listed on the board? Did you review your worksheets on the documents? Did you explain the importance and substance of the documents to someone? And finally, did you reread your text?
Revisions are due on Tuesday.
Happy Birthday Gilbert!
On Monday, December 3, we celebrate the birthday of one of America’s greatest painters, Gilbert Stuart. He is well known to many Rhode Islanders because he was born in Saunderstown. His most famous painting is probably in your wallet... he painted the portrait of George Washington that is used on the one dollar bill.
A Compliment
While you were leaving the library on Friday, Mrs. McIntosh commented that you were a polite and hard working group. She was impressed with your diligence and your ability to stay on task. It is nice to hear such comments and I wanted to pass them on to you. Keep up the good work!
Battle Groups
This week you also had the opportunity to practice your habits of mind as you worked in your battle groups. In order to put together an effective presentation, you had to communicate, negotiate, and organize. Just as the colonists fought with pride and conviction, I know that you will take pride in your presentations this coming week.
In addition to the facts and significance of the battles, please take a moment and look at the artists’ renditions of these moments in history. Just as the photos we see from Iraq evoke a strong emotional response, the great paintings of the Revolution captured the spirit and challenges of the times. Today, David R. Wagner, a painter from Connecticut, is working on an ambitious project depicting the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary War Route. Some of the paintings were displayed at the Colony House in Newport in the summer of 2006, and I had the good fortune of meeting the artist at a Naval War College commemoration of the French landing in Newport on July 11, 1778 (see blog for July 9, 2005).
Keep in mind that your slides help the audience understand the battle and they help you in your oral presentation. The slides should not be read to the class, but explained. Slides should appear clean, uncluttered and easy to read. Animation and other gimmicks should be used sparingly as they tend to take our attention away from the substance of the presentation. Once your slides are finished, take time to practice the presentation. Students who are working on Capstone know that ample time must be set aside to go over the presentation so it is smooth and you feel confident delivering it.
“Common Sense” and “The Declaration”
While the Founders were meeting in Philadelphia, the man on the street was reading “Common Sense,” a best seller in 1776. In easy to understand terms, Thomas Paine outlined compelling reasons why the colonists should separate from England. Paine went even further to argue that the people should rule themselves:
“Of more worth is one honest man to society, and in sight of God,
than all the crowned ruffians that ever lived.”
Your “Common Sense” assignment used the strategy of marking up the text. This strategy allows you to read more deeply and to read for understanding. By locating unfamiliar vocabulary, making connections, and asking questions, you become more active readers. This strategy can be used in all content areas and is especially useful when you take standardized exams such as the SATs or the state tests.
We also used this strategy when we read The Declaration of Independence. You did a great job rewriting the Preamble. You may want to return to your text book and read your author’s interpretation of the document.
In addition, think about what it meant for these men to sign a document that announced to the world that the colonies were breaking with England, the most powerful empire of its time.
Did our Founders commit treason? Would you be willing to sign your name to a document that could lead to your death? What were these people thinking as they went up against the British Empire?
Some of you struggled with the “quiz” on these documents. Think about how you prepared for the quiz: did you write down the questions that were listed on the board? Did you review your worksheets on the documents? Did you explain the importance and substance of the documents to someone? And finally, did you reread your text?
Revisions are due on Tuesday.
Happy Birthday Gilbert!
On Monday, December 3, we celebrate the birthday of one of America’s greatest painters, Gilbert Stuart. He is well known to many Rhode Islanders because he was born in Saunderstown. His most famous painting is probably in your wallet... he painted the portrait of George Washington that is used on the one dollar bill.
A Compliment
While you were leaving the library on Friday, Mrs. McIntosh commented that you were a polite and hard working group. She was impressed with your diligence and your ability to stay on task. It is nice to hear such comments and I wanted to pass them on to you. Keep up the good work!
posted by "1776 and More" at 10:44 AM
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