Civil War Presentations

It is that time of year when we start preparing for our Civil War presentations. This is an opportunity to show how you can think and act like an historian. It is an especially exciting project as you have selected your own topic and partner. All of the skills we have been working on this year are showcased in your final project: using multiple sources, asking questions, looking for evidence, debating, discussing and communicating. The presentations will be Tuesday May 13 and Wednesday May 14. You should take special pride in showing your work to our class. Should we invite guests?

You have been given a wealth of sources ranging from this blog to the special folder we have set up on the G drive that contains a power point by Mr. Fontaine on how to find primary source documents. You have a depth of knowledge (DOK) chart that will help you develop a critical thinking question to guide you in your work. You have also been given a blue book which will act as a journal where you can document your work, set up a timeline, and keep track of your multiple sources.

In the past, students have found that developing a critical thinking question can be daunting. Remember you have the DOK chart to help you focus your thinking. You want your project to be more then a description of an event or group of people. Using primary sources will help you get your project to a higher level of thinking because you will have to analyze the document to find evidence. You may also want to use a hypothesis as an overarching theme for your work and then show how you proved or disproved the statement.

A big key to success in this project is managing your time. You have a list of dates when we will use the library. Now you need to set aside time after school or on a weekend to work with your partner. You should finish your presentation before May 13 so you have time to practice with your partner.

With so many resources available, sometimes it is easy to get overwhelmed. Some of the best sites for information include the Library of Congress main site, the special Memory site, Mrs. Oz’s compilation, the Public Broadcasting site and Eye Witness to History. There are also specialized sites for music of the period.

Two Tasks Down and One to Go

This week you finished writing your persuasive essay on events leading up to the Civil War. The task will count as a 50 point assignment for this quarter and can be part of your graduation portfolio. Our final task will be an essay on Andrew Carnegie and that will be done once we complete the Civil War and Reconstruction.

We are Free

On Sunday, Rhode Island celebrates its own special Independence Day. Rhode Island became the first colony to declare its independence from England on May 4, 1776. While we may be the smallest state, Rhode Island has played a significant role in the formation of our nation.

“Gone With the Wind”

On this day in 1937 Margaret Mitchell was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in literature for her novel “Gone with the Wind.” This novel has been described as “a romantic, panoramic portrait of the Civil War and Reconstruction in Georgia.” The best selling novel was turned into a movie in 1939 and earned 10 Academy Awards including Best Picture. How about reading the book and then watching the movie during your summer break?