What is History? + "The Past" + Chronology + Time Periods of U. S. History 1900-Present

Click to enlarge.

Today our 8th Graders:

• Got back their SMERFCAPS  Quizzes from Friday and received congratulations for doing exceptionally well
• Read p. 2 of What is History?
• Discussed the concepts of chronological order & time periods
• Did a simple chronology problem
• Brainstormed the time periods of U. S. History from 1900-the present
• Put those periods in chronological order
• Identified them on a Timeline of U. S. History from the beginning to the present
• Received a Timeline of U. S. History 1900-Present & compared it with their brainstormings
• Began working on a Pictorial History of ___, 1900-Present

Assignment for Tuesday - Have pictures and explanations filled in for at least 3 of the decades on the Pictorial History of _(SMERFCAPS)__, 1900-Present or this one.

If you want to start studying for the Timeline Quiz, here's a Blank TL U.S. History 1900-Present.

SMERFCAPS Quiz

Today the 8th graders took their first Quiz of the school year, over the SMERFCAPS (aspects of human development). So much did they know that it took them the entire allotted time to relate it.

Assignments for Monday:

1. Look back over all the assignments so far and make sure you have completed them all. When asked to post one at your blog, please be sure you have done so.
2. Read all of the "What is History?" handout.

Have a great weekend, biggest Knights!

Quizlet + SMERFCAPS + Quiz Prep + Mentoring

Our Grade Eighters today:

• Visited the online website called Quizlet, set up accounts, and made flash cards over the SMERFCAPS to help them prepare for tomorrow's SMERFCAPS Quiz
• Used their Quizlets to study for the Quiz
• Acquainted themselves with Quizlet as much as possible in preparation for mentoring Grades 6/7 on using the online app.
• Mentored the 6/7s in setting up Quizlet accounts and making online flash cards in preparation for tomorrow's SMERFCAPS Quiz.

Assignment: Thoroughly learn the SMERFCAPS section of the What is History? packet for tomorrow's Quiz. Use Quizlet if you find it helpful, but also feel free to use other methods that help you learn.

Becker's Definition + Student Definitions of "History" + What is History? + SMERFCAPS + Quiz Heads-Up + Mentoring 6ths/7ths

Today the Eighthies:

• Shared their analysis of Carl Becker's Definition of "History" at their blogs
• Wrote their own definitions of history
• Began reading and discussing the first page of the handout "What is History?"
• What symbols come to mind when you think of "Texas history" or "American history?"
• What are some of the groups that could be studied in "Social History?" "Family history?"
• Discussed how each of us is a part of history and that our primary sources are what an historian would use to research and write that history
• Were advised of a Quiz this Friday over the SMERFCAPS; we will practice for this in class on Thursday
• Helped the 6ths & 7ths with the Snipping Tool and blog posts

Assignments: Be studying for Friday's SMERFCAPS Quiz.

Asimov PPT. Analysis + Students' Definition of "History" + Carl Becker's Definition of "HIstory"

Today 8thies:

• Worked on the Asimov ppt. of their choice - Due Wednesday (tomorrow)
• Wrote their own definition of "history"
• Analyzed a definition by American historian Carl Becker: "the study of the development of human societies in time and in space."

Assignments - for Wednesday

1. Have your Asimov ppt. analysis ready and posted at your blog.
2. Have your Becker analysis completed and ready to post at your blog.

Articles on Computers/Teaching + Asimov + Mentoring

How does each of these pictures make you feel about Asimov? How might that have affected your feelings as you read "The Fun They Had"?

Student(s) today:

***As a followup to Asimov's "The Fun They Had," students chose from articles found in a Google Search under "will computers replace teachers?" Instructions included:

1. Read your article.
2. Do a quick blog post telling:

• Summary of the main points
• Pros & Cons of Using Computers for Education
• Anything in the article that relates to the Asimov story, "The Fun They Had"

***Began analyzing one of three (their choice) PowerPoints on Asimov and his short story, "The Fun They Had." Instructions were found in each ppt.

1. Asimov the Man
2. 6 Pics of "The Fun They Had"
3. Chronology Game of Asimov Pics

***Helped the 6th/7th graders personalize their blogs.

Assignment: Nothing due on Tuesday. We'll continue to work on the ppts on Asimov as well as learning activities giving us an Overview of U. S. History from 1900-The Present.

Review to 1914 + SMERFCAPS Review + Class Discussion of Asimov's "The Fun They Had"

Today our eighthies:

• Analyzed a Timeline of American History
• Placed Post-Its of their 5 most important people in American History onto a wall-mounted Timeline of American History
• Reviewed the SMERFCAPS, 9 major categories of historical study
• Discussed  with the sixth and seventh graders the Isaac Asimov story, "The Fun They Had" - Notes typed by two students during the discussion can be read by clicking here.

Assignments: None

Thank you, guys, for an excellent beginning to the school year. I appreciate the way you've participated in class learning activities while also helping the sixth and seventh graders get oriented to using the computers on a regular basis. Have a great first weekend of 2015-16!

Review of U. S. History to 1914 + Pre-Reading Activity for Asimov Short Story

Today, the Grade 8ers:

• Responded to a series of questions on a Google Doc reviewing American history up to the year 1914
• Wrote individual answers to a question prefiguring our reading and discussion of the Isaac Asimov short story, "The Fun They Had."
• Were asked to read and come prepared to discuss the Asimov story by tomorrow

Assignments - for Friday, 8/21
1. Finish your primary source Travelogue of your Summer 2015 Travels. Post it at your blog.
2. Finish copying and pasting your Review of U. S. History to 1914 into the Google Doc.

• Most important events by 1914
• Time Periods you can remember
• 5 Most Important People

3. Finish the Pre-Reading activity for the Asimov short story.
4. Read and come prepared to discuss the Asimov short story, "The Fun They Had."

Welcome to Day 1 of 2015-2016!

  

Welcome to the first Eighth Grade class in the history of CCS on the first day of our study of the history and literature of the United States from 1914 to the present. I'm very much looking forward to learning together the development of our great country during this important span of years. We will continue to improve our abilities to make well-reasoned, logical arguments supported by convincing evidence, use computers and other technologies to do so, and throughout the year create evidence of informed, collaborative, creative learning.

We will kick things off by creating primary sources about your recent summer travels, review important people and events from your study of  American history in Grades 5 and 6, and preview what lies ahead for the coming year. We will also begin reading a short short story by Isaac Asimov called "The Fun They Had" and apply your technological expertise by helping the sixth and seventh graders set up their blogs and begin using technology in the learning process.

Post-Class Update

Thank you all for your cooperation and help today. Your summer travels narratives are developing well, and I really appreciate your help in getting the 6th/7th graders set up with their computers.

Assignments 

1. Continue writing your summer travels narratives, which will be due Friday. 
2. We will do the short study pre-reading activity in class tomorrow and read the story for Friday. 

I hope the rest of your first day of 2015-16 went very well.

Welcome to Grade 8 History, Literature, & Logic

Welcome to our class blog for Grade 8 History, Literature, & Logic. Students, parents, and others will be able to access this blog to keep up with classroom learning activities, assignments, and links to useful resources. If you would like to receive notification each time a post is published, add your email address to the "Follow by Email" widget to the right. I am very much looking forward to learning together this year.