A Little Extra Credit

To any of my students who brings the following to class Monday/Tuesday (next time I see you, depending on IOWA schedule):

"Find the definition to revolution, and write it on an index card." It must be in the format of notecards that we do in class.

Worth 3 points. Simple, but free EC.

Podcasts Now in Links ----------->

A "podcast" is simply a file that you may download and listen to with an iPod or mp3 player. If you have iTunes, you can subscribe to almost any thing, sports, news, entertainment, and get automatic updates of shows you like. I like them because you can listen to them whenever you'd like, just like music, and makes these shows more accessible.

In education, Podcasts are nice because they allow learners who prefer listening (auditory) over seeing/reading a unique way to get information. I personally prefer them, and I've put up several that students can subscribe or download as study aids, as a source for more information, or as a resource when working on a paper or project.

I hope you find them useful!

Today's Homework

Students need to read 186-189 (Chapter 6, Section 4; The inequities of the Revolution). Then, complete the Guided Reading Worksheet and Vocab Chart #'s 20-23.

Goals for the Week of 1/29 - 2/2

Monday, Tuesday: 1) Generate your own Declaration of Independence, complete with a preamble, reasonable causes (grievances), and powerful concluding statement.

Wednesday: 1) List the Causes of the Revolution.
2) Recognize the terrible struggle of war in 1776.

Thursday: 1) Was the American Revolution a glorious victory, free of imperfections?

Friday: 1) Decide if the American Revolution was really a Revolution for everyone.
2) Clarify and recall vocab and ideas from the American Revolution.

Anne Hutchinson Mock Trial Work

Most students will receive their grades today for the Anne Hutchinson Trial. Overall, I'm very happy with how they went. This is the first time I've done this trial, and though it's a tricky one to perform, the students did well. You'll also see grades on-line this morning. Only a few students don't have grades up, as we're awaiting completion of their reflection essays. Grades are now posted in my room weekly, too, so students have even more access to their grades.

Also, you'll be able to see a video of the trial up soon. Hopefully before 1:30. Look for an update here as to where on the blog you can find it.

Homework for Wednesday, 1/31

Students need to read pages 181 - 185 (Chapter 6, Section 3; Discusses the struggles of the mid-Revolution war). They also need to complete questions 15-19 on their (white) vocabulary charts.

"Declare Yourself" Assignment Clarification/Apology

Yesterday students were assigned some writing work while I was gone. Unfortunately, I made a typo in my instructions. The assignment was to have 8 grievances, each a sentence, and I mistyped the instructions to read a paragraph each. The result was a 10-paragraph work which turned - from many students - into a diatribe about how they get too much homework! Of course, I'm terribly sorry for the typo, but those students who did the work will be rewarded fairly. I don't give too much homework, so while it came as a surprise, I hope students can acknowledge my gratitude for completing a daunting assignment in such short time. Many students were quite creative and enthusiastic, too. I'm sorry, and thanks!

Posted after school today...
After reading some, and browsing through all, I just want to reiterate how pleased I am with all of the work my students have done. Many students used their anger over the assignment as a muse for what to Declare freedom from. I'm sad that my assignment is equal to the tyranny of King George, but I'm very pleased that so many students really "got it," and learned what causes revolution, and what causes a drastic, emotional measure like the Declaration of Independence. Bravo, students!

Welcome to Mr. Little's Blog!

This page will be used to keep parents and students up-to-date with what is happening in class. You can find important assignments, projects, news, upcoming tests, and other pertinent information to our class. For example, we'll soon be making an announcement about the 2007 8th Grade Washington D.C. field trip.

For this week, 1/29 - 2/2, we'll be wrapping up our dissection of the Declaration of Independence. After that, we'll decide if the American Revolution was really a revolution. More to come regarding those assignments.

Today's assignment, "Declare Yourself" is worth 25 points. The "creative" portion of it is strictly that... creative. It is not required, and students may earn up to 10 points extra credit for completing that portion.

The Anne Hutchinson Mock Trial has finished, and grades will be distributed Wednesday.