Washington Crossing the Delaware

1776

We are currently watching the movie 1776, a musical about the Second Continental Congress and the debate on idependence. I was able to find video on the web of some of my favorite scenes. Below is one of the first scenes in the movie, it shows how many of the other delegates did not care much for John Adams. They disliked him for his ego, and the way that he always voiced his opinions so strongly. Because of this, Adams had a hard time getting Congress to even talk about the issue of independence from Great Britain , until it was proposed by a more well-liked delegate.



"The Egg" is probably my favorite song from the movie. As the rough draft of Declaration of Independence is being read in Congress, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin discuss what they think should be the symbol of the new nation being created. An interesting note: Benjamin Franklin did actually propose the idea of the Turkey as the national bird.

The Declaration of Independence

Sesame Street Takes on the American Revolution

Colonial Town Meeting

On Nov. 27 and 28th we held a Colonial Town Meeting in order to better understand the debate over colonial independence in early 1776. Students were each assigned a specific historical figure. They were given a description of that person's view on independence and were told whether they were a Patriot, a Loyalist, or if they were Neutral at that time. Each student had to create a poster they would use to present their "Key Ideas" at the Town Meeting

The Patriots and Loyalists switched off presenting their ideas to the Neutralists. After each presentation, Neutralists were given the opportunity to question the presenter, and the opposing side was given an opportunity for rebuttal.

The students really liked this activity and most of them did a good job of representing their side. Many students got into their character, which sometimes led to a heated, but good spirited, debate.

At the end of the meeting, the Neutralists had to declare whenter they would side with the Patriots or Loyalists.

Thanksgiving Videos

No More Kings

The Shot Heard 'Round the World

Extra Credit: The Boston massacre

Below are two very different depictions of what took place at the scene of the Boston Massacre. they are written from two very different points of view. One of them is from a Patriot's point of view, the other is more likely from a British, or neutral, point of view. Using what we have learned in class (section 5.5 in your textbook), try and determine which is which. For extra credit, write up a brief statement (2 paragraphs) that explains which picture was drawn from which point of view. Your explanation must be supported with details from what we have read/discussed in class.

This statement must be neatly written on lined notebook paper, with correct spelling, grammar and punctuation. It must be turned in to me by Monday, Nov. 27th to get the extra credit.

Illustration 1:



Illustration 2:

New Baby

Delaney Etta McCarthy was born on Oct. 26th at 8:06 p.m. I hope you are all enjoying class! I'll be back on Nov. 9th.

My Pumpkin

Here is the pumpkin I carved for Halloween this year. It's Mt. Rushmore.





You can look in the archives under October 2006 to see my pumpkins from last year.

Colonial Travel Fair

On Octboer 17th we held our Colonial Travel Fair. Groups presented information about their colony to other students in order to entice others to move there. Everybody did a great job and the fair was a big success!

Preparing for the Colonial Travel Fair

As part of our study of the 13 English Colonies in America, students are currently working on preparations for our Colonial Travel Fair. The fair will have several booths designed to entice others to move to their colony.

The Fair will be held on Wednesday Oct. 17th

Act-It-Out: The Surrender of New Amsterdam

Our final act-it-out for Unit 2: European Exploration and Settlement, was on the surrender of New Amsterdam to the English.





One student from each class portrayed the colony's Dutch governor Peter "Peg Leg Pete" Stuyvesant, while others played the roles of Dutch colonists trying to persuade him to surrender (as usual, I played the on-the-scene reporter).





Governor Stuyvesant was prepared to defend his colony, until he was informed that his supply of gun powder was damp and useless. Without a shot being fired, New Amsterdam was handed over to the British who renamed the colony New York.

Surviving Jamestown

To learn more about what it took for the Jamestown settlers to survive, students had to pose as inatimate objects. They were then asked questions about how they helped the settlers to survive.

Axes:






Hammers:




Ships:






Barrels:






Canoes:



And Trees:






Find out more about Jamestown by visiting my American Adventure blog!

Extra Credit: Bring in Props

As you can see in some the pictures, we often use props in class to help make historical figures "come alive". We do activites like the act-it-outs through out the year, so I am always in need of new props. If anyone has any old toys or knick-knacks around the house that are no longer used, but would make good props or costumes, please consider donating them to my prop collection. I will give extra credit for every usable prop donated. Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions.

Act-It-Out: New France

In the New France "act-it-out", students were chosen to portray French fur trappers settling in what's now Canada, Huron Indians (allies of the French), or Iriquois Indians (enemies of the French and Huron).