August 16, 2018 Question of the Day: "The 20th century belonged to America". Analyze the preceding statement and indicate whether you agree or disagree using examples and personal opinion (this QOTD is not due until Monday).
Welcome back ladies and gentlemen! I'm pleased to finally meet you, and I'm sure we're going to have a rich and productive academic year together. If you weren't in class today, here's what you missed:
First, we familiarized ourselves with classroom policies and procedures in the following presentation: "What to Expect and How to Excel"
After half-time stretch, we played the "Presidents Challenge" during which we first answered a few presidential trivia questions, and then tried to name as many U.S. presidents as possible in 6 minutes.
Next, we played an interactive online game during which we tried to place as many U.S. presidents as possible into a timeline. Click on the following link if you'd like to challenge yourself by playing this game a little further: https://www.sporcle.com/games/g/presidents
Finally, everyone received a 2018/2019 Course Syllabus and a Map of the United States at the end of class. Keep both of these documents in the front of your notebook. We will go over the syllabus together in detail during tomorrow's class.
Homework:
Respond to the question of the day in about 1 - 2 paragraphs (substantial answers please! Your answer should not be shorter than 7 or 8 sentences)
Reminder:
Don't forget to get your parent/guardian to sign your Syllabus Acknowledgement Form (it's one of the last few pages in your syllabus) and return it to me as soon as possible.
Have a lovely evening everyone! See you tomorrow.
Best, Ms Hynes
August 17, 2018 Question of the Day: "The 20th century belonged to America". Analyze the preceding statement and indicate whether you agree or disagree using examples and personal opinion (this QOTD is due on Monday).
Happy Friday ladies and gentlemen! I hope that everyone has exciting and/or restful plans for the weekend. If you weren't in class today, here's what you missed:
Next, we spent a few minutes going over the Map of the United States which we received in yesterday's class, and tried to familiarize ourselves with it as much as possible. Then, we received a Blank Map of the United States which we tried our best to label as fully as possible. This informal quiz was not for points, just practice. I encourage you to continue to challenge yourself using copies of this blank map until you can correctly identify all of the U.S. states.
Homework:
Respond to the question of the day in about 1 - 2 paragraphs (substantial answers please! Your answer should not be shorter than 7 or 8 sentences)
Reminder:
Don't forget to get your parent/guardian to sign your Syllabus Acknowledgement Form (it's one of the last few pages in your syllabus) and return it to me as soon as possible.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Best, Ms Hynes
August 20, 2018 Question of the Day: Why might historical myths about Native American have come into being, and why might European-Americans have bought into those myths? (this QOTD is not due until Wednesday)
Welcome back ladies and gentlemen! I hope that you all had a lovely weekend. If you weren't in class today, here's what you missed:
First, we conducted a HOMEWORK CHECK of last week's QOTD, and then had a discussion about our answers as a class.
After half-time stretch, we moved on to our next activity: Native American Mythbusting. Each student received the following packet (documents are listed in the correct order):
Each "historical mythbusting" text has a myth listed at the top of the page. This myth is one that European historians in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries might have found it convenient to "buy into" or believe in, for one reason or another. The rest of the texts themselves will feature rebuttals or contradictions to these myths including details and examples. Please use this information to fill out the first page in this packet. The first page is the only document you should hand in after the activity is complete. You may work alone, with a partner, or with a group of maximum three people. You will be given time during the first half of tomorrow's class to work on this before we discuss as a class.
Homework:
No homework! (unless you want to work ahead, but that's your call!)
Reminder:
Don't forget to get your parent/guardian to sign your Syllabus Acknowledgement Form (it's one of the last few pages in your syllabus) and return it to me as soon as possible.
Have a lovely evening everyone!
Best, Ms Hynes
August 21, 2018 Question of the Day: Why might historical myths about Native American have come into being, and why might European-Americans have bought into those myths? (due tomorrow)
Greetings folks! If you weren't in class today, here's what you missed:
During the first half of today's class, we worked on our Native American Mythbusting Activity (please refer to the posts listed under yesterday's date to download the packet, and to view instructions for the assignment). The completed first page, or Worksheet, is the only page that you need to hand in. This assignment is not due until tomorrow, so if you didn't finish it in class today, don't worry, you've still got time.
After half-time stretch, we received our first Historiography Journal Assignment, and we were given 30 minutes to begin working on it. Please see the cover page of this document for instructions. The rubric which will be used to grade this assignment is in your syllabus, and it is entitled "Historiography Reflection Rubric". This assignment is due on Tuesday August 28.
Homework:
Mythbusting Chart (if still not complete)
QOTD
Reminder:
Don't forget to get your parent/guardian to sign your Syllabus Acknowledgement Form (it's one of the last few pages in your syllabus) and return it to me as soon as possible.
Have a lovely evening everyone!
Best, Ms Hynes
August 22, 2018 Question of the Day: Why might historical myths about Native American have come into being, and why might European-Americans have bought into those myths? (the answer to this QOTD was discussed in class today, and there will be a new QOTD tomorrow)
Good afternoon everyone! If you weren't in class today, here's what you missed:
After half-time stretch, we were given time to finalize our answers to the QOTD, followed by a quick HOMEWORK CHECK.
Homework:
Historiography Journal Entry #1 is due on Tuesday of next week!
Reminder:
If you still haven't done so, please get your parent/guardian to sign your Syllabus Acknowledgement Form (it's one of the last few pages in your syllabus) and return it to me as soon as possible.
Have a lovely evening everyone! :)
Best, Ms Hynes
August 23, 2018 Question of the Day: What aspects of American society and culture may be said to have originated from the fifteenth-century meeting of three cultures: Native American, West African, and European? (this QOTD is due tomorrow)
Good afternoon folks! If you weren't in class today, here's what you missed:
During today's class, we began with our first lecture. This lecture was prefaced by a short lesson in which we discussed effective and efficient note-taking. I once again urge everyone to develop your own system of abbreviating words and sentences so you can take notes that are both brief and effective, leaving you to focus primarily on the lecturer's elaboration beyond what is listed on the slide. To access the "DO's" and "DON'Ts", as well as today's lecture itself, click on the following to download: "The Americas, West Africa, and Europe: A Cultural Collision".
Finally, everyone received a Venn Diagram and a TEXT PACKET. You should read the packet, complete the diagram by filling it in with similarities and differences between the three groups (pay special attention to religion, social structures, culture, and economy), and use the text from the packet to help you answer the QOTD.
Homework:
QOTD
Venn Diagram
Reminder:
If you still haven't done so, please get your parent/guardian to sign your Syllabus Acknowledgement Form (it's one of the last few pages in your syllabus) and return it to me as soon as possible.
Don't forget that your Historiography Journal Entry #1 is due on Tuesday!
Have a lovely evening everyone!
Best, Ms Hynes
August 24, 2018 Question of the Day: What existing social conditions and examples of American ideology can be traced to the early colonial period? (due Wednesday)
Happy Friday friends and neighbors! I hope that everyone has relaxing or exciting plans for the weekend; all work and no play..... If you weren't in class today, here's what you missed;
We began today's class with a HOMEWORK CHECK of yesterday's QOTD. I also collected the Venn Diagram that was given out yesterday. Then we held a brief class discussion of our answers.
Work on your Historiography Journal Entry #1 (due Monday)
Reminder:
If you still haven't done so, please get your parent/guardian to sign your Syllabus Acknowledgement Form (it's one of the last few pages in your syllabus) and return it to me as soon as possible.
Have a great weekend everyone; be safe and have fun!
Best, Ms Hynes
August 27, 2018 Question of the Day: What existing social conditions and examples of American ideology can be traced to the early colonial period? (due Wednesday)
Welcome back everyone! I hope that you all had a lovely weekend. If you weren't in class today, here's what you missed;
Work on your Historiography Journal Entry #1 (due tomorrow!)
Have a great night everyone!
Best, Ms Hynes
August 28, 2018 Question of the Day: How did the perspective regarding the first Thanksgiving differ between European-Americans and Native Americans? (due Wednesday)
We began today's class with a HOMEWORK CHECK, and then a class discussion of yesterday's QOTD.
Next, we watched John Green's "Crash Course U.S. History #2 - When is Thanksgiving?" and filled the out the accompanying WORKSHEET. This worksheet does not have to be handed in. Please make sure it's complete with your answers and notes for studying purposes (don't worry - we will go over the answers together).
Homework:
Read and compare the two accounts of the first Thanksgiving, and use them to answer the QOTD.
Don't forget that your Historiography Journal Entry #1 is due today! If you didn't hand in a paper copy, please ensure that you email your final draft to me BEFORE MIDNIGHT to avoid late penalties.
Have a lovely evening everyone!
Best, Ms Hynes
August 29, 2018 Question of the Day: How did the perspective regarding the first Thanksgiving differ between European-Americans and Native Americans? (this was checked and discussed in class today - please email me your response if you were absent!)
We began today's class by reviewing and discussing the answers on yesterday's WORKSHEET for John Green's "Crash Course #2" (please click on the links posted under yesterday's date to download the materials).
After half-time stretch, we conducted a HOMEWORK CHECK, and then a class discussion of yesterday's QOTD (with specific reference to the two texts that were given for homework).
Homework:
No homework! :) (Yayyyy!)
Have a lovely evening everyone!
Best, Ms Hynes
August 30, 2018 Question of the Day: No QOTD today!
Good afternoon folks! If you weren't in class today, here's what you missed:
Today, we took part in a SIMULATION ACTIVITY in small groups. Afterwards, we filled out a SIMULATION REFLECTION SHEET. This short assignment is due tomorrow. If you were absent for this activity, don't worry, you are excused from it. However, I strongly encourage you to look over the activity, the roles, and the reflection sheet and take note the historical content if you were absent. Please come and talk to me if you need any clarification about what we did in class.
Homework:
Complete the Simulation Reflection Sheet (Exit Ticket) if you didn't finish it during class. It is due tomorrow.
Have a lovely evening everyone!
Best, Ms Hynes
August 31, 2018 Question of the Day: More traditional Eurocentric historical accounts go into fewer details about these events, leading to a historiographical trend referred to by social historians as the "myth of non-resistance" (pertaining to Native and African Americans). Why might this myth have taken root in traditional histories? (due Wednesday)
Good afternoon and Happy Friday everyone! I hope that everyone has restful and/or exciting plans for the long weekend. If you weren't in class today, here's what you missed:
Respond to the QOTD as much as you're able, but remember, you will be adding to it after Tuesday's class as well.
Have an amazing long weekend everyone!
Best, Ms Hynes
September 4, 2018 Question of the Day: More traditional Eurocentric historical accounts go into fewer details about these events, leading to a historiographical trend referred to by social historians as the "myth of non-resistance" (pertaining to Native and African Americans). Why might this myth have taken root in traditional histories? (due tomorrow).
Welcome back everyone! I hope that you all had a lovely long weekend. If you weren't in class today, here's what you missed:
Today we received the second half of the lecture: "The Colonial Period 1600 - 1763: Clash and Compact" (click on the link posted under Friday's date to download the Powerpoint).
Finally, we received a Labelled Map of the Original Thirteen Colonies. We studied it closely for a few minutes, and then we received a Blank Map of the Original Thirteen Colonies and attempted to fill in the blanks as best we could. If you weren't able to do this on the first try, don't sweat it! Download another copy here and try again. You will eventually be tested on your geographic knowledge.
Homework:
Respond to the QOTD (due tomorrow)
Have a great night everyone! :)
Best, Ms Hynes
September 5, 2018 Question of the Day: 1) What interesting aspects of American society and culture had developed by the end of the late colonial period? 2) What signs during this period might have indicated that the Revolution was coming? (due Friday)
Good afternoon friends and neighbors! If you weren't in class today, here's what you missed:
We began today's class with a quick POP QUIZ (not for points, don't worry! Just for practice) on the geography of the original thirteen colonies. If you weren't here today, keep practicing with the Blank Map posted under yesterday's date.
Next, we looked at a "Sample Annotated Bibliography" together. Everyone was given time to conduct internet research on a late colonial community (could be Native American, African, European, or a combination of all three). This community could be a small city like Boston, Jamestown, or Williamsburg or a loosely-connected rural area like the Seminole chain of villages. It could even be a frontier community like a fort, presidio, or trading post. Using at least TWO reliable academic sources, students then began to construct an Annotated Bibliography of their own, describing each source they researched and how each source helped them form an answer to QOTD #1.
Finally, students received a text entitled: "The Colonies Come of Age". Please read this packet individually for homework, and use the information contained to help you respond to QOTDs 1 and 2. From this packet, you only need to read pages 31 - 36 and 40 - 41.
Homework:
Finish your research and the production of your Annotated Bibliography.
Finish reading the packet and start working on your answer to the QOTDs.
Reminder:
Leave yourself room to add to your QOTD after we watch episode 1 of "HBO's John Adams" in tomorrow's class!
Have a lovely evening everyone! :)
Best, Ms Hynes
September 6, 2018 Question of the Day: 1) What interesting aspects of American society and culture had developed by the end of the late colonial period? 2) What signs during this period might have indicated that the Revolution was coming? (due Friday, but may be extended depending on how long the "John Adams" video takes for us to get through.)
Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen! If you weren't in class today, here's what you missed:
Today we began watching Episode 1 of HBOs "John Adams". This video was accompanied by a WORKSHEET. Since we didn't get all the way through it, we will watch the last 15 - 20 minutes during tomorrow's class. I will give a little time then for students to make any additions they feel necessary to their QOTD answer. If you were away today, this video is available on HBO streaming services and on Amazon Prime. If you do not have access to either of these services, please contact me as soon as possible so I can make arrangements for you to watch this video in my class after school tomorrow, or sometime next week.
Homework:
Finish your research and the production of your Annotated Bibliography.
Finish reading the packet "The Colonies Come of Age" and start working on your answer to the QOTDs.
Have a great night folks! :)
Best, Ms Hynes
September 7, 2018 Question of the Day: 1) What interesting aspects of American society and culture had developed by the end of the late colonial period? 2) What signs during this period might have indicated that the Revolution was coming? (checked and discussed in class today; if you weren't here today, just email me your response before midnight!)
Happy Friday friends and neighbors! If you weren't in class today, here's what you missed:
Today, we began by watching the second half of Episode 1 of HBOs "John Adams". Students then received a few minutes to jot down any additions to their QOTD answer.
Next, we conducted our QOTD check and discussion, and went over the answers to the "John Adams" worksheet together.
Homework:
If you haven't already done so, finish your research and the production of your Annotated Bibliography. Make sure it's submitted by midnight to avoid late penalties.
Reminder:
Don't come to school on Monday!
Have a lovely weekend everyone! :)
Best, Ms Hynes
September 11, 2018 Question of the Day: Was the American Revolution truly "revolutionary" (an event which changed everything), or was it more of a literal "revolution" (after which we end up in the same place we were before)? (due tomorrow - Wednesday)
Welcome back to another four-day week ladies and gentlemen! If you weren't in class today, here's what you missed:
Read the article "Myths of the American Revolution" from Smithsonian Magazine and respond to the Comprehension and Analysis question at the end of the article in 2 - 4 paragraphs (due Friday).
Reminder:
Today is September 11, an important date in American history, since it was the day of the 9/11 attacks. This was the first attack on U.S. soil since the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, leading to America's involvement in World War II. Like the Revolution, 9/11 was a major turning point in American history in multiple ways. Since people your age have never lived in a pre-9/11 world, it might be valuable to you as history students to ask your parents, aunts, uncles, mentors, neighbors, and other adults about how they feel 9/11 changed America. Collecting human stories is a real asset in history because it can humanize for history students events which statistics, graphs, and charts just cannot do.
Have a lovely day everyone!
Best, Ms Hynes
September 12, 2018 Question of the Day: What specific challenges did the "framers" of the Constitution face during the construction of this historic document? (due tomorrow)
Welcome back ladies and gentlemen! If you weren't in class today, here's what you missed:
Next,we separated into groups of 4 (max 5). We all received the following documents which gave us background information, and a description of each group member's particular role (during this brief reading period I checked yesterday's QOTD - if you weren't here today, please email your response before midnight!)
Each student received a Constitutional Handout on which to record the concerns of each group member, and an EXIT TICKET on page 2.
During the simulation, each group member was allowed to express the concerns specific to their role for 2 to 3 minutes before debate began.
At the end of class, we debriefed as a class about the resolutions (or lack thereof) which different groups came to in their Constitutional Convention. Each student received an Abridged Version of the Constitution at the end of class.
Homework:
Respond to the QOTD
Complete your Exit Ticket (on the second page of your Constitutional Handout). Due tomorrow!
Read the article "Myths of the American Revolution" from Smithsonian Magazine and respond to the Comprehension and Analysis question at the end of the article in 2 - 4 paragraphs (due Friday).
Have a lovely evening everyone! :)
Best, Ms Hynes
September 13, 2018: Question of the Day: Did life get "better" for Americans between the Revolution and the Civil War? Explain using specific details and examples (this QOTD is not due until Monday - unfortunately, we didn't have much time to get into the lesson which this QOTD pertains to).
Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen! If you weren't in class today, here's what you missed:
Today, our lesson was centered around "Amending the Constitution" (please download the Powerpoint to see the lesson and the activity conducted in class today). Please note that yesterday's EXIT TICKET and QOTD was checked during class today as well, so if you were absent, make sure you email me your response before midnight!
Homework:
Read the article "Myths of the American Revolution" from Smithsonian Magazine and respond to the Comprehension and Analysis question at the end of the article in 2 - 4 paragraphs (due Friday).
Have a lovely evening everyone! :)
Best, Ms Hynes
September 14, 2018: Question of the Day: Did life get "better" for Americans between the Revolution and the Civil War? Explain using specific details and examples (due Monday)
Happy Friday ladies and gentlemen! I hope that everyone has exciting and/or relaxing plans for the weekend. If you weren't in class today, here's what you missed:
Today, we examined the latest part of the 18th century and early part of the 19th century in the lecture: "Launching a New Nation". We didn't quite get all the way through this, so please examine the last three or four slides (don't worry, they are quite detailed) before you answer the QOTD. Additionally, on Monday, we will briefly go over the parts of this lecture that we didn't get a chance to cover today.
At the end of class, everyone received a short text entitled: "The Market Revolution". Please read this text over the weekend to help you respond to the QOTD. You will find that questions 3 and 4 at the end of the text can be very useful in helping you to frame your answer.
Homework:
Respond to the QOTD using today's lecture and the "The Market Revolution" text.
Don't forget that your response to the Smithsonian article "Myths of the American Revolution" is due today. If you haven't submitted a paper copy yet, please email me a digital one before midnight to avoid late penalties.
Don't forget to analyze your TWO Constitutional amendments for both their strict and loose constructionist positions, and be prepared to discuss them in class on Monday.
Reminder:
I will be showing the first episode of HBOs "John Adams" after school TODAY and MONDAY as well for those who didn't get a chance to see it, or those who'd like to see it again but don't have access to either HBO or Amazon Prime.
Have a terrific weekend folks! :)
Best, Ms Hynes
September 17, 2018: Question of the Day: No QOTD today! (Friday's QOTD will be checked in class tomorrow!)
Welcome back ladies and gentlemen! I hope that you all had a lovely, restful weekend. If you weren't in class today, here's what you missed:
Today, we examined the second half of the lecture which were unable to finish on Friday (please click on the link "Launching a New Nation" posted under Friday's date to download the Powerpoint).
After half-time stretch, we engaged in a class discussion about strict and loose constructionism, including how we interpreted individual Constitutional amendments.
Finally, we received a "Reading Activity on the Slavery Debate" (Doc 1 and Doc 2). This packet contained two documents outlining the anti-slavery position and two documents outlining the pro-slavery position. Please read all four documents and complete the "Slavery Debate Worksheet", including the paraphrasing activity on the second page. Please make sure to use your own words. This doesn't just mean choosing synonyms for words used by the author, but also substantially changing the sentence structure so that the words used are fully your own. This is a valuable skill you will need to write your formal papers in this class, so take advantage of this opportunity to practice paraphrasing! This worksheet is due tomorrow.
Homework:
Complete your Slavery Debate Reading & Paraphrasing Activity if you didn't finish it during class.
Reminder:
I will be showing the first episode of HBOs "John Adams" after school TODAY for those who didn't get a chance to see it, or those who'd like to see it again but don't have access to either HBO or Amazon Prime.
Please note that the Unit 1 Test has been postponed until Wednesday September 26.
Have a lovely evening everyone!
Best, Ms Hynes
September 18, 2018: Question of the Day: In what ways did the Civil War change the U.S. forever? (this QOTD is not due until Tuesday)
Good afternoon folks! If you weren't in class today, here's what you missed:
We began today's class with a quick discussion about our conclusions on the strict and loose constructionism of Constitutional Amendments, as well as a HOMEWORK CHECK and brief discussion of Friday's QOTD (please email me your response before midnight if you were absent today). In addition, yesterday's Slavery Debate Worksheet was due today.
Please note that the Unit 1 Test has been postponed until Wednesday September 26.
Don't forget that school will be closed tomorrow in observance of Yom Kippur.
Have a good night everyone! See you Thursday.
Best, Ms Hynes
September 20, 2018: Question of the Day: In what ways did the Civil War change the U.S. forever? (this QOTD is not due until Tuesday)
Good afternoon folks! If you weren't in class today, here's what you missed:
Today, we received our last full lecture of Unit 1, "The Civil War: Part 2" (please click on the link to download the Powerpoint).
Homework:
Respond to the QOTD
Reminders:
Please note that the Unit 1 Test has been postponed until Wednesday September 26.
Don't forget to report to your ADVISORY class rather than your Period 1 class tomorrow. We leave for the English field trip at 8:30 am sharp, so please be on time!
Have a good night everyone!
Best, Ms Hynes
September 24, 2018: Question of the Day: In what ways did the Civil War change the U.S. forever? (this QOTD is due tomorrow)
Good afternoon and welcome back friends and neighbors! I hope that you all enjoyed Friday's field trip to see "The Crucible", and that you all had a lovely weekend. If you weren't in class today, here's what you missed:
We began today's class with a quick 10-minute lecture: "The Civil War Part 3", in which we examined advances in military strategy, tactics, and weaponry during the Civil War.
Next, we ran a "War Games Activity" in Stoner Park to demonstrate what was described in the Powerpoint lecture. And thank you all for your impressive and enthusiastic participation today! :)
Homework:
Write your final response to the QOTD (which will be checked tomorrow)
Reminder:
You will write your Unit 1 Test this Wednesday September 26!
Have a lovely evening everyone!
Best, Ms Hynes
September 25, 2018: Question of the Day: No QOTD today (I know I said I would check the QOTD today, but time was short in today's class and will also be short tomorrow, so I'll check it on Thursday of this week)
In today's class, we played our "JEOPARDY REVIEW GAME". This game template can serve as your study guide. It will direct you to topic areas that will appear on the test.
Homework:
Study for tomorrow's test!
Have a lovely evening and happy studying everyone! :)
Best, Ms Hynes
September 26, 2018: Question of the Day: No QOTD today
In class today, we wrote our Unit 1 TEST. If you were absent from school today, please come see me or email me as soon as possible to schedule a make-up test. I will be offering make-ups after school tomorrow (Thurs Sept 27) and Friday (Sept 28).
Homework:
No homework!
Have a good evening folks, see you tomorrow.
Best, Ms Hynes
September 27: 2018: Question of the Day: No QOTD today
Welcome back ladies and gentlemen! If you weren't in class today, here's what you missed:
Today, we began with a QOTD check (the one that was originally due on Tuesday) and discussion. If you were away today, please email me your response before midnight!
After half-time stretch, we conducted a Unit 1 check-in. During this activity, we first spent five to ten minutes individually brainstorming answers to the essential questions for our course. Then, we transitioned into small group discussion in which each group tried to decide what would be the most important content from Unit 1 that could be useful in answering those essential questions. We recorded our answers on the following WORKSHEET. Tomorrow, we will have a brief discussion of our answers before we introduce Unit 2.
Homework:
No homework tonight!
Reminder:
The Unit 1 make-up test will be offered TODAY after school and TOMORROW after school.