Chapter 13 reading notes

Today we started the reading for Chapter 13. We worked through the reading one section (really one sub-section) at a time. First we scanned just the images of the chapter 13 and created a real short story that the pictures may relate to. We tried to keep it as real as possible (not making outlandish stories but ones that might actually be correct.

After creating and sharing our stories we looked over the titles for the sections and subsections to determine if our stories were likely to be close. Once we determined the content of the chapter we generated a a question we wanted the section to address and identified how this content might relate to our lives.

Once we finished the pre-reading activity we started reading and taking notes following the format identified at this link. We identified the section and sub sections. We paraphrased each subsection with an emphasis on the main idea for each subsection. If the section provided an answer - or insight into an answer - to the question we posed then we answered our question. We also identified how the section was relevant to our lives as well as how the section presents either a success or a failure of one of the ideals.

Before we moved onto the next section we watched the last of the Transcontinental  Railroad video

Mr. Williams was out not in class today. We had a sub and we watched more about the Transcontinental Railroad. During the video we worked on an assignment that is optional for 15 points of extra credit.

The assignment is explained in Tuesday's post.

Today we viewed our classmates videos about the Civil War.

We then read chapter 11 from the textbook.

Finally, we were introduced to the assignment we will do for Thursday. We will either create a newspaper double page spread or a collection of political cartoons. The instructions for this can be found at this link.

We watched the first 25 minutes of the documentary Transcontinental Railroad. We will watch the rest of it on Thursday. We will pull content from this video for the assignment.

For students who are going to make the newspaper, they can use this Google Docs template. If we do not use the template we will need to format our own document, then print it and bring it to class on Monday.

Civil War videos

Today we finished our Civil War videos. Students also had access to the computer lab for the second half of class to finish their revisions.

Below are links to our videos:

period 6
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Period 7
1, 2, 3, 4, 5.1, 5.2, 6,

Period 8
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9


If your video is not linked to one of the above numbers you will need to see me. It means either I do not have a link to it or it contained inappropriate content.

Please let me know if I placed your video in the list for the wrong class period.


Reminder, Final Drafts of Essays will be due Friday October 28th.

Video production work

Today we used the class time to work with our group on the video project mentioned in Monday's Blog post.

We were also reminded again to make certain that the file name for our essays is our name rather than "US history Essay" or some other file name. The final draft of the essays will be due Friday October 28th.

Essay revisions and Plain English Video

In the lab today we started work on the revisions to our quarter one essays about the Ideals found in the Declaration of Independence. Access this link to see the revision instructions. The revisions are to be complete by October 28th and we will spend only two half periods in the lab to make these revisions. This should be enough time but those who need more will need to find it outside of the class time.

Upon returning to class we started work on Plain English Videos about the American Civil War. We will work in class with this video project which must be complete by 3:30 on Friday the 21st. Here is one example of a Plain English style video (zombies) and here is another (US Presidential elections)

The content will will be about the causes of the American Civil War and the War itself. The sections of the textbook that address this content include chapter 8 section 4 through chapter 10 section 7.

The steps include:

1. Quickly read the portion of the text addressing this content
2. Discuss the content with your group of three and develop a story line
3. Reread the text while writing the narration for the video including details
4. Test the recording and uploading video
5. Create visuals and rehearse narration
6. Record the video in a single take
7. If errors exist in recording delete the video and rerecord
8. Upload the video and share the link with Mr. Williams (Qik was a recommended resource for easily recording and uploading this type of video - which requires a free account to be created. Students can also opt to use a device belonging to Mr. Williams)

Today (yesterday for period 6) we finished with the reading notes and discussions for section 8.3. This section is continuing with the westward expansion of the United States.

The note-taking method for these two sections can be viewed here.

Chapter 8 reading notes

Today we started reading and discussing chapter 8. We used a reading note method that required us to identify the section and subsection of the reading one subsection at a time. We then paraphrased that subsection, identified the key change that resulted and explained how the section represents either a failure or success of one of "the ideals". We finished the notes by creating a visual that represents each subsection's message.

You can click this link to see an example of the note-taking method and an explanation.

We finished only section 8.2 and got started on section 8.3.

We took a test covering the Colonial era and dawn of the US Constitution.

We also completed an exercise where we translated the preamble of the US Constitution and the portion of the Declaration of Independence we have been focused on. The sheet for completing this activity can be accessed at this link.

Today we finished working on this reading guide and discussing the founding of the US Constitution.

We also completed the self evaluation of the Career Related Learning Standards.

We should be prepared for a quiz covering chapters 4, 5, and 6.