Week of 10/15-10/21 (8th Week of 1st 9 Weeks)

Greetings History Minions!

We are getting close to the end of the first 9 weeks!  I really enjoyed reading your comments last time!  You took the time to reply to your peers with a NEW FACT and most of you were very careful NOT TO REPEAT WHAT WAS ALREADY SAID.  Way to go! 

Here's my new question:  The French and Indian War (1754-1763) altered the relationship between Britain and the North American colonies.  Assess this change with regard to ONE of the following things between 1763 and1775:

• Land acquisition
• Politics
• Economics

Remember, you need to contribute new information to the discussion.  When you reply to a classmate, don't forget to use a FACT.  :)

Happy Blogging, History Minions!

Week of 10/08-10/14 (7th Week of 1st 9 Wks)

Greetings History Minions!

I hope you enjoyed the extended weekend--tell Christopher Columbus thanks! 

This week I want you to reflect on what you've been reading and researching.  Even on the eve of the Revolutionary War started, many people here insisted they were loyal British citizens who merely wanted their rights as Englishmen protected.  Do you ever consider what it means to be "American"?  What defining characteristics are considered "American"?  Think about the descriptions of the 13 colonies you've been researching and reading about.  Think about our Puritans, our Quakers, our poor, and our slaveholders.

Blog Question:  Which of the three regions was truly the most "American", and what did that mean?  First, you will have to decide what character and values made a place "American".  Your text offered some discussion of this, and you may wish to begin by re-reading your C notes.  Next, you will have to decide whether the New England, Middle, or Southern Colonies were the most American, and defend your answer with specific fact.  Don't forget that when you reply to a classmate, you need to contribute a new fact, not repeat what was already said.

I look forward to reading your responses!  Tell you what, if all of your Study Group completes both the blog post and response by Saturday 10 pm (a day early), I will excuse your lowest major grade.  :D 

Happy Blogging, History Minions!!

Week of 10/01-10/07 (6th Week of the 1st 9 Wks)

Greetings History Minions!

It's a shame that only two Study Groups were able to meet last week's challenge and complete all their blog posts by Friday.  I hope that you are all up to this week's topic.  Several of you did an exemplary job of NOT REPEATING information and of contributing a new, specific fact to the discussion. :)

Now it's time for everyone to work on this.  Ms. Grosz and I have been patient as you all get used to blogging.  Do not copy directly from the book or an Internet source (as several of you have); instead, analyze and interpret the information for yourself.  You should be able to contribute to the conversation by putting forth your own ideas or summarizing and giving credit to the author.  Do not repeat what has been said; you will have to read your peers' comments first.  Finally, when you reply to a peer, you need to contribute to the discussion.  For instance, instead of "I agree! Excellent point!"  give a good reason WHY you agree and it is an excellent point.

Here's the new blog topic to get you started:
How did economic, geographic, and social factors encourage the growth of slavery as an important part of the economy of the Southern colonies between 1607 and 1775?  Pick one aspect, be specific, and explain.  You might teach one of your classmates something new :)

Happy blogging, Minions!

Week of 9/24-9/30 (5th Post of the 1st 9 Wks)

History Minions! Good afternoon! 

Some of you contributed great comments last week.  Some of you…waited too long.  This week let’s focus on encouraging our Study Group members to get the blog posts done prior to deadline.  In fact, if all of your Study Group members have their two posts done early—let’s say by 10 pm Friday, then you will all receive a big, huge, major bonus!  What kind of bonus, you ask?  How about I excuse your lowest test grade!

What philosophical, ideological, legal, and religious ideas made the biggest impact on the 13 colonies, and in what way?  Select one thing that you think is most important, and prove your case.  For instance, don’t just say “the Enlightenment”.  Instead, explain one aspect of the Enlightenment that you believe was important.  Ah ha, gotcha!  This one will take a little thought, won’t it Minions? 

Happy Blogging! 

Week of 9/17--9/23 (4th Post of the 1st 9 Wks)

What economic, social, and political factors were MOST SIGNIFICANT in shaping the character of the 13 Colonies?

1) Pick ONE region--New England, Middle Colonies, or Southern Colonies.

2) Then share a SPECIFIC e, s, and p factor to explain how it impacted that region.

3) You will need to read through your classmates' posts because no credit will be given if you use the same information. You need to contribute new information to the conversation--wow your classmates with something they had not considered. :)

Just a few reminders you need to post TWO times EACH WEEK. There are some of you who have yet to post anything (Silly Minions! Join the conversation; we won't bite), and some of you are posing your comments, but not responding to others.

I am impressed with your respectful comments to one another. Keep up the great work! If you disagree, that's just FINE. Explain why you disagree because you might just change your classmate's mind.

Have a great week and don't forget that you need to STUDY, STUDY, STUDY daily. See you in class, Minions!!

Week of 9/10-9/16 (3rd post of the 1st 9 Wks)

Last week’s posts look great!  It seems like most of you are getting the hang of things quickly.

So this time I want you to focus your replies a bit differently. Take a look at this question:

Compare and contrast the British, French, and Spanish imperial goals in North America between 1580 and 1763. What factors helped or hindered each  power?

This week everyone should have different answers. Please focus on one or two of these imperial powers and give a specific example that hasn't been used by a classmate. You will not get credit for repeating something a classmate has said.

Have a great week!

Week of 9/3-9/9 (2nd post of the 1st 9 Wks)

Greetings, History Minions!

 

Most of you did an excellent job with the first post, and I can hardly wait to see what you do with the next topic!

I liked the way you replied to your classmates.  It's ok to disagree, too.  Just be respectful and explain WHY you disagree.  You might just teach them something! :)

Here are a couple of quotes to get you thinking:

"American history is larger, longer, more various, more beautiful, and more terrible than anything anyone has ever said about it."
                                            --James Baldwin

"Concealment of the historical truth is a crime against the people."
                                            --Gen. Petro G. Grigorento, letter to a history                                    journal,                                  USSR c. 1975

Why is it important to critically evaluate historical sources and our history books? How does author bias influence our views of history, and can you find examples of it in your reading?? I wonder what we should do about it!

Please keep in mind you should have your posts done by Sunday 10 pm.