Week of 10/29-11/4 (1st Post of the 2nd 9 Wks)

Greetings History Minions!

Welcome to a new 9 weeks!  Now that you are all experts in the art and science of blogging, I am eager to see what you accomplish!  Don't forget that you need two posts a week.  You need a substantial initial post, and then a respectful reply to a peer.  You need fact to support your statement, and you do not repeat what has already been posted.  :)

Question:
Analyze the ways in which British imperial policies between 1763 and 1776 intensified colonial resistance to British rule and their commitment to republican values.  For instance, if you choose to talk about British taxes, then explain a specific act that really fired up the colonists!  Perhaps you want to talk about methods of colonial resistance, or what "republican values" were really important to the colonists.

Happy blogging!

***Note: 11/3/2012***** I have deleted several posts, so check to see if your work appears!  When you reply to a peer, you need to reply with a FACT, and your post cannot simply repeat what has been said.

Week of 10/22-10/25 Extra Credit Post

Greetings, History Minions!

This week is the end of the first grading period, and most of you are finally in the swing of things!  Here is one last chance for extra credit.  The same rules apply: your blog posts should be intelligent, substantial, and supported by fact.  You should offer new information--do not repeat what has been said.  Also, when you post a reply to a classmate, be sure to offer a new FACT.

Select ONE of the following regions when you answer this one :)  Happy Blogging!!

Compare the ways in which ONE of the following reflected tensions in colonial society:

• Bacon's Rebellion (1676)
• Pueblo Revolt (1680)
• Salem Witchcraft trials (1692)
• Stono Rebellion (1739)

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!!