14 & 15 December

Today's starter - Write down anything you know (or think you know) about the Revolutionary War.

After discussing the starter, we briefly reviewed the events we have been learning about that led to the war.

We took some notes on the front page of The Revolutionary War packet and conducted a thought experiment that leads to the major issues of the Declaration of Independence.

12 & 13 December

The starter for today was: What rights do you have that you would be willing to fight to keep?

We discussed the starter and then paused for a moment to review the significant events that led to the Revolutionary War.

We finished watching Johnny Tremain, and then took a quiz on the material we watched.

8 & 9 December

The starter for today was: What motivates the Sons of Liberty in Johnny Tremain?

We discussed the starter and then read an Encyclopedia Brown mystery together.  We also reviewed the timeline and played a review game to review the major events leading up to the Revolutionary War.

We continued watching Johnny Tremain - we will finish next week.

6 & 7 December

No starter for today.

Today we started a crossword puzzle that serves as an overview to the Revolutionary War.  We also began Johnny Tremain.  This is a movie made by Disney based on a historical fiction book by Ester Forbes.  It traces the events that led up to the American Revolutionary War.

2 & 5 December

Today's starter was: Which propaganda techniques did Paul Revere use in his engraving of the Boston Massacre?

We finished talking about different propaganda techniques that are commonly used and then we looked at some real video examples.

We corrected pages 2 & 3 of The Road to Revolution packet.

We placed the events that we have been studying in a timeline.

We introduced the Boston Tea Party.

30 November & 1 December

Today's objective was to look at the power that propaganda has to influence emotions.

Today's starter was: What is the purpose of a commercial or an advertisement?

28 & 29 November

I hope that you had a great Thanksgiving Break.  Today is Mrs. Lindorf's last day with us, she has done a terrific job and we will miss her.

Today we worked with our groups to finish up the Boston Massacre Webquest that we started last time.

21 & 22 November

Today we worked together in teams of three to examine the facts behind the Boston Massacre.  We looked at the event from a C.S.I. perspective and tried to decide if the evidence indicated that the British Army acted in self-defense or if they committed murder.

17 & 18 November

Today's starter was What is the benefit of being united in a group instead of being divided?

Mrs. Lindorf discussed the starter with you and then we looked at the vocabulary words of the day, which were: Liberty, Coercive, Intolerable and Duties.

The class then looked at some of the taxes imposed on the colonies by Great Britain.  We then participated in a simulation that looked at the affect of the taxes on the colonists.

14 & 15 November

Today's starter was: How would you describe a hero?  What characteristics do they have?

Mrs. Lindorf discussed the starter with the class.

The vocabulary words for today were: "encounter," and "inflation."

The class looked at the Ohio River Valley and the clash between British and French military forces there.

10 & 11 November

The starter for today was: How does "balance" make life easier?

Mrs. Lindorf had volunteers come and try to balance a marble on a certain part of a racquetball  racquet.  The trick was that the racqet had to be kept between the participant's knees.

This activity was to help the students understand the importance of balance.

This was used as a segue into The French and Indian War and the rivalries between Britain, France, and other European nations.

The vocabulary words for today were: surveyor, rivalry, militia, and alliance.

We also read an Encyclopedia Brown mystery.

8 & 9 November

Mrs. Lindorf's starter for today was: Who is a modern day inventor you admire?  What did he or she invent that you like?

 Mrs. Lindorf showed a video on inventions created by Benjamin Franklin.  After the video there was a discussion on the questions that went along with the video.

4 & 7 November

Our starter today was: What does "revolution" mean to you?  Name one revolution you know of.

The vocabulary words for today were: enlightenment, great awakening, design, and coverted.

Mrs. Lindorf handed back last term's work - you don't need it, it is just if you want it.

Mrs. Lindorf also reviewed the test that was taken last week  If you would like to re-take the test you are more than welcome to.  Please study beforehand and come in before or after school or during T.E.A.L. time.

We completed a worksheet on ways that the culture of the colonies was changing and then discussed the changes.

2 & 3 November

Today you had 15 minutes to review for the colonization test.  We took the test and then worked on a colonial food assignment.

We changed seats today.

28 & 31 October

Mr. Smith reviewed the Salem Witch Trials today.  We discussed why it is important to avoid labeling people and why we need to defend others who are being treated poorly.

We briefly discussed the origins of Halloween and then looked at Washington Irving's 1820 ghost story, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow."

25 & 26 October

The starter for today:  Name two economic activities that the Middle Colonies were involved in.  What was their soil like?

Mrs. Lindorf discussed the starter with the class.
We prepared for the test by labeling the Southern and Middle Colonies.

We also discussed the colonies.

We handed in the British Colonies Packet.

Discussion on the Middle Passage and Middle Passage reenactment.

19 & 24 October

Today's starter was:  Name two economic activities that the New England Colonies were involved in.  What was there soil like?

We discussed the starter together and then read an Encyclopedia Brown mystery.

Mrs. Lindorf talked about the New England colonies and also the Quakers.

We finished off class by reading some primary sources on the Quakers.

17 & 18 October

The starter for today was: Why is it important to consider someone innocent until they have been proven guilty?

The starters were turned in today!


After discussing the starter, Mrs. Lindorf introduced the Salem Witch Trials with a short web clip.

We then examined accounts from actual individuals who were accused during the Salem Witch Trials and decided whether they were innocent or guilty, based on the evidence presented.

The vocabulary words for today were pacifist and royal colony.

13 & 14 October

The starter: If you could thank the Colonists for one freedom you enjoy what would it be and why?

Mrs. Lindorf discussed the starter with the class.  We then looked at today's vocabulary words: consternation, consorting, hysterical, and slander.

We then looked at a video on the New England colonies and worked with a partner to find the similarities and differences between the colonies.  Today we completed page 5 and the New England portion of page 8 in the British Colonies Packet.

11 & 12 October

Our starter for today was: What does "representative" government mean to you?  Give me one example of it in your life.

Today Mrs Lindorf began by discussing the starter with you.  We then looked at the vocabulary words for today: Mayflower Compact and Proprietary Colony.

We then looked at a short video on Plymouth Colony and Mrs Lindorf showed pictures from her trip to Plymoth Plantation.

The class then looked at the Mayflower Compact.

6 & 7 October

Today's starter: What motivates you to help others in a group situation?

Mrs. Lindorf then reviewed Jamestown and the conditions that the Jamestown settlers faced.  We read a primary document written by John Smith that shows what things were like in Jamestown.

Mrs. Lindorf then helped us categorize some of the Jamestown artifacts - helping us to see connections between the conditions at Jamestown and the objects used by the colonists.

We finished the day by looking at a video that showed how archaeologists and historians of today are trying to physically reconstruct life at Jamestown.

4 & 5 October

Today's starter was: What two crops did you plant at Jamestown and why?

Our vocabulary words for today were: 

• Charters
• Joint-stock company
• Separatists
• Puritan
• Pilgrims

Mrs. Lindorf then explored the mystery of Jamestown with the class.

30 September & 3 October

There was no starter for today.

Mrs. Lindorf took us into the library to use the computers.  We looked at two websites that you can access here.  The first was a simulation to help us better understand the issues facing the Jamestown colonists.  The second was an in-depth exploration of Jamestown, including the Jamestown Fort.

28 & 29 September

The starter for today was: What things are important enough to you that you would be willing to move to a place you've never been?

Mrs. Lindorf began with a discussion of the starter.  She then handed back the Explorers tests from last class period.  The grades from this test are now posted on Skyward.

The vocabulary word for today was "burgesses."

We briefly discussed the Protestant Reformation and its affect on religion in Europe.

We began a new packet of assignments dealing with the American colonies (we will be working on this for the several class periods.

We began looking at the French Trappers, the coureurs de bois.

26 & 27 September

There was no starter today, instead, we began the day by studying for the Explorers test.

We took the explorers test - then Mr. Smith took over for awhile and introduced the concept of colonization.  When we come to class next time we will look at European exploration of the Americas, specifically focusing on North America.

22 & 23 September

There was no starter for today.

Remember that the test on explorers is Monday!

We read an Encyclopedia Brown mystery.

We then worked on a "Graffiti Wall."  We divided into groups to create a poster representing a European explorer.  We then looked at each group's poster.

20 & 21 September

Mrs Lindorf's starter for today is: How would you feel if you were Christopher Columbus the night before your first voyage?

We discussed the starter and then completed the explorers chart that we began last time.

The vocabulary words for today were: crusades, astrolabe, mercantilism, and caravel.

We watched a brief introductory video on exploration.

We read about Columbus and his times in the textbook.  We finished the day by discussing the Columbian Exchange and completing an assignment on the exchange.

16 & 19 September

Your starter today was: How might the conquest of a country influence its culture and economy?

The two words defined today were "conquistador" and "renaissance."

We created a graphic organizer on the reasons for exploration.

We worked on an explorers jig-saw.  We divided into groups to research an explorer and then reported back what we learned from each other.

14 & 15 September

 Mrs. Lindorf, our student teacher from Utah Valley University, will be teaching our class from now until the first of November.  I will continue to be here helping and observing, but she will be the main classroom teacher.

Today's starter: What does "explore" mean?  Name one thing or place that you know has been explored?

Hand in any missing assignments!  Parent teacher conference is in one week!

Today we defined two terms: "expedition" and "navigator."  These words will be a part of the assessment at the end of this unit.

We introduced European explorers and looked at some of the places they explored.

12 & 13 September 2011

Today we turned in all of our starters up to this point.

We briefly examined the Maya, Aztec and Inca cultures.  Mrs. Lindorf showed pictures from her trips to the ruins of these cultures.

8 & 9 September

This will be our last starter for this particular set - we created a chart where we listed any facts that we already know (or think that we already know) about the Maya, the Aztecs, and the Inca civilizations.  We will add to this chart next time when we look at each of these cultures in detail.

We looked at an Encyclopedia Brown mystery.

We then finished, and handed in, our First American assignment.

We finished our American Indian test - this will be due at the first of class next class time.

Remember that this Sunday marks the 10th anniversary of 9/11.  If you are interested in more information on the events of that day and the memorials, here are some places to start:

• Graphic Representation of the Day's Events
• The Pentagon 9/11 Memorial
• 9/11 Memorial in New York
• Flight 93 National Memorial
• Today Show's Tour of the New Freedom Tower (One World Trade Center)

6 & 7 September

Our starter today was a review from our discussion from last time:  What can the type of American Indian home/shelter tell you about the way they lived?

After discussing the starter we looked at the format of the textbook and explained how to find our way through the information there.

We continued working on the First Americans assignment.  We will correct and hand this in next time.  We also explained the test (Part 1 and Part 2).  This is open book and will be completed in class today and next time.

I hope you had a great Labor Day break - remember the 9/11 anniversary this weekend.

1 & 2 September

The starter for today is: What is culture?  Give me one example of culture that is unique to Utah, Utah County, or Vista Heights.

Today we finished the overview of United States Geography.  We also read a newspaper article about an archaeological find in Southern Utah.

We listened to some American Indian music to help set the mood for our brief overview of American Indians.

We looking at some pictures of American Indian dwellings and made predictions about how they lived and the type of culture they had, based on what we could  observe.  The purpose of these slides was to help us see the different ways that three American Indian tribes adapted to their surroundings.  This is in preparation for our test next week.  If you would like a sneak peek of the test, look at my webpage!

We started working on the American Indian assignment.  Doing well on this will help you on the test next week.

30 & 31 August

Our starter for today was: How does the geography of Eagle Mountain / Saratoga Springs affect the way you live?

We took a few minutes to discuss the starter and then finished up our history of Disneyland.

We looked at the disclosure document for U.S. History - here is a link to a PDF version if you would like another copy: Disclosure Document


This disclosure document does not need to be signed.

We then looked at a quick overview of the geography of America and completed a short worksheet as we viewed and discussed pictures of America's geography.

26 & 29 August

Our starter for today was: What is the difference between a primary source and a secondary source?

We reviewed the concept of observations, predictions, and inferences and then applied these concepts to some primary sources.  We used some of my own family history and the history of Disneyland to practice history detective work.

August 24 & 25

Students and parents-

I will keep a record of what we do in class each day here on this blog.  I will include links to assignments and I will also include the starter.

Starter:  What is history?

We discussed the starter and looked at what the class thought history is.  We then took a practice citizenship test.  The highest grade in all of the classes was 35 out of 40.  If you would like to give a different version of the test to your parents, go to this link:

Citizenship Test

Welcome back to school!

I am looking forward to meeting all of you tomorrow on 8th grade day!

Here are the supplies that you will need for U.S. History this year:
- A pen or pencil, every day
- Paper, every day
- A folder or part of a binder to keep track of papers and assignments from this class

25 & 26 May

We finished our Civil War test today.

23 & 24 May

Today we took the test - there will be time to work on the test next time for those who did not finish today. 

19 & 20 May

We turned in our starters today - there are no more starters for the year.

We finished, corrected, and handed in "The Civil War" assignment.

We also finished our Civil War trading cards.

I explained the test - we will take it next time!

17 & 18 May

Our starter today was  What are the qualities of a good talk or speech?

We used this discussion as a lead-in to Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.   We looked at the battle of Gettysburg in detail and then read the Gettysburg Address.

We worked on "The Civil War" packet - it is due next time.

13 & 16 May

Today we watched a ten minute clip on the Civil War.  We also conducted a silent debate/discussion around these four questions:
What do you think was the worst part of the Civil War?
Why do you think the South lost the Civil War?
Did the Civil War have to happen? Why or why not-
What quality made Lincoln such a great leader?

We worked on "The Civil War" activity.

9 & 10 May

Today we completed and handed in our Lincoln Chart.  We did this by watching a short video segment, looking at photographs of President Lincoln, and reading about Lincoln in our textbooks.

We also started a new assignment: The Civil War.  We will work on this more next time.

5 & 6 May

Today we got all of the classes caught up after spending two days with a sub.  We worked on "The Road to the Civil War" assignment and read a graphic novel on the Underground Railroad.

Next week we will look at Abraham Lincoln and the start of the Civil War.

3 & 4 May

Today's starter was:  Describe the worst argument or disagreement you have ever been in - how did it start? how did it end? how did you feel in the middle of it?

We used this discussion as a springboard to talking about the disagreements between the North and the South that led to the Civil War.

We also watched a short video on the Lincoln/Douglas debates from the Illinois Senate election of 1858 and corrected and handed in "The Spirit of Reform" and the reformers crossword puzzle.

29 April & 2 May

I will be out of class these two days.  Mr. Thornton will be your substitute.

You need to complete the two reformers assignments today.

27 & 28 April

Our starter for today was: Some abolitionists wanted an immediate end to slavery while others called for a gradual end.  Give me a positive reason for each opinion.

We continued working on The Spirit of Reform and the Reformers Crossword puzzles.

We watched a short video on the abolitionists and then discussed the impact of Uncle Tom's Cabin on the country.

25 & 26 April

Our starter today was: Think of all of the bad things going on in the world (or the country, state, community, or school).  What would you fix if you could?  Why did you choose what you did?

We discussed the different ideas that students came up with and used this as a springboard to our discussion of social reforms that were made in the 1800s.

We corrected and handed in "The North and the South."

We began working on the Spirit of Reform assignment.

A Day:  Each student met with a counselor from Westlake High School to discuss their Freshman schedule - B Day students will do this tomorrow.

21 April

The starter for today:  In your opinion, what was the worst thing about slavery?

Today we watched a ten-minute clip on slavery food sources.  We also corrected and handed in "The North and the South" assignment.

We created questions and played the "Impossible Test."  You DO NOT need to make up this assignment.

19 & 20 April

Today's starter:  Write down everything you remember about Moses.

We discussed this starter as a class to create some background knowledge of the account of Moses and the Children of Israel and how they escaped from slavery in Egypt.  We listened to a song called a spiritual which was sung by slaves in America.  This particular spiritual spoke of the story of Moses.  We discussed why this would be a story that American slaves could relate to.

We watched a ten minute video on the slave trade and plantation slavery.  We handed in "Industry in the North" and began a new assignment, "The North and the South."

8 & 18 April

The starter for today was: What percentage of Southern Whites do you think owned slaves?

We looked at slavery and the south's dependence on slavery in depth.

6 & 7 April

Our starter for today was: Write down two or three facts that you know about slavery.

Today we finished our Industry in the North Assignments.  These will be due the next time we meet together.  We also began looking at life in the South.

4 & 5 April

 Our starter today is: What machines does your family have at home that save you time or allow you to do a task with less effort.

Today we reviewed the main topics that Mrs. Hansen has explored with you.  We reviewed the Industrial Revolution and looked at some of the positives and negatives of the revolution.

In the B day classes we began an assignment on Industry in the North.

In the A day classes the counselors came to discuss Reality Town, which will be held on April 22.

11 & 12 January

Today was our last day to work on the American Revolution Theme Park in class.  This will be due next week. 

Today Mrs. Hansen is starting her time with us as student teacher.  While I will still be here, she will be the primary teacher until she leaves in April.  Please visit her website for more information.

7 & 10 January

We spent the bulk of today  working on our American Revolution Theme Parks.  These will be due on the 18th or 19th of January, depending on whether you have my class on an "A" day or a "B" day next term. 

5 & 6 January

Today's starter was "What was the last battle of the Revolutionary War?"

We finished viewing the group presentations on Revolutionary War Battles today.  We then graded and handed in our worksheets on the Revolutionary War.  The grades are updated on Skyward for both of these assignments.  Please look these grades over carefully as they are the final two grades for this term! 

All work is due A week from tomorrow (Friday the 14th).  Make sure that you all get a good grade!

3 & 4 January

Today we got back in the swing of things after our Christmas Break. 

Our starter for today was:  Why were we fighting the Revolutionary War?

We watched a four minute review video on the war and then began our group presentations on a Revolutionary War battle.  We will finish these next time for those who did not finish today.