30 & 31 October

Happy Halloween!

The starter for today was: How do people today resolve their differences?

Mr. Peterson discussed British Laws in the colonies and why the colonists began to smuggle goods.  He also taught you about the powers that the Writs of Assistance gave to British Customs Officers.

He took you through a cause and effect discussion with British Taxes and Colonial responses.

HE discussed the events of the Boston Tea Party.

He finished the class with an assignment that looked at both sides of the issue - British and the Colonists.

26 & 29 October

It is the end of Term 1!  I hope that you had a good first term of school and are ready for a successful second term.  For those of you who need a review of my class policies or my grading scale, here is a copy of my disclosure document.Mr. Peterson had you write a short story using these words: river, Washington, spy, French, colonel, fort, union, Indian, Pontiac, proclamation.  The story can be about anything that you want, fact or fiction, but it must use all of those words

Here is today's starter:  What would you do if the police or military came to your home and told you to get out?

We will be handing in this set of starters next class time.

Mr. Peterson discussed the starter with you.


Mr. Peterson introduced the rivalry between France and Great Britain and how this led to the French and Indian War, or the Seven Years War.  He also introduced George Washington's involvement in the war.

Now, on the other side of the paper that you wrote your original story on, re-tell the account that Mr. Peterson shared with you about George Washington and the French and Indian War.  Use all of the words and use them correctly.

24 & 25 October

Today's starter was: Can science and religion work together?  Why or why not?

Mr. Peterson played "Fact or Fiction" with you on statements about the Revolutionary War.  We then discussed the starter.

Mr. Peterson discussed the Enlightenment and Benjamin Franklin.

22 & 23 October

Today's starter:  Tell me what you know about the Revolutionary War.

Today you turned in your Colonies Packet and took the Colonization Test.

18 & 19 October

Today's starter was: We have learned about several colonies here in America.  Give me a brief summary about one of the colonies we have learned about.

After discussing the starter, Mr. Peterson read an Encyclopedia Brown mystery with you.

Mr. Peterson led the class in a Jeopardy review of the things he has studies with you - this is to help prepare you for next week's test.

16 & 17 October

 

Welcome back from Fall Break!

Today's starter: What do you think your life would be like if you were a racial minority 300 years ago?  What job would you have?  What part of America would you live in?  Why?


Mr. Peterson had you fill in the locations of the 13 Colonies on your map - this is in preparation for your test on the 22/23 of October.
He then discussed the idea of triangular trade with you

Class ended today with a look at the conditions found on the slave ships during the Middle Passage.

9 & 10 October

Before class started, I took a few minutes to explain The Spirit of the Blackhawk.  This is an award that is given to students in U.S. History that go above and beyond the regular classwork in U.S. History.  Those students who achieve the award will be recognized at the Vista Heights Awards Assembly at the end of the year.  I explained the program and handed out a packet with the requirements - here is an overview of the program and a copy of the complete requirements.

Today's starter: Tell me what you know about the Salem Witch Trials.


Mr. Peterson read an Encyclopedia Brown mystery with the class.  He then reviewed the events behind the hysteria that led to the Salem Witch Trials.  He ended class with a game that helped you visualize the accusations that spread in Salem.