18 & 19 December

 

Have a great break!

17 & 18 December

12 & 15 December

10 & 11 December

8 & 9 December

4 & 5 December

 

We also had a visit from representatives of the Utah Scholars program this week.  Your student should have brought home a brochure that briefly explains the program.  If you have any questions, please visit the Utah Scholars website or contact one of our counselors.

2 & 3 December

25 November & 1 December

21 & 24 November

19 & 20 November

17 & 18 November

13 & 14 November

11 & 12 November

7 & 10 November

 

The starter for today was: Last time we discussed ways that the colonists protested taxes - tell me about 2 of them.

5 & 6 November

 

The starter today was: What was the cause of the French and Indian War?

3rd & 4th November

 

Here is a link to the website that we used in class - the site where you can type in the year and seen the boundaries of different countries/empires.

30 & 31 October

 

Happy Halloween!

24 & 27 October

22 & 23 October

15 & 21 October

13 & 14 October

Have a great Fall Break!

9 & 10 October

October 7 & 8

3 & 6 October

October 1 & 2

Today's starter was: Why do investors invest money?  What do they hope will happen to their money?

We passed back the explorers test and reviewed the commonly missed questions.  The test was out of 37 - if you would like to re-take the test you are more than welcome to.  Come in before or after school or have me stamp you for TEAL.

We then moved into a discussion about Jamestown.  We talked about its reasons for founding and its location.  We also read two differing accounts of conditions there.

29 & 30 September

Today's starter was: Based on last week's video, what do you think most likely happened to the Roanoke colonists?

We started off our day by reviewing the purpose of the Roanoke Colony and some of its early history.  We then began writing our short story to explain what we think happened.  This is a one page historical fiction paper.  It should be written from the point of view of one of the people involved and should describe what happened relying on the known facts that we discussed in class.  This is due this Friday for A Day classes and Monday for B Day classes.

25 & 26 September

Today's starter was: What do you like in a good mystery story? or What makes a good mystery?

We read an Encyclopedia Brown mystery.

We then reviewed what we have learned about colonization so far.  Then we told the account of the mystery of the Roanoke Colony.  We watched a video outlining some of the possible explanations.  Next time we will write a short story attempting to explain what might have happened.

23 & 24 September

Today's starter: What do you think a new colony might struggle with?

After discussing the starter we turned them in.

We then corrected and turned in the Exploration Packet, as well as the Colonization pre-test.  This pre-test is graded purely on participation.

We read a short story from the graphic novel to review and then we took the American Indians and Explorers test.

With the time that we had left we began Colonization.

19 & 22 September

Today's starter was: What is a colony?

Today we gave you some time to finish the  Exploration packet - these will be due first thing next class period.

We then reviewed for the American Indian and Exploration test which will be next time.

We took a pre-test for our next unit of study - colonization.  It doesn't matter how many you missed as it was a pre-test - you get full points for taking it.  This shows you what we will be learning and what information you will need to learn for the real test.

We then began our study of colonization.

17 & 18 September

Today's starter was: What makes a Conquistador different from an explorer?

We passed back the American Indians assignment - this will be very valuable for you as you prepare to take the test.  Be sure to pay attention to the essential standards at the top of the first page.  Make sure that you know three specific things about the Maya, Aztec, Inca, and Mound Builder cultures.

We then finished our discussion on the explorers and then worked on the Explorers assignment.  To be on schedule you should have finished pages 1 & 2 in class.

The test on the American Indians and the Explorers will be on:

A Day - 23rd
B Day - 24th

15 & 16 September

Today's starter was: We have talked about explorers and we have talked about motivation.  What do you think motivates explorers?

We finished correcting the "American Indians" packet - we turned it in.

We then began our investigation of explorers - we looked at the factors that led to exploration and we focused on the motivations of Prince Henry of Portugal.

11 and 12 Spetember

Today's starter was: Who are the explorers of today?

After discussing the starter we read an Encyclopedia Brown mystery.  We then corrected pages 1-3 of the American Indian Packets - we will finish correcting these, and turn them in, next week.

We then began looking at explorers.

 

9 & 10 September

Today's starter was: What do you think were the long-term effects of Cortez' contact with the Aztecs?  How did the Americas change?  How did Europe change?

After discussing the starter we took some time to look at the Inuit, Hopi and Iroquois cultures.  We then worked on the blue packets.

5 & 8 September

Today's starter was: What do you think of Hernan Cortez?  What qualities do you admire? What do you dislike?

We started off today by showing you how to read the grade report.

We passed back the geography test and talked about re-takes - if you got lower than an 18 out of 22 you should come in and retake the test.

We finished our story of Hernan Cortez and the Aztecs - we turned in the video questions.

3 & 4 September

Today's starter was: What is motivation?  What motivates people?

We turned in this set of starters today - there were six of them possible.  Remember, if you missed a starter and you would like to make it up, get them here at my blog.

We then took 5 minutes to study for the geography test.  These were turned in and graded today.  If you were absent, please come in to take this test before or after school or get me to stamp your planner for TEAL.

We then read a short excerpt from our history graphic novel about the Aztecs.  We started a video about the Conquistadors and the fall of the Aztec empire.  There are video questions that go along with this and we will finish the video next time.

29 August & 2 September

Today's starter was: What does "culture" mean?  Give me one example of culture.

We will turn in this set of starters next time.

After the starter, we corrected page 4 in the yellow Geography packet.  We turned these packets in - they are the first assignment for first term.

We then took a practice geography test - this was ro get you ready for our test next time.

We finished our discussion on the Maya, Aztec, Inca, and Mound Builders.  We started work on the American Indian packet.

27 & 28 August

Today's starter was: What is the name of the line that divides the northern and southern hemispheres?  What is the name of the line that divides the eastern and western?

After discussing the starter we reviewed the four hemispheres and the four parts of a good map.  We then worked on pages 2 & 4 in the Geography packet.  We corrected pages 1-3.

The packet will be due the next time we meet and the geography test will be the following class, September 3 & 4.

We began our discussion of the Maya, Aztecs, Inca, and Mound Builders.

"Uxmal, Nunnery Quadrangle" by Mesoamerican - Own work. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Uxmal,_Nunnery_Quadrangle.jpg#mediaviewer/File:Uxmal,_Nunnery_Quadrangle.jpg

25 & 26 August

Today's starter was: How does geography affect the way you live here in Utah County.  Give me at least one specific example-

Today we completed our look at the question, "What is history?"  We practiced identifying the difference between a primary source and a secondary source.  We also practiced making observations and logical inferences based on those observations.

We then began our study of geography by looking at major physical features of the United States.  We started identifying these features on a geography assignment that we will finish next time.

21 & 22 August

Today's starter was: What is the difference between a primary source and a secondary source? 

We reviewed the disclosure document - this does not need to be signed.

We also read an Encyclopedia Brown mystery - these are to help us to make better observations and develop better inferences.

We then continued to practice observations and inferences by looking at primary sources - photos from my own family history and photos of the history of Disneyland.

19 & 20 August

Welcome back to Vista Heights after your summer break - my name is Mr. Smith, and it is a pleasure to have you in our class this year.

Today in class we  reviewed the roll to make sure that we were all in the right place and that I was pronouncing your names correctly.  We also did a short "get-to-know-you" activity and made name tags to place on your desks so that I can get to know your names more quickly.

We then created our first starter - "What is history?"  We discussed this for the rest of the class period.

The supplies that you will need for this class are:

• Paper - every day
• A pen or pencil - every day
• A way to keep track of work from this class - a folder, a binder, or part of a binder

Here is a link to my webpage.  I will also send out a short version of this blog entry on Twitter. Follow me @VHMS_MrSmith

29 May

Thank you for a great year in U.S. History!  I have enjoyed having you in class this year!

-Mr. Smith

22 & 23 May

Today we read an Encyclopedia Brown mystery.  We then briefly discussed reformers.  We finished watching a video on Abraham Lincoln's assassination.

We then introduced Reconstruction in the South.

We finished our day with a discussion about America and what we can do to make it better.

20 & 21 May

There was no starter today.

Today we read an Encyclopedia Brown mystery.  We then corrected, and handed in, the Civil War Packet and the Civil War test.  These are the last 2 assignments on your 4th Term Grade.  Please make sure you get caught up by next week!

We spent some time discussing the Gettysburg Address.

We ended today by watching a video clip from the Civil War series about the surrender of the south and Lincoln's assassination.

16 & 19 May

Today's starter was: Think of any of the really wrong things that are going on in the world today.  Which one would you change if you could?  Explain-

We turned in the starters - this is the last set that we will turn in this year.

We took the Civil War test today - we then started an assignment on the Gettysburg Address.  It is due next time.  Those who finished the Gettysburg Address assignment moved on to the Reformers Crossword Puzzle.

14 & 15 May

Today's starter was: What do you know (or think that you know) about the Battle of Gettysburg or the Gettysburg Address?

After discussing the starter and reading an Encyclopedia Brown mystery, we reviewed for the test which will be next time.  We then watched an episode of American Ride that discussed the three day battle of Gettysburg and the Gettysburg Address.  We then finished the blue Civil War packets - these will be due the class period after the test.

12 & 13 May

Today's starter was: Before the Civil War began, what is one reason the South was angry with the North?  What is one reason the North was angry with the South?

After discussing the starter we read an Encyclopedia Brown mystery - we will read a mystery each day (except for Mondays) until the end of school.

We then played the Impossible Test game.  We finished off the day by working on our Civil War packets - the test will be this Friday for A Days and next Monday for B Days.

8 & 9 May

 
Today's starter was: Without looking at your notes, list the three parts of the Anaconda Plan.

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

We took a minute to review some of the Ironclads made by the North and the South during the Civil War.

We finished the video we started last time on Civil War technology - we graded the video questions and turned those in.

Our assignments for today were to create an "Impossible Test," or questions of your own choice from the book.  You were to come up with one question and one answer from each of these sections: 1 from 475-479, 1 from 480-487, 1 from 490-497, 1 from 498-505, and 1 from 506-512.  We will use these for a game next week.  We also finished up the map on page 2 and began the chart on page 4.

6 & 7 May

 
Today's starter was: What motivates a country to develop new weapons technology?  What happens to countries that don't?

We watched a short introduction video to the Civil War and then discussed the North's plan for victory and the South's plan for victory.

We then took some time to work on the map assignment on page 2 of the Civil War packet - this shows the states in the North and the states in the South and the territories.

We then watched a video about Civil War technology - there are questions that go along with this.

2 & 5 May

Today's starter was: What were the names of the two sides during the Civil War?

After discussing the starter we watched a video clip that reviewed some of the major events that we have studied that led up to the Civil War.

We corrected and handed in The North and The South - this packet is the review for the first half of our Civil War test.

We then took some notes on the strengths and weaknesses of the Union and the Confederacy and started a map activity.

30 April & 1 May

 
Today's starters was: Tell me what you know about Abraham Lincoln

After discussing the starter we watched half an episode of American Ride.  This episode looked into the divisions that were caused by Harriet Beecher Stowe's book Uncle Tom's Cabin, as well as John Brown's raid at Harper's Ferry.

We then discussed the Lincoln/Douglas debates and the beginning of the Republican Party.

We handed in the Strangers on a Train assignment and began correcting The North and The South packet - this will be due next time.

28 & 29 April

Photo courtesy Johannes Jansson/norden.org

Today's starter was: Why do people often say that books are better than the movie?

After discussing the starter we watched a short video clip on how photographs were made during the Civil War era.  We then discussed the major events that occurred prior to the Civil War.

We finished today by working on pages 2 & 3 from The North and South Packet and we finished the "Strangers on a Train" comic.

24 & 25 April

Today's starter was: Tell me 2 ways that the North and the South were different from each other.

We read an Encyclopedia Brown mystery.  We then watched a short video on slavery and finished our discussion on slavery.

We worked for ten minutes on "The North and South" packet - we worked on pages 2 & 3.  This was not enough time to finish, and it is not yet homework.

We then watched another short video clip comparing the North and the South.

We finished off today by reading a short story from the graphic novel - "Strangers on a Train."  There is a short assignment that went along with this story.

21 & 22 April

Today's starter was: As you know, many Americans used to own slaves.  Why do you think that those Americans were OK with that?

After we discussed the starter, we spent 5 minutes or so finishing the blue "Comparing Farm & Factory" and the white "Industrial Revolution and Westward Bound" packets.  We turned these in and they have been recorded in Skyward.

We then finished the Westward Expansion Assessment - we graded these and they are in Skyward, as well.

We then started to look at life in the South before the Civil War - and we looked at slavery a little.

21 & 22 April

 
Today's starter was: Explain to me how Northern factories depended on the South-

After discussing the starter we watched a video clip reviewing the major events and inventions of the Industrial Revolution, as well as some of the advances that were made in transportation.  We then reviewed for next time's test on the Industrial Revolution.

We then took a look at the life-cycle of cotton.  We broke up into groups of four and looked at a cotton boll.  We then picked the cotton from the boll and removed the seeds and other plant material from the cotton ball, much as the slaves would have done in the South.  We then tried to "card" and "spin" the cotton by hand - similar to what would have been done in the North in the factories.

We finished off class today by finishing "Comparing Farm to Factory" and "Industrial Revolution & Westward Bound."


 

16 & 17 April

Today's starter was: Write down one positive and one negative thing about the Industrial Revolution.  Also, how do you think the Industrial Revolution affected families?

Today we read two short stories from the graphic novel.  The first, "From Sea to Shining Sea," reminded us of the major events of Manifest Destiny.  The second, "On Her Own," reminded us of some of the positives and negatives of life in the factory.

We then worked on three assignments.  We finished the Invention Advertisement - titled "Industry in the North."  We then worked on "Comparing Farm and Factory" and finished up "The Industrial Revolution and Westward Bound."

We turned in "Industry in the North."

14 & 15 April

Today's starter was: What do you think is the most important invention in the history of the world?  Explain why you think that-

This is the first starter in a brand new set of starters.

We looked at seven new inventions that came out of the Industrial Revolution - the sewing machine, steel plow, McCormick Reaper, telegraph, steam locomotive, steamboat, and clipper ship.  You need to memorize two of these for the test.  We also looked at a series of advertisements from the 1800s and created an 1800s style advertisement for one of these inventions.

We will only have 5 or 10 minutes to finish this assignment next time.

3 & 4 April

Image courtesy Phier

Today's starter was: Based on what you have seen of factories so far-  How were factories good?  How were factories bad?

We turned these starters in today.  If you were not here to turn them in you will want to get them in right after Spring Break.

We took a few minutes to review for the test - we then took the test.

After the test we read an Encyclopedia Brown - we then worked on pages 3 & 4 of a new packet.  There was no homework for the break!

1 & 2 April

Today's starter: As you watched "Mill Times," what changes did you see in the working conditions in the mill?  Give some specific examples-

We played Review Jeopardy - the questions in the game were very similar to the questions that you will see on the actual test on Thursday and Friday.

We finished watching "Mill Times" - we corrected the questions and turned them in.

We began our discussion on the Industrial Revolution.

28 & 31 March

Engraving courtesy PDART

Today's starter: Why do we value things that are hand made?

We began by wrapping up the test review for part II of the test - the test will be the 3rd and 4th of April - right before the Spring Break.  You should know the essential standards from both the Jefferson and Manifest Destiny packets.

We corrected and handed in the Manifest Destiny packets - I gave these back for you to study from.

We introduced the Industrial Revolution by beginning a video - Mill Times. 

26 & 27 March

 Today's starter was: Think about yesterday's starter - Do the ends justify the means?  Now, think about the way that President Polk started the War with Mexico - do you agree or disagree with his actions?  Explain-

After discussing the starter we reviewed the events of the beginning of the War with Mexico.  We then talked about the California gold rush.  We watched an overview video of the west and then finished pages 5, 6, & 7 from the packet - these are homework if you didn't finish them.

We ended today by starting a practice test for Part II of the west.

If your grades are low right now, the only thing we have turned in is the Oregon Country Memorial.

24 & 25 March

Today's starter was: Do the ends justify the means?  or, Do good outcomes excuse the methods that we use to get to those outcomes, even if those methods are bad?

After discussing the starter, which relates directly to the War with Mexico, we corrected pages 2 and 3 of the packet and turned in the final drafts of the Oregon Memorial/Monument.  We reviewed the events of the Alamo, and read a book together, Susanna of the Alamo.

We finished today by discussing the major events of the War with Mexico and by working on pages 5 & 6 in the packets.  

20 & 21 March

 

Today is the last day of Term 3!

Our starter for today was: Tell me what you know (or think that you know) about the Alamo-

After reading an Encyclopedia Brown mystery we corrected questions 1-7 on page 4 of the Manifest Destiny packet.  

We then spent some time completing the final draft of the Oregon Country Memorial (the rough draft, found on pages 2-3, was homework from the prior class.  These final drafts will be due next time.

We then looked at the events that led to the siege of the  Alamo.

18 & 19 March

Mount Rushmore - Photo by Dean Franklin

Today's starter was: Think of memorials or monuments that you have seen - what makes a great monument/memorial great?

We spent some time looking at monuments and memorials throughout the world.  We did this to prepare for the memorial/monument we are going to design for the Oregon Country settlers.

After looking at the monuments/memorials we finished questions 1-7 on page 4.  

Those who have grades lower than a B worked on make-up work - those who had grades B or above began planning the monument by completing pages 2 and 3.

Pages 2, 3 and 4 are due for next time.

14 & 17 March

Today's starter was the last one for this particular set - we handed them in today.  This will be your last grade on term 3.  It was often very dangerous to move west . . . why did the early settlers risk everything to go there?

After discussing the starter we watched two short video clips relating to the move to the west.




A painting of "Manifest Destiny," This image is in the U.S. public domain

We spent some time looking at these western settlers - they will be on your test - they represent a much larger group of people who lived in the Oregon Country:

• Marcus and Narcissa Whitman
• James Beckwourth
• John Jacob Astor
• Jedediah Smith
• Henry & Ashley
• Jim Bridger

We also looked at the concept of Manifest Destiny and how it encouraged people to move west.

12 & 13 March

Today's starter was: Tell me two things that you have learned so far about the Erie Canal.  Tell me why this canal was important to the country.

After discussing the starter we finished watching the Erie Canal video - there were questions that went along with the video.

We started to discuss other movements west.

Artwork is in the public domain

7 & 11 March

Today's starter was: Humans use a wide variety of transportation - please list any types of transportation that you have used.

I passed back the Lewis & Clark 6th grade booklets - the highest grade that you could have received on this assignment was a 35.  If you would like to re-do any part of the booklet you are more than welcome to.

I also passed back the Jefferson Era packets.  It is important that you keep these because this packet has the essential standards for the first third of our next test.  This test will be taken during fourth term.  Because this test is still a few weeks away, we took a practice test on the first third of the test today.

We then talked about the history of the Star Spangled Banner - our National Anthem.

We finished off today's work by introducing the idea of the Erie Canal.  We did this by starting a Modern Marvels video on the canal.  We will finish this video next time.
 

5 & 6 March

Your starter for today was: What is a good reason for going to war?  Explain-

After discussing the starter we peer edited the Lewis & Clark Booklets and turned them in - I have graded these and we will pass them back next time.

We took notes on page 5 of the Jefferson Era packet as we discussed the War of 1812.  We completed the packets and turned them in (A Days). 

3 & 4 March

Today's starter was: Why did Napoleon sell Louisiana?

Today we did a quick review of Louisiana and Lewis & Clark.

We corrected page 2 of the Jefferson Era packet.  We then used most of the rest of the time to finish the Lewis and Clark pamphlet - this is due next time!

27 & 28 February

Today's starter was: What was the most interesting part of the Lewis & Clark video for you?

We reviewed the background of the Lewis & Clark Expedition - we then began our work on the Lewis & Clark pamphlet.

We also worked on page 2 of the Jefferson packet.

We will finish the Lewis and Clark Pamphlet next time!

25 & 26 February

Today was a Lewis & Clark Expedition day-

Our starter was:  What dangers do explorers face?  How do they prepare for those dangers?

We reviewed the situation on America's Western frontier - the importance of the rivers and New Orleans to the farmers.  We introduced the Louisiana Purchase and the purposes of the Lewis & Clark Expedition.

We watched a National Geographic video on Lewis & Clark - it is called Lewis & Clark: Great Journey West.  It is a good introduction to the Lewis & Clark Expedition and is available on Netflix if you are interested in watching at home.

21 & 24 February

Today's starter was: What do you like in a good adventure book or movie?

We corrected, and handed in, the green Federalists - George Washington & John Adams packet.  We also handed in the "Impossible Test" questions that you created - we used these to play the "Impossible Test" game.

We then began looking at Thomas Jefferson and the importance of the Mississippi River to the Western Farmers.

19 & 20 February

We started off today with this starter: What are the names of the two largest political parties in America today?  Why are there political parties?

We used this starter as a bridge to discussing the birth of America's first two political parties under Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson.

We also looked at the transition from President Washington to President Adams, and discussed the challenges faced by John Adams.

We turned in the George Washington symbolic picture and finished the green Federalist packet - there is no test on this section.

We will play the "Impossible Test" next time - this is a game made up of difficult questions generated by members of the class.  The questions are worth points - I need you to write questions and answers from these pages:

• 2 from 252-259
• 1 from 260-263
• 2 from 264-270
• 1 from 276-279