Class Summary 10.25.12

Yesterday, we spent the class watching the jont presentation between Mr. Boyle and Ms. Verrette. We learned about revolutionary artists and their works depicting events and emotions of the Revolutionary time period. It was a mind broading experience, as it offered us a different view into the conflict. Today, we had a short quiz on our memorization of the Declaration of Independence, followed by a quick recap of the major battles and events of the revolution to prepare for our quest tomorrow.

Civic Value Voice Thread

Class Summary 10.23.12

Yesterday we spent the class period reviewing more events of the Revolutionary War. After the announcement of the Declaration of Independence, life was great for the colonists. However, times quickly changed when the British army returned through New York with a vengence. Today in small groups, we spent the period romaing the halls on the first floor searching for QR codes. Upon scanning them, we were faced with facts about a key battle you then had to name and supply the date of. A very effective review for the battles if you ask me!

Class Summary 10.18.12

Yesterday October 17, 2012, we began the class by breaking into small groups and discussing the six parts of the Declaration of Independence that we had summarized the previous class. We followed this with a class discussion about Brutus from Shakespeare's play "Julius Caesar," along with other characteristics that leaders/governments require. Today, October 18, 2012, we read Thomas Paine's "The Crisis" and wrote a response on whether or not we believed that man today still are facing times that try men's souls. I came to the conclusion that we are still in fact facing times that test our souls, similar to our founding fathers and citizens that won us the freedoms that we till hold today. However, the question is whether the people today possess the traits to meet and act upon the challenges we face in order to create a more peaceful world for future generations.

Class Summary 10.12.12

On October 11, 2012, after previously learning about the rides of Paul Revere and others to warn the colonists of a British attack, we looked at an online simulization of the days that followed and the methods/routes of attack. On April 19th, 1775, 77 militia versed 700 British soldiers at Lexington. At the end of the day, there was 300 British casualties compared to 100 colonial casualties between the Battles of Lexington and Concord. On June 17, 17775, at the Battle of Bunker Hill, there was 450 colonial casualties compared to 1,054 British casualties. IN numbers the colonists took the lead but the British won the battle as they held the land. The day after, October 12th, 2012, we spilt into three groups each reading a signoficant document to the time period each representing a different side. The Olive Branch Petition was looking for compromise, or a reasonable resolution to the fighting with the king. They propsed that they would night fight the Britsh and remain faithful to them if they were provided representation. The Phamphlet "Common Sense" by Thomas Paine was in favor of the colonists and proposed that their relationship with Britian was forced and unnatural. Lastly, The Plain Truth, written by James Chalmers was a rebuttle to Common Sense and was totally loyalist.

American Revolution - Abigail Adams Voice Thread

Class Summary 10.9.12

Last Friday, October 5,2012, we did a quick review of the events that led up to or inspired the Revolutionary War such as the Townshend Acts/ Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, and the Intolerable Acts. After that we learned about the actual events of Paul Reveres ride, and found out that he was not the sole rider. The famous "one if by land, two if by sea," lanterns were hung in the steeple of the church and Paul Revere and his companions set out to notify the towns of the British invasions. Today, October 9,2012, we watched a "TED talks" video on the premise of the accuracy or the credibility of  primary sources. After the video, in groups we read a primary source document from a person experiencing the Battle at Lexington and extracted key parts and important information. We then separated and gathered information from other groups on other primary source documents. This led into a discussion of who fired the first shot? And in response to that, who's to blame?

Class Summary 10.4.12

Yesterday, October 3,2012, we went to the media lab (YAY! more technology!) to construct a shared presentation in Google with our group members on our Ed Cafe topic. My group had the Stamp Act of 1763, and we divvied up the sub topics and each created two slides. I had "The Burden of Taxes" and "Quest for Revenue." I quickly found that the British Parliament was desperate to raise revenue to pay off war and defense debts. The solution they decided, was to raise taxes on sugar and stamps. This is in addition of the newly enforced Navigation Acts and the Royal Proclamation of 1763. After the British beat the French they faced more war costs and also new expenses to protect the colonists. The colonists decided to rebel, attacking British officials and Stamp Masters. In response to the widespread protest , Parliament repealed the tax in 1766. Today, the Ed Cafe discussions were a success once again. We learned about events such as the Townshend Acts/Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, the Intolerable Acts and lastly the first Continental Congress.

Class Summary 10.2.12

Yesterday, October 1,2012, we began to look at the British colonies in America and the similarities and differences between them. We learned that the New England colonies consisted of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, They are also known as the religious colonies because they were established by puritans seeking religious freedom. The Middle colonies, otherwise known as the proprietary colonies, as they were established on land given to friends of the king; these colonies consisted if Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York. The Southern colonies: Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia were business colonies established to make a profit for investors back in England. We then discussed how New England had the most urbanized of colonies and the Middle colonies had the most diverse nationalities and religions. However, there was English citizens in all colonies and most colonists had a common language of English. Today, October 2, 2012, we took a look at George Washington's origins and his rise to power. He started out as a commander of a small group of Virginian militia, send to discuss land negotiations with the French. After meeting resistance, him and his team defeated a small french force and immediately established Camp Necessity, preparing for a counter attack. The attack did come and they were defeated as they faced a much large force, and were pushed back all the way to Virginia. However, these were the first shots fired in what would become a world war between french and English colonies all around the world. Although he was defeated, Washington's name was becoming known especially for his account of the Governonrs Council. The British eventually won the French and Indian war, gaining land west of the Appalachian Mountains and east of the Mississippi River. Until the Royal Proclamation of 1763, prohibited colonial settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains. This led to the colonist's feeling extremely disrespected in regaurds to their efforts in winning the war, and fueled Washington's mission.