Current Event Discussion

Today, we are going to discuss current events through the History Book. Sometimes the in-class discussion becomes a discussion between just a few students. Now, though, everybody has a chance to offer their opinion on the issues being discussed. (and you don't even have to raise your hand!) When an issue is brought up by either myself or a classmate, think about it, form an opinion. A big part of developing as a student and a life-long learner is the ability to think and form your own opinions, then sharing them with others and listening to others' opinions and responding. Don't just say "I don't care about that." That may be true of certain topics, BUT, pretend you do care about it--what do you think?
This disucssion will be carried on in much the same way as our earlier discussion on the biggest challenge facing American Post-revolution. When the issue/topic is posted, think about it and form your own opionion and post it with a comment. We will all be discussing the same issue. Once that issue is done, we will all move onto the next issue on my signal. That way, we aren't discussing 5 things at once and getting confused. As was the case last time, when responding to someone, start your comment off with that student's name so they know you are talking to them. This is not the time to goof off and just try to be funny. Take it seriously. How you handle yourself and conduct yourself in an activity such as this says a lot about the person you are. Think about it.
Good Luck and let the discussion Begin....

First Topic: Mr. Klumper
Second Topic: Mr. Klumper
Third Topic: Mr. Klumper
Fourth Topic and beyond: Students

The U.S. Faces Challenges in Post-Revolution America

We have covered the American Revolution. We are now moving on to what America was like after the American Revolution. Like we have discussed, America faced many challenges as they began life as an independent country. So now, at this point, we must ask ourselves, which of the five challenges facing America required the most immediate attention? In other words, which challenge did America need to deal with FIRST? Once again, here are the five MAIN challenges America faced:
1. National Debt
2. Foreign Relations
3. Westward Expansion
4. National Government
5. Domestic Issues
Using the History Book as our mode, we are going to discuss amongst each other what we think was the most pressing issue for America. Your task is to form your own opinion about what issue you think America should address first. Try to be convincing. Be convincing by supporting your opinions with details, examples, etc. At the end of the discussion, we will all vote to see what the class thinks.

Read the following Link to have a little background information about the challenges facing America.

Indentured Servitude: What does it mean?

The Facts: Indentured Servants are people who had their trip to America from Europe paid for by someone. Once in America, the person had to work for 7 years without getting paid to pay off their trip or "debt" to the person who paid for it. Despite the facts, there are questions about what Indentured Servitude is, exactly. Is it Slavery? Is it an opportunity? It is an interesting question. A question you will be thinking about, writing about, and reading about. Though the article talks about indentured servants coming from Europe to Canada, its the same principles as indentured servants going to American colonies.

Your task is this: Read the following article about Indentured Servitude. After reading the article respond to the questions below.

1. The early goal in the America's was not British Settlement, however, they soon realized that the best way to protect their "real estate" was to do what?

2. The trip across the Atlantic was expensive. Only the rich could afford it. Therefore, the "wrong" type of people were coming to the Americas. What does it mean by the "wrong" type of people? What type of people were needed? Why?

3. Farmers, blacksmiths, and innkeepers all needed apprentices to learn the trade in America. In Europe, the Industrial Revolution caused huge job loss, homelessness and crime. How did these factors contribute to indentured servitude? How did indentured servitude help this problem?

4. What does "debt slaves" mean?

5. There are many angles as far as who became indentured servants. Discuss the different ways people (or kids) would find themselves in indentured servitude.

6. Share your opinion. Is Indentured Servitude slavery? Is it an opportunity? Is it welfare? Is it a business move? Support your opinion with at least 4 points.

DUE: In-class blogging. If you do not get finished, it will be homework.

Points: 40 Points

Great job. You have really done well today. I appreciate your hard work. Don't forget that.

Jamestown Vs. Massachusetts Bay Colony

You are about to embark on some intense in-class blogging. Good Luck. If at any point during this class period you start to feel dehydrated from blogging, pause for a moment and catch your breathe. For this post, you are going to compare and contrast the Jamestown Colony vs. the New England Colony, which is basically the Massachusettes Bay colony. We discussed Jamestown together via PowerPoint. You had a chance to read about the New England colony. Now you have a chance to look at both and how they compare to one another. There is a specific way in which I want you to do this, so pay close attention to your task below. A few things to keep in mind as you do this: one: these colonies are going on at roughly the same time. Although Jamestown started first, the New England colonies were not far behind. Two: do not type like you are text messaging. Practice good typing skills and good language/grammar skills. You will be heavily docked for writing in "text" lingo. Finally, three: one of the great aspects of blogging is that you get to respond to each other, so do that. Respond with an agree/disagree with each others' comments. Do it RESPECTFULLY, though.

Task: Compare similarities and differences between the Jamestown Colony and the New England Colony by doing the following:

1. State the reasons why people came for both colonies. Why did people go to Jamestown? WHy did the Puritans/Pilgrims leave Europe? Then point out what is similar and what is different.

2. State how each of the colonies got started. Who had an easier time? Why? Point out how the start of each colonies were similar and different.

3. Describe the economy of both colonies. State how they are similar and different and why. Also, discuss the impact each colonies economy had on the colony itself. (Hint: tobacco plantations in Jamestown, smaller farms in New England)

4. Native American interaction occured with both colonies. Describe Native American interaction with each colony and point out similarities and differences. Tell us why you think Native Americans interacted differently with each colony.

5. Which Colony is better? Why? Support your opinion with at least 4 points.

DUE: In Class.
Points: 40

Great Job. You have completed the most intense blogging on The History Book to date. You should be proud of yourself because I am very proud of you.