There are a number of odd fall traditions celebrated by Americans.

Use these websites to explore the history of several different activities Americans participate in during the fall.

Here are some questions to guide your exploration:

• How did the tradition begin? How did it originate?
• What is the big idea and essential details needed to understand this tradition?
• What factors contributed to its popularity?
• How have the traditions changed over time?
• If there were several contributing factors, how did the ideas converge to create the tradition?
• Are there any similar traditions in other countries that parallel American traditions?
• Are there any other fall traditions that should be included below?

Have fun exploring!

The History of the Corn Maze

Why is election day always a Tuesday in November?

Bobbing for Apples

Pumpkin Facts
History of Pumpkins
The History of the Pumpkin Carving

Candy Corn

Why do we trick or treat?

The History of Halloween from History.com
The History of Halloween from Livescience.com

What is Nanowrimo?

Be sure to follow all directions on this post as you learn about the Women’s Suffrage Movement.

Use this link to access the texts and activities. Women’s Suffrage

First, click on “The History of Women’s Suffrage” and read the articles- “Women’s Suffrage” and “19th Amendment”. Once you have read both articles, complete the Show What You Know Quiz and make sure you show me your score.

Then, click on “When did Women Vote?” and follow the directions to complete the activity. You need to work diligently to complete this assignment.

Finally, click on this link: The Fight for Women’s Suffrage and compare and contrast the information from both websites. Include facts and details that you learned from both.

Here are a couple of videos to help you learn about plate tectonics. Watch the videos and take notes while you watch, and create a 10 questions quiz from the information in the videos- be sure to include an answer key!

Plate Tectonics for Kids

BrainPop Plate Tectonics Video

Plate Tectonics for Students

I am so excited to have your child in my class this year. Please refer to this blog for updates and published projects from our class. Please let me know if you do not want your child’s photo or projects to be posted here.  Parents please complete the student information form HERE.
Please be sure to include an email address because that will be how I communicate with you weekly. I know this is going to be a great year!

Compare and contrast different stories from media, and informational text regarding the bombing of Pearl Harbor and its impact on the United States, including the USS Arizona and USS Tennessee and America’s entry in the war. According to the texts, how did the bombing of Pearl Harbor impact the United States? Did it lead to America’s entry to WWII? Create a graphic organizer that summarizes the causes and effects of the bombing using the information from the listed sources.

LINKS:

Pearl Harbor
Eyewitness to History- Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor Timeline
U.S. History- Pearl Harbor
USS Tennessee

Compare and contrast the types of leadership of the following countries during World War II: Japan, Germany, and Italy. Be sure to include Fascism, Totalitarianism, and Nazism. What were the goals of the leaders of the Axis Powers during World War II?

LINKS:

Axis Powers

The Axis Powers of WWII

The Axis

The Nazi Party

Totalitarianism

Fascism WWII

Directions: Choose projects from the list below. You must complete projects totaling to 100 points.
You may use your textbook pages 194-226 and the Internet (be sure to use reliable sources) to help you complete your project(s).

All projects are due February 24th. All projects completed on the computer must be printed or emailed to your teacher.

100 point projects:
• Write a 3 page informational article about plate tectonics. This should include headings, sub-headings, pictures, and diagrams.
• Design a board game that tests the players’ knowledge on plate tectonics and continental drift.
• Create a children’s storybook that has at least 10 pages with story and pictures to explain plate tectonics. Must be colored.

75 point projects:
• Create an informational brochure with information on all 6 panels and includes pictures.
• Create a PowerPoint presentation that has at least 8 slides with pictures on each slide.
• Design a poster with information and pictures.

50 point projects:
• Write a song, poem, or rap on plate tectonics and continental drift.
• Create a test over plate tectonics and continental drift that includes at least 25 questions and an answer key.
• Create a comic strip with at least 6 panels that gives information on plate tectonics and continental drift. Must be colored.

25 point projects:
• Create a collage (with at least a two paragraph description explaining how the art relates to plate tectonics)
• Create a test over plate tectonics and continental drift that includes at least 10 questions and an answer key.
• Write a journal entry pretending to be Alfred Wegener or a geologist from today, explain your theory of continental drift or plate tectonics (at least 1 page).

Use the website links provided, and answer the the following questions. Each group of questions has a recommended website link to search for the answers. Once you have found an answer, record that answer in your journal using complete sentences.
1. What evidence did Alfred Wegener use to support his theory of continental drift? Alfred Wegener supported his theory of continental drift with the following evidence:
2. Why do you think people didn’t believe continental drift theory when Wegener first explained it? People didn’t believe his theory of continental drift at first because…
3. Who were the two scientist that brought forth supporting evidence to Wegener’s theory, and what was their evidence?
(Recommended link for questions 1-3) Alfred Wegener
(cool animation) Continental Drift
4. What are the three different types of plate boundaries, describe each type?
5. Give an example of a location on Earth where each type of plate boundary is present.
6. What are the three different types of convergent plate boundaries?
7. Give an example of a location on Earth where each type of convergent plate boundaries occur.
8. Explain what plate tectonics and ocean trenches have in common?
(Recommended link for questions 4-8) Plate boundaries
9. How old are the rocks off the east coast of North America relative to the rocks right along the Mid Atlantic Ridge, why do you think this is the case?
(Recommended link for question 9) Sea-Floor Spreading
10. What is a convection current or cell, describe how it works (use a picture if you want)?
11. What are the two main sources of heat inside the Earth?
(Recommended link for questions 10-11) Convection
12. What types of mountains are formed through tectonic movement? Describe each type. Mountain building
13. What are horsts and grabens, and where can they be found? Horsts and Grabens
14. What are two bad things that can happen as a result of plate tectonics, how did plate tectonics cause these events?
15. What are three good things that plate tectonics provide for humans, how do plate tectonics provide these things?
(Recommended link for questions 14-15) Humans and Plate Tectonics
EXTRA CREDIT
How will knowing about plate tectonics help you to understand the world around you?
(at least one paragraph)

Progressives Project Menu
Directions: Choose projects from the list below. You must complete projects totaling to 100 points.
You may use your textbook, the reference books in the classroom, and the Internet (be sure to use reliable sources) to help you complete your project(s).

All projects are due February 3rd. All projects completed on the computer must be printed or emailed to your teacher.

100 point projects:
• Write a 3 page informational article on Progressives. This should include headings, sub-headings, and pictures.
• Create a children’s storybook that has at least 10 pages with story and pictures to explain the Progressives. Must be colored.
• Create a newspaper from the Progressive Era that has at least 5 articles explaining the reforms taking place and who is responsible for each, must also include pictures with captions, and at least 2 advertisements pertaining to a reform taking place.

75 point projects:
• Create an informational brochure with information on all 6 panels and includes pictures.
• Create a PowerPoint presentation that has at least 8 slides with pictures and information on each slide.
• Design a tri-fold poster with information and pictures.

50 point projects:
• Create a test over the Progressives that includes at least 25 questions and an answer key.
• Design a board game that tests the players’ knowledge on Progressives.
• Create a comic strip with at least 6 panels that gives information on the Progressives. Must be colored.

25 point projects:
• Create a collage (with at least a two-paragraph description explaining how the art relates to the Progressives)
• Create a test over Progressives that includes at least 10 questions and an answer key.
• Write a journal entry as a citizen during the Progressive Era and explain the movements and who is responsible for the reforms taking place?

A few weeks ago my class and I took a walk around the gardens outside of our school.  During that walk, we wandered around and wondered about things.  They wrote down questions that they had based on things that they saw during our walk.  When we came back into the classroom, they thought about their questions and wrote hypotheses for the things they questioned.  Of course the next step would be to research and find out the answers to their wonderings.  Here are the projects they completed that explore their wonderings:

Why do trees have sap? by Allie

What is moss? by Aidan

Why do trees grow so tall? by Hannah

Why did saber-tooth tigers become extinct? by Samuel

How do snakes move? by Alivia

What does the sun look white? by Camden

Can blood be other colors? by Charlie

Why do plants have thorns? by Shantel

How does the body gain energy? by Matthew

How do trees make sap? by Krithika

Why do plants grow on trees? by Azavier

Will saliva erode a rock? by Taylor

Do bees know which flowers to fly to? by Kendrick

Why doesn’t in snow in Memphis very much? by Lindsey

Why does grass grow so tall? by Bryson

Why is lightning different colors? by Madeline

Why does the atmosphere make the sky blue? by Judd

How do birds fly? by Dylan

Why are leaves green? by Caleb

Why does poison ivy cause you to itch? by Keira

Why is the night sky so dark? by Conner

Why is the earth round? by Landon

Why and how do leaves lose their chlorophyll in autumn? by Abbey