Subject Update: Digital Literacy

This week in Digital Literacy, we discussed the art of building a slideshow.  We discussed some basic features of Google Slides, as well as some good do's and don't's in making a good slideshow for a presentation.  Our next class will be spent practicing the skills we discussed as they will be building their own slideshow on a specific topic.

Subject Update: US History

Yesterday, the 8th graders had a very unique activity in History class.  We reenacted the Revolutionary War through a game of Capture the Flag.  Using some very specific rules throughout the game, we were able provide a basic outline of the war that will be referenced throughout our studies this chapter.

Ask your 8th graders about the experience and some of the rules we used.  It was a memorable activity!

Subject Update: US History

(Above is a mural of the signing of the Declaration of Independence that hangs in the US National Archives.  There are three future presidents pictured here although only two signed the Declaration.  Can you find all three?)

This week, we discussed the creation of the Declaration of Independence and how the 13 colonies agreed to come together and unite in their fight for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  We also watched our last part of John Adams as we saw this debate come to life.

The signing of the Declaration of Independence was not the end of the fight, but actually the start.  Next week, we will discuss how a group of unorganized, untrained colonists were able to defeat one of the most powerful military presences of the time in Great Britain to win the Revolutionary War.

[DID YOU KNOW ... US Independence Day was almost July 2nd instead of July 4th?  They voted for independence on the 2nd, but due to a debate on some wording in the Declaration, the statement wasn't adopted until the 4th.]

Subject Update: US History

Tomorrow, we will wrap up our chapter on the events leading up to the American Revolution with a test.  Next, we will start to look at what went into the creation and signing of the Declaration of Independence, followed by how the newly-formed United States was able to win a war against the powerful British Empire.

As part of our study, it is good to find ways to bring history to life when possible.  With this in mind, we are planning on watching several parts of the HBO miniseries John Adams in class.  These parts follow John Adams through the hostility in Boston which led to the war, as well as the debate over whether declaring independence was the right thing to do.  We will start watching this on Thursday.  A permission slip went home for this viewing yesterday with some of the details about rating and what is shown.  If you have any questions about this, contact Mr. P.