End of the Year 2014

An advisory play field trip photo followed by end of the year WWII geography projects. 

Have a great holiday break!

Visual WWII

Some excellent original pictures of World War II and interesting Photoshop blends of places then and now are here.

Ch 24 Section 1 & 2 Quiz Retake Links

If you need to retake either quiz, follow the links below.

Ch 24 Sec 1 Quiz: Agression Leads to World War II

Ch 24 Section 2 Quiz: The US at War

World War II Review Games for Ch 24, Section 2

Ch 24, Section 2 World War II Review Games

From Your textbook, AHON
24/2 Book Self-Test

Quizlet
You can search Quizlet for flashcards, like this one.

Quia
And these review general WWII review games on Classzone and Quia 

World War II Online Practice Test

WWII Practice Quiz Leaders and Countries of World War II Matching Game Leaders of World War II Hangman Game World War II Battleship Game And you can always check out the History Channel page on WWII

China Bans Puns?

They shouldn't shun puns, but they really did.
http://www.latimes.com/world/asia/la-fg-china-bans-puns-20141203-story.html

Sketchnotes!

We are starting sketchnotes for Ch 24.  We will be follow the example set by Mike Rhodes in his book, The Sktechnote Handbook.

I'm looking forward to some great visual notes from you, the students.


More resources are here:

http://rohdesign.com/sketchnotes/

http://www.pearltrees.com/wayoflife/sketchnotes-visual-thinking/id10965147

And here a great student example from Ch 24, Section 1 about WWII.

 

What Caused the Dust Bowl? DBQ Essay

We'll be working on your five paragraph document based question (DBQ) essay on the Dust Bowl the next two classes. 

Remember that the essay must be in your own words and not copied. Please seem me in class, during advisory or after school for help.

Midterm Election November 4, 2014

The midterm election is drawing near and we'll have our mock elections 10/31 & 11/3.  An informed voter is always the best voter so if you can, do as much research ahead of time.

We'll watch a few sort videos on the Governor's race and one on the US Senate race in class.  You can also fill out your Election 2014 sheet (on the back of the stock market sheet) for extra credit.

Remind your parents to vote November 4th and enjoy your day off.

Stock Market Simulation WebQuest 2014

Use you worksheet (link here) to do the eTextbook goals, Stock Market activities on the Dow and NASDAQ, and then you can play the simulations.

Simulation I [Only works on some school computers, used as an example]

1. Click here and make sure that it opens in another window.

2. Read the introduction and then click on "Trade Traditional Stocks"

3. (You don’t need to update the Shock player. Don't update. If you have trouble, let me know.)

4. Buy stock in Duke, YeeeeeHaw.com, the Electric Co, and hypercola in any combination.

Stock Market Simulation II

This one is more complex and has a variety of scenarios. It also uses real company stock for examples.

How'd you do? Record your percent return on your worksheet.  Remember, you started with $15,000.  Also keep in mind that this is just a simulator--you'll never see returns like this in real life.

Bonus question:
Was the 1929 crash the biggest stock market crash in U.S. history? It depends on how you measure but there's some interesting info here.

If you still have time, check out the Golden Age of Radio WebQuest.

Which Political Party Are You?

While we're getting ready for the midterm elections on November 4th, it's a good idea to try to identify your politics.  

I don't put much stock in this test since it's so short (and from last election) but if you want a guess as to what your political party may be, you can try it.

Political Party Predictor (click here)

There's an overview of all of the US parties here.

Columbus Day

Enjoy your Monday off!
Learn more about Columbus Day over at the History Channel.

Also, the last day of the quarter is Friday, which is the last day to turn in make-up work.

History Fair 2015 Topic Ideas

Looking forward to another great year of History Fair!

Leadership & Legacy is the theme this year.  Look over the handout in class and on the Chicago History Fair link below for topic ideas.  Read about them briefly and try to pick two or three.

Progressive Era DBQ Essay

 

To address content, writing, and the common core standards we will be using documents to support a five paragraph essay.  The task is to choose three worthy reforms from the Progressive Era and fund them with money given to you by your fictional aunt.  Examples and documents are used in class.  Reform causes include: deforestation/conservation, child labor, women's suffrage, and food safety. 


Here is what your essay should look like:
I. Introduction: Background, question, and thesis
II. Body Paragraph #1: Reform #1, evidence and argument
III. Body Paragraph #2: Reform #2, evidence and argument
IV. Body Paragraph #3: Reform #3, evidence and argument
V. Conclusion: restate thesis, why you choose what you did

   

When You Finish 

• Print your essay, fill out the rubric and staple it on top.  
• Then, if needed, you can retake the primary/secondary quiz (post below) and/or watch CNN Student News.  
• Next, start thinking about history fair topics by researching them online.  Look over the handout in class and check out the online resources by clicking here. 
• Still have extra time?  Check out my Chapter 19 post from last year.

Historian's Apprentice Toolkit

Retake the primary vs. secondary quiz here  (last day to retake is 9/29).  You must enter your first and last name and email me your score or tell me in class.

Play the game  (if you want)

Why do Americans celebrate Labor Day?

Enjoy your day off!  See you on Tuesday.

America: History of Our Nation eTextbook

AHON eTextbook

Your username and password for the eTextbook version are the same as the one you got in science:
scienceelmcougars#
beaker#
(case sensitive so don't capitalize)

See me or Ms. Rode for your info.

Google successnet (one word) or click on the link on my blog and enter your info.

Classwork and Homework: 

• Log into textbook, 
• finish the WebQuest 
• take the primary vs. secondary quiz and play the game
• and, if you have time,watch the news.

Accessing the Mobile Version for iPads and Tablets

You need to have the Pearson eText for Schools app installed on your tablet (Android or Apple).  Then enter your username and password for the eTextbook.  This process and even the logo change often so see me if it is not working.  As far as I know, this will not work on phones.

Troubleshooting Guide

1. Can’t access the login page? 
   Check to see if your internet is working for other sites.  If it is, check to see that you’ve spelled the address correctly:   www.pearsonsuccessnet.com or just Google successnet and it should be the first result. 
2. Can’t log in? 
   Do you have the user name and password your teacher gave you?  If not you’ll need one.  If you do and still can’t log in, check that you’re spelling everything exactly the same.  Also check your caps lock key (no caps!)  One letter off will cause it to fail.
3. You’ve logged in but when you click on the textbook you don’t get anything?
   Check your internet settings for pop-up blockers.  The textbook wants to open in a new window, but if pop-ups are blocked you’ll get nothing.  (Sometimes there will be a bar at the top of your window telling you it has blocked a pop-up; click on the bar and you should be able to allow them for this website.)
4. You’ve logged in but when you click on the textbook you get an error message?
   Are you sure you turned off the pop-up blocker?  Try restarting your browser or using a different browser.  Also make sure that your browser and plug-ins are updated. 
5. Anything else?  Contact Pearson tech support or write down specifics about your problem and see me after school.

Welcome to the 2014-2015 School Year

Welcome back to Elm for another great year of social studies and post #275 on this blog.

Over the course of this school year we will be studying 20th Century U.S. history, the U.S. and Illinois constitutions, geography, and current events.

On our first full class, we'll also be taking our first news quiz of the year.

You can also watch the news at my current favorite source for student news.

History Fair 2014 is Wednesday 5/14

We've been working hard on our projects in class but you'll need to finish them up at home.
Projects are due May 12 & 13.

Need help?  See me in school and/or:

• NHD Exhibit Guidelines
• Chicago History Fair Guidelines (click on exhibits)

In school viewing for all students and then after school presentations to the community from 6-7PM in the gym.
Students are expected to wear business casual and present their projects for 10 minutes.  Students who do so will receive extra credit.

The Illinois Constitution Test is May 5 & 6

 

Check these out to help you on the Illinois Constitution Test.

Review Games

Illinois Constitution Battleship

Illinois Constitution Hangman

Illinois Constitution Rags to Riches

There are flashcards up at Quizlet 

Practice Quizzes if you want a challenge and have some extra time (you don't have to use your name)

Illinois Constitution Practice #1 2014

Illinois Constitution Practice #2 2014

Illinois Constitution Practice Quiz #1 2014

Illinois Constitution Practice Quiz #2 2014

Note: this quiz has some info that isn't on the test and not everything on the test is on this quiz. It's meant to be fun but is not a substitute for studying for the test. 

Need another copy of the practice test?