Mrs. Slaviero's Blog

Students began learning about the Louisiana Purchase and I am using a terrific resource from the National Archives with my students to help them understand this topic better. The "Our Documents" site lists 100 of the most influential documents in US History and the interesting thing about this project was the the American people voted on which documents made the list. Today students started viewing the actual Treaty that sold the Louisiana Purchase to America. Students will view the artifact and analyze it, as well. Working with primary sources is interesting for students and greatly increases their knowledge and understanding of history. Here is the site with the treaty, please let me know what you think of it! http://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?doc=18

The most popular topic my History students want to know about every year is the American political party system. My students are fascinated with it and want to know how it got its start and if our modern-day parties are the same as the ones in History. Starting this week students will be studying George Washington's administration and how the differences between two of his Cabinet members, Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton and Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, led to the creation of the two party system of the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans. They will also be deciding which party they would have chosen to belong to and giving reasons why. (As for answering the question about today's parties being the same as the Federalists and Democratic-Republicans? The answer is yes and no--there have been many twists and turns throughout American political history and neither the ideas of the Republican nor Democratic parties today perfectly match the ideas...

Today we discussed the Preamble and the topic of United States currency came up. Students were really interested in how our money is printed and we talked about the state quarter collection and the US Mint. The US Treasury has several links that are worth viewing: the "Currency--Popular Topics" section has information about the redesigned paper bills and the "Coins--Popular Topics" section has information about, among other things, the new Presidential dollar coins mentioned in class. (Did anyone look at the new Westward Journey Nickel Series?) Please tell me what you've learned! http://www.treasury.gov/services/Pages/coins-currency.aspx

Students will begin their study of the US Constitution this week. This important document can be challenging for students to understand and here are some links to help: Ben's Guide to Government: http://bensguide.gpo.gov/ The United States House of Representatives: http://www.house.gov/ The United States Senate: http://www.senate.gov/ The Supreme Court: http://www.supremecourt.gov/ The Executive Branch/The White House: http://www.whitehouse.gov/our-government Students, please take some time to become familiar with these sites so that you're comfortable with them before we visit them online in class.

Thanksgiving is a time to share with family and friends. It's also an opportunity to think about all that we have in our lives. My students wrote letters of gratitude today to an influential person in their life and they'll be giving those letters to them this weekend. Enjoy your break and we'll see you on Monday! I've found a history of Thanksgiving from The History Channel--here is the link: http://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving/videos#history-of-the-thanksgiving-holiday

A Veterans Day tradition continued today during 8th Grade History classes. Students were once again able to hear from people that protected and served our country in World War II, the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm. The students were fascinated by stories about boot camp and military police operations and also asked insightful questions. Please take time out today to remember the sacrifices our service men and women have made for our country.

Learning about the Constitutional Convention is often a challenge for students. They sometimes struggle with the different plans discussed and the concept of balance of power. This year my students will be learning about this very important event by completing a simulation. Students are taking on the role of delegates at the Convention and will be attempting to compromise on the plans and, hopefully, come up with a government that is beneficial to all involved. Learning by doing is a powerful way for students to deeply learn material (and they get to have some fun at the same time). Let the debate begin!