4/30

Today's class was devoted to researching information about each topic groups were assigned. 

Students first visited the previous blog posting.  On the posting students can find instructions for the project, an orgnaizer to record research, and links for reserach.

First, students opened the Google Doc "Research Organizer."  They copied the organizer and shared it with their group members.  Students then took notes into the organizer using the ikeepbookmarks links.  They documented sources using easybib.com

By the end of class students should have been finishing or almost finished with research.

Tomorrow we will begin designing the board games.

Homework:  Use the blog to finish your research on your trail.  Be sure to find information on: obstacles on the trail, landmarks/places along the trail, hardships along the trail, or other information you will use in the creation of the game. 

Trails West- Design a Board Game

Project Instructions:

Instructions

Research Organizer- Open in Google Docs, make a copy and share with group members

Research Organizer

ikeepbooksmarks Research Links:

http://ww2.ikeepbookmarks.com/browse.asp?folder=3672981

CITE ALL SOURCES!!!

http://www.easybib.com/

Game Board Rules/Templates

Candy Land

Chutes and Ladders

Monopoly

Life

4/29/14

At the beginning of class students participated in a warm-up where they reflected on the different trails west.  As they worked I collected their map homework.

Next, I introduced the Trails West Board Game project.  I handed students the instructions, gave them introduced their preliminary tasks, students formed groups, I assigned topics, and students began collecting information on their topics.

Trails West Board Game Instructions

Trails West Information Organizer

This project will be due on Tuesday, 5/6.  Each day students will have specific tasks to complete. 

Homework is: Work for 15 minutes on researching your topic and record information into the Trails West Organizer.  Use easybib.com to cite any sources you use. 

4/28/14

At the beginning of class I handed back graded work, including the rubric from last week's WebQuest.  Many student made mistakes submitting the WebQuest.  For information on how to receive credit please see the link below:

Common Mistakes

Next, students participated in a warm-up about the Oregon Trail where they brainstormed ideas about the difficulty of the voyage.

Next, I gave a short lecture on the different trails west as student took notes onto a note sheet.

Trails West PowerPoint

Trails West Note Sheet

Finally, students worked on a mapping activity where they located the different trials and the major acquisitions of the United States.

Western Expansion Map

Textbook pages:

395
408 and 410

Homework is to finish the Western Expansion Map 

4/16/14

Today was the third and final day of the WebQuest (link below):

https://sites.google.com/a/sau16.org/mexican-american-war-webquest1/

Students followed the instructions on the WebQuest to produce "Popplets" which displayed the information they have been researching.

***Some students had trouble creating Popplet accounts.  If you have trouble, either use a private email account, or type in your email address without the numbers.  Be sure to record the email account you use so you are able to access and edit the account later.

After completing the Popplets, students followed instructions on the WebQuest page to submit the assignments electronically. 

Homework:  Popplets are due by class on Friday.  There will not be any additional class time available to work on your Popplets (besides period 6 who I will see on Thursday.)  Ropes course on Thursday-- dress warm!

4/15/14

Today was the second day of the WebQuest.  To proceed to the next part, students must have completed the homework assignments and submitted it through the link on the WebQuest.

Today, students looked at other documents and videos, looking for information in order to determine whether the U.S. was justified in declaring war against Mexico.  They used a two-column note sheet to record information on both sides of the issue.  See the WebQuest link in the previous blog for all necessary resources and attachments.

Homework: Students need to finish their two-column note sheets by class on Wednesday. 

4/14/14

Students began working WebQuests about the Mexican-American War.  See link below to access the WebQuest:

https://sites.google.com/a/sau16.org/mexican-american-war-webquest1/

 Today students worked independently to find background information about their topics and answer seven reading comprehension questions. 

Homework is to finish the "Mexican War Questions" on the WebQuest and submit them using the form provided at the bottom of the left-column of the WebQuest.