Greetings and a huge thanks to all of those parents AND students who participated in conferences last week. It is tiring, yes, but extremely helpful towards the goal of helping all students.
Also: CONGRATS BRONCS players and coaches!!! What a huge game and season!
This week, students will continue with colonial studies.
Monday: We begin with a review of the quiz taken on Friday. It was the first online quiz we have taken. Results and essays were e-mailed to me for grading. Next, we return to current events (see link above left to preview)and continue with note-taking practice. Current events will be collected. We will then be looking at the passengers of the Mayflower in context of foundations for religious freedom and a pluralistic society. We will be examining the differences between "Saints and Strangers" using a supplemental reading.
Tuesday: We examine the effect of disease on both Native American populations and the settlement patterns of the New England colonies. We answer questions related to how it spread, symptoms, percentage of deaths and effects after recovery. A short reading and two small discovery video clips will be used. HW - Short answer: Predict how history might have been different is vaccines had wiped out smallpox before 1600.
Wednesday: In small groups, students share HW answers/ideas. We then begin to examine the background information relating to the Salem witch trials. How was this a reflection of European traditions/religious traits? We then will begin to read actual magistrate accounts of witch trials.
Thursdays: Reading: Junior Scholastic's Salem's Witch Craft Trials. Students read aloud to each other and use Inspiratation software to summarize the article's topic ideas. We compare and contrast to other examples of "Witch Hunts" throughout history. We then read official apologies provided by those who conducted the Salem Witch Trials.
Friday: Students reenact a Salem Witch Trial using costumes and transcripts!