E7/8 - Today we Live Blog

Good morning, E7/8,

Today we'll be live blogging. That means that we'll all be working on our blogs simultaneously while we are sitting here in the Lab.

I don't mind if you work with a partner today so long as the two of you stay on task. I reserve the right to split you up if I feel you are not on task.

I've listened carefully and thought a lot about what you said about blogging, and I'll be making some changes.

Today, for example, you are going to do some research and you won't be marked on the finish product, but you will be marked on your process of gathering information and then participating in our class discussion.

Your job today is to look at the questions at the bottom of this post and figure out some ways to answer them so that when we have a class discussion about these topics next class, you will be well prepared.

Please let us know if you find any particularly wonderful sites.

In answering the questions, you may use full sentences or jot notes, your choice. As you publish answers, let me know so that I can link to you. Hopefully this will enable us to get an online discussion going. Post anything that you find interesting - links, information...

None of these questions have simple answers. They all have complex, involved answers. Try to give yourself a bit of an overview of some of the issues involved. You will do research to find some answers, you can talk with your partner and you will use your own inferencing skills to come up with some answers to the following:

Grade 7s
-How did the influx of Loyalist refugees change things in Canada?
-What were some of the causes (the reasons that it started) of the War of 1812?
-What were some of the effects (the things that happened because of) of the War of 1812?
-What would life for a Canadian look like, feel like and be like at this time in our history? (1775 - American Revolution started, 1783-1784 - approx. 50 000 Loyalists migrated to Canada)

Grade 8s
-How did the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway change Canada? -What were some of the causes of the Red River Rebellion?
-What were some of the effects of the Red River Rebellion?
-What would life for a Canadian look like, feel like and be like at this time in our history? (1881-1885 - construction of the CPR, 1869 - Red River Rebellion)

Adrily Has Done it Again

The incredible Adria and Emily in E7/8 have made another hilarious and informative video. They made great use of 18th Century slang. Their bunny joke is a highlight.

A Loyalist/Patriot Game

Santana the Magnificent has found an amazingly cool game where you work your way through different tasks and questions and determine whether you would have been a Patriot or a Loyalist living during the American Revolution.

Let me know if you've played the game and what the outcome was!

Want Some Bonus Marks? - Special thanks to Santana!

Santana continues her wonderful 'net research skills. She has found all kinds of exciting sites, including the following:

#1. An article about Black Loyalists.
#2. Many articles from different points of view in America about the American Revolution.
#3. Some American heroes of the American Revolution. How do you think the Loyalists saw these people? What about the British North Americans?
#4. An article from the American point of view describing the causes and effects of the American Revolution.
#5. I haven't played a lot on this one yet, but it's pretty neat - HistoryWorld. If you check this one out, let me know what great features it has!

For some bonus marks, you can check out these sites and write a review on your own blog, linking others to them. As always, if you do a bonus assignment, send a comment my way so that I know to check it out!

Mapping Your Way through History

Santana (my #1 Internet researcher) has found yet another amazing site. Canadian Geographic hosts all kinds of capital ("cool" from the 18th century) sources, including Historical Maps.

The site is super, duper awesome. You pick a year and you are shown a map of Canada from that time. There are really clear legends and a description of important events PLUS bonus facts. As well, there are many wonderful links in each description. This is a great place to start your research for ANY Canadian History topic. Amazing.

As well, you can click on a link on the right-hand side of the page to do a Canada Quiz. This is a great, comprehensive quiz. There are questions that go along with each map and chunk of information. As well, unlike some not so great Internet quizzes, the answers are available to you after you've completed the questions. That means you can actually learn from your mistakes (the best reason to MAKE mistakes!).

I strongly suggest you check out this site. We certainly will be using it as a class in the future.

Change of Schedule - Day 4

 

Hello students in E7A, E7B and E7/8,

Starting the week we come back from March Break, we will be blogging in the Lab two times (instead of three times) a cycle. On Day 4, you will need to bring a notebook or a binder with you to my classroom. We will meet outside my room and go over what we'll be working on for the next little bit.

From now on, Day 4 classes take part in my classroom - Room 108!

Will Life Be Worth Living in 2000?

I found a hilarious article from 1961 that predicts the future.  The writer feels that there will be a lot of change and that all those changes won't be wonderful.  It reminds me of the work you've done in predicting the history of the future. 

Great News - I'm going to change the Due Dates for #9 and #10!

Hey Cupcakes,

Let's talk about Assignments #9 and #10 at school on Friday - many people feel that they cannot get finished on time. No worries. We'll select a new due date during class on Friday!

ESL Assignment H

Hello again, English language learners!

Your next assignment is to talk about school in Canada and school in your home country.

1.) You must create a new post and write about three things that you like about Canadian school. 

2.) You must write about three things that you liked about school in your home country. 

3.) Then, tell us which you like better and why.

ESL students - Assignment G

Hello English language learners!

Your next assignment is a lot like your last one. You have to check out this website and answer these questions in full sentences.

1. What was the population of Canada in 2002?

2. What are the two official languages in Canada?

3. How long are women expected to live in Canada (life expectancy)?

4. How long are men expected to live in Canada (life expectancy)?

5. What are three types of jobs that people have in Canada (work force)?

When you have finished this assignment, please leave a comment on this post.