Every week students will have to write a blog entry in response to a question, article, event or object. The purposes of this assignment are to develop writing abilities, strengthen comfort with 21st century practices, and promote analysis of current or critical events.
Generally, I will post the topic here, but I will also email the article on Sunday before the entry is expected.
There are a few requirements: 1. All entries must be 200 words or more (there is no credit until they are that length). 2. They must respond to the question, article, event or object assigned for that week (unless you are really dying to write about something else related to American History, and willing to propose an alternative).
If a student really wants to write a entry about a topic of their choosing then there are a few questions that you must ask via email:
What do you propose to do alternatively?
Why would like to do it instead?
American History Blog Questions
LAP 1
1. What does it say about a country to support someone such as Columbus? 2. What are your thoughts/opinions/feelings about your group's proposal for Columbus Day?
LAP 2
1. In your opinion, what made the Declaration of Independence successful and/or a failure? 2. Select a quote form pp. 170, Do you agree or disagree with it? (Cancelled for 2013-2014) 3. Select the Right from the Bill of Rights (first 10 Amendements on pp 199-200) that you think is most important. Explain why you think so.
Additionally, remember that you must write an Inspiration Blog for each week also.
LAP 3
1. Watch this short clip (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-20233064). How do you feel about your future? What do you think the future holds for you? 2. Discuss how culture influences your lives: How has culture made you the people that you are today? How different would you be had you grown up in a different culture? 3. What does it mean to be American?
LAP 4
We read a book (The Rains) and discussed it and discussed it as a class. No blogs for the LAP. Extra Credit Blog:
1. Compare the conditions workers in China face currently with those of workers in America at the turn of the century. NY Times Article 2. Describe/comment on a Jacob Riis photo. 3. Can someone rise from "rags to riches" today?
LAP 6
1. Should countries pursue policies of imperialism, or empire expansion? 2. Imperialism today is not often quite as blatent as it was in the past. What are some examples of imperialism today? How is it different or similar from the past? Explain 3. Do you support imperialism for your country? Explain.