Congratulations!

Ladies! Congratulations on a year of hard work! I wish you all a wonderful and safe summer. Read lots. And keep up with reading on my Summer Reading Blog!
http://brooklynsummerreaders.blogspot.com/

Here are a few pics from the end of the year. Just for you! http://www.flickr.com/photos/uaiheather/

American History Topics of Import

We discovered that there are some ultimately important topics in American history that we need to review. They are as follows:

• Native Americans
• The 13 colonies
• American Revolution
• The Constitution & the Bill of Rights
• American Slavery
  
• The Civil War
• World War I
• World War II - The Pacific
• World War II - Europe
• The Great Depression
• The Cold War

Reviewing American History

Now that we've identified some important topics in American history, let's do a little research. Here are some recommended and reliable resources! PAH-LEEEZ! Roam around these sites. They won't give you easy answers right away. However they do have great information if you are willing to do the research. Have fun!

Due Thursday, June 3 for Group H.
Due Friday, June 4 for Groups G & I.

REMEMBER: The 8th grade social studies test is on Monday, June 14 & Tuesday, June 15.

Multnomah County Public Library

Library of Congress

U.S. History.org

The American Experience by PBS

The White House Presidents page

African-American History

American History for Kids

History Channel (They also have some awesome videos if you prefer visuals!)

Greek Extra Credit

Greek Gods & Goddesses

Fast Forward

Did you ever wonder what the ancient Greek gods and goddesses would be like in our times? In 21^st century New York City? Here’s your chance to transplant them through time and space!

Due no later than Monday, June 14th. Either in your group's basket or in my mailbox. Make it happen, ladies! Summer is at your door!

1. Choose a god or goddess (or a few) whose personality, purpose, and habits you understand well. Go to one of the websites below for information:

• http://www.ancientgreece.co.uk/
• http://www.carlos.emory.edu/ODYSSEY/GREECE/home.html
• http://greece.mrdonn.org/myths.html

2. Think of a setting for that god or goddess. Would he or she live in New York City? Which borough? Neighborhood? Would he or she live in the country? On a farm? In a small town?

3. Brainstorm an accurate and contemporary character for the god or goddess on the “Character Notes” sheet. REMEMBER: The more notes you have, the better your characterization will be! Be specific! Be imaginative! Be creative! Be wacky! These gods and goddesses were quite unusual!

4. Write a story for “A Day in the Life of __________”. Use the story outline (on the back of your “Character Notes”). The story should be clearly written on paper or typed.

The Great American Map Off

How well do you know your country? We shall see when Ms. Kiri & Ms. Kelly come to judge our Great American Map Off competition! You group was challenged with the puzzle of our country's geography. The maps will be judged based on the following criteria.

• accurate state and country shape
• comprehensive information about our country's geography and history

Stay tuned. More to come.

Review for American History

Use the following link to remind your brain about American History.

http://www.teacheroz.com/states.htm#all%20fifty

Required Formatting for All Writing

Each page should contain ONE topic and ONE paragraph. That means you will have one page for Geography only. One page for Agriculture only. And so on.

All your typed writing must have the formatting described below.

1. 1" Margins: File -> Page Setup -> Margins All margins should be 1". The gutter should be 0".
   
2. Double Spacing: Format -> Paragraph -> Double
3. 12 point font! No script!

If you need help with this, please see me. If you hand in a paper that does not meet these requirements, I will hand it back without reading it. So please ask!