July 4th

On this day in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress, setting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation. As always, this most American of holidays will be marked by parades, fireworks and backyard barbecues across the country.  Check out the following statistics on FactMonster http://sf.factmonster.com/spot/july4census1.html.

Then, test your knowledge on the July 4th Crossword; http://sf.factmonster.com/xwords/fourthofjuly.html.

Extreme Vacations

These are not your ordinary family trips.  Click on the following link (http://sf.factmonster.com/world/travel/extreme-vacations.html) to learn more about some dynamite destinations.  Then, click on the following link (http://sf.factmonster.com/world/travel/top-vanishing-destinations.html) and read about these disappearing destinations.  Which would you rather see/experience and why?

Batter Up!

Summer is a great time to make a trip to the ballpark.  Whether it is to watch friends play, the Kernels, or the Cubs (insert other professional teams if you are not a Cubbies fan).  Read the Fact Monster article about major league baseball parks (http://sf.factmonster.com/spot/ballparks2.html) and then try your luck with the Ballparks Quiz (http://sf.factmonster.com/quizzes/ballparks1/1.html), the All-Star Baseball Quiz (http://sf.factmonster.com/quizzes/bball-allstar1/1.html), or both!  Tell me how you did!

It is getting hot, hot, hot!

Click the following link (http://sf.factmonster.com/ipka/A0001416.html) to see a chart of record temperatures.  (You might be thankful you are living in Iowa!)  Then, take the 50 States Quiz (http://sf.factmonster.com/quizzes/states4/1.html) and let me know how you did.

The History of Summer Vacation

As you log on to your computer to email, Facebook, Twitter, or blog; take a moment to check out "The History of Summer Vacation" by clicking the Fact Monster link (http://sf.factmonster.com/spot/schoolyear1.html)  Read the article and consider how summer vacations were and are for others and compare it to what your summer vacation is like.  Are they similar?  How?  Are they different?  Why?  I'd love to hear from you!

Then, try the Ice Cream Quiz (http://sf.factmonster.com/quizzes/icecream/1.html) and tell me your score.

Weekly History and Geography-37 Ji-Li Jiang's Monkey King

Ji-Li Jiang is the author of "Red Scarf Girl" as well as several other books.  Click the following link to take you to an excerpt of "The Magical Monkey King" by Ji-Li Jiang.  http://www.jilijiang.com/monkey-king/monkey-king-excerpt.htm  Then, return to the blog and write a one paragraph continuation of the excerpt (what you think happens next).  Remember, a paragraph is 5-7 sentences!

Weekly History and Geography-39 Photographs Can Lie

Photographs can lie. They certainly do in the Soviet Union from 1929 to 1953, the years of Joseph Stalin's dictatorial rule. Stalin's agents routinely arrest and kill as "enemies of the people" anyone who disagrees with his politics. Communist Party workers then try to remove any trace of these people from the photographic archives, and so from the media.  Click the following link to see how Stalin "edited" history through the manipulation of photographs.  http://www.newseum.org/berlinwall/commissar_vanishes/index.htm

Then, return to the blog and reflect on a picture and/or fact you learned from the website.
1.  What was it about the picture and/or fact that stuck with you?  Explain.
2.  Why do you think is was important to Stalin to edit history?
3.  Do you think any US history in pictures or print have been edited?  Explain.

Weekly History and Geography-38 Red Scarf Girl Reflection

Choose one of the following discussion questions to respond to from Ji-Li Jiang's memoir "Red Scarf Girl."  Please answer in complete sentences in paragraph form - remember, a paragraph has 5-7 sentences!

1. Consider that "Ji-li" means "lucky and beautiful" in Chinese. Do you think Ji-li was lucky?
2. Do Ji-li's feelings and opinions about the Community Party and Chairman Mao Ze-dong change over the course of the story? How?
3. Why did some of her fellow students so quickly embrace the idea of criticizing their teachers?
4. Why did the critical statements (da-zi-bao) upset Ji-li so much?
5. Name some examples of the "Four Olds." If the Cultural Revolution were to happen in the U.S. today, what among your family's possessions would be considered "Four Old?"
6. How would you feel if someone wanted to search your home?

Weekly History and Geography-32

Talk Like An Aussie.

If you travel to the "Land Down Under," you need to know how to talk the talk as well as how to walk the walk.  Click on the Fact Monster Link, http://sf.factmonster.com/quizzes/aussie/1.html, and take the "Aussie Talk" quiz.  Then, return to the blog and reflect on the following questions:

1.  What was your quiz score?
2.  Compose a sentence using at least one Aussie slang word.
3.  What did you learn from the "Home Among the Gum Trees" tune?  Explain.
4.  What did you learn from the movie "Rabbit-Proof Fence?"

Weekly History and Geography-31 Imperial Cartoons

Study the following political cartoons to form an overall impression.  Then, answer the writing prompts for each on the blog.

1.  What three people/groups are represented in this picture?

2.  Who is on the left side of the picture and what/who are they trying to stop?

3.  You saw this cartoon in WHAG 26.  What historical event has occurred and who is pictured spanning Africa?



4.  What clues help you understand this cartoon deals with Great Britain and Australia?

5.  What event has occurred between China and Great Britain?  Explain.

6.  Whose point of view is being illustrated in this cartoon?  Explain.

Weekly History and Geography-36 WW II History Quiz

As we embark on the remaining weeks of 7th Grade Social Studies, it is good to review how far we have traveled and how much we have explored.  Click on the Fact Monster link, http://sf.factmonster.com/quizzes/worldhist2/1.html, and take the World History II quiz.  Then, return to the blog and respond to the following questions:
1.  What was your score?
2.  Was is easy or difficult to recall some of the facts we've studied?  Explain.
3.  What has been your favorite topic so far this year?  Explain.
4.  What was your least favorite topic?  Explain.

Weekly History and Geography-33

Click on the Fact Monster Biographies of U.S. Presidents, http://sf.factmonster.com/ipka/A0855114.html, and select two war time presidents to read about.  (Wilson, Harding, Coolidge, Hoover, and/or F.D. Roosevelt)  Then, return to the blog and compare/contrast their lives and presidency.

Weekly History and Geography-34 Virtual tour of U-505

You are to report for duty on a German U-boat.  Your task is to become well-versed on the following battle tactics at: http://www.uboataces.com/history-tactics.shtml
The Wolf Pack
Intercepting Convoys
Surfaced Attacks
Submerged Attacks
Evasive Tactics
Deck Gun Attacks
Remaining Invisible

Then return to the blog and summarize as well as reflect on your training.

1.  Which tactic did you find most interesting?  Why?
2.  What three speeds could convoys travel?
3.  A U-boat’s best defense is concealment. But once this is blown, what is the next best recourse (thing to do)?
4.  In U-boat school, commanders are guided by the principle, “He who sees first, has won!”.   What do YOU think that means?
5.  What is a “Rudeltaktik"?  Why do YOU think this was an effective U-boat tactic?

Weekly History and Geography-35 Dr. Seuss Political Cartoon

Theodor Seuss Geisel was an American writer and cartoonist mostly widely known for his children's bookspen names Dr. Seuss, Theo LeSieg, and in one case, Rosetta Stone.  As World War II began, Geisel turned to political cartoons, drawing over 400 in two years as editorial cartoonist for the NYC daily newspaper, PM.  Geisel's political cartoons, later published in  Dr. Seuss Goes to War, denounced Hilter and Mussolini.