May 4, 2010

Cherokee Scouting Fort Duquesne

americangallery.wordpress.com/2009/04/

Dear families-
I will be posting a series of videos that support our learning about the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War. By doing so, students can readily access key information for review or just a second look -- and all of you can continue to check out the kinds of things we're talking about. I'll post assignments at the bottom of each blog.

Battle of the Monongahela AKA Battle of the Wilderness– July 9, 1755

On July 9, 1755, Braddock's men crossed the Monongahela without opposition, about ten miles south of Fort Duquesne. The advance guard of 300 Grenadiers and colonials with two cannon under Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Gage began to move ahead, and unexpectedly came upon the French and Indians, who were hurrying to the river. The Battle of the Monongahela, or the Battle of the Wilderness, was officially begun.

Monongahela means "River of Steep, Sliding Banks."

The Acadians Deportation--1754

The Acadians are the descendants of the French who settled in Acadia located in the Canadian Maritime provinces Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and in the US state of Maine. Acadia was founded in a region geographically separate from Quebec, Québecers and Acadians have different culture. But during the deportation many refugees move in Québec, today almost all Québecers can say they have a Acadian ancestor. In the Great Expulsion of 1755-1763, mostly during the Seven Years' War, British colonial officers, New England legislators and militia deported more than 14,000 Acadians from the maritime region.

Many later settled in Louisiana, where they became known as Cajuns. University of Maine at Fort Kent history professor Roger Paradis said that this was a clear case of ethnic cleansing and genocide because, an attempt was made to make French Acadians disappear by scattering them throughout the 13 colonies. It was unnecessarily cruel in the sense that ships were overloaded, which resulted in disease, death, and the sinking of vessels. Families were broken up and the Acadians were sent to an alien and unfriendly land of exile.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnpW5IVyWtU

Assignments

Social Studies--
Both classes were given a short "overview" packet yesterday [a few pages from Cobblestone magazine] and a short independent assignment that is due on Friday. I am giving class time and support to students, so there shouldn't be any need to bring much work home. However, not everyone is using their time wisely... Please, please, please help me to keep your child on track.
FYI: I've made it really clear to everyone, FRIDAY MEANS FRIDAY. No more extensions. On anything. We're getting close to the end!

Also, after a discussion of the skirmish at Jummonville Glen and the surrender at Fort Necessity, a short cloze [about Fort Necessity] was given to students to complete. Ask your child what they received for a score. Also, ask them what they received for a score on Friday's test on the 13 colonies. I offered students the opportunity to take a retest; let's see who takes me up on my offer.

Language Arts--
We took a Poetry Survey today, and discussed the difference between poetry and prose. The assignment was to write a short paragraph--about anything--and then write a poem on the same subject. (The lesson being that poetry is shorter, more succinct, focusing on key thoughts and ideas [the gist]. ) This assignment was completed in class by most students, and is due tomorrow.

Thanks, families, for supporting your children and these programs. Lots of learning happens here.

Be well-
Teri