Notable West Virginian Essay

1. Choose a person who you believe has made a significant contribution to the state of West Virginia from Chapter 20.
2. Write an essay (NOT A REPORT) which answers these 2 questions:
A) What quality did this person possess which enabled him or her to be a success?
B) How can this person be a role model to an 8th grader in West Virginia?
3. Organize your essay as follows:
A) Introduction: 1 paragraph containing a brief biography of the person.
B) Body Paragraph #1 : Answer question #1
C) Body Paragraph #2: Answer question #2
D) Conclusion: Briefly summarize your answers to questions 1 &2 in order to restate why this person has made a significant impact to the state of West Virginia.
4. Helpful Hints
A) Essay: a short literary composition on a single subject presenting the personal views of the author. This essay must be an original composition – it is not a biographical “report”. You will include biographical information ONLY in the 1st paragraph in order to briefly inform your reader about this person.
B) What is a quality? A quality is an essential characteristic a person such as honesty, intelligence, motivation, integrity, or perseverance (etc…) which is essential to a person’s success in life.
C) What is a role model? A role model is a person who serves as a model in a particular behavioral or social role for another person to imitate.


Essay Length: This essay must contain 4 well-developed paragraphs.

Well-developed: Every idea discussed in the paragraph should be adequately explained and supported through evidence and details that work together to explain the paragraph's controlling idea (Rosen and Behrens 119). The controlling idea for body paragraph #1 is the answer to Question #1. The controlling idea for body paragraph #2 is the answer to Question #2.

Purpose for writing: Your purpose for writing is to answer question #1 and question #2. DO NOT WRITE A REPORT.

Organize your ideas before writing: take notes, brainstorm, compose an outline.

Use 3rd person objective style writing.

The Gettysburg Address Essay

Hello 3rd Block Bloggers!

Its almost over...heave a sigh of relief. The final draft of your Gettysburg Address essay is due on Monday, December 1, 2008 - the first day of school after Thanksgiving break.

I've had a few complaints about the assignment. That's good! My students are exercising their 1st amendment rights and expressing their opinions. I'm so proud of you! Remember..."popular sovereignty!"

In order to respond to your complaints - I posted a written response to the written complaint of a student on this Blog. I invite you to check it out. Kudos to the brave student who posted the complaint "For the World to See." Yes, I know who you are - and I am so glad you felt comfortable enough to express your opinion! 5 extra credit points to you on your essay grade! Good Job!

Need some help with your bibliography? Check out this link:
http://www.fcps.edu/KeyMS/library/bibliography.html

You guys need to check out your contest application papers...fill those out, create a title page and a bibliography to submit with the essay. You have the papers...read them...follow the directions...I should not have to teach this to you.

I have also been researching what we teachers call "CSO's" Content Standard Objectives for Reading/Language Arts. It appears that my 8th grade angels have been writing since the 2nd grade and should have been learning how to organize an essay since the 6th grade. Hmmmmm....practice makes perfect and I wonder why so many of you seemed a little clueless as how to organize your essay. I think you need more practice!!!

I love to write...and believe that it is a very important skill for my students to learn and practice. Why? My grandfather was a writer - and during World War II he was the managing editor for a magazine called Popular Mechanics. How did he get to be the managing editor for a national magazine? A poor, very poor farm boy from rural Illinois? He was a good writer! That magazine is still being published today - maybe you have heard of it? Well anyway, during World War II it was the most popular magazine for the soldiers - so the government gave my grandfather a "deferment" - which meant he did not have to become a solder and fight in the war because his writing was so important to the soldiers who were fighting. Just think...if my grandpa had gone to war and been killed...I would not be writing this to you - because I would never have been born. Wow! Do you still wonder why I think writing is so important?

How a Bill becomes a Law in West Virginia

Welcome back to the Computer Lab!

Today we will be researching how a bill becomes a law in West Virginia.

Step 1: There is a link to the website for the Wv Legislature on your EdLine page. Open it up.

Step 2: Follow the instructions on your handout. This is a guided Internet research activity. **Please remembers the rules for computer usage in this class - you are not authorized to view any webpages except for those which pertain to the assignment.

Step 3: Complete the research questions on the handout based on information found on the web page.

Step 4: Turn in completed worksheet when finished.

Gettysburg Address Essay

Hello 3rd Block!

I hope you are having a good class without me today!

After you finish your test, I want you to start working on your Gettysburg Address essays. Today you should figure out what you are going to write about. Your essay will have 2 main ideas:
#1: What message did the Gettysburg Address communicate to our war-torn nation in 1863?
#2: How are the ideals articulated in the speech still relevant for our country today?

***Your purpose for writing is to answer these two questions.***

In order to answer question #1 - you will need to analyze the speech itself. Mrs. Shiflet has a copy of the speech for you. As you read the speech and re-read the speech - write down your ideas. What was President Lincoln trying to tell his audience? (What was HIS purpose for writing? What did he tell his audience?) Was he trying to convey a message of hope? Was he trying to gain support for the war by inspiring patriotism? Was he trying to console people who had lost loved ones? Once you have decided what message he was trying to communicate - back up your opinion with specific details from the speech itself. You must convince the reader with specific evidence from the speech which supports your opinion.

In order to answer question #2 - you will need to think about what life is like in our country today. Make sure you understand what the words "ideals" and "relevant" mean. Look them up in a dictionary if you are unsure. The next step is to write down your ideas. Is there an event or political issue happening in our country today which people could relate President Lincoln's message to? The obvious answer would be the ongoing wars: A) The war on terror B) The war in Afghanistan C) The war in Iraq.

Remember - a good essay will not only inform and educate, but the writer will try to convince the reader that his or her opinion is valid.

Your essay should contain an introduction of the topic, body paragraphs which answer the 2 questions with specific thoughts and examples, and a conclusion which restates the topic and summarizes what the essay said.

DO NOT WRITE IN 1ST PERSON. You should NOT use the words "I" or "YOU". Do not use contractions.

Organize your thoughts before writing the essay. Compose an outline.

BEFORE WRITING - look up the word "bibliography". You are required to submit a bibliography. If you use another writer's thoughts or words - you must give that writer credit to avoid plagiarism. You must keep track of your sources. This is VERY IMPORTANT.

We will work in the Computer Lab again on Monday. Have a rough draft ready by MONDAY. Yes, that means you have homework for the weekend!!!!

The Underground Railroad

Computer Lab Activity for Thursday 10/23/08 3rd Block ONLY

Research the Underground Railroad using the Internet links I have posted on EdLine. You may fully explore those sites - but please limit your surfing to authorized sites only.

Prepare a blog report about the Underground Railroad summarizing what you have learned from your surfing. This should be a minimum of 2 well developed paragraphs.

Now the FUN part...Pretend you are an abolitionist and must plan the escape route of a group of runaway slaves. Plan an escape route through your county! Where will the slaves enter the county? Where will the slaves exit the county? What "stations" (safe houses) have you prepared? You may use the first names of your classmates (not last names) as station masters as you plan the escape route. Always have a back up plan!!! What if something goes wrong?

Read some of your classmates Blogs and comment on a few.

Do you need a map? Look online - but please do not refer to your county by name for security purposes!

Modern Day Heroes

Blog Assignment for Tuesday, October 14th

Are there any heroes left in the world? Who is your personal hero? Who has inspired you by their words or their accomplishments or by the influence they have in your life? Please choose a hero or heroine and describe why this person is a hero in your opinion.

Please remember to use the Spell Check tool to edit your work and write in complete sentences using the Kansas Writing Strategy.

What are the Qualities of a Hero?

Blog Assignment for Tuesday, October 14th

Decide what qualities one must possess to be a hero. Choose a hero or heroine of the American Revolution from western Virginia which we read about in Chapter 7. What qualities did this person possess? What did this person do or how did he or she behave which entitles them to be labeled as a hero?

Please remember to use the Spell Check tool to edit your work before publishing.

Helpful Hints for MzMac's Bloggers

Hi Bloggers!

Did you know you can spell check your Blogs before posting them to the Internet? The tool bar has an icon for spell check - just like the one you can use when creating a WORD document in Microsoft. Please use this handy tool for editing before you publish!

The Proclamation of 1763

When the French and Indian War ended, the British settlers eagerly awaited the opportunity to again claim land in the Ohio River Valley. But King George III of Great Britain had a different idea. He angered the settlers by imposing the Proclamation of 1763, which forbade settlement west of the Allegheny Mountains. The proclamation also ordered all the people who had already settled in the west to return east immediately. The king feared an Indian uprising if settlers were allowed into the west; he believed he was acting in the best interests of the colonists by forbidding them to settle there.

The colonists, however, viewed the proclamation differently. Having fought to protect the frontier for seven years during the French and Indian War, they thought they now deserved a reward of land in the west. They resented the king's attempts to restrict their movement across the mountains.

ASSIGNMENT: Post a letter on your Blog to King George III. Pretend you are a veteran of the war who does not agree with the Proclamation of 1763. Tell King George III how you feel and why you believe you should be allowed to keep your land. Title your Blog: Proclamation of 1763. Be creative but appropriate. Utilize your Kansas Writing skills and PROOFREAD before POSTING! Have Fun!

Was George Washington a Hero?

Since the American Revolution, George Washington has served as a national symbol of the United States. Elementary school students learn of George Washington as the hero of the American Revolution, and the unanimous choice as our young nation's first President. The nation's capitol bears his name and the one dollar bill bears his face. He is as symbolic of the United States as is our flag and national anthem.

Over the next week, we will be exploring George Washington's role in the French and Indian War. It was his exploits during that pre-revolutionary conflict which created the respect necessary to subsequently install him as the Commander-in-chief of the American forces fighting against the British.

But before we get started – let's explore the myths of George Washington. On your blog, I would like you tell me what it is that you already know about George. No detail is too small! Do you have questions about George? Blog them! (Did he really have wooden teeth?)

We will use these myths, facts, and questions to begin a fascinating exploration of George Washington "the man" versus George Washington "the myth". What you will learn may just surprise you!

Please remember that a Blog is a public forum: the world can read your work. Remember to write in complete sentences; use proper punctuation, spelling, grammar; and always publish appropriate material on the Internet!

Proofread BEFORE you Publish !!

Save a copy to your Jumpdrive BEFORE you Publish!

Thank you!

Are You Blogging Yet?

8th graders in MzMac's West Virginia Studies class began registering their blogs today!
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WHY ARE WE BLOGGING?

Teachers are required by the West Virginia state content standards for 21st Century Learning (21C.O.5-8.1.TT.9) to have students use telecommunication tools, such as Blogs, in order to learn academic content and to gather, share and publish information to various audiences.

According to CSO 21C.O.5-8.3.TT.4: Students are required to comply with county acceptable use policy. Students will discuss legal and ethical behaviors related to acceptable use of information and communication technology (e.g., privacy, security, copyright, file-sharing, plagiarism) and predict the possible effects of unethical use of technology (e.g., consumer fraud, intrusion, spamming, virus setting, hacking) on the individual and society, as well as identify methods for addressing these risks.

What is the Acceptable Use Policy?

Please click on this link to read West Virginia Board of Education Policy 2460 which governs the acceptable use of the Internet in the classroom.
http://wvde.state.wv.us/policies/p2460.html

"The use of the Internet as part of an educational program is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate or unauthorized use or safety violations could result in revocation or suspension of that privilege."

I am a soldier in the French and Indian War

As the French and Indian War began, both sides had distinct advantages as well as disadvantages.

The FRENCH advantages included a larger land claim, an already existing system of forts in the Ohio Valley, a majority of the American Indian tribes as allies, and superior military officers and army.

The FRENCH disadvantages included sparse population, soldiers with no personal interest in the land, and poor lines of supply.

The BRITISH advantages included a larger population, powerful Iroquois Indian allies, control of the oceans, a population concentrated in a relatively small area, and the desire to protect their own property (militia men).

The BRITISH disadvantages were a poorly organized military – including poorly trained officers and militia soldiers; and no experience using war tactics such as those used by the American Indians (guerilla warfare).

Pretend that you are a French or British soldier. Write a letter home to your mother during the French and Indian War. Title your blog entry: "I am a French soldier in the French and Indian War" OR "I am a British solder in the French and Indian War". Using the information listed above about the advantages and disadvantages of each side - describe your life as a soldier in EITHER the French army OR British army. Where do you live? What have you been doing?

Here are some ideas to consider: Do you believe that your country will win the war? Why or why not? What kind of hardships are you having to endure? Do you have enough to eat? What are you eating? Do you have enough ammunition? Would you consider staying in the Ohio Valley if your country wins the war – or do you want to return home? What is life like living in a fort? What do you think about Indians? Do you like them? Do you trust them?

Use your imagination. USE YOUR BRAIN and THINK! Be creative – but be realistic. Your letter must be at least 8 sentences long and you must use the Kansas Writing System you have been practicing in Reading/Language Arts class.

Who was Morgan Morgan

Do you know who Morgan Morgan was?

He is considered the 1st European settler of West Virginia! A native of Wales (part of England) he moved to the frontier with his wife and 5 children from Delaware.

We also had a fun role-play discussion of indentured servitude in the New World. While it surely wasn't fun to sell yourself into "slavery" for 7 years - that is how many of our ancestors were able to pay for their passage to the colonies.

Want to learn more about indentured servants in Appalachia? Click on the link below!

http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/faculty_archives/appalachian_women/indentur.htm

Digital Storytelling

Welcome to a 21st century classroom!

8th graders in MzMac's West Virginia studies class are crossing the digital divide! Classes were held in the computer lab today where the students took a traditional historical timeline and transformed it into a digital story! How did they do it? Students transcribed the text material into a PowerPoint program and downloaded graphics and images to illustrate each event on the timeline. The results were awesome!

And what was the topic of these digital stories? We are currently working on a unit which begins with the settlement of Jamestown in 1607 and covers all of the early exploration of the Ohio River Valley by the English and the French.

Trouble is brewing between the French and the English. Stay tuned...