ch2 less 1

The Fall of the Roman Empire

Objectives:
-Discuss the role that the provinces played in strengthening and weakening the Roman Empire.
-Explain the causes and collapse of the Roman Empire.
-Explain why the Eastern Roman Empire survived and prospered.

The mystery of Written and Non written sources

The lesson on Primary, secondary, and non written sources taught us how sources can be applied to a historical event that has happened in the past. We can look at any event and give our own opinion about what may and may not have happened, but in the case of an event that happens, we turn to written and non written sources to give facts and details about an event that occurred in the past. Some people may ask why we place so much importance of primary and secondary sources.
People can barely remember what happens one week ago, so how would we remember what happened a long time ago. All these sources can describe and specify an event that could have happened a while ago or recently. Without the discovery of these resources, documenting an actual event would be hard to do, and we can make a big mess of history with any bias we may hold. Written and non-written sources could be like playing the telephone game. When playing telephone, one person whispers something in a friend's ear that they have to repeat to another friend, and so on. The message gets passes along correctly with the first few people, but the chance of someone getting it wrong increases with the number of people who repeat a message. Going back to primary sources is like going back to the first person in the telephone game because you are more like to get a more accurate source from the person who witnessed the event. Secondary sources are great to get a different perspective of the same event, but if we are not careful, we can pick up some exaggerated or biased information. Non written sources can also prove whether a point is true or not, based on the amount of information the source can give.

All in all, written and non written sources come in handy when you have something in history you want to document or save for later. We can always rely on these pieces of information to give us a glimpse into history. As the saying goes, "History is a cyclic poem written by Time upon the memories of man." History tells us what happens in the past, and if we use it wisely, it will help us make a better future.

-By Stephanie

ch1less 4 Life in the English Colonies

Hello 8th graders,
With lesson 4, you will have to recall some of the problems that existed in lesson3 with the earlier colonists. (lack of food, illness, weather) Make sure to read over the thinking focus or lesson review question #1, and focus on the regional, social, and economic position of each colony. Use this PowerPoint guide to take additional notes on why there were similarities and differences between the colonies in different regions.

Europeans and Native Peoples

Hello 8th graders,
As we cover lesson 3, try to predict ways in which Indians and colonists helped each other and reasons why they were in conflict. Here is the PPT guide for the reading.

ch1less2 European Exploration

Hatchet plot ppt

Class of 2013 summer reading guidelines

Dear Parents and Students,

Congratulations on finishing the 2009-2010 school year! I’m excited about the opportunity to get to know you. I hope you have an enjoyable summer and come back in late August re-energized, alert and prepared for the challenges of 6^th grade. Part of the preparation for 6^th grade Language Arts is summer reading. Each summer I encourage the students to read what they enjoy, whether that may be the Classics, mysteries, nonfiction or comedy. The goal is that the student is reading. I ask that all students return in August with a list of the books they have read: including title, author, pages, date started and date finished. I ask that the parents sign off each book as the student finishes. There is also a suggested reading list posted on the school website using the Junior High link (www.stjeromewestchester.org). You may download a reading log template from the 6th grade page.

In addition to the books each student chooses to read on his/her own, I am requiring that every student read the novel Hatchet by Gary Paulson. The book will be used to develop student’s reading, writing, thinking, listening, and speaking skills through a variety of assessments that will include exercises, activities, quizzes/tests. Furthermore, students will be introduced to the writing process and will be writing assignments, each with the purpose of informing, persuading, or expressing personal opinions.

The Borders at the Howard Hughes Center and the Barnes and Noble in the Marina have books in stock. Both stores’ websites have easy ordering capabilities as well. You may also be able to purchase a used copy of the book through “amazon.com.”

To be completely prepared for the start of the school year, the students need to arrive at school with informal notes about the main character (Brian Robertson) and complete the plot outline that may be downloaded from the St. Jerome Website (6th grade page.) The students have been briefed on these requirements and understand how to complete the plot questions. The students will use their notes on the character to aid them in their writing assignment once they return to school.

Thank you for your time and support. The students will enjoy the novel and the analysis we do in class. The theme of the story is relevant and the novel is a great opportunity to prepare the students for the upcoming year.

8th grade scholarship Knights of Columbus

Attention 8th graders,
The Knights of Coumbus deadline for the scholarship is past due. They are making an exemption and it must be submitted to Mrs. Cobbs by tomorrow (Thursday) morning before 8:00am.

Click on this website:www.kofc3744.org

8th chapter 9-3