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Mr. Bush |
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 Social Studies JournalSocial Studies Journal 2.22-3.2.12
How does any exploration of the unknown add to our understanding of the world?
You are an explorer in 1400s and 1500s. What are some the problems you face as you cross the ocean?
Why do you think Native Americans stopped welcoming European explorers?
Do you think it’s important to stand up for what you believe when everyone else in a group feels differently? Why or why not?
Do you believe there should be laws to protect the U.S. Flag? Why or why not?
Make upa reason for our state being called Louisiana.
Do you think knowing latitude and longitude is useful? Why or why not?
Do you think people in Alaska and Hawaii feel any less a part of our country> Why or why not?
Socrates taught his followers by asking them questions rather than lecturing them. Do you think asking questions might be a better way to teach than lecturing? Why or why not? The early Romans lived a few simple values, including justice, honesty, valor, and loyalty to family and country. Do you think these values are important today in the U.S.? Give some examples to support your opinion. What are some of the responsibilities adults have as citizens of the U.S.? What are some responsibilities of young citizens? Why do you think the rulers of many European countries were so anxious to send explorers to North America? Write an “Explorers Wanted” sign that you could post in your kingdom. The Mayflower Compact was a document signed by forty-one adult male Pilgrims. By signing, they agreed to consult one another about laws in the colonies and promised to work together. Was this important? Why or why not?
____________________________________________________________________________ If writing had never been invented, how would your knowledge of history change? How would your life be different? In some early societies, girls were not allowed to go to school. Imagine yourself as a girl in this society. Try to persuade your father to let you go to school. What would you say to him? The government believes all new televisions should contain a V-chip (to block certain programs). Do you agree? Why or not? Tell what you know about ancient Egyptians such as Cleopatra, King Tut, Moses, etc. What are some ways water has affected people’s lives throughout history? How does water affect your life?
Social Studies Journal 1/23-1/27/2012
Imagine you own a business. Write 3 rules for your employees and 3 reasons why employees might work for you. Fried squid or bird’s nest soup are delicacies. Name a food that’s gross to you, but other people like it. Nomads are people who travel from place to place with no permanent home. How would their life be different from yours? Experts believe that children try to imitate violence they see on TV. What do you think should be done about the amount of violence on TV?
When would you consult a globe for information? When would a map be more helpful? Write about 3 things you learned in social studies this year? Imagine you are a slave who has just learned about the Emancipation Proclamation. Write about how you feel. Describe an opinion you have about a current issue. How did you form this opinion?
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If scientists discovered a planet where the atmosphere was perfect for human life, would you want to be one of the first “colonists”? Why or why not?
Describe an experience you’ve had or heard about that involves ocean currents or the movement of water.
What items in your home could tell future historians about life today? What information might the historians gain from each item?
Describe one of your friends who has a different background from yours. How do your differing cultures add to the friendship?
List as many ways as you can in which the United States is different from most other countries.
Choose an American hero, and write about our country would be like if that hero had not existed. Do you think government should create laws to protect the environment? For example, should recycling be mandatory? Should fresh water be rationed? Support your opinions with reason. Describe what you imagine castle life must have been like in the Middle Ages. Be sure to consider both the advantages and disadvantages. Compare and contrast today’s astronauts with the early European explorers.
Immigrants are people who enter a country from another country. What are some of the benefits of living in an area where people from many different countries have come together to live. When you buy a product, do you check to see if it was made in the U.S.? Do you think the government should tax people for buying products that are not manufactured in the U.S.? Explain. Do you think government should censor movies today? Why or why not? The Constitution states that the President of the U.S. must be at least 35 years old. Why do you think this rule was made? Do you think a younger person could do the job just as well?
All adult U.S. citizens have the right to vote. How much do you know about the people who are leading our country?
Since the Industrial Revolution, technology has continued to develop. How has technology been beneficial to our country?
A famine is a shortage of food. Do you think the destruction of any one crop could cause a famine in the U.S.? Why or Why not?
The Underground Railroad was a secret way that slaves could safely spend the night. Would you ever help someone escape a terrible situation even if you knew it was illegal? Why or why not?
How do think the journal of a woman who reluctantly moved West with her husband during the 1800s and a textbook description of the journey?
The Declaration of Independence states that “all men are created equal.” Do you believe that all citizens are truly created equal in the eyes of society? Explain your answer.
Benedict Arnold was an infamous American traitor who sold military secrets to the British. What punishments, if any, do you believe the government should deal out to Americans who give or sell secrets to other countries?
A constitution is a document that spells out the laws of a society. Create a constitution that outlines the laws in your household. Cover such topics as household purchases, chores, and curfews.
A bill of rights is a list of freedoms the government promises to protect. Add a bill of rights to your family constitution, outlining the freedoms that should be guaranteed to every family member.
You work for the President. He has you to list five goals he should try to achieve during the next year. Create the list.
Education was very important to the Puritans. They believed that everyone should be able to read the Bible. Parents and students were expected to support and care for the public schools. Has our appreciation of public schooling changed since then? Explain your answer.
In many periods of history, the way a person dressed was an indication of his or her social value. What does the way you dress tell other students about you? If you wear a uniform to school, in what ways do you express your individuality?
Benjamin Franklin was a colonial leader who believed in self improvement. Explain the following Franklin quotes in your own words: “A penny saved is a penny earned.” “Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today.” “God helps those who help themselves.”
On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress declared the United States independent from British rule. Write your own declaration of independence from your parents that you could put into effect on your 18th birthday.
During the Revolutionary War, Native Americans tried to stay neutral. Eventually, however, they were drawn into the battle. Describe a time when you tried to stay neutral during an argument but were finally forced to take a side. What were the results of your actions? How did you feel afterward?
Social Studies Journal: 11/7/-11/10/11
African Americans, Native Americans, and women had almost no rights in colonial America. What are some of the reasons why the government might have prevented these groups from buying land, voting, starting a business, or signing a contract?
The colonists held town meetings in order to speak their minds on issues that affected the whole community. If you were to hold a class meeting, what issues would you want to discuss? What are your opinions on those issues?
The Great Wall of China was built to protect northern China from invasion. Do you think we should build a wall around the United States? Why or why not? _____________________________________________________________________________ Would you rather run for a government position at the local, state, or national level? Why? Imagine you are the captain of a starship. You have just discovered a new planet inhabitable by humans. You and your crew decide to live there. What will you name the new planet? What will be its primary exports? What type of government will you set up? What are your most immediate problems? List ten qualities needed by someone who wants to an explorer. Briefly explain your top three choices. Quarrels among countries have been one of Africa’s greatest problems. In 1963, the Organization of Africa’s Unity (OAU) was founded. How might an organization such as this help Africans face the challenges of today more successfully? Roger Williams, a Puritan, believed that the business of church and state should not support or interfere with any particular church. This policy is in effect in the U.S. today. Do you believe this is a good policy? Why or Why not?
___________________________________________________________________________________________ 10/18/2011 The physical characteristics of an area include climate, soil type, plant and animal life and bodies of water. Describe the physical characteristics of the area in which you live. 10/19/2011 Describe some of the ways people have made changes to the geography of the world. 10/21/2011 Describe what you think the difference is between science and technology. 10/24/2011 In the Pueblo culture, religious ceremonies celebrated the spirits of nature. Describe some present-day events that honor the “spirit” of nature. Describe a new ceremony or holiday for this purpose. 10/25/2011 The Mayans wrote with pictographs, pictures that represented objects and events. Write a series of pictographs that illustrates a day in your home. 10/26/2011 It was during the Middle Ages that people began trading goods with foreign lands. List some products that are not made in the U.S. that come to us from other countries. 10/27/2011 Columbus sailed to the New World with a crew of 90 sailors. Pretend you are one of these sailors. You are keeping a journal. After 2 months, how is the food? What do you miss about land? Do you have everything you need? 10/28/2011 People have just begun to explore some territories, such as the depths of the ocean, Antarctica, and space. Describe what it would take to establish territories on these places.
Archeologists study the artifacts of past civilizations. Imagine you are an archeologist in 2199. You find a compact disc, a plastic flower, a car tire, and a fast food container. You have no idea how these were used in the past. Make up an explanation. 10/11/2011 A time of economic hardship ic called a depression. You are a 25-year-old worker who just lost your job due to a depression. Explain to your family what a depression is like and how it is affecting your standard of living. 10/12/2011 A trend is a change in direction over a period of time. There are trends in fashion, music, and hairstyles, for example. Forecast an educational trend that may occur as a result of future changes in communication technology. 10/13/2011 History is a story of the past. Create a timeline that shows major events in your own history. 10/14/2011 Much of the earth’s water is frozen in glaciers. If the temperature of the poles ever get high enough to melt the glaciers , some of the land on which people live would slowly become covered with water. How do you think we could prepare for this possibility?
10/10/2011 Archeologists study the artifacts of past civilizations. Imagine you are an archeologist in 2199. You find a compact disc, a plastic flower, a car tire, and a fast food container. You have no idea how these were used in the past. Make up an explanation. 10/11/2011 A time of economic hardship ic called a depression. You are a 25-year-old worker who just lost your job due to a depression. Explain to your family what a depression is like and how it is affecting your standard of living. 10/12/2011 A trend is a change in direction over a period of time. There are trends in fashion, music, and hairstyles, for example. Forecast an educational trend that may occur as a result of future changes in communication technology. 10/13/2011 History is a story of the past. Create a timeline that shows major events in your own history. 10/14/2011 Much of the earth’s water is frozen in glaciers. If the temperature of the poles ever get high enough to melt the glaciers , some of the land on which people live would slowly become covered with water. How do you think we could prepare for this possibility? ______________________________________________________________________________ |
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