Thursday, January 22, 2009

Sophs- The Impact of the Transcontinental Railroad


Taken from http://www.umesd.k12.or.us/tcr_home

By 1854, there were 15,675 miles of railroad track in the United States, but Council Bluffs, Iowa, on the east bank of the Mississippi River was the end of the line. The building of the transcontinental railroad was undertaken to link the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of North America, thereby providing safer, easier and more economical means of moving people, raw materials, and finished goods from the Mississippi River to California. One byproduct of that great venture was the need for 30,000 laborers to lay the track. These job opportunities were one way society could meet the needs of a diverse population, but finding enough workers was difficult. Many of the transcontinental railroad workers were immigrants seeking employment in a new world.

You have been sent back in time to the 1860s. The United States of America is still reeling from the effects of the Civil War. The North and South are being reunited. The country has a new mission: to unite East and West. You will take on a role from this period and define what it took to make the United States of America, a continental nation and a world power.

The class will be divided into 5 groups:

1. Union Pacific Railroad- the Irish Immigrants

2. Central Pacific Railroad- the Chinese Immigrants

3. Plains Indians

4. Plains Settlers

5. Government/ Military

Click on your group's name and answer the questions at the top of the page. Use the links towards the bottom of the web page to find the answers.(Note: Some links might not work, therefore, you must search for other helpful websites to answer your question)

Submit your answers with your group names into the appropriate class color below...

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Map

Sophs- Blue Class


Submit your answers to the Transcontinental Railroad Assignment here.

Make sure you include the names of all the members in your group.

Very Important: Put the group name at the top (Ex: Union Pacific- Irish Immigrants)
Re-type each question with the answer to follow.


Homework: Each student must print out the class answers and put them in their notebook.

Sophs- Orange Class


Submit your answers to the Transcontinental Railroad Assignment here.

Make sure you include the names of all the members in your group.

Very Important: Put the group name at the top (Ex: Union Pacific- Irish Immigrants)
Re-type each question with the answer to follow.


Homework: Each student must print out the class answers and put them in their notebook.

Sophs- Green Class


Submit your answers to the Transcontinental Railroad Assignment here.

Make sure you include the names of all the members in your group.

Very Important: Put the group name at the top (Ex: Union Pacific- Irish Immigrants)
Re-type each question with the answer to follow.


Homework: Each student must print out the class answers and put them in their notebook.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Sophs- President Barack Obama's Inauguration


Sophomores,
Hopefully, January 20, 2009 is a day you will always remember. You witnessed an event that proved American ideals and principles have met and surpassed our Founding Fathers' visions and dreams. Some of you may have watched President Barack Obama's speech in school, however, I want you to watch or read the speech again for this assignment.

Watch or read President Obama's inaugural speech, delivered on January 20th, 2008. (Note: The video is approximately 20 minutes) Answer the following discussion questions...

1. What was your favorite line of the speech? Be sure to give the exact line. Explain why it is your favorite. What does this line mean to you? What do you think it means to the rest of America?

2. In your opinion, what was one of the over all themes of the speech? In other words, what was a main point of the speech? Be specific and explain. Give examples from the speech to support your decision. (Note: There are several themes to choose from... Unity, Resolve, Hope Responsibility of government, A link to the past(American traditions), Challenges to be met, Change ...) You may also discuss another theme that is not previously listed.

Requirements: Each answer should be at least 5 complete sentences. Be very specific in your answers. Making specific references to the speech is important.

Value: 10 points.

Due: Friday, January 23 by 8 AM