Monday, January 13, 2014
Mining... Not much different from the past to now.
We will be talking about mining booms and busts of the West. The
overnight sensations brought about by discovery of gold, silver, or
copper. These towns faced many issues including crime, over-expansion,
and the bust that usually accompanied there booms. They also changed
the regions that surrounded them forever. In this blog, I would like
you to reference the recent boom of oil in North Dakota. See any
similarities? Crime? Economic booms? Will there be a bust? Fueled by
the same things? Any changes to the region (politically, socially)?
Try to find at least one article that gives a specific example of
previously mentioned issues (If you aren't up on the issue, here is a
good Washington Post article. You may use any article you wish) You decide. Are things much different than 150 years ago?
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Day One Blog
Today I want to get to know you a little, see what you know about history, and hopefully get you to learn about something in history. What I would like each of you to do is answer the list of questions below. Each question should take you somewhere around 4-5 minutes to answer. If it is taking you less time, there is a pretty good chance you aren’t putting forth enough effort. With that said, let’s get started.
These first few questions will be about times, places, and people. I would like you to answer the questions as best you can with a good explanation why. I also want you to answer them in 2 ways: one educationally (favorite person was Abraham Lincoln) and one personally (favorite person is my brother). I want you to do this because I want you to realize that history isn’t just about other times, places, and people but it is happening to you right now and your history is just as, if not more, important than anything we will talk about. So each answer will consist of 2 times, people, places and your reasons for both.
What was/is your favorite time period in all of history (not just U.S.)? Why?
-Ideal answer: My favorite time period in all of history is a toss up because I am a nerd. I like almost all of the ancient times like Roman and Greeks but also really like what this class is about from about 1880-Today because they both really are pivotal in shaping what America is today. My personal one is probably college years. I miss naps and being able to hang out with friends, going to basketball games, playing ridiculously too much CoD and Guitar Hero, and longer breaks.- This took me about 4 minutes to think about and type in formal writing.
Who was/is your favorite person? Why?
What was/is your favorite specific event? Why?
The next questions will deal with things in your life and throughout history. When you are done with these 7 questions. I want you to pick two and do some research of your own. Find out what the history of that band, car, invention, toy, movie, game, or sport was all about. I don’t need a huge book report but when you find some interesting stuff about it, I want to know.
What is your favorite type of transportation, vehicle, or invention? Why?
What is the most important invention in history? I would like you to answer this 2 ways: first way is what one is most important to you and second way is most important to society in general (could be one in the same but doesn’t have to be).
-ideal answer: I believe the most important invention for me was the invention of the computer. I had to take my high school typing class on an actual typerwriter and it was the most stressful class of my life. I would have hated to type all my papers and this with a typerwriter. The most important invention for society has to be Sir Thomas Crappers, well, toilet. He was knighted by the Queen of England for it. He also probably single-handedly saved billions of lives by creating a sanitary way to remove waste, disease, and the smell. -Again, took me a little longer than 5 minutes to write that and I have extensive historical knowledge. Do your best but think about it.
What is your favorite sport or extracurricular event? Why?
What is your favorite band or music? Why?
What was your favorite toy growing up? Why?
What is your favorite movie that was based on a true event, person, or place like Forrest Gump? Why?
What is your favorite game (board or video)? Why?
Out of those questions, pick 2 and do a little more digging. Maybe you will find out that the music you like actually comes from a political protest era or it originated from Jazz and R&B from the early 1900s. Maybe you will find that the car you picked in #1 was discontinued in production due to the owner smuggling Cocaine in it (thank you Delorean... the Back to the Future Car). This should take you about 10-15 minutes per choice.
When you are done with this assignment (which should take you at least 10x5=50+30... carry the 2...=80 minutes), send me an e-mail with your answers. Also remember that this is my first impression of whom you are. Don’t give me the impression that you are lazy or, worse yet, boring when it comes to all this stuff. History is all about stories, tell yours...
Thank you,
Mr. Downey
e-mail is kyle.downey@k12.sd.us
These first few questions will be about times, places, and people. I would like you to answer the questions as best you can with a good explanation why. I also want you to answer them in 2 ways: one educationally (favorite person was Abraham Lincoln) and one personally (favorite person is my brother). I want you to do this because I want you to realize that history isn’t just about other times, places, and people but it is happening to you right now and your history is just as, if not more, important than anything we will talk about. So each answer will consist of 2 times, people, places and your reasons for both.
What was/is your favorite time period in all of history (not just U.S.)? Why?
-Ideal answer: My favorite time period in all of history is a toss up because I am a nerd. I like almost all of the ancient times like Roman and Greeks but also really like what this class is about from about 1880-Today because they both really are pivotal in shaping what America is today. My personal one is probably college years. I miss naps and being able to hang out with friends, going to basketball games, playing ridiculously too much CoD and Guitar Hero, and longer breaks.- This took me about 4 minutes to think about and type in formal writing.
Who was/is your favorite person? Why?
What was/is your favorite specific event? Why?
The next questions will deal with things in your life and throughout history. When you are done with these 7 questions. I want you to pick two and do some research of your own. Find out what the history of that band, car, invention, toy, movie, game, or sport was all about. I don’t need a huge book report but when you find some interesting stuff about it, I want to know.
What is your favorite type of transportation, vehicle, or invention? Why?
What is the most important invention in history? I would like you to answer this 2 ways: first way is what one is most important to you and second way is most important to society in general (could be one in the same but doesn’t have to be).
-ideal answer: I believe the most important invention for me was the invention of the computer. I had to take my high school typing class on an actual typerwriter and it was the most stressful class of my life. I would have hated to type all my papers and this with a typerwriter. The most important invention for society has to be Sir Thomas Crappers, well, toilet. He was knighted by the Queen of England for it. He also probably single-handedly saved billions of lives by creating a sanitary way to remove waste, disease, and the smell. -Again, took me a little longer than 5 minutes to write that and I have extensive historical knowledge. Do your best but think about it.
What is your favorite sport or extracurricular event? Why?
What is your favorite band or music? Why?
What was your favorite toy growing up? Why?
What is your favorite movie that was based on a true event, person, or place like Forrest Gump? Why?
What is your favorite game (board or video)? Why?
Out of those questions, pick 2 and do a little more digging. Maybe you will find out that the music you like actually comes from a political protest era or it originated from Jazz and R&B from the early 1900s. Maybe you will find that the car you picked in #1 was discontinued in production due to the owner smuggling Cocaine in it (thank you Delorean... the Back to the Future Car). This should take you about 10-15 minutes per choice.
When you are done with this assignment (which should take you at least 10x5=50+30... carry the 2...=80 minutes), send me an e-mail with your answers. Also remember that this is my first impression of whom you are. Don’t give me the impression that you are lazy or, worse yet, boring when it comes to all this stuff. History is all about stories, tell yours...
Thank you,
Mr. Downey
e-mail is kyle.downey@k12.sd.us
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