What it means to be an American

Smithsonian Quest H20

Class Summary

 On Tuesday in class, we went to the computer lab. We answered questions about U.S. influence. After looking and interacting with a map we discovered that we sent in troops to other countries 9 times. Then we did a blog post on Latin America. Today in class did a worksheet on whether the US was a good neighbor or an imperial power. After writing about different amendments and laws passed and the intentions behind them I came to the conclusion that we were more of an imperial power. 

2. What do many of the Americans in Haiti think of Haitians, and how do they (Americans) treat them (Haitians)?

The Americans believe that the Haitians are unfit to govern themselves. They believe that the Haitians are both incapable of advancement, and steadily retrograding into barbarism. The Americans dismiss the main contradiction to this theory, Port-au-Prince, a well kept, beautiful little city; for they believe they are responsible for making it so, not the Haitians. This is of course not true, as the Haitian Government had paved the whole city. One white American who conducts one of the biggest mercantile businesses in Haiti contradicted his fellow American's beliefs claiming Haiti makes more soap per capita than any country in the world.

Another thing believed about the Haitians is that they are congenitally and habitually lazy. The truth is Haitians are not lazy at all, just primitive. Women will walk eight miles with a bundle of produce on her head for as little as a dollar, and though Americans see this as pointless they must not confuse it with laziness. The Haitians are also accused of being ignorant and degraded. All of these false beliefs stem from propaganda. The only accusation about the Haitians that is slightly true is the ignorant, and that is simply because most Haitians are illiterate.

During the five years of American occupation only three things were advanced. The Improvement of the public hospital at Port-au-Prince; enforcement of rules and modern sanitation; and the building of the great road from Port-au-Prince to Cape Haitian.

Class Summary

Yesterday in class we looked at Roosevelts corollary and picked out the key words. We broke it down section by section, writing a summary about each section, and then wrote it in our own words. We then discussed it during class. Today during class we went to the computer lab and then did our Smithsonian quests.

Class Summary

Thursday in class following up on Yellow Journalism we did a fun activity where we had to come up with titles for different events. The object was to be the come up with the best and most intriguing news paper title for each thing (ex. 1980s, Alaska, ect.) Friday during class we talked about our favorite ones and what makes a good newspaper or news station.

Class Summary

Yesterday and today in class we were given time to work on what we needed to work on in class, due to MCAS screwing everything up. It was really nice and I think we should do this in every class from here on out...

Class Summary

On Tuesday in class we did the fishbowl activity. The class was split up into a few groups and each from had a different perspective on the Trail of Tears. The groups were the Christian missionaries, the Cherokee, Congress, and Andrew Jackson. Andrew Jackson in real life, despite everyone disagreeing with him, pushed the Indians out west. His unconstitutional act went unpunished. Today in class we read a primary and secondary source regarding the chief Red Cloud, and then answered questions. At the end of class we discussed them. 

Class Summary

Yesterday in class we read the poem, "A White Mans Burden" and talked about the different interpretations different people had of it. Some people said it supported imperialism while others said the opposite. We then read poems that were made in response to it, such as "A Poor Mans Burden" and "A Black Mans Burden". Today during class we went to the computer lab. I made a Smithsonian account and started trying to achieve a badge.

Class Summary 4/22/13 - 4/24/13

This week I was away in France so I was not in class

Erie Canal

I believe the Erie Canal generally had a positive impact on our country. Geographically the canal made travel west quicker, easier, and more affordable. The small problems with the canal Geographically such a pollution were not that big of a deal considering all of the good it brought Economically and Socially. Economically and Socially it created jobs, and the more employed people the better off the country is. Also a lot of businesses grew because of the Canal. It also made trading thrive since transportation of goods was much more accessible. As you can see all of the positive outcomes the Erie Canal had made up for the little negative ones such as pollution and diseases.  

Takeaway 4/2

Today during class we each made a speech to prove that the event we chose lead to the war of 1812. After everyone presented their speech I though first thinking the Orders of Council was the real cause, I changed my mind to the Chesapeak Affair. This is because Britain shot at American ships, picking a fight. This was impressment in itself, as they tried to kidnap the sailors, and it violated Britain soverty. They didn't have permission to do this, and it was completely uncalled for. You would think other countries would know not to mess with Americans by now.

Diary of the Corps Discovery

Class Summary 3/27/13 - 3/28/13

The past two days we have been working on our myebooks in the library. Although last night I was about ready to smash my computer into a million pieces because of that stupid website, today with the help of Mr. Boyle I got squared away. Despite getting it figured out I still hate computers especially the schools.

embedded myebook

Myebook

http://www.myebook.com/ebook_viewer.php?ebookId=203090

Class Summary 2/21/13 - 3/22/13

On Thursday we finished filling out the worksheets that had questions on either MLK or Malcolm X. Then we watched a YouTube video of Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech. I was mesmerized by his ability to move you from his words. It gave me shivers. I like when we watch videos in history, I feel like I learn more from them and for some reason find it easier to pay attention. Today we started class looking at a picture a bunch of African-Americans walking in a line carrying American Flags. We wrote about our take away from it. After looking at the picture, we had a debate on if equality has been achieved today. 

Class Summary 3/18/13 - 3/19/13

On Monday in class, we finished getting information and answering questions from the document our group was given. Everybody read a document on Martin Luther King Jr. or Malcolm X. Then everybody split up and we shared the information we had. On Tuesday we had snow.

Desktop Documentary

Class Summary 3/14/13 - 3/15/13

Yesterday we learned about sit ins. Sit ins were one of the non violent protests that African Americans did to try and gain equality. We watched a video about the sit ins and it was awful seeing how brutally they were treated during them, but amazing to see how strong the African-Americans were to endure them. We also took some notes on the Sit ins. Today during class we watched videos and read documents on the attacks of busses carrying African-Americans. The whites would torture them, trying to kill them by lighting the bus on fire or beating them to death. The worst part was a lot of times the cops would be aware of what was going to happen but would turn a blind eye, coming to the African Americans "rescue" in most cases a little too late. I am honestly ashamed of my race...

Class Summary 3/12/13 - 3/13/13

Yesterday during class we had a sub and we watched a video recapping a lot of things we had already learned in class on the sparks to the civil rights movement such as Emmet Hill, Rosa Parks, and MLK. Then today during class we were given some papers on the first African-Amercans to attend a white school and how they had to have soldiers lead them into class though this didn't stop the tormenting the whites did to them. We then watched a video on it. The white people in the video looked absolutely psycho, scary, cruel and awful and I find it extremely hard to wrap my head around the fact that not only did this happen at all, but it happened not so long ago. It sickens me.

Class Summary 3/5/13 - 3/6/13

Yesterday in class we talked about segregation specifically in schools which became a big problem after the civil war. Whites just thought blacks were low life and "dirty" and didn't want to associate with them. This offended and angered the blacks, some even claiming that equality would be possible to obtain in the US with whites. They stated the only way equality and tranquility would occur would be if blacks moved back to their homeland, Africa.  Today in class we watched a documentary on the killing of Emmett Till's case. Watching or hearing things about how cruelly people were treated for something they couldn't control gets me extremely mad. What makes me even more mad is the fact those two lame excuse for men scumbags got away with not just murdering but torturing a boy. After the case they came out and told everyone the truth, practically bragging about it. I really hope he fainted and didn't feel them doing those awful things to his face and body. A little while ago in english we were asked if breaking the law is ever right, and this case proves to me sometimes it is. I wish someone killed those men, I really do. 

Class Summary 3/1/13 - 3/4/13

Friday we didn't have class because it was a half day. Today we talked about the Scotsboro Trials where black men were accused of raping two white girls who they didn't touch. My group got one of the men accused, and as we ready the timeline of the case we wrote journal entries from his perspective. The case is what the book To Kill A Mockingbird was based on. 

Class Summary 2/26/13 - 2/27/13

Yesterday in class we read four different documents based off Garvey's perspective. Garvey believed African Americans should go back to their "motherland" (Africa). Today we read two poems about the South. They both showed how awful life was for African Americans living there and how they wanted to leave to go to the North- or in fact anywhere else. Then we listened to songs from the Harlem renaissance. Lastly we looked at pictures from the Harlem Renaissance which depicted African Americans better life in the North.

Class Summary 2/15/13 - 2/25/13

On the Friday before vacation we finished up our projects on reconstruction by recording our scripts. Today we did a worksheet on Booker T. Washington and W.E.B Dubois. Washington said if the blacks learned a trade and got a jobs they would gain respect of whites and over time equality would occur. (This is basically what ended up happening) Dubois wanted equality immediately and formed the NAACP which was a legal defense group that would protect African Americans rights. At the end of class we were given a documentary project that would be do next month, *sigh*. 

Class Summary 2/13/13 - 2/14/13

 Yesterday in class we worked on our project by creating a rough draft on paper. We had planned out everything that we drew on the board today. Our group is saying that reconstruction was a failure. Today in class we filmed our drawings on the whiteboard. While  we weren't drawing on the white board we constructed the script for the voice over that we are doing tomorrow. The voice over is the final piece to our project. 

Reconstruction Timeline

http://www.timetoast.com/timelines/timeline-events-for-reconstuction

Class Summary 2/5/13 - 2/6/13

Yesterday in class, we were to address the daunting question "what does equal mean?" Most of us answered it saying it means the same or to be treated the same. We had a quick discussion about this and then we were given a piece of paper with examples of cases where equality in fact did not mean the same so we had to take time to think about it into farther depth. To end class we watched a video. I really liked history yesterday because I love when we do debates, I feel I get more out of them then papers sometimes. Today in class we took some notes which focused on the black codes and things of that nature. Once we were done taking notes, we broke into our groups for the upcoming project, starting to plan out what we are going to do. 

Class Summary 2/1/13 - 2/4/13

On Friday in class, we read about Andrew Johnson. Andrew Johnson was the 17th President of the United States who despite never going to school achieved his dreams. He had the drive and dedication to educate himself and become one of the most powerful people in the US. Today in class we took more notes on the Reconstruction Period, this time focusing on the southerners response to the freeing of slaves. We talked about the Ku Klux Klan, the first terrorist origination in the U.S. I remember learning about them in elementary school and being terrified of those creepy insane people in their pointy white hood things. If I personally was an African-American in that time I think I would lock myself in my room and never come out... it is awful that the government let the KKK have this much power influence over the people, making them constantly live in fear. 

Class Summary 1/29/13 - 1/30/13

Yesterday, we spent the whole class talking about the 14th amendment. The 14th amendment gave equality and right for everyone to own property, get married and jobs. After reading the amendment we filled out a a worksheet and then went on to do a magazine cover, which included the key points to the 14th amendment. Today in class we filled out a sheet on the different plans thought up by Lincoln, Johnson, and the radical republicans. After this we color coded a map that was found in our textbook. We then ended the class with a discussion about what our personal plan would be, and how we think the situation would be best handled. 

Class Summary 1/25/13- 1/28/13

Friday during class we disussed the assasination in depth and I felt really bad for my man Lincoln. He was such a good guy and some doofus had to kill him in one of the worst, most suffering ways possible. It just doesn't seem fair. Today during class we got two papers. The first was on the early white southerners response to reconstruction and the other was about black codes in the post-civil war south, tying in what we learned in english today. We also looked at a disturbing artwork that showed the KKK group and some poor African-Americans on a banner they were holding (a guy was being lynched). We also looked at pictures of the Souths devestation. I didnt realize how destroyed we left the South after the civil war.

Winnie the Pooh

Pre- Quiz :
I think I am like Tigger because I am 99% of the time up-beat and in a good mood, much like Tigger. In his description it says, "He never stops bouncing and is always up for an adventure". I love going on an a "adventures" for both thrill and fun. Also in a literal sense my friends make fun of me because I have a bounce in my step... :(

Quiz Result:

You are Tigger. You are very confident and competitive--not to mention a little cocky sometimes. You are easily excitable, perky, and loved by all for your, well, bounciness. HAHAHA MR.BOYLE I TOLD YOU I WASNT RABBIT... I for real guessed and got this right without trying to get tigger

Class Summary 1/8/13 - 1/9/13

Yesterday in class, we wrapped up our unit on the Civil War. We took notes about Lee surrendering to U.S.Grant at Appomattox Court House and then spent the rest of class studying for the test we had today. Today we took our test on the Civil War, it was short and just what we had all expected. I think I did good on it but then again... I could have failed. hhhaaaa.

Class Summary 1/4/13 - 1/7/13

On Friday at the beginning of class we were given a packet of six journals that were written during the time of the Civil War. Reading these entries we were supposed to come up with our own journal entry depending on what perspective we were given. I was assigned to write in the voice of someone supporting the Union. I had fun taking a creative spin to History class. Today we had the quiz on the Gettysburg Address. After that, we took way too many notes on the Civil War and how the Union had an advantage because of their tactic of cutting off (or destroying) the Confederate's supplies, which btw I thought was mean and stupid because who wants to rejoin to a country that burned and destroyed all of your belongings? Not me. After we took the notes, we started to watch a movie on the Anaconda policy.

Class Summary 1/3/13 - 1/4/13

On Tuesday we got right into the swing of things, beginning where we left off. We were shown a picture of people standing in front of the National Archives, celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. The Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Lincoln in 1863. It freed the slaves in territories that were in rebellion from the Union.  (I JUST SAW THE MOVIE ABRHAM LINCOLN SO IT LINKED PERFECTLY THOUGH I HAVE TO ADMIT I SLEPT FOR A TINY BIT IN THE MIDDLE THERE) While some people argued it didn't do very much, most people agreed that you should be able to believe and support what you want to. Today we started class by looking at a picture of the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial that is located in Boston. We were given a sheet and had to describe it and what we felt it portrayed and what emotions were in it.  Keep in mind this was before we knew anything about what we were looking at. Then we then discussed it and how it is Massachusetts 54th Regiment Memorial. The memorial recognizes and honors the first group of African Americans to fight in the Civil War. We then took notes on a Power Point of the 54th Regiment wrapped up class with a sad video on the battle the first African Americans fought in the Civil War.