Jan. 27-30, 2009

Welcome to the United States.

Monday: Institute Day. No School.
Tuesday: Work on Immigration Projects. What was Ellis Island like? Manifest.
Wednesday: Work on Immigration Projects.
Thursday: Work on Immigration Projects.
Friday: Check-in day. 2 letters due.

Final Projects due Friday, Feb 6. Extra credit cartoons are on the counter and are due Thursday.

Contact information: e-mail: jbrislen@op97.org Voice Mail: 524-5830 X4223
Blog: d97brislen.blogspot.com



Immigration Project - 2009 Name ________________________ Per. __
As we have discussed in class, you are to immigrate into the United States. You are to select a country from which to emigrate and research the conditions in that country at the time to decide why you are leaving. You should also decide where you intend to settle in the United States. Remember that you need to make the situation historically accurate. You are coming between the years 1850 and 1910. For the most important part of the project, you will write a series of letters describing your experiences as an immigrant. There should be at least the 4 following letters:
1. The first should describe why you are leaving your native country as well as what you hope to find in the US. It should also explain who you are, who you are traveling with, and your feeling at the time.
2. The second should describe your journey and entry into the US. Using our study of this process, you should be able to give a detailed description.
3. The third should describe your early life in the US. In this letter, written within the first year, you need to explain where you settled and why you selected that place. It must also describe the conditions you found there. It should also discus what you (or your family) do for a living.
4. The final letter should be written from a point of view several years after your arrival. This letter should discuss the progress you have made and the conditions in the country, as well as your hopes for the future.
You should include information about the history of the time. For example, if you are writing about the year 1901 you might include comments about the assaination of President McKinley.

Each letter should be dated. Since these are personal letters I assume they will be written in an informal style. I do expect, however, that you will proofread the letters and use correct spelling, punctuation, etc. As we study the immigration process there will be additional forms and information which will be created which will need to be included in the final project.

Rather than writing letters you may want to keep a diary. This diary should include the same basic information required in the letters. If you have another idea for doing the project, see me and we will work out the details.

You may earn extra points by including extra elements such as pictures and other artifacts. (Do not use irreplaceable family heirlooms - that is why copiers and scanners were invented.)

The basic project is worth 50 pts. and you may earn up to 4 pts. for extras.

Due dates: Country of origin 1/23 Progress check 1/30 (drafts of 2 letters) Final Project 2/6.

Notes: _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jan. 20-23, 2009

Happy Inauguration Day!

Monday: King Day. No School.
Tuesday: Papers due. Inauguration and MLK.
Wednesday: Details on Immigration Assignment. Current events?
Thursday: Questions on Immigration Assignment. Begin work on Ellis Island.
Friday: Field Trip. Turn in country of origin.

Extra credit cartoons are on the counter and are due Thursday.

Contact information: e-mail: jbrislen@op97.org Voice Mail: 524-5830 X4223
Blog: d97brislen.blogspot.com


Name ___________________________ Per. ___

Inauguration Extra Credit.

As you watch the Inauguration consider the following questions.

1. Is this a truly important event in itself? Why?

2. How has the election of Barack Obama affected you?

3. What are your reactions to his Inaugural Address?

a. What was his most important message? Do you agree?

b. What important area(s) do you think he should have addressed but did not?

c. What are some of the specific things he has called for?

d. As you listened to President Obama’s speech, did you feel that he was talking to
everyone or were his comments aimed at a specific audience?

e. Do you think the people who did not vote for President Obama will change their views after hearing this speech?

4. If, in four years, President Obama is re-elected what will be the most important reason?

5. If, in four years, President Obama is not re-elected what will be the most important reason?


For up to 15 extra credit points write up your reaction to the inauguration and speech. The final paper should be in paragraph form, grammatically correct, and, preferably, typed. They are due by Friday morning. I will tape the ceremony and will have it available for viewing starting after school.

Jan. 12-16

Monday: Present your topics. Writing assignment. Papers due Friday.
Tuesday: Present your topics.
Wednesday: Current events.
Thursday: Review immigration to US.
Friday: Continue review of immigration. Papers due.

Extra credit cartoons are on the counter and are due Wednesday.

Contact information: e-mail: jbrislen@op97.org Voice Mail: 524-5830 X4223
Blog: d97brislen.blogspot.com

Jan. 5-9, 2009

Happy New Year and welcome back.

Monday: “We Didn’t Start the Fire.” We will be looking at the most important stories of last year. HW: complete lyrics.
Tuesday: Current Events: HW: Review Chapter 19. Writing assignment – Due Monday (1/12).
Wednesday: How progressive was the Progressive Era? Review Ch. 19. Learning stations.
Thursday: Learning stations.
Friday: Learning stations.

Extra credit cartoons are on the counter and are due Wednesday.

Contact information: e-mail: jbrislen@op97.org Voice Mail: 524-5830 X4223
Blog: d97brislen.blogspot.com