Page out of History (Reed)

Jonathan Reed — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 19:39:24 +0000

This week and next, we are ending our Progressivism Unit. Our few remaining lessons will focus on Progressivism legislation related to voters’ rights and additional Constitutional Amendments 16, 17, 18 and 19. We also will look at the famous muckrakers of the time such as Upton Sinclair, Ida Tarbell and Thomas Nast. These journalists were instrumental in helping the public become aware of the urban poor, the unfair practices of industrial trusts as well as the power of the political machine of Boss Tweed. Students will also finish their research project on primary sources, will be due at the very end of April. Begun late march, students will receive information on expectations and grading for the final phase. As we approach the final stretch of the year, we will look the international impact of America related to Spanish-American War, territorial expansion and increased wealth.

Jonathan Reed — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 15:24:16 +0000

We have just completed two major rounds of PSSA testing, so needless to say, students are very tired! Science PSSAs will follow April 5 and 6. However, history continues to march on. We are transitioning through our unit of Progressivism. We have explored the Social Movements of Civil Rights, Temperance and Suffrage. Teddy Roosevelt has also been a focus of our discussion as he embodied much of the Progressive spirit of the day. We will continue to look at this president through the lens of political cartoons. Encourage your child to become familiar with current events. This will certainly help them in the upcoming high school years. Our unit will end sometime next week or soon after and we will turn our attention to International affairs as they related to the United States.

Jonathan Reed — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 17:29:53 +0000

Our class has begun what one might call a dynamic unit—Progressivism. Although this word may have various meanings based on its context, our use will be to look at a time period where American society had problems that needed to be addressed. These include corrupt city politics, the education and care of the poor, the unsanitary conditions of food packing plants and the increased awareness of suffrage for women. We have started our studies with looking at the spoils system as well as the efforts of Presidents Hayes, Garfield, Arthur Cleveland and Harrison.
We have also begun our research project, which will focus on the use of primary sources to gain further insight into a student-chosen topic on American history 1770 – 1920. The due date, to be determined, will be sometime after April 15.

Please note, students will be going through PSSA testing March 14 – April 6, 2011

Jonathan Reed — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 14:24:23 +0000

Recently, students have finished their study of Immigration in the United States post-Civil War. Today, we completed our summative assessment on both Industrialization and Immigration. Students have studied extremely hard for this assessment, so we are eager to see the results of their achievements! Over the next few weeks, we will begin examining primary sources as they relate to our previous studies. Students will be asked to complete a research project, the topic being their choice. This research will have students look at primary sources to see what can be discovered beyond Wikipedia and the textbook! This project will be due mid to late April. Our next unit of study will be Progressivism and how society’s ills were coming to a point that warranted intervention by those who were willing to take a stand.

Jonathan Reed — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 18:01:41 +0000

Russia, Ireland, Norway, Lichtenstein, Italy, Germany, China, France, Africa, Mexico, Japan and the list goes on and on and on. We have sought the areas from where many of our ancestors have come in the immigration process as well as the push and pull factors that led many to the United States, a new country to call home. We have also studied the perception of America as a land of millionaires and America as a land of reality. Immigrants had to work, had to make their own way, much to their disappointment, but also giving them a sense of self-worth and pride in becoming successful and part of the new American fabric, making their own mark in American society. We will continue in the upcoming days at the impact of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.

Jonathan Reed — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 20:01:31 +0000

Students have examined the pivotal role of the labor movement, specifically the rise of unions such as the American Federation of Labor. Additionally, we discussed how the Homestead Strike was a precursor to the divide that seemingly exists between the wealthy and middle class today. We took an objective view of how much wealth should a country/person be allowed to attain. Is the sky the limit or should a democratic society be allowed to minimize the power and success achieve through one’s ambitions. Over the next few days, we will pivot from Industrialization to Immigration and explore how the land of Europe provided almost an endless supply of workers for the “American machine of industry.” Students are encouraged to explore their cultural roots through family discussions.

Jonathan Reed — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 18:56:34 +0000

Carnegie, Morgan and Rockefeller—names that still permeate American Society today. In the wake of the recent economic turmoil, our study of the Captains of Industry in the late 1800s and early 1900s seems as if this could have happened today. We have examined the role of business in society and the role of government in society. Further, we questioned when should these two intersect. How much freedom should business have and how much should government control business? Next week, we will look at the perspective of management versus labor. We will ask how much should labor dictate the working conditions and when should management be allowed to be the “boss?” The rise of the labor movement is a crucial time in American history and violence that surrounded it only gave a hint as to the ills of American society.

Jonathan Reed — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 14:04:27 +0000

On this date, we completed our latest assessment, which was on the Native Americans. Students have expressed an intense interest in this “dark era” of American history. Comparisons have been made to the horrors of Europe in the mid-20th century as the interest of a nation was put ahead of another people’s culture and geographic heritage. We have sought to learn from this history, i.e. how can we be better Americans who truly look towards fulfilling that goal of a “more perfect union” as well as liberty for all? Students were also asked to examine how this time period was a clash of cultures. How relevant is this to today! Not only in the geo-political sphere, but also in our own individual lives! Do we examine our own perspective while also looking at an issue from an alternative point of view? Seek to understand before being understood.

Jonathan Reed — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 16:51:27 +0000

The new year has begun and students are finishing their study of Settling the West. We have looked at thus far, the Native American conflict with the U.S. Government of the mid to late 1800s. Students have examined the Fort Laramie treaties of 1851 and 1868 looking into what was promised to Native Americans as well as the escalating problems related to settlers finding gold on Native American land. Over next the week, we will examine religious misunderstandings and also cultural differences that ultimately led to the subduing of Native American culture for over a century.

Jonathan Reed — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 16:06:52 +0000

We are finishing our first part of the unit on Settling the West. Students examined mining, railroads, cowboys and farming. Mining showed the lure of gold, which connected to the building of the Transcontinental Railroad from 1863-1869. People wanted quick transportation and this helped connect all peoples together, giving a symbolic sense of unity after a long-fought civil war. Cowboys came to life as we explored the drudgery of long hours and tedious work driving thousands of cattle to the railways. We also looked at the myth and realities of the “Wild West” and cow towns. Finally, we studied the impact of farmers on the west and the exciting events of the Oklahoma Land Rush. In the New Year, we will delve into the impact of this settling on the Native Americans and their culture.