Using our study of the past to create change today

Hi Clark Montessori Capstoners,

8th grade students have now completed their research and written a paper on one of their topics.  Students will now begin developing a plan to use their research of the past to help instigate social change today.  Some questions to think about:  What are the social issues in today's world?  How can our study of the past help us solve a social problem in today's world?  How can we use social/multi-media to then create social change today?

Research Paper Rough Draft

Hi Capstoners,

Your informational research paper on one of your specific topics is due.  Be sure your paper is informative, interesting and cites sources. We look forward to reading your papers.  Community 200's drafts are due 2/29 and Community 100 drafts are due 3/7.

Thanks, Brad and Tamara

Upgrading your blog: Video Assignment

Hi Capstoners

For your next blog entry, please include a 3-5 minute video where each group member discusses what they have been researching. Students may use notecards if they need to.  This assignment is due Friday March 10th, 2012. Some tips: 1.) Be sure that group members have planned our what they are going to say (you may use notecards), 2.) Be sure every group member speaks, 3.) Be sure that members can be heard. 4.) you should include pictures of your topics as people speak.

Good luck,

Brad and Tamara

Project-Based Learning Video

Here's a great video on the importance of project-based learning and why it ought to continue to drive education. Brought to you by our friends at Edutopia. Enjoy.

 http://www.edutopia.org/project-based-learning-overview-video

Seminar #4: What does it mean to be American?

Hi Capstoners, For this seminar students will be investigating the question, "What does it mean to be American?" Your task is as follows: 1.) Find a document, article, movie, song, and/or interview that helps define the term "American."  Read, watch or listen to it and annotate it. Create 5-7 questions for it. 2.) Interview and ask at least 5 people, "What does it mean to be American?". At least 3 of these people must be adults that are not your teachers. Spend at least 5 minutes with each person. Record their responses. 3.) How are the people, events, inventions you are researching American? Jot down some notes. 4.) Finally, create a paragraph definition that answers the question, "What does it mean to be American?". The work for this assignment is due Tuesday, February 21st.  We will meet in small groups to discuss your work on this day as well. Good luck!

Capstone Work for the Week of February 6, 2012

Hi All Capstoners,

Each group this week is responsible for: 1.) Selecting a primary source from their time period and conducting a seminar on that primary source.  Tamara and I have already spoken with some groups about their selections:  The Declaration of Independence, The Chinese Exclusion Act, and The Emancipation Proclamation. We look forward to hearing your conversations. 2.) Your 2nd blog post. Most of the groups have been doing many more than the required one blog post per week so that's great. 3.) Further research on your given research topics.  At least 2 hours of work is expected each week.

NOTE:
Before you can move forward with the synthesis of this information students must have a grip on the comprehension of the information.

Great history websites for researchers

Here are some excellent resources for researching U.S History:

1. http://www.besthistorysites.net/index.php/american-history  

2. http://www.pbs.org/topics/history/

3.  http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/

4. http://edsitement.neh.gov/

5.  http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/students/index.html

6. www.archives.gov

7. www.ourdocuments.gov