Gary Coyle’s Grade 8 Humanities

In a well written posting to your blog, compare your experiences over the course of the last week in King Coyle’s room with those of the colonists prior to the American Revolution. Be sure to use specific events from both the Kingdom of M1 and the 13 Colonies to build a convincing comparison. Make sure you include the words tyranny, injustice, and self-determination in your post.

image from www.postdiluvian.org

Major Points From Last Week:

• Simulation – Classroom Proclamation (Taxation without representation)
• Feedback – Join or Die Analysis
• Read Proclamation
• Jigsaw Read – Sections 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8 in History Alive Text (Why were the colonists ticked?)
• Video –American Revolution
• Jeopardy – Colonization and American Revolution
• Content Read – The Declaration of Independence (Summarize)
• Grammar– Comma Splices and Run-Ons

Reflection 

Louise Moeri, the author of The 43rd War, is purposefully vague regarding the absolute location of the setting of the book. However she does give many geographic clues as to where it could be. your job is to create a post in your BLOG that answers these two questions:

1. In what absolute location do you think The 43rd War takes place? Use specific evidence from the book, your map of Central America, and an specialized atlas to back up your opinion. (Don’t forget the in-text citation and MLA citations for the resources you use)

2. Why do you think Louise Moeri does not give the setting an absolute location?

image from:www.nodo50.org

The Declaration of Independence was an act of the Second Continental Congress, adopted on July 4, 1776, which declared that the “Thirteen United Colonies” were now independent states and formed a new nation, the “United States of America.” They no longer owed allegiance to Great Britain. The Declaration, written chiefly by Thomas Jefferson and explained the justifications for breaking away. (Wikipedia)

Please take the next part of class and read the original text of The Declaration of Independence and post a summary of its main ideas to your BLOG. Remember that a summary is written in your own words (IYOW) and condenses the main ideas. As a rule of thumb when summarizing one paragraph becomes one sentence and one page becomes one paragraph.

A proclamation from his most formidable majesty King Coyle of Grade 8 unto his subjects in the land of M1.

1.All Indian Rupees are now worthless. Only History dollars, issued by the Royal Mint, shall be used to pay Royal Taxes and Fees.

2.All classroom documents and technology, such as homework, journals and hand-outs must bear a Royal Stamp, which shall be purchased from King Coyle, for $10 History Dollars or they will not be considered legal and will not be allowed to be turned in.

3.King Coyle shall approve all books, newspapers, and pamphlets, for appropriate content. It shall be forbidden to bring reading material that is not approved by King Coyle in class.

4.The King shall appoint all public officials, including the Mayor and Sheriff, and all Judges for court cases, to insure their loyalty to King Coyle of M1.

5.There shall be a curfew in M1 of 8:25AM, and nobody is permitted to leave unless attending an activity approved by King Coyle.

6.All citizens of M1 shall attend the Church of King Coyle, Sundays, at 10:00 AM. in M1 of the Middle School. All other churches shall be closed.

7. No citizen of M1 is permitted to own a gun, rifle, or weapon of any kind.

8.Those who speak out against King Coyle or any of his policies shall be guilty of Treason and given 30 minutes of after school detention.

Major Points From Last Week:

• Feedback- Can we trust the “truthfulness” of what we read in To Be A Slave ? Why or why not? Support your answer. (Primary vs Secondary Sources)
• Touchstone Discussion – Slavery Today
• Quiz- Slavery
• Review SQ3R
• Content Read – The First English Colonies
• Grammar – P. 109 Eliminating Wordy Sentences
• Analyzing Primary Sources – Colonial Boycotts and Join or Die
• Graphic Organizer- 13 Colonies
• Grammar – P. 112 Transitions
• Content Read – History Alive
• Timeline of American Revolution

Reflection

Join, or Die is a famous political cartoon created by Benjamin Franklin. It was first published in the Pennsylvania Gazette on May 9, 1754. The woodcut cartoon appeared along with Franklin’s editorial about the state of the colonies.

Please analyze the above cartoon and post your ideas to your BLOG. As part of your analysis please address the following questions:

• What are the main visual elements?
• What issue is this political cartoon about?
• What is the cartoonist’s opinion on this issue?
• What evidence in the cartoon supports your opinion on how the cartoonist feels?
• What other techniques could the cartoonist have used to make this cartoon more persuasive?

image from www.earlyamerica.com