Dr. Johnson's Reading Blog

Today we successfully completed our immigration simulation. To remind everyone, we have been studying the period of immigration between 1890 and 1920. During this simulation, students played the role of immigrants or processors from Ellis Island. Students were randomly chosen as an immigrant or processor. Each student was given and identity they were to keep secret until the day of simulation. Immigrants simulated what it was like to go through the process of coming to Ellis Island and getting processed. Processors played the roles of processors who processed the immigrants. As students moved through the processing process, they answered questions according to their character. By the end of the simulation, some students were deported and some students became citizens. Make sure you ask your child about the experiences.

Darius and Aaron made a great power point presentation using Google Docs. They created their presentation during explorations. Have a look and let them know what you think.

Some students seemed interested in this website so I'm posting it here . It is a national competition in which student make video games. More information is found at the website.

Here is the speech we listened to by Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce Native Americans. It was only fitting that as we are learning about Westward Expansion and relocation of Native Americans that we listen to the words of native people. We read about the Nez Perce Native Americans from our Social Studies textbook then listened to this partial reading of his speech. These words are a partial reading of a speech attributed to Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce. The full speech was reported to have been delivered to the US government at Lincoln Hall in Washington DC (1879) where he was meeting with lawmakers to sign over their native lands. What did the speech remind you of? How do you think his words from 1879 still resonate today?

By popular demand, here is the TED Talk we watched in class on smiling. We are just about to finish up our inquiry into Speeches and the spoken word as a powerful communication tool. Look for the other speeches and talks we have seen soon!

I believe through this link you will be able to view all of our expert projects.

I have posted five expert project videos from Monday, October 31 for the following students: Troy Brandon Will Blaise Brennan