Week 12 in Mr. Bruce's History

Parents and Students,

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I took the chance for Bell Work today to ask students what they were thankful for. The reflection was worthwhile and I think, at least for those who shared whole class, certainly recognize the things in their lives that lift them up. Family, far and away, topped the list. This means that we are thankful for you, parents, for the ways in which you lay down and set aside your lives and desires for the benefit of your students.

As a recap of this week I turn your attention to the details that we gleaned from our final look at the correspondence between George Washington and Henry Knox from February, 1787. Ask you son/daughter how their letters helped us understand the difference between the government that the States created and wanted and the one that the States needed by the end of the 1780s. Also, be sure to ask them what was different about the United States before 1787 as compared to now. For those of us that weren't in Youth in Government, I kept things light as we did a lesson/activity that connected some ideas and linked cause with effect from British rule, to the Articles of Confederation, to the Constitution. I've attached that here for you. Also see This Day in History for Nov. 23.

I wanted to also throw at you an update I made to my use of mrbruceshistory.wikispaces.com. On the home page of my site you can find the daily work embedded front and center. This means if your son/daughter is home sick, they can know what we are doing in Mr. Bruce's History by visiting the home page of the class website. These are all accessible via the "This Day in History" calendar which is linked on the left navigation (see image below).

I encourage you (particularly students) to increase your awareness and comfort with the class website. Next week, I am planning on some time in the computer lab for you to become contributors of the site, making a few pages of your own and creating an interactive timeline of this Constitutional period.

But that's next week. Again, have a great Thanksgiving!

Yours,
Mr. Bruce