This week we looked at 3 very important inventions that changed the course of history, the steam engine, the cotton gin and interchangeable parts. We visited Great Britain and the United States. We discussed the dangers the coal miners faced as the need for coal increased. We also discussed how the invention of the steam engine and cotton gin made the need of slaves in the South explode.
We started a model of the cotton gin this week. This is a very lengthy activity, but super cool example. We did not get finished, but since next week is a test week, we will work on finishing the models after we go over the test review on Monday, and possibly after the test Wed. if needed. We are very close to being done, so I have high hopes!
As I mentioned, next week is a test week. The test review will come home on Monday in the purple folders. Please go over the review with your student(s). On the last test, the true/false section gave the kids some trouble. Just a reminder- the statements on the review lists the true statements. If they know these well, hopefully they will be able to pick out the false statements. 2-4 grade will once again have multiple choice & T/F questions. 5-8 grade will have fill in the blank, multiple choice and T/F questions. There will be one challenge short answer question for 5-8th grade.
Please return the purple folder EMPTY on Wed. I will then send home the graded tests the following Monday, and then the purple folders will be due EMPTY that Wed. too.
(It was helpful that a lot of the students had seen the opening ceremony for the Olympics this year, as our story opened up with a simple, hard working, English village each working their trade, and we ended on the beginning of the industrial revolution. Their memories of the opening ceremony was a great visual.)
