Work with a group to research four to five of the different third party groups that emerged in the first half of the 19th century. Be sure to answer the following questions:

• When was this party founded?


• Why was this party founded?


• Who were the people instrumental in founding the party?

After researching and posting your findings to your blogspace, discuss the following questions with your group:

• Is there anything that the founding of these third parties has in common?


• How did the third parties turn out?


• What happened to them?


• Why do you think these parties were founded in the first place?


• What function do you think these parties fill in our political system?

Final activity - What kind of party might you form today in order to accomplish a purpose not served by current political parties? Work with your group to come up with a platform, then design a poster and slogan to support it.

Websites to research:

Web sites:

The Anti-Masonic Party

http://dig.lib.niu.edu/message/ps-antimasonic.html

The Whig Party

http://dig.lib.niu.edu/message/ps-whig.html

The Nativist and Antislavery Party

http://dig.lib.niu.edu/message/ps-nativist.html

The Free-Soil Party

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/218365/Free-Soil-Party

The Know-Nothing Party

http://dig.lib.niu.edu/message/ps-knownothing.html

Lesson adapted from National First Ladies Library.

Follow the link to read about the Marco Polo's Travels.

Using your blogmesiter space, answer these questions (be sure to answer each part) to evaluate Marco Polo’s description of the Tartars:

• Is the information in The Travels of Marco Polo verifiable? Why or why not?


• How many statements do you think are facts? List no fewer than three facts.


• How many statements do you think are opinions? Write down one statement that you think is an opinion.


• Are there any statements that seem exaggerated or somewhat unbelievable? Why would Marco Polo want to exaggerate the truth?


• On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate the usefulness of The Travels of Marco Polo in learning about the Tartars? Explain your rating.

Use complete sentences and be sure to proofread your work! 

After researching the Drop Me Off in Harlem website, use your blog space to answer the following questions:

Think about whether the renaissance that happened in Harlem could have occurred elsewhere. Why or why not?

What physical qualities of Harlem might have contributed to the Renaissance (e.g., crowded conditions, isolation from other parts of the city)?

What aspects of community life (e.g., attendance at church, social life) were conducive to the Renaissance?

Reread the "Harlem" poem by Walter Dean Myers and respond to the following on your blog space:

Listen again to the poem "Harlem" in light of your research. In what ways is your understanding different from the other times you listened to it?

To what extent is the picture Myers paints of Harlem consistent with your picture of Harlem? How do they differ?

Not only is this a historical event, the first African American president, but it is a time where many people are desperate for change. In a time of turmoil, the new president will have wars to face, global warming, and the worst financial crisis in over a century.

Follow the links below to read the historic speeches of four other presidents. When you have finished, please use your blog to comment on what you think each president had in common, what you think Obama will be able to accomplish and what issues you would like to see him address that concern young people.

John F. Kennedy

Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Abraham Lincoln

George Washington

Complete the following activities to learn more about storytelling in the ancient Muslim world.

Read an exerpt from the Epic of Kings by Ferdowsi. The piece focuses on one ancient king of Persia. Afterwards you will complete the Investigating Literature activity. This activity asks you to determine how useful the text is in learning about the rulers of Persia.  Your answers to the questions can be completed on your personal blogspace. See the link for further details.

Read an exerpt from The Rubaiyat by Omar Khayyam and then complete the Invetigating Literature activity. This activity involves creating a poster for a book reading (this should be done on your personal blogspace). See the link for more details.

Select the link to learn about Empress Theodora, Justinian I's wife.

After reading her biography, you will write a short eulogy (one to two paragraphs) on your blogsite. The speech should include the following:

• a title


• important biographical details about Theodora's life


• a summary of her most significant accomplishments


• an explanation as to why you think she was an important person


• correct grammar and spelling

There are several elements involved in "The American Dream." Generally speaking, it is the abililty to attain the "good life." This might include owning your own house, having enough money so that you and your family can enjoy leisure time together, and giving your children the opportunity to go to college and have a better life themselves.

Kino's world is quite different from those who live in the town. The doctor's home is surrounded by high walls and "cool inner gardens" along with bubbling fountains. Kino, on the other hand, has a small, one room brush house and Coyotito's bed is a box suspended by rope.

As Steinbeck writes about the procession to the doctor's house, he shows the reasons for these differences in lifestyle are twofold - poverty and prejudice. Kino's poverty is shown in the reaction of the beggars who notice the poorness of the family's clothes and the fact that he has no money to pay the doctor. Nevertheless, it is more than money that causes the doctor to refuse treatment. He is prejudiced in the ways he considers the Indian as "little better than animals." This is evident when he states, "I am a doctor, not a veterinary."

In our own society there are vast differences between the "haves" and the "have-nots" as well. Kino's big break in reaching his dream is finding the pearl. This would be similar to someone in our society winning the California lottery.

What would you include as essential in your American Dream?

In a paragraph, tell where you would live and describe your life in this dream.

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  List as many ways as possible to insure that you reach this goal.

  
  


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  Discuss briefly how members of all races in our society may reach their dreams.

  
  


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  Are there any special obstacles that minorities might encounter? What are they?

  
  

Use the following link to access the Internet project and Internet connections for research.

The Internet Project link will address the expectations of this project.

Remember to address the primary question: Why is the term "Dark Ages" an inaccurate way to describe Europe during medieval times?

Please use your blog to explain the progress you have made on your topic.

Start with a hook, an interesting fact from your research, then proceed by telling me exactly what your topic is and what you hope students to learn from it. Remember to use academic language and to proofread what you have written before requesting publishing.

Use this link to learn about the Great Fair at Thessalonica.

Using your blog, write an advertisement announcing a medieval fair. Don't forget to include the following:

• a headline announcing the fair


• where and when it is to be held


• include pictures of at least three types of items available for sale (I can help you with your search)


• a list of countries that will be providing the goods


• other clever and creative touches you think of

You may want to create a draft using Microsoft Word. Don't forget to proofread and have fun!

For further exploration on your topic for daily life in the Middle ages, take a tour at this site.