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2007-01-04T06:35:00.000-08:00

We have moved!

As of January 4, 2007 we are now using the classroom Blackboard page to post weekly assignments. Still the same information, just a new home.

Please go to this site and then select the "This Week in Class" button on the left side of the page.

Thanks.

Mr. Langhorst

2006-12-18T06:32:00.000-08:00

Week 19 of the First Semester
December 18 - December 21, 2006

Monday - Jay Day - December 18
- listen to semester test studycast
- introduce the game "Chronology"
Homework - study for the semester test on Tuesday

Tuesday - Jay Day - December 19
- meet in LMC computer lab
- take the First Semester Test
Homework - none

Wednesday - Jay Day - December 20
- watch final part of the Save our History video on the Star Spangled Banner
- Chronology game tournament
Homework - none

Thursday - Jay Day - December 21
- short schedule due to winter assembly
- play Chronology game
Homework - none, grab a great book and enjoy the winter break - see you again on January 4th

Friday - No School - Winter Break

2006-12-11T08:25:00.000-08:00

Week 18 of the First Semester
December 11 - December 15, 2006

Monday - Jay Day - December 11
- Lewis and Clark visits the classroom activity
- handout graded papers and explain "Last Chance Monday"
Homework - have Unit 5.3 and Unit 5.4 notes completed for class on Tuesday

Tuesday - Jay Day - December 12
- discuss Unit 5.3 Notes "Problems with Foreign Powers" and Unit 5.4 Notes "The War of 1812" in class
- handout Unit 5 study guides to help prepare you for the Unit 5 test on Friday
Homework - have the entire Unit 5 note packet completed and be studying for the Unit 5 test on Friday

Wednesday - Blue Day - December 13 / Thursday - White Day - December 14
- turn in the Lewis and Clark IM Text Assignment from last week
- review game for the Unit 5 test
- Lewis and Clark Shared Reading Activity on "Interesting and Important - the Difference"
Homework - have the entire Unit 5 note packet completed and be studying for the Unit 5 test on Friday

Friday - Jay Day - December 15
- meet in the LMC computer lab
- hand in the Unit 5 note packet
- take the Unit 5 test
- hand out the First Semester Test study guide for the test coming up on Tuesday
Homework - be studying for the First Semester test coming up on Tuesday of next week

2006-12-04T08:56:00.000-08:00

Week 17 of the First Semester
December 4 - December 8, 2006

Note - Due to the winter storm last week and school being called off on Thursday and Friday the schedule has been adjusted this week in terms of block scheduling. Thanks.

Monday - White Day - December 4
- CNN Student News
- handout new Unit 5 note packets "Jefferson and the New Republic"
- time to work on the note packet
- watch first half of Lewis and Clark - The Journey West DVD
Homework - have Unit 5.1 notes "Jefferson Takes Office" completed for class on Tuesday

Tuesday - Jay Day - December 5
- watch second haf of Lewis and Clark - The Journey West DVD
- discuss Unit 5.1 notes "Jefferson Takes Office" in class
Homework - have Unit 5.2 notes "Louisiana Purchase and Expansion" completed for class on Wednesday/Thursday

Wednesday - Blue Day - December 6 / Thursday - White Day - December 7
- discuss Unit 5.2 notes "Louisiana Purchase and Expansion" in class
- Guerrilla Season Book Blog wrap up survey
- Australian Podcast project
- Lewis and Clark Read Aloud Activity
Homework - have Unit 5.3 notes "Problems with Foreign Powers" completed for class next Monday

Friday - Jay Day - December 8
- Lewis and Clark Activity in class
Homework - have Unit 5.3 notes "Problems with Foreign Powers" completed for class next Monday

2006-11-27T08:49:00.000-08:00

Week 16 of the First Semester
November 27 - December 1, 2006

Monday - Jay Day - November 27
- final projects for the Guerrilla Season book blog are due - email all completed projects to bookblogproject@gmail.com
view animated growth of the United States site
- work on growth of the United States map worksheet (due Tuesday)
- CNN Student News if time
Homework - complete the growth of the United States map worksheet and be ready to turn it in on Tuesday in class

Tuesday - Jay Day - November 28
- Jefferson activity
- turn in growth of the United States map worksheet
- CNN Student News
Homwork - none

Wednesday - Blue Day - November 29 / Thursday - White Day - November 30
- hand out Unit 5 note packets "Jefferson and Expansion"
- time to work on the Unit 5 note packets
- watch first part of the DVD on Lewis and Clark
Homework - have Unit 5.1 notes "Jefferson Takes Office" completed for class on Friday

Friday - Jay Day - December 1
- watch ending of Lewis and Clark video
- discuss Unit 5.1 Notes "Jefferson Takes Office" with PowerPoint
Homework - have Unit 5.2 notes completed for class on Monday

2006-11-20T08:15:00.000-08:00

Week 15 of the First Semester
November 20 - 24, 2006

Monday - Jay Day - Novemeber 20
- meet in LMC computer lab
- take Unit 4 Test "Our Constitution"
- take Unit 5 PreTest "Jefferson and Expansion"
- turn in Unit 4 note packet
- play election game online or post to Guerrilla Season blog project
Homework - none

Tuesday - Jay Day - November 21
- watch segment from the History Channel video "Desperate Crossing" about the Mayflower
Homework - none

Wednesday - November 22
No School

Thursday - November 23
No School

Friday - November 24
No School

2006-11-13T08:15:00.000-08:00

Week 14 of the First Semester
November 13 - 17, 2006

Monday - Jay Day - November 13
- CNN Student News
- discuss Amendments #11 through #27
Homework - finish the Unit 4 note packet, read Guerrilla Season

Tuesday - Jay Day - November 14
- handout on Electing the President and the Electoral College
- video on the Electoral College
- handout Unti 4 study guide
Homework - finish the Unit 4 note packet, be studying for the Unit 4 test coming up on Monday, reading Guerrilla Season

Wednesday - Blue Day - November 15 / Thursday - White Day - November 16
- electoral college activity
- CNN Student News
- presidential trivia activity
Homework - finish the Unit 4 note packet, be studying for the Unit 4 test coming up on Monday, reading Guerrilla Season

Friday - Jay Day - November 17
- listen to Unit 4 studycast
- play Unit 4 Jeopardy review game
Homework - have the Unit 4 note packet completed for Monday, be studying for the Unit 4 test on Monday, finish reading Guerrilla Season

2006-11-05T16:10:00.000-08:00

Week 13 of the First Semester
November 6 - November 10, 2006

Monday - Jay Day - November 6
- discuss the Distribution of Powers - State, Federal and Shared - page 4 of the Unit 4 note packet
- CNN Student News
Homework - have page 5 of the Unit 4 note packet done for class on Wednesday / Thursday class

Tuesday - Jay Day - November 7
- students vote in election
- in the computer lab to work on the Guerrilla Season blog and the podcasts for the Australia class
Homework - have page of 5 of the Unit 4 note packet done for class on Wednesday / Thursday class

Wednesday - Blue Day - November 8 / Thursday - White Day - November 9
- discuss the Bill of Rights - page 5 of the Unit 4 note packet
- discuss the results of the election - CNN Student News
- Day in the Life of the Constitution Project - introduce and began work
Homework - have pages 6 and 7 of the Unit 4 note packet done for class on Monday

Friday - Jay Day - November 10
- discuss the Guerrilla Season book blog project
- work on Day in the Life of the Constitution Project
Homework - have pages 6 and 7 of the Unit 4 note packet done for class on Monday

2006-10-30T08:22:00.000-08:00

Week 12 of the First Semester
October 30 - November 3, 2006

Monday - Jay Day - October 30
- read this week's section of Guerrilla Season for the book blog project, through page 155
- CNN Student News
Homework - reading this week's section of Guerrilla Season, through page 155

Tuesday - Jay Day - October 31
- watch video from United Streaming on the Constitution and the Bill of Rights
Homework - reading this week's section of Guerrilla Season, through page 155

Wednesday - Jay Day - November 1
- handout Unit 4 Note Packet "Our Constitution"
- time to work on the Unit 4 note packet
Homework - have pages 2 and 3 completed in the Unit 4 Note Packet for class on Thursday

Thursday - Jay Day - November 2
- discuss pages 2 and 3 of the Unit 4 Note Packet in class - "7 Principles of the Constitution" and "How A Bill Becomes A Law"
Homework - have pages 4 and 5 completed in the Unit 4 Note Packet for class on Monday

Friday - November 3 - No School

2006-10-24T16:06:00.000-07:00

Week 11 Parent Newsletter – October 23-27, 2006
Mr. Langhorst – 8th Grade American History
South Valley Junior High School

This Week in Class
We are currently finishing up our study on Unit 3 on the creation of the United States Constitution. Topics include the Constitutional Convention, The Federalist Papers, the Anti Federalists and the Federalists. Our test will take place on Friday and students will be turning in their Unit 3 note packets on Friday as well.

Unit 3 Test - Creating A Government
Friday, October 27th - students will be taking a test over the creation of the United States Constitution. A paper copy of the study guide was handed out to students on Tuesday in class. Copies of the notes, study guides and the audio studycast will be available on the classroom web site on Wednesday morning.

Guerrilla Season Book Blog Project
Would you like to join us in a great project and learn more about local Liberty history? This week we are starting a book club like project in reading Guerrilla Season by Pat Hughes. This historical novel tells the story of Clay County in 1863 as the Civil War starts to impact Missouri. The novel also mentions Liberty several times. A Spring grant has allowed us to purchase over 300 copies and each 8th grade SVJH student has a copy. We have 50 additional copies for parents to check out. If you would like to check out a copy and join us please send me an email at elanghorst@liberty.k12.mo.us or send your student with a note saying that you would like to check out a copy. We are having discussions and comments at a blog online: www.guerrillaseason.blogspot.com At the blog web site you can discuss topics covered in the book, you can listen to the author describe how she researched the novel, find links to discover more about the historical events in the book and ask the author questions. We also have students in California, a teacher in Louisiana and other participants joining us from around the world. Please consider joining us - it's a great chance to read a novel with your student.

Friends Down Under - The Australian Podcast Project
Earlier this fall a teacher in Australia that listens to my Speaking of History podcast e-mailed me and asked if we would be interested in working on a project with his 8th grade aged students in his Australian History class. We called each other several times using a computer application called Skype and set up a project. We are created several podcasts here in Liberty about American history, our school, the life of an American 8th grader, etc. The class in Australia is creating podcasts to explain Australian history, their school, etc. We actually share several themes in history - we both gained our independence from England and both countries have had conflict with settlers taking land occupied by native people. Both groups will be finishing the podcasts in the next two weeks and then exchanging the audio files.

State Representative Tim Flook Visits SVJH
Last Friday State Rep. Tim Flook visited South Valley Jr High and discussed the process of creating a law in state government and the structure of state government in general. Mr. Flook spoke with each of Mr. Langhorst's and Mrs. Garvey's classes. We thank him for taking time out of his schedule to give us real world examples of the topics we are currently studying in our classrooms.

Online Parent Safety Workshop
Thanks to the parents that attended the Online Safety Workshop for Parents by Myles Perry. There were some great questions asked and I hope that all participants left with a little better understanding of the dangers online for our students and how to keep them safe online as they use the Interent. Thanks to Mr. Perry for taking time out of a busy schedule to help our parents.

Extra Credit Opportunity Coming Up on November 5th
There will be another opportunity for students to earn some extra credit by attending the City of Liberty Historical presentation at the Clay County Historical Society Museum on Saturday, November 5th from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. The museum is located on the historical square in downtown Liberty, just a couple of doors down from By the Book coffee shop and bookstore. The topic will be getting to know your local museum. Parents are welcome to attend the presentation as well.

Site of the Week - Time and Date
How you ever tried to discover what time it is on the other side of the world? What to quickly find out what date it will be in 500 days? Ever wonder how many seconds old you are or how many weeks you've been alive? Then the Time and Date site is for you. This site has a variety of calendars, counters, maps, information on time zones, etc. We used this site this week when we tried to discover what the current time is in Australia for the class we are working with on our podcast project. Check it out at: http://www.timeanddate.com/

2006-10-23T14:59:00.000-07:00

Week 11 of the First Semester
Ocotber 23 - 27, 2006

Monday - Jay Day - October 23
- Unit 3 Notes - Constitutional Convention and Compromises
- discuss start of the Guerrilla Season Book Blog Project
Homework - finish the Unit 3 note packet for class on Wednesday/Thursday depending on when you have class in the block schedule

Tuesday - Jay Day - October 24
- Unit 3 Notes - The Federalist Papers - Anti Federalists and Federalists
- handout Unit 3 Study Guide for Unit 3 Test coming up on Friday
Homework - finish the Unit 3 note packet for class on Wednesday/Thursday depending on when you have class in the block schedule - be studying for the Unit 3 test on Friday - be reading Guerrilla Season (this week read pages 1 - 76)

Wednesday - Blue Day - October 25 / Thursday - White Day - October 26
- review for Unit 3 test coming up on Friday
- time in the computer lab to work on podcasts for class in Australia, the Boston Massacre Video and the Guerrilla Season book blog
Homework - have Unit 3 Note Packet completed and ready to turn in Friday, study for the Unit 3 test on Friday, be reading and working on Guerrilla Season project

Friday - Jay Day - October 27
- meet in LMC computer lab
- hand in Unit 3 Note Packet - must be completed
- take Unit 3 Test "Creating a Government" and take Unit 4 Pretest
Homework - none, enjoy the weekend and read a good book

2006-10-16T08:46:00.000-07:00

Week 10 of the First Semester
October 16-20, 2006

Monday - Jay Day - October 16
- watch first part of video on Shays' Rebellion - 10 Days That Unexpectedly Changed America from the History Channel
- discuss notes from Unit 3 Note Packet "Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation"
Homework - have pages 2,3 and 4 done for class on Wednesday/Thursday

Tuesday - Jay Day - October 17
- meet in LMC computer lab
- presentation on how to use Audacity (to edit audio on the computer) and Writely (an online word processor)
Homework - have pages 2, 3 and 4 done for class on Wednesday/Thursday

Wednesday - Blue Day - October 18 / Thursday - White Day - October 19
- finish Shays' Rebellion video
- discuss notes from Unit 3 Note Packet "Northwest Territory", "Shays' Rebellion" and "Convention Delegates"
- second half of class meet in LMC
- work on final copy of the script for the podcasts for the Australian Project
- check out copies of Guerrilla Season for the Book Blog Project
Homework - have pages 5, 6 and 7 done for class on Monday

Friday - Jay Day - October 20
- visit from State Rep. Tim Flook who will discuss how laws are created and answer questions from students about how government works
Homework - have pages 5, 6 and 7 done for class on Monday

2006-10-11T18:07:00.000-07:00

Week 9 Parent Newsletter – October 9-13, 2006
Mr. Langhorst – 8th Grade American History
South Valley Junior High School

This Week in Class – Finishing The American Revolution and Discovering What They Did Next
This week we had our Unit 2 test on the American Revolution on Tuesday and we also turned in a major project on Monday that was either a comic book or a journal about the war. We will now be starting work on Unit 3 – Creating a Government. As incredible as the winning the war was for the colonists, now in many regards they have even a more challenging task – creating a government that could function and be a democracy. Of course they failed – and then tried it again and wrote the Constitution which did work.

Parent Internet Safety Workshop – October 19th – South Valley Jr High – 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
You have seen the news articles on My Space and the dangers of teens on the Internet. Would you like to know more about how to keep your children safe online? I have organized a workshop for parents on Internet safety with Miles Perry – Assistant Platte County Prosecutor who works with cyber crimes. He has presented at many schools and organizations over the past couple of years. He will be giving a workshop on Thursday, October 19th at the South Valley Junior High School library media center from 7:00 PM until 8:00 PM. This workshop is for parents and students are not encouraged to attend since it will focus on parenting approaches to safety online. There is no registration required in advance. Hope to see you there.

Fairview Cemetery Tour Attended by 21 Students!
Thanks to all of the parents and students who attended the Fairview Cemetery tour last Saturday. We had a great student turnout – 21 students were able to make it for the historical tour of a local cemetery. I know that many of you were busy and I totally understand. Many have asked about another opportunity for a Saturday history experience and there will be one next month. On Saturday, November 4th there will be a “Get to Know Your Museum Tour” at 10:00 AM at the Clay County Historical Society Museum on the historic square in Liberty. More information will follow but you can mark the date if you wish. There is currently a picture from the cemetery tour on the classroom page at www.liberty.k12.mo.us/~elanghorst

Parent Teacher Conference Reminder – Thursday from 4 to 8
I had a great turnout for the parent teacher conferences on Monday. I was able to visit with the parents of 51 students. Thanks to all that made the effort to stop by and say hello. If you weren’t able to make it Monday you will have another opportunity on Thursday from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. I hope to see many of you Thursday night.

Site of the Week – Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
This past week Kansas City lost a true national treasure when Buck O’Neil passed away. I hope that many of you were able to see Buck in person at an appearance over the years. He was one of the most amazing speakers I have had the pleasure of hearing in my lifetime. He could tell a story in a way that made you think and feel in a way that no other could. We are very fortunate to have an incredible facility in the Negro Leagues Museum in our own backyard in Kansas City. If you have never been to this museum please check out the website and then make plans to visit it in the future. It would be a great tribute to Buck and I promise you won’t be disappointed. Negro Leagues Baseball Museum: http://www.nlbm.com/

Have a great week. As always, if you have a question or comment let me know and send me an e-mail.

Mr. Langhorst

2006-10-09T08:44:00.000-07:00

Week 9 of the First Semester
October 9-13, 2006

Monday - Jay Day - October 9 - Parent Teacher Conferences from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- hand in Unit 2 projects (comics and journals)
- play Jeopardy review game to prepare for the Unit 2 Test on Tuesday
- Homework - study for the Unit 2 Test on Tuesday and have the Unit 2 Note Packet completed and ready to turn in Tuesday

Tuesday - Jay Day - October 10
- meet in LMC computer lab
- turn in Unit 2 Note Packets
- take the Unit 2 Test online
- take the Unit 3 Pretest online (not graded)
- Homework - none

Wednesday - Jay Day - October 11
- grade and discuss the Revolutionary War constructed response paragraphs
- CNN Student News
- Homework - none

Thursday - Jay Day - October 12 - Parent Teacher Conferences from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
- hand out Unit 3 Note Packets "Creating a Government"
- plan the podcasts for the Australian students
Homework - have the Unit 3 Note Packet section entitled "Articles of Confederation" completed for class on Monday

Friday - No School

2006-10-04T16:43:00.000-07:00

Week 8 Parent Newsletter – September 25-29, 2006
Mr. Langhorst – 8th Grade American History
South Valley Junior High School

This Week in Class – The Heart of the American Revolutionary War
We are finishing our study of the American Revolutionary War this week. Students will have all their notes completed on Monday in class and we will be doing a constructed response writing project on the reasons why the Americans won the war. We will also be participating in an activity that demonstrates the economics of a colonial era market place. Economic topics such as bartering, the characteristics of currency and opportunity cost will be addressed in the activity. Students will be given a study guide this week to help them prepare for the Unit 2 test next Tuesday. Friday is an early release day due to Homecoming activities.

Cemetery Tour This Saturday at Fairview Cemetery – Students Can Earn Extra Credit For Attending
There will be an opportunity for students to earn some extra credit as well as learn a little local history on Saturday, October 7th. The city of Liberty will be hosting a historical tour of the Fairview Cemetery that begins at 10:00 AM and will last until roughly 11:00 AM. The Fairview Cemetery is located behind Franklin Elementary close to the square in Liberty. The walking tour of the cemetery will include information on the history of the cemetery, famous citizens of Liberty buried there, stories, etc. All students who attend the tour will be given an extra 25 points added to their Unit 2 test grade. Parents are welcome to attend and in the past have found it very enjoyable. It is open to everyone and typically there are around 30 people or more on the tours.

Unit 2 Projects – Comic Books and Journals
The student project for Unit 2 is to create either a comic book on the American Revolutionary War or a journal written from the perspective of someone from the time period of the American Revolutionary War. This project will be due on Monday, October 9th. Students were given handouts, scoring rubrics and information on this project about a week and a half ago. Many students are working on some amazing projects. To see an example of a comic book project turned in several years ago in my class check out this link: http://www.liberty.k12.mo.us/~elanghorst/comicexample.pdf The project is worth 100 points and there will be a deduction on work turned in late.

Parent Teacher Conference Reminder – Next Week on October 9th and 12th
Just a reminder that conferences are coming up next week. Mark down October 9th from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM and October 12th from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. See you then. Thanks.

Site of the Week – Ellis Island Genealogy and Passenger Record Search
Many of you may have relatives that passed through Ellis Island in New York as immigrants to America. My grandfather was one of those immigrants who passed through this historic site. He came to America as a young man from Germany after World War I in hopes of finding a better life. I am an American citizen today because of the great chance that he took. At the Ellis Island site you can research your relatives that passed through as immigrants. I found my grandfathers records and an actual photograph of the page he signed as he was processed into this country. It is FREE and a great way to learn more about your past. Check it out at: http://www.ellisislandrecords.org/

2006-10-01T16:45:00.000-07:00

Week 8 of the First Semester
October 2-6, 2006

Monday - Jay Day - October 2
- Discuss Unit 2.4 Notes "The Legacy of the War" in class
- Homework - working on the Unit 2 project (due October 9)

Tuesday - Jay Day - October 3
- brainstorm for constructed response on the Revolutionary War
- Homework - working on the Unit 2 project (due October 9) and be writing your Revolutionary War constructed response (due on Friday)

Wednesday - Blue Day - October 4 / Thursday - White Day - October 5
- write constructed response on Revolutionary War prompt
- colonial currency activity
- hand out Unit 2 study guides for test on Tuesday, October 10
- read aloud on the Revolutionary War
- Homework - working on the Unit 2 project (due October 9), stuyding for the Unit 2 test (due October 10) and finishing Revolutionary War constructed response (due Friday)

Friday - Adjusted Schedule for Homecoming - October 6
- turn in Revolutionary War constructed response
- CNN Student News
- Homework - working on the Unit 2 project (due October 9) and studying for the Unit 2 test (due October 10)

2006-09-25T16:28:00.000-07:00

Week 7 Parent Newsletter – September 25-29, 2006
Mr. Langhorst – 8th Grade American History
South Valley Junior High School

This Week in Class – The Heart of the American Revolutionary War
We are in the middle of our study of the American Revolutionary War. This week we are taking some notes on the war as well as starting to view the movie “The Crossing”. A&E Network created and showed “The Crossing” several years ago. It is an excellent historical view of Washington’s historic crossing of the Delaware River and attack at Trenton. Check out more about “The Crossing” here: Students this week are also working on their Unit 2 project – either a comic book or journal about the Revolutionary War – which is due on October 9th. On Tuesday we will also take a look at the role of music in the Revolutionary War – both as entertainment and as a means to communicate in the field with the military.

Microsoft Innovative Teachers Forum
This past week I attended the Microsoft Innovative Teachers Forum in Redmond, Washington with fellow South Valley Jr High 8th grade American History teacher Erin Garvey. We were one of the 27 learning teams selected to attend from 17 different states. We were one of only 3 teams to represent the Midwest – there was also a team from Illinois and Michigan. The major theme of the forum was collaboration. We were divided into learning teams and introduced to a specific learning strategy called “Expeditionary Learning”. In this exercise a learning group is given mystery texts to introduce a theme or place. My group was given information about a market and we soon discovered that we were on our way to explore Pike Market in Seattle – the place where the guys throw fish in the market. We were able to explore the market for a couple of hours taking pictures with digital cameras and recording audio with a digital recorder. We then returned to the Microsoft Corporate Campus and had about an hour to create a 10 minute presentation that we would offer to other participants the next day. We use a program named PhotoStory which allows you to use digital pictures in a slideshow format. You can check out my group’s video at: www.liberty.k12.mo.us/~elanghorst/pikemarket.wmv We also attended an awards dinner on Thursday night and listened to a keynote address by Tom Carroll on Friday. I have included some podcasts and pictures from the forum at my pocast site. You can check it out at: www.speakingofhistory.blogspot.com It was a great learning experience and Erin and I brought back some great ideas that we can use in our classrooms.

Conference Reminder
Just a reminder that conferences are coming up in a couple of weeks. Mark down October 9th from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM and October 12th from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. See you then. Thanks.

Site of the Week – Front Pages from Around the World
The featured site this week is for all of you that love media and the news. This site allows you to check out the front pages of over 520 newspapers from around the United States and over 50 countries. This is a great tool for teachers who incorporate current events in their class but it is also great to look at for fun. You can click on any page to see an enlarged color version of the front page. It is also possible to view the front pages from around the world on recent historical dates – such as 9/11 or the day the Shuttle exploded in 2003. Check it out at: http://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/

Have a great week and let me know if you have any questions. Thanks.

2006-09-25T11:05:00.000-07:00

Week 7 of the First Semester
September 25 - 29, 2006

Monday - Jay Day - September 25
- Questions and answers about the Unit 2 project - comic book or journal due Oct 9th
- Watch section 1 of the movie "The Crossing"
- Homework - be working on Unit 2 project (due Oct 9) and have Unit 2.3 notes completed for class on Wednesday/Thursday

Tuesday - Jay Day - September 26
- Music in the Revolutionary War activity
- homework - be working on Unit 2 project (due Oct 9) and have Unit 2.3 notes completed for class on Wednesday/Thursday

Wednesday - Blue Day - Semptember 27 / Thursday - White Day - September 28
- watch section 2 of the movie "The Crossing"
- discuss Unit 2.3 Notes "The Path to Victory" in class
- homework - be working on Unit 2 project (due Oct 9)and have Unit 2.4 notes completed for class on Monday

Friday - Jay Day - September 29
- watch section 3 of the movie "The Crossing"
- homework - be working on Unit 2 project (due Oct 9)and have Unit 2.4 notes completed for class on Monday

2006-09-19T14:08:00.000-07:00

Week 6 Parent Newsletter – September 18-22, 2006
Mr. Langhorst – 8th Grade American History
South Valley Junior High School

This Week in Class – The American Revolution
We are starting our work on Unit 2 this week and will be focusing on the American Revolutionary War. Students were given their Unit 2 note packets on Monday we will be working with sections 1 and 2 in class during the current week. Just a reminder that one of the advantages of having the note packets is that students can work ahead if they have time. We will also be introducing our project for Unit 2 – students will be creating a comic book or journal that describes a particular part of the war or the entire event. We have done this project for the past 5 years and it has produced some incredibly creative results. I will be sharing some examples with students and sharing a rubric with them for the project. The project will be due at the end of our unit when we take the test in several weeks.

Constitution Day Video
Every school in America is mandated by law to do something to celebrate or mention Constitution Day on September 17th – the day the Constitution was adopted. Since this fell on a Sunday this year, we celebrated on Monday by showing a short (90 seconds) video that I created with the help of students and staff at South Valley Jr High. We also meet this requirement by studying the Constitution later in the year with two units of our curriculum. You can view the video online at: http://www.liberty.k12.mo.us/svjh/constitutionday2006.wmv

States Test on Thursday
On of the Missouri Grade Level Expectations for 8th graders in social studies is that they can identify the location of the 50 states. We took a states test earlier in the year and we will be taking our second one this Thursday – September 21. Once a student earns a 100% score on two states tests in a row they have "tested out" and we can say they know the location of the 50 states. The next time we take the states test, in a couple of weeks, they will not need to take it. You can help your student review for the states test using the online states game link located at the bottom of the classroom web site.

Microsoft Innovative Teachers Forum
I will be out of the classroom on Thursday and Friday this week attending an event sponsored by Microsoft at their corporate headquarters in Redmond, Washington. I and fellow 8th South Valley Jr High social studies teacher Erin Garvey, have been selected as one of 25 learning teams to attend the 2006 Microsoft Innovative Teachers Forum. We will be meeting with learning groups from 17 different states to discuss how we use technology in the classroom to help teach our curriculum. It should be an exciting opportunity to meet with other educators on the use of technology. We will include a report in the next parent newsletter upon our return. You can read more about the Microsoft Innovative Teachers Forum at: http://www.microsoft.com/education/InTeachersForum.mspx

E-Mail Grade Reports
Monday I sent out grade reports via e-mail to both students and parents. The grade sheet includes all assignments through September 18th. Some students were absent the day of the test and are taking their test this week. Those test grades will be added as they are taken. If you have any questions about the current grade please feel free to e-mail me and I will do the best to respond quickly.

Site of the Week – This Day in History from the History Channel
Ever wonder what historical events happened on the day you were born? This site from the History Channel tells you the historical events that happened on any day of the year. It is even divided up into categories. You can also check out video clips of famous events that took place that week in history. I found out that Charles Lindbergh died on my birthday in 1974, the 19th amendment giving women the right to vote is ratified and the Second Battle of Bull Run took place during the Civil War. You can even e-mail it to someone and print it. Check it out at: http://www.history.com/tdih.do
If you have any questions please feel free to send me an e-mail for give me a call. I will be out of town from Wednesday night until late Friday for the event in Washington so e-mails may get returned a little later than usual this week. Don’t forget to enjoy the Fall Liberty Festival this weekend. Check the list of activities taking place – they usually have some historical events and reenactments happening. Talk to you later.

Mr. Langhorst

2006-09-17T22:12:00.000-07:00

Week 6 of First Semester
September 18-22, 2006

Monday - Jay Day (SAT Testing Schedule) - September 18

handout Unit 2 "The Revolutionary War" Note Packet
time to work on Unit 2 Note Packet
hand back Unit 1 note packets from last week and discuss the Unit 1 test from Friday
Homework - complete Unit 2.1 Notes "Early Years of the War" for class on Tuesday - study for the states test on Thursday

Tuesday - Jay Day (SAT Testing Schedule) - September 19

CNN Student News
Discuss Unit 2.1 Notes "Early Years of the War" in class with PowerPoint
Homework - complete Unit 2.2 Notes "The War Expands" for Friday - study for the states test on Thursday

Wednesday - Jay Day (SAT Testing Schedule) - September 20

Explain the Revolutionary War project - Comic Book or Journal
Finish Unit 2.1 Notes "Early Years of the War" in class with PowerPoint
Homework - complete Unit 2.2 Notes "The War Expands" for Friday - study for the states test on Thursday

Thursday - Jay Day (SAT Testing Schedule) - September 21

Take states test
Time to work on the Revolutionary War project - Comic Book or Journal
Homework - complete Unit 2.2 Notes "The War Expands" for Friday

Friday - Jay Day (SAT Testing Schedule) - September 22

Discuss Unit 2.2 Notes "The War Expands in Class"
Homework - complete Unite 2.3 Notes "The Path to Victory" for class on Monday

2006-09-12T17:22:00.000-07:00

Week 5 Parent Newsletter – September 11-15, 2006
Mr. Langhorst – 8th Grade American History
South Valley Junior High School

This Week in Class – The Road to Revolution
As we dig into week 5 of the first semester we are finishing our unit on the causes leading up to the American Revolution. This week we take a closer look at the start of the continental army with George Washington at the helm and the creation of the Declaration of Independence. We have an interesting writing assignment with the Declaration of Independence on Wednesday and Thursday (ask you student about it after the complete it in class, I don’t want to give away the surprise) and a Jeopardy game style review to help prepare for the test on Friday.

Unit 1 “The Road to Revolution” Test on Friday
Our first unit test of the year will be coming up on Friday over Unit 1. The students have been filling out their note packet on the first unit and will use it to help study for the test and then turn it in on Friday for a completion grade. The students will take the test in the computer lab on Friday. The testing is completing with an online assessment program called Quia which gives the students instant feedback on the test they just took and gives me instant feedback on how the class is doing on specific questions and items. If you would like to find out more about how I use Quia in the classroom you can listen to the most recent podcast from Speaking of History – www.liberty.k12.mo.us/~elanghorst/speakingofhistory40.mp3

Study Guides and StudyCasts for Unit 1
There are several items available online to help your student prepare for the test. The first in an audio review called a “StudyCast” that allows you to listen to a 20 minute review of the material to be covered on the test. I started the use of StudyCasts in the classroom last year and it was very successful. You can listen to the MP3 file through the speakers on your computer. Students have the advantage of listening to the StudyCast as many times as they wish and pause it at any point. Last year several parents commented that they listened to the StudyCast with their students. The Unit 1 StudyCast can be heard at: www.liberty.k12.mo.us/~elanghorst/unit1studycast2006.mp3 Since the StudyCast is an MP3 file it can also be downloaded to a portable MP3 player like an i-Pod. Students that do not have Internet access at home can request a CD copy of the review which they can use at home on a CD player.

A paper copy of the Unit 1 Study Guide is also available. Students were given a paper copy in class earlier this week but it can also be viewed online at: www.liberty.k12.mo.us/~elanghorst/unit1studyguide.pdf It can be viewed as a PDF file on your computer or printed out on a printer.

Classroom Web Site Recognized by Education World
This week I was honored to be featured on the Teacher Feature page of the Education World web site. It describes some of the ways we use technology in the classroom including book blogs and podcasting. You can view the article at: http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/teacher_feature/teacher_feature124.shtml

Site of the Week – Tips for Parents from MSTA
This week’s site is from the Missouri State Teachers Association. The organization produces a 12 page guide with tips for parents to help their student succeed in the classroom. It contains suggestions on specifics like math and science homework as well items for parent teacher conferences. It is available to view and/or print as a pdf file at: http://www.msta.org/files/regions/tipsforparents.pdf

Have a great week and please email me any questions or concerns you may have and I will respond as quickly possible. Thanks.

Eric Langhorst

2006-09-10T16:50:00.000-07:00

Week 5 of First Semester
September 11-15, 2006

Monday - Jay Day (Early Release Schedule) - September 11

go over Unit 1.5 Notes "The Birth of an Army" in class
handout Unit 1 Study Guide for the test coming up Friday of this week
Homework - have Unit 1.6 Notes "The Declaration of Independence" completed for Tuesday

Tuesday - Jay Day - September 12

go over Unit 1.6 Notes "The Declaration of Independence" in class
Homework - be studying for the upcoming Unit 1 test on Friday

Wednesday - Blue Day - September 13 / Thursday - White Day - September 14

play review game in class to prepare for the Unit 1 test on Friday
writing assignment with the Declaration of Independence
CNN Student News
Homework - be studying for the Unit 1 test on Friday and have your Unit 1 note packet completed and ready to turn in on Friday before taking the test

Friday - Jay Day - September 15

meet in the LMC computer lab
hand in Unit 1 Note Packet
take the Unit 1 Test "The Road to Revolution"
Homework - none, enjoy a good book this weekend

2006-09-07T10:39:00.000-07:00

Week 4 Parent Newsletter – September 4-8, 2006
Mr. Langhorst – 8th Grade American History
South Valley Junior High School

Welcome
Hello and welcome to the first edition of the parent newsletter. This is the fourth year I have sent out a parent newsletter and I have found it to be a very productive method of letting you know what is happening in class. Comments from parents have been extremely positive and I have found that in addition to opening communication between you and I as parent and teacher, it has also had an impact on parents and students. When parents know what is happening in the classroom and which topics are being covered, it is much easier for them to start a conversation with their student about school.

The content of the newsletter will vary from week to week but I will always include a list of the lesson plans being covered in class for the week and a general summary of the topics we are covering in the curriculum. This information is also available on the classroom web site and the parent newsletter blog. (More information about the site below.) Thanks for taking the time to read the parent newsletter and let me know if you have any suggestions or comments.

Classroom Web Site
If you have not yet visited the classroom web site I would encourage you to check it out at: www.liberty.k12.mo.us/~elanghorst and bookmark it on your computer. I update the site daily and work hard to maintain fresh content and resources. Features of the web site include links to lesson plans, copies of notes, study guides, links to helpful sites and news about what is happening in class. Two links of interest are the links marked “Class Scribe Blog” and “Parent Newsletter Blog”. The Parent Newsletter Blog contains basically the same information that is included in this e-mail. The Class Scribe Blog is a new feature this year in which a student is selected each day to write a blog entry about what we did in class. This blog is helpful to students who missed class and what to check up on what they missed and it is read by teachers and historians who follow the activities of our class. It is currently being read by people all over the United States and several other countries.

Lights! Camera! Learning! – The Boston Massacre News Project
This week we are filming our project for Unit 1 – creating a modern day news broadcast of the Boston Massacre in 1770. The Boston Massacre was a critical turning point in the days leading up to the Revolutionary War. It made many undecided citizens of Boston very anti-British. News coverage of the event at the time was very one sided – the Sons of Liberty used it as a propaganda tool to make the British soldiers the enemy of the citizens of Boston. We film a news broadcast of the Boston Massacre as it would be reported today – interviews with soldiers, eye witnesses, the King, etc. It helps the students not only understand the importance of the Boston Massacre as a historical event but the role of media today and how it impacts public perception. We filmed the segments this week and editing will begin next week. Once we have the finished product we will post them on the Internet for you to view. This will be the fifth year we have done this project in class and it has been featured in a magazine produced by the History Channel and it will be focus of an article in an upcoming issue of Discovery Education later this fall.

Unit Test Next Week – September 15th
Our first unit test of the year - over the beginnings of the American Revolutionary War - will take place next Friday on September 15th. Students at the start of next week will be given a paper copy of the study guide and a studycast will be made available as well. A studycast is an audio review for the test that can be heard through the Internet via a link on the classroom web site or downloaded to a personal MP3 player like an i-Pod. Links for these materials will be made available at the start of next week.

Link of the Week – Gas Buddy
From time to time I will try to pass along links that I have found interesting or use in class. This week’s link is Gas Buddy. We have not used it in class yet this year but thought you would find it interesting. This site: http://www.gasbuddy.com/gb_gastemperaturemap.aspx shows you a average price of gas in each county across the United States. It is a great discussion starter for why gas prices vary – a lesson we will use when we discuss taxes later in the year.

Parent Connect Update
If you have not yet signed up for Parent Connect I would encourage you to do sign up. It allows you to see the grades for your student in every class. We have had only two grades so far this year – a 50 states test and a homework check. These grades will be updated by Monday, September 11th and I will send out a grade report update via e-mail as well. Parent Connect is updated every couple of weeks so it does depend a little on which day you access it.

Thanks and have a great week!

2006-09-04T18:10:00.000-07:00

Week 4 of First Semester
September 4 - 8, 2006

Monday - September 4

No School - Labor Day

Tuesday - September 5 - Jay Day

Presentation on Student E-Mail
Final plans for taping the Boston Massacre News Video Project
Homework - have Unit 1.4 Notes "Shot Heard "Round the World" done before class on Friday

Wednesday - September 6 - Blue Day / Thursday - September 7 - White Day

Taping for the Boston Massacre News Video Projeject
Homework - have Unit 1.4 Notes "Shot Heard 'Round the World" done before class on Friday

Friday - September 8 - Jay Day

Go over Unit 1.4 Notes "Shot Heard 'Round the World"
Homework - have Unit 1.5 Notes "Birth of an Army" done for class on Monday

2006-08-28T07:40:00.000-07:00

Week 3 of First Semester
August 28 - September 1, 2006

Monday - August 28 - Jay Day

homework check on Unit 1.2 notes "The Boston Massacre"
discuss the Boston Massacre News Video Project
watch video from United Streaming on the Real Story of the Boston Massacre
students will complete a graphic organizer of facts and ideas for the project as they watch the video
Homework - complete Unit 1.3 notes "The Boston Tea Party" for class on Friday

Tuesday - August 29 - Jay Day

finish Unit 1.1 notes if needed on Taxes and Acts
Unit 1.2 notes "The Boston Massacre" in class on PowerPoint
CNN Student News
time to work on Unit 1 note packet if time allows
Homework - complete Unit 1.3 notes "The Boston Tea Party" for class on Friday

Wednesday - August 30 - Blue Day / Thursday - August 31 - White Day

organize roles and responsibilities for the Boston Massacre Video News project
work in groups to write scripts for the news coverage
brainstorm for ideas on news station name, clothing for the participants, etc.
CNN Student News
Homework - complete Unit 1.3 notes "The Boston Tea Party" for class on Friday

Friday - September 1 - Jay Day

Unit 1.3 notes "The Boston Tea Party" in class on PowerPoint
video clip on the Boston Tea Party from United Streaming
Homework - complete Unit 1.4 notes for class on Tuesday (no class on Monday next week due to LAbor Day)

2006-08-21T08:25:00.000-07:00

Week 2 of the First Semester
August 21-25, 2006

Monday - August 21 - Jay Day

in LMC computer lab
finish computer copy of student information sheet
practice the online 50 states game (test tomorrow for a grade)
Homework - practice for the 50 states test on Tuesday

Tuesday - August 22 - Jay Day

take a graded 50 states test
CNN Student News
Homework - none

Wednesday - August 23 - Blue Day / Thursday - August 24 - White Day

meet in LMC computer lab
learn how to take online tests using Quia
take a pretest over Unit 1 "Road to Revolution" - not graded just to find out what you know about our upcoming topic
handout Unit 1 note packet "Road to Revolution"
discuss how the note packet works and what is expected as homework
time to work on the Unit 1.1 notes "Taxes and Acts"
CNN Student News
Homework - have Unit 1.1"Taxes and Acts" in the note packet finished for class on Friday

Friday - August 25 - Jay Day

Notes in class over Unit 1.1 "Taxes and Acts" using a PowerPoint
CNN Student News
Homework - finish Unit 1.2 Notes "Boston Massacre" for class on Monday

2006-08-14T23:21:00.000-07:00

Week 1 of the First Semester
August 16-18, 2006

Wednesday, August 16 - Jay Day

First day of class
Introductions
Handout information sheet for students to complete and return
Check out textbooks
Homework - students should complete the information sheets and return to class on Thursday

Thursday, August 17 - Jay Day

Students will take a Learning Styles Test to determine the way they learn best
States test - students will be tested on their geography knowledge of the 50 states
CNN Student News
Homework - none if students have completed the information sheets

Friday, August 18 - Jay Day

Return from the Moon Activity in class
CNN Student News
Homework - none if students have completed the information sheets, we will be using them in class on Monday

2006-08-14T23:02:00.000-07:00

Welcome

Hello and welcome to the "This Week in Class with Mr. Langhorst". This blog will be used throughout the 2006-2007 school year to post our weekly assignments, links to web sites and photos of what we are doing in class.

By Monday morning of each week this blog will be updated with the activities and assignments for the upcoming week in class. If you wish to contact me please send an e-mail to: elanghorst@liberty.k12.mo.us