Why Can't We Be Friends?

The U.S. and Britain just could not seem to get along. Just twenty nine years after the American Revolution, the U.S. and Britain went at it again in the War of 1812. Why all the hate? Well, it basically comes down to a power, trade, and control of the high seas. Watch the video to find out more!

History Channel: Americans and British Face Off in War of 1812

See if you can answer any of the following questions. Write your answers in the comment box!

1. What U.S. president declared war on Great Britain in 1812? (He was the first U.S. president to ask Congress to declare war!)
2.What were members of Congress who favored war called? 
3. The poem "The Defense of Fort McHenry" eventually became what song? 
4. When the British invaded the capital to burn the White House, first lady Dolly Madison refused to leave until what was rescued? 
5. What place did the U.S. and Great Britain sign the Peace Treaty ending the War of 1812?

Occupy history?

On November 15, 1867, the first stock ticker made its debut in NYC changing the New York Stock Exchange and Wall Street forever. Invented by Edward Calahan and later improved by Thomas Edison, the stock ticker transmitted information in real time. 

Now 144 years later, protestors have "occupied Wall Street" to demonstrate their frustrations with economic equalities in the U.S. and the growing difference in wealth between 1% of Americans and the other 99%. However, those opposing Occupy Wall Street believe that the movement was started by youth who lack focus and are acting hypocritically.

In history class, we often use political cartoons as primary source documents to learn about historical events and the feelings of people during that time period. The two political cartoons below show two opposing viewpoints on the movement. 

(http://www.usnews.com/opinion/photos/occupy-wall-street-cartoons/3)  

What do you know about Occupy Wall Street? Do you think students in 2211 will be studying about Occupy Wall Street? Do you think the movement deserves a spot in history textbooks? If they were to study the political cartoons above, what do you think they would learn about about Occupy Wall Street and/ or how people feel about it? 

To post or not to post?

It seems as though everyone these days is posting on social media sites- Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest. In the articles below, students discuss the risks of posting and a teacher risks losing her job for a comment she made on her Facebook page.

http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/education/4938.html

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/11/08/judge-rules-teacher-should-lose-job-after-facebook-post/

Should employees be held accountable for what is on their personal social media sites? Should schools hold students accountable for what is on their personal social media sites? Why or why not?

And we're back...

In an effort to ensure our students our 21st century learners, I am officially bringing back "Making History with Miss Elliott"! Stay tuned.