Maps!! Maps are useful tools!   Find out why maps were useful in ancient times, by watching the video below:

Then, go to this website and see how you do with some modern map quiz games:

online.seterra.net/en

Respond in the comments section below with how you find maps to be useful tools!

Ever wondered when the media first became involved in the Presidential Election process?

Well, one could say it began right about this time of the year, 83 years ago! That’s right! The first Presidential Inauguration ever filmed was filmed on March 5th, 1933!

It was the Inauguration of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

Click on the link below to watch this first inauguration ever on film:

Then, respond in the comments section below with your thoughtful reaction!

Ever wondered what happened on this day in history?  Now you can find out by going to this link:  http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/today.html.

For example, today I learned that United States General Zachary Taylor was victorious over Mexican General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna in the Battle of Buena Vista on February 23, 1847. Named for a nearby hacienda, the Battle of Buena Vista was fought near Monterrey, in northern Mexico. On the evening of February 21, General Taylor received a message from General Santa Anna offering to accept an American surrender and be spared the battle. Taylor reportedly replied: “I decline accepting your request.” For the next two days, the Mexican army of over 15,000 troops assaulted the smaller U.S. force of only 5,000 men. The agile field artillery and advantageous battle position, however, favored General Taylor against overwhelming odds. By nightfall of February 23, the exhausted and dispirited Mexican army retreated; Taylor elected not to pursue the troops and remained to secure the region.  This event helped to secure our victory in the Mexican-American war.

Go to the above link and respond below with what you learned about the day you chose to research!

Image courtesy of Congressforkids.net

Today, February 1st, our nation takes the first step toward electing the next President of the United States of America!  Voters in Iowa caucus today to cast their vote for who will run for the highest office in our country.  This begins the primary election season.

To learn more about the election process, go to the website below and explore! Read about our nation’s election process and quiz yourself as you go!  Also, check out the right-hand side of the page, where you can “Surf with Uncle Sam”, play “Word Spy”, and even do an independent project!  Respond below in the comment section with something important you learned from this website.  Or, if you completed one of the projects, take a picture and send it to your EY coordinator!

http://www.congressforkids.net/Elections_index.htm

How well do you know the United States of America?

This website tests your knowledge of the geography of the USA!  Go here to take the test:  http://lizardpoint.com/geography/usa-quiz.php

Then, once you’ve mastered US Geography, broaden your horizons!

Test your knowledge of World Geography, Africa, The Americas, Asia, Australia/Oceania, Europe and more by clicking the links!

In the comment section below, respond with your score!

What’s so great about the great lakes? Complete this Social Studies mini spark and find out!

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your Social Studies mini spark recording page: #5: Geography Lesson: Great Lakes

2.  Watch this video. Record 10 facts about the lakes.

3.  “Great Lakes Now” takes  you on a field trip to Lake Erie’s coastal wetlands. Record notes on your recording page as you watch the video.

4. Need to memorize the great lakes? Use HOMES to help! Record these letters and the lakes each letter stands for on your recording page. When you are done scroll to the bottom of this post to check your work.

H-

O-

M-

E-

S-

5. Share your social studies mini spark recording page and visual with your teacher/EY coordinator.

Huron

Ontario

Michigan

Erie

Superior

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your Social Studies mini spark recording page: 

4. Share your social studies mini spark recording page and visual with your teacher/EY coordinator.

Alvin is a special underwater vehicle that lets scientists dive deep into the ocean to explore amazing things! It helps them check out weird creatures living in super tough places, see volcanic eruptions underwater, and discover all sorts of cool stuff in the deep blue sea. It’s like a submarine for scientists, and it goes on exciting adventures beneath the waves!

Spark your thinking!

1. Set up your Social Studies mini spark recording page: #3: Exploring the Ocean

2.  Read this book all about ALVIN and deep sea diving. Make a mini dictionary with interesting terms. Record the definition of each of the words you pick. Include at least 10 words in your dictionary.

3. Watch this video about Alvin. Choose 5 of the questions to answer. Remind your teacher that the answer key is in the Social Studies mini sparks folder.

1. What year was the submersible Alvin first commissioned and what was its purpose?
    
2. Who was the scientist that led the push to build the Alvin submersible?
    
3. Describe one of the significant discoveries made by Alvin in the late 1970s.
    
4. How did Alvin change our understanding of life on Earth and other ocean worlds?
    
5. In what way did Alvin capture the world’s attention after the Titanic was found?
    
6. What upgrades were made to Alvin that increased its dive depth capability?
    
7. How has Alvin contributed to the field of deep sea research over the years?
    
8. Discuss the importance of deep submergence technologies that have flourished due to Alvin.

4. Share your social studies mini spark recording page and visual with your teacher/EY coordinator.