Updates: 6/11/13 and 6/12/13

Yesterday (6/11/13) and today (6/12/13) we worked on our Immigrant Guides to the west and studied for our final exam.

Class: 6.7.13 + 6.10.13 and Smithsonian Quest

On Friday (6/7/13) we worked on our Immigrant Guides to the West again. Today in class (6/10/13) we presented our Smithsonian Quests.

Smithsonian Quest “Dirt Detective" Reflection:

Issued to:	charliespinale
Badge issued by:	Smithsonian Quests
Badge awarded by:	10th Grade
Badge Issuer Contact:	smithsonian@learningtimes.com
Issued on:	June 10, 2013
Also issued to:	5 others

 

For the Badge I completed all of the Quests for the Dirt Detective section. For the first section titled “dig it”, I listed to a conference that expanded my knowledge of soil. I use to think that all soil was the same everywhere you went but I learned that is not true. Soil is different everywhere and is very unique. In different ecosystems soil contains different components such as water, air, and minerals. The soil in some places in the world is good for farming while other places it is horrible for farming. Prairie soils have a dark surface layer and are rich in minerals. They form in grasslands all over Earth’s middle latitudes. Forest soils are light gray, and are rich in aluminum. Organic soils are dark colored and rich in decomposed organic matter. They form in poorly drained lowlands like a swamp or wetland. Desert soils form in arid settings and are rich in calcium carbonate. Lastly, Tundra soils have a dark organic-rich upper layer. They also have a mineral rich layer over frozen ground. Soils basically develop the way they are due to their climate. An interesting thing I learned from the discussion is that when there is no rainfall, rivers still flow because of the water contained in the soil. The next quest I did was titled “eat it”. In this quest I found edible plants that grow in my area that I could find in a local grocery store. I listed things such as lettuce, beets, tomatoes, potatoes, celery, etc.  After the grocery list I did a quest called “build it” in this quest I took a picture of a local construction around me and found out how the soil was being changed because of the construction. The soil has to be moved around and changed for the needs of the construction. I learned that soil specialist have to come in before a construction and determine if the soil can hold structure that will soon be built. For my last Quest to complete this badge I did “analyze it”. In this Quest I found out what the typical soil composition was like in my area. I learned that the soil in my town is called the Ridgebury series soil. This soil is best known for its poor drainage capacity. Over-all I thought the Triton 16% Smithsonian Quests were a good idea that Mr. Boyle incorporated into class. It allowed students to pick what they wanted to learn for a change. I think that it’s very important that we have opportunities like this because it’s nice to make your own decisions in what you’re learning about. It will prepare us for college when we have to pick what we’re going to major in and that decision will completely change our lives.

Documentary MLA Sources

Charlie Spinale

F period

6/9/13

MLA Format Sources

"Abraham Lincoln." Http://www.nps.gov/. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 June 2013.

"George Washington." The White House. www.whitehouse.gov, n.d. Web. 05 June 2013.

"Abraham Lincoln." The White House. Www.whitehouse.gov, n.d. Web. 09 June 2013.

"George Washington Timeline." George Washington Timeline. Datesandevents.org, n.d. Web. 09 June 2013.

"My Ántonia." Shmoop. Shmoop.com, n.d. Web. 09 June 2013.

"Atticus Finch." Shmoop. Shmoop.com, n.d. Web. 09 June 2013.

Dekoelie. "American Anthem." YouTube. YouTube, 31 Oct. 2006. Web. 09 June 2013.

What does it mean to be an American?- A Documentary Project

Class: 6/4/13 and 6/5/13

Yesterday (6/4/13) we worked on our “Immigrant Guide to the West” which are due June 13^th. Today we worked on our Smithsonian Quest which we will be presenting on Monday.

Class Updates: 5/31/13 and 6/3/13

On Friday May 31^st we worked on our Immigrant Guide to the West projects. This is our final assessment for American Literature Honors and American History Honors. For this guide we will be making a guide book for immigrants as they are going west, this guide will help them prepare for life on the frontier. There are several parts to this project we need to complete. First we need a section with specific vocabulary words and phrases that an immigrant would need to know to be successful in the frontier. Next we need information on how to build a shelter and then advice for farming on the frontier. After this we need a section on advice for meeting locals and adapting to the new community. The next section is about some big threats that’s immigrants will face in the frontier. After this section we need to make something about safety in the frontier. Next will be a section on Myths and reality in the frontier. Lastly, you need to add anything else you want to include in the guide. Today June 3^rd we did not have class due to the half day.