Farmers Settle on the Great Plains

The completion of the railroads to the West following the Civil War opened up large areas of the region to settlement and economic development. White settlers from the East across the Mississippi to mine, farm, and ranch. African-American settlers also came West from the Deep South, convinced by promoters of all-black Western towns that prosperity could be found there. Chinese railroad workers further added to the diversity of the region's population.
Settlement from the East transformed the Great Plains. The huge herds of American bison that roamed the plains were virtually wiped out, and farmers plowed the natural grasses to plant wheat and other crops. The cattle industry rose in importance as the railroad provided a practical means for getting the cattle to market.

Group # 1
Innovations and Innovations for Plains Farmers--

Group # 2
Homestead Act 1862
Morrill Act 1862

Group # 3
A Farmers Life on the Great Plains

Group # 4
Oklahoma Land Rush
Barbed Wire

Armenian Genocide

The Armenian Genocide was the first of its kind during World War I.  Genocide is the organized killing for a group of people with the purpose putting an end to their existence.  The Armenian Genocide was planned and executed by the Turkish government against the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire.  This was carried out during World War I from 1915-1918 abduction, deportation, starvation, execution, massacre, and expropriation.  Women and children were abducted and abused. Then again in 1920 and 1923 Armenians were subjected to massacres and exiled from their country.

Map of Europe  




History Channel - Armenian Genocide

Armenian History

Voices From the Past- Armenia

Documents



Culminating Activity:
Will be a Power Point Presentation.


 

AMERICANS MOVE WEST 1850 - 1890

During this period of time the U.S. expanded the Mississippi River to the Pacific Coast.  The country's population grew because of new immigrants and technology.  Life was very hard for those that sought a new life in the West.


Group # 1

Explain, what was the Comstock Lode? and How did it impact the growth of the West?
Describe, how boomtowns developed? and Explain, how boomtowns became ghost towns?

Comstock Lode
Boomtown to Ghost Town


Group # 2

Explain, how did the Cattle Kingdom dominate the West from 1865 - 1890? and What was the importance of the cattle drive?  What caused the Cattle Kingdom to decline?

Cattle Kingdom
American Cowboy Part 1
American Cowboy Part 2


Group  # 3

Explain, how the American Cowboy developed? and Describe, who the American Cowboy learned to survive in the West?
American Cowboy Develops # 1
American Cowboy # 2


Group # 4
Describe, how the Transcontinental Railroad changed and helped America grow?  Describe, what the purpose of the Pony Express was?

Transcontinental Railroad History Channel
Building the Transcontinental Railroad
Pony Express

ALL TO ANSWER THE FOLLOWING:
List the details of the Chinese Exclusion Act.  Explain, how this law as equally harsh as he Black Codes after the Civil War?

Chinese Exclusion Act 1862

Welcome the the 8th Grade- Ms. Striar's 8th Grade Students -2015/16 School Year

Dear Parents,

Welcome to your child's 8th grade experience in Social Studies.  This is very a very special year for  your child.  These are some of the class policies and school supplies that your child will be responsible for.

Class Policy:

1. Students must arrive to class on time.
2. There is no gum, drinks, food, or candy in class.
3. All students must be prepared daily with a pen, highlighter, and homework assignment.
4. Homework assignments are due the next day unless otherwise instructed.
5. Class grades are a composite of:
 a. Assessments & Tasks
 b. Classwork and Participation
 c. Homework
6. No use of cells phones or electronic devices can be used in a classroom according to our schools's policy.
7. If you need to contact me please do so at   anna.striar@gmail.com or the school's phone 718-743-0220

School Supplies:

1. One marble notebook for vocabulary.
2. Poly binder 1 1/2 inch wide
3. Sections in the binder (homework and class notes) NO Spiral NOTEBOOKS
4. Yellow highlighter.
5. Pens blue or black ink (Tri-Color Bic Pen optional)
6. Legal Pads (optional only purchased if on sail)

This is a portion of the contract that your child will taking home to you the first week of school.
Please feel free to reach out to me during the school year.

Yours truly,
Ms. Striar