On the Trail!

Think about your pioneer family. What are some good things that might happen to your family on the trail? What are some bad things or dangers your family may face? 
Think about all of the knowledge you have been learning from research and reading Joshua's Journal.
Please write at least 2 good things and 2 bad things that might happen to your family. Write in complete sentences. 

Pioneer Personalities

Westward Ho!
Today we chose our pioneer names. Introduce yourself to the wagon train. Tell your name, age, gender and your role in the family. Use your knowledge from our research and Joshua's Journal to tell about your responsibilities on the trail.

Spanish Field Trip

Yesterday, we travelled to Stevenson Middle School to see two performances by the Hispanic Flamenco Ballet. We learned about many types of dances from all over Latin America and Spain.
Please reflect on your memories from the performances. What was the most interesting or impressive to you?

To help your memory, we saw these dances from Latin America:
Mexico: Jarabe Tapatio
Colombia: The Cumbia
Dominican Republic: Merengue
Cuba and Puerto Rico: Salsa
Brasil: Samba
                                                      Argentina: Tango, Gauchos Dance: Malambo, Boleadoras

Spain:
La Jota
La Tuna
Zarzuela
Sevillanas
Flamenco

A Long Trip

This week in library, we finished reading Roughing it On the Oregon Trail by Diane Stanley. We learned that the pioneers travelled 2,000 miles from Independence, Missouri to Oregon Country. The trip was slow-going and took 6 months by wagon! Think about the longest trip you have been on. How did you get to your destination (bike, car, plane)? What did you do for entertainment? How did you feel when you arrived?

Westward Expansion

Stay or Leave?

The year is 1844. People are talking about President Polk's words, "Manifest Destiny." We learned today that Manifest Destiny was the belief that Americans were destined to conquer the continent Ocean to Ocean. Will you be a pioneer and travel the Oregon Trail for 6 months to help America grow? Or, will you choose to stay put. What are your reasons for leaving on the trail or staying in your current home? Use your knowledge of why people stayed and why people headed West to help guide your decision. 

International Fair 2014

This week we visited Australia and India!
What are your feelings about your travels?
What was your favorite experience in both countries?
Please share your new learning with us too!

Westward Expansion

Today we viewed a short video about the Oregon Trail. What is a fact that impressed you or stood out to you?  What are at least two wonders you would like to investigate further? Please read each other's comments and try not to repeat posts.