Week of September 28 - October 2

US I - we will be studying the various colonial regions this week. We want to gain an understanding of how and why the different colonies developed in different ways. Our focus will be on the New England and Chesapeake areas. What factors brought about the different societies?

Pages 43 - 60 must be completed for the beginning of the week.

We will be having our first test at the end of this coming week as well. You should start reviewing your notes from class and your text.

US II - we begin the investigation of western settlement this week. Some texts weave this topic into a chapter on industry and agriculture, other texts treat it separately. Regardless, it is very important to realize (1) the national issues at play in this settlement (2) the tensions between various groups with interests in the west - there were many!! and (3) the role government played, good and not so good.

CP sections - 198-229
Honors section - Chapter 16

PRAYER:

I - Sarah Gilbert & Katie Doherty
II - Bianca Andre & Cate Cotugno
Honors - Liz Bollino

Weekend of Gifts

This past weekend, starting on Thursday evening, my life was filled with wonderful gifts.

On Thursday, Craig Scott, a student survivor of the Columbine tragedy, spoke at Marshfield HS. His talk - Rachel's Challenge - was emotional, entertaining, and spiritually inspiring. His sister Rachel was killed in the Columbine massacre but her spirit has served to bring out the best in people. Check her message out at Rachelschallenge.org.

On Friday (after FBA golf!) I went to wonderful Ultreya at Glastonbury Abbey. Fr. Martin Hiatt lifted us all with his wonderful liturgy and homily. He is indeed a gift & he gets everyone excited and spirited about our relationship with Jesus. The evening was absolutely wonderful, hilarious, and filled with wonderful fellowship.

On Saturday our newest grandchild was born! Cayden Barrett Shacochis came into this world at 6:28 pm. On Sunday we got to hold her for the first time! We are so happy and so are Cayden's mommy & daddy. She is our 5th grandchild and just as special as everyone of the others - Joey (9), Emma (7), Carolina (4) and Clare (3).

Week #2 Already!

Welcome to our 2nd week of school. Most classes have picked up on the routines and expectations for US History and we are ready to pick up the pace. One piece we have not really started working on yet is essay writing and we will do that this week. We have been creating T statements (Thesis statements) and now we want to take those & create essays from them. We will begin this week looking at our 'building an essay' model.

Tests - US I and II classes will have their first tests this week as well. It is best to review your notes & HW a few nights prior to the exam, and the night before the exam review one last time.

Some documents to check out: go to the ABC - CLIO site and check these out:
US I --- on the Salem Witch Trials, # 4, 8, and 11.
US II --- on Reconstruction, # 14, 37, & 38

Prayer Leaders this week:
US I - Katie Crosby and Anna Wahlstrom
US II - Brianna Woodley and Glorine Beauport
US Honors - Katie Ahern

Summer Reading

Welcome Back FBA US History fanatics!!

Hope your summer was wonderful, full of refreshing, exciting, and rewarding ventures. My summer was a good one ... Alaska Cruise! Hershey Park with our grandchildren! and lots of good reading!

My list:

Boom! - Tom Brokaw - great recollection of the Sixties. Lots of personal experiences and very good studies of many significant individuals. A very good example of my "history happened to people" mantra.

The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho - an interesting story of a young man's search for faith, riches, and how they are one and the same.

Mere Christianity - C.S. Lewis - a tough read; his lectures on Christianity were thought provoking but very challenging to process (at least, for summer reading).

The Shack - William Young - for the 3rd time; I love this book. Makes you think, shakes up a few preconceived images but really helps in one's understanding of the Trinity.

What Happened - Scott McLellan - an insider's account of the mindsets and policy decisions of the Bush administration, especially after 9/11 and the Iraq War.

Under the Banner of Heaven - Jon Krakauer - a study of the extremist regions of Mormonism. I found this fascinating and disturbing.

K Blows Top! - Peter Carlson- a recap of Nikita Khruschev's visit to America in 1959. Weaves in some of the political background manueverings, but focuses on the social & human & humorous. Fun read.

Columbine - David Cullen - in depth study of all that lead up to the tragedy at Columbine HS. As is sadly often the case, there were so ma ny warning signs and opportunities to prevent the horrible events, but it all fell through many cracks.

Ghost Wars - Steven Coll - history of the CIA's actions in Afghanistan from 1979 to 9/10/01. Intriguing and full of times when the reader says "If only..."

A Long Way Gone - Ishmael Beah - true story of a Sierra Leone youth trapped in the civil war ("Blood Diamond") and his escape from the rebels and basically forced service as a soldier at the age of 14 or so. Great book.

Also read a couple of mystery novels on the flights to & from the West Coast for the cruise. Easy and quick...real no thinking just turning the pages and escaping kind of stuff.

US II - in looking at Reconstruction, ask yourself why the northerners were so inattentive toward developments in the South. Were the Northerners justified in leaving conditions in the South to the Southerners? Your comments are welcomed here.

US I - The New World colonies presented all types on new opportunities for the settlers. Which of the attractions in the colonies was the most significant in your mind? The religious factor? The new life issue? The chance to gain wealth? Your comments are welcomed here.