Exploration: Europeans set out to explore trade routes

Students, examine both videos attached to this Blog Assignment. After viewing both videos, write a brief paragraph to summarize the following questions: 1) Who was Prince Henry the Navigator and what were some of the goals he wanted to accomplish, 2) What inventions assisted the explorers in their journeys and how, 3) Who were the Spanish explorers and what were they seeking to discover, 4) What areas did the conquistadors explore, 5) How many sailors traveled with Columbus and why do you "THINK" they did not receive credit with the discovery of the New World, 6) Name Columbus ships and how effective did they travel?
Due Date: The assignment is due no later than Friday, August 31, 2012 at midnight (12:00a.m.)
2nd Assignment- Students should write a (2) two sentence reply to their classmates post to create an educational dialogue regarding the Exploration period and what are your thoughts related to the purpose of exploration.
Due Date: The assignment is due no later than Monday, September 3, 2012 at midnight (12:00a.m.)

Welcome: Talented Tenth Graders

Welcome Back 10th Graders!!! First I would like to say I hope each and everyone had a great and restful summer. I look forward to teaching you a host of new information and several new strategies to assist you in analyzing historical data. My ultimate goal this year is to help my students think like a historian and formulate their own perspective about events and people of American history. This year will consist of a pivotal presidential election in our nation's history and we will examine the political process that the Constitution has created for the Executive Branch of the United States of America. We will also take a close look at the first part of American History from the beginnings-  Reconstruction(1877). Becoming a productive and active citizen in your community, city, state, and country will allow you to create your own personal history and my plans are to build the foundations for it!
1st Assignment- Due 8/23/2012 by 12:00a.m. Midnight
Students will introduce themselves to the class Blog Post. Name, interest, goals, likes and dislikes of history, plans for school year, future career/occupation, college of choice, etc. (anything positive you would like the class to know about you). This welcome post should be at least 1 one paragraph in length (5 sentences). (see teacher example). The blog post are mandatory weekly and will count as 50 points.
2nd Assignment-Due 8/25/2012 by 12:00a.m. Midnight
Students are required to respond to (2) two of their classmates blog post. Students are required to write a two sentence reply to their classmates original post. Comments are to be respectful and positive. Each comment post will count as 25 points which is a total of 50 points. I look forward to reading your blog post and I he you enjoy a positive form of cyber communication in this class for the 2012-2013 school year!!!