Westward Ho! CyberHunt

Head west on the wagon trail to learn more about early pioneers who settled the frontier.


Use "The Oregon Trail" (http://www.america101.us/trail/Allabout.html) to read and record the answers on your worksheet.

Pep Talk from Kid President

We all need a little encouragement every now and then. Kid President, knowing this, has put together a video you can play each morning as you wake up or to share with your friend who needs a kick in the right direction. Take a moment and spread some encouragement. "It's everybody's duty to give the world a reason to dance." (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-gQLqv9f4o)

Virtual Voyager ##7 - Rank Order

How does your country rank in the world?
     Using CIA Photius Ranking (http://www.photius.com/rankings/), click on four different Factbook Data Fields (geographic area, infant mortality rate, oil consumption, GDP - PPP, population, internet users, roadways, people living with HIV/AIDS, life expectancy, oil production, GDP per capita).  Find you country's rank (they are in highest to lowest).
     Then, record the fields researched, your country's rank, and WHY YOU THINK THAT IS.  (You are going to have to use what you know about your country thus far to make an educated guess.)

FOR EXAMPLE:  ARGENTINA

1.  Internet users in Argentina are estimated 10 million people and ranked 27th in the world.  I think Argentina is ranked 27th because it is geographically remote and establishing internet connections outside of major cities is very difficult.

2. Argentina is ranked 24th in roadways with 229,144 km.  In addition to the geography limiting the amount of roads in Argentina, I think climate might affect the usefulness of a permanent road.  Rain and flooding probably wash out roads.  Additionally, due to the climate, the number of vehicles might be limited (warm weather) and people walk, ride animals, or bikes.

3.  Argentina produces 745,000 barrels per day ranking 26th in world oil production.  The countries producing more oil than Argentina are the typical large oil producers and Argentina would have to have vast oil reserves to keep up with the production of countries like Kuwait.

4.  Argentina is ranked 135th in world infant mortality rate.  That means per there are approximately 14 infant deaths for every 1,000 live births in Argentina.  Other countries ranking higher on the list are undeveloped or developing countries that do not have the resources for supporting infant lives.  Argentina must have hospitals and trained medical staff to keep the infant mortality rate low.

Virtual Voyager #6 - Military

Empires rise and fall based on their military's ability or inability to expand and protect it. 

Today, many countries maintain militaries for the same reasons.  Go to Yahoo Kids World Factbook (http://kids.yahoo.com/reference/world-factbook/flags) and find your country. 

Then use the tabs to locate military information and answer the following questions:



1.  What are the military branches maintained by your country?

2.  a. What is the legal age of service for individuals in your country's military? 
     b. Is military service voluntary (by choice) or involuntary (required)? 
     c. Why do you think that is?

3.  a.  What percent of your country's GDP does your country spend on its military? 
     b. What is your countries GDP? [Use the tab to locate economy, find GDP (purchasing power parity)]
     c.  Calculate the price the government pays for the military.  (If you want to use a calculator, you may.  You can also use this percentage calculator (http://www.csgnetwork.com/csgpercent.html). 

8th Grade - Discovering Lewis and Clark

After the United States acquired the Louisiana Territory, President Jefferson commissioned an expedition led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark.  Along with an exploration party, the men traveled from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean collecting plant and animal specimens as well as data about the geography and people in the territory.

Today you will travel (virtually) in the footsteps of the expedition party and report back 5 facts you learned along the way.  Please take the time to read the information, study the maps and images, and write thoughtful facts about the people, places, and nature of the Louisiana Purchase.

Discovering Lewis and Clark (http://www.lewis-clark.org/) is managed by the Fort Mandan Foundation in the GREAT STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA!  The discovery paths listed in the menu on the left-hand side of the page.  When you click on a topic, another menu opens on the right-hand side of the page.  You might find the amount of information over-whelming...just think what it was like for Lewis and Clark!

Virtual Voyager #5 - Let's Celebrate!

As we finish up our study of Ancient Greece, we have learned that traditions and celebrations define one culture from another as well as unite people regionally, ethnically, and/or religiously.  The following link, "It's International" (http://www.topics-mag.com/internatl/center.htm), is a site containing a variety of holidays, celebrations, games, and stories that define people around the world.

Scan the list of topics about food, dance, games, customs, traditions, crafts, names, superstitions, proverbs, folktales, and toys.  Look for your assigned country and read about the information available on that chosen topic.  Then, return to the blog and post a reflection using the story pyramid model from the DVD "Hercules."

Example:
Topic
Two strong words, defining the topic
Three words, describing the setting of the topic (when/where/how)
Four words, stating the origin/beginning of the topic
Five words, describing an interesting fact
Six words, describing a second interesting fact
Seven words, describing a third interesting fact
Eight words, stating why you chose the topic

Carnival
Brazil's Fame
Saturday through Thursday
Its not about history
Begins 40 days before Easter
The parade tells a different story annually
A time of camaraderie, freedom, no work
After seeing "Rio," I wondered why they partied  

VMS Election Day 2012

It was an exciting Election Day at Vernon Middle School.  Mr. Brase and Mrs. Woerner's 8th grade Social Studies classes organized an all school general election.  Rooms were decorated, ballot boxes were created, and polling booths were constructed.  Both classes conducted exit polls too.

In the end, with over 70% of the popular vote, President Obama won the election.  VMS has accurately predicted previous election results and it appears that our middle schoolers have their finger on the pulse of the nation as they accurately predicted the election results again!  

Congratulations President Obama and Vice President Biden.  Congratulations 8th graders for recreating a memorable voting experience for all of VMS' students and staff!

Excitement at the polls!