Happy Friday everyone!!!

Today I’d like you to research the Hippocampus site (clicking on the ICON above OR under the “PAGES” menu) and send me AT LEAST TWO BLOG RESPONSES OF AT LEAST THREE COMPLETE SENTENCES.  Please focus your independent study on building background about the first six topics under the heading of The Constitution and the New Republic, 1787 - 1800.  You may watch the videos, skim the notes, or read the descriptions to learn.

In your responses, be sure to include your thoughts, feelings, or personal connections to the topics.  Please remember, you will be graded on your responses based on the following:

- Information you discuss

- The length of your response

- Your willingness to share an opinion, feeling, or make a connection to your life based on what you’ve learned.

If you’ve completed your responses, you may review for your PREAMBLE recitation that you will do NEXT WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24 by using the YouTube videos & practice puzzle game at History Class Links (under the “PAGES” menu) that I let you preview on Wednesday.

Remember to stay on task and focus on your job for the day!

- Mr. J

Happy Friday everyone!!!

Tonight you can watch the opening ceremonies for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, B.C. (that’s up thar in Canada dontchano ya!) on NBC.

Over the next couple weeks, there will be lots of drama including the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.  We’ll have the opportunity to feel a sense of patriotism / nationalism as we come together for what is supposed to be a friendly celebration of sports and culture.  If we’re lucky, we might be able to take from our real lives to laugh, cry, cheer, and enjoy something that has less to do with politics, the economy, or some of the negative stories we often see on the news.

Have a GREAT weekend!!!

- Mr. J

Following are some different sites with GREAT information about the 2010 Winter Games:

Vancouver Olympic Games Medals Results Sports : Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics

YouTube - VINKO BOGATAJ AGONY OF DEFEAT WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS

YouTube - Huge Olympic Blooper - Gold Medal by Default

YouTube - AOC: 2006 Olympic Winter Games Highlights

YouTube - Dan Jansen - Turning a Flase Start into Divine Destiny

Happy Friday everyone!

As we look forward to the weekend many of us will watch the Superbowl to see whether the Saints or Colts win.  Even if you hate football, there are some other reasons to watch the game…THE COMMERCIALS!!! Hundreds of millions of dollars will be spent on the air time (approximately $3 million per 30 sec. spot) and the fees for creation of the commercials to advertising agencies.

Remember, the economy and debt were huge issues after the Revolutionary War.  Daniel Shays led the violent rebellion that triggered the Constitutional Convention because of the farm foreclosures and the poor economic opportunities.  If our economy is really so bad TODAY, how can we support companies who spend so much on advertising?  Meanwhile, people TODAY are losing their homes to foreclosure at near record rates.  Hmmmmmmm?

Here are the links to the debt clock & the fun stuff too.

U.S. National Debt Clock : Real Time

United States public debt - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Super Bowl advertising - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

YouTube - Doritos 2010 Superbowl Ads

YouTube - Leaked super bowl commercial 2010

YouTube - The Best Super Bowl Commercial You’ll Never See

YouTube - Super Bowl Commercials 2009 (Top 11 Most funny)

YouTube - Top Ten Super Bowl Ads 2008 - Commercials from Super Bowl 42

YouTube - Noxema with Farrah

YouTube - 1984 Apple’s Macintosh Commercial

YouTube - Original Budweiser Frogs Commercial

YouTube - Coca-Cola Classic ad: Mean Joe Green [Full Version] (1979)

YouTube - Larry Bird vs. Michael Jordan McDonalds commercial

YouTube - Tabasco “Mosquito” Super Bowl Spot (One of my favorites)

YouTube - Super Bowl Ad (99?) E*Trade - “Wasted $2 Million Bucks” (One of Mrs. Bumann’s favorites

Have a GREAT weekend everyone!!!

- Mr. J

Hi students,

Aside from having the day off from school yesterday, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. has influenced the world around us greatly.  Not just because of the work he did in his life, but because of the example he set for us and his willingness to be persistent and sacrifice for everyone.

Please think about a dream (or dreams) you have while you are learning about Martin Luther King, Jr. today.  Your dream/dreams could be for you, your family, friends, our community, or the world.  I’d like you to write a brief journal entry on a blank page in your notebook to hand in this FRIDAY, sharing what the words and actions of Martin Luther King, Jr. made you think about or remember related to your dreams.

Use the following links to read, listen, look, and watch more about Dr. King.

- Mr. J

YouTube - 1968 King Assassination Report (CBS News)

YouTube - 1968 - Martin Luther King’s Prophetic Last speech - Remember

I Have A Dream Video - Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King Speeches - I See the Promised Land - MLK Online

Bing Video: The exceptional life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King - Biography

Martin Luther King, Jr. - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Biographical Sketch

Timeline of Events in Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Life

American Experience | Citizen King | PBS

Martin Luther King, Jr. Quotes

Martin Luther King Scavenger Hunt

Dear Soldiers in Iraq,

Our classes enjoyed the honor of writing letters to you.  We know you are receiving them during this Christmas/New Year holiday season.  Please know that we appreciate all that you do to keep our country safe and free and our thoughts and prayers are with you when you’re so far away from home.

If you would like to respond to any of the letters that our students wrote, please leave a reply below.  All you need to do is click on the speech bubble icon at the bottom of this posting and do the following:

- type your name

- type an e-mail address

- ignore the website request

- leave a message

Again, thank you from all of us at Geneseo Middle School.  Please have a Merry Christmas and a safe 2010!

- Dean Johnson, 8th grade U.S. history teacher

Mr. Putman & I at Gettysburg with a Union cannon!

http://www.educationaltours.com/

Parents & Students,

The above link will take you directly to the Educational Tours website so you can find more information about or register for the trip.  Please remember, this IS NOT a school sponsored event and requires a serious financial and time commitment for parents & students that choose to attend the trip.

Our GMS BOOKING CODE IS 432-78239 if you would like to book online.  If you would like to do so by mail, have your student pick up a registration form.

Please e-mail me at djohnson@dist228.org if you have specific questions.

Thanks,

Dean Johnson

Good luck to all of the players and coaches during your trip to state this weekend!  I thought I’d put together a few facts & memories of my own as an “ODE TO THE MACHINE” while the anticipation builds this week.

Four seasons ago, as 8th graders:

- this year’s senior class finished their season with a combined record of 7-7.  There were 35 total players to make up both teams.  By the end of the season, there were only 25 players healthy enough to finish the season in the green/white game.  Michael had about the same number of pass completions from QB as Jason did from FB, Aaron had 4 touchdowns over 50 yards, and Ethan missed most of the season with a broken finger.

Three seasons ago, as 8th graders:

- this year’s junior class finished their season with a combined record of 9-5.  There were 51 total players to make up the greens and whites, nearly double the previous year.  Erik led the defense in interceptions while Mark led in tackles, Tyler & Blake were a pitch & catch tandem, and West broke his arm in our 24-0 shutout of my nephew’s John Deere team.

Two seasons ago, as 8th graders:

- this year’s sophomore class finished their season with a combined record of 7-7.  There were 43 total players to make up both teams.  Dan & Alec platooned at QB, the DDL (Derek, Drew, Landon) trio ran all over the place, and J.J., Brad, Joe, and Jack led the defense in punchlines and big smiles.

On a personal note, I’m extremely proud of you all and wish you the best of luck.  Regardless of your individual strengths or shortcomings, you’ve proven this year that you’re not as average as your combined 23-19 8th grade record from 2005-2007 might show.  My students, family, and I have had a fantastic time watching you make your own history & memories this year.

You’re a team that chose to follow the “It’s not about me” mantra and now “It’s about all of you” and you’re taking our community along for the ride too.

Best of luck (& skill) Friday night guys!!!  You’re impact on our program is making LOTS of kids in Geneseo, Atkinson, & Colona want to be like you…

…at least the ones in my house do.

- Mr. J

Hi students,

Please click on the speech bubble below to post your comment(s) about Hippocampus.org today!  PLEASE REMEMBER, YOU MUST POST AT LEAST TWO COMMENTS RELATED TO YOUR THOUGHTS, FEELINGS, OR OPINIONS ABOUT THE INFORMATION YOU’VE LEARNED REGARDING ENGLISH COLONIZATION TODAY!!!

- Mr. J

Click this image to access the textbook!

Hi students & parents!

If you take time to go to the link for our new textbook and all of the resources available online.  Please take time to let me know what you thought.  Comments, criticisms, questions or praises…feel free to post a comment.

Thanks,

- Mr. J

Happy Friday STUDENTS!!!  Today it’s time for a SERIOUS TOPIC TODAY.

Let’s learn some history you were alive for, as we commemorate, remember, and show respect for the United States.  We’ll be learning about and discussing events of eight years ago on the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on our country.

The photos you see and videos we’ll watch are from the day of the attack and will give a chronology to the events of the day.  We surely won’t have time to watch all videos in their entirety, so you may watch them at home with your parents or siblings on our BLOG.  Please use maturity related to the reactions of the eyewitnesses…this was NO JOKE for them, it was reality.

The following links include several videos and websites dedicated to painting the events of 9-11 with a reality and honesty we might rather forget as a country.  If you choose to make a comment, please do so with respect for those who died and their families, as a mature young adult.

Seven years ago:

- most of you were either 5 or 6 years old

- my son Ty was just 4 months old

- I was beginning my second year of teaching 6th grade

- Mr. Hofer was in his first year at GMS

As a side note, today is also Mr. Reed’s wedding anniversary and my grandmother’s birthday…sort of makes you go hmmmmmmm, right?

- Mr. J

911Timeline.net - The Most Comprehensive Minute By Minute Timeline On 911 by Mark R. Elsis

CNN.com - Chronology of terror - September 12, 2001

YouTube - George W. Bush at Booker Elementary School( 9/11/01) - very long video

YouTube - 1st plane crashing into world trade center

YouTube - Rare First Plane + 15 Seconds

YouTube - Ultra 500+ Zoom of first WTC hit 9/11

YouTube - Never before seen Video of WTC 9/11 attack - 2nd plane hit

YouTube - 2nd Plane WTC

YouTube - Slow motion of second plane crashing into south tower

YouTube - PRESIDENT BUSH 9/11/2001

YouTube - Man Trying to climb down the face of building

YouTube - 5+ jumpers (new WTC footage)

YouTube - Scientists simulate jet colliding with World Trade Center - from Purdue University

YouTube - 1st WTC tower collapse live - best angle (1)

YouTube - NBC 9/11/01 - 2nd Tower Collapse

YouTube - 9/11/01 - 2nd Tower Collapse 1

YouTube - 9/11/01 - CNN Live Coverage Pentagon Attack

YouTube - 9/11 Flight 93 Rare Footage

YouTube - LET’S ROLL: THE STORY OF FLIGHT 93 - this is a drama based on phone call transcripts

YouTube - CNN - Ex-President George W. Bush’s Post 9/11 Speech

YouTube - 9/11 Bush addressing country @ Barksdale AFB

YouTube - Osama Bin Laden On 9/11