Immigration

Blog #3- Due Thursday, October, 11th

Immigration has been a hot topic in the news lately especially with the upcoming election. Unless you are a descendant of a Native American tribe, your family at some point was an immigrant to the United States. Answer and discuss the following questions. Remember to come back more than once to see if people have responded to you.

When did your ancestors come to the United States and where did they come from?

What were some of the problems that immigrants faced when they arrived in the United States?

Should the United States continue to allow immigrants into the United States?

What rights should new immigrants have once they get to the United States?

Robber Barons

Blog #2- Due Wednesday, September 26th

Today in class we discussed robber barons. We learned that robber barons were wealthy businessmen like Cornelius Vanderbilt, Andrew Carnegie, and J.D. Rockefeller. Many people disliked robber barons because they felt that these men got rich off of the labor of the poor. Many people argued that these men, and others like them, only cared about themselves and would do anything to make a profit, even if it meant hurting other people in the process. They argued that these big business owners did little or nothing to improve conditions for their workers. They forced workers to work long hours with few breaks (they would often dock pay from people for using the bathroom or coming late to work). The factory conditions were often unsafe (many people lost fingers or even arms and legs in the dangerous machinery). Business owners often hired women and children because they could pay them less. Even the men only made a few dollars a week, barely enough to support their families. In the meantime, these big business owners were making thousands, and in some cases even millions, of dollars, and living in huge mansions.

Do you think these wealthy business owners were really "robbers"- benefiting from the hard work of the poor?


Do you think these wealthy business owners have an obligation to give back to society (make donations to support the poor, give to hospitals or universities, etc.)?


Even today, there are arguments over whether or not wealthy people should pay higher taxes than middle class or lower class citizens. Do you think wealthy people should pay more taxes than the average American?

Be sure to give details and/or examples to support your answers.

Random Blog

This blog is OPTIONAL!!! However, if you complete this blog I will give you extra credit on Blog #1!!!


Name the squishy dinosaur!  Our classroom dinosaur needs a name!  If you think that you have the perfect name for him (yes, it's a boy!) then post your idea.  You must support your name choice with a specific arguement explaining why your name choice should be chosen.  I will choose my 5 favorite, and then we will vote.  The person who names the dinosaur will win a prize (to be determined).

Welcome Back!

Blog #1- Due Thursday, September 13th

Welcome back to school! I hope you had a fantastic summer and that you are as excited as I am to start off this new school year on the right foot! I am really looking forward to having a great year!

For your first blog I want you to write one thing that you remember learning about last year in social studies. Be specific on what you remember, and why you remember learning about it. Don't just say, "I remember learning about the Revolutionary War because it was cool." Give specific details about the topic that you remember most and specific reasons why you remember it.

Also, please tell me one thing you are looking forward to or are hoping to learn about this year in social studies. Again, please be specific.

***Remember, the more detailed your responses are, the more credit you will earn. Also remember that you must read and comment on other responses in order to earn full credit!!!!