Zach Miracle's Homepage

Welcome to Mr. Miracle's Class Web Page!

Please check this web page often for updates on social studies homework, projects, upcoming tests and quizzes, and unit activities!


"Real" Thanksgiving Homework

For this homework assignment, students read an article about the foods that would have been available to the Pilgrims and Native Americans at the first Thanksgiving in 1621.  Students needed to type the answers to the following questions:

1).  What are the most important things you should know from reading this article?

2).  What were some new things you learned that you didn’t know before?

3).  What were some new words or vocabulary from the article, and what were some questions you still have after reading the article?


Due dates:  Red, Blue, Green and Yellow:  due Monday, December 1   Purple:  due Tuesday, December 2


Squanto Homework

Your task is to read the short biography of Squanto, and then type the answers to the following questions:

1).  What are the most important things you should know from reading this article?

2).  What were some new things you learned that you didn’t know before?

3).  What were some new words or vocabulary from the article, and what were some questions you still have after reading the article?

Due Dates: Purple and Green: due Wednesday, November 19  Blue, Yellow and Red:  due Thursday, November 20


Should the Electoral College be abolished? homework

In class, we watched School House Rock and a PowerPoint presentation on the Electoral College.  Your task is to review your class notes and the handout distributed in class and write a one paragraph response on whether or not you believe the Electoral College should be abolished.  You must choose one side and you must come up with at least one original reason not listed on the handout.  In other words, you must come up with your own reason for or against abolishing the Electoral College.  Your paragraph must be 5 to 7 sentences long, and typed.
Due dates:  Red, Purple, Blue, and Green:  Monday, November 10     Yellow:  Tuesday, November 11


Examining the Issues Homework

In class, we brainstormed many of the important issues that the candidates are debating in this year’s election.  Your task is to choose the five issues you personally believe are the most important, and investigate what each candidate has to say about each issue.  Then, you will write at least one paragraph (five to seven complete sentences) stating which candidate you would vote for, based on their opinions on the issues you think are important.

You must use the following web site to find your information:

http://2008election.procon.org/

(You must use this web site, because it is not biased toward one candidate or the other, and its purpose is educational, not political.  It includes the candidates’ thoughts on the issues in their own words.)  A rubric was included with the homework.
Due Dates:  Yellow, Red, and Blue:  due Thursday, October 30  Green and Purple:  due Friday, October 31


Multicultural Colonies Homework

For this homework, students should read through the information about the different ethnic groups that settled the English colonies.  Then, the students should answer the questions on the back of the reading.
Due Dates: Yellow, Red, and Purple:  due Friday, October 24     Blue and Green:  due Monday, October 27

Native Americans/Early Colonization Quiz Coming Up!

There will be a quiz coming, covering the information we studied on Native American groups and the four major European countries that colonized North America.  There will also be a question or two on mandatory voting.  We will have a review session in class before the the quiz.
Quiz dates:  Green, Yellow and Red:  Monday, October 20     Blue and Purple:  Tuesday, October 21

Native Americans Homework

We have just finished experiencing some outstanding group presentations about Native Americans.  Now, here’s your task to show what you learned:

•    Choose one Native American cultural area that we learned about.  Your choices are the Northwest Coast, the Southwest, the Great Plains, the Eastern Woodlands, or the Southeast.
•    Imagine you are a Native American person living in the area you chose, and write a detailed, three-paragraph, typed description of your life as a Native American in the area. 
•    You may wish to focus on diet, housing, transportation, physical geography, and any other unique aspects of life in this cultural group.
You may write this description as a journal, a day-in-the-life story, a comparison to your life in modern times, or any other way that shows detailed knowledge of life for a Native American living in your chosen area.
Due dates:
Yellow:  Monday, October 6    Red:  Tuesday, October 7    Purple:  Monday, October 6   Blue: Monday, October 6   Green:  Friday, October 10


Should Voting be Mandatory?
Based on the discussion we had in class, do you think voting should be mandatory for Americans? Write a paragraph about your opinion.
Due dates: Yellow and Red, due September 22 Purple, Blue, and Green, due September 23


New Textbooks!
This year, each student will be issued a brand new history textbook. In order to make sure the textbooks stay in great condition for students in years to come, each student will be required to cover their textbook. You may use a Book Sock, or you may choose to cover the book with paper. (Just make sure you don't damage the book with tape if you cover it with paper.)
Due dates: Red, Yellow, Blue, Purple: September 22 Green: September 23

Parent Information Letter!
A letter was sent home this week with the students with important information about our class. Please review the information with your parents/guardians, sign the attached form, and return it to Mr. Miracle.
Due Dates:
Blue, Green, Yellow, Red: due Wednesday Sept. 17
Purple: due Thursday Sept. 18


Freedom Stars
For this homework, you will be given a star, and you will write a personal quote about freedom and living in the United States. You will write your name and class color on one side of the star, and your completed statement on the other side. Then, you may decorate the star however you choose. The stars will be displayed on the bulletin board outside the classroom, so be sure to put your best effort into this task. Your quote must be at least 15 words long.

Due dates: Purple, Green, Yellow and Red: September 16 Blue: September 17


Classroom Expectations

During the first couple of days of class, the students discussed what they felt were the most important expectations for classroom behavior. We generated a list of the students’ expectations for behavior and discussed how these expectations correlate with our school’s Character Education traits (in parentheses.) The conduct expectations the students came up with this year are listed here:

• Arrive at class on time and prepared to learn with a positive attitude. (Responsibility)
• Treat all students and staff with respect. (Cooperation, Empathy)
• Raise your hand when you wish to speak, and listen when others are speaking. (Empathy, Self Control)
• Respect the property of the school and others. (Self Control, Assertion)
• Leave gum and cell phones at home or in our lockers. (Responsibility)


Grading Policy

Grades in my class will be determined on a total point basis. Tests and projects will be worth more points than in-class assignments or short homework tasks. For example, a project that takes a week to research might be worth 50 points, while a short reflection might be worth only 5. Points will be deducted for unexcused late work. The students will be given homework assignments, and they are expected to make up any work missed due to absences. Like last year, students and parents will be able to check grades on-line; please keep an eye out for information regarding this in the next few weeks. There will be a few extra credit opportunities given out throughout the year as well.


Extra Credit Opportunities

Because my extra credit opportunities require a bit more planning and initiative, I’m letting you know about it early in the year so you can plan ahead. Before you decide to complete an extra credit activity, make sure you have turned in all missing class work first.

There are currently two opportunities for extra credit in my class:

Opportunity 1: Read a book about American history from the years 1492 to 1865. This book can be a historical fiction novel, or it can be a non-fiction book. After you have finished the book, write a 2-page typed essay (double-spaced, 12-point font) about the book answering the following questions:

• What time period or historical event was the book about?
• Who were the main characters, and how was their lifestyle the same or different from our lifestyle today?
• What did you learn about American history from reading this book?
• Would you recommend this book to others? Why or why not?

The book must be at least 100 pages long, and cannot be a children’s picture book. See Mr. Miracle or the school librarian for suggestions.

You may turn in a Patterns form for this book, but it does not count towards the three independent reading books you are required to read for literature class.

50 points possible

Opportunity 2: Visit a historical site or museum. There are many in or around New Jersey, but you may choose to write about a place outside of New Jersey. After your visit, write a one-page typed essay (double-spaced, 12-point font) answering the following questions:

• What did you see at the historical site or museum?
• What did you learn about American history from your visit?
• Would you recommend this place to a person visiting from another place? Why or why not?

A brochure or pamphlet from the site or museum must accompany your essay, along with a parent/guardian signature.

Again, ask Mr. Miracle if you would like suggestions.

30 points possible

How can I get in touch with Mr. Miracle?

The most efficient way to communicate with me is through e-mail. My address is: Zachariah.Miracle@sbschools.org

You can also call the school at (732)329-4633.