Who really invented the cotton gin?

Most history books say that Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin. But is that really true? Your assignment is to read the Smithsonian article, and in a well written paragraph, complete the following task:

Briefly summarize the four claims for the invention of the gin, and tell who has the best claim, and (most importantly) why that claim was best.

Global Classrooms November-December 2011

Here is an opportunity to share with students from California, Ohio, and Morocco. Please share the following:
1. Your name
2. Your school and the city where you live
3. Your favorite activity or hobby
4. Something interesting about where you live
5. A question for the other students about where they live

Washington's Farewell Address

1. In your own words, what are the three main ideas from Washington's Farewell Address?

2. Do you think that Washington's advice would be appropriate in today's world? Why or why not?

Gideon v. Wainwright

The case of Gideon v. Wainwright established the right of indigent defendants to have a lawyer in criminal trials. This political cartoon gives an opinion about what has happened since the decision was made.

"P_" (class period) and your first name and last initials

1. Who does the man represent?

2. Who does the woman represent?

3. What do you think is the message of the political cartoon?

4. Should indigent defendants be provided with an attorney at the public's expense? Why or why not?

(adapted from www.landmarkcases.org)

September 11th Terrorist Attacks

This week marks the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. Work with your partner to respond to the following prompts, in paragraph format:

Don't forget to enter your class period, and your first name and last initial at the start of the prompt.

What is the best way that we can remember and honor those people that lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks? Explain why you think that way. What is important for students to know about the 9/11 attacks? Why are those things important? What lessons can we learn from what happened on September 11, 2001?

Andersonville

Andersonville was built in 1864 to hold 10,000 Union prisoners of war. By the time the camp was closed over 14 months later, over 45,000 prisoners were living there in squalid conditions, without enough food,water, shelter, or medical attention. Over 13,000 Union prisoners of war died at Andersonville. Captain Henry Wirz, the commandant at Andersonville, was held responsible and hanged as a war criminal. Andersonville is now a memorial that honors prisoners of war from all U.S. wars.

Although Captain Wirz was punished for what happened at Andersonville, there are those who believe that he was a victim as well as the prisoners of war who suffered and died. So now it's your turn. Think about what it means to be responsible for something. Who was really responsible for what happened at Andersonville?

Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

With your partner, answer the following questions about the Gettysburg Address, November 19, 1863:
1. A score equals 20. To what year does Lincoln take us back? Why?

2. To what is Lincoln referring when he says the United States was born "dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal"?

3. According to Lincoln, what was the Civil War testing?

4. What advice does Lincoln give? What does he want them to realize about the purpose of the Civil War?

5. According to Lincoln, what might happen if the North loses the Civil War?