IMMIGRATION, ELLIS ISLAND,

AND THE STATUE OF LIBERTY

Starting in the mid 1800's Europeans began immigrating to America.  There were political problems in Europe complicated by a potato famine in Ireland and crop failure in Germany.  These immigrants were in search of a better life in America.  Once they arrived in America, immigrants had to be approved to enter the country at a place called Ellis Island.  Watch this video to learn more.

Check out this website for more Ellis Island and Immigration fun. 

 http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/immigration/index.htm


Click here to play an immigration game.
 http://www.tenement.org/immigrate/
 

The Statue of Liberty is the landmark the immigrants longed to see after their long voyage across the Atlantic Ocean.  Watch this video to learn some interesting facts.

Re-enactment of the Battle Of Gettysburg

The Civil War

THE CIVIL WAR

This is a renactment of a Civil War battle. The Civil War was a war between the Northern and Southern states. In the video, you will see the Union soldiers in blue and the Confederate soldiers in gray. Many men fought and died. Over 600,000 men died on both sides. The South was fighting because they felt they were being taxed unfairly and didn't have enough power to make their own decisions. The South also wanted to keep slavery legal and the North wanted to set the slaves free. Watch these videos and see what a battle would have looked like.

Click on this link for a timeline of the Civil War.     http://www.ducksters.com/history/civilwartimeline.php

Click here to learn about Daily Life during the Civil War.   http://www.ducksters.com/history/civil_war/life_during_the_civil_war.php

What was life as a soldier like?  http://www.ducksters.com/history/civil_war/life_as_a_soldier_during_the_civil_war.php

What did the uniforms look like?  http://www.ducksters.com/history/civil_war/military_uniforms.php

THE LIFE OF 

ABRAHAM LINCOLN

 

The 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln was an amazing man.

The link below is to a timeline created and illustrated by 2nd graders.  See if you can pass the quiz at the end.

http://www2.lhric.org/pocantico/lincoln/lincoln.htm 

Click on this video

Click on this link to see pictures and read about the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/symbols/lincoln.html

Harriet Tubman and Underground Railroad

 

Harriet Tubman was an amazing and brave women. I hope that you would be that brave if you had lived during Harriet's time. Watch the videos below to learn  about the Underground Railroad,  Harriet Tubman and what a brave woman she was.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hthvETfIK28

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BtoQMiayTM

The website below is pretty cool.
At the top of the page you can click on "Begin the Journey" to escape to freedom just like the slaves.
Also check out the slideshows and activities. 

http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/bhistory/underground_railroad/index.htm

Oregon Trail

Life of a Pioneer

The life of a pioneer on the Oregon Trail was exciting, adventurous and unpredictable.  

Click on the links below to learn more.

http://www.ducksters.com/history/westward_expansion/oregon_trail.php

http://library.thinkquest.org/6400/


Click on this video.

Fall 2013 Welcome

Welcome to the Fall 2013 

History Detective Blog

The topics we will cover this semester are:

1. The Oregon Trail     September 6

2. Underground Railroad/Harriet Tubman   Sept. 20

3.  Life of Abraham Lincoln    October 4

4.  The Civil War    October 18

5.  Immigration/Statue of Liberty    November 1

6.  Panama Canal     November 22

7.  Theodore Roosevelt    December 9

There is no text for this year.  I would recommend checking out books from the library to read aloud or for the child to read independently.  Given the popularity of these topics the options are extensive!  .  It's going to be a fun semester!