Story Time!
Today we had story time! It was quite fun, and led into a very, very interesting discussion on the Industrial Revolution, and it's negative/positive effects. We were given the privilege to listen to Mr. Boyle read us The Lorax during History, and I think we all got a lot out of it - and especially the discussion that followed it. I'd never heard the story, so it was good in a sense to look (listen) to it with blind (deaf) eyes (ears). I think it gave me a very... unbiased view on it, and I was able to see it more as a reference to the Industrial Revolution, rather than simply a children's story.
Push and Pull
Today we talked about the different factors pushing and pulling people to Westward. It was quite interesting, though I wasn't really awake for the whole discussion. Sleep is a good thing. I try my best to get enough of it. But sometimes you just can't help it. Regardless, I got the discussion through my head enough to comprehend it, and had a good class. 
The reasons were quite broad and not stuff I would have thought of. Especially when we talked about the Homestead Act, which gave cheap land to people to farm in the west... But pretty much no one could use the land because they either:
- Couldn't buy the land
- Couldn't farm the land
- Didn't know how to do any farm-related activities
So, it was really a moot point.
Computer Lab
Been a while since I've posted... Woops.
Anyways, a new quarter, a new start.
We went to the computer lab today and did some research/scavenger hunt things about the National Parks and all that jazz. It was fun to do, actually. Neat tricks that can be done with Google Docs. 
Not really wanting to do this project at all.. But it does have to be done. So. I'll do it. =/
Err… A test
So, Friday we took a test on the Civil War. After my grade on the last one, I'm REALLY hoping I did well on this. I thought it went pretty well. I was a little shaky on some of the definitions, but I'm pretty sure I got the short answers and Essay done very well.
Can't wait to see what I got.
Real reason for the war?
Today we talked about the war and it's shift in focus from "liberty to all" towards "anti-slavery," and whether or not it really "changed" at all. I thought it was a pretty interesting class, though I struggled to keep my eyes open due to my sleep deprivation (of which I can only blame myself for).
We also went over our homework and all that jazz, as well as watching a short film and listening to a NPR Podcast about the subject. (Well, very closely related)
Lincoln, Lincoln, Lincoln… and more RAM
So we talked some more about the start of the civil war today. More specifically, we spoke, discussed, and took notes on the Battle of Bull Run (as the north call it)
It was pretty interesting, I just really regret not bringing in my laptop to take notes. I hate writing, and the lack of sleep didn't really help. =/
In other news: I beat Portal, and also got my 4gb kit of RAM for my laptop, which is now installed.
More Lincoln (not logs)
So today we wrote a short essay about how Lincoln connected "Liberty for All" to the ultimate goal of the Union. It was a great break from note taking/lecture listening-to. 'Twas great fun and I really enjoyed it, both writing my view on it, and reading other's views. I feel like sometimes I'm too harsh on other people's writing because I have a certain level that I write at, and anything not my "style" per say is weird to me. Along with my enrollment as a grammar/spelling Nazi, it really makes it difficult for me to give anything less than criticism, though it probably means a lot if someone knows this about me, and then gets a great compliment on their work, because I really am that crazy about other's writing.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not the greatest writer in the world, but I do hold a certain standard as to people should write, and I hold it steadfast.
Back to school!
The first day back to school was pretty good. It really flew by, which is both good and bad.
History is definitely going to be a good few weeks learning about Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War - some of my favorite subjects.