100

Welcome to my 100th post!

After 100 posts I'm a bit delirious so forgive me as we depart from the norm here at History Is Elementary.

Some teachers across this great land of ours plan wonderful, elaborate celebrations for students to take part in on the 100th day of school. I have planned some opportunties for you to participate in on this most momentous occaision since you probably never experienced a 100th day recognition from the student's point of view.

Okay readers, sit up straight and sing along with me (to the tune of “Ta-ra-ra boom de ay”)

It’s the 100th word play
So shout hip-hip hooray!
We’ll count and eat and play,
It’s the 100th word play.
See all we’ve collected.
100’s on display.
Join in the fun and say,
Hooray for the 100th word play!

Great job! I knew you could do it. Now, we are going to have a little history lesson. You didn’t think you were going to get by without one, did you?

Wikipedia advises that by the year 100 the Roman army had reached 30,000 soldiers. Lions had become extinct in Europe by that time, and the Jewish historian, Josephus, passed away. The year 100 saw the first use of the wheelbarrow in China, and the Hopewell culture began to make itself known in what would one day become Ohio. In India, you might have found the beginnings of the compilation of the Kama Sutra while a traveler in the Christian world would have seen the early dogma and formulas regarding Christian morality.

Alternative resources are always real important in the classroom so here are a few to entertain you:

100 things to do before you die can be found here

100 things we didn’t know last year from the BBC can be found here

100 things to do with books (great for language arts teachers) can be found here

It's refreshment time. Our song promised something to eat and here it is. Wait until you are called before coming up to fix your plate, and remember.....Mrs. Elementaryhistoryteacher does not allow you to leave your seat while we are eating. Please raise your hand if you need something.



Now, our song mentions things that we have collected so here is the interactive portion of this 100th post. Make this the best 100th post ever by choosing to complete one of the assignments. I’ve given you three choices in order to differentiate between your various learning styles. Choose at least one assignment and follow the directions so that we can all celebrate this momentous 100. ( I am actually hoping the response rate is better here than the rate of homework completion in my actual classroom) :).

Choice 1: A few years ago there was a launch from Cape Kennedy that included a grouping of 100 things that represented life here on earth. The purpose of doing this was to create a hypothetical situation where contact with other life might occurr. The objects would be helpful in explaining what life is like here. What types of things do you think should have been on the manifest? Consider this a meme if you wish and post on your own blog linking back to mine, or give me a list of 20 or so as a comment.

Choice 2: Find or create a grouping of 100 things or other representation of the number 100. Post your links here or email your images to me at historyiselementary@yahoo.com and I will post them as I receive them. If you know how to post an image within a comment feel free to do so.

Choice 3: Create a post or comment that includes something about 100 miles, 100 dollars, 100 years, and 100 pounds. You can write about each in a separate paragraph or combine all four things together, but all four categories need to be in the same post.

Now, go have fun! I can’t wait to see what you come up with.