Sedgwick Quest Blog

Make sure to include a short summary including: who, when what and where AND the connection to the theme.
FOR EXAMPLE
Harriet Beecher Stowe was a successful American writer during the 1850’s and 60’s from Connecticut. She wrote a book from the point of view of slaves called Uncle Tom’s Cabin: Life Among the Lowly. This story sold widely and convinced people that slavery was wrong. Abraham Lincoln called her the little lady that started the great Civil War. It was revolutionary causing strong reactions from readers leading to reforms in America.

Student support one another in competition.

Use the Quest Topics Document to the left under Blogroll to submit your topics.

Opportunity*************************Recess
Privilege**************************** Reward
Challenge***************************Like the regular classroom
Hard work************************** Random activities
Creative**************************** Teacher directed
Exciting**************************** Easy
Personal**************************** Without risk

So what are your thoughts. Are you in for the long haul?

Twenty-three Quest students conducted sophisticated, in-depth, historical research for an array of innovations. They pulled together a thesis statement from their initial research questions and chose the best category to defend it. After defining the innovation and placing it in historical context, they described the immediate impact and developed the entry to include the long term change. The top three entries in each category are preparing for the State Finals  on May 8,2010, where they will compete with thirteen entries from other CT Regional competitions. Sedgwick and West Hartford should be especially proud of our students who placed in the top three slots.

1st Place Individual Performance: Mary Claire W.

1st Place Group Documentary: Francisco C-U, Brian L., and Isaac O-B

2nd Place Group Exhibit: Jackson B and Jake C

2nd Place Group Documentary: Nathan R-O and Gerson E

2nd Place Historical Paper: Max B

3rd Place Individual Performance: Ilan D-G

Check out our recent newsletter by clicking HERE.Quest Update Winter 2009

WELCOME TO QUEST 2009-20010.

Our theme, Innovation in History: Impact and Change, will help us brainstorm ideas for this year’s projects. Progress in any field depends on innovation. Innovators are those who see “what was” and introduce something fresh, new and necessary. Creative people are driven to change what does not work, whether it is in art, science, medicine, politics, sports, music or education. They may start from scratch and invent a new solution to a current problem, or remake the old into something better, renewing or changing the old altogether. Innovators ride the wake of change and the world benefits from the impact of their efforts. This requires risk taking and hard work. A collision of ideas, experiments, or theories can produce inspiration, cures, inventions, and improve the quality of our lives. We must push forward; alter, transform, and adjust to differences in order to evolve.

SCAVENGER HUNT CHALLENGE

Your task is to gather 9 innovative ideas on your scavenger hunt sheet and to share 2 of your favorite ideas with Quest-mates on our blog. Remember to list your resources in your Quest folder. You can only post once, so please have all your responses ready prior to posting.

Use your first name + last initial only.  You will post 2 of your favorite innovations with a brief explanation of each one based on your notes from:

• Mrs. McNeice’s Slideshare Talk   Be sure to include in which year each one occurred with a brief explanation of each one based on your notes. (Athena search)
• History Day Topic list
• Mrs. Hunt’s example topics
• Sedgwick Library Research Links (Infotrac, Discovering Collection, Nettrecker)

Podcasts make great resources! 
Listen to this from WNPR, National Public Radio:
 http://www.cpbn.org/article/civilian-conservation-corps-gave-young-men-sense-worth

*Important Note*  Please approach this as you would ANY school assignment…  proper writing mechanics: capitals, grammar, spelling, full sentences.  This is not an IM or text message!

*Helpful Hint* 

Type up your post in Word or another word processor and then you can copy/paste it into the comment box.  This will help you if for any reason you lose your comment while in the process of posting it!