There were two pages of this idea page. I chose the first page, which looks more complete. I took notes over the course of a few classes.
This artifact made me organize my thoughts into notes that are more categorized and easy to read. It also made me learn about many new people that I haven't heard of before, such as the Civil War generals and the poet Walt Whitman.
4. Does this artifact reflect your best work and/or ideas? Why, or why not?
I think it kind of does, because it is an idea page afterall, and idea pages tend to show a personal style within a certain restriction. Even though the format is the same for everyone, notes will still be somewhat different. I think my notes are readable.
5. Rate this artifact on a scale of 0~5(0 is neutral) for these 4 criteria:
4, because this artifact isn't a pain in the neck and is actually fun because I like notetaking sometimes.
c) Impact on your learning
4, because I learned a lot about the Civil War and some key figures that I enjoyed learning about.
d) Level of creativity and originality
4, because I think this is original even though it's based on the format of an idea page that every classmate used. This is my style of arranging my notes, and my style of abbreviating some of the notes in a weird way that can't be understood by a lot of people.
Guess what? I'm back with a lyric change to another song~ There's a little change this time though. Due to not being able to find a karaoke/instrumental version of this song on youtube, I made my own instrumentals with a piano, a soprano recorder (the ones we learn in music class), and a tenor recorder (twice the size of a soprano recorder. Local Taiwanese middle schools learn the alto recorder, which is between the size of a soprano and a tenor recorder).
Anyway, if you're interested, here's the link of the video... with the instrumentals and the singing.
General Robert E. Lee
1. a) Which main topic does the artifact relate to? In what ways?
This artifact relates to Race relations: Abolition, segregation, anti-semitism, because this song focuses on the Civil War, which was fought between the slave states and the non-slave states. Slavery is one of hte main reasons why the war even started. According to the Civil War prezi we saw in class, "Had there been no slavery, there would've been no war. Had there been no moral condemnation of slavery, there would've been no war."
b) Which other main topics does it also relate to?
This artifact relates to Nationalism and liberalism: Creation of the nation-state, because nationalism and liberalism are definitely reasons for the war. These are the reasons why people are willing to be so patriotic that they are risking their lives for what they think would make their country better.
2. Why did you choose this artifact, and how much time did you spend creating and/or processing it?
I really enjoy changing the lyrics of songs and playing instruments. Doing this artifact allows me to relax and have fun before continuing with the other artifacts that I don't really enjoy as much as this. It took around half an hour to change the lyrics, an hour with piano, half an hour to record the two recorder parts, an hour to make the prezi, and half an hour to get the singing right-ish.
3. What insights and understanding have you gained from the creation and/or processing of this artifact?
This artifact forced me to think about everything we've learned from the Civil War prezi, along with look back at my notes. Songs are easier to memorize than plain facts, so the tune helps me remember more information about the war.
4. Does this artifact reflect your best work and/or ideas? Why, or why not?
I think it kind of does, because I like how I make the lyrics rhyme the way the song does. I feel Dr. Seuss-like. Also, it kind of reflects how I learned a piano piece quickly. Even though I made a lot of mistakes, the 17th try was quite acceptable, I think. The soprano recorder part was played by what I thought the main tune of the song sounded like, without an actual piece to look at, and the tenor recorder part was completely improvised.
5. Rate this artifact on a scale of 0~5(0 is neutral) for these 4 criteria:
a) Impact on the quality of your portfolio
4, because music always improves the quality of work.
b) Impact on your level of happiness/enjoyment
5, because it's the most enjoyable thing to ever do.
c) Impact on your learning
5, because I learned a lot about the Civil War and actually could remember the information clearly after recording the song.
d) Level of creativity and originality
5, because I think this is very original. I did read off of a music piece printed off the computer for the piano part, but I changed it by a lot and made it a little more complicated, because I printed off an easy version that did not sound that good when I first tried it out.
6. Any additional comments.
This is the first time I've ever recorded something all by myself with three different instrument parts+singing involved, so it's quite a big step for me. Hope you enjoyed the lyrics, and hope you survive after watching the video if you choose to! : )
Also, thanks for all the encouragements that came after my last video, I became a lot more confident after that (which you probably can tell from the way I wrote my reflections this time)~ thanks so much! :D
Artifact 9: Student Choice
This next student free choice is a timeline.
There will be a timeline with a brief overview of each decade of the 19th century, along with a video timeline with photos representing the decades and narration. Judging by this amount of information, it should be quite obvious that this is a group project :P
This idea came from the ultimately weirdest person in the world (that's a compliment), who is also known as Herbert Chang.
1800
Art and Architecture
Charles Bulfinch was an American architect, worked in the Federal style. Federal style was a new style created in Scotland by Adam Brothers. It was based on plans of houses and palaces in Italy and consisted of internal spaces of hexagonal, oval, circular forms. It was thus known as
Federal because the style flowered in early decades of U.S. Furniture took Sheraton style. Artists would not have survived without commissions from wealthy artists, demanding for portraits. Joshua Johnson was the first known African American portrait painter in the United States.
Pastimes
Women wore long flowing skirts, a blouse and neckline. Hats and shawls were eseential to cold weather. Shoes weren’t made for comfort and would fit either foot. Food was grown in gardens, and furniture were of French or English design.
Books and Literature
The Library of Congress was established in 1800 and used $50,000 to purchase 900 books that arrived from London in 11 trunks. Novels were popularizing. This improved women literacy and Hannah Webster Foster became the best selling author. Historical writing was popular as well, such as David Ramsay publishing the History of a Revolution of South Carolina. Mason Locke Weems also wrote Washington’s I cannot tell lies, cherry tree tale.William Amerson and Washington Irving were born around this time.
Music and Theater
Music in the early 1800s were religious in nature, such as amazing grace, coronation, Episcopalian harmony, were one of the first books painted. Old English ballads like greensleves and scotttish tunes were populr also. Shape notation was also developed for Americans. Settlers, regardless fo race, would come up from 100 miles away on camp meetings to sing and pray. Pierre Cruzatte, a boatman and translator for Lewis and Clark, was a fiddle player and played for Indians and the crew. Indians considered music as magical. Since music was not written down until the late 19
th century, most was lost. African music was also introduced into America, such as the percussion.
1810
During this decade the war of 1812 was fought with England, the Indians warred with America on the west.
Art and Architecture
From a perspective of art and architecture, leading American artist John Trumball was commissioned to create four large paintings on the American Revolution for the capital. In the country, buildings would consist of saltbox homes, plantation houses, and Spanish style churches.
Pastimes
Ladies wore light, dresses and low cut shorter hair. Fashion trends were influenced by Europe. Hates and caps decorated with ribbons and feathers were also popular. Cup plates were used a lot and farmers typically ate large breakfasts and worked for long hours.
Books and Literature
English romantic writers influenced Americans ones such as Susanah Rowson and William Wirt. People of this period were considered very good letter writers.
Music and Theater
American music mirrored European music, such as Opera. Bands were formed for military purposes and in battle were used as communication. The star spangled banner, the American national anthem was also composed during this period.
Business and the Economy
In 1810 Cornelius Vanderbilt made ferry service available between Staten and Manhattan, making it one of the largest family businesses in the 1800s America. Cloth mills were growing in size and becoming more profitable. 80 million pounds of cotton were exported from southern states in 1811, and also imported into the Western territories. The Era of Good Feelings took off and ended Federalism. A recall of paper money that was not guaranteed by the government bank resulted in the panic of 1819.
1820
Art and Architecture
The Federal style and American Greek revival style was still used during this time because they were grand and elegant. Portraits remained hot on commission.
Pastimes
Important aspects of home life included games, dancing, and conversation. Games like jackstraws, hoops, were popularly played when they finished doing their chores. For dancing, the minet was a popular dance and women would choose their clothes carefully. Stylish clothing was appreciated by all ages. The first American restaurant delmonicos was opened in 1827, New York. Sports took off too. Yale college banned football. Horse racing also was also a fad.
Books and Literature
Original America literature popped up, the main ones being Irving and Cooper. Cooper became an American Pride, and helped make a difference between England and America. The treatment of Indian was also romanticized. Newspapers for Indians were also published in their native tongue. Annuals were also common, which were publications in elegant leather. It contained poetry, usually read by women. Edgar allan poe began publications as well. The American Dictionary of the English Language was also created by Noah Webster.
Music and Theater
Bands were originally made of flutes, oboes, bassoons, and French horns. In this decade brass instruments were key developers for wider range. Saxhorm and trumpets were new instruments. Pianos were a luxury and imported from Europe. Yet they could not withstand the extreme climate changes of the north. Jonas Pickering developed piano industry in Boston in 1823, and gave them an iron frame. In 1825 Alpheus Babcock made a piano that could stay in tune. Mozart and Rossini’s operas also attracted the croud.
1830
Art and Architecture
The Hudson River school artists travel around to paint the natural beauty of the U.S. Folk paintings and other folk art show a primitive style, many of them are anonymous. Many Americans created fancy chairs. The Classic Revival styled architecture continued, while Greek Revival architecture became more popular. Andrew Jackson Downing, a lead architect in landscape gardening, wrote a book
Treatise on the Theory and Practice of Landscape Gardening Adapted to North America, which became a standard work of this field.
Pastimes
The fashionable magazine for women,
Godey's Lady's Book, was first published in 1830. A magazine for men,
Burton's Gentleman's Magazine, edited by Edgar Allen Poe, was published from 1837 through 1840. They contained the newest styles. Reading a skull was a popular party game. Wealthy families began celebrating their children’s birthdays with parties. Whiskey and other alcohol became primary beverages for Americans during that time. Soft drink became available at pharmacies after scientists figured out about trapping carbon dioxide in water. Hawaii began growing coffee in 1830.
Books and Literature
America continued to publish real American works, works with Southern humor, or those that depicted the Indian and the pioneer or described frontier life. Romantic novels were gaining popularity. Newspapers flourished and literary journals were established. Catharine Maria Sedgwick was the most popular woman author of the period, publishing novels set in the northeast, local customs, and simple American life. Novels and books about women were growing in interest.
Music and Theater
Europeans saw America as a stage for their talents. George Washington Smith was the only male ballet dancer of the century. Mary Ann Lee and Augusta Maywood were among the first American ballet dancers, making their debut together in Maid of Cashmere in 1837. Circus and horse shows toured the country. Religious music remained popular. Lowell Mason established the first singing school for children.
1840
Art and Architecture
Panorama-type painting became popular. The first life-sized bronze statue cast in the U.S. was made. The Hudson River School continued to be very popular. Portrait or mourning miniatures were popular. Some artists work at the naïve tradition. Most of them are untrained and many works even unsigned, but we can learn about what life was like through those works. Grace Church, and early example of Gothic Revival architecture, was constructed. Greek Revival was continued.
Pastimes
Men and Women dressed formally for photographs. They wore hats and high necklines. Women wore dresses with full skirts, and often a bonnet. Men wore waistcoats and hats. Oysters were a popular food during this decade. Work and home life became more separate during this decade. Horse race was the most popular spectator sport. “True women” stayed home.
Books and Literature
Cheap paperbacks produced due to cheap publishing due to improvement in printing. Emma Dorothy Eliza Nevitte (E.D.E.N.) Southworth wrote stories based on the role of women in the society. A new literary genre, detective and mystery stories, was introduced in 1841 when Edgar Allan Poe wrote
The Murders in the Rue Morgue. During this decade, magazines with high standards and particular points of view were established. Poets like Ralph Waldo Emerson continued to be successful and popular. Writings about the Western frontier became popular.
Music and Theater
The oldest professional orchestra in the United States, the New York Philharmonic, was founded in 1842. The Hutchinson Family Singers of New Hampshire sang anti-slavery songs as well as popular songs. Some of the songs, such as "Simple Gifts", evolved into folk songs. As people became rich, young women were expected to play piano and sing. Leonora, the first American opera, was written in 1845 by William Henry Fry. Popular dances included the quickstep and polka.
1800
Business and the Economy
America was mainly rural, and needed many imports from Europe. 75 percent of goods were exported to England, while 10 percent were to themselves. Congress was not given power to impose taxes. Britain and France threatened America’s market, President Jefferson and Secretary Madison declared the Embargo of 1807, banning American trade with foreign states. Although this failed, Americans began to produce wares they could not import. Rhode Island and Massachusetts were early settings for factories, leading to industrialization.
A movement in 1800 reduced influence of the Bank of the United states, and state banks were created. Intercourse Act of 1802 tried to regulate trade between Indians and Americans but failed. The Louisiana Purchase used 15 million dollars for 512 million acres of land, 3 cents per acre.
Migration and immigration
The population clung to the eastern coast, and there was a 30% increase of population since the 1790 census.250000 immigrants came during 1780 to 1819, the largest group being the Scotch Irish. Many came as indentured servants, a laborer in contract to employer for given amount of time, but stopped by the British Passenger Act of 1803. The Napoleonic Wars in Europe slowed immigrants after 1803, due to trade disruption.
Education
Education was still considered a family or local responsibility, not an oblication of state. Sometimes citizens of a local community would band together to hire a teacher to instruct children. The man, usually, would be paid little and have only little education himself.
Science and Technology
From 1800 to 1809 Napolean commissioned Rovert Fulton to build a submarine. Then it was disused after developed because it was considered ungentlemanlike. Lewis and Clark also set forth to the west and discovered many new species of animals, such as coyotes, rattlesnakes, and grizzlies.
Social movements
The Second Great Awakening began, and religious revivals occurred, such as first camp meetings taking place on July 1800 at the Gasper River Church. Religious freedom created other religions other than the prebystarian Church. Lutherans, and Methodists grew in population too.
1810
Business and the Economy
In 1810 Cornelius Vanderbilt made ferry service available between Staten and Manhattan, making it one of the largest family businesses in the 1800s America. Cloth mills were growing in size and becoming more profitable. 80 million pounds of cotton were exported from southern states in 1811, and also imported into the Western territories. The Era of Good Feelings took off and ended Federalism. A recall of paper money that was not guaranteed by the government bank resulted in the panic of 1819.
Migration and immigration
People made journeys across the Forbes Road from the civilized east to the wild frontier. There were many hardships to the pioneers and eventually began to fill up with people. After the battle of the Thames Indian threat reduced and rapid migration occurred.
Education
In 1816 the Indiana constitution established a system that supported free education, and in 1818 pennsylvania followed suit. In 1812 the first wooden pencils were created, and old slate and chalk was used, because paper was still expensive. College student ration to the populace was 1500.
Science and Technology
Medical doctors normally learned their profession through apprenticeship, but changed when Yale Medical School was established. Stethoscopes were used in 1819 and leeching as well. The war of 1812 had American soldiers use bad arms and in 1816, Simeon North succeeded in making the firing of pistols interchangeable. Roads and canals were construced. An massive earthquake happened in 1811 mississippi valley. Baltimore was the first to havecoal gas street lights in 1816.the erie canal under went construction in 1817, 118 years after it was suggested. There were better factory conditions compared to England as Paul Moody made manufacturing, cleaning, and spinning all in the same location. Young unmarried farm girls would be hired for short periods of time to earn enough money to support their families.
Social movements
Americans consists of a diversity of races, classes, genders, and regions were moving and resettling under a democratic government they had chosen. They were confronted by differences and similarities between each other. Five new states were established during this decade, and Federalism paved the way to Jeffersonian Republicism. After the war of 1812, Britain and the United states signed the Treaty of Ghent to suppress slave trade, which ironically promoted it as being more free to each other meant more trade. Antislavery organizations wanted to establish colonies of free blacks in Africa, organizations known as the benevolent empire. Abolitionist movements grew.
1820
Business and the Economy
The Federal Land Law of 1820 made settlers able to purchase 80 acres of land for 1.25$ per acre. The Santa Fe Trail was opened to trade with New Mexico. The Cumberland Road Bill was issued to collect tolls on the National roads of the Appalachian Mountains. Marketing and trading grew as transportation on railroads was constructed, such as the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
Migration and immigration
The first Anglo American settlement was established in 1823, Mexico. In less the 25 years Texas would become a state. Maine entered the Union in 1820 as a free state. Missouri was a slave state. Both of them were granted access due to the Missouri Compromise. Of the 151,000 new immigrants, the majority came from Germany. The democratic party lead by Andrew Jackson was more friendly to the immigrants, granting them the white house in 1828.
Education
During this time, schools were often harsh and disciplined. There as a utopian community in New Harmony, Indiana where Robert Owen tried the education of Johann Pestalozzi, who took on the idea of Rousseau. The first Roman Catholic school was found in Boston. College curriculum taught skills over classical education, though it was modernizing into what is similar to today.
Science and Technology
Henry Schoolcraft located the souce of the Mississippi River and expeditions lead to the discovery of more organisms. American pharmacology advanced after learning from native Americans. The first typographer was patented in 1829.
Social movements
A new middle class was developed as people urbanized. It gave rise to true womanhood, which stated that activities were to be divide through gender, such as woman raising children and preserving morals of the family. Men were to earn money and support the family. Abolitionism affected diverse groups of people. A community in Nashoba was installed in 1826 where children of slaves could be educated. The Underground Railroad was very active and helped slaves flee into northern states and Mexico.
1830
Business and the Economy
By 1831, goods traveling to cities west of St. Louis were being transported by steamboat to various trading posts. In 1833, the National Road reached Columbus, Ohio, allowing greater commerce with the west. The Ohio and Erie Canal opened, connecting the Ohio River with Lake Erie in 1833. Railroad construction continued, combining with new roads helped improve westward travel. In 1833, the Era of Free Banking began. Because of the Indian Removal act (1830), Native American tribes suffered economic setbacks when white settlers moved into territories where tribes had lived, competing for the same natural resources. Tribal groups traded with white settlers, but gradually, these tribal groups were displaced. New innovations help American agriculture. In 1833, the New York General Trades Union, was organized. It was the first national labor federation.
Migration and immigration
The federal government forced the Choctaw Indians into Indian Territory in 1831. The National Road reached as far as Vandalia, Illinois before the construction was stopped in 1838. The first travelers on the Oregon Trail, Marcus and Narcissa Whitman, made their journey in 1836. Most of the pioneers went on this trail during the next decade. The number of people coming to the United States in the 1830s four times as many as in the 1820’s; Europeans came for the cheap and fertile land. The largest groups continued to be Germans, Irish, and British, escaping political and economic conditions. Religious groups came to America to escape from persecution. The voyagers to America suffered difficulties and mistreatment. There were outbreaks of diseases like cholera which many passengers died of. Many of the immigrants were artisans and craftsmen rather than pioneers, who have come to search for work in cities.
Education
Schools during this time were governed by the local community with little state-wide supervision. Michigan was the first state to enter the Union that had stated that the government is responsible for promoting and supervising the public schools written in the constitution. McGuffey Readers introduced texts for different grade levels. Education of women and African-Americans made progress. In 1836 Wesleyan Female College was the first institution to give college degrees to women. More than eight new colleges and universities were founded between 1830 and 1839.
Science and Technology
The first major cholera epidemic started in New York City in 1832 and spread throughout the whole country. Vegetarianism, whole wheat products, exercise and bathing were advocated. Mental illness began to be recognized. Migrants learned herbal medicine from Native Americans and by trial and error. Smallpox was a problem of the time. With the design of the horseshoe curve for railroad tracks, climbing mountains was no longer a problem. Samuel Morse, a painter, came up with the communication code still in use today. Samuel Colt patented the first revolver.
Social movements
People from varied backgrounds joined abolitionist movements together, foreshadowing more and more reformation. Un-Calvinist ideas and perfectionism, the belief in the possibility of completely getting rid of sin from individuals and society, challenged conventional society. Women began to gain places in society. William Lloyd Garrison, founder of the New England Anti-Slavery Society, established The Liberator, a weekly newspaper encouraging abolitionists to take action. Many abolitionists took action, and abolitionists who included African American former slaves brought a greater challenge to society.
1840
Business and the Economy
In 1848, the Chicago Board of Trade opened, specializing in farm-commodity trading. The ten-hour workday was adopted in 1842 by several states after trade unions and workers' parties were formed in those states. Labor reform movements emphasizing the rights of workingmen began to form with the establishment of labor unions. In 1840, New Orleans became one of the largest ports in the nation. Texas became a state and a leading exporter of cotton and cattle. Inventions like vulcanized rubber, the sewing machine, and the safety pin were useful in businesses and industry.
Migration and immigration
Gold brought many people to California (California Gold Rush 1849). Many people risked their lives to travel on the Oregon Trail in hopes of reaching the fertile land on the west coast of the United States. “Manifest Destiny” was the phrase that brought many Americans westward. During the 1840's, the greatest number of immigrants settled in the United States-1,427,337 people. The suffering and poverty brought by the Irish potato famine in and the crop failures in Germany brought even more Irish and Germans to the States.
Education
Bilingual education for the children of German immigrants became mandatory in Cincinnati, Ohio after the Germans demanded it. The separation of church and state started a strong debate. In 1844, there were anti-Catholic riots in Philadelphia against the attempts by Catholics in the city to end Bible-reading in public schools. Catholic churches and homes of immigrants were burned and looted. In the South it was against the law to teach a slave to read. In the North the black children were segregated in the school system. In 1855 the Massachusetts legislature passed a law prohibiting racial segregation in the state's schools, the first in the United States. Women started to enter the teaching field in increasing numbers, but their salaries were still half than that of the men’s salary. Much of the teaching was done by just memorization.
Science and Technology
The Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, a pioneer in this type of colleges, was established in 1840. Opium, sold in drugstore, was used to control pain, although it was also said to be a recreational drug. Nitrous oxide, originally provided for entertainment, became the first painkiller other than alcohol used in surgery. The craniums of people with different race were compared, and it was suggested that different ethnic groups have different origins. The Wilkes Expedition travelled around and gathered zoological and botanical samples in 1842.
Social movements
The women's rights movement grew out of the abolitionist struggle. The Common School movement promoted equality in education and a publicly funded education for all children in the United States. Religious groups found new ways to expand to and reach different populations.
Artifact 10: Student Choice
Artifact 11: Student Choice
Artifact 12: Idea Page
Artifact 13:
Artifact 14:
Artifact 15:
Artifact 16: The American Dream Game
Artifact 17:
