8th Grade: The eighth graders have been taking a look at this week, how there were empires and civilizations in the Americas prior to the arrival of Europeans. As we completed their investigation of the Maya, Aztecs and Inca, we moved on to what motivated the Europeans to explore westward. Students learned about how the Silk Road and its difficulties launched Columbus to the ocean, how Isabella's interest in Spain's power gave Columbus the support he needed, and the technology that was required to get Columbus across the ocean. Students made an astrolabe in class, which they have been invited to bring home and use at night to sight the North Star and determine their latitude. Today in class, students read and answered a question on Christopher Columbus in the Americas, and discussed whether or not Columbus Day should be a holiday! For many of the students, this was their first opportunity to do an online discussion! Reminder: Oral History Project Interviews are due tomorrow for all eighth graders! I have attached the expectations for the project!