March 2, 2006	Mr. Lamb	travlamb@topekacollegiate.org
Did You Know? March is Women’s History Month! Originally celebrated in the United States in California in 1978 as Women’s History Week, March has been designated as Women’s History month. This month long designation was officially recognized by the U.S. government in 1987. It seeks to raise awareness of and promote the contributions of women in American history. Care to learn more? Check out the National Women’s History Project at http://www.nwhp.org/				Dates of Interest ► 3/5-6 Model UN, 8^th Grade, Capital Plaza, 8:00 am-3:00 pm ► 3/9 Africa Diaspora All School Concert, Topeka High School, 6:30 pm-8:30 pm ► 3/16 Game Faces exhibit, located at the KSHS ► 3/19 International Women’s Day Note: Please contact me if you would like me to include upcoming information of historical interest in the next issue of the TCS History Times.
Social Studies-Grade Summaries 6^th Grade- Students have completed their study of Russia. Classes learned about the wide variety of geographic features related to the largest country on earth. They were fascinated to learn that one of Russia’s lakes, Lake Baikal, has a volume that is greater than all five of the Great Lakes combined! Also, for most of them this was their first exposure to the concept of communism. I enjoyed answering many questions about this political system. 7^th Grade- We spent the last few weeks discussing the pros and cons of American independence from the British crown. This included a look at the Olive Branch Petition extended to King George III. Once independence was decided on as the proper course of action, we examined the Declaration of Independence and discussed the list of grievances asserted by the Patriots against the crown. I was pleased by the students’ response to the gravity of the Patriots’ situation, and the courage it took for the 56 signers to affix their signature to such a document. 8^th Grade- Students spent the last few weeks learning about the turbulent and complex history of territorial Kansas. They were surprised to learn that four constitutions existed in the territory simultaneously, with the Wyandotte document eventually becoming our official constitution! Also, we had many discussions about the clash of “colorful” proslavers, freestaters, and abolitionists as well. KSHS Special Exhibit: Game Faces Opening on March 16 Game Faces, located at the KSHS, explores the reasons for the immense popularity of sports, particularly the role games have in creating community among people who often don't have much in common. Visitors to Game Faces will enter through a stadium with bleachers in front of a Jumbotron-style screen running clips from Kansas sports history.