ROGERS RANGERS
Dear Families,
Before I begin this blog, I do want to remind everyone that our district is piloting the new SBAC tests and grades 5 & 6 will be taking them this week beginning on Tuesday. Although data will not be generated on each individual child, it is an opportunity for our students to be exposed to the format and complexity of the test before they officially take it next year. Data from their results will be vital to the ongoing development of the SBAC. As with any tests, please be sure your student is rested and has had a good breakfast. No sugary snacks, please. Sugarless gum will be allowed during testing.
SCHEDULE:
SCHEDULE:
- Tuesday, May 6: 10:15 Non-PT Math; 12:45 PT Math
- Wednesday, May 7: 10:15 Non PT ELA; 12:30 PT ELA
- Thursday, May 8: Gates, Part 1
- Friday, May 9: Gates, Part 2; Spelling; Begin Reading Assessment
We'll be sure to take plenty of "oxygen breaks" throughout testing! FYI: As regular classes will be suspended for most of this week due to SBACs, students will have an opportunity to work on some independent assignments in any free time between/after tests. For me, that includes work on:
- Independent Poetry Unit activities.
- Two cloze activities pertaining to the French and Indian War.
THE BATTLE OF LAKE GEORGE
Not
to be confused with the battle of Fort William Henry, the Battle of
Lake George was fought on September 8, 1755. The first engagement, aptly
known as "The Bloody Morning Scout," occurred when the British, in an
attempt to cut off French supplies,
headed south down the Lake George--Ft. Edward road toward the vicinity
of Ft. Lyman. In the meantime, French scouts learned of the British
advance and hurried north to ambush them. The French commander deployed
his forces in a hook shape on both sides of the road, and almost
immediately upon setting out, the British found themselves in a trap.
Military leaders on both sides were killed. Read here for more information (including pictures) about the Battle of Lake George.
The
remaining British panicked, wildly retreating north to a small pond
where they barricaded themselves behind stumps and logs and made another
brief stand before continuing their retreat. Other British forces were
immediately sent to assist. Preparations were hastily made against the
approaching French--several cannon and other field pieces were put in
position. The French regulars arrived around noon and marched directly
into the center of the British position, and were mowed down. Some
British soldiers from the morning battle attempted once again to
retreat, causing confusion in the ranks. William Johnson, in rallying
them, took a musket ball in the leg.
Later
that day, with most of the fighting over, some 300 New Hampshire and
New York Colonials who on their way to reinforce the British garrison
ambushed a group of French and Natives encamped for the night near a
pond. After
a desperate struggle, the French force was almost wiped out. Over 200
bodies rolled into the pond, staining the water red. That's how it got
its name, "Bloody Pond". In this conflict Rogers, the famous Ranger made his debut as a soldier.Information from the above article can be found here.
THE AMAZING STORY OF ROGERS' RANGERS
The
life story of Major Robert Rogers, the New England frontiersman who
recruited companies of colonial soldiers, known as Rogers' Rangers, to
fight for the British in the French and Indian War, is a compelling mix
of military intrigue and national identity. This feisty major codified
colonial military strategies into a document, known as Standing Orders and put these principles to practice in many battles, campaigns, and scouting expeditions. Check it out:
What
follows is a six-part episode By Ray Mears who allows you follow in the
footsteps of Rogers' Rangers as they withdrew through New England,
fighting off both the approaching enemy and starvation as fall turned
into winter. This is part of BBC's third series of "Ray Mears Extreme
Survival". It's a fascinating episode, and knowing how much we all love
the outdoors, it provides great lessons for surviving in the woods!
Enjoy!
Here's something else really worth watching if you're interested in Robert Rogers. This is called, "Rogers' Rangers, Ranging Way of War." (I find this stuff fascinating!)
