Have a great time on vacation!
Now let me ruin it somewhat...
When we come back, we have two weeks before mid-term exams. Here's what's going to happen:
1) Re-writes are due in class on the Tuesday we return (January 3).
2) The book report is due Thursday (January 5) by the start of your class period. The book list is linked here.
We will be jumping ahead to Chapter 20 (Western Europe) which we will read over two days.
We will have a DBQ during a regular class period (45 minutes)
We will have one project in that time period.
You will have two more essay grades, two project grades, some homework grades and participation before the term ends.
We will spend three days reviewing for the mid-term, which will consist of 40 multiple choice questions and two essays.
We will then return to chapter 18 and put the Mongols on trial.
Hooray???
See you in 2012...
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Holiday Traditions homework
Periods 1 & 2: We will be going to Holiday Traditions tomorrow (check into class first, then we'll go down). Your assignment while there is to choose a tradition that you think links to a religion/philosophy we have studied thus far. Take a picture of the table (and participants if they are willing!) and upload it to your blog with an explanation of the connections.
Otherwise, Posterous posts are due by the end of the day tomorrow along with a picture for your account. Be sure not to overlap topics that are already done! 4th period will have time in class to work on them.
Otherwise, Posterous posts are due by the end of the day tomorrow along with a picture for your account. Be sure not to overlap topics that are already done! 4th period will have time in class to work on them.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Homework for December 19
For tonight, post to your blog any trends you saw with the questions you were getting wrong in Jeopardy today. This can be categories, chapters, regions, people, etc. Look for what you don't know to help you figure out what to study.
Don't forget about the Posterous assignment due on Thursday, both your photo and the post. You will have time in class on Thursday to finish it up.
The test is Wednesday, chapters 13-17, 60 multiple choice questions. We will play flyswatter tomorrow...
Don't forget about the Posterous assignment due on Thursday, both your photo and the post. You will have time in class on Thursday to finish it up.
The test is Wednesday, chapters 13-17, 60 multiple choice questions. We will play flyswatter tomorrow...
Additional review materials
Post Classical Era 13 & 14 - Crossword Labs
Post Classical Era 15 & 16 - Crossword Labs
Some other ways to review for you!
Post Classical Era 15 & 16 - Crossword Labs
Some other ways to review for you!
Friday, December 16, 2011
Test Review and Posterous
Over the weekend, you should review for the test. The test will be on the Post-Classical Era, chapters 13-17 inclusive. There will be 60 multiple choice questions on the test. As part of the review, each table group, formed today, is to make a jeopardy review game using www.jeopardylabs.com. If you were absent today due to leadership training, you are free to make your own game. Once you have the game made, please paste the link to the game on the google document linked here so we can all find them in class on Monday, when they will be played.
As we are at the end of the Post-Classical Era, there is another Posterous assignment that is due. This assignment will be due by the end of the school day on Thursday, December 22, and you will have time in class on Thursday to complete it. In short, you are to find a metaphorical image that represents the societies we have studied in the Post-Classical Era. Details are posted on the Posterous class space. Please note that, as this is our third time through this assignment, you will no longer be given leeway if you post to your own space, or otherwise incorrectly post the assignment. Assignments that are not properly located by the deadline will receive a 0, even if you post it to your own space. Finally, you must have a picture of yourself uploaded to your account by Thursday as well; this will also be a homework assignment grade.
Lastly, there will be a book report that will be due on Thursday, January 5th. It will follow the same format as the Thanksgiving book report, in that you have the choice of a fiction or non-fiction book, and the assignment is to compose a review of the book that matches up with the requirements delineated in the rubric linked here. The list of books you may read is linked here; please feel free to add in a review in the form of stars (5 stars for excellent, 1 star for burn it) next to the book you read the last time to help each other make a choice. Please do not add or remove books!!
As we are at the end of the Post-Classical Era, there is another Posterous assignment that is due. This assignment will be due by the end of the school day on Thursday, December 22, and you will have time in class on Thursday to complete it. In short, you are to find a metaphorical image that represents the societies we have studied in the Post-Classical Era. Details are posted on the Posterous class space. Please note that, as this is our third time through this assignment, you will no longer be given leeway if you post to your own space, or otherwise incorrectly post the assignment. Assignments that are not properly located by the deadline will receive a 0, even if you post it to your own space. Finally, you must have a picture of yourself uploaded to your account by Thursday as well; this will also be a homework assignment grade.
Lastly, there will be a book report that will be due on Thursday, January 5th. It will follow the same format as the Thanksgiving book report, in that you have the choice of a fiction or non-fiction book, and the assignment is to compose a review of the book that matches up with the requirements delineated in the rubric linked here. The list of books you may read is linked here; please feel free to add in a review in the form of stars (5 stars for excellent, 1 star for burn it) next to the book you read the last time to help each other make a choice. Please do not add or remove books!!
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Benedictine Rules homework
For tonight's assignment, take a look at the Benedictine Rules emailed to your school email account in class today. At the end of the reading are "Focus Questions." Read over the document and compose answers to questions 4 and 5 on your blog. In order to get a 3 (full credit on the assignment) you must refer to the document in your answers to the questions.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Homework for December 14
Your homework for tonight is to finish the chapter. We will go over the development of Christianity in Europe tomorrow. Then we talk about the Vikings...
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Homework for December 12
what are you doing, procrastinating? You have a Compare and Contrast essay in class tomorrow, looking at post-classical India and China. The themes that could generate topics are in yesterday's post. The score guide is linked up here.
Now stop stalling, and go get work done...
Now stop stalling, and go get work done...
Monday, December 12, 2011
Homework for December 12
For tonight, read the next section in the textbook, 443-449 on life in Europe in the post classical era.
The score guide for the compare and contrast essay is linked here.
The five themes of the course are:
1. Patterns and impacts of interactions between humans and the environment (demography, disease, migration)
2. Development and interactions of cultures (religions, belief systems, philosophies, science and technology, arts and architecture)
3. State building, expansion and conflict (political structures and forms of government, empires)
4. Creation, expansion and interaction of economic systems (agricultural and pastoral production, trade and commerce, labor systems)
5. Development and transformation of social structures (gender roles and relations, family and kinship, racial and ethnic structures and social and economic class systems.)
The score guide for the compare and contrast essay is linked here.
The five themes of the course are:
1. Patterns and impacts of interactions between humans and the environment (demography, disease, migration)
2. Development and interactions of cultures (religions, belief systems, philosophies, science and technology, arts and architecture)
3. State building, expansion and conflict (political structures and forms of government, empires)
4. Creation, expansion and interaction of economic systems (agricultural and pastoral production, trade and commerce, labor systems)
5. Development and transformation of social structures (gender roles and relations, family and kinship, racial and ethnic structures and social and economic class systems.)
Friday, December 9, 2011
Homework for the long weekend, 12/9
Over the weekend, read pages 433-443 in chapter 17. Notes are highly encouraged.
On Wednesday 12/14 you will write a compare and contrast essay (Post-Classical India and China) in class. Please note that we will be discussing Europe on Monday and Tuesday, so you will be somewhat removed from the information; I suggest getting organized and reviewing the material over the long weekend.
On Wednesday 12/21, there will be a test on the Post Classical Era, chapters 13-17. It will consist of 60-ish multiple choice questions. We will review on Tuesday 12/20, and I will be after school that day for anyone who wants to ask last minute questions.
On Wednesday 12/14 you will write a compare and contrast essay (Post-Classical India and China) in class. Please note that we will be discussing Europe on Monday and Tuesday, so you will be somewhat removed from the information; I suggest getting organized and reviewing the material over the long weekend.
On Wednesday 12/21, there will be a test on the Post Classical Era, chapters 13-17. It will consist of 60-ish multiple choice questions. We will review on Tuesday 12/20, and I will be after school that day for anyone who wants to ask last minute questions.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Homework 12/7--Southernization Continues
For tonight, read the second article in the packet by John Voll. (interesting trivia: He is the father of my best friend from high school...just imagine what the dinner table conversation was like at his house...) Be prepared to sum up his argument/rebuttal in class. We'll then debate Southernization.
Upcoming of note to you all: The Compare and Contrast Essay on Post classical China and India will be in class on Wednesday, December 14th.
Also, the test on the Post-Classical era will be on Wednesday December 21st. We will review on Tuesday.
Upcoming of note to you all: The Compare and Contrast Essay on Post classical China and India will be in class on Wednesday, December 14th.
Also, the test on the Post-Classical era will be on Wednesday December 21st. We will review on Tuesday.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Reading for December 6 and 7
For tonight, you should read the article called "Southernization" by Lynda Shaffer. It is linked here. There is a second article by John O. Voll, that is a rebuttal to Shaffer's argument.
This reading is not exactly easy to follow, so be sure that you read it carefully and actively. Feel free to print it if that will help you digest it. We will discuss the first article tomorrow, and the second article on Thursday and then argue about with whom we agree.
This reading is not exactly easy to follow, so be sure that you read it carefully and actively. Feel free to print it if that will help you digest it. We will discuss the first article tomorrow, and the second article on Thursday and then argue about with whom we agree.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Homework for December 5
For tonight, read pages 418-428 to finish up Chapter 16. Tomorrow we will talk about Sufism, the Bhakti movement and India's influence on Southeast Asia.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Homework for the weekend of December 3
Over the weekend, read pages 410-418. You want to set up charts or whatever device will help you to categorize and remember the information in this chapter for future COT or C/C essays!
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Homework 11/29
Homework for tonight is to read the remainder of the chapter, page 391-400. The score guide for the COT essay is linked here. That will be written in class on Thursday.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Homework 11/28
Sorry for the late posting! For tonight, you are to read pages 383-391. I recommend notetaking, and/or the completion of the COT system you devised for China. The COT essay will be written in class on Thursday, and we will review the score guide tomorrow in class.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Homework for November 22
For tonight, read the selections from the Tang poets linked here, and the selections from the Song poets linked here. After you read them, post the following response on your blogs: Do you like the poems? How are they similar/different? Do you think that they reflect the Tang and Song societies well? Can we use poems to understand a society?
Monday, November 21, 2011
The Monkey King
For tonight, read this summary of the story of the first 7 chapters of The Monkey King, one of the first Chinese superheros. He later goes on to help out the monk Xuanzang, who helps to bring Buddhism to China...
We will continue to create the COT organizational systems you started in class today tomorrow while I finish up meeting with all of y'all about the quarter that has just passed. I will be looking at the finished product at the end of class, and it will count for a homework grade.
We will continue to create the COT organizational systems you started in class today tomorrow while I finish up meeting with all of y'all about the quarter that has just passed. I will be looking at the finished product at the end of class, and it will count for a homework grade.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
This is late--blame your parents! :)
For tonight you are to finish reading the chapter on Islam.
For the Thanksgiving assignment, the list of books is linked here, and the description of the book report is linked here. We'll talk about it again and go over it all next week, but if you want to get a jump on it, that might not be a bad idea...
For the Thanksgiving assignment, the list of books is linked here, and the description of the book report is linked here. We'll talk about it again and go over it all next week, but if you want to get a jump on it, that might not be a bad idea...
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Homework for November 15
Use the picture of the map you took in class to create a map that shows the expansion of Islam from the time of Mohammad through the collapse of the Abbasid dynasty. You may use whatever methods you like for this (ShowMe, Noterize, color and take a picture), and I'll be checking them in class tomorrow, when we talk about the Dar-al-Islam's formation and impact on the post-Classical world.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Class work for November 14
Periods 1 and 4 are to work in trios to visually articulate
the evolution of the monotheistic tradition from the Foundational period
through the Post-Classical era. (so they should pull information from Hebrew people through the various forms of Christianity up to and
including Chapter 13 in the textbooks). We will be discussing Islam next, so
they should leave a space on their representation to add in Islam.
For homework, all sections are to read pages 345-352.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
An Update for your parents about conferences
Just to put it on its own, I will not be available for Parent/Teacher conferences on Thursday, November 10th. My apologies, but though I am no longer in danger of sharing pneumonia with anyone, I'm not healthy enough to be around other people just yet. I will go through the sign-up list and make contact with parents to make arrangements for a conversation by phone or in person at another time. I will also, on Thursday the 17th, be staying until 9:00 to hopefully speak with more parents that night. (Students are welcome to come as well that night if they wish). Apologies again for any inconvenience this may cause people!
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
In class work for November 9th
So, let's try something a little new today. You may want to work with a partner for all the steps, just because two iPads may be better than one...
Step one: Open up your ShowMe app (the whiteboard one we've used with maps) and press the menu button at the top left. That will take you to your library, which will have a button in the top left called "ShowMe community." Press that button, and that will take you to ShowMe.com. Once there, type in the search box "How to write a COT essay." The ShowMe I made should be your first option. Open it up and watch! (The sound quality gets a little dim toward the end--I might have accidentally covered the mic while writing...sorry!) That will step you through the COT essay writing process. You may want to watch it more than once. (Not because it is so cool, fun and interesting, but just to be sure you get it...)
The scoring guide for the essay is linked up here. Take a look at it.
Once you've watched and read, using the Byzantine Empire and the Roman Empire, look for and write down 1 change and 1 continuity in each of the following areas: Politics, Economics, Religion, Technology, Gender Roles, and Social Class. Then see how many pieces of evidence (not more than 5) you can find to support the change and the continuity, and write them down. (There are not 5 for each, so find as many as you can!) You may work in pairs or singly, and you should make use of the textbooks stacked up in the corner of the room, as well as any internet sources you think would be helpful (but I don't think you'll need them.) For example, you can say that one continuity politically was the presence of the emperor in both, but the change was the role of the emperor. Then find 5 pieces of evidence, split between the two.
For homework over the long weekend, Do a few things:
1) Appreciate that the calendar will read 11/11/11...won't happen again for a long time!
2) Find a veteran and thank him or her for his or her service.
3) Finish reading Chapter 13. Look up the conversion of Prince Vladimir to get a little more information about this moment in Russian history. On your blog, reflect on his conversion and Constantine's conversion. Are they similar moments in history, or different? Explain your answer!
4) Please tell your parents that I'm sorry, but I won't be able to meet them for conferences on Thursday.
Enjoy the long weekend!
Step one: Open up your ShowMe app (the whiteboard one we've used with maps) and press the menu button at the top left. That will take you to your library, which will have a button in the top left called "ShowMe community." Press that button, and that will take you to ShowMe.com. Once there, type in the search box "How to write a COT essay." The ShowMe I made should be your first option. Open it up and watch! (The sound quality gets a little dim toward the end--I might have accidentally covered the mic while writing...sorry!) That will step you through the COT essay writing process. You may want to watch it more than once. (Not because it is so cool, fun and interesting, but just to be sure you get it...)
The scoring guide for the essay is linked up here. Take a look at it.
Once you've watched and read, using the Byzantine Empire and the Roman Empire, look for and write down 1 change and 1 continuity in each of the following areas: Politics, Economics, Religion, Technology, Gender Roles, and Social Class. Then see how many pieces of evidence (not more than 5) you can find to support the change and the continuity, and write them down. (There are not 5 for each, so find as many as you can!) You may work in pairs or singly, and you should make use of the textbooks stacked up in the corner of the room, as well as any internet sources you think would be helpful (but I don't think you'll need them.) For example, you can say that one continuity politically was the presence of the emperor in both, but the change was the role of the emperor. Then find 5 pieces of evidence, split between the two.
For homework over the long weekend, Do a few things:
1) Appreciate that the calendar will read 11/11/11...won't happen again for a long time!
2) Find a veteran and thank him or her for his or her service.
3) Finish reading Chapter 13. Look up the conversion of Prince Vladimir to get a little more information about this moment in Russian history. On your blog, reflect on his conversion and Constantine's conversion. Are they similar moments in history, or different? Explain your answer!
4) Please tell your parents that I'm sorry, but I won't be able to meet them for conferences on Thursday.
Enjoy the long weekend!
Monday, November 7, 2011
In class on Tuesday, November 8
Ok folks, so the word from the doctor is that I will likely not be back to work this week--The name for my pain is pneumonia, so I gotta do 48 hours in quarantine and then get re-evaluated on Wednesday. I'll be updating grades on Aspen slowly over the next two days, so you won't see a final grade until after Wednesday night at the earliest.
So, for Tuesday in class, I've put up a presentation with an overview of what's important from chapter 13, so take some time to look that over here at link #1
Note that it is a google based presentation, and it opened fine on my iPad through the link, so you shouldn't have any trouble getting it to load.
Then, when you are done with that, proceed onward to link #2. It is a compilation of images from different facets of the Byzantine Empire. Poke around the gallery at different images. Then post on your blog: What trends do you notice about the architecture? Is it distinctive? Is it designed to be functional or decorative or both? Do you see any influences on American architecture?
Finish reading the chapter for homework, as well as any of the above you didn't finish in class.
Please give your parents a head's up that I may not be able to be at Parent Teacher Conferences on Thursday if the doctor doesn't give me a clean bill of health on Wednesday. If they've included contact information on the google form I'll be in touch with them when I get back to school and set up something else if Thursday doesn't work out.
So, for Tuesday in class, I've put up a presentation with an overview of what's important from chapter 13, so take some time to look that over here at link #1
Note that it is a google based presentation, and it opened fine on my iPad through the link, so you shouldn't have any trouble getting it to load.
Then, when you are done with that, proceed onward to link #2. It is a compilation of images from different facets of the Byzantine Empire. Poke around the gallery at different images. Then post on your blog: What trends do you notice about the architecture? Is it distinctive? Is it designed to be functional or decorative or both? Do you see any influences on American architecture?
Finish reading the chapter for homework, as well as any of the above you didn't finish in class.
Please give your parents a head's up that I may not be able to be at Parent Teacher Conferences on Thursday if the doctor doesn't give me a clean bill of health on Wednesday. If they've included contact information on the google form I'll be in touch with them when I get back to school and set up something else if Thursday doesn't work out.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
For in class, November 7
Hi folks-
Sorry to not be with you today, but you don't want me around you with the version of the flu I have. So, in class today, you'll need to each get a copy of the yellow Sources book, located in the bookshelf by the door to the mac lab. You are to work with the documents in Chapter 10 that have to do with descriptions of Constantinople, which are #s, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Your overall task is to determine which of the documents is the most credible source of information about Constantinople. More specifically, determine for each document, you are to try to discern not only who wrote the document, but for whom and why was it created? Write up answers to these questions and post them to your blog. You may work together to understand the documents, but you each must post your own entry to your own blog.
Period 4, you are to hand in your DBQ re-write and original copies to the sub, who will put them on my desk for me to get as soon as I can get back to school.
For homework, you are to read pages 325-330 in the textbook. Hopefully I'll see you Tuesday!
Sorry to not be with you today, but you don't want me around you with the version of the flu I have. So, in class today, you'll need to each get a copy of the yellow Sources book, located in the bookshelf by the door to the mac lab. You are to work with the documents in Chapter 10 that have to do with descriptions of Constantinople, which are #s, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Your overall task is to determine which of the documents is the most credible source of information about Constantinople. More specifically, determine for each document, you are to try to discern not only who wrote the document, but for whom and why was it created? Write up answers to these questions and post them to your blog. You may work together to understand the documents, but you each must post your own entry to your own blog.
Period 4, you are to hand in your DBQ re-write and original copies to the sub, who will put them on my desk for me to get as soon as I can get back to school.
For homework, you are to read pages 325-330 in the textbook. Hopefully I'll see you Tuesday!
Friday, November 4, 2011
Homework for the weekend, 11/4
For this weekend, read about Byzantium, chapter 13, pages 317-325. Notes are optional. Read also this document on the modern day Silk Road antiquities issue.
If you are in period 4, don't forget that your DBQ re-writes are due by the start of class on Monday. I'll need to have your original draft and score sheet along with the re-writes, so even if you send the paper electronically, be sure you bring in the drafts!
Don't forget to tell your parents to sign up for a time to meet with me during parent teacher conferences on Thursday! You are welcome to attend as well if you like. The sign up link is below in an earlier post. Help them out if they need to find it!
If you are in period 4, don't forget that your DBQ re-writes are due by the start of class on Monday. I'll need to have your original draft and score sheet along with the re-writes, so even if you send the paper electronically, be sure you bring in the drafts!
Don't forget to tell your parents to sign up for a time to meet with me during parent teacher conferences on Thursday! You are welcome to attend as well if you like. The sign up link is below in an earlier post. Help them out if they need to find it!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Homework for November 2
For tonight, make a venn diagram that shows the similarities and differences between the collapse of the Han Dynasty and collapse of the Roman Empire.
You will need to be able to show this on your iPad, so even if you draw it on paper, take a picture of it and store it in your gallery. Otherwise, you can use Noterize, Write Now, or any other app you choose to create it!
You will need to be able to show this on your iPad, so even if you draw it on paper, take a picture of it and store it in your gallery. Otherwise, you can use Noterize, Write Now, or any other app you choose to create it!
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Homework 11/1/11
For tonight, compose a blog entry about the Silk Road project, specifically the mapping portion. In your post, please cover the following:
1) 3 things that went well;
2) 3 things you weren't happy with;
3) What was hard/difficult about this project?
4) Collaboration: was it good/bad/indifferent?
5) What would you do differently if you had to do it again?
Period 4 has the DBQ tomorrow, so be sure to go back into the blog and look over the scoring criteria!
The quiz on chapter 12 will be Friday. It will be 20 multiple choice questions. It will be your final grade of the first quarter.
1) 3 things that went well;
2) 3 things you weren't happy with;
3) What was hard/difficult about this project?
4) Collaboration: was it good/bad/indifferent?
5) What would you do differently if you had to do it again?
Period 4 has the DBQ tomorrow, so be sure to go back into the blog and look over the scoring criteria!
The quiz on chapter 12 will be Friday. It will be 20 multiple choice questions. It will be your final grade of the first quarter.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Power may be out, but costumes are always in...
So missing school tomorrow has two ramifications.
1) Anyone who wants to come in costume on Tuesday, extra credit is still available! (What your friends and family think of you, well, that's another issue...)
2) Second period, you get to miss out on the DBQ this quarter. We will write it the next time the long block comes around on the schedule. Fourth Period, you lucky students you, you still get the DBQ on Wednesday.
Of course, if school is still off on Tuesday, well...stay tuned for other updates!
Oh, and as far as projects go, they are do in the same pattern as if tomorrow were Monday. So just advance one day in the week for all due dates.
1) Anyone who wants to come in costume on Tuesday, extra credit is still available! (What your friends and family think of you, well, that's another issue...)
2) Second period, you get to miss out on the DBQ this quarter. We will write it the next time the long block comes around on the schedule. Fourth Period, you lucky students you, you still get the DBQ on Wednesday.
Of course, if school is still off on Tuesday, well...stay tuned for other updates!
Oh, and as far as projects go, they are do in the same pattern as if tomorrow were Monday. So just advance one day in the week for all due dates.
Friday, October 28, 2011
All Hallows Eve
Here's the deal:
Come in to class on Monday with a costume and get points on the last test.
Points will be added to the total points, not the percentage.
You should not be spending money on the costume! Be creative, not consumer-ish!
You must bring your scored test answer sheet with you to class on Monday for me to add points to!
The Silk Road project is due for periods 2 and 4 at the start of class. So you will be handing in your completed maps and electronically passing in your paper (1 paper, regardless of whether you were a pair or a singleton.) Period 1, you will have 20 minutes of class on Monday to work on your map to make up for the time lost today. Period 1's paper will be handed in electronically by the end of the school day on Monday. Period 1's map will be due at the start of class on Tuesday.
Period 2 will write their DBQ on Monday. Period 4 will write their DBQ on Wednesday.
There will be a quiz on Chapter 12 on Thursday.
Come in to class on Monday with a costume and get points on the last test.
- Come to class in a lame "costume" ("uh, this is a Red Sox hat...I'm here as Pedroia") get 3 points.
- Come to class in a costume of any type (be a zombie, or one of the pumpkins you stuff with leaves, witch, ghost, etc.) and get 5 points.
- Come to class in a costume as a person of significance to the history of the world (from any time period, any location on the globe) and get 7 points.
Points will be added to the total points, not the percentage.
You should not be spending money on the costume! Be creative, not consumer-ish!
You must bring your scored test answer sheet with you to class on Monday for me to add points to!
The Silk Road project is due for periods 2 and 4 at the start of class. So you will be handing in your completed maps and electronically passing in your paper (1 paper, regardless of whether you were a pair or a singleton.) Period 1, you will have 20 minutes of class on Monday to work on your map to make up for the time lost today. Period 1's paper will be handed in electronically by the end of the school day on Monday. Period 1's map will be due at the start of class on Tuesday.
Period 2 will write their DBQ on Monday. Period 4 will write their DBQ on Wednesday.
There will be a quiz on Chapter 12 on Thursday.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Parent Sign up form for Conferences November 10
If your folks want to come in to talk with me during the day on Thursday November 10, please use this link to sign up for an appointment from 7:30-2:30. You are welcome to come with your folks if you would like to come too! November 10th will be a better time for a longer conversation, since Thursday night, November 17 from 6:30-8 will be a first-come, first-served, quick meeting time.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Homework for October 24 and Parent Conferences
For tonight, you should read pages 300-310 in the textbook. You will have most of the period tomorrow to work on your maps, and you will have half of the period on Thursday to do the same. Period 1 will write their DBQ on Friday in class, and then have map time (not nap time, map time!); the rest of you will have half the period again to work on the maps. Period 2 will write their DBQ on Monday, and Period 4 will have their DBQ on Wednesday.
Please pass along to your parents that I will have a google document set up in the next blog entry for them to sign up for a time to come in for a conference on November 10th, that's the full day for meetings. If they would like to come in the evening on November 17th, that will be first-come, first-served drop in appointments more suitable for a quick check in than for a lengthy conversation, and no appointments will be honored that night.
Don't forget that Posterous posts are due by 11:59 tomorrow night!
Please pass along to your parents that I will have a google document set up in the next blog entry for them to sign up for a time to come in for a conference on November 10th, that's the full day for meetings. If they would like to come in the evening on November 17th, that will be first-come, first-served drop in appointments more suitable for a quick check in than for a lengthy conversation, and no appointments will be honored that night.
Don't forget that Posterous posts are due by 11:59 tomorrow night!
Monday, October 24, 2011
Homework for October 24--Silk Road
For tonight, read pages 294-300, about the transmission of disease and religion on the Silk Road. In case you missed the email, the project is linked here. The rubric for the project is linked here.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Homework for October 21
1) recover from the test
2) read pages 287-294, start getting in a Silk Road state of mind. Notes are recommended, not required.
3) Posterous posts are due (for the Classical Age) by 11:59pm on Wednesday, October 26
2) read pages 287-294, start getting in a Silk Road state of mind. Notes are recommended, not required.
3) Posterous posts are due (for the Classical Age) by 11:59pm on Wednesday, October 26
Thursday, October 20, 2011
No homework, study for the test!
If you like, the slides from today's flyswatter game are linked up here...and remember, the two things that determine success on tests are:
A) a good night's sleep, and
B) Breakfast!
A) a good night's sleep, and
B) Breakfast!
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Homework for October 19
1) Finish watching the video From Jesus to Christ. You want to watch Chapter 6: Apostle Paul and his Message. Answer the questions that remain about Paul of Tarsus. I will not be collecting your answers; they are just for your knowledge.
2) Read the selection from the Sermon on the Mount found on page 281. The italicized question at the bottom is your assignment. Post your answers on your blog. Remember 2 things: 1-this is a good review for the test! 2- you don't need to use paragraphs! This assignment lends itself nicely to venn diagrams or charts. Feel free to use those if that is better/easier.
3) Review for the test! A good source of help is the textbook's website, linked here. You can take practice tests, play some games, look over outlines, and generally help yourself out. Remember, if you do what you've always done to study, you'll get what you've always gotten for grades. Be active, write, talk, move and think while you review. You have 70 Multiple Choice questions from chapters 7-11. That's a lot of information, so don't wait until the last minute to study. We will review tomorrow in class.
2) Read the selection from the Sermon on the Mount found on page 281. The italicized question at the bottom is your assignment. Post your answers on your blog. Remember 2 things: 1-this is a good review for the test! 2- you don't need to use paragraphs! This assignment lends itself nicely to venn diagrams or charts. Feel free to use those if that is better/easier.
3) Review for the test! A good source of help is the textbook's website, linked here. You can take practice tests, play some games, look over outlines, and generally help yourself out. Remember, if you do what you've always done to study, you'll get what you've always gotten for grades. Be active, write, talk, move and think while you review. You have 70 Multiple Choice questions from chapters 7-11. That's a lot of information, so don't wait until the last minute to study. We will review tomorrow in class.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Homework for October 18
For homework tonight, read pages 277-283. Your Philosopher dialogs are due tomorrow, but it looks like we won't be performing them due to a lack of time. Your test will be on Friday and covers chapters 7-11, 70 multiple choice questions...fun fun fun!
Monday, October 17, 2011
Homework for October 17
For tonight, read pages 267-277. Compose a blog post in which you answer the question: Why do empires form? You must use at least one example from Rome, China and India (each) as support for your answers.
You will have a test on Friday covering chapters 7-11 (inclusive). It will consist of 70 multiple choice questions. I recommend beginning your review now. We will review in class on Thursday as well.
During the long period this week, you will be composing a practice DBQ, and will be writing the real thing during the next long period. If you did not finish today's in class twitter activity, you must do so tonight. (except 1st period will have 10 minutes to finish up in class tomorrow.)
You will have a test on Friday covering chapters 7-11 (inclusive). It will consist of 70 multiple choice questions. I recommend beginning your review now. We will review in class on Thursday as well.
During the long period this week, you will be composing a practice DBQ, and will be writing the real thing during the next long period. If you did not finish today's in class twitter activity, you must do so tonight. (except 1st period will have 10 minutes to finish up in class tomorrow.)
Friday, October 14, 2011
Homework for October 14
Read pages 259-266 in the textbook; we're jumping into the Roman Empire, the last of the Classical Era societies we'll study. Notes are optional, but strongly recommended.
Compose a blog post about today's work. Consider Wikipedia's presentation of information about Buddhism, Jainism or Hinduism and compare/contrast it with the textbook. Which works better/does the job better? Why? Do you have a preference? Would you prefer a class based on Wikipedia over a textbook?
Lastly, don't forget to share the google doc of your script with me! You need to have the topic in order to get the conversation going between the philosophers, and the weekend will be a good time to get the ball rolling!
Compose a blog post about today's work. Consider Wikipedia's presentation of information about Buddhism, Jainism or Hinduism and compare/contrast it with the textbook. Which works better/does the job better? Why? Do you have a preference? Would you prefer a class based on Wikipedia over a textbook?
Lastly, don't forget to share the google doc of your script with me! You need to have the topic in order to get the conversation going between the philosophers, and the weekend will be a good time to get the ball rolling!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Homework for October 13, post PSAT madness
Today we began the "6 philosophers walked into a coffee shop..." project. Your task is to each take on the role of a philosopher/religious founder from the Classical Era, and as a group (formed in class today) compose a dialog/skit of what the conversation would be like if they all met up in a coffee shop and started talking about a modern dilemma. Each group must have at least one representative from each of the major civilizations we see in the Classical Era: China (Confucius, Lao Zi), Persia (Zoroaster, Amos, Job), India (Gautama, Mahavira), and Greece (Socrates, Plato, Solon).
You are to open up a Google Document in which (on which? prepositions are hard...) you will compose your dialog, share it among the groups and with me. Make sure everyone has the ability to edit the document!
Develop a dialogue that illustrates how each one of these characters would react to or explain the modern dilemma. Make sure you are being true to each philosopher’s own unique nature.
This should be a dialogue, not a series of monologues, so make sure your characters are responding to one another.
Each character must “speak” at least five times. (And “I agree.” Doesn’t count as speaking…)
You may begin the discussion any way you like, but you should be sure to identify who you are, address your fellow group members in character and start the conversation about your modern dilemma. You can add stage directions also, if that makes it more fun. For example:
Zoroaster: (Walks into Starbucks and orders a black, fire-roasted coffee with lots of foam)
“Hello there friends. Have you heard the news? President Obama is planning on taking troops out of Iraq and adding troops in Afghanistan. I applaud his attempts to maintain balance …"
You need to each type your character's portion, though you do not all have to get together to do so. (or, you could actually meet in a coffee shop...) So, start by listing which student is which philosopher, and I will add in your topic of conversation. For tonight, you should read the section of the packet that pertains to your philosopher's region. The document is linked here in case your scanning history wiped, or it never loaded properly. So if you are Confucius, you are reading the section about China. (note that the section on Greece doesn't discuss Socrates or Plato directly. You still need to read it!) You should all skim the introductory material, but it will largely be a repeat of what the textbook has covered for you. Remember the Axial Age is the Classical Era. Tomayto, Tomahto...
The final script is due by next Wednesday by the start of class. (Not the end of the day!) You don't want to wait on this folks. Your grade is based on your individual contributions, so if you lose the internet at the last moment, and you waited, you are out of luck...
Scoring categories for this project include: Mechanics of writing (punctuation, spelling, grammar); Accuracy/Authenticity (You have to sound like your philosopher and reference his beliefs); Number of times you speak (at least 5!); Relevance (You are discussing what you are supposed to be discussing!). This will be counted as a full project grade.
Lastly, the score guide for the DBQ, which we went over today, is linked up here. Spend some time with it, get comfortable with it, 'cause it will be with us all year long.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Homework for October 11, India
For tonight, read page 227, the selection from the Bhagvad Gita. At the bottom of the tan box containing the excerpt, there is a question in italics. Please answer that question in your personal blog post. Given that so many of you will be taking the PSATs tomorrow, this will not be due until Thursday.
I also have updated Posterous for the Classical Age, but it comes with a twist this time, so look that over sooner rather than later. The Posterous assignment will be due by 11:59pm on October 26th.
The long range forcast calls for an essay with a test at the end of next week. At the moment, I'm looking at the test being on Friday the 20th, with the essay the following Monday, but don't quote me yet...
I also have updated Posterous for the Classical Age, but it comes with a twist this time, so look that over sooner rather than later. The Posterous assignment will be due by 11:59pm on October 26th.
The long range forcast calls for an essay with a test at the end of next week. At the moment, I'm looking at the test being on Friday the 20th, with the essay the following Monday, but don't quote me yet...
Friday, October 7, 2011
Long weekend! Still have homework...
Spend the long weekend in Classical Age India! Read all of Chapter 9, starting on page 207. Notes are optional for you, though I recommend them strongly!
I'll see if I can figure out what is going on with protopages to get the blogs to function better, and compile your suggestions into my own blog post, so check back here later on for how those will be assessed from here on out.
Lastly, bring in Guns Germs and Steel on Tuesday and I'll take those off your hands. If you bought a copy, and want to donate it to future generations, feel free to do so!
Looks like we'll be writing an in class essay the end of next week/beginning of the following week, and the test will be two weeks out or so...
Enjoy the warm weather!
I'll see if I can figure out what is going on with protopages to get the blogs to function better, and compile your suggestions into my own blog post, so check back here later on for how those will be assessed from here on out.
Lastly, bring in Guns Germs and Steel on Tuesday and I'll take those off your hands. If you bought a copy, and want to donate it to future generations, feel free to do so!
Looks like we'll be writing an in class essay the end of next week/beginning of the following week, and the test will be two weeks out or so...
Enjoy the warm weather!
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Homework for October 6 "Come and join me everybody, onboard"
For tonight, a little meta-cognition. Use the link here or the QRCode here 
to go to the protopage.com account where your blog's rss feeds are compiled.
Once there, read over what your classmates in any of the three sections have posted about Alexander the Great and Confucianism. Then compose a blog post of your own. In this post, discuss what you think the assessment criteria for blogs should be. Is it connected to length? Quality? Style? Grammar? None of the above? Blog posts will fall under the homework category, so there are three (3) possible points to earn for each assignment. What's a 3, 2, 1? Can a person get a zero, even if he or she writes a post? Should you assess each other, or should it just be me who does that? Think about it, write about it, comment back to each other and let's see what comes up.
to go to the protopage.com account where your blog's rss feeds are compiled.Once there, read over what your classmates in any of the three sections have posted about Alexander the Great and Confucianism. Then compose a blog post of your own. In this post, discuss what you think the assessment criteria for blogs should be. Is it connected to length? Quality? Style? Grammar? None of the above? Blog posts will fall under the homework category, so there are three (3) possible points to earn for each assignment. What's a 3, 2, 1? Can a person get a zero, even if he or she writes a post? Should you assess each other, or should it just be me who does that? Think about it, write about it, comment back to each other and let's see what comes up.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Homework for October 5 "On the airplane movin' like a Concorde"
For tonight, read pages 189-197 in the textbook and take written notes as you go. I'd recommend adding them to what you already took in the chapter, so they stay contiguous. This will cover the Qin and Han Dynasties rise and fall. We'll go over it tomorrow in periods 1 and 4. Period 2, you'll have time to explain your versions of Daoism, and we'll then jump into the Dynasties afterward.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Homework for October 4 "but I will have fun and I'll get the job done."
For tonight, you need to finish up your demonstrations of Daoism. You also need to read the examples of Legalism linked here. We will discuss both tomorrow. Though second period will be going to the Invisible Children assembly, so you all should be ready to go on Thursday.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Homework for October 3 "Who do I know there, I guess no one"
I just thought of something: good people do their homework. You are all good people (by your own admission in class today--you would all help the toddler in trouble...except for Peter...) Good people do their homework. Therefore, you all do your homework...So many logical fallacies, so little time...
For tonight, read the selections from the Dao De Jing, the classic text from the Daoist philosophy. The selections are linked here. Remember that you may not understand them completely, or well, and that is actually part of the point...They exist to make you think, not to give you an answer, so you may find that you "get it" without really getting it at all, and then you think about it and the answer is gone because you thought about it...we'll explain it tomorrow...maybe...
The whole of the DDJ is linked up here, in case you want to read more of it...Translations vary, and you can see from my selections that there are differences that make a difference in how different people read the DDJ, and that can make a difference to how you understand it... So feel free to read Lau's translation on that website if you find mine isn't as clear as you'd like.
Remember, I'd like to figure out a good way to assess your blogs, so your other assignment is to think about what makes a good blog entry? Is it different from other writing, or should it be treated the same? Do conventions of English matter as much on a blog?
For tonight, read the selections from the Dao De Jing, the classic text from the Daoist philosophy. The selections are linked here. Remember that you may not understand them completely, or well, and that is actually part of the point...They exist to make you think, not to give you an answer, so you may find that you "get it" without really getting it at all, and then you think about it and the answer is gone because you thought about it...we'll explain it tomorrow...maybe...
The whole of the DDJ is linked up here, in case you want to read more of it...Translations vary, and you can see from my selections that there are differences that make a difference in how different people read the DDJ, and that can make a difference to how you understand it... So feel free to read Lau's translation on that website if you find mine isn't as clear as you'd like.
Remember, I'd like to figure out a good way to assess your blogs, so your other assignment is to think about what makes a good blog entry? Is it different from other writing, or should it be treated the same? Do conventions of English matter as much on a blog?
Friday, September 30, 2011
Homework for September 30 "get my passport and I'm gonna go there,"
Over the weekend, your assignment is to read the selections from The Analects that are linked here. They are all about how to have a good government. Choose one of the selections (they are all short selections) that you think would be useful to members of the US government. Post your choice on your blog and then explain why you think it would be useful to modern American politicians. (You can talk about the presidential candidates as well as already elected officials. The entire Analects is linked here, along with the original Chinese characters; scroll through it to get a sense of the breadth and depth of Confucianism.
You also need to complete the first participation self-survey, linked here. This is designed for you to tell me how you think you are doing in the class as far as discussions go. I will look over your response and agree or disagree with you to let you know how I'm seeing you in class. Then we can debate whose reality is accurate...Enjoy the weekend!
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Homework for September 29: "Off to China, 'cause I got a show there,"
We finished up with Alexander the Great's empire and its impact today in class. For tomorrow, read pages 181-189 in the textbook, which will introduce you to the three schools of thought that arise in Classical China: Confucianism; Daoism; and Legalism. You are to take written notes on the reading, which I will check for a homework grade tomorrow. The style of notes you take is up to you, as is whether or not you take them electronically or on paper.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Homework for September 28, Alexander the Great style...
For tonight, compose a blog post (using your blogger accounts, not Posterous!) in which you take a position on the use of "the Great" after Alexander of Macedon's name. Is this an honorific that he deserves? Why or why not? Remember you are trying to convince the reader of your position, so use evidence to support yourself! We'll talk about his death tomorrow and go over the aftermath, which may or may not change your minds...
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Homework for Tuesday, September 27
For tonight, read the selections from Plutarch and Arrian linked here. We will finish In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great tomorrow and talk briefly about Alexander's legacy.
The Posterous Thematic Timeline Project Foundational Era will be due on Wednesday of next week. That's October 5th to you and me. So have your images and paragraphs posted to your class' Posterous group by the end of the day October 5th. Don't forget you can't duplicate images, and once the region has its pictures posted, the region is closed!
The Posterous Thematic Timeline Project Foundational Era will be due on Wednesday of next week. That's October 5th to you and me. So have your images and paragraphs posted to your class' Posterous group by the end of the day October 5th. Don't forget you can't duplicate images, and once the region has its pictures posted, the region is closed!
Monday, September 26, 2011
Yes, it is really Monday, Sept 26
Today we solved the nature of reality and proved that I mostly exist.
For homework, please read pages 166-168 and 240-245 in the textbook. This will cover Alexander the Great and the collapse of his empire.
The quiz tomorrow will be 10 multiple choice questions drawn equally from chapters 7 and 10 (Persia and Greece). They will be from both the book and from class conversations, the Greek philosophers will be included, and the reading for tonight will NOT be on the quiz.
For homework, please read pages 166-168 and 240-245 in the textbook. This will cover Alexander the Great and the collapse of his empire.
The quiz tomorrow will be 10 multiple choice questions drawn equally from chapters 7 and 10 (Persia and Greece). They will be from both the book and from class conversations, the Greek philosophers will be included, and the reading for tonight will NOT be on the quiz.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Homework for September 23
Happy Friday! Over the weekend, you should finish reading Chapter 10; that will cover the Greek Philosophers (among other things). There will be a quiz on Tuesday that will cover Persia and Greece, NOT including Alexander the Great. We'll talk about him starting on Tuesday, and I'll tell you more about the quiz on Monday.
Period 2, please email me (whitten@bpsk12.org) the name of your blog that you created today and the url for the blog so I can follow you and we can start our conversations.
Lastly, click on the link here to get to a selection from Plato's The Republic. It is one of the more famous/notorious sections of this book called "The Allegory of the Cave." It is a dialog that takes place between Socrates and his students, and the subject of it is human awareness of reality. What is real? How do you know? You may need to read this a couple of times--though the underlying concept is fairly simple, it isn't presented as such! We will discuss this in class on Monday with the help of a few scenes from The Matrix...
Have a good weekend!
Period 2, please email me (whitten@bpsk12.org) the name of your blog that you created today and the url for the blog so I can follow you and we can start our conversations.
Lastly, click on the link here to get to a selection from Plato's The Republic. It is one of the more famous/notorious sections of this book called "The Allegory of the Cave." It is a dialog that takes place between Socrates and his students, and the subject of it is human awareness of reality. What is real? How do you know? You may need to read this a couple of times--though the underlying concept is fairly simple, it isn't presented as such! We will discuss this in class on Monday with the help of a few scenes from The Matrix...
Have a good weekend!
Thursday, September 22, 2011
September 22 Homework
Greece is the word! Today we took a look at early, early Greek civilization. For tomorrow, read pages 239-249 in the textbook. It looks like we will have a quiz on Tuesday of next week that will cover Persia and Greece...
Period One, it looks like Posterous may not be able to communicate with the @bps121.org email. Take a look in your junk mail file on the bps121.org, and see if the email was labeled spam...if it was, then you should be able to confirm the account. But if it is not there, then try this: Go back into your Posterous account, click on Edit Profile, and then Account. You should have the option to add another email (and possibly remove the old one...) which should allow you to confirm the Posterous account via your regular non-school email, and then see the Thematic Timeline Space...I hope...Periods 2 and 4, you get to find out about this later...
Period One, it looks like Posterous may not be able to communicate with the @bps121.org email. Take a look in your junk mail file on the bps121.org, and see if the email was labeled spam...if it was, then you should be able to confirm the account. But if it is not there, then try this: Go back into your Posterous account, click on Edit Profile, and then Account. You should have the option to add another email (and possibly remove the old one...) which should allow you to confirm the Posterous account via your regular non-school email, and then see the Thematic Timeline Space...I hope...Periods 2 and 4, you get to find out about this later...
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
For the Parents on Back To School night
Congratulations! You made it to the class blog. This is where I post homework for the students so they can always know what is due and when it is due. Feel free to scroll around to get a sense of what types of assignments are given in this class. Feel free also to visit the blog anytime you want to get a sense of what is happening in this class.
You aren't done yet, though. Now you will need to click this link to view the course expectations.
You aren't done yet, though. Now you will need to click this link to view the course expectations.
September 21 homework and re-post of homework form
OK, so I think I've figured it out. The web address for the google form for the video questions is: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/embeddedform?formkey=dGh2b1Y0VVpGcHZnU2FsWW00aGRxLUE6MQ. You should be able to cut and paste that into your browser and it will direct you there. Please try it and answer the questions as best you can--I'm mostly interested in knowing that this technology works, not whether or not you can describe Cyrus' tomb...
We are jumping ahead in the book to talk about Greece, so read pages 231-239 in the textbook. stop at the Persian Conflict section, and we will discuss this in class.
Remember to send your parents to Back To School night with either your iPad or a smart phone with a scanning app. They will need to access Scan (or whatever the QR code scanner app you have installed.)
We are jumping ahead in the book to talk about Greece, so read pages 231-239 in the textbook. stop at the Persian Conflict section, and we will discuss this in class.
Remember to send your parents to Back To School night with either your iPad or a smart phone with a scanning app. They will need to access Scan (or whatever the QR code scanner app you have installed.)
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Homework September 20
For tonight, you get to watch a movie and then answer some questions about it! (yes, yes, stop applauding, wait until you see it...)
The movie to watch is entitled Engineering an Empire: Persia and it can be found on YouTube here. There are 5 parts to the video, and it will take about 35-40 minutes to watch it all.
The questions to answer are in a Google Form, and that is here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/embeddedform?formkey=dGh2b1Y0VVpGcHZnU2FsWW00aGRxLUE6MQ. You do not need complete sentences, etc. in your answers, just quick and simple is all I'm looking for.
The movie to watch is entitled Engineering an Empire: Persia and it can be found on YouTube here. There are 5 parts to the video, and it will take about 35-40 minutes to watch it all.
The questions to answer are in a Google Form, and that is here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/embeddedform?formkey=dGh2b1Y0VVpGcHZnU2FsWW00aGRxLUE6MQ. You do not need complete sentences, etc. in your answers, just quick and simple is all I'm looking for.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Homework September 19
For homework tonight, read the Classical Era essay on pages 156-57. (The pages are not numbered for reasons I do not understand...) Then begin the chapter about Persia on pages 159-164, then read pages 168-172. I recommend taking written notes on the readings, but will not be checking them this time. We will be skipping over the Persian war with Greece and Alexander the Great and returning to discuss them later.
For Back To School Night, students whose parents come with an iPad will get an extra 5 points on the next quiz. They will need to use the scanning app, so train them well!
For Back To School Night, students whose parents come with an iPad will get an extra 5 points on the next quiz. They will need to use the scanning app, so train them well!
Friday, September 16, 2011
Sept. 16 homework
OK, I think I have this figured out so it should post this afternoon! Today we talked about the formation of language and explored some of early China. Our last stop in the Foundational period will be Mesoamerica and Oceania, so skim over all of Chapter 6 to refresh your memories.
We will review the essays on Monday, and talk about how to write them to the College Boards specifications. So second period, and anyone else who picked them up, bring them to class on Monday so we can work on them!
Lastly, for those who were absent, some alert students picked up on a mistake in the scoring sheets for the test, so please get me your score sheets to I can revise your marks if you have the correct answer. It gets you one point....but still, it's one point more than you had, right?
Enjoy the weekend and the onset of fall temperatures...
We will review the essays on Monday, and talk about how to write them to the College Boards specifications. So second period, and anyone else who picked them up, bring them to class on Monday so we can work on them!
Lastly, for those who were absent, some alert students picked up on a mistake in the scoring sheets for the test, so please get me your score sheets to I can revise your marks if you have the correct answer. It gets you one point....but still, it's one point more than you had, right?
Enjoy the weekend and the onset of fall temperatures...
Thursday, September 15, 2011
September 15 homework
Today we went over some commonalities in the formation of religions in the Foundational period, and took a look at the Rig Veda. For tomorrow, review pages 118 (Society and Family in Ancient China) through 127, which will give you some insight into the structures of Chinese society.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Homework 9/14/11
Apologies for the late posting; my earlier post didn't take for reasons I'm not sure of... In any event, please read pages 93-99, then skim pages 101-104. Do pay attention to the section on the blending of Aryan and Dravidian religions, though, as that is important to the construction of what later becomes Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
September 13 Homework
Today in class we discussed ancient Mesopotamia through Hammurabi's Code. The long block also got to look at the Epic of Gilgamesh in summary form. You should look over the summary of the Epic of Gilgamesh, as it is the basis of all of our stories that revolve around a "Hero", whether it is Beowulf, Hercules, Superman or Harry Potter...it also lets you know what the Mesopotamians thought was entertainment...
For homework to night, review pages 60-61 (Africa, Climate Change and Development of Agriculture), and skim pages 69-83. You want to pay closer attention to the sections: Early Writing, Organized Religion and read everything to do with the Bantu Migration. Sadly the College Board doesn't think mummies and pyramids are very cool, so we won't be taking the time to talk about ancient Egypt...
For homework to night, review pages 60-61 (Africa, Climate Change and Development of Agriculture), and skim pages 69-83. You want to pay closer attention to the sections: Early Writing, Organized Religion and read everything to do with the Bantu Migration. Sadly the College Board doesn't think mummies and pyramids are very cool, so we won't be taking the time to talk about ancient Egypt...
Monday, September 12, 2011
Homework 9/12/11
Today we were discussing the advent of agriculture and its impact on human organization. For tonight, review the following pages in Chapter 2, to refresh your memory about Mesopotamia and the Indo-European migration: Pages 36-48 and 51-55. In those pages, focus most of your attention on the sections labeled: The Course of Empire; The Emergence of Stratified Patricarchal Society; Cuneiform; Hebrews; Israelites and Jews; and all of the Indo-European sections.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Compare and Contrast Essay
For tomorrow (that's Friday, September 9th to you and me), you will be writing a compare and contrast essay in class. You may write in pen or pencil, and I will provide you with lined paper. This essay will draw from the contents of chapters 1-6. The essay must have a thesis statement, must deal with both comparisons and contrasts, and must provide evidence to support the contentions you make. The essay will be scored with the College Board's score guide. The link to this guide is here. Please note that in order to attain the final two points in the expanded core section of the score guide you must have earned the first seven! For this essay you may not use your book, or notes of any kind.
Essays in this course will be drawn from the 5 themes of the course which are:
1. Patterns and impacts of interaction between humans and the environment (demography and disease, migration, patterns of settlement, technology).
2. Development and interaction of cultures (religions, belief systems, philosophies and ideologies, science and technology, the arts and architecture).
3. State-building, expansion and conflict (political structures and forms of governance, empires, nations and nationalism, revolts and revolutions, regional, trans-regional and global structures and organizations).
4. Creation, expansion, and interaction of economic systems (agricultural and pastoral production, trade and commerce, labor systems, industrialization, capitalism and socialism).
5. Development and transformation of social structures (gender roles and relations, family and kinship, racial and ethnic constructions, social and economic classes).
Essays in this course will be drawn from the 5 themes of the course which are:
1. Patterns and impacts of interaction between humans and the environment (demography and disease, migration, patterns of settlement, technology).
2. Development and interaction of cultures (religions, belief systems, philosophies and ideologies, science and technology, the arts and architecture).
3. State-building, expansion and conflict (political structures and forms of governance, empires, nations and nationalism, revolts and revolutions, regional, trans-regional and global structures and organizations).
4. Creation, expansion, and interaction of economic systems (agricultural and pastoral production, trade and commerce, labor systems, industrialization, capitalism and socialism).
5. Development and transformation of social structures (gender roles and relations, family and kinship, racial and ethnic constructions, social and economic classes).
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
First test for APWH
For the test tomorrow, you will have 70 multiple choice questions drawn from chapters 1-6. The questions will not be evenly drawn from the chapters. Each question will have 5 possible answers, and you don't want to leave any blank; narrow down the choices and guess if you have to. You will have the duration of the period to answer as many questions as you can in that time period, so get there as quickly as you can to maximize your time. You will need a number two pencil!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
AP World History Summer Reading 2011-2012
Welcome to AP World History. Over the summer you are to do the following:
1) Read the first six chapters in the textbook. That's chapters 1-6 of Bentley and Ziegler's Traditions and Encounters Third Edition published by McGraw Hill Higher Education. I strongly encourage you to take written notes as you read, but I will not be checking those notes, nor will you be graded on them. These chapters will cover the Foundational period of time, and establish the origins of the major civilizations we will explore this year. There will be a 70 question multiple choice test on these chapters on the second day of class. There will also be a Compare and Contrast essay on these chapters on the third day of class. The scoring guide for the essay is linked to a Google Document HERE
2) Read the Prologue and Parts One, Two and Three (chapters 1-14) of Guns, Germs and Steel, by Jared Diamond. You can find the book at the local library and on-line through numerous booksellers and through iBooks. There is an audio book that is fine to use, but be aware that the film version of the book differs significantly from the text and will not be acceptable to use for this assignment. You can use it to supplement your understanding, but not for the project. (I have seen it, and I do know what is used in the film that isn't in the book--some pretty easy give-aways...) I encourage you to own your own copy if the book, so you can mark it up. You have a choice of what you do next:
OPTION A) Join Edmodo.com. Enter the code lb40pi, and you will be made a member of the Guns, Germs and Steel group I have created. There are prompts for each of the chapters you will read. Your task is to respond to the prompt I posted, and then to at least one other posting made by classmates for each of the prompts. (So you are posting at least twice for each chapter.) These will each count as a homework assignment, and must be completed by August 26th at midnight in order to count.
OPTION B) Compose summaries (typed and double spaced) for each chapter you read. The summaries may be no longer than 250 words each, and they must be done in a Google Document that you share with me. Each summary will count as a homework assignment, and they must be completed and shared with me by August 26th at midnight. To share a Google Document with me, please use the following email: twhittenburlington@gmail.com. You can also use that email to communicate with me during the summer, but be aware that I go for long stretches of time without checking email while on vacation. So if you do email me, be patient, and I'll respond eventually.
During the year, over each vacation you will be required to complete a book report. If you want to get a jump on that, the list of books from which to choose is linked up HERE as a Google Document. Note that you will be required to read both fiction and non-fiction, so don't read only one type of book!
Enjoy your summer and rest up for the fall! We will hit the ground running in September.
1) Read the first six chapters in the textbook. That's chapters 1-6 of Bentley and Ziegler's Traditions and Encounters Third Edition published by McGraw Hill Higher Education. I strongly encourage you to take written notes as you read, but I will not be checking those notes, nor will you be graded on them. These chapters will cover the Foundational period of time, and establish the origins of the major civilizations we will explore this year. There will be a 70 question multiple choice test on these chapters on the second day of class. There will also be a Compare and Contrast essay on these chapters on the third day of class. The scoring guide for the essay is linked to a Google Document HERE
2) Read the Prologue and Parts One, Two and Three (chapters 1-14) of Guns, Germs and Steel, by Jared Diamond. You can find the book at the local library and on-line through numerous booksellers and through iBooks. There is an audio book that is fine to use, but be aware that the film version of the book differs significantly from the text and will not be acceptable to use for this assignment. You can use it to supplement your understanding, but not for the project. (I have seen it, and I do know what is used in the film that isn't in the book--some pretty easy give-aways...) I encourage you to own your own copy if the book, so you can mark it up. You have a choice of what you do next:
OPTION A) Join Edmodo.com. Enter the code lb40pi, and you will be made a member of the Guns, Germs and Steel group I have created. There are prompts for each of the chapters you will read. Your task is to respond to the prompt I posted, and then to at least one other posting made by classmates for each of the prompts. (So you are posting at least twice for each chapter.) These will each count as a homework assignment, and must be completed by August 26th at midnight in order to count.
OPTION B) Compose summaries (typed and double spaced) for each chapter you read. The summaries may be no longer than 250 words each, and they must be done in a Google Document that you share with me. Each summary will count as a homework assignment, and they must be completed and shared with me by August 26th at midnight. To share a Google Document with me, please use the following email: twhittenburlington@gmail.com. You can also use that email to communicate with me during the summer, but be aware that I go for long stretches of time without checking email while on vacation. So if you do email me, be patient, and I'll respond eventually.
During the year, over each vacation you will be required to complete a book report. If you want to get a jump on that, the list of books from which to choose is linked up HERE as a Google Document. Note that you will be required to read both fiction and non-fiction, so don't read only one type of book!
Enjoy your summer and rest up for the fall! We will hit the ground running in September.
Books Books Books
Bring in your books! I need them to pass them along to next year's victims, I mean, Students! Please bring them to class by Weds, June 15th. Thanks!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
AP World History May Madness Round 4
Round 4 May Madness
This round of the debate will feature a Lincoln-Douglas style of interaction. The two leaders will face off and address questions from a moderator (me). They can tag a lackey into the debate, but may only do so once. They may also phone a friend once, which means they may ask a specific lackey to help them answer a question, but the leader him/herself has to answer it, and they may ask for a hint once from the lackeys they have chosen. (So that’s one tag-in, one phone-a-friend and one hint. These do not have to be used!)
Questions will be asked by the moderator, and from the audience through the moderator. The audience may ask a question via sticky note, which means that they may write and submit a question to the moderator who will then screen the questions to determine which will be asked.
There will be a total of 5 questions asked, for a total of 5 rounds.
After each question, first one, then the other leader will have the chance to provide an answer. After both have answered, there is a period of rebuttal, where the leader may address his/her counterpart, challenging the answer or the leader’s position.
The audience will score the debate. Lackeys who answer in place of the leader are to be considered the leader for the duration of that answer. Once the answer/rebuttal period is up, the leader resumes his or her place in the debate. For the leader to return prior to that, he or she must be tagged by the lackey to resume the debate.
Scoring will follow boxing’s 10 Point Must System, whereby the winner of each round must have 10 points. The loser may get up to 9 points in the estimation of the judges. Usually the loser scores between 7-9 points, unless something egregious happens. For instance, the McSweeny rule would be akin to a knock out, where no points are awarded.
For this round, a visual and a prop are required. To be clear: a visual can be any two-dimensional representation of something relevant to the ruler, a prop is a three-dimensional representation of something relevant to the ruler. These will be scored under the 10 Point Must System as well. Costumes are optional, and are not scored.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
May Madness Round Three
Welcome to the Third Round of May Madness!
In this round, the leaders will face a panel of lackeys. Their lackeys will ask them one question each (friendly questions to affirm that their leader is the greatest leader in world history). Then the lackeys will ask one question apiece from the other leader (hostile lackey questions to undermine the leader as the greatest leader in world history.) There is no specific topic for the questions; they may touch on any aspect of leadership or the actions of the leader, public or private.
For this round, a visual image is required. This may be hand drawn or computer generated, and you will be awarded points for the quality of the image. Costumes and props are optional, but you can gain extra points for having them (you don't lose points if you don't have them, though.)
The score card for this round is located here.
We will begin this round on June 6th for periods 1 and 2, and June 3rd for period 5
In this round, the leaders will face a panel of lackeys. Their lackeys will ask them one question each (friendly questions to affirm that their leader is the greatest leader in world history). Then the lackeys will ask one question apiece from the other leader (hostile lackey questions to undermine the leader as the greatest leader in world history.) There is no specific topic for the questions; they may touch on any aspect of leadership or the actions of the leader, public or private.
For this round, a visual image is required. This may be hand drawn or computer generated, and you will be awarded points for the quality of the image. Costumes and props are optional, but you can gain extra points for having them (you don't lose points if you don't have them, though.)
The score card for this round is located here.
We will begin this round on June 6th for periods 1 and 2, and June 3rd for period 5
Friday, May 27, 2011
May Madness Scoring Guide Round Two
The next round's scoring guide is posted in Google Docs here.
The focus of the presentation is the legacy of the leader. It will have a similar format in that there is a presentation first and a debate section second. Lackeys may not score their leader and can be tapped in during the debate if the leader wishes.
The focus of the presentation is the legacy of the leader. It will have a similar format in that there is a presentation first and a debate section second. Lackeys may not score their leader and can be tapped in during the debate if the leader wishes.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
APWH the order of the tournament First Round
Here is the official order of debates for tomorrow, May 25. Each period will start with the first pairing listed and go until the end. I'm anticipating getting through three, maybe four the first day, but all groups should be prepared to go! Whatever doesn't get finished will be completed on May 26th.
Period 1
6-9
7-8
3-12
4-11
5-10
2-13
Period 2
5-11
7-9
8-15
2-14
3-13
4-12
6-10
Period 5 Note: The order has changed from what was on the board during class--I included a bye round in place of a first round by accident!
9-16
10-15
11-22
12-21
13-20
14-19
Period 1
6-9
7-8
3-12
4-11
5-10
2-13
Period 2
5-11
7-9
8-15
2-14
3-13
4-12
6-10
Period 5 Note: The order has changed from what was on the board during class--I included a bye round in place of a first round by accident!
9-16
10-15
11-22
12-21
13-20
14-19
APWH VoiceThread links
VoiceThread Links (I'll be updating throughout the day)
Note: You should be able to find the VoiceThreads without the links; just search while in Browse for the leader’s name. If the links aren't live, just copy and paste them into your browser.
Alexander the Great-- http://voicethread.com/#u1806261.b2065331.i10968507
Attila the Hun: http://voicethread.com/share/
Attila the Hun: http://voicethread.com/share/
Augustus/Octavian: ttps://voicethread.com/?#u1838979.b2065468.i10969264
Bismark: http://voicethread.com/#q.b2063100.i10971393
Bismark: http://voicethread.com/#q.b2063100.i10971393
Babur: http://voicethread.com/share/2063932/
Catherine the Great: http://voicethread.com/share/
Catherine the Great: http://voicethread.com/share/
Chandragupta Maurya: http://voicethread.com/?#u1839202
Darius I: http://voicethread.com/share/
Charlemagne: http://voicethread.com/share/2066520/
Cyrus the Great: http://voicethread.com/share/2066257/
Empress Cixi: http://voicethread.com/?#
Cyrus the Great: http://voicethread.com/share/2066257/
Empress Cixi: http://voicethread.com/?#
Darius I: http://voicethread.com/share/
Genghis Khan: http://voicethread.com/share/2065797/
Justinian: http://voicethread.com/share/2066572/
Hammurabi: http://voicethread.com/#q+Hammurabi.b2063211.i10952854
Justinian: http://voicethread.com/share/2066572/
Hammurabi: http://voicethread.com/#q+Hammurabi.b2063211.i10952854
Ho Chi Minh: http://voicethread.com/share/2063219/
Hong Xiuquan: http://voicethread.com/share/2063246/
Indira Ghandi: http://voicethread.com/share/
Juan Manuel de Rosas: http://voicethread.com/share/2063972/
Kubilai Khan: http://voicethread.com/share/2062099/
Mansa Musa: http://voicethread.com/share/2066262/
Marcus Aurelius: http://voicethread.com/share/
Mao Zedong: http://voicethread.com/share/2067751/
Mehmed II: http://voicethread.com/?#e2066036
Marcus Aurelius: http://voicethread.com/share/
Mao Zedong: http://voicethread.com/share/2067751/
Mehmed II: http://voicethread.com/?#e2066036
Mutsuhito/Meiji:
Nelson Mandela: http://voicethread.com/share/2066222/
Peter the Great: http://voicethread.com/share/2065970/
Porfirio Diaz: http://voicethread.com/share/2065894/
Qin Shi Huang Di: http://voicethread.com/share/2061807/, http://voicethread.com/share/2062997/
Queen Victoria: http://voicethread.com/share/2065787/
Robespierre: http://voicethread.com/share/
Robespierre: http://voicethread.com/share/
Shah Ismail: http://voicethread.com/share/2063236/
Suleyman the Magnificent: http://voicethread.com/?#u1830375.b2065749.i10971116
Sundiata: http://voicethread.com/share/2064907/
Tang Taizong: http://voicethread.com/share/2063235/
Tamurlane: http://voicethread.com/share/
Tamurlane: http://voicethread.com/share/
Tokugawa Ieyasu: http://voicethread.com/share/2063318/
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