11/11

This week we took time out to honor the Veterans of this country who have done so much to secure our freedom and liberty. The eleventh month, the eleventh day at the eleventh hour was the time the armistice was signed in 1918 to end World War I. Today we use November 11 to pay our respects to all who have served in our armed services.

Our food drive, sponsored by student government and the Leo Club, is still collecting non-perishable items. I am giving extra credit to those who help this cause by bringing in at least one item. So take a moment… look around on your cupboard shelves and find a can of soup or beans or tuna to donate to someone who is struggling during these difficult times.

CWI

We continue working with our maps and current events, focused on South West Asia. While we hear numerous stories about Iraq and Afghanistan on the news, we want to make sure that we are aware of other countries in the region. We read about the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian issue of land and how it should be divided to ensure safety for all. We read about the religious and economic conflicts of the region and looked at the recent NYT advertisement calling for peace between the Muslim countries and Israel. Next week we will be going to the computer lab and doing an activity that focuses on the refugees from South West Asia. While governments argue and armies fight, the everyday people are left to find food, clothing and shelter. Their daily lives become one of endurance.

Our next current event is due November 19 and must be about the South West Asia region.

Let’s try to look for articles about countries other than Iraq and Afghanistan.

Your signed letters about first quarter are due.

If you are absent make sure to come by before or after school to get your work and to make up missed assignments.

Our class discussions are always enriched when you bring in information, questions and comments about the daily news. Take the time to watch the evening news so you can be aware of what is happening in the outside world.

World History

This week we spent time looking at primary source documents and asking questions that will allow us to discover the deeper meaning of the source. We then went on to look at the Age of Exploration and read about the motives and the role of technology in supporting these new discoveries. Next week you will finish designing your chart on explorers using multiple texts available in the classroom. This assignment gives you the opportunity to think about how the organization of information can improve your comprehension and understanding of complex material. It also encourages you to use different sources as not one source has all the “answers.”

Your next current event is November 25.

AP European History

This week you had your mini DBQ and the multiple choice test for chapter 18. We now have moved on to “The Expansion of Europe” and “The Changing Life of the People.” I found these two chapters especially interesting as they focus on social history as opposed to political and military history. The AP Exam questions contain approximately 20% of questions focused on social history. We have broken into groups and you have the opportunity to use your creative powers to construct an activity or presentation that you will conduct for the other students on November 25.

You have the study guides for both chapters but you will not be required to do the “bold to bold” outline for the chapters.

Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences

Conferences are being held Tuesday, November 18 from 5:00 till 8:00. I hope to see many of you that evening. It is a great opportunity to review your progress and set goals for the next quarter.