The Power of Partnership

This week with the help of technology we traveled to the second largest continent, Africa. Your projects clearly illustrated the numerous challenges, opportunities and successes of the different countries we visited. I hope you have developed a deeper understanding and appreciation of the people of this continent.

Your projects have made an impression: your choice of photos to help tell the story was impressive. Your use of note cards allowed for a smooth presentation and added confidence to your comments. Some of you are natural presenters: you stood tall, spoke clearly and at an understandable pace. All of these skills will serve you well when it comes time for your Capstone presentation and in your future calling, whatever that may be. Finally, your reflection and self evaluations gave you the opportunity to think about the steps of the project and how you could improve. So often we get so busy doing that we forget to pause and reflect.

Things to keep in mind as you go do future presentations :

1. Make sure you understand all the terms you use...copying information onto a note card without understanding the content can be dangerous...one student used the term “emerging market” to describe the country and then immediately defined the word for us...great job!

2. You should be able to identify every illustration you use and say why you selected it; the illustrations are supposed to help tell the story...not distract attention from the point you are trying to make...if you are talking about tourism, then an appropriate photo of a place of beauty or interest would support your point.

3. Not all answers are found on the web...some groups struggled with the opportunity
slide (what could be the future of the country) and the success slide...these focus questions required you to think about the material you had read, analyze the different sources and then to synthesize the information into a coherent prediction. It can be hard but it is a skill you need to practice.

4. Your source slide should list all the resources you used for the project. You will look at some sources and decide not to use them and those do not have to go on the list. The source slide is not a laundry list but a concise listing of the sources where you found useful information. When you do your Capstone, you will be asked to do an annotated bibliography which will require you to explain how each source helped you with your project. Students often list Google or Bing as a source...they are not sources but search engines.

On Monday we will finish our study of Africa with an on-demand writing assignment. You will be given 3 short response essays and you need to write on 2 . It is an opportunity for you to step back and look at this continent. Your final worksheets on health and economic development should be turned in.

Some of the classes watched Nicolas Kristof’s slide show, “Half the Sky.” This award winning journalist thinks differently about how to solve big problems. Instead of spending millions of dollars on grand projects, Kristof is a supporter of micro financing. He believes small loans directly to individuals will have a bigger impact on the quality of life. If you want to read more about micro financing I have given you a link to Kiva.

Next week we will be watching “War Dance,” an inspirational and true story of a group of high school students from Uganda who participated in the country’s annual song and dance competition after undergoing horrifying experiences as captives of the terroristic Lord’s Resistance Army.

While there is no homework for the weekend, make sure you are watching the news. Our next unit on South West Asia will study an area that has been the main focus of international coverage since September 11, 2001, most recently featuring massive terrorist attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan while Secretary of State Clinton visited the region.

World History

This week you designed a timeline that showed the key events in England as Kings struggled with Parliament over who was going to rule. Working with a partner allowed you to debate the importance of the events and decide what to put on your timeline. You could see the progression of Parliament’s efforts to gain power, while an unpopular King was beheaded. Finally, people craved stability and brought back William and Mary to help rule, but the new monarchs realized they would have to work with Parliament to be successful.

Working with a partner means that you have to plan how responsibilities will be distributed. You are fortunate to have access to so many means of communication that you can complete tasks individually while continuing to coordinate your efforts. Be sure your are ready to hand in your work at the start of class.

This coming week you will do your interviews. This is a great opportunity to display your creative side and have fun talking with someone from the past. We will meet such interesting people as Catherine the Great, John Locke, Thomas Hobbes and Adam Smith. These people and their “enlightened” ideas are still with us today.

This Day in history

1517: Luther posted his 95 Theses, which started the Reformation
1984: Indira Gandhi was assassinated in India

Halloween

As part of our study of Africa, we looked at different organizations that help the people. One of the more popular groups is UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund. In today’s paper, there is a tribute to the founders and an appeal to collect money this Halloween for the children of the world who are subject to famine and disease.

Have a fun and safe evening...extra credit for those dressing up as historical figures or elected officials!

A Week of Projects

This week through the use of technology we have been brought a little closer to Africa. In your groups you have had the opportunity to discover a new land with challenges, opportunities and some success stories. You have a rubric and a task sheet that you can use to put together a successful project. Read the assignment carefully. Have you included all of the components? Do you have note cards? Have you practiced doing the presentation? This small project with a group is good practice for doing your Capstone. On Tuesday you will have a final day in the library to wrap up any loose ends and to email me the presentation. If you are done with your project, we will be reading in our text about some of the health challenges of this large and diverse continent.

This is a group project so make sure you are ready to participate!

This week you also completed your maps of Africa and used them to help you respond to some questions. Maps that were clear and easy to read allowed you to complete those questions with ease.

One of our in class activities focused on famine…its causes, the size of the problem and a look at some of the organizations trying to help eliminate famine. You are responsible for looking up basic information about one of the aid groups that is assisting in this effort. You also have an economic worksheet to help you with your text reading.

Finally, we met William Kamkwamba, a young man from Malawi, who built a windmill so his family could have electricity. So often we are confronted with challenges and we give up because we don’t have the money or the knowhow. William told you, in his own words, how he solved the problem by teaching himself how to generate electricity and then by building a windmill from rubbish. It is truly an inspirational story. If you want to know more about William, you can read “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind.”

World History

This week we have been studying Louis XIV…a complex absolute monarch who loved fine clothes, food, art, and war. Your spoke diagram assignment gave you the opportunity to think about his polices and character traits that made him an absolute monarch. We read two primary source readings to gain further insight into how this man thought and acted among his subjects. All of these tasks led us to our first essay assignment. You have a graphic organizer and the prompt. We went over how to put a thesis testament together and how to organize your essay. Your essay is due on Monday and it must be word processed.

A Week of Spirit

What a great spirit week we had...funny costumes, great hallways, a winning football game and now the dance. Have a wonderful time this evening...dance...laugh...take pictures and stay safe. See you on Monday with smiles on your face and stories of a good time

CWI

This week we finished our study of economic geography by bringing in current events that had a business angle. Many news web pages and newspapers organize their stories using a business designation, so finding the international business article should not have been too much of a challenge. What can be difficult is understanding the vocabulary of a news article. Take the time to look up unfamiliar words, talk to another person about the word and try to understand the meaning within its context. Increasing your vocabulary skills will help you with your writing, verbal explanations and testing.

We finished our accountable talk activity using an article about the genocide in Darfur and an article about children soldiers. We will continue to do accountable talk as it gives you the opportunity to further clarify your thinking, to look deeply at subjects and to make connections. Scientists have told us that if we can attach new information to existing information in our brains, we are more likely to remember and use the new information. This is why we talk about making connections. Reading about the under-aged and armed reminded me of the tragic stories from our own urban areas where young people are involved in gang violence and the use of weapons.

Your first map of Africa is due Monday. You will each do two maps over the next few days. A physical map will show you the geographic diversity of this continent. A political map will show you where the 53 countries are located, the names of their capitols, and how geographers divide Africa into five regions. You have a rubric, so follow it to earn full credit.

Finally, we started our African power point project by selecting groups and assigning a country. You picked your own groups so you should be able to work well together. You are going to become the resident experts on your country as every group has a different assignment. On Monday I will check to see what information you brought to the group. You must do some of the research for homework and use class time to build the slides. The power point software is available at school so use your school time for building the slides. You should also use Monday to organize your team...who is going to be responsible for finding information on each of the three questions: what are the challenges, opportunities and successes of your country. This should be a fun activity as you get to explore a new country.

World History

This week you worked with a partner designing a chart on the explorers of the 16th century. This assignment allowed you to discover key information about leading explorers and to put the information into a chart. Using charts to organize information is a very useful exercise for any content area. Our brains like organization and we tend to remember categories of information as opposed to long narratives.

We also looked at a famous painting of Louis XIV...the Sun King who epitomized the absolute monarchs. In your readings you were able to distinguish which of his actions and decisions were good for the country and which were detrimental. Your spoke-diagram assignment gives you the opportunity to categorize this information in a visual format and write brief explanations interpreting the times of Louis XIV.

Next week you will be given your first essay assignment as we read multiple sources about Louis and write about how he kept all of his people, nobles as well as peasants, subservient to him.

Extra Credit Question

Be the first in your class to answer the question and earn extra credit:

What woman won the Nobel Peace Prize on October 17, 1979?

Happy Birthday BABM!

One World- of Peace?

This week President Obama became the third sitting President to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Many were surprised that Obama, who has been in office less than a year, was awarded what many consider the most prestigious award for public service. The statement accompanying the award said that Obama was receiving this accolade for “his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.” In addition, the Committee cited the President’s efforts towards nuclear disarmament. We should all pause and think about the implications of this award as we try to move towards a more peaceful world and to consider how we as Americans relate to the people of other nations.

CWI

We have struggled this week with NECAP testing and shorter class periods. If you have been absent any time this past week, you will be rescheduled for your tests and you will have to make arrangements to make up your class work after school. Time is available any afternoon except Tuesdays but keep in mind you have five days to make up missed work due to an excused absence.

Your current event linked to religion was due on October 5. As you read about conflicts around the world, you will quickly note that many disagreements are based on religious differences and misunderstandings. There seems to be unwillingness to share and work towards cooperation when religious differences are in the forefront. Your next current event is due October 14 and it must be an international economics or business story. Keep in mind that most newspapers and journals have a designated section for business so you should be able to find an article that interests you.

This week we discussed the different types of governments that are found around the world. Knowing how a country governs itself will give you special insight into its relationship with the world. In addition, we talked about how the size, location and shape of a country impact its ability to trade and to protect itself. Think about the disadvantages a landlocked country may have as opposed to a country with ample sea ports.

We also tackled a difficult chapter on economic geography. The text was loaded with new vocabulary words to help describe economic systems, activities and how to measure economic output. These vocabulary words will be useful when you analyze your current event on business.

We had a series of “quizzes” as we ended each of these segments. The questions have been a mixture of identification based on the vocabulary and an open ended question which allows you to apply the information you have learned. Full credit will be earned for responses that are well thought out and respond to all parts of the question.

Finally, the period F class conducted their first accountable talk activity based on readings about Africa. Accountable talk gives you the opportunity to discuss issues with your classmates. You can share your insights and observations. You can ask fellow students for clarification of complex problems and questions. It is a time to delve more deeply into articles and speculate and make predictions. We will continue to work on this activity so you can improve your thinking and speaking skills.

Interterm reports

Our interterm reports went out this week. Many of you had well organized portfolios with an up to date status of assignment sheet. You will be pleased that all of your work is in one location as it will give you a head start for studying for the mid term exam. As announced for the past 2 weeks, if you did not have a folder with an update sheet, you were below standard. Take the time to organize your work and keep the folder in the bin so you can earn all of your credit.

World History

We had our second current event this week and your next one is due October 16. The next event must be an international event. Make sure to follow the rubric to earn full credit.

We finished our historical dialogues. We will be doing this again as it is a great way to step back into history and try to put yourself in the place of some of our leading figures.

This week you had the opportunity to work with a partner on your scientific revolution project. We met some interesting people who made major contributions to our understanding of scientific method, math, medicine and astronomy. You also linked these people from the past with contemporary scientists who continue to lead our common effort to better understand our world and the universe beyond.

Improving your presentation skills will be an important goal as you prepare for your Capstone in your junior year. You need to feel confident with your material, show that you have practiced your presentation and effectively use note cards. We will continue to have opportunities to practice these skills.

You were given a rubric for this project. Make sure to read the rubric carefully and ask questions to clarify any of the requirements. Also keep in mind that arrangement of material on a poster is important. A well organized poster allows the viewer to quickly grasp key information. Many times, students tend to put so much information on the poster that it is difficult to read.

Columbus Day Weekend

We have a long weekend as Monday we celebrate Columbus Day. This holiday has come under attack recently as some historians have questioned Columbus’ contribution. Did he really discover new lands or report back to Europeans about the existence of the islands in the Caribbean? Did he treat the indigenous people with respect, and if not why should we be honoring this man? At the same time, many use this holiday to honor all great explorers no matter when or where they went as they opened up new lands and established links between peoples who previously had not known of one another.

Religion and the World

CWI

This week we focused our efforts on understanding the elements of culture and especially the role of religion. You finished your bold to bold notes and used them to answer questions about culture (periods A, B and E). Many of you did a great job on this assignment, and that should clearly demonstrate that bold to bold notes are a useful strategy.

You also had the opportunity to work on a group presentation focused on the five major religions of the world: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Using multiple sources (always a good idea for any project) you highlighted key information: where and when the religion started, its main beliefs, and the number of people who practice the religion. We quickly recognized that three of the major religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, have much in common: all three originated in Southwest Asia, are monotheistic, look upon Jerusalem as a holy city, believe in a holy book and practice alms giving, prayer, and fasting.

Your current event, due October 5, must have a link to religion. Martin Marty, editor of the religious series we used for this project, states in his foreword, “to be informed citizens of our world, readers have good reason to learn about these features of religion that mean so much to so many.”

Finally, you did a map on world religions. This is the first of many maps you will work on this year. We talked about what makes for a good map and this activity allowed you to practice those skills.

Sounds like a good time for a quiz on world religions.

A few housekeeping items that I want to pass on: first, you now have a text book…cover it and bring it to class every day. And, interterms are due on Wednesday and you must have your portfolio in the bin with an updated status of assignment sheet in order to meet standard.

Revisions

On some assignments you are allowed and encouraged to revise. This is an opportunity for you to have a second chance at the assignment and therefore to improve your grade. Thomas Jefferson revised the Declaration of Independence over 20 times so I figure revising can make us better writers. If you have been asked to revise, please return the revisions the next class day. If you are not going to revise, please write this on the assignment and return it to me for some credit. It is your responsibility to return revised work in a timely fashion.

World History

This week your first current event assignment was due. Many of you did a great job…selecting appropriate national and international articles, writing a clear summary and a comment paragraph that allowed you to practice your critical thinking skills. Your next current event is due October 6.

We also completed our primary source reading by Leonardo Bruni. He reminds us about the importance of history for those who want to better understand current problems. He also speaks about the great Orators of antiquity and how their choice of language can be a source of inspiration and increase our communication skills.

We used our text, a Reformation graphic organizer and a worksheet to better understand why the Catholic Church came under attack by Martin Luther and John Calvin. Our group work allowed us to pool information from a variety of sources and to share our thinking with our fellow students. Make sure when you do a worksheet to read the directions. On the vocabulary exercise, many of you simply wrote down definitions from the dictionary without explaining how the word linked to the Reformation period.

On Friday we watched a great PowerPoint on Henry VIII and his six wives. We followed this with an activity in the library where you had the chance to learn more about Elizabeth I by analyzing a series of paintings of the Queen. To wrap up your thinking about this uniquely successful ruler, you selected one of her quotes and wrote your observations and connections. This assignment has great appeal to many students as you have the opportunity to read, use art to better understand history and have choice in selecting the quote you want to write about. It is an assignment that allows you to think deeply and to make observations. I couldn’t help but wonder as I read over your many quotes if Secretary of State Clinton has read a biography of the Queen. Maybe we as a class could write her a letter, asking if she has read about the Queen or if she has another favorite book about a female leader.

Finally, the highlight of the week was the historical dialogues. While we did not finish delivering the dialogues, we could quickly see that our class has a good sense of history and humor. It is good to laugh. It is important to laugh.

Open House

It was great to see so many students and parents on September 30. Thank you for coming by.

Burns Race

Come on out on Sunday at 8:30 to MHS to participate in the Second Annual Tom Burns road race. It is a great way to celebrate a man who gave us so much. All the funds raised will be used for a scholarship for one of our Seniors. Call your friends, encourage your family members, urge your team mates to come out and run for Burns on Sunday!