Good Bye 2012

 

No links, no reminders, no updates on current events…just a fond farewell to 2012 and a positive approach to 2013.

 

A Time to Say Thank you

 

There are many who help make this blog an interesting, useful and helpful source of information for students and parents. I want to thank BABM, KLM, and MLM who give me the student’s point of view on the entries. They are especially good at pointing out the need for a consistent positive message no matter what the challenges are. They also provide technology support when I have goofed up an entry or inserted the wrong size picture. I also want to thank LEM who has been my faithful editor. His insistence on word choice and good grammar have made me a better writer. He has also been a constant source of encouragement when some weekend mornings I consider not writing an entry... “What, no blog?! Say it’s not true!” Finally, thank you to my faithful readers both near and far. While this is the last posting for the year, stay tuned for a special New Year’s kickoff!

 

 

Rights, Responsibilities and Opportunities

The French Revolution

 

The Syrian Revolution

 

 

Although we completed our study of South West Asia with our final assessment this week, it is hard to close our eyes to Syria with major developments happening every day.  Yesterday President Obama signed the order to transfer 400 soldiers from Afghanistan to Turkey along with scud missiles to help Turkey defend its borders.  The US also joined an international coalition that recognized the Syrian opposition group as the official representatives of the Syrian people.  And Russia, one of Syria’s staunchest allies, signaled that Moscow believes the end of the Assad era is coming.  It is especially interesting to see the role young people have played in this uprising.  We watched the Frontline video that told the story of the teenage boys who triggered the uprising by writing graffiti calling for freedom and democracy, and yesterday we watched a CNN clip of a 17 year old risking his life to try to save a woman caught in sniper fire.  You are never too young to make a difference.

Task

You had your second day in the library this week to work on your task.  The task must be uploaded to TieNet next week and a hard copy along with the rubric and articles handed in to me.  To give you an example of quality writing that focuses on identifying an international issue and possible solutions, we read the NYT editorial on factory safety in South Asia. 

Map and Notes

You were given time in class to complete your map of South Asia and you have a one page reading on the troubles in India along with a vocab sheet.  Your quiz next week will be on the map and the notes.  As usual, you will be able to use your maps and notes for the quiz.  Be prepared.

Current Event

Your current event on South Asia is due December 20. 

International Officers

Our NWC officers from India and Australia will be here on December 21.  Ask a quality question and you can earn extra credit!

World History

This week we continued to practice our APPARTS document analysis sheet by looking at the Declaration of the Rights of Man.  The document analysis sheet requires you to think deeply about the documents.  While it may be easy to simply name the author of a document, you have to go deeper by telling us about the background of the author and his or her point of view.  You must also be able to write about the time and place a document appeared.  What happened before it was written that influenced its content?  What issues was the author addressing?

You also had a great lesson from Ms. Averill on how to write an effective thesis statement.  We will be working on effective paragraphs all year and this step in writing a strong thesis statement will serve you well.  We then practiced this skill by using a cartoon to write about the causes of the French Revolution.

The two tasks you will be doing will focus on the APPARTS skill as well as the paragraph writing skill.  We will be practicing multiple times so you should be well prepared for the culminating event.

Current Event

Your current event on Syria was due Friday.  You had over a week’s notice so there should be no excuse for not handing in the assignment.  Yes, we all have technology issues and problems, but if you do your assignment ahead of time you will be able to find an alternative method of completing it.  Don’t wait till the last minute and then find out your printer doesn’t work or you are out of paper or ink.

Napoleon: Hero or Tyrant?

We concluded our study of the French Revolution with the rise and fall of Napoleon.  Our power points took us through the steps Napoleon followed from being a successful young military officer (he was only 16 when commissioned a second lieutenant!) to crowning himself emperor.

Our quiz on Friday focused on our study of Napoleon and you were able to use your notes.  Keep in mind that when the mid-term comes you will not be able to use notes. To prepare for class you should  take the time to review notes from the previous day  so you will be prepared.

Your homework this weekend is to complete the map of Europe after the Congress of Vienna.  Next week we will reenact the Congress and then start our new unit on the Industrial Revolution, the subject of your first portfolio task.

A time for sober reflection and some personal comments

Today, December 15, we celebrate Bill of Rights Day.  This is a time to consider and appreciate the rights guaranteed to us thanks to the sacrifices of previous generations.  Our study of the Syrian and French Revolutions  reminds us of the passion with which people have sought to create societies that respect the freedom and dignity of all people.

Unfortunately, yesterday’s tragic events in Newtown, Connecticut, are a horrific reminder that rights entail responsibilities. Many Americans cherish the right to bear arms as provided in the Second Amendment.  But freedom from fear should also be a basic right, and in recent years the Second Amendment has been so broadened in its application that the deadliest of weapons are now available to virtually anyone, regardless of their mental stability or intentions.  As a result, mass shootings occur more and more frequently, and this year they have become an almost weekly occurrence.

History and experience show that for nations as well as individuals, freedom without responsibility results in tragedy and the loss of rights.   Unless our citizens and legislators are willing to put politics aside and pass laws that reestablish a sensible balance between gun rights and the responsible exercise of those rights, there will be more tragedies, and that will put our basic rights at risk. 

From the newsrooms of the world to your desk in 246

 

 

This week our study of Syria, Egypt and Afghanistan mirrored the nightly newscasts.  As the leader of Syria, President Bashar al-Assad, became more desperate to hold on to power, he took actions that indicated he might be preparing to use chemical weapons against his people, as his father did during an earlier revolt.  This would be an act so extreme that even Russia, one of Assad’s closest allies, joined the US in urging Syria not to use such weapons.   

 

We also watched Egyptians continue their protests as the new president, Mohammed Morsi, extended his power in an effort to ensure the country’s new constitution incorporates Muslim law. Many Egyptians want a secular government that would provide for religious liberty, and even some who share Morsi’s religious convictions oppose his authoritarian power grab.

 

And finally, we watched the interview with President Karzai of Afghanistan where he stated that much of the instability and violence in his country is directly related to the American troops and contractors.  This was discouraging news to Americans who have spent over 11 years in this country and lost over 2100 soldiers.

 

Syrian Group Project

 

Our last CWI classes reported out their findings from our Syrian group project.  We looked at the players within the country, the impact of the war on neighboring countries and the role the international community is playing.  After our class discussion you had the opportunity to write about the conflict from your perspective.

 

Afghan Profile

 

Using your text and the Goode’s Atlas, you developed a statistical profile of Afghanistan.  I especially like Goode’s Atlas as the maps give us a great deal of information visually.  Using the atlas you discovered clean water is scarce (only about 22% of the population has it), the country has negligible exports, the people are suffering from malnutrition and only about 30% are literate. You can see why the Taliban, an organization that offers food, clothing, shelter and some degree of hope to young people can be appealing. TED features a video on how the Taliban recruits youngsters to become suicide bombers and next week we will watch a clip as part of our study of Pakistan.

 

Afghan Star

 

We finished watching this documentary that shows life in Afghanistan before, during and after the rule by the Taliban.  The movie allowed you to see firsthand what the country looks like and how the people are trying to restore their culture after years of Taliban censorship.  You also saw how the show “Afghan Star,” modeled after “American Idol,” is teaching people about democracy.  Afghans are encouraged to vote for the best singer, not the one from their region or tribe. We also witnessed one of the female singers who was roundly condemned by viewers for performing a simple dance on stage, a violation of tradition.  Her life was threatened so she sought safety with her family.  The TV show is now in its eighth season and over 11 million people watch it each week.

 

Task

 

This week you received your portfolio task rubric and had time in the library to find articles that you will need to write your reflective essay.  You must select an international issue to analyze.  You must have three current event articles to attach to your reflective essay.  Your topic must be preapproved.   We will go over the rubric again next week.  Writing will take two days in the computer lab.  This is a great opportunity to complete a portfolio task AND receive class credit as this will be your major project for second quarter.  I have not assigned any homework since giving out the task so that you could spend your time finding the articles, reading and summarizing. To meet standard, your reader is going to look for your ability to synthesize and analyze the issue and come up with a solution or recommendation.  You must also include why this issue is important to you and its impact on the world community. Your graphic organizer (optional) helps you think about how you want to organize your essay.

 

We also looked at past essays so you would see examples of precise language that the task rubric requires.  You may also find it useful to talk with family and friends about your topic.  By talking and making connections you can think more deeply about your issue and come up with a possible solution or recommendation.

 

Final Assessment

 

We have completed our class study of South West Asia so it is time for an assessment that will give you the opportunity to write about this region.  You will be able to use your map for the in class writing assignment.  It will be an open ended question so you will have flexibility in how you respond.  We will be looking for accurate information that reflects the nature of this region.

 

Interterms

 

It is time for interterm grades so on Friday we updated the status of assignment sheet.  If you have been absent it is your responsibility to come by before or after school to make up the work.  Do not put it off!

 

World History

 

This week we focused on the causes and course of the French Revolution. We used the History Channel video to help us better visualize the extreme frustration that led the people of France to revolt against their King.  We made a list of causes on the board and we broke the revolution into four phases so you could see how the revolution grew in intensity but ultimately ended with a government that became a constitutional monarchy with a greater voice for the people.  At the same time the role of the Catholic Church was greatly diminished.

 

The three key documents we looked at were the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen, the Civil Constitution of the Clergy, and the Constitution of 1791. These notes should be in your notebook.  By listening to the discussion, writing the notes in your notebook and then seeing the action in the movie, you should be able to retrieve this information and apply it during our quizzes and assessment.

Congratulations to all of you who improved on the last quiz.  By using the guide for reading and the section review to prepare for the quiz, you should earn a great score.  The quizzes are based on the key concepts and vocabulary and your text does a good job of telling you in both of these sections what you need to know.  Great job…keep it up!

 

For homework you have a guided reading sheet for chapter 19, section 3, on the Radical Days.  You will be reading about the Reign of Terror (which we saw on the video), which included the beheading of the King and Queen. You also read about Robespierre, a great orator who became a key leader.  He stated “liberty cannot be secured unless criminals (the old regime) lose their heads.”

 

The guillotine that was used so swiftly during the Reign of Terror would ultimately turn on its leaders as people feared more bloodshed and chaos.  The revolution now moves into the third stage of moderation.

 

Extra Credit

 

On December 15, room 246 will be decked out in lights!  What major event will we be celebrating?  Be the first in your class to email me your response using your MHS account to earn extra credit.

 

  

A Troubled Region

Last week we played the roles of Israeli and Palestinian young people as they tried to understand each other’s perspective and their relation to the ancient lands they continue to fight over.  Yesterday, the United Nations voted to upgrade Palestine from “nonmember observer entity” to “nonmember observer state.”  While the vote does not bring immediate tangible gains, it signals that the vast majority of the world’s nations believe the Palestinians deserve a state of their own and want to see the two sides negotiate in good faith.

Growing Up Saudi  

In class you had the opportunity to work with a partner on two articles about growing up in Saudi Arabia as a young man or a youngwoman.  After reading and talking with partners, we had a whole class discussion on life in the Kingdom and the challenges most Americans would have living in this very restricted society.  Saudi young people live very different lives compared to ours, though we still have much in common.  They are a very strict and traditional society even though over half the population is under the age of 25. We heard Robert Lacey, author of “Inside the Kingdom,” state that Saudis “hate” Americans for three main reasons:  they see us fighting in Muslim countries, we support Israel, and they consider us a decadent society as illustrated by our clothing and reality television shows.  Lacey went on to say that only through education will our countries build a better relationship.  This was the same message we heard from Captain Yaw of the Naval War College as he kicked off our international speaker series.

Chile and the Netherlands

We had a fascinating tour of Chile and the Netherlands on Friday thanks to officers from the Naval War College.  Their power point presentations pointed out the great beauty of each country and their significant contributions to the world through their culture and strong economies.  I didn’t know Ben and Jerry’s is owned by a Dutch company, Unilever.

Editorial Cartoons

Many of you did a great job finding a cartoon about South West Asia and providing analysis.  Those who followed the task sheet and rubric earned high marks.  Some students did not read the rubric carefully and forgot to write about the different methods cartoonists use to convey their message.  Cartoons can convey complex issues in an amusing manner.  It wouldn’t surprise me if there were cartoons on the mid-term exam (hint, hint). 

Time for a Task

This week you received an overview of your CWI Task “It’s My World” and the prompt.  You also received a form to fill out on the topic you would like to write about.  This form is due December 4.  Your topic must be approved before writing.

Keep in mind that this task is much like doing a jumbo current event…you have one international topic and then three news articles you need to read and summarize for the analysis.  Your reflection must also include a resolution or possible solution to the problem.  You will receive the rubric during the next class. The task is due on December 17.  You must upload it to TieNet and turn in a hard copy along with the three articles.

This weekend you should decide upon an international issue and start locating news articles.

Syrian Civil War

This week we focused on the Syrian Civil War by working in groups and gathering information on the domestic players, the impact of the war on neighboring countries and the reaction of the international community.  This war began in March 2011 when a small group of teenage boys wrote graffiti messages on the side of a building calling for freedom and democracy.  The boys were imitating the actions they had seen on Aljazeera TV stories on the uprisings in Tunisia, Libya and Egypt.  The regime led by Bashir Al Assad cracked down immediately by locating the boys and torturing them.  Some of the boys died as a result.  This led the people to protest in hopes their leader would act with understanding and compassion.  Instead, he began using troops and intimidation.  Small protests grew rapidly, and when the Syrian Army started shooting civilians the crisis turned into a full scale civil war.  Many members of the Syrian Army defected and joined the rebels.  This conflict continues today with over 36,000 dead and hundreds of thousands of refugees flooding into neighboring countries.  The UN and Arab league have proposed peace solutions but the regime has ignored them and continues to use force.  This week the United States seems to be moving in the direction of providing military equipment to the rebels.  Internet service was lost on Thursday and the airport that services Damascus, Syria’s capital, was shut down….all signs that this crisis may be reaching a critical stage.

Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences

Thank you to the many families who came by this week.  Taking the time to reflect on the successes and challenges of the first quarter gives us the opportunity to adjust our teaching and learning so we can be even more successful in the second quarter.  If you were unable to book a time slot (they do fill up quickly), please contact me via email and we can set up a time to meet.  I am available every morning starting at 6:45 and most afternoons except Wednesday, when we have faculty meetings. 

World History

This week we started with a retest on the Enlightenment.  When preparing for a book quiz make sure you do the vocabulary and the section review.  The quiz is based on your understanding of the key words and concepts highlighted in the section review.

We went over the characteristics of an effective paragraph.  You have a handout you may use when asked to write a paragraph. An effective paragraph starts with an assertive topic sentence, followed by an analysis of your argument using examples and a conclusion restating your thesis.  We practiced this skill in class and then you had the opportunity to write an independent paragraph on human nature.

We will continue to work on writing effective paragraphs throughout the year.

We also started reading about the French Revolution. We generated a long list of causes of the revolution.  People in France were divided into three estates and the bulk of the people had few rights and paid heavy taxes.  With a deteriorating economy and a bad harvest, many people were starving.  They finally reached the breaking point and stormed the Bastille!  We watched a video clip from the History Channel that made this event come to life.

You have your worksheet to prepare for the quiz and you have a graphic organizer on the Old Régime.

You also have a brief primary source reading on the Declaration of the Rights of Man with questions.  We will go over this during our next class.

Congratulations

A tip of the hat to all members of the MHS Drama Club…great job!

Good Luck

Go MHS Football Team…

 

 

 

Escalating Violence

This week saw a surge in violence in South West Asia as Palestinian fighters launched a barrage of rockets from the Gaza Strip, which is controlled by the radical movement Hamas, into Israel.  Several Israeli civilians were killed.  Israel retaliated with missile strikes and fighter-bomber attacks that killed both Palestinian civilians and at least one militant leader of Hamas.  Israel also began mobilizing ground forces for a possible invasion, similar to the one in 2008.  With the civil war continuing in Syria, this troubled region continues to be a hotbed of violence and one where American interests are directly involved.

 

“War Dance”

 

We finished watching this award winning film and you had an in class writing assignment that gave you the opportunity to think and write about the similarities you share with the young people of northern Uganda.  Many of you wrote with a great sense of empathy.  You understood some of the hardships they have endured and you understood about how hopes and dreams can keep you alive and motivated.  As Captain Yaw mentioned in his remarks last Friday, understanding people and their culture will help us reduce violent conflict in the world.  Great job!

South West Asia

 

The heightened violence between Israel and Hamas came as we started our unit on South West Asia.  Along with intensified fighting in the Gaza Strip, the Syrian civil war continued to escalate as thousands of refugees flowed into Turkey.  How can a country absorb so many displaced families?  Who will shelter and feed the thousands who are fleeing?  With Turkish and Syrian forces exchanging artillery fire across the border, and Israel firing into Syria for the first time, this conflict threatened to expand from a civil war into one involving nation-states, bringing a new level of violence to the region.

Our unit on South West Asia began with the map and map quiz.  Maps are especially important for this region as you see how Israel was carved out of an area inhabited by Palestinians. You need to look at the complicated borders to see how division is further complicated by multiple sections of land inhabited by both Palestinians and Israelis.  Moving east, you saw how Afghanistan’s opportunities are limited by its being land locked.  And you can see the strategic and economic importance of the Suez Canal as a short cut from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea, saving the thousands of miles shipping would have to travel around Africa if the canal were closed or blocked. You had class time to finish the map so you should have been in good shape for the quiz.

 

We also had our first set of current events for the new quarter.  Doing your current events assignment is good practice for the portfolio task we will be doing in early December.  The task is based on your ability to summarize and analyze a series of current events.  At this point, you should be earning high scores for this assignment.  You usually have about one week for the assignment and you have a rubric.  Excuses for not doing the assignment include “I forgot” (it is written on the board for the week, and don’t you read the blog?) or “My computer is broken, my printer is out of ink, I have no paper” (you do not need a computer to do this assignment...you can hand-write the summary and you can cut the article out of the paper or photocopy it).  Students who do the current events are usually the students who earn the highest grades for the quarter.

Are you watching the evening news or going on line to stream the latest broadcast? It is an efficient way to stay up to date and to build your background knowledge for our class discussions.  Be in the know...

 

Multi Text Reading

 Working in groups you had a variety of readings and photos that helped you build your background knowledge of the region. We led off with The New York Times editorial of November 12 on U.S. foreign policy, over half of which was devoted to South West Asia. Your guiding questions focused you on key information from the region, and we looked at a variety of photos and watched an NBC news clip on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

 

Working in groups allows you to share ideas, ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of our readings.  Unfortunately, it can also be a time when socialization takes precedence over learning.  Be mature…focus on your work and use everyone’s ideas to help you better understand the issues.

 

Status of Assignment Sheets

For homework, you need to share your status of assignment sheet with your parent and guardian, have them sign it and return it for credit.  This sheet will go back into your portfolio.  We are working on staying organized.

 

Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences

 Our conference time is scheduled for November 28.   Letters will be going home announcing the details for the conferences.  This is a time when all of us can sit down and review what you have accomplished first quarter and make plans for the next quarter.  Maintaining the portfolio will allow you to show your parents or guardians the type and quality of work you have been engaged in. This is also the time to put a corrective action plan in place if you want to improve your grade.  Do you need to work on handing in all assignments…do you need to earn higher grades on current events….do you need to stay after school for extra help? 

 

If you have been absent, make sure you take the time to stay after school to find out what lessons and assignments you missed so you can stay current with your work.   You may also use Advisory time to come by Room 246 to make up work if you have asked in advance for a pass. It is your responsibility to make arrangements for missed work.

 

World History

 

This week we finished our study of the rise of Parliament.  Over a period of 100 years, Parliament positioned itself to hold the King accountable and reduced the monarch’s power so that more power would be in the hands of many, the Parliament.

 

We also had our Enlightenment interviews.  This was a great time for you to work with a partner to gain a better understanding of how this age of reason contributed to such key ideas as life, liberty and the right to own property and the obligation of governments to provide for the people.

 

You will have a quiz on Tuesday on Chapter 18 section 1.  You have a worksheet to help you work through key ideas and events that were covered during the interviews.

 

Current events are due on November 20 and you may select any international issue.

 

Time for a Laugh

 

On Tuesday I attended a Naval War College lecture by Jeff Immelt, the CEO of the General Electric Company.  This was an inspiring speech as he spoke about the challenges in business and the need to recruit workers who understand international challenges.  He went on to explain all the things he does to connect with workers and one of his major initiatives is writing a weekly blog.  Oh my gosh…I have something in common with a CEO who brings home $15 million dollars a year!

 

Extra credit

 

Be the first in your class to email the correct answer using your MHS account to earn extra credit:

 

This coming week President Obama will be the first sitting president to visit these two Asian countries…name the two countries and the reason for this landmark visit.  

 

Time for some turkey and a rest

 

A heads up that this blogger will be taking a break next week…

 

And a sad milestone…

 

R.I.P.

Twinkies, Snowballs and Ho Hos.

 

 

.

 

A Salute to Our Veterans

 

Honoring our Veterans

 

While Veteran’s Day is officially November 11 (a day originally selected to commemorate the end of World War I on 11/11 at the 11th hour) we have Monday off, so I would encourage all of you to pause for a moment to remember and thank our Veterans. We especially mourn the loss of one of our own...Sgt. Michael Paranzino, a 2006 graduate of MHS. Sgt. Paranzino, 22, was killed in Afghanistan on November 5, 2010 while serving as a cavalry scout.  He had been in Afghanistan for 7 months after serving a tour in Iraq.

As we read about areas around the world that are struggling with oppression we must recall the service that our men and women in the armed forces have provided over the course of our history. Without their unswerving support for “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” we would not be the country we are today.

CWI

We have finished our study of Africa and have started watching “War Dance,” an inspirational story about the children of Northern Uganda who have lived in a war zone their entire lives. While war has dominated their lives, they refuse to let the conflict define who they are. We will finish the movie next week and then have an in class writing assignment.

Before we leave our study of Africa, I thought you might be interested in knowing that a senior State Department official has visited Somalia, the first such visit in over 20 years.  It clearly signals that we see Somalia moving forward by organizing its government and tackling some of the difficult challenges confronting the country.  On Friday, Captain Perry Yaw, our guest speaker from the Naval War College, used the Somalian pirate problem as an example of how navies from around the world are cooperating successfully in an effort to make the seas safe.

South West Asia

You have the rubric for the South West Asia map which lists countries in this region.  While I have not yet assigned the map, you can use the list of countries for your next current event, due November 14.  Many people still refer to this region as the Middle East, but geographers have renamed it South West Asia in an attempt to sound less Euro-centric.  Politically, militarily and economically, this region is of critical importance to our nation and poses some of our greatest challenges.  It is likely events there will be affecting you for the rest of your lives, and as responsible citizens you need to be informed.   You are encouraged to look for stories that might appear on the front page of major newspapers.  You will be amazed how easy it is to find news stories on Syria, Yemen, and the continuing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.

End of the Quarter

We have finished our first quarter.  We have established a routine we will continue for the remainder of the year, where you keep track of your assignments and grades and place all graded work in your folder, which is kept in the classroom.  On Friday I went through all the folders and was pleased to see most of you have done a great job organizing your work.  Staying organized helps you manage your time and feel on top of things.  By keeping your folder up to date, you can monitor your grade and keep work organized as we move closer to mid-term exams.

International Speaker Series

We had a full house Friday as we heard from Captain Perry Yaw, Director of the Naval Command School, which hosts senior international officers at the Naval War College.  His presentation covered the mission of the college and its efforts to reach out to the international naval community to foster friendships and trust among officers from all nations.  These relationships with international navies are especially helpful during a time of crisis. He pointed out that you also have a role in this mission because we have many students from foreign lands at MHS.  That gives us the opportunity to reach out and show them Americans are a generous people.

Our next speakers will be on November 30 when we will hear from officers from Chile and the Netherlands.

I want to compliment you on your attention to Captain Yaw.  You were a great audience!

World History

This week you had another opportunity to use the document analysis sheet by reading a letter written during the time of Louis XIV.  We will be using the document analysis sheet on a regular basis so you will be ready to do your first portfolio task. 

We focused this week on comparing absolutism in France with the rise of Parliament in England.  We learned some of the reasons why two countries so closely linked by history and geography developed two very different methods of governing.   We had to do some back tracking by reading about King John and the Magna Carta before returning to the 1600’s.

Your graphic organizer gave you the opportunity to see the progression of parliamentary power from James I to William and Mary.  This period of about 100 years included such major events as the signing of the Petition of Right, the English Civil War, the execution of Charles I, rule by Oliver Cromwell, and the Glorious Revolution.  Parliament succeeded in limiting the monarch by passing the English Bill of Rights.  These rights will become the basis for the colonists in the New World to revolt against England. While the monarch still had power in England, it was now limited and required the consent of Parliament.

To get a better understanding of this period we read the play about the execution of Charles I.  These plays help history come alive.

Next week we will move on to the Enlightenment, also known as the age of reason, when philosophers fight against the old ways of thinking and promote goals of well-being and social justice.

End of the Quarter

There is much to get used to when you start high school and one of the challenges is staying organized.  You have had numerous assignments over the quarter and you have a folder and status of assignment sheet to help you monitor your work and grade.  I checked the folders on Friday and was pleased to see so many that were well organized.  This is a great system. By staying on top of your work and keeping it in one place you will be ready for the mid-term exam in January.

This quarter you could have earned 180 points.  We did a wide variety of assignments including current events, announced quizzes, a spoke diagram, and the scientific revolution poster.  What you did not have was a traditional test.  We will do a traditional test this quarter so you can get practice with this type of assessment. 

Congratulations on a successful first quarter!

And the Winner Is...

 

 

 

Africa Travels

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.

 

Many of the projects were impressive.  You chose good photos to help tell the story.  Your use of note cards resulted in smooth, confident presentations.  Some of you are natural presenters, standing tall and speaking 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 reflections 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 that we forget to pause and reflect about a process that helps us advance in every field of endeavor. Using your reflection, the rubric and my notes, you will receive a final individual grade for the project.

 

Things to keep in mind as you prepare future presentations:

1.     Make sure you understand all the terms you use...copying information onto a note card without understanding the content is dangerous...I was very pleased when one student used the term “emerging market” and then immediately defined it 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, an appropriate photo of a place of beauty or interest would support your point; if you use the flag of the country, know what the colors and symbols represent.  Animation can be a distraction so use it wisely and sparingly.

3.      Not all answers are found on the web...some groups struggled with the opportunity

slide (the potential future of the country) and the success slide...the focus questions required you to think about the material you had read, analyze the different sources and then synthesize the information into a coherent prediction or assessment.  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.  Sources you decide not to use should not go on the list.  The source slide should be a concise listing of the sources you found useful.  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.  The sites to which your search leads are the sources.  Your source list also required a newspaper or magazine from the country.

 

Accountable Talk

This week some classes had their first accountable talk activity, while other classes will do this activity next week.  Using two readings from our UpFront magazine (“Armed and Underage” and “Africa’s Rising Stars”) you had the opportunity to read, take notes, and process the information using our 3-2-1 strategy prior to conducting the discussion.  Accountable talk gives you the ability to direct the conversation.  It is your time to explore ideas and ask others what they think about issues in the readings.  You earned credit for your notes, contributions and reflections.  If you struggled with this activity, we will have other opportunities.  Get in the swing of things...contribute...ask a question...make a connection.  All ideas are welcome.

“War Dance”

Next week we will be watching “WarDance,” 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.  The LRA was in the news last October when the President deployed U.S. Special Forces to assist the government of Uganda in eliminating this longstanding threat to the region.  The film is a powerful reminder that hope and healing are possible even in the face of some of the worst atrocities imaginable.

 

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. The region has gained added attention as the Arab Spring overthrew dictatorial governments in the North African states of Tunisia, Egypt and Libya, then spread into Yemen, Bahrain and Syria, where an ongoing civil war has caused thousands of casualties.  Protests could eventually threaten regimes in Iran and Saudi Arabia.

 

Current Events Quiz

We will have our first current events and Africa power point quiz next week and you will be able to use your notes to answer questions the class wrote.  Now let me see...take good notes....keep the notes organized....write the questions for the quiz....use the notes for the quiz...could this be a trick or treat....no....it is an opportunity to earn lots of points!  We will start a new set of current events at the start of our next unit on South West Asia.

 

Speaker Series

On Friday you received a list of our international guest speakers from the Naval War College.  Starting November 9 certain advisory periods have been set aside so you can hear from naval officers from around the world.  This is a unique and exciting opportunity.  You have your permission slip which must be turned in as you enter room 212.  We will talk more about our speakers next week.  This will be considered a mandatory in school field trip. 

 

World History

Your Louis XIV spoke diagram was due on Wednesday but due to our loss of two school days you had an extended due date.  Congratulations to all who turned in their diagrams.  Many of you exceeded the standard because you followed the rubric.  Prior to doing our spoke diagram we reviewed the words and key concepts of Louis and Absolutism. This review should have given you ample information to complete the spoke diagram.

 

This week we also did a document analysis sheet. As a class, we read the letter written by a French noble woman who described the suicide of the cook Vatel.  The cook was putting on a lavish feast for Louis XIV and he wanted everything to be perfect, but alas the roast was not done properly for two tables and the correct amount of fish was not delivered.  He put so much pressure on himself as he knew Louis was the Sun King and expected perfection.  We will continue to work on the document analysis sheet as your first performance based graduation task will require you to do a document analysis sheet for two primary source documents.  Practice makes perfect!

 

And the Winner Is…

At the end of this week, each class had the opportunity to cast their ballot for the next President of the United States.  And the votes have been counted:

 

75 for President Obama

23 for Governor Romney

2 for others

2 no name

And now we have to wait for the real results, come Tuesday evening!