how the Roman Empire came to be

Let's roam into Rome.  (heh heh)

First, read p. 90-94.  That will cover LO-1 City-State and Empire: The Roman Republic.

Then, write a paragraph that describes life in ancient Rome.  You can choose to write about Roman government, or Roman society, or the basic Roman family.  You will need to use some of these terms to write an informed paragraph:  patricians, plebeians, Republic, Senate, consuls, dictators, tribunes, client, patron, matron, pontiff, and pater familias.

You will spend the second half of class reading LO-1, and writing this paragraph; what you don't complete in class will be homework.  This paragraph will be posted to your blog, and, as with all other postings, is due before midnight tonight.

test grades posted

I hope you are enjoying Day 3 of your three-day weekend.

I've posted the grades for your tests on ancient Greece, as well as your Week 9 blog grades.  The fourth quarter is underway - on to Rome!

Plato's allegory of the cave

Section 3 went to college today, engaging in a discussion about Plato's intriguing allegory.  Hopefully this is something that will cause you to think whenever you are watching TV, surfing the web, binging on Netflix,  viewing political ads, or watching any other form of shadow play.  Thanks for being an excellent class today.

The test on ancient Greece

Well, hopefully that went well for you.  I will do my best to grade your tests over your three-day weekend, and when we get back next week I will return your tests and we will get started on Rome.

Section 3, see YOU tomorrow.

tomorrow's test

The test will consist of 40 questions.  Six of the questions are multiple choice.  30 questions involve filling in blanks, with the use of a word bank.  And the last four questions involve identifying features on a map of Greece, also using a word bank.  Good luck, and be ready! 

everything you need

Today sections 1 and 7 reviewed the 58-point quiz, otherwise known as the Study Guide Handout.

This crazy winter has been pretty unpredictable - a trend which continues tonight.  The forecast is calling for only 1-3 inches of snow tomorrow, with the precipitation beginning around 6am.  This means anything can happen: school as usual, 2-hour late bell, 2-hour early dismissal, or no school at all (meaning a Cyber Day).  Stay tuned, and be ready.

Keep this in mind - you have everything you need to study for Wednesday's test: the Study Guide, the questions I posted on my blog, the two videos, and the notes you took on my PowerPoint.  So even if we don't have school tomorrow, you should be ready to take this test on Wednesday.

test on the Greeks will be next week

Let's schedule your 100-point test on the Greeks for next Wednesday, March 26.  I will also go out on a limb and say that even if we don't have school on Tuesday, we will still test on Wednesday.

Here's how to prepare for the test.  Study the "58-Point" handout.  Review the 30-question online assignment from Monday.  Revisit the two videos you watched in class.  Check out Dani's awesome Quizlet, which I have posted under LINKS, or just create your own Quizlet.  If you have questions, just let me know.  This will be your first significant grade of the fourth quarter, so make it a good one.

no test this week

Originally I had planned to give you guys a test on ancient Greece this Friday, so it could be included on the third quarter report card.

Unfortunately, snow (again!) cancelled Monday's class, and today's seminar cancelled class for two of my sections, so the test will have to come sometime next week.  Thus, it will be a fourth quarter grade.

We will go over details of what will be on the test Thursday and Friday.

Unless class is cancelled again...

workshop for your teacher

Tomorrow, Wednesday, March 19, I will be attending the Saint Joseph Program Workshop, so I will not be in class for Section 1 and Section 3.  Students in those sections will report to their classroom, where a sub will take roll and then bring you to the Auditorium or gym.  There you will work on the following assignment: 

• Section 1 will review the "58-Point Quiz" I handed out, as well as the assignment I posted on Monday's blog.  Make sure everything is complete and accurate.

• Section 3 will complete the assignment I posted online yesterday, the one with the 30 questions and the 4 short answers.

Since there will be numerous classes in the room with you, you will be expected to work quietly and independently.

Section 7 will meet with me for mod 10 in room 107 as usual.

As always, all sections are expected to blog today.

an Irish-flavored Cyber Day assignment

In honor of St. Patrick's Day

Some limericks are coming your way.

     The homework they contain

     May be kind of a pain

But at least it won't take you all day.

JC has a Cyber Day rule

When it snows, we still "attend" school.

    Just fill in all the blanks

    And then offer up thanks

You won't be considered a fool.

You must write in sentences complete.

(Yes, it's longer than your basic tweet.)

     To your blog you will transfer

     Every one of your answers.

Then go get yourself something to eat.

Now, in prose:  Answer the following questions in complete sentences.  Write the answers in your blog, and post it by the end of the day.  Hopefully we'll all be together tomorrow!  Enjoy your Cyber Day!

Update:  Future lawyer Maddie points out that Section 3 does not have class today, and asks if they have to do this assignment.  Technically, you do not have to do the assignment today, since we don’t have class.  But just to keep things fair, I am going to give your section the same assignment tomorrow.  So if you want to get a head start on it today, go for it.  Thanks, Maddie!

     

1. Which of the following is not a characteristic of Greece?
1. peninsula      b. many islands     c. mountainous                d. mostly fertile land

2. Approximately ___________ of Greece is covered by mountains.
1. 2/3                  b. 3/4                         c. 1/2                          d. 1/4

3. Define the term barbarian as it was originally used in the ancient world.

a.     The Greeks first used this term to describe those foreigners that they could not understand, but seemed to be saying "bar bar" when speaking.

b.     A group of people that is able to quickly adapt to the new environment in which they arrive despite speaking a foreign tongue.

c.      A group of people migrating into a territory where they do not speak the native tongue.

d.     A life based upon farming, warfare, and tribal organization.

e.     The word came from the Greek "barbaros," which originally meant "Non-Greek."

4.     What defines a megalithic structure?

a.     Homes that were constructed for people during the Neolithic period

b.     Fortifications constructed for people during the Neolithic period

c.      Massive rough-cut stones used to construct monuments and tombs

d.     Giant dinosaurs whose fossil remains were visible to ancient peoples

e.     Evidence of advanced technological tools

5.     What does the term tribe refer to?

a.      A social and political unit consisting of a group of communities held together by common interests, traditions, and real or mythical ties of kinship

b.      A family-based group governed by a hereditary chieftain

c.       A clan-based group prior to the advent of city-states in the Greek world

d.      A group of warriors, related by blood, who are governed by a king or queen

e.      All of these

6. Tribes were governed by
1. Warrior kings or queens                                        d.  all of these
2. Chieftains                                                                  e.  none of these
3. Tribal leaders chosen by warriors

7. Who were the first European barbarians to make contact with civilization?
1. Greeks                                                                       d.  Phoenicians
2. Hittites                                                                      e.  people of Asian Minor
3. Celts

8. Which of the following modern-day countries would NOT be considered a member of “Western civilization”?
1. Greece                                                                        d.  Italy
2. England                                                                     e.  United States
3. China

9. What is the name of the sea located just west of the Greek mainland?
1. Mediterranean Sea                                                  d.  Ionian Sea
2. Aegean Sea                                                                e.  Chesapeake Bay
3. Atlantic Ocean

10. What is the name of the sea located just east of the Greek mainland?
1. Mediterranean Sea                                                  d.  Ionian Sea
2. Aegean Sea                                                                e.  Chesapeake Bay
3. Atlantic Ocean

11. What were the major crops the Aegean people lived on?
1. Rice, vines, and olives
2. Potatoes, vines, and olives
3. Grain, vines, and olives
4. Onions, wheat, and beer
5. Corn, wheat, and rice

12. Which civilization arose on the island of Crete?
1. Mycenaean                                                                d.  Persian
2. Minoan                                                                      e.  Phoenician
3. Spartan

13. Which civilization established settlements along the Greek mainland’s southern shore and on some islands?
1. Mycenaean                                                                d.  Persian
2. Minoan                                                                      e.  Phoenician
3. Spartan 

14. Which civilization built massive walls to protect themselves from attack?
1. Mycenaean                                                                d.  Persian
2. Minoan                                                                      e.  Phoenician
3. Spartan

15. A period of Greek history in which the population dropped, ships no longer sailed, and writing fell out of use, is called the
1. First Persian War                                                    d.  Dark Ages
2. Megalithic Destruction                                          e.  none of these
3. Collapse of Crete

16. Following this time period, the Greeks joined which group as the leading commercial and seafaring nation of the Mediterranean?
1. Etruscans                                                                  d.  Persians
2. Egyptians                                                                   e.  Phoenicians
3. Hittites

17. In historical writing, the letter “c” might appear before a date, as in “c. 1500 BC.”  What does this “c” mean?
1. around                                                                       d.  all of these
2. about                                                                          e.  none of these
3. circa

18. By 600 BC, Greek city-states dotted the coastlines around the Mediterranean Sea.  These were called
1. colonies                                                                     d.  hoplites
2. demos                                                                                    e.  megaliths
3. Starbucks

19. Although they varied in size, ancient Greek city-states most closely resembled what modern-day geographical feature?
1. cities                                                                           d.  nations
2. counties                                                                     e.  continents
3. states

20.  This is a form of government in which a small group of citizens dominated, and the power of the majority was limited in various ways.
1. democracy                                                                 c.  oligarchy
2. monarchy                                                                  d.  tyranny

21. This is a form of government in which decisions were made by the majority of adult male citizens.
1. democracy                                                                 c.  oligarchy
2. monarchy                                                                  d.  tyranny 

22. This is a form of government in which a self-proclaimed dictator held power.
1. democracy                                                                 c.  oligarchy
2. monarchy                                                                  d.  tyranny

23. This is a form of government in which power is held by a single ruler, and is often passed along from father to son.
1. democracy                                                                 c.  oligarchy
2. monarchy                                                                  d.  tyranny

24. Spartans used this government system.
1. democracy                                                                 c.  oligarchy
2. monarchy                                                                  d.  tyranny

25. At what age did Spartan males begin their military training?
1. seven                                                                          d.  eighteen
2. twelve                                                                                    e.  twenty-one
3. fifteen

26. What was the wealthiest city-state in the ancient Greek world?
1. Athens                                                                       d.  Sparta
2. Thebes                                                                       e.  Argos
3. Corinth

27. This was the high fortified citadel and religious center of an ancient Greek town.
1. Parthenon                                                                 d.  helos
2. Pantheon                                                                  e.  polites
3. acropolis

28. This was the name of the southern peninsula where Sparta was located.
1. Anatolia                                                                     d.  Stonehenge
2. Mt. Olympus                                                             e.  Peloponnesus
3. Crete

29. These were massive fighting ships with three banks of oars, used to ram or board enemy ships.
1. phalanxes                                                                  d.  biremes
2. hoplites                                                                      e.  triremes
3. tyrants

30. This was a heavily armed and armored citizen-soldier of ancient Greece.
1. phalanx                                                                      d.  bireme
2. hoplite                                                                       e.  trireme
3. tyrant

  

Short answer.    

1. You recall the time period when the Greek population dropped, ships no longer sailed, and writing fell out of use.  What years did this period begin and end?

2. During the time period when writing fell out of use, the poet Homer is said to have told stories of the Trojan War, and of a war hero attempting to return to his home.  What are the titles of these two stories?

3. The word “Mediterranean” originally meant _____________________ .

4. What were prominent and long-established Athenian land-owners called?

today's classwork

Sorry to be missing class again... believe me, I would much rather spend time with you than be sick.  Ew.

In class today, you will watch part 2 of The Greeks: Crucible of Civilization.  This is where is gets good.  You'll see the story of Pheidippides; the wars with Darius, Xerxes and the Persians; the brilliant leader Themistocles; the mysterious Oracle of Delphi; the battle in the Straits of Salamis; and why the Golden Age of Greece was so awesome.  The link is here, as well as on the sidebar to the right.  If one of you can get your computer hooked up to the LCD and some speakers, that would be great; if this proves impossible, you should all watch on your own.  Fill out the worksheet as you go, and take additional notes where you think necessary.  What you don't finish in class today, you should finish over the weekend.  As always, you should blog about today's class.

Be nice to your sub, and I hope to see you next week.

thus concludes the presentations

Nice work on the projects, everyone!  Between your storyboards/videos, my previous lectures, and the first part of the video (Crucible of Civilization) we watched, I think you have a pretty good handle on the following terms/places/concepts:

Athens                    Sparta                    triremes                    Cleisthenes                  
myths                    Olympics                 Isagoris                         epics
Odysseus                 arete                     Dorians                      Parthenon               
agora                      Homer                     Zeus                          Socrates                Mycenaeans...

The stage has been set for the world's first democracy.  But what are the Greeks going to do with their new freedom?        

I'm sick so you get an extra day

Western Civ can work on their storyboard/video projects, and/or they can work on the handouts I gave out last week.

a reminder, and a guide

I hope Friday's class went well for you.  Thanks so much for your patience while I was away on Senior Retreat.  If the retreat for the class of 2017 is anywhere as terrific as this one was, you guys are in for an amazing experience in three years.  

You will present your storyboard/video project next class (Monday, March 10 for sections 1 and 7; Tuesday, March 11 for section 3).  I will be grading this based on two major criteria: let's refer to them as Useful Information, and Creativity.

The ideal project will present important, vital details about ancient Athens or Sparta, and it will present them in an interesting, original way.  In other words, if you have great visuals but they don't really tell me anything about Athens or Sparta, even if they are extremely well-presented, you will score low in Useful Information and high in Creativity.  The result will be an average grade.  Likewise, if you include lots of of pertinent facts and figures, but the video (or storyboard) is flat and boring, your Useful Information grade will rock, and your Creativity grade will stink, resulting in an overall grade of blah.

The super fantastic project, the one that teaches the viewer about Sparta or Athens, and does it in a fun, entertaining way, will score high in both categories, resulting in a superior grade.  You will also have the benefit of blowing the rest of your classmates' minds, and giving you something to brag about for the rest of your high school years and beyond.

Please don't wait until class to email me your project, if possible.  Also please remember to let me know everyone who worked on the project, first and last names.

Don't be late.  10% penalty for every day you are late.

Questions?  Email me.  rschick@johncarroll.org 

Friday's classwork

Please continue watching the video where you left off, taking notes on your handout.  Thank you for respecting your sub. See you next week!

And Retreat is going really well!  Just you wait...   ;)

The Aristocrats

We watched some more of Crucible of Civilization today, and we learned, among other things, that it was good to be an aristocrat in ancient Greece in the sixth century BCE.  On the other hand, it was an awful thing to be a helot in ancient Sparta.

back in the classroom

Wow!  An actual day of school!  Not a Cyber Day, or a virtual day, but a real day (although a two-hour late bell...).

The Greeks: Crucible of Civilization is a film produced by PBS and narrated by Liam Neeson, which we will be using to study ancient Greece.  Today's selection introduces us to the origins of Greece, when it was still an aristocracy.  I have listed the link to the YouTube video, as well as the PBS companion website, for your convenience.

Happy Cyber Day!

Click here to go to the video explaining your Cyber Day assignment for today.

Also, it's at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWe4lcq3670 .

Cyber Day - again!

As we discussed in class Friday, your Cyber Day assignment is to work on your Sparta/Athens Storyboard/Video assignment.  Details are in Fridays's post.  I'm trying to upload a video explaining the assignment, but my computer is balking.  If I can post the video, I will - as soon as I can.

In the meantime, enjoy your family, and hopefully I will see you tomorrow!

The Project.

Storyboards good.  Video better.

Here are the details for the Sparta/Athens Tourism Commercial Project.

You have just been hired as the ad agency in charge of promoting tourism.  Your client will be either Sparta or Athens.  Your main job is to attract as many new people from around the Mediterranean Sea to move to your city-state and not your rival.

You do not have to produce an actual commercial, but producing an incredible video will result in a terrific grade.  At the very least, you will create a storyboard that will explain how you will create and produce your commercial.  The commercial will be a 30-60 second spot that is reminiscent of the Baltimore and Los Angeles tourism examples we watched in class, found here: Baltimore  Los Angeles

The storyboard will show the viewer, step by step, what they will see and hear in each scene.  The commercial must persuade people that they should live in their city-state based on the beliefs, values and culture of the polis.  You may also show why the rival country isn’t the best place to live. 

On the left side of the page you will explain exactly what you are seeing in the shot.  In the middle section will be a picture or drawing of what you are seeing.  (Remember, you don’t need to be a good artist because a description of the visual is directly to the left.)  On the right side, you will write the exact script and everything else we hear (music, voiceover, sound effects, etc.) during the shot.  

There are many different kinds of storyboards.  The basic style described above has a description on the left, an image in the middle and sound cues on the right.  Here is another example, complete with instructions:

Here is the template, should you choose to use it:

There are lots of other templates online; the above example I found at jasonohler.com .

To review:  You will create a commercial that will be approximately 30-60 seconds.  You will need at least 6 scenes to fill up the time.  (If you shoot an actual commercial, you will want a LOT more than 6 scenes, assuming you want to look more like the LA video than the Baltimore one.)  When you are finished, you can either staple the scenes in order or you may attach them on to poster board for a better, more professional appearance.

You need to be creative with your commercial but appropriate and on task.   Make sure you have a full understanding about your city-state.  You must give a proper view of your polis and make sure you use the correct tone and point of view.  You will be graded upon the overall effectiveness, proper information, and the aesthetic value of the project.  

You may work by yourself, in pairs, or in a group of three.  If you team up with otheres, it is expected that everyone will contribute.  Everyone in the group will not automatically receive the same grade, if it is determined that someone did not do their fair share.

This assignment is worth 100 points.  Be prepared to show your boards or your video at the start of class Friday, March 7, 2014.  Let's see what you've got!