Middle Ages test results

Maybe some of you have started summer vacation a little early.  Or maybe there were just too many names for you to keep track of.  In any case, this test did not work out too well for a few of you.  So, I decided to curve the test for everyone by three points.  These adjusted grades have been entered in PowerSchool.  The average grade for all three classes is now 76, which is a C.  Congratulations to the 16 of you who scored an A on this test.

I also entered the bonus scores for those of you who read my blog on May 14 and took advantage of my offer.  If you didn't do the Chronology, you weren't penalized, but if you did do it, you picked up a few free extra credit points.

Tomorrow, Section 3 meets for the last time, at which time we will review for the test.  Sections 1 and 7 meet Monday for their review.  Be sure to check my blog over the weekend for more information, as the exam gets finalized.

test tomorrow

Our test on the Middle Ages - the final test of the fourth quarter - will be tomorrow.  30 questions, multiple choice.  Study the GoogleSlide I've posted, plus the information on Charlemagne, and you will be in great shape for the test.  No open blog, so pack everything into your craniums.

Charlemagne and his medieval friends

As promised, I have posted a Google Slides version of the Charlemagne PowerPoint.  Enjoy it and employ it for next Wednesday's test!

more medieval material

Add Charles the Hammer, Pepin the Short, Charlemagne, Louis the Pious, Charles the Bald, and Louis the German to your list of key players in the Middle Ages.  Would hurt to know the significance of the Battle of Tours and the Treaty of Verdun as well.

the clock is ticking down...

We will finish our studies of Western Civilization with the Middle Ages.  This week we will cover feudalism and the likes of Clovis, Pope Gregory, Charlemagne, Muhammad, and others.  We will test on this material next Wednesday, May 28.

Then on Thursday, section 3 will review for the final in our last meeting.  Sections 1 and 7 will do the same on Monday, June 2.  The semester exam will be given on Tuesday, June 3, at 10:00.

For your convenience, here is the entire exam schedule:

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

·         8 AM – English

·         10 AM – Social Studies

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

·         8 AM – Math

·         10 AM – World Language

Thursday, June 5, 2014

·         8 AM – Religion

·         10 AM – Science

       Friday, June 6, 2014, will be a makeup day in case we have a snow day earlier in the week.

Arrivederci, Roma...

Today, we tested on Rome.  Almost a thousand years, from republic to empire, from consuls to emperors, from superpower to collapsed government.  And now we are done with it - until the semester exam, that is.

Now, we move on to... the Middle Ages. (Sometimes known as the Dark Ages.  You'll see why soon.)

Tonight, read p. 151 and put your notes in your blog.  Also, for five extra points, copy the Chronology found on page 152, and put that in your blog.

test tomorrow

Repeating the message from yesterday:   Tomorrow's test will combine the last two tests with info from the "Rome Fades Away" GoogleSlide.  Emphasis should be placed on the three emperors and the invading barbarian tribes.  Be ready for tomorrow!

finally, the fall of Rome

See the link to the right?  The one called "Rome Fades Away"?  Take around ten questions based on that presentation, add in a couple dozen from the last two tests, and you have the final, definitive test on Rome.  The one you're going to take on Wednesday, May 14.  Be ready!

finally Friday

A productive day:

• Large Rome Tests were returned
• Large Rome Tests were reviewed
• Chapter 8 was begun
• a PowerPoint on the rise of Christianity and the decline of Rome was presented
• a homework assignment was given

The HW: read p. 123, and put the notes you take on it in your blog.

Oh yeah, have a good weekend, too.

learn anything today?

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.

Aristotle

Whatcha doin this week?

Well, you're taking a test on Rome on Wednesday.  But before that, you're reviewing the first Rome test you took before we went on break, because a number of those test questions will magically appear on this week's test.  Plus, you're watching a PowerPoint in class that will cover Caesar Augustus and some other emperors, because that will also be on this test.

classwork for Friday, May 2

We won't be watching any more of the video on Nero in class - feel free to search it on YouTube and watch more on your own time if you like.

Today's classwork is as follows:  Take notes (in your blog, or in your notebook - your choice) on these sections of your textbook.

• First, read "Assassination and Another Caesar" on p. 101.
• Then, read p. 103.
• Follow that with p. 104-107, LO1 The Rule of the Emperors.

Again, take good notes on this material in class today.  What you don't finish is homework.  Any notes you enter will count as today's blog.

Obviously, the test will not take place today, and since we will need to have a proper review, we will shoot for Wednesday, May 7, for our test on Ancient Rome.

Thank you, and have a great weekend.

announcement

Today Section 3 took a look at one of the more bizarre of all the Roman emperors - Nero.

Descended from Caesar, but without the political acumen, Nero ruled over Rome following a devastating fire, determined to turn Rome into a great city that would celebrate art and artists.  But a little thing called insanity kept him from achieving his goals. 

Rome - from Republic to Empire

Today the mighty 01 and 07 sections covered some more Julius Caesar, which included a bit of video from the BBC.  As I previously mentioned, these links are listed on this blog if you want to review them at home.

The plan for the rest of this unit is to cover Caesar Augustus and a couple of the other emperors, leading us to the fall of Rome in the fifth century.  We will probably be able to test on this material this Friday, May 2.  Stay tuned!

Julius Caesar is next

If you want to get a jump on Julius Caesar, you should read the section in the textbook found on p. 100-101.  

There is also a great video put out by the BBC.  The Brits definitely love their Roman history.  Some of you have mentioned that you find Caesar interesting - these vids should be right up your alley.  

Part one is here, part two is here to get you started. 

Give me a break...

... an Easter break, that is!

I hope all of you have a terrific time on your big ten-day break.

Fun facts about what's left of this school year, as of the day we return to school (April 22):

• your 200-point project presentations begin (April 22-23)
• midquarters are a week away (Tuesday, April 29)
• there are 43 days until Semester Exams (M-T-W, June 3-4-5)
• there are 46 days until summer vacation!

Until then, have an incredible break. Recharge your batteries (YOUR batts, not just your computer's), relax, and I'll see you when we get back.  

rubric posted

Note that the rubric for your projects has been posted in the Links sidebar.  We will discuss the rubric in class Wednesday.

this week in World History...

The test on ancient Rome will be this Friday, April 11.  If you are leaving early for Easter break, you must inform me so we can arrange for you to take this test before you leave.

Also, if you are going to be returning late from break, you must let me know so I can schedule your project presentation for Wednesday, April 23, instead of that Tuesday.

Today in class - Section 7 reviewed the origins of Rome, and both section 7 and 1 started in on the Punic Wars.  The reading for tonight is on p. 95-96.  Notes on the Punic Wars should be entered in tonight's blog.

"Massive Public Works Projects for $400, Alex."

Section 3 - you got your tests back yesterday.  Great job! We then discussed the early days of Rome, and the establishment of the form of government known as a republic.  To clarify something we talked about today: go here to see just how the Romans drained a swamp, and built a city on it.  It's pretty interesting (and not very long).

Side note: the Chicago River used to flow into Lake Michigan, which was their supply of clean drinking water.  A massive public works project reversed the flow of the river, keeping sewage and pollutants from fouling the lake.  Details can be found here.

how this unit will work

I have a feeling we are not going to have our schedule disrupted over and over by snow and ice like we have so far this semester.  So I want to try something different for our unit on the rise and fall of the Roman Empire.

Instead of lectures and PowerPoints, let's make this a project-based unit.  And by student projects, I don't mean YOU make a PowerPoint and lecture on it.  I encourage the use of live demonstrations, video, or the performing arts.  Here are some sample ideas:

• Construct a map (real or virtual) showing the expansion of the Roman Empire over time
• Make and model authentic clothing from the Roman Empire
• Change history!  Save the Roman Empire!  Present a plan where the Romans could have done things differently, and saved their Empire 
• Demonstrate what it was like to be a woman during this time period
• Become a famous Roman (Julius Caesar, Caesar Augustus, or one of the many other emperors), and demonstrate just how you rule
• Feed the class an authentic meal from this time period, complete with an explanation as to why you chose this particular food and ingredients
• Demonstrate your knowledge of Roman architecture by constructing a scale-model Colosseum (or Circus Maximus, or building of your choice)
• Chariot racing.  Gladiator combat.  Hmmm...
• Demonstrate your knowledge of the Punic Wars (strategy, weaponry, armors, tactics)
• Show how the United States is like the Roman Empire, and present evidence how we are doomed to the same fate as the failed Roman Empire (or, show how we can avoid that fate)
• Stage and perform a scene from one of the famous Roman playwrights, such as Seneca, Plautus, Terrence (teacher approval needed, depending on which play you choose)
• Perform one of Cicero's inspiring speeches
• Show how your basic Roman citizen lived during this time
• Stage a slave rebellion
• Write and perform an original song describing some aspect of life in the Roman Empire

You may present your own idea for my approval.  I will be allowing SOME class time for you to work on this.  We have two weeks before break, so from now until April 10, we will study Rome.  On Friday, April 11, we will take our 100-point test.  And when we return from Easter break (which is Saturday, April 12 until Monday, April 21), we will take two days to present your 200-point projects (Tue-Wed, April 22-23).  Groups can be no larger than four people; presentations will be 5 - 10 minutes.  Each project must be accompanied by a short paper explaining how you researched (with your sources properly cited) and put together your project.  

If you wish to finish your project before we go on break, you are absolutely free to do so, if you do not want your vacation to be disrupted by schoolwork.  You are also free to use some time over your ten-day break to make this project fantastic.  The choice is yours, and it is something you should consider when deciding who will be in your group.

I will give you more details over the coming days, but this should give you more than enough to get started.  As always, see me with questions or ideas.