Logbook Check #8:

·         3 Key Events in the Middle East

·         Determining Borders

·         Homework: Conflicts in the Middle East

·         Comparing Religions

·         Two Claims to Palestine Questions

·         UN Responses to Conflict

·         ISIS Reading and Cartoons Questions

·         Demographics in the Middle East

·         The Rise of ISIS Notes

·          

·         Middle East Crossword Puzzle

Students continued their study of terrorism and religious extremism by watching the Frontline documentary The Rise of ISIS.  They took notes and discussed the main points.

Students practiced for the upcoming final test by working in groups looking at maps and charts of the Middle East and answering questions about demographics.

Classes watched two short videos and discussed the growing threat of the terrorist group ISIS.  Students read more about how ISIS operates and answered questions.  The class ended with students answering questions about and sharing political cartoons about US involvement with the ISIS conflict.

With a substitute, students looked at events in the Middle East and created a double timeline with summaries of the events on one side and the US response on the other.  Classes then discussed how well the US handled each crisis.

Students discussed the homework (Conflicts in the Middle East) and then read more about many of the same events and how the United Nations Responded.  They were asked to both guess what the UN would do and then grade what the UN actually did.

Today classes participated in a simulation designed to get them to think about the two sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  The ended by answering questions (Two Claims to Palestine).

Students looked at all the religion posters made last week and completed an assignment comparing these 7 major religions.  The class ended by discussing similarities and differences.

Students looked at demographics of the Middle East and made maps of where they would draw the borders of countries, and then compared their ideas to reality in an assignment called Determining Borders.

Homework: Conflicts in the Middle East

Students had the first half of class to finish their posters on major religions.  During the second half students wrote summaries of 3 Key Events in the Middle East. These will be important background information as we learn more about recent events in this region of the world.

Today students started a new unit by making posters about major religions of the world (Hinduism, Buddhism, Daoism, Confucianism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam).  They will finish them tomorrow and gather information from them on Monday.

Today students took the Communism in Asia test and turned in their logbooks for...

Logbook Check #7

• Major Events in Chinese History Notes
• Identifying Quotes about Events
• Homework: Communists Take Power (Notes)
• Mao or Jiang Reading Questions
• Homework: Wars in Korea and Vietnam (Notes)
• Homework: China Reform and Reaction (Notes)
• The Secret State of North Korea (Video)
• Homework: Focusing Your Thoughts / Your Opinion 5
• Tank Man Notes (Video)
• Communism in Asia Crossword Puzzle

After the test students worked on a small project, creating their own political cartoon about China or East-Asia. It is due next Thursday (May 14).

Students finished their lessons about modern China by watching a documentary about Tank Man (The Tienanmen Square protests and massacre) and taking notes about what they learned.  This video is free online and should be watched by anyone who missed class.

Students also received a crossword puzzle to use as a study guide for Thursday's test and logbook check.

Today the class discussed the homework assignment from last week when students needed to make a decisions as to what they think the US policy toward China should be.

Students also watched a short video about Ai Weiwei (a Chinese artist) and discussed how the freedoms that Americans may take for granted are not enjoyed by Chinese citizens.

Today the class went over the homework (China Reform and Reaction) and we discussed whether or not the USA should have a close relationship with China.  The class looked at 4 options for US-China relations and then were given a homework assignment asking students to develop their own option based on their beliefs and values on foreign policy.  Please see me to get this assignment if you missed class.

Today students watched and discussed the Frontline documentary The Secret State of North Korea. Students took notes and wrote their opinions.  This video is free to watch online.  Students who missed class should watch it on their own time.

Today students read textbook excerpts from North and South Korea and had to guess which belonged to each country.  Follow the above link for the assignment and documents. We also discussed how isolated North Korea is from the rest of the world.

Homework: China Reform & Reaction

Today we reviewed the homework (Wars in Korea and Vietnam) and we continued to learn about hot spots in the Cold War by making a map and timeline of the hot spots in Asia.  Students worked in pairs. Please come to tutorial to make up this work if you were absent.

Students completed a document assignment about the Cultural Revolution in China, specifically asking why it was young people who got involved. Follow the link above for both the questions and the documents.

2nd period went to the class-cabinet election speeches, while periods 1 and 3 discussed the changes in US policy toward Cuba, and how Cuba fits into the Cold War.

Students went over the homework (Communists Take Power in China) then read, and answered three questions, about either Mao or Jiang.

Homework: Wars in Korea andVietnam

The class reviewed the 7 events from Tuesday by completing a Quotes assignment (matching quotes to events). Students also watched a Crash Course video about the Chinese revolutions.

Next students compared Chinese art from before and after the fall of Dynastic China. See me for both these assignments.

Students were assigned one of 7 events in modern Chinese history to read about and report on in class.  Through the magic of google docs each group simultaneously edited one slide in a powerpoint and shared it with the class as they took notes on all 7 events.  These will each be events that we learn more details about in coming classes.

Homework: Communist Take Power in China

Today students were introduced to the next unit they will be learning about in Modern World History: Modern China.  They also completed a shot document question about the invasion of Nanjing during the start of WWII and were reminded about methods for finding trustworthy sources. See me if you need to make up this assignment.

Today students took the test over the rise and fall of the Soviet Union and completed Logbook Check #6:

Logbook Check #6

• Homework: Revolutions in Russia (Part 1)
• Homework: Revolutions in Russia (Part 2) (Notes for both parts)
• Homework: Totalitarianism Case Study (Notes)
• Life in the USSR Under Stalin
• Homework: Cold War Superpowers (Notes)
• Lenin Questions
• Homework: The Cold War Thaws (Notes)
• Independence Movements in Eastern Europe
• The Battle for Ukraine Notes
• Putin's Way Notes
• Soviet Union Crossword

Today students continued discussing the current relationship between the USA and Russia (or Russia and the rest of the world).

Students watched Putin's Way a Frontline documentary about Russian President Vladimir Putin and took notes on a worksheet.

Finally, students received the Crossword Puzzle study guide for Thursday's test.

Today students continued to learn about current events in Ukraine by watching the short Frontline documentary The Battle for Ukraine.  As they watched students took notes about the 2 sides (those fighting for Ukraine and the Pro-Russian Separatists).

Today students continued their investigation into the end of the Cold War by going over the homework (The Cold War Thaws) and then discussing the current state of former Soviet states.

We read an article about the issues dividing Ukraine.  Next we looked at political cartoons and current events from this region.

Today we continued to review the Cold War by watching a Crash Course video and then we began discussing the end of the Cold War.  Students read about and looked at photographs from independence movements in Eastern Europe.  We discussed the fall of communism in 7 countries and students presented the information, shared the photographs and took notes about each.  If you missed this class you will need to come in and get the notes during tutorial or some other time outside of class.

Welcome back.

Today the class reviewed topics from before Spring Break, read a short article about Vladimir Lenin, and answered 3 questions at the end.

Homework: The Cold War Thaws

Today students reviewed the information from the homework (Cold War Superpowers Face Off) and then went into more depth about many of the Cold War competitions by making a European Cold War Map and Timeline with a partner.  If you missed this activity please come to tutorial, 4th, or 7th period to make it up.

No homework over Spring Break!!!

Today students went over the homework (Totalitarianism Case Study) and the researched more information about the way that Stalin controlled every aspect of people's lives in the USSR.  If you missed this assignment, please come to tutorial, 4th or 7th period to make it up.

Homework: Cold War Superpowers Face Off

Students presented their options for Russia's future, then the class discussed how there wasn't actually a vote, but the Bolshevik Party took control and turned Russia into the Soviet Union, governed by a single (communist) party.

Homework: Totalitarianism Case Study

We started class by going over the last 2 homework assignments (Revolutions in Russia) and discussing the Russian Revolution.

Next students completed a role-play of different political parties arguing over what government Russia should adopt.  Students will present their options and make a decision on Monday.

Students worked on a group assignment exploring 2 aspects of life in Russia leading up to the communist revolution.  They read about Russian peasants (80% of the population) and they looked at Russian geography (focused on the west due to inhospitable climate in the east).  See me to get this work.

Homework: Revolutions in Russia (part 2)

Students were introduced to their new unit (The rise and fall of the Soviet Union) by playing rock-paper-scissors to teach them about the differences between capitalism and communism.

Homework: Revolutions in Russia (Part 1)

Today students took the test over WWII and turned in their logbooks for Check #5.  See the previous post for the list of what's included in this logbook check.

First students finished some loose ends (the atomic bomb decisions and the homework for last week).

Next we looked at artwork inspired by war and students wrote down their impressions of 6 paintings.

Homework: WWII Crossword Puzzle

On Thursday students will take the WWII test, turn in the biggest logbook check of the year, and meet with their counselor for individual forecasting.

Logbook Check #5

• Weimar Republic Reading Questions
• Homework: Fascism Rises in Europe (Notes)
• Homework: Aggressors Invade Nations (Notes) 
• Spain in the 1930s Questions
• Predictions to WWII Events (alternate assignments)
• Homework: Hitler's Lightning War (Notes)
• Dr Seuss Political Cartoon Questions
• WWII Propaganda Posters
• Homework: Japan's Pacific Campaign (Notes)
• WWII in Photographs: Website
• War in the Pacific Timeline
• Homework: Holocaust 
• Resistance to the Holocaust 
• Homework: The Allied Victory
• Atomic Bomb Decisions
• Artwork of War
• WWII Crossword Puzzle

Today students finished their work on the Holocaust and went over the homework (The Allied Victory) discussing the end off WWII in both Europe and the Pacific.

We also discussed and wrote our opinions on the dropping of atomic bombs on Japan.  See me for a copy of this assignment.

Students deepened their understanding of the Holocaust by reading about both its stages and resistance to it.  If you missed this class period, you will need to attend tutorial to make up the assignment.

Homework: The Allied Victory

Students went over the homework (The Holocaust) and received the project for this unit.  Students need to watch a film about WWII and answer 6 questions.  See me if you have questions.

The class discussed the homework (Japan's Pacific Campaign) and did a timeline assignment about the war in the Pacific.  Next, students looked at pictures of WWII and answered questions in their logbooks.

Homework: The Holocaust

The class discussed propaganda and completed a worksheet by looking at multiple examples of Allied propaganda posters from WWII.

Homework: Japan's Pacific Campaign

The class discussed the homework (Hitler's Lightning War) and looked at Dr. Seuss Political Cartoons about the early days of the war.  If you missed class please find political cartoons from WWII and write the following (for each) in your logbook:

What do you see? Describe the cartoon

What does it mean?  What is your interpretation?

What do you think the author’s intent is?  How does the author feel about the event/issue?

Students worked in groups to represent countries effected by Nazi aggression and did an activity predicting responses to WWII events.  If you missed this day please complete the following make-up assignments (part 1, and part 2).

Homework: Hitler's Lightning War

Students discussed the homework (Aggressors Invade Nations) and completed a geography assignment (Spain in the 1930s).

Today we continued looking at events that led up to WWII.  We started by discussing the homework (Fascism Rises in Europe) and going over the popularity and consequences of fascist (and Nazi) movements.

Next students completed a document assignment on Nazi propaganda, looking at 3 documents connected to the first aggressive territorial grab that Hitler made (annexing Austria).

Homework: Aggressors Invade Nations

Today the class discussed the way that WWI ended and set in motion events that would cause WWII.

The class read about life in Germany between the world wars, in the 1920s-30s, ending with the rise of Hitler.  If you missed this lesson, the reading and questions can be done on your own.

Homework: Fascism Rises in Europe

Final Test Day!

Also the last day to turn in work for First Semester.

No homework over the long weekend, but if you're looking for something to do check out the creepy instagram account that one of you (yes, I suspect it is one of my Frosh Academy kids) created documenting my converse collection.  Did I mention that I think it's creepy?

Today the class went over the homework assignment (A Flawed Peace) and discussed the end of the war.  Next students studied for the final exam by completing a WWI Crossword Puzzle, then they organized their logbooks for the check on Thursday.

Logbook Check

• Homework: Marching Toward War (notes)
• Causes of WWI + Map
• WWI Reading Activity
• Homework: Europe Plunges Into War (notes)
• Notes on WWI Propaganda Posters
• Homework: A Global Conflict (notes)
• WWI Photos Assignment
• Homework: A Flawed Peace (notes)
• The Big Four Negotiations
• WWI Crossword Puzzle

Today the class discussed the Paris Peace Conference and simulated the negotiations between the Big Four countries.  If you missed this activity please see me outside of class for an alternative assignment.

Today the class discussed the homework (A Global Conflict).  Then we went to a computer lab and looked at WWI photographs. To complete this assignment follow this link and the instructions below.

Choose 5 photographs from 5 different sections of the website.  Reflect on each photograph by answering the following questions in your logbook:

1. Describe or sketch what you see.  Be descriptive and/or detailed so that it is clear which photograph you are looking at.
2.  2.    Explain what this photograph can teach us about WWI.  Try to connect it with concepts and vocabulary learned in class.
3.  3.    Describe what you think the person or people in the photograph might be thinking or feeling.  What are their emotions and ambitions at this moment in time?  If there are no people in the picture, what do you think the photographer is thinking and feeling?

 Homework: A Flawed Peace

Today I turned the classroom into a really cheap museum of WWI propaganda posters.  Students discussed what propaganda is and looked at a few examples of what it is used for (objectives) and what techniques or tools it uses to be effective.  Next they went around the room looking at the posters, sketching and writing down what objectives and tools they observed.  Follow the links above to complete this assignment on your own if you were absent.

Homework: A Global Conflict

Today students discussed WWI battle field strategies.  We watched a second clip from the film War Horse; this time of trench warfare.  We compared it to the clip we watched on Monday and read about how un-creative and horrible trench warfare could be for soldiers.  Next we began learning about the first Battle of the Somme.  Students saw maps and a long panoramic drawing of the first day of that very costly battle.  Finally students read 3 sources describing the first day of the battle.  They compared and answered the question of which side won.  Follow this link to both the questions and documents.

Students discussed the homework assignment (Europe Plunges Into War) and watched a short clip from the movie War Horse that showed how technology forced changes in battlefield techniques.

Students reviewed the homework (Marching Toward War) and discussed the mostly poor reasons that countries had for entering WWI.

Next students read 2 different styles of literature to give them more information about the way that WWI was fought.  They chose between a novel excerpt, poetry, scientific reports, and biographies.  See me for copies of these if you missed class.

Homework: Europe Plunges Into War

Today students presented six main reasons explaining why World War I began.  Students also took notes on these causes and (on the same worksheet) created a map and timeline of the start of the war.  Students who were absent can easily get this information from the website www.pbs.org/greatwar/maps/.

Homework: Marching Toward War

Welcome back!

Students are starting the new year with a new unit: World War I.  Today we worked in groups planning presentations on the multiple causes of WWI.  Tomorrow the groups present their causes to the whole class.