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.

Today students watched a documentary about the life of Nelson Mandela.  As they watched, they also took notes in their logbook.  The video can be viewed for free on YouTube.

Next students did a self and peer logbook check.  They turned in their scores and took their logbooks home with them.

Logbook Check #3:

• Homework: The Scramble for Africa (Notes) 
• Homework: Imperialism Case Study (Notes)
• Resistance to Colonialism
• "Pink Cheeks" Questions
• Laguna Interior Monologues (Alternate Assignment)
• Homework: New Nations in Africa (Notes)
• Homework: The Challenge of Democracy in Africa (Notes)
• Nelson Mandela (Bio & Speech) Questions 
• Analyzing 3 Types of Nigerian Art 
• Africa Crossword Puzzle
• Nelson Mandela Documentary Notes

Finally students received the take-home test over the Africa unit. 

Today students discussed Nelson Mandela and his legacy in South Africa.

Next they completed an art history lesson about 3 types of African Art, Urban, Traditional, and International.  Students who missed the lesson can use the slides to finish the assignment.

Homework: Africa Crossword Puzzle
Logbook check on Thursday!