Socials 10-4: The Métis Move to Resistance

Today we looked at the conditions that led the Métis to begin their resistance to the Canadian government's "incursions" in their territory. We introduced the idea that while the Métis social structure and government was "different" than that of the Europeans, it had a definite and purposeful structure nonetheless. For example, we talked of the importance of the role of the bison hunt captain and how the rules of the hunt were organized to increase the chance of success (for the whole group). We also discussed how punishments in one culture, might seem odd in another. I used the example of contemporary Canadian Forces punishments (specifically a dishonourable release/discharge) as an example of how the Métis tradition of shaming a thief could be seen to have some modern parallels.

Next, we read pp. 158-161 in the text (just the text on the white pages). I asked that you record three bullet points showing things you learned and two questions that you still wonder about. We ended the lesson by watching "If We are Rebels" from The People's History. It introduced us to Louis Riel and the reception the Métis gave to the surveyors, including the "capture" of Fort Garry at the start of the Red River Resistance.

If you have completed today's reading there is no homework.

Socials 8-3: Middle Ages Test Day

Today we wrote the test. I'll try to have it marked for next class. If you missed the test, please arrange to have it done ASAP. There is no homework.

History 12-1: Hitler's Rise to Power

Today I began by asking, "How did Hitler come power?" Many of you had pieces of the answer; thanks for sharing. In the course, it is important to ask these basis questions from time to time in order to discover the holes in our understanding. I spent the next part of the lesson discussing the rise in popularity of the NAZI Party, but also identified key points along the road where different outcomes/decisions may have been made. Certainly, I think we have a better picture of the political spectrum in Germany at the time, and how the Weimar Constitution and the role of the President affected the outcomes.

Next, we looked at a list of ten things that had a part to play in Hitler's rise to power. We noted which ones were indications of (1) NAZI strength, (2) others' weakness, or (3) outside factors. I then asked you to decide which one factor was most important of all. I hope that you get used to doing this kind of critical thinking and pose for your own personal consideration, these kinds of questions when you do your reading. By thinking more deeply (and thus putting less focus on merely recalling "the story") you will come to a more fulsome understanding of the things we examine.

For homework, please read Demarco pp. 96-101 and complete Ex #5. Also, please complete the Falk activity (Ex #9) on anti-Semitism.

History 12-1: Germany in the 1920s

We started by scanning pages 80-84 in DeMarco and then we quickly reviewed the ideas we've already mastered. I next showed some footage from the two putsches in 1920. I also put a sketch of the German political spectrum on the board so we could be introduced to some of the political parties associated with Ex #4-5 on page 87. We saw which parties rose/fell and which ones stayed constant leading up to the Nov. 1932 election. For homework, I asked that you read pp.89-91 and do Ex #6, the Assignment Unit on page 91, and Ex #7. Also, please read pp. 93-95, also in DeMarco.

Socials 10-2: The Métis and the West

Today we started with a discussion of some elements of Métis culture that we learned about in the Gabriel Dumont reading. For example, we talked about how shaming is not a key part of our mainstream Canadian culture, but that it was a serious punishment for the Métis - for example, for theft. Next we read pp151-54 from the text and did a pair/share. After that, I took some of the points you made on the board for later reference. We ended by watching the People's History episode titled "Seven Oaks." There is no homework.

Socials 8-1 and 8-2: Test review

Today we did a test review and I went over the format of the test. If you review these notes and your study guides, you should have no problems doing well. Do some practices where you try to construct the big sketches on pages six-seven; if you can do it in practice, then you'll be able to do it on test day. Also, don't kid yourself: ensure you know what you are going to write on the crusades paragraph. Below are the board notes from the two lessons - they are mostly copies of one another.

History 12-1: Intro to fascism in Germany

Today we debriefed the DeMarco questions from the end of the Italy chapter and then we forced ourselves to condense what we know about the unit in three concise sentences - we then shared our ideas on the board.

Next, I discussed the three putsches that challenges the Weimar Republic from 1919 to 1923. This sets up Hitler's rise to power. Remember, where Mussolini initially succeeds, Hitler fails.

We ended by completing Ex#7 on the Weimar Republic - please have that done for next class.  Enjoy the weekend.