Socials 8-2: Castle design Day 1 of 2

Today we worked on our castle designs/floor plans.  I suggested that multiple views (ex. bird's eye view from above, frontal view from the ground) would give the audience the best understanding of what it is your are creating.  Also, I suggested that you might think of some sort of an "original" defense feature.  I gave an example of a beam that was integrated into the top of the parapet that could be thrust out to thwart attackers using siege ladders.  I've planned to have one more class to work on these sketches.

Here is a good website on castle designs: CASTLES

History 12-2/12-3: Yippee - our last class!

Today we completed the review of the "A" test - link on previous post.  If you want the "B" test (and key) here is the link: "B" exam


After we finished the exam, we looked at how building timelines can help us study - don't just read your notes; challenge yourself - be active:

Remember the test is Wednesday, in Room 123, at 09:00.  See me before then if you need help or have questions.

Socials 8-1/8-3: Castles video/choosing a building site

This is a re-print from the other class's post but it mirrors our class today:

Today we started by sharing some of our viewing observations/notes from the Castles video we started last class.  Then we finished the video and shared some more observations.  Afterwords, we summarized some of the key considerations that would have to be acknowledged if we were going to build our own castle.  Here are our notes:

Next, I gave a quick tutorial on Google Earth (before we realized that the laptops don't have Google Earth loaded on them).  So, we switched to Google Maps.  In pairs, I asked that students use the rest of the class to research a location (in Canada) and to print a copy of the map.  You should be able to tell what it is about the location that you found that suggests it would be a good place for a castle to be built (remember their should be a strategic reason as well as the need to meet the type of considerations we came up with under the heading "Site" on the board notes).

Please come to class on Monday with a copy of the map showing your castle's proposed location.  We will use Monday's class to design the castles.  Enjoy your weekend.

Hist 12-2/12-3: Course Review Day One (of two)

Practice exam: Test A

History 12-2/12-3: USA Civil Rights

Today we started by working on Falk's Ex #3 (p. 215-18 in the workbook).  Then I showed some segments from the JFK documentary (specifically outlining the discrimination/segregation that existed in 1960, the 1962 controversy over James Meredith at "Ole Miss" University, and the 1963 March on Washington).  The suggestion was that JFK's record on change was not as remarkable as is often reported.  We discussed the political reality in a democracy whereby leaders sometimes must balance their desire to create change and their need to be reelected.  I also issued a study guide/cheat sheet to outline the "must-know" events connected to this topic.  Everyone should listen to Martin Luther King Jr.s' "I Have a Dream" (short version).

It is important to remember that while the course content ends with the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, many of the topics we study could/should go beyond that.  In the case of civil rights, we would be well-served to examine events like the Rodney King assault by LAPD officers in 1984 and more recently the topic of gay marriage (Defense of Marriage Act) as well as a host of others.  Occasionally there are high profile examples of lynchings to this day: Byrd Murder, 1998

Here is a PPT that introduces today's lesson that I choose not to use today: Intro to Civil Rights

We ended by debriefing the DeMarco reading.  Tomorrow is the last day to hand in any outstanding work.  It is also when we will begin out two-day course review.  It would be best for everyone to be there.  

Socials 8-2: Castle Design Project: Day 1

Today we started by sharing some of our viewing observations/notes from the Castles video we started last class.  Then we finished the video and shared some more observations.  Afterwords, we summarized some of the key considerations that would have to be acknowledged if we were going to build our own castle.  Here are our notes:

Next, I gave a quick tutorial on Google Earth (before we realized that the laptops don't have Google Earth loaded on them).  So, we switched to Google Maps.  In pairs, I asked that students use the rest of the class to research a location (in Canada) and to print a copy of the map.  You should be able to tell what it is about the location that you found that suggests it would be a good place for a castle to be built (remember their should be a strategic reason as well as the need to meet the type of considerations we came up with under the heading "Site" on the board notes).

Please come to class on Monday with a copy of the map showing your castle's proposed location.  We will use Monday's class to design the castles.  Enjoy your weekend.

Socials 8-1/8-3: Castles paragraph, reading and "Beliefs" study guide

Today we began by completing the castles paragraph that we started last class.  Next, we read pp 50-53 in the text (there were no questions to go with that).  Finally, we completed the "Beliefs and Devotion" study guide (that included the Celtic art piece).  If you were unable to do so in class, please finish all for homework.  If you didn't finish the Celtic art, you can leave that to do later when you have some free class time.

History 12-2/12-3 Command Economies

Today we discussed the nature of command economies and the role of coercion and monitoring in keeping one going in the USSR.  We also debriefed Ex 21 and I gave some time for Ex 23.  Finally, we had a brief presentation on the Soviet-Afghan War and I noted that this was a real blemish on the USSR and can be argued as a key piece in the beginning of the end for the Soviet empire.

Please ensure you read pp 199-206 in DeMarco in order to be prepared for tomorrow's lesson on the US civil rights movement.  

Also, note that Thursday is the deadline for any missing work (that includes WW2 presentations and Vietnam photo montage assignments).  If you want marks you must get it in before I go home.

History 12-2/12-3: Collapse of the Eastern Block, Part 1

Today we began with a review/overview of some of the key events in Russia/USSR in the 20th century.  It was a good way to remind us that in a few lessons we will be doing a whole-course review in preparation for the final exam that occurs next Wednesday.  I know it seems a long time ago that we discussed Father Gapon, Trotsky, Lenin and the gang, but we have to shake off the cobwebs.  Next, I showed a newscast from 1991 reporting the coup in the USSR.  I tried to give you a sense of just how much the world seemed to have changed with the glasnost and perestroika that Gorbachev had introduced, and then suddenly (?) we were struck with an event that threatened to thrust the Soviets into another civl war.

Afterward we had a whirlwind PPT discussion on the collapse of the USSR, DDR, Poland and Czechoslovakia.  The main thing for you to remember is that as soon as Gorbachev was no longer willing to use coercion and force behind the Iron Curtain (that is, once he abandoned the Brezhnev Doctrine) the whole structure of the Eastern Block soon toppled.  See the Slideshare PPT link to access the notes: PowerPoint

Please complete Falk's Ex # 21 and 23 for homework.  Many of you failed to get your Vietnam photo montages in for marking today: the pace is going to increase to a crescendo this week, so hurry up before it's too late.

Tomorrow's reading on the USA civil rights movement will be pp 199-205 in DeMarco: you may wish to get started.

Socials 8-2: "Devotion" exercise and "Castle" video

Today we tidied up our work on the Devotion and Beliefs study guide that included the celtic art sheet. Next, we started the "Castles" video.  Students were asked to listen carefully and notes what they thought were the key points or significant new learnings to share later.  Here is the link to the video: "Castles" (we watched the first 37 of 56 minutes).

Please ensure that you complete the "Devotion and Beliefs" exercise sheet for homework if you were unable to do so in class.

SS 8-2: Castle Paragraph, Society and Beliefs readings

Today we had an individualized day.  Students worked their way through a number of activities:

1.  Complete the "Castles" paragraph (from notes taken last class - about eight sentences in length)
2.  Read pp. 50-54 (comparing the lives of commoners and nobles - no questions)
3.  Complete the study guide for pp. 54-56 (examining Christianity and beliefs; including Celtic art)

Please ensure you come to class with at least 1 and 2 completed (it would be best if all parts were done).

I have spoken to all students about missing work and e-mailed a pre-report card home to every family that provided the school with a current e-mail address.  If you did not receive a report, please contact me if you'd like one: jmarshall@sd46.bc.ca / 604-885-2004

History 12-3/12-2: Detente Lesson

I have spoken to all students about missing work and e-mailed a pre-report card home to every family that provided the school with a current e-mail address.  If you did not receive a report, please contact me if you'd like one: jmarshall@sd46.bc.ca / 604-885-2004

You should have a sense of the timeline and what each "treaty" meant.

Today we discussed the PPT on detente.  We also copied a timeline and did Falk's Ex 17-18.  You may like to read pp. 199-205 in DeMarco.  Next week is going to be busy and that is the reading for the study of USA civil rights in the 50s and 60s.  Here are some notes from today:

History 12-3/12-2: Vietnam Photo Assignment

Remember there is a tutorial today at lunch for

• Grayson
• Kevin
• Morgan
• Cassandra Nichi
• Hannah
• Tierra

and anyone else who is writing tomorrow's re-write


Today we used the whole block to complete our photo montage assignments.  These are due Monday, but we will not have any more class time to work on them.

I suggested that students first create a list of key "ideas/facts/characteristics" about the 1945-1975 war, then research each photo one at a time.  Find a photo, write a short "what/so-what" paragraph (with citation/URL for photo), then find the next photo, write a paragraph, then find a photo, and so on.

DO NOT SPEND ALL OF YOUR TIME FISHING FOR PHOTOS ON GOOGLE - IT CAN BE FUN BUT MAY ALSO BE FRUITLESS.  (OOH, NICE ALLITERATION, MR. M.)

Tomorrow at 3:05 we will have the China test re-write.

Socials 8-3/8-1: Castles quiz and paragraph

Today we began with a quiz on castles and then took some notes on the same.  I asked students to add to the "board notes" with a few of their own (from the castles worksheets we used last class).  Next, we reviewed the strategies for writing a paragraph.  Finally, we spent the last bit of class time writing.  The paragraph is not for homework.

Before students left,  informed them of their current grade.  Anyone from any of the three classes wishing to rewrite the Castles Quiz may do so on Friday at 3:05 p.m.

Socials 8: Castle quiz and paragraph prep

Today I gave students their current term mark and asked those who are still missing work to get it in ASAP - report cards are coming.

Next, we did the castle test - I shared the marks by the end of the class.

We also took some notes about castles and then added some other notes from our study package.  Finally, we started to write a paragraph about castles from today's notes.  This is not homework - we'll finish next black.

History 12-3/12-2 Vietnam #1

Today I gave out a Southeast Asia Map activity that both reviewed some of the key places and dates in the region from other units we've studied, and introduced some new ones.  Next, we had a discussion (although I did most of the talking) around the French and US experiences in Vietnam after the Second World War.  Here is the concluding slide:

I also asked that you complete the Falk Vietnam exercise sheet and that you start to think about what images you might like to use in tomorrow's photo montage activity.  Come to class early to get the best computer!  Actually, all of the computers are the same, but you should come early to get as much time as possible - we only have one class block to finish.

There are a few students who either missed last week's test OR are hovering above or below the 50% mark for Term Two.
Tomorrow at lunch I'll be holding a "required" tutorial to prep for Friday's China retest for the following students:

Grayson
Kevin
Morgan
Cassandra
Nichi
Hannah
+ anyone else who'd like to rewrite

The retest will be FRIDAY at 3:10 p.m.

History 12-3/12-2 Middle East Day 2

Today we began by reviewing the four Arab-Israeli wars from 1948-1973.  I gave some additional notes to the study guide.  Next, we debriefed DeMarco and then did the map activity.  We closed with some documentary footage of the Six-Day War in 1967.  Tomorrow we'll close the Middle East by looking at the peace initiatives and then start Vietnam.

Pay attention to the "results" section
of each slide.

Socials 8-3/8-1 Castles

Today's class followed the same routine as yesterday's class.  Please see that summary.  Remember that we'll have a "name the parts of a castle" quiz on Thursday.  Please finish the study guides for homework if you were unable to complete them in class.

History 12: Mid East: Lesson 1

Today I returned the China tests and we debriefed them.  Next, I finished the Middle East PPT lesson from earlier in the year.  We spent a bit of time reconnecting with the geography of the region.  I also issued a study guide to compare the four wars from 1949-73.  Please do that and complete the reading of DeMarco (pp. 247-252).  Tomorrow we'll review both.  I also plan to show you a bit of video about the Six-Day War.  On Wednesday we'll look at Vietnam and on Thursday I've booked the computers for a Vietnam assignment.

Socials 8-2: Society and Castles

Today we looked at dividing different classes/occupations in society into three classes: commoners, noble people and church people.  We also looked at some positives and negatives of the life of a serf.  We ended by labelling the parts of a castle and then taking those parts (and other items) and deciding whether they were offensive in nature or defensive.

Please complete those sheets if you were unable to do so in class. On Wednesday we will have a quiz on the parts of a castle so please practice.

Be ready to identify some of these parts on a quiz next class (matching)

Socials 8-2: Map of Europe and the Manor map

Today we worked to complete a map of Europe showing some of the major geographic regions and also the climatic regions.  We also created an illustration of a manor farm.  If you were unable to finish in class, please have those two done for Monday's class.  Enjoy your weekend!

There are still a few posters and sketchnotes overdue.

History 12-2/12-3 China Test

Today we wrote the China test.  As people finished, I asked them to read pp. 288-294 in the old Howarth text.  I appreciate that this week has been a hard slog, so only a few pages of DeMarco (242-246, Ex 1-3) for the weekend.  We're almost there: thanks for all of your hard work.

History 12-2/12-3 Last lesson on China/test review

Today's was a packed lesson and I'm sorry for that!

We began by debriefing the Cold War test you wrote before the winter break.  I have by necessity, changed my policy on test writing times.  From now on, we'll write on Friday and I'll return on the following Monday.  Then we'll have a tutorial on Thursday for students who wish to have a re-write the next day.  This way, students who are regularly attending will have the benefit of getting feedback in a timely fashion and the ability to re-write in a timely fashion.  If you miss the first sitting of a test, you will miss the chance of doing a re-write.  Students who miss the test will be allowed to sit in the debrief but they will write their one and only test with those who are writing the re-write.

Only one student came to today's tutorial and so only one will be able to write tomorrow's Cold War re-test.

Next we tidied up the China unit and did a review at the same time.  I created a pair of timelines: they will both be on the unit test.

Click to enlarge

I also reviewed Ex 13 and we reviewed Ex 13 from Falk.  Please add your vocab terms to yesterday's Google doc (on yesterday's blog post).  I also reviewed the paragraph shown on yesterday's post.  We looked at a map of post-1949 China and noted some of the conflict that has occurred with China's neighbours.

With regards to the development of large agricultural communes that characterized Chinese farming after the Great Leap Forward, here is a graphic:

Remember to review the 6-page essay we read (with the marginal notes)  Pay particular attention to pages 4 and 6.  The "source" paragraph question will relate to one of the six items that are in boxes on the timeline (shhhh - don't tell anyone).

Good luck - the course is almost over - keep pushing yourselves.

Socials 8-1/8-3 William the Conqueror

Since today's lesson worked the same as yesterday's group's, I've just copied the post below:

Today we read pages 44-47 and completed a study guide.  Remember that the feudal contract has the 3-Fs: fief, fealty, and faith.  Also, remember that 90% of the population were either freeholders or serfs.  We also watched the Horrible History episode on William the Conqueror.  Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IASf8QzOFJo

Please complete the study guide for homework.

Also, please ensure any missing posters of sketchnotes are in by Friday at the latest.

History 12-2/12-3 China - Day 3 - Great Leap Forward

Today we began by reading the second half of Chapter 15 in DeMarco.  You should create some notes for yourself for Ex 6-10.  If you were unable to finish in class, please do so at home.  Next, we reviewed the seven questions I gave yesterday from pp 177-179 in Falk.  Here are some notes:

Next, I asked that you each take one term from the unit vocab list on p.156 of Falk (# 44-57) and develop a what/so-what response.  Please post your statements on the google doc.

We concluded by watching a few short clips, one on The Great Leap Forward (be happy you are not a sparrow) and one on the Cultural Revolution.

Please complete Ex 13 (pp. 179-182) from Falk before tomorrow's class.

Tomorrow we'll wrap up and do a quick review for Friday's test.
See yesterday's post for DEADLINES this week.

Here are some notes for tomorrow:

Socials 8-2 William the Conqueror/intro to feudalism

Today we read pages 44-47 and completed a study guide.  Remember that the feudal contract has the 3-Fs: fief, fealty, and faith.  Also, remember that 90% of the population were either freeholders or serfs.  We also watch the Horrible History episode on William the Conqueror.  Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IASf8QzOFJo

Please complete the study guide for homework.

Also, please ensure any missing posters of sketchnotes are in by Friday at the latest.

Social 8-1/8-3: Bayeux Tapestry

This is a re-post from yesterday's post but with a current photo.

Welcome back; today I returned the sketchnotes that I marked over the vacation.  I was very pleased with the quality of your work.  I asked students to respond to my comments on their rubrics.  This is an important step in the self evaluation process.  Below is a list of students who are missing one or both of the recent assignments.  I need them in!

Social 8 missing assignments:
left column = Saxons poster,
right column = Vikings sketchnote

Next, we read about the Bayeux Tapestry and watched this video: Bayeux Tapestry video.  The video was completed by a 21-year-old as a media assignment for school.  We ended by writing responses to Questions #2-4 on Page 42 of the text.  Please have those completed for next class.

History 12-2/12-3 China - Day 2

Please note the dates/deadlines at the bottom of this post.

Today we read a 6-page essay about Mao and the way he effected revolution in China.  We took note of the role of the peasants and the differences between the way the revolution evolved in China compared to what we know happened in Russia after the Bolsheviks took over.  We also watched the video on Mao that goes with the Ex 12 study guide.  Finally, I gave some questions for home study.  Here they are:

Please complete these before tomorrow 's class

Don't forget that the China unit test is on Friday, 10 Jan.  I will also hold a Cold War re-test tutorial on Thursday at 3:10.  People who attend the tutorial may re-write (the next day) on Friday at 3:10.  

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT FRIDAY (BEFORE 12:40) IS ALSO THE DEADLINE TO PRESENT YOUR SECOND WORLD WAR PRESENTATIONS TO ME. The course deadline is looming and I can no longer allow extensions.  

History 12-2/12-3 China, Lesson One

Today we opened by reading DeMarco and debriefing Ex 1 from Chapter 15.  Please ensure you read far enough to answer Ex 2-5, for homework.  I also went over the Manchuria map and we filled in some key ideas.  You should have realized that what Japan needed economically, Manchuria seemed to offer.  I also reviewed the Japan/China graphic organizer and asked you to add some key ideas to the Japan column.  Specifically, you should have noted that while Japan proved that she was a player after the Russo-Japanese War, and after she sided with the victors in the First World War, the 1921 Treaty of Washington (naval disarmament treaty) marginalized her behind the USA and the UK - ouch!

I also skimmed over the four-page summary that covers Sun Yat Sen, Chiang Kai-Shek and Mao Tse Tung.  I'm not assigning the questions, but I created it as a means to summarize the key points about each leader and so I suggest to take time to read it.  Thus, it is there to help you, not to add work.

Key words for the Manchuria map

Notes for the graphic organizer

Tuesday at 3pm: Second World War AND Cold War test 

for those who writing before the break:

WW2: Adrianna, Summer and Ronan

Cold War: Tierra, Celena, Sidney, Kevin (Summer to write later)

Heads up: Friday we will write the China unit test.

SS 8-2 Bayeux Tapestry

Welcome back; today I returned the sketchnotes that I marked over the vacation.  I was very pleased with the quality of your work.  I asked students to respond to my comments on their rubrics.  This is an important step in the self evaluation process.  Below is a list of students who are missing one or both of the recent assignments.  I need them in!

Social 8 missing assignments:
left column = Saxons poster,
right column = Vikings sketchnote

Next,we read about the Bayeux Tapestry and watched this video: Bayeux Tapestry video.  The video was completed by a 21-year-old as a media assignment for school.  We ended by writing responses to Questions #2-4 on Page 42 of the text.  Please have those completed for next class.