Socials 10-2/10-4: West Coast Logging Legacy (video link)

To access the video, use this LINK.

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History 12-1: Finishing China and Test Prep

To access the vocabulary terms Google doc use this LINK.

History 12-1: Intro to post-war China

Please read DeMarco pp. 190-195 and do Ex # 8-10 in preparation for tomorrow's lesson.

Socials 10-2/10-4: The Chinese in BC

This week in Socials 10 we looked at the People's History episode titled "Gold Mountain" as a means to start a discussion about the Chinese experience in BC. We saw just how much racism existed towards Asians in this province. It was BC who petitioned the Canadian government to impose the ever-increasing Head Tax as a way to stem the tide of Chinese immigrants after the initial influx of miners and the later influx of CPR workers. We also discussed immigration in general and the nature of the evolving demography here in BC. There is no homework.

Students are always shocked that a company would
produce a machine and give it such a "racist" name.

Socials 8-3: The Reformation Day 3

Today we worked to complete the work on the Reformation. I gave a short lesson on the rules for capitalization since correcting Grade 8 punctuation is a full-time job these days. Proper nouns seem to be the biggest problem, so please take care when answering your questions. Thursday will be a day to summarize the Reformation (I have a bullet sheet available) and that will complete the set portion of the course. I have booked the laptops for the last two weeks to allow you to inquire into any topic we've studied in more detail. After Thursday, there are only four blocks of Socials 8 left! (boo hoo).

History 12-1: The Middle East - cont.

Well, since you folks said that you are not using the blog, I've decided to slack off keeping it up to date. On Friday we watched the documentary on the Six-Day War and there was no homework. Yesterday most of the class was present in spite of it being grad skip day - thank you. We did a practice map test and collaborated to complete the study guide that summarized the Arab-Israeli wars of the 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s. Here is the summary:

 Today we had a map quiz - this one didn't count but the next one might. After that we looked at the maps from the handout package I issued earlier and we discussed what extra info they offer to the story. Next, we had a quick introduction to creating tables in Microsoft Excel so that we could build a "chart" (graph) of the data. After a bit of practice, created more detailed graphs of the price of oil in the period under consideration. Finally, we took the graphs and imported them to a Word document and then adjusted the format and added some commentary: this is all good practice for those of you planning to attend post-secondary school (a picture is sometimes worth a ...). Using graphics you compose is often faster than trying to find the perfect one via the Internet. There's no homework other than to finish the Word doc.

Learning to navigate Excel

The finished product

History 12-1: Intro to Post WW2 Middle East

Today we started by trying to build a map of the region from memory - expect a quiz soon. Next, we worked through the second half of the PPT on the Mid east (thank we started last semester). We outlined the four main Arab-Israeli conflicts (wars) and spoke generally about the kind of security issues that are a part of everyday life in this region. For homework, I asked that you compete Falk Ex #6 The Creation of Israel.

Tomorrow I will give you all a break since your brains are mush and all many of you are thinking about Saturday's prom: we'll watch the Six-Day War doc and I promise not to give any homework!

Socials 8-3: The Catholic Counter-Reformation

Please see yesterday's SS 8-1/8-2 post. Please come to Tuesday's class with the Counter-Reformation work complete. Also, those of you who are still missing the Renaissance sketch need to get on it - time os running out.

Socials 10-4: BC History

Please see yesterday's Socials 10-2 post. There is no homework unless you have old work still outstanding.

History 12-1: Vietnam (Day 2 of 2)

Today we started by more closely examining the effects the war had on American society. We discussed the counter-culture, the power of t.v., the role of youth and the social liberalism that challenged "the Man." I also tried to demonstrate the effect the war had on future US military engagements: some lessons were learned, and it would seem some were not. We next synthesized our learning by answering Falk Ex #1 (please finish it before you come to Thursday's class). We closed the block by debriefing the DeMarco exercises. Tomorrow we will shift our geographic coordinates and jump into the Middle East.

NOTE: see yesterday's post for some of the key slides from today's discussion.

Socials 10-2: BC society game board

The "solution"

Today we began by piecing together a puzzle with 24 statements about 8 topics associated with the early growth of BC. Next, we read two pages from the Falk handbook (pp.73-74) in order to identify some of the factors that were promoting/challenging the growth of the new colony. We also spoke specifically about the economic forces that were putting the province "in the black" and "in the red." There is no homework unless your sketchnote and/or paragraphs are overdue.

Socials 8-3: The Reformation intro and Martin Luther

We started the block with me sharing the results from the Explorers unit test. I also gave overall term grades and advised people of any missing work. The most common deficiency is the Renaissance sketchnote. Please get missing work in ASAP.

Today we worked on the first study guide in the Reformation set. I spoke briefly about indulgences and how offensive they were for many Christians. We also spoke about the relationship between power and money. This helps to explain why the Church acted the way it did.

Please ensure you finish today's work before you arrive to the next class (on Friday).

Socials 8-1,8-2: Ocean Exploration quiz and intro to the Reformation

On Monday we wrote the quiz and then did a review of the history topics we've done so far in the course. We created a timeline and then put SS8 in context with SS7 and the courses that come next. Next, as an introduction to the Reformation, we reminded ourselves of the East/West split in the empire during Roman times. We also reconnected to some of our previous learning from the crusades and then I used a story where I would sell "A"s for $50 as a way to introduce some of the practices of the Catholic Church as a way to understand how a religious protest movement might be started.

There is no homework.

Socials 10-2/10-4: Work periods to complete "early BC history sketchnotes"

Monday and Tuesday's classes were given as work blocks to compose the sketchnotes.
The sketches are due next class.

History 12-1: Vietnam War(s)

On Monday we wrote the Cold War unit test and today we discussed the Vietnam War - a conflict once described as the "10,000 Day War." We used a map graphic to pinpoint the countries in the SE Asia region. Note: I misspoke and noted Bhutan was Tibet - Tibet is Bhutan's much larger northern neighbour (first mistake of the year).

It is helpful to think of the war in phases: (1) Japanese occupation, (2) French attempts at recolonization, (3) American advisors prior to Gulf of Tonkin, (4) full-scale war after Tonkin, (5) Nixon's Vietnamization and pull-out and finally, (6) the "fall" of the South.

Please read DeMarco starting at p 214 and complete Ex #1-5 for homework. Here are some notes from today's lesson:

History 12-1: Cold War test prep

Hmm, lots of people away for the two days I was out of the room.

Today we started with a quiz (don't forget Op. ORTSAC). Next, we debriefed the DeMarco exercises for the Cuban Crisis. I went over the format for the test and we watched (for the first time - there will be others - Billy Joel's History 12 anthem). We ended by discussing some of the possible topics for the cartoon interpretation question on Monday's test and then, by accident, the test appeared on the board for a brief moment - I hate when that happens.

Enjoy the weekend.

Socials 10-2: Research for Early BC history sketchnote (Day 2 of 2)

Today we used computers for the second day to dig into the BC gold rush and other salient facts so we can create our sketchnote next class (Monday).

I spoke with a number of students who are missing one or both of the paragraphs that are way past due. Please live up to your promises and have them in on Monday.

Socials 8-1 and 8-2: Test prep

Today we started by creating an ending to this prompt:

"The Age of Exploration was..."

This forced us to synthesize all of our learning into a concise single idea. I suggest this is a difficult but useful exercise to test your understanding in any topic you study in the humanities (courses such as English and Socials).

Next, we watched a short clip on Barthalomew Dias and reminded ourselves about the technology and innovation involved in the construction and sailing of a caravel. We then watched two short videos that showed the ocean paths of trade ships and whaling ships in the 1700s and 1800s. We noted that winds and currents helped determine the seasonal trade routes.

On Monday you will have your test:

Page One 
1) Match ten terms to their sentences, and 
2) Fill in the blanks for five sentences.

Pages Two-Three 
Answer ten multiple choice questions.

Socials 8 Ship Documentary

To access the video for Wednesday, May 20 and Thursday, May 21 use this LINK. (it may start mid-video; draw it back to the start).

History 12-1: Khrushchev and and McCarthy

Today we began by debriefing the Falk exercise from yesterday on Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia. Next, we used a PPT on Khrushchev to expand our learning and introduce ourselves to the idea of "peaceful co-existence." We then used Herb Block's political cartoons to examine the McCarthy era while honing our analysis skills. We ended the class by reading a translation of an East German article from 1962 identifying the reasons why the Berlin Wall was a good and necessary thing. I asked students to write a short summary statement to condense each argument. We will discuss the Wall and the Cuban crisis tomorrow. In order to synthesize your understanding of the Red Scare, please read DeMarco pp. 196-9 and do Ex #1 for homework.

Socials 10-4: BC summary research Day 1 of 2

Today half of the class was away at the PNE. Those who attended used their time to compile information on the gold mining activities around the Fraser River and the Cariboo. We will have two more classes for this activity - one for research and one to compose the sketchnote.

Socials 8-3: Last work period for the exploration unit

Today we worked to get all of our study guides checked off. As folks completed all of their work, they began to get started on some extra-credit research using the computers. I gave a choice in the method of showing their learning: paragraph, sketch of bullet notes. Thanks for a great class.

Next class is a test review period and the test will be one week today, on Thursday, 21 May.

To see a good documentary on privateers that gives good insight into the ships and navigation in the era we are studying, use this LINK.

Socials 10-4: Gold mining

Today we had our second lesson on early BC history. In the end, I want you to be able to create a sketchnote about early BC.

Last year's sketch

Today's sketch

Our focus this afternoon was the gold rush(es). We started by looking at a photo of early Barkerville (p. 222 of the text) to draw conclusions about planning, need and use. We then learned some basics about traditional gold mining equipment including the pan, rocker box, sluice box and Cornish wheel. Next we saw a short clip showing a modern variant of the traditional sluice box (individuals are still prospecting in BC on small scale operations just like they did in the past). We then watched a segment with BC mining history legend Bill Barlee who explained the principles involved in placer mining (I created a sketchnote to help you curate the facts). We ended with some computer research time - links to key sites are found HERE - in order to be able to create a sketchnote at a later date. We will use Thursday's class to complete our research and Tuesday's class to draw the sketch.

History 12-1: Reviewing the big ideas in the Cold War/analyzing the NATO treaty and Warsaw Pact treaty

Today we began by labelling a map from the Korean War era (1950-53) and then completing a fill-in-the-blank activity to review the BIG ideas from the start of the Cold War (at least as far as understanding some of the catalysts and the responses). We spent most of the class in small groups using a list of focus questions to dissect the treaties of NATO and The Warsaw Pact. Tomorrow I will be out of the class but I will have some activities that you can complete independently. There is no specific reading for tonight, but if you will be busy later in the week, you may choose to get started reading Chapter 13 from DeMarco.

Socials 8-3: Finishing the ocean exploration series

Today was the last block of class time to work of on the ocean exploration series. Many students have finished all five activities and engaged in some extra-credit work. Next class we will have a review of all concepts in this unit and on Tuesday, next week, we will have a short unit test. If you have outstanding work, you should try to get it done before next class.

Socials 10-2/10-4 Gold Mining Research

We will use these (and other) sites to research the BC gold rush. Our goal is to create a sketchnote to show our thinking/learning.

1. http://www.bcarchives.gov.bc.ca/exhibits/timemach/galler04/frames/main.htm

2. http://gold.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca

3. http://www.canadahistoryproject.ca/1871/1871-05-gold-rush.html

4. http://www.cariboogoldrush.com/contents.htm

5. http://www.barkerville.ca

6. http://opentextbc.ca/geography/chapter/5-4-case-studies/

Socials 8-1 and 8-2: The Explorers

Today we took some time at the beginning of class to regroup. I made it clear who still has not handed in his or her sketchnote as well as identifying which (if any) study guides are missing. Most students were working on the Spanish and the Portuguese, or The Explorers by the end of class. You should all be finished the Spanish and the Portuguese before Wednesday's class.

SS10-4: Intro to BC history

Today I gave a short lesson to set the scene as we move our focus to the west coast. We looked at the geography of the region as well as some of the geopolitical (imperialistic) forces at work. I spoke of "Manifest Destiny" and the risk from the influx of US citizens in the colony after gold was discovered on the Fraser River. We then met in groups of four to consider the situation faced by Governor James Douglas as he "welcomed" thousands of gold-hungry miners into the region. I was pleased with the quality of your deliberations. We spent the last part of class sharing our ideas and I fleshed out the role of Colonel RC Moody and his Royal Engineers, both in the creation of the Cariboo Road and the surveying of the new capital at New Westminster. There is no homework.

History 12-1: Summary of the intro to the Cold War and the Korean War

Today we began by debriefing Chapter 13 in DeMarco - specifically Ex 3-6. We also reviewed Friday's lesson by debriefing Falk's Ex# 3. By now you should have a strong understanding of the three-pronged USA foreign policy: Truman Doctrine, Marshall Plan, NSC 68 (including NATO).

Next, we watched the BBC's 20th Century History episode titled "Cold War Confrontation" to summarize all that we have learned about the Cold War to date. The second half of the video discussed the Korean War: when it finished we shared "bullet notes" and then used a PPT to deepen the discussion. I asked that you compete Falk's Ex #5 on the Korean War for homework.

Remember that the UN Security Council only
ratified Resolution 68 because the USSR was not
present for the vote (they were boycotting the Council
because the "wrong" China was sitting in the Security Council

The "war" is still technically not resolved
(only an armistice has been signed)

History 12-1: Intro to the Cold War

Today we had an intro to the Cold War by discussing the key vocabulary terms and then some of the opening events. You should already have read Chapter 13 in DeMarco (and done Ex 3-4). Today I added Ex #3 from Falk (it reviews the big events we discussed today). There is no other reading, enjoy the sun.

Lots of new terms

Greece is the catalyst for the Truman Doctrine

NATO partners get aid (Stalin blocked offers
of US aid in his sphere)

Catalyst for the Berlin blockade

Ah, good ol' propaganda: we can't ignore the reach of the USA

Three steps: Brussels, NATO, NSC #68