Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Students watched a documentary about the influence of the Medici family on the Italian Renaissance (Banking, Credit, Patronage, and Art). Students were asked to pay attention to the facts dealing with the ideas of Patronage (Political and Social implications) plus the impact of their relationship to the Roman Catholic Church. Tomorrow...there will be a Warm-Up question dealing with the ideas raised in the film (review the textbook for additional information).

WH Honors Homework: Review the Medici in Chapter 6 and continue with Unit 3 Vocabulary

WH Homework: Review the Medici in Chapter 6 and continue with Unit 3 Vocabulary

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

The instructor introduced the lecture notes and PowerPoint dealing with the Renaissance, Reformation and Enlightenement Thought. Students learned about the impact of the "rebirth" in classical literature, thought and art and its impact on society.

WH Honors Homework: Continue reading in the textbook (Chapters 6, 7 and 8) and continue with Vocabulary for Unit 3.

WH Homework: Continue reading in the textbook (Chapters 6, 7 and 8) and continue with Vocabulary for Unit 3.

Monday, September 28, 2009

Students were introduced to information in Unit 3 and given an opportunity to work on Unit 3 Vocabulary and the background information dealing with the philosophy of the "Renaissance Man" and "Renaissance Woman" using excerpts from Baldassarre Castiglione and Isabella D-Este from the Renaissance.

WH Honors Homework: Finish the Renaissance Man-Renaissance Woman worksheet and begin reading in Chapters 6, 7 and 8 (while working on your Vocabulary development).

WH Homework: Finish the Renaissance Man-Renaissance Woman worksheet and begin reading in Chapters 6, 7, and 8 (while working on your Vocabulary development).

Friday, September 25, 2009

UNIT 2 EXAM TODAY on the ROOTS OF WESTERN THOUGHT (Prologue Chapter)...Unit 2 Studu Guide will be collected as part of the Unit 2 Notebook grade next Friday (October 2, 2009). Begin to assemble your Unit 2 Materials for collection.

WH Honors Homework: Begin chapter reading in Modern World History for Unit 3 (Chapters 6, 7, and 8) over the Renaissance, Reformation and Enlightenment. HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND!

WH Homework: Begin chapter reading in Modern World History for Unit 3 (Chapters 6, 7 and 8) over the Renaissance, Reformation and Enlightenment. HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND!

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Today in class, students were given 30 additional minutes to Peer-Peer review for tomorrow's exams on Unit 2 (The Roots of Western Thought). Following the Peer-Peer review session, the instructor spent 20 minutes dealing with questions about the Study Guide for the exam. Tomorrow's exam will feature 8-10 Matching over Vocabulary and Key Figures plus an additional 12-14 multiple-choice questions.

WH Honors Homework: Review Study Guide and Primary Source Documents to prepare for tomorrow's Unit 2 Exam.

WH Homework: Review Study Guide and Primary Source Documents (and Unit Notes) to prepare for tomorrow's Unit 2 Exam

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Today, the students were introduced to the Primary Source reading on the Magna Carta (Great Charter) of 1215. Students were asked to read the excerpt from the original document and answer some probing critical thinking questions on its impact on Western Thought (Constitutional Monarchy and Limiting Absolute Power). Following the Magna Carta activity, students were given a Peer-to-Peer opportunity to work on their Unit 2 Exam Study Guide.

WH Honors Homework: Complete Unit 2 Exam Study Guide and begin final review for Friday's Exam.

WH Homework: Complete Unit 2 Exam Study Guide and begin final review for Friday's Exam.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Today, the students started the period answering the following Warm-Up question from their Prologue Readings: What did the early Judeo-Christian prophets teach about injustice and oppression? How were these Judeo-Christian ideas spread throughout the Roman Empire? Later, how did the movements of the Renaissance and Reformation challenge (and shape) these ideas to Democracy? EXPLAIN.

When finished discussing the Warm-Up, the instructor discussed with students, the similarities and differences between the different forms of government in the ancient and modern world. During the course of the lecture and discussion with students, the instructor had the students complete their graphic organizer on the Forms of Government (Examples, Strengths, Weaknesses and Example Civilizations).

WH Honors Homework: Start final review for Unit 2 Exam using Forms of Government Worksheet and the Unit 2 Vocabulary. Study Guide will be available on Wednesday.

WH Homework: Finish any missing information on Unit 2 Vocabulary Worksheet and the Forms of Government worksheet. Using the Prologue Chapter reading in the Modern World History textbook, begin to review for the Unit 2 Exam on Friday. Study Guide will be available on Wednesday.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Today, the instructor finished the lecture notes on the development of Democracy in the Ancient World for Unit 2 (Roots of Western Thought). During the course of the lecture, students were asked to participate as the instructor helped identify questions (difficulties) on the Unit 2 Vocabulary Worksheet.

WH Honors Homework: Finish Forms of Government Worksheet for tomorrow's activity

WH Homework: Finish Forms of Government Worksheet for tomorrow's activity

Friday, September 18, 2009

Today in class, students began with a warm-up question on the philosophies of Aristotle: What did Aristotle mean when he said, "Man Is By Nature a Political Animal"? How does Aristotle's statement relate to these forms of government: Tyranny, Oligarchy, and Democracy? How do these ideas affect the idea of the "Common Good"? EXPLAIN.

After the period's warm-up question, the instructor continued with lecture notes and PowerPoint over the Forms of Government and their impact on the development of democracy in history (and throughout the Modern World).

WH Honors Homework: Finish Unit 2 Vocabulary and continue with the Forms of Government Worksheet.

WH Homework: Finish Unit 2 Vocabulary and continue with the Forms of Government Worksheet.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Today in class, the students used Primary Source Documents (Plato's Republic & Aristotle's Politics) to further uncover the impact of Greek Philosophy on Modern Western Thought (European Ideals). Using the documents, the instructor led an exercise on uncovering the necessary structure of government and its application to control societies. Once finished with the reading of the documents, students were asked to complete the accompanying questions for classwork and homework.

WH Honors Homework: Finish answering the questions from Plato's Republic and Aristotle's Politics. Then, continue with the Unit 2 Vocabulary Worksheet and Forms of Government Worksheet.

WH Homework: Finish answering the questions from Plato's Republic and Aristotle's Politics. Then, continue with the Unit 2 Vocabulary Worksheet and Forms of Government Worksheet.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Today in class, the students had their first Warm-Up Question: Why is Cleisthenes regarded as the father of Athenian Democracy? What kinds of governmental issues did Athens face before the success of Cleisthenes? How did Athenian Democracy likely influence "White-European Political Thought"? EXPLAIN.

Following the Warm-Up Question discussion, the students continued working through the lecture notes/PowerPoint on the Greeks and Romans and their impact on Western Thought.

WH Honors Homework: Continue with Unit 2 Vocabulary and Forms of Government Worksheet

WH Homework: Continue with Unit 2 Vocabulary and Forms of Government Worksheet

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Today, students viewed a documentary on the early traditions and government of the Greek Empire. In the video, students were exposed to the "visual story" of how Cleisthenes became the father of Athenian Democracy and his struggles to create voting rights and active participation for all Athenian citizens. Prior and after the video segment, the instructor talked with the students to tie the information together with yesterday's lecture information.

WH Honors Homework: Continue with Unit 2 Vocabulary and the Forms of Government Worksheet. In addition, review the first section of the Prologue Chapter in preparation for tomorrow's warm-up question on early Greek governments.

WH Homework: Continue with Unit 2 Vocabulary and the Forms of Government Worksheet. In addition, review the first section of the Prologue Chapter in preparation for tomorrow's warm-up question on early Greek governments.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Today in class, students received their course notebooks back (graded) as well as their results from their Unit 1 Quiz. The instructor started Unit 2 lecture on the Roots of Western Thought. Students organized their Unit 2 notebook structure and participated with the instructor on the PowerPoint lecture notes over Early Civilizations, the Greeks and the Romans. Before the students left, they received copies of the Unit 2 Timeline-Vocabulary, Unit 2 Vocabulary Worksheet and a Graphic Organizer on the various Forms of Government. They will be using these documents over the next two weeks as they progress through the instructional unit.

WH Honors Homework: Summer Work Packet will be collected tomorrow! (No Exceptions). Please begin working on the Unit 2 Vocabulary Worksheet and use the Forms of Government worksheet as you read and review the first few reading sections of the Prologue (Modern World History textbook).

WH Homework: Please begin working on the Unit 2 Vocabulary Worksheet and use the Forms of Government worksheet as you read and review the first few sections of the Prologue (Modern World History textbook).

Friday, September 11, 2009

OBSERVANCE OF PATRIOT DAY!!! (NEVER FORGET 9-11)

Today, students turned in their course notebooks for grading of the Unit 1 Materials and Basic Organization. Notebooks will be returned on Monday as we press forward into new material. Following the collection of the course notebooks, students took the Unit 1 Quiz. Following the quiz, the instructor and the students graded the quiz and discussed the material.

WH Honors Homework: Finish Summer Work Packet (Due on Monday) and Read in Modern World History (First 2 sections of Prologue Chapter)

WH Homework: Read in Modern World History (First 2 sections of Prologue Chapter)

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Today in class, students were a few minutes together to Peer Review before joining the instructor in a full review session of the Unit 1 Study Guide. In addition, students were given a few minutes to final assemble their course notebooks for collection in the morning for grading of the Unit 1 Materials and Basic Organization. The Unit 1 Quiz will be given tomorrow (40 Points). The quiz will be over Unit 1 Vocabulary and Study Guide Questions.

WH Honors Homework: Finish Unit 1 Study Guide and study for the Unit 1 Quiz. Bring completed Unit 1 Notebook for collection and grading by the instructor tomorrow.

WH Homework: Finish Unit 1 Study Guide and study for the Unit 1 Quiz. Bring completed Unit 1 Notebook for collection and grading by the instructor tomorrow.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Today, students received a copy of the Unit 1 Study Guide over Historical Thinking and Current Events (Iraq). The students were given an opportunity to work together to finish up their vocabulary, start the study guide together, as well as begin final assembly of the course notebook (due Friday prior to the Unit 1 Quiz). The instructor walked the room assisting small groups with review information and questions pertaining to the course notebook and quiz review.

WH Honors Homework: Complete Study Guide questions, assemble course notebook and review Unit 1 Vocabulary and Choices Study Guide Part 1 (in Course Notebook assignments). Course Notebook will be due Friday prior to Unit 1 Quiz

WH Homework: Complete Study Guide questions, assemble course notebook and review Unit 1 Vocabulary and Choices Study Guide Part 1 (in Course Notebook assignments). Course Notebook will be due Friday prior to Unit 1 Quiz.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Today in class, student viewed a video segment from CBS 60 Minutes dealing with the Conflicts in Afghanistan. Following the video segments, students engaged in a discussion with the instructor about the similarities and differences between Iraq and Afghanistan and their impact on US Domestic and Foreign Affairs. Near the end of the class period, the instructor went over the remaining vocabulary for Unit One.

WH Honors Homework: Review the Vocabulary for Unit One and the questions from the Choices Reading Materials (Study Guide-Part One) in your course notebook.

WH Homework: Review the Vocabulary for Unit One and the questions from the Choices Reading Materials (Study Guide- Part One) in your course notebook.

Monday. September 7, 2009

LABOR DAY HOLIDAY OBSERVANCE...hopefully, you are all catching up on sleep or enjoying some time with your family...SEE YOU TUESDAY!!!

Friday, September 4, 2009

Today, students were provided with the ordering for their World History Course Notebook (Unit 1). After a teacher-led-discussion and explanation of how to assemble the information and materials in the World History Course Notebook, students were given 15-20 minutes to begin organization and semblance of the material in their binders. After completion of the organization and semblance time allotment, students worked with the instructor to identify some of the correct meanings of the Unit One Vocabulary (Conflict in Iraq). Besides identifying the correct answers, the students and instructor discussed their meanings in context of recent events over the previous 4-6 years.

WH Honors Homework: Finish completing the Unit One Vocabulary and Assemble Unit One Course Notebook...Notebook will be collected before Unit One Quiz (Friday)...ENJOY YOUR 3-DAY WEEKEND!!!

WH Homework: Finish completing the Unit One Vocabulary and Assemble Unit One Course Notebook...Notebook will be collected before Unit One Quiz (Friday)...ENJOY YOUR 3-DAY WEEKEND!!!

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Today in class, students were introduced to the Historical Thinking Skill of analyzing Political Cartoons. As a practice exercise, students were given a set of Level One, Level Two and Level Three Critical Thinking Questions related to cartoon graphics. Using the established questions, students were asked to complete the worksheet using a cartoon from a historical event (familiar to them already from 7th and 8th grade study...The Great Depression). Upon completing the practice exercise, students were then given two cartoons dealing with the Conflict in Iraq and thus, given time to identify and comprehend their overall messages. Prior to the close of the period, the teacher and students discussed the cartoon messages together.

WH Honors Homework: Unit One Vocabulary (Iraq) and Bring Course Notebook Materials Tomorrow for Ordering and Assembly

WH Homework: Unit One Vocabulary (Iraq) and Bring Course Notebook Materials Tomorrow for Ordering and Assembly

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Today in class, students viewed the Discovery Education Video Segment dealing with Operation Iraqi Freedom. The students were introduced to a series of posed questions from the video about the role of the United States in World Diplomacy and its impact on domestic and international affairs. During segments of the video, the instructor stopped the presentation and the class had a discussion on how the actions of the United States government and its representatives has an impact on Iraqis and Americans (domestic and foreign). In relation, the discussion led to the impact of the media and American morale on political decisions.

WH Honors Homework: Continue working on Unit One Vocabulary (Iraq)

WH Homework: Continue working on Unit One Vocabulary (Iraq)

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Students were introduced to using the Choices Program materials from Brown University (International Relations). The unit of study we focused on was the Conflict in Iraq. Using the Choices Reading Materials, students gathered some basic background information on the beginnings of the conflict (Pre-Saddam Hussein & after). Using the reading materials, students worked together to complete the Part One Study Guide...answering the key questions on the development of Saddam Hussein's oppressive regime. Towards the end of the class period...the students and instructor discussed their findings and their meaning in relation to the current events of our world.

WH Honors Homework: Continue working on the Unit One Vocabulary (Iraq)

WH Homework: Continue working on the Unit One Vocabulary (Iraq)