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February 21, 2007
Wednesday, February 21st: Presentation Preparation
Work on preparing your presentation. This site might be of help to some of you if you do a little digging.
Posted by kmurr at 10:20 AM | Comments (0)
February 19, 2007
Tuesday, February 20th: Ancient and Imperial China Project
Geography Quiz
We will begin with the geography quiz. Good luck!
Ancient and Imperial China Project
I will hand you a description of this assignment in class. This description will give you all of the details that you need about the project requirements. In order to help you with your research, I have linked a few websites here. These are only intended to be starting points for your research.
CNN's Visions of China
Minnesota State University's Page on China - This page includes a lot of information. If you do some digging, you should be able to find some really helpful information.
The Golden Age of Chinese Archaegology from the National Gallery of Art - This page includes information about some of the early Chinese dynasties. Those of you studying beliefs, art or architecture might find this page helpful.
Asia for Educators - This site is incredible. It is designed for teachers, but it has all sorts of information that all of the groups could use. Pay special attention to the list of categories on the left center of the page. If you run your mouse over these categories, you will see a place where you can click for links to resources about that topic in China. I think you might find this information helpful.
China: An Inner Realm - This site was actually designed by high school students. It has a lot of good information and links to other excellent sites. It is a great place to get a basic introduction to your topics.
China Daily Life - This site has links that would be of interest to those groups studying culture, art, daily life, etc.
Homework
Your homework is to work on your ancient China project. This will be your only homework for the next week.
Posted by kmurr at 9:05 PM | Comments (0)
February 16, 2007
Friday, February 16th: China Chronology
We will start our China chronology assignment today. Use this guide as a way to organize your notes. Remember, you don't need to get every detail about every event. The purpose of this activity is to give you a general overview of Chinese history.
Homework
Study for you China geography quiz. It will be on Tuesday.
Second Block: Answer the questions about your chronology event. Please answer in complete sentences and IN YOUR OWN WORDS!
Posted by kmurr at 9:07 AM | Comments (0)
February 15, 2007
Thursday, February 15th: Introduction to China
Introduction to China
We will start our last unit of the year today, China. We will begin by looking at a series of maps and a data set. These sources will be the springboard for our discussion about China.
First, we will look at five different maps. Each of these maps addresses a different topic related to China. The topics include, trade, gender, ethnicity, the military and population. You will get into groups of four and each group will get one map. Work with your group members to interpret your map. Specifically, look at your map and draw five conclusions. Be prepared to explain and justify these conclusions to the class.
Next, we will look at a set of numbers about China. We will discuss these numbers as a class.
Homework
At the end of class, you received your event for the China chronology activity. This activity will work just as it did for the Russia chronology activity. You will need to give a short 1 - 2 minute presentation about your event. Try to make it as interesting as possible. Here is a sheet of questions that will help you to organize your thoughts.
Also, you should start studying for your China geography quiz. It will be next Tuesday.
Posted by kmurr at 9:09 AM | Comments (0)
February 13, 2007
Tuesday, February 13th: Russia Congress Day Two
We will finish our Russia congress today. Don't forget that you need to do one extra speech beyond your pre-prepared speech.
Tonight you need to study for your final Russia exam. Don't forget that you can use a limited number of notes on the identification portion of the exam AND on the essay portion of the exam. The test sheet that you received last week explains this. Remember that your notes for the identification test and for the essay test need to be SEPARATE and need to be your own work.
Posted by kmurr at 9:25 AM | Comments (0)
February 9, 2007
Friday, February 9th: Work Day!
Today is a work day. Use this time to work on your debate speeches for Monday. I will be happy to help you with your research. Your homework for the weekend is to prepare for the debates and to continue preparing for your test. Remember, you can choose which essay question you would like to answer.
Have a nice weekend!
Posted by kmurr at 9:44 AM | Comments (0)
February 8, 2007
Thursday, February 7th: The Fall of the Soviet Union
The Fall of the Soviet Union
We are going to discuss the fall of the Soviet Union. Download this noteguide to help you organize your thoughts.
Russia Today
In order to discuss some of the issues facing present-day Russia, we are going to hold a series of debates next week. You will be responsible for organizing one of five debates. Download this sheet for more information.
Homework
Work on your debate research. Alsok, continue working on preparing for next Wednesday's test.
Posted by kmurr at 9:16 AM | Comments (0)
February 7, 2007
Wednesday, February 7th: Cuban Missile Crisis Simulation
We will take the day today to complete our Cuban Missile Crisis Simulation. Have your lists of ideas ready.
Homework
You don't have any homework for tomorrow. You should have received the sheet describes next week's test. Please start preparing your notes for this test.
Posted by kmurr at 3:23 PM | Comments (0)
February 6, 2007
Tuesday, February 6th: Cold War
An Introduction to the Cold War
For the next few days we will be examining the Cold War. Your ideas and research will drive much of this discussion. To begin this discussion, look at the list of Cold War events pasted below. In a group of two to three, pick four of these entries and study them. For each of the entries that you choose, make sure that you can answer the following questions:
-When did it happen?
-Where did the event happen?
-What happened?
-How did the event affect US/ Soviet relations?
-Was there a "winner" or "loser"? Why?
Use this sheet to record your findings.
Look at the "Episode Recap," the "Interactive Map" link on the right side of the page, and the "Truman Doctrine" link on the right side of the page.
Click on both of the "Interactive Map" features on the right side of this site.
Read the "Episode Recap" link and browse the "Interactive Timeline" on the right side of the page.
Review the "Episode Recap" link (You may have already read this one.) and look at the two "Historical Documents" links that have to do with the U2 incident.
Study the "Episode Recap" link and the "Interactive Map."
Study the "Episode Recap," the "Interactive Timeline," and the "Interactive Map."
Homework Cold War Simulation
We will be working on a simulation dealing with the Cuban Missile Crisis tomorrow. You will act as an advisor to President John F. Kennedy. Your job will be to convince President Kennedy to pick your option to respond to the Cuban Missile Crisis. Each of the advisor groups are listed below.
"Do Nothings": This group will argue that the United States should simply wait and watch the situation unfold. Doing anything would only antagonize the Russians.
Second Block: Eric L. Sasha P. Alex S. Jason S.
Fourth Block: Andy G. Brenna K.
Warning: This group will warn Russia to takes its missiles off the island of Cuba. The United States will threaten further action if Russia does not comply.
Second Block: Sami K. Marty M. Erin P. Taylor W.
Fourth Block: Jack A. Kay S. Kristy O.
Blockade: This group will place a blockade around Cuba to prevent any additional missiles from getting into the country.
Second Block: Justin F. Abby G. Julian M. Erin P.
Fourth Block: Alex R. Steph W. Ben Y.
Surgical Strikes: This group will use U.S. fighter planes to attack the missile sites. The goal of these attacks will be to take out the missiles and the mechanisms to launch the missiles.
Second Block: Jasmine A. Holly B. Aisha G. Andrea H.
Fourth Block: Emily C. Hannah F. Sarah W.
Invasion: This group will invade Cuba with the intent of getting rid of the Russian missiles and of Fidel Castro.
Second Block: Jennifer H. Kelsey R. Christina T. Nathan T.
Fourth Block: Eric B. Emily B. Pete S.
Tonight, you need to read and review all of the information given to you. This includes summaries of the Cuban Missile Crisis, a CIA briefing paper that discusses the different options and a series of satellite photographs. As you read this information, make lists of all of the reasons to support your option and to oppose the other options. Tomorrow in class, we will be debating about these different options.
Posted by kmurr at 9:31 AM | Comments (0)
February 5, 2007
Monday, February 5th: The Cold War
Stalin and Power
We will start by discussing your findings from your homework. Remember, we are trying to determine how Stalin gained so much power in the Soviet Union. Be prepared to point to specific pieces of evidence to support your conclusions. I will re-link the Stalin sources here so that you can access them during the lesson.
Posters used during Stalin's Regime
Time's Man of the Year Article in 1942 (Ignore the commentary at the start of this page. Skip down to the actual excerpts.)
Letter to Stalin from Someone Sentenced to Die
Letter to Stalin from Prisoners in a Gulag
An Introduction to the Cold War
For the next few days we will be examining the Cold War. Your ideas and research will drive much of this discussion. To begin this discussion, look at the list of Cold War events pasted below. In a group of two to three, pick four of these entries and study them. For each of the entries that you choose, make sure that you can answer the following questions:
-When did it happen?
-Where did the event happen?
-What happened?
-How did the event affect US/ Soviet relations?
-Was there a "winner" or "loser"? Why?
Use this sheet to record your findings.
Look at the "Episode Recap," the "Interactive Map" link on the right side of the page, and the "Truman Doctrine" link on the right side of the page.
Click on both of the "Interactive Map" features on the right side of this site.
Read the "Episode Recap" link and browse the "Interactive Timeline" on the right side of the page.
Review the "Episode Recap" link (You may have already read this one.) and look at the two "Historical Documents" links that have to do with the U2 incident.
Study the "Episode Recap" link and the "Interactive Map."
Study the "Episode Recap," the "Interactive Timeline," and the "Interactive Map."
Homework
Finish analyzing your Cold War events. We will be discussing these in class tomorrow.
Posted by kmurr at 9:20 AM | Comments (0)
February 2, 2007
Friday, February 2nd: Stalin
Introduction to Stalin
These notes will help you to understand how Stalin came to power and some of the first policies that he put into place. While you take these notes, think about how Stalin was able to consolidate his power.
A Study of Power
You are going to use a variety of primary and secondary sources to determine how Stalin was able to become so powerful. As you look at these sources in your group, make a list of all of the methods that Stalin used to obtain power. Also, make note of which evidence supports this conclusion. Your list can and should be very specific.
Posters used during Stalin's Regime
Time's Man of the Year Article in 1942 (Ignore the commentary at the start of this page. Skip down to the actual excerpts.
Letter to Stalin from Someone Sentenced to Die
Letter to Stalin from Prisoners in a Gulag
Posted by kmurr at 9:18 AM | Comments (0)