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April 30, 2007
Monday, April 30th: Cuban Missile Crisis Simulation
Cuban Missile Crisis Simulation
We will work on this simulation for the bulk of the hour. You will first meet with people who share your position on how to deal with the crisis. Then, you will get into negotiating groups and debate with other students who have different positions. I will give you more details once the simulation begins.
Homework
No homework for this evening. Have a nice night.
Posted by kmurr at 9:07 AM | Comments (0)
April 27, 2007
Friday, April 27th: The 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 and look at the two "Historical Documents" links that have to do with the U2 incident.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.
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: Elle G. Rovena M. John N.
Fourth Block: Michelle A. David C. Joe J.
Blockade: This group will place a blockade around Cuba to prevent any additional missiles from getting into the country.
Second Block: Paloma S. John J. Emma I. Aaron M.
Fourth Block: Julie B. Ellen L. Nic M. Vanick N.
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: Jake G. Lauren B. Zoe Q. Maggie F.
Fourth Block: Karen L. Tess F. Peter K. Jack S.
Invasion: This group will invade Cuba with the intent of getting rid of the Russian missiles and of Fidel Castro.
Second Block: Sarah C. Gus L. Naomi B.
Fourth Block: Sarah D. Nathan H. Maggie W. Manila X.
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 8:57 AM | Comments (0)
April 26, 2007
Thursday, April 26th: The 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
Depending on how far we get in the lesson today, you will need to finish a certain number of Cold War events for homework.
Posted by kmurr at 9:07 AM | Comments (0)
April 25, 2007
Wednesday, April 25th: Stalin and the Cold War
We will finish your notes about Stalin today. World War II will be our focus.
Stalin and Power
We will discuss 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
Depending on how far we get in the lesson today, you will need to finish a certain number of Cold War events for homework.
Posted by kmurr at 9:07 AM | Comments (0)
April 24, 2007
Tuesday, April 24th: 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, 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
Homework
Make sure that you have a list of at least five different methods that Stalin used to obtain power. We will be discussing these methods in class tomorrow.
Posted by kmurr at 9:11 AM | Comments (0)
April 19, 2007
April 19th: Some Notes That You Might Need
Hi. I promised you two different sets of notes, but I forgot to give them to you. Linked here are the notes for the Time of Troubles and the notes for the Fall of the Romanovs.
Please don't forget that you can email me questions over the weekend. I will be checking throughout the weekend.
Posted by kmurr at 2:55 PM | Comments (0)
Thursday, April 19th: Reenacting the Revolution
Today we will reenact the Russian Revolution. We will begin with a little bit of preparation time. You will meet in three groups and I will meet with each group to make sure that everyone is as prepared as possible to play their role. Remember, you are graded not only on your written work, but also on what you say during the revolution.
Homework:
Complete the two readings about communism. They are difficult, but I want to expose you to some of these ideas before we talk about them in class.
Continue working to prepare for Monday's exam. You can email me questions and outlines over the weekend. I will also be around through 5th block today to answer questions.
Posted by kmurr at 9:15 AM | Comments (0)
April 17, 2007
Tuesday, April 17th: The Fall of the Romanovs
Factors in the Fall of the Romanovs
Last night you read about some of the events that led to the fall of the Romanovs. Use the reading to make a list of all of the different factors that brought down the tsars. Be as specific as possible. We will share your lists after about five minutes. Eventually, you will want to download these notes and take a look at them.
Remaking the Revolution
On Thursday, we will be recreating the Russian Revolution. Rather than playing yourselves, you will be playing an assigned part. Some of you will be supporting one of two options. Others of you will be undecided Russians who are questioning which option they are going to support. Right now, I will hand out the parts and give you some time to meet with me and to prepare.
Homework
Complete your Russian Revolution preparations by Thursday. I would spend about 45 minutes on your preparation.
Continue studying for Monday’s exam. Remember, you can use notes on this test, so work to take advantage of that.
Posted by kmurr at 9:01 AM | Comments (0)
April 12, 2007
Thursday, April 12th: The Greats
Democracy in Russia
We will finish talking about democracy in Russia. Be prepared to share your ideas about the impact of history on the present.
The Greats
We will look at two more czars from Russian history. Download this note guide to organize your ideas.
Women in Politics
We are going to discuss the role of women in modern politics. We will think about some of the things that we learned about Catherine the Great as we complete this discussion.
Homework
Read the packet that I gave to you about the Fall of the Romanovs. I know it is long, but all that you have to do is read it.
Posted by kmurr at 9:03 AM | Comments (0)
April 11, 2007
Wednesday, April 11th: The Ivans
Two Ivans and the Time of Troubles
We are going to take a few notes about some of the earliest Russian czars. Download this note guide for help. I have some interesting stories for you and you will spend as much time listening as you will typing. Keep in mind the current state of Russia as you take these notes.
Democracy in Russia
You had to complete a reading about democracy in Russia. We will be discussing this reading and a few other interesting statistics that I found. Be prepared to comment as I will not be afraid to call on students who are not raising their hands.
Homework
You have another article to read tonight. This article doesn’t actually deal with Russia. Instead it examines whether or not the United States is ready for a female president. The article is very biased. Feel free to criticize its conclusions. We will be discussing this article in class tomorrow.
Posted by kmurr at 9:02 AM | Comments (0)
April 10, 2007
Tuesday, April 10th: Invasion!
Cities Quiz
Any last minute questions? If not, good luck!
Kievan Rus
We will finish up our notes about Kievan Rus. This shouldn’t take long at all.
Reading Quiz
We will take our reading quiz now. It will take about five minutes.
Genghis Khan
We will use a video clip to begin our analysis of Genghis Khan and the Mongols. As you watch the clip, think about your impressions of the Mongols. How would you describe them? What is society’s view of the Mongols? Why would society have this impression?
Notes on the Mongol Invasion
We will focus on the impacts of the Mongol invasion. Download this note guide to help you organize your thoughts.
Homework
Read the “Russia and Democracy” reading. Follow the directions on the reading to complete the assignment. This assignment will take about 45 minutes. This is your only homework for the evening.
Posted by kmurr at 9:07 AM | Comments (0)
April 9, 2007
Monday, April 9th: The Beginning
The Beginning
A couple of days ago, we discussed the “end” of Russian history. Today we will turn to the beginning of Russian history. Just as we did with the colonization of Africa, we will use a set of images to draw conclusions about Kievan Rus, the first “incarnation” of Russia. You will get into a group of two and use a series of images to answer some questions about Kievan Rus.
Notes
Download this note guide so that you can organize your thoughts. You may also want to look at the following links. All of them will be used during the lecture.
Map of Kievan Rus
Church of the Transfiguration
Homework
Your cities quiz is tomorrow. Don't forget to study.
Do the reading that I handed to you on Friday. It is about the Mongols. Don't forget that you will have a short quiz about this reading. You can use the reading on the quiz.
Posted by kmurr at 9:03 AM | Comments (0)
April 6, 2007
Friday, April 6: Early Russia
Physical Geography Quiz
Good luck!!
Russia Chronology
We will finish up the chronology activity today. Continue asking questions and taking notes.
The Beginning
A couple of days ago, we discussed the “end” of Russian history. Today we will turn to the beginning of Russian history. Just as we did with the colonization of Africa, we will use a set of images to draw conclusions about Kievan Rus, the first “incarnation” of Russia. You will get into a group of two and use a series of images to answer some questions about Kievan Rus.
Notes
Download this note guide so that you can organize your thoughts. You may also want to look at the following links. All of them will be used during the lecture.
Map of Kievan Rus
Church of the Transfiguration
Homework
Your Russia countries quiz is on Monday. Don’t forget to study.
Read the short reading about the Mongols for Monday. You will have a short reading comprehension quiz on this reading on Monday. You will be able to use the reading on the quiz.
Posted by kmurr at 9:27 AM | Comments (0)
April 5, 2007
Thursday, April 5th: Russia Chronology
We will complete the Russia chronology activity today. First, seat yourself in order from the oldest event to the most recent event. Then, download the blank chronology sheet. You can use this to take notes while you listen to the presentations. You will find these notes very helpful when you study for tests.
Homework
Your first geography quiz is tomorrow. It will cover the physical geography of Russia. Don’t forget to study!
Posted by kmurr at 9:25 AM | Comments (0)
April 3, 2007
Wednesday, April 4th: Beginning with the End
Beginning With the End
Instead of beginning at the "beginning" of Russian history, I think we will begin with the end. We will look at what is going on in Russia today, so that we can keep the present situation in mind as we study the past. You will read an article about Vladimir Putin and his approach to governing. While you read this article, complete the chart that I handed to you. We will discuss this in class.
Homework
You homework for tonight is the Russia Chronology Assignment. You chose an event today in class and tonight you need to research this event. You will present your findings tomorrow in class. Your presentation should be about two minutes long and should contain something visual. Use the questions that you can download here to guide your research. This assignment should take between 30 and 40 minutes.
Here are some websites that might help you.
The Face of Russia
Russia and the Former USSR
You also have some Russia geography quizzes coming up. Your physical geography quiz will be on Friday. Your countries quiz will be on Monday. Your cities quiz will be on Tuesday.
Posted by kmurr at 9:47 AM | Comments (0)