October 2008 Archives

Here is a link to the archaeological site referenced in the film


http://www.catalhoyuk.com/

Happy Halloween! Of course I will not be in costume as this is my "grinch holiday"...although I will accept gifts of candy corn.


Today we will go-over the homework and watch a great National Geographic film called "The Birth of Civilization".

There is no homework for Monday.

1. Read the two articles/opinion pieces about the election

2. Answer the following questions in complete sentences:

A. What are Saunders' main criticisms of Obama? Do you see any as valid? Why or why not?

B. What is Ash's central thesis?

C. What are your groups thoughts about the election?


Now take out the National Geographic article you read for today. Answer the following questions, again in complete sentences

1.    How were the fossils at El Sidron discovered?






2.    What are the population estimates for Neanderthals?





3.    Where did they live?




4.    What has been an enduring cultural stereotype of Neanderthals?






5.    What is the genetic relationship between Neanderthals and modern humans?





6.    What are some theories that have attempted to explain the rise of modern humans at the expense of Neanderthals?





7.    Does it appear that Neanderthals and modern humans mated?





8.    What are MC1R and FOXP2? Why are they important?

9.    What is Svante Paabo attempting to do?







10.    About when did the two lineages, modern humans and Neanderthals, begin to diverge genetically?




11.    Why might teeth be an important factor in deciphering human evolution?






12.    What do Stiner and Kuhn argue about Neanderthal social organization?






13.    What is a "cultural buffer"?





14.    When are Neanderthals thought to have "died out"?





       15. How might climate have affected or determined the fate of Neanderthals?


 
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Great discussion questions today!.......I am very happy.

 

Homework for Friday is to read pp. 14-18 in the text, and to answer questions 3-8 on p.18

 

 

 

Homework for Thursday is to read the Neanderthal packet handed out in class today. Be ready to discuss it on Thursday.

Hello, Welcome to our blog.... Here is the homework for tomorrow.


Read "A Sense of History: Some Components" for Wed. Bring in 5 "deep" questions that the reading provoked. These should not  merely be simple recall questions, but questions about things that confuse, amaze, and engage you. These will be collected.

Read the textbook pp. 5-13 for Wed.

Hello, I hope everyone was able to get the changes for today.

Again, this is the plan


1. Current Events
2. Finish Rome Debate
3. Graded Discussion w/ Outlines

Here is a very interesting piece on McCain's strategy for the last 10 days of the election...

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/24/us/politics/24mccain.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin


It has been a great quarter and I will miss you, but we shall meet again later in the program/schoolyear. I will have everything graded and commented for Tuesday, please stop in to get your work that day...

Mr P

Please READ this carefully. Due to the time constraints today involving pictures, I need to make a few changes. Please disregard the other posts earlier today.

This is how Friday will go......


1. Current Events Presentation

2. Completion of Rome Debate

3. Everyone should bring an OUTLINE of the essay they intended to write today. This means you should have a thesis and an outline of each paragraph and conclusion. Essentially you should have an outline of what you "would have written" in class. We will have a graded discussion based on the outlines. Please email me if you have any questions

1. Come prepared to write for at least 40-45 minutes. Do not forget your note card.

2. Do not go through the model like a laundry list, but rather focus on a few components of it to make your argument about its "fit" in terms of Rome.

3. Make sure to have at least one other empire/civilization in mind to use as a point of comparison.

4. Make sure you have a thesis before you arrive. I do not want improv.


5. I am available today at school until 4 PM for questions.....

This may or may not be the last blog entry of the term. Here are some reminders.


1. If you have not turned in the Ethics Packet from Monday, please do so today.

2. I am still commenting, but have entered most or all of the assignments in powerschool. I have also listed the rest of the work for the quarter.

3. A reminder that all work must be in by 10 AM on Monday 10/27 if you want any credit for it this quarter. Grades will be calculated on Monday.

4. I was very happy with the work that groups put in yesterday on the debate, and I look forward to it.

5. Final reminder that Azura, Connor, and Lauren are on current Events on Friday.

Here are some links to start with today for your groups......


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fall_of_the_Roman_Empire



http://killeenroos.com/1/Romefall.htm



http://www.roman-empire.net/collapse/collapse-index.html



http://www.rome.info/history/empire/fall/


http://www.ccel.org/g/gibbon/decline/volume1/chap39.htm



http://hnn.us/articles/40538.html




http://history.boisestate.edu/westciv/fallrome/



http://www.historyguide.org/intellect/gibbon_decline.html




I also recommend that you look at some or all of these databases that are on the MPA Library website...


History Study Center

Master File Premier

Academic Search Premier

Encyclopedia Americana

Today you will have the period to work in debate groups. Some may go to the library, others working in the room. I would also like to touch bases with everyone about their in-class essay for Friday sometime today. We will also talk about the essay tomorrow before the debate tomorrow.

Hello. Happy Spirit Day!  Today, we will go-over the ethics assignment from yesterday, review the homework, handout the final essay assignment, and the group debate assignment. For those of you who have asked, you will quickly see that there are many points yet to be earned this quarter.

Homework: Prepare for in-class essay on Friday

Reminder that Lauren, Azura, and Connor are presenting for current events on Friday.

Hard to believe, but this is our last week together. I hope you are well rested after a long weekend. This is what this week looks like:

Monday: In-Class partner work on elements Stoicism and Christianity

Tuesday: Discussion of the Fall of the Roman Empire and we will form our teams to debate the fall of Rome.Also we will introduce the final in-class essay for Friday.

Wednesday: Work Day for Debate Groups/ Individual Progress Check-In

Thursday : Fall of Rome Debate and Discussion of Essay

Friday: In Class Essay and wrap-up activity


Homework for Tuesday: Read pp. 173-177 in the textbook. Pay very close attention to the chart on p. 174. Please complete questions 3-8 on p. 176 in complete paragraphs.

Today we will finish the film, discuss the Hannibal article, and go-over the homework for today. I graded the quiz and will hand it back.  Here are some announcements:


1. Reminder that "The Choice: 2008" is on Channel 2 tonight from 8-10 PM.

2. The last Presidential Debate is Wed Night from 8-9:30 PM (many channels)

3. Homework for Wed is to read the Handouts (Edicts of Toleration/Milan and two other readings). In addition, bring 5 'deep" questions about the readings. They will be turned in.

4. There is no homework over the MEA weekend.....enjoy.

5. Next week we will be very busy- last week of the quarter.

Here is a link to the Frontline show for tomorrow night, including a video preview.


http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/

I am offering one more extra credit assignment for the term. It is as follows:


1. Watch Frontline tomorrow (Tuesday) evening on channel 2 from 8-10 PM. The topic is 'The Choice 2008"- an analysis of the candidates and the election.

2. Answer the following questions in paragraph form:


1. What did you learn about the candidates that you did not know before?


2. What "side' do you see the program coming down on, if any? Where do you see this opinion?


3. What are your final thoughts about the 2008 election?


It is worth Ten Points- Due by Friday 10/24- The end of the quarter


Reminder that Kinnery and Sarah are doing Current Events this week...

As you know, we only have three days of class this week. Today, we will take a quiz, discuss the Hannibal article, and finish the film. Just a note that Wed. 10/15 is the last McCain/Obama debate at 8 PM. This is your last chance for the extra credit assignment. Again, see me if you have any questions about missing assignments. We only have two weeks left in the quarter.


Homework:  Read Chapter 6 Section 3 and the Nicene Creed handout. and answer the following questions in paragraph form(Questions 1 and 2 are based on the reading in the textbook):

1. What effect did the arrival of Christianity have on the Roman Empire? 

2. Why did Rome eventually accept Christianity after resisting and repressing it for a long time?

3. Based on your reading of the Nicene Creed, what issues do you think were central to the Council of Nicea? What controversies do you believe were trying to be resolved?

Hello. I have graded the tests, but am still commenting, which takes a significant amount of time. You can see your score in powerschool now, but will get the exam back on Monday. The average (mean) score was 78.7/95 (82.3%-B). I am pretty happy with the results. As I mentioned yesterday, we will be working a little harder over the next few days in order to minimize homework over the MEA break. Also a reminder that the quarter ends in two weeks. Please see me if you have any grade questions or concerns.

Homework for Monday:

Read pp. 158-165 for Monday for a 10 point quiz

Read Handout "Hannibal and Rome" - Be prepared to lead a discussion of the article. I will randomly select two people to lead a group discussion on Monday. You need to prepare notes and a plan for discussion to be turned in Monday.

Hello, I wish you all the best on the exam today. Tomorrow(Friday), we will have a current events presentation by Susie and Ryan, and we will begin our Rome unit, which will take us to the end of the quarter.

Homework for Friday:

Read the packet handed out in class and answer the following questions in complete sentences. At least one paragraph.


1. From the excerpts from "The 12 Tables", what can you tell about the priorities and character of Roman society and culture around 450 BCE?



Also, Skim pp.152-159 in the textbook



Great Site:  www.roman-empire.net

Obviously the test will be Thurs 10/9.

Hello, A reminder that the exam will be on Thursday 10/7. Today we will continue review and play a game to enhance our preparation. I have updated everything that I have received in powerschool. If you still show a zero for something you believe you turned in, please see me. The test tomorrow will be worth around 80 points.


What did you think of the debate last night?

Hello, I hope everyone had a great weekend. Today we will touch bases on the election, talk about Alexander the Great, and talk a little about the upcoming exam.

 

Homework for Tuesday is to complete your Study Guide. We will have a review game on Tuesday (using buzzers for a change of pace)

 

 

I am planning to have a great discussion, first of the reading in the textbook, and then Thucydides. Please have your discussion questions ready.


Homework for Friday: Read in the Text :Chap 5 Sec 4- Take Notes and read the one page handout and answer the following questions

1. What kind of "History" is Thucydides trying to write?

2. How do you think this differed from other historians of his time?

3. Why do we still read his work more than 2000 years later?


Homework for Monday: Read Chap 5 Sec 5 in the Text and complete study guide (handed out on friday)...Again, the test is on Wed. 10/8

Reminder that Dan and Zosha are doing the Current Events presentation this Friday

I am delaying the collection and discussion of last night's assignment to Thursday. We will begin class with your discussion questions then. Today we will watch a great film and discuss it afterward. Homework for tomorrow is to read pp. 134-139 for Thursday and answer questions 3-7 on p. 139.  You will get your study guide on Friday 10/3 and the test on Greece will be on Wed. 10/8.

I am still commenting, but I entered grades for everything I have received. If you have a zero on anything, please see me. A lot of things may have been missed when I was gone.