CLASSWORK & HOMEWORK

UNIT 1 – 8000 BCE to 1450 CE

~ From the syllabus ~

If you know you will be absent on the day of a test or a quiz, you are expected to take it ahead of time. If you miss an assessment/exam for an excused absence, you will have 2 school days from the date of your return to make it up or it will become a zero in the gradebook. Exams missed for an unexcused absence will result in a zero grade. Late work is worth half credit and is due no later than the end of the unit during which it was assigned. Work will be considered late if it is not turned in at the beginning of the period or when it is collected during class; work turned in after the completion of the unit will not be accepted.

Sept. 2 Today: 1^st day of school! Interviewing others – develop and ask questions, start interviews.

NO HOMEWORK

Sept. 3 NO SCHOOL – power outage!

Sept. 4 Today: Continue interview work, start question analysis.

NO HOMEWORK.

Sept. 5 Today: Distribute syllabus. Pick up textbooks. Continue question analysis. Develop questions for World History. What do you want to know, and why? Introduce idea of patterns and lessons from the past…

If time allows: Introduce “Easter’s End” by Jared Diamond. Read in class as time allows.

HOMEWORK: Read syllabus, review with parents. DO NOT SIGN YET. Write out any questions you have about the syllabus, and bring to class Monday.

Sept. 8 Today: Read “Easter’s End” by Jared Diamond. Highlight important points, write questions you have about what you’re reading. Identify Diamond’s thesis. What lessons are to be learned from the people of Rapa Nui (Easter Island)? Discuss.

HOMEWORK: DUE TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 9/10 ~ Syllabus signature page, World History supplies.

Supplies (from syllabus):

1. An assignment/homework book

2. A 3 ring binder with 4 dividers and spare paper.

3. Enough pens, pencils to do your work and not disturb others

REMINDER: There are no grades for the first month!!

Sept. 9/10 Today: Turn in syllabus signature page. Identify classroom procedures (keep handout in your binder with your syllabus!!). Continue “Easter’s End.”

Questions for discussion (“Easter’s End”)

1) What is Diamond’s purpose in writing this article using multiple fields of study? (p. 2, bottom)

2) What does he mean by “not with a bang but a whimper”? (p. 5)

3) What is the symbolism of the Moai (stone statues) to Diamond? (p. 5)

4) What does Diamond want us to take away from this article? Do you agree with him? Why or why not?

Distribute Qualities of Good Questions handout. Keep in binder with syllabus!

NO HOMEWORK

Sept. 11 Today: Where in the world?? ~ Freehand drawing of world maps! Without looking at any map, make a map of the world on an 11x17 piece of paper. When you are done drawing, label continents and oceans, etc.

NO HOMEWORK

Sept. 12 Today: Continue map drawing! Finish drawing and labeling a map of the world. When done, answer the following

questions:

• What did you draw first, and why?
• What part(s) of the world were you most unsure about, and why?
• What part(s) of the world did you leave out? (grab an atlas and compare if you’re not sure)
• What would be the benefit of being able to visualize a map of the world in your head?

Then, get a new piece of 11x17 paper and an atlas. Using the atlas as a guide, draw a more accurate map of the world. You will keep this copy in your notebook, so do a good job!!

NO HOMEWORK

Sept. 15 Today: Cartography. Challenge your assumptions about the way we represent the world on paper!

HOMEWORK: Bring your textbook for block day!!

Sept. 16/17 Start 1^st part of Unit 1 ~ Neolithic Revolution: mankind’s worst mistake? Complete class work.

NO HOMEWORK

Sept. 18 Today: Finish Neolithic Revolution work. Discuss and review article, questions in class. As time allows, start

Civilizations work. Civilization groups assigned if time allows.

NO HOMEWORK