The Minoans

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Remember and honor Martin Luther King, Jr. for the difference he made. A lot of people wanted change, but very did something. MLK is a model of peacefully pursuing what is right.

Task #3: RAFT Writing

Maybe it's a RAFT that you're clinging to for survival. Jack could have sure used a RAFT (Titanic reference). The RAFT we're making this week isn't necessarily going to save your life from freezing cold water, but it will be a unique way for you to show understanding of the Silk Road. It also wouldn't save your life against sharks. An actual raft might now even do that. Anyway, I'm getting away from the point - RAFT stands for Role, Audience, Format and Topic. Use the links below to get the rest of the information.

RAFT instructions
"Hands" example RAFT
[Txting convo] example RAFT

Requirements:                                   

Challenges - at least two challenges of traveling the silk road are included in the RAFT.

Benefits - at least two benefits of the silk road are included.

Process - it is evident (clear) that you understand the process of the silk road - how it worked.

Grammar - no errors (spelling, punctuation). Proper word choice is used.                

Length - length of RAFT is around one page - more if needed. The point is to show understanding in a unique way. Write as much as you need to accomplish this.

Task #2: Chinese Inventions

A lot of things exist. Therefore a lot of things have been invented. Some were thought up a long time ago, some recently. Today we're talking about the long ago - ancient Chinese inventions. Taking it a step further, we'll rank them in order of importance and see which one was the most impactful on history. Access your chart here. Use this website to gather some of your information.

The Eternal Army

What or who exactly is the Terra Cotta army? Watch this video to find out. 

GO PAPYRUS

Most people, on a fairly regular or even daily basis, wonder how paper is made. The answer - trees. But what even more people wonder about is how paper was invented and how the ancients made it. Instead of answering that question, let my students tell you.

The videos go in order of class period - 2nd, 4th, 5th and 9th - think about which class was the most creative and enthusiastic about ancient paper making. If nothing else, you'll have this catchy little jingle in your head for a while. 

GO PAPYRUS.

Shang Dynasty - Over the Shoulder - volume 3 clip

The first Dynasty of ancient China - explained Over the Shoulder style.

Ancient Chinese Dynasties Headquarters

Get to know them

Today (12/17/13) you will be hearing from an expert historian of the ancient Chinese civilization - specifically the Shang Dynasty. Click the link below for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn from such a person. Read the questions, read the letter, go back into the text for strength in answering each question. Cite specific text as often as possible. Enjoy.

Today (12/18/13) you will learn by reading information about the Zhou Dynasty - Family, Warriors, Gods. By explaining questions you will get a better sense of life during this long time period in ancient China.

Today (1/7/14) you will learn about the third (and by far shortest) Chinese dynasty - Qin. Let's uncover the truth behind this small period of Chinese history - why did it begin and end so rapidly? Was anything of importance accomplished withing this time? These questions and more will be answered using the resources below.

Today (1/10/14) you will learn about the final Chinese Dynasty that we study in 6th grade (there are several more, but we do not study them). Could the new rulers of China turn the nation around after a 19 year period of violence and distrust from the Qin Dynasty? 

Resources:
Access Shang Dynasty Letter and Questions here.
Get your Zhou Dynasty guided notes and read this information to learn and answer the questions.
Qin Dynasty note guide here. Information/reading accessed here.
Han Dynasty note guide here. Invention Task #2 document here. Inventions website link here.

QR Code Hunting

Today you're going to India to hunt. But rather than sword, spear, bow or anything else, you're armed today with only an iPad. Use the QR Codes hung around the room to discover various aspects of Indian/Hindu culture and society - then answer the questions linked below. Good luck. Happy Hunting.

QR Hunt Questions here. Make a copy and save into your SS folder.

Over the Shoulder volume 2

Ancient Egypt Unit Test review - Over the Shoulder. Note: video says test is on Friday; it was that year. Our test is on Thursday of this week (December 5th).

Ancient Egypt Flashcard Challenge

YET means I'MPOSSIBLE

If you believe that anything can be done, the word "Impossible" quickly turns to "I'm Possible." What things are you not capable of yet? Don't be afraid to share - there are many things I wish I could do, or even just be better at. The powerful word YET reassures us that no matter the task, goal or challenge, if we try our hardest and believe it can be done, it will be done. Share your thoughts here.

#I'MPOSSIBLE.