Weekly Schedule November 5th – November 9th

This is our schedule for the week ending November 9th, 2007. It is important to remember that these schedules are not etched in stone. Our firm belief in adjusting our curriculum to meet the needs of students sometimes causes slight changes. It is important to note that ample time is given in class to complete most assignments. There are occasional projects, spanning a week or more, that will require students to work outside of class. There will be no more than one of these per month. If you have any questions, please contact me at extension 38.

1st Year Social Studies (Period 1 & 3) – We will continue our study of the Age of Exploration. The Age of Exploration was a period from the early 15th century and continuing into the early 17th century, during which European ships traveled around the world in search of new trading routes and partners to feed burgeoning capitalism in Europe. They also were in search of trading goods such as gold, silver and spices. In the process, Europeans encountered peoples and mapped lands previously unknown to them. Among the most famous explorers of the period were Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama, and Ferdinand Magellan.
The Age of Exploration was rooted in new technologies and ideas growing out of the Renaissance. These included advances in cartography, navigation, firepower and shipbuilding. Many people wanted to find a route to Asia through the west of Europe. The most important development was the invention of first the carrack and then caravel in Portugal. These vessels evolved from medieval European designs with a fruitful combination of Mediterranean and North Sea designs and the addition of some Arabic elements. They were the first ships that could leave the relatively placid and calm Mediterranean and sail safely on the open Atlantic.

Monday, November 5th: We will be studying Christopher Columbus and his journey to the New World. We will have a worksheet, due Tuesday, and a short quiz.

Tuesday, November 6th: We will be studying Spanish Exploration of North America. We will have a worksheet, due Wednesday, and a short quiz.

Wednesday, November 7th: We will be studying English Exploration of North America. We will have a worksheet, due Thursday, and a short quiz.

Thursday, November 8th: We will be studying French Exploration of North America. We will have a worksheet, due Monday, and a short quiz.

2nd Year Social Studies (Period 2 & 4) – Presently we are covering how civilizations begin, peak, and fade. This brief survey is preparing students for more in-depth study of several prominent civilizations and will also provide assistance for their research paper (see blog entry) that is due November 15th.

Monday and Tuesday, November 5th and 6th: We will be creating a Civilization Pie. Students will determine the “ingredients” required to “bake” a civilization. Students will also be given an opportunity to continue working on their research paper.

Wednesday, November 7th: We will be studying the expansion that is needed for a civilization to become an empire: Rome’s Conquests—Traces the path and battles of Roman legions in their quest to conquer the world. Peter the Great—Looks at how this Russian leader brought Western influence and power to his struggling nation. Rise of Nationalism—Examines how ideas replaced wars in Russia’s battle against its oppressive czars. Communism & the Soviet Union—Shows the fall of czarist Russia and the birth of the first communist state.

Thursday, November 8th: We will be studying leadership: Prosperity and Decline traces the beginning of the Roman Empire and explores why the empire succeeded and why it ultimately fell. In Rome’s Wake discusses the chaos in Europe following the fall of the Roman Empire, the rise of feudalism during the Middle Ages, and the impact of the Crusades on Europe and the Middle East. The Politics of The Prince describes the political climate during the Renaissance in Italy and the political philosophy of Niccolò Machiavelli, who identified the qualities of a leader in a famous book called The Prince. Emperor Napoleon is the story of Napoleon, who created the French Empire but was defeated by other leaders of Europe.

Health –

Friday, November 9th: In preparation for conferences next week; students will complete their self-evaluation.