test review

Today in class we reviewed the Guns, Germs and Steel / Papua New Guinea test.  As you are aware, we will be seeing this material again on the final exam in June, so I hope today's review and discussion will help you out down the road.

Tomorrow:  Section 01 reviews.

Wednesday:  back to Egypt!

Impressive.

I think today went pretty well, don't you?

I was so impressed with you on so many levels.  You came up with thoughtful questions to ask Sarah.  You did a great job handling yourselves when speaking with her.  You provided me with valuable technical assistance when I needed it.  You showed Sarah courtesy and respect throughout, and you were pretty friendly besides!  You presented yourselves extremely well, and you gave a terrific impression of John Carroll, not to mention America.

I couldn't be happier and prouder.

bringing Cairo to our classroom

Tomorrow we will have a special guest in class.  Direct from Egypt - via Skype - our Facebook friend Sarah will be speaking to us about life in Cairo during the recent revolution that unseated Hosni Mubarak.  You are going to have the opportunity to ask Sarah questions about her experiences during the "Days of Rage," the events that led to the revolution, the future of Egypt, and anything else that interests you!

This really is a unique situation, to be able to speak with someone who was on the scene during this historic event.  Your assignment tonight is to post (at least) 10 questions you would like to ask Sarah.  I would even encourage you to tell your parents about this assignment, and see if they have any questions they would like you to ask.

Let's be totally prepared tomorrow, and make the most of this epic opportunity!


Update:  I asked Sarah what sites she uses to get news.  Here is her response:

"Of course: http://english.aljazeera.net/ and on fb, there's: http://www.facebook.com/RNN.World

Mainly, I follow news on FB and Twitter. - A lot of the sites I access are in Arabic. But here are a couple of good ones to follow through Twitter! :)

http://twitter.com/AlMasryAlYoum_E
http://twitter.com/AJELive" 

 

If you like, look them over and see if they meet our standards for reliable information.

the best show on TV tonight

What just happened in Egypt?

Revolution in Cairo has the story.

This Frontline TV special is on PBS tonight at 9 pm.
And, of course, it will be live-Tweeted at #RevolutionInCairo.

I highly recommend you watch!

Another snow day!

Of course, this gives you another day to perfect your song.

Answers to some FAQs:

• Yes, you can perform using your lyric sheet.
• Yes, you may store your guitar and amp in the TV Studio before class.
• Yes, you may submit your song on video, but you have to let me show it to the whole class in order to qualify for an A.
• No, only the people who appear on camera singing or rapping qualify for the A (not the cameraman).

More questions?  Just ask!

Egyptian rap

Thousands of years ago the Egyptians wrapped up their mummies.  Here's your chance to do a little rapping of your own.

(Get it?  "Wrap?"  "Rap?")

Your assignment over this big three-day weekend is to write a rap based on our studies of ancient Egypt.  If you are not into rap, you can write any other kind of song (rock, country, pop, opera - whatever you're into.)

You should post the lyrics on your blog.  If you do a good job on this 50-point assignment, you will get a good grade.  But in order to get an excellent grade (known as an "A"), you must perform your song before the class.

If you want musical accompaniment (beatbox, guitar, etc.) provide it yourself or with the help of someone in your class.

If you are uncomfortable "performing" in front of the class, and you still want to go for the A, you may submit a video for me to show to the class.

Total length should be at least two to three minutes - longer if you like.

So set up a jam session
Good luck to all the sections
Let me know if you have questions
Go for perfection - Follow directions - Use your connections
Have some fun, get it done, and I won't raise no objections

Peace

Schick out

Thanks.

Thanks to all of you for the warm welcome back following my days off, and for the best wishes for Martha's recovery.

Details for the weekend's assignment will be given during today's class.

Spirits of Ancient Egypt

Think back to your middle school years.  Many of you studied Ancient Egypt, and you may remember some cool stuff from those studies.  We are going to start this unit by expanding on your prior knowledge, doing some online research to broaden our knowledge.

Post the results of your research on your blog.  Use the new gadget we created in class to list any useful links you used in your research.

test on GG&S and PNG

Lord, today we have a test.
Help us, please, to do our best!

No homework tonight.
Tomorrow, we start on Egypt.

test review

I hope the review we had in class today proves helpful to you on tomorrow's test.

The test will cover Guns, Germs, and Steel and our discussions of Papua New Guinea in the 21st century.

The format will be multiple choice questions, short responses, and one essay.

Don't forget your pencil!

Today's classwork.

Dear Section 01,

I can't be in class with you today, but there is still a lot you can accomplish. 

You need to finish watching Guns, Germs, and Steel.  You can all do this individually on your computers, or perhaps you can hook up one computer to the LCD and all watch together.  Work this out with your sub; either way works for me.  To get yourselves caught up, click here, at the point where Jared Diamond is discussing domesticable animals.  This is Part 5.  You need to watch Part 5 and Part 6.  This should take less than 20 minutes.

Then you are going to do some group work.  Diamond does a great job of describing life in the highlands,  but is that a full description of all of Papua New Guinea?  You can find out by doing some research.  Use the CIA Factbook to find out how Papua New Guinea is adapting to life in the 21st century.  Focus on the people and the economy - things like the literacy rate, their industries, the economic growth rate, their languages, religions, per capita income, etc.  In groups of three, prepare a summary of how New Guineans are doing today.  This can be an informative paragraph, or a PowerPoint, or a Prezi - your choice.  Be sure to reach a conclusion: are they catching up with the rest of the world, or are they still stuck in the Stone Age?

We can review your work tomorrow in class.  I expect to be back with you then.

Reminder:  test on GG&S, and modern-day PNG, this Thursday.

Thanks for being nice to your sub!  In tonight's blog, tell me how today went!

The week at a glance.

Sections 04 and 05 have finished the video, and are researching how Papua New Guinea is doing here in the 21st century.

Section 01 will finish Guns, Germs and Steel tomorrow, and begin looking at modern-day New Guinea.

Everyone will take a test on Thursday, which will cover material from the video, as well as our discussion of PNG in 2011.

Starting Friday:  Egypt!

Just a reminder...

Have your Friday blogs posted by 11:59 pm Sunday night.  (Of course, you may post earlier if you like.)  I grade them on a weekly basis - this week's batch, as always, is worth eight points.

That may not seem like much, but they do add up.

Diamond's 14 domesticable animals

Goats, sheep, pigs, cows, horses, donkeys, Bactrian camels, Arabian camels, water buffalo, llamas, reindeer, yaks, mithans, and bali cattle.

But not zebras.

It's not a snow day.

It's an ice day.