new test date

Two sections did not have Western Civ today, which means you haven't had this class in four days.  In order to be fair, I am postponing the test on the fall of the Roman Empire to Thursday.  Tomorrow we will review; Thursday we test.

That means we will have Friday and Monday/Tuesday to prepare for the semester exam (which is scheduled for Wednesday, June 8).  If you would like to bring in a snack or two on either of those days to make reviewing a little more enjoyable, let me know.

In any case, be ready for the test this Thursday!

fantastic classes today

Is it because the end of the year is so close?  Is it because we were on the cusp of a three-day weekend?  Whatever the reason, you guys were terrific in class today as we finished covering the decine and fall of the Roman Empire.

Be sure to do the handout, and be ready for the test on Wednesday.

And have a great weekend!

The Roman Empire nears its end

Excellent conversations in class today (Thursday) as we compare the decline and fall of the Roman Empire to current affairs in the US.

Tomorrow we finish covering the handout, leading into our well-deserved three day weekend.

If you missed class today, you might consider contacting one of your classmates to get their notes.

tonight's reading assignment

After reading the handout you received in class today, you should answer these questions, found at the bottom of page 169.

Define.
Identify: b, c, d, e, g, h, j, m, n.
Answer: 1 through 4.
Critical thinking: 5.

Post these answers to your blog post tonight.

For those of you who will not be in class this week, I would advise you to check my blog to see what classwork and homework you will be missing.

more peer reviews

Section 01 met today and spent the period reviewing essays.  I recommend checking yesterday's blog for hints and details about writing a good essay.  Also, be sure to check out the rubric I have linked to.

Be sure to bring a printed copy of your paper to class tomorrow.

Peer review of essays

Today's class was devoted to reviewing each other's essays. I have included the rubric I will be using to grade these essays; it is called "Essay Rubric" and it is listed with the other links.

Reminders about formatting: Use Times New Roman font, size 12. No bold. Standard margins. Double space. Give your paper an interesting title. (Hint: "Roman Republic vs. Roman Empire" is NOT an interesting title.) I expect the paper to be completely free of grammatical or spelling errors.

The paper is due at the beginning of class on Wednesday.  

Have it printed and ready to hand to me at the start of class.  

Failure to do so will result in a twenty-point penalty.  Be ready.

today's classwork

I will not be with you in class today.  As we discussed yesterday, you will spend today working on your paper.  I expect you to take full advantage of the time.  Writing 500 words does not take too long, but writing, rewriting, editing, and crafting a GOOD paper takes more time.  If you use today's class time wisely, and put some time and effort in over the weekend, you should have a paper you are proud of.

Don't forget - you MUST come to class next Mon/Tues with your paper printed out, ready to be reviewed by your classmates.  Twenty point penalty if you don't have enough to be reviewed or if you need to run to the library to print it.  Be ready!

I'll see you next week.  Be nice to your sub, and have a good weekend!

first a test, then a paper

Today we took a test on the Roman Empire.  I hope to have results posted soon.  I have posted the grades on PowerSchool.  (Average grade for all three sections: 83, and 17 out of 43 of you got an A!)

As we discussed in class today, the next assignment is a 500-word paper.  Topic:  Compare the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire.  We began work on the paper in class today.  Work will continue in class tomorrow (Friday).  You will then have the weekend to finish a good first draft.  In class Monday (Sections 04 & 05) and Tuesday (Section 01) you will bring a printed copy of your paper to class for peer review.  You will take the suggestions you get from your classmates and incorporate them into the final draft of your paper, which you will turn in at the start of class Wednesday.

Failure to have a printed copy of your paper in your possession at the beginning of class Monday or Tuesday will result in a 20-point penalty on the assignment.  No exceptions.

Some details on formatting the paper:  use Times New Roman font, size 12.  No bold.  Standard margins.  Title your paper.  With four or five days to work on it, I expect the paper to be completely free of grammatical or spelling errors.

You have the option of either writing a fact-based comparison of these two forms of government, or you may include your opinion, and describe which form of government you would prefer.  If you include your opinion, you must back it up with factual evidence.  It is entirely up to you what kind of paper to write; neither style has an advantage over the other.

This paper is to be entirely your own writing.  Plagiarism will result in a failing grade for the assignment and the offense will be reported to the Dean's office for disciplinary action.  Don't plagiarize.

Feel free to ask questions - in class, after school, or by email.  The assignment is worth 100 points, just like a test.  Put in some real effort, and you will be rewarded.  Let's see your best writing!

tomorrow's test

Tomorrow we will test on the Roman Empire.  It will include material from the video we watched in class ("PBS - Empire: Years of Trial.") and the PowerPoint I presented in class.

Feel free to click on the link I have provided to review the video.

I have also emailed the PowerPoint to your JC email address.

Please let me know if you have any questions.  Good luck!

the Roman Empire

Yesterday and today we have been reviewing our chapter on the Roman Empire.  We should finish this material tomorrow, and then test on Thursday.

As always, feel free to stop by with any questions or problems.

It's Friday, Friday...

As you can see, Blogger is back.  But it looks like our old posts - from Wednesday and Thursday - are gone.

I will give you credit for the blogs you posted, plus for Wednesday and Thursday.  Please post the work you did in class today, combined with your research on the emperors, by Saturday night.

Here's a recap of today's assignment:

• Working with two other people, combine your notes on the video with the notes of the others in your group.
• Supplement these notes with information on the first three Roman emperors, as found in Wikipedia.
• These emperors are Tiberius, Caligula, and Claudius.
• Post these notes by Saturday night.

Finally, we will go over these notes - plus a PowerPoint I will put together this weekend - at the beginning of next week.  We will test on the transition from Roman Republic to Roman Empire - plus the first three Roman emperors - on Wednesday of next week.

It would be a good idea to check this blog a time or two this weekend for information updates.

Have a good weekend!

Roman emperors, and Jesus - from a historical perspective

Today's video segment looked at some unbalanced Roman emperors, and at the historical figure of Jesus.

Many thanks to the brilliant 04 section for a thoughtful and provocative discussion!  It was one of those days that makes it extra rewarding to be a teacher.

If you miss a class, or if you want to review the video we are watching in class, click on the link at the right titled "PBS - Empire: Years of Trial."

See you tomorrow!

a pause to review

Today it was Section 01's turn to review the last couple tests.  This is good information that will help you next month when we take semester exams.  Keep these study guides handy!

Tomorrow, we begin to study the Roman Empire.

before we head back to Rome

Today two sections (04 & 05) reviewed the last couple tests.  This is good information that will help you next month when we take semester exams.  Keep these study guides handy!

Section 01 will go through the same routine tomorrow.

Rome test

Two weeks of studying Rome will culminate with a short test tomorrow.

How to study for it?

• Check the notes you've taken on the class projects/PowerPoints.
• Review the three handouts I emailed you.
• Memorize the song.

Multiple choice only.  Please come prepared with a pencil.  Short classes tomorrow, but you should still have plenty of time.  Good luck, study hard, be ready!

working in class Wednesday

Sorry to say, but I will not be with you in class today, Wednesday, May 4.

In class, you should continue to work with your partner on your Rome PowerPoints. Please help out anyone who wasn't in class Monday or Tuesday - get them to partner up and take a stanza of the song that hasn't been assigned yet.

We'll start presenting these in class Thursday.

I want to thank you in advance for having a great, productive day, and for being nice to my sub.  See you tomorrow!

your PowerPoint

I have emailed everyone in all three sections a PDF that may help you research your PowerPoint.  As I said in class, you are free to use Wikipedia, since this is not a research paper.  If you would like to use any other sources, feel free.  Use the last frame of your PPt to list your sources.