You Got That Crusading Spirit...

Good Evening my wonderful little class!

Today's blog assignment is pretty easy...but, if you put a little effort into it, it can actually be pretty entertaining :)

I want you to do a little research on the Crusades..and what life would have been like for someone alive during that time..you can take the point of view of the Pope, the King (maybe Richard the Lion-hearted), a knight, a vassal, a peasant, a Muslim military leader (maybe Saladin), a Muslim soldier, etc...

Then, you are to create a postcard from the point of view of the person you chose...you are to write to a loved one, describing what your life is like, what daily struggles you have to face, what battles you have to survive, etc...for example, you can be a knight writing to your lady about what life is like on the battle field, or you can be a peasant describing the struggles you face with your country at war...the possibilities are endless!

I would also like for you to create a picture of your character (using any program you have available to you!) If you are not able to submit the picture on the blog, just submit your postcard and print your picture to give to me in class!

Good Luck!  

TURK is the WORD....

Ok my wonderful little World History class!  I am sorry that this is getting posted so late..but, that's just life sometimes!  Here is your task, should you choose to accept it...which, by the way YOU WILL ACCEPT IT :)  

You will need to watch the following 2 video clips depicting the fall of the Byzantine Empire to the Muslim Ottoman Turks...

After you have watched the videos, you have TWO assignments...

FIRST..you will need to write at least a paragraph about one interesting fact that you learned from the videos...you need to be original..DO NOT just repost what someone else has already said!!!  I want to see what YOU think is interesting!!  

SECOND...you need to come up with at least 2 questions per video (4 questions in total) based on the videos...These questions need to be well-thought out and of high quality...these questions will be your exit ticket from class on Thursday!!!  You are to come up with questions that can be answered in the video (as if you were coming up with your own blog assignment/post!!  Please email me RussellL@friscoisd.org or speak to me at school if you have any questions!! 

Good Luck!!

Byzantine Empire...the "New Rome"

Ok, something easy for this blog assignment!  I want you to watch the two video clips on The Byzantine Empire...this is the first two parts in a four part series (if you are interested..please check out the 3rd and 4th part on youtube!)...


After you watch the clips, I want you to write a two paragraph minimum summary of what you learned from the videos.  Be descriptive and be original...try to post something that no one else has mentioned!  After you have posted your response, I want you to read other students posts and make a comment on at least one!  


Please have this completed by Thursday morning (BEFORE CLASS!!)


Good Luck!
Mrs. Russell :)

More Empires! India and China :)

Good Evening my wonderful students!  It is very important that you spend time reviewing the powerpoints that I have linked here. We are not going to have much time in class to review the classical empires of India and China, so, you will be responsible for this information!  I know that this is a lot of information, but, it covers all that I need you to focus on for these empires.

Ok, here is your blog assignment for today!  Read through the powerpoints/notes linked here.  (Remember, you are more than welcome to print out the powerpoints at home if you are able and keep them in your notes!)  As you read through the powerpoints, I want you to focus on the theme of religion and philosophical beliefs...

Respond to the following...DISCUSS THE DEVELOPMENT OF BUDDHISM AND HINDUISM IN INDIA (which dynasty is mostly responsible for the spread of each religion, basic ideas of each religion, importance in political and social aspects)...then...DISCUSS THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHINESE RELIGIONS AND PHILOSOPHIES OF CONFUCIANISM, LEGALISM, AND DAOISM (again, which dynasty is mostly responsible for the development & spread of each, the basic ideas of each, and the political and social importance of each).


Maurya and Gupta India

Ancient China

Chinese Philosophies

Ancient China..Shang & Zhou

China: Qin & Han

ROME...THE BEGINNING...

Use the link below to access a reading on the Early Romans...
Early Rome Reading :)

After you have studied the information in the reading (hint, hint!)..answer the following questions:


1.  How did Rome develop from a "monarchy" under an Etruscan king, into a republic?


2.  How was the government of the Roman Republic set up?  (Describe the difference between plebeians and patricians and the way each group was represented in government)


3.  Discuss some of the contributions Rome made to western civilization.


As always, gather your thoughts..answer the questions in a comment...and make sure that you comment on another student's response!!


You guys rock!!

Celebration of Knowledge!!!!!!! Whoo---Hooo!!!!

Good Morning!  You will be the first to participate in my testing "experiment" :)

Question number 1:

Describe the contributions of the Persian Empire.  Include examples of their leaders/government (satraps), the extent of the empire, and the culture.


Question number 2:

Discuss the similarities and differences between the Greek empire and the Mayan empire.  Include information regarding the location of the empire, the climate, the culture, the development of the city-states, religion, etc.

Rules...you may use any previous blog post for information...you may use any internet source for information..you may use any comment from your classmates as information..YOU MAY NOT TALK to anyone during the blog assignment.  All communication must be done through the blog and all communication must be related to the assignment (no fighting boys!)


Also, you must answer in complete sentences and in paragraph form...and you must answer in your own words!  No copy and pasting from internet sources or other blog posts...I will be checking!!

Good Luck!
Mrs.Russell :)

Not Alexander the So-So...Alexander the GREAT!!

Use the following link

http://stallion.abac.peachnet.edu/ssenapati/HUMN2221/PPT/student/Alexander%20the%20Great.ppt
or conduct your own research on the Amazing King of Macedonia...Alexander the Great!  After you have researched Alexander and learned a little bit about his life, his conquests, and his legacy...write a paragraph in which you answer the following questions:

What were Alexander's strengths as a military leader?

What were Alexander's strengths as a politician?

What did Alexander learn from Aristotle?

How did Philip and Olympias individually influence Alexander's development?

Describe the legacy of Alexander's influence on world history.

Why was Alexander anxious about his succession?

Was Alexander inconsistent in his treatment of conquered cities? If so or if not, how and why?

REMEMBER...After you have made your comment..make sure that you read your classmates posts and respond to at least one comment!  And, if you have a problem posting from home..email me your response to RussellL@friscoisd.org 

Good Luck!

Mrs. Russell :)

Mayan Vs. Greece...hmmmm???

Ok guys!  Forgive me :)  There are 3 videos here that I want you to watch...each of these videos are about 15 minutes in length...they are actually very interesting, so please give them a chance!!  We are looking at the Mayan civilization and we are going to make a comparison between the Mayan and the Greek civilization..please watch the 3 video clips and as you watch...take note of the social structure, the religious structure, the governmental structure, and the cultural legacy/achievements of the Mayans!

Now that you have watched the videos :) :) :)

I want you to make a comparison between the Greek city-states and the Mayan civilization...compare them based on the governmental structure, economy, religious practices, and cultural achievements/legacy...you should respond in at least one paragraph and give examples based on the videos/research on the Mayans and the notes/research that we have discussed about the Greeks...after you have posted your "original" opinion :) please make sure that you read the rest of the posts and make a comment on another students response!

You guys are doing fantastic!  I am so proud of you!!!!! :)

Mrs. Russell :)

Athens vs. Sparta

Ok, so we have examined the Persian empire (and don't worry, we will recap on Monday!)...now we are going to take a look at those crazy city-states that eventually brought an end to the great Persians!


Do a web search on the differences and similarities between the two major Greek city-states...Athens and Sparta.  I am not including any videos for this assignment, but you are more than welcome to view YouTube videos on Athens and Sparta!  Be prepared to give information for each city-state for the following topics:  location and population, government and political organization, social structure, allies, military strength, lifestyles and values, education, role of women, and cultural achievements and legacy.  Be prepared to fill out the following chart!

Put the answers in the blanks. Note: Some may be found in both.	ATHENS	SPARTA
Which had the largest Population?
GovernmentWhich was a limited democracy? Which was a military oligarchy? Which had two kings? Which had an assembly?
Social StructureWhich had citizens as the upper class? Which had foreigners as a working class? Which had slaves?
AlliesWhich was the leader of the Delian League? Which was the leader of the Peloponnesian League?
Military strengthsWhich had the strongest navy? Which had the strongest army on land?
Life style and valuesWhich had militaristic values? Which had democratic values?
Role of womenWhich limited women's role in politics? Which gave the most freedom to women?
EducationWhich valued choral dance and music? Which valued athletics? Which gave more education to girls? Which gave the most education to boys?
Cultural achievements and legacy - what are the achievements and the legacy of each?
Other

After researching this information..you will need to respond to the following questions...

1.  Discuss the conclusions that you came to regarding the comparison chart.


2.  Based on the advantages and disadvantages of different social roles in each city-state (ex. noble, women, boys, girls, peasants, slaves, etc)..which city-state would you prefer to live in?  Why?  Give examples to back up your decision!  


3.  As always...after you respond...you will need to read another student's comment and then respond to their comment!


Good Luck!
Mrs. Russell :)

Quick Note About Persia Info!!

Hi gang!

I just wanted to tell you how proud I am of the work that you are doing and how happy it makes me to see the collaboration and effort you are all putting into this "experiment"!

I have been reading over the comments on the Persia assignment and I am very impressed with what you guys have come up with..you all did great and the more we do this, the better we will all become!

I would like for everyone to review all of the comments and pay special attention to Hayley's post and to Anton's (Rice's) post...remember, you are responsible for knowing and understanding all of this information!  Please do not hesitate to comment or to talk to me personally if there is ever anything you need extra help on!!

Thank you all so much!

Be looking for your next assignment by this evening..it will be due by 11:59 on Sunday, Sept. 25

Mrs. Russell :)

Update!

Hi class!  I am just testing this out to see if I am able to post from home!

I was not able to make a comment on the Persia post from home..I am not sure why, but we will work this out!  Like I said, this is a work in progress!  Please make sure that you watch the videos and try to post tonight..if you are not able to post..either email me your comment (russelll@friscoisd.org) or write your comment on paper (the old fashioned way!!) and turn in tomorrow!  Thank you guys for being so flexible and open-minded!! :)

Thank you!!!  See you tomorrow!
Mrs. Russell :)

Persia: Engineering an Empire

Look at the Conrad-Demarest Model of Empires and watch the 5 YouTube videos on the Persian Empire.  As you watch the videos, use the Model to find examples in the Persian Empire for each of the characteristics in the Model.  For example, the first characteristic under the "Necessary conditions present for the rise of empires" is "Strong government established already (central)"...What is an example in the Persian Empire of "strong government established already (central)"?

Conrad-Demarest Model of Empires:

1.    Necessary conditions present for rise of empires:

a.     Strong government established already (central)

b.    Agriculture  base able to support large civilization

c.     Neighbors are unstable so easy to conquer (warring, politics, etc) (divide and conquer)

2.    The primary reason a state succeeds in empire building is an ideology supporting personal identification with the state, empire, conquest and militarism (strong ideology as an appeal)

3.    The Major rewards of an empire:

a.     Economic

b.    Population increase and support larger

4.    Empires fall because:

a.     Grow to big to fast to maintain

b.    Economic structure is not as stable

c.     Revolutions topple the empire

Minoans, Mycenaeans, Phoenicians

Discuss the cultural contributions of the Minoans, Mycenaeans and the Phoenicians...Use the powerpoint, notes, and videos to help you with your discussion. 

Then, respond or comment on another student's post!