Week 12

Final week of the second grading period.

World History:

Last Thursday we started the project on The Vikings. The students have covered a brief history of the Vikings, taken a test over this information, written their name in Norse Runes, composed a Scaldic Poem and written it in runes, as a group have written a message on a rune stone, and then translated all the different groups messages on their rune stones. Quite a lot over three class periods. Left to do is artwork, making jewelry and building a model viking ship. Next week we will prepare for an Althing where students will conduct Norse trials, act out a saga, and feast a dead chieftan while dressed like Vikings. Jewelry and the model ship will be due the day of the Althing, which is tentatively set for November 12 and 13. Election day and Veterans day are making the project go longer than expected. Remember that for the Althing all food brought must be consistent with Viking (pre-Columbus) food.

Week 11

We're on B schedule this week. That means A classes will meet only Mon & Wed, B will meet Tue, Thur, & Fri.

World History:

Tuesday we finished up Chapter 11, for extended response students answered 3 of the 5 questions on page 106. Then they took a test on a map and chart. After the test students were given a vocabulary sheet to work on the glossary for chapter 13 The Middle Ages.

The vocabulary sheet has the students write down the word, rate their knowledge of the word, define the word in their own words and either draw a picture as an example of the word or use it in a sentence. This is a new graphic orgainizer that should help students learn and retain their knowledge of the new words in each chapter.

Law:

Students took a test on chapter 10, and with the new graphic organizer on vocabulary started going over ch 11 Crimes Against Property. Today students wrote a judicial opinion concerning the case against Davie Kernell (internet hacker). Students have also listened to excerpts from Scott Turrow's book Ultimate Punishment and have been taking notes on the various points he is making concerning the death penalty.

U. S. History:

Students answered the questions on the section quizes over chapter 5 and took the test on chapter 5. We then started Chapter 6 using the vocabulary graphic organizer. Test on chapter 6 will be next Monday.

Another crazy week

There will be classes this week today (Monday), Thursday and Friday. Tuesday is an in-service day and Wednesday we are giving the PSAT test to all sophomores and juniors.

World History:

Last week we finished the unit on Islam and started Chapter 11 covering sections 1 & 2.

This week we will cover section 3 and have the extended response question on Monday for A schedule students and Thursday for B schedule students.

Friday A schedule students will take the map and multiple choice test, B schedule students will take it on Tuesday of next week.

Law: Last week we starte discussion on the Death Penalty. Today we covered the major pros and cons. Friday we will start listening to Scott Turrow's book on CD Ultimate Penalty.

U. S. History:

Started chapter 5 section 1 on Westward expansion, Monday we'll cover farming in the midwest sections 2 & 3. Friday will be the test over chapter 5 and we'll get started on ch 6.

Crazy week down another one to go

I want to express my gratitude to all parents that came to Open House on Monday. It was nice to meet you and I hope we can get more communication going between us either by e-mail or this blog.

Because of Open House and Fall break A classes only met on Wednesday this week, next week due to an in-service on Tuesday and testing on Wednesday A classes will meet Monday and Friday, B classes will only meet on Thursday.

World History:

Today we finish the project on Islam all students need to turn in their Zakaat Verification form, Meet the Caliphs information sheet and your drawing of an Islamic rug.

Starting Chapter 11, page 301 in textbook. Students need to write down the names and terms for sections 1 & 2, then take notes as I discuss the Byzantine Empire and rise of Russia.

Law:

Because of this disconnected schedule I've decided not to have the students write a 5 page term paper as planned. That will have to wait until next semester. Yesterday the students wrote a position paper on the Death Penalty and took a test on Ch 9 (Crimes Against the Person). Next week we will start a unit on the Death Penalty.

U.S. History:

Started chapter 5 section 1 on Westward expansion, Monday we'll cover farming in the midwest sections 2 & 3. Friday will be the test over chapter 5 and we'll get started on ch 6.

 

Up and running again

I want to thank the technology specialists here for getting me a new computer and I'm now back up to speed on my grades and other aspects of teaching.

World History:

We've been working on a project learning about Islam. Students have been placed in cities under a Caliph and they turn in a Caravan Log every class period where students sign in and write down the five things they've learned that day. All cities have done an artistic banner using the letters of the Arabic Alphabet, and all students have made a name plate after choosing an Arabic name. There's been a pre-test and will be a post test when the unit is finished.

The last class period each city was given an information sheet on a celebrity and each city chose which student would act as that celebrity. On Tuesday and Wednesday of this week those celebrities will visit all other cities in the class and answer questions about their celebrity. All students were given an question sheet about all six celebrities to ask and write down the answers.

All students were also given a Zakaat verification sheet as homework over the weekend. They must perform a service to someone in the community, another student, faculty member, other school personnel, and another city in the class. The person or persons they perform this service for needs to sign the verification form as proof they aided and assisted them in some manner. Students get 20 points for each of the service categories.

Law:

We've started Criminal Law and are going through the different types of crimes (against the person, property etc) as well as vocabulary. Last week we saw the movie From The Hip which dealt with two trials, one an assault and battery the other a murder.

U. S. History:

We've covered the Civil War and Reconstruction the past two weeks. Last week we started Westward Expansion, and watched the movie Paint Your Wagon about the gold rush and mining towns. This week we'll begin working in the textbook Chapter 5 starting at page 202.

Temporary shutdown

The computer in my classroom was stolen and I'm having to do with makeshift equipment until the tech dept. can get me a replacement. Until then I'll be taking a sabbatical on blogging. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Week 6

Last week of the first grading period.

World History:

Read chapter 6 Rome, make sure you have written down all terms and names.

Due Thursday for B schedule and Friday for A schedule:

A two page (one page typed) paper answering the following questions:

What do you believe (any kind of belief, not just religious), and why do you believe it.

Would you be willing to die for your belief?

Law:

If the position paper on Marijuana has not been turned in, do so before Friday. I will accept it two pages hand written instead of typed.

Page 94 in text book problem 7.12 question A, this needs to be answered and turned in as soon as possible for those who were absent.

U. S. History:

Monday we read and discussed the ammendments to the Constitution.

Wednesday we answered general questions in class over the Constitution and I gave a practice test. Students need to take this practice test home and use it to study for the real test on Friday.

Week 5

World History: Covering chapter 5 with test over the chapter on Tuesday for B schedule and Wednesday for A schedule

Tuesday and Wednesday we are also learning how to write our names in Egyptian hieroglyphs and in the Greek alphabet.

Law: Monday your incident reports from Friday were due, Wednesday we will continue with Criminal Law.

Homework for Monday of next week: One page typed (double spaced no larger than 12 font) position paper on Marijuana. Your choices are to maintain status quo (keep things the way they are), decriminalize (move all offenses from felony to misdemeanor), or legalize (allow open sale). The paper should have a minimum of three arguments to support your position.

U.S. History: Monday we took the test on Chapter 2 The American Revolution and forming the constitution. Wednesday we start the sub chapter on the Constitution.

Homework for Monday of next week: Read in textbook pages 84 through 104.

Week 4

World History:

China is now finished. We are leaving a project and starting a regular unit of study on Greece and Rome.

In class: Tuesday -- using the Reading Study Guide (from now on rsg) we covered pages 29 & 30 of Chapter 3 section 4 the Origins of Judaism. This is needed to understand Christianity when we get to it in Chapter 6. The routine of rsg is to in your notebook: 1. write down the terms and names found in the box in the upper right hand corner of the first page per section. 

2. Write down the question that comes before each reading section, these I refer to as the "Before" questions" we will discuss the questions that are numbered and come after the reading section, but those don't need to be written down or answered.

3. Read the sections.

4. Answer the "Before" questions.

After studying the origins of Judaism we will then proceed to Chapter 5 found starting at page 43 in the rsg. Continue with the routine of writing down the terms and names, before questions, reading the passage and answering the before questions.

Homework:

Read chapter 4 in your textbook. If you have not finished answering the "before" questions finish answering them from the information in the textbook.

Law:

I'm not going to be quite as detailed in what we're covering and when. This is a discussion class first and foremost. You will need to write down the vocabulary as we proceed, but we get as far each class period as the discussion permits. We are starting Criminal Law.

Homework: Students are to watch and read the local and national news every day. If there is something concerning the law as it relates to what we are learning, they should note it down and bring it to class for discussion.

U.S. History:

Chapter 2 The American Revolution.

Tuesday -- Sections 1 & 2 in reading study guide (rsg) do the routine (write down names and terms, before questions, read, answer questions, be prepared for discussion)

Thursday -- sections 3 & 4.

Week 3

World History:

We are through with the project on China, grades for each group consisted of decorating the clan envelope, individual name plates, map of china and clan banner. The banners were very good this year. The best banner for each clan has been taken to be laminated and will be placed in the library.

We went over the Chinese Virtues of: Propriety, Benevolence, Wisdom, Righteousness and Tao (unity or harmony) and compared them with Character Counts. Students were then assigned to write a one paragraph essay comparing and contrasting the Virtues and Character Counts. We also read the story of Meng Jiang Nyu. Each clan then wrote a paragraph detailing the examples of Chinese Virtues Meng exhibited in the story.

 To finish up on China there was a map test on the Silk Road and on pages 19-20 of the reading study guide there was a three paragraph essay on how geography shaped China.

Next week we will start Chapters 5 & 6 Greece and Rome.

Law:

We've covered the four great legal systems and have started the introductory chapter in the textbook. So far we've only discussed a few issues and had to deal with a lot of vocabulary, but that will improve shortly. Ready or not next week we start Criminal Law.

U.S. History:

We've finished up Chapter 1 and took the first test today.

Next week will be the American Revolution.

China posters

Class A2

Class B4 one group did not finish, their poster will be added when it is done.

Class B3

Class B1

Week 2

World History:

We are continuing our project on China. 1. All students should have chosen a Chinese name and made a nameplate using the calligraphy for their name. All students should have labeled a map of China and colored it, and lastly all Clans should have decorated their clan envelope with the clan banner as shown on page 3 of the booklet. 

The first day of this week for each class will finish these tasks and help all new students get caught up. On page 5 & 6 of the booklet is each clan's story. The clan leader will read the story to the clan and they will then prepare a presentation to the rest of the class where there will be a narrator telling the story to the class as the other members of the clan act out the story. Your presentations will be the second day of the week.

The next task will be to decorate the actual banner of your clan starting with class A-1 on Friday and Monday, all other classes next Tuesday. The best banner from each clan out of all classes will be placed in the Library to replace the ones there from a few years ago.

Law:

We have discussed the reason to have laws, and started covering the four great legal systems in the world today. Monday we covered Civil Code. Wednesday we will look at Islamic and Mongol law. Friday we will look at Common Law (actually for that day forward as all the law from this point will in Common Law.)

In groups I had you think of a law you either wanted to see enacted or abolished, unfortunately the bell rang before they could be discussed. We will pick up from there on Wednesday.

U.S. History:

We've covered Sections 1 and 2 of Chapter one. Wednesday we will cover sections 3 and get started on section 4. Friday we will finish up the chapter and there will be an extended response quiz.

First Day -- First Week

It's going to take some time for the dust to settle on our A/B schedule, by September we'll all be in the groove and all of this will just be a memory, so don't despair.

We started the year on a Tuesday so it was B classes. Tomorrow will be the A classes.

World History:

B -- we started the project on China by joining a Clan, choosing a leader and writing our Chinese names then writing them down on an index card in calligraphy. Students then drew the clan animal on the other side of the card, then drew their clan banner on the outside of the clan's manilla envelope, which is all that time would allow.

A -- Your turn tomorrow.

U. S. History:

We will begin a quick review of the period of exploration and colonization.

Law:

We will explore why laws are necessary and the different type of legal systems there are in the world.

New School Year

In a few days classes will begin again. I wish to welcome all students and parents to this site for information and communication. This year WMHS will be on an A/B block schedule. It will be vital for all concerned to keep up with what is going on from one class period to the next, and this blog's intended use is for that purpose.

Mr. Prescott