Jan. 28 and 29

Wednesday: Students worked on their mock magazine ads for either Buddhism or Confucianism. 

Thursday: We watched a short dvd segment on the building of the Great Canal of China and then students finished and turned in their magazine ads, as well as the hand-written portion that went with it. Magazine ads are now due. 

Tuesday, Jan. 27

We finished the biography of Confucius. Students then worked on their mock magazine advertisements for either Buddhism or Confucianism. 

January 21, 22, 23, and 26

January 21 and 22: We reviewed some elements of Obama's inaugural speech, watched a dvd about the Great Wall of China, and students worked on an reading guide as we began our unit on China.

January 23: Our song of the week was Tumblin' Dice by the Rolling Stones. Students then worked to create a mock magazine ad that emphasized the appealing elements of either Buddhism or Confucianism. 

January 26: Today we spoke about the appeal of religions/ethical systems for people around the world, and students watched a dvd segment on the life of Confucius. 

January 14, 15, 16 and 20

January 14 and 15: We continued to watch the first episodes of the mini-series "Roots."

January 16: I collected the 2nd packet of work from the E. Africa portion of our African unit, and students took the Unit Exam. The packet was a small one, see below.

1.	Daily Appetizers
2.	Roots: 2
3.	Roots: 3
4.	Roots: 4

January 20: Period 1 watched the inauguration and the Obama speech. Periods 2, 4 and 5 used the internet to research Obama's life and create a timeline.

January 13 and 14

Tuesday, Jan. 13: I gave the students a preview of this Friday's test by providing 9 of the potential multiple choice questions which we reviewed. We then continued Roots. Periods 4 and 5 were given study guides for Friday's test, although all students could have come to my room to get one at lunch or after school.

Wednesday: I reviewed the study guide with the classes and we finished Roots. Below is a copy of the written portion of the study guide.

Africa: Unit Test Study Guide

Before Friday’s test be sure to study the terms and short answer questions below. Also be sure that you can identify the nations marked on the backside of this paper. Look through the packets of in-class work to help you study. I will give extra credit points on the test if you turn in a set of flash cards with your test.

Terms to know:

Savannah, Sahel, Culture, Sundiata

Berbers, Islam/Muslim, Traders, Almoravids

Mansu Musa, Timbuktu, Askia Muhammad

Ghana (Empire of), Mali (Empire of), Songhai (empire of)

Sahara Desert, Griots , Salt/Gold Trade

Labor Specialization, Kinship Group, Clans

GDP Per Capita, Middle Passage, Arabic Language

Short answer questions to prepare for:

1. What was the impact of Islam on Africa? How did Islam change ancient African society (think language, culture and government) and what is the legacy of Islam on Africa today.

2. Be able to explain the conditions captured Africans endured on the middle passage.

3. Be able to explain the legendary founding of the empire of Mali (Sundiata legend).

4. Be able to explain the trade relationship between Muslims and Africans. How was trade in West Africa different from trade in East Africa.

5. What items were traded between Africans and Arabs in West Africa and East Africa.

6. What sorts of specific problems do African children contend with every day?

January 9, and 12

January 9: I collected the packets and we started watching the ABS mini-series "Roots." We'll watch the first hour and half of the series as students study the slave trade of Africa. Here is a list of the assignments I collected on Friday. Test this Friday. Study guide forthcoming tomorrow.

January 12: We continued "Roots."

1.	Daily Appetizers
2.	Decline of Mali/Songhai .ppt
3.	Chapter 6, Lesson 1 R. Guide
4.	Ancient Africa, Mc. Littell DVD
5.	African Trading
6.	Life for African Kids
7.	Roots : 1

Jan. 7

Today students worked on one of two assignments. Half the class worked on a map about African Trading circa  1400. The other half read a website about the lives of African children and took notes about the different topics they were reading. Tomorrow students will switch and work on whichever assignment they did not work on today. 

East Africa Packet #1 will be due on Friday. 

Jan. 5 and 6

Monday: I was out ill. In periods 1 and 2 students worked on the Chapter 6, Lesson 1 reading guide. Students in periods 4 and 5 watched a dvd and answered questions about the content of the film and then worked on the reading guide.

Tuesday: I returned to school, and returned all graded work. Grades should be up-to-date in powerschool. I lectured about the end of Mali, and the Songhai empire in Africa to all four periods. In periods 1 and 2 students saw the dvd that they missed Monday.

No Homework.