Sept. 25 and Sept. 28

Friday, Sept. 25: Students worked on the spoke diagram in class. We also discussed the second "Song of the Week" which was "That's Alright" by Elvis. I also collected student notebooks.

Monday, Sept. 28: I lectured the class about the factors that led to the fall of the Western half of the Roman Empire. They filled in a note page as I spoke. Students then had an additional 25 minutes to work on their spoke diagram. I returned the notebooks which have been graded.

Thursday, Sept. 24

We are continuing to work on the illustrated spoke diagram about the legacy of Ancient Rome. Here are the directions. Notebooks are due tomorrow.


Guidelines for Creating a Photoshop Spoke Diagram

You and your partner will create an illustrated spoke diagram that illustrates the Legacy of Ancient Rome. An illustrated spoke diagram is a way of organizing information or ideas around a central idea. At the hub of a spoke diagram is the main idea or central topic, around which are spokes that connect carefully arranged key ideas, symbols, and illustrations on a subtopic to a central topic. The central idea or central topic in this case is the Legacy of Ancient Rome.



1. Gather the information you'll include: your text, and the Legacy of Rome ppt. (assignment #12)

2. Brainstorm ideas to include on the diagram. By examining your illustrated spoke diagram the other groups should be able to read it and understand the Legacy of Ancient Rome.

3. Your diagram must include:

-Six spokes that represent the 6 important legacies of Ancient Rome
-At least two visual elements (symbols or pictures) that represent the 6 legacies of Ancient Rome. Organize your images correctly around the appropriate legacy.

-A written element. This will be separate from your spoke diagram. Each legacy will be explained in a short paragraph of 5 sentences.

4. Create a rough draft of the illustrated spoke diagram. This needs to be approved by Mr. Brooks before the group proceeds on the final version.

5. Create your diagram. Use Photoshop to create the final version of your spoke diagram. Use color and other creative touches to make the spoke diagram visually appealing.

6. Make your Photoshop document 10” X 8” (inches, not pixels)

Wednesday 9/23

Today I went over some of the basics of Photoshop, the program the students will be using to complete the spoke diagram they are working on this week. Students worked on that project in class today. We're having network issues with our computers today, and I can't access a digital copy of the directions to post. Ask your student to see a hard copy.

Notebooks will be due on Friday. Here is a list of assignments that should be in order and complete.

1. Republic to Empire Map: already corrected
2. Chapter 2, Lesson 1 Reading Guide: already corrected
3. Rome: Engineering an Empire: already corrected

4. Vocabulary development: Legacy
5. Roman Empire 117 Map
6. Roman Empire Map Questions
7. Roman History Notes
8. Social Order Triangle
9. Chapter 2, Lesson 2 Reading Guide (pp. 54-56)
10. Engineering an Empire II
11. Chapter 2, Lesson 1 Reading Guide (50-51)
12. Legacy of Rome: Fill Ins

Sept. 21 and 22

Monday: I spoke to the class about what I'm calling "The 6 Legacies of Ancient Rome." They filled in note pages as I covered all 6. 6th period did the reading guide "Chapter 1, Lesson 1, The Rise of Christianity" which the other periods did on Friday.

Tuesday: I introduced a project that students will complete this week. It is a spoke diagram they will make documenting the 6 legacies I spoke of on Monday. NOTEBOOKS ARE DUE ON FRIDAY. I'll post a list of assignments, and the project description tomorrow... I can't do so from home.

September 17 and 18

Thursday: Students did a reading guide from Chapter 2, Lesson 2 and retook the physical features of the world quiz. I've corrected them and entered the new score (if higher).

Friday: Students did a reading guide from Chapter 2, Lesson 1 and watched a short dvd segment about the engineering feats of the ancient Romans. I'll be collecting the notebooks again next Friday, and will post the list of assignments that will be due on Monday.

Wednesday, Sept. 16

Today we worked on passage shrinking (taking large paragraphs and making them smaller). We completed the Roman Empire 117 A.D. map and I gave them a list of physical features to study if they will be re- taking tomorrow's physical features quiz. Periods 1, 4, and 5 began work on an internet assignment about Roman social classes.

Sept. 14 and 15

Monday: We discussed the meaning of the word "legacy." Students completed a guided vocabulary assignment during that portion of the lesson. Afterwards students worked on a map of the Roman Empire circa 117 A.D.

Tuesday: Students were given a chance to glue new assignments into their notebook and I lectured to the class about the Roman Empire. Students took notes in their notebooks.

Make-up/2nd chance physical features quiz opportunity on Thursday. Ask your student about it.

Thursday 9/10 and Friday 9/11

Students worked to complete their digital postcards. We watched a segment of the series "Engineering an Empire" about Rome. Students organized and turned in their notebooks.

Here is a list of what they should have had in their notebook. I've graded, and returned them.


Notebook Check 1
Physical Features & Rome

Name:

Table of Contents _____

Daily Appetizers _____

Physical Features
Fill-ins _____

Physical Features
Map _____

Rome: Republic to
Empire _____

Chapter 2, Lesson 1
Reading Guide _____

Rome: Engineering
An Empire _____

Neatness/Quality _____

Comments:

There were a total of 90 points possible.

Tuesday, Sept. 8, and Wednesday Sept. 9

Tuesday: Students continued working on the digital postcards of a physical feature. Students checked out textbooks to take home and had their first homework assignment (Chapter 2, Lesson 1 Reading Guide).

Wednesday: We had a mini-quiz about physical features of the world. We began our study of Rome with a timeline/map of the Roman Empire in 117 A.D. We also organized notebooks. Notebooks will be due on Friday and should have the following assignments in them:

- Table of Contents
- Daily Appetizers
- Physical Features fill-ins
- Physical Features Map (labeled)
- Get to know your SS book
SKIP A FULL 2 PAGE SPREAD! To Add a Title Page Later.
- Rome: From Republic to Empire
- Chapter 2, Lesson 1 Reading Guide

We'll more than likely add an assignment or two before I collect the notebooks on Friday.

Friday, Sept. 4

Students continued working on digital postcards of physical features of the world. Students also did a scavenger-hunt type worksheet that had them examine the table of contents in their text. We'll begin a study of Rome next week.

Sept. 2 and 3

Students have continued to work on the physical features map and the questions that go with it. Yesterday students glued the questions into their notebook. They will glue in the map today. Students are also working to create a digital postcard of a physical feature using photoshop. We'll begin our study of Rome on Tuesday.

Tuesday, Sept. 1

Today I helped students get their notebooks in order. We also discussed the difference between political and physical maps. Students began a map handout about the physical features of the world but did not finish it in class. Because students don't have textbooks to take home yet, there is no homework. We'll finish it in class tomorrow. They'll get Social Science books next Tuesday.