Homework 9/30

Ending our discussion on classical India, please read the following sections and answer the questions that follow (can be posted on one blogpost):

Pg 225 - India and the creation of zero.  On your blog, write a paragraph about why this is so important!

Pg 227 - Read the selection from the Bhagavad Gita.  Answer the question in italics.

Tomorrow in class: we will have a brief discussion, and then begin reviewing some of the information we've already discussed in class so we aren't totally overwhelmed when it matters before the next test (aiming for mid-October) Remember...Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. 

Homework 9/25

For homework tonight, please read pgs 217-221 about Jainism and Buddhism.  We will spend some time talking about them in class.

Also, have a twitter account set up..you could make a special APWH one if you don't want to use your personal twitter.

In class and Homework for 9/24

In class today, we will finish our notes on the Han Dynasty.

Once we have finished, you are going to take on the role of an advisor to the Han Dynasty and create a plan that would have prevented the Han Dynasty from collapsing.  When and how would you intervene?  What problems existed and how would you solve them?

Post your plan on your blog, and when everyone is finished we will hash them out together to create the ultimate solution for the Han Dynasty.

Homework for tonight - Read pgs 207 - 213 in your textbook..off to India we go!

Class notes for China (Ch 8) are HERE

In Class Monday and Homework

Today (Monday) in class we will talk about the Han Dynasty and take notes in class.

Monday night's homework - Complete the next pocket map in your pocketmap collection.  Using the maps in your book, use the notecard you were given in class to create a map that shows the expansion/overlap of the Qin and Han Dynasty.  You should have major cities and rivers labeled, as well as both dynasties on the same map.  A picture of your map should be posted to your blog.

Homework 9/19

For homework tonight, read about Legalism and the Qin Dynasty (pronounced chin) on pages 186 - 193.  

An example of Legalism thought is linked up HERE.  Take a look at it, we'll talk about it a little tomorrow and answer any questions people may have.

Homework 9/18

Daoism...what the what?

It's tricky I know.  Tonight for homework, look at THESE excerpts from the Dao De Jing.  You should focus on numbers 1, 3, 8, 11, and 12.  Read them once.  Mull them over.  Read them again.  Try to figure out their deeper meaning.  They're meant to be ellusive, paradoxical, and provocative.  If you feel like you understand them after just one reading, you're probably not doing it right.

Once you think you understand the Dao De Jing, come up with a one sentence that describes what Daoism is all about.  Post this sentence on your blog.

Dao De Jing

Homework 9/16

Make sure you have the iBooks app downloaded on to your iPad.

Within the app, search - The Chinese Classics - Volume 1: Confucian Analects by James Legge (it's free, but you need to have an iTunes account - also free)

Read books 1 and 2, and then choose another book of your choice to skim.  

On your blog, post your answers to the following questions:

1)  Is this a religion? Why do you think so/think not?

2)  Does this reading support the idea that people are born good/bad/neutral?  Refer to three examples (using the book, section, and line number as the citations) that support your point of view.  

In class 9/17 - Discussion / Notes about Confucianism 

Compare Contrast Rubric Walkthough

Here is the rubric broken down for you to use while you write your essay over the weekend.  Remember, longer is not the answer, just make sure you get the information you need to have and that it is relatively fluid to read (not just sentences on the same piece of paper).

Compare Contrast Walkthrough

Your new essay is due on Monday.

Pocket Maps and Homework 9/13

Today, we will be making a pocket map (for you to keep with you in your pocket at all times, duh).  We'll make them for all the regions we study, you'll have quite the collection!

Pages in your book for the map are 161 and 169.  On your map, you must include the following...

-Key
-Compass Rose
- Tigis, Euphrates, and Indus Rivers
- Sardis, Susa, Parsargadae, Persepolis (cities)
- the regions of Anatolia and Greece
- Mediterranean, Black, and Caspian Seas
- the Persian Gulf

Once you have created your map, take a (good) picture of it and post it to your blog. Use the label 'pocket map' so that you'll be able to quickly find all your maps when your reviewing at the end of the year.

THEN, read pages 181-189 so we can start to talk about China!

Homework 9/11

Here is the link to the PowerPoint presentation on Persia: Persia Notes

You should have downloaded a QR reader/scanner app and tonight you'll need to use it.

Skip till you get to the QR code for the Gathas (Hymns of the Zoroastrian faith).  Read each hymn (there are four) and summarize the main ideas/message of each.  Post this response to your blog!

If you'd like to watch the rest of the Engineering an Empire documentary, you can find it HERE

Engineering an Empire Blog Questions

Engineering an Empire: Persia

1. What is the order of Persian leaders?

2. What is a qanat?  How does it work?

3. What is Cyrus’ tomb like?

4. What interaction does Cyrus have with the Jews?

5. What did Darius build?

Homework 9/10

For tonight, read pgs 168-178.  We already talked about some of the content in class so skim what you can!

History Heads, Part Deux (and reading for tonight)

For the second part of the History Head assignment, you'll need to access the class Protopage, linked HERE.  You should bookmark this page, we'll be coming back to it several times this year. When you click on a classmate's name, their blog should pop up.

Once you have hung up your poster, you will do a gallery of your class mates work and make note of the images or symbols they chose for the same countries as you, or how they interpreted the themes differently.

You will  choose two classmate's blogs to assess further, however, they cannot be someone who completed the same region/society as you (ex/ if you did China, you can't choose another China).  You are going to be posting on your classmates' blogs in their comments section and you will also be copying and pasting the comments you made on their blog in your blog, as a new post.

A good comment should look like the following:
1)  A greeting!
2)  A compliment - something you thought they did well;
3)  Constructive critique - point out something that could have been better and suggest a way to make it better;
4)  Describe one way your society and their society are similar / how they overlap;
5)  Describe one way your society and their society were different;
6)  Ask at least one question to the author - what would you like to know more about?  This could be about why they chose a particular image, clarification, or layout issues etc;
7)  Sign your post (Sincerely, / Your pal, / etc)

In addition to your blog post, you will read pgs 159-168 about Persia.  I strongly suggest taking written notes, but I will not be checking them...

History Head Assignment, Part One

Today we will be working on a project to help us to start thinking about the major themes of APWH and how they apply to each of the cultures we will be studying.

You have each been assigned to a region discussed in Ch 1-6 (time period 8000BCE-600CE) and you will use your history head to describe how each of the themes applies to your society on both an individual level (inside the head) and for your society as a whole (outside the head).

A description of the project is can be found HERE.  If you continue scrolling to the second page of that document you will see a list of the five themes.  There also is a blank history head image below if you need an extra for whatever reason.

This website gives you a more detailed explanation of each of the themes.

The rubric you will be graded with can be found HERE.  Reminder - in order to score a 4 you must exceed expectations!

Your history head poster and the accompanying blog post (see task I of the assignment sheet) are due on Monday, September 9th 

Part Deux of the History Head Project will commence on Monday during the class period.

Self Assessment

Now that you've done your first test and first essay..reflect on it! You should have your blog created and a link to it should have been emailed to me - if you have not done it yet, you need to for tonights homework!  On your blog, respond to the following:

How was the test?  How was the essay?  Experiences are great learning tools..what will you do better for next time?

If you have not emailed your blog to me I will not be able to see your homework and it will be late!

Information about the Essay Tomorrow

The first test in APWH is officially history (hah).  

Tomorrow in class you will write your first essay.  The style will be Compare and Contrast and the topic will be drawn from Chapters 1-6.  You should look over the AP scoring guide for C/C essays linked up here.  Also if you'd like, there are many AP essay writing resources on the internet..check out some of the C/C essay guides so you get a sense about what you're supposed to do.  

If you have not already, you need to create your blog (either a wordpress or a blogger) that is specifically for APWH.  You will have a blog post tomorrow for homework anyways, so you'll need it by then anyways.  Send me the link to your blog ASAP because I am compiling a master list of all the blogs in one place (which I will share back with you)

AP WH Prospectus

Here you will find the prospectus that will provide you an overview of this AP World class and it's policies.

APWH Prospectus 2013-2014

Welcome Back!!

I hope that you've all had a wonderful year are are looking forward to a productive school year!  We'll be jumping right into the fray and starting the school year with a bang...

Or a test.  Tomorrow (Wednesday, Sept 4) we will be having a test in class covering the first six chapters of the text book you read over the summer.  You will have 45 minutes to complete the test, which consists of 70 multiple choice questions (like the AP test).  The test is Scantron and you will need to bring a #2 pencil.  

On Thursday (Sept 5) we will be writing an in class essay in the Compare/Contrast format.  The content for the essay will also be from Ch 1-6.  I recommend familiarizing yourself with the College Board grading guide, which can be found here.