Friday, December 19, 2008

Revised study guide for first semester exam


cmhs
Originally uploaded by trudeau
Geography study guide / Trudeau
Mapping basics
1. The coordinates of this famous American city are approximately 40N, 74W. This must refer to:
a) Denver b) San Diego c) London d) Philadelphia.
2. On a Mercator map which is more distorted? a) Ecuador b) Chile.
3. On a flat Mercator map you see a route that seems to be curved rather than straight across. The curved line does not represent a Great Circle route; it represents a Robinson projection. T / F
4. The source of the Mississippi is Lake a) Titicaca b) Superior
c) Michigan d) Itasca.
Famous cities:
5. 40N, 74W
6. 32N, 35E
7. 32S, 19E
8. 34S, 150E
9. 30N, 90W
10. The region associated with the earliest use of math and mapping: a) Babylonia b) Mesopotamia c) Egypt d) Greece.
11. Greenwich, England, is home to the a) equator b) prime meridian c) oldest section of London.
12. Pythagoras and the grid system are associated with a) Greece b) Egypt c) Mesopotamia.
13. Louisiana is usually thought of as having a place in the __ Hemisphere. a) Eastern b) Western c) Southern d) Cerebral.
14. Use your text to find the coordinate that is described as 0 degrees, 0 minutes and 0 seconds.
It is the a) equator b) prime meridian c) both the equator and prime meridian.
15. Cartographer: a) Vespucci b) diCaprio c) Columbus d) McNally.
16. The Red River flows through or adjacent to the states of Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Mississippi. T / F
answers . . .
1. Philadelphia
2. Chile
3. F
4. Itasca
5. Philadelphia
6. Jerusalem, Israel
7. Cape Town, South Africa
8. Sydney, Australia
9. New Orleans
10. Greece
11. prime meridian
12. Greece
13. Western
14. both
15.Vespucci
16. F

What city lies at 39N, 116E?
a) Seoul, S. Korea
b) Shanghai, China
c) Beijing, China
d) Denver, Co





Current Overview
1 ) S t o r m s s e e m l a r g e r t h a n u s u a l i n r e c e n t y e a r s . A c c o r d i n g t o N a t i o n a l G e o g r a p h i c , s c i e n t i s t s l a r g e l y a t t r i b u t e t h i s t o a ) c o a s t a l e r o s i o n b ) l o s s o f b a r r i e r i s l a n d s c ) c h a n g e s i n o c e a n c u r r e n t s s u c h a s t h e G u l f S t r e a m d ) g l o b a l w a r m i n g .

N a m e t h e l a r g e c i t y c l o s e s t t o :

2 ) 4 0 N , 7 4 W
3 ) 3 2 N , 3 5 E
4 ) 3 0 S , 2 0 E
5 ) 3 5 S , 1 5 0 E
6 ) 3 0 E , 9 0 W

7 ) T h e r e g i o n a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h e e a r l i e s t u s e o f m a t h a n d m a p p i n g : a ) B a b y l o n i a b ) M e s o p o t a m i a c ) E g y p t d ) G r e e c e .
8 ) G r e e n w i c h , E n g l a n d , i s h o m e t o t h e a ) e q u a t o r b ) p r i m e m e r i d i a n c ) o l d e s t s e c t i o n o f L o n d o n .
9 ) P y t h a g o r a s a n d t h e g r i d s y s t e m a r e a s s o c i a t e d w i t h a ) G r e e c e b ) E g y p t c ) M e s o p o t a m i a .
1 0 ) T h i s a n c i e n t r e g i o n w a s n o t m e n t i o n e d i n n o t e s o n t h e h i s t o r y o f c a r t o g r a p h y , b u t i t i s o n e o f t h e r e g i o n s d e s i g n a t e d a C r a d l e o f C i v i l i z a t i o n . W e m a y g u e s s t h a t t h e i r a c h i e v e m e n t s i n m a p m a k i n g w e r e a l s o s i g n i f i c a n t .
a ) C h i n a b ) R o m e , I t a l y c ) A z t e c s , M e x i c o C i t y d ) C o n s t a n t i n o p l e .
1 1 ) C a l l e d t h e F a t h e r o f g e o g r a p h y f o r h i s b o o k G e o g r a p h i a , t h i s s c h o l a r w a s a n a n c i e n t G r e e k : a ) P l a t o b ) H e r o d o t u s c ) P y t h a g o r a s d ) A r i s t o t l e .
1 2 ) C a l l e d t h e m o s t a n c i e n t c i t y o f t h e W e s t e r n w o r l d : a ) B a b y l o n b ) C a i r o
c ) A l e x a n d r i a d ) U r .
1 3 ) W r i t e t h e g r i d c o o r d i n a t e s f o r I s t a n b u l ( f o r m e r l y C o n s t a n t i n o p l e ) .
1 4 ) S o m e t i m e s t h e w o r l d f i g h t s o v e r e t h n o c e n t r i c c o n c e r n s ( i e , t h e G e r m a n s w a n t e d t o t a k e o v e r m o s t o f E u r o p e b e c a u s e t h e y d e s e r v e d i t , s a i d H i t l e r ) a n d s o m e t i m e s i t s i m p l y a c c e p t s t h e m .
I n o n e o r t w o s e n t e n c e s d e s c r i b e a s i t u a t i o n i n w h i c h t h e w o r l d h a s q u i e t l y a c c e p t e d a n e t h n o c e n t r i c t e r m a n d d e s c r i b e t h e n o n - e t h n o c e n t r i c a l t e r n a t i v e t o t h a t t e r m . ( 2 p t s . )

A n s w e r s : g e o g r a p h y / c a r t o g r a p h y
1 . d g l o b a l w a r m i n g
2 . 4 0 N , 7 4 W : N Y C ; t h a t s i n g l e a n s w e r s h o u l d b e a d e q u a t e t o g e t y o u s t a r t e d o n l a t i t u d e a n d l o n g i t u d e .
3 . _ _
4 . _ _
5 . _ _
6 . _ _
7 . d G r e e c e
8 . b p r i m e m e r i d i a n
9 . a G r e e c e
1 0 . a C h i n a
1 1 . b H e r o d o t u s
1 2 . d U r
1 3 . _ _ N , _ _ E

1. Parallels are lines of a) latitude or b) longitude.
2. 40E is an example of a line of a) latitude b) longitude.
3. A line of longitude may also be termed a myrmidon. T / F
4. Tropic of Cancer: a) latitude b) longitude.
5. Prime meridian: a) latitude b) longitude.
6. Tropic of Capricorn: a) latitude b) longitude.
7. The equator: a) latitude b) longitude.
8. Map symbols such as cross-hatched lines, dotted lines, dashed areas, patches of color and shield-shaped items laden with numbers are explained in the __ __.
9. There are 4 pointed elements to this type of famous map graphic. Sometimes there are even more points. Additionally, this can be a colorful and decorative item. It is called a __ __ .
10. Pilots save expensive jet fuel by navigating a route called a __ __ __.
11. Another name for a map maker: __.
12. A slice or segment shaped in approximately triangular form - so that it can be fitted. It is called a segment.
13. Most of the maps we encounter in daily life are probably in the category of: b) political
14. Sketch a cross-section map of CMHS, including the river. It will be rough, but OK for our purpose today.
15. Latitude and longitude of Shreveport: __, __.

Three Crowded Cities Quiz / Trudeau
Please answer A for NYC / B for LA / C for Chicago.
1. Literature and art in a 1920’s movement called the Harlem Renaissance.
2. Tectonic plates and earthquakes.
3. The greatest variety of Buddhists in the US.
4. The Oprah Winfrey Show.
5. Cloud Gate, a sculpture called "The Bean."
6. Walt Disney Concert Hall.
7. The most densely populated US city.
8. Battery Park.
9. LaGuardia Airport.
10. Largest city in the most populous state.
11. City spread over a 500 square mile area.
12. El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina . . .
13. A mountain range splits this city.
14. Barack Obama’s political home.
15. Sears Tower, one of the world’s tallest buildings.
16. The second largest African American population in US.
17. The “Windy City“ is a nickname.
18. Mediterranean climate type.
19. ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox.
20. Erie Canal, 1825.
21. Mohicans.

1. a 2. b 3. b 4. c 5. c 6. b 7. a 8. a 9. a 10. b 11. b 12. b
13. b 14. c 15. c 16. c 17. c 18. b 19. a 20. a 21. a


Canada -
1. Russia and Alaska: what was the relationship? Russia owned Alaska. They sold it to the US in the mid-1800’s. It was an example of the US at its best. Think big! Take risks!
2. In what region of Canada do we see the famous Louisiana connection? Eastern Canada: Quebec Province.
2. The French immigrants who would migrate to Louisiana lived on the edge of Canada for how many years?
a) 50 b) 150 c) 500. About 4 generations; some 150 years.
3. Which European group wanted to expel the French colonists? The British won Canadian properties in a war. They renamed the French land called Acadia. The British called it Nova Scotia, or “New Scotland.”
4. The French called the expulsion le grand derangement. That’s similar to which American words? “Deranged” means “Crazy” or “messed up.” The British expelled the French because they were so obnoxious and hard to govern.
5. Were the Frenchmen sent directly to Louisiana? No.
To what locations were they sent? all of these - a) the Caribbean islands b) The American colonies c) France.
6. What do we call the earliest French-speaking people to settle in Louisiana? Creole people. The word “creole” referred to the “cry” of a baby born in the New World.
7. Which French group was second to populate the state?
The Acadians, or Acadiennes. Their name was morphed to Cajuns.
8. Which European group was in control of La when the Acadians migrated to the Mississippi? The Spanish.
9. In what region of La did the Acadians settle? In the swampy region distant from New Orleans. They would be isolated for the next 100 years.
10. From which region of France did most of the Acadians originate? From Western France, where the impoverished French were routinely mistreated.
11. Who was the French-Canadian leader who cut a deal with the Spanish to get the Acadians taken to Louisiana? His name was Beausoleil.
12. Who were the 2 brothers from Montreal who won fame by exploring the Gulf coast and establishing the city of Nouvelle Orleans? Mssrs. Iberville and Bienville!

US map review from work in the textbook:
1. NYC is about twice as populous as Washington, DC.
T / F
2. The principal population centers of the US are in the a) Upper Mid West b) Deep South c) Northeast d) Northwest
3. Vancouver and Seattle lie upon the a) Pacific b) Lake Superior c) North Atlantic d) Lake Michigan.
4. Canada is pretty much shaped like an exploding guinea pig. T / F
5. The most centrally-located of the big cities of the US:
a) Denver b) NYC c) Memphis d) Minneapolis.
6. Based upon the elevation map, Shreveport’s elevation must be approximately 1000 ft. T / F
7. Larger in area: a) Rocky Mts. b) Appalachian Mts. c) Mississippi Basin d) Great Plains.
8. Population density seems greater on the Pacific coast than on the Atlantic coast. T / F
9. Louisiana finds itself most definitely in the __ climate type. a) Mediterranean b) Tropical wet & dry c) Humid continental d) Humid subtropical.
1. false / It's about 3 times bigger.
2. C
3. a
4. true
5. a
6. false / Shreveport's about 300 feet above sea level.
7. a
8. false
9. d / Humid subtropical.



Oceans
1. Name the ocean current that flows south along the coast of West Africa.
2. “ “ “ that flows west across the Atlantic and into the Caribbean at the midsection of the earth.
3. The Yucatan peninsula is a region. To what nation does it belong?
4. The capital of Cuba is a city on a beautiful and protective harbor. a) Name the city. b) State the English word which indicates a shelter from the storm.
5. Which body of water would be the most effective haven for ship-borne colonialists looking for shelter from storms? a) Great Lakes b) Mobile Bay c) Galveston Island.
6. Name for a bay in which the fresh water meets the salt water and wildlife and fish life is incubated: __ .
7. Type of rich soil that is deposited in a river delta each time the river floods: __ . alluvial
8. Storms often approach the Gulf of Mexico from the Caribbean. When the come from the south they pass through a strait bordered by Cuba and __ __ .
9. Name the island that lies south of Cuba and west of haiti / Dominican Republic: __ .
10. Explain in brief - but with logical steps - how the weather in Africa can affect the state of Louisiana.

1. A jet transport plane is likely to traverse a __ route as it goes on a transoceanic journey. a) Great Circle b) True Direction c) shipping d) Gulf stream.
2. The Mercator map is a cylindrical projection created about 1569 CE. T / F
3. Chinese greeting: a) Salaam alaykum b) Shalom
c) Ni hau d) S’up.
4. On the East the Mississippi River is adjacent to Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Minnesota. T / F
5. The Missouri River is longer than the Mississippi. T / F
6. What city lies at 39N, 116E?
a) Seoul, S. Korea b) Shanghai, China c) Beijing, China
d) Denver, Co
7. Greenwich, England, is home to the a) equator b) prime meridian c) prime rib, au jus.
8. Canada would be considered part of the __ hemisphere. a) Western b) Eastern c) Southern d) Central.
9. The Prime Meridian runs through London and the Equator runs through Hong Kong. T / F
10. The Tropic of Capricorn crosses South America, Africa, Madagascar and Australia. T / F
11. 90W is a line of longitude that runs through
a) Louisiana b) India and Bangladesh.
12. Latitude and longitude of Shreveport: a) 32N, 94E
b) 32E, 94N c) 32S, 94N d) 32N, 94W.
13. The implication in the article on corn is that rising costs of gasoline will not affect the corn crop. T / F
14. Pratt Industries is the company behind Shreveport’s new recycling program. Their main business is recycling
a) paper b) wood c) plastics d) glass products.
15. Shreveport’s recycling company, Pratt Industries, has
built its center on a site advantageous for cheap transportation. It is located on ____. a) I-49 b) I-20 c) downtown d) Red River.
15. Henry Miller Shreve took on quite a project when he began - in 1832 - to clear the log jam from the Red River. The Great Raft in the Red spanned about __ miles. a) 50 b) 150 c) 1,500 d) 10, 500.
Match a famous city with each of these coordinates:
16. 34N, 118W a) Boston b) Manila, Philippines c) Madrid, Spain d) Los Angeles
17. 19N, 99W a) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil b) Mecca, Saudi Arabia c) Mexico City
18. 22N, 115E a) Beijing, China b) Hong Kong, China c) Sydney, Australia
Supply the coordinates for -
19. Buenos Aires, Argentina a) 35N, 59E b) 35S, 59E c) 35S, 59W
20. Jakarta, Indonesia a) 6S, 106E b) 6N, 106E c) 6S, 106W d) 6E, 106S

1. A) Great Circle
2. T
3. C) Ni Hau
4. T
5. T
6. C) Beijing, China
7. B) Prime Meridian
8. A) Western
9. F
10. T
11. A) Louisiana
12. D) 32N, 94W
13. T
14. A) Paper
15. D) Red River
B) 150
16. D) Los Angeles
17. C) Mexico City
18. B) Hong Kong, China
19. C) 35S, 59W
20. A) 6S, 106E

Mesoamerica quiz for geographarians

1. Indigenous people of the Yucatan: a) Aztec b) Maya c) Guatemalans d) Mexican tribal peoples.
2. Inasmuch as the Mayans created an effective calendar for Mesoamerican (meso: “middle” America) peoples, we can say they must have been competent at a) astrology b) math c) language d) agriculture.
3. International success in Association football, aka soccer, is an achievement of a) Mexico b) Brazil c) Venezuela d) Argentina.
4. Central and South America are regions united by the usage of one great language: Spanish. T / F
5. Both Mexico and Brazil’s economies have been directly enhanced by the North American Free Trade Agreement, aka NAFTA. T / F
6. Chichen Itza is a notable element of the Mayan culture. It is equivalent to . . . a) Caribbean b) Cuba c) Paris d) Rocky Mountains.
7. Closest to the Yucatan peninsula: a) Jamaica b) Haiti
c) Bahamas d) Cuba.
8. Port-au-Prince is the capital of a) Jamaica b) Haiti
c) Bahamas d) Cuba.
9. Carnaval is a fabulous celebration in the nation of a) Mexico b) Brazil c) Venezuela d) Argentina.
10. While Cuba is communist, at least the islands of Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and Haiti are controlled by the US. T / F
11. The Caribbean names St Croix and Basse-Terre indicate that among the Caribbean colonial powers were the a) Spanish b) Italian c) English d) French.
12. Russia is a member of the petroleum-controlling association of nations called OPEC. T / F
13. Among the G7 nations, the elite of the current world, we will find a) Nigeria b) Brazil c) Saudi Arabia d) Canada.
14. When chocolate was brought to the Old World in the Columbian Exchange, the kings of Europe adopted it as a royal drink. T / F
15. Associated with the storms caused by the climate phenomenon called El Nino: a) Equatorial current b) California current c) Gulf Stream d) Canary current.
16. Dia de Los Muertos, Day of the Dead, is a celebration associated with the a) Cubans b) Haitians c) Mexicans d) Brazilians.
1. Maya 2. math 3. Brazil 4. T 5. F 6. Paris 7. Cuba 8. Haiti 9. Brazil 10. F
11. Spanish 12. F 13. Canada 14. F 15. California 16. Mexico

Caribbean overview -

1. A communist nation? Cuba
2. Nation that is the source of reggae? Jamaica
3. Island that is the largest US possession? Puerto Rico
4. Island that is closest to South America? Trinidad
5. Islands closest to Florida? Cuba
6. Nation upon which Columbus’ first set his foot? Bahamas
7. Which island has a capital city on a bay that was recognized as a smart place to weather a storm? Cuba
8. Which is the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere? Haiti
9. What is the traditional and still the chief crop of most islands? sugar cane
10. What's the meaning of St Croix? saint cross

Review of the Maya
1. In which region of Mexico do the Maya reside? Yucatan
2. The approximate date for the peak of the Maya empire? 1000
3. The distinctive architecture includes what type of structure? pyramids
4. Name an area of technological achievement. astronomy
5. The Europeans had a serious problem with the Maya religious practice. Which part?
1. Yucatan peninsula
2. Maya society peaked about 900 CE.
3. Their pyramids have endured over a thousand years in a difficult environment.
4. Astronomy, calendar creation, math, writing, architecture, agriculture.
5. Human sacrifice seemed normal to the Maya and to the Aztecs.


Norte Americanos / Trudeau
1. Which nation is more distorted on a Mercator projection map? Argentina.
2. Greenwich, England, is home to the a) equator b) prime meridian c) oldest section of London d) the Earl of Sandwich.
3. One of these men was a cartographer: a) Vespucci
4. Parallels are lines of a) latitude
5. A mountain range splits this city: a) NYC b) Los Angeles c) Chicago.
6. Barrack Obama’s political home: a) NYC b) Los Angeles c) Chicago.
7. Prime meridian: b) longitude.
8. Latitude and longitude of Shreveport: a) 32N, 94E
b) 32E, 94N c) 32S, 94N d) 32N, 94W.
9. Prat Industries is the company behind Shreveport’s new recycling program. Their main business is recycling a) paper
Match a famous city with each of these coordinates:
10. 34N, 118W a) Boston b) Manila, Philippines c) Madrid, Spain d) Los Angeles
11. 19N, 99W a) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil b) Mecca, Saudi Arabia c) Mexico City
12. 22N, 115E a) Beijing, China b) Hong Kong, China c) Sydney, Australia
13. Louisiana finds itself most definitely in the __ climate type. d) Humid subtropical.
14. The deposit of sediment by the Mississippi River, which keeps the land healthy via distribution of alluvial soil, was altered by the construction of __. a) canals b) bridges c) levees d) dams.
15. The French who were born in Louisiana colony were called a) Creoles
16. Between their impoverished life in Western France and their impoverished life as pioneers in Louisiana, the French colonists spent about 150 years in Acadia.
17. Guy Laliberté and Daniel Gather founded Cirque de Soleil
18. The nation’s capital: a) Quebec b) Montreal c) Ottawa
d) Toronto.
19. Name for a bay in which the fresh water meets the salt water and wildlife and fish life is incubated: a) estuary
20. Buenos Aires, Argentina a) 35N, 59E b) 35S, 59E c) 35S, 59W

From Vancouver to Montreal: the Canada quiz

1. Canada’s population is about one tenth of the US population, although it is slightly larger than the US in area. T / F
2. An island in Eastern Canada came under British rule with the Treaty of Utrecht (1713). This resulted in a serious change in the population of a) Nova Scotia b) Quebec c) Massachusetts
d) Montreal.
3. Canadians often speak 2 languages, owing to their nation’s ethnicity: a) English & German b) English & French c) English & Inuit d) English & Canadianne.
4. Born and raised in Montreal: a) Michael Cera
b) Sieur d’Iberville c) Beausoleil d) Celine Dion.
5. The French who were born in Louisiana colony were called a) Creoles b) Acadiennes c) Cajuns d) Gumbo.
6. Between their impoverished life in Western France and their impoverished life as pioneers in Louisiana, the French colonists spent about 150 years in a) the Caribbean b) British Columbia c) Toronto d) Acadia.
7. Guy Laliberté and Daniel Gauthier founded a) Canadian Waste Disposals Systems b) Cirque de Soleil c) the rock band Rush d) Quebec City.
8. The nation’s capital: a) Quebec b) Montreal c) Ottowa
d) Toronto.
9. The Great Lakes connect to the Atlantic via the
a) Illinois-Michigan Canal b) Erie Canal c) Niagra Falls
d) St Lawrence River.
10. Part of Canada is an archipelago. T / F
11. “Canada is also geologically active, having many earthquakes and potentially active volcanoes,” says Wikipedia. This would refer to __ Canada. a) Eastern b) Western c) Northern d) Southern
12. The coordinates are 45N, 73W: a) Toronto b) Winnipeg c) Detroit d) Montreal.
Canada quiz
1. True
2. A Nova Scotia
3. B Eng & Fr
4. B Iberville
5. A Creoles
6. D Acadia
7. B Cirque de Soleil
8. C Ottawa (I misspelled it on the quiz - apologies)
9. B or D Both the Erie Canal and the St Lawrence
10. T archipelago
11. B Western - where the principal mountains erupt.
12. D Montreal


Name the nation that is home to . . .
1. Audi 2. Rolls Royce 3. Citroen 4. VW 5. Jaguar
6. BMW 7. Peugeot 8. Cooper / Morris 9. Land Rover
10. Mercedes Benz (Daimler Benz) 11. Porsche 12. Renault
13. MG 14. Volvo 15. Aston Martin 16. Saab
17. Bugatti Veyron 18. Lexus 19. Bentley
20. Lotus
German: 1, 6, 10, 11, 17
UK: 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20
France: 3, 7, 12
Sweden: 14, 16

From Hibernia (the Roman name for Ireland) to Bavaria quiz
1. The Deutsch Mark has been replaced by the
a) Euro b) Franc c) Pound d) USD.
2. The European continent is dominated by a) Asians
b) peninsulas c) Russia d) automobile manufacturers.
3. Bentley and Lotus are high-quality, snob-appeal vehicles manufactured in Germany for the wealthy class not only in Europe, but in Asia and the US as well. T / F
4. Stockholm, Denmark, is a great city of the region called Scandinavia, former home of the Vikings. T / F
5. Iceland is populated with migrants from a) Britain
b) Sweden c) Ireland d) Greenland.
6. A conception of what is artistically valid, beautiful, fresh or graceful: a) aesthetics b) stereotypes c) synergy
d) aegis.
7. For some 200 years the dominant ethnic group of the US was the a) European Catholics b) Norsemen
c) German-Americans d) Anglo-Saxons.
8. The term “United Kingdom” (UK) is a) ethnocentric
b) not ethnocentric c) Eurocentric d) not Eurocentric.
9. The category Protestant includes denominations such as Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopalian and Unitarian. T / F
10. Morocco is included in the category of a European nation because it is separated from the Euros only by the Strait of Gibraltar. T / F
11. Germany is not included in the category of a European nation because it was settled by Celts and Asians. T / F
12. To reach Helsinki, Finland, by ship from London you must pass through the __ Sea and the Baltic Sea. a) Strait of Dover
b) Arctic c) North d) Gulf of Bothnia.
13. What European nation’s capital city lies at 60N, 10E? a) Sweden
b) Norway c) Denmark d) Finland.
14. Which auto company was founded in the Germany’s southern region of Bavaria? a) BMW b) Audi c) Volkswagen d) Mercedes Benz.
15. Which is more populous? a) Germany b) UK c) France d) Spain.

1. a) Euro
2. b) peninsulas
3. False
4. False
5. b) Sweden
6. a) aesthetics
7. d) Anglo-Saxons.
8. a) ethnocentric
9. True
10. F
11. F
12. c) North
13. b) Norway
14. a) BMW
15. a) Germany

Europe, France & French history

1. Quiche is made of eggs, milk and __. a) cheese b) onions c) bacon d) flour.
2. Versailles was principally the creation of King Louis the a) IV b) XII c) XIV d) XVI.
3. Three words come to mind with Versailles: a) opulent b) ostentatious c) exorbitant.
Which one would apply to the king, personally?
4. There was a nickname for the king who built Versailles: a) le Roi Soleil b) Vaux le Vicomte
c) Rue de Bourbon d) Quiche Lorraine.
5. Versailles is known to students and historians as a symbol of a) fascism b) nationalism c) absolute monarchy d) democracy.
6. Beef and vegetable stew: a) Ratatouille b) Courvoisier c) Sauce Mayonnaise
d) Escargots.
7. Not a French car company: a) Renault b) Peugeot c) Citroen d) Michelin.
8. The minuscule nation of Monaco is on the Mediterranean but does not share a border with France. T / F
9. The Pyrenees are mountains that form an ancient boundary between the French and the Spanish between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. T / F
10. The Rhine River is popularly thought to run in a northerly direction but, in fact, does not. The "flows north" factoid is an urban legend. The Rhine flows to the Mediterranean. T / F
11. A tasty, crumbly loaf of French bread can be purchased in the Vieux Carre and consumed with champagne and an omelette in a place called Nouvelle Orleans. The name for the spindly loaf?
a) escargot b) cafe au lait c) louvre d) le roi soleil e) baguette.
12. Wikipedia implies that he most expensive objects in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles were the
a) mirrors b) silver furniture c) chandeliers d) ceiling murals.
13. France's lack of harbors and rivers would be a reason for this nation's widespread and horrendous poverty. T / F
14. While France is a bit larger than Germany in area, it has a somewhat smaller population. T / F
15. In Metropolitan Population the second largest city in France is a) Marseille b) Versailles
c) Toulouse d) Lyons e) Strasbourg.
16. The history of France is far more important to the world than its contemporary status. T / F
17. Britain and France may smell alike (wine, cigars and perfume, mostly) but when it comes to the number of people residing there, the difference is staggering. T / F
18. France owns 2 islands in the Mediterranean; they are Corsica and Sardinia. T / F
19. France also owns 2 islands, if tiny ones, in the Atlantic; they are Guernsey and Jersey. T / F

1. cheese (fromage)
2. Louis XIV
3. The king was not opulent; his palace was opulent. The king was ostentatious.
4. le roi soleil, "the sun king."
5. absolute monarchy
6. ratatouille, by process of elimination.
7. Michelin; they make tires and maps.
8. f please see your atlas
9. t please see your atlas
10. f please see your atlas
11. e baguette
12. a mirrors
13. f please see your atlas
14. t please see your atlas
15. a please see your atlas
16. f web site notes
17. f please see your atlas
18. f please see your atlas
19. f please see your atlas

Review of North Central Europe

1) The Rhine River begins in the nation of __.
2) The Rhine flows north to the port of __.
3) The capital of Bavaria: __.
4) Comparing the list of notable products from Italy and Germany leads me to conclude they are both leading nations in design and manufacturing. T / F
5) Germany has had little impact on the US culture. An example would be that there are few German cuisine restaurants to be found in America. T / F
6) The WWII period saw a partnership, called the Axis by Americans, between Germany and another fascist nation: __ .
7) Olive oil, balsamic vinegar and espresso: while enjoyed across the globe these items originate with the nation of __ .

Write ‘a’ for origin in Italy and ‘b’ for origin in Germany:
8) Audi
9) Ferrari
10) Mercedes Benz
11) Porsche
12) BMW
13) Smart Car
14) Compare the population of Germany to the US: America is approximately __ times bigger in population.
15. Lego toy system's home nation: __ .
16. Name the German company that developed acetylsalicylic acid as a household curative: __ .
17. The swastika was a symbol of the Nazis for about 15 years. But for 3000 years it was a symbol for good fortune in many widespread cultures. Cite the culture, based on religion, with which it was not associated: __ .
18. Name the American jazz leader who helped establish the big band era and was a virtuoso on trumpet: ___ .
19. Gypsies were targeted by the Third Reich for extermination. The best-known Gypsy-born fellow of the era was the Belgian guitarist __ __.
20. Harlem is a neighborhood in the borough of __ .
21. The Nazis were effective at building a type of super-patriotism. To convince the youth of the Nazi point of view they used exaggeration and fabrications. This is called __ .
22. The National Socialist German Worker’s Party was not at all
__ .
23. Nazi Germany began its conquest of Europe with the nation of Poland, 1939. T / F
24. Copenhagen is a German city which is on an island in the Baltic Sea. T / F



Deutschland / Swing Kids
1. The movie "Swing Kids" takes place in Hamburg. The story of the White Rose is a similar chronicle of young people who protested the Reich. Students who were in the White Rose were executed in 1945. That story took place in a) Hamburg b) Munich c) Berlin d) Amsterdam.
2. The capital of Germany is the city of a) Hamburg b) Munich c) Berlin d) Amsterdam.
3. The capital of the region of Bavaria is a) Hamburg b) Munich c) Berlin d) Amsterdam.
4. The dates of US involvement in WWII include declaring war against Germany in 1941, beginning the Invasion of Europe (D-Day) in 1944 and forcing - along with the Russians - the surrender of Germany in the year of a) 1944 b) 1945 c) 1946 d) 1947.
5. In the movie, the fate of Thomas Berger's father and Peter Muller's father was similar. T / F
6. The censorship and control of artistic materials on the part of the Nazis means that the regime was a) nationalistic b) socialistic c) totalitarian d) ethnocentric.
7. "It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing," was a theme of the swing kids. That line was from a song written by a) Benny Goodman b) Gene Krupa c) Django Reinhardt d) Duke Ellington.
8. The protagonist of the movie: a) Peter Muller b) Thomas Berger c) Arvid Hitmann d) Mr. Muller, Peter's father.
9. a) Verrator b) Jugend c) Achtung d) Verboten: Choose the German word that means "forbidden."
10. The short form of the name National Socialist German Worker's Party: a) Axis powers b) fascists c) Nazis d) socialists.
11. German Jew who escaped to the US in the 1930's: a) Karl Marx b) Albert Einstein c) Count Von Zeppelin d) Django Rheinhardt.
12. Lederhosen and the dirndl are traditional garb in the region around a) Munchen b) Frankfort c) Hamburg d) Berlin.
13. Which German word means "youth"? a) Jugend b) Juden c) Krieg d) Heine.
14. The Deutsch Mark has been replaced by the a) Euro b) Franc c) Pound d) USD.
15. a) BMW b) Audi c) Volkswagen d) Mercedes Benz e) Lexus f) Mini Cooper. Which of these auto companies is not German?
16. The attitude of the many German officers who murdered innocent Europeans: a) "We just play along. We get whatever we want." b) You've got to go along; make the best of things. We're not in charge." c) "I just wised up." d) "You must learn to steel yourself."
17. The swastika is a symbol for good fortune borrowed from a) Poland b) Gypsies c) India d) Turkey.
18. Germany did not control this nation during the 1940's: a) Denmark b) Norway c) Austria d) Russia.
1. b Munich / Munchen
2. c Berlin
3. b Munich / Munchen
4. b ‘45
5. T
6. c totalitarian
7. d Duke Ellington
8. a Peter Muller
9. d verboten
10. c Nazis
11. b Einstein
12. a Munchen / Munich
13. a jugend
14. a Euro
15. e Lexus or f Mini Cooper (though I did not point out that Cooper is now owned by the German company BMW)
16. b “We’re not in charge.”
17. c India
18. d Russia

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Class of 2012 Talent Show on calendar for Fri, May 1

A rearrangement of the school calendar has given the Class of 2012 a big enough slot to produce a Freshman Talent Show on Fri, May 1.

Students in the show will make a commitment to rehearsals and production duties for the week of April 27. Auditions will be held after school the prior week.

Students will rehearse after school in the PAC on Mon, Ap 27, Tues, Ap 28, Wed, Ap 29, Th, Ap 30 and immediately after school on Fri, May 1. At 7 pm on Fri, May 1, the cutains will open for the performance.

I will direct and executive produce the show but will involve as many students and parents as possible. There are tasks for almost everyone. It will be a team-building experience and a lot of fun.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Roman City notes: Celts, slaves and the Circus Maximus


Circus Maximus
Originally uploaded by Jon Himself
Roman City notes:

- Vesuvius 79 AD.
- Pompeii, Herculaneum. Volcanic mud.
- Roman empire: 3 continents.
- Walls: dif between culture & chaos.
- Forum: govt center, temples, theaters.
- Princes Romulus & Remus on the Tiber River.
- 300 AD, height of the Empire.
- Pop: over 1 M. World’s largest city.
- Nimes, southern France. Roman grid.
- France / Gaul: conquered by Julius Caesar. New Roman cities built by Caesar Augustus.

- Celts. Romans burned our houses, abducted women, humiliated us. “Cut off right hands of warriors.”
- Marcus Fabricius: military engineer / architect. To fabricate.
- Lycinus: former slave; freed and appointed an administrator.
- Slaves formed basis of work and family life. Sometimes were skilled craftsmen.
- Roman trade opportunities for Celts.
- Acco Buviex: “I once fought the Romans. Like it ot not, our future is bound to the Romans.
- Druid priest: “They have bridged the sacred river.”

- Roman arch: keystone is essential to harnessing and distributing the force.
- Public fountains and public drains.
- Public Baths: Thermae, which included the Caldarium, Tepidarium and Frigidarium.
- Concrete developed by the Romans.
- Pompeii was coastal resort. Buildings with wine press, olive press.

- Insulae: apartment houses. Roman development.

- Circus Maximus: chariot races in Roman stadium that seated over 200,000.
- Colosseum: gladiators.

- “Facade of unity across the empire”: facade means “face.” So the unity is said to be superficial.

- The themes of the Roman theater’s tragedies and comedies were borrowed from the Greeks.

- Epicurean skills: Epicurus was a Greek philosopher who believed that man’s life should be one of pleasure.

- Amphitheaters: gladiators. Most popular event in Roman society.
- Colosseum: “Among the most depraved notions of entertainments in history.“
- Gladiators: deadly ritualistic duels. Prisoners executed in various ways. Defeated enemies torn apart by beasts.
- Hundreds people & animals lay dead by nightful.
Why such a passionate appetite for public slaughter?
* Symbolic of order being maintained.
* Reflection of a militaristic society.
* To make dying seem less fearsome.

The Roman Bath House built by the conquerors of Brittania


The Roman Bath House
Originally uploaded by davidlkel
In the Macaualay movie Roman City we must note the following:

* Roman Legion (about 5000 troops)
* SPQR - Sign held above the marching Legions; it meant "The Senate and the People of Rome."

* Insulae ("islands") - apartment buildings as developed by the Romans.
Three or 4 stories; built of brick and concrete.

*concrete - a development of Roman engineers.

* slavery in Rome - defeated neighbors of Rome were taken as slaves and Roman society, like Greek society, depended on slave labor in regards keeping a high standard of living. A typical slave: a well-educated Greek fellow might be taken as a house slave and used as a teacher for the family.

*Thermae ("heated") - public baths. At a bath you could
- exercise
- eat lunch
- read the news
- have the laundry washed and folded
- meet business partners
- bathe and relax
The pool rooms included the Caldarium (hot aquarium), Tepidarium (lukewarm) and Frigidarium (cold).

An atrium is the part of a house or building that is open to the sky or open to a high vertical space. A Roman town house had
- walls surrounding the complex
- a garden in the back
- an arbor so that vines could grow to provide shade.
- an impluvium - a pool to catch rainwater.

An opportunity for students who've had lessons: Performance Day

Whether it is singing, playing piano, guitar or violin, dancing, fencing or tumbling, students are encouraged to perform in the limited and informal setting of Performance Day.

Performance Day will be on Thurs after the Mediterranean map quiz.
We have access to the PAC and the piano. The only audience will be one's classmates in that class. Of course, parents are not excluded.

I encourage you to offer a brief show of your area of arts endeavor.

Monday, December 15, 2008

Indie work: comparing Maria Montessori and Miuccia Prada


montessori_maria
Originally uploaded by david.henderson10
Two Italian greats: doctor and teacher and school system founder Maria Montessori and fashion designer and buisness magnate Miuccia Prada.

Research, integrate, compare. Please use GoogleDocs for storage and communication.

This week's Thursday map for hand-sketched map quiz- the Roman Empire


The Roman Empire
Originally uploaded by owenmd3
Plan to sketch the entire rim of the Mediterranean this week. At its peak the Romans controlled all the coastal provinces of the Med.

Our basic ten identifications for the map quiz:
1. Mediterranean
2. Hispania / Espana / Spain
3. Gaul / France
4. Britannia / Britain
5. L'Italia / Italy
6. Graecia / Greece
7. Asia Minor / Turkey
8. Palestine / Israel
9. Carthage / Tunisia
10. Aegyptus / Egypt

Be aware that Germania was not part of the empire.

Pax Romana: "peace of the Romans," a period of over a century of peace and stability in the empire before and after the time of Jesus of Nazareth. Approx. from 27 BCE to 180 CE (AD).

Today you might say that we are in an era that could be called the Pax Americana. Why?

Pompeia - Itália - History frozen in time in the year 79 CE (AD)


Pompeia - Itália
Originally uploaded by Flávio Duarte
The video Roman City opens in Pompeii, a city frozen by the volcanic spew from Vesuvio. Please note it adjacent to Naples.

Its neighbor city was Herculaneum, also destroyed if frozen by Mt Vesuvius.

Roma: Foro Romano, or the Roman Forum


Roma. Foro Romano.
Originally uploaded by josemazcona
David Macaulay points out in the video Roman City that the forum, a center for political announcements and news-based discussions, was the heart of a Roman city. And that the city plan of the Romans was influential.

Think of Shreveport's downtown grid. The Caddo Courthouse is equivalent to the Forum. And the First Methodist church can be seen as equivalent to the Roman temple (it even looks Roman in its design).

Cia.gov: where to find the latest intelligence on any nation


On Italy's Belly
Originally uploaded by artdikov
While your teacher believes in emphasizing the historic aspects of most nations, you should be aware of a source for the facts of the moment: Cia.gov.

Go to cia.gov to investigate the serious issues that each nation faces. There are figures on economy, literacy, life expectancy, even internet usage.

In fact, have you thought about where Italian teens go to chat and build their social networks? I believe you will find a lot of Euro teens at Bebo.com.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Comparing the Euro capitals Paris and Rome


Another another Rome...
Originally uploaded by Pensiero
In Paris we found 4 monuments that symbolized various aspects of the the historic city. Surely we can do the same with Roma, the Eternal City.

First, we will create a representation of St Peter's basilica, one of the world's spectacular churches - center of the Vatican City, home of the Pope. In its shadow we will tuck the Sistine Chapel, famous for its murals by Michelangelo.

Secondly, we must have the Roman Colosseum, one of the centers of gladiatorial energy in the late Roman Empire.

Thirdly, we need a representation of the Roman Forum, center of political discussions and of Roman governmental news.

Fourthly, we will memorialize the earliest extant domed building, the Pantheon. It represents an array of Roman gods and is symbolic of the success of Rome in engineering.

Wikipedia offers this list of the most important sites in Roma: the Colosseum (70–80 AD), the largest amphitheatre ever built in the Roman Empire. Originally capable of seating 60,000 spectators, it was used for gladiatorial combat. The list of important monuments of ancient Rome includes the Roman Forum, the Domus Aurea, the Pantheon, Trajan's Column, Trajan's Market, the Catacombs, the Circus Maximus, the Baths of Caracalla, Castel Sant'Angelo, the Mausoleum of Augustus, the Ara Pacis, the Arch of Constantine, the Pyramid of Cestius, and the Bocca della Verità.

Additionally, we have architectural symbols of Italy's historic grandeur in these sites:
* the Galleria in Milano.
* the town houses and palazzo built upon canals in Venezia.
* the Bell Tower of Pisa, on the Arno River.
* the Ponte Vecchio and Duomo Cathedral of Firenze / Florence - also on the River Arno.
* the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, preserved by the eruption of Mt Vesuvius.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Quiz de France


Basic ballet One
Originally uploaded by trudeau
Europe, France & French history

1. Quiche is made of eggs, milk and __. a) cheese b) onions c) bacon d) flour.
2. Versailles was principally the creation of King Louis the a) IV b) XII c) XIV d) XVI.
3. Three words come to mind with Versailles: a) opulent b) ostentatious c) exorbitant.
Which one would apply to the king, personally?
4. There was a nickname for the king who built Versailles: a) le Roi Soleil b) Vaux le Vicomte
c) Rue de Bourbon d) Quiche Lorraine.
5. Versailles is known to students and historians as a symbol of a) fascism b) nationalism c) absolute monarchy d) democracy.
6. Beef and vegetable stew: a) Ratatouille b) Courvoisier c) Sauce Mayonnaise
d) Escargots.
7. Not a French car company: a) Renault b) Peugeot c) Citroen d) Michelin.
8. The minuscule nation of Monaco is on the Mediterranean but does not share a border with France. T / F
9. The Pyrenees are mountains that form an ancient boundary between the French and the Spanish between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. T / F
10. The Rhine River is popularly thought to run in a northerly direction but, in fact, does not. The "flows north" factoid is an urban legend. The Rhine flows to the Mediterranean. T / F
11. A tasty, crumbly loaf of French bread can be purchased in the Vieux Carre and consumed with champagne and an omelette in a place called Nouvelle Orleans. The name for the spindly loaf?
a) escargot b) cafe au lait c) louvre d) le roi soleil e) baguette.
12. Wikipedia implies that he most expensive objects in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles were the
a) mirrors b) silver furniture c) chandeliers d) ceiling murals.
13. France's lack of harbors and rivers would be a reason for this nation's widespread and horrendous poverty. T / F
14. While France is a bit larger than Germany in area, it has a somewhat smaller population. T / F
15. In Metropolitan Population the second largest city in France is a) Marseille b) Versailles
c) Toulouse d) Lyons e) Strasbourg.
16. The history of France is far more important to the world than its contemporary status. T / F
17. Britain and France may smell alike (wine, cigars and perfume, mostly) but when it comes to the number of people residing there, the difference is staggering. T / F
18. France owns 2 islands in the Mediterranean; they are Corsica and Sardinia. T / F
19. France also owns 2 islands, if tiny ones, in the Atlantic; they are Guernsey and Jersey. T / F

1. cheese (fromage)
2. Louis XIV
3. The king was not opulent; his palace was opulent. The king was ostentatious.
4. le roi soleil, "the sun king."
5. absolute monarchy
6. ratatouille, by process of elimination.
7. Michelin; they make tires and maps.
8. f please see your atlas
9. t please see your atlas
10. f please see your atlas
11. e baguette
12. a mirrors
13. f please see your atlas
14. t please see your atlas
15. a please see your atlas
16. f web site notes
17. f please see your atlas
18. f please see your atlas
19. f please see your atlas

Prada bag and Italian snob appeal goods


my prada bag
Originally uploaded by beautiful sunshine!
Prada, S.p.A. is an Italian fashion label specializing in luxury goods for men and women (ready-to-wear, leather accessories, shoes, and luggage). Prada is considered one of the most influential clothing designers in the fashion industry. The label is synonymous with opulence and quality, and is widely regarded as a status symbol, says Wikipedia.


Miuccia Bianchi Prada (born Maria Bianchi[1] 10 May 1949, in Milan) is an Italian fashion designer (Prada, Miu Miu) and entrepreneur. She also has a Ph.D. in Political Science.

She is the youngest granddaughter of Mario Prada, founder of the company. According to: Forbes.com's The World's Richest People 2001: "She and her husband, Patrizio Bertelli, took over the family-owned luxury goods manufacturer in 1978. Since then, they've turned it into a fashion powerhouse, acquiring Jil Sander, Helmut Lang and shoemaker Church & Co."

La Galleria di Milano: progenitor of the shopping mall


La Galleria di Milano
Originally uploaded by chiyo_no_saru
The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is a covered double arcade formed of two glass-vaulted arcades at right angles intersecting in an octagon; it is prominently sited on the northern side of the Piazza del Duomo in Milan, and connects to the Piazza della Scala. Built by Giuseppe Mengoni between 1865 and 1877, says Wikipedia.

The street is covered over by an arching glass and cast iron roof, a popular design for nineteenth-century arcades, such as the Burlington Arcade, London.

The central octagonal space is topped with a glass dome. The Milanese Galleria was larger in scale than its predecessors and was an important step in the evolution of the modern glazed and enclosed shopping mall, of which it was the direct progenitor. It has inspired the use of the term galleria for many other shopping arcades and malls.

More than 120 years after its inauguration, the four-story arcade includes elegant shops selling most things from haute couture to books, as well as restaurants, cafés and bars.

The Galleria is the site for many luxury goods' shops, like Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton.

Caffe l'Italia: espresso


Carpe Diem !
Originally uploaded by C.Mariani
Notes to accent our map studies of Italy . . .

* Espresso - steam or hot water *pressed* through fine-ground caffe to make a potent little shot of flavor and caffeine.
* demi-tasse - tiny cup, Euro-style.
* Cappuccino - espresso with a cap made of frothed milk.
* Prima Tazza - "First cup," coffee shop and art gallery on Line near Outback Steakhouse at Ashley Ridge.
* Caffe Latte - espresso with milk; Wikipedia says it was invented in California.
* Caffe Macchiatto - "espresso stained/marked with milk."
* Mocha - a Yemeni port on the Red Sea. The coffee of this region had a chocolaty taste, thus we use it to indicate a drink w chocolate added.
* frappe - an iced coffee drink popular in Europe.

"Carpe diem:" Latin expression which means "seize the day," or something like "eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die."

Thursday, December 11, 2008

The general aspect of placing Italy in the world


Italy Map
Originally uploaded by susank2000
Trudeau's Introductory 18 on L'Italia:

1. France
2. Switzerland
3. Austria
4. Slovenia
5. Milano
6. Torino
7. Venezia
8. Firenze
9. Roma
10. Napoli
11. Vesuvio
12. Sicilia
13. Sardinia
14. Adriatic Sea
15. Mediterranean
16. Tunisia
17. Greece
18. Malta

Most of the dance terms in ballet are from the French language

See the definitions for these fascinating terms from the world of ballet at Wikipedia's Ballet Glossary.
* 1.5 Arabesque
* 1.6 Arrière
* 2.7 Barre
* 2.8 Battement
* 2.9 Batterie
* 2.10 Brisé
* 2.11 Bras Croisé
* 3.1 Chaînés
* 3.2 Changement de pieds
* 3.3 Chassé
* 3.5 Corps de ballet
* 4.1 Demi Detourne
* 4.2 Danseur
* 4.3 Dégagé
* 4.4 Demi
* 4.5 Derrière
* 4.6 Dessous
* 4.7 Dessus
* 4.8 Devant
* 4.9 Développé
* 4.10 Double
* 5.1 Échappé
* 5.2 Effacé, effacée
* 5.3 Elevé
* 5.4 En
* 5.5 En croix
* 5.6 En dedans
* 5.7 En dehors
* 5.8 Entrechat
* 5.9 Entrée
* 5.10 Épaulement
* 6.1 Failli
* 6.2 Fondu
* 6.3 Fouetté
* 6.4 Fouetté jeté
* 6.5 Fouetté rond de jambe en tournant
* 6.6 Frappé
* 7.1 Glissade
* 7.2 Grand Pas and Grand Pas d'action
* 7.3 Grand plié
* 7.4 Grand jeté
* 9.1 Jete
* 11.1 Ouvert, ouverte
12.2 Pas de basque
# 12.3 Pas de bourrée
# 12.4 Pas de chat
# 12.5 Pas de chat, grand
# 12.6 Pas de cheval
# 12.7 Pas de deux
# 12.8 Pas de poisson
# 12.9 Pas de valse
# 12.10 Passé
# 12.11 Petit saut
# 12.12 Piqué
# 12.13 Pirouette
# 12.14 Plié
# 12.15 Pointe work
# 12.16 Port de bras
# 12.17 Posé
* 14.1 Relevé
* 14.2 Retiré position
* 14.3 Retiré devant
* 14.4 Rond de jambe
* 15.3 Saut
* 15.4 Saut de chat
* 15.5 seconde
* 15.7 Soutenu en tournant
* 15.8 Sous-sus, Sus-sous

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Classroom skit: the King of France is invited to view the Chateau Vaux le Vicomte

Before Versailles was completed, Louis XIV was invited by Minsiter of Finance Nicholas Fouquet to see the chateau he had recently constructed. It was quite a mistake, because this chateau, Vaux le Vocomte, was finer than anything then owned by le Roi.

Seriously miffed, the king accused the finance minster of embezzling funds from the treasury to pay for the elaborate palace. Fouquet was thrown in jail, his wife exiled and the chateau confiscated. The designers who had created the stunning chateau were hired by Louis XIV to create an even finer palace: Versailles.

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Mont St Michel, coast of Normandy

Le Mont-Saint-Michel (English: St Michael's Mount) is a rocky tidal island and a commune in Normandy, France, says Wikipedia.

It is a town surmounted by a church and abbey. It has been a site of pilgrimage as well as a political prison.

Les Jardins de Versailles


gardens at versailles
Originally uploaded by bennybulb
In reviewing Versailles (ver-sigh) we touched upon the following -

* opulence - extreme luxury
* ostentatious - pretentious - overly luxurious
* exhorbitant - costing too much

Note -
* the struggle over the mirror technology possessed by the glassmakers of Venice.
* the Chateau Vaux le Vicomte, built before Versailles by the Finance Minister of France; it was more beautiful than anything owned by the king, which was a serious error.
* the gardens and fountains of Versailles
* the Mansard roof, designed by the French architect Jules Mansart.
* Alexandre Dumas, author of The Three Musketeers and the Count of Monte Christo.
* Charles Dickens' famous novel of life in France and England during the French Revolution, A Tale of Two Cities.
* Le Roi Soleil, "the sun king," nickname of Louisi XIV.
* the development of ballet in the court of Versailles - because Louis XIV loved dance and spectacle.

What was good about Louis XIV was his patronage of the arts. What was bad was that he bankrupted France with unnecessary wars. And opulence.

The Hall of Mirrors, Palace of Versailles, France

The Hall of Mirrors (French: galerie des glaces) is the central gallery of the Palace of Versailles and is one of the most famous rooms in the world.

As the principal and most remarkable feature of King Louis XIV of France’s third building campaign of the Palace of Versailles (1678-1684), construction of the Hall of Mirrors began in 1678 (Kimball, 1940; Nolhac, 1901; 1925; Marie, 1968; 1977; Verlet , 1985). To provide for the Hall of Mirrors as well as the salon de la guerre and the salon de la paix, which connect the grand appartement du roi with the grand appartement de la reine, architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart appropriated three rooms from each apartment as well as the terrace that separated the two apartments (Marie, 1968; 1977l Verlet, 1985a). The principal feature of this famous hall is the seventeen mirror-clad arches that reflect the seventeen arcaded windows that overlook the gardens. Each arch contains twenty-one mirrors with a total complement of 357 used in the decoration of the galerie des glaces (Verlet, 1985a). The arches themselves are fixed between marble pilasters whose capitals depict the symbols of France.[citation needed]

These gilded bronze capitals include the fleur-de-lys and the Gallic cockerel or rooster. Many of the other attributes of the Hall of Mirrors were lost to war for financial purposes, such as the silver table pieces and guéridons were melted by order of Louis XIV in 1689 to finance the War of the League of Augsburg.

In the 17th century, mirrors were among the most expensive items to possess and at the time, the Venetian Republic held the monopoly on the manufacture of mirrors. In order to maintain the integrity of his philosophy of mercantilism, which required that all items used in the decoration of Versailles be made in France, Jean-Baptiste Colbert enticed several workers from Venice to make mirrors at the Gobelins Factory.

The Gobelins, which still exist today, was nationalized in the 1660s by Colbert for the express purpose of making furniture and other decorative items for Versailles and other royal residences.

According to legend, in order to keep its monopoly, the government of the Venetian Republic sent agents to France to poison the workers whom Colbert had brought to France (Verlet, 1985a). The Hall of Mirrors' technological innovation which made it such an exceptional space during its day was the high temperature melting process of glass which was utilized to construct the mirrors. This was the first time this process had been done adding to its significance.[citation needed]

The extraordinary buildings and gardens of the Chateau de Versailles


France Versailles
Originally uploaded by Fr Antunes
The Palace of Versailles is a royal château in Versailles, in France's Île-de-France region. In French, it is known as the Château de Versailles. When the château was built, Versailles was a country village; today, however, it is a suburb of Paris, some twenty kilometers southwest of the French capital.

From 1682, when Louis XIV moved from Paris, until the royal family was forced to return to the capital in 1789, the court of Versailles was the centre of political power in France. Versailles is therefore famous not only as a building, but as a symbol of the system of absolute monarchy of the Ancien Régime.

By moving his court and government to Versailles, Louis XIV hoped to extract more control of the government from the nobility, and to distance himself from the population of Paris. All the power of France emanated from this centre: there were government offices here, as well as the homes of thousands of courtiers, their retinues, and all the attendant functionaries of court (Solnon, 1987). By requiring that nobles of a certain rank and position spend time each year at Versailles, Louis prevented them from developing their own regional power at the expense of his own and kept them from countering his efforts to centralize the French government in an absolute monarchy (Bluche, 1986, 1991; Bendix, 1978; Solnon, 1987). The meticulous and strict court etiquette that Louis established, which overwhelmed his heirs with its petty boredoms, was epitomized in the elaborate ceremonies and exacting procedures that accompanied his rising in the morning, known as the Lever, divided into a petit lever for the most important and a grand lever for the whole court. Like other French court manners, étiquette was quickly imitated in other European courts (Benichou, 1948; Bluche, 1991; Solnon, 1987).

In 1789 France was shaken by the citizen's uprising known as the French Revolution.

On 6 October 1789, the royal family left Versailles and returned to the Tuileries Palace in Paris. During the early years of the French Revolution, preservation of the palace was largely in the hands of the citizens of Versailles. Eventually the opulent furnishings were dispersed; there was a long period of neglect of the palace.

Upon his appointment as conservator of the museum in 1892, Pierre de Nolhac embarked on a campaign of research, conservation, preservation, and restoration that continues to this day. The Rockefeller donations to Versailles made between 1924 and 1936 ensured the preservation of the palace and the Trianons.

However, it would not be until after the Second World War that concerted governmental initiatives directed at preservation and restoration of the palace would be undertaken.

Monday, December 08, 2008

A quiche for geography class

Quiche Lorraine is a marvelous French dish for your indie energy.

Easy ingredients. Inexpensive. Relatively quick. Serve it cold.

Make one for your family as well as one to share with your class. No utensils needed in consuming it; quiche is finger food.

Make geography class memorable by cooking and sampling a quiche.

Citroen C1: the future of the US as built by the Europeans in partnership w Japan


Citroen C1
Originally uploaded by mick motor photos
The Citroën C1 is a city car produced by the French manufacturer Citroën since 2005.

The C1 was developed as part of the B-Zero project by the PSA Group (Peugeot and Citroën) in a joint-venture with Toyota. The gas mileage is above 40 mpg. According to the German Spiegel magazine, the C1 are the production cars with the second-best fuel economy both among petrol engines (after the Toyota Prius) [1] and among diesel engines (after the Smart ForTwo).

Sunday, December 07, 2008

Tests on la France on Thurs: map and notes


bi-tonal oaks
Originally uploaded by trudeau
The hand-sketched map of France will be quite simple:

1. Belgium
2. Luxembourg
3. Deutschland
4. Switzerland
5. Italy
6. Spain
7. England
8. Atlantic
9. Mediterranean
10. Paris
11. Marseille
12. Bordeaux
13. Versailles
14. Alps
15. Rhine River

Vocab -

escargots
baguette
cafe au lait
Rue de Bourbon
Nouvelle Orleans
Vieux Carre
omelette
champagne
quiche

From cuisine (quiches) to wines (champagne) to autos (Citroen, Renault) to aviation (Mirage fighter jet, Airbus) to medicine (AIDS research, Docteurs sans Frontiers), to solar power (in the Alps) to an Empire (Cote D'Ivoire) and famous artists (Monet, Renoir, etc), La France is awesome.

Would you like to make a Quiche Lorraine to serve in class for bonus points? They are fun to make and are excellent when served cold.

Would you like to bring some chilled champagne to class for a teeny taste? Sor-ry. No can do.

Citroen: what does it mean? It means "citizen."

Versailles: the enormous palace of Louis XIV outside of Paris


Paris 07
Originally uploaded by trudeau
Versailles is a royal château in Versailles, France.

When the château was built, Versailles was a country village, but it is now a suburb of Paris. From 1682, when King Louis XIV moved from Paris, until the royal family was forced to return to the capital in 1789, the Court of Versailles was the center of power in Ancien Régime France.

In 1660, Louis XIV was casting about for a site near Paris but away from the tumults and diseases of the crowded city. He had grown up in the disorders of the civil war between rival factions of aristocrats called the Fronde and wanted a site where he could organize and completely control a government of France by absolute personal rule.

He settled on the royal hunting lodge at Versailles, and over the following decades had it expanded into the largest palace in the world. Versailles is famous not only as a building, but as a symbol of the system of absolute monarchy which Louis XIV espoused.


French cuisine -

Sauce mayonnaise: often made by hand from a family recipe, mayonnaise is symbolic of the French interest in home-made food, emphasis on freshness and on purity of ingredients. Americans, acc to stereotype, default to convenience foods. We buy mayo from the supermarket almost exclusively.

Guidelines for Comparison Essays in Social Studies


Paris 07
Originally uploaded by trudeau


The rubric (required elements) that will guide essay writing in geography class includes:
1. Colorful opening. There are 3 recommended ways to create an interest-getting opening: a) use a quote b) ask a question c) write with vivid description.
2. Blend the topics continually in the paper. Do not write a block of material about one topic and then write a separate block about the other topic. Integrate the topics as you offer insight and evidence.
3) Use comparison terms:
* different from,
* the same,
* Both,
* similar to,
* Neither, ... nor,
* like X is (adjective),
* ... than X is (adverb) than.
* both, ...
* either...or
* likewise
* similarly
* although,
* but neither...
* nor
* however
* on the other hand
4. Specific examples must be used to support generalities. An example: generality - The Incredibles was an awesome movie. specific - The Incredibles appealed to me because the characters (especially the mom and the teen sister) were believeable. They sounded like people I know.
5. Grammar counts.
6. Spelling, too. When in doubt, see a dictionary or ask me.
7. Punctuation is paramount. Again, ask me or your Grammar Check software.
8. Include documentation via "according to ...". This means include your source - from World Book to your little brother - in the body of your writing. Usually you place it at the end of the first or second sentence, says Grammar For Today.
9. Write a snappy title. Ways to make a title fun are to tweak a song or movie title or use alliteration. Also, write an explanatory subtitle. Example: "Dinkas are Incredibles;" "Many refugees from the Sudanese Dinka tribe have moved from poverty in east Africa to comfort in the US."
10. Finally, please don't put quotation marks around your title - unless you are quoting someone.

Review of North Central Europe


Paris 07
Originally uploaded by trudeau
Bit of a review on recent notes -

1) The Rhine River begins in the nation of __.
2) The Rhine flows north to the port of __.
3) The capital of Bavaria: __.
4) Comparing the list of notable products from Italy and Germany leads me to conclude they are both leading nations in design and manufacturing. T / F
5) Germany has had little impact on the US culture. An example would be that there are few German cuisine restaurants to be found in America. T / F
6) The WWII period saw a partnership, called the Axis by Americans, between Germany and another fascist nation: __ .
7) Olive oil, balsamic vinegar and espresso: while enjoyed across the globe these items originate with the nation of __ .

Write ‘a’ for origin in Italy and ‘b’ for origin in Germany:
8) Audi
9) Ferrari
10) Mercedes Benz
11) Porsche
12) BMW
13) Smart Car
14) Compare the population of Germany to the US: America is approximately __ times bigger in population.
15. Lego toy system's home nation: __ .
16. Name the German company that developed acetylsalicylic acid as a household curative: __ .
17. The swastika was a symbol of the Nazis for about 15 years. But for 3000 years it was a symbol for good fortune in many widespread cultures. Cite the culture, based on religion, with which it was not associated: __ .
18. Name the American jazz leader who helped establish the big band era and was a virtuoso on trumpet: ___ .
19. Gypsies were targeted by the Third Reich for extermination. The best-known Gypsy-born fellow of the era was the Belgian guitarist __ __.
20. Harlem is a neighborhood in the borough of __ .
21. The Nazis were effective at building a type of super-patriotism. To convince the youth of the Nazi point of view they used exaggeration and fabrications. This is called __ .
22. The National Socialist German Worker’s Party was not at all
__ .
23. Nazi Germany began its conquest of Europe with the nation of Poland, 1939. T / F
24. Copenhagen is a German city which is on an island in the Baltic Sea. T / F

Semester exam: 100 mult-choice questions from past tests plus a brief essay


Caleb Bailey, Cmhs
Originally uploaded by trudeau
The semester exam should measure the activities that were most emphasized during the semester. Therefore, students will look back over the collection of multiple-choice questions that have been posted this semester. All questions on the exam will be those previously used and posted on MondoTrudeau.

Would there be any reason that you should not be able to ace this part of the test?

The brief essay will focus on the skill of comparison. There will be several choices of topics; they will be announced in advance. The key to making an A on the essay is knowing and following comparison essay guidelines.

Be aware that the Caddo school board makes it mandatory that the exam constitutes 20% of your semester grade. The bottom line on that is that if you don't prepare - do nothing - you could drop a letter grade or even two letter grades. The good news is that you can, by assiduous preparation, bring your grade up by a letter grade.

Don't delay beginning your preparation. I think it's arguable that life is largely about learning from your mistakes and from your history.

Friday, December 05, 2008

Four esteemed monuments of Paris on a map of the city and its river due Mon for 5 points


Rae's Monuments of Paris
Originally uploaded by trudeau
How to appreciate the unique aspects of Paris and have it come alive? Our answer is to make a map of the city and its river, the Seine, with pop-up displays of four famous monuments.

- Tour Eiffel
- Arc de Triomphe
- Palais de Louvre
- Notre Dame de Paris

Pour cinq points:

1. sketch
2. label
3. add color
4. clip out
5. Glue down with a hinge effect
6. Titling: Paris and the River Seine

Due Lundi.

Thursday, December 04, 2008

The DEutschland, Swing Kids & Europe in WWII quiz


Rosalind's Europe
Originally uploaded by trudeau
Deutschland / Swing Kids

1. The movie "Swing Kids" takes place in Hamburg. The story of the White Rose is a similar chronicle of young people who protested the Reich. Students who were in the White Rose were executed in 1945. That story took place in a) Hamburg b) Munich c) Berlin d) Amsterdam.
2. The capital of Germany is the city of a) Hamburg b) Munich c) Berlin d) Amsterdam.
3. The capital of the region of Bavaria is a) Hamburg b) Munich c) Berlin d) Amsterdam.
4. The dates of US involvement in WWII include declaring war against Germany in 1941, beginning the Invasion of Europe (D-Day) in 1944 and forcing - along with the Russians - the surrender of Germany in the year of a) 1944 b) 1945 c) 1946 d) 1947.
5. In the movie, the fate of Thomas Berger's father and Peter Muller's father was similar. T / F
6. The censorship and control of artistic materials on the part of the Nazis means that the regime was a) nationalistic b) socialistic c) totalitarian d) ethnocentric.
7. "It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing," was a theme of the swing kids. That line was from a song written by a) Benny Goodman b) Gene Krupa c) Django Reinhardt d) Duke Ellington.
8. The protagonist of the movie: a) Peter Muller b) Thomas Berger c) Arvid Hitmann d) Mr. Muller, Peter's father.
9. a) Verrator b) Jugend c) Achtung d) Verboten: Choose the German word that means "forbidden."
10. The short form of the name National Socialist German Worker's Party: a) Axis powers b) fascists c) Nazis d) socialists.
11. German Jew who escaped to the US in the 1930's: a) Karl Marx b) Albert Einstein c) Count Von Zeppelin d) Django Rheinhardt.
12. Lederhosen and the dirndl are traditional garb in the region around a) Munchen b) Frankfort c) Hamburg d) Berlin.
13. Which German word means "youth"? a) Jugend b) Juden c) Krieg d) Heine.
14. The Deutsch Mark has been replaced by the a) Euro b) Franc c) Pound d) USD.
15. a) BMW b) Audi c) Volkswagen d) Mercedes Benz e) Lexus f) Mini Cooper. Which of these auto companies is not German?
16. The attitude of the many German officers who murdered innocent Europeans: a) "We just play along. We get whatever we want." b) You've got to go along; make the best of things. We're not in charge." c) "I just wised up." d) "You must learn to steel yourself."
17. The swastika is a symbol for good fortune borrowed from a) Poland b) Gypsies c) India d) Turkey.
18. Germany did not control this nation during the 1940's: a) Denmark b) Norway c) Austria d) Russia.

"The Boy in the Striped Pajamas," Dec 5 - 12 at the Robinson Film Center for indie points

Based on the acclaimed novel bearing the same title, THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PAJAMAS is a World War II-era drama about a young man, the son of a commandant at a concentration camp, who strikes up a friendship with a young Jewish prisoner of the camp. Their friendship has unexpected consequences for both.

Based on the acclaimed novel bearing the same title, THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PAJAMAS is a World War II-era drama about a young man, the son of a commandant at a concentration camp, who strikes up a friendship with a young Jewish prisoner of the camp. Their friendship has unexpected consequences for both. Please see more at the movie site.
.


Indie points for seeing the movie and writing a one-paragraph summary.

Premier map de La France


France map
Originally uploaded by vodkamax
1. Atlantic
2. English Channel / La Manche
3. Med
4. Rhine
5. Pyrenees
6. Alps
7. Marseille
8. Bordeaux
9. Strasbourg
10. Paris
11. Versailles (slightly south of Paris)
12. Eight neighboring nations

Illustrations -
a) grapes from a vineyard
b) stemmed glass of Courvoisier cognac
c) bicycliste, Tour de France
d) delta-winged Concorde SST
e) Lumiere Brothers with camera and tripod
f) man in beret

Indie descriptive essay - What I learned, specifically, about France and Paris from the details of the movie "Ratatouille." Be specific and detailed.

Also a vivid, animated movie about France: "The Triplets of Belleville"

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Artful map project due Dec 11 for 12 pts

The rubric for the Artful Map Project -

1. Use a manufactured cardboard frame called a mat. Available at crafts shops such as Michael's, it may also be found at big emporiums such as Walmart. Choose a colored mat (or not), decide on the size; there are numerous choices ahead.
2. When you've chosen your nation and are beginning to make a pencil sketch of it, make a colorful border (see above) around the edge. Put that border on the map paper, not on the mat.
3. Include a compass rose and at least one more symbol. We're going for a classical, historical tone, so add a ship or castle or something in that vein.
4. Lettering must be handled carefully so that the overall look is quite neat.
5. Use a scroll or other frame in adding a title, such as the name of the nation.
6. You may illustrate one nation (Ex, Israel), a small group of nations (Israel, lebanon and parts of Jordan, Syria and Egypt) or a portion of a nation (the region surrounding Jerusalem).
7. Shading: use lighter-to-darker shading to bring out the drama in borders, in seas and landscapes.
8. Print your name in the lower right corner of the map (not on the mat) and on the back.
9. You may produce one extra Artful Map for up to 6 pts. bonus credit.
10. The idea is to be part of an exhibit of Artful Maps at school and then to give your map away as a holiday gift.

Questions? trudeau@earthlink.net

The epochal German protestor, Martin Luther

Martin Luther (November 10, 1483 – February 18, 1546) was a German monk,[1] theologian, university professor, Father of Protestantism,[2][3][4][5] and church reformer whose ideas influenced the Protestant Reformation and changed the course of Western civilization,[6 says Wikipedia. ]

Luther's theology challenged the authority of the papacy by holding that the Bible is the only infallible source of religious authority[7] and that all baptized Christians under Jesus are a universal priesthood.[8] According to Luther, salvation is a free gift of God, received only by true repentance and faith in Jesus as the Messiah, a faith given by God and unmediated by the church.

At the Diet of Worms assembly over freedom of conscience in 1521, Luther's confrontation with the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and his refusal to submit to the authority of the Emperor resulted in his being excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church and being declared an outlaw of the state as a consequence.

1. His translation of the Bible into the vernacular of the people made the Scriptures more accessible to them, and had a tremendous political impact on the church and on German culture. It furthered the development of a standard version of the German language, added several principles to the art of translation,[9] and influenced the translation of the English King James Bible.[10]
2. His hymns inspired the development of congregational singing within Christianity.[11]
3. His marriage to Katharina von Bora set a model for the practice of clerical marriage within Protestantism.[

On one of the many parallels between the European protestor and the American protest leader of the same name: In 1934, Rev Michael King had become a widely respected leader of the local church and changed his name from Michael King to Martin Luther King, says Wikipedia. His son, Martin Luther King, Jr, born in 1929, was also re-christened. Thus a conscious dedication to a great leader of a revolution was established in the US.

Basic vocab in Deutsch


Train Travel in Deutschland
Originally uploaded by jensiuk
Guten Morgen
goot-en mor-gen
Good Morning

Guten Tag
goot-en tahk
Hello/Good Day

Guten Abend
goot-en ah-bent
Good Evening

Gute Nacht
goot-eh nakht
Good Night

Tag / Hallo / Servus
tahk / hah-loh / sair-voohs

Hi / Hello / Hi & Bye (Southern Germany & Austria)

Auf Wiedersehen
owf vee-dair-zayn
Goodbye

Tschüs / Tschau
tchews / chow
Bye!

Monday, December 01, 2008

Stereotypes: Shakespeare's character called Shylock the Jew

Shylock is a central character in Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice who famously demanded a pound of flesh from the title character.

There are elements of humanity in the character, says Wikipedia, most notably in his legendary "Hath not a Jew eyes" speech, in which he argues his right to dignity and to revenge himself on the Christians who wrong him. This passage is also often thought to be a breakdown of the division between Jews and Christians, as both will seek revenge.

In modern performances of The Merchant of Venice, Shylock is often treated as a tragic figure, while Antonio is cast as more of a villain.

Not mentioned in the play (but well known to his first audiences) is that during Shakespeare's day, money lending was one of the few careers open to Jews, since Jews were forbidden to charge interest to their brethren (fellow Jews), and Christians also followed Old Testament laws condemning usury charged to their brethren (fellow Gentiles). There was therefore a brisk business in banking between Jews and Christians.

Of particular note is that Jews were almost universally detested by Christian nations in the 16th Century, and England had expelled all Jews some 300 years prior to Shakespeare's time. Much of what remained of them were tales fraught with anti-Semitic sentiments ranging from exaggeration to outright lies, which depicted them as vile and despicable. Despite Shakespeare's upbringing in such an environment, he still managed to portray Shylock as a human being.

Two quizzes on Thur of the week of Dec 1 - 5


MFAH
Originally uploaded by trudeau
On Thurs, Dec 4, please be ready for the following -

1. Open notes quiz based on web site material on the movie Swing Kids and Nazi-era Deutschland. Please see the 28-question guide which follows this post.

2. Hand-sketched map quiz on Germany and its neighbors.
There are 9 neighboring nations (don't forget "Oh, you Luxembourg!") and 2 bodies of water to draw or graphically suggest in your sketch. Do not abbriviate. And number them, bitte!
(Bitte being Deutsch for "please.")

Indie work?

Comparison research and essay on (choose one)

- Rudolph Diesel and Count Von Zeppelin.
- Karl Marx and Johann Gutenberg.