The principal points in the life of Henry VIII, King of England

Henry VIII, King of England, a photo by lisby1 on Flickr.

Besides his six marriages, Henry VIII is known for his role in the separation of the Church of England from the Roman Catholic Church, says Wikipedia.

Henry's struggles with Rome led to the separation of the Church of England from papal authority, the Dissolution of the Monasteries, and establishing himself as the Supreme Head of the Church of England.

Henry was known by some to be an attractive and charismatic man in his prime, educated and accomplished.[4] He was an author and a composer. He ruled with absolute power.

His desire to provide England with a male heir—which stemmed partly from personal vanity and partly because he believed a daughter would be unable to consolidate the Tudor Dynasty and the fragile peace that existed following the Wars of the Roses[5]—led to the two things that Henry is remembered for: his wives, and the English Reformation that made England a mostly Protestant nation. In later life he became morbidly obese and his health suffered; his public image is frequently depicted as one of a lustful, egotistical, harsh, and insecure king.[6]

Financially, the reign of Henry was a near-disaster. Although he inherited a prosperous economy (and further augmented his royal treasury by seizures of church lands), Henry's heavy spending and high taxes damaged the economy.

[15][16] For example, Henry expanded the Royal Navy from 5 to 53 ships. He loved palaces; he began with a dozen and died with fifty-five, in which he hung 2,000 tapestries. He took pride in showing off his collection of weapons, which included exotic archery equipment, 2,250 pieces of land ordinance and 6,500 handguns.[19]

Henry worked hard to present an image of unchallengeable authority and irresistible power. He executed at will, beheading, often in public, more English notables than any monarch before or since. The roll of heads included two wives, twenty peers, four leading public servants, and six of the king's close attendants and friends, not to mention one cardinal and various heads of monasteries. In addition Cardinal Wolsey died en route to his treason trial.

A big, strong man (over six feet tall and broad in proportion), he excelled at jousting and hunting. More than pastimes, they were political devices that served multiple goals, from enhancing his athletic royal image to impressing foreign emissaries and rulers, to conveying Henry's ability to suppress any rebellion.

Quiche party in geography class: a French-themed party for invitedguests

Quiche a la Hunter, Patrick, Austin: Magnet geography, France, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Quiche Fest for Trudeau's geography students: on Dec 1/2 all students will cook at home and bring a quiche to class.

Those who cannot cook a quiche have 2 options: purchase a quiche or compose and type a comparison essay. The topic: the French auto called the Citroen 2CV and the emperor Napoleon I.

Our plan is to invite amenable Magnet classes to visit us during that block and have a sample of our work. It's Quiche Party Time.

Here's a video that will help: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-rukyaKZlI. Also, check http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7EYPC0W48A.

There are many online tutorials - one to suit everyone.

When you've learned how to make one, you'll be able to make quiches for the family during the upcoming holidays.

Social Studies Regional Fair, LSUS, March 8, 2012; see guidelines online

Magnet Shreveport, 2011: social studies, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Guidelines and all additional info on the Regional Social Stuides Fair is to be found at this LSUS site for the 2011-12 competition.

Only selected students in world geography will be asked to enter the school-level competition. Winners will go the LSUS-sponsored contest. Winners in regionals will be eligible to go to Baton Rouge for finals. Bonus points will be earned by the additional work.

The original Mini was made by the British company Austin

60s Minis in the 21st Century #48, a photo by Happy Accs on Flickr.

British car companies, a selected list:

AC (1908-present)
Allard (1899-1902)
Aston Martin (1921-present)
Austin (1906-1989)
Austin-Healey (1952-1971)
Bentley (1919-present)
Brough Superior (1935-1939)
BSA (1907-1926; 1929-1940)
Connaught (1952-59)
Healey (1946-1954)
Jaguar (1945-present)
Jensen-Healey (1972-1976)
Land Rover (1948-present)
Leyland (1920-1923)
Lotus (1951-present)
McLaren (1969-1970; 1993-1998; 2005-Present)
MG (1923-present)
Mini (1959-2000)
Morgan (1910-present)
Morris (1913-1983)
Peerless (1957-1960)
Rolls-Royce (1904-present)
Rover (1904-2005)
Sunbeam (1899-1937; 1953-1976)
Sunbeam-Talbot (1938-1954)
Talbot (1903-1938)
Triumph (1923-1984)
Vauxhall (1903-present)

Fish n' Chips, the national comfort food of England

Fish n' Chips, a photo by entheos_fog on Flickr.

Fish and chips became a stock meal among the working classes in Great Britain as a consequence of the rapid development of trawl fishing in the North Sea, and development of railways connecting ports to cities during the second half of the 19th century, says Wikipedia.

In chip shops in the United Kingdom, salt and vinegar is traditionally sprinkled over fish and chips at the time it is served.[22] Suppliers may use malt vinegar, onion vinegar (used for pickling onions), or the much cheaper non-brewed condiment. A portion of mushy peas is a popular side dish.

London pop-ups: Historic sites along the Thames

Rae Scruggs' Monuments of Paris, Cmhs, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

"Is this the Tower of London?" says your classmate as they look at your London pop-up map and take the brief quiz.

Here's how to prepare the project:

Sketch and color the curve of the Thames River on typing paper.

Sketch , color and cut out 4 symbols of historic London. Include the Tower of London, the Globe Theater, the Westminster Palace / Houses of Parliament and the Hostoric London Bridge. Leave a paper "tab" for easier attachment and for ability to look behind the paper symbol.

On the back of each symbol print the name of the site. Using the tab, glue the symbols to the proper spots along the Thames.

Above the assemblage, print a jazzy title. Below the assemblage print a word bank.
Ex:
- Tower of London

- London Bridge

- Louvre
- Globe Theater
- Versailles
- St Peter's Basilica
- Kremlin
- Parliament
etc

Ask your respondents to guess the names of the 4 great sites. After they guess, they will be able to bend up the paper graphic and see whether they've given the right answer.

Bonus credit:
Write a brief account of the people, scores and remarks of your respondents.

- The project is worth 5 pts and due Wed/Th.

Center of life on the Thames River: the storied London Bridge

London Bridge, 1616, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

The first bridge over the Thames was buikt by the Romans about AD 50, or some 2000 years ago, says Wikipedia.

The King John version of the bridge completed in 1209. He licensed the building of houses on the bridge, as a direct means of deriving revenue for its maintenance, and it was soon colonised by shops.

The medieval bridge had 19 small arches and a drawbridge with a defensive gatehouse at the southern end. Contemporary pictures show it crowded with buildings of up to seven stories in height.

The buildings slowed down the traffic crossing the river. The houses and shops took up space and could draw crowds, and when carts broke down or animals misbehaved, crossing the bridge could take up to an hour. For this reason, people on foot often chose to use the dozens of river taxi boats that quickly ferried Londoners from shore to shore.

Nearly 200 places of business lined both sides of the narrow street. Ale and beer were not sold on the London bridge because these beverages required cellars, which were not present. The merchants lived above their shops and sold goods from the street-level floor. They used windows to show their goods and transact business; over each shop hung a sign usually in the shape of the articles sold, in order that the illiterate could recognise the nature of the business. These signs were posted high enough that a rider on a horse could pass beneath them— every inch of the small street had to be available to vehicular traffic. Many of the top floors of the houses and shops were built over the street and actually connected to the house or shop across the street, giving the street a tunnel look.

The southern gatehouse, the Stone Gateway, became the scene of one of London's most notorious sights: a display of the severed heads of traitors, impaled on pikes[1] and dipped in tar to preserve them against the elements. The head of William Wallace was the first to appear on the gate, in 1305, starting a tradition that was to continue for another 355 years. Other famous heads on pikes included those of Jack Cade in 1450, Thomas More in 1535, Bishop John Fisher in the same year, and Thomas Cromwell in 1540. In 1598 a German visitor to London Paul Hentzner counted over 30 heads on the bridge.

The buildings on London Bridge created a major fire hazard and served to increase the load on its arches, both of which may have contributed to the several disasters on the bridge. In 1212, perhaps the greatest of the early fires of London broke out on both ends of the bridge simultaneously, trapping many in the middle and reportedly resulting in the death of 3,000 people. Another major fire broke out in 1633, destroying the northern third of the bridge, although this prevented the bridge from being damaged by the Great Fire of London in 1666.

In 1756 permission was obtained to demolish all the shops and houses on London Bridge.

By the end of the 18th century, it was apparent that the old London Bridge — by then over 600 years old — needed to be replaced. It was narrow and decrepit, and blocked river traffic. The bridge was eventually replaced by a structure of five stone arches.

Geography Magnet / London

Geography Magnet / London, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Tower of London - Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England.

Says Wikipedia, It was founded towards the end of 1066 as part of the Norman Conquest of England. The White Tower, which gives the entire castle its name, was built by William the Conqueror in 1078, and was a resented symbol of oppression, inflicted upon London by the new ruling elite.

The castle was used as a prison since at least 1100, although that was not its primary purpose.

A grand palace early in its history, it served as a royal residence. As a whole, the Tower is a complex of several buildings set within two concentric rings of defensive walls and a moat.

The Tower of London is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country. Is has been such since at least the Elizabethan period, when it was one of the sights of London that foreign visitors wrote about. Its most popular attractions were the Royal Menagerie and displays of armour. The Crown Jewels also garner much interest, and have been on public display since 1669.

Teens selling stuff on eBay: alternative topic for Social Studies Project

Steam punk pistol / Fine arts Magnet , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Keep a record of all that you read, all the people from whom you glean advice and of the process that you go through to sell something on eBay.

That is the basis for a Social Social Studies Project. The question: How difficult is the challenge of a teen selling on eBay?

It will probably entail getting a bank account (consider opening a Credit Union account, please) and a Paypal account.

Regardless whether you sell anything it will make a great story and project.

The Thames, the Tower Bridge and the Tower of London / sketch Robert Trudeau

The Thames, the Tower Bridge and the Tower of London / sketch Robert Trudeau, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

The invisible antecedent to the kings' castle called the Tower of London involves hundreds of years of being bullied by invaders.

Celtic People lived in Britain before Roman times; the Celts started coming to Britain from Europe around 700 BC.

In the year AD 43, the Romans invaded Britain.

The Romans mainly settled in the south of Britain. They called this land Britannia. They ruled over it for nearly 400 years.

Sea-raiders from Europe invaded and settled in Britain. Some of the invaders were Angles, some were Saxons, some were Jutes. We call them all Anglo-Saxons.

In AD 793, raiders attacked the monnastery at Lindisfarne, a small island off the north-east coast of England. They were Vikings from Scandinavia. Vikings terrorized parts of the world for about 300 years.

The prayer said in many English churches during the long period of incursions from the Vikings was "Oh Lord, protect us from the wrath of the Northmen!"

The British Isles: industry, language, government, media, literature, ability to make money

Magnet geography British Isles , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

The British Isles map -
- England
- Wales
- Scotland
- Northern Ireland

- Ireland (Eire)
- France
- Belgium
- Netherlands
- Nord ee
- English Channel (La Manche)
- Atlantic

- London
- Stonehenge site
- Loch Ness
- Edinburgh (golf)
- Belfast (Titanic)
- Welsh / English castles

- Celts: the tribal peoples of Western Europe.

Coates Bluff Nature Trail opens Sat, Nov 12; join us at Montessori School for Shreveport between 8:30 and 11 for hiking and meeting trail-minded people

Coates Bluff Nature Trail / map annotations by Robert Hattan , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Drop me an email if you need more info. trudeau11@gmail.com.

Bon jour! Hola! Yo! / Canada, the US and Mexico practice questions

Taqueria La Michoacana, Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

1. Name a Mexican resort on the Pacific coast famous for cliff divers. __
2. Mexico has one great range of mountains that runs from north to south. T / F
3. Whale watching - from December to March - is an event that draws tourists to this part of Mexico. Name the resort town __ __ __ and the sea __ __ __ .
4. Your map of California will give you the name of a Mexican border town that is a short distance south of San Diego: __ .
5. Ciudad Juarez is a crime-ridden border town that is adjacent to the extreme western tip of Texas. Your map of Texas will tell you the name of the US town on the Rio Grande at the western edge of the Lone Star state: __ __ .
6.Which US city is closest to Canada on the Pacific Rim? __ .
7. Which US state is adjacent to Canada on the Atlantic coast?
8. Name the US city closest to the Canadian city of Toronto: __ .
9. Name 5 seas or oceans that surround this map.
10. Name 6 peninsulas that we have discussed on this map.
11. Name the major Canadian city near the Great Lakes: __ .
12. Name the largest French-speaking city in Canada: __ .
13. Quebec City is on a Canadian river that is as important as the Mississippi:
__ __ __ .
14. The ocean north of Canada: __ .
15. Name the high-tech Canadian city on the Pacific Rim: __ .
16. Alaska is separated from Asia by a body of water known as the __ Strait.
17. The Asian nation closest to Alaska: __ .
18. The nation whose population is about 300 million: __ .
19. The nation whose population is about 33 million: __ .
20. The nation whose population is about 100 million: __ .
21. A peninsula which is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. __ __ .
22. The type of gun that represents a mnemonic for the spelling of Caribbean: __.
23. Nation of a simple cuisine whose favorite french fry-based dish is called poutine: __.
24. Nation whose cuisine revolves around corn: __ .
25. Cacao beans (chocolate), vanilla beans and chili peppers originated in this nation: __ .

Canada / Mexico open notes, fill the blanks quiz Fri / Mon, Nov 11, 14

Magnet geography / library , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Hola and Bon jour quiz sample questions -

1. Name the Mexican city, Ciudad __, that lies across the Texas border from El Paso.
2. The capital of French-speaking Canada lies on a river called the __ __ .
3. This city is east of Chicago, west of Cleveland and south of Toronto: it is __.
4. Toronto is a port on the shore of Lake __.
5. Name a Mexican peninsula on the Gulf of Mexico; it is the __ Peninsula.
6. The Massachusetts peninsula just south of Boston is __ __ .
7. An Asian nation adjacent to Alaska: __ .
8. Which is the more northerly island? a) Isla Cozumel b) Isla Cancun.
9. Name the peninsula associated with the Gulf of California: __ .
10. Tijuana is a riotous border town on the edge of California. T / F

The Elements of the Social Studies Fair Project / 20 pts / Due Dec 5 or6

Magnet geography / library , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Elements in this social studies project -

1. Jazzy title.
2. Question or problem.
3. Hypothesis. It is a possible answer to the question or solution to the problem.
4. Research. This project focuses on a review of the literature. The student finds sources, reads the articles and chooses the part(s) that are relevant to the paper, the parts that address the problem. Cite 3 or more sources. You must also cite 2 or more interviews.
5. Footnotes. These are numbers embedded in the copy that refer to end notes, which are references to the sources.
Examples:
(1)"Crawfish and Catfish," NY Times, March 2, 2010.
(2) Aquaculture in Louisiana, Pelican Press, 2009.
(3) Interview with social studies teacher Robert Trudeau, Nov 8, 2011.
6. Bibliography. The list of all articles and books read - even if partially.
7. Conclusion. What does your evidence say to you in regards answering the question which began the project?

Scoring will be based on completion of all the above elements plus grammar, spelling and construction.
- student need not build traditional backboard display and assemble images unless teacher and student agree on an entry into the social studies fair.
- students may work solo, in a duo or a 3-person team. Bonus points may be given to those who can complete the project via an international team.
- May be submitted as a powerpoint presentation or in traditional hard copy (with no need for illustrations).
- 20 pts. Due Dec 5 or 6.

Social studies fair project suggested topics

DSC04572.JPG, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Social Studies Fair Project -
* submitted via image-based report on paper or in Powerpoint-style.
* purpose is to show fluency with the Scientific Method.
* 20 pts.



Examples in making your study more local and therefore narrower in scope:

a) Why is La auto insurance very high for teens?
b) Should my family invest in WalMart stock?
c) How do I help my friends pay more attention to their school work?
d) Will fracture drilling affect the future water supply of North La?
e) How are teens in Afghanistan similar to teens in La?
f) The Red River of North Louisiana: what is its future?
g) Chief Tarsher of the Caddo: why is he mostly unknown to local people? (same question on pioneer Larkin Edwards)
h) What is the background to the drop in crime levels in Shreveport-Bossier?
i) Recycling: is Shreveport-Bossier making progress?
j) Does Interstate 20 and Highway 80 follow the ancient trails established by the Caddo people?
k) Is the Houston Ship Channel at all like the Erie Canal?
l) Will history judge Bill Gates to have been as successful as Steve Jobs?
m) How do voters evaluate the term of Shreveport mayor Cedric Glover?
n) How do we evaluate the negative effect of drop-outs in Caddo schools?
o) Did the French or the Spanish have a greater impact on the north of the Louisiana colony?
p) Update on casino gaming in Shreveport-Bossier: does it remain economically advantageous?
q) Which is the most appealing future source of water for Shreveport-Bossier? Caddo Lake, Cross Lake or the Red River?
r) How did the US Civil War affect Shreveport?
s) Moonbot Studios: Is the Shreveport animation company becoming successful?
t) Why is the Magnet arts club named for singer Huddie Leadbelly Ledbetter?
u) Is Kenny Wayne Shepherd considered a blues or rock musician?
v) Lake Bistineau artist Clyde Connell: does another female artist in North Louisiana match her achievements?
w) Are crawfish an effective basis for aquaculture in Louisiana?
x) Shreveport's Calanthean Temple on Texas Avenue: can it become a site on Louisiana's Black History Trail?
y) Skateboarding in Shreveport: where are the most effective public sites?
z) North Louisiana Soul Food: Can it be developed as a tourist attraction?

Blog and notes quiz on Canada & Mexico on Fri / Mon

Magnet geography/ Canada Mexico , a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

The quiz will cover the maps and the additional materials on cities and demographics.

Canada: important, if ignored, neighbor

canada: important neighbor, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

Maple Leaf Quiz / Geography Open notes review

A 1. This city is the second-largest primarily French-speaking city in the world, after Paris: a) Montreal b) Toronto c) Vancouver d) Ottawa.
B 2. Because of the city's low crime rates, clean environment, high standard of living, and friendlier attitudes to diversity, _____ is consistently rated as one of the world's most livable cities by the Economist. a) Montreal b) Toronto c) Vancouver d) Ottawa.
C 3. It has become the third-largest film production centre in North America after Los Angeles and New York City, earning it the nickname Hollywood North.
a) Montreal b) Toronto c) Vancouver d) Ottawa.
A 4. Home to the world-renowned dance troupe Cirque du Soleil.
a) Montreal b) Toronto c) Vancouver d) Ottawa.
C 5. Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne, Sieur de Bienville and his brother Pierre Le Moyne, Sieur d'Iberville were born in a) London b) Paris c) Montreal d) New Orleans.
C 6. Acadians are French people who spent some 150 years living in the region of Canada called: a) Acadiana b) Arcadia c) Nova Scotia d) Quebec.
F 7. Canada’s population is about one tenth of the US population; the US is also slightly larger than Canada in area. T / F
B 8. Oklahoma is part of the American region called the: a) Midwest b) Southwest c) Northwest d) Southeast.
B 9. The Empire State Building was creamed by a B-25 bomber during the __ era.
a) WWI b) WWII c) Korean War d) Vietnam Conflict
C 10. Strawberry Fields is a location in both a) NYC & London b) Chicago & London c) NYC & Liverpool d) Chicago & Montreal.
B 11. "OMG, my mother said I have to put my phone up." a) shillalagh b) shibboleth c) shilly shally d) shilling.

Vancouver to Quebec: the Canada quiz

David Dooley / Cattle, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

T 1. Canada’s population is about one tenth of the US population, although it is slightly larger than the US in area. T / F
A 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.
B 3. Canadians often speak 2 languages, owing to their nation’s ethnicity: a) English & German b) English & French c) English & Inuit d) English & Canadianne.
B 4. Born and raised in Montreal: a) Michael Cera
b) Sieur d’Iberville c) Beausoleil d) Celine Dion.
A 5. The French who were born in Louisiana colony were called a) Creoles b) Acadiennes c) Cajuns d) Gumbo.
D 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.
B 7. Guy Laliberté and Daniel Gauthier founded a) Canadian Waste Disposals Systems b) Cirque de Soleil c) the rock band Rush d) Quebec City.
C 8. The nation’s capital: a) Quebec b) Montreal c) Ottowa
d) Toronto.
D 9. The Great Lakes connect to the Atlantic via the
a) Illinois-Michigan Canal b) Erie Canal c) Niagra Falls
d) St Lawrence River.
T 10. Part of Canada is an archipelago. T / F
B 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
D 12. The coordinates are 45N, 73W: a) Toronto b) Winnipeg c) Detroit d) Montreal.
B 13. Land area: which is larger, the a) US or b) Canada?

Using images to compare Canada and Mexico

Taqueria La Michoacana, Shreveport, a photo by trudeau on Flickr.

In the Magnet library students will demonstrate knowledge of the nations of Canada and Mexico by creating a comparison project . . .

Assemble 8 images on one page. Add 2 factoids to each image. Four on Canada, 4 on similar sites in Mexico.
Jazzy title.
Bottom right corner: cite 2 sources.

Topics? Choose 4 from these:
- Population
- Industry
- Education
- Languages
- Art
- Holidays
- Cuisine
- Music
- Pop stars / celebrities
- Religions
- 5 pts.
Due next class. Black & white print-out OK.