The nations of what we call the Middle East are the principal topics of the first multi-media project in social studies class.
1. Iran
2. Iraq
3. Saudi Arabia
4. Israel (Palestine)
5. Lebanon
6. Syria
7. Turkey
8. Kuwait
9. Bahrain
10. Qatar
11. United Arab Emirates
12. Oman
13. Yemen
14. Jordan
15. Egypt
16. Holy cities of Mecca & Medina
17. Cairo
18. Baghdad
19. Tehran
20. Silk Road
Friday, August 31, 2007
Topics for geo class presentations on Southwest Asia
Mesopotamia, land between the rivers
Sumeria, man's earliest beginnings
Tigris and Euphrates and Persian Gulf
Arabia, the mysterious peninsula
Mediterranean and Red Sea
Dhow and the Arab traders
Jewels of Persia
Biblical lands of Palestine
Sumeria, man's earliest beginnings
Tigris and Euphrates and Persian Gulf
Arabia, the mysterious peninsula
Mediterranean and Red Sea
Dhow and the Arab traders
Jewels of Persia
Biblical lands of Palestine
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Teach your parent(s) a lesson in the Mississippi valley / independent credit
Now that you've learned the states and about the engineering and the trade of this mondo valley, teach your parent a lesson in the Mississippi material.
Pretend to be Mr T. Make them use the atlas!
For independent credit, write an essay on the teaching experience. Include your parents' reactions and performance as well as how you felt communicating the material.
Pretend to be Mr T. Make them use the atlas!
For independent credit, write an essay on the teaching experience. Include your parents' reactions and performance as well as how you felt communicating the material.
Afghanistan: formerly home to the Taliban and al Qaeda
The mountainous, impoverished nation of Afghanistan remains a problem for the US. We used bombs and soldiers to get rid of the Taliban, the radical Muslim leadership group. The radical terrorist group called al Qaeda used this nation as HQ for training.
Subsequently we have tried to rebuild the nation. We have not been terrifically successful. Today, there are reports that the Taliban are again becoming a factor in Afghan life.
Subsequently we have tried to rebuild the nation. We have not been terrifically successful. Today, there are reports that the Taliban are again becoming a factor in Afghan life.
Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden; which is which?
Saddam and Osama.
Which one was a Saudi? Which one was a general? Which one lived in Afghanistan? Which one has enormous wealth?
Briefly,
Saddam Hussein
- murderous military dictator of Iraq.
- kept the peace between the Sunnis and Shiites in Iraq.
- tried and executed by the Iraqis for mass murder.
- threatened the US by refusing to allow weapons inspections.
- began his conflict with the US and other nations in 1991 by taking over the tiny but oil-rich nation of Kuwait.
Osama bin Laden
- born to wealthy family in Saudi Arabia.
- became a strict, conservative Muslim.
- fought in with the Afghanis against the invading Russians (then the Soviet Union).
- helped build the radical organization called al Qaeda.
- al Qaeda trained anti-Western terrorists in Afghanistan.
- the US believes the 9/11 plan was initiated by Osama.
Which one was a Saudi? Which one was a general? Which one lived in Afghanistan? Which one has enormous wealth?
Briefly,
Saddam Hussein
- murderous military dictator of Iraq.
- kept the peace between the Sunnis and Shiites in Iraq.
- tried and executed by the Iraqis for mass murder.
- threatened the US by refusing to allow weapons inspections.
- began his conflict with the US and other nations in 1991 by taking over the tiny but oil-rich nation of Kuwait.
Osama bin Laden
- born to wealthy family in Saudi Arabia.
- became a strict, conservative Muslim.
- fought in with the Afghanis against the invading Russians (then the Soviet Union).
- helped build the radical organization called al Qaeda.
- al Qaeda trained anti-Western terrorists in Afghanistan.
- the US believes the 9/11 plan was initiated by Osama.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Wheat: basic foodstuff of mankind / domesticated in SW Asia
Today I passed out bits of wheat flat bread, one of mankind's oldest snacks. It was, in effect, Biblical bread.
It is symbolic of our study of the Middle East.
When was wheat domesticated? That means when was it cultivated and harvested as opposed to simply gathered from the wild?
What was it about the domesticatrion of wheat that led to the rise of cities and laws?
It is symbolic of our study of the Middle East.
When was wheat domesticated? That means when was it cultivated and harvested as opposed to simply gathered from the wild?
What was it about the domesticatrion of wheat that led to the rise of cities and laws?
How cajuns differ from New Orleanians - in the stereotypes
While oversimplifications can be tricky, I feel comfortable with stating these as differences between the history of the Cajun and the New Orleanian.
Cajuns went from France to Nova Scotia (Acadia) to Louisiana.
Frenchmen arrived in New Orleans before the Acadians came to La.
There were arguably more Spanish and more African peoples in NO.
Cajun dancing (circle dance) and cooking (boudin) was simple. It was what we call folk art.
NO dancing (quadrille) and cooking (etouffee) were more complex.
Mardi Gras in New Orleans was like that of Paris. The Cajuns celebrated as country people, the courrir de Mardi Gras.
Cajuns went from France to Nova Scotia (Acadia) to Louisiana.
Frenchmen arrived in New Orleans before the Acadians came to La.
There were arguably more Spanish and more African peoples in NO.
Cajun dancing (circle dance) and cooking (boudin) was simple. It was what we call folk art.
NO dancing (quadrille) and cooking (etouffee) were more complex.
Mardi Gras in New Orleans was like that of Paris. The Cajuns celebrated as country people, the courrir de Mardi Gras.
From Canada to the Gulf: the Miss. valley
Among the early European travelers of the Mississippi valley were the French traders known as courieurs de bois, "runners of the wood."
They were living among the indigenous peoples, or the natives. In a word, they lived with the Indians. Many of these French explorer / traders married aborigine, or indigenous, women.
The aboriginal people of North La were the Caddo. Today the remaining Caddo mostly live in Oklahoma.
My French-Canadian family came from the area around Quebec. Some of the Trudeaus went down the St lawrence River and connected with the Miss valley. They found their way to Natchitoches and New Orleans. My particular branch went as far as Massachusetts.
The study of family history? Genealogy.
They were living among the indigenous peoples, or the natives. In a word, they lived with the Indians. Many of these French explorer / traders married aborigine, or indigenous, women.
The aboriginal people of North La were the Caddo. Today the remaining Caddo mostly live in Oklahoma.
My French-Canadian family came from the area around Quebec. Some of the Trudeaus went down the St lawrence River and connected with the Miss valley. They found their way to Natchitoches and New Orleans. My particular branch went as far as Massachusetts.
The study of family history? Genealogy.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Independent writing: watch Nova, PBS, on Tues, Aug 28, on Katrina
Finding the Way Home: Two Years After Katrina by Brenda Ann Kenneally
Originally uploaded by MediaStorm
It is followed at 8 by Surviving the Storm, about the efforts of medical personnel at Ochsner Hospital in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina.
Independent, bonus credit: Write an essay comparing what we learned from the John Barry essay, "Pittsburgh cabbie," with what you hear on "Surviving the Storm."
Tuesday: Tiw, or Tyr, the God of War
We're gradually researching the background of the names of the days of the week.
The name comes from Middle English Twisday, from Old English Tiwes dæg, named after the Nordic god Tyr, who was the equivalent of the Roman war god Mars, says wikipedia.
Thus we see a similarity between Tues and Thurs, Thor's Day.
And a contrast with Friday, yes?
The name comes from Middle English Twisday, from Old English Tiwes dæg, named after the Nordic god Tyr, who was the equivalent of the Roman war god Mars, says wikipedia.
Thus we see a similarity between Tues and Thurs, Thor's Day.
And a contrast with Friday, yes?
Martin Luther and Henry VIII: leaders of the Protestant reformation
Is your family associated with a Protestant denomination? Most likely, yes. In North La the average person is Protestant in background.
Protestant is a category of Christian denominations based on the word "protest."
Martin Luther was a German monk, priest, professor, theologian, and church reformer. His teachings inspired the Reformation, and influenced the doctrines and culture of the Lutheran and Protestant traditions, and the course of Western civilization. His protest was against several forms of corruption in the Catholic church.
Henry VIII, the English king who disagreed with the Catholic Church over the issue of divorce, was also a Protestant. Henry established the Church of England, a Christian church like the Catholic church except in the policy on divorce.
Today the principal Protestant groups include:
Methodist
Baptist
Church of God
Lutheran (Martin Luther-based)
Episcopalian
Presbyterian
Protestant is a category of Christian denominations based on the word "protest."
Martin Luther was a German monk, priest, professor, theologian, and church reformer. His teachings inspired the Reformation, and influenced the doctrines and culture of the Lutheran and Protestant traditions, and the course of Western civilization. His protest was against several forms of corruption in the Catholic church.
Henry VIII, the English king who disagreed with the Catholic Church over the issue of divorce, was also a Protestant. Henry established the Church of England, a Christian church like the Catholic church except in the policy on divorce.
Today the principal Protestant groups include:
Methodist
Baptist
Church of God
Lutheran (Martin Luther-based)
Episcopalian
Presbyterian
Monday, August 27, 2007
Independent work: visit Meadows Museum, Centenary College and write about what you learn
Meadows Museum currently has an exhibit of Katrina-related photos and art of New Orleans. It makes a great resource center for geo class.
Go see it, explore the museum and write about it for independent credit.
While you're there, visit the Centenary campus. It is an attractive area and may be part of your future.
* Haynes Exercise center
* The shell, or Greek theater
* Student center
* Crumbly Gardens
Go see it, explore the museum and write about it for independent credit.
While you're there, visit the Centenary campus. It is an attractive area and may be part of your future.
* Haynes Exercise center
* The shell, or Greek theater
* Student center
* Crumbly Gardens
Minneapolis to New Orleans: memorize the map of 10 Mississippi valley states for a quiz Thursday
Last week's test was on reading comprehension and composition. This week the quiz will call upon memorization. Students will pracice this map each day in class. It's worth 20 pts.
* Sketch - by hand - a map of the 10 states that border the Miss R.
* Add the names of 5 major cities (Minneapolis, St Louis, memphis, BR and NO).
* You will get a point for each state (spelling counts) and each city. You will get 5 pts for sketching the states' borders correctly.
In this class we will use the metropolitan population in our demographic notes on cities. In the RMQRWA, the metropolitan number is the one in parentheses.
The metro population of Baton Rouge almost dobled after Katrina, from about 400,000 to 700,000 (correcting my class notes).
Post-Katrina New Orleans has lost about half its population. The city itself was about 400,000, pre-storm. It is perhaps 200,000 today, says wikipedia.org. The Metro area has rebounded to some 1.2 M, down from 1.4 M pre-storm, says the Census Bureau.
Which is the city with the most people on the Miss R?
vocabulary:
proximate (Not approximate)
* Sketch - by hand - a map of the 10 states that border the Miss R.
* Add the names of 5 major cities (Minneapolis, St Louis, memphis, BR and NO).
* You will get a point for each state (spelling counts) and each city. You will get 5 pts for sketching the states' borders correctly.
In this class we will use the metropolitan population in our demographic notes on cities. In the RMQRWA, the metropolitan number is the one in parentheses.
The metro population of Baton Rouge almost dobled after Katrina, from about 400,000 to 700,000 (correcting my class notes).
Post-Katrina New Orleans has lost about half its population. The city itself was about 400,000, pre-storm. It is perhaps 200,000 today, says wikipedia.org. The Metro area has rebounded to some 1.2 M, down from 1.4 M pre-storm, says the Census Bureau.
Which is the city with the most people on the Miss R?
vocabulary:
proximate (Not approximate)
Parents must sign first test papers and return them to Mr. Trudeau
Parents are required to sign and send back to me the first test. This evaluation represents a beginning point in a progression of skill development.
The first test was diagnostic and focused mainly on -
* reading comprehension
* possession and use of of the class notes (an open notes test)
* careful reading
The essay spotlighted -
* reading comprehension
* logic and detail in composition
* grammar and spelling
From these relatively brief tests we can see the challenge ahead. They show each student - and parents - the areas that call for development as well as strengths.
Independent work is an alternate way to build points and show intellectual growth. Independent paper topics will be given on this site each week. They are comaprison essays, each a bit unexpected in its juxtaposition of topics.
The first test was diagnostic and focused mainly on -
* reading comprehension
* possession and use of of the class notes (an open notes test)
* careful reading
The essay spotlighted -
* reading comprehension
* logic and detail in composition
* grammar and spelling
From these relatively brief tests we can see the challenge ahead. They show each student - and parents - the areas that call for development as well as strengths.
Independent work is an alternate way to build points and show intellectual growth. Independent paper topics will be given on this site each week. They are comaprison essays, each a bit unexpected in its juxtaposition of topics.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Symbols for quick feedback on geography class essays
Trudeau's system for marking your essays involves the following shorthand items:
Star: excellent; highest praise.
Check: quite good; competent and point-earning material. Large check, more credit. Small check, less credit.
Wavy line: material not at an acceptable level; look for errors in either grammar and construction or in accuracy of information.
Circle: spelling, agreement or punctuation error.
Size of the mark generally denotes greater or lesser praise or caution.
If the mark is not sufficiently clear to you after reading over the passage, please see me. When possible I will respond during class. Sometimes it will have to be after class. Before and after school are also good times to ask questions of me.
Star: excellent; highest praise.
Check: quite good; competent and point-earning material. Large check, more credit. Small check, less credit.
Wavy line: material not at an acceptable level; look for errors in either grammar and construction or in accuracy of information.
Circle: spelling, agreement or punctuation error.
Size of the mark generally denotes greater or lesser praise or caution.
If the mark is not sufficiently clear to you after reading over the passage, please see me. When possible I will respond during class. Sometimes it will have to be after class. Before and after school are also good times to ask questions of me.
Honor roll on the first essay and test in high school social studies
Honored students in the first evaluation in high school social studies:
1st hour, 18 or better on the multiple choice:
Samni Adegboyega
Morgan Emmons
Tyler Rash
Kaitlyn Stephens
1st hour, 5 out of 5 on the essay:
Samni Adegboyega
Dominique Banks
Codi Cummings
Brian Day
Kacie Dzenowski
Matthew Giglio
Adrienne Palmer
Yusheng Qin
Hannah Shuflin
Kaitlyn Stevens
Monica White
Samantha Wren
2nd hr, mult-choice:
Bitsy Hamiter
Emily McGowan
Alexis Mongold
Chas DeNeal
2nd hr, essay:
Emma Claire Hughes
Brett Kessel
Will Singleton
Jay Theriot
Charlotte Willcox
Chas DeNeal
Daniel McFarland
3rd hr, essay:
Elizabeth Smith
Sarah Nichols
Daniel Jordan
Chris Hudson
Neha Dhawan
Rocio Cortez
Sh'derrica Abner
Shelley Whitaker
Octavis Johnson
Paul O'Young
Katelyn Jaudon
Ernesto Diaz
Ashley Sims
Avalon Holloway
5th hr, mult-choice:
Rebecca Elder
Joseph Reynolds
Karen Ezelle
Emily Palmer
5th hr, essay:
Jonathan Cosme
Lakyn Smith
Mary Ainsworth
Karen Ezelle
Jarret Atkins
Emily Palmer
6th hr, essay:
Lindsey Trombetta
Juliana Burnell
Emma Viskozki
Michael Nguyen
Jinan Halim
Alison Mitchell
The illustration above shows students writing their essays in a school in south central Asia.
1st hour, 18 or better on the multiple choice:
Samni Adegboyega
Morgan Emmons
Tyler Rash
Kaitlyn Stephens
1st hour, 5 out of 5 on the essay:
Samni Adegboyega
Dominique Banks
Codi Cummings
Brian Day
Kacie Dzenowski
Matthew Giglio
Adrienne Palmer
Yusheng Qin
Hannah Shuflin
Kaitlyn Stevens
Monica White
Samantha Wren
2nd hr, mult-choice:
Bitsy Hamiter
Emily McGowan
Alexis Mongold
Chas DeNeal
2nd hr, essay:
Emma Claire Hughes
Brett Kessel
Will Singleton
Jay Theriot
Charlotte Willcox
Chas DeNeal
Daniel McFarland
3rd hr, essay:
Elizabeth Smith
Sarah Nichols
Daniel Jordan
Chris Hudson
Neha Dhawan
Rocio Cortez
Sh'derrica Abner
Shelley Whitaker
Octavis Johnson
Paul O'Young
Katelyn Jaudon
Ernesto Diaz
Ashley Sims
Avalon Holloway
5th hr, mult-choice:
Rebecca Elder
Joseph Reynolds
Karen Ezelle
Emily Palmer
5th hr, essay:
Jonathan Cosme
Lakyn Smith
Mary Ainsworth
Karen Ezelle
Jarret Atkins
Emily Palmer
6th hr, essay:
Lindsey Trombetta
Juliana Burnell
Emma Viskozki
Michael Nguyen
Jinan Halim
Alison Mitchell
The illustration above shows students writing their essays in a school in south central Asia.
Week of Aug 27: intro to Southwest Asia
You know this region as the Middle East. A less ethnocentric term is Southwest Asia.
Ethnocentrism is one of the themes of geo class.
This week -
Mon.
Review of New Orleans, the river and coastal erosion. Hands-on project. Review for hand-sketched map quiz on Thurs.
Tues.
Intro to SW Asia, aka Petrolia.
Importance of the region to the world.
Strengths.
Difficulties.
Wed.
Intro to Islam.
The Five Pillars.
Thurs.
Map quiz on the Mississippi valley: 15 items.
- Quiz will comprise a sketch of the states and a selection of cities that immediately touch upon the Miss R.
- Mn, Wi, Io, Il, Mo, Ky, Tn, Ar, Ms, La
- Minneapolis, St Louis, Memphis, Baton Rouge, New Orleans
- scored on accuracy of placement and proportion (I only expect an approximation) and spelling of all items (no abbreviations of major names).
Fri. SW Asia research project.
- Librarians intro resources and software for project.
- Topics assigned.
- Use flashdrives to save material. Or email it to yourself.
- 5-day project.
Ethnocentrism is one of the themes of geo class.
This week -
Mon.
Review of New Orleans, the river and coastal erosion. Hands-on project. Review for hand-sketched map quiz on Thurs.
Tues.
Intro to SW Asia, aka Petrolia.
Importance of the region to the world.
Strengths.
Difficulties.
Wed.
Intro to Islam.
The Five Pillars.
Thurs.
Map quiz on the Mississippi valley: 15 items.
- Quiz will comprise a sketch of the states and a selection of cities that immediately touch upon the Miss R.
- Mn, Wi, Io, Il, Mo, Ky, Tn, Ar, Ms, La
- Minneapolis, St Louis, Memphis, Baton Rouge, New Orleans
- scored on accuracy of placement and proportion (I only expect an approximation) and spelling of all items (no abbreviations of major names).
Fri. SW Asia research project.
- Librarians intro resources and software for project.
- Topics assigned.
- Use flashdrives to save material. Or email it to yourself.
- 5-day project.
Friday, August 24, 2007
An important book, if a quick read: Fahrenheit 451
ray Bradbury's sci-fi novel fahrenheit 451 remains one of the most important books of the era. Please plan to read it.
Norse goddess Freya gives us freyday or fridae or frige doeg
From the Old English, Frige Doeg, and from the Old High German, Fria Tag,we see the roots of Friday.
Do we live in a male-centric society? Does the fact that the median male income in Spt is $31,000 and the female median income is $21,000 offer evidence?
Despite the feminist movement I contend that US society remains old-fashioned and male-dominant.
That's why you rarely celebrate or even hear about the Norse (north) goddess of fertility and love, Freya (Fria).
Do we live in a male-centric society? Does the fact that the median male income in Spt is $31,000 and the female median income is $21,000 offer evidence?
Despite the feminist movement I contend that US society remains old-fashioned and male-dominant.
That's why you rarely celebrate or even hear about the Norse (north) goddess of fertility and love, Freya (Fria).
Map of New Orleans flooding from Hurricane Katrina
Students sketched a map of the Crecent City (crescent bend in the river) that included the following:
- French Quarter / Vieux Carre ("old section")
- Uptown neighborhood / affluence and mansions along St Charles Ave.
- Univeristy section: Tulane, Loyola U, Xavier U.
- Superdome
- Metairie
- Lake Pontchartrain
- Univ of NO
- Industrial canal (ship channel)
- 9th ward
- St Bernard parish
- West Bank area
- Slidel (across L. Pontchartrain)
Times-Picayune slide show.
picayune - something of little value / a penny coin.
- French Quarter / Vieux Carre ("old section")
- Uptown neighborhood / affluence and mansions along St Charles Ave.
- Univeristy section: Tulane, Loyola U, Xavier U.
- Superdome
- Metairie
- Lake Pontchartrain
- Univ of NO
- Industrial canal (ship channel)
- 9th ward
- St Bernard parish
- West Bank area
- Slidel (across L. Pontchartrain)
Times-Picayune slide show.
picayune - something of little value / a penny coin.
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