Today in World History students were given instructions on how to complete the optional extra credit report that can be completed over the holiday break. Wednesday students watched a video of the ancient Inca and were asked to answer questions. These questions were:

—1. What is remarkable about the way the Inca stone masons built the cities of Machu Picchu and Cuzco?

—2. Explain why the Inca road system was the key to controlling the empire.

—3. Describe the “coming of age” ceremony for Inca boys and girls.

—4. Why was the Inca leadership in a vulnerable position when the Spanish arrived? What disease further weakened the Incas?

—5. What advantages did the Spanish have over the indigenous people of the Americas?

—6. What traditions have survived among the Inca today?

These questions should be included in the Americas binder. The binder on the Americas will be due the week we get back from break. Students should have the binder organized and ready for grading on Tuesday the 13th.

Dec. 15th - Dec. 19th

This week in World History we will finish our study of the Americas. Monday students were asked to read in pairs from the text and answer questions on the geography of Mesoamerica - which was important in determining the lifestyle of the people who lived there. Any students who did not finish the questions in class must complete them for homework due on Tuesday. The questions were:

1. What effect have volcanoes had on the landscape of Mesoamerica?
2. How does the temperature in the mountains of Mesoamerica differ from the temperature at sea level?
3. Why do you think Mesoamerican farmers abandoned their fields after a few years?
4. How did Mesoamericans prepare the rain forest for farming?


On Tuesday students will watch a short video on the ancient Inca.

Today in World History students worked on vocabulary for the geography of Mesoamerica. If the vocabulary was not finished in class - it is due on Monday and should be done for homework over the weekend. Yesterday, students worked on the cover to their new unit on the Americas. Students were asked to draw and color at least 4 pictures that are related to the area and/or era of this subject. They were then asked to write at least 5 lines about what they know, think they know, or want to know about the Americas.

The class made it through its first state test this week and most seemed to feel good about their performance. Next week we will be studying the cultures of the Americas and I will be offering the students an extra credit assignment that they may complete during the holiday break. This extra credit assignment is optional and will be due the week we return from the break.

One quick reminder - 15 week progress reports will be sent out in the next few days, so keep an eye out for them.

Today in World History we reviewed information that we covered this semester in preparation for our state test tomorrow. Students should use their study guides to review for tomorrow's test. On Thursday we will be studying the geography of the Americas. For the assessment tomorrow, please try to get a good night sleep and eat a good breakfast in the morning - good luck and I will see you tomorrow.

Dec. 8th - Dec. 12th

This week in World History students will be introduced to the Americas. On Monday students took notes on a short overview of the major empires of mesoamerica. On Tuesday, students will review all the units we have studied so far this semester (Rome, Islam, and Africa). Homework for Tuesday will be to review for the assessment on Wednesday. On Wednesday, students will take their first state test for History. It will cover the subjects that we have learned about so far this year. When we return on Thursday, students will continue their study of mesoamerica - including the geography and agriculture that allowed empires to prosper and grow. Students should also have their history binders organized, finished, and ready for grading by Thursday. The assignments and table of contents for the binder are as follows:

1. Vocabulary/Summary - Words included were clan, griot, kinship, labor specialization and summary of the text book reading (pgs. 151- 154)
2. Map of Africa - colored and labeled
3. Video Questions "Ancient Africa"
4. Ghana PowerPoint notes
5. Ghana notes question and summary
6. Vocabulary sheet - all boxes filled and pictures colored
7. Compare/Contrast sheet - the 3 empires of Western Africa
8. Mali/Songhai PowerPoint notes

Today in World History we continued our study of Mali and Songhai - two important empires of Western Africa. Due to short periods the last two days, we will conclude our study of Africa tomorrow by finishing a PowerPoint presentation and conducting a "Gallery Walk" through the classroom that highlights important information on the empires, lifestyle, and leaders of Africa. Friday our weekly assignment of a compare and contrast sheet is due. Students will compare and contrast the three main empires of Western Africa- Ghana, Mali, and Songhai. They may use their Cornell notes and the text book pages 164 to 169 to complete the assignment. On Friday students will play a short review quiz game on Africa. Starting Monday students will learn about Mesoamerica and the Olmec civilization.

One important notice - the 1st periodic state assessment for this class will take place on Wednesday of next week. It will cover all subjects that we have covered so far in class. We will use Tuesday as a review day for these subjects. On Thursday of next week we will continue with our study of Mesoamerica - including units on the Aztec, Maya, and Inca.

Dec. 1st - Dec. 5th

Welcome back! I hope everyone had a restful Thanksgiving weekend. This week in World History we are concluding our study of Africa. On Monday, students finished notes on the empire of Ghana and answered summarizing questions. These questions were completed during class - or must be finished as homework. The questions were:

1. What difficulties did people encounter when moving goods across the desert?

2. How did the region of Ghana come to be known as Ghana?

3. How did Ghana’s king help the empire become wealthy and powerful?

4. How did trade affect West Africa’s religion and culture?

5. What advantage did Muslims have that helped them gain influence in Ghana?

6. How did Ghana’s wealth and power lead to its downfall?

In addition to these questions, students were given a vocabulary homework sheet for their binders that is due tomorrow.

Tomorrow - Tuesday the 2nd, students will be learning about the empires of Mali and Songhai - the empires that followed Ghana. On Wednesday we will conclude our study of these empires and conduct a "gallery walk" of the important leaders and subjects. On Thursday students will participate in a team review game in preparation for a short quiz to end our unit on Africa.

Our weekly assignment, due Friday, is a compare and contrast sheet on the empires of West Africa.

On Friday students will be introduced to Mesoamerica and the Olmec culture.

And finally, a few quick notes

- the Turkey Bowl will be played on Wednesday the 3rd.
- 15 week progress reports will be sent out in the next week or so
- State assessments in History will take place sometime next week, I will give more information when it becomes available to me.