Today in History students worked on summarizing and answering questions about the culture of Japan. Students were asked to read pages 256-261 and answer the following questions:

1. What is the emphasis of Zen Buddhism?
2. How are noh and kabuki different from each other?
3. Why do historians value Lady Murasaki’s “The Tale of Genji”?
4. What new forms of literature and drama did the Japanese develop?
5. How did Japanese culture reflect an interest in natural beauty?

Tomorrow students will watch a short video tomorrow.

Feb 24th - Feb 27th

This week in World History students continue their study of Japan. Monday students participated in a role playing game based on the feudal system in Japan. Students were asked to complete a Japanese feudal pyramid for homework (w/ pictures and color). Tuesday students worked on a map challenge of Japan - this map with 8 questions should be colored, and labeled with all questions answered by Friday the 27th. Wednesday students will begin to learn about the culture of Japan - including religious practices, literature and the arts. Thursday students will watch a short video on the practices of the samurai.

Feb 16th - Feb 20th

This week in World History students continued their study of Feudal Japan and also worked on the "Man of La Mancha" assignment. Tuesday students worked on the essay for the play, Wednesday students participated in a workshop put on by the play's production company to discuss their reactions to the play. Thursday students got back to their study of Japan by working on a journal about rules and power and then taking Cornell notes on a PowerPoint presentation. Friday students turned in their play essays and finished the PowerPoint and reviewed questions on the Land of the Rising Sun. Monday students will be participating in a role playing game based on the feudal structure of Japan. Tuesday they will watch a short video on the samurai class and Wednesday they will learn about the religious and literary traditions of Japan. Have a good weekend, there is no homework for Monday.

Feb. 9th - 13th

This week in World History students began their study of Medieval Japan. On Tuesday students graded their China Binders and were asked to get their grade sheet signed by their parent or guardian for an additional 5 points. On Wednesday, the students worked on vocabulary for Japan and finished the cover page for this unit. On Thursday students worked in pairs to summarize a reading from the textbook. Students were then asked to answer the following questions for homework:

1. Why might trade have been important in early Japan?
2. How did Buddhism influence Japanese religious practices?
3. why was land possession a common source of conflict among clans?
4. What role did Prince Shotoku play in Japanese society?
5. How was Japan the same and different after Prince Shotoku's reign?

Friday students will be taking a field trip to UCLA's Freud Theater to watch "The Man of La Mancha". If you have not turned in a signed permission slip, please be sure to do so before we leave!!

Remember that in observance of President's Day, Monday, February 16th there is no school. Tuesday students will continue their study of Feudal Japan. Have a great weekend.

Today in World History students completed note taking on the dynasties of China and began work on the Mongol era in China. Students will read pgs. 233-239 in the text and answer the following questions for homework, due tomorrow, Friday the 6th. The questions are:
1. Why would the Mongols divide the empire into different khanates ruled by different family members?
2. What traditions of Chinese government did Kublai Khan preserve (keep)?
3. Why did Kublai keep certain traditions of Chinese government when he took control of China?
4. Why would Kublai Khan trust foreigners to help rule China but not the Chinese themselves?
5. Was Mongol rule good or bad for China? Explain.

The Binder check for this unit will take place on Monday instead of tomorrow so that students can use the weekend to organize and complete any missing assignments. The assignments for this unit are:

1. China cover page
2. Table of Contents
3. Vocabulary Sheet
4. Map challenge - China
5. Imperial China PPT notes
6. Journal Grid
7. Spread of Buddhism summary
8. Reunification of China Questions
9. G.R.A.P.E.S. - Buddhism sheet
10. Bubble Map - Buddhism
11. Illustrated Time-line
12 Dynasties of China PPT notes
13. The Mongol Empire Questions

One quick reminder that we will be taking our field trip to the Freud Theatre on Friday February 13th - please be sure to return your parent permission slips as soon as possible.

Feb. 2nd - Feb. 6th

This week in World History students will conclude their study of China. Monday students worked on their illustrated time-lines which are due tomorrow. The time-line should be colored and should consist of two time-lines - one for the dynasties of China starting from 206 B.C. to 1644 C.E. and one for important events that occurred around the world during the same time period as the dynasties. The dynasties of China from 206 B.C. are:

The Han Dynasty 206 B.C. to 220 C.E
Six Dynasties 220 - 581 C.E.
Sui Dynasty 589 - 618 C.E.
Tang Dynasty 618 - 907 C.E.
Five Dynasties/Ten Kingdoms 907 - 960 C.E.
Song Dynasty 960 - 1279 C.E.
Yuan Dynasty (Mongols) 1279 - 1368 C.E.
Ming Dynasty 1368 - 1644 C.E.

Tuesday students will finish a PowerPoint presentation on the dynasties of China. Wednesday students will be learning about the inventions and achievements of China and Thursday we will learn about the influence China had over nearby Asian cultures like Korea and Japan. Friday will be the binder check for this unit. Be sure to complete and organize your binder for grading.

The grades for this semester will be submitted on Tuesday - the new semester starts Monday the 9th. Be sure to keep your eyes open for the semester report cards.