8th Grade: Magna Carta Activity Link

8th graders:

Here is the link for today's Magna Carta assignment...remember to come to class on Thursday with the answer to the question:

What is the legacy of the Magna Carta? (Hint: click the link below and click "The Basics")

http://www.bl.uk/treasures/magnacarta/index.html

KF

Extra credit opportunity: If you would like a bit of extra credit for examining the document further, you may research any one (1) theme and any one (1) person listed on the website, answering the following questions:
-What was the role of the theme/person in the Middle Ages?
-How is the theme addressed by the Magna Carta/How was the person affected by the Magna Carta?

8th Grade: Battle of Hastings Questions

Hey 8th Graders:

I know the power has been out, so I hope you all get the chance to see these!

Please have answers to #s 2 and 3 tomorrow!

1) What was the conflict that led to the Battle of Hastings?

2) What political changes did William initiate (start) in England after his victory?

3) What were the long-term cultural and social changes in England following the Norman conquest?

KF

9th Grade: Causes of World War I Activity

Hey 9th Grade:

Here is the link to follow to complete your assignment today. Have a fun time!

http://www.schoolhistory.co.uk/lessons/wwi/objectives_wwi.html

KF

Three Weeks Until Quarter 4! Week of February 27-March 2

Hello again!

I hope everyone had a nice weekend, and is ready for the week ahead!

A couple brief announcements:

Wednesday, February 29: Students will be dismissed at 11:45 due to a teacher work afternoon! Please plan to have your child picked up at that time. Wednesday will run on an AM Schedule.

Friday, March 2: Please plan to join us for DPTO 's annual Movie Night! The movie that will be shown is PUSS ‘N BOOTS. Pizza, sweets, drinks and pastries will be sold. If you bring your ticket from the flyer that was sent home, a free bag of pop corm will be given to you!

And with that, here's the academic plan for this week:
6th grade: Most of you did a very nice job on your quizzes last week! Well done! This week you will move on from Colonialism and see what happened when the colonists chose to fight back against the Europeans! You will spend Monday and Tuesday learning about five major conflicts in the Americas that will lead up to our discussion to the beginnings of the US Revolutionary War on Thursday and Friday. (Remember that you won't have class on Wednesday due to the teachers' work day early dismissal.)
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7th grade: Well it will be nice to see you all again...I feel like it's been forever sine we really had our class! Remember a week or so ago when you completed the Southeast Asia maps assignment? Well...you'll finally get to learn more about those countries this week! You will study two areas of Southeast Asia on Monday and Wednesday, and spend Tuesday in the computer lab. Thursday and Friday will be country project presentation days... (yes I know, it's quick, but I'll make it worth your while!)
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8th grade: Welcome back, I hope you had a lovely time on your trip. But now it's BACK TO WORK! :) Don't forget your Black Death Packet is due at class time tomorrow (Monday)! You will only have four classes with me this week, but they'll all be good. Monday you will spend time learning about the Norman (French) invasion of England via the Bayeux Tapestry. On Tuesday you will visit the Magna Carta via the computer lab. Wednesday you will be at home during my regular class time (have a nice time), and on Thursday and Friday you will learn about the 100 Years' War (think Joan of Arc).
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9th grade: It's time! You finally made it into the 20th Century! This week we will study World War I, including the Causes (Monday), Who's to Blame (Tuesday), the Major Battles and New Technology that was used (Wednesday and Thursday) and why the United States Entered the War (Friday). Doesn't that sound grand?!
--

So there you have it!

Enjoy the week!
KF

9th Grade: Imperialism Quiz Review Questions

Hey 9th graders:

Sorry about the technology glitch this morning...here's a list of the questions we reviewed, as well as those we didn't get to...if you can answer them all, you'll do just fine on tomorrow's quiz!

You may bring one page (front-side only) of notes for the quiz!

Vocabulary:
Sepoy
Self-Strengthening (2 parts)
Principle of Effectivity (4 criteria)
Sphere of Influence
Open Door Policy
Scramble for Africa

People:
Livingstone
Stanley
Rhoades

Themes:
Importance of opium during the Age of Imperialism
Outcomes of the Berlin Conference
Positives and negatives of Imperialism in India, China and Africa
Countries that were not imperialized and why (we learned about Siam/Thailand today)
Darwin's theory and how it was used by the Europeans to justify imperialism
How imperialism changed India, China and Africa
Six reasons Europeans began imperializing
How the Boxers got their nickname (2 reasons)
Outcomes of the Treaty of Nanjing
Reasons for and outcome of the Berlin Conference
Resistance movements in India (2), China (2) and Africa (7)

Connections:
Between the Revolutions Unit and the Imperialism Unit
Between the movie Lagaan and the "real" history of imperialism
Between the characters in Lagaan and how their talents made them perfect for the team

-Bhuvan
-Lakah
-Guran
-Bagha
-Goli
-Ishwar (Doctor)
-Arjan
-Bhura
-Deva
-Tipu
-Ishmaeel
-Kachra

Happy studying, contact me with questions!
KF

9th Grade: Indian National Congress Assignment

Hey 9th graders:

Don't forget about your 5-sentence Indian National Congress assignment...

You are supposed to answer
-Who they were
-What did they do (and why)

Due in class tomorrow!
Thanks!
KF

6th Grade: Colonialism Quiz Study Ideas

Hey 6th graders:

Hope you're studying hard for tomorrow's quiz...remember that you are welcome to bring a 1-page notes page to use on the quiz!

Here are some things you should know in order to do well on tomorrow's quiz:
-Elements about the Southern, Middle, New England, and Spanish colonies that can be compared and contrasted (ie: government, use of slavery, treatment of natives, major crop, reason it was colonized, etc)

-What a charter is

-Information about Jamestown: why it was settled, who settled it, important people (John Smith, etc)

-Indentured Servitude

-Slavery

-The levels of society in the Spanish Colonies

-Bartolome de las Casas

Happy studying! :)
KF

Have Fun on your Field Trips! Week of February 21-24

Hello all:

For some of you, this next week will be short and sweet...for others, you have a quiz to look forward to! One class has BOTH!

Remember, due to the US holiday of President's Day, there will be no school on Monday, February 20.

Also, just a quick note to my Model UN students...we will (finally) have our Thursday meeting this Thursday at lunch! Bring your country research and be ready to discuss with the group!

Whether you have class once or 4 times this week, here's what's happening in Room #4:
6th grade: Due to your, let's say, less than stellar performance in the review game last week, I have decided that you need a bit more time to review for your Colonialism Quiz. Therefore, you will have time both Tuesday and Wednesday to review. Please bring all your notes and assignments from this unit, including your timeline information, to class both of these days!
Your Colonialism Quiz will be Thursday, February 23! On Friday you will be working together in a group activity.
--

7th grade: You will finally have the ability to present your South Asia projects on Tuesday! You will also have your South Asia Map Quiz. Enjoy your field trip the rest of the week!
--

8th grade: Class time on Tuesday will be spent following the progression of the Black Death across Europe using primary sources. You will be given a Black Death Packet assignment for homework, due on Monday when you return. NO EXCEPTIONS!
--

9th grade: You will spend your class time on Tuesday and Wednesday finishing up learning about the resistance movements against Imperialism. Thursday will be your review game, and Friday, February 24 will be your Imperialism quiz!

Have great week, enjoy your field trips, and come back ready to finish the last 3 weeks of Quarter 3!

KF

6th Grade: NEW QUIZ DATE

6th graders:

Due to your (pretty bad) performance on the review game today, and the fact that we will all be in class all of next week, I have decided to MOVE YOUR COLONIALISM QUIZ to NEXT THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23.

So, you may use this weekend to focus on your Pocahontas paper... (which means I expect it to be AWESOME!) If you want to send me another copy of the paper I will grade it and send it back to you for corrections.

Have a nice weekend, see you Tuesday.
KF

7th Grade: India Precipitacion and Vegetation Maps

Hey 7th graders:

Here are a couple of links that might help you with your Monsoon Season packet (which by the way, is due on TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21!).

On page 83 (4th page of the packet) it asks you to "Look for the precipitation and vegetation maps of India in the Almanac." Instead of looking in the almanac, you may look here:

India precipitation map: http://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/india/annualrainfall.htm

India vegetation map: http://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/india/vegetationtypes.htm

(You may also look elsewhere on the web if you prefer)

Let me know if you have any other questions!
KF

8th Grade: Guild Websites

Hi 8th graders:

Here are some links to get you started on the guilds assignment:
http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/medieval-london-guilds.htm (List of actual trades with guilds)
http://www.public.iastate.edu/~gbetcher/373/guilds.htm (Excellent overview put out by IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY!! :)
http://employees.oneonta.edu/farberas/arth/ARTH200/artist/guilds.html (Illustrated overview of guild history)
http://www.medieval-spell.com/Medieval-Guilds.html (Some history, some information about laws affecting guilds)
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/medieval_women.htm (Information on women's roles in the Middle Ages, including in guilds)
http://www.antithetical.org/restlesswind/plinth/wimguild2.html (An even better website about women's roles in guilds)
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07066c.htm (Information about guilds in different countries)
http://www.luckymojo.com/patronsaints.html (Good information on what Saints were considered for each occupation)

Have fun! Be sure to base your information on FACTS and not just fill in whatever you think is best...take time with this assignment, READ (it won't kill you, I promise!)

KF

DUE NEXT TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20!!

A (Very) Short Week: Week of February 15-16

Hello everyone:

Thank you so much for your patience and support last week when I was away at a family funeral. Discovery is truly a special place to work!

I wanted to put up some pictures of the 8th graders and their Castle Projects...they were so great!





































Please remember that this Friday, February 17 and next Monday, February 20 are days off of school to celebrate President's Day. You may read a bit about the history of this holiday here.

I know school has been going for 2 days this week, but hopefully my previous class-specific posts helped you all understand what is expected of you from that time. If you missed any of those days I encourage you to visit those pages to get caught up.

The next few days are going to be odd, because the secondary students will only have afternoon classes. Here's why:
WEDNESDAY: Our Middle and High School students will attend the presentation “El Lazarillo” on Wednesday, February 15, as an extension of our Social Studies and Spanish Literature curriculum. Our students will leave the school at 8:00 a.m. The cost of the entrance is L100 per student. We expect our students to be back by 11:00 a.m. Students should dress formally for this event.

FRIDAY: Parents- From how LED lights impact our sleep to how we can protect our homes from fire to how to build a solar oven- our Science Fair topics this year are diverse and fascinating. Join us from 8:30-10:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 16, to see our 7th-12th grade students' explorations displayed in the Secondary Building in this year’s Discovery School Science Fair!

Due to all this fun, I will not see 9th grade or 7th grade until next Tuesday!

Here's what you need to know:
9th graders: Your African resistance assignment will be due on Tuesday when you return to my class. If you have questions about this assignment it will be your responsibility to ask me! I will not accept "I didn't understand" as an excuse! Don't worry about the Chinese pairs assignment...we'll catch up with that next week.
--

7th graders: I saw two country projects in my room today, and I'm sorry you wont get the chance to present them until next week! Be ready when you return on Tuesday to present your projects. If you need to work on them over the weekend, feel free. Remember that you will be graded by me, by yourself, and your partner, so be the best partner you can be! Both the maps assignment and the Monsoon Season packet will also be due next Tuesday! Be sure to ask for your copy of the packet if you don't have one!
--

I will see the 8th graders and 6th graders on Wednesday and Thursday:
6th grade: Remember that your Pocahontas paper sloppy copy is due tomorrow, along with your compare and contrast worksheet. You will also have a timeline check, because your timeline projects are due on Thursday! You will have one-on-one check-ins with me on Wednesday, and Thursday will review for your Colonialism Quiz. (Your Colonialism Quiz is Tuesday, February 21!)
--

8th grade: Remember, here is the laundry-list of things due on Wednesay, February 15:
-Crusader Interview Questions and Letter
-Nobility Webquest Worksheet
-Who am I? Catholic Church Worksheet
-Cathedral Movie Questions
-Effects of the Crusades Worksheet
-Moving to Towns Packet
-Medieval Towns Packet
(If you think that's bad, remember that I have to check it all!)

In class on Wednesday you will look at education and poetry from the Middle Ages (aren't you excited?) and on Thursday you will be in the computer lab completing that Guild Activity I told you not to do before. ;)

There you have it, another week (almost) gone!
Let me know if you have questions/comments/concerns/etc!
KF

6th Grade: Pocahontas Paper Information

Hi 6th Graders!

For the next 2 days you will be doing research on the REAL history behind the Disney movie "Pocahontas".

THIS IS AN INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT! EACH STUDENT NEEDS TO TURN IN THEIR OWN, ORIGINAL PAPER!

Remember that your assignment is to write a one-page paper in which you will:

1) Say whether you think the movie "Pocahontas" was historically accurate or not
2) Give SPECIFIC REASONS (from the movie AND your research) that explain why you feel that way:

-> You must use information about at least 2 people from the movie and information about at least 2 other things you took notes on. Use the links below and/or a Google search to research this topic (hint: I would start with the links, because they will make your work a lot less...) <-

Click on the links below to learn more about the subjects you took notes on during the movie! Use that information to write your "Pocahontas" paper!!

Links about Pocahontas and the accuracy of the movie:
The Real Pocahontas
About Pocahontas
Famous People: Pocahontas
The Pocahontas Myth
Pocahontas Movie Review
Pocahontas Movie Review 2
Pocahontas: Historically Inaccurate
Disney's Pocahontas

Links pertaining to some of the questions you had on your notes:
John Smith and Pocahontas' Relationship, Kocoum
A Brief History of the Jamestown Settlement
Sunflowers
The Virginia Company
Native Americans and Dreams
Did Governor Ratcliffe really exist?
History of the Pug (the dog Percy's breed was Pug)
History of the Compass
Powhatan
Did Pocahontas save John Smith?

-> PLEASE NOTE: An annotated works cited page is REQUIRED for me to grade this paper. Annotation means that you have to explain why
the website you used was good or helpful for you.<-

Here is an example of an annotated works cited:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114148/
This website was helpful to me in writing my paper because it contained a short explanation of what happened in the movie, which helped me remember what the movie was about. It was also helpful because it helped me spell the names of the characters correctly.

Doing this annotation will help you in 2 ways:

-First of all, it will help you get used to creating works cited pages
-Secondly, it will help you evaluate, or think about, why some websites are good and some are not very good. (This is a very important skill for you to learn!)

Your "Sloppy Copy" of the paper is due on Wednesday, February 15. This copy may be hand-written or typed...your final paper (due February 21) MUST BE TYPED!

E-mail me with questions/concerns/etc!
KF

6th Grade: While I Am Gone

Howdy 6th graders:

How'd you like Pocahontas? I hope you enjoyed it, and got some REALLY good notes about the movie, because you will need them this week!

Friday and Monday: Bring that notes page to the computer lab as you research and start to form your Pocahontas research paper sloppy copy (due Wednesday, February 15). I will make another blog post to give you links for the paper research. (PS: Start with the links I have created above...yes, there are 2 about.com and 1 wikipedia...you're welcome.)

Tuesday: You will be back in the classroom. I want you to use the information you learned while you were researching/writing your sloppy copy to fill out the compare/contrast paper about the movie vs real life. When/if you finish that, use the time to work on your Timeline Project...remember it's due Thursday, February 16!

Due on Wednesday, February 15: Pocahontas paper sloppy copy (should be a completed paper which we will talk over together in class), Timeline Check (should have all information written out for all 40 timeline elements and have at least 30 of them written and color-coded on the timeline), Compare and Contrast worksheet

If you have any questions about annotation or the paper, please let me know! :) I will do my best to be online during your class time for the next two days, so feel free to e-mail me at kfink@discoveryschool.edu.hn.
KF

7th Grade: While I'm Gone

Hey 7th Graders:

I am really excited to see how your country float projects turn out! Remember that you only have 2 more days in class to work on them, and you will be presenting them to me and the class next Wednesday, February 15! Don't forget to use the rubric on the project sheet I gave you, and keep that sheet to turn it in with the project!

Thursday and Friday: Country project work time. If/when you finish you will be given a packet about Monsoons.

Monday and Tuesday: We're going to move on from South Asia to Southeast Asia, so you need to familiarize yourself with the maps of the area. Therefore, on Monday and Tuesday you will do the maps assignment:

Pg 565 #1, 3, 4

Pg 566 #2, 3

Pg 567 all

Pg 568 all

Pg 569 all

If and when you finish this assignment you need to finish the Monsoon Season packet that you were given on Friday.

Due Wednesday, February 15: Country projects, South Asia Countries Quiz, Maps Assignment (pgs 565-569) (Monsoon Season packet will be due later)

Keep working hard!
KF

8th Grade: While I'm Gone

Hey 8th graders:

I hope you have been good the past two days! Here's some information you might like to have about the next three school days...

But first, follow this link to watch the rest of today's movie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHDT67jhOrc&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PL6E564D17A7C8C304
Remember that yesterday's worksheet and today's movie questions are both due on Wednesday, February 15! (The day I come back)

Friday: You are going to go back to the Crusades to evaluate the effects (good, bad, or otherwise) on various groups of people in the Middle Ages.

Monday: You will receive two packets about Medieval towns...the first is very similar to the life on a manor packet, and shouldn't be too tough. The second looks long, but there's really only one page of work and 4 of reading. Remember NOT to do the Guild Application activity on the back of that packet...we will do that together later in the unit!

Tuesday: You may have noticed that you've had a lot of work lately, and ALL OF IT IS DUE ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15! So, you have this last day of class to work work work to finish whatever you need to finish.

DUE ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15:
-Crusader Interview Questions and Letter
-Nobility Webquest Worksheet
-Who am I? Catholic Church Worksheet
-Cathedral Movie Questions
-Effects of the Crusades Worksheet
-Moving to Towns Packet
-Medieval Towns Packet

NO EXCEPTIONS!

Have a rest of the week! See you next Wednesday.
KF

9th Grade: While I Am Gone

Hey 9th graders:

I hope your group projects are going well, and that you ALL turned in your DBQs to the sub today.

Here's the plan for the next 3 days (of school):
Friday: I'm not sure where you're at in your group projects, but if you are done and ready to present, feel free to do that tomorrow. Otherwise, BE READY on Monday!

Monday: If you haven't already presented, today's the day! When you are done (or if you've already finished on Friday) you will spend the rest of the class completing an assignment IN PAIRS about Chinese resistance to imperialism.

Tuesday: On your own, (I'm sure you're ready for a bit of alone time?), you will be given an African resistance movement (remember the map from the DBQ?) and a 5W's and 1H assignment.

Both of these assignments will be due on THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16!

Have a great rest of the week,
KF

8th Grade: Nobility Webquest

Hi 8th Graders:

In order to help you understand the importance of inheritance laws, arranged marriages, dowries, and alliances in Medieval Times, I would like you to complete this Medieval Laws Webquest!

Directions:
Go to https://www.livetext.com/
Click on the button at the top that says "Visitor's Pass"
Enter this code in the box: FD8B50EE
Click on the link for the Medieval Laws Webquest
Follow the directions and use your worksheet to complete the activities.

Don't worry, you will have 2 days in class to complete this activity.
The worksheet and culminating assignment will be due WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8.

Enjoy!
KF

Also, by popular demand...

(I'm playing Cricket, of course!)

8th Grade: Castle Project Rubric

Hey 8th graders:

Just thought I would share with you the rubric I will be using to grade your Castle Project (which, btw, is due TOMORROW at class time!)

Castle Project Rubric

Castle Element	Included (2 pts)	Labeled (2 pts)	Points
Wall/Defensive rings			/4
Towers			/4
Gatehouses			/4
Moat			/4
Well			/4
Barracks			/4
Kitchen			/4
Inner ward			/4
Apartments			/4
Great Hall			/4
Windows			/4
Crenulations			/4
Chapel			/4
Drawbridge			/4
Areas for animals			/4
Portcullis			/4
Murder Hole			/4
Castle Construction	X	X	/7
			TOTAL /75

Happy night, see you tomorrow!
KF

A 6-Day Week (for Teachers!): Week of February 6-10

Hello again, everyone!

Good luck and happy studying to all our participants in this Saturday's ABSH Spelling Bee and Speech Contests!

And for the rest of you, I am looking forward to seeing (and judging) your Science Fair projects! Keep working hard on them! And for your information:

Parents- From how LED lights impact our sleep to how we can protect our homes from fire to how to build a solar oven- our science fair topics this year are diverse and fascinating. Join us from 8:30-10:00 AM on Thursday, February 16th to see our 7th-12th grade students' explorations displayed in the Secondary Building in this year’s Discovery School Science Fair!

But before we get to those things, we have some learning to do in the Room #4!
6th grade: As I mentioned last week, on Monday and Tuesday you will spend your class watching the Disney movie "Pocahontas!" But lest you think this is all fun and games, you will actually be using the information from the movie to evaluate its historical accuracy on Wednesday (and beyond). Each student will be responsible for writing a one-page paper on this subject: more information to come!! Thursday and Friday you will learn about the Middle and New England colonies.
Due dates: Southern Colonies Questions Sheet (Monday), Timeline Check: 15 on timeline, 30 information (Wednesday), Pocahontas Compare and Contrast (Thursday), Pocahontas Paper Sloppy Copy (Friday).
--

7th grade: You received the project information sheet last Friday and will have Monday-Thursday this week to find the information and create your country project. Remember that this is an in-class GROUP project, so be a good partner! You will present your projects and information to the class on Friday!
Due dates: Float Project and Presentation (Friday)
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8th grade: As I'm sure you've noticed, the level of work has increased slightly. It's Quarter 3 of your 8th grade year, the perfect time for you to start working harder and preparing yourselves for the rigor of high school...don't fall behind! Stay focused and don't quit! Laziness is no longer an option if you want to be successful!

Monday and Tuesday you will spend your class time (after turning in the Castle projects on Monday, of course) in the computer lab completing a webquest about some of the elements of life that the Middle Ages Nobility had to deal with...inheritance laws, dowry, arranged marriage, and alliances. Wednesday and Thursday you will be back in the classroom examining the different people who made up the hierarchy of the Medieval Catholic church, and Friday you will learn about the effects of the Crusades.
Due dates: Castle Project (Monday), Crusader interview (from last week-due Wednesday), Webquest (Wednesday), Catholic Church Who Am I Assignment (Friday)
--

9th grade: Monday and Tuesday you will be working on an African Imperialism DBQ. Wednesday-Friday you will have a group project relating to the Imperialistic actions of Japan and the United States. You will present these projects to the class the following Monday!
Due dates: African Imperialism DBQ (Thursday)
--

And there you have it!

Have a great week, keep working hard!
KF

8th Grade: Crusader Interview Assignment

Hello 8th Graders:

Remember that your Castle Project is DUE MONDAY!!!! You will be assessed on this project in three ways: 1) My assessment using the information from your Castle Project sheet 2) Self-Assessment 3) Your group will also assess you. So be a good group member!

Here is the information for the Crusader Interview Assignment:
Hopefully in class today you came up with the answers to the 10 questions, and that both of you wrote them down, because you will need to turn them in when this assignment is due on Wednesday, February 8.

Using that information, you need to write a role-specific letter:
If you were a Christian or Muslim soldier (were being interviewed):
-Write a 1-page letter of application, pretending you are a soldier applying for a job fighting in the Crusades.
-Be sure to include:

• Why you want to fight in the Crusades
• What qualifications/training/etc you have that makes you perfect for the job
• List any previous experience you have that would help you succeed at the position
  

If you were the Interviewer:
-Write a 1-page letter explaining whether or not you would recommend the person you "interviewed" for a job fighting in the Crusades.
-Be sure to include:

• Your opinion of the candidate (be specific)
  
• WHY you are rejecting or accepting them (be specific) Use the answers to the interview questions to make your final assessment of the person. (These can be the specifics)
  

Here are a couple of links that might help you write your letters:
Letter of Application
Letter of Recommendation

Happy working on your Castles this weekend! Let me know if you have any qustions or concerns!!
KF

(PS: Don't forget your Castle Movie notes page is due along with your Castle projects!!)

Model UN: "Assignment" for Thursday, February 9

Hey Model UN!

It was really fun to get together with you all today! I think this is going to be a great team, and I am SO excited for the simulation in April! :)

Anyway, here is your "homework" for next Thursday:
I would like each of you to research your country...just focus on the background information. I suggest looking at the following things:
Capital City
Neighboring Countries
Landforms
Population
Climate
Important Products
Crops
Important Cities
Ethnic Group(s)
Language(s)
Major Religion(s)
System of Money and Comparison to the US Dollar
Historical Background (beginnings, independence, major wars, major social movements, etc--understanding the background of the country will help you understand what is happening now)
Current issues (social, economic, governmental, etc)
Anything else you find that you think is interesting or relevant

Here are some excellent websites for you to do your research:
The United Nations Website
British Broadcasting Company Country Profiles
CIA World Factbook
Best Country Reports
National Centre for Trade Information
Intute World Guide
US Department of State
You may also want to look at the Embassy website for your specific country (search your country's name + the word "embassy")

Another very helpful website for you to keep in mind throughout the process of preparing for April is the Mazapan School Model United Nations website: http://mmuns.org/MMUNS_2012/Home.html. You can find a lot of great information there, including the list of committees and topics. There is also a great page of Delegate Information which will give you a tentative schedule, more information about the dress code, and other information. Enjoy!

Let me know if you have any questions...otherwise, see you next Thursday! :)
KF