8th Grade: Byzantine Empire Questions

Hello 8th graders:

Here are the links and questions for today's assignment. Remember that BOTH partners need to write down the answers, but only one needs to turn it in (with both names on it) for credit.

Use the following websites to help you answer the questions below:

http://www.flowofhistory.com/units/birth/5/FC44

http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/Medieval/war/ByzantineNavy.html

http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/Medieval/war/ByzantineArmy.html

http://www.icsd.k12.ny.us/legacy/highschool/socstud/global2_review/byzantine_empire.htm

1) How did geography affect the Byzantine empire?

2) How did the Byzantine Empire defend themselves against attackers?

3) Describe the structure of the Byzantine navy and the ships they used.

4) How did the Byzantine navy help defend Byzantium from Arab attacks?

5) What types of weapons and fortifications did the Byzantines use?

6) How did the Byzantines use, preserve, and spread Greek (and Roman) ideas/etc?

Use:

Preserve:

Spread:

This assignment is due Thursday, January 12 at class time.
KF

Conferences Week! Week of January 9-13

Hello again!

I'm gearing up for another week of learning in Room #4...are you?

Here are some notes from the Discovery School Administration:

• Parent Workshop: Our school counselor, Ms. Ivonne Casco, will host a workshop for parents on Friday, January 20, at 1:30 p.m. Information will be posted on her blog.
• Report Cards and Conferences: Report Cards will be issued on Friday, January 13. This is an early dissmissal (AM Schedule) day for students. Conferences are on an ‘as-needed’ basis.
• Martin Luther King Jr Day: There will be no school on Monday, January 16, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We want our students and parents to know that while we enjoy the holiday, we do not forget who this holiday is about. While the era of the 1960s is not really far enough in the past to be covered in my history classes, the contributions of Dr. King to the world are worth some independent research. Therefore, for your information, here is a link to the Nobel Prize website's biography of Dr. King: http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/1964/king-bio.html.
• Professional Development Wednesday: Our third Staff Development Wednesday will take place on Wednesday, January 18. Please note that we are meeting on the 18^th instead of the last Wednesday of the month. This is an early dismissal day (PM Schedule) for students.
• DPTO Fun Run: Our annual school Fun Run will take place on Saturday, January 28, beginning at 8:30 a.m. There will be the traditional run, games, and a complimentary pancake and fruit breakfast to follow. The pledge forms were sent before the Winter Holiday, however, if you would like an additional copy, please download it from the Area Administrators’ blogs.

Again, please don't forget that Friday is an early dismissal day...please arrive to pick your student up promptly at 11:45. Parents whose attendance is requested at conferences should receive a letter early in the week. If you do not receive a letter but wish to meet with me, please feel free to come on Friday afternoon, or send me an e-mail to schedule another time.

Also, if you want a sneak peek, your Quarter 2 and Semester 1 grades are on engrade!

Here's the plan for this week:
6th grade: This week you will continue your information gathering about the European Explorers during the Age of Exploration! By the end of the week you will have information in your notebooks (and for your timelines) on the Spanish, English, and French explorers. Monday you will see a PowerPoint, Tuesday you will have notes, and Wednesday you will be researching in the computer lab. Thursday you will complete your research in the classroom using the textbooks. And speaking of your timelines, I understand that some of you have questions about that project...I just want to say, DON'T WORRY! You will have plenty of in-class time to work on it, and I will give you all the information you need very soon! :) You will not have class on Friday due to Parent-Teacher Conferences.
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7th grade: I hope you are enjoying learning about Southwest Asia. On Monday you will have time to finish your textbook assignment that we started on Friday. Tuesday-Thursday you will have time in the computer lab to research for your country projects and play country games, and Friday will be the first Presentation Friday of this quarter! :)
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8th grade: Don't forget that this Monday is your debate! Be sure you come to class with your notes page! On Tuesday and Wednesday you will have time in the computer lab to research some questions about the Byzantine Empire, and on Thursday you will start researching the life of Charlemagne (the Great)! You will also be given your Letter to Charlemagne assignment on Friday.
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9th grade: I hope you are enjoying your introduction to Imperialism. You will continue delving deeper into the topic this week with a look the Spheres of Influence in China. You will have a lot of primary sources this week, everything from letters to edicts to a treaty...don't worry, it's better than it seems, and we'll go through it together. And, as an extra and added bonus, they're very interesting! :)
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So that's it...nothing to it. Another week gone...this year is flying by.

Have a great week!
KF

8th Grade: Women in History Debate Information

Hi 8th Grade:

As you have read over the past few days, it is undeniable that Theodora influenced her husband Justinian's acts as ruler, and there have been many other women who have acted similarly throughout time.

Today in class you will be using Google or another search engine of your choice to research the historical impact of women on their ruling husbands in order to be able to argue for or against the idea that wives of rulers should not be able to play a role in the governmental policy of their ruling spouse during Monday's debate!

Some examples of people to research:
-Theodora (of course)
-Cleopatra
-Eleanor of Aquitaine
-Anne Boleyn
-Catherine of Aragon
-Eva Peron
-Edith Galt Wilson

There are, of course, others.

Please remember, you are not looking for positive or negative things about the women themselves, just their role in governmental policy and their effects on their spouses/significant others.

Be sure to bring a page with talking points to help you during the debate! I will be collecting this page for points!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to e-mail me! I am looking forward to Monday's debate! :)

KF

Welcome Back! Week of January 4-6

Hello all:

I hope you had a WONDERFUL, RELAXING, and FUN break, and return tomorrow ready to work hard in the new year!

Here are a few notes from the Discovery School Administration:

• Sweaters/Jackets and Other Objects: we ask parents (especially the Elementary parents) to label all their child’s belongings with a permanent marker. This makes it easier for us to help you look for things if they are misplaced or lost. Furthermore, we ask for your cooperation by sending back with your child any item he/she brings home that does not belong to him, and to notify the homeroom teacher about it (by text message, email or phone call).
• Parent Workshop: Our school counselor, Ms. Ivonne Casco, will be hosting a workshop for parents on Friday, January 20, at 1:30 p.m. Information will be posted on her blog.
• Report Cards and Conferences: Report Cards will be issued on Friday, January 13. This is an early dissmissal (AM Schedule) day for students. Conferences are on an ‘as-needed’ basis.
• Professional Development Wednesday: Our third Staff Development Wednesday will take place on Wednesday, January 18. Please note that we are meeting on the 18^th instead of the last Wednesday of the month. This is an early dismissal day (PM Schedule) for students.
• DPTO Fun Run: Our annual school Fun Run will take place on Saturday, January 28, beginning at 8:30 a.m. There will be the traditional run, games, and a complimentary pancake and fruit breakfast to follow. The pledge forms were sent before the Winter Holiday, however, if you would like an additional copy, please download it from the Area Administrators’ blogs.

As for Room 4 announcements, due to popular request from the students, I am implementing a new "Bathroom Ticket" policy. Each student will be given two tickets to use during the quarter to visit the restrooms. Once those tickets have been used, students will not be allowed to use the restrooms during class, or will be given a snack time or lunch detentions. Tickets left over at the end of the quarter can be redeemed for extra credit. (This policy will not affect students who use the restrooms during passing time). Let me know if you have any questions or concerns about this new policy.

Here is what you can expect for the start of Semester 2:
6th grade: You will be starting your European Exploration unit with a discussion of why Europeans chose to explore and an overview of the major European explorers. I will also be introducing your Quarter 3 Timeline Project on Wednesday. You will also learn about the first European Explorers (it's not who you think it is!)
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7th grade: You will begin your study of Southwest Asia this week with your map skills assignment. You will also chose your Southwest Asia project countries and will read and answer questions in Section 1 of Chapter 20.
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8th grade: Get ready! You will be spending the ENTIRE third quarter on the Middle Ages! I am really excited! You will start on Wednesday with the Byzantine Empire (if you remember, that's what the East Roman Empire became). On Thursday and Friday you will spend time comparing the Marriage Laws of the Byzantine Empire and Hammurabi's code. All your information will be brought together during a classroom debate on Monday, January 9th.
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9th grade: I am quite excited because we are starting the Imperialism unit! You will start the unit with a visual (you're making a map) and a discussion of the reasons why Imperialism happened. Look forward to LOTS of great primary sources in this unit! :)
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This week will be short and sweet...be ready!
KF

Final Grades Posted

Greetings all:

My official post for the week will be up later today, but I did want to let you know that your

SEMESTER 1 FINAL GRADES
have been
POSTED
in engrade!

See you tomorrow!
KF