November 7-11

Contact me by e-mail at:http://kbenoy@nvsd44.bc.ca/

Things that are static -- not requiring regular change -- can be found at my website:http://sites.google.com/site/kbenoy/.

This blogsite will have all of the changing material -- lesson plans and links to assignments. I will try to ensure that all assignments are posted here.If you see something underlined, it means that you can click on the item to have it appear. I will do this for all pdf documents, PowerPoints, videos, and even some music.

Course outlines are posted in the material for the first class this semester - go to the Wednesday, September 7 posting.

During the job action, parents who would like a mark update can contact me by -mail at any time. I should be able to provide this within a day or two of your request.

Parents of grade 8 & 11 students should have received a mark sheet sent home with your son or daughter last week. Please sign it and send it back to me so that I know you received it. Grade 12 parents can expect to see marks on the report card that will soon be issued. If you would like to meet on November 24 -- during interview times from 1:30 p.m. to 3:10 p.m., please e-mail me to arrange a time. I would ask that we keep interviews to 5 minutes unless no other parents are waiting.

Social Studies 8

We just completed a unit test and have begun one of the semester's longest units -- the Middle Ages. Don't expect another test for a few weeks. I will post the test breakdown as we get closer to it.

We will, however, begin a major assignment this week. I have been unable to book library classes yet -- if I can get us into the library this week, I will update the blog if this can be arranged.

Medieval Research Project. Part 1. Part 2. Note that the due date of the assignment is Friday, December 9 -- not December 2.

We will watch two episodes of Terry Jones' Medieval Lives in class. If you want to see about the lives of other medieval people, here are links to other episodes: The Monk, The Damsel, The Minstrel, The Philosopher, The Outlaw, The KingA terrific documentary about medieval life is Michael Woods' Christina; A Medieval Life.Be sure to watch this if you get the chance. It gives real insight into 14th Century peasant life.

Interested in Medieval weapons? Watch Weapons that Made Britain; The Long Sword, Weapons that Made Britain; the Shield and The Weapons that Made Britain; The Longbow.Watch Battlefield Britain; Hastings about the Norman conquest of Britain.

• Monday, November 7 - Take up homework. Video clip:Feudalism. Video: Medieval Lives: The Knight. How did medieval knights really live and act? Handout: A Feudal Contract. Read pp. 49-52. Do #1-5, p. 52.
• Tuesday, November 8 - Take up #1-5, p. 52. Sidebar, p. 50 of Patterns of Civilization 1. video: Medieval Lives; The Peasant . What was life like for Medieval peasants? How much control did they have on their lives? What was work like? What did they eat? How might a peasant improve his life? Read pp. 52-56. Do #1-7, p. 56.
• Wednesday, November 9 - Change of plans. We have the library booked to work on the medieval research project today. We will start in the classroom for attendance and a quick intro and will then go to the library
  
• Thursday, November 10 - Remembrance Day material -Benoys at War. Take up homework: #1-7, p. 56. Handout: Analyzing a Primary Source - a serf's contract. PowerPoint: Monasticism. Introduction to Medieval Research Assignment. (Medieval Research Project. Part 1. Part 2 - Please note that the due date for the assignment is Friday, December 9 - not the 2nd as indicated on the assignment sheet.). We will likely devote 2 classes this week to this assignment.
• Friday, November 11 - Remembrance Day. Why not attend a ceremony at the North Vancouver Cenotaph in Victoria Park -- or one elsewhere?
  

Social Studies 11

We just had a unit test, so the next exam is at least a week away. I will post the mark breakdown when we are a little closer to the test.There is a major research assignment underway, theFamily History - Immigration Assignment (With additional options for International and First Nations students. Click here to get a sample pedigree sheet. ) The due date for this work is not until right after the Christmas holidays, to allow plenty of time for research and discussion with family members.

• Monday, November 7 - Take up #1-3, p. 56. Take up homework. Begin PowerPoint -Canada Between the Wars; 1919-1939. Read pp. 57-65. Do sidebar questions, p. 57 & 59, #1-3, p. 61, #1-3, p. 65.
• Tuesday, November 8 - Take up homework. Background to the Great Depression (including statistics) - Continue PowerPoint - Canada Between the Wars; 1919-1939. AV on the Depression - (From: Canada; A People’s History). Read pp. 68-79. Do sidebar questions p. 71 & 72 & #1-4, p. 72, sidebar questions p. 76, 78 & 79 & #1-2, p. 79. If you have time, read the Vancouver Sun article by Roger Bootle on the economic theory of John Maynard Keynes.
• Wednesday, November 9 - Watch Fear the Boom and Bust; A Hayek vs Keynes Rap Anthem - Note - the content of this music video is an accurate description of these two monumentally important economists. Introductory video clip on the Great Depression. Take up sidebar questions p. 71 & 72 & #1-4, p. 72, sidebar questions p. 76, 78 & 79 & #1-2, p. 79. Watch Canada; A People’s History; Hard Times and do the viewing guide questions. If time we will continue with the PowerPoint on the interwar years. Read pp. 79-86. Do sidebar #1-4, p. 81, sidebar questions p. 82 & #3-4, p. 85 & #1-3, p. 86. If you have time, watch Discovery Education's The Great Depression (login required). While this is really about the US, it is not possible to understand the Canadian situation without referring to what happened in our neighbour to the South. On the Internet, watch The Crash of 1929.
• Thursday, November 10 - Remembrance Day material -Benoys at War. Introductory video clip on the Great Depression. Take up sidebar questions p. 71 & 72 & #1-4, p. 72, sidebar questions p. 76, 78 & 79 & #1-2, p. 79. WatchCanada; A People’s History; Hard Times and do the viewing guide questions. If time we will continue with the PowerPoint on the interwar years. Do sidebars 4-16, p. 93, 4-17 & 4-18, p. 95 & 4-19, p. 96.
• Friday, November 11 - Rembrance Day - Why not take in a ceremony at the North Vancouver Cenotaph (Victoria Park) or elsewhere?

History 12

We just completed a unit, so the next test is a long way off. I will post the mark breakdown for it when we are closer to it.

Topic #4 Plan. Note that the plan is slightly off already -- having been prepared a week before we started the new unit. Tentatively the end date for the unit remains the same. This will be re-evaluated in a couple of weeks.

Topic #4 Questions.

• Monday, November 7 - Complete Appeasement (base notes) - on PowerPoint. Watch The Road to War; Britain.
• Tuesday, November 8 - The Spanish Civil War (PowerPoint, base notes). Be sure to listen to some of the music of the Spanish Civil War - written at the time and inspired later. If you are interested in the Spanish Civil War and have the time, there is a good British documentary from Granada Television, The Spanish Civil War; Prelude to TragedyPart 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6) - note, each part is about 52 minutes long.
• Wednesday, November 9 - Video: Twentieth Century History: Britain Alone (If available) . World War II chronology (PowerPoint, base notes). Interested in the Battle of Britain? Be sure to watch the 1969 movie by the same name. Aircraft used were surviving models from the time - watch the climax scenes here; watch the whole movie on Youku. Probably the best documentary on the subject is Battlefield; The Battle of Britain - (part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5, part 6, part 7, part 8, part 9, part 10, part 11, part 12, Part 13, Part 14). A much shorter documentary is Battlefield Britain; The Battle of Britain. For a Canadian viewpoint on the battle, watch the 20 minute NFB film Churchill's Island. A US wartime perspective can be found at Why We Fight; The Battle of Britain.
• Thursday, November 10 - Remembrance Day material -Benoys at War. Introductory slideshow - Coventry Cathedral. World War II chronology (PowerPoint, base notes). 2/3 of the land fighting of WWII took place on the Eastern Front. Be sure to watch some video material on this important area.
• Friday, November 11 - Remembrance Day - why not attend a ceremony at the North Vancouver Cenotaph (Victoria Park) or elsewhere?