January 9-13

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.

For the Grads: Find pictures from the Winter Formal on November 23 at:https://picasaweb.google.com/115201598663198640965/WinterFormal2011

Social Studies 8

I do not expect we will have a unit test on our final History material -- Ancient and Medieval India, China and Japan. This would take away class time that we can ill-afford to lose at this time in the semester. You will need to study it though as there will be questions on the final exam that cover this material.

Final exam locations and times are now posted around the school. These will be written from 11:15-12:45 on Monday, January 23. Classes are not held during the exam schedule.

Block 2 will write their exam in room D205

Block 4 will write in room D207

A bonus assignment is now available to help you boost your mark before the final exam. Look at it and follow the instructions.

• Monday, January 9 - Take up homework. Introduction to Indian civilization. Video: Legacy; Empire of the Spirit and questions. Read pp. 22-26. Do #1-7, p. 26. You need to look at the following two PowerPoints on your own: Hinduism and Buddhism. For a very nice summary of world religions, see the PowerPoint Religious Realms from the University of Texas.
• Tuesday, January 10 - Take up #1-7, p. 26. Watch What the Ancients did For Us; India - part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5, part 6. List important Indian inventions and explain their significance. Read pp. 26-28, do #1-5, p. 28.
• Wednesday, January 11 - Take up homework answers in class. Video on Akbar the Great - sorry, this is a video tape that is not available on the Internet. Why is Akbar considered one of the great figures in world history? If not in class -- or if you would like to learn more, watch Michael Wood's documentary: The Story of India, part 27, part 28. You might also consider watching this 30 minute summary of the Mughal Empire. Read pp. 112-116 & Do #1-6, p. 116.
• Thursday, January 12 - Take up homework. Watch Three Teachings - an introduction to Chinese culture and its roots in Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. Why is it possible for people to believe in all three teachings at the same time? What do each of these belief systems focus on? Map Assignment: South and East Asia - 10 marks, due next class. Read pp. 28-31. Do #1-5.
• Friday, January 13 - Hand in maps. Take up homework. Video -- sorry this is unavailable on the Internet - on Shih Huang Ti (the Chi'in First Emperor). 1. How was the emperor able to unify China? 2. Why is he generally seen as an evil figure in history? 3. What great building project did he create? 4. How did he try to become immortal? Watch this film, Shih Huang Di as a substitute or to learn more. Read pp. 31-36. Do #1-6, p. 36.

Social Studies 11

The Geography textbook 21st Century World is available online. Just click on the title to access the table of contents.

With so little time left, there may be only one unit test in the Geography unit. It will cover chapters 1-3 and will be on Friday of this week. Expect it to have 65 multiple choice questions and two from a choice of 10 long answer questions - valued at 6 marks each. The total is, therefore, out of 77 marks. 30 properly done flash cards will earn 5 bonus marks. We may or may not test chapters 4 & 5, depending on how our time goes -- but this material needs to be studied as it will be part of the material tested on the final examination.

It is essential that you are currently preparing to write the Provincial Final Exam. This is not a test that you can cram for with one or two days to go. You must become familiar with what to expect on the final exam and comfortable with the format of the test. Go to the ministry sites ( Frequently asked questions page, table of specifications, key verb list, &scoring criteria) to see how the exam is put together and look at past exams -- in fact you should write the sample test and look at the posted key to see how you do. To see how to approach the essay questions, look at this documentprovided to train markers of the exam. Link from my web page on writing the SS11 final, and also see myPowerPoint on how to approach the test.

The final exam time and place is now posted around the school. Social Studies 11 will write in the small gym from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 25.

• Monday, January 9 - Take up homework - #1-5, p. 45 and Further Thought assignment #1-5, p. 46. Stewart Brand's City Planet and questions. Read pp. 54-55. Do #1-4, pp. 55-56.
• Tuesday, January 10 - Take up #1-4, pp. 55-56. Chapter 3 PowerPoint. Read pp. 57-61. Do #1-8, p. 61.
• Wednesday, January 11 - Take up homework. Watch Hans Rosling's Chimpanzees Know Better, to see how countries and populations are and are not different around the world. Ch. 3 PowerPoint - be sure to do so yourself for homework if we cannot do so in class. Read pp. 61-70. Do #1-5, p. 64 and #1-2, p. 70.
• Thursday, January 12 - Take up homework. Watch Gwynne Dyer's Escaping From History, & do the following questions: 1) What are living conditions like in Mexico City? 2) Why are people abandoning the countryside? 3) What does Dyer believe must happen for the developing world to get their fair share of consumer goods? Read pp. 70-73. Do #1-8, p. 73 and 1, 2, 5 and 7, p. 74 in "Further Thought." Study for the chapters 1-3 test next class.
• Friday, January 13 - Unit Test on chapters 1-3. Read pp. 83-87. Do #1-3, p. 84, #1-4, p. 85, #1-2, p. 86 and #1-3, p. 87.

History 12

Plan for Topics 5 & 6

Questions for Topics 5 & 6 - To #62 was due Friday, January 6. The remainder is due by Friday, January 20.

Essay #3 - Due by Friday, January 13.

Glossary Bonus Assignment

We will not test Topics 5 & 6 -- as this would take a block away from instruction and all of this material is tested on the final exam in any case. Questions up to #62 were due last week. I am, of course, still accepting them. The last batch of questions are due on the second from last day of classes next week.

I am currently putting together the final exam, which will be a two hour examination during the school exam period. Expect 100 multiple choice questions, a Document question valued at 14 marks and an essay question, valued at 18 marks. The total is, therefore, 132 marks - weighted at 20% of your final mark (Course work comprises 80%). You have 2 hours to write the exam.

The exam schedule is now posted around the school. History 12 will be written on Tuesday, January 24, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., in room D200.

• Monday, January 9 - Post-war Japan (base notes). If time, start Eastern Europe Since Khruschev (base notes). Listen to Soviet era music - example 1, example 2, example 3, example 4, Example 5, Example 6.
• Tuesday, January 10 - Eastern Europe Since Khruschev (base notes). Listen to this version of the national anthem -- or this 1991 Rock version (cheesy).
• Wednesday, January 11 - The Collapse of Communism and beyond (base notes). Lube's rock version of the Russian anthem (click here for a techno version - or, more energetically mixed). Watch an NBC news summary of the 1991 Soviet coup attempt (under 8 minutes). If you have time, watch the CNN Cold War; Soldiers of God episode -- on the Soviet experience in Afghanistan -- topical given Canada's involvement there today. Charlie Rose's 1996 interview with Gorbachev is fascinating, dealing with his experiences and thoughts about Russia. Post Soviet Music videos: example 1,example 2, example 3, example 4, Lube music video set to scenes from Rota 9 (Company 9) -- a Russian film of Afghan war).
• Thursday, January 12 - Maoist and post-Maoist China (base notes). At home, watch the History Channel video Mao Declassified, which deals with the Cultural Revolution. Music videos give an interesting insight into Maoist culture. Watch Song of Dragon River I link to the first part).
• Friday, January 13 - The Middle East Since 1956 (base notes). If you have the time, watch the History Channel's Battlefield Detectives; Israel's Six Day War (part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5), and also Modern Warfare: Yom Kippur War (1973). If you are interested in Israel's Weapons of Mass Destruction, watch the BBC's Correspondence: Israel's Secret Weapon. See the situation from the Palestinian perspective in the BBC's Clash of the Worlds; Palestine . Look at modern attitudes in the region through music videos with the following:Yallah ya Nasrallah (an anti-Arab Jewish song with English subtitles, , Moon Erhabo (Anti-Israeli Rap), and watch this short documentary on Palestinian Hip Hop -- oddly popular with Israeli youth.