Friday, May 31, 2013

June 3-7



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

So you just want to see photos of Sutherland activities? Click here to see my Picasa Albums. 

I also have photos from the Honours Luncheon, May 30.  I have been directed not to post these publicly.  If you want to see them or would like a copy of one or more pictures, please see me personally.

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


There are only 2 weeks of classes left!  Those of you who are behind in submitting work need to catch-up now.

Now is also the time to begin studying for final exams.

History 12

Topic #5 and 6 (Cold War) Plan and Questions.

Pick up:  Topic #5 & 6 (Cold War) Plan and Questions.

Essay #3 is due this week.  With such a small group in the class, I will accept them withoug penalty up to the last day of classes -- marking deadlines are not a problem with this class.  Here's a special deal...Your score on this essay can be substituted for one on an earlier paper (proportional to the original essay's mark total).  If you do not want to substitute, a bonus of 5 will be added to your last exam score.

All questions for the final unit are due by the last day of classes.

To save class time, there will not be a Cold War test.  Rather, there will be considerable Cold War material on the final exam. 

Note that when base notes and PowerPoints are listed below, the PowerPoints are more up to date -- most were written from 2010 onward.
Be sure to watch as many of the CNN/BBC Cold War series as possible.  This is absolutely the best account of the Cold War on film. We saw the first episode and will see some in class, but cannot take the time to look at all of them.  Here are the links:

Episode 1 - Comrades; 1917-1945.
Episode 4 - Berlin; 1948-1949.
Episode 5 - Korea; 1950-1953.
Episode 6 - Reds; 1947-1953.
Episode 8 - Sputnik; 1949-1961.
Episode 9 - The Wall; 1958-1963.
Episode 10 Cuba; 1959-1962.
Episode 11 Vietnam; 1954-1968.
Episode 14 Red Spring; 1960s
Episode 15 China; 1949-1972.
Episode 16 Detente; 1969-1975.
Episode 18 Backyard; 1954-1990.
Episode 19 Freeze; 1977-1981.
Episode 21 Spies; 1944-1994.
Episode 22 Star Wars; 1981-1988.


***This is a short semester and I am unable to complete everything needed in class time.  We will not have the lectures on European and Japanese Resurgence.  I have rounded out the American domestic material in its place.  Please look at this on your own -- here is the lesson Plan:

Economic Resurgence in Western Europe (base notes). Watch this short American video clip on America's reasons for launching the Marshall Plan (1 1/2 minutes). For a look at British 1980's cynicism about European cooperation, watch this 3 minute segment from Yes, Minister. The opposing view can be seen in this short pro-European Union animation (3 minute) made to explain the EU to the British public. Introductory video:European Union; 50 Years in 5 Minutes.

Social Studies 8

The Renaissance and Reformation test will be  Monday, June 4, though we will start our last unit on Friday.  We will  conclude the course with a unit on India, China and (if time permits), Japan (this is a short semester, so I expect we will not have time for the latter). 

I expect the Renaissance and Reformation test will be as follows: 25 multiple choice questions (1 mark each) and a choice of two from four long answer questions (6 marks each). The total is, therefore, out of 37 marks. 30 properly-done flashcards are needed to earn 3 bonus marks. 

I will decide whether or not there will be a unit test on Indian and Chinese civilization when we get closer to the end.  If we cannot afford the time, we will just ensure that this material is evaluated on the final exam.  I rather think we need class time to cover curriculum.

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

  • Monday, June 3 - Unit test on the Renaissance and Reformation. If you finish early, work on the map assignment:  The Indian Sub-Continent.  Be sure to have #1-5, p. 22 done as we will take this material up next class.  
  • Tuesday, June 4 - Take up #1-5, p. 22.  Hand in Map Assignment. PowerPoints:   Hinduism and Buddhism . We will also watch a short video presentation on Hinduism and Buddhism and answer these questions.  Read pp. 22-26.  Do #1-7, p. 26.  If you have the time, watch John Green's Buddha and Asoka; Crash Course.
  • Wednesday, June 5 -  Take up homework.  Watch What the Ancients did For Us; India - part 1part 2part 3part 4, part 5,part 6. List important Indian inventions and explain their significance. Read pp. 26-28, do #1-5, p. 28.
  • Thursday, June 6 - 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 Indiapart 27part 28.   Read pp. 112-116.  Do #1-6, p. 116.
  • Friday, June 7 - Take up homework.  Watch Three Teachings, an introduction to Chinese culture and its roots in Confucianism, Taoism and Buddism.  1.  Why is it possible for people to believe in all three teachings at the same time?   2.  What does each belief system focus on?    Read pp. 28-31.  Do #1-5, p. 31.

Friday, May 24, 2013

May 27 to May 31



























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

So you just want to see photos of Sutherland activities? Click here to see my Picasa Albums. 

I also have photos from the Honours Luncheon, May 30.  I have been directed not to post these publicly.  If you want to see them or would like a copy of one or more pictures, please see me personally.

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


There are only 2 1/2 weeks of classes left!  Those of you who are behind in submitting work need to catch-up now.

Now is also the time to begin studying for final exams.

History 12 

Topic #5 and 6 (Cold War) Plan and Questions.

Pick up:  Topic #5 & 6 (Cold War) Plan and Questions.

Essay #3 is now available.  It is due the second from last week before the end of classes.  Here's a special deal...Your score on this essay can be substituted for one on an earlier paper (proportional to the original essay's mark total).  If you do not want to substitute, a bonus of 5 will be added to your last exam score.

Hand in up to #62 by Friday, June 14.  The remainder of the questions are due on the second from last day of classes -- Wednesday, June 12.

To save class time, there will not be a Cold War test.  Rather, there will be considerable Cold War material on the final exam.

Be sure to watch as many of the CNN/BBC Cold War series as possible.  This is absolutely the best account of the Cold War on film. We saw the first episode and will see some in class, but cannot take the time to look at all of them.  Here are the links:

Episode 1 - Comrades; 1917-1945.
Episode 4 - Berlin; 1948-1949.
Episode 5 - Korea; 1950-1953.
Episode 6 - Reds; 1947-1953.
Episode 8 - Sputnik; 1949-1961.
Episode 9 - The Wall; 1958-1963.
Episode 10 Cuba; 1959-1962.
Episode 11 Vietnam; 1954-1968.
Episode 14 Red Spring; 1960s
Episode 15 China; 1949-1972.
Episode 16 Detente; 1969-1975.
Episode 18 Backyard; 1954-1990.
Episode 19 Freeze; 1977-1981.
Episode 21 Spies; 1944-1994.
Episode 22 Star Wars; 1981-1988.


***This is a short semester and I am unable to complete everything needed in class time.  We will not have the lectures on European and Japanese Resurgence.  I have rounded out the American domestic material in its place.  Please look at this on your own -- here is the lesson Plan:

Economic Resurgence in Western Europe (base notes). Watch this short American video clip on America's reasons for launching the Marshall Plan (1 1/2 minutes). For a look at British 1980's cynicism about European cooperation, watch this 3 minute segment from Yes, Minister. The opposing view can be seen in this short pro-European Union animation (3 minute) made to explain the EU to the British public. Introductory video:European Union; 50 Years in 5 Minutes.


  • Monday, May 27 - The USA - From Truman to Johnson (base notes, PowerPoint). Note: look at Britain's SchoolHistory's revision material for this topic. Look at Susan Pojer's PowerPoint on 1950's America. Watch this short video (7 minutes) with images and protest songs (mostly Bob Dylan) about the civil rights movement. Watch the 11 minute video of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I have a dream" speech. See other Civil Rights videos at the PBS site - Eyes on the Prize. Link back for other material. 
  • Tuesday, May 28 - The USA - From Nixon to Bush Sr. (base notes, PowerPoint).
  • Wednesday, May 29 - The USA - From Clinton to Obama (PowerPoint).
  • Thursday, May 30 - Introductory music -- how about this cheesy version of the Soviet national anthem.  The USSR and Eastern Europe from Khrushchev to Gorbachev. (base notes, PowerPoint). Watch  Lube music video set to scenes from Rota 9 (Company 9) -- a Russian film of Afghan war).
  • Friday, May 31 - The Collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe and the USSR (PowerPoint).  Try some recent Russian music videos, like  Lube's music video set to scenes from Rota 9 (Company 9) -- a Russian film of Afghan war) or this one by the sisters Tomaschevsky, or even the Devyatovys' take on American life, "Ya ogon, ti voda" or Russian hip hop, like Dezl or Mr. Misho.
Social Studies 8

We just began the Renaissance and Reformation Unit.  The Renaissance and Reformation test will be  Monday, June 4, though we will start our last unit on Friday.  We will  conclude the course with a unit on India, China and (if time permits), Japan (this is a short semester, so I expect we will not have time for the latter).

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

I expect the Renaissance and Reformation test will be as follows: 25 multiple choice questions (1 mark each) and a choice of two from four long answer questions (6 marks each). The total is, therefore, out of 37 marks. 30 properly-done flashcards are needed to earn 3 bonus marks. 
  • Monday, May 27 -  Take up #1-4, p. 147. Watch Zeffireli's version of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet (part 1part 2,). Describe the renaissance world shown in the movie. How did the lives of upper middle class families then differ with the lives of the same kind of people today? Be sure to think about family relationships, work, interests and lifestyles. No homework today!
  • Tuesday, May 28 - Complete Romeo and Juliet and note-taking. Assignment:  10 marks.  Use the notes taken when you watched the film to write a paragraph comparing upper middle class life in the Renaissance with upper middle class life today.  Due next class.
  • Wednesday, May 29 - Introduction to the Reformation. Video -The Protestant Reformation; Part 1and Part 2. While watching, answer the following: 1. Why did the Roman Catholic Church face criticism in the 14th century? 2. How did the Church deal with critics? 2. Why were ideas spreading quickly during Luther's life? 3. Why did Luther criticize the Church? 4. How did he escape punishment by the Church? 5. What other reformers brought change to Europe? What did they believe? Read pages 147-150. Do #1-5, p. 150. If you are interested in the reformation and have a little time, watch one or more of the following BBC documentaries (1 hour each) The Protestant Revolution; Part 1; The Politics of BeliefThe protestant Revolution; Part 2; The Godly FamilyThe Protestant Revolution; Part 3; A Reformation of the Mindand The Protestant Reformation; Part 4; No Rest for the Wicked.
  • Thursday, May 30 - Hand in paragraph assignments.  Video: Christianity - A History; Part 5; the Reformation.1. How did the Reformation result in conflict in Europe? 2. How is the division of Christianity still evident in the world today? Read pp. 150-154. Do #1-6, p. 154. 
  • Friday, May 31 - Take up homework. Introduction to Indian civilization. Video: Legacy; Empire of the Spirit and questions.  Read pp. 18-22 and do #1-5, p. 22. We will take this homework up on Tuesday.  Note: Renaissance and Reformation test next Monday.  Bring regular and coloured pencils to class Monday to work on a map assignment.

Saturday, May 18, 2013

May 20 - 24



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

So you just want to see photos of Sutherland activities? Click here to see my Picasa Albums. 

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


History 12 

Topic #5 & 6 (Cold War) Plan and Questions.

Pick up:  Topic #5 & 6 (Cold War) Plan and Questions.

Essay #3 is now available.  It is due the second from last week before the end of classes.

Your Topic #4 unit test is this Monday.  Expect this test to have, roughly, the following breakdown: 75 multiple choice items (1 mark each; 5 map items (1 mark each); 2 out of 3 long answer options (12 marks each). The total is, therefore, out of 104 marks).

Be sure to watch as many of the CNN/BBC Cold War series as possible.  This is absolutely the best account of the Cold War on film. We saw the first episode and will see some in class, but cannot take the time to look at all of them.  Here are the links:

Episode 1 - Comrades; 1917-1945.
Episode 4 - Berlin; 1948-1949.
Episode 5 - Korea; 1950-1953.
Episode 6 - Reds; 1947-1953.
Episode 8 - Sputnik; 1949-1961.
Episode 9 - The Wall; 1958-1963.
Episode 10 Cuba; 1959-1962.
Episode 11 Vietnam; 1954-1968.
Episode 14 Red Spring; 1960s
Episode 15 China; 1949-1972.
Episode 16 Detente; 1969-1975.
Episode 18 Backyard; 1954-1990.
Episode 19 Freeze; 1977-1981.
Episode 21 Spies; 1944-1994.
Episode 22 Star Wars; 1981-1988.

  • Monday, May 20 - Holiday.  Classes are not in session.  Work on Cold War questions, Essay #3 -- or catch up if you are behind.
  • Tuesday, May 21 - Watch Robert McNamara's comments on nuclear war. Deterrence & Nuclear War (base notesPowerPoint
  • Wednesday, May 22 - Complete material on Deterrence & Nuclear War. PowerPoint. Watch CNN's Cold War; M.A.D At home, watch the next video in the Cold War series dealing with nuclear weapons: The Cold War; Star Wars 1980-1988. Following up on the Nuclear War and Deterrence material -- You absolutely must see the CNN Cold War series film Star Wars. 
  • Thursday, May 23 -  Watch the first part of a video on Kwame Nkrumah -- which gives a 4 minute background to African decolonization.  British & French Decolonization in Africa & Asia (base notes).
  • Friday, May 24 -  Indochina & Vietnam (base notes). Watch the CNN Cold War Series Film Vietnam; 1954-1968.
Social Studies 8

We are still in a rather long unit -- the Middle Ages -- and we will have our next unit test this Wednesday, May 28.  Your unit test on the Middle Ages will be on Thursday.  Expect 49 multiple choice questions (1 mark each) and 4 from a choice of 7 long answer questions (6 marks each).  The test total is out of 73 marks.  30 flash cards may earn up to 5 bonus marks.

We  watched 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 MonkThe DamselThe MinstrelThe PhilosopherThe OutlawThe King. A 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. Mr. Benoy is particularly fond of this film as it describes medieval live in the English County in which he was born. We may or may not get a chance to work this into a class.

Interested in Medieval weapons? Watch Weapons that Made Britain; The Long SwordWeapons that Made Britain; the ShieldWeapons that Made Britain; Armour and The Weapons that Made Britain; The Longbow.Watch Battlefield Britain; Hastings about the Norman conquest of Britain.

Interested in medieval lifestyles? Try Clarissa and the King's Cookbook to see how medieval royals ate. Also in the Inside the Medieval Mind series is Belief -- find out about their religious and supernatural beliefs -- with heavy stress being on the supernatural part. Try also Inside the Medieval Church; Power -- about how people were controlled. Try also Inside the Medieval World; Knowledge - what medieval people knew. Investigate life in England's greatest medieval city -- London -- in Filthy Cities; Medieval Londonnot a pretty place, but like the expanding great cities of the developing world today, a place of horror and opportunity.

  • Monday, May 20 - Holiday.  No classes are in session.  Why not take some time to get in any missing assignments or to begin studying for the Middle Ages unit test, which is coming soon.  You might also start thinking about the final exam, which is less than a month away.  Smart students start studying early.
  • Tuesday, May 21 - Take up #1-6, p. 84. Look at Hosford Atlas, "Agents of Change" pp. 45-47. Watch The Western Tradition; Episode 23; the Late Middle Ages. (You will need to register to access this site, but don't worry -- it is American public television and you will not be pestered with junk mail after doing so). While watching, answer the following question: What changes were happening to life in the late Middle Ages? why? Church and State and Introduction to the "Babylonian Captivity" when there were multiple popes at one time:  Hosford Atlas  pp. 25, 30 & 44. Read pp. 87-92. Do #1-7, p. 92.
  • Wednesday, May 22 -  Unit test on chapters 3, 4 & 5. Read pp. 134-138. Do #1-7, p. 138.
  • Thursday, May 23 - Take up homework. Introduction to the Italian Renaissance. Watch: The Medici -- Godfathers of the Renaissance; Birth of a Dynasty1. How did the Medici come to dominate Florence? 2. How did they help bring about a flowering of interest in ancient learning and modern art and architecture? 3. What was the relationship between artists and patrons in Florence during the renaissance? 4. How did Brunelleschi change Western art? 5) How did Cosimo bring knowledge from the outside world to Florence?Read pp. 139-143. do #1-5, p. 143.
  • Friday, May 24 - Take up homework. Watch this video clip from James Burke's The Day the Universe Changed; Point of View.Questions: How did Brunelleschi and Alberti change the art of painting? Watch Sister Wendy 0n Renaissance artists. 1) Name at least one major work by each artist she deals with. 2) Explain why each artist is considered great. Read pp. 143-147. Do #1-4, p. 147. 


Sunday, May 12, 2013

May 13-17




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

So you just want to see photos of Sutherland activities? Click here to see my Picasa Albums. 

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


History 12 

Topic #5 & 6 (Cold War) Plan and Questions.

Pick up:  Topic #5 & 6 (Cold War) Plan and Questions.

Essay #3 is now available.  It is due the second from last week before the end of classes.

Your Topic #4 unit test is this Monday.  Expect this test to have, roughly, the following breakdown: 75 multiple choice items (1 mark each; 5 map items (1 mark each); 2 out of 3 long answer options (12 marks each). The total is, therefore, out of 104 marks).

Be sure to watch as many of the CNN/BBC Cold War series as possible.  This is absolutely the best account of the Cold War on film. We saw the first episode and will see some in class, but cannot take the time to look at all of them.  Here are the links:

Episode 1 - Comrades; 1917-1945.
Episode 4 - Berlin; 1948-1949.
Episode 5 - Korea; 1950-1953.
Episode 6 - Reds; 1947-1953.
Episode 8 - Sputnik; 1949-1961.
Episode 9 - The Wall; 1958-1963.
Episode 10 Cuba; 1959-1962.
Episode 11 Vietnam; 1954-1968.
Episode 14 Red Spring; 1960s
Episode 15 China; 1949-1972.
Episode 16 Detente; 1969-1975.
Episode 18 Backyard; 1954-1990.
Episode 19 Freeze; 1977-1981.
Episode 21 Spies; 1944-1994.
Episode 22 Star Wars; 1981-1988.

  • Monday, May 13 - Complete the Soviet Union & Eastern Europe to 1956 (base notes). We will fill in the last part of the course with a video -- probably John Green's if there is only a short time.  If we have long enough, I will show The Cold War; After Stalin; 1953-1956.  An interesting overview of the whole of the Cold War, showing the Soviet perspective well, is Britain's Channel 4 programme:The Cold War Game; The US.  Look at John Green'sCrash Course video: USA and USSR Fight; The Cold War
  • Tuesday, May 14 - Video - India; The Brightest Jewel - from the 20th Century History series (Part 1part 2). Decolonization India (base notes).  If you have an hour and a half, be sure to watch Partition; The Day India Burned.  Another very good docu-documentary series on the partition of India is The Last Days of the Raj (part 1part 2part 3part 4part 5part 6part 7,part 8part 9). 
  • Wednesday, May 15 -  The Middle East to 1956 (PowerPointbase notes). Video clip from the 20th Century History series - if available. Watch the BBC documentary The Birth of IsraelFor those really interested in the Middle East - try The 50 Years War; Israel and the Arabs (chunked into 29 parts, I just link to the Youtube directory for its parts). There is a nice BBC documentary on the 1956 war - The Other Side Of Suez 1956.
  • Thursday, May 16 - Complete the Middle East to 1956. If time, begin video Mr. Kennedy & Mr. Khrushchev (sorry, not available online). If time, Begin the Cuban Missile Crisis (base notes). Be sure to watch CNN's Cold War; Episode 10; Cuba 1959-1962. Thirteen Days is a decent Hollywood treatment of the crisis, though it is a little loose in dealing with people and events -- not enough to worry about messing up your knowledge for the final exam though. 
  • Friday, May 17 -  The Cuban Missile Crisis (base notes). If we complete this in class, we will watch as much as possible of the Cold War series segment: Episode 12 Mutually Assured Destruction; MAD 1960-1972. If you have almost two hours available, get in the mood for Monday's lecture on nuclear war by viewing Threads, a British docudrama from the 1980s about a nuclear war -- banned from British TV at the time, it is a highly praised production that gives a frightening, but important view of what such a war might be like. Another outstanding film, also banned from television broadcast is The War Game, from the UK in 1965. For a straight-forward documentary 0n what would happen to a city hit by a nuclear bomb, watch Nuclear War; A Guide to Armageddon - this links to the first episode, go to the sidebar to link to the other segments. . You might also look at Defcon 2 - Cuban Missile Crisis (Part 1part 2part 3, part 4part 5, part 6).
Social Studies 8

We are now in a rather long unit -- the Middle Ages -- and we will not test again for a few weeks. I will post information about the next test when we are a week or two away from it.To help students who struggle with reading, I have adapted readings and questions from a simpler text for them. Only do this material if you have been asked by Mr. Benoy to do so. These students will not do the regular homework when this alternative is given. If you find reading the text impossibly difficult, see Mr. Benoy to discuss the issue. The alternative is not as detailed and content will be missed by those using it. However, it is better than not understanding a thing!

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 MonkThe DamselThe MinstrelThe PhilosopherThe OutlawThe King. A 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. Mr. Benoy is particularly fond of this film as it describes medieval live in the English County in which he was born. We may or may not get a chance to work this into a class.

Interested in Medieval weapons? Watch Weapons that Made Britain; The Long SwordWeapons that Made Britain; the ShieldWeapons that Made Britain; Armour and The Weapons that Made Britain; The Longbow.Watch Battlefield Britain; Hastings about the Norman conquest of Britain.

Interested in medieval lifestyles? Try Clarissa and the King's Cookbook to see how medieval royals ate. Also in the Inside the Medieval Mind series is Belief -- find out about their religious and supernatural beliefs -- with heavy stress being on the supernatural part. Try also Inside the Medieval Church; Power -- about how people were controlled. Try also Inside the Medieval World; Knowledge - what medieval people knew. Investigate life in England's greatest medieval city -- London -- in Filthy Cities; Medieval Londonnot a pretty place, but like the expanding great cities of the developing world today, a place of horror and opportunity.

We are beginning a Medieval Research Assignment. (Medieval Research Project. Part 1Part 2). I have booked three library blocks (computer lab & print sources) on Wednesday, April 24, Tuesday, May 7 and Wednesday, May 8. The assignment will be due on Monday, May 13.

In addition to sources noted above, here are some additional links to sites useful for the various Medieval Research Assignments:

General:  Netserf has an excellent links page to all things medieval; If you are interested in medieval primary documents, you cannot do better than the Internet Medieval Sourcebook;  Another links page to all things medieval can be found at The Labyrinth, from Georgetown University;  Find Medieval literature at The Online Medieval and Classical Library;  If you are really interested in learning all about art and architecture from this time there is a terrific set of flashcards online at Gardner's Art Through the Ages online resource for chapter 18 - "The Age of Great Cathedrals; Gothic Art." 

Castles: An interesting treatment of Welsh castles can be found at Castle - a 47 minute video;  Lise Hull's Castles of Britain website is a good starting point for resources.  You might also link out from herCastelology links page;  Jeffrey L. Thomas' Castles of Wales site is awesome;  Battle Castle  is a docudrama series about Medieval Castle warfare.  Go to the series' website for heaps of background information; Ordinarily I do not recommend commercial sites geared to making money from their efforts, however Medieval-Castle.comhttp://www.medieval-castle.com/ has a wealth of good information geared to about the right reading and content level for this course and another site, Castles and Manor Houses has some pretty wonderful pictures, along with attempts to sell you castle stays.  Their links page is pretty good if you are thinking about staying in a special medieval location (talk it up with your parents!);  and now that you're really interested in castles, why not think about visiting some of the best?  See Travel guru Rick Steve's page - "Medieval Castle Experiences."
The Manor:  Medieval Manor - British Social History - Changing Lives - 1066-1984 (7 minute video);  Wharram Percy; Deserted Medieval Village (website); Rural Life - sources from the British Library that includes a slideshow; The Monk's Manor is a 45 minute video about archeologists digging up a Monastic manor;  History Learning Site's Medieval Manor Houseswebpage is an excellent resource;
The Church: Church, from the British Library,;Church & Crown(video) - a short treatment of the division of power between Kings and the Church;  Medieval Minds - another short video which discusses what Medieval peasants believed; from the same series, watchMonastic Life to see what it was like to live in such institutions;
Cathedrals: Building the Great Cathedrals is a one hour documentary; Try The Medieval Mind; How to Build a Cathedral for a one hour video on cathedral construction; The Gothic Cathedral; a Landmark in Engineering is a 26 minute video -- pretty advanced stuff though; Modern Marvels; Gothic Cathedrals is a 45 minute American made video;  Watch NOVA's Building the Great Cathedrals(5 minutes);  A wonderful summary of Romanesque and Gothic architecture can be found at A White Garment of Churches, from the "Art of the Western World" series;Find great images of Cathedrals at A Digital Archive of Architecture --Romanesque and Gothic pages.  Alison Stone's Medieval Architecture site will get you to drawings and photos of an incredible selection of churches in England and France and there is also a very helpful glossary.
The Crusades: Terry Jones' The Crusades; Pilgrims in Arms.  is the first film in his series of three documentaries, the others are JerusalemJihad, and Destruction.   A great documentary on the Crusades is The Crescent and the Cross, Part 1Part 2  (1 hour 30 minuteseach). Christianity; A History; The Crusades (Part 1Part 2Part 3Part 4).  

  • Monday, May 13 - Hand in Medieval Research Assignments.  Complete Jerusalem video, if not completed in class and take up the questions (See Wednesday). Note: This is some of the most important material we will look at in History this year. It ties in the distant past with the world today. Video: Christianity; A History; The Crusades(Part 1Part 2Part 3Part 4).Why does the word "crusade" upset Muslims in the Middle East? Do western leaders today seem to understand this view? Go online and read the Hosford AtlasCrusades material, pp. 27-28. Crusades Map Assignment, due next class; 10 marks.   
  • Tuesday, May 14 - Take up homework. Finish the video from last class if we did not do so. Introduction to the "Growth of Royal Power in England and France." Video: The Anglo-Saxon Report.Video clip; William the Conqueror (Part 1Part 2Part 3) 1) Why did William of Normandy invade England? 2) How were 7,000 Normans able to control 2 million Anglo-Saxons? 3) How did this change life for England's inhabitants? Mr. Zoller's Video Podcasts; the Magna Carta. Questions: 1) How did English Kings after the Norman conquest centralize power in the King's hands. 2) How did Magna Carta change this?  Sidebar on Magna Carta inPatterns of Civilization, p. 80 & handout questions for homework - pick up a paper copy after school if you cannot access online.
  • Wednesday, May 15 -  Take up Magna Carta homework. Video: Battle of Agincourt and questions - a) What weapon helped the English win here? b) What does this tell us about how warfare is changing toward the end of the end of the Middle Ages? Introduce unification of France. Look at map on p. 81 of Patterns of Civilization. Land was added to the Royal domain because nobles were decimated by the Hundred Years War (which we will study more later) - and having their land revert to the King, and the development of a distinctly French & English nationalism (See this summary of the end of the Hundred Years War) and French Kings gained much control over the Church in France. Read p. 77-81. Do #1-6, p. 81.
  • Thursday, May 16 - Take up p. 81 homework.  Watch the last half or so of The Rise and Fall of Islamic Spain. Questions: 1) What was life like in Moslem Spain? 2) What happens to the reconquered people of Granada after the Christian reconquest? Read pp. 85-87. Do #1-6, p. 87. Interested in the Inquisition? Try these two documentaries: Secret Files of the Inquisition; Part 1, and Part 2Part 3, and Part 4. And now for something completely different -- Monty Python's "Spanish Inquisition." 
  • Friday, May 17 - Take up #1-6, p. 87. Introduction to the Plague. Page 42 of Hosford AtlasPint Size History; the Black Death. Watch History's Turning Points; 1347 AD; The Black Death.1. Where did the Plague originate? 3) What did Medieval Europeans think caused the disease? What really caused it? 4) How did the Plague spread throughout Europe? 5) How did Medieval people deal with the disease? 6. What were the lasting effects of the Plague? Interested in the Black Death -- watch the History of Britain; King Death (1 hour). We will watch just a 10 minute excerpt from the videoRead pp. 82-84. Do #1-6, p. 84.