Mr. Benoy

February 13-17

2012-02-11T11:15:00.001-08:00

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/.

Notice to Parents: Because of the current labour dispute, only grade 12 marks are supposed to be provided on report cards. Written comments are proscribed. This does not mean that we are not reporting marks to students and parents regularly.

If you want an update regarding marks or other information you need only e-mail me at the address above. I am happy to give a full account that goes well beyond what a report card provides.

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 Monday, January 30 posting.

Social Studies 8

We will begin with a Geography unit. Expect a unit test at the end of this, worth around 75 marks. This will be in roughly another week. It will be based on map reading and the use of Canadian Oxford World Atlas (7th edition). We will also have a number of quizzes worth from 5-30 marks throughout the unit. You will not always be warned ahead of time about quizzes -- so it is important to keep up.

If you are struggling, be sure to see me outside of class for extra help!

You will need the following material for the Geography unit: a ruler, pens, pencils, and coloured pencils, erasers, whiteout, a portable computer storage device (USB key, with at least 1 GB of space on it -- which you can use in all of your other classes too), and lined paper.

Keep all of your material in order in either a section of a bigger binder, with work from other courses, or a smaller Social Studies binder. The choice is yours. You should also have section dividers to separate units. Keep all work to study from for the final exam at the end of the course. After unit tests, you can take this work out and leave it safe at home if you do not want to keep carrying it around -- just don't lose it.

National Geographic has some nice overview PowerPoints for this unit. See Map Elements and Map Skills.

Monday, February 13 - Take up any problems with Latitude #1 . Countries memory game. Review video on seasons and important lines of latitude. Quiz on important lines of latitude. Hand in quiz. Pick up and start working on Latitude #2 worksheet -- to be completed for homework. Map Assignment - School to Home (valued at 10 marks). Due Thursday.
Tuesday, February 14 - Watch GEG-103-OL: Latitude and Longitude. (If this video is a bit difficult for you, watch the following quick videos at home: What Causes the Seasons on Earth, Absolute vs Relative Location and Latitude & Longitude.) Demonstration of latitude and longitude using Google Earth. Complete the Longitude worksheet for next class.
Wednesday, February 15 - Memory game - another variation on the countries list. Take up the Longitude worksheet. Social Studies Latitude and Longitude Race - Join into groups of 3 or 4 people -- complete the handout before any other group in the class. Earth Grid worksheet - complete for homework.
Thursday, February 16 - Take up the Earth Grid worksheet. Watch Longitude & Time Zones and The Remarkable Story of the Discovery of Longitude by Dr. Callahan . (If you have the time and interest, why not also look at Cambridge University's video The Longitude Problem.) Introduction to time zones. See Geographical Essentials, pp. 48-54 and watch this short clip on the International Time Zone. Time Zones worksheet. Complete for homework. If you get a chance, and want to get clearer about time zones, watch GEG-103-OL: Time Zones. A very helpful description of longitude and time zones can be found at this site from Iowa State University, which quizzes you as you work through it.
Friday, February 17 - Take up the Time Zone worksheet. Watch World Time Zones and Why We Have Time Zones. Second time zone worksheet (Block 2 version; Block 4 version). Complete for homework.
Social Studies 11

Expect your first unit test on Ideologies/Parties/Elections to be on Wednesday, February 15 -- or thereabout. This will allow extra time to write into break for those who need it. We will start the new unit before the test.

The mark breakdown is most likely to be as follows: 30 multiple choice question (1 mark each); 4 items to label on a diagram (1 mark each); 5 definitions - you write a sentence or two about each term or name (2 marks each); 2 long answer questions from a choice of 4 options (6 marks each). The test should, therefore, be out of about 66 marks.

During Friday's class, the media lib-dub filming will take place. This will significantly disrupt the class, but should be heaps of fun. Either dress ethnically or regionally or print off a colour flag of where your family comes from to hold up when the camera arrives.

Monday, February 13 - Hand in Best Election System assignment (on the bottom of the elections handout from last Thursday). Note: We are beginning the next unit today and this material will not be on Wednesday's test. We are doing so to test on the day indicated in earlier blog-posts. I will explain my flash card bonus mark policy today. Begin Legislative Branch - focus on the House of Commons. Be sure to look at the Parliament of Canada website. Download, read and study from the Guide to the House of Commons. Read pp. 231-233 sidebar. Do #1-3 in the sidebar on p. 233. Study for the test Wednesday.
Tuesday, February 14 - Take up #1-3 in the sidebar on p. 233. Reminder of the physical layout of Parliament. Video - Government in Canada; Citizenship in Action; Our National Parliament; the Inside Story and questions. Discuss the job of a Member of Parliament - within and outside the House of Commons. Go online to read On the Job With a Member of Parliament). Read 226-231. Do #1-3, p. 231. Study for the test next class.
Wednesday, February 15 - Unit test on Ideologies, Political Parties and Elections -- the material we have studied since classes commenced. Complete the homework from Tuesday for next class.
Thursday, February 16 - Test post-mortem. Take up homework, #1-3, p. 233. Introduction to the Senate – Pros and cons of present setup (Be sure to look at the Senate material at Mapleleafweb). Essay Writing. There will be an essay question on what shall be done with the Canadian Senate on the next unit test. Introduction to Essay Writing. Read pp. 47-54 in Red Government text. Do #1-4, p. 48 and #1-5 and 7 on p. 54. For homework, come up with a three column table listing: reasons to keep the Senate as it is; reasons to change it; reasons why we should get rid of it. Rough out a plan for writing an essay response to this question on the next unit test. If you have time at the end of the class, discuss it with people around you.
Friday, February 17 - I cannot predict how much of this class will be usable, so will assume the worst as far as teaching time is concerned. We will do what we can. Introduction to the executive branch. Role of the Queen & Governor General. Read “Constitutional Monarchy” on p. 222-224 & "The GovernorGeneral" on p. 234. Identify points for and against getting rid of the Queen and Governor General. Should Canada become a Republic? Why or why not? Identify 3 reasons for and 3 reasons against doing so. Look at the Monarchist League of Canada and the Canadian Monarchist Online websites for arguments supporting the monarch; see Citizens for a Canadian Republic for arguments against retaining the monarchy. There has also been an active debate in Australia and New Zealand on this topic. Web searches would yield useful information.

February 6-10

2012-02-04T11:35:00.000-08:00

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/.

Notice to Parents: Because of the current labour dispute, only grade 12 marks are supposed to be provided on report cards. Written comments are proscribed. This does not mean that we are not reporting marks to students and parents regularly.

If you want an update regarding marks or other information you need only e-mail me at the address above. I am happy to give a full account that goes well beyond what a report card provides.

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 Monday, January 30 posting.

Social Studies 8

We will begin with a Geography unit. Expect a unit test at the end of this, worth around 75 marks. This will be in roughly 3 weeks. It will be based on map reading and the use of Canadian Oxford World Atlas (7th edition). We will also have a number of quizzes worth from 5-30 marks throughout the unit. You will not always be warned ahead of time about quizzes -- so it is important to keep up.

If you are struggling, be sure to see me outside of class for extra help!

You will need the following material for the Geography unit: a ruler, pens, pencils, and coloured pencils, erasers, whiteout, a portable computer storage device (USB key, with at least 1 GB of space on it -- which you can use in all of your other classes too), and lined paper.

Keep all of your material in order in either a section of a bigger binder, with work from other courses, or a smaller Social Studies binder. The choice is yours. You should also have section dividers to separate units. Keep all work to study from for the final exam at the end of the course. After unit tests, you can take this work out and leave it safe at home if you do not want to keep carrying it around -- just don't lose it.

National Geographic has some nice overview PowerPoints for this unit. See Map Elements and Map Skills.
Monday, February 6 - Take up Direction & Scale Worksheet (I may or may not do a homework check - worth 3 marks for completion). Animaniacs countries song. Introduction to map symbols. Video clip on map symbols - colour. Symbols worksheet - complete for homework. For a really simple (elementary school level) explanation of map symbols, see this National Geographic site. Rather more advanced and rather cheesy is this 1967 US Department of Defense educational video dealing with map symbols.
Tuesday, February 7 - Take up homework -- Symbols Worksheet. Naming countries contest. More symbols review - Symbols Worksheet 2 - complete for homework. Also complete the assignment: Continents and Major Water Bodies map - 10 marks. Due next class. Completely unrelated to learning map skills, but entertaining, is this video clip - MacGyver; How to Use a Map.
Wednesday, February 8 - Hand in the map assignment. Take up homework. Quiz - Scale & Directions. Introduction to grids. Geographical Essentials, pp. 15-19. Activity 9 #1-3, Complete #4 and Activity 10 for homework. ( Please note the following change. We did not get to this map assignment. We will insert it again later in the unit. Map Assignment - School to Home (valued at 10 marks).
Thursday, February 9 - Take up Activity 9 #1-4 and Activity 10 work. Introduction to military grid. Military Grid Worksheet. Complete the Letter/Number Grid Worksheet for homework.
Friday, February 10 - Take up any problems with military grid. Take up the Letter/Number Grid Worksheet. Latitude introduction. Geographical Essentials, pp. 32-35. Key lines of latitude and why we have seasons -- see the video Geography Seasons for this. Introduction video to Latitude and Longitude - with questions. Note: you need to login to Discovery Education's streaming video site to do this. Mr. Benoy posts the access code in the classroom. Complete the Latitude #1 worksheet for homework.
Social Studies 11

We will begin with the Government unit and start with the old red text to deal with ideologies. You will get the Counterpoints text, which we will use for most of the semester, once we get past ideologies -- which Counterpoints does not deal with well.

Expect your first unit test on Ideologies/Parties/Elections to be on Wednesday, February 15 -- or thereabout. The mark breakdown is most likely to be as follows: 30 multiple choice question (1 mark each); 4 items to label on a diagram (1 mark each); 5 definitions - you write a sentence or two about each term or name (2 marks each); 2 long answer questions from a choice of 4 options (6 marks each). The test should, therefore, be out of about 66 marks.

Monday, February 6 - Sign out Counterpoints text. Take up homework. Lecture/discussion – from ideologies to political parties – national parties in Canada. Read Counterpoints pp. 255-258. Do #3 & 4, p. 258. For homework over the last weekend, you took an online quiz to identify your political viewpoint. To see which Canadian political party comes closest to your views (2011 comparison - according to this organization. Take a look at US national politics while you are here), link here and see if this is what you expected. Interested in pursuing this further? Try some more tests -- mostly American -- to see where you stand.
Tuesday, February 7 - Take up homework. Placing parties on the political spectrum. PowerPoint. BC & Canadian political parties. Read Counterpoints pp. 249-258. Do #1-5, p. 253, & sidebar #1-3, p. 257.
Wednesday, February 8 - Take up #1-5, p. 253, #4, p. 258 & sidebar #1-3, p. 257. Review of party positions on the political spectrum, what parties currently stand for, and names of party leaders. Introduction to political party organizations. As part of your homework, you must go to Elections Canada's pages entitled I Can Vote, with information for young and first time voters. Answer these questions. Read pages 109-115 in the red Government text and answer questions #1-3 & 5, p. 115. Optional: Click here to go to a list of all of the political parties, with links to their web-pages.
Thursday, February 9 - Take up I Can Vote and #1-3 & 5, p. 115. Elections handout. Elections in Canada – The first-by-the-post system. (If time; proportional representation too). Read Government pp. 88-97. Do #4, p. 97. Research Canadian federal political parties. Which party would you support in the next federal election? Why? About a half page or so of writing is needed to adequately answer this question. Value: 10 marks, due Tuesday (next class). Find political party information at Elections Canada's registered political parties page.
Friday, February 10 - Take up #1-3, p. 257 & #4, p. 97. Elections lesson – day 2. Various voting systems. BCSTV animation. Assignment: What electoral system do you feel is best? Why? (due Monday. About 1 page).

January 30 - February 3

2012-01-27T14:44:00.000-08:00

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/.

Notice to Parents: Because of the current labour dispute, only grade 12 marks are supposed to be provided on report cards. Written comments are proscribed. This does not mean that we are not reporting marks to students and parents regularly.

If you want an update regarding marks or other information you need only e-mail me at the address above. I am happy to give a full account that goes well beyond what a report card provides.

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 Monday, January 30 posting.

Social Studies 8

Monday, January 30 - Introduction and Expectations. Course Outline. Texts assigned. Map Rules rubric. Canada Political Map Assignment (10 marks and due next class).
Tuesday, January 31 - Complete the text book sign-out, if not done Wednesday. Hand in map assignment. Mind Map (Explained in class and not for marks.) Block 1 - complete up to #15 on the Atlas worksheet.
Wednesday, February 1 - Country memorization game. Take up #1-15 on the Atlas Worksheet. Complete the rest of the questions for next class.
Thursday, February 2 - If you looked at this entry earlier in the week it would have looked different -- I messed up and missed a lesson, which is now here. Take up homework (the Atlas worksheet) -- If your teacher collects it in class it will be marked out of 3 marks, based on completion. Do your best, even if you have errors you can still earn 3/3. Video -Types of Maps and Map Projections. Look at Geographical Essentials text, pp. 4-7 - "Map Outlines." The Basic ingredients of all maps - Outlines, Direction, Colour & Symbols (and a key or legend, Scale. Scale Worksheet. If you have trouble grasping how scale works, get the basics from this BBC elementary school level site on the subject. A really nice advanced summary can be found at this National Resources Canada site.
Friday, February 3 - Take up scale worksheet. Countries game - girls vs boys. Direction on maps - points on a compass. -- introduction and video clip. Direction & Scale Workshee t. Struggling with figuring out how compass directions work? Use this simple elementary school explanation from the BBC in Britain.

Social Studies 11

We will begin with the Government unit and start with the old red text to deal with ideologies. You will get the Counterpoints text, which we will use for most of the semester, once we get past ideologies -- which Counterpoints does not deal with well.

Expect your first unit test on Ideologies/Parties/Elections to be on Wednesday, February 15 -- or thereabout. The mark breakdown is most likely to be as follows: 30 multiple choice question (1 mark each); 4 items to label on a diagram (1 mark each); 5 definitions - you write a sentence or two about each term or name (2 marks each); 2 long answer questions from a choice of 4 options (6 marks each). The test should, therefore, be out of about 66 marks.

Monday, January 30 - Outline and expectations PowerPoints. paper course of course outline. Final Exam table of specifications (link from here to additional exam material). Handout: What is Government? Complete the questions for next class.
Tuesday, January 31 - Hand out textbooks. Complete anything missed from yesterday's introduction. Discuss whether or not government is necessary. Introduction to the three branches of government. Read pp. 2-6 in red Government text. Do #1-4, p. 6.
Wednesday, February 1 - Take up homework. Introduction to ideologies. Origins of the Political Spectrum. Read pp. 7-15 in Government text. Do #1-5, p. 11 and #1-6, pp. 15-16. To identify your own ideology, take the online Political Compass Quiz.
Thursday, February 2 - Origins of the Political Spectrum - including summary handout sheet. ( We did not get to the work within these parenthesis. Some of it moves to the next few days. PowerPoint – “Ideologies”.Ideology identification practice. ) The following reading is completely optional: For an interesting American article on the difference between Lefties and Righties, see Patricia Cohen's New York Times Article: "Across the Great Divide; Investigating Links Between Personality and Politics."
Friday, February 3 - Ideologies Identification homework. PowerPoint – “Ideologies” Video clip on ideologies - sorry, not available online. Other ways to show political spectrum. More practice with ideologies.

January 23-27

2012-01-24T12:26:00.000-08:00

We are at term end and are in the midst of final examinations this week.

Grade 8 writes on Monday, between 11:15 and 12:45. Block 2 is in room D205. Block 4 is in D207.

History 12 writes on Tuesday, between 1-3 in the afternoon in room D200

Social Studies 11 has a provincial exam. It is written on Wednesday, between 1-4 in the afternoon in the small gym.

Please bring text books to your exams, where I will pick them up. If you fail to do so, you will get a bill at the exam. If the book is back to me by Wednesday afternoon I will rip up the bill. After Wednesday I send the bills to the office and you will have to deal directly with office staff.

I will post results on my classroom window (by student number) as soon as they are finalized (except for Social Studies 11, which is provincially assessed). I fully expect SS8 and History 12 marks to be complete by Thursday afternoon.

Parents wishing to know final marks need only e-mail me to receive the final class mark, exam score, and final grade.

Best of luck to all of my students for the second semester!

January 16-20

2012-01-02T11:34:00.001-08:00

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

The final exam is coming up soon, so you should be reviewing material for it in addition to doing day-to-day work.

Your Final Exam is on Monday, January 23 between 11:15 a.m. and 12:45 a.m. Be sure to bring your text books to school to hand in before the test. Block 2 should go to room D205 and Block 4 goes to room D207. If you have an IEP, you may have been told to go to an alternate location.

Bonus opportunity work -- complete this material to replace zeros on missed homework checks and even increase old marks.

Tuesday, January 17 - Take up #1-6, p. 36. Watch What the Ancients Did for Us; the Chinese - A few advertisements in Chinese will appear before the video starts, so be patient. What great contributions did the Chinese give to the world. If we do not finish seeing this video, you are expected to do so for homework.Read pp. 117-121. Do #1-5, p. 121. Read pp. 121-123. Do #1-5, p. 123. (Sorry about the double homework; it is needed for us to finish the course. Optional: Watch New Frontier; China During the T'ang Dynasty,part 1, part 2, part 3; also New Frontier; China During the Song Dynasty, part 1, part 2, part 3. A short amateur video on footbinding is also interesting.
Wednesday, January 18 - Take up #1-5, p. 123. Watch Genghis Khan. 1. How did Genghis Khan unify the Mongols? 2. Where did the Mongols expand after unification? 3. Why were the Mongols so successful. No specific new homework tonight. Be sure to review for the last unit test and final exam.
Thursday, January 18 - Watch watch this French documentary (with English narration); Eurasia; Le Reve Mongol. 1. How did Kublai Khan come to rule China? 2. What was needed before Kublai Khan could unify China under his rule? 3. How did ruling China change the Mongols of Kublai Khan? How did they try to maintain their culture? 4. What contact did Kublai Khan's China have with the outside world? 5. Why did the West become interested in China at this time? Read pp. 123-125. Do #1-7, p. 125.
Friday, January 19 - Make up #1-7, p. 125. Video: Shinto Part 1, Part 2. 1. What are Kami? 2. Would Shintoism appeal to non-Japanese people? Why or why not? 3. How is it that Buddhism and Shintoism can be practiced at the same time? Watch Ancient Warriors; The Samurai, part 1, part 2. 1. What were the Samurai? 2. How were the Samurai similar to Medieval European Knights? How were they different? Read pp. 126-130. Do #1-8, p. 130.

Social Studies 11

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

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 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.

An out-of-class exam preparation seminar will be given on Wednesday, right after school. Attendance is voluntary, but well-advised.

Tuesday, January 17 - Take up #1-3, p. 84, #1-4, p. 85, #1-2, p. 86 and #1-3, p. 87. Take up homework. PowerPoint for Chapter 4 - Note -- we will move very quickly through this. Be sure to scan the PowerPoint again, on your own time, in order to take good notes. Read pp. 88-93. Do #1-4, p. 89, #1-5, p. 91 and #1-5, p. 93.

Wednesday, January 18 - Take up #1-4, p. 89, #1-5, p. 91 and #1-5, p. 93. Video: History’s Harvest and do the viewing guide questions. If time we will look at more of theChapter 4 PowerPoint. Read pp. 93-106. Do #1-6, p. 97 (but note "1997" in #3 should read "1973" and the typographical error in #5, where "grater" should read "greater"), #1-7, p. 102, #1-6, p. 105 and Further Thought #1-4, p. 108. Be sure to investigate the CBC Archives material on the GMO debate. Identify arguments for and against producing genetically modified foods
Thursday, January 19 - Take up homework. Complete the any unfinished material from last class.Chapter 5 PowerPoint. Read pp. 116-129. Do #1, p. 118, #1-3, p. 120, #1-5, p. 123, #1-3, p. 129.
Friday, January 20 - Take up #1, p. 118, #1-3, p. 120, #1-5, p. 123, #1-3, p. 129. Introduction: Worldmapper animation. Watch the amazing Dr. Hans Rosling's presentation at the 2006 TED Conference - The Seemingly Impossible is Possible. We will also complete the chapter 5 PowerPoint. Read pp. 130-132. Do #1-2, p. 131, #1-4, p. 132 and Further Thought #1-6, p. 132. If you liked Hans Rosling, try William McDonough's TED lecture.

History 12

Plan for Topics 5 & 6

Questions for Topics 5 & 6

Essay #3

Glossary Bonus Assignment

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.

Tuesday, January 17 - Bad News -- The only time I could get a doctors' appointment this week was during this block. I will have you watch a video on the Iranian Revolution -- Iran and the West; Imam Khomeini; The Man Who Changed the World. and we will pick things up next class. Be sure to read the lecture notes on Islamic Fundamentalism below. Rise of Islamic Fundamentalism (base notes). The Irish documentary Whose Afraid of Islam is an interesting look at cultural struggles. Lube music video set to scenes from 9ya rota (9th Company Russian film of Afghan war) -- you might also listen to the title track. Watch and listen to the songs of the Iranian Revolution: Example 1 - Tribute to Imam Khomeini (with English subtitles),Example 2, Example 3 -Khamenei is Our Leader (With a speech by the Iranian cleric at the start), Example 4 - Iranian song supporting Palestinians against Israel. If you can manage it, be sure to watch a BBC documentary that compares the rise of radical Islamists and American Neo-Conservatives is The Power of Nightmares. If there was any material left from last class, we will complete it today.
Wednesday, January 18 - Southern Africa and the Fall of Apartheid (base notes). Watch Charlie Rose's interview with F.W. De Klerk, the Afrikaaner who brought an end to apartheid. How can white and black reconcile in South Africa? Watch Spear Cleansing (23 minutes, about Letlapa Mphalele, who ordered the killing of whites, and Ginn Fourie, who's daughter was killed on the order of Mphalele. Both are now friends and colleagues. A good historical treatment of the lives of human rights leaders Gandhi and Mandela is Together We Lit Up the Sky. Music was a powerful weapon in the anti-apartheid movement. Johnny Clegg, a white student of Zulu music and dance, wrote hugely popular music, often with a strongly propolitical bent. Watch some of the videos of anti-Apartheid activist and ethnomusicologist Johnny Clegg: Scatterlings of Africa, Asimbonanga (Nelson Mandela appears on stage with him in this clip), One Man, One Vote. For something a little different, try Nwampfundla. ...and in response, a revival of Boer nostalgia from when the Boers once fought against all odds in the Boer war - Delarey.
Thursday, January 19 - We will complete any lecture material that is unfinished and watch video material if there is any class time remaining -- probably drawn from the optional material above, unless I find something better during the week.
Friday, January 20 - Exam Preparation work. If time permits, additional video material.

January 9-13

2012-01-02T10:35:00.001-08:00

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.

January 3-6

2011-12-30T16:55:00.000-08:00

Social Studies 8

Expect an exam on the Renaissance and Reformation on Friday. The mark breakdown is 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.

Tuesday, January 3 - 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 Belief, The protestant Revolution; Part 2; The Godly Family, The Protestant Revolution; Part 3; A Reformation of the Mind, and The Protestant Reformation; Part 4; No Rest for the Wicked.
Wednesday, January 4 - 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.
Thursday, January 5 - Take up homework. How to write exams. Tips on what to do when writing the exam -- how to handle various kinds of questions. Bonus opportunity. Complete missing work.
Friday, January 6 - Test on Renaissance and Reformation. Read pp. 18-22. Do #1-5, p. 22. Do some preparation for the final exam. Do make up work and bonus work.

Social Studies 11

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.

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

Tuesday, January 3 - Take up Do #1-2, p. 17 & #1-4, p. 21. Begin Ch. 2 PowerPoint. Read pp. 29-31. Do both #1-3 on p. 31.
Wednesday, January 4 - Take up #1-3 (both), p. 31. Course Planning -- grade 12 options in Social Studies. Continue Ch. 2 PowerPoint - Population & Demographics. Go to Statistics Canada's website and read The Population Pyramid; What it is and How it Works. Use the data found at Statistics Canada's 2006 Data Table to calculate Canada's dependency ratio, based on the most recent census. Read pp. 31-37. Do #1 on p. 37. Go to the US Census Bureau's International Database and download and print a population pyramid for Nigeria in 2010. Do the same for Japan. Compare the shapes of these population pyramids. Suggest reasons why they are so different from one another.
Thursday, January 5 - Take up #1 on p. 37. Look at the population pyramids for Japan and Nigeria and go over reasons why their shapes are so different. PowerPoint - continued. Watch Hans Rosling's What Stops Population Growth. Doom and gloom video. Read pp. 37-41. Do #1-6, p. 39 & #1-6, pp. 41-42. Sidebar: Doom and gloom text at DieOff.Org - read p. 15, an excerpt from William Catton's Overshoot; The Ecological Base of Revolutionary Change. Read a brief synopsis of Boserup's ideas from York University. Julian Simon was another writer who felt population growth is a good thing. Part of his book Population Matters: People, Resources, Environment, and Immigration is available online.
Friday, January 6 - Take up Video segment and questions on Shanghai, Changing China - Urbanization ). Look at Gapcast #2 - Urbanization. Read pp. 42-45. Do #1-5, p. 45. Do the Further Thought assignment #1-5, p. 46.

History 12

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. However, I will collect all work this year -- in two installments -- up to question 62 at the end of the first week back in January, and the remainder in the last week of classes. Do not procrastinate as deadlines become hard at the end of the semester.

Plan for Topics 5 & 6

Questions for Topics 5 & 6

Essay #3

Glossary Bonus Assignment

Tuesday, January 3 - The USA (domestic) Since 1945 (base notes). Note: look at Britain's SchoolHistory'srevision 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.
Wednesday, January 4 - USA (domestic) Since 1945 - continued.
Thursday, January 5 - 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 4 minute segment fromYes, 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.
Friday, January 6 - Complete European post-war resurgence (base notes), possibly, begin the material on post-war Japan (base notes).

December 12-16

2011-12-10T10:42:00.001-08:00

Monday, December 12 - Unit test on chapters 3, 4 & 5. Read pp. 134-138. Do #1-7, p. 138.
Tuesday, December 13 - Take up homework. Introduction to the Italian Renaissance. Watch: The Medici -- Godfathers of the Renaissance; Birth of a Dynasty. 1. 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.
Wednesday, December 14 - 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.
Thursday, December 15 - Take up homework. Watch Zeffireli's version of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet (part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5, part 6). 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!
Friday, December 16 - Complete Romeo and Juliet and note-taking. Play around with the Shakesperian Insult Kit. Enjoy the Christmas holidays without Social Studies homework.

Social Studies 11

Expect our next unit test to be Tuesday this week. The test will be arranged roughly as follows: 43 multiple choice questions (1 mark each), 5 definitions (2 marks each) and a choice of 3 from 5 choices (6 marks each). The test is, therefore, out of 71 marks. 30 flash cards are needed to earn 5 marks.

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.

Christmas holidays are almost upon us. Those students who are currently earning a mark of less than 50% need to use some of this time to get caught up and to begin preparing for the final exam. Not doing so may result in having to repeat this course.

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

Monday, December 12 - Take up the sidebar on p. 211 & #1-2, p. 213 and #2-6, p. 216. Watch video segments from Canada; A Peoples' History - the following episodes: "Taking Back the Past" and "Land and Nation" and questions. PowerPoint on Land Claims & the Indian Act. Anything we are unable to complete in class, you will need to view on your own. Study for the test next class.
Tuesday, December 13 - Unit Test on Post-War Canada. Sign out Geography text The 21st Century World. Read pp. 6-11. Do #1-5, p. 11.
Wednesday, December 14 - Introduce Geography portion of the course. PowerPoint for Ch. 1 - Geography. If there is anything from the PowerPoint that we do not complete, you will need to look this over for yourself over the break. Be sure to work on your Family History/Immigration Assignment over the break. It will be due at the end of the first week we are back after the holidays!
Thursday, December 15 - Complete chapter 1 PowerPoint. Begin watching An Inconvenient Truth. Your job while watching this film is to: 1) Identify Gore's thesis in this film. 2) List the evidence he cites to prove his thesis. 3) Explain why Gore convinced you or did not convince you that we must take immediate action to deal with climate change. Read pp. 12-16. Do #1-9, p. 16 & #1-4, pp. 16-17.
Friday, December 16 - Take up homework. Continue watching An Inconvenient Truth - Finish watching this yourself if we do not get a chance to do so in class today. Read pp. 17-20. Do #1-2, p. 17 & #1-4, p. 21.

Glossary Bonus Assignment

Monday, December 12 - Deterrence & Nuclear War (base notes) PowerPoint. See Robert McNamara's comments on nuclear war.
Tuesday, December 13 - 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.
Wednesday, December 14 - Begin British & French Decolonization in Africa & Asia (base notes).
Thursday, December 15 - Watch the first part of a video on Kwame Nkrumah -- which gives a 4 minute background to African decolonization. Continue British & French Decolonization in Africa & Asia (base notes). Following up on the Nuclear War and Deterrence material -- You absolutely must see the CNN Cold War series film Star Wars.
Friday, December 16 - Begin Indochina & Vietnam (base notes). Watch the CNN Cold War Series Film Vietnam; 1954-1968.

December 5-9

2011-12-03T11:18:00.000-08:00

The Middle Ages Research Project ( Part 1. Part 2.) is also due soon -- December 9.

Monday, December 5 - Library Block. Report to class for attendance first.
Tuesday, December 6 - 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.
Wednesday, December 7 - Watch Part 3, Part 4 & Part 5 of The Rise and Fall of Islamic Spain(Click here for the full documentary). 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 2, Part 3, and Part 4. And now for something completely different -- Monty Python's "Spanish Inquisition."
Thursday, December 8 - Take up #1-6, p. 87. Introduction to the Plague. Page 42 of Hosford Atlas. Pint 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 video. Read pp. 82-84. Do #1-6, p. 84.
Friday, December 9 - Hand in Medieval Research Assignment. 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? Introduction to the "Babylonian Captivity" when there were multiple popes at one time. Read pp. 87-92. Do #1-7, p. 92.

Social Studies 11

We are still a little way from finishing the Post-War Canada unit. Expect our next unit test to be around Tuesday or Wednesday next week. The test will be arranged roughly as follows: 43 multiple choice questions (1 mark each), 5 definitions (2 marks each) and a choice of 3 from 5 choices (6 marks each). The test is, therefore, out of 71 marks. 30 flash cards are needed to earn 5 marks.

Monday, December 5 - Take up sidebar, #1-3, p. 155, #1-5, p. 156 & #2-4, p. 158. Material from Canada; A Peoples’ History; Comfort & Fear. ("Material from Canada; A People’s History (“A Question of Equality,” “A Changing Face,”and “The Computer Moves In” and questions). If time, PowerPoint Post 1945 Canada. Read pp. 160-172. Do #2-6, p. 167, & #1-5, p. 172.
Tuesday, December 6 - Take up homework. Material from Canada; A People’s History("Time for Change" & "Maitres Chez Nous" - questions). PowerPoint material not completed. Read pp. 172-187. Do #1-4, p. 176, #2-4, p. 182, and 2-5, p. 187.
Wednesday, December 7 - Take up homework. Complete any PowerPoint material not completed from Post 1945 Canada. Watch "Vive le Quebec Libre," "October Crisis", the "Choice" - questions. Read pp. 191- 194. Do #1,2, 4 & 5, p. 194.
Thursday, December 8 - Take up homework. Canada; A People's History: "Night of the Long Knives". PowerPoint The Quiet and Not-So-Quiet Revolution. If we get a chance to start it, we will begin the PowerPoint: "Land Claims and the Indian Act.". Read pp. 201-207. Do #1-5, p. 204 and 1-5, p. 206. Assignment: 10 marks, due Monday. Why do many Quebecers want and independent Quebec? Why has this not come about?
Friday, December 9 - Take up homework. Continue or begin PowerPoint - "Land Claims and the Indian Act." Read pp. 208-216. Do the sidebar on p. 211 & #1-2, p. 213 and #2-6, p. 216.

Monday, December 5 - The Soviet Union & Eastern Europe to 1956 (base notes). 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.
Tuesday, December 6 - Video - India; The Brightest Jewel - from the 20th Century History series (Part 1, part 2). Decolonization India (base notes). Decolonization India (base notes). A nice short (under 10 minute) history of partition and the endless conflict that followed it can be found here. If you are prepared to install Veoh on your computer, you can see the entire BBC documentary The Day India Burned (I had to uninstall as it conflicted with another programme. You might not have this difficulty). The first 23 minutes of the documentary can be befound elsewhere. Another excellent, longish, documentary is The Last Days of the Raj (part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5, part 6,part 7, part 8, part 9)Time for a movie? Watch Partition -- available in its entirity on Googlevideo.
Wednesday, December 7 - The Middle East to 1956 (base notes). Video clip from the 20th Century History series - if available. Watch the BBC documentary The Birth of Israel. For 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 (part 1, part 2, part 3).
Thursday, December 8 - 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, December 9 - The Cuban Missile Crisis (base notes). If you have almost two hours available, get in the mood for Wednesday'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. 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. Also, if at all possible, watch 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.. You might also look at Defcon 2 - Cuban Missile Crisis (Part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5, part 6).

November 28 to December 2

2011-11-25T13:20:00.000-08:00

Monday, November 28 - Mark Steel's video on Geoffrey Chaucer. Why is Chaucer considered one of the great writers in English? Problems with the research project? How to construct a point-form outline. Note: All projects need to have one when you hand them in. Watch Horrible Histories; The Crusades. Read pp. 69-74. Do #1-6, p. 74.
Tuesday, November 29 - Friday, November 26 - Take up #1-6, p. 74. Introduction to the Crusades. Watch Terry Jones' The Crusades; Pilgrims in Arms.Questions: 1) What started the First Crusade? 2) What did crusader knights hope to gain? 3) Why did peasants join the crusade? 4) Why were Jews persecuted in Medieval Europe? 5) How did the "Peoples' Crusade" end? 6) What was the relationship between the crusaders and the Byzantines? We will not get a chance to watch his following two documentaries, but if you can, be sure to watch them yourself: Jerusalem,Jihad, andDestruction. I'd love to screen all of these in class, but they take too long. A great documentary on the Crusades is The Crescent and the Cross (1 hour 30 minutes).
Wednesday, November 30 - Primary Documents: Descriptions of Urban II's preaching of the first crusade. Watch Episode 2: Jerusalem, and do the questions on the 2nd screen: 1) What equipment did a night on the first crusade take with him? 2) What hazards did crusaders face and was it likely that a crusader would survive the 1st Crusade? 3) Why did Baldwin leave the main crusader group to go to Edessa? 4) How were fortified cities attacked by the crusaders? 5) What happened at Marat? 6) Did Christians in Jerusalem need rescuing? Explain. 7) How did the Crusader's treat the inhabitants of Jerusalem when they took the city? If time - primary document on the Crusaders in Jerusalem. Question: How do you think local people reacted to the arrival of the Crusaders? Work on your reports.
Thursday, December 1 - 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 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 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 Atlas Crusades material, pp. 27-28. Crusades Map Assignment, due next class; 10 marks.

Friday, December 2 - 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 1, Part 2, Part 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 in Patterns of Civilization, p. 80 & handout questions for homework - pick up a paper copy after school if you cannot access online.

Social Studies 11

The next test is this Monday (November 28). The mark breakdown is most likely to be as follows: 45 multiple choice questions (1 mark each), 5 definitions (2 marks each) and 3 from a choice of 5 long answer questions (6 marks each). The total is, therefore, out of 73 marks. 5 bonus marks are available if you submit more than 25 flash cards done as required.

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 28 - Unit Test on Chapters 3-5. Read pp. 130-135. Do sidebar questions p. 133 & 134 & #1-4, p. 135.
Tuesday, November 29 - Take up homework. Change of plan. We lose time from Wednesday's class, so we will see Wednesday videos instead of the two scheduled for today. PowerPoint Post 1945 Canada. Material from Canada; A Peoples’ History; Comfort & Fear. (Comfort & Fear, From Sea to Sea and Boom- questions). Read pp. 135-139. Do #1-5, p. 139.
Wednesday, November 30 - Class visit from Constable Brenda Abreo and Youth Worker Lisa Devine for the first half of this class. PowerPoint Post 1945 Canada. Material from Canada; A Peoples’ History; Comfort & Fear. (Seeing Red, On Guard for Thee and The Shadow of Nuclear War -questions). Read pp. 140-146. Do sidebar questions pp. 140, 141 #1-2, 143 #3, 145 & #1-6, p. 146. Watch some anti-communist American propaganda from the 1950's He May Be a Communist,The Red Menace, and the ever popular film used in schools --Communism.
Thursday, December 1 - Take up sidebar questions pp. 140, 141 #1-2, 143 #3, 145 & #1-6, p. 146. Watch videos (sorry, unavailable online) from Canada; A Peoaple's History; Comfort and Fear. "Boom," "Seeing Red," "On Guard for Thee" and "The Shadow of Nuclear War" -questions." This is material that we did not get to last week. Continue PowerPoint Post 1945 Canada. Read pp. 146-150. Do sidebars p. 146 & #1-4, p. 150. If you have the time, Watch the stunning British Documentary Nuclear War: A Guide to Armageddon (Part 1, Part 2& Part 3) to understand the stakes of nuclar confrontation. Another rivetting show on nuclear war is Threads, a BBC production about what would happen to a community if nuclear war occurred.
Friday, December 2 - Take up homework. PowerPoint Post 1945 Canada. Material from Canada; A Peoples’ History; Comfort & Fear. ("First Tremors" "A Prairie Storm" & "The Fight for Medicare" - questions)," Read pp. 150-158. Do sidebar, #1-3, p. 155, #1-5, p. 156 & #2-4, p. 158.

History 12

We completed the last unit next week and to allow students to take more than just class time to write the exam, we have postponed the Topic #4 Unit Test Until Tuesday. Expect it to have the following breakdown: 75 multiple choice items (1 mark each -- note, this is slightly longer than indicated last week!); 5 map items (1 mark each); 2 out of 3 long answer options (12 marks each). The total is, therefore, out of 104 marks).

Plan for Topics 5 & 6

Questions for Topics 5 & 6

Essay #3

Monday, November 28 - Watch Video: Cold War Confrontation from the 20th Century History Series (Sorry, it does not appear to be available online). Complete The Origins of the Cold War (base notes) and PowerPoint. If time, we will begin looking at the first video from CNN's outstanding Cold War series - Comrades; 1917-1945. If we do not have time in class, be sure to see it at home.
Tuesday, November 29 - Unit Test on Topic #4. Be sure to pick up Topic #4 Plan. Topic #4 Questions. Essay #3.
Wednesday, November 30 - Chinese Revolution & the Korean War (base notes). If we finish early (unlikely!), we will watch as much as possible of CNN`s amazing Cold War series -- Episode 5 Korea; 1950-1953. On your own, be sure to watch Episode 15 of China 1949-1972 from the same series. If you have time, watch China; Chairman Mao Declassified. Interested in Chinese 20th century history? Watch China in Revolution; 1911-1949 (part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5, part 6, part 7, part 8, part 9, part 10).
Thursday, December 1 - Complete The Chinese Revolution & the Korean War (base notes). AV on the Cold War in Asia.
Friday, December 2 - The United Nations (base notes). If time, Begin the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe to 1956 (base notes). See what people thought of the United Nations when it was first founded -- watch the National Film Board film Now the Peace.

November 21-25

2011-11-19T10:57:00.000-08:00

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

Parents of grade 8 & 11 students should have received a mark sheet sent home with your son or daughter two weeks ago. Please sign it and send it back to me so that I know you received it. Thank you to those who have already done so. Grade 12 parents should have received a report card with marks showing -- this may be needed for applications to post-secondary institutions. 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. I am also available during the same times on the 25th. Of course it is also possible to make an appointment at other times, after school, if the scheduled dates do not work for you.

Social Studies 8

We are still in the middle of our longest unit - "The Middle Ages" - a test is still a couple of weeks away. We are also working on a major research assignment, due on December 9. Please note that the due date at the top of the assignment is not current.

Medieval Research Project. Part 1. Part 2.

Note: Because of the Justice Theater presentation on Wednesday of this week -- in block 2 -- I have changed the plan for this week.

Monday, November 21 - Take up Medieval Guild Regulations. Introduction to Medieval Church architecture - Romanesque to Gothic. PowerPoint - Romanesque to Gothic Architecture. Super-deluxe Benoy field trip and demonstration of Medieval engineering. Handouts: Romanesque to Gothic Architecture - online only - unless you request a copy. If time: Mr. Benoy's slides of Medieval European churches. Read pp. 63-69. Do #1-6, p. 69.
Tuesday, November 22 - Take up #1-6, p. 69. Video: David Macauley's Cathedral and questions.
Wednesday, November 23 - Block 2 (last block today) will see the Justice Theater presentation. Block 4 will carry on as usual. Video: Illuminations; Treasures of the Middle Ages. Questions (will be posted on the 2nd screen in class): 1. Who wrote medieval books? 2. What were books written on before the Middle Ages? What were medieval books written on? 3. How were medieval books like modern comic books? 4. What kinds of illustrations were found in medieval books? 5. What was a “Book of Hours?” How was it a display of wealth? 6. What kinds of non-religious books were produced in the late Middle Ages? From Old English to Modern English - including the following video examples: Lord’s Prayer in Old English, "The General Prologue" tothe Canterbury Tales in Middle English, and this version in modern English. If we have time we will watch a few short samples from Chaucer's Canterbury Tales in modern English: "The Host's Speech"from "the General Prologue," the start of the "Pardoner's Tale," "the Sermon" from "the Pardoner's Tale," and "Chanticleer Escapes" from the Nun's Priest's Tale." Work on your research project.
Thursday, November 24 - Block 2 will have the lesson they missed on Wednesday. Block 4 will get additional library time for their assignment.
Friday, November 25 - School Based Professional Day - No classes. Take some time to go to the public library to check out their resources for your major research assignment. Spend some time making flash cards for this unit.

Social Studies 11

The next test is coming soon. We will give it on Monday of next week (November 28), to allow you the long weekend to study for it. The mark breakdown is most likely to be as follows: 45 multiple choice questions (1 mark each), 5 definitions (2 marks each) and 3 from a choice of 5 long answer questions (6 marks each). The total is, therefore, out of 73 marks. 5 bonus marks are available if you submit more than 25 flash cards done as required.

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 21 - Take up sidebar 5-21, p. 123 & #1-3, p. 125. Video:The Valour & the Horror; Savage Christmas; Hong Kong 1941 and questions. Make sure your preparations are underway for the test on 1919-1945 next week. Don't forget, you have a Family History/Immigration Assignment underway too. Read the sidebar on pp. 126-127. Do #1-3, p. 127.
Tuesday, November 22 - Complete The Valour & the Horror; Savage Christmas; Hong Kong 1941 and questions (posted on the 2nd screen). If we have time, I will begin looking at the issue of the Holocaust. Do "Looking Back" #2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, & 14, p.129.
Wednesday, November 23 - Take up homework.Begin: Shoah/Holocaust -PowerPoint. Video: on the Holocaust (Frontline; Memory of the Camps – Chapter 4. Available online at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/camp/view/.) This material is particularly horrifying. It is important to watch it if you can, but if you are unable to do so, please go to the "fishbowl" lounge area beside Mr. Nichols' room and study there until the video is over.
Thursday, November 24 - Hand in POW assignment from the Valour and the Horror video. Complete the Holocaust video material. If time -- Introduction to post-war Canada. PowerPoint Post 1945 Canada. Prepare for the unit test on Wednesday.
Friday, November 25 - School-based professional day. No classes. This is an opportunity to prepare for the unit test on Monday as well as to start work on your "Immigration/Family History" Assignment.

History 12

Topic #4 Plan.

Topic #4 Questions.

We will complete this unit this week, but I will not test until Tuesday to give you the long weekend to complete work and study.

Expect the following on the unit test: 70 multiple choice questions - 1 mark each. 5 map items - 1 mark each. 2 of 3 long answer questions - 12 marks each. The t0tal is, therefore, out of 99 marks.

Monday, November 21 - Watch The World At War; Genocide (part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5.) If time, we will also watch this short video on Nazi Racial Science.
Tuesday, November 22 - Wartime Conferences (base notes).
Wednesday, November 23 - Complete material on the Wartime Conferences (base notes). We are likely to begin the lecture on The Origins of the Cold War (base notes) and PowerPoint.
Thursday, November 24 - Continue The Origins of the Cold War (base notes) and PowerPoint.
Friday, November 25 - School-based professional day. Catch up and study for the unit test on Tuesday.

November 14-18

2011-11-11T17:03:00.000-08:00

Monday, November 14 - Take up p. 56 homework. Monasticism clip from the video: "Connections; Faith in Numbers" - Part 1, from 3:35 to 10:00. How Castles developed - Examples from Mr. Benoy's Castle slides. For fun, watch The Worst Jobs in History; The Dark Ages (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6) and The Worst Jobs in History; the Middle Ages (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6) Work on Medieval Research project for homework.
Tuesday, November 15 - Video: David Macauley's Castle and questions - sorry, this video is not available on the Internet. Read pp. 58-63. Do #1-7, p. 63. (Optional)Read Castles and Fortifications; Fortifications After the Norman Conquest. Also read Castles and Fortifications; Concentric Castles. If you have time, watch one or more of the following videos on castles by Marc Morris: Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, Episode 4, Episode 5, Episode 6 -- each are about 45 minutes long. Find out about Medieval warfare in Battlefield Britain; Battle for Wales (59 minutes).
Wednesday, November 16 - Library block to work on research assignment. We will take attendance in class first.
Thursday, November 17 - Library block to work on research assignment. We will take attendance in class first.
Friday, November 16 - Take up #1-7, p. 63. The revival of trade and growth of towns. Mr. Zoller's Video Podcast; the Revival of Medieval Trade. Hosford Atlas pp. 19-20 & 31. Working alone or in 2s or 3s, answer the following questions: 1) How did its location help Coventry grow? 2) How big did Coventry grow in the 14th century? 3) Were Medieval towns very big by modern standards? 4) What kinds of businesses were found in Coventry? On p. 31, answer the following: 5) What were the main trade goods of Europe in the Middle Ages? 6) What cities dominated Mediterranean trade? What League dominated northern European trade? Handout: Medieval Guild Regulations. Do the questions on the handout. Watch Mr. Zoller's Video Podcast; Medieval Guilds.

Social Studies 11

The next test is likely to be on Monday, November 28 -- depending on our progress over the next two weeks, of course. Expect the following mark breakdown: 70 multiple choice questions (1 mark each), 5 map items (1 mark each) and 2 from a choice of 4 long answer questions (10 marks each). The total is, therefore, out of 95 marks.

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 14 - Take up Do sidebars 4-16, p. 93, 4-17 & 4-18, p. 95 & 4-19, p. 96.. Complete Canada; A People's History; Hard Times and questions. Complete PowerPoint on the Interwar Years in Canada. Complete reading to p. 98 and do #1-5, p. 98.
Tuesday, November 15 - Take up homework. Complete PowerPoint. Video King & Country (sorry, unavailable on the Internet) & questions. Read pp. 100-110. Do 1-4, p. 105, sidebar questions p. 106, 107, 110 & #1-3, p. 110. If you are interested and have the time, watch this British anti-war advertisement from the 1930s to understand the roots of appeasement. Watch the 20 minute 30's documentary: The European Arms Race 1935 - 1939 part 1 andpart 2. To see Nazi Germany, watch this largely unnarrated documentary, Nazi Germany Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5,Part 6, Part 7, Part 8 & Part 9. How Were Decisions Made in Nazi Germany. Look at Hitler's art: Part 1, Part 2.
Wednesday, November 16 - Take up homework. Complete King & Country video and questions. Introduction to World War II. Begin video series & questions; Episode I; Canada Remembers; Turning the Tide). WWII series. pp. 111-115. Do #1-4, p. 115.
Thursday, November 17 - Take up homework. Finish material on Turning the Tide & questions. Begin The Liberators; D-Day to the Rhin e & questions. 115-122. Do #1, 2 & 4, p. 122.
Friday, November 18 - Take up #1, 2 & 4, p. 122. Finish The Liberators; D-Day to the Rhin e & questions. Begin Endings & Beginnings & do questions. Read pp. 122-125. Do sidebar 5-21, p. 123 & #1-3, p. 125.

History 12

The next test is still a long way off. I will post the mark breakdown as we get 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 14 - Introductory slide-show - Coventry Cathedral. World War II chronology (PowerPoint, base notes).
Tuesday, November 15 - Video: Twentieth Century History; Road to Berlin (if available). 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. Black and white film of the war tends to distance us from what is shown. There are some excellent colourized films on the war on the Eastern Front from the World War II in HD Colour series: Hitler Strikes East, and The Soviet Steamroller.
Wednesday, November 16 - Video: Twentieth Century History; Pearl Harbour to Hiroshima if available. World War II chronology (PowerPoint, base notes).
Thursday, November 17 - Complete World War II chronology (PowerPoint, base notes). Hopefully, begin World War II; the British Experience (base notes). Most of the film we see of World War II is in black and white if it isn't from Hollywood. World War II; The Lost Colour Archives at Veoh, requiring registration and download, part 3) is interesting footage. Find out more about the Royal Navy in WWII by watching The Royal Navy (part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5).
Friday, November 18 - Complete World War II; the British Experience (base notes). If we completed this on Thursday, then we will begin Shoah/the Holocaust (PowerPoint, base notes). If you were not in my grade 11 classes last year, or even if you were, it is well-worth watching Frontline's Memories of the Camps video.

November 7-11

2011-11-05T11:33:00.000-07:00

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 Britai n. 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?

October 31-November 4

2011-10-22T15:10:00.000-07:00

Monday, October 31 - Take up #1-5, p. 110. Watch the video: What the Ancients Did for Us - The Islamic World and take notes on what exactly Islamic Civilization passed on to us. Complete PowerPoint on Islamic Architecture. Study for the test - be sure to make and use flash cards.

Tuesday, November 1 - Take up homework. Video:Europe After the Fall of Rome; 476-1066 AD. Focus Questions: What happened to Britain after the Romans left? How did life change? How did Christian missionaries change the Germans? Who were the Vikings and how did their threat affect Western Europe? Handout:Charlemagne. Do the questions on the handout for homework

Wednesday, November 2 - Unit Test - Byzantine and Islamic Civilizations. Read pp. 40-45. Do #1-6, p. 45.

Thursday, November 3 - Take up homework. Video: The Dark Ages; Part 8; The Greatest King . What made Charlemagne a great ruler? How did he keep tight control over his subjects? How did the Roman Catholic church help him? Why did his efforts eventually collapse? Read pp. 45-48. Do #1-6, p. 48. Interested in the Franks? Watch Barbarians; the Franks. Interested in the Vikings? Why not watch the following as a bonus: Ancient Warriors: The Vikings, part 1, part 2, part 3 (totals just over 20 minutes) orBarbarians; the Vikings.

Friday, November 4 - Take up #1-6, p. 48. WatchAncient Warriors: The Vikings, part 1, part 2, part 3(totals just over 20 minutes). Answer the following questions: 1) Why were the Vikings feared by all of Christian Europe? 2) What made the Viking Longship a particularly effective weapon for its time? 3) Where does our knowledge of the Vikings come from? Handout Viking Women. How does this account of Viking life differ from the video? Can you explain the difference? Origins of feudalism: Hosford Atlas pp. 13-16. Handout reading for homework: Feudalism and Medieval Life. Do the questions on the handout.

Social Studies 11

The next unit test will be on Thursday of this week -- to allow test writers to write into break if need be. I fully expect to finish the unit on Tuesday, so Wednesdays class will be from the following unit. This test will cover all of the History material up to the end of World War I. The mark breakdown will be roughly as follows: 40 multiple choice questions (1 mark each), 5 definitions or names (2 marks each) and 4 long answer questions (6 marks each) from a choice of 5. The total is, therefore, out of 74 marks. 5 bonus marks are available for a minimum of 25 flash cards. It is possible to earn 79/74.

There is a major research assignment starting now, the Family History - Immigration Assignment (With additional options for International and First Nations students.) 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, October 31 - Hand in poster assignment. Introductory music: On the Road to Passchendaele and Passchendaele. Literature of War Assignment. Using computers (if available) or handouts and library resources. 10 marks, due Thursday. Read pp. 42-46. 1) Do you think that the the peace arrangement arrived at in 1919 was workable? Why or why not? 2) How serious was the flu epidemic of 1918-1920?

Tuesday, November 2 - Take up homework. Video - The 1917 Federal Election. Questions: 1. What key political issue divided Canadians in 1917. 2. What changes did Borden make to election laws before the next election? Video: The History of the Vote; Women's Right to Vote. 1. What arguments were made against women getting the vote? 2. How did Nellie McClung fight against these notions? 3. Why did some women get the vote in Federal elections in 1917? 4. How long did it take before all women had the same voting rights as men? Discuss whether our current voting rules are fair for all people. Finish any PowerPoint material not covered earlier. If there is any time left, look at In the Trenches (part 1 and part 2) Study for the test -- be sure to make flash cards.

Wednesday, November 2 - Take up homework. Video Clip from Canada; A Peoples' History; Ordeal by Fire on the great influenza pandemic. Note pandemics are an ongoing concern and that they have had a huge influence on history. Discuss historical examples. Lecture: The End of World War I & the Paris Peace Conference. Video Make Germany Pay (Part 1, Part 2) Do board questions: 1) Who were the main participants in the Conference and what did they want? 2) What important powers were not invited to attend? 3) What were the key outcomes of the Conference? Do #1 sidebar, p. 44, 1. Explain how Canada’s role in the world was different in 1919 to 1914. 2. What limited the effectiveness of the League of Nations from its very start? Prepare for the unit test next class.

Thursday, November 3 - Unit Test, Canada to 1919. Read pp. 48-51. Do #1-3, p. 51.

Friday, November 4 - Introduction to Post-War Canada. The Winnipeg General Strike. Lecture and video,On Strike! - with questions. Read pp53-56. Do #1-3, p. 56.

History 12

Topic #3 Plan

Topic #3 Questions due Thursday.

Essay #2 due next week.

The test for Topic #3 is this Thursday. Questions are due by 4:30 p.m. Expect the following breakdown on the test: 50 multiple choice questions, 10 map items (1 mark each), 10 definitions (2 marks each), and 3 from 5 paragraph items (6 marks each). The total is, therefore, out of 98 marks.

Topic #4 Plan.

Topic #4 Questions.

Monday, October 31 - Introductory music - Senyuu (one of the most famous Gunka - military songs - of the 1930s. Watch The Road to War; Japan (sorry, but it appears to be unavailable online at this time). If we have time, we will conclude by watching this travel film about Japan in 1932.

Tuesday, November 1 - Hitler & the Rise of the Nazis PowerPoint (base notes). Interested in getting into the mind of the Fuhrer? Watch Inside the Mind of Adolf Hitler, a biodocumentary based on a psychological profile of the German leader that was put together by US intelligence services during World War II. Interested in Nazi Germany? Watch The Story of the Third Reich (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, part 15) - up to part 3 covers the period before the Second World War.

Wednesday, November 2 - Complete Hitler & the Rise of the Nazis PowerPoint (base notes). Begin Hitler's Germany - PowerPoint (base notes), and AV - probably from the 20th Century History series - but unavailable online. Leni Riefenstahl was one of the 20th century's greatest film-makers -- and a Nazi. See Triumph des Willens, and Olympia (on the 1936 Olympics). If you are interested in film-makers and have a few hours to spare, watch Leni Riefenstahl (Part 1, Part 2 - each are 1 hour 34 minutes). This is an interesting look at a creative woman who was an ardent Nazi.

Thursday, November 3 - Unit Test, Topic #3. Pick up Topic 4 Plan and Questions.

Friday, November 4 - Complete Hitler's Germany PowerPoint. Appeasement (base notes) - also on PowerPoint.