Friday, March 06, 2009

March 9 to 13



For those of you new to my blogsite, it is intended to work alongside my website at: http://kbenoy.googlepages.com/

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

Things that are static -- not requiring regular change -- will be posted on the website. This blogsite will have the changing material -- lesson plans and links to particular assignments. I will try to ensure that all assignments are made available on the Internet in this way. If something is underlined on the blog, it means that you can click on it to see a copy of the particular item -- this could be a pdf document, PowerPoint, music or a video.Use this blog to see what is coming up each week. I will usually post it on Saturdays for the following week. If you are away, you can check up on what you are missing. There is no reason for you not to know what is happening. If you do not have an Internet connection, you certainly know someone who does. If too ill to work while away, be sure to attach a note from home to any overdue work when you hand it in and I will most likely waive any late deduction.

If you can't read the PowerPoint material on your computer, download PowerPoint Viewer from Microsoft. It is free.Sutherland has a license to access Discovery Education's United Streaming video collection. Students may download or stream videos from the collection by going to http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm . Use the passcode posted in the classroom and given to you on your course outline to register. If you have lost it, see me, or e-mail me, for this information. Students are licensed to include this content within their own creations.

My tutorial times are officially 2:55-3:15 every Monday and Friday. However, I am available most days before school, at noon and after school. Drop by or make an appointment if you need guaranteed time.

Social Studies 11 (Honours)

Your Geography textbook is also available online at http://www.design4effect.com/soc11/ . Though we will use some material from the other text, most will be from this e-text. Be aware that this text is now a few years old and many hyperlinks are broken. Rewriting is a massive job that I have not had time to take on yet.

The test on Wednesday will have the following breakdown: 35 multiple choice questions (1 mark each) and 4 from 10 long answer questions (6 marks each). The total is, therefore, out of 53 marks. 25 flash cards may earn a bonus of up to 5 marks.

There is an ongoing essay assignment that is the culmination of our work in the Essay Writing Workshop. Construct a research essay, based on a thesis of your choice. Be sure to have at least three strong supporting points. Cite at least three sources and have a proper bibliography with at least three references. Be sure to use a standard format, such as MLA. Value: 24 marks (1 x 6 for composition and 3 x 6 for content). Due: the week we return after Spring Break (by Friday).

Another ongoing assignment will also be introduced this week (only because the Spring Break will bring some families together at that time.) This is the Family History Assignment (See also the International Students' Version and First Nations Students' Version ) - which will not be due until mid May. (See also the BBC's pedigree sheet - a rough form to serve as a starting point for your own pedigree).

  • Monday, March 9 - Intruduction: 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. Prepare for Unit Test on chapters 4 (Resources) and 5 (Aid) on Wednesday. If you liked Hans Rosling, try William McDonough's TED lecture (the sustainable architecture fellow from our recent conservation video from Discovery Education.
  • Tuesday, March 10 - Take up homework. Video: Nova; The Fragile Mountains (sorry, unavailable online). Do note: This is a very old video, but the intermediate technology solutions posed for Nepal's problems are still valid today. While watching the video, identify the problems the film identifies as being faced by Nepal and what is being done about them. Learn how to reduce your carbon footprint by watching Ethical Man on BBC's Panorama Programme - the stream is low quality but the content is outstanding.
  • Wednesday, March 11 - Unit Test on chapters 4 & 5. Sign out Counterpoints textbook. Look it over. Assignment: Why do we study history? 10 marks. Answer in a paragraph to a page and a half.
  • Thursday, March 12 - Introduction to the study of history. PowerPoint from History 12: Historiography & Historical Interpretation. Read pp. 10-20. Do #1-4, p. 16 & #1-6, pp. 19-20.
  • Friday, March 13 - Take up #1-6, p. 20. Filmstrip: Opening the Canadian West & questions. The Laurier Boom. Filmstrip on immigration. The Shaws of Midnapore (questions). Read pp. 20-24. Do #1-2, p. 24. Handout: Long term assignment (due in mid May): Family History Assignment (See also the International Students' Version and First Nations Students' Version and the pedigree rough work sheet). Please note: the reason you are getting this now and not later is that some of you may be visiting family and this is an ideal opportunity to interview family elders for data on the assignment. I do not intend that you spend Spring Break working on this assignment -- other than this.

History 12

Make sure that you have the plan for Topic #3 and the questions that go with it at the end of the test on Monday. Also pick up the Essay #2 assignment sheet.

The next test is still some time off. Don't worry about it yet.

Watch some really good video material on the USSR - at PBS' Commanding Heights video links. A couple of PowerPoints summarizing this material can be found at: Crowe,
Background to the Russian Revolution, Masters, The Russian Civil War and The Evolution of Communism, Fraser, Stalin and the Struggle for Power

Comparative Civilizations 12

Your Test on the Ancient World is on Monday, March 9. Expect the test to include: 25 image identification (give the name of the item, the creator and the period -- 2 marks are assigned per item and as in many cases all three are unknown, any third item identified earns a bonus mark - the total is therefore 50 for this section);25 multiple choice (1 mark each); 10 term identification from diagrams (1 mark each); 5 definitions (I give you the term and you explain in complete sentences -- 2 marks each); 1 essay question (24 marks with 6 for composition and 3 x 6 for content). The total value of the exam is, therefore 119 marks.

Next, we begin our Middle Ages Unit - starting with Islamic Civilization, then returning to Europe to examine the period from the fall of Rome to the Renaissance. This will take quite a while, so do not worry about tests for a bit.

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