and now, a pep talk from Mr. Schick

Okay, it's been a crazy few weeks in West Civ.  Some highlights (and lowlights)...

We missed a ton of classes (Feb 10 - snow, Feb 13 - faculty retreat, Feb 16 - holiday, Feb 17 - Cyber Day, Feb 20 - Cyber Day II, Feb 26 - Cyber Day III), yet we still managed to complete a unit on ancient Egypt.  We tested on that unit yesterday, and here are your class averages.

• Section 3: 72%
• Section 4: 87%
• Section 6: 79%

Section 4 has a well-deserved reputation for being involved, energetic, and engaged in the discussions.  They take notes in the notebooks, and do a good job transferring the notes to their blogs.  Is this why they do so well on tests?  Of course it is.  Section 6 has shown a lot of improvement in the way they conduct themselves in class, which accounts for their grades going up since last semester.  Section 3's class average has dropped considerably, which is certainly due to near constant chatting and whispering - sometimes from one side of the room to the other.  Actually, Section 3 has more than twice as many kids failing right now than in the other two sections put together.  I try to teach the same way in all of my classes.  But I feel genuinely bad for students who are trying to do well, yet have a hard time concentrating because of all the distractions, and seeing their teacher lose his train of thought because of a handful of kids who don't care.

Is everybody in Section 3 failing?  Of course not.  Most of the class is doing their best.  But it's like dropping just a few drops of vinegar into a glass of water - the whole drink ends up tasting nasty.

Ask any kid who transferred into Section 4, and they'll tell you how much more fun class is, how much they are learning, and how their grades have improved.  And the only difference is how those students interact with their teacher.  

It's in your hands.

Rant over.

Side note - it's always interesting to hear how much you hated the Pyramid Challenge, but as I read your blogs, I see your frustration often accompanied by a sense of accomplishment at finally completing it.  Also, please check your grades and note that everyone who completed it received either an A or a B.  I was using the "threat" of a C or a zero to try to motivate you to work hard, and work as a team.  If you think that was too much pressure, keep in mind that I am trying to get you ready for SATs and ACTs (now, that's pressure!)

Next week we move from Egypt to ancient Greece.  Enjoy your weekend!

Cyber Day! (again) - UPDATED

Cyber Day.  Seriously.

As I mentioned in class and/or in yesterday's blog, we will have a test on ancient Egypt tomorrow (Friday).  Your Cyber Day assignment is to write five good questions that you might expect me to put on the test, and post them on your blog.  Do not write True/False questions.  If you write multiple choice questions, include at least four options, and make sure you designate the correct answer (highlight it, put it in bold, etc.).  

This assignment is worth 20 points.  It is due by midnight tonight.  This also counts as today's blog entry.

UPDATE:  This assignment is just for Sections 3 and 4.  Section 6 does not meet on Thursdays; therefore, Section 6 doesn't have to do this assignment. (You can if you think it will help you be ready for tomorrow, but it is not required.)

Yum!

After you are done shoveling or playing in the snow, may I recommend a nice warm treat, like hot chocolate, or maybe some pinto beans.

The Pyramid Challenge, and the upcoming test

From  to  !

If you successfully constructed your digital pyramid, congratulations!

If you did it on your own, without unauthorized assistance, you get even more credit for completing the assignment while retaining your integrity.

The test on Ancient Egypt will be given on Friday.

If you want to be prepared for this test, you should review the material in my Prezi and in my "From Prehistory to Civilization" PowerPoint.  It wouldn't hurt to take the Pyramid Challenge again, either.

Monday's class work

On Monday I will be in Washington, DC with the seniors on their trip to Arlington National Cemetery and the Holocaust Museum.

Sections 3 and 6 will still meet.  Here is your assignment, which you are to post to your blog before the end of class.

Embedded in my Prezi on ancient Egypt are three videos - Pyramid Quest, one on mummification, and John Green's Crash Course.  Watch all of them, stopping to take notes where necessary.  Use headphones if you have them; otherwise listen quietly so others can concentrate.  When you are done, summarize each of the videos, and let me know what you thought of them (were the videos interesting, what did you learn, were they worth your time... I'm especially curious what you think of the John Green video).

Work individually, please.

Post your notes and your comments by the end of class.

(Section 4, even though your class does not meet today, I am interested in your opinions too.  Feel free to watch, and let me know what you think.)

break it down

This is me after feeding the horses
at 6:30 this morning 

This has been an amazing stretch.  From Feb 13 to Feb 22, you've had two days of school and eight days off. Let's review the past week, and look at next week, on this bitter cold Cyber Day.

• Mon, Feb 16 - Presidents Day - no school
• Tue, Feb 17 - snow day - no school, but a Cyber Day (completing a five-day weekend)
• Wed, Feb 18 - short classes due to Ash Wednesday services
• Thur, Feb 19 - a full day of classes at JC!  Woo-hoo!
• today - Fri, Feb 20 - frigid weather forces another Cyber Day (assignment below)
• Sat-Sun, Feb 21-22 - weekend - no school (of course)
• Mon, Feb 23 - Mr. Schick attending the Senior Trip to Washington DC (details to follow)

Cyber Day assignment

As you already know, all great civilizations have three things in common: specialized workers, large populations, and advanced technology.  The ancient Egyptians certainly had their share of technological breakthroughs, and they are credited with many different inventions which allowed them to advance as a civilization.

Your assignment is to find five different technological developments of the ancient Egyptians, using the sites below.  (Don't use Wikipedia this time around; just use any or all of the five sites I have provided.)  Using complete sentences, and in your own words, describe these inventions/breakthroughs, including why they were important and how they improved life for the Egyptians.  Rank these by importance, starting with the one you feel was most important.

Post this assignment to your blog.  The assignment is worth 20 points.  It must be posted by midnight Saturday night (when all your Friday blogs are due).  Late assignments, missing assignments, assignments that use Wikipedia as a source, assignments that are cut/pasted from the web, and assignments that are not written in complete sentences and written well will receive a zero.

These sites should provide you with plenty of usable material.

Ancient Egyptian Inventions
Egypt's Golden Empire
Ancient Egyptian Medicine
Discovering Egypt
Egyptian Astronomy

It's a CYBER DAY!

Taken at 6:30 this snowy morning

JC declaring today a Cyber Day means that I need to give you an actual assignment.  By doing so, this is no longer a Snow Day that will need to be made up (by shortening Easter Break, or by extending the school year, for example), but a Cyber Day that includes actual academic activity, which does not need to be made up.

So here's the assignment.

Review the Prezi I have posted, 

take notes on its content, 

and post the notes in your blog for today.

Since Sections 4 and 6 were the only ones due to meet today, they are the only ones required to do this assignment.  Section 3 would not have met today, so they are exempt.

Here is the official JC notice about Cyber Day.  And remember, tomorrow (Wednesday, February 18) will be an A Day (Monday schedule).

In the meantime, enjoy this, your fifth day off in a row!

more Egypt, baby!

Today Section 4 will be introduced to the wonder and splendor of the Egypt Prezi.

Sadly, I will not be in class with the mighty Section 3, as I will be preparing the massive Speech meet we are hosting at John Carroll this evening.  Please use the class time to look at the rest of the Prezi, and make notes on it directly in your blog.  Be nice to your sub!

Enjoy your day off tomorrow...and the day after... and the day after... and Monday, too!

from Papua New Guinea to ancient Egypt

Section 4 took their test today, and the grades are being posted.

Sections 3 and 6 got their first look at my Egypt Prezi.  I hope you enjoy it, I hope it is informative, and I hope it doesn't give you motion sickness.  The link to the Prezi is posted on the right.

good call, HCPS

Ice - even a couple hundredths of an inch of ice - is very dangerous to drive in.  HCPS definitely made the right call in cancelling school today.

As Mrs. Strawbridge likes to say, "Stay safe, and stay warm!"

And stay home.  No reason to drive in this unless it's absolutely necessary.

one last test, then Egypt!

Tuesday's schedule:

One hour late bell for you freshmen.

UNLESS we have a two hour late bell due to icy weather:

• ... WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM EST TUESDAY...
• * PRECIPITATION TYPE... FREEZING RAIN.
• * ACCUMULATIONS... A COUPLE HUNDREDTHS OF AN INCH... WITH ISOLATED AREAS UP TO A TENTH OF AN INCH.
• * TIMING... THROUGH EARLY TUESDAY MORNING.
• * TEMPERATURES... UPPER 20S TO LOWER 30S.
• * WINDS... NORTH AROUND 10 MPH.
• * IMPACTS... UNTREATED SURFACES MAY BECOME SLIPPERY AND HAZARDOUS.
• PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
• A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES... AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

If we are in school at all, Sections 3 and 6 will move on to Egypt, while Section 4 will take their test on Guns, Germs, and Steel.

In other words, be ready for anything!

some deets about the next test

The test on Jared Diamond, Guns, Germs, and Steel, and "geographic luck" will be given to Sections 3 and 6 on Monday, and to Section 4 on Tuesday.

You will have the first ten minutes of class to study before the test begins.  There will be 25 multiple choice questions on this Scantron test, so bring a pencil and be ready to go.  You will not be using your blog or written notes on this test.

After you take this test, we will review the first test you took (Prehistory and Mesopotamia).  For some, there will be dinging of the small bell, and great joy in the village.

The following day, will will begin our studies of ancient Egypt.

correction to something I told you in class

I was doing some research for material to put on the Guns, Germs and Steel test, when I discovered that the village we saw - you know, the one where the Canadian archaeologist unearthed the granary - is actually spelled Drah'.  I had spelled it "Draa" in class, but that was incorrect.  It's Drah' and that does include the apostrophe at the end of the word.  

So, be ready for questions about Drah' - and about sago, too.

test next week

"Why you white men have so much cargo,
and we New Guineans have so little?"

Sections 3 and 6 will take a test on Guns, Germs, and Steel on Monday.  Section 4 takes theirs on Tuesday.

I know you have been taking good notes in class, and this will serve you well on the test.  If you missed a day of class, or if you just want to review the video, remember that I have posted a link to the YouTube video on this blog (to the right, under "Linkage"}.

Keep in mind the essence of Jared Diamond's "geographic luck" theory, and think about how it connects to what you already learned about Prehistory and Mesopotamia.

Study hard, and have a great weekend!

Jared's theory

Now that we've finished watching Guns, Germs, and Steel, you might consider how much credence you give Jared Diamond's theory of "geographic luck."  Does it make sense to you as an explanation of why some societies have progressed faster than others?

As you ponder this, keep in mind that we will discuss details as we prepare for the test, to be given Monday (or Tuesday, to Section 4).

I'm starting to think my computer came from Papua New Guinea.  

Thanks for your patience in class today as we continue to study Jared Diamond and Guns, Germs, and Steel.

haves and have-nots

Studying Jared Diamond's theory of "geographic luck" seems like a natural follow-up to our look at Prehistory and Mesopotamia.  Even though the film was shot in the twenty-first century, some of the people of Papua New Guinea seem to still be living a hunter/gatherer lifestyle.

We will watch and take notes on this material in class.  If you miss class for some reason, you are responsible for watching the video on your own.  I have a link posted on the right.

the Big Day

Hooray!  It's Super Bowl Sunday!  The Most Important Day of the year!

Unless you're a Ravens (or Bears) fan and you don't really care that much about who wins today.

In which case, it might be a good day to watch a good movie or hang out with the family or actually play some football with your friends instead of just watching millionaires play football on TV.  Hooray!