projects - coming soon!

Today I gathered information from you regarding your projects.  You can find that info by clicking here.  Please let me know if you don't see your name, if you a listed in the wrong group, or if I don't the right information about your project.

See you tomorrow!

project guidelines

Some of you have already gotten off to a good start with your projects, but many of you seem unsure about where to begin.  Here are some suggestions for you to consider.  Some of them are ideas I heard you discuss in class; some are actual projects that students turned in to me in previous years; some are concepts that just sound interesting to me.  

Also, this is a reminder that you have three weeks to complete your project.  Class presentations will begin on Monday, May 18.  You will be expected to turn in a one-page (or longer if necessary) paper describing and explaining your project - how you did it, what it means, how it relates to life in ancient Rome, etc.).  I will post a rubric soon for this 200-point project.

Possible ideas for projects:

• construct the Coliseum (or the Circus Maximus, or the Roman Forum, or Roman Aqueducts, or any other famous Roman landmark)
• you can use wood, or styrofoam, or clay, or cardboard, or the material of your choice
• recreate a piece of Roman sculpture
• clay is an excellent choice for sculpture, and Mr. Gaudreau can give you expert help if you need it - including advice on how to sculpt genuine Roman pottery or sculpture, plus help with painting, glazing, and baking your piece in a kiln -  he even has a Clay Club every Friday after school, which is pretty fun
• shoot video of key historical events
• the assassination of Julius Caesar
• the trial of Jesus Christ
• tape a newscast of historical events (the ones that might be too hard to re-create)
• the burning of Rome under Nero
• major battles
• the crimes of Tarquin the Proud's son
• the Punic Wars
• conduct interviews with historical figures
• Julius Caesar
• any of the other emperors
• Caesar Augustus
• Livy, Tacitus, Pliny (historians)
• write a song or a rap about Rome or key Roman historical events
• hey, if I can do it, you can too!
• cook some authentic Roman food
• be sure to make it historically accurate - don't just whip up some spaghetti
• describe who would have eaten this dish (rich patricians?  or plebeians?)
• shoot a commercial for ancient Rome
• "Come visit ancient Rome!  It's the perfect vacation site!  Here's why!"
• make some Roman weapons (but safely)
• describe what it was like to be a soldier (or a general) in the Roman Legion
• write a diary
• describe everyday life for a patrician's wife, or for a common plebeian
• compare the decline of the Roman Empire with the (possible) decline of America as a superpower
• discuss whether the US is making some of the same mistakes that ancient Rome did
• construct a 3D (topographical) map
• you can make a map of Rome, or the Italian peninsula, or the whole Mediterranean world
• analyze Roman construction methods
• you're a Roman engineer - describe how these incredible buildings were actually built (materials, work force, funding, methods)
• be the Director of Event Scheduling for the Coliseum
• what goes into the gladiator fights
• Christians (prisoners, slaves, foreigners, POWs) vs. wild animals
• naval battle re-creations
• chariot races
• build a catapult or a trebuchet
• scale model, of course, but the type that the ancient Romans would have used

See me or email me with any questions, or to get approval for your project.  DO NOT do anything risky or dangerous if you decide to do a battle scene.  DO NOT bring a "weapon" to school that would violate JC's rules.  If I see things on video that violate these rules, you will receive a failing grade on the project, and Mr. Ireton and your parents will be notified.

Have fun, do good work, but use your head! 

classroom visitor

Chi Cago wanted to thank you for letting him visit your class.  I want to thank you for putting up with my lunacy.  (Hey, if you can't have a little fun learning about history, what's the point?)

I've posted the lyrics to "Rome" in my Links section, as well as a "video" of the song.  (It's not really a video - just one picture - but at least you can hear the song there.)

I guarantee you will get a better grade on the Rome test if you spend a little time with Chi Cago's masterpiece.  Hopefully you'll be studying with a smile on your face.

Peace out

the inevitablity of empire

Rome was destined for greatness, if only because of their geographically advantageous location.  After all, how do you beat being in the middle of the peninsula that's in the middle of the Mediterranean, which is the center of the world?

"What more can I do?"

If you enjoyed today's speaker, but you didn't have a chance to write down his contact info, here is his Facebook page -  www.facebook.com/JohnOLearyRisingAbove?fref=ts - his Twitter name - @risingabovejohn - and his phone number - 314-202-5373.

In class we went over tests and papers.  See you all tomorrow!

..and, we're back!

Today, and tomorrow, Greek tests and papers are being returned and discussed.  Why do we review the tests?  You may see some of these questions again on the semester exam.
Speaking of the semester exams, here is this year's schedule:

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

8 AM – Math

10 AM – World Language

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

8 AM – Religion

10 AM – Social Studies

Thursday, June 4, 2015

8 AM – English

10 AM - Science