World Aids Day - December 1st

More than two million AIDS related deaths reported globally in 2008 - two million children under the age of 15 now live with HIV


December 1st, is World Aids Day.  
You can make a difference.


Video from last spring 2009:
Aids in Africa - Period 5 from Mr. Duez on Vimeo.
Video that details the horrible disease of HIV and Aids in Africa.

Video from 2008 spring:
Aids in Africa - Michelle from Mr. Duez on Vimeo.
Aids in Africa is a terrible problem. Michelle does an excellent job of capturing the pain that the continent is in and inspiring all of us to help.

Your purchasing power is POWERFUL. Join Product(Red) to help:
http://www.joinred.com

Castle Project Jump

Here is a jump to all the posts on this blog about the Castle Project:

Castle Project Information

Essay is due on Tuesday
The Model/Poster & Coat of Arms is due on Friday

Let me know if you are having any questions.  Best of luck!

Agenda: Monday, November 30, 2009

Quote of the Day: "There is no medicine to cure hatred." ~ African Proverb

Learning Targets:
*Compare and Contrast the early African trading empires.
*How did African ancestry lineage occur? 
*What was the role and impact of slavery, women, and religion on early Africa?

Agenda:  
1.  40 Inspirational Speeches in 2 Minutes. (5 min)
2.  Make up tests
3.  CNN Student News (15 min)
4.  Pass out Targets for Chapter 7, 11, 13.  Introduce Africa.  Notes and Discussion.

40 Inspirational Speeches in 2 Minutes:



CNN Student News:
November 30 - We're bringing you a lot of ups and downs on our first day back from Thanksgiving break: mixed retail reports from weekend shopping, debt dragging down a developer in the Middle East, a tree growing up before going up to the White House, and some students' efforts to hold down dozens of doughnuts in Illinois.
Discuss - Afghanistan Troop Increase?  What is Cyber monday?  

Franksgiving


"Franksgiving"
From Time Magazine's "Top 10 Things You Didn't Know About Thanksgiving"
FDR learned the hard way not to mess with some traditions. In 1939, the President declared that Americans should celebrate the annual feast one week early, hoping the decision would spur retail sales during the Great Depression. But Americans did not react kindly to the New Deal meal. Some took to the streets while others took to name-calling; the mayor of Atlantic City solved the controversy by declaring his residents would simply enjoy two meals — Thanksgiving and "Franksgiving." After two years of squabbling (or gobbling, as it were), Congress adopted a resolution in 1941 setting the fourth Thursday of November as the legal holiday.

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1862503_1862505_1862523,00.html#ixzz0XzpkJLM5

The History of Thanksgiving

The History of Thanksgiving:
3:50 video from History Channel

The Puritans, George Washington, FDR?  Nahhh, the real hero here is Sarah Hale.

1924 is the date of the first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York.
1934 is the first Thanksgiving Day football game for the Lions.  (Of course, I'm not going to mention that other team that plays on Turkey Day.)

It is uniquely American.

But, of course, it's about family.  I'll be spending my Thanksgiving at home with my wife and son.  Yesterday we took a trip to Discovery Green in downtown Houston and had a nice picnic lunch and a special day together.  It's what Thanksgiving weekend is all about.





"The Decade from Hell" - Time Magazine

Were the last 10 years really that bad?
Started with Y2K, 911, Katrina, Iraq War and Afghanistan Wars, the economic crisis... I guess there were some problems, eh?
Time Magazine's latest cover calls it one of our worst decades ever.  (I lived through the 70s and can say those stunk pretty badly, too)

What do you think?

Notes for Chapter 7 "Early Africa"

Chapter 7 Early Africa                                                                                                                                                       

Targets for Chapters 7, 11, 13 "Triangular Trade"

Questions due: Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009
Quiz on Wed/Thu Dec.
Test on Chapters 7, 11, and 13 is on December 11, 2009

Chapter 7, 11, 13 Targets Triangle Trade                                                                                                                                                

Agenda: Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Quote of the Day:  “It isn't what you have in your pocket that makes you thankful, but what you have in your heart.” - Annonymous


AGENDA:  

T E S T
Chapters 9 & 10

What to study:
1.  Vocabulary (Flash Cards)
2.  Review the Target Sheet
3.  Read and Take (Cornell) Notes from Chapters 9 & 10

Have a great Thanksgiving.  Be safe.

ipledge2protect.org -- Prevent Genocide

David Duez has invited you to join the movement to prevent genocide. Pledge your support at: www.ipledge2protect.org

Youtube Video: "The Cruades: The Crescent and the Cross"

We watched the first 15 minutes today in class.  A must see if you were absent.  Not a bad review if you saw it Friday before the test.



Part II
Part III

Agenda: Monday, November 24, 2009


Quote of the Day:  “One life is all we have and we live it as we believe in living it. But to sacrifice what you are and to live without belief, that is a fate more terrible than dying.” - Joan of Arc


[image on the right is from the movie "The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc (1999)" Check it out here on IMDB]


Learning Targets:
*Understand that the Growth of Cities and population grew after the Crusades ended feudalism.
*There were plenty of positives during the time period - more food, stable growth of population, and towns grew.  But, the Bubonic Plague or Black Death was a result of this incredible growth of cities without proper sanitation.
*The Hundreds' Year War developed after the Black Death.  It is the first war between "States" or countries France and England.  France wins the war after being inspired by Joan of Arc.  The development of the cross bow is a major advance in weapondry and kills thousands.

Agenda:
1.  Collect Homework
2.  Review the effects of the Crusades on Europe (the fall of Feudalism)
3.  Notes on Chapter 10 "Growth of Cities, Black Death, and Hundreds' Year War"

Review for test on Tuesday if time with power point Jeopardy.

TEST IS TUESDAY!

Chapter 10 Notes "Growth of Cities, Black Death, Hundreds' Year War"

Ch 10 Growth of Cities, Black Death, Hundreds' Year War

Notes: Chapter 9 & 10 "European Law & The Crusades"

Ch 9 & 10  European Law & The Crusades                                                                                                                                               

Agenda: Friday, November 20, 2009

Quote of the Day:


Learning Targets:
*Understand what the distinction "High Middle Ages" refers to
*Why did Europeans go on the Crusades?  What were the results?  What changed in Europe after the Crusades occurred?

Agenda:
1.  Turn in Homework Questions from Chapter 9 & 10 
2.  Notes - High Middle Ages & The Crusades
3.  Second 1/2 of period is a video on the Crusades

We will finish the chapters on Monday.  TEST is Tuesday.

Castle Project 2009 - Research

The Tower of London:



The Tower of London, A Dark and Sinister Place?
The Tower of London is one of the capital's best known and most popular visitor attractions, as well as a World Heritage site, but it's had a long and bloody history. It had a dark and sinister reputation, although it was used as a palace for a while, it's also been a prison, a place of torture and of execution - notably by beheading with an axe. It's no wonder that many people have seen ghosts in the Tower.
Nowadays, visitors can see the places where executions took place, the Crown Jewels which Captain Blood attempted to steal, and the famous Yeoman Warders, nicknamed Beefeaters.
 The Tower of London:  A Brief History 
 The Tower was not only a fortress but eventually became a royal palace, state prison, the Mint, a record office, observatory, and zoo. As a state prison it was used for criminals considered most dangerous to the state, and the Mint was the treasury for the Crown Jewels. It became a zoo, the original Zoo, in 1834 when pets that the king had accumulated over the years were among a great diversity. The zoo consisted of lions, leopards, bears wolves, and lynxes.

A queen is executed:  Queen Anne Boleyn is executed on Tower Green

Anne Boleyn, second wife of King Henry VIII, was tried and executed within the walls of the Tower.
An educated and influential queen with strong opinions on matters of policy, she fell foul of vicious court faction and religious politics.
Her failure to produce a son for the King also made her position precarious.

 Tour the Tower of London - Virtual Tour 

Layout of the Castle - A Diagram   

Agenda: Wed & Thu Nov. 18/19, 2009

Quote of the Day:


Agenda:
1. Quiz on Chapter 9 & 10
2. Notes - Feudalism
3. Video - "Modern Marvels: Castles & Dungeons" -- Students will take notes to use on their Castle Projects.

Friday - Homework for Ch. 9 & 10 is due.
Tuesday - Test Chapter 9 & 10.

Notes for Chapter 9 and 10 "Feudalism"

Ch 9 Feudalism

Castle Project from the Past

Today in class we discussed the Castle Project.  You can check out the power point here:
Castle Project height="500" width="100%" > value="http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf?document_id=22634317&access_key=key-qegfw8g8zmqzao3pgjn&page=1&version=1&viewMode=slideshow">            


Also, today on Facebook a former student wrote me about the website he created back in 2005 to show his castle being built.  Here it is:

Nick's Project Blog



Check it out.  Pretty cool.

Agenda: Tuesday, November 16, 2009

Quote of the Day:  "To have a second language is to possess a second soul."  - Charlemagne



Learning Targets:
*Understand how the Carolingian Renaissance and Empire helped keep Roman and Greek ideas alive.
*Compare the impact of Clovis and Charlemagne on Europe.

Agenda:
1.  Turn in the reflections on the Video Project.  I keep forgetting to do this!  Don't let me forget.
2.  Notes on Clovis, Charlemagne and the Carolingian Empire
3.  Video - Charlemagne - take notes over the video.
4.  If time, discuss Castle projects in groups.

Next time - Vocabulary Quiz.  Homework is due Friday.  Test is next Monday.

Agenda: Monday, November 15, 2009

Quote of the Day:






Learning Targets:
* Understand what is expected of the Castle Project - Research Paper, Product (model or poster), and Presentation
*  Who is Clovis and Charlemagne and what impact did they have on Europe?  Why did some call Charlemagne the last great king of Europe?

Agenda:

**Students needing to make up the test from Friday will do so during the period**
1.  Warm Up:
Watch the Castle Project Video from 2008:

Castle Project 2008 from Mr. Duez on Vimeo.
These are the castle projects that my students worked on for their unit on the Middle Ages during the third six week's period of World History Pre-AP.
They did a fantastic job.
2.  Students will learn about the Castle Project.  Mr. Duez will introduce through a power point.  Students will refer to the rubrics that were handed out on Friday.
3.  Pass out the Ch. 9 and 10 Targets and introduce Chapter 9 Clovis and Charlemagne.
4.  On the way out - Video Project reflections will be handed in as an exit ticket.

Chapter 9 and 10 Middle Ages Targets

Chapter 9 10 Targets - The Middle Ages                                                                                                                                                

Chapter 9 and 10 Middle Ages Notes - Part I - Rise of Charlemagne

Chapter 9 and 10 Middle Ages Part I: Charlemagne                                                                                                                                                

Castle Project Rubrics

Rubric Castle Project Product                                                                                                                                                

Rubric Castle Project Essay                                                                                                                                                

Agenda: Friday, Nov. 12, 2009


Quote of the Day:
Atascocita Eagles 43
Chavez Lobos 37
Texas 5A State Football Playoffs - Final in OT
"Way to go Eagles.  First playoff win in school history."

Agenda:
1)  Test Chapter 5 - Roman Empire
2)  Get Rubrics for Castle Project
Also you will get this article:  The 25 Most Beautiful Castles in the World by Sarah Scrafford.  You may use this as a reference for your project.

Video - The Edict of Milan: Landmark in Christian History

After years of persecution, the Edict of Milan proclaims toleration of Christianity.

Nero - Rome Burns

The great fire of Rome in 64 AD burned for 6 days.  There is evidence that Nero did all he could to help save lives.  But, after the flames burned out, his decisions were less prudent. 

Nero's grand plan after the fire...



And how he planned to rebuild Rome on a grand scale.  But, he needed the money to do so.  Nero stole it by robbing the temples of their golds and fortune.

"I don't need protection from the gods, the gods need protection from me!" ~ Nero

Agenda: Wednesday, November 11, 2009 & Thursday, November 12, 2009

Quote of the Day:  "Finally I can live like a human being" - Nero, after moving into the Golden House, built upon burned out areas after the great fire of Rome.



Learning Targets:
*  Explain what SPQR and the "Roman Republic" meant to the people of Rome.
*  Why did the Roman Empire collapse?
*  Could the US fall someday, just as the Roman Empire once did?

Agenda:
1.  Warmup Question - Finish your reflections on the video projects that were presented in your class.  Which 3 were your favorites and why?  Mr. Duez will collect these.
2.  Rome Question - What did SPQR and the idea of the Roman Republic mean to the Roman people?
3.  Notes - Caesar, Nero and Pax Romana.  Then the Rise of Christianity and the Fall of Rome
4.  If time we will do a philosophical chairs disccussion about the question - "Will the US fall someday, just as the Roman Empire once did?"

TEST NEXT TIME.
Read the chapter.  Study the notes and vocabulary.  Be prepared for 30 scantron questions and 4 essays.

Chapter 5 Roman Empire Part III "Rise of Christianity & Fall of Rome"

Chapter 5 Notes - Roman Empire Part III                                                                                                                                                

Agenda: Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Quote of the Day:  "Veni, Vidi, Vici"  (Latin for:  "I came, I saw, I conquered.") - Julius Caesar, 47 BC


Learning Agenda:

From Republic to Empire: By the second century B.C., a few aristocrats dominated the Roman state. Meanwhile, many small farmers could no longer compete and became landless poor. Some leaders called for land reform to address the problem.
*  After Civil War, The First Triumvirate placed power in the hands of three wealthy generals. One of these generals, Julius Caesar, marched on Rome with his troops, and eventually he was declared dictator. Caesar's rule ended in his assassination.

Agenda:
1.  Do 2 quick video presentations at the very beginning of the period (10-15 min)
2.  Remainder of the period - Chapter 5, Part II "Rome from Republic to Empire."

Test on Rome is Chapter 5 is Friday.

Rome Chapter 5 Notes Part II

Chapter 5 Rome Part II                                                                                                                                                

Agenda: Monday, November 9, 09

Quote of the Day:  "Sail away from the safe harbor.  Catch the trade winds in your sails... Explore, Dream, Discover."  -- Mark Twain

Agenda:

PRESENT PROJECTS.
It's my hope that we will finish them today.

We'll start Roman Empire - Part II tomorrow.  Tenative date for test is Friday.

District Football Champs!

Way to go Eagle Football!  31-7 win over Kingwood.
The Eagles finish the regular season 9-1 overall, 5-1 in district and will be the top seed in the Class 5A, Division II bi-district playoffs next week. They open against Chavez at 7 p.m. Thursday at North Shore.
See the Chronicle Game article here.






Agenda: Friday, November 6, 2009

Quote of the Day:



Agenda:
1)  We will write our reflections for the project:

2)  Present Projects, students will take notes on the projects and we'll turn those in at the end of presentations next week.

Monday we'll finish the projects in class.

Agenda: Wed/Thu November 4 & 5, 2009

Quote of the Day:




Agenda:
1)  Review for the test (10 min)
2)  Test Chapter 5 "Roman Republic, Vocabulary, Government"
3)  Present Video Projects

Agenda: Tuesday, November 3, 2009


Quote of the Day:








Learning Targets:
*Understand the significance of the Roman Legal codes and how they have shaped our legal system today.
*Explain how the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of the Roman Republic functioned.  (Know the terms: Consuls, Praetors, Patricians, Plebeians, Senate, Centuriate Assembly, Twelve Tables, Law of Nations)

Agenda:
1.  Warmup - Video "Engineering an Empire:  Rome"  First 15 minutes while students load their videos to Mr. Duez's computer.  The Videos for the Video Project are due today.
See the warmup here:

2.  Notes - "Roman Government"- Section 1 of notes for Chapter 5
3.  Prep for test on Wed/Thu -- Rome Part 1.  Mostly vocabulary.  And the notes so far in the chapter.

Agenda: Monday, November 2, 2009

Quote of the Day: "Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare." - Japanese Proverb

Learning Targets:
* Understand the significance of the Roman Colosseum

Agenda:
1.  Watch the video "Modern Marvels:  The Roman Colosseum"
2.  Answer the video questions and turn them in at the end of the period.
Here is a sample from Youtube.com:


Due tomorrow:
Homework for Chapter 5
Video for the Video Project
Any reassessments for the essay on the Video Project