Due to offensive and disrespectful commentary on the previous blog post, the 8th grade blog is now closed permanently.
Words to Live By |
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2. Write a small commentary of a minimum of 100 words on what you liked or did not like about the video. What piece of advice did you like the best? Why? |
Back to Africa
Deadline: Monday, November 19, 2012 by 08:00
Our African map in the classroom needs to be finished as some of your country drawings were too messy or not to scale. So if your country has not been featured on the wall, that means that is was rejected for display.
Those who do not have their African country on the wall also means they received low marks for not following directions from the previous blog post on creating a African country.
This week's blog is a blog of persuasion. Persuasion is the act of convincing or changing someone else's mind, opinion, beliefs, or actions. Take a look at the photo of the apple. How do you interpret it? Is the apple on the left persuading the apple on the right to be happy? Or is the apple on the right persuading the other apple that he or she is "happy" even when it is not the case? Both interpretations are matters of persuasion.
Now, go back to your African country and persuade me that your country is the best in the class to visit. There are over 50 African countries to choose from for my next holiday. Will I pick yours?
Your blog post this week should:
If your country has had problems with natural disasters, famine, civil war, or political problems, you will have to be even more convincing as I may not want to go there. Show the very best side to your country for me to consider it. Remember, it does not matter how small or big your country is, there is always something you can find that could bring an adventurous tourist like me to come and visit.
Good luck to persuade me to visit your African country!
Those who do not have their African country on the wall also means they received low marks for not following directions from the previous blog post on creating a African country.
This week's blog is a blog of persuasion. Persuasion is the act of convincing or changing someone else's mind, opinion, beliefs, or actions. Take a look at the photo of the apple. How do you interpret it? Is the apple on the left persuading the apple on the right to be happy? Or is the apple on the right persuading the other apple that he or she is "happy" even when it is not the case? Both interpretations are matters of persuasion.
Now, go back to your African country and persuade me that your country is the best in the class to visit. There are over 50 African countries to choose from for my next holiday. Will I pick yours?
Your blog post this week should:
- be a minimum of 100 words in length
- feature the best highlights in your African country (the climate, people, food, music, sports, animals, national parks, monuments, etc.)
- be creative and of course, persuasive!
If your country has had problems with natural disasters, famine, civil war, or political problems, you will have to be even more convincing as I may not want to go there. Show the very best side to your country for me to consider it. Remember, it does not matter how small or big your country is, there is always something you can find that could bring an adventurous tourist like me to come and visit.
Good luck to persuade me to visit your African country!
In Honor of Halloween
Deadline: Monday, November 5, 2012 by 08:00
Since witches have been the theme of our Halloween festivities for October 2012, this blog post is in connection to the symbolism behind a witch's wardrobe and appearance.
Please read the directions below carefully before you post on this week's blog.
1. The paragraphs below all connect to the secret symbolism of a witch's wardrobe and appearance. Write the missing word in regards to an item or appearance of a witch in the blog post. (See my example post for assistance).
2. All boldfaced words are vocabulary words. Write a short definition or synonym for each word on the blog post.
3. Can you find where I found this information? Do a search online for the article and post the following information on the blog:
4. Finally, write what you thought about the article and the research behind the symbolism behind a witch's wardrobe and appearance. (For example: What was the most interesting fact from the article? Did you know any of this information before? Is there a part of the article worth researching further?)
Item number one: WITCH __ __ __ __
Some of the earliest images of witches feature them wearing brimless, cone-shaped __ __ __ __, similar to the __ __ __ __ we associate with wizards today. In pagan societies, these __ __ __ __ were reserved for shamen, who were spiritual leaders or healers who used natural herbs to cure disease. Witches were valuable members of pagan communities, because they knew a great deal about the Earth and how to use its resources.
During the Victorian era, illustrations in children's books added a brim to the witch's __ __ __ . These __ __ __ __ were often used to identify evil characters and the __ __ __ __ quickly became a symbol of a wicked witch.
Item number two: WITCH __ __ __ __ __ __
In medieval Europe, everyone owned a __ __ __ __ __ to keep their home clean. __ __ __ __ __ __ weren't associated with witchraft until 1453, when a Frenchman, Guillaume Edelin, confessed under torture that he had made a pact with the Devil that allowed him to fly around on his __ __ __ __ __. During a wave of witch hysteria, investigators would torture alleged witches and try to get them to confess to flying on
__ __ __ __ __ __. Some did, no doubt to escape the torture, adding the __ __ __ __ __ to the witch legend.
Wiccans, who are modern witches, use __ __ __ __ __ __ in some ceremonies to represent the air element. A Wiccan __ __ __ __ __, known as a besom, is a rounded __ __ __ __ __ made with twigs rather than straw. Sweeping with the besom removes negative energy from a room.
Item number three: WITCH __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
The __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ is a symbol of fertility in many non-Christian faiths, including European pagan religions and some African religions. It's also a practical object that can be used to create potions.
The association of __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __with witches stems largely from William Shakespeare's Macbeth, which opens with a trio of witches creating a mysterious potion in a __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __. Although much of Shakespeare's view of witches was intended only for dramatic effect, it became the popular image of witches during the Elizabethan era.
Witch's appearance: __ __ __ __ __ and __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
From the beginning, literature portrayed witches as shriveled, ancient hags filled with superstition and anger at the world. Some writers describe witches as near-skeletal, with leathery skin pulled tight over their bones. __ __ __ __ __ were a common affliction in the Middle Ages, but many people still saw them as evidence of disease or unclean living. As with witch hats, Victorian-era illustrators would use __ __ __ __ __ to represent evil people.
It's interesting to note that the Malleus Maleficarum, a handbook for the detection and prosecution of witches published in 1487, explains that witches aren't all elderly, haglike or covered with __ __ __ __ __ . Beautiful young women are among the most dangerous witches in this book, because they can lure men to their doom.
The idea of witches with __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ doesn't take hold until the 20th century. The first __ __ __ __ __-__ __ __ __ __ __ __ witch appears in the film version of The Wizard of Oz, even though the original book never describes The Wicked Witch of the West with __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ . This was most likely a decision made by the filmmakers to show off the potential of brand-new color film.
The color __ __ __ __ __ has been associated with witches since the time of the Ancient Celts. In Celtic tradition, __ __ __ __ __ is the color of the fairies, with whom witches shared a strong association. Witches were depicted wearing __ __ __ __ __ as a symbol of their otherworldly nature.
Please read the directions below carefully before you post on this week's blog.
1. The paragraphs below all connect to the secret symbolism of a witch's wardrobe and appearance. Write the missing word in regards to an item or appearance of a witch in the blog post. (See my example post for assistance).
2. All boldfaced words are vocabulary words. Write a short definition or synonym for each word on the blog post.
3. Can you find where I found this information? Do a search online for the article and post the following information on the blog:
- The title of the article
- The author of the article
- The weblink to the article
4. Finally, write what you thought about the article and the research behind the symbolism behind a witch's wardrobe and appearance. (For example: What was the most interesting fact from the article? Did you know any of this information before? Is there a part of the article worth researching further?)
Item number one: WITCH __ __ __ __
Some of the earliest images of witches feature them wearing brimless, cone-shaped __ __ __ __, similar to the __ __ __ __ we associate with wizards today. In pagan societies, these __ __ __ __ were reserved for shamen, who were spiritual leaders or healers who used natural herbs to cure disease. Witches were valuable members of pagan communities, because they knew a great deal about the Earth and how to use its resources.
During the Victorian era, illustrations in children's books added a brim to the witch's __ __ __ . These __ __ __ __ were often used to identify evil characters and the __ __ __ __ quickly became a symbol of a wicked witch.
Item number two: WITCH __ __ __ __ __ __
In medieval Europe, everyone owned a __ __ __ __ __ to keep their home clean. __ __ __ __ __ __ weren't associated with witchraft until 1453, when a Frenchman, Guillaume Edelin, confessed under torture that he had made a pact with the Devil that allowed him to fly around on his __ __ __ __ __. During a wave of witch hysteria, investigators would torture alleged witches and try to get them to confess to flying on
__ __ __ __ __ __. Some did, no doubt to escape the torture, adding the __ __ __ __ __ to the witch legend.
Wiccans, who are modern witches, use __ __ __ __ __ __ in some ceremonies to represent the air element. A Wiccan __ __ __ __ __, known as a besom, is a rounded __ __ __ __ __ made with twigs rather than straw. Sweeping with the besom removes negative energy from a room.
Item number three: WITCH __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
The __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ is a symbol of fertility in many non-Christian faiths, including European pagan religions and some African religions. It's also a practical object that can be used to create potions.
The association of __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __with witches stems largely from William Shakespeare's Macbeth, which opens with a trio of witches creating a mysterious potion in a __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __. Although much of Shakespeare's view of witches was intended only for dramatic effect, it became the popular image of witches during the Elizabethan era.
Witch's appearance: __ __ __ __ __ and __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
From the beginning, literature portrayed witches as shriveled, ancient hags filled with superstition and anger at the world. Some writers describe witches as near-skeletal, with leathery skin pulled tight over their bones. __ __ __ __ __ were a common affliction in the Middle Ages, but many people still saw them as evidence of disease or unclean living. As with witch hats, Victorian-era illustrators would use __ __ __ __ __ to represent evil people.
It's interesting to note that the Malleus Maleficarum, a handbook for the detection and prosecution of witches published in 1487, explains that witches aren't all elderly, haglike or covered with __ __ __ __ __ . Beautiful young women are among the most dangerous witches in this book, because they can lure men to their doom.
The idea of witches with __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ doesn't take hold until the 20th century. The first __ __ __ __ __-__ __ __ __ __ __ __ witch appears in the film version of The Wizard of Oz, even though the original book never describes The Wicked Witch of the West with __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ . This was most likely a decision made by the filmmakers to show off the potential of brand-new color film.
The color __ __ __ __ __ has been associated with witches since the time of the Ancient Celts. In Celtic tradition, __ __ __ __ __ is the color of the fairies, with whom witches shared a strong association. Witches were depicted wearing __ __ __ __ __ as a symbol of their otherworldly nature.
Bonus House Point Challenge
For those who would like a House point challenge worth 1oo points, can you find the answers to the questions below regarding the world's largest pumpkin? Please write your answers on this week's blog post.
Thank you, Elliott, for providing the questions for this House point challenge!
1. What is the weight of the world's largest pumpkin as of October 2012?
2. In which state was the world's biggest pumpkin grown in the United States?
3. Who is the owner of the world's biggest pumpkin?
4. Find a picture of the pumpkin and the owner online and post the weblink on the blog post.
Thank you, Elliott, for providing the questions for this House point challenge!
1. What is the weight of the world's largest pumpkin as of October 2012?
2. In which state was the world's biggest pumpkin grown in the United States?
3. Who is the owner of the world's biggest pumpkin?
4. Find a picture of the pumpkin and the owner online and post the weblink on the blog post.
Countries of Africa
Deadline: Monday, October 22, 2012 by 08:00
It's time to start decorating our classroom map of Africa! Each one of you has a country that I have picked out for you below. Follow the steps carefully to know what you need to do for this blog post AND for the Africa map in the classroom.
STEPS IN RED = Blog post assignment
STEPS IN PURPLE = African map assignment in classroom
STEP ONE: Each of you has three clues that connect to a country in Africa. Read the clues and do a Google search to see if you can find the name of your country. Define each of the three words in your blog post.
STEP TWO: Once you have found the name of your African nation, you will need to fill in the blanks below on the essential information of your country for the blog:
1. Name of African Country:__________________
2. Capital: __________________
3. Population: __________________
4. Official Languages: __________________
5. Currency: __________________
STEP THREE: Can you locate your country on a world map? Find your country on the classroom African map drawn by 8th grader Piotr and trace the outline of it on a blank piece of paper. Decorate the country by drawing and coloring the official flag inside the outline (See below for two examples).
STEPS IN RED = Blog post assignment
STEPS IN PURPLE = African map assignment in classroom
STEP ONE: Each of you has three clues that connect to a country in Africa. Read the clues and do a Google search to see if you can find the name of your country. Define each of the three words in your blog post.
STEP TWO: Once you have found the name of your African nation, you will need to fill in the blanks below on the essential information of your country for the blog:
1. Name of African Country:__________________
2. Capital: __________________
3. Population: __________________
4. Official Languages: __________________
5. Currency: __________________
STEP THREE: Can you locate your country on a world map? Find your country on the classroom African map drawn by 8th grader Piotr and trace the outline of it on a blank piece of paper. Decorate the country by drawing and coloring the official flag inside the outline (See below for two examples).
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STEP FOUR: Cut out your map and write the name of the country on the opposite side. Tape a corner of the country on the large African map in the classroom so others can lift up the map to see the country's name on the opposite side.
STEP FIVE: Find out what and where the capital of your African country is. Neatly write the capital name and a star with a circle around it (⍟) under your country map flap on the classroom African map.
STEP FIVE: Find out what and where the capital of your African country is. Neatly write the capital name and a star with a circle around it (⍟) under your country map flap on the classroom African map.
AFRICAN COUNTRY CLUES
BRIAN: Chobe National Park / San bushmen / mopane worms
ADILBEK: Himba people / Hoba meteorite / world's largest sand dunes
FRANCESCO: Once called Rhodesia / Robert Mugabe / 100 trillion dollar note
FEDERICO: Giant Lourenco Marques prawns / Makonde art / Bazaruto Archipelago
MARSEL: Chewa people / "Warm Heart of Africa" / Chongoni Rock Art Area
RIVER: Once called Northern Rhodesia / Tonga people / Kuomboka ceremony
ARTAK: biltong / springbok / apartheid
DARIA K.: cabidela / landmines / giant sable antelope
YANA: Basotho people / Thaba Bosiu / spiral aloe
DARIA M.: lemur / aloalo / Famadihana
LIAM: pangolin / Kota people / iboga plant
STANISLAV: Mokele-mbembe / Kingdom of Loango / Pygmy tribe
NIKOL: Goliath frog /Waza National Park / Lake Nyos
PIOTR: okapi / Boyoma Falls / Once called Zaire
EDGAR: Aka people / Jean-Bédel Bokassa / Dzanga-Sangha Special Reserve
VSEVOLOD: Eric Moussambani / Bioko Island / Francisco Macías Nguema
The Comings and Goings
of the Ku Klux Klan
Deadline: Monday, October 15, 2012 by 08:00
The Ku Klux Klan, often called the KKK or the Klan, is a name of three distinct past and present organizations in the United States. The KKK is often considered a hate group or a terrorist organization because of its tactics to scare minorities or other un-American groups. The origins of the KKK can be traced back to Reconstuction when it began as a secret society that opposed civil rights for African Americans.
Answer the questions about the Ku Klux Klan below on the blog:
1. After the Civil War, the Ku Klux Klan have been more visible and threatening depending on the political and social climate of the times. What three time periods or years have the KKK been in existence?
2. Looking at the three time periods, what major events were occurring in the United States (and around the world) at the same times of the Ku Klux Klan's existence?
3. What minorities or social groups have been targeted by the Ku Klux Klan over time?
4. Why would an organization like the KKK still exist today? Why would someone want to be a part of such a group?
Answer the questions about the Ku Klux Klan below on the blog:
1. After the Civil War, the Ku Klux Klan have been more visible and threatening depending on the political and social climate of the times. What three time periods or years have the KKK been in existence?
2. Looking at the three time periods, what major events were occurring in the United States (and around the world) at the same times of the Ku Klux Klan's existence?
3. What minorities or social groups have been targeted by the Ku Klux Klan over time?
4. Why would an organization like the KKK still exist today? Why would someone want to be a part of such a group?
Assassination!
Deadline: Monday, October 8, 2012 by 08:00
On April 14, 1865, the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln was planned and carried out by John Wilkes Booth. Booth had three other conspirators who were to kill two other people in the Lincoln administration around the same time.
Look at the photos below and do some research on the assassination of President Lincoln. Write the following names and results on the blog post:
Look at the photos below and do some research on the assassination of President Lincoln. Write the following names and results on the blog post:
- Name the two potential targets from the Lincoln administration.
- Name the three other assassins involved in the Lincoln assassination.
- Name the female conspirator who may or may not be involved in the Lincoln assassination.
- With your research, write a short paragraph (a minimum of five sentences) in this blog on:
* What happened to each of the potential targets on April 14, 1865?
* Which assassins were involved with each target?
* What eventually happened to all three of the assassins and the conspirator after
Lincoln's assassination?
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| BONUS 1,000 HOUSE POINTS: Watch the film, The Conspirator, and type an essay (minimun 250-300 words) debating whether the main character in the story was guilty or innocent regarding her involvement to the assassination of President Lincoln. Make sure your explain your reasons why you would defend or convict the conspirator. |  |
Mystery (Blog) Guest
Deadline: Monday, October 1, 2012 by 08:00
| In this week's blog, we have a mystery guest visiting us. Take a look at the man pictured on the left. Who is he? Pay special attention to his outfit for a clue of one of his occupations. If you have Google Goggles on your Smartphone, you may be able to scan his photo and find out his name instantaneously. If you do not have access to Google Goggles, read the clue below that provides a clue to this famous historical figure: Keeping freedmen fed and in the know, His efforts were felt in one famous bureau. Please answer the following questions on the blog: 1. Who is this week's mystery guest? 2. Name two achievements of this famous historical figure. 3. Write one interesting fact about this man. |
Writing an email with a historical question
Deadline: Tuesday, September 25, 2012 by 08:00
This week I would like all of you to write an email to my ES International School account for your blog assignment.
Some of you who are new may be asking, "Where can I find Mr. H.'s email?" If you do not remember it, click on the syllabus box in your grade's history dropbar and open up the syllabus in PDF format.
Make sure your email to my schoool account contains the following points:
- The email needs to start with "Dear Mr. Hendricks,"
- The first paragraph of the email must give a brief introduction of yourself, including:
A) Your full name
B) Your nationality
C) Your age and birthday
D) How long have you have been a historian (or studied history in school)? - The second paragraph is one that requires some thought and a bit of research. You need to ask any historical question you wish from the history we are going to study this year. Check the syllabus on this website for topics we are covering in class or look at the back of your textbook to see a quick listing of the chapters we will study. You can start your second paragraph with, "My historical question that I would like to know the answer to is this: __________________________________?"
- The email should conclude with "Sincerely," and your first and last name.
| NOTE: To write an excellent question, do your best to be specific on a certain subject, event, or person, and ask questions with "How?" or "Why?" Examples:
For fun, you can try and answer the Simpsons questions above on the blog right now and start a debate with your classmates! |  |
BONUS: If your question is "most excellent" in its construction and depth, I will ask you to find a famous historian via the Internet and see if he or she can answer your mind-boggling question. You may earn 1,000 House points if your question is well written and you can find an expert who can provide a suitable answer to it.
Reconstruction Political Cartoon
Deadline: Monday, September 17, 2012 by 08:00
We begin the semester after the American Civil War that lasted from 1861 to 1865 over the issue of slavery and the South's secession (or withdrawl) from the United States. The South formed what was then called the Confederate States of America or the Confederacy.
In 1865, the Confederates surrendered and slavery was abolished everywhere in the nation. The United States, as we will see in Chapter 17, will have a difficult job trying to rebuild a fragmented country economically and socially. This period of rebuilding the nation is known as Reconstruction.
Look at the political cartoon from the Reconstruction Era and answer the questions in the comment box below:
- 1. Who do the three people symbolize in American history?
- 2. Why does the man in the river refuse help from the man holding onto the tree?
- 3. What does the man in the river mean when he says: "This is a white man's government"?
- 4. The man on the shore with a suit is actually a president during the Reconstruction Era. Who is it?
- 5. Looking at the whole picture, what do you think is the main message behind this political cartoon?
MAIN OBJECTIVE: Along with the questions to answer above, I will also be paying special attention to punctuation in your blog post. Don't forget your commas and periods when you read your writing OUT LOUD.
Thank you!
Mr. H.
8TH GRADE
The rules are simple:
1. Check this blog every Monday. Blog writing is part of your homework grade.
2. Write a comment of 5 sentences or more on the weekly blog post or on another student's response.
3. Use correct capitalization and punctuation when writing.
4. Go back and read your comment again OUT LOUD. (This can be to your computer screen or to your dog, if you have one). Edit your mistakes.
5. Make sure your commentary is clean and respectful.
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