Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Don't Forget!

If you are in third period, your vocabulary test is tomorrow. Every other period has the map test tomorrow. Refer to the map key a few posts down from here.

We Are Going to Make A Wordle Collage!


Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Vocab Revisited

Don't forget to revisit the vocabulary testing site I gave you about seven posts ago. It will be of the utmost importance that you practice it!

Map Sites to Practice for Your Map Test

Test Reminders!

You need to take your CC Assessment of the Fall of Rome on Study Island tonight. DO NOT FORGET!!

Tuesday, September 29 - Vocabulary Test for the World of Islam Unit

Wednesday, September 30 - Arab Empires Quiz


Tuesday, September 22, 2015

The State of Tennessee Will Review Social Studies Standards Yet Again

B. Fielding Rolston
Chair, Tennessee State Board of Education
 
Mr. Rolston wrote an article for The Tennessean, the Nashville morning paper, about our state standards. According to Mr. Rolston, there has been such a statewide uproar over our standards, that they must revisit them again. Please click the following link and read the article for class discussion, and encourage your parents to read the article, as well. 
 


Monday, September 21, 2015

Vocabulary Test Link

Click on the following link to practice for your Islam Unit vocabulary test. You can play games, create flashcards, practice in any number of ways until we take the test next Tuesday.

http://www.vocabtest.com/vocabulary_word_test.php?tid=262157

Friday, September 18, 2015

Vocabulary Activities


Here is one of our new vocabulary activities. We'll be using this for the rest of the year, so I am placing a copy on the blog for all those who will ask me for another copy in the future!


For All Those Who Will Need to Access From Home

This is our vocabulary list for the Islam Unit for anyone who forgot a folder at school:


Thursday, September 17, 2015

Our First Map of the Middle East





 

In case you lose it, or dog eats, or your little brother or sister colors all over it and shreds it into tiny pieces....Here's a back-up map! Its a pdf document, so you should be able to print it from home if you want to.

The World of Islam

We have entered into the world of ancient Islam this week, and in view of recent news headlines, I felt like I needed to reiterate to all students what I said in class yesterday:

We are in the business of studying history in this classroom, not religion. Our studies will be focused on culture, scientific, and architectural accomplishments, as well as the progression of the many empires of this world. However, we do have to understand what THEY believe, as far as their religion is concerned since it colors so much of their culture and decision-making. This decision comes from the State of Tennessee Department of Education; not Victoria Morton, Shawn Page, or the SCS Board of Education. I am simply presenting the material that they require in order that your students are prepared for the end of grade testing. Since this is the largest unit we cover, I feel certain that it will be addressed on the test.
Suleiman the Great of the Ottoman Empire

Yesterday, we discussed how the Five Pillars of Islam are the five basic principles of their religion, just as the Ten Commandments are the guiding principles of Christianity and Judaism. However, just because we discuss what they believe religiously, does not mean that anyone in the class is required to believe that it's true. It is simply a fact that these are the Five Pillars of Islam and we have to memorize it as a fact, not take it on as own belief. 

Hope we all understand where we stand with this issue -this is about knowing what another culture believes, not necessarily agreeing with it. 

Help! I've Got a Wish List!

When I told the kids about how much paper it takes to keep us going each week, and how I will probably have to dip into in my pocketbook for the rest of the semester to fulfill how much 156 students require, they immediately said, "You need a wish list!" I didn't really know what a wish list was, because I've never used one! However, my third period girls assure me this is the thing to do. So, here goes....Here is my wish list:

Paper, Paper and more Paper!

If anyone can help with this, it would be most appreciated!! And, thank you in advance!
 
The coffers are bare!