Wednesday Apr 30th

On this last Day of April we finished the Gandhi movie including the events which led to the separation of the newly independent area into two separate and independent states (India and Pakistan).

In addition, we went over the Caste System in India ( Caste ppt )

HW for tonight is: Textbook Page 619 Q's 1-6 as well as the People and Culture pdf ( here )

Tuesday Apr 29th

from guest blogger Joyce…

Tuesday, April 29

Class began with students correcting their tests from yesterday. With the curve at 37, students must score at least a 29 in order to pass. Those who did not pass now have a week to drop by Mr. Gillis for a lovely afternoon test. After, we watched a Daily Show interview with Ramchandra Guha on his book "Gandhi Before India", and finished by watching more of the Gandhi movie. Homework for this chapter is due the day after it is assigned.

--

Joyce

Monday Apr 28th

From guest Blogger Julia…..

Today we took the long anticipated chapter 28 test. After we finished we had time to work on our homework for tonight (610 Q's 1-4, 611 Q's 1-4,) or our maps. Chapter 29 test will be next Monday. 

-- Julia

Sunday Apr 27th

Jeopardy review for the Chapter 28 test - ( review here )

Friday Apr 25th

Friday Apr 25th

Today we continued with the Gandhi presentation as well as a short video clip depicting Gandhi giving a speech regarding the "Representation of India." We also started a DBQ of Non-Violent Resistance and the role it played in for Gandhi, Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela - see link to DBQ ( here )

Chapter 28 Test will be on Monday - I will make a jeopardy game for review - check back here and the website this week-end

Mr G.

Thursday Apr 24th

from guest blogger Joyce....

Thursday, April 24

Today, class began with us taking notes on Gandhi's earlier life. We watched a segment of the movie on Gandhi to follow up. Today was also the last day to retake the Middle East mapping test. Along with the textbook problems tonight, there is also a PDF to be completed for homework and turned in along with the rest of the homework on Monday, when the Chapter 28 Test is scheduled to take place.

--

Joyce

Wednesday Apr 23rd

From guest blogger Julia....

Class started by going over the worksheet (about the negatives and positives of imperialism in India) from yesterday. After, there was a presentation on the Sepoy Rebellion, which is on the website if needed. The Sepoy video (also on the website) should be watched by tomorrow if it was not shown in class. Chapter 28 workbook pages will be due (finished) on Monday before the test. 

- Julia

Tuesday Apr 22nd

 From guest blogger Joyce....

Tuesday, April 22

Class time today began with us watching a quick video on imperialism (Crash Course- Imperialism). After, we worked on a worksheet that explained different viewpoints on the effect of imperialism in India, and negative and positive effects it had on India. This should be completed for tomorrow, when we will go over the high quality, completed, on time work that every student brings to our beloved class. Side note: the final exemption grade is a 95%, so maybe you should actually bring in the work.


DBQ from class

--
Joyce

Monday Apr 21st

Please bring this doc with you for class Tuesday - India DBQ

From guest blogger Joyce... Monday, April 21 Students pranced into the classroom 0 period with the enthusiasm of mourners entering a funeral home after being away from their loving and wonderful school so long, forced to go on a week long break that no one wanted (Sarcasm will get you through the next 6 weeks). We started a new unit on Asia; all of the homework from this chapter will be collected on the day of the Chapter 28 test, which will be Monday next week. We also received political and physical maps on Asia, along with a list of items to label in order to help our students to at least learn the difference between Japan, North Korea, and South Korea. -- Joyce

DonorsChoose

I have posted a project on DonorsChoose.org for a new presentation cart. See details below…. I want to make sure my students have the materials they need to succeed. So I've created a classroom project request at DonorsChoose.org, an award-winning charity. I'm asking for donations of any size to help my students. For the next four days, any donation you make to my project will be doubled by 100 Women in Hedge Funds (up to $500). If you know anyone who is passionate about education, please pass this along. Your donation will brighten my students' school year, and you'll get photos and thank yous from our class. Here's my classroom request: http://www.donorschoose.org/project/presentation-podiumcart/1215940/?rf=email_system_2014_04_teacherid_1633416&challengeid=273872/ To have your donation matched dollar for dollar, enter the promo code 100WOMEN on the payment screen. This awesome match offer lasts through April 17. My students and I greatly appreciate your support. Mr. Gillis

Friday Apr 11th

Today was the last day of the 12 week grading period and the last school day before Spring Break. We spent the period finishing the documentary "The Square" about the Arab Spring Uprising in Egypt. Have a good Spring Break, only 6 weeks of school left.

Thursday Apr 10th

from guest blogger Joyce... Thursday, April 10th We corrected our Middle East map tests today in class. The curve was first set at 43 (100%) by Amanda Chen (of course). Those who didn't receive at least 79%, or 34, have won a free lunchtime date with the ever popular Mr. Gillis and an exciting yet very familiar test retake. We then spent the rest of class continuing to watch "The Square", a documentary on the Egyptian revolution. -- Joyce

Wednesday Apr 9th

Today was the final test prior to Spring Break. The Middle East Political and Physical Test.

At the conclusion of the test, Zero Period was the class that got the honor of taking a picture to be sent to Google for their generous donation to DonorChoose.org to fund our new class LCD.

see pic below (click on pic to enlarge)

Tuesday Apr 8th

From guest blogger Joyce

Tuesday, March 8

Today in class, we turned in the six questions that were answered using the interview with King Abdullah on the Daily Show (here). Afterwards, we watched several videos: the first one on the Palestine-Israel problem and solution, the next on female suicide bombers, and a minuscule portion of a clip showing former CIA agent Michael Scheuer's stand on what to do in Israel. We also found that a majority of people have not turned in all three of the religion questions (and we all know that the blank Sheet of Shame isn't the best indicator of how aware we are of due dates and assignments).

-- 

Joyce

Friday March 4th

From guest blogger Joyce....

Friday, March 4

Today in history, Pocahontas married John Rolfe (which Disney actually did get it right in the sequel), Helen Keller learned the breakthrough word "water", George Washington cast the first presidential veto, and Winston Churchill resigned as British Prime Minister. In class, we finished watched a TED talk about to change a negative mindset about stress, read two articles on the qualities that lead to success from differing viewpoints, and finished the religion work. There are Venn Diagram examples on the class website.

--

Joyce

Thursday Apr 3rd

from Guest blogger Joyce...

Thursday, April 3

Today in class, we (should have) finished the religion project questions. Students should keep their answers; many of you have informed me that you have become acquainted with the Sheet of Shame (or Fame, if anyone who would be offended asks), which should answer any question regarding the due date. Remember to print out the PDFs (from a week ago) in order to complete the religion comparison chart and Venn Diagram.

And eat a banana. They're good for you (and of course we want what's good for you).  

--

Joyce

Wednesday Apr 2nd

from Guest Blogger Joyce (with some editing by Mr G)

Wednesday, April 2

Class today was spent working on the religion questions of the other groups. The completed work will be turned in on Friday (Friday. Friday. Friday. Friday. Friday. And for the especially slow ones, aka 50% of 0 period: FRIDAY) so that we can use Friday to fill out the Venn Diagrams and the comparative religion chart. Tomorrow will also be another day in order to work on completing the questions.

And why, why, why couldn't we make the bananas work?

--

Joyce

Tuesday Apr 1st

Tuesday Apr 1st

Ancient cultures, including those of the Romans and Hindus, celebrated New Year's Day on or around April 1. It closely follows the vernal equinox (March 20th or March 21st.) In medieval times, much of Europe celebrated March 25, the Feast of Annunciation, as the beginning of the new year.

In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII ordered a new calendar (the Gregorian Calendar) to replace the old Julian Calendar. The new calendar called for New Year's Day to be celebrated Jan. 1. That year, France adopted the reformed calendar and shifted New Year's day to Jan. 1. According to a popular explanation, many people either refused to accept the new date, or did not learn about it, and continued to celebrate New Year's Day on April 1. Other people began to make fun of these traditionalists, sending them on "fool's errands" or trying to trick them into believing something false. Eventually, the practice spread throughout Europe.

Today in class was spent finishing the Religion posters and answering the questions associated with the group Poster.