Invention of the Printing Press

Today, students learned about the most important invention of the Medieval era.  Students were given a short paragraph with intricate designs to copy.  Students discovered how difficult it would be to handwrite books.  The invention led to the spread of knowledge and ideas.  The first work to be printed was the Latin bible.  Next, students checked their quizzes from Wednesday.  

Return of the Black Death and Study Guide

Today, students will finish watching the video about a return of the Black Death in Madagascar.  After the video, students will use the World Culture book to complete a study guide about the Middle Ages.  This will be due on Tuesday of next week. 

Crusades 

Black Death Quiz

Today, students apply their knowledge of the Black Death to a quiz.  After the quiz students began watching a video about the return of the Black Death in different locations throughout the world.  The video focused on a remote area in Madgascar.  However, there have been outbreaks as close as the southwestern United States.

Black Death Kahoot Review

PToday, students participated in a kahoot review to prepare for the quiz on Wednesday.  The quiz looked at places, symptoms, conditions of medieval Europe, ways to fix problems and modern day cures.  Before the kahoot, students watched a short video about the Flagellants.  The Flagellants were a group of people that travel from village to village whipping themselves to remove their sins and end the plague.  Below is the key points for the quiz.

Symptoms 

Conditions of cities 

Where did it start

How did it spread? 

Prevention of Black Death 

Black Death Simulation

Today, students participated in simulation of the Black Plague that swept through Europe in the 14th century.  Students were provided with a travel itinerary at each city they rolled a due to see if they would get the Plague or Cholera.  Students that perished had to answer questions to review for the quiz on Wednesday.  Approximately 50% of the students did not make it all the way through the trip.  This number is similar to numbers in European cities.

Black Death

Today, students read an article and watched two videos on the plague.  This will help prepare students for the quiz next week.  There is a link to the videos below. 

http://www.history.com/topics/black-death/videos/coroners-report-plague

http://www.history.com/topics/black-death/videos/the-black-death-begins

Medieval Plague Doctor

Medieval City Improvement Plan

Today, students worked in teams to create improvement plans for a medieval city similar to London.  They will need to pick to of the worst problems to fix.  It will require teams to develop a project, materials and financing to fix the problem.  

Filthy Medieval City Improvement Plan

Today, students checked their study guide pg. 84-89.  After checking the assignment, students finished watching the video Filthy Cities - Medieval London.  Students will use their notes to work with a team to create improvement plans for a medieval city.  The teams will be expected to create a project, materials for the project and financing for the project. Teams will finish this activity on Thursday. 

Filthy Cities - Medieval London

Today, I was out of the building so students started watching a video to understand the issues in medieval cities that led to the spread of the Black Plague.  Students will take notes on the problems that impacted the cities.  On Wednesday, students will use their notes to create a plan to solve problems in the city.  There is a link to the video below.

Filthy Cities - Medieval London

Feudalism Scenario Quiz

Today, students checked their understanding of Feudalism through a scenario quiz.  Students were asked the following question, "Your manor is attacked by Vikings.  They kill four of your serfs and burn all the wheat harvest.  What should you do and how will this impact the local Feudal system?  Make sure to include the roles we discussed on Friday."  After completing the quiz students worked with a partner to finish study guide pg. 84-89 in the World Cultures book.  It is due on Wednesday. 

Feudalism Simulation

Today, students participated in a Feudalism simulation to understand society during the Middle Ages. Students observed how different social classes depended on eachother for land, food, and protection.  Students will have a entrance quiz on Monday at the beginning of class. 

Transition from Rome to Dark Ages

Today, students watched a short video to  understand how Europe changed after the fall of the Roman Empire.  They created a list of possible changes (shown below).  Next, students raced against the clock to get books and worksheets to work on.  The goals is to build a foundation of medieval era knowledge.

Second Seminar Day and Make up Day (April 12th and 13th)

Yesterday, some students participated in the seminar, while others wrote a short essay about the great achievement of Rome.  Today, students did a make up seminar to provide evidence of the proficiency level.  Some students had to turn in the essay about an achievement.  I will be grading the seminar, essay and study packet this week.  Many students did an amazing job showing their learning.  I  was very impressed!

Next on our learning journey - Medieval Europe

Seminar and Achievements Day 1

Today, half the class participated in the seminar.  The other half wrote a short essay giving their opinion on the greatest achievement of the Roman Empire.  The essay was turned in during class.  Any make-ups and retakes will take place on Wednesday.  I was impressed by the number of students participating successfully in the discussion.  

Last chance to prepare for the Seminar

Learning Goals -

I can identify the contributing factors that led to the rise and fall of Roman culture and society.

I can examine the factors and events that played a role in Rome's transition Republic to Empire

Today, students followed a late start schedule due to Iowa Assessments at the beginning of the day.  Each class period is only 28 minutes.  Students completed Social Studies, Spelling and Capitalization tests.  Students watched a five minute video discussing the strength of the Roman army and corrected primary source document F.  

Reminder - Socratic Seminar on Monday and Tuesday

Achievement Essay on Monday and Tuesday

Iowa Assessments Day 3 - Achievements

Learning Goals -

I can identify the contributing factors that led to the rise and fall of Roman culture and society.

I can examine the factors and events that played a role in Rome's transition Republic to Empire

Today, students followed a late start schedule due to Iowa Assessments at the beginning of the day.  Each class period is only 28 minutes.  Students completed Math Part 1, Math Part and Computation.  Students worked on their seminar questions and what is the greatest achievement of the Roman Empire.

Iowa Assessments Day 2 - Seminar Prep

Learning Goals -

I can identify the contributing factors that led to the rise and fall of Roman culture and society.

I can examine the factors and events that played a role in Rome's transition Republic to Empire

Today, students followed a late start schedule due to Iowa Assessments at the beginning of the day.  Each class period is only 28 minutes.  Students completed the Written Expression. Science, and Puncuation sections today. During class, students checked document E before working on their seminar questions for the rest of class.

Iowa Assessments Day 1 - Seminar Prep

Learning Goals -

I can identify the contributing factors that led to the rise and fall of Roman culture and society.

I can examine the factors and events that played a role in Rome's transition Republic to Empire

Today, students followed a late start schedule due to Iowa Assessments at the beginning of the day.  Each class period is only 28 minutes.  Students put together a study packet for the seminar.  Next, students checked document D from their Fall of Rome packet.  Some students had time to work on their seminar questions.

Huns 

Seminar Quiz and prep

Learning Goals -

I can identify the contributing factors that led to the rise and fall of Roman culture and society.

I can examine the factors and events that played a role in Rome's transition Republic to Empire

Today, students took a short quiz to assist in creating groups for the seminar.  After the quiz, students received a list of seminar questions to begin preparing. Students finished class by working on primary source documents D,E, F related to the fall of Rome.

Antonin Plague