Mr. Pennay's Classroom Blog

http://themiddleages.tripod.com/images/fstm.jpgToday we finished up our simulation showing how the feudal system worked. Tonight, I want you to write from the perspective of the character you were assigned in the simulation. If you were a serf, write as though you were a serf, if you were a knight, write as though you were a knight, etc..

Write at least 250 words on your experience. Write about the job you had to do, how you felt about your job, your impressions of the other classes, what it was like when you were attacked, etc… Make your entry as vivid and real as you can. Use lots of descriptive language. Also, you should respond to at least one of the other posts from another class.

One of the most important inventions of all time: The Light Bulb

This week we are talking about the impact of Chinese inventions on the world. For your blog, I’d like you to make a case for the invention that you believe has had the greatest impact on the world. You can choose any invention in the history of the world, and your task is to persuade the other people on this blog that you are right.

1) Tell us what the invention is.Who invented it? When was it invented? Why was it initially invented? (50- 100 words)

2) Give us at least 3 compelling reasons why this is the most important invention of all time.

3) Argue against the invention of at least two other people.(Remember, you cannot attack the person but you can attack the idea. Remain civil, and make your points through reason.)

Good luck, I look forward to reading your thoughts.

For this week’s blog, I’d like you to visit the following website:

http://typology.people-press.org/typology/

As we study the beginnings of political parties in the United States, I want you to begin to think about your own beliefs as far as politics go. The website above will give you a political typology that ranges on the political spectrum from far right to far left with many different types in between. Your assignment is to take the quiz, read what the results say about your political beliefs, and do the following:

1) Write down your political typology.

2) Summarize what the results say about you in a paragraph (50-100 words)

3) React to the results. Do you agree with what the survey says? Do you disagree? Which parts sound the most like you? Which parts do you disagree with? (50-100 words at least)

4) Respond to at least 2 other people about their posts.

Chinese New Year celebration in New York

This week we begin our study of China during the Middle Ages.

Part of being a good citizen is being aware of and taking an interest in the important events in the world around you.  For your blog this week, you should:

1) Find a story about a current event in China. (Use the  China Daily. This is an English language paper published by the state-run media. We’ll talk about what this means in class)

2) Summarize the story in 50-100 words.

3) Comment on the story in 50-100 words. Give your reaction to or analysis of the story.

4) Respond to the posting of at least 2 classmates. We will choose these in class. Your response to their posting should be at least a paragraph.

Good luck, I look forward to reading and responding to your thoughts.

A West African griot

We are currently studying West Africa and the cultural legacy of Medieval West African Civilizations.

Part of being a good citizen is being aware of and taking an interest in the important events that take place in the world around you.  For your blog this week, you should:

1) Find a story that originates in West Africa and is of interest to you. (Use Focus on Ghana or The New Ghanian to find stories in West Africa)

2) Summarize the story in 50-100 words.

3) Comment on the story in 50-100 words. Give your reaction to or analysis of the story.

4) Respond to the posting of at least 2 classmates. Your response to their posting should be at least a paragraph.

Part of being a good citizen is being aware of and taking an interest in the important events that take place in your community. For your blog this week, you should:

1) Find a local story that is of interest to you. (Use KHTS or The Signal to find local stories)

2) Summarize the story in 50-100 words.

3) Comment on the story in 50-100 words. Give your reaction to or analysis of the story.

4) Respond to the posting of at least 2 classmates. Your response to their posting should be at least a paragraph.

5) Extra Credit: Create an account on one of the websites, and post your comments in response to the article. Then send me the link with your comment. Remember, only use your first name when commenting, and do not post any identifying information (school, age, address, phone, etc…)

A guide leads a caravan across the Sahara desert.

As we study the Sub-Saharan gold and salt trade, we are examining two essential questions: “What makes something valuable?” and “What happens when two cultures collide?”

In this post, I’d like you to post at least one of your rough draft diary entries, and be sure to address the questions above as you write about your experience as a salt trader. For example, I will write from the point of view of a salt miner in Taghaza.

This morning began like all others in the desert. A sliver of hot sunshine sliced through the crack of my tent and alerted me to the coming of morning. Yesterday, while shaping the salt into a slab, I nicked my index finger. But I could not stop my work, as I am paid by the slab. Now, my right hand, dry as a handful of afternoon sand, throbs with every movement. As I emerge from the tent, I see the Arabic traders facing East on their mats. Many of the villagers have begun to join them for their morning prayers, and Ibn assures me that there is enough room in the kingdom of Allah for all of us, but I am unsure. After their prayers, Ibn and his men begin to load the slabs of salt from beside the mine. It fills me with pride to see them admire the precision with which I cut my slabs. I know they will earn many mithqars for my work at the market.

As you can see, the entry addresses both of the essential questions (the Arabs and Africans praying together shows what happens when two cultures collide, and we see how the salt is valued by the miner and the traders).

In addition to posting one section of your rough draft, you must give feedback and suggestions for improvement to two other people. You will arrange the feedback with others during class time. Full credit for this assignment means that you have done the following:

1) Posted your entry.

2) Given feedback to two other people. (We will model this in class on Monday).

The first post is due on Monday (along with your complete rough draft). The feedback will be due on Tuesday.