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West Sylvan Middle School
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History

QUIZZES/TESTS & PROJECTS:

There will be a series of quizzes, a test, or major project for each unit of study and perhaps a semester final.  This year we will be studying  the Fall of Ancient Rome, Middle Ages, Islam, and the Renaissance and Reformation.  Please pay attention to the planner for updates on projects, quizzes, and test dates.

Quizzes/Tests can, and often do, follow readings and lectures.  I try to impress upon students that paying attention the first time (whether in reading or listening) is essential to long-term success.  Being purposeful, rather than just getting the task done as soon as possible, lends itself to better understanding or, at the very least, asking good questions that can help lead to better understanding.  Quizzes are normally short and sweet—ten or less simple questions.

There are two versions of each test available for students.  One test will have vocabulary, multiple choice, a map, and identification questions.  The other version will have vocabulary, a map, and short answer questions.  Those students who desire a challenge (or who I deem need a challenge) will take the test with the short answer questions.  I am not an easy evaluator so the short answer test will be difficult.


ASSIGNMENTS:

We will be doing a lot of map work, some note taking, answer reflective questions, and a host of other various tasks.  The shape, form, and due date of the assignments is wide-ranging, so please pay close attention to the planner sheet.

Additionally, the quantity, breadth, and depth of assignments vary from unit to unit.  Student diligence in the completion of the assignments in a timely manner will help their grade immensely.

World Geography
World Continents map
Latitude and Longitude map

link to "World Geography Games" for the seas, lakes, rivers, mountain ranges, etc. maps 
(http://world-geography-games.com/)


Ancient Rome
"The Geography and the Early Development of Rome" (chapter 32: pages 308-315)
"The Rise of the Roman Republic" (chapter 33: pages 316-321)
"From Republic to Empire" (chapter 34: pages 321-333)
"Daily Life in the Roman Republic" (chapter 35: pages 334-345)
"The Origins and Spread of Christianity" (chapter 36: pages 346-359)
"The Legacy of Rome in the Modern World" (chapter 37: pages 360-374)

Ancient Rome Timeline

Barbarians
Barbarian Project instructions
Historical Fiction guidelines
Historical Fiction rubric

Historical Fiction Persona character biography sheet
Outline Basics
How to Create a Bibliography

websites for creating a bibliography:
  • EasyBib (http://www.easybib.com/)
  • Citation Machine (http://www.citationmachine.net/)
  • Cite this for Me (https://www.citethisforme.com/)


Islam
"The Geography of the Arabian Peninsula" (chapter 7: pages 74-81)
Arabian Peninsula map & chapter assignment [PDF]
*complete pages 41 & 44-48

"The Prophet Muhammad" (chapter 8: pages 82-91)
"The Teachings of Islam" (chapter 9: pages 92-103)
Teaching of Islam reading notes assignment [PDF]

"Contributions of Muslims to World Civilization" (chapter 10: pages 104-117)
"From the Crusades to New Muslim Empires" (chapter 11: pages 118-129)
middle east map & items to identify [PDF]


West Africa
"Early Societies in West Africa" (chapter 12: pages 132-143)
"Ghana a West African Trading Empire" (chapter 13: pages 144-153)
"Influence of Islam of West Africa" (chapter 14: pages 154-163)
"Cultural Legacy of West Africa" (chapter 15: pages 164-171)


Imperial China
"The Political Development of Imperial China" (chapter 16: pages 174-185)
"China Develops a New Economy" (chapter 17: pages 186-193)
"Chinese Discoveries and Inventions" (chapter 18: pages 194-203)
"China's Contacts with the Outside World" (chapter 19: pages 204-211)


Japan During Medieval Times
"The Influence of Neighboring Cultures on Japan" (chapter 20: pages 214-227)
"The Influence of Neighboring Cultures on Japan" presentation [PDF]

"Heian-kyo: the Heart of Japan's Golden Age" (chapter 21: pages 228-239)
"Heian-kyo: the Heart of Japan's Golden Age" presentation [PDF]

"The Rise of the Warrior Class in Japan" (chapter 22: pages 240-251)
"The Rise of the Warrior Class in Japan" presentation [PDF]

Civilizations of the Americas
"The Maya" (chapter 23: pages 254-269)
"The Aztecs" (chapter 24: pages 270-277)
"Daily Life in Tenochtitlan" (chapter 25: pages 278-287)
"The Incas" (chapter 26: pages 288-299)
"Achievements of the Maya, Aztecs, & Incas" (chapter 27: pages 300-307)


Middle Ages
The Story of the Middle Ages by Samuel B. Harding
"Introduction"
"The Ancient Germans"
"Breaking the Frontier"

Storyline
The following were used to help students create their character biography:
  • "character biography"
  • "character builder"
  • "character sketch"


This is the sheet for the finalized character biography:
  • "Storyline Character" [Microsoft Word]
  • "Storyline Character" [PDF]


Links to help create the visual for the storyline character:
  • proportional division of face:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oEY9KGdAEco/U1gjmED0urI/AAAAAAAABUA/KyBrZYaNceA/s1600/Figure+Drawing+For+Dummies+-Mantesh-99.jpg
  • example head:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7TRgBmkdJgk/U1gLntGBpzI/AAAAAAAABO4/4TzsCGdumwk/s1600/Figure+Drawing+For+Dummies+-Mantesh-78.jpg
  • face shapes:
http://myurbaneve.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/faceshapecollage.jpg
  • ears:
https://cms-assets.tutsplus.com/uploads/users/110/posts/20683/image/ear-shapes.jpg
  • lips:
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/5d/8d/33/5d8d33cea3fa620fab7a24d6a9604852.jpg
  • eyes: (careful...some stereotypes)
http://media.trusper.net/u/c019e38d-e987-4866-be2a-0a0adc38e98f.jpg
  • eye tilt:
http://www.ratemydrawings.com/tutorials/images/178_160287.jpg
  • eyelids and eye sockets:
http://www.ratemydrawings.com/tutorials/images/178_402190.jpg
  • eyebrows:
https://torricelumngirl.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/blog.png
  • types of noses:
http://www.buzzle.com/images/people/facial-features/nose-types.jpg​
  •  nose profiles:
http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2014/124/5/b/nose_chart_reference_by_macawnivore-d7h155q.jpg

Materials to help with Storyline Entries:
illustrated Middle Ages to help with Storyline entries [PDF]
      ***it is a large file and will take a while to download


Reading and other Assignments:
"The Legacy of the Roman Empire" (chapter 1: pages 6-17)
Legacy of the Roman Empire student assignment (concentrate on pages 8 & 9)

"The Development of Feudalism in Western Europe" (chapter 2: pages 18-29)
"The Role of the Church in Medieval Europe" (chapter 3: pages 30-41)
The Role of the Church in Medieval Europe reading notes assignment (ignore page 15)

"Life in Medieval Towns" (chapter 4: pages 42-51)
Life in Medieval Towns reading notes assignment (students can bypass page 21, but it is interesting)

"The Decline of Feudalism" (chapter 5: pages 52-59)
"The Byzantine Empire" (chapter 6: pages 60-67)
Byzantine Empire reading notes assignment (review and complete pages 32-33 & 36-37)

The Dark Ages (video link)


Renaissance & Reformation
"The Renaissance Begins" (chapter 28: pages 315-321)
Renaissance Begins guided reading notes assignment [PDF] (use pages 192-193)

"Florence: The Cradle of the Renaissance" (chapter 29: pages 322-331)
Florence guided reading notes assignment [PDF] (use pages 197-202)

"Leading Figures of the Renaissance" (chapter 30: pages 332-345)

"The Reformation" class presentation [PDF]
"The Reformation Begins" (chapter 31: pages 346-355)
"The Spread and Impact of the Reformation" (chapter 32: pages 356-367)

"The Age of Exploration" (chapter 33: pages 372-387)
"The Scientific Revolution" (chapter 34: pages 388-397)
"The Enlightenment" (chapter 35: pages 398-409)

Children's History Book Project
"Plot Pitch" [PDF]
"Writing Tips" [PDF]
"Storyboard Template" [PDF]
"Publishing Tips" [PDF]
"Grading Rubric" [PDF]