Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Do Now! Review these award winning National History Day website projects

Take a look at these three website projects from past National History Day competitions.  All three were done by students in grades seven and eight and all three won the competition.  Use the links to view each website.


The Easter Rising.  A junior group website that won the Irish or Irish-American History Award at the national competition last year.

The Silent Stand.  A junior individual website that won the national competition in 2017.

Flying Towards the Future. A junior group website that won the national  competition in 2015.

Making an informative website is just one of five National History Day projects you can choose from.

Monday, November 26, 2018

Hugo Cabret Essay Outlines

Students may use these templates and guidelines for writing their five paragraph essays on Hugo Cabret.

Introduction: You may use the following frame for your introduction paragraph or you may write your own.

   The sound of clicking heels. A battered automaton. Movies. These are three of the many motifs author Bryan Selznick employs in his novel,  The Invention of Hugo Cabret. Selznick utilizes motifs, or repeated story elements, to develop characters, advance the plot, and highlight themes. In the novel, (students add 2-3 sentences explaining the basic plot). Three key motifs in the story are ________________, _________________, and _________________.


Body Paragraphs:  Follow this outline to write seven sentence body paragraphs.


  1. Transition word and introduce the motif.
  2. Explain how the motif is used.  Does it show character, plot or the book's message?
  3. Set up the quote. What's going on in the story at that moment?
  4. Quote (put the page number of the quote in parenthesis.)
  5. Explain the importance of the quote. What it shows about the motif and how that motif shows character, plot or the message of the book. 
  6. Continue explaining the importance of the quote.
  7. Finish explaining the importance of the quote.
Conclusion paragraph:  You may use the following frame to write your conclusion or you may write your own.

     In conclusion, Selznick skillfully uses motifs to _______________, ________________ and ______________ in his novel The Invention of Hugo Cabret.  Of the many motifs he uses __________, __________________, and ______________ are crucial in gaining a deeper understanding of the story.  Just as cogs and wheels bring the automaton to life, Selznick uses motifs _______________________________________________.


Please see me in person if you have any questions. 


Type your essay in MLA format. 

Proofread it for each of the following items:

  • MLA format heading, spacing and font.
  • Capital letters: 1st word of each sentence, all names, the title, I.
  • Period (space) Next word.  Be sure to put a space or two after every period, question mark and exclamation point.
  • Transition words. Use at least two per paragraph. See the lists in your English journal.
  • Quote sandwiches.  Use on per body paragraph.
    • use " " around the quote.
    • set the quote off with commas.
    • write three sentences after the quote explaining what it shows.


Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Islam and West Africa Unit Test

Be prepared to write a long paragraph to answer this question:

How did the distant regions of the world (West Africa, North Africa, and Middle East/Asia) become more interconnected through the spread of Islam, the gold/salt trade and Mansa Musa's hajj?

The test will include multiple choice and short answer questions covering these topics:

  • The life of Muhammad
  • The basic principals of Islam
  • How the Islamic caliphate spread across North Africa into Southern Europe to become an empire twice as large as Rome.
  • The gold/salt trade in West Africa
  • Mansa Musa
  • Ibn Battuta
  • How Mali became a site of encounter
  • The effects of the exchanges at Mali
Review your study guide and your history spiral.  

Reread the handouts and articles you have in your binder.

Watch the short videos posted below.




Check back here later for more videos.  I'll post more when I find them.




Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Do Now! for Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018

Use the U.C. Davis Interactive Map to answer the following questions.


  1. What trade circle is Timbuktu located in?
  2. What are two other major trade cities in this circle?
  3. What is the most common method of travel used in this trade circle?
  4. What is one other trade circle that overlaps with Timbuktu's?
Write all of your answers in your history spiral in complete sentences.  Be sure to include the question in your answer.  For example, you could answer question number one like this...

Timbuktu is located in the ........................... trade circle.

or.

The trade circle Timbuktu is located in is called ....................... . 





Monday, October 29, 2018

Do Now for Monday, Oct. 29, 2018

Use the interactive map at U.C. Davis to answer the following questions.

Write your answers in a complete sentence that restates the question.

  1. Which trade circle is Jenne a part of?
  2. If you took the southern trade route from Timbuktu to Cairo, what two other cities would you pass through?
  3. Did the Black Death reach Timbuktu?
  4. What is one city that both Marco Polo and Ibn Battuta visited?
  5. What state (or nation) was Timbuktu a part of in 1279?
Write your answers in your history spiral.


Tuesday, October 23, 2018

My Journey with Mansa Musa

Use your six journal entries to create an illustrated selection of excerpts about your journey with Mansa Musa as part of his hajj caravan.

You can choose either of the structures pictured here for your book.

Follow these steps to create your book.

  1. Take three pieces of long paper
  2. Fold one end about half an inch and make a sharp crease.
  3. Glue the folded edge to a second piece of paper. 
  4. Repeat with  your third piece of paper.
  5. Cut off the extra edge to make your three pages even.

Now you can add content to your book. Begin by cutting out three maps of North Africa and three blank pieces of paper.  Glue one to the left hand side of each page front and back.  Do not glue anything on the right hand side at this time.

To make your excerpt follow these steps.
  1. Begin by rereading all of your journal entries with a highlighter.
  2. Highlight the portion of each entry you want to excerpt.
    1. Be sure to include historical information from each document.  This is an important part of the overall grade for this book.
    2. Highlight between 50 and 100 words.
  3. Type up your excerpts in Google Docs.
    1. Before you begin, set up a two-column document to produce the correct margins.
    2. Give each entry a heading including location, month, year, time of day.  Center this.
    3. Use left justify for the rest of your excerpt.
    4. You may use a "handwriting" type font.
    5. Skip several lines between each journal entry.
  4. Print this document after you have proofread it.
  5. Cut out the journal excerpts and glue them into  your book. 
  6. Use the maps to show the locations of three journal entries and the route you have taken by that time.  
  7. Use the blank pages to create illustrations for three journal entries. One of these should be a picture of Mansa Musa or something closely related to him.
  8. Add other creative touches to your book that you  can think of.
  9. Make sure your full name is clearly visible on the front of your book.
Books are due on Thursday. This is an 80% project.  Your full  journal entries will be included in your grade.


Friday, October 19, 2018

Do Now! Welcome to Walata

Walata was a trading center at the southern edge of the Sahara. It was the last stop before entering the desert for caravans heading north, like one on Mansa Musa's Hajj.

You'll stop there to write diary entry #2.

One feature of desert towns like this one was the date palm which was used for everything from a food source to roofing materials.

You'll be sitting under a date palm to write diary entry #2.

To see what they look like, look at the picture below. 

For your Do Now! make a sketch of a date palm in your history spiral.  You may use any available space to sketch: next to or below your diary entries. You may even sketch your date palm in the margin.


Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Automaton One-Pager Assignment (for English only)


Create a one-pager on Maillardet's automaton using text and images to creatively highlight the most important information. Be sure to include the following:
  • The definition of automaton (the plural is automata)
  • A description of the automaton's history, including its creation and creator; how it was damaged; and the roles Charles Penninman, Bryan Selznick, and Andy Baron played in restoring the device; and its influence on the novel, The Invention of Hugo Cabret.
  • A description of how Maillardet's automaton works and its capabilities
You can use these links to complete the one-pager assignment about Maillardet's automaton.

CBS Sunday Morning video The Lost Art of Automata Lives Again


The Maillardet automaton in action


Read Andrew Baron’s essay

Friday, October 5, 2018

Book Report #1: The Hero's Journey

Create a hero's journey poster for you book like we did for the short story "Rikki Tikki-Tavi."

Make your poster on large paper.  You may use any size or color.

Posters should include:


  • Your name.
  • The title and author of the book.
  • A circle for the ordinary world and the world of adventure.
  • Elements of the hero's journey listed around the circle.  These should include a short paragraph describing how this element works in your book.
  • Artwork showing the elements of the hero's journey in your book.
You may do this report/project on any book you have read this semester. 

This is an 80% project so I expect to see considerable time and effort put into it for a higher grade.

Due Tuesday, October 9.


Friday, September 14, 2018

What happened when Pope Leo met Attila the Hun

As you know from this week's class, Attila the Hun was set to attack the city of Rome in 452 C.E.  To prevent an attack, Pope Leo took a group of his men out to meet with Attila.  Afterwards, Attila took his army an left instead of attacking.

Why?

Paul the Deacon claimed that Saint Peter and Saint Paul appeared at Pope Leo's side holding swords above his head. This is basically what Raphael's painting shows.   Prosper of Aquitane says Leo trusted in God and that he impressed Attila but he makes no mention of Peter or Paul.

What really happened?

Select one of these explanations.  Pick the one you think is the most plausible.


What really happened when Leo met Atilla

Leo convinced Attila to become a Christian.
Leo threatened him with his superior army.
Leo spoke with enough confidence that he convince Attila to embrace peace.
Leo set a trap for Attila so Attila had to agree with him or face death.
Attila was not that loyal to his own troops, so he easily agreed with Leo.
Leo paid Attila not to invade.
Leo set up illusions/tricks to make it look like Peter and Paul really appeared.
Leo was clearly armed so well that Attila decided it was too risky to attack.
Since Attila's army was exhausted from their recent defeat in Gaul, he decided it was better not to risk losing a second battle.
Attila changed his mind to please God.
Created with SurveyMaker
After you have voted, leave a comment to explain why you made your choice to possibly earn brownies for your class. Number and quality of comments will determine which class gets brownies.

For more about Attila the Hun see this National Geographic Article

You might also check this short article on History.com

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Monday, September 10, 2018

Long Vowel Words

Here are some long vowel words.  Just in case you need some for your spelling homework.

Long a

propane; prepay; matron; say; retrain

Long e

reason; secrete; baby; wheel; tee; become

Long i

blight; rind;  bike; bicycle; typhoon

Long o

roam; burrow; golden; propose; provocation

Long u

misconstrue; yew; flute; pusillanimous


Can you think of some good examples?  Leave them in a comment.


Thursday, September 6, 2018

Do Now! What Time Is It?

What Time is It?

What is the difference between B.C., B.C.E., A.D. and  C.E.?

Write down each of the following abbreviations and the words they stand for in your spiral.

B.C. - Before Christ
A.D. - Anno Domini
B.C.E. - Before common era.
C.E. - Common era.

Of these four terms, the first one to come into use was A.D. or Anno Domini which means "Year of our Lord."  This was invented in 525 by a monk named Dionysius Exiguus.   Dionysius claimed he had determined the year of Jesus Christ's birth.  Since he was a Christian monk, he wanted a new calendar that measured each year based on Christ's birth. A.D. 525 was five hundred and twenty five years after the birth of Christ.

It would be several hundred years later when the term B.C. for "before Christ" came into use.

While Christianity is still the largest religion in the world, according to the Pew Research Center,  only 31.2% of the world is Christian.  Since there are many more non-Christians in the world, two new terms which do not refer to Christ have come into use: B.C.E. for "before common era" and C.E. for "common era."  The term C.E. or "common era" was first used in 1708, so it has been around for a long time.  These terms are now used in most history text books throughout the world.

While the terms have changed the years have not.  B.C.E. still counts down to 1 just like B.C. did while  C.E. counts up from 1 like A.D. did.  There is no year 0.

Now answer these questions in your spiral.  Include the question in your answer, or write the question.

  1.  What does A.D. stand for?
  2.  Who invented the term A.D.?
  3. About what percentage of the world is not Christion?  Yes, you will have to do some math to answer this one.
  4.   Is there a year 0?
  5.   Do you think it was a good idea to switch from B.C. and A.D. to B.C.E. and C.E.?  Explain.


Thursday, August 30, 2018

Do Now! Sites of Encounter #2

Take a look at the religions map from U.C. Davis Sites of Encounter in the Medieval World website.  (Use this link)

Use the key to figure out which religions were practiced in each part of the world. 

Which religion covers the largest part of the world?  Doe that mean it had the greatest number of people practicing it?

How does this map help answer the question "How did the distant regions of the world become more interconnected through the Medieval and early modern period?" 

Hint: Use the States in 1279 and States in 1491 to see which nations and kingdoms existed in the area covered  by each religion.


Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Please vote only once.


In your opinion, who started the fight in the lunchroom?

Justin
Max
Created with PollMaker

Add a comment stating one piece of evidence that supports your opinion for extra credit in history.  Be sure to include your name with your comment.

Complete this by Friday, August 30, 2018


Monday, August 27, 2018

Do Now! Sites of Encounter #1

Take a look at this map from U.C. Davis showing sites of encounter in the Medieval world.  This is the base map. Go ahead and take a look at the different overlays you can apply to the base map.

Now, choose the Afro-Euroasian Trade Circles map.  Select different trade circles to read more about them.

In your spiral, make a list of different methods of transportation that were used during the Medieval period.  Divide your list into two sections: overland and water.

After you have looked at all nine (I through IX) and completed your list answer the following question in complete sentences:

How did travel and trade help to connect different regions of the world during the Medieval period?


Thursday, August 23, 2018

Welcome to 2018/2019

Welcome to Mr. Chester's class. 

This blog is the place to look for assignments, directions, extra help, and even extra credit now and then.

I'll be setting up tabs at the top of this page for more information about English and history along with more information about me and my classes.

For now here's a brief update about homework.

Students in my English classes have two assignments.  First they need to compete the Language of the Discipline packets we began in class today.  To complete this they may want to use the Batman comic book so I have included the pictures at the bottom of this post.

Second, they all need to find a book for Reading Races.  I will talk more about Reading Races in class on Monday.  We will have Reading Race time at the start of each English day so everyone needs a book  by Monday.  This may be any book, fiction or non-fiction.

Currently, there is no history homework.

Everyone should bring their Chromebooks to class on Tuesday.  Though we won't use them everyday, it's probably a good habit to charge them each night and bring them everyday for science and math classes.  I will try to let you know in advance when we will be using them.

If you did not get a homework update email from me tonight and would like to, please let me know at jchester@nusd.org.

Here are the Batman pages:





Monday, May 14, 2018

Renaissance Action Figure Projects

The Ed-U-Fun Group is designing a line of Renaissance action figures to sell to history teachers and students.  They already have a William Shakespeare doll test figure designed.

You have been hired to design an action figure and write a biography for the package.


Select one Renaissance figure (person) from the list below.  Research the life of that person.  The Ed-U-Fun Group wants you to design and present the following items:



  • An action figure.  The figure must include two items it can hold, one in each hand. These must be detachable.  
  • An accessory that will come with the figure.  This must be displayed in the package.  This is one thing the Shakespeare figure does not currently have. 
  • A 300 word biography of the figure that will go on the back of the packaging.  This biography should include these things:
    • A brief passage about the overall life of the figure-- childhood, major events in their life, achievements.  This should be appropriate for 11 to 14-year-old students. Keep it interesting.
    • An explanation of the two items and the accessory. This may not be a bullet list, but should be written in an interesting way. 
    • A summary of why the figure is important in history and how he or she contributed to the Renaissance. 
    • The year of your figures birth and death and their birthplace.
    • One good quote from your figure; something important or impressive your figure said or wrote.
Begin your project by selecting a figure from the list below.  Let Mr. Chester know whom you have selected.  The Ed-U-Group wants to see as many Renaissance figure designs as possible.

You will have  Tuesday, May 15 and Thursday, May 16  to research and prepare your rough drafts.  You will have Monday, May 21 and Wednesday, May 23 to type up your paper, create your action figure and prepare your presentation.  We will practice presentations on Tuesday, May 29.   Presentations are scheduled for Thursday, May 31.  There will be no make-ups no late presentations.  If you're not going to be in class on Thursday, May 31, make arrangements with Mr. Chester to present your action figure early.

Speeches must be memorized this time.  Your action figure and the accessories will be your visuals.

Possible Renaissance figures
List A
  • Leonardo da Vinci        Jacob     Grace     Yahir
  • Michelangelo             Aldo        Sloane   Kayla
  • Galileo Galilei              ----       Wolfy    Cristal
  • Nicolaus Copernicus     Matt         Revil
  • Isabella I of Spain            Larika   ------------
  • Elizabeth I of England       Stephanie  McCabe  Jezzel
  • Christopher Columbus         Edson       Koto     Joaquin
  • Martin Luther               Mikayla          Jose   Nathan
  • King Henry VIII           Bryce   James
  • Vasco da Gama           Jordan          Diego    Hale
  • Ferdinand Magellan         Joseph     Kiana
  • Hernan Cortes              Salvador      Isabella     Eduardo
  • Isaac Newton       Miranda  Daniel    Teagan
  • Titian                   ----        Mason  
  • Albrecht Durer     ----  ---------
  • Andreas Vesalius     -----  --------
  • William Shakespeare    -----     Sneha   Jacob
  • Miguel Cervantes        -------   Miquel  Daeshaun
List B
  • Catherine de Medici               Karen        Emma         
  • Dante Alighieri                  ------  ------   Kevin
  • Filippo Brunelleschi           -------  --------
  • Sandro Boticelli                 -------  Josh
  • Machiavelli                        -------  --------
  • Sir Walter Raliegh             Bryden  --------   
  • Desiderius Erasmus         --------  ---------
  • Pope Leo X             --------      Iman
  • John Calvin               -------    Patrick
  • Anne Bolyn           Tati      Daisy      Samari
  • Francisco Pizarro       J.J.  -----------  Nimsy
  • Henry Hudson         Emerson    Jaden  Brady
  • Johannes Kepler                 Michael  ------------
  • Johannes Gutenberg      -------  --------
  • Marco Polo        Deysi   --------    Marquan

List C
  • Francisco Petrarch    ----------- ----------
  • Donatello             Mayk         Cesar   Annadale
  • Girolamo Cardano    --------  ---------
  • Lorenzo de Medici        --------  ----------
  • Galen                         -------------   Ashleigh
  • Pope Clement V         Troy     Jace
  • Pope Gregory XI       -------------  ---------
  • John Wycliffe           --------  ---------- 
  • Jan Hus                     -------------  ---------
  • Catherine of Siena     Lexi  -------
  • Huldrych Zwingli      -------------   ---------
  • William Tyndale      Juliet     -------------
  • Queen Mary of England      Ailish      Valeria
  • Ignatius Loyola           ---------  ---------
  • Prince Henry the Navigator     --------- --------  Ryan
  • Pedro Cabral              --------    -------        Jennifer   
  • John Cabot          ----------   ------------   Katie
  • Giovanni da Verrazano         Hector    -----
  • Francis Bacon               ---------      Owen   Kyle
  • Antoine van Leeuwenhoek       --------  ----------
  • Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit       ---------  ----------
  • Artemisia Gentileschi       Julia  ------------
  • Isabella d'Este            Rachel   Caitlin
  • Lucretia Borgia      Yasmin   ---------            
  • Ben Johnson          ----------   Jorge  Nate
  • Elisabetti Sirani     Elzie   -------------
  • Raphael (Sanzio)  --------  ------------ Karlos 
List D

  • Other people you can suggest

Grades will be based on three things: Your speech, your written paper, your action figure.  Each will be work 1/3 of your overall grade.  

This is a 75% assignment.


Thursday, May 10, 2018

Which Greaser are You?

Which Greaser are you? 

Follow this link and take the quick quiz to find out which Greaser you are.

Write your result in your journal.

Review your notes for that character.

What do you have in common with that character?

Write a 75 cent paragraph long response explaining the traits that you and that character share, how you are alike?  Do you agree with your result? Why or why not? Which Greaser do you think you have the most in common with?  

Count up the money you spent on your paragraph and write down the amount at the bottom of the page.




Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Geo-Challenge Questions for Age of Exploration


  1. Which explorer was the first to establish a sea route to Asia?  For which European country did he sail?   Use the correct color to trace the route of this voyage. Label it with the explorer's name and the year(s) of the voyage.
  2. Which explorer was the first to sail to the east coast of South America? For which European country did he sail?  Use the correct color to trace the entire route of this voyage. Label it with the explorer's name and the year(s) of the voyage.
  3. By 1600, on which continents did Portugal claim or control territory or cities Use the correct color to shade and label the areas claimed by Portugal.
  4. Which explorer was the first to sail to what are today the Caribbean Islands between North and South America? For which European country did he sail?  Use the correct color to trace the route of this voyage. Label it with the explorer's name and the year(s) of the voyage.
  5. Which explorer was the first to lead a voyage that eventually went around the world? For which European country did he sail?   Use the correct color to trace the route of this voyage. Label it with the explorer's name and the year(s) of the voyage.
  6. Which country had explorers who led expeditions into the lands of the Aztecs and Incas in North and South America?  Who were these explorers?   Use the correct color to trace the route of these expeditions. Label it with the explorer's name and the year(s) of the voyage.
  7. By 1600, on which continents did Spain claim territory? Use the correct color to shade and label the areas claimed by Spain.
  8. Which European countries during this period sent explorers to North America's east coast. Name three of these explorers.  Use the correct color to trace the route of this voyage. Label it with the explorer's name and the year(s) of the voyage.

Thursday, May 3, 2018

Aztec Files Cover

Create an illustrated cover for your Aztec file. 

Follow these guidelines:


  • Cover the entire file with paper(s).
  • Include a slogan of no more than eight words.
  • Include hand drawn items.  Use your book to find pictures.
  • Make your cover promote the Aztecs and Tenochtitlan.
  • Include at least four items from history that impressed you.
  • Include a 3 by 5 card with a 50 cent artist statement.
Here are pictures of the two examples Mr. Chester made.




Thursday, April 26, 2018

Did Moctezuma Have a Zoo in Tenochtitlan?

Visit this blog post.  Read it over and then answer the questions about it in your packet.

Next take a look at a few pages from the Florentine Codex and then complete the questions in your packet about it

Then, use this zoomable map of Tenochtitlan, or the map in your Aztec File, to answer some questions.

Finally, take a look at Cortes letter to Emperor Charles V of Spain in the original text and in translation to answer questions about what he says he saw in Tenochtitlan.

Now you are ready to answer the question citing evidence from the documents to support your position.

Monday, April 16, 2018

The Aztec Files - Geography Challenge

Here are the questions from today's Geography Challenge.

Complete all eight questions on the inside of your Aztec File by Thursday, April 20.

Be sure to include both the question and the answer.

1. Find the area in the Americas where the Mayan and Aztec civilizations were located. Shade and label them on your map.

In which modern countries did the Mayan civilization exist.  In which modern country did the Aztec civilization exist?


2.  Find the area in the Americas where the Inca civilization was located. Shade and label the area on your map.

In which modern countries did the Inca Civilization exist?


3.  What are three important physical features found in southern Mexico and Guatemala?

Label each feature on your map, and draw a symbol to represent it.


4. What are three important physical features found in central Mexico?

Label each feature on your map, and draw a symbol to represent it.


5. What are three important physical features found along the west coast of South America?

Label each feature on your map, and draw a symbol to represent it.


6.  Which civilization existed primarily in a tropical wet climate zone?


7.. What are the principal climate zones in which the Aztecs existed?

Be sure to note where the Aztec capital is located.


8. What are the pricipal climate zones in which the Incas existed?

Be sure to note wehre the Inca capital is located.





Friday, March 23, 2018

Art from Japan's Edo Period

Here are the slides from our lesson on art during Japan's Edo period. Click on the picture to see a larger version.


Four Japanese Demons



Daimyo Procession, 


Insect Procession


Otsu-e Yakko - Standard Carrier


Otsu-e Goblin in Prayer


Otsu-e Storefront


View of Matsushima


Mt. Fuji from Miho-no-Matsubara


Rice Paddies and Fuji after Taiga


Basho with a Deer


Basho and Two Haiku










Wednesday, March 21, 2018

A Samurai's Tale

Use at least 8 of the following terms in your Samurai's tale.

Write you tale in your history journal next to the samurai picture.

Due Friday.

Terms

  • shogun
  • daimyo
  • armor
  • weapons
  • training
  • "fear of death"
  • haiku
  • bushido
  • Zen
  • seppuku
  • samurai women
  • Amida Buddha
  • tea ceremony
  • calligraphy
Your tale can be about a single day in a samurai's life or about the entire life of one samurai.  Your samurai can be a man or a woman.

Monday, March 12, 2018

Heian-Kyo Journals. Life in Japan's Golden Age

The Heian-Kyo period is considered Japan's Golden Age because it produced so many great works of art including many diaries like Sei Shonogan's Pillow Book.

Use your notes from the activity and chapter 21 to create your own pillow book about life in Heian-Kyo Japan.  Follow the directions on the handout and the blue sample pages on the white board.

You should focus each paragraph of your pillow book/diary on one section of your notes.  Be sure to include at much historical information in your diary as you can.  Even the pictures should be historical.

You may include captions for each picture as part of your 500-700 words.

Remember 500-700 words is between three and five pages for most people, including pictures.

You may make your diary tell a longer story.

Here are some pictures you can use to inspire your diary.  You may base your illustrations on these pictures.


Shrine of Emperor Kammu.  Your dairy might describe a trip to one of Heian-Kyo's many shrines. You might describe what the priests look like the way Sei Shonagon's did in The Pillow Book


Fujiwara Michinaga. Remember your meeting with Fujiwara Michinaga? You can include it in your diary.


A fan from the Heian-kyo period. This could be the fan you found. You can mention it in your diary.


A lady in Heian-kyo period makeup. If you're writing about a woman in your diary, you can describe putting on all of this make-up.




Heain-kyo era painting of a scene from TheTale of Genji.  You might be reading Lady Murasaki's book. Write your reacting to the latest chapter in your diary.


Sei Shonagon the author of The Pillow Book. Maybe she mentioned you in it. Maybe you have read some. You can include something from one of the lists she wrote.







What was life in the United States like 50 years ago?

Go to this website to find out what life was like in America at the time when Brown Girl Dreaming is set.

Country Living.

While you're there, view as many of the slides in the show as you can. You don't have to see them all.

Take notes on five of the slides including a description of the picture and at least one note from the description.

Be prepared to write a paragraph about the things that surprised or impressed you about life in 1968.

Friday, March 2, 2018

Witness in a Box: Examples by Professional Artists.

Here are some examples of Joseph Cornell and Betye Saar's work.  You can use these as models or inspirations for your own Witness in a Box project.



"Parrot for Juan Gris" by Joseph Cornell


"Cassiopeia 1" by Joseph Cornell



"We Was Mostly About Survival" by Betye Saar



"The Liberation of Aunt Jemima" by Betye Saar


Rules for your Witness in a Box project.

Must use: 
  • a box provided by the teacher.
  • images and shapes
  • something that hangs or moves
  • creativity
May not use:
  • words.
  • images of the person.
  • photographs of the actual event.
May use and material in the classroom or at home.

This is a 75% project.*  Be creative. Take your time. Make your product look good.


*Final grade will include an artist statement and the essay.




Monday, February 26, 2018

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson. 

How is where we come from important to who we are?

Much of Brown Girl Dreaming deals with the theme of how where we come from affects who we become.  This includes time as well as place.  The time period a child was born into, what was going on in history during her early life, affects the adult she grows up to become.

For this project you will research a person or event from the time period covered in Brown Girl Dreaming, the 1960s/1970's Civil Rights Era in American history.  You will then create a "Cornell Box" that illustrates your research as a visual metaphor.  You will also write up a short $2.50 account of your research.  Both your research and your Cornell Box will be presented to the class as a speech.  You will then write a first person poem based on your box which you might choose to  present at the class poetry slam.

You must select a topic/person from the list below.  As part of your research, you will use the audio/visual link attached to your topic, photographs of the event/person you can find online and one article that you locate on your own.

Here are the people/events you can choose from.  Be sure to let the teacher know what your selection is.  No more than two people may do the same topic.

  1. Dorothy Mulkey (Fair housing advocate)
  2. Shirley Chishom (First woman to run for president)
  3. Ruby Bridges
  4. The 16th Street Bombing
  5. The Children's Crusade
  6. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech.
  7. Mississippi Burning
  8. The Loving Decision (Mixed Race Marriage)
  9. Greensboro Lunch Counter
  10. Freedom Riders
  11. James Brown's concert the day after M.L. King was killed
  12. Muhammad Ali's decision to refuse the draft
  13. Black Like Me
  14. Petula Clark/Harry Belafonte (television controversy)
  15. Dance Theatre of Harlem
  16. Roots 
  17. John F. Kennedy
  18. Malcolm X 
  19. Rosa Parks
  20. United States Colored Troops 54th Regiment
  21. Lena Horn
  22. Black Panthers
  23. James Baldwin (Author, Civil Rights Activist)
Each person is linked to an audio/visual program about them.  You are required to use this program as part of your research.  Listen to it once, then listen again while taking notes about it. 

Find a second article about that person or event and a few photographs to help you understand the importance of your selection.  You may print out a few photographs (1 to 3) to use as part of your Cornell Box.  However, you may not use a picture of the actual person or event.  You Cornell Box must be a metaphor, not an exact representation.

You will use your research to create a box about your selection in class later this week.

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Activity. Ruby Bridges in Pictures

For this activity you will look at several images, photographs and paintings.  Because Ruby Bridges faced very extreme racism in her childhood some of the images may be upsetting and may contain language that is not normally allowed on this website or in class.

Please remember to be respectful when viewing them.

Picture for questions #1



Picture for question 2



Picture for question #4




Monday, February 12, 2018

Buddhism in China: Journey to the West



Who was Monkey?

The Journey to the West was a novel published in China in 1592 (16th Century.)  It tells the story of a Buddhist monk named Xuanzang who traveled from central China in the mid 7th century, across the Himilayas to India where he studied Buddhism.  He wanted to learn the ancient Buddhist texts and bring them all back to China where Buddhism was still a new idea.

If Xuanzang is the hero of his journey, then his three companions are his allies: Sun Wukong (the Monkey King)Zhu Bajie (Pigsy) and Sha Wujing (A strong man called Sandy also known as the Water Buffalo.)  The three companions were probably not based on real people. They are considered folklore and have been very popular in China.  Each of them goes on the journey to atone for their sinful lives by helping Xuanzang.

You can read about Monkey by following the two links below.

The Journey to the West part 1

The Journey to the West part 2

Your assignment:

Create a book about Buddhism in China.  Your book will include information about The Journey to the West and about Buddhism in China.  Your book will take the form of a Tibetan prayer book like the ones pictured below.




For this project, you will work in teams of three students.  Each student will make one section of your book.  To make your book use three pieces of legal size paper folded accordion style and taped together into a single long book like this:



To start, fold a single piece of paper in half like this:



Then fold each half back the other way, in half again like this.



Your end result should open up and lay flat.  Make three.



One student will have the cover and pages 1 through 4.  Like this.




This student will do the following pages:
  • A cover page including a title, artwork and the authors full names  
  • 1. Who was the real life Xuanzang? 
  • 2. What was The Journey to the West?
  • 3. Summary of slide show #1 from Asia Society Kids.
  • 4. Summary of slide show #1 from Asia Society Kids.
One student will have pages 5 through 8.  



This student will do the following pages:
  • 5. Summary of slide show #2 from Asia Society Kids.
  • 6. Summary of slide show #2 from Asia Society Kids.
  • 7. What are the Four Noble Truths?
  • 8  What is The Eightfold Path?
One student will have pages 9 through 12 and the back cover.




This student will do the following pages:
  • 9. What is Pure Land Buddhism?
  • 10. What is Chan Buddhism?
  • 11.  Where is Buddhism today?
  • 12. Who is the Dalai Lama?
  • Back cover artwork and list of sources used.
Each partner has $3.00 to spend on writing to be divided between the four pages in any way you choose.  Each page must include an illustration as well.

When everyone has finished their work, put your pages together into a single book. 

Use the websites above, the packet on Buddhism from Stanford and other sources to complete your project. 

Buddhist prayers books like this are known for fairly simple, colorful artwork. You may write yours in Chinese characters going down, (This counts as an illustration for that page.) but include an English translation. You may number the pages.

Your project will be graded on overall appearance, quality of the writing included, historical accuracy and the creative touches your group adds to the book.

Projects are due on Friday. You will have time in class today, Wednesday and on Friday.

Just for fun here is a trailer for a movie based on The Journey to the West.  The Journey to the West continues to be popular in China.  There have been several movies and a television series based on the novel.