Winter Break Assignment

Happy Holidays!

Let's play the historical evidence game.  I give you a thesis.  You give me an original, historically accurate statement which supports my thesis.  10 points for an original thesis and a bonus 5 points for an intelligent comment on someone else's historical evidence. (Up to 15  bonus points.)

Here's my thesis:

Between 1450 and 1750, the world became more politically, economically and socially globilized.

(Hint: As communication and trading networks develop, interaction between and among cvilizations lead to a new, more global world.)

Have fun!

Thumb Trial '12

OK class...
We are going to do our first thumb trial and this is how it works:  We will have several mini-trials, each of which will be delivered to a jury (the rest of the class) who will decide by a show of thumbs. Below is a list of controversial characters we shall explore in our first three units (8000BCE to 1450). In order for a trial to be scheduled, at least one person on defense and one person on prosecution must sign up. No more than two students per team and as always, first come first served.  The defendants will answer ONLY to the crimes enumerated.

Sign up for either the character, the prosecution or the defense.

Gilgamesh                               
 mistreatment of subjects, murder of Humbaba, dereliction of royal duties

Hammurabi                             
creation of laws unfair to women, war crimes, tyranny

Ramesses II                              
defacing sacred objects, tyranny, misuse of government funds   

King Darius of Persia               
corruption, overtaxing, tyranny

Plato                                       
blasphemy, corruption of the youth of Athens, treason

Alexander the Great                 
war crimes, tyranny, irresponsible troop deployment

Julius Caesar                            
treason, attempted rebellion, war crimes

Shi Huangdi                        
squandering precious resources, wasting of human lives and labor, tyranny

Chandragupta                           
espionage, overtaxing, corruption

Justinian                                   
 tyranny, conducting unjust wars, corruption       

Theodora                                   
behavior unbefitting a queen, blasphemy, treason

Pope Urban II                           
deploying troops to the Holy Land, inciting violence, hate crimes

Charlemagne                            
tyranny, overtaxing, corruption

Genghis Kahn                           
cruelty, war crimes, genocide

Emporer Yongle of China         
mistreatment of minorities, tyranny, land theft

Particulars of the trials will follow. The assignment is worth 50 points, you can earn up to 25 extra credit by participating in a second trial. (Priority goes to those signing up for their first.)

Peace.

Classical Civilization Superstars

Classical civilizations between the years of 600BCE and 600CE had many interesting and important figures.  Discuss a person from the Greek/ Roman (European,), Maryan/ Gupta (Indian) or Qin/ Han (Chinese) civilization.

The assignment is worth 5 points and I will give you a 5 point bonus if you discuss a non-European.  The only catch is that you have to be the first to mention the person and why they are important and/or interesting.  Have Fun!

Happy Summer and Welcome class of 2015!

I have included some comments.  In parenthesis are the # of times the comment was repeated.  Read through them and leave a comment to prove you we here.  By the way- check out the lectures, songs and links while you're here.

Here are the comments of students from this year:

• Focus!(6) Don't get distracted by self-doubt.  Have confidence.(3)  You can learn to pass this test if you listen to Mr. Parker.(12)
• Take good notes! (9) Color code your red lines!  Remember trash in, trash out! (2) Try your best and always do one hour of homework.(21)
• The class is great.  (6) Take practice tests and buy the AP book.
• Answer the Prompt.  Prepare early.(3)
• Get ready to work you get what you put in.(8)
• Don't be lazy, don't procrastinate.(13) Don't loose your notes.
• Don't be too hard or too easy on yourself.
• Discuss the red lines in your groups.(2)
• Ask questions (7) and look up information on your own time.
• Learn the songs! (4)
• Don't give up.  (3) This a hard class but it's fun.(2)
• When you have a project due, don't wait until the last minute to start it.
• Make sure you speak up!  Participate.
• If you do your work you will pass.  Be organized
• It is really fun, don't get on Mr. Parker's bad side, and don't worry.
• You need to be on top of this class from day 1.

and my favorite:

• Listen!  Mr Parker always seems to be right.  (He is an AP Genius.)  Summaries and Red Lines are the most important!  Study and brief for the AP Test all year.  Just studying a week or two in advance will not help.  

I am looking forward to hearing from all of you!  Enjoy Summer!
Peace,
Mr. Parker

Let's go surfing!

The big Tests fast approaching.
Find a website which will be helpful in preparing for the AP test on May 17.  Give the URL, a summary of the site, an an evaluation of what you think it will be helpful to others.  (5 points.)  I will also give 5 points extra if it is one that is not linked by the blog and if you are the first one to give it a review.  In addition, I will award another 5 points if I am struck by the depth and intelligence of the review.  Happy surfing- when we are finished we should have a terrific litany of useful sites.
Peace,
Mr. Parker

Thumb Trials! Round One

On March 1st we will have trials for five famous figures from History and Literature.

Each trial will take about 20 minutes and participation in the trial will be worth 50 points. The trial will be on Thursday the first of March. The classes will be combined. Your role in the trial will be determined on a first come/ first served basis. Sign up below stating the figure and the role you desire.

The Roles:

Each trial will have:

• 4 defense attorneys and 4 prosecution attorneys who will:

Prepare the case (defense or prosecution)

Present witnesses (act them out)

Question witnesses

• The Defendant
• A Reporter who will interview and write a short summary of the trial to be published on this blog.

The Figures

• Napoleon (the pig)- charged with murder, corruption and violation the laws of Animal Farm
• Queen Victoria- charged with conspiracy in the commission of drug smuggling, extortion and murder
• Karl Marx- charged with corrupting the youth, inciting revolution and treason
• Napoleon I (the man)- charged with conducting an unjust war, escaping from prison and incompetence
• Okonkwo- charged with distubing the peace, violation of parole, assault on a British officer

• Up to 25 points Extra Credit for dressing appropriately (in costume and wearing costume all day.)

This week's Homework Assignment

The End of Unit 4 is near!
Using the Snapshot page, 1450-1750, focus on a continuity or a change which occured in this time period. (There are seven continuities and eighteen changes.) Give at least 2 historical examples. Only original examples will count.
10 points- have fun! Due by 1/25.

The End of Unit 4 is near!
Using the Snapshot page, 1450-1750, focus on a continuity or a change which occured in this time period. (There are seven continuities and eighteen changes.) Give at least 2 historical examples. Only original examples will count. 10 points- have fun! Due by 1/25.