Revolution! Day 5 - Class Recap

Today we watched part of an episode of The Office in class, while looking for different aspects of a revolution in it. This is me jumping for joy at finding the set of The Office, while on vacation in California in 2007. It is one of my favorite TV shows ever!

Dear class,

Welcome to your weekend from Global Studies! We looked more into what makes up a revolution in class, and also had some time to work on late assignments. Here's what happened in class:

Learning Targets:
Critical Thinking LT 1: I can explain multiple perspectives and viewpoints.

Knowledge LT 19: I can explain the impacts of nationalism and revolutionary movements.

Soundtrack: "Leningrad" by Billy Joel. Selected for today because a student suggested it on the blog, as relating to Lenin and Russia. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 3/16/18:

News Brief - Kyle

Conditions for Revolutions
The Coup

Russian Revolution Work

Homework: Read the blog! Turn in late/missing/incomplete/make up work. Bring your Chromebooks (charged!) next class (and for the next month). Dahson has the next news brief.

---

News Brief: Kyle had the news brief today and selected an article about this story to talk about: BBC.com - Israeli soldiers killed in West Bank car attack. We found Israel in our world maps and talked about this story for a bit, before moving on.

Dahson was selected for the next news brief.

We also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):

BBCNews.com - One-minute World News

Conditions for Revolutions: This PowerPoint was about the main ways that revolutions start. An easy way to think about this is: political = people want power; social = people want to find others that agree with them; economic = people want money and resources.

Here's the PowerPoint, if you wanted to check it out again, or if you missed class and need to do notes:

Google Drive: Historical Conditions for Revolutions

If you are at all confused about what makes up a revolution (in the sense of a government), please let me know!

The Coup: To have some fun in introducing theory of revolutions, we watched the episode of "The Office" called The Coup. A "coup" (or coup d'etat) is pronounced "coo" and is a French word for the overthrow of a government, usually from a small group of insiders. Thus, this episode is a perfect way to showcase the elements of a revolution (political/social/economic reasons for why Dwight is trying to overthrow Michael as boss) while also being a humorous way to start thinking about how revolutions happen. We finished the episode and then had a bit of time at the end of class to work on incomplete work.

Russian Revolution Work: I wanted everything from the unit turned in, including:

1) The Russian Revolution Pre-Assessment/Newsflash activity
2) Vocabulary Notes (on Peace, Land, and Bread PowerPoint)
3) OPVL activity (using the primary sources posted around the room)
4) Propaganda Poster assignment (using the Propaganda Poster PowerPoint to complete)
5) Vocabulary Quiz (a make up quiz is available in class, too)

Please get these in as soon as possible, if you did not do so in class! They will be another grade opportunity for the learning target on revolutions. Next class, you will start the big Country Profile Project assignment. Be ready! :-)

Revolution! Day 4 - Class Recap

The flag of Vietnam (a communist country), flying on a boat in Ha Long Bay. Notice the red and the star as symbols! Photo taken in 2011.

Hi everyone,

Today, we looked more into the concept of propaganda and persuasion. Here's what happened in class:

Learning Targets:
Critical Thinking LT 1: I can explain multiple perspectives and viewpoints.

Knowledge LT 19: I can explain the impacts of nationalism and revolutionary movements.

Soundtrack: "Mother Russia" by Renaissance. Selected for today because of our continued look at the Russian Revolution! Lyrics here.

AGENDA 3/14/18:

News Brief - Kaylee

Quiz
Propaganda
Create Posters

Homework: Read the blog! Finish propaganda poster (due next class). Kyle has the next news brief.

---

News Brief: The news brief article for today was brought in by me, because Kaylee was absent. I selected this article to talk about:  CNN.com - She was Canada's Rosa Parks. Now she's the first black person to appear on its currency. We found Canada in the world map packet and noted we did a story on the country, as we talked about the civil rights there.

Kyle, you are up for next class.

We also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):

BBCNews.com - One-minute World News

Quiz: After the news brief, we took the Russian Revolution vocabulary quiz. I'm not going to recap the quiz itself, other than to say that I hope everyone did well. If you were following along during the presentation and did your homework to review, I'm sure you were fine.

Propaganda: The next part of class was devoted to checking out some examples of Soviet Union propaganda (it is nice that you already knew what propaganda meant from studying Rwanda) and filling out a worksheet with each slide, then creating your own example on the back.

  

Here is the presentation on Russian Revolution propaganda, if you missed class, or need to complete your worksheet:

Google Drive: Soviet Union Propaganda PowerPoint

Here is the worksheet that goes along with the presentation:

Google Drive: Soviet Union Propaganda Worksheet

After viewing all of the slides and filling out the worksheet, I gave the class this assignment: 

On the back side of this propaganda poster worksheet, you are creating your OWN Russian propaganda poster. Please use at least two symbols (a color can be a symbol) and make a connection to at least one of the vocabulary words from the Russian Revolution PowerPoint. You do not have to use Russian. Use an English caption to explain your poster, please.

Create Posters: The rest of class was devoted to creating the Russian Revolution propaganda posters, to emphasize the connection between persuasion and the revolution. These will be due at the start of next class.

See you next class, everyone!

Revolution! Day 3 - Class Recap

The Brandenburg Gate, in Berlin. Vladimir Lenin took a secretive train ride from Germany to Russia, and took power in Russia with his Bolshevik party upon his return.

Dear class,

We started really looking in depth at the Russian Revolution today in class. It is one of the more important events in Modern World History! Here's what happened in class:

Learning Targets:
Critical Thinking LT 1: I can explain multiple perspectives and viewpoints.

Knowledge LT 19: I can explain the impacts of nationalism and revolutionary movements.

Soundtrack: "Rasputin" by Boney M. Selected due to a fantastic student suggestion on the blog. What a song! Lots of great Russian Revolution references in the lyrics here. 

AGENDA 3/12/18:

News Brief - Zion

Posters/World War I Grades
OPVL
Study for Quiz

Homework: Read the blog! Study Russian Revolution vocabulary for quiz. Kaylee has the next news brief.

---

News Brief: The news brief article for today was brought in by Zion, who selected an article about this story: CNN.com - China clears way for Xi Jinping to rule for life. We found China in the world map packet, and talked about this story for a bit before moving on to talk about what we were up to outside of class.

Kaylee, you are up for next class.

We also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):

BBCNews.com - One-minute World News

Posters/World War I Grades: After the news, I asked if there were any more "Togetherness" posters that students had to put up on the walls around the room. It looks so great now!

I also passed back the graded World War I essays and any Collection of Evidence work that was turned in. I really appreciate all of your work! Grades have been posted in StudentVUE for this assignment and are noted in the rubric section of your paper online. In general, I tried to highlight your thesis statement if I could find one. That, along with the use of the essay format we were using for this test and correct spelling/grammar is the Communication target. The impacts of Nationalism and Revolutions target was mostly about how you address the impact of the Russian Revolution (a required term). The Critical Thinking target grade is related to your use of analysis and commentary, as well as your introductions and conclusions.

Since this was a timed write in class, you cannot make it up or revise it. However, your World War I Collection of Evidence is graded on the same three learning targets, so that is an opportunity to improve your grade if needed. We will have more assignments this semester for each of the learning targets, as well. Thank you for your hard work on this!

OPVL: I introduced a new way to think about various different documents in history. We used the textbook as an example. OPVL stands for Origin, Purpose, Value, and Limitation. We practiced this in class by looking at this article:

NYTimes.com - YouTube, the Great Radicalizer

Your assignment was to take the paper I handed out in class and go through two of the four documents on each side of the room to assess them. If you missed class, or needed to complete this outside of class, here are the links to both the OPVL sheet and the documents I posted:

Google Drive: OPVL Worksheet

Google Drive: Russian Revolution Primary Documents for Analysis

Finally, here's another way to understand how to do OPVL analysis using specific types of documents:

Google Drive: OPVL Guide Part II

Let me know if this assignment is at all unclear. You will be turning this in as part of the Russian Revolution packet later, so please keep it with you!

Study For Quiz: Study your vocabulary sheet to know the key terms from the Russian Revolution! We will have a quiz on the terms next class. Here is the information if you missed class or wanted to see it again:

Google Drive: Russian Revolution Vocabulary Terms

Here is the main event - the PowerPoint of the basics of what happened during the Russian Revolution:

Google Drive: "Peace, Land, and Bread: The Russian Revolution" PowerPoint

I know this is a lot of information. If you are in need of extra clarification or support, please ask me! I would love to help!

Revolution! Day 2 - Class Recap

This is a picture I took of Maria Sharapova carrying the flag of the Russian Federation at the Opening Ceremony of the London Olympics. The flag is different from the one the USSR had after the revolution!

Hi everyone,

Another sort of relaxed day in class today, with finishing and presenting our togetherness posters, and starting to learn a little bit about the Russian Revolution. Here's what happened in class:

Learning Targets:
Critical Thinking LT 1: I can explain multiple perspectives and viewpoints.

Knowledge LT 19: I can explain the impacts of nationalism and revolutionary movements.

Soundtrack: "I Lived" by OneRepublic. Selected for today because of our continued work with looking at what brings the world together. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 3/8/18:

News Brief - Emmanuel

Finish Posters/Present
Newsflash
Peace, Land, and Bread

Homework: Read the blog! Zion has the next news brief.

---

News Brief: The news brief article for today was mine (because Emmanuel was absent) and I selected this article to talk about: TheGuardian.com - Ireland's government approves bill paving way for abortion referendum. We found Ireland in the world map packet and talked about how abortion is an issue there.

Zion, you are up for next class. We also checked in about the weekend and what people were up to.

We also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):

BBCNews.com - One-minute World News

Finish Posters/Present: The first 10 minutes or so of class was used to finish the artistic representations of what brings the world together and presenting. I enjoyed seeing what everyone created, and I will try to do some decorating with them in our classroom! :-)

Newsflash: This is absolutely my favorite way to start a new unit. Good teachers always try and assess where students are at before they teach any specific content (otherwise, we would have no idea if you had actually learned anything or not). If you wanted to see the hilarious "Whose Line is it Anyway?" clip again, here it is:

So funny. Next, I passed out the "pre-assessment" paper that was geared around going back in time to Russia in 1917. If you did not complete this in class, you absolutely need to do this BEFORE going on to reviewing the presentation. If you missed class, or lost your copy (I will have you turn this in later), here it is to download and print:

Google Drive: "Newsflash" Russian Revolution Pre-Assessment

Again, it does not matter if you do not know very much: make an educated guess!

Peace, Land, and Bread: After the newsflash activity, I started up the Russian Revolution content. Here is the vocabulary list that students were filling out during the presentation (the quiz will be on these terms):

Google Drive: Russian Revolution Vocabulary Terms

I helpfully three hole punched these, as well. See? I listened to your feedback about making notes easier!

Here is the main event - the PowerPoint of the basics of what happened during the Russian Revolution:

Google Drive: "Peace, Land, and Bread: The Russian Revolution" PowerPoint

We will continue studying the Russian Revolution next class! See you then!

Revolution! Day 1 - Class Recap

My view of the 2012 Rose Bowl, between Oregon and Wisconsin. I showed the class a video of my reaction to the end to this game.

Dear class,

I loved today. It was fun to be able to focus on some good in the world and have a little fun being creative! Here's what happened in class:

Learning Targets:
Critical Thinking LT 1: I can explain multiple perspectives and viewpoints.

Knowledge LT 20: I can explain the impacts of nationalism and revolutionary movements.

Soundtrack: “Where is the Love?” by The Black Eyed Peas. Chosen for today because we have been talking so much about war, genocide, and revolutions (soon) - I thought we needed to focus a bit on love and what brings people together across the world. Lyrics here. 

AGENDA 3/7/17:

News Brief - Shriyan

Debrief WWI Essay

Togetherness
Create Posters

Homework: Read the blog! Karly has the next news brief.

---

News Brief: The news brief article for today was brought in by Shriyan. Here is the story: BBC.com - Hungary to detain all asylum seekers in border camps. We talked about what has been happening with Hungary's reaction to the refugee crisis for a bit (which then led to us talking about the Olympics, since Hungary just dropped out of wanting to host the 2024 edition), before moving on to check in about the weekend. Karly, you are up for the news brief next class.

We also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):

BBCNews.com - One-minute World News

Debrief WWI Essay: Next, I asked the class for general feedback about how the in-class essay went. I really appreciated the responses here. I noted that you will have to do such tests in the future, like for SATs, and this was good practice. That was definitely my hope! Yes, it may have been tough to write so much, in an entire class period. I do think that most of you did well with it. I know it was a difficult assignment!

Togetherness: After this, I turned our attention to something more exciting and interesting (I hope): ways in which the world comes together. Here's what the class came up with when I asked about what brings the world together:

• Sports
• Food
• Government
• Tragedy
• Books
• Movies
• Art
• Science
• Pop culture
• Music
• Physical geography
• Shopping
• Education
• Threats
• Holidays
• Fashion
• Language
• Social Media/Internet

• Religion/culture

A good list! I then showed a lot of videos in a row, to highlight these themes. Here are the links to them, if you want to watch again:

The end to this video:

Part of this video from Chicago, when Carli Lloyd scored the first goal in the Women's World Cup Final in 2015:

This is my own video from the Rose Bowl. Yes, that's me screaming incoherently at the last second win, and my brother jumping up and down in the video.

The "Free Hugs" campaign in Australia: YouTube.com - Free Hugs.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 

 "Dancing (2012)"

I LOVE these videos. All great examples of what brings people together across so many different areas.

Create Posters: Your task after watching this was to start creating a poster of something that brings the world together. Again, this is extremely low stakes - it's not going to be a huge grade or anything. Just a fun activity to remember that there is more to the world than just conflict. We will try to finish these up next class, present, then move on to the revolution unit. Sound like a plan? Thanks for the great class today! Let me know if you have other videos that you enjoy along these same lines! :-)

Revolution! Day 5 - Class Recap

Today we watched part of an episode of The Office in class, while looking for different aspects of a revolution in it. This is me jumping for joy at finding the set of The Office, while on vacation in California in 2007. It is one of my favorite TV shows ever!

Dear class,

Welcome back to another week! We looked more into what makes up a revolution in class, and also had some time to work on late assignments. Here's what happened in class:

Learning Targets:
Critical Thinking LT 1: I can explain multiple perspectives and viewpoints.

Knowledge LT 19: I can explain the impacts of nationalism and revolutionary movements.

Soundtrack: "Handbags and Gladrags" by Big George Webley. Selected for today because it is the theme song for The Office (UK version) and we watched an episode of the US version today in class to analyze revolutions. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 3/7/16:

News Brief - Eric C.

Conditions for Revolutions
The Coup

Russian Revolution Work

Homework: Read the blog! Turn in late/missing/incomplete/make up work by next class, for updated progress report grade. Trent has the next news brief.

---

News Brief: Eric C. had the news brief today and selected an article about this story to talk about: BBC.com - Migrant crisis: EU and Turkey hold 'difficult' summit. We found Turkey on our world maps and talked about the continuing refugee crisis in Turkey and the European Union. We also talked about the size of Syria vs. Oregon (Oregon is bigger, but Syria has about 10 times the population). Very interesting!

Trent was selected for the next news brief.

We also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):

BBCNews.com - One-minute World News

Conditions for Revolutions: This PowerPoint was about the main ways that revolutions start. You will absolutely need to know the political, social, and economic reasons for the revolution you are studying for the historical investigation. An easy way to think about this is: political = people want power; social = people want to find others that agree with them; economic = people want money and resources.

Here's the PowerPoint, if you wanted to check it out again, or if you missed class and need to do notes:

Google Drive: Historical Conditions for Revolutions

If you are at all confused about what makes up a revolution (in the sense of a government), please let me know!

The Coup: To have some fun in introducing theory of revolutions, we watched the episode of "The Office" called The Coup. A "coup" (or coup d'etat) is pronounced "coo" and is a French word for the overthrow of a government, usually from a small group of insiders. Thus, this episode is a perfect way to showcase the elements of a revolution (political/social/economic reasons for why Dwight is trying to overthrow Michael as boss) while also being a humorous way to start thinking about how revolutions happen. We finished the episode and then had a bit of time at the end of class to work on incomplete work.

Russian Revolution Work: I wanted everything from the unit turned in, including:

1) The Russian Revolution Pre-Assessment/Newsflash activity
2) Vocabulary Notes (on Peace, Land, and Bread PowerPoint)
3) OPVL activity (using the primary sources posted around the room)
4) Propaganda Poster assignment (using the Propaganda Poster PowerPoint to complete)
5) Vocabulary Quiz (a make up quiz is available in class, too)

Please get these in as soon as possible, if you did not do so in class! They will be another grade opportunity for the learning target on revolutions. Next class, you will start the big historical investigation assignment. Be ready! :-)

Revolution! Day 4 - Class Recap

The flag of Vietnam (a communist country), flying on a boat in Ha Long Bay. Notice the red and the star as symbols! Photo taken in 2011.

Hi everyone,

Today, we looked more into the concept of propaganda and persuasion (matching up well with what you are doing in Mr. Puterbaugh and Mr. Schmidt's class). Here's what happened in class:

Learning Targets:
Critical Thinking LT 1: I can explain multiple perspectives and viewpoints.

Knowledge LT 19: I can explain the impacts of nationalism and revolutionary movements.

Soundtrack: "Say It Right" by Nelly Furtado. Selected for today because of the quiz in class, and being able to write the correct answers! Lyrics here.

AGENDA 3/3/16:

News Brief - Athen

Quiz
Propaganda
Create Posters

Homework: Read the blog! Finish propaganda poster (due next class). Eric C. has the next news brief.

---

News Brief: The news brief article for today was brought in by Athen, who selected this article to talk about: BBC.com - North Korea 'fires missiles' into sea hours after UN vote. This was a breaking news story as of this morning. We found North Korea on our world map packets and talked about the situation with China and South Korea, as well as the United Nations sanctions coming into place soon. Thanks, Athen!

Eric C., you are up for next class.

Next, we had a discussion about the presidential nomination process, including a recap of what happened on "Super Tuesday." I showed this website about the delegates needed to become the nominee for president: FiveThirtyEight.com - Who's On Track For The Nomination?

We also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):

BBCNews.com - One-minute World News

Finally, I passed back graded World War I essays to the class. Your updated grades are posted by student ID number on the board. No excuses for you to not know exactly what you need to do - especially with the World War I packets!

Quiz: After the news brief, we took the Russian Revolution vocabulary quiz. I'm not going to recap the quiz itself, other than to say that I hope everyone did well. If you were following along during the presentation and did your homework to review, I'm sure you were fine.

Propaganda: The next part of class was devoted to checking out some examples of Soviet Union propaganda (it is nice that you already knew what propaganda meant from studying Rwanda and from Mr. Puterbaugh's class about persuasion) and filling out a worksheet with each slide, then creating your own example on the back. To introduce this section, I played this video from my mom's last campaign:

   

My mom rocks. :-)

Here is the presentation on Russian Revolution propaganda, if you missed class, or need to complete your worksheet:

Google Drive: Soviet Union Propaganda PowerPoint

Here is the worksheet that goes along with the presentation:

Google Drive: Soviet Union Propaganda Worksheet

After viewing all of the slides and filling out the worksheet, I gave the class this assignment: 

On the back side of the propaganda poster worksheet, you are creating your OWN Russian poster. Please use at least two symbols. Try to connect to at least one of the vocabulary words. You do not have to use Russian. Use a English caption, please.

Create Posters: The rest of class was devoted to creating the Russian Revolution propaganda posters, to emphasize the connection between persuasion and the revolution. These will be due at the start of next class.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Revolution! Day 3 - Class Recap

The Brandenburg Gate, in Berlin. Vladimir Lenin took a secretive train ride from Germany to Russia, and took power in Russia with his Bolshevik party upon his return.

Dear class,

We started really looking in depth at the Russian Revolution today in class. It is one of the more important events in Modern World History! You will be using the same sorts of information that you learned in this unit for your historical investigation project on another country. Here's what happened in class:

Learning Targets:
Critical Thinking LT 1: I can explain multiple perspectives and viewpoints.

Knowledge LT 19: I can explain the impacts of nationalism and revolutionary movements.

Soundtrack: "Mother Russia" by Renaissance. Selected for today because of the connection with Russia, obviously. Lyrics here. 

AGENDA 3/1/16:

News Brief - Ben K.

Peace, Land, and Bread
OPVL
Study for Quiz

Homework: Read the blog! Study Russian Revolution vocabulary for quiz. Athen has the next news brief.

---

News Brief: The news brief article for today was brought in by Ben K, who selected an article about this story: USAToday.com - Emirates overtakes Qantas for world's longest flight. As someone who really loves plane travel (as evidenced by my FlightMemory map), I loved this news story! That is one very long flight. We found the United Arab Emirates in the world map packet, and also talked about today being the "Super Tuesday" primaries for the presidential nomination. Definitely worth paying attention to!

Athen, you are up for next class.

We also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):

BBCNews.com - One-minute World News

Peace, Land, and Bread: This was the continuation of last class (we stopped two slides in the previous class). Here is the vocabulary list that students were filling out during the presentation (the quiz will be on these terms, next class):

Google Drive: Russian Revolution Vocabulary Terms

Here is the main event - the PowerPoint of the basics of what happened during the Russian Revolution:

Google Drive: "Peace, Land, and Bread: The Russian Revolution" PowerPoint

I know this is a lot of information. If you are in need of extra clarification or support, please ask me! I would love to help!

OPVL: I introduced a new way to think about various different documents in history. We used the textbook as an example. OPVL stands for Origin, Purpose, Value, and Limitation. Your assignment was to take the paper I handed out in class and go through two of the four documents on each side of the room to assess them. If you missed class, or needed to complete this outside of class, here are the links to both the OPVL sheet and the documents I posted:

Google Drive: OPVL Worksheet

Google Drive: Russian Revolution Primary Documents for Analysis

Finally, here's another way to understand how to do OPVL analysis using specific types of documents:

Google Drive: OPVL Guide Part II

Let me know if this assignment is at all unclear. You will be turning this in as part of the Russian Revolution packet later, so please keep it with you!

Study For Quiz: Study your vocabulary sheet (linked to above) to know the key terms from the Russian Revolution! We will have a quiz on the terms next class.

Revolution! Day 2 - Class Recap

This is a picture I took of Maria Sharapova carrying the flag of the Russian Federation at the Opening Ceremony of the London Olympics. The flag is different from the one the USSR had after the revolution!

Hi everyone,

Another sort of relaxed day in class today, with finishing and presenting our togetherness posters, and starting to learn a little bit about the Russian Revolution. Here's what happened in class:

Learning Targets:
Critical Thinking LT 1: I can explain multiple perspectives and viewpoints.

Knowledge LT 19: I can explain the impacts of nationalism and revolutionary movements.

Soundtrack: “Cup Song" by Anna Kendrick. Selected by Jagrit, who wrote in the comments to request it, noting that music and movies bring the world together. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 2/26/16:

News Brief - Koyin

Finish Posters/Present
Newsflash
Peace, Land, and Bread

Homework: Read the blog! Ben K. has the next news brief.

---

News Brief: The news brief article for today was brought in by Koyin, who selected this article to talk about: BBC.com - Japan population shrinks by one million census confirms. We found Japan in the world map packet and noted the ongoing population issues there, brought about by an older population, and not as many children being born.

Ben K., you are up for next class. We also checked in about the weekend and what people were up to.

We also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):

BBCNews.com - One-minute World News

Finish Posters/Present: The first 20 minutes or so of class was used to finish the artistic representations of what brings the world together and presenting. I enjoyed seeing what everyone created, and I will try to do some decorating with them in our classroom! :-)

Newsflash: This is absolutely my favorite way to start a new unit. Good teachers always try and assess where students are at before they teach any specific content (otherwise, we would have no idea if you had actually learned anything or not). If you wanted to see the hilarious "Whose Line is it Anyway?" clip again, here it is:

So awesome. Next, I passed out the "pre-assessment" paper that was geared around going back in time to Russia in 1917. If you did not complete this in class, you absolutely need to do this BEFORE going on to reviewing the presentation. If you missed class, or lost your copy (I will have you turn this in later), here it is to download and print:

Google Drive: "Newsflash" Russian Revolution Pre-Assessment

Again, it does not matter if you do not know very much: make an educated guess!

Peace, Land, and Bread: After the newsflash activity, I started up the Russian Revolution content. Here is the vocabulary list that students were filling out during the presentation (the quiz will be on these terms):

Google Drive: Russian Revolution Vocabulary Terms

I helpfully three hole punched these, as well. See? I listened to your feedback about making notes easier!

Here is the main event - the PowerPoint of the basics of what happened during the Russian Revolution:

Google Drive: "Peace, Land, and Bread: The Russian Revolution" PowerPoint

We were not able to complete all of the slides in class, so we will get back to it and finish next week. Enjoy your weekend, everyone! :-)

Revolution! Day 1 - Class Recap

My view of the 2012 Rose Bowl, between Oregon and Wisconsin. I showed the class a video of my reaction to the end to this game.

Dear class,

I loved today. It was fun to be able to focus on some good in the world and have a little fun being creative! Here's what happened in class:

Learning Targets:
Critical Thinking LT 1: I can explain multiple perspectives and viewpoints.

Knowledge LT 20: I can explain the impacts of nationalism and revolutionary movements.

Soundtrack: “Where is the Love?” by The Black Eyed Peas. Chosen for today because we have been talking so much about war, genocide, and revolutions (soon) - I thought we needed to focus a bit on love and what brings people together across the world. Lyrics here. 

AGENDA 2/24/16:

News Brief - Brandon

Debrief WWI Essay

Togetherness
Create Posters

Homework: Read the blog! Complete your forecasting sheets online on StudentVUE and on paper, then bring them in tomorrow! Koyin has the next news brief.

---

News Brief: The news brief article for today was brought in by Brandon. Here is the story: CNN.com - Cuba's Ramon Castro, brother to revolutionary Fidel Castro, dies. We found Cuba in our world map packet and talked about the Castro brothers, as well as how the United States interacts with them. Koyin, you are up for next class.

We also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):

BBCNews.com - One-minute World News

Debrief WWI Essay: Next, I asked the class for general feedback about how the in-class essay went. I really appreciated the responses here. I noted that you will have to do such tests in the future, like for SATs, and this was good practice. That was definitely my hope! Yes, it may have been tough to write so much, in an entire class period. I do think that most of you did well with it. I know it was a difficult assignment!

Togetherness: After this, I turned our attention to something more exciting and interesting (I hope): ways in which the world comes together. Here's what the class came up with when I asked about what brings the world together:

• Helping after disasters
• Sharing resources
• Social Media
• Food
• Music
• Economy/trading with people
• Love
• Religion
• Holidays/Celebrations
• Sports
• Travel (experiencing other cultures)
• Education
• News
• Sleep
• Health
• Well-being
• Questioning/curiosity
• Having fun
• Hope
• Laughter
• Dance

A good list! I then showed six consecutive videos (a record, but there are so many good ones out there)! Here are the links to them, if you want to watch again:

The end to this video:

The reaction in Chicago when Carli Lloyd scored the first goal of the Women's World Cup Final in Canada, last summer (I was there!): 

Next was my own video from the Rose Bowl. Yes, that's me screaming incoherently at the last second win, and my brother jumping up and down in the video.

Then: the "Free Hugs" campaign in Australia: YouTube.com - Free Hugs.

After that: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 

Finally, the 2012 version (there are multiple videos from different years, and they are all SO good) of "Where The Hell is Matt?" on YouTube:

 "Dancing (2012)"

I LOVE these videos. All great examples of what brings people together across so many different areas.

Create Posters: Your task after watching these was to start creating a poster of something that brings the world together, as we listened to music in class. Again, this is extremely low stakes - it's not going to be a huge grade or anything. Just a fun activity to remember that there is more to the world than just conflict. We will present these next class, then move on to the revolution unit. Sound like a plan? Thanks for the great class today! Let me know if you have other videos that you enjoy along these same lines! :-)

Revolution! Day 5 - Class Recap

Today we watched part of an episode of The Office in class, while looking for different aspects of a revolution in it. This is me jumping for joy at finding the set of The Office, while on vacation in California in 2007. It is one of my favorite TV shows ever!

Dear class,

Welcome back to another week! We looked more into what makes up a revolution in class, and also had some time to work on late assignments. Here's what happened in class:

Learning Targets:
Critical Thinking LT 1: I can explain multiple perspectives and viewpoints.

Knowledge LT 20: I can explain the impacts of nationalism and revolutionary movements.

Soundtrack: "Marry the Night" by Lady Gaga. Selected for today because of turning the clocks forward an hour over the weekend, meaning that it was dark out this morning! Lyrics here.

AGENDA 3/9/15:

News Brief - Darius

Russian Revolution Work
Conditions for Revolutions
The Coup

Homework: Read the blog! Turn in late/missing/incomplete/make up work by next class, for updated progress report grade. Anthony has the next news brief.

---

News Brief: Darius had the news brief today and selected this article to talk about: CNN.com - Solar-powered plane completes first leg of round-the-world flight. What a cool story about technology and adventure! We found the United Arab Emirates (where the plane took off from) on the world map. I will be stopping over there on the way to India!

We checked in about the weekend and also watched VICE News for the day.

Anthony was selected for the next news brief.

Russian Revolution Work: I wanted everything from the unit turned in, including:

1) The Russian Revolution Pre-Assessment/Newsflash activity
2) Vocabulary Notes
3) OPVL activity
4) Propaganda Poster assignment
5) Vocabulary Quiz

Please get these in as soon as possible, if you did not do so in class! They will be another grade opportunity for the learning target on revolutions.

Conditions for Revolutions: This PowerPoint was about the main ways that revolutions start. You will absolutely need to know the political, social, and economic reasons for the revolution you are studying for the historical investigation. An easy way to think about this is: political = people want power; social = people want to find others that agree with them; economic = people want money and resources.

Here's the PowerPoint, if you wanted to check it out again, or if you missed class and need to do notes:

Google Drive: Historical Conditions for Revolutions

If you are at all confused about what makes up a revolution (in the sense of a government), please let me know!

The Coup: At the end of the class, we started watching the episode of "The Office" called The Coup. A "coup" (or coup d'etat) is pronounced "coo" and is a French word for the overthrow of a government, usually from a small group of insiders. Thus, this episode is a perfect way to showcase the elements of a revolution (political/social/economic reasons for why Dwight is trying to overthrow Michael as boss) while also being a humorous way to start thinking about how revolutions happen. We finished the episode and then had a bit of time at the end of class to work on incomplete work. Next class, you will start the big historical investigation assignment. Be ready! :-)

Revolution! Day 1 - Class Recap

My view of the 2012 Rose Bowl, between Oregon and Wisconsin. I showed the class a video of my reaction to the end to this game.

Dear class,

I loved today. It was fun to be able to focus on some good in the world and have a little fun being creative! Here's what happened in class:

Learning Targets:
Critical Thinking LT 1: I can explain multiple perspectives and viewpoints.

Knowledge LT 20: I can explain the impacts of nationalism and revolutionary movements.

Soundtrack: “Where is the Love?” by The Black Eyed Peas. Chosen for today because we have been talking so much about war, genocide, and revolutions (soon) - I thought we needed to focus a bit on love and what brings people together across the world. Lyrics here. 

AGENDA 2/25/15:

News Brief

Debrief WWI Essay

Togetherness
Create Posters

Homework: Read the blog! Maria has the next news brief.

---

News Brief: The news brief article for today was brought in by Matt. Here is the story: CNN.com - What is ISIS' appeal for young people? I talked about how Iraq is trying to kick ISIS out of one of it's main northern cities, Mosul, as well. Maria, you are up for next class.

We also watched VICE News today before moving on.

Debrief WWI Essay: Next, I asked the class for general feedback about how the in-class essay went. I really appreciated the responses here. I noted that you will have to do such tests in the future, like for SATs, and this was good practice. That was definitely my hope! Yes, it may have been tough to write so much, in an entire class period. I do think that most of you did well with it. I know it was a difficult assignment!

Togetherness: After this, I turned our attention to something more exciting and interesting (I hope): ways in which the world comes together. Here's what the class came up with when I asked about what brings the world together:

- Tragedies
- Art
- Music
- Creative Expression
- Food
- Peace
- Holidays
- Celebration
- New Years
- Money
- Friendship
- Sports
- Technology
- Education
- Video games

- Religion

A good list! I then showed six consecutive videos (a record, but there are so many good ones out there)! Here are the links to them, if you want to watch again:

The end to this video:

The world's reaction to the United States Men's National Team winning a critical World Cup game at the last second in South Africa, 2010: YouTube.com - Landon Donovan Goal Reaction.

This is my own video from the Rose Bowl. Yes, that's me screaming incoherently at the last second win, and my brother jumping up and down in the video.

The "Free Hugs" campaign in Australia: YouTube.com - Free Hugs.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 

 "Dancing (2012)"

I LOVE these videos. All great examples of what brings people together across so many different areas.

Create Posters: Your task after watching this was to start creating a poster of something that brings the world together. Again, this is extremely low stakes - it's not going to be a huge grade or anything. Just a fun activity to remember that there is more to the world than just conflict. We will try to finish these up next class, present, then move on to the revolution unit. Sound like a plan? Thanks for the great class today! Let me know if you have other videos that you enjoy along these same lines! :-)

Period 1: Revolution! Day 9 - Class Recap

Today we watched part of an episode of The Office in class, while looking for different aspects of a revolution in it. This is me jumping for joy at finding the set of The Office, while on vacation in California in 2007. It is one of my favorite TV shows ever!

Hi everyone,

As I suggested at the start of class today, there was a LOT of talking from me. Usually, I try to stay away from that. Today, there was just so much interesting stuff happening in the world that we had to talk about, along with the introduction of some new content. Read on to get some clarification!

Essential Questions: What brings people together? What tears people apart?

Soundtrack: “Wavin’ Flag” by K’naan. Selected because it is a great song and waving flags can frequently be seen as symbol of revolutions. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 3/14/13:
News Brief/Blog Recap
Poster Grading
Political Compass
The Coup

Homework: Read the blog. Next news brief: Natsuka and Jesus. If you did not turn in your Russian Revolution work today in class, please finish it and get it to me ASAP!
---
News Brief/Blog Recap: Chase encountered a little difficulty getting the news brief today, so I filled in for him. Here's the article I used: CNN.com - 5 things to know about the new pope. This sparked an interesting conversation about many things. I talked about the new pope: Francis I, from Argentina. This is an important moment in world history because 1) new popes are somewhat rare (there has only been two in my life) and 2) there are apparently over 1 billion Catholics in the world (the entire world population is just about 7 billion).

I also talked about the confirmation of discovering the Higgs boson "God Particle" in Europe: BBC.co.uk - LHC cements Higgs boson identification. That article has an interesting overview of what it is. Important news for understanding our universe better. Science is something that brings people together!

Poster Grading: I really enjoyed this conversation! Again, the examples I gave in class were REALLY basic and probably inaccurate in the minds of people who would call themselves communists, socialists, or capitalists. I was merely presenting one way to think about it. Hopefully, it was obvious that there are problems that come up with any system.

Political Compass: This part of class was devoted to learning from two PowerPoints - we are starting your major "historical investigation" project next week, and these notes will help you answer some the main questions the project asks. Here are the presentations to review again, if you need to.

Google Drive: Political Compass PowerPoint

This presentation was looking at various different political philosophies that people hold. Usually, revolutions are prompted by people joining together under a similar way of thinking about what should happen. At the end of the presentation, I showed the class my own point on the political compass. If you want to take the test yourself, please do so! It is really interesting. Here it is: PoliticalCompass.org/test - I would love to see your own results, if you complete it! It is very much like the "forced choice" activity we did in class.

Google Drive: Historical Conditions for Revolution PowerPoint

The next PowerPoint was about the main ways that revolutions start. You will absolutely need to know the political, social, and economic reasons for the revolution you are studying for the historical investigation. An easy way to think about this is: political = people want power; social = people want to find others that agree with them; economic = people want money and resources.

I know I sort of blazed through these. If you are at all confused, please let me know!

The Coup: At the end of the class, we started watching the episode of "The Office" called The Coup. A "coup" (or coup d'etat) is pronounced "coo" and is a French word for the overthrow of a government, usually from a small group of insiders. Thus, this episode is a perfect way to showcase the elements of a revolution (political/social/economic reasons for why Dwight is trying to overthrow Michael as boss) while also being a humorous way to start thinking about how revolutions happen. We did not finish the episode in class. We will do so next week.

Have a great weekend! Get some rest and be ready for a big week of work before Spring Break! :-)