da Vinci Arts Middle School
History
QUIZZES/TESTS & PROJECTS:
Quizzes/tests and projects will account for 50% of the overall grade. There will be a test or major project for each unit of study and perhaps a trimester final. This year we will be studying Prehistory, Early Humans, Ancient Egypt, Ancient India, Ancient China, Ancient Greece, and the start of Ancient Rome. Please pay attention to the planner for updates on projects, quizzes, and test dates.
Quizzes/Tests can, and often do, follow readings and lectures. I try to impress upon students that paying attention the first time (whether in reading or listening) is essential to long-term success. Being purposeful, rather than just getting the task done as soon as possible, lends itself to better understanding or, at the very least, asking good questions that can help lead to better understanding. Quizzes are normally short and sweet—ten or less simple questions.
There are two versions of each test available for students. One test will have vocabulary, multiple choice, a map, and identification questions. The other version will have vocabulary, a map, and short answer questions. Those students who desire a challenge (or who I deem need a challenge) will take the test with the short answer questions. I am not an easy evaluator so the short answer test will be difficult.
DIG Cultural Project
Culture Collage/Accordion Book guidelines
"Was Ancient Sumer a Civilization?" (chapter 5: pages 40-49)
Early Humans
"Investigating the Past" (chapter 1: pages 1-11)
"Early Hominids" (chapter 2: pages 12-23)
"From Hunter & Gatherer to Farmers" (chapter 3: pages 24-31)
"Rise of Sumerian City-States" (chapter 4: pages 32-39)
"Exploring Four Empires of Mesopotamia" (chapter 6: pages 50-59)
Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egypt and Middle East geography (PowerPoint)
Ancient Egypt and Middle East geography (PDF)
Ancient Egypt and Middle East history (PowerPoint)
Ancient Egypt and Middle East history (PDF)
Ancient Egypt daily life, religion, social classes, etc. (PowerPoint)
Ancient Egypt daily life, religion, social classes, etc. (PDF)
Ancient Egypt geography assignment (PDF)
***complete only pages 51, 53, 54, & 57
"Geography & Settlement of Egypt" (chapter 7)
"Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs" (chapter 8)
"Daily Life in Ancient Egypt" (chapter 9)
"Kingdom of Kush" (chapter 10)
Ancient India
"Geography and Settlement of India" (chapter 13)
"Unlocking the Secrets of Mohenjodaro" (chapter 14)
"Buddhism and the First Unification of India" (chapter 17)
"Achievements of the Gupta Empire" (chapter 18)
Ancient India geography assignment
links to videos on Mohenjodaro:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLXJxemLEI4&feature=fvwrel&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eL7wDzBpOho&feature=related&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdGbamPgf8o&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1
notes for chapter 17 "Buddhism and the First Unification of India" reviewed in class
Ancient Religions
"Ancient Hebrews and the Origins of Judaism" (chapter 11)
"Struggle to Preserve Judaism" (chapter 12)
"Learning about Hindu Beliefs" (chapter 15)
"Story of Buddhism" (chapter 16)
classroom presentation on: (all PDFs)
Ancient China
"Geography and the Early Settlement of China" (chapter 19)
"Shang Dynasty" (chapter 20)
"Three Chinese Philosophies" (chapter 21)"First Emperor of China" (chapter 22)
"Han Dynasty" (chapter 23)
"Silk Road" (chapter 24)
Ancient Greece
"Geography & Settlement of Greece" (chapter 25)
"Rise of Democracy" (chapter 26)
"Life in Two City-States: Athens & Sparta" (chapter 27)
"Fighting the Persian Wars" (chapter 28)
"Golden Age of Athens" (chapter 29)
"Alexander the Great" (chapter 30)
"Legacy of Ancient Greece" (chapter 31)
Ancient Rome
ASSIGNMENTS:
Assignments comprise 25% of the history grade. We will be doing a lot of map work, some note taking, answer reflective questions, and a host of other various tasks. The shape, form, and due date of the assignments is wide-ranging, so please pay close attention to the planner sheet.
Additionally, the quantity, breadth, and depth of assignments vary from unit to unit. Student diligence in the completion of the assignments in a timely manner will help their grade immensely.
CURRENT EVENTS:
Current events constitute 25% of the grade. Students have chosen a day of the week to present a current event. The school day before their current event is due; students select and prepare an article during silent reading time. On the day that the current event is due, students present a basic summary of the article (who, what, when, where, why) and they locate the event on the world map for the class.
Students will complete a total of four current events this trimester. They have been given a handout (available below) that explains how to complete the current event assignment and another handout with an example article completed for them.
Current Event
Guidelines & Schedule #1-8 (Semester 1)
blank current event sheet (Microsoft Word format)
blank
current event sheet (PDF format)
current event #3 review
current event #4 review
CURRENT EVENT SOURCES:
MAPS:
Links to geography quizzes and other geography resources:
a wonderful resource in which the quiz provides the country's name and you click on the country--the drop down window in the middle of the right side of the window allows you to choose other continents/regions
another great resource with bright colors and other maps available (from the linked menus on either the left or right of the window)
