Ancient India: The Geography of South Asia (Day 2)

 Today's Focus Question  How did geography affect life in India?

Introductory Video: Geography and Climate of India  Watch the short video below and be prepared to share something you have already learned about the geography and climate of India and the surrounding region.

                           

The Geography of South Asia: Guided Reading and Notetaking  Today we will continue to learn about the geography and climate of South Asia. You will be taking notes on these important ideas using the The Geography of South Asia - Notetaking Study Guide. You have two different sources available to locate pertinent information. You may utilize the relevant section of your Social Studies textbook here, and/or you may reference the excerpt from your Social Studies workbook below. 

The Indian subcontinent and surroundings.

The Hindu Kush mountains blocked South Asia from the north.

The Himalaya mountain range is a natural barrier that cut off South Asia from China.

The first Indian civilizations began in the Indus River valley.

The Ganges River is another important river in India.

The rains brought by the summer monsoons bring relief from the baking heat. 

Farming in Asia depended on the monsoon rains.

In the winter, dry winds blow from the land to the sea. In the summer, wet winds blow from the oceans onto the land.

Homework  Complete The Geography of South Asia - Notetaking Study Guide, which will be due on Friday, December 5.  

Ancient India: The Geography of South Asia

The Indian Subcontinent 

 Today's Focus Question  How did the geography affect life in India?

Introduction to the Geography of South Asia: Writing Warm-Up  Study the image above. What do you see? What do you notice about the geography of this part of the world? What geologic features are apparent? What do imagine the climate  to be like there? Share your observations on the Google Form here. 

The Geography of South Asia: Vocabulary Study  Today we start a new unit on the early civilizations of India. We will begin by learning about the geography of this part of the world, and today we will specifically study some of the key vocabulary related is geography, using the document The Geography of South Asia - Cognitive Content Dictionary, which can be found in your Social Studies folders. We will be using an excerpt from our Social Studies textbook, which has been placed in your Social Studies folders (and which you can also find here), to help us understand the lesson's key words and concepts. Some images have also been posted below to help you conceptualize these new terms.
  

The Indian subcontinent is very large.

The Himalaya mountains are a natural barrier separating India from China.

The blue lines represent the Indus river system.

Watsonville is home to a lot of fertile farm land. 

Monsoons bring wet winds in the summer and dry winds in the winter. 

Video: Geography and Climate of India  Watch the short video below about the geography and climate of India below and then be prepared to share something you learned today. 

                           

Homework  Complete The Geography of South Asia - Cognitive Content Dictionary, which will be due on Friday, December 5.  

Understanding the Ferguson Protests

Portland Police Sgt. Bret Barnum hugs 12-year-old Devonte Hart during a Ferguson demonstration in the city of Portland earlier this week. Devonte had been standing before a group of police officers, with tears streaming from his eyes, holding a sign that read "Free Hugs." Sgt. Barnum approached and asked Devote why he was crying. Devonte shared his concerns about the level of police brutality directed towards young black kids. Sgt. Barnum responded, "Yes, I know. I'm sorry. I'm sorry." He then asked Devonte if he could have one of his hugs. 

Building Background: Understanding the Ferguson Protests  Today we are going to take a break from studying and understanding events from ancient history, in order to try to process and understand events that are happening right now in the town of Ferguson, Missouri, and across our nation. Read the Newslea article about recent events here. Next, look at some of the images related to the protests in Ferguson and throughout the country. Finally, watch the news story below. 

Officer Darren Wilson and 18-year-old Mike Brown

The vast majority of protestors in Ferguson have been peaceful.

Mike Brown's mother learns that Officer Wilson will not face criminal charges for her son's killing.

After the grand jury decision, many protestors' frustration with police and the legal system turns to anger.

Anger boils over in Ferguson, as some take to the streets, setting fires and looting and destroying property.

A demonstrator sits in front of street fire during a demonstration following the grand jury decision.

Protests have been taking place across the nation.

Protestors gather in Eugene, Oregon, the night after the decision not to indict Officer Wilson.

Protestors march hand-in-hand in New York City.

A mother and her children lead a small protest in Minnesota.  

Padlet Activity: Express Yourself  You have a right to have your voice heard. What do you think about what is happening in Ferguson and across the country? How have you felt watching the news about these events? What are your opinions regarding some of the issues involved? Do you have any questions or concerns? Share your initial thoughts, feelings, questions, and/or concerns on your class's Padlet wall (4th period here and 6th period here). You may choose to leave your comment without a name attached, if it would make you feel more comfortable. Regardless of your viewpoint, however, make sure you maintain a level of respect and civility on this community forum.

One Man's Perspective: NFL Player Benjamin Watson Speaks Out  Many people have had a lot to say about the events in Ferguson but few have been able to capture the complexity of the issues and feelings involved as well as Benjamin Watson, an NFL football player for the New Orleans Saints. The night of the grand jury decision he penned an emotional response to the news, which he posted on Facebook. Let's spend some time reading and examining his words today. 

Benjamin Watson's Facebook post has been 'liked' a million times and shared by over 400,000 people.

Writing Activity: Add Your Voice  How exactly are you feeling about events related to the Ferguson story? Are you feeling angry, scared, confused, sad, sympathetic, hopeless, hopeful, or perhaps something else? Why are you feeling this way? Like Benjamin Watson, try to explore your own feelings and perspectives. In your Social Studies folders, you will find the document How I'm Feeling About Ferguson. After reviewing Benjamin Watson's words again, add your voice. Notice how Benjamin begins each paragraph or stanza with I'M ________, which is followed by an explanation of his feelings. You have been provided a scaffold to do the same. Express one of your feelings and explain why you feel that way. If you are feeling a range of feelings as Benjamin was, don't feel limited to expressing just one. Feel free to explore them all.   

Judaism and Chanukah

The Story of Chanukah  As our unit on Judaism and the ancient Hebrews comes to a close, and with the celebration of Chanukah (or Hanukkah) fast approaching, I thought it would be fitting to learn more about the history and customs related to this important Jewish holiday. To learn more about the story of Chanukah, check out the video below. 
  

Why do Jewish people celebrate an event that happened so very long ago? Listen as these talented young men explain why through song. 

And in light of our recent poetry unit, what better way to understand the meaning of this important holiday than through a couple of poems. 

Video Treat: "Rugrats Chanukah"  The Rugrats learn about the "The Meaning of Chanukah" in this holiday special. 

The Ancient Hebrews: The Spread of Judaism (Day 2)

The Diaspora of Jews followed the laws and rituals of Judaism wherever they were.

 Today's Focus Question  How did the influence of Judaism spread across time and place? 

The Spread of Judaism: Reading and Notetaking  Today we will continue to learn about the spread of Judaism, with a special focus on the time of judges and kings, the Diaspora, and the legacy of Judaism. You will be taking notes on these important ideas using the Spread of Judaism - Notetaking Study Guide. You have two different sources available to locate pertinent information. You may utilize the relevant section of your Social Studies textbook here, and/or you may reference the excerpt from your Social Studies workbook below. 

Judges could inspire an army of volunteers. 

The time of judges came to an end when a warrior named Saul become king. 

After King Solomon's death, the kingdom of Israel was split into two parts.

After being conquered, many Jews were sent into exile.

The synagogue allowed Jews to practice their religion wherever they were in the world. 

Yohann ben Zaccai was important for helping to preserve Jewish teaching and learning. 

Judaism introduced the idea of one God to the world. 

Homework  Complete the assignment Spread of Judaism - Notetaking Study Guide, which along with The Spread of Judaism - Cognitive Content Dictionary, will be due on Friday, December 5.  

The Ancient Hebrews: The Spread of Judaism

 Today's Focus Question  How did the influence of Judaism spread across time and place? 

Publishing Your 'Beliefs of Judaism' Paragraph  Today we are publishing our 'Beliefs of Judaism' paragraphs to our Social Studies blogs on Kidblog (4th period is here; 6th period is here). After you log in, click 'New Post'. Give your post a title (e.g., The Basic Beliefs of Judaism). Copy and paste your paragraph from your Google Doc into the text box below your title. When you're ready, click 'Publish' and you're in business. 

Build Background Knowledge: The Spread of Judaism  Have you ever moved? Do you know anyone who has moved? Did you take your beliefs, thoughts, and memories with you when you moved? Do you think the Jewish people took took their beliefs, thoughts, and memories with them when they moved? Do you think that this is a way in which Judaism spread? Let's start to explore these ideas today. 

The Spread of Judaism: Vocabulary Study  First, we will study the key vocabulary related to the spread of Judaism, using the document The Spread of Judaism - Cognitive Content Dictionary, which can be found in your Social Studies folders. We will be using an excerpt from our Social Studies textbook, which has been placed in your Social Studies folders (and which you can also find here), to help us understand the lesson's key words and concepts. Some images have also been posted below to help you conceptualize these new terms.

Deborah was a judge (and not in courtroom) who inspired an army to win a great battle.

In addition to being a king of the Israelites, David was also the author of many psalms (or religious songs).

There were several times in history in which the Jews rebelled against those that sought to conquer them.

But there were also many times in history in which thew Jews were exiled from their homeland. 

Communities of Jews living away from their homeland made up the Diaspora. 

The synagogue is where many Jews go to worship God.