The Geography of China with Edpuzzle

 Today's Learning Objective   Explain the geographic features of China that made governance and the spread of ideas and good difficult and served to isolate the country from the rest of the world.

 

Geography of China - Edpuzzle Video  Today you will be visiting Edpuzzle and watching a video and answering a series of questions about the Geography of China. Before you do, however, we are going to preview the video together as a class.

Now head over to Edpuzzle and begin answering your questions. Remember the video will stop periodically and you'll be required to answer a question before being allowed to continue. To be successful, you must pay close attention to the content of the video. If you have your own headphones, please use them. Otherwise, you must listen to your video as quietly as possible. You can watch the video and answer the questions at your own pace. If you don't finish in class today, you must finish on your own time outside of class. This activity will count towards your Social Studies assessment grade, and should be completed by Friday, April 8.

Ancient China Webquest  If you finish your Edpuzzle early, you may continue working on your Ancient China Webquest. Follow the links, research the questions, and record your answers using the document. This assignment is due Friday, April 8.

Welcome to Ancient China

 

 Today's Learning Objective   Analyze the geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures of the early civilizations of China.

Video Warm-Up  Welcome to Ancient China! Watch the China introductory video below and make observations about the geography and culture of China. Share your observations here.  

Ancient China Webquest  Get oriented with some of the things you'll be learning about during our unit on ancient China by starting to explore the Ancient China Webquest, which you can find in your Social Studies Google Classroom. Follow the links, research the questions, and record your answers using the document. We will work on this throughout the next week.  

Hinduism and Buddhism Film Festival

Hinduism and Buddhism Film Festival  Today is the world premiere of Mr. McGinty's Social Studies students' Hinduism and Buddhism videos. Please make sure your video is published and in your Social Studies folder and ready for showtime. While you are watching each video, please provide the video's creator with positive and constructive feedback using the form here. 

Last Day for Filmmaking and Emperor Ashoka

Emperor Ashoka

 Today's Learning Objectives  * Describe the political and moral achievements of the emperor Ashoka. * Know the life and teachings of the Buddha. * Explain the major beliefs and practice of the religion of Hinduism. * Include multimedia components (e.g., graphics, images, music, sound) and visual displays in presentations to clarify information. 

Last Chance to 'Finish' Your Hinduism and Buddhism Video Today is your last chance to put the finishing touches on your Hinduism and Buddhism WeVideo project and 'Finish' it in order to avoid getting an 'Incomplete' grade. I will begin grading your projects over the weekend. On Monday, we will be hosting a Hinduism and Buddhism Film Festival and premiering each of your videos.   

Emperor Ashoka's Rule of Tolerance  As our unit on ancient India comes to a close, I would like you know about one of ancient India's most famous rulers, Emperor Ashoka. First, read independently about Asoka here and then be prepared to share what you learned with the class. Next, read along with Mr. McGinty as he reads from an example of a primary source document - an excerpt of the speech that Asoka delivered after the Battle of Kalinga. You can find the speech here and here. Guiding questions: How did Buddha's teachings change Ashoka as a leader? What modern day leaders does Ashoka remind you of? Would you recommend that all leaders study the teachings of Buddhism? Why or why not?  

Hinduism and Buddhism Video Project

Hinduism and Buddhism Video Project  Today we will continue working our Hinduism and Buddhism video projects. If you need any help with how to upload images into WeVideo and add them to your storyboard, how to add text, how to edit the length of your segments, and how to change the background music and video theme, please ask. There is no reason to sit and suffer in silence. I'm here to support you! If you already understand how to put your video together, you are welcome to continue creating movie magic. Have fun!

Below is the rubric I plan on using to assess your project. I hope all videos will be completed by this Friday, March 18.

Hinduism and Buddhism Video Project and CNN Student News

CNN Student News and Google Mapping  As we watch CNN Student News today, identify one or two news stories that you can pinpoint geographically and place on the Current Event layer of your Social Studies World Map via Google Maps. 

Japan; South Africa; and Argentina were all featured in today's segment. After pinning at least one of these places on your map, consider the most important question: What happened here? You should include a title for the event, the date(s) the event took place, a brief summary of what happened, and include an appropriate photo or video. If you need to refer to a transcript of today's broadcast you can find it here.

Hinduism and Buddhism Video Project  Remember that before you can start making your video you need to finish your script about Hinduism and Buddhism and find and download the accompanying images. If you need help, please ask. Once you've completed these tasks, you're ready to start making your movie. If you need any help with how to upload images into WeVideo and add them to your storyboard, how to add text, how to edit the length of your segments, and how to change the background music and video theme, please ask. There is no reason to sit and suffer in silence. I'm here to support you! If you already understand how to put your video together, you are welcome to continue creating movie magic. Have fun!

Below is the rubric I plan on using to assess your project. I hope all videos will be completed by this Friday, March 18.

Hinduism and Buddhism Video Project: Next Steps

Finding Images to Accompany Your Text  Once you get 'script approval,' you get to move on to the next step: Finding images or pictures to accompany the written text for each of your slides. First, create a folder in your Downloads folder to host your images, preferably named "Hinduism and Buddhism Pictures." Then, search for images related to each of your statements about Hinduism and Buddhism. When you locate an image you like, make sure you open the highest quality version of it and then save it (using alt click) and then 'save as,' select Downloads, and choose your designated folder.  Next, name the pic (e.g., reincarnation.jpg).  

Getting Started with WeVideo  Before you get to start making your WeVideo, you need to finish your script of written statements about Hinduism and Buddhism and find and download the accompanying images. Once you've completed these tasks, you're ready to start making your movie. Watch a brief overview of WeVideo below to get oriented.  

Next, check out this more detailed tutorial on how to use WeVideo. 

Next steps: login to WeVideo, create a new video project, upload your images, add your text, choose a theme and music, and you are on your way. Please ask if you need help. I can't wait to see your creations!  Be creative and have fun!