Friday, January 31, 2020

Human Environment Interactions in Europe Part 1



EQ:
  • How have environmental resources and limitations shaped European life?
Engage:
Explore:
Explain:
  • How are the Europeans using natural resources to meet their needs?
  • How have Europeans modified their environment to meet their needs?
Evaluate:


Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Bill of Rights


  EQ:
  • How does the Bill of Rights help the government balance the rights and order in the US political system?
Engage:  
Explore:
Explain:
  • Why were Americans fearful of a strong central government?
  • How did the Bill of Rights calm people's fears about a strong central government?
  • How does the Bill of Rights protect personal freedom?
  • How does the Bill of Rights protect against abuse of the justice system
  • How does the Bill of Rights limit the power of the central government?
Evaluate:

  • Assessment
Extend:

Film Study: An American in Paris

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:An_American_in_Paris_poster.jpg
An American in Paris (1951) is a musical that was inspired by the composition An American in Paris by George Gershwin. It is directed by Vincente Minnelli and was written by Alan Jay Lerner. The music, of course, is Gershwin's with his brother Ira supplying the lyrics. Some additional music is by the music director Saul Chaplin.

The movie stars Gene Kelly, Leslie CaronOscar Levant, Nina Foch and Georges Guetary. It was a winner of 9 Academy Awards and is listed as number 8 on the AFI's Greatest American Musicals list.   

Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Biomes and Population Density of Europe


EQ:
  • How are the ecosystems Europe affected by the physical landforms?
  • How does the physical landforms of Europe influence population density?
Engage:
Explore:
Explain:
  • What landforms affect the biomes in Europe?
  • How is population density influenced by landforms?
  • How is the population density influenced by climate?
Evaluate:

  • Class discussion

Friday, January 24, 2020

Political and Climate Maps of Europe

Today we will be looking at the countries and capitals of Europe. I want us to focus on how the physical geography of Europe has affected the political boundaries of the countries as well as how they have affected the placement of the major cities.

Today's video will be over Southeast England and we will be learning about some interesting history of the area. We might even learn about one of the most infamous murders in England's history!



EQ:
  • What are the countries and capitals of Europe?
Engage:
Explore:
Explain:
  • Are the political boundaries in Europe affected by the physical landforms?
  • What do you notice about the majority of major cities in Europe (think water this time)?
  • How does climate affect where cities/capitals are located?
Evaluate:

  • Classroom Discussion of questions. 

Thursday, January 23, 2020

Constitutional Convention

EQ:
  •  How did the Constitution affect the balance of power?
Engage:
Explore:
Explain:
  • How did the Philadelphia Convention begin?
  • How did  a major disagreement lead to one of the key features of the US government?
  • How did the question of slavery shape the new government?
  • In what ways does the Constitution limit the powers of the national government?
  • How did debate over the Constitution lead to the creation of the Bill of Rights?
  • How was the Constitution finally agreed upon?
Evaluate:
  • The students will answer each question under Explain
Extend:

Film Study: Singin' in the Rain (1952)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Singing_in_the_rain_poster.jpg
Getting the number five nod for AFI's 100 greatest American movies of all time, Singin' in the Rain is considered to be the greatest American musical ever filmed. The film was directed and choreographed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen and starred Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds and Jean Hagen. The story was written by the famous comedy partners Betty Comden and Adolph Green

Gene Kelly, who is considered one of the greatest choreographers of musicals as well as a prolific actor and director, will be seen again soon when we watch the luminescent An American in Paris which ironically is the movie he just finished when he was brought on to head Singin' in the Rain with Stanley Donen. He has an amazing dance scene with the transcendental Cyd Charisse (who goes on to star in the Movie Silk Stockings (1957) which is a remake of the movie Ninotchka (1939) which we will be watching later this year.) 

Donen, a protege of Kelly, went on to direct a lot of great movies including Damn Yankees, The Pajama Game and Kismet, as well as the troublesome Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. He also directed the Lionel Ritchie music video "Dancing on the Ceiling".

As we watch this movie we want to pay attention to the use of sound in the movies. We will be looking at this this PowerPoint from the British Film Institute to discuss this further. As we watch, try to figure out:
  • How were the tap dancing sounds created during the Singin' in the Rain musical sequence?
  •  How were the voices dubbed in the movie? 
  • Who actually sang the song Singin' in the Rain during the performance at the movie premiere? 
  • How does the music impact the scenes in the movie?
  • What is a Foley artist and what do they do?

Physical Map of Europe Day 2

Today we are going to continue to make a physical copy of the physical map of Europe. 

We will be using this as a reference as we explore Europe's climate, population, biomes, and more. How important is the physical geography of a continent?

Today's Rick Steve's video is on the Scottish Highlands. Do you remember where Scotland is on the map?




EQ:
  • What are the physical landforms in Europe?
Engage: 
Explore:
Explain:
  • How does the landforms in Europe affect its history, economics, and population density?
Evaluate:
  • Copy the physical landform map. 

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Physical Map of Europe Day 1

Today we are going to make a physical copy of the physical map of Europe. We will be using this as a reference as we explore Europe's climate, population, biomes, and more. How important is the physical geography of a continent?

First let's watch this video. You will be given a worksheet to fill out as you watch. I love Rick Steves' videos and we will be watching a lot of them so I hope you like them too.




EQ:
  • What are the physical landforms in Europe?
Engage: 
Explore:
Explain:
  • How does the landforms in Europe affect its history, economics, and population density?
Evaluate:
  • Copy the physical landform map. 

Thursday, January 16, 2020

Walt and El Groupo



EQ:
  • Why did Walt Disney take a group of animators to South America during World War 2?
Engage:
Explore:
  • Walt and El Grupo documentary
  • Selections from Saludos Amigos and The Three Caballeros
Explain:
  • Why was the Disney company reeling before the trip?
  • Why did the US Government pay for Disney's trip?
  • How did the trip to South America influence Disney's work and the work of his artists?
Evaluate:
  • How does Education for Death inform what you saw in Walt and El Grupo? 
Extend:


Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Articles of Confederation

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Articles_of_Confederation#/media/File:Articles_page1.jpg

EQ:
  • How well did the Articles of Confederation meet the needs of the new nation?

Engage:
Explore:
Explain:
  • Were the Articles successful?
  • What were the weaknesses of the Articles?
  • How did Shay's Rebellion doom the Articles?
Evaluate:
  •  Assessment

Friday, January 10, 2020

Film Study: Algiers (1938) and The Battle of Algiers (1966)

The first two movies we will be studying are linked by place, but not by impact. Algiers (1938) is a remake of the movie Pepe le Moko (1937) based on the novel by Henri La Barthe, a French journalist, detective and writer. Both movies share the same plot, a wanted gangster hides in the Casbah in Algiers protected by friends and the woman who loves him. Things change when he meets another woman visiting from Paris.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Algiers_1938_Poster.jpg

Algiers (1938)  John Cromwell is the director, he prolifically directed 50 movies during his career including The Prisoner of Zenda and Of Human Bondage . He also directed Anna and the King of Siam which Rogers and Hammerstein later adapted into the musical The King and I, a film we will watch during our unit on musicals. 

The movie stars Charles Boyer, Hedy Lamarr, and Sigrid Gurie. Boyer, who we will see again in Gaslight during our look at Film Noir, was famous for his smooth charm and wonderful French accent. Hedy, whose first name is actually Hedwig!, made her Hollywood debut in this movie. She had starred in several movies in Germany before coming to the United States. She was also very intelligent and patented a way for changing radio frequencies during radio transmission to stop signal blocking. After making just a few movies, Sigrid transitioned to creating art including paintings and jewelry. 

While watching Algiers (1938) we want to look at setting. We will book trying to answer the following questions:
  1. What is the Casbah?
  2. Where is Algiers?
  3. Why are the French in charge of the police and military in Algiers at this time?
  4. Is there a political bias in this film? 
  5. What connection does Pepe Le Pew have with this movie?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pep%C3%A9_Le_Pew.svg
The second movie we are going to watch is The Battle of Algiers. This movie will be a completely different style of movie from Algiers (1938). The first is more of a standard film noir, while The Battle of Algiers (1966) is a much, much different style of movie. It is considered to be a neorealist style, which means it seems real, although it isn't. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Battle_of_Algiers_poster.jpg

Battle of Algiers was directed by Gillo Pontecorvo, an Italian film maker. One of the stars, Saddi Yacef, has a very special tie to the film which we will discuss.

The movie is based on the Algerian War (1954-1962) which eventually led to the departure of French forces and the finish of French control in Algeria. The film depicts accurately portrayed bombings and terrorist attacks from the war. According to Wikipedia, "The Battle of Algiers gained a reputation for inspiring political violence: in particular the tactics of urban guerrilla warfare and terrorism in the movie were supposedly copied by the Black Panthers, the Provisional Irish Republican Army, the Palestinian Liberation Organization and the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front."

Again we will be revisiting setting in this film as well as discussing the following questions:
  1. What impact did this film have worldwide?
  2. Which side, as depicted in the film, is morally superior?
  3. how did the style of film affect your understanding?
  4. At any time during the film did you think you were watching real footage from the war? 
Interestingly enough both films were nominated for Academy Awards. Algiers received four nominations while The Battle of Algiers earned three, but neither won. Which movies won the awards in those nominated categories?

Thursday, January 09, 2020

Where is El Dorado?



Eldorado

By Edgar Allan Poe

Gaily bedight,
   A gallant knight,
In sunshine and in shadow,   
   Had journeyed long,   
   Singing a song,
In search of Eldorado.

   But he grew old—
   This knight so bold—   
And o’er his heart a shadow—   
   Fell as he found
   No spot of ground
That looked like Eldorado.

   And, as his strength   
   Failed him at length,
He met a pilgrim shadow—   
   ‘Shadow,’ said he,   
   ‘Where can it be—
This land of Eldorado?’

   ‘Over the Mountains
   Of the Moon,
Down the Valley of the Shadow,   
   Ride, boldly ride,’
   The shade replied,—
‘If you seek for Eldorado!’


EQ:
  • Is El Dorado a real place?
Engage:
  • None
Explore:
  • Digging for the Truth: The Search for El Dorado
  • Eldorado poem by Edgar Allen Poe
Explain:
  • How is the El Dorado that Josh Bernstein searches for like Poe's Eldorado?
  • How are they different?
Evaluate:
  • Draw and color a picture inspired by the poem. Try to include at least one detail from the poem.
  • Write a short story about you, the narrator, searching for El Dorado. This story should be at least 350 words long.

Wednesday, January 08, 2020

Map of South America

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Languages_of_South_America_(en).svg


EQ:
  • What are the official languages of the countries of South America?
Engage:
  • Why do South American countries speak European languages?
Explore:
Explain:
  • Identify the countries of South America
  • Identify the capitals of South America
  • Identify the official languages of South America
Evaluate:

Tuesday, January 07, 2020

Why Do We Remember Paul Revere Instead of Joseph Warren?




Typically this is the story that is told about Paul Revere and his 'Midnight Ride'. Revere is still famous today because of this act that happened on the eve of the Shot Heard 'Round the World, the battles of Lexington and Concord. What many do not know what that Revere wasn't the only rider out to spread the word or that he was captured before he could completely fulfill his mission. This raises the question, why do we not talk about William Dawes and Dr. Samuel Prescott? 


https://prh1734.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/PaulRevereMap121416.jpg
In the last lesson we learned about Paul Revere's propaganda piece, the Boston Massacre print. Did you also know that Revere was a silversmith and an occasional dentist as well? On this night, though he was a man on a horse tasked with alerting John Hancock and Sam Adams they were about to be caught by the soldiers. 



Longfellow's poem was written in 1860. It was really a call to keep the union together before the split creating the Civil War. Although it didn't stop the secession of the Confederate states, it did create the myth of Paul Revere's ride.  



THE TRUE STORY OF PAUL REVERE
By Charles Gettemy (link)

"Most men like Revere--- somewhat above the average of the mass, but not possessing the usual elements of enduring fame-- pass out of life eulogized by their fellow-citizens; remembered by a circle of admiring and respecting friends until they also pass away; and are ultimately forgotten, finding no place upon the pages of written history.

"Paul Revere was rescued from this fate by an accident-- the witchery of a poet's Imagination. His famous ride on the night of the 18th of April, 1775, remained unsung, if not unhonored, for eighty-eight years, or until Longfellow in 1863 made it the text for his Landlord's Tale in the Wayside Inn.

"It is to Longfellow's simple and tuneful ballad that most persons undoubtedly owe their knowledge of the fact that a man of the name of Revere really did something on the eve of the historic skirmish at Lexington which is worth remembering."

Let's take a look at Dr. Joseph Warren next. Warren was a leader, along with Hancock and Sam Adams, in the Sons of Liberty. He publicly spoke twice in honor of the Boston Massacre and was appointed President of the Massachusetts Provincial Government, basically the political leadership of those rebelling against the government in Massachusetts. He learned about the British soldiers' plans to march to Lexington and Concord and sent William Dawes and Paul Revere out to warn the towns and then went out to lead the rebels in their fighting against the soldiers. He helped to organize for the siege of Boston and in his governmental capacity negotiated with General Gage. Because of these activities he became well known to British soldiers, which would later cost him his life.





At the battle of Bunker Hill Warren was killed. His body was defiled with bayonets and put in a shallow grave. A few days later a British officer opened the grave and defiled the body again. 



The Death of General Warren at the Battle of Bunker Hill
Ten months later Paul Revere accompanied Warren's brothers with the hope of recovering the body for reburial. When they found the grave they believed to be his they could not recognize his body because of the British defilements. Fortunately, Paul Revere did identify him because of his dental work. It seems Revere had given him and artificial tooth that was identifiable which makes him the world's first forensic dentist

At the time the death of Warren was both a blow and a benefit to the early days of the Revolution. While he was considered a very important person in the Massachusetts rebel organization in his death he was considered a martyr which energized the rebels. Check out this poem,Ode, published in an English newspaper after his death. It celebrates his speeches given in memory of the Boston Massacre and honors his death. This goes to show that there were those in England who supported the cause of the American rebels as well. 

Ultimately both of these men were instrumental in Boston's early contributions to the American Revolution. Their lives seemed intertwined for a half dozen years, until Warren's death. 

EQ: Why is Paul Revere more famous than Joseph Warren?


Engage:
Explore Revere's Ride:
Explore Dr. Joseph Warren
Explain:
  • What did Paul Revere do that made him famous?
  • Who wrote the poem that made Revere famous?
  • How did Paul Revere know Dr. Joseph Warren?
  • What was Warren's role in the Battle of Lexington and Concord?
  • Where did Warren die?
  • Who identified Warren's body?
  • Why do we remember Paul Revere and not Dr. Joseph Warren?
Evaluate:
  •  Answer the questions
Extend:


Monday, January 06, 2020

Government and Economics of Latin America

https://jet.fandom.com/index.php?title=File:Latin_America.gif&limit=20&showall=0

Today we are using Discovery Education to learn about the governments and economies of Latin American countries.

As you learn you will be filling out a study guide. You will use this study guide to prepare for an assessment over the information. Make sure you get the correct answers to the questions and learn the vocabulary.

EQ:
  • What are the governments and economies like in Latin America?
Engage: 
Explore:
Explain:
Evaluate:

  • Assessment