Rick Steves' Day

 Today we are going to be watching some Rick Steves videos. The first is about Norway. How is this country like Denmark? How is it different?

Next we will watch a fun little video about five very small countries in Europe. Why do you think these countries still exist? I bet we can figure it out together. 

The last video today is on Portugal's capital city, Lisbon. Portugal has very important ties to the Americas, Do you know any of them? I will give you a hint, one country in South America speaks Portuguese!

EQ

• What can we learn about Norway?
• What can we learn about Portugal?
• Why are there micro-countries in Europe?

Explore:

• Rick Steves Norway's West
• Rick Steves Lisbon
• Rick Steves Little Europe

Explain:

• How is Norway like and unlike Denmark?
• Why is Portugal important to the Americas?
• Why are there micro-countries in Europe?

Evaluate:

• Worksheet

Rick Steves' European Christmas

  

Today we will look at some of the Christmas traditions as celebrated in different countries in Europe. It is very interesting to compare how we in the US or even in our own house celebrate Christmas with how it is celebrated in other cultures. 

EQ: What are some Christmas traditions in Europe?

Engage:

• What traditions do your family have this time of year?
• If you don't celebrate Christmas, are there other holidays you celebrate during this time?
• Do any of you not celebrate during this time of year?

Explore:

• European Christmas Rick Steves (55:31)

Explain:

• Do these traditions look like your traditions?
• Which traditions would you like to do?
• Which traditions are you glad you don't do?

Evaluate: 

• Class discussion

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: 

• Rick Steves video Scottish Highlands (25:02) 
• Rick Steves Questionnaire for Great Britain

Explore:

• Log in to Clever.com and then click on Discovery Education
• Copy the physical map here

Explain:

• How does the landforms in Europe affect its history, economics, and population density?

Evaluate:

• Copy the physical landform map. 

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: 

• Rick Steves video The Heart of England (25:01)
• Rick Steves Questionnaire for Great Britain

Explore:

• Log in to Clever.com and then click on Discovery Education
• Copy the physical map here

Explain:

• How does the landforms in Europe affect its history, economics, and population density?

Evaluate:

• Copy the physical landform map. 

Spotlight on Peru

 

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/eb/Machu_Picchu%2C_Peru.jpg

EQ:

• Which videos should I use to teach about Peru?

Engage:

• Call back to the Peru segment from Walt and El Groupo
• Students will be given a short intro to each video and will choose which to watch.

Explore:

• Peru's Sacred Valley (47:00) Gordon Ramsay Uncharted National Geographic Disney+
• The Lost City of Machu Picchu (44:00) National Geographic Disney+
• Lost Temple of the Inca (44:00) National Geographic Disney+

Explain:

•  Questions will depend on video students choose. 

Evaluate:

•  Class discussion

Inca: Island in the Sky

  EQ: 

• How did the Inca culture develop in Peru?

Engage:

• None

Explore:

• Vocabulary Ceremonial, Terrace, Plaza, Masonry, Lidar, Anomaly
• Inca Island in the Sky 45:00) Lost Cities with Albert Lin National Geographic Disney+

Explain:

•  When was Machu Picchu built?
• What is the name of the language the Incas used?
• What evidence are they looking for on top of the hill?
• What are chullpas?
• What shape of chullpas made the archaeologists believe they were Incan?
• What was at the heart of Incan life?
• What is the name of the volcano Albert Lin investigates?

Evaluate:

• Worksheet with vocabulary 

 

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:

•  Log in to Clever.com and then click on Discovery Education
• A Government Built From Scratch

Explore:

• Note Taking Strategies
• Vocabulary note taking as we go through text.
• Governing a New Nation
• Accepting a Central Government
• A Blueprint for Expansion
• Problems with the Articles of Confederation at Home
• Problems Competing with British Commerce
• Problems with Spanish Land Claims
• Rebellion in a New Nation
• Shay's Rebellion Video

Explain:

• Were the Articles successful?
• What were the weaknesses of the Articles?
• How did Shay's Rebellion doom the Articles?

Evaluate:

•  Assessment

Search for 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!’

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/48634/eldorado-56d22a0920778

EQ:

• Is El Dorado a real place?

Engage:

• None

Explore:

• Vocabulary: gaily, bedight, gallant, pilgrim
• 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.

Washington Crossing the Delaware Part 2

Emanuel Leutze "Washington Crossing the Delaware "

The painting of "Washington Crossing the Delaware" by Emanuel Leutze is a historically significant piece of art in the United States. It is so iconic it has become inspiration for pop art. Read about pop art here.

Below is one example of using the painting to create a pop art piece. Compare the two pieces of art, what is similar and what is different?

By WatermelonRat

Assignment

1. Create your own piece of pop art using the knowledge you learned from the Wikipedia page. Use "Washington Crossing the Delaware" as your inspiration.
2. Check with me if you have any questions.

EQ: 

• What is pop art and why should it be a thing?

Engage:

• Part 2 of the lesson

Explore:

• The students will examine the painting Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emmanuel Leutze
• Pop Art

Explain:

• Is pop art based on original works ok? 

Evaluate:

• Students will create a piece of art using Leutze's painting as inspiration.

Washington Crossing the Delaware Part 1

 

Washington Crossing the Delaware is a very famous painting. Its use in popular culture probably even led to a contest to pick the best George Washington impersonator to re-enact the crossing every year. Watch this video to find out more about the contest. 

Being George

After watching the video, lets look at the paining. What do you see? Can you find any historical inconsistencies? You can find more information about the painting of Leutze's Washington Crossing the Delaware.

Emanuel Leutze "Washington Crossing the Delaware "

The painting creates a lot of questions. Why was this painted? Is it historically accurate? Who is the artist Emanuel Leutze? Check out the article below to find out these answers.

https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-iconic-american-history-painting-facts-wrong

Assignment 

In the comment section of this post answer the following questions:

1. In "Being George" why do you think portraying George Washington is so important to the contestants?
2. Why did Leutze paint "Washington Crossing the Delaware"? 
3. Identify three historical inaccuracies in the painting. 
4. Should art be historically accurate? Explain why or why not. 

Copy and paste the following frame for your comment:

1. Portraying George Washington is important to the contestants because
2. Leutze painted "Washington Crossing the Delaware" because
3. Three historical inaccuracies in the painting are
4. Yes, art should be historically accurate because/No, art should not be historically accurate because 

EQ: 

• Should artists have a responsibility to make their art historically accurate?

Engage:

• Fred Armiston Art Afficionado (2:58)

Explore:

• Being George: The real-life drama in the contest to re-enact Washington crossing the Delaware (39 min)
• The students will examine the painting Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emmanuel Leutze

Explain:

• The students will examine pop culture homages to the painting. We will also discuss how the painting has been used for political reasons.

Evaluate:

• In "Being George" why do you think portraying George Washington is so important to the contestants?
• Why did Leutze paint "Washington Crossing the Delaware"? 
• Identify three historical inaccuracies in the painting. 
• Should art be historically accurate? Explain why or why not. 

1776 The Musical

  

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

Since 2015 the biggest musical, let alone history based musical has been Hamilton. Here is a clip from the Tony's. 

What you may not know is there was a musical over the same time period that started on Broadway in 1969 and later became a movie in 1972. We are going to watch the movie and try to parse what is factual and what is changed for the medium (besides the congressman not randomly breaking into song.)

EQ: Why did the Declaration of Independence get written and who wrote it?

Engage:

• Clip from Hamilton the Musical

Explore:

• Vocabulary: declaration, independence, self-evident, equal, endowed, inalienable, liberty, derive
• Vocabulary: government, destructive, transient, accustomed, usurpations, assent, tyranny, justice
• 1776 the Musical

Explain:

• What held up the Continental Congress from declaring independence from Britain?
• Who was the most ardent supporter of independence?
• How did slavery complicate declaring independence?

Evaluate:

• Worksheet questions

Extend:

Walt and El Group

EQ:

• Why did Walt Disney take a group of animators to South America during World War 2?

Engage:

• Walt Disney's Education for Death (10:08) 

Explore:

• Vocabulary: animation, movie, union, strike, goodwill tour
• Vocabulary: overcoat, sketch, sophisticated, plaza, Nazi
• Vocabulary: estuary, deforestation, gaucho, llano, pampas
• 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:

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:

• Adventure is Out There Pixar Short over Venezuela
• Why do South American countries speak European languages?

Explore:

• Political Map of South America
• Official Language Map of South America

Explain:

• Identify the countries of South America
• Identify the capitals of South America
• Identify the official languages of South America

Evaluate:

• Label and color a map of South America identifying countries, capitals, and official languages
• GDoc with map instructions

Extend: 

Jefferson City Field Trip

Friday we will be traveling to Jefferson City to visit the state capitol and the now closed state penitentiary.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:AP_of_Missouri_State_Capitol_Building.jpg

Let's first watch this video on the history of the building. If you pay attention you may be able to answer some of the tour guide's questions and look really smart!

Next is a video on the symbolic meanings of the Missouri state flag and the Missouri seal. In it you will learn about the colors of the flag and the reason we have grizzly bears all over the seal.

One of the most interesting parts of the capitol is the artwork that you find inside. We have two videos that talk about the artwork. While you are there you will tour the artwork with the guide and these videos will give you some insight into them.

• Stately Images: The Art of Missouri's State Capitol 
• The Missouri Mural

Below is a photo of the Missouri State Penitentiary which is now closed. Listen carefully to the tour guides to learn the history of the site. 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Missouri_State_Penitentiary.jpg

EQ: Why should we take a field trip to Jefferson City?

Engage:

•  Friday is the field trip.

Explore:

• History of the Missouri Capitol (4:53)
• Stately Images: The Public Art of Missouri's State Capitol (28:14)
• The Missouri Mural (5:11)
• History of the Missouri Penitentiary  (18:08)

Explain:

• What is the purpose of the state capitol?
• What are some interesting facts about the capitol?
• What should we learn about the penitentiary?

Evaluate:

Extend:

• Ghost Adventures Missouri Penitentiary

The Girl From Ipanema: Bossa Nova and Brasil

  The Girl from Ipanema is probably the second most recorded pop song of all time, behind The Beatles' Yesterday. It is a type of Jazz called the Bossa nova, and helped make that genre known worldwide in the 1960's. 

Here is Astrud Gilberto singing the song in a live recording:

I love a good story, and I fell into this one a few years ago. As I was looking for more jazz to listen to I came across the story of The Girl from Ipanema. This BBC produced documentary gives us a good look not only into Bossa nova, but into the popular culture of Brazil. I hope you enjoy learning about this amazing musical art form as much as I have.

        

EQ:

• Why is Bossa nova important to Brazilian popular culture?

Engage:

• The Girl from Ipanema recorded live (3:01)

Explore:

• Vocabulary: Bossa Nova, Pop Culture, documentary, bohemian, jazz
• BBC Documentary The Girl from Ipanema (58:33)

Explain:

• What is Bossa nova?
• Why was Astrud Gilberto chosen to sing the song?
• How important is the Bossa nova to Brazilian popular culture?

Evaluate:

• Class discussion

Boston Tea Party

  

The difference between a riot and a protest may simply be which side of the political argument you are on. But, what happens when the riot or protest isn't really about politics at all, but about money? As we learn about the Boston Tea Party think about the reasons behind it and determine for yourself if it was a riot, a protest, or something else completely.

 EQ: Why did the Boston Tea Party take place?

Engage:

• Tea!!!

Explore:

• Vocabulary: tea, protest, smuggling, bohea, shilling
• Tempest in a Teacup podcast (38:45)
• Boston Tea Party video (32:20) Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum

Explain:

• Who was involved in organizing the Boston Tea Party?
• What happened at the Boston Tea Party?
• What was the result of the Boston Tea Party?
• What do you think of the tea?

Evaluate:

• Class Discussion

Extend:

Boston Massacre Printmaking

 

The most famous example of propaganda in United States history is the Paul Revere print of the Boston Massacre. The fact that we still refer to this incident as a massacre is proof of that.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Massacre#/media/File:Boston_Massacre_high-res.jpg

The real story of the 'Boston Massacre' is more complicated than a bunch of soldiers indiscriminately firing into a peaceful crowd of Boston citizens. As we examine the evidence as revealed in the trial of the soldiers and find out the true story we need to ask ourselves why would Revere lie? What purpose did it serve? Who benefitted from the false narrative and who was harmed?

Your assignment will be to create a print using the facts of the incident. Obviously the medium we are using will make details very difficult so keep that in mind as you work on the design. 

EQ: Why did Paul Revere create his famous Boston Massacre print?

Engage:

• Foam Printmaking (5:06)

Explore:

• Vocabulary: massacre, mob, cudgel, deposition, manslaughter engraving, print, propaganda, brayer, art
• John Adams miniseries video of Boston Massacre
• Boston Massacre Wikipedia

Explain:

• What is propaganda?
• Why did Revere create an inaccurate print of the Boston Massacre?
• Do you think the soldiers were justified when they fired into the crowd?
• What do you think was the effect of John Adams representing the soldiers on his career?

Evaluate:

• Students will create a factual print of the Boston Massacre.

Extend:

Government and Economies of Latin America

EQ:

• What are the governments and economies like in Latin America?

Engage:

• Provinces of Argentina Geography Now (23:31)
• Peron's Vision for Argentina

Explore:

• Discovery Education 3.4 Government and Economy of Latin America

Explain:

• Latin America Study Guide

Evaluate:

• Assessment

Extend: 

The Halloween Tree

  

EQ: What are some of the influences for today's Halloween celebration?

Engage:

• The students will watch The Halloween Tree

Explore:

• What happens in Egypt?
• What happens in England at Stonehenge?
• What happens in France?
• What happens in Mexico?

Evaluate:

• None

Extend:

• Read Ray Bradbury's The Halloween Tree

Road to Revolution

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriot_(American_Revolution)#/media/File:Sprit_of_'76.2.jpeg

After examining the role of the Seven Years War in the last lesson, today your job is to find out how other events continued to pave a path to independence. I have identified fifteen events that I want you to research. Tell me what happened and why it is important to the Revolution. 

You will click on the link to the worksheet, put in your name, and start researching the events. All fifteen events need to be completed, you need to work with a purpose. 

As a bonus, if we have time you will make a digital timeline of the events as well. Of course, you only get to do that after the worksheet has been completed. See me when you think you are ready to do it. 

EQ: What events led to the American Revolution?

Engage:

•  Quick review of the Seven Years War

Explore:

• Students will research 15 events  
• Adobe Spark Timeline Maker

Explain:

•  How did each event lead us closer to the American Revolution?

Evaluate:

• Student Worksheet 

Extend:

• Student Timeline 

Dia de los Muertos

 

By José Guadalupe Posada - ArtDaily.org, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1485430Add caption

Today's lesson surrounds the Dia de los Muertos celebration in Mexico. Translated Dia de los Muertos means the Day of the Dead. We will watch a National Geographic video on what it is and then we will read about it. 

Next we will look at the artist Jose Posada and examine his work La Calavera Catrina which is an iconic piece of artwork that may be the artistic symbol for Dia de los Muertos. 

There has been a lot more interest in this holiday thanks to movies such as the Disney film Coco and  Guillermo del Toro's The Book of Life.

Essential Question:

• What is the Day of the Dead and why is it celebrated in Mexico? 
• Who is Jose Posada?
• Why is the image La Calavera Catrina important to the Day of the Dead in Mexico?

 Engage:

• What is the Day of the Dead? National Geographic video (1:51)

Explore:

• Dia de los Muertos National Geographic
• Jose Guadalupe Posada Wikipedia
• La Calavera Catrina Wikipedia

Explain:

• Why does Mexico celebrate Dia de los Muertos?
• Who is Jose Posada?
• Why is La Calavera Catrina important to Dia de los Muertos?

Evaluate:

• Notebook Page: Jose Posada
• Day of the Dead 5 W's and H worksheet

Extend:

• Day of the Dead Wordsearch

The Seven Years War

 Now that we have a pretty good handle on what it was like to be an early colonist in the Americas, let's jet ahead a few years and look at the first defining event in the American Revolution.

Why is this the first defining event? Watch and see.

Here is a little more information on the Seven Years War with a little lagniappe thrown in. What new information is provided? Does that also move us closer to the Revolution?

What does smuggling have to do with taxes? What does taxes have to do with the American Revolution? What other events took place that bring us to the Revolution?

EQ:

• How did the 7 Years War contribute to the unrest in the colonies?
• Why was smuggling so important to the colonists?
• Why did the colonists not want to pay taxes?

Engage:

• None

Explore:

• 7 Years War Crash Course History 12:19
• 7 Years War 2 Crash Course History 10:39
• Taxes and Smuggling Crash Course History 12:18

Explain:

• What caused the war?
• How did the war end?
• What were the consequences of the war on the colonies?

Evaluate:

•  Worksheet

Salem Witch Trials

Happy Halloween! Today we are going to learn a little about the Salem Witch Trials, where mass hysteria and a couple mean kids caused the death of over 20 people. Is there anything more Halloween-like than that? Unfortunately real people suffered for things we tend to enjoy, the confluence of life and death.

As you watch try to identify what caused the trials to begin and what caused them to end.

As you watch see how many cultures are represented by the holiday. Also, when did Halloween as we celebrate it come into being?

EQ:

• What were the Salem Witch Trials?
• What is the history of Halloween?

Engage:

• Don't really need any, it is Halloween

Explore:

• Salem Witchcraft Trials (8:11) State Bar of Georgia
• Haunted History of Halloween 

Explain:

• What started the Salem Witch Trials
• Why did the trials end?
• What are the historic roots of Halloween?
• When did the modern version of Halloween start?

Map of Mexico

  

This is a political map of Mexico. You will color the states, but do not label (otherwise there will be way too much writing on the map when we are finished.) 

https://www.mapsofworld.com/mexico/mexico-political-map.html

Here is the physical map that you will use to label the names provided on the checklist. 

https://www.ezilon.com/maps/north-america/mexico-physical-maps.html

EQ: Where in Mexico do you find the important landforms and cities?

Engage:

• Ask if any students are from Mexico. If so, have them identify on the map where they are from. 
• Mexico Geography Now (18:20) 

Explore:

• Map of Mexico
• Political Map of Mexico

Explain:

1. Label the physical landforms listed below.
2. Color the states of Mexico on the paper map.
3. Checklist

• Rio Grande River
• Rio Santiago River 
• Rio Bravo River
• Yucatan Peninsula 
• Isthmus of Tehuantepec 
• Baja California 
• Mexican Plateau
• Sierra Madre Del Sur, 
• Sierra Madre Occidental 
• Sierra Madre Oriental Mountains
• Pacific Ocean 
• Gulf of Mexico 
• Gulf of California
• Caribbean Sea

Evaluate:

•  Map of Mexico

Extend:

• Mexico Imax Video (41:42)