Today, students were treated to a guest lecture on the settlement of North America from our Advanced Placement AP US History teacher Eric Smith.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Interdisciplinary Activity with AP US History
Today, students were treated to a guest lecture on the settlement of North America from our Advanced Placement AP US History teacher Eric Smith.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
The Columbian Exchange Food Challenge
On Thursday of last week, students had the opportunity to taste food products that traveled between the Old and New Worlds during the Columbian Exchange. Students first had to identify what the food was, then where the food was exchanged (both to and from).
Interdisciplinary Activity with Dance
On Tuesday and Wednesday of last week, students participated in a brief discussion of Louis XIV’s cultural contributions (specifically his codification of ballet) to sixteenth century France. Students then joined both Mrs. Kent and Mrs. Edmonstone in the dance department to take a ballet class.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Columbian Exchange Food Blog
For this performance task, you are an aspiring writer who is both a foodie and a history buff. You have been given the opportunity to write an entry for a food blog. You are assigned the task of critiquing a food dish at a local restaurant, and writing about how the ingredient(s) in the dish were a part of the Columbian Exchange. You will choose a dish to critique, make sure at least one ingredient was part of the Columbian Exchange, and write your entry. The entry should be historically accurate, grammatically correct and entertaining. While explaining the route the ingredient(s) took to get to the table in the restaurant you will demonstrate understanding of the economic and cultural impact of the Columbian Exchange. You should also use visual artifacts in your entry to make it more appealing. The visuals should include one of the ingredient and/or dish, and one of the ingredient(s) route in the Columbian Exchange. This is an opportunity to use your creative side, but be sure to base it on historical facts.
2nd Period: http://columbianfoodblog2.blogspot.com/
Submit entries to: columbianfoodblog.upload2@blogger.com
3rd Period: http://columbianfoodblog3.blogspot.com/
Submit entries to: columbianfoodblog.upload3@blogger.com
5th Period: http://columbianfoodblog5.blogspot.com/
Submit entries to: columbianfoodblog.upload5@blogger.com
7th period: http://columbianfoodblog7.blogspot.com/
Submit entries to: columbianfoodblog.upload7@blogger.com
Chapter 17 Guided Reading
Click here to access the Chapter 17 Guided Reading. This assignment is due and will be collected on Friday, December 16th.
Interdisciplinary Activity with Chemistry
This past week students participated in an interdisciplinary seminar with Chemistry. Students joined their peers in the science wing of the school and first, participated in a discussion led by myself, and then performed scientific experiments (demos) led by Dr. Moody and Mrs. Allstead in which students created rudimentary barometers and made water boil at room temperature.
The Thirty Years War
Send an e-mail to benschinef@fultonschools.org with the following information:
Using the handout "Central European Monarchs Clash" answer the following questions:
1. What did the Peace of Augsburg proclaim?
2. What tensions led to conflicts between Protestants and Catholics in the centuries following the Reformation?
3. What event directly led to the Thirty Years War?
4. What groups comprised the two sides of the Thirty Years War?
5. Who won the Thirty Years War?
6. What were the results of the Thirty Years War?
7. What was the long term effect of the Peace of Westphalia?
Using the following link "Assessment: Find Your Strengths" complete the survey to find out your strongest learning style:
Intelligence -
Score -
Description -
The links below lead to a series of different primary sources that were written in reference to the Thirty Years War. Using the link that corresponds with your learning style, examine the document and write a short (~300 word) essay that addresses the following questions:
* How does the author view/address religion?
* How does the author view/understand the role of the King?
* Does the author differentiate between soldiers and citizens? If so, how are each portrayed?
* How does the author perceive the effects of war?
Body Movement, Social and Language intelligences should click here to access their primary source.
Spatial, Musical and Nature intelligences should click here to access their primary source.
Self and Logic/Math intelligences should click here to access their primary source.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Chapter 16 Guided Reading
Click here to access the Chapter 16 Guided Reading. This assignment is due and will be collected on Thursday, December 8th.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Chapter 15 Guided Reading
Click here to access the Chapter 15 Guided Reading. This assignment is due and will be collected on Tuesday, November 29th (2nd Period) and Wednesday, November 30th (3rd, 5th and 7th Period).
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Chapter 14 Guided Reading (Part Two)
Click here to access the Chapter 14 Guided Reading (Part Two). This assignment is due and will be collected on Friday, November 18th.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Unit 3 Test Study Sessions
Study sessions for the Unit 3 Test will be offered in E-207 (my classroom) at the following times:
Monday, November 7th: 7:00am - 8:00am & 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Tuesday, November 8th: 7:00am - 8:00am & 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Chapter 14 Guided Reading (Part One)
Click here to access the Chapter 14 Guided Reading (Part One). This assignment is due and will be collected on Thursday, November 10th.
Monday, October 24, 2011
European vs. Japanese Feudalism
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Chapter 9 Guided Reading
Click here to access the Chapter 9 Guided Reading. This assignment is due and will be collected on Friday, November 4th.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Medieval Times
Our annual trip to Medieval Times will take place this year on Friday, November 4th. The show begins at 8:00pm, but students and parents should plan to arrive by 7:45pm to ensure proper seating. The cost of the trip will be $41. This cost includes dinner, the show, tax and tip. Students may pay in cash or can have checks made out to "North Springs High School" with "Acct. #18" appearing in the "for" line. Parents and students must RSVP by Friday, October 28th to guarantee seating with our group. Click here to access directions and other information about Medieval Times.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Hanseatic League Internet Activity
Chapter 13 Guided Reading
Click here to access the Chapter 13 Guided Reading. This assignment is due and will be collected on Monday, October 24th.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Did Marco Polo go to China?
Click here to access the article "Did Marco Polo go to China?" by Farish A. Noor. This article should be read and ready to discuss in class on Friday, October 14th.
For additional information regarding Marco Polo, click here to access a Podcast on his journies. This Podcast is part of the series "Stuff I Missed in History Class" and is a great source of review for those of you who need additional assistance with the content of the course.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
The Mongol Invaders
Click here to access the article "The Mongol Invaders" by Ian Frazier. This article should be read and you should be ready for discussion at the beginning of class on Thursday, October 13th.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Chapter 12 Guided Reading
Click here to access the Chapter 12 Guided Reading. This assignment is due and will be collected on Tuesday, October 18th (2nd Period) and Wednesday, October 19th (3rd, 5th and 7th Period).
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Web Readings on the China and Japan
Cross Country
AP World History has been representing strongly this year on the North Springs Cross Country team. Last week, Maya Berinhout, Edward Mortimer-Tsushimi, Shelby Moss, Alina Taher and Elizabeth Wilkes ran in the Aubrue Gunderson Invitational in Conyers, Georgia.
Silk Roads Group Mapping Activity
Last week, students worked to improve their geography skills by collectively mapping the Silk Roads. Knowing and understanding the major trade routes of the period 600 B.C.E. to 600 C.E. is one of the major components of the AP World History test.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Chapter 10 Guided Reading
Click here to access the Chapter 10 Guided Reading. This assignment is due and will be collected on Friday, October 7th.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Chapter 8 Guided Reading
Click here to access the Chapter 8 Guided Reading. This assignment is due and will be collected on Thursday, September 29th.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
CollegeBoard Course Description
Please use the linked CollegeBoard Course Description for World History as you prepare for the Unit 2 Test. This document should become an integral part of your studies throughout the year. It is imperative that you are intimately familiar with it.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Commerce in the Indian Ocean
Using the following links to complete the "Commerce in the Indian Ocean" Activity distributed in class. This assignment is due on Tuesday, September 20th (2nd Per.) and Wednesday, September 21st (3rd, 5th and 7th Per.).
Click here to link to Indian Ocean Monsoons.
Click here to link to Dhows in the Indian Ocean.
Click here to link to Changes and Exchanges in the Indian Ocean.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Dinner at Madras Chettinaad
Thank you to everyone who was able to make it out to dinner at Madras Chettinaad. We had a great turnout (over 120 people attended). I hope everyone enjoyed the great cuisine and was able to meet some new people from the class.
Mapping the World, 600 B.C.E. to 600 C.E.
Click here to access the mapping activity from today's class. This assignment is due on Monday, September 19th.
Geography Quiz at Free Rice
Click here to
access the Free Rice webpage. After opening the site, simply click on the
subjects tab, then select "Identify Countries on the Map." This site will
provide you with both an opportunity to practice your mapping skills and it acts as a tool to combat world hunger.
Chapter 7 Guided Reading
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Chapter 6 Guided Reading
Click here to access the Chapter 6 Guided Reading. This assignment is due and will be collected on Monday, September 19th.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Unit 2 Test
Study sessions for the test will be offered at the following times:
Tuesday, September 20th from 7:00am until 7:45am
Wednesday, September 21st from 7:00am until 7:45am
Class Dinner at Madras Chettinaad
For our first class outing we will be meeting at Madras Chettinaad on Thursday, September 15th at 6:45pm for Indian cuisine. This dinner will coincide with our class discussion of Indian culture during the Mauryan and Gupta Empires. Dinner will be buffet style, will include soft drinks, vegetarian options and dessert, and will run $16.00 per person. It is imperative that everyone attending brings exact cash (I would welcome any parents who would volunteer to help me collect and count this at the beginning of the night). Appetizers will be available at 7:00pm and the full buffet will open at 7:30pm and will close some time around 9:00pm. Directions to (and information about) the restaurant can be found at http://www.madraschettinaad.com. Parents, I encourage those of you who are able to make-it to join your children and use this as a chance to get to know other parents from the class. Please, if you are planning to attend, send me an e-mail at benschinef@fultonschools.org before Monday evening so I can provide the restaurant with an exact number.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Chapter 5 Guided Reading
Click here to access the Chapter 5 Guided Reading. This assignment is due and will be collected on Monday, September 12th.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Chapter 4 Guided Reading
Click here to access the Chapter 4 Guided Reading. This assignment is due and will be collected on Tuesday, September 6th (2nd Period) and Wednesday, September 7th (3rd, 5th and 7th Period).
Parent Meeting
Parents,
Greetings from North Springs Charter High School! I would like to invite you to a brief meeting regarding your child’s involvement in his/her Advanced Placement World History class. As I’m sure you are aware, your children have been hard at work this semester learning a brief, but detailed history of the world.
As we enter the third week of the school year I would like to use this get-together to discuss the following topics:
* Class Expectations
* Question & Answer former AP Students
* Class Benefits
* The AP Exam
* How Parents Can Help Students
* Question & Answer with former AP Parents
* Extra Credit Opportunities
* Class Outings
The meeting will be on Wednesday, August 31st at 6:30pm in Room E-205. I expect we will finish around 7:30pm, but I will happily stay to answer additional questions regarding the course. I look forward to seeing you at the meeting and working with you and your children in the upcoming year.
Regards,
Freddie Benschine
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)