Day 26 - History Fair 2014 Starts Now!

Sorry! I've missed a few days here on the blog, but I'm back.

Today was all about history fair.


History Fair 2014!
Our history fair journey begins today.  Here are a few resources that you may find helpful as you consider topics and categories.

2014 NHD Theme Sheet - Rights & Responsibilities

Sample Topics

Mr. Veliz's LHS History Fair Website

NHD Website

HF Homework - Click here for the HF Topic and Category Selection Form

As you work through this process, please let me know if there is anything that I can do to help.

Day 18 - Timelines - Are you done yet?

Thursday Recap
I shared a story with you today about the taxing of Coptic Christians by the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.  Here is the article that I shared - http://bit.ly/18MJp5o.  There are many interesting articles on the topic, just do a Google search.

After reviewing Muslim beliefs, we started on our timeline activity.  Make sure you have that done by tomorrow.

REMINDER:  Our chapter test is on Tuesday.  Study!

Day 17 - Never Forget!

What doe sit mean to Never Forget?  I shared some of my personal 9/11 story with you all today.  I also shared that I am wrestling with what has become the slogan of 9/11 - Never Forget.

Through a brief essay, I have asked you to think through that question for yourself.  I look forward to reading what each of you think.

Make sure you have your essay ready to turn in tomorrow.

Day 16 - Always be prepared

Be ready everyday for a knowledge check quiz like the one we had today. It is an easy way to pickup points. Fail to do the nightly reading, and you can dig yourself into a hole.

Tonight in Honors WH
Make sure you complete section 2 of the Muslim World chapter tonight.


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Day 15 - Islam discussion tomorrow

Sorry for the late post. It's been a busy evening.

We'll be discussing section one tomorrow, so make sure you have read the material before coming to class.


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Day 14 - The Muslim World

Friday Recap
We jumped into our new chapter today - The Muslim World - by listening to a call to prayer.  You can hear it again by watching the video below.

 

We also took a look at John Green's Crash Course video on Islam.  Green provides a great series of videos that tackle complex periods of history in about 10 minutes.  These videos are great as a review or to reinforce material from our readings.

 

 

This Weekend in World History

 Continue working your way through Section 1 of the chapter.  You will need to get the PDF from Edmodo.  Make sure you use the study guide that I provided.

Our chapter quiz is scheduled for next Thursday, but be prepared for a section 1 quiz on Monday.

Day 13 - Football Thursday!

World History Honors - Nothing new tonight.

I can't wait to look over your posters.  We'll start a new unit tomorrow.

Day 12 - Posters Due Tomorrow!

Recap and Homework
Today in class and tonight at home should be all about making sure your posters will be done by the end of class tomorrow.

There will not be an extension on this project.

Day 11 - World Religions

Tuesday Recap
Our world religions projects will be our focus for the rest of this week.  By now, you all should know what you are working on.  Don't let down your group!

The BBC has a really nice website that covers most of the world's religions, including the six that we are working with.  I encourage you to go take a look.

Tonight for HW
Work on your projects!!

Day 10 - Just a couple of days late.

Sorry that I didn't post on Friday.  I must have started thinking about the long weekend a little too soon.

Weekend HW
Make sure that you read and take notes on the the six major world religions beginning on page 700 of your textbook.  We will begin a group project on Tuesday.

Enjoy the rest of your Labor Day weekend.

Day 9 - I can see the long weekend from here!

Recap
Well, we have our first real quiz behind us.  The grades indicate that while some of spending time doing the readings and taking notes, others have yet to begin working.  If you fall into the latter group, let's kick into gear right now.


No HW Tonight

Day 8 - The eve of our first test (quiz)!

Test Tomorrow!!

Day 7 - The Road to English Democracy

Tuesday Recap
I hope that I was successful in making the connection between the Magna Carta and our nation's founding documents.  Making these kind of connections is what brings history to life, and therefore more interesting to study.  Our whole course - any history course for that matter - ought to be about connecting events of the past to our lives today.  If you approach the topics that we study with that in mind, you will have a far more enjoyable year in this class.

Almost Done with the Prologue
We are almost through our first chapter in the textbook - the Prologue.  Please make sure that you read Prologue, Section 4 tonight and take great notes.  Remember, we have our first chapter (prologue) quiz on Thursday.  If you have not done so already, tonight is a great time to start reviewing your notes.

Day 6 - Week #2 Starts Here

Monday Recap 
We didn't cover very much that was new today in class, but I do hope that you paid close attention to the discussion on primary and secondary source, and DBQs.  These are items that we will continue to revisit all year.

Tonight for Honors WH
I gave everyone close to 20 minutes to get started on tonight's homework - Prologue, Section 3 (read and take notes).  If you took advantage of that time, you should have an easy night as far as history is concerned. 

Remember, we do have a chapter quiz coming up on Thursday.  Please start preparing NOW!

Day 5 - End of a good first week.

Just a brief note this afternoon.

Recap
I think that we all learned today that you all need to pay closer attention to your reading and note taking.  As long as we learn from it, today's quiz won't be a total disaster.

This Weekend
If you didn't get a firm grasp of section on of the Prologue, go over it again.

You will also need to read Prologue, Sec 2 this weekend, keeping in mind that you may have a quiz on Monday.

Have a great weekend.

Day 4 - Let's all get on the same page.

Day 4 Recap
I'm sorry about the confusion over last night's homework.  Now that we've straightened it out, we should all be on the same page tomorrow.

We extended our focus on geography a bit today.  Admittedly not the most exciting stuff, it is important that we start the course with a general knowledge of where things are in the world.

Tonight
Let's make sure that we are all prepared for class tomorrow - having all read pages 2-11 in the textbook.

Remember:  Successful people take great notes.

Day 3 - Getting down to business

Hopefully, most of the course changes and schedule adjustments are behind us.  Now it's time to get down to work.

Recap of Class Today
Big geography was the theme today.  How broad - and accurate - are our mental maps?  I hope that I convinced you that an understanding of geography is essential to being able to fully understand and appreciate history.  We will continue a bit with today's theme tomorrow in class. In truth, geography will be with us throughout the entire year.

Tonight
Everyone has a textbook now, so let's start putting them to use.  Our homework assignment for tonight is to read Chapter 1, Section 1 and take notes on what you read.  be prepared to demonstrate your knowledge of the reading tomorrow.  You never know when that first pop quiz is coming.

Now, let's go out and expend those mental maps.

Day 2 - Done!

I hope everyone is beginning to feel a little more comfortable moving around campus.

We were given lots of good information at today's 9th grade assembly, and I hope you take what was said to heart. I don't expect that you guys will run into many disciplinary problems, but many will have to quickly adjust to the high school workload. I also want to encourage you each to get involved with something extracurricular. There are many clubs that will begin to hold meetings in the coming weeks. Join something!

Today's Recap and Stuff To Do Tonight
Student in my first through third periods should all have a textbook. Fourth period students will get books tomorrow. No reading assignment tonight, but it's probably not a bad idea to take a look through your book just to get the general layout. Make sure that you go to Edmodo.com tonight and setup you account with the group code provided in class.

If you have not yet turned in a syllabus confirmation sheet, please do so tomorrow. If you have not yet completed the online student profile, do that now.

Don't forget about Remind 101 texting service.  Text  @mrvelizwh to (860) 899-1370.

And we're off!

Well, we're off and running for the 2013-14 school year.  I hope everyone enjoyed their first day, for most their first day at Lincoln High School.  It's amazing how even with nearly 2300 students moving around campus, everything went pretty well today.

As mentioned in class today, this will be the place to visit each day to keep yourself moving in the right direction.

What did we do today?
Today, through our review of the course syllabus, we covered most of the class expectations and course requirements.  We had a quick overview of the technological tools that are at your disposal, including the course website and this blog.  We will continue to expand on all of this as we move forward.

What do we need to do tonight?

• If you received a paper syllabus today, please review it with a parent/guardian and return the signed confirmation sheet tomorrow.
• You also need to complete the online Student Profile.

I look forward to seeing each of you tomorrow.

Back to School

Allow me to be among the first to welcome you to Lincoln High School. As many of you know, I am also new to Lincoln - having spent the past six years teaching preAP U.S. History at Swift Creek MS.

As you will read in the course syllabus, we will be using a "flipped-classroom" this year in AP World History. This means that most of the history content that you need to learn - people, places, dates, etc. - will be done through your homework assignments. We will take what you've learned and apply it to our in-class activities. These activities will take a number of forms - essays, class discussions, small group discussions and much more.

Because we will not be covering in class all of what you need to know, it is imperative that you not allow yourself to fall behind. This blog will serve as a daily diary of what we have done in class and what you are expected to do at home. You should get in the habit of visiting this space as soon as you sit down to begin your history homework.

Don't worry! I will remind you often about what you need to do to succeed in your first AP course.

I hope that you are as excited about this school year as I am. I can't wait to see you all Monday morning.