Unit 2: Classical Era, 500 BCE - 500 CE
Chapter 7: Classical Era Variations, Africa & The Americas
Week at a Glance:
MON - No School because some guy named Columbus "discovered" America. Really?
TUE - QUIZ Ch 7, District Mandated DBA, Discuss Comparison Essay
WED/THU - Discuss CH 7 Africa and Americas, Discuss Comparison Essay & thesis statement
FRI - Timed Writing - Comparison Essay CH 7
Monday, October 8, 2012
Quote of the Day: “I understand that it's rare in this league to go un-drafted and perform at the level that I did. What people don't understand is that it didn't just happen. I worked day and night at my craft.” - Arian Foster, #23, Houston Texans, RB.
Agenda:
1. Beat the Jets!
2. 5-0
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Quote of the Day: "You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him." - James D. Mills
- Analyze classical civilizations that evolved outside of the more well-known civilizations of Eurasia
- Compare the development of civilizations in Africa and the Americas
Essential Questions:
“The histories of Africa and the Americas during the classical era largely resemble those of Eurasia.” Do you agree with this statement? Explain why or why not.
Agenda:
1. Reading Check Quiz - Chapter 7.
2. District Mandated DBA Test (20+ questions).
3. If time discuss Chapter 7 and the Comparison Essay Timed Writing for Friday.
Notes to review at home:
Big Picture Question #1
Big Picture Question #2
Big Picture Question #3
2. District Mandated DBA Test (20+ questions).
3. If time discuss Chapter 7 and the Comparison Essay Timed Writing for Friday.
Notes to review at home:
Big Picture Question #1
Big Picture Question #2
Big Picture Question #3
Learning Targets:
- Analyze classical civilizations that evolved outside of the more well-known civilizations of Eurasia
- Compare the development of civilizations in Africa and the Americas
- Examine the factors that make civilizations develop and analyze why they develop differently in some regions
- Distinguish the characteristics of complex civilizations and judge whether they could develop without any recognizable centralized control
Essential Questions:
I. “The particular cultures and societies of Africa and of the Americas discussed in this chapter developed largely in isolation from one another.” What evidence would support this statement, and what might challenge it?
II. In what ways did the arrival of Bantu-speaking peoples stimulate cross-cultural interaction?
III. With what Eurasian civilizations might the Maya be compared?
IV. In what ways did Teotihuacán shape the history of Mesoamerica?
V. What kind of influence did Chavín exert in the Andes region?
Agenda:
1. Do Now Question: Chapter 7 – Classical Era Variations - Big Picture Question #1
“The histories of Africa and the Americas during the classical era largely resemble those of Eurasia.” Do you agree with this statement? Explain why or why not.
Quick discussion of the diverse and different cultures of Africa & The Americas in Chapter 7 and how they compare to Eurasian Classical Empires.
FOCUS ON COMPARING:
Classical Era Empires:
• Han China (206 B.C.E.–220 C.E.)
• Mauryan/Gupta India (320 B.C.E.–550 C.E.)
• Imperial Rome (31 B.C.E.–476 C.E.)
TO
Classical Era Variations
• Maya (250 B.C.E.–900 C.E.)
• African Bantu Speaking Peoples (100 C.E.–1500 C.E.)
• African Northeast - Meroe & Axum (300 B.C.E.–600 C.E.)
• Andean Civilization - Chavín de Huántar & Moche (300 B.C.E.–600 C.E.)
• North American Civilizations - Chaco to Cahokia (850 B.C.E.–1250 C.E.)
2. Video Clips to better visualize the Classical Era Variation of Africa & The Americas:
A. Jared Diamond Returns! Video Clip from Guns, Germs and Steel - Bantu Peoples (15 minutes).
As the student watches they will answer this question:
What do the linguistic similarities that Diamond find tell us about the African people and where they are descended from?
Were early Africans advanced and civilized? How do we know the truth today?
Extra video clips for students at home if they are interested: The Ark of the Covenant in Axum/Ethiopia?
Ethiopia - The Ark of the Covenant (5 min)
CNN Story - Ethiopian Ark Needs to be moved (5 min)
Indiana Jones & the Raiders of the Lost Ark: Trailer (3 min)
B. Chavin de Huantar - Peru's Ancient Religious Cult: Global Heritage Fund Clip 4 min (Students can also watch: "Was Chavin the REAL Temple of Doom?" 3 min)
As the student watches they will answer this question:
What kind of influence did Chavín exert in the Andes region?
C. Video - Engineering an Empire Maya (Beginning of Engineering an Empire Aztecs) - see clips below- (beginning of Maya portion: probably 10 min)
As students watch they will answer these questions:
With what Eurasian civilizations might the Maya be compared?
In what ways did Teotihuacán shape the history of Mesoamerica?
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| "Hello. I'm Peter Weller." |
4. For the remainder of the period, students will work in groups to improve their analysis and writing of the Comparison Essay:
--What is a thesis statement?
--How should you organize your essay for Friday?
--What evidence can you point to that backs your thesis?
NOTES: HOW WRITING A HISTORY ESSAY IS ANALOGOUS TO LAW & ORDER.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Quote of the Day: "Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are." - Chinese proverb
Learning Targets:
- Analyze classical civilizations that evolved outside of the more well-known civilizations of Eurasia
Essential Questions:
Analyze similarities and differences in techniques of imperial administration in TWO of the empires/civilizations from the Classical Era.
Agenda:
1. Chapter 7 & Chapter 8 Comparison Essay. Students will have the entire period to write their response to the prompt.
The time allotted for this essay is 40 minutes, 5 minutes of which should be spent planning and/or outlining the answer.
Directions: You are to answer the following question. You should spend 5 minutes organizing or outlining your essay. Write an essay that:
• Has a relevant thesis and supports that thesis with appropriate historical evidence.
• Addresses all parts of the question.
• Makes direct, relevant comparisons.
• Analyzes relevant reasons for similarities and differences.
1. Analyze similarities and differences in techniques of imperial administration in TWO of the following empires.
You must choose one from in group A:
Classical Era Empires:
• Han China (206 B.C.E.–220 C.E.)
• Mauryan/Gupta India (320 B.C.E.–550 C.E.)
• Imperial Rome (31 B.C.E.–476 C.E.)
And compare your choice in group A with one choice from group B:
Classical Era Variations:
• Maya (250 B.C.E.–900 C.E.)
• African Bantu Speaking Peoples (100 C.E.–1500 C.E.)
• African Northeast - Meroe & Axum (300 B.C.E.–600 C.E.)
• Andean Civilization - Chavín de Huántar & Moche (300 B.C.E.–600 C.E.)
• North American Civilizations - Chaco to Cahokia (850 B.C.E.–1250 C.E.)