November 30

Social 20

You wrote your in-class position paper on World War I in the Blenheim room today. Your next important date is the due date for your WWI Dossier Project, which is due on Monday December 4th. I will be sending you the list of key terms for Topic B that you will be responsible for completing. This glossary will be assigned a due date next week.

Social 10

We continued talking about Rights and Responsibilities today in class. We brainstormed a list of rights that you think that Canadians should have and then we generated a list of rights that Canadians actually have. I also gave you a handout on the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We will be discussing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights again tomorrow. I would like you to use the hyperlink on the right hand side of the blog under "Social 10 Links" called "The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms". Can you make connections between our Charter and the Declaration? Please be prepared to discuss this question tomorrow in class.

November 29

If you missed class today (like me), this is what you missed: Social 20 students, you wrote your WWI Unit Final and Social 10 students you wrote your Government Unit Final. Please check previous posts for upcoming important dates.

November 28

Tonight will be another short post. Social 10 and Social 20 students played a review game today in class. Both Social 20 classes have a WWI Unit Final tomorrow. Social 10-1 also has a unit final tomorrow on Politics and Government. If you want to quiz one another (either Social 10 or Social 20 students) please feel free to do so here on the blog.

This cartoon has a caption.
This cartoon has a title.

November 27

Social 10

You wrote your in-class position papers in the Blenheim room today. I also collected your Elections Canada assignments.

Important Dates for Social 10 Students:

• Political Cartoon Interpretation Assignment is due on Wednesday, November 29th
• Politics and Government Unit Final is on Wednesday, November 29th

Social 20

I started Topic B of Social 20 today in class. We discussed the major themes of Topic B, as well as specifically examining the key concepts of diversity and disparity. Here is a interesting website that reduces the population of world down to a village of 100 (which is similar to what we did in class), it's called Miniature Earth and it further illustrates the diversity in the world. You might also find this video for Sarah McLachlan's song "World on Fire", which helps to illustrate the disparity in the world today. Also, here's a hyperlink to "Spread the Net", which is trying to prevent malaria by buying mosquito nets and sending them to Africa.

Here's the presentation/lecture that I did today in class:

Important Dates for Social 20 Students:

• WWI Unit Final is on Wednesday, November 29th
• WWI In-Class Position Paper is on Thursday, November 30th
• WWI Dossier Project is due on Monday, December 4th
  
  

November 24

In an effort to make my post quicker today, I'm going to combine the Social 10 and Social 20 post together. In Social 20 today I went over Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points. Social 20-3 and 20-4 students have the same homework assignment: please send me 7 high quality Jeopardy questions by e-mail before Saturday night at midnight, so we can play review game next week. Social 10 students I will probably send out the presentation that I started in class today over the weekend, because I didn't finish it. We'll be starting Rights and Responsibilities next week. Please check previous posts for a list of upcoming important dates for both Social 10 and 20 students.

November 23

Social 20

Most of today's class was spent reading "The Iron Dice" and preparing for next week's in-class position paper. I have changed the due date of the WWI Dossier assignment to Monday, December 4th.

Important Dates for Social 20 Students:

• WWI Unit Final is on Wednesday, November 29th (here is the study guide)
• WWI In-class position paper is on Thursday, November 30th
• WWI Dossier assignment is due on Monday, December 4th
  
  
  

Social 10

I did a homework check on your 2006 election party platform charts today. Most of the period was spent creating review questions of our Politics and Government unit. We will be playing a review game next week based on the questions that you will send to me by e-mail tonight.

Important Dates for Social 10 Students:

• Elections Canada assignment is due tomorrow
• Send 7 Jeopardy! questions by e-mail tonight before 10 p.m.
• Government In-Class Position Paper is on Monday, November 27th
• Political Cartoon Interpretation Assignment is due Wednesday, November 29th
• Government Unit Final is on Wednesday, November 29th (here is the study guide)

Here are the two PowerPoint presentations that you can use to study this unit:

November 22

Social 20

I gave you a reading today which had a timetable of events from the early outbreak of the war. This reading also assessed the level of responsibility for the outbreak of the war for each of the major participants. This reading had three short assignments in it. This reading will definitely help you in your preparations for the in-class position paper next week. I also let you start reading "The Iron Dice" which will also help with your essay. Tomorrow's class will also be geared towards preparing for your essay. You have some upcoming important dates in this class, here they are:

• WWI Unit Final is on Wednesday, November 29th
• WWI In-Class Position Paper is on Thursday, November 30th
• WWI Dossier Project is due Friday, December 1st

Here is the study guide for your International Conflict Unit Final (which covers World War I)it is on November 29th:

International Conflict Unit Final Study Guide:

This unit final is on Wednesday, November 29th. Please prepare for it! This test is entirely multiple choice and consists of 50 questions. Please use the four PowerPoint presentations and any other handouts that you have received to study for this test. I have put numbers after the following points to indicate which PowerPoint presentation you can find them in. Just to remind you, these are the PowerPoints (the number in brackets corresponds with numbers in the bullet list): "Causes of World War I" (1st ppt), "Beginnings of the War to Stalemate" (2nd ppt), "Total War" (3rd ppt), "The Allied Victory in WWI" (4th ppt).

• Causes of World War I (1st ppt, reading booklet "The Causes of World War I" from November 8th class)
• Results of World War I (4th ppt, Chapter 15 in textbook)
• Leaders of Major European Powers (use reading booklet "The Great Powers of Old Europe" from November 9th class)
• Alliances (systems, members) (1st ppt, also use reading booklet "The Making of Quarrels" from November 16th class)
• Battle Plans/Tactics (Schlieffen Plan, Plan 17) (2nd ppt, Chapter 13 in textbook)
• Key Events in WWI (1st ppt to 4th ppt)
• Map of Europe (1914) (4th ppt)
• Map of Europe (1919) (4th ppt)
• Zimmermann telegram (3rd ppt)
• Treaty of Brest-Litvosk (4th ppt)
• Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points (Chapter 15)
• reparations (4th ppt, Chapter 15)
• disarmament (4th ppt, Chapter 15)
• war debts (4th ppt, Chapter 15)
• "war guilt clause" (4th ppt, Chapter 15)
• Treaty of Versailles (4th ppt, Chapter 15)
• positions of the "Big Four" (Wilson, Lloyd George, Clemenceau in particular) regarding Germany post WWI (this ties in with the "war guilt clause" too) (4th ppt, Chapter 15)
• self-determination (4th ppt, Chapter 15)
• plebiscites (4th ppt, Chapter 15)
• collective security (4th ppt, Chapter 15)
• League of Nations (4th ppt, Chapter 15)
  

Social 10

If you missed today's class, this is what you missed: we talked a little bit about the "quizzes" from yesterday that I had asked you to complete. Did any of the results from these quizzes surprise you? We talked a little bit about the election process. I have sent you an assignment on elections in Canada that you will have to go to Elections Canada to find the answers. There is a hyperlink on this blog to Elections Canada's website, please look for it under "Social 10 Links". I also handed out your next major project, which is based on our Government unit. You are asked to work in groups of 3-4 students and compare our system of government to another type of system. You were able to do some brainstorming in class on this project.

Important Dates for Social 10 Students:

• 2006 Federal Election Party Platform Chart is due tomorrow
• Elections Canada Assignment is due Friday, November 24th
• Government In-Class Position Paper is on Monday, November 27th
• Political Cartoon Interpretation is due on Wednesday, November 29th
• Politics and Government Unit Final is on Wednesday, November 29th
  
  

Politics and Government Unit Final Study Guide:

1. Key Concepts/Key Terms (see outline)
most of these concepts can be found in the PowerPoint presentations that I delivered with this theme
also check out the Parliamentary Key Terms (know the basics!)

2. Structure and Function of Government (see outline):
focus on PowerPoint presentations!
study from notes that you took from the videos!

• executive, legislative, judicial branches
• BNA Act (1867)
• Constitution Act (1982)
• powers and responsibilities of the branches of government
• federalism/federal system
• how a bill becomes a law
• House of Commons and Senate
• roles of the constitutional monarchy (Queen, Governor General, PM and Cabinet)
  

3. The Role of Pressure Groups and the Media (focus on second PowerPoint presentation) in the Government

November 21

Social 10

We talked about the need for political parties in a parliamentary democracy (like Canada) for most of the period. You also wrote your first pop quiz on Government as well. You will have another pop quiz this week, please make sure that you know the House of Commons floor plan and how a bill becomes a law. Here is what I'd like to do tonight for homework:

• Please visit the Vote by Issue Quiz and complete the quiz.
• Please visit the Globe and Mail's Election 2006 Party Platforms to begin making your own version of the chart (paraphrase platforms; 2 points for each topic/issue for each party)
• Want to know where you stand politically? Then try the quiz at Political Compass.
  
  
  

Important Dates for Social 10 Students:

• Government In-Class Position Paper is on Monday, November 27th (why haven't I seen anyone in tutorial yet?)
• Political Cartoon Interpretation Assignment is due on Wednesday, November 29th
  
  
  

Social 20

We went over the Theatres of War chart in class today. As well, I gave you a list of key terms from Chapter 14 that you need to know. Additionally, I delivered a presentation on the Allied Victory in WWI. I have sent this presentation to you already, as well as your next position paper topic and outline. Please check your e-mail!

Important Dates for Social 20 Students:

• WWI Map is due Thursday, November 23rd
• WWI In-Class Position Paper is on Thursday, November 30th
• WWI Dossier Project is due Friday, December 1st

November 20

Social 10

We watched a video today called "Our Constitution" which you were to take notes on. If you missed class today, you need to get these notes from one of your classmates. I also distributed an assignment which is due next Wednesday, November 29th. In this assignment you are to choose an editorial cartoon, by a Canadian political cartoonist on an issue related to the topics that we have or will be studying this year. You need to include a copy of the cartoon that you have selected, as well as an analysis of the cartoon, which should be approximately 3/4 of a page to 1 page in length. The following is a list of starting points for your cartoon analysis:

Here are some hyperlinks for analyzing political cartoons:

• The Chronicle Herald (Halifax, Nova Scotia; Bruce MacKinnon)
• Calgary Sun (TAB)
• Patrick Corrigan Political Cartoons
• The Daily News (DeAdder)
• Aislin
• Ottawa Sun (Dewar)
• Cartoon Link
• MacKay Editorial Cartoons
  
  
  
  

Important Dates:

• Government In-Class Position Paper (on minority governments) is on Monday, November 27th
• Political Cartoon Interpretation Assignment is due on Wednesday, November 29th
  
  
  

Social 20

We spent most of the class in the library conducting research for WWI Dossier Assignment. Please complete as much of the Chapter 13 chart (WWI Theatres of War) as possible for tomorrow. I will be going over it really quickly!

Important Dates:

• Chapter 13 chart (see above) is due tomorrow
• WWI Map is due on Thursday, November 23rd
• WWI Dossier Project is due on Friday, December 1st

Here are some maps that might be helpful to complete the WWI mapping assignment:

Here is the link to the student handbook, which will show you how to do references for your WWI dossier research assignment: click here. The pages that you need to print off from this PDF document are pages 22-25.

November 17

Social 10

We watched another video in class today called "Our National Parliament" which you should have taken notes on. You will be having a couple of pop quizzes next week. One will be on parliamentary key terms, and the other quiz will cover two topics: the layout of the House of Commons and how a bill becomes a law. In order to prepare for your next in-class position paper ("To what extent are minority governments beneficial to the Canadian parliamentary system?"). Please make sure that the preamble on your essay sheet reads like this: "There have been several instances of minority governments in Canadian history, in which no political party emerges from an election with a clear majority. Some critics of the parliamentary system feel that a minority government is too unstable and inefficient to govern the country effectively, and that any minority government can be toppled by a simple vote of non-confidence. Conversely, proponents of minority governments point out that a minority government is more responsive and accountable to the Canadian electorate, because they need to compromise with the other political parties in order to pass legislation." It might be useful to start your research at the following websites:

• MapleLeaf Web: Minority Governments
• CBC News Indepth: Minority Governments
• Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives: Minority Governments

Social 20

I gave you the WWI Dossier Research Assignments in class today. You selected the topic that you wanted to research after our "draft". I also gave you a Chapter 13 key terms worksheet that you should complete for Monday.

November 16

Whoops! I forgot to post on the blog today. Sorry about that!

Social 20

I delivered a presentation/lecture on "Total War", this corresponds to Chapter 14 in your textbook. Please make sure that you have finished reading Chapter 13 in your textbook for tomorrow, it will make tomorrow's activity easier. I also gave you a handout on the alliances, and a World War I map assignment. The map is due next Thursday, which is plenty of time.

Social 10

After current events we watched the remainder of the video from yesterday. I then wrote a few things up on the board, and explained what "first past the post", "proportional representation" and "non-confidence votes" meant.

November 15

Social 20

We finished up some videos today in class that we had started last week. I also delivered a presentation/lecture on "The Beginning of WWI to Stalemate" which corresponds to Chapter 13 in your textbook. If you haven't read it already, you should be reading Chapter 13, and complete the chart that I will be sending to you tonight. I may take this chart in for marks, or I may not. Either way, you should complete the chart. I also shared with you the results from the Imperialism Unit Final.

Here is the link to the online petition that I discussed to honor the last remaining Canadian veterans of World War I with a state funeral. For the online petition, please click here. Here is an excerpt from the Dominion Institute website: "Only three veterans of First World War remain. They are Lloyd Clemett (106 years of age), John Babcock (also 106 years of age) and Percy Wilson (105 years of age).These three men constitute our only living link to the horrors and triumphs experienced by the more than half million Canadians who served under arms between 1914 and 1918."

On another note, here's a definition for C.N. in 20-4:

ni·ce·ty ( n. pl. ni·ce·ties)

• The quality of showing or requiring careful, precise treatment: the nicety of a diplomatic exchange.
• Delicacy of character or feeling; fastidiousness; scrupulousness.
• A fine point, small detail, or subtle distinction: the niceties of etiquette.
• An elegant or refined feature; an amenity: the niceties of civilized life.

So you see C.N. I didn't just "make up a word". The "debate" is now finished.

Social 10

After current events today, we finished up our cabinet selection simulation with a brief discussion period about the rationale of some of your group's selections. Next we watched a video, the first in the series that we will be watching on our Canadian political system. You were to take notes while watching the video. If you were absent today, you need to get these notes from one of your friends because the notes will be really helpful. If you're still curious about the difference between the Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada and the Communist Party of Canada (keep in mind this is Rick Mercer's website, so it's meant to be funny) go to this hyperlink, and then scroll down the page until you see "Week of January 10, 2006" and then click on the link labeled "Communist Party of Canada".

November 14

Social 10

We started a cabinet selection simulation exercise that we will finish tomorrow in class. We will start watching a video series tomorrow after completing the simulation. This video series will help improve your understanding of the Canadian political system.

Social 20

You wrote your Imperialism Unit Final today in class. It took most of the period. We will continue viewing "Clash of the Generals" tomorrow in class and we will be moving on to the next topic in our study of World War I, when the war ground into a stalemate. It would probably help if you read Chapter 13 "The Beginning of War to Stalemate" before coming to class tomorrow.

November 13

Social 10

I returned your first in-class position papers today in class. I also delivered the second presentation/lecture on Canadian Government and Politics. I will be sending this presentation out to you shortly. You should have already received an e-mail message from me today, this message had an attachment called "Glossary of Parliamentary Terms". Please print off a hard copy of this glossary, and keep the electronic version as well. You will be tested on these key terms very shortly with a pop quiz, so please be prepared! I also collected your WWI/WWII Research Projects today, aside from a couple of students, I have received most of the projects.

Social 20

We did a simulation today on the outbreak of World War I. This simulation should raise a few questions in your mind. For example, was the outbreak of the Great War inevitable? Was it preventable? Who was responsible? We will be discussing these issues in greater detail in the weeks to come as we progress through our study of International Conflict. Please remember that you have your Imperialism Unit Final tomorrow, please study and prepare!

November 9

Social 10

You wrote a little pop quiz on the Remembrance Day ceremony today and then I finished off the first PowerPoint presentation on "Politics and Government in Canada". I will send this presentation out tomorrow along with other items (marking guides for projects).

Important Dates:

• WWI/WWII Project is due on Monday, November 13th
  
  

Social 20

We watched a couple of videos today: "Doomed Dynasties" and "Clash of the Generals" (we'll finish this one next week).

Important Dates:

• Imperialism Unit Final is on Monday, November 13th
  
  Imperialism Unit Final has been postponed until Tuesday, November 14th
  
  
  

November 8

Social 20

I collected your Chapter 10 questions and "Imperialism in Action" booklets at the beginning of class today. I then delivered a presentation on "The Causes of WWI". I will be sending this presentation to you shortly. I told you to read Chapter 12 in your textbook, and to take point form notes on the following sections:

• Dual Entente
• Weltpolitik
• The Balkan Wars
• The Schlieffen Plan
• Assassination

I also distributed a reading booklet on "the Causes of World War I". Now I realize that certain aspects of this booklet may seem dated, rest assured the Soviet Union is no more and Germany is now unified. Aside from references to communist Europe, the reading is very well written and straightforward. I strongly encourage you to read this booklet, highlight, and make notes to yourself in it. Don't lose this booklet, it is a good resource to study from for your International Conflict Unit Final.

Important Dates:

• Imperialism Unit Final is on Monday, November 13th
  
  

Social 10

You wrote your Sovereignty Unit Final today in class, this took most of the period.

Important Dates:

• WWI/WWII Research Project is due on Monday, November 13th
  
  
  

November 7

Social 10

I didn't finish the lecture/presentation today, so I'll have to pick it up on Thursday. Don't forget that you have your Sovereignty Unit Final tomorrow. This will be a challenging test, so please make sure that you have studied for it!

Important Dates:

• Sovereignty Unit Final is tomorrow, November 8th
• WWI/WWII Research Projects are due on Monday, November 13th
  
  
  

Social 20

We went over yesterday's "Industrialization and Ideologies" Unit Final for most of the class.

Important Dates:

• Chapter 10 Questions will be checked tomorrow
• "Imperialism in Action" booklets are due tomorrow, November 8th
• Imperialism Unit Final is on Monday, November 13th
  

November 6

Social 10

You wrote your first in-class position paper today in class. Typically, it takes me about a week to mark this many essays.

Important Dates:

• Sovereignty Unit Final is on Wednesday, November 8th (make sure you study! Here is the study guide)
• WWI/WWII Research Project is due on Monday, November 13th
  
  
  

Social 20

You wrote your "Industrialization and Ideologies" Unit Final today in class. I also collected your African colonies map at the beginning of class.

Important Dates:

• Chapter 10 Questions (Q1-4, 8-9, and Analysis #1) are due Tuesday, November 7th
• "Imperialism in Action" booklet is due Wednesday, November 8th
• Imperialism Unit Final is on Monday, November 13th

Imperialism Unit Final Study Guide:

Please make sure that you that you have the following materials to study from:

• Chapter 10 in your textbook "The Imperial Age"
• "Imperialism in Action" booklet (the one that is due on Wednesday)
• "Motives for Imperialism" handout
• "The Imperial Age" (PowerPoint presentation)

Here are the following topics for this unit final:

• What is imperialism?
• "Old" imperialism vs. "New" imperialism
• The role of the Industrial Revolution in Imperialism
• Imperialism in Asia
• Imperialism in Africa
• "Scramble for Africa" (map of Africa), study your map!
• Egypt and the Nile (Suez Canal, Muhammad Ali, importance of the Suez Canal)
• Central Africa-Congo (Belgian Congo, Livingstone, Stanley, Leopold II)
• The French in the Congo (Brazzaville, Timbuktu)
• The German empire in Africa
• Fashoda Crisis (French vs. British, know details)
• Berlin Congress
• South Africa (know details of the invasion of Zululand, and The Boer War)
• Key People, Key Events in Imperialism
  
  

November 3

Social 10

You wrote your WWI/WWII Quiz today in class. I'll have this marked next week, it will not factor in to your report card mark. Next week is an important week! Sorry, I forgot to post this hyperlink yesterday, if you're really bored click here, scroll down to the "real madness".

Important Dates:

• WWI In-Class Position Paper is on Monday, November 6th
• Sovereignty Unit Final is on Wednesday, November 8th (please see the study guide)
• WWI/WWII Research Project is due on Monday, November 13th
  

Social 20

Today I gave you class time to work on assignments, plus I gave you a handout entitled "Imperialism in Action" which is due on Wednesday.

Important Dates:

• Map of Africa is due on Monday, November 6th
• Industrialization and Ideologies Unit Final is November 6th (please see the study guide)
• Chapter 10 Questions Q1-4, 8-9, Analysis #1 are due on Tuesday, November 7th
• "Imperialism in Action" booklet is due on Wednesday, November 8th
  

Here are some additional maps to help you out.

November 2

Social 20

For most of the period you had an opportunity to work on either your map or Chapter 10 questions. The map is due on Monday, and the questions are due on Tuesday. This hyperlink might be useful to you in completing your maps: Map of Africa (1914)

Important Dates:

• Map of Africa is due on Monday, November 6th
• Industrialization and Ideologies Unit Final is November 6th (please see the study guide)
• Chapter 10 Questions Q1-4, 8-9, Analysis #1 are due on Tuesday, November 7th>

Social 10

We played Jeopardy! for the entire period today in preparation for your WWI/WWII Quiz tomorrow. Please study! I'll collect your Chapter 15 questions and answers tomorrow.

Important Dates:

• WWI/WWII Quiz is tomorrow
• Sovereignty Unit Final is on Wednesday, November 8th (please see the study guide)
• WWI/WWII Research Project is due on Monday, November 13th
  

November 1

Social 10

We tied up some loose ends today on our Sovereignty unit. I will be sending you the Chapter 15 questions tonight. You should finish these questions tonight for homework if you didn't finish them in the class time that was given. You will also see the study guide for the Sovereignty Unit Final in this posting. This unit final is on Wednesday, November 8th, I'm sorry that I forgot to mention this in class today.

Study Guide for Sovereignty Unit Final:

1. Key Concepts (you should be familiar with these terms and concepts):

• sovereignty
• independence
• nationhood
• nation-state
• national identity
• intervention
• international relations
• foreign policy
• "middle power"
• global community conflict
• cooperation
• collective security
  

2. Canada's Sovereignty (from PowerPoint presentation and reading booklet):

• political (constitutional) sovereignty (lots of details here)
• territorial sovereignty
• characteristics of a sovereign nation
• nation
• state
• nation-state
  

3. Canada's Role in WWI: (focus on the following issues)

• aims of Canada's involvement
• Canadian contributions
• consequences of the war as it relates to Canadian sovereignty

4. Attaining Independence:(importance of the following in relation to Canada gaining independence from Britain)

• Imperial War Cabinet's Resolution IX (from textbook and PowerPoint)
• Paris Peace Conference /Treaty of Versailles
• League of Nations
• Statute of Westminster (1931)
• Constitution Act (1982)

5. Canada's Role in World War II: (focus only on the following)

• what role did Canada play in WWII?
• Canadian contribution
  

6. Canada's Role in the Cold War (PowerPoint and Chapter 15):

• Canada's role in collective security arrangements (for example, NATO and NORAD)

7. Canada's Foreign Policy: (focus on the PowerPoint presentation for this topic)

• what influences Canadian foreign policy?
• Canadian foreign policy goals/themes
• aims/objectives of Canadian foreign policy

8. Canada and the United Nations (PowerPoint presentation and Chapter 15):

• Canadian involvement in UN agencies
• Security Council/peacekeeping
• military actions: peacekeeping (examples) and peacemaking (examples)
• know the difference between peacekeeping and peacemaking

9. Canada in the World/ Canada and International Organizations:(reading booklet, text)

• Commonwealth
• La Francophonie
• CIDA
• NGOs
• Canada's role in the developing world (foreign aid)
• bilateralism/multilateralism/internationalism
• acid rain issue/global environment

This unit final consists of 65 multiple choice questions.

Upcoming Important Dates for Social 10 Students:

• Chapter 15 Questions are due tomorrow (Thursday, November 2nd)
• WWI/WWII Quiz is on Friday, November 3rd
• Sovereignty Unit Final: Wednesday, November 8th
• WWI/WWII Research Project is due Monday, November 13th

Social 20

You wrote your Industrial Revolution Quiz today in class. For the remainder of class time, most of you worked on the African Colonies map assignment. Here are some upcoming important dates that you should be concerned with:

• Ideological Reaction to Industrialization chart is due tomorrow (November 2nd)
• African Colonies map is also due on Monday, November 6th
• Industrialization and Ideologies Unit Final is Monday, November 6th

The following map may help you complete the map assignment: