October 31

Social 10

I gave you some class time today to do a peer edit of your position papers. Your position paper should have been edited by two different individuals. This position paper is due on Wednesday. I also had you start a timeline of events in WWI, both in Europe and at home in Canada. This timeline should cover main events from 1914-1918, and information related to this topic can be found in Chapters 7-9. This timeline is not a big project, it is merely notes for your own benefit. I will take these timeline notes in from you on Thursday and check them for completion and accuracy.
Have a good night!
Important upcoming dates for Social 10 students:

• Position Paper (published copy: in pen or typed) is due on Wednesday, November 2nd
• WWI Timeline Notes are due on Thursday, November 3rd
  
  

Social 23

Today I delivered a PowerPoint on Imperialism in Africa and Asia. I will be sending this presentation out tonight, so please look for it. Don't forget that your Imperialism assignment is due tomorrow.

October 28

Social 10

Today we focused on editing the position paper outlines that were due today. I had you share some of your ideas, arguments and examples with the class, to aid others in writing their papers. We then spent some time in a peer editing session. Please don't forget that you MUST have a written draft of your position paper ready for class on Monday, since we will be doing another peer edit then. Just to let you know, if you have any questions about writing your position paper please feel free to post a comment. Please be aware that I will probably only check this blog for comment postings on Friday night and Sunday night because I will be out of town this weekend. So if you have a question, please post it sooner rather than later.

Social 23

I gave you the results of your Industrial Revolution test at the beginning of class today. I gave you the remainder of class time to work on your Imperialism assignment. This assignment is due on Tuesday, November 1st. If you were having troubles finding certain cities in Africa for this assignment, please check yesterday's posting.

October 27

Social 10

We finished watching "The Killing Ground" in class today. We also talked a little bit about the position paper outline which is due tomorrow.

Social 23

You wrote the Industrial Revolution Test today in class. You will receive the results of this test tomorrow in class. Don't forget that the Imperialism assignment is due on Tuesday. Here's a map that might help you find some of those hard to find cities in Africa. If you click on the map you'll get a larger view of the continent.

October 26

Social 10

Today we watched part of "The Killing Ground". We'll finish this documentary account into Canada's role in WWI tomorrow. I collected your notes on trench warfare today as well. I will return these notes to you tomorrow in class. I will be checking the notes for completion. I will be sending you a position paper outline via the e-mail distribution list tonight. You will have to complete a position paper outline on one of the following topics:

• To what extent should the Canadian government promote Canadian culture and identity?
• To what extent should the federal government attempt to limit the effects of regional differences in Canada?

Obviously, these topics allow you to draw material from various themes and sources that we have studied so far. The first question connects well with the identity unit, but it also connects with regionalism as well. The first question can be approached by discussing issues related to public funding of the CBC, NFB and Canadian content requirements in broadcasting, book and magazine publishing issues, cultural protectionism, the list goes on and on. The second question connects best with content that we looked at in the regionalism theme, in particular issues related to equalization payments, French-English relations, and Western alienation, among other topics. Here's an outline of what you need to have completed, and when related to this latest position paper assignment:

• Complete a Position Paper Outline for Friday
• Position Paper Outlines will be edited in class on Friday
• Write a Position Paper (draft) for Monday, October 31st
• Position Paper drafts will be edited in class on Monday
• Position Paper (good copy, published form) will be due Wednesday, November 2nd

I will be in Room 110 tomorrow morning for tutorial if you wish to discuss some possible ideas related to this position paper assignment. I will try to check this blog later tonight for posted comments, or you can always send me an e-mail directly. Have a good night!

Social 23

Today, I provided you with the option of studying for tomorrow's Industrial Revolution test or continuing with the Imperialism assignment. I think that most of you opted to take the time to study and prepare for tomorrow's exam. My hope is that you will also study for the test tonight as well.

October 25

Social 10

Today I returned your booklets that you handed in yesterday. We also watched a short video on trench warfare during WWI. Next, I delivered a short presentation on Canada's role in WWI, this was the second part of the presentation that I delivered yesterday. I will send this out to you tonight. Please finish reading Chapter 7 for tomorrow. I posted your marks as they stand currently in Social Studies outside the classroom.

Social 23

I collected your Industrial Revolution research assignments today at the start of class. I then distributed an assignment on Imperialism that is due next Tuesday. Don't forget to study for your Industrial Revolution, which is this Thursday, October 27th.

October 24

Social 10

I delivered a presentation today that outlined how World War I started, and how Canada became involved in this conflict. I also started talking about some Canadian contributions to the war effort. I have sent this presentation out to you already, so if there any problems regarding this PowerPoint please post a comment or e-mail me directly and I will send it out again. I returned all outstanding marking today, unless of course, you handed something in late. I will try to post current marks outside the classroom this week, so you know exactly how you are doing in Social Studies currently. I have asked you to read all of Chapter 7 in Canada: A Nation Unfolding for Wednesday. I asked you to take notes on trench warfare, as it was described in this chapter. Please use these headings to help focus your reading/note-taking:
1. Organization of the Trenches (see diagram on page 141, and description page 140- 141)

2. Conditions in the Trenches (see pages 141-143)

Social 23

We did a little review of the Industrial Revolution for the upcoming test (it's on Thursday) by playing a round of Jeopardy. I also assigned the following reading: pages 198-203, and questions 1-4 on page 203 for tomorrow.

October 21

Social 10

I delivered a short presentation today on Canadian sovereignty. This presentation dealt with the concepts of nation, state, nation-state, and sovereignty. It also covered some of the history of Canada's struggle for territorial and constitutional sovereignty. Additionally, in the presentation there was a concept map which covered the characteristics of a sovereign nation. I also gave you a substantial readings package which is due on Monday. I collected your position paper outlines today as well.

Social 23

I talked a little bit today about the connection between industrialization, imperialism, nationalism, and international conflict. We started imperialism in Africa, by reading in Chapter 10 pages 192-197 and questions from page 194, Q2-3 and Q2-3 on page 197.
Upcoming important dates for Social 23 students:

• Industrial Revolution Research Assignment is due on Tuesday, October 25th
  
• Industrial Revolution Test is on Thursday, October 27th
  

Here are some interesting links related to the Industrial Revolution:

• Industrial Revolution Quiz (click on General Quiz or Textile Industry)
• Cotton Millionaire (Flash game)
• Muck and Brass (Flash game)

Study Guide for Industrial Revolution Test:

1. Key People

• James Hargreaves
• Richard Arkwright
• Samuel Crompton
• Eli Whitney
• James Watt
• Henry Bessemer
• Jethro Tull
• Charles Townshend
• Adam Smith
• Robert Owen
• Karl Marx

2. Key Terms:

• domestic system/cottage system
• Industrial Revolution
• Agricultural Revolution
• Das Kapital
• Wealth of Nations
• laissez faire
• corporation
• Enclosure Acts
• utopian socialists

3. Benefits of the Industrial Revolution

4. Problems Caused by the Industrial Revolution

5. Why did England industrialize earlier than other European countries?

October 20

Social 23

Today we watched a brief film on the Industrial Revolution, and then I gave you some time to work on your Industrial Revolution research assignment. Please remember that this assignment is due on Tuesday.

Social 10

I gave you some class time today to do some peer editing of your position paper outlines. Your revised outline is due tomorrow. We also took a look at the major topics that we will be covering during our next theme which is sovereignty.

October 19

Sorry for the late posting tonight...

Social 10

Today we started talking about elements of position papers. I gave out copies of the Social Studies department marking guide for position papers for Grade 10 students. We did some exercises to help you figure out the differences between position, arguments, and examples. I gave you a homework assignment. You are to complete the position paper outline that I sent to you by e-mail this afternoon. This outline is due tomorrow.

Social 23

I delivered a presentation today on responses to the Industrial Revolution. This covered the utopian socialists like Robert Owen and "scientific socialists" like Karl Marx. I will send this presentation to you via e-mail very soon. I gave you the remainder of the class time to work on your Industrial Revolution research project.

October 18

Social 10

Most of today's class was spent writing the Identity Unit Final. You will get the results of this test in tomorrow's class. Please make sure that you double-check the date that you are going to present a current event. Please make sure that you are prepared for this activity. See you tomorrow in class.

Social 23

I delivered a PowerPoint presentation today in class entitled "The Industrial Revolution". At certain points in the presentation, I asked you to copy down some notes. I have sent this presentation out through the e-mail distribution list at 6:45 this evening. If you haven't received this presentation, please send me an e-mail directly. If I don't hear from you, I assume that everything was received. I also gave you your next assignment, this one covers the Industrial Revolution. This research assignment is due next Tuesday. Please remember that you must answer ALL research questions on a separate piece of paper. This assignment is worth a significant amount of marks, so please make sure that you take the time to complete it and hand it in on time. I'll see you tomorrow in class.

October 17

Social 10

Today we set up the order in which we'll cover current events. If you ever aren't sure about what news item to cover, ask beforehand and I'll give you some suggestions. I also went into a little bit more detail with the study guide to let you know what might be on tomorrow's unit final. Be "test-wise", anticipate what questions that might be asked and prepare for them. I sent out the "Thrillionaire" game (at about 5:30 p.m.), so please check your e-mail for this game. Have fun! See you tomorrow in class, or possibly even tutorial.

Social 23

You wrote your "Nationalism in Europe" quiz today in class, and you received the results at the end of the class. I also had you read in Chapter 7 pages 128-135, and you had to answer questions 1-5 on page 135. This was assigned for homework.

October 14

Social 10

Today I tried to get Social 10-3 caught up with Social 10-1. I gave you the same handout that I gave to Social 10-1 the other day. Social 10-3 students: you need to read the booklet on the FTA and Canada's role in peacekeeping, and answer the questions in the booklet, this get you completely caught up. I also handed out the following to both classes: a handout on analyzing political cartoons, and a booklet to help you with some TestWise multiple choice test-taking strategies. With 10-3, we didn't quite finish with the booklet, so please go over it this weekend. Please don't forget that you should be preparing for your Identity unit final, which is on Tuesday. The study guide for the unit final was posted yesterday.

Here is that hyperlink to the Professional Editorial Cartoonists' Index . It's such a huge site that it might be hard to find the index of Canadian editorial cartoonists, it's located here. Have fun exploring!

Social 23

Today I had you read pages 118-120 in the textbook, and to answer questions #1-4 on page 120. This dealt with the breakup of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Ottoman Empire (Turkey). Please make sure that you study for your quiz on Monday, which will cover "Nationalism in Europe". Here is the study guide:

Study Guide for Nationalism in Europe Quiz

1. Unification of Italy

• Factors leading to the unification of Italy
• Factors preventing the unification of Italy
• Problems facing a unified Italy

2. Unification of Germany

• Factors leading to the unification of Germany
• Factors preventing the unification of Germany
• Problems facing a unified Germany

3. Key Terms/People

• Mazzini
• Garibaldi
• Count Cavour
• Otto von Bismarck
• Wilhelm I
• Victor Emmanuel
• confederation
• Zollverein
• Prussia... plus other key terms found in chapter 6

The format for this quiz will be:

1. Matching Section

2. Multiple Choice Section

3. Short Answer Section

October 13, Part II

Social 10

Here is the study guide as promised...

Study Guide for the Identity Unit Final:

1. Identity:Personal and National

2. Forces that Shape a Nation's Identity

3. Canadian Identity and Culture

4. Features of Canadian Identity

5. Canada's Evolving Identity (History)

• French-English Relations (review), Chapter 4

6. Bilingualism

• language policy
• Bi and Bi Commission (Lester B. Pearson)
• Why was the Bi and Bi Commission formed?
• Findings of the commission and recommendations
• Official Languages Act 1969

7. Multiculturalism

• cultural pluralism
• equality, mutual respect
• adoption of multiculturalism as official government policy (Trudeau)
• Multiculturalism Act (Mulroney)
• arguments for and against multiculturalism

8. Canadian-American Relations (focus on Chapter 17)

• cultural protectionism
• CBC, NFB, CRTC
• relationship between Canada and the United States
• Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Canada and the U.S.

9. Canada's Worldwide Reputation

• involvement in the United Nations
  
  
  

October 13

Social 23

I delivered a PowerPoint presentation today in class, entitled "Nationalism in Europe", which focused on the unification of Italy and the unification of Germany. I will be sending this presentation out later this evening. I assigned the following for homework: read pages 113-117 in the textbook, and answer the following questions from page 117, Q1-4 "Check in Here". Hopefully, you were able to complete this assignment in time that you were given in class. You will also have a quiz on "Nationalism in Europe" on Monday, October 17th. The study guide for this quiz will be posted on the blog tomorrow. The emphasis for this quiz will be mostly on the unification of Italy and Germany. Please check the blog tomorrow for a more detailed study guide.

Social 10-3

If you missed today's class then you missed seeing a guest speaker, Gwynne Dyer, present his thoughts on terrorism in the post-9/11 world. I hope that you got something from the presentation. Please check your e-mail tonight, I will be sending you some notes to help you keep pace with Social 10-1.

Social 10-1

I gave you some readings on Canadian-American relations, and Canada's role in the UN peacekeeping operations. I also asked you to do a little online research tonight to see if you can find some information about the softwood lumber dispute between Canada and the United States. I will be posting the study guide for Tuesday's Identity Unit Final later tonight.

October 11

Social 10

I reiterated the school's academic policy at the beginning of the class. Please make sure that you understand our school's academic policy. If you're still not sure about "intellectual property" and what it means, or what constitutes plagiarism, please ask me. I assigned the following work from Chapter 17 in your textbook: page 357, Q1-2, Q4-7 and Q10. From page 358 (Apply your Knowledge) Q1 and Q3. Additionally, you are to follow the directions related to defining the following key terms:

• CBC
• NFB
• CRTC
• FIRA
• NEP
• Massey Commission
• acid rain
• Auto Pact

For those of you in Social 10-3, please make sure that you complete the key terms as the textbook instructs. I can't remember if I told you about this part of the assignment or not. You're still responsible for it.

I also handed out your interim report cards today. Please have your parent/guardian sign your interim report. There's information on the report card about interview times and location. PST interviews will held tomorrow. Interviews will be conducted on a first come first serve basis. Interview lengths will unfortunately be limited to 10 minutes apiece.

You will be having your Identity Unit Final on Tuesday, October 18th. A detailed study guide will be posted on this blog.

Social 23

I returned some marked assignments today in class. I tried to emphasize that your interim report cards may not be entirely accurate. Many of you handed in assignments today that were due on Friday, on your interim report card you would have received a mark of zero for not handing it in. These interim reports are meant to be viewed as a progress report. This is not your final mark. You have the power to change it, but you'll have to do the work in order to change your mark. Please have your parent/guardian sign these interim report cards.

I asked you to read pages 108-113, and to answer the questions on page 113, Q1-4 ("Check in Here"). These questions are due on Thursday.

October 7

Social 10

I delivered the third part of my Canadian Identity PowerPoints today in class. This one touched on Canadian-American relations. We continued in the textbook reading up on Canadian-American relations in Chapter 17. I collected your homework assignment today on Canadian Symbols. I will send out some notes to you this weekend via the e-mail distribution list. Please enjoy the long weekend!

Social 23

Today you wrote your Napoleon Bonaparte Quiz for the first part of class. Then we investigated the outcomes and aftermath of the Congress of Vienna, in Europe in particular. I had you read pages 97-101. You are to answer the following questions for homework: page 102, Q1-3, Q5, Q14-15, Q17. This is due on Tuesday. Please enjoy your long weekend!

October 6

Social 23

We focused on the Congress of Vienna in today's class. As a class we looked at who was involved in the meetings,what was the goal/purpose of the meeting, when did they meet, where the meeting took place, and why were these delegates from the major European powers meeting in the first place. We also talked about the results of the Congress of Vienna and the successes and failures of the Congress. I gave you the remaining time in class to work on your Napoleon Research Assignment, which is due tomorrow. Please don't forget that you have a quiz on Napoleon tomorrow as well. I may post again later tonight with some useful websites for completing your Napoleon assignment. There are some useful websites listed on the right hand side of this blog under "Social 23 Links". Here's a map that may be useful to you:

Social 10

I delivered a brief presentation today on "Canadian Identity: How We See Ourselves". At certain points during the presentation I asked you to take notes on the presentation. I will be sending this presentation to you this evening through the e-mail distribution list. We also looked at possible arguments for and against Canada's multiculturalism policy. Additionally, I had you start reading about Canadian and American relations from your textbook. We will soon be discussing in greater detail Canadian and American relations, and how other nations of the world see Canada. Your homework tonight is the "Canada's Symbols" worksheet. This is an Internet-based assignment, it shouldn't take you more than 30 minutes to complete.

October 5

I'm sorry that I'm posting so late tonight, it was a busy night...

Social 10

You copied down some notes today related to Canadian Identity. If you missed class today, you'll have to get these notes from a classmate. I also distributed a reading entitled "Canadians Are Not Americans", and gave you some questions related to the article. These questions are due tomorrow.

Social 23

You wrote your French Revolution Unit Exam today in class. The results were very good for this test. I gave you the remainder of the time to work on your Napoleon Research Assignment, which is due on Friday. Please don't forget that you have a Napoleon Quiz on Friday too.

October 4

Sorry for the late posting tonight...

Social 10

I delivered a presentation today on Canadian Identity. I will send this presentation out after I have finished this post. I collected your Completed Assignment Sheets along with work that you completed during our Regionalism unit. This work has been marked. If you did not hand this in today you can hand it in tomorrow, with some penalties. You had a homework assignment based on Chapter 4 in Canada: A Nation Unfolding. These are the questions that you needed to answer: pg.98 Q2-3, Q6 and Q8, and pg.99 Q6. I also returned some marked work, and gave you back the results of your Regionalism final.

Social 23

We watched the A&E Biography of Napoleon Bonaparte for the first part of class. Then I gave you time to work on your French Revolution Research Assignment, this assignment is due tomorrow. This assignment is meant to prepare you for tomorrow's unit exam. Don't forget that you have a quiz on Napoleon on Friday!

October 3

Social 10

In today's class you wrote your Regionalism Final Exam. This was a 65 question multiple choice test. If you missed today's class then you will have to schedule with me a time that you will be able to write this exam. I also had you update your Completed Assignment Sheet, this is to be handed in tomorrow along with all of the completed assignments listed on the page. This is to give you credit for the homework that you completed during the Regionalism unit. It will be added to your assignment mark. Tomorrow we will begin a new theme: Identity.

Social 23

I delivered a PowerPoint presentation in today's class which was entitled "The Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte". I have sent this presentation to all of you via e-mail, so if you did NOT receive it please send me an e-mail. If I don't hear from you, I will assume that you received it and I don't expect to receive an e-mail from you. I also collected your French Revolution Letter Writing Assignment today. If you did not hand it in today, your letter will be subject to a late penalty of 10% off each day. If you were away today, and the absence was excused then you will be exempt from this late penalty.
Upcoming important dates for Social 23 students:

• French Revolution Research Assignment is due on Wednesday, October 5th
• French Revolution Unit Exam is on Wednesday, October 5th
• Napoleon Assignment is due on Friday, October 7th
• Napoleon Quiz is on Friday, October 7th

Please don't forget to check out the helpful hyperlinks in the September 30th blog posting for help studying for the French Revolution Unit Exam.