We are at the end of week 2 here are the highlights:
Monday: No School!
Tuesday: We discussed the meanings of History, how it is personal and how it is always changing due to new information, and how our personal view points (lenses) shape how we interpret events or history. (For further reading I have a book in the room titled "the Historians Craft" it was written by Marc Bloch while he was in prison for taking part in the French resistance. He does a nice job discussing the "many uses of History.")
Wednesday: Survivor! Groups of 4 took on the task of surviving on a deserted island with some rope a pocket knife and a garbage bag. All group members had to survive for a month. Most groups found that meeting human needs of food, water and shelter were the priorities. They also found that team work and staying near the water source were important. Hunting and gathering were the most common means of survival. While some groups chose to be nomadic and follow the food, other chose to stay near the water source.
The purpose of the Island Survival was simulate how our ancestors may have survived. As we found out in the History of the world in Seven Minutes video, hunting and gathering works once it is perfected. As we move through next week and look deeper into our past, keep this activity in mind.
Thursday was the Media Center Orientation. Anyone that was absent that would like to know how to use their student email, Google docs account or how to check their grades online let me know.
Friday: Lucy!! Today we had a Lucy themed day. We listened to "Lucy in the sky with Diamonds" by the Beatles. (song is named after a drawing done by John Lennon's son Julian)
We also viewed a clip from "I Love Lucy" just for fun. Our main purpose on this day was to 1. experience the exhausting work it takes to be an anthropologists working to discover information about our past through watching the video, reading the handout and working on the "back to the present" activity. We will wrap up the "back to the present" activity on Monday. I hope that will pull the video and the reading into perspective for everyone.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns or comments.
I think that is all for now. Cheers!
Dan
No comments:
Post a Comment