Mayan Cosmos

On Tuesday, in class we studied classic Mesoamerican cultures like the Maya. Interestingly, the Maya viewed the cosmos as being "divided into three layers connected along a vertical axis that traced the course of the sun. The earthly arena of human existence held an intermediate position between the heavens, conceptualized by the Maya as a sky-monster, and a dark underworld. A sacred tree rose through the three layers; its roots were in the underworld, and its branched reached into the heavens." Here are a few of the student's personal interpretations:

Homecoming

The kids had a great time this past week at homecoming!  It's great to see them all dressed up.  Here we all are at the dance!  From left to right (Rachel, Claire, Jenna, Myself, Debbie, Erin and Andrew... and of course the girl in the inappropriately short red dress who jumped in the picture).  AP World out on the town (or in the commons).

Summer Trip

Parents,

Many of you have expressed interest in helping to plan the summer trip.  I polled the kids today and the overwhelming majority of them said that they'd like to visit Italy, but of course I'd still like to look into all of our options.  So, let's make this happen!  If you think you might be available next Monday morning (November 3rd) to meet in my classroom (E-205) @ 7am we could continue this planning process and maybe finalize a few things.  If this time doesn't work for you please let me know and we can reschedule.  Please let me know if you plan on attending (benschinef@fultonschools.org).  Thank you parents for all you do!

Mr. Benschine

P.S. Thank you to Mrs. Stegall & Mrs. Sandhage for helping to get the ball rolling!

Calling All Parents!

Dear Parents,

Greetings from North Springs Charter High School!  I would like to invite you to a brief meeting regarding your child’s involvement in his/her advanced placement world history class.  As I’m sure you know, your children have been hard at work this semester learning a brief, but detailed history of the world.  Their work ethic and creativity, in this process, have been truly been astounding.

As we enter the eleventh week of the school year I would like to use this get-together to discuss the following topics:

 * AP World History Study Guides

 * Mr. Benschine’s AP World History Blog

 * Extra Credit Film Review Permission Slips

 * World History Summer Trip

 * Question/Answer Session

The meeting will be on Thursday, October 23^rd.  We will meet in room E-205 at 7:00pm and should be finished between 7:30 - 7:45pm.  Also, I will bring my calendar and will be available to schedule individual parent-teacher conferences after the meeting.  I look forward to seeing you!

Mr. Benschine

North Springs Charter High School

AP World History and World History

benschinef@fultonschools.org

Chapter 9 Guided Reading

Students,

Here's a test to see if I can upload files for you to easily access.  The link below should go to your Chapter 9 Guided Reading.  Please let me know in class if this doesn't work.  Also, don't forget that these are due at the beginning of class on thursday.

Chapter 9 Guided Reading

Socratic Seminars

A couple of weeks ago student participated in a socratic seminar based on topics and questions concerning Jared Diamond's Guns, Germs and Steel.  The book discussed a few important historical thesis concerning how and why Europeans advanced at a more rapid pace than other civilizations around the world.  While Diamond makes a wonderful case for this work, he leaves multiple avenues unexplored and his method of explanation is often questionable.  Students were able to discuss this in class using a classical Greek technique known as the socratic seminar.   So what is a Socratic Seminar?

"The Socratic method of teaching is based on Socrates' theory that it is more important to enable students to think for themselves than to merely fill their heads with "right" answers. Therefore, he regularly engaged his pupils in dialogues by responding to their questions with questions, instead of answers. This process encourages divergent thinking rather than convergent.

Students are given opportunities to "examine" a common piece of text, whether it is in the form of a novel, poem, art print, or piece of music. After "reading" the common text "like a love letter", open-ended questions are posed.

Open-ended questions allow students to think critically, analyze multiple meanings in text, and express ideas with clarity and confidence. After all, a certain degree of emotional safety is felt by participants when they understand that this format is based on dialogue and not discussion/debate.

Dialogue is exploratory and involves the suspension of biases and prejudices. Discussion/debate is a transfer of information designed to win an argument and bring closure. Americans are great at discussion/debate. We do not dialogue well. However, once teachers and students learn to dialogue, they find that the ability to ask meaningful questions that stimulate thoughtful interchanges of ideas is more important than "the answer."

Participants in a Socratic Seminar respond to one another with respect by carefully listening instead of interrupting. Students are encouraged to "paraphrase" essential elements of another's ideas before responding, either in support of or in disagreement. Members of the dialogue look each other in the "eyes" and use each other names. This simple act of socialization reinforces appropriate behaviors and promotes team building."

Of course, to add some fun to the conversation, students were given extra credit to dress up as Greeks.  Many did.

Claire's Comic Strip on Islam

While it was slightly off topic, it was most certainly worth publishing.

Studying Away...

Students working diligently on their chapter 9 guided readings.

Charlie decided to read the entire chapter before getting down to business.

Rachel, Debbie and Jess working hard... Claire and Jenna taunting the camera.

Mitchell really, really liked this chapter.

Extra Credit Opportunity!

On Tuesday, October 7 we will be watching the film "The Message" starring Anthony Quinn after school in E205 from 3:45 - 6:45. If students are unable to make this screening, there will be a second opportunity next Thursday, October 16. The film relates the story of Muhammad and the rise of Islam. Students who stay to watch the film (in its entirety) will have the opportunity to write a formal film review and earn up to 10 points extra credit on a test! Please feel free to bring food and drinks!

Just Another Day...

A typical day in E-205.  Today students did a short geography activity to review the material we have been studying this week, on networks of communication and exchange.  Since we had a little extra time, students figured it would be a great opportunity to do some self-guided study.  Don't worry, we documented it.

Durand worked diligently on an atlas activity.

While Claire worked on her communication skills.

Jenna took the time to examine the world's geography in a bit more depth.

While Zack in 4th period worked hard on another masterpiece.

And the joy of world history was just too much for Allie and Mitchell.  Parents don't worry, Zack was not harmed.