Will the material from the quiz games be on the Geography Unit Test?

Questions from the game will only be on the test if they also appear in the study guide I gave you last week. I added some material to the games to make them more challenging. The games also review World History and American History.

Social Studies Fair Disciplines in the EB

I am posting the disciplines of social studies used in the Social Studies Fair. Please read the introductions to the articles to determine where your project best fits:

• anthropology
• economics
• geography
• history
• political science
• sociology

Geography Unit Test Rescheduled for Friday

Since we have not had time to play all the review games I created for the Geography Unit Test, I have rescheduled the test for Friday. However, the forecast calls for pop quizzes on the bellringers, so make sure you read the EB articles I assigned (see the last Weekly Preview, links to the left of this post).

Democracy

Bookmark for reference during the civics unit:
democracy

Greek Religion

Includes information on the religion of Ancient Greece. Bookmark for a future bellringer:
Greek religion

Ancient Greece in the EB

The EB article on Ancient Greece (bookmark for a future bellringer):
ancient Greek civilization

Natchitoches in the EB

Information about Natchitoches from the EB.
Natchitoches

Del.icio.us Education

Del.icio.us is a link sharing site. I created an account there to share links with you. As I find sites that relate to our course I will post them on del.icio.us under LouisianaStudies.

Pork: Supply and Demand in China

The law of supply and demand at work in Communist China:
http://edition.cnn.com/2007/BUSINESS/09/21/pigs.china.ap/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

Easy Extra Credit

Get a parent to sign a print-out of this entry for 5 points.

Louisiana's Legal Heritage

Slate.com posted an article just after Hurricane Katrina about Louisiana's legal roots.
http://www.slate.com/id/2126126/

JazzFest

JazzFest is an important cultural event in Louisiana each year.

http://www.nojazzfest.com/

Vote on the Geography Unit Test Format

Since we are about to begin our civics and citizenship unit I am putting democracy to work for our Geography Unit Test. Through 4:00 PM you may vote on the length of the test. You may vote for a longer test (100 questions) with fewer points per question or a shorter (50 questions) test with more points per question. Either way the test will count for 200 points that cannot be dropped. The poll is posted on this blog.

Extra Credit Opportunity: Where was Huey?

Huey Long, the flamboyant former governor of Louisiana, once lived about three miles from Caddo Middle Magnet while practicing law. I will give you the following hints but you must do some research to find the exact address:

• He could have walked to Byrd High School.
• You will know his house when you see it.

If you bring or e-mail a photo of yourself standing on the street in front of his former abode I will give you 10 extra credit points. This offer expires at 2:45 PM on Friday, 28 September 2007.

You must abide by all of the following rules to get the points:

• Do not disturb the current occupants.
• Stay on the sidewalk (public right-of-way).
• Go during daylight hours.
• The house must be in the background.
• No photo editing (someone always asks if they can do this).
• If you find it, you cannot tell anyone else where it is until after the due date.
  

Weekly Preview: 24-28 September 2007

Monday, 24 September 2007
• Bellringer: List 7 important facts about the Bronze Age. Article: Bronze Age
• Review for the Geography Unit Test

Tuesday, 25 September 2007
• Bellringer: How did you prepare for this test?
• The Geography Unit Test (200 points, no drop)

• Study Guide in Acrobat format (answers are in your old study guides, parish charts, and GLE activities)
• Practice Test (look in the upper right corner to check your answer)
  

Wednesday, 26 September 2007
• Bellringer: Bellringer: List 7 important facts about the Iron Age. Article: Iron Age
• Check GLE #17
• GLE #18 Activity
• GLE #19 Activity
• Video Scavenger Hunt (details TBA)

Thursday, 27 September 2007
• Bellringer: List 7 facts (one sentence each) about Mesopotamia (you only have to read the first page of the article). Article: history of Mesopotamia
• GLE #19 Activity, continued
• Video Scavenger Hunt continued

Friday, 28 September 2007
• Bellringer: List 7 facts (one sentence each) about ancient Egypt (you only have to read the first page of the article). Article: Egypt, ancient
• GLE #20 Activity
• Video Scavenger Hunt continued

Friday's Bellringer: The Neolithic Period

List 7 facts (i.e., non-obvious facts that show you did some research) about the Neolithic Period. The entire article is on the link below (you can ignore the sales pitch, you are getting the whole one-page article).
The Britiannica article:
Neolithic Period

Buckwheat Zydeco Plays Istanbul, Turkey

Remember cultural diffusion? You'd better on my next test! Buckwheat Zydeco, a famous Louisiana musician, playing to an enthusiastic crowd in Istanbul, Turkey is a great example of the global diffusion of Louisiana's culture and music. The Internet is a powerful tool for indirect cultural diffusion, but Buckwheat Zydeco performing in Istanbul is direct cultural diffusion.

Queen Ida and the Bon Temps Zydeco Band

The Queen of Zydeco:

How to Dance to Zydeco Music

No, I will not demonstrate this in class.

Sugar Cane Loader

Imagine how long it would take to harvest all this sugar cane by hand. You can see how technology is the resource multiplier in economics:

Catalhoyuk - Neolithic Settlement

An early settlement in Turkey:

DIY Stonehenge

How one man could build Stonehenge (no aliens required):

Ġgantija Neolithic Temples, Gozo, Malta

A neolithic temple older than the pyramids:

Reconstruction of a Neolithic House in Europe

Iroquois Flint Knapping Demonstration

Paleoplanet Photo Montage

Paleolithic hobbyists show off their new creations:

Flint Knapping

Basic flint knapping (a paleolithic skill) on YouTube:

New Rule for Next Set of Point Sheets

I am having a hard time getting some students to return their point sheets with a parent/guardian signature. Returning signed point sheets and other work is an important aspect of participating in my class. I give 50 extra-credit participation points each grading period as a reward for good participation and I deduct from those points when a student does not meet my expectations for participation. One of my class rules is to "follow directions the first time." Starting with the next point sheet (coming soon) I will give my usual five-point grade for turning in the point sheet on time. Students may turn in the sheet for no credit the following day. For every day after that I will deduct five participation points until the point sheet is returned with a parent signature or the participation points are eliminated. At that point I will write a referral for "failure to follow a reasonable request." I will also apply this rule to other forms requiring a signature. I hate to have to be tough about this, and many of you are great about returning point sheets and other forms. However, I must find a way to motivate those students that consistently fail to follow instructions.

Pop Quizzes

I may start giving pop quizzes on the bellringer assignments. I have not required you to read your textbook, but I do want you to read about the world history topics on the bellringers. Most of the articles I have posted are only about a page long. Many were not prepared for today's bellringer on Cro-Magnons. I expect you to read the brief Britannica articles I posted on the Paleolithic (Thursday) and Neolithic (Friday) Periods. We must review world history to prepare for the LEAP Test.

Never Give Up

I encourage you to read this article (from Emory University) about people who overcame failure. You will recognize most of the names. Failure is not final until you give up.
http://www.des.emory.edu/mfp/efficacynotgiveup.html

Weekly Preview Redux

If you missed the Weekly Preview last week here is a link. You may also use the index tag that says "Weekly Preview."
http://lastudies.blogspot.com/2007/09/weekly-preview-week-of-10-14-september.html

Gifted Children are Being Left Behind

The San Diego Union-Tribune published a thought-provoking article on the place of gifted students in the No Child Left Behind program:
http://cfx.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20070829/news_lz1e29goodkin.html

I'm not promising anything, but...

Your 8th grade Gateway teachers are discussing a possible day trip to Natchitoches on 7 December 2007. Before we go any farther in our planning I need to know if there is interest in the trip and if enough parents are willing to go as chaperones. Last time we visited Natchitoches we toured the Kate Chopin House, Melrose Plantation, Fort St. Jean Baptiste, Lasyone's (for lunch), and shopped on Front Street. The last time we took this trip the cost was around $40/person but gas prices may increase the bus rental fees. I would like to have about one adult for every five students. If you are interested in serving as a chaperone please send a note saying so with your child or e-mail me. The large size of this year's class presents many challenges in planning a trip to Natchitoches because of the small venues involved in the trip but I am hopeful that with some creative scheduling we can make this trip a reality. The size of the group may require us to split into two groups (boys/girls) and visit different locations at different times so that the locations can accommodate us. Are you interested?

GLE #15 Presentation and Chart on Monday

We will cover the GLE #15 presentation and chart on Monday. If you are absent please complete the chart (worksheet) using the presentation. It will be due on Binder Check 1.5 on Tuesday.
http://www.paulblankenship.com/SocialStudies/LaStudies/LaGeography/louisianastudieo.html

Point Sheet 1.2 Reminder

Point Sheet 1.2, signed by a parent or guardian, is due on Monday.

Easy Extra Credit, 2nd Post

If you missed the announcement yesterday, here is a link to the extra credit assignment. One to a customer, please.
http://lastudies.blogspot.com/2007/09/easy-extra-credit.html

A few pointers on the art map

Here are some tips on the art map project:

• Read the rubric very carefully. Follow all directions. (The point of the assignment is to generate a map based on written instructions per GLE #3).
• Use a ruler to make your straight lines very straight.
• Check the number of cities, waterways, etc. against the rubric.
• Include the map scale and the legend/key.
• Do not wait until the last minute to start.
• Turn the project in on time. Late projects get no credit.

I look forward to seeing your creativity expressed through this project.

Do I need parishes on my art map?

Parishes are NOT required on your art map but it is OK if your included them.

Nine Cultural Subregions of Louisiana

You do NOT need this for your art map. I am posting this for those interested.

A more detailed map of Louisiana's cultures may be found here:
http://www.louisianafolklife.org/LT/Maps/creole_maps_subregions.html

Map of Ethnic Groups

I came across a map of Louisiana's ethnic groups:
http://www.louisianafolklife.org/LT/Maps/creole_maps_major_ethnic.html

Question on the Art Map

The rubric refers to the old textbook's chapter 24 for the three cultural regions of Louisiana. Your new book gives five cultural regions. For the sake of simplicity I recommend that you use the regions on this map:
http://www.louisianavoices.org/Unit4/edu_unit4_3subregions.html

However, you may use the five regions from the new book and the overhead if you prefer.

Thanks to the student who spotted this, he gets 5 bonus points.

The Man-of-War Explained

I love old sailing ships, and the man-of-war was a part of Louisiana's history. The following link is to an article explaining these great old ships:
http://www.kipar.org/piratical-resources/british-man-of-war.html

Geography Unit Test

The Geography Unit Test will conclude our Geography Unit on 25 September 2007, although we will continue work on the GLE #2 Map and GLE #4 Chart. I have posted a study guide and practice test on the web site.

Practice Test
http://www.paulblankenship.com/geotest/

Study Guide
http://www.paulblankenship.com/StudyGuideGeographyUnitTest.pdf

Test 1.5

I have posted the Study Guide and Practice Test for Test 1.5 (Tuesday).

Study Guide
http://www.paulblankenship.com/studyguide15.pdf

Practice Test
http://www.paulblankenship.com/test15online/

Lascaux Grotto: Cave Art

A famous site for cave art:
http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9047247/Lascaux-Grotto

Aurignacian Culture and Cave Art

More help on cave art:
http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9011286/Aurignacian-culture

Easy Extra Credit

For a very limited time only...
As a reward to students who check this blog on the weekend, I will give 5 extra credit points just for bringing a print-out of this blog entry.

To get the extra-credit you MUST:

• write your name on the top, the date, and your class period
• get a parent or guardian to sign the print-out

Feel free to forward this to your friends.
Due Monday -- no credit after Monday.

How to Analyze a Political Cartoon

Political cartoons are a part of the LEAP test (GLE #68). See this article for tips on analyzing a political cartoon:
http://www.wikihow.com/Analyze-Political-Cartoons

Reminder: Central Louisiana Parishes

Remember to complete the GLE #2 map and GLE #4 chart for central Louisiana. By Tuesday you should have finished the northwest, northeast, and central Louisiana parishes. Look at page 126 in your textbook for a map of parishes and parish seats. I have posted the answers to the GLE #4 charts on my web site.

Binder Check 1.5

Please have the following completed by Tuesday:
- Bellringers (Tuesday - Friday)
- GLE #10
- GLE #11
- GLE #12
- GLE #13
- GLE #14
- GLE #15
- Levee video notes or mind map
- Cave Art Bellringer
- Central Louisiana parishes on the GLE #2 Map and GLE #4 Chart

5th period - Bring GLE #8, completed.

Archaeology in Britannica

I am posting the link to the complete EB article on "archaeology:"

http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9113553/Archaeology

Point Sheets

Point Sheets went home today. They must be signed and returned by Monday. If you did not get one you may contact me at (kd5rui at mac . com )(I have to write it this way to avoid being spammed.)

Weekly Preview: 17-21 September 2007

We begin our World History review for the LEAP through the bellringers this week. If you do not remember enough from World History to answer the question you are responsible research the answer BEFORE you come to class. You may bring your notes to class to answer the question.

The Art Maps (GLE #3) are due this week. Please see the list below to find out when your Art Map is due. Please do not bring it in early or late.

Students may work on the Art Map during the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway video if they will get notes from a friend.

Monday, 17 September 2007
Bellringer: List 7 facts (one sentence each) about cave art.
GLE #15 Activity
Video: Lake Pontchartrain Causeway

Tuesday, 18 September 2007
Bellringer: List 7 facts (one sentence each) about Neanderthals.
GLE #16 Activity
Test 1.5
Binder Check 1.5
Video: Lake Pontchartrain Causeway

Wednesday, 19 September 2007
Bellringer: List 7 facts (one sentence each) about Cro-Magnon Man.
GLE #17 Activity
Video: Lake Pontchartrain Causeway
DUE: ART MAP OF LOUISIANA (LAST NAMES BEGINNING WITH A-H)

Thursday, 20 September 2007
Bellringer: List 7 facts (one sentence each) about the Paleolithic Period.
Geography Unit Test Review
DUE: ART MAP OF LOUISIANA (LAST NAMES BEGINNING WITH I-P)

Friday, 21 September 2007
Bellringer: List 7 facts (one sentence each) about the Neolithic Period.
Geography Unit Test Review
DUE: ART MAP OF LOUISIANA (LAST NAMES BEGINNING WITH Q-Z)

Geography Unit Test: Tuesday, 25 September 2007 (200 points, not eligible to be dropped)

GLE #6 - The Third Mind Map

The third mind map on GLE #6 does not have to be as large as the video mind maps. The amount of information on the single branch on the back of the GLE #6 handout is all you need for your whole map. However, you can't use that event, since I did it for you. Just show that you know how geography shapes the history of an event. Follow the Mind Map Rubric I gave you in class (which is on the Rubric Index of my site) I have suggestions and help for you here:

The GLE #6 Page

Study Guide for Test 1.4 on Tuesday

I fixed the link for the Acrobat version of the study guide for Test 1.4:
http://www.paulblankenship.com/test14geo.pdf

Discussion of Social Studies Fair on Monday

Please write down any questions you have after reading the Social Studies Fair Packet for a class discussion on Monday. You may email your questions this evening.

Binder Check 1.4, Revised

Please have the following items ready for Tuesday on Binder Check 1.4:
GLE #2 with Northeast Louisiana Parishes & Seats
GLE #4, page 2 - Northeast Louisiana Parishes
GLE #7 - Paragraph
GLE #8 - Venn Diagram
GLE #9 - Class notes on a chart (we will do this on Monday, do not try to work ahead at home on GLE #9)
Bellringers for Thursday, Friday, and Monday
Mind Maps: Hurricane Katrina, Flood of 1927, and your mind map on a historical event influenced by geography (GLE #6)

Due Monday: Social Studies Fair Signature Sheet

Reminder: the signature form for the Social Studies Fair Packet is due on Monday. It is a 5 point grade. If you lost your copy please print another:
http://www.paulblankenship.com/ssfairsigsheet.pdf

Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth 2007-2008 Talent Search

If you want to participate in the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth 2007-2008 Talent Search you may apply at:
http://www.cty.jhu.edu

Wanted: TOP Student Volunteers

Are you a volunteer? Be acknowledged for your contribution by winning the 2007-2008 Prudential Spirit of Community Award. You may apply by 31 October 2007 at:

http://www.prudential.com/spirit

The CMM PTSA Magazine Fundraiser

The only fund-raiser for our CMM PTSA is the magazine subscription drive. When you renew magazine subscriptions through our fund-raising drive you help improve our school. I have used these funds to purchase a printer and a computer-projector for our classroom. The drive started on Friday. Please help us help you through this fund-raiser.

A student has already asked for and received my pledge to order.

Back to School Night on Monday at 6:00 PM

I look forward to meeting parents on Back to School Night on Monday at 6:00 PM.

Binder Check 1.4

Please have the following items ready for Tuesday on Binder Check 1.4:
GLE #2 with Northeast Louisiana Parishes & Seats
GLE #4, page 2 - Northeast Louisiana Parishes
GLE #7 - Paragraph
GLE #8 - Venn Diagram
GLE #9 - Class notes on a chart (we will do this on Monday)
Bellringers for Thursday, Friday, and Monday
Mind Maps: Hurricane Katrina, Flood of 1927, and your mind map on a historical event influenced by geography (GLE #6)

Social Studies Fair Packets

Social Studies Fair Packets went home today. Please sign and return the form for a 5 point classwork/homework grade on Monday.

Study Guide & Practice Test 1.4

The Study Guide and Practice Test for Test 1.4 (on Tuesday) is available on the 8th grade page:
http://www.paulblankenship.com/SocialStudies/LaStudies/cmmlahx.html

Study Guide 1.4
http://www.paulblankenship.com/test14geo.pdf

Practice Test 1.4
http://www.paulblankenship.com/test14geo/

Weekly Preview: Week of 10-14 September 2007

Monday, 10 September 2007
Bellringer: What did you learn from your Social Studies Fair Project last year?
Discuss Social Studies Fair Packets
DUE: Signed sheets for Social Studies Fair Packets
GLE #9 Notes
GLE #10 Activity
Review for Test 1.4

Tuesday, 11 September 2007
Bellringer: How have the 9/11 attacks changed the United States?
Test 1.4
Binder Check 1.4
GLE #11 Activity

Wednesday, 12 September 2007
Bellringer: How is cultural diversity a strength for Louisiana?
GLE #11 Activity continued
GLE #12 Activity
Video: Levees

Thursday, 13 September 2007
Bellringer: How are King Cakes an indicator of cultural diffusion?
GLE #13 Activity
Video: Levees (continued)

Friday, 14 September 2007
Bellringer: How has the levee system helped Louisiana? How has it harmed the state?
GLE #14 Activity
Video: Levees (continued)

Help with Wednesday's Bellringer

If you have time tonight (after studying for the test and prepping for the bellringer) I have a couple of links that might help with the Wednesday bellringer:
How could a family prepare for a disaster? What disasters are likely to occur in Shreveport? (five sentence paragraph)

This is NOT homework, but if you want to know more about the subject see these sites:
http://www.louisianaredcross.org/
http://www.ready.gov/
http://www.caddobossierohsep.org/links.asp
http://www.fema.gov/
http://www.ohsep.louisiana.gov/
http://www.skywarn.org/

Test 1.3 on Wednesday

Test 1.3 is on Wednesday, 5 September.

Printable version
http://www.paulblankenship.com/Test13geographyonline.pdf

Interactive version
http://www.paulblankenship.com/Test13geographyonline/

Look on your crossword puzzles and previous study guides for answers.
http://www.paulblankenship.com/test13geographyonline/

Katrina Notes in Outline Form

http://www.paulblankenship.com/KatrinaOutline.pdf

Binder Check 1.3

Have the following for the check:
- Bellringers
- GLE #5 Sheet
- Mind Map of Katrina - does not have to be finished, but I want to see what you have so far
- GLE #4, page 1
- GLE #2, NW LA parishes and seat on the map
- landforms crossword

GLE #4 Charts Posted with Google Maps

I finished posting all the parish charts for GLE #4. Each parish has a link to a page with an embedded Google Map.
http://www.paulblankenship.com/SocialStudies/LaStudies/Parishes/parishesoflouisi.html

How Clocks Work

The longitude video explained how clocks were used to determine longitude at sea. This video explains how mechanical clocks work.

How Floods Work

We will watch a video on the 1927 Flood when we finish the video on Hurricane Katrina. This short video explains how floods work.

How GPS Works

Remember the Global Positioning System we discussed in our lessons on GLE #1? Here is a brief video that explains how GPS works.

How Hurricanes Work

Aaron Neville's 1927 Song with Slideshow

Aaron Neville Singing about the Flood of 1927 at the Katrina Concert

Aaron Neville, a legendary Louisiana musician, sings about the Flood of 1927 at a concert to raise money for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

Hurricane Katrina Storm Chasers

Video from storm chasers in Hurricane Katrina.

Hurricane Katrina and the Second Amendment

Should the government be able to suspend Constitutional rights in an emergency?

Northeast Louisiana Parishes Chart for GLE #4

The Northeast Louisiana Parishes Chart (Week 2) for GLE #4 is online. See:
http://www.paulblankenship.com/SocialStudies/LaStudies/Parishes/NELAparishes/northeastlouisia.html

I have embedded a Google Map in the page for each parish. Some parishes may have additional links or information. You may use these to help with the GLE #2 parishes map, though the textbook might be easier to use.

Google Calendars in English, Science, and Social Studies

Ms. Just, Mrs. Parrish, and Mrs. Pomeroy have added Google Calendars. You may now subscribe to any of these that you need (along with mine) so your tests and due dates are in one convenient location.

Mrs. Pomeroy


Ms. Just


Mrs. Parrish


Mr. Blankenship

Change of Due Date on GLE #6

I pushed back the due date of GLE #6 (mind maps) from Friday (7 Sept.) to Tuesday (11 Sept.) because I noticed that two other assignments were due in English and Science that day. How did I know that? See my next post...

Hurricane Katrina Mind Map

By popular demand, I have posted my mind map of the Hurricane Katrina video. The mind map has grown well beyond a normal mind map as I have used it to demonstrate the mind map process in each class. Your mind map does not need to be this extensive. I use Novamind to create my mind maps, but pencil, paper, and markers are all you need.

My Hurricane Katrina Mind Map
http://www.paulblankenship.com/katrinamindmap.pdf

Remember to follow my Mind Map Rubric
http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php?screen=ShowRubric&module=Rubistar&rubric_id=1095617&PHPSESSID=ba89d3c30b304629a0cd38e658cc8850

Point Sheets

Except for 6th period, point sheets went home on Friday. They must be signed and returned. 6th period will get their point sheets on Tuesday.

Nothing Due on Tuesday

In honor of Labor Day, nothing is due on Tuesday. You may want to work on your Art Map of Louisiana or your Social Studies Fair Projects, but that is up to you. Have a wonderful long weekend.

The Social Studies Fair Packet

The Social Studies Fair Packet is available online:
http://www.paulblankenship.com/SocialStudies/SocialStudiesFair/socialstudiesfai.html

Study Guide 1.3

The Study Guide for Test 1.3 is available on the site at:
http://www.paulblankenship.com/Test13geographyonline.pdf

I provided copies of this in class on Friday. The test is on Wednesday.

Correction: Test 1.3 and Binder Check 1.3 Next Week

The Weekly Preview should have stated that the test & binder check next week is 1.3, not 1.4.

Weekly Preview

Monday
Labor Day -- no school!

Tuesday
Bellringer: What lessons should we learn from Hurricane Katrina? (five sentence paragraph)
Review for Test 1.3
Video on the Flood of 1927 - make a mind map for GLE #6

Wednesday
How could a family prepare for a disaster? What disasters are likely to occur in Shreveport? (five sentence paragraph)
Test 1.3
Binder Check 1.3
Video on the Flood of 1927 - make a mind map for GLE #6

Thursday
Who do you blame for the delayed recovery of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina? (five sentence paragraph)
Video on the Flood of 1927 - make a mind map for GLE #6
Work on the third mind map for GLE #6 -- your choice of topic from Louisiana history
GLE #2 Map & GLE #4 Chart: Northeast Louisiana

Friday
Interpret the song played in class. What political statement is made by this song? (five sentence paragraph)
Due: GLE #6 Mind Maps
GLE #8: Venn Diagram
GLE #9: Chart

Practice Test 1.3

I have posted the Practice Test 1.3
http://www.paulblankenship.com/test13geographyonline

Social Studies Fair Due Dates Posted on the Course Calendar

I posted the due dates for the Social Studies Fair assignments on the course calendar this afternoon.

Art Map of Louisiana Due Date

The due date for the Art Map of Louisiana is 19 September. I made the assignment a week ago. The due date is 4 weeks from the day I assigned it. If you lost your packet look on the Rubric Index page on my site.

Extra Credit Puzzle, +5 Points

Using the Major System (see my "study" page on the web site), determine the date encoded in the phrase "DEEP DAZE DUCK FOOD" and the event that occurred on that date. The format is DAY-MONTH-YEAR. The deadline is Friday.

Binder Check 1.2 Tomorrow, 29 August 2007

Please have the following for the check:
Historic Places Crossword
Bellringers from Thursday, Friday, Monday, and Tuesday
Study Guide 1.2 - highlighted or underlined from class on Friday
GLE #4 Chart - only what we did in class! It is not homework.
GLE #2 Map: Just the rivers and lakes, NOT the parishes and seats.

Practice Test 1.2

I posted a practice version of Test 1.2:
http://www.paulblankenship.com/test12online/

Dress Up on Thursday for Portrait Day

The Yearbook Staff requests that you look you best for pictures on Thursday.

Caddo Parish in the 2000 Census

Interesting statistics on our parish:
2000 Census for Caddo Parish

Encyclopedia Britannica on Louisiana

Encyclopedia Britannica is a subscription service. However, I can share Britannica articles with you for free through this blog. See me in class if you need access to an article for your research papers. You may use Britannica but not Wikipedia as a reference on your papers. The "Louisiana" article is posted below:

Louisiana

Robert Fulton's Steamboat

Robert Fulton created the first commercially successful steamboat on 1807. The article does not mention that Fulton's boat was too weak to travel upstream on the Mississippi River. Captain Henry Miller Shreve invented the steamboat for that task.

http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2007/08/dayintech_0817

Henry Miller Shreve

Origins of Civilization May Have Been More Widespread than Previously Believed

New evidence suggests that the origins of civilization may have been more widespread than previously believed. See the following article for details:
http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2007/0802archaeology.shtml