10/17 Legalism Notes

In ancient China, from about 6 BCE to 223 BCE, was a period known as the Hundred Schools of Thought.  There were so many problems in China during this time, that there were many different ideas, and ways of thinking created to help solve these problems.  One notable school of thought (way of thinking), was legalism.

Master Han Fei is credited with legalism.  His philosophy was developed during a time of constant war between the seven states in China.  They were all fighting over the control of China.  The first emperor of the Qin Dynasty admired his philosophy.

Legalists believe that human beings are inherently evil, and that they are entirely motivated by selfish interests.  People therefore can only be controlled by laws.  If a law was broken, there would be harsh punishments.  For example, there would be heavy fines, or you might be sent to a labor camp, such as building the Great Wall,  or forced into the army.  The ruler expected exact obedience.  Only exact obedience was rewarded.    Emperor Qin even sent his son to the Great Wall when his son disagreed with how the Confucian scholars were being treated.

http://www.marthut.com/the-great-wall-of-china

https://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/shaanxi/xian/terra_cotta_army/mausoleum

Legalism quotes

www.rodneyohebsion.com/han-fei-tzu.htm

For more information on legalism that will help you for the test, follow this link.

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Han-Feizi

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10/17 Helpful hints on preparing for retaking the test

As I said in class today, if you plan to retake some, or all of the test, you should reread all of the texts, and then create new charts with the advantages and disadvantages for all the different types of people.  If there is no advantage, then don’t make up something that was not in the text.  For example, don’t say women were lucky in Ancient Greece democracy because they didn’t have to think and they could stay home.  That is not an advantage and that certainly wasn’t in the text.

Make sure you do not repeat the same spelling mistakes.  Do not randomly capitalize letters.  I am going to compare your original test to the retakes, so I plan to see marked improvement.

Once you have reread the text and made the charts, then you can come and share with me after school.

 

 

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10/16 Dates of interest

I returned the government tests today, and students had some time to review my comments to them.  I reminded them that this was my opportunity to “speak” to them personally about how they can improve, so they need to read my feedback carefully, and more than once, so they don’t repeat the same mistakes, and show visible and marked improvement.

This week I will be available after school for students who need to extra help to prepare to retake the test.  They only need to retake the portion(s) that they had a 4 or below.  Next week they can sign up after school to do the actual retakes.  If students have to retake more than 2 parts, then they should plan to sign up for at least two after school sessions.

The Malala autobiography was assigned 10/2.  Today we spent some time reviewing the reading worksheet, and sharing what a complete and thoughtful answer would look like.  Students should have been writing down examples as they were shared.  The reading and worksheet must be completed by 10/23, Monday.

Today the Newsela reading for the week was assigned, and students selected their lexile level and we read the text features together.  Their reading and annotations are due Wednesday, and the Write is due this Friday.

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10/15 Test results

During class on Monday I will return your test results.  Read my comments to you carefully, and follow my advice.  This week I will be available after school if you plan to retake all, or parts of the test and need help in preparing.  The following week I will be available after school for retakes.  I will also be reviewing the early governments during the week.  Make sure you have your test to refer to, as well as your texts.  I found that a common problem was that the answers were not text based.

You will have only one opportunity to retake, and it must be done by 10/27.  Please do not repeat the same mistakes.

 

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10/2 I am Malala, autobiographical reading assignment

Today the books were assigned, and we reviewed the worksheet analysis.  This analysis is due 10/23, Monday.  Please complete the analysis on separate pieces of paper, and don’t forget to cite the page numbers as you collect evidence.  This is a summative assignment.  After reading her autobiography and completing the analysis, students should be able to share a deeper understanding of what Malala accomplished, as well as how her story has meaning as an advocate for universal human rights.

 

http://blogs.ksbe.edu/pekono/files/2017/10/Malala-worksheet.pdf

 

 

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9/29 Road to Democracy Reading

http://blogs.ksbe.edu/pekono/files/2017/09/p90.pdf

http://blogs.ksbe.edu/pekono/files/2017/09/p91.pdf

http://blogs.ksbe.edu/pekono/files/2017/09/p92.pdf

http://blogs.ksbe.edu/pekono/files/2017/09/p93.pdf

 

For all students who do not have their reading, or were absent, here are the handouts.

 

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9/29 Homework this weekend, Test on Tuesday

Students were given the following writing prompt in class today, and about 10 minutes to begin practicing.  They should using their notes and their reading to answer the prompt completely for each of the 4 governments.  On Monday, we will share answers and I will give them my feedback on the quality of their answers.

“What were the advantages and disadvantages with this government?”

The test was scheduled for Wednesday, however, students have informed me that they will not be here, so I am rescheduling the test for Tuesday.  The test will be done completely WITHOUT notes, so students should use this time to practice.  Vocabulary is considered an essential part of the content, so make sure you can spell correctly.

A complete answer will have the following:

  1. Use of correct vocabulary
  2. Include perspectives from all people
  3. Explain, in detail, why this is an advantage or disadvantage.  For example, don’t just say “Monarchy is unfair.”  A better answer would be “In monarchy, the king has all the power and makes all the laws.  Peasants have to obey all the laws, but never get to help make any laws.”

 

 

 

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9/28 Homework due Friday

Newsela Write due tomorrow.  First example was done together in class on Wednesday.  My grade book will close this Monday, 10/2, for the first quarter.

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9/18 Homework this week

Students were assigned the latest reading in their Newsela binders.  They began their reading and annotations in class, and we will discuss the reading on Wednesday.  We also reviewed the Write assignment, and did the first answer together, so they have an example to follow.  The Write is due on Friday.

Students will be sharing their human rights quotations at Back to School.  They will recite their quote, give the author/artist, and state their reasons for selecting the quote.

 

 

 

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9/13 Social Studies Homework, Friday 9/15

Students were assigned their Write for the Newsela Islam reading. We started the homework with the first example in class today. This is due Friday.

Clarification regarding the homework due Monday. Students are only to find their human rights quotation (should have at least 3 options), and their accompanying youtube video by Monday. A google slides document will be shared with them later.

Pick a quotation that represents your feelings about being a human right advocate. Pick one that you can remember because you will be asked later to recite it.

It can be from a poem, a speech, a movie, a song, or a wise saying from someone you know. You must be able to give proper credit for it.

Students can check out previous blog entries for examples, as well as the handout that we read together in class.

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