4-30-15

Today in class, we took some notes on the powerpoint that we were taking notes on last week. We didn't have that many to take today but still took some and it wasn't that bad. I think everyone hates when we take notes because sometimes we have to take a lot and I kind of like taking notes on the computer in One Note better than handwriting them. We talked about the story of Tarquin and his wife Tullia who were apparently the power couple in a bad way of Rome because of the horrible things they did and what their son Sextus did. It was a sad story because of how bad these people were, but eventually they were overthrown and forced out of Rome which resulted in the government we have today.

Working on Project

Today in class, we worked on our project and decided on what we were doing for it like our final decision on it and everyone had to tell what they were doing so we knew and were prepared for when everyone's time came to present. Katie and I worked on getting our information together and get the facts we needed since our project is about ancient Roman architecture. The buildings we are focusing are the Circus Maximus, the Aqueducts, the Roman Forum, the Roman Parthenon, and the colusseum and we are focusing mostly on that structure more than any other one. We are going to present this by making a tri-fold and a mini model of the colosseum.

FACTS ABOUT ANCIENT ROMAN ARCHITECTURE

    - Circus Maximus http://www.aviewoncities.com/rome/circusmaximus.htm 

• largest stadium in ancient Rome
• popular chariot races were held there for almost  a thousand years
• used for events such as gladiator combats
• the last race was held in 549 AD
• it was also used for processions

- Colosseum http://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/colosseum

• located east of the Roman Forum
• the largest amphitheater in Rome
• used for four centuries 
• By the 20th century, nearly two-thirds of it was destroyed
• measures from 620 feet by 513 feet

- Aqueducts http://www.unrv.com/culture/roman-aqueducts.php 

• a waterway system
• first evidence of Roman engineering
• built from stone and brick
• built to carry the flow of water to Rome
• there were 30 miles of arched structures

- Roman Forum http://www.lonelyplanet.com/italy/rome/sights/historic/roman-forum

• Rome's showpiece centre
• developed in the 7th century
• fell into disrepair after the fall of the Roman Empire
• known as the "cow field" in the middle ages
• district of temples and basilicas

4-24-15

Today in class we worked on our project and thought about more ideas for what we could do for this project. I am working with Katie and she wasn't there but the first time we talked about this project, we kind of came up with an idea on what we wanted to do. We are not that sure since we don't want to do a video or anything like writing a paper or do a powerpoint because then we wouldn't get the best grade because it shows that we didn't put that much effort into it. So we decided to do a tri-fold poster and put our information about Rome on the board in a creative way. We weren't so sure if that would be enough so we also wanted to make a model of one of the famous Roman buildings in those days. Katie said she thinks she will be able to make it from something like popsicle sticks or something like that. I wasn't sure how to make it so since she said that and we can make it different and unique not just like we did it in like five seconds. I hope it works out because we need a good grade on this project since my grade isn't where I want it to be. I think that failing that one test we took ruined my whole grade even though the last project with the essay and powerpoint we did our grade was good which was a 90. I was happy about that since it brought my grade up a little and since this project is a lot more, hopefully we will do great on it and get a 100.

MORE OF THE ROME POWERPOINT

Today in class we took more notes from the powerpoint and talked about the Punic war involving Hannibal and Carthage against Rome. We also analyzed the lyrics from the rap we heard yesterday that will help us study for our test.

4-22-15

Today in class we took more notes and went over the powerpoint. Mr. Schick also performed a rap about Rome.

Ancient Rome

Today in class, we started a new unit which is ancient Rome. We haven't talked about the projects since Friday, but I think we will later on but in the time being, we will take notes on the ancient Rome powerpoint and learn about ancient Rome and its government. Also, how Rome's government was the Senate and how it was a monarchy and we have the same type of government in the US today. There are some things that were changed about how to control the government but it is pretty similar to the one ancient Rome had. That is what we talked about mostly today, and I think on Wednesday, we will take more notes and learn more about the culture of ancient Rome.

NEW PROJECT

Yesterday in class, we talked about our new assignment which is going to be another project. I was surprised by this because we just completed a project and an essay. But, I think it will be fine and this might be the last one of the year. This project has to be about Rome but we are allowed to do any kind of project that we want to do. You can also have a group or try to work by yourself if you wanted to. I chose to work with Katie again and try to make a tri-fold poster on ancient Rome. We also have to think of something else to add to it so it won't be so simple. Katie said she will try and see if she can build a small model of one of the important buildings in ancient Rome. We still need some time to think about this because we aren't completely sure on how it will all work. I know we will have our full idea soon. We will start thinking about it soon and working on it as soon as we can. 

Plato Video

Today in class, we watched a video about perspective kind of and it was really weird to me. It was about these prisoners and they were chained in this dark room for life and all they did was look in one way and watch shadows all day and night. They didn't know anything about the outside world, all they knew was what they saw in the dark room and that was it. One day, one of the prisoners were granted to go into the real world and see what it was like. He was very confused because he didn't know anything about the real world but loved it. When he went back into the dark room, he realized it was all and illusion and the other prisoners laughed at him because he finally had a mind of his own. It had a symbolism behind it all, about how people are brainwashed and don't know anything for themselves until they realize things about the real world.

Absent

Today I was absent because I wasn't feeling well at all last night and all morning. I just felt really sick and couldn't come to school today.

4-13-15

Today in class, we went over the test we took before spring break. We took the test the actual day before our break started and I really wish it was later or earlier because it was hard to focus with spring break on my mind. That was also why I couldn't really concentrate and had many tests that same day which didn't help. I felt like it was an overall overwhelming day and I wish I would've gotten a better grade. I got a 78 on it and it didn't make my day better or off to a good start at all. I just need to do better on the next test to keep my grade at a good level and where I want it to be. 

Test

Today in class, we took the final test on ancient Greece. There was a lot of information on it and a lot we had to study. I don't know how I did because I feel like my grade is not good. I am worried about it because I have tried to get a good grade in this class even higher than my grade right now which is a high B. I hope I didn't do to bad and we will have work that can make the test up if I didn't do too well.