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.