Fall of the Roman Empire ~ Week 25

Sample Student Post:

I think that it is very important to understand the reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire since our own government is so closely linked to that of the Romans. Here is detailed information on the fall of the Roman Empire:

Reasons for the Fall of the Roman Empire

Military Aspects of the Fall of the Roman Empire

A "World" View on the Decline of the Roman Empire

Wikipedia Information on the Fall of the Roman Empire

There is obviously a lot of information on the fall or decline of the Roman Empire. There are even some conflicting thoughts on this subject. It is important that we learn from what we can agree on for the purpose of this course. Revisit the first link in this post. What similarities can you draw from the fall of the Roman Empire and what we should be worried about in the United States today. Justify, or explain, your statements.

Julius Caesar ~ Week 24

Sample Student Post:

I really wanted to know more about Julius Caesar than what the textbook gave us. Why was he so threatening that senators killed him? This is a really big deal. So here's some more information on Julius Caesar:

Wikipedia Information on Julius Caesar

Historical Background on Julius Caesar

Detailed History of Caesar's Life and Death

There is a wealth of information in these three websites, with many insights to the causes of Julius Caesar's assassination. Brainstorm ideas about how Julius Caesar could have avoided assassination and yet continued to lead Rome. This can help you to prepare for your Julius Caesar Speech!

Citizen-Soldiers ~ Week 23

Sample Student Post:

I thought that it was really interesting that in the early years of the Roman republic, all mall citizens were required to serve in the army. Military service has continued to be an important responsibility of citizenship in democratic nations such as our own country. Here are some interesting viewpoints on military service and our responsbilities as citizens:

Selective Service System

Requiring Women to Register with Selective Service?

Information about the 1969 Military Draft

Wikipedia Information on Conscription (Mandatory Military Service)

One Man's Opinions Supporting Mandatory Military Service

One Man's Opinions Against Mandatory Military Service

Women in the Military

There are a lot of ideas and thoughts in our country about service in the military. What are your opinions about military service in the United States of Amercia? Who should and shouldn't serve, and why?

Borrowed Culture ~ Week 22

Sample Student Post:

It has been interesting to see how the Etruscans borrowed the alphabet and some of the gods from the Greeks. It's starting to look like one culture just "borrows" stuff from another culture over and over again throughout history. Here are a few examples of things Amercian culture has borrowed from other cultures:

Language (words from Latin, French, Greek, or Spanish)
Foods (from Italy, China, or Mexico)
Holiday Traditions (such as the Christmas Tree from Germany)

Use the following internet search engines and/or information sources to find your own example of something American culture has borrowed from another culture and describe it here.

Google

Yahoo

Wikipedia

Alexander the Great ~ Week 21

Sample Student Post:

I wanted to learn more about Alexander the Great than what was presented by the textbook. After what the textbook covered, I didn't quite understand what made Alexander so "great"! So, I've looked up some additional information about Alexander and have included it here:

Wikipedia Information on Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great on the Web

Alexander the Great of Macedon

More Detailed Information on Alexander

That is a LOT of information! Now state in your own words why you think history has labeled Alexander as "great".

Military Advancements ~ Week 20

Sample Student Post:

I enjoyed learning about the phalanx, developed by Philip II of Macedonia. Unfortunately the textbook only gave about 2 paragraphs of information about military formations, so I've tracked down more information:

Philip II of Macedonia

Detailed Warfare Information

History of the Phalanx

After reading this information, explain why Philip's development of the Phalanx was such an important military improvement.

Greek Scientists ~ Week 19

Sample Student Post:

Our Science Fair Project has recently been assigned in our Science class. I asked Mr. Hammock and Mrs. Walter if we could combine our Science Fair Project with a basis on famous Greek Scientists for extra credit in Social Studies, and they agreed. Mr. Hammock said that you can earn up to the full 10% of extra credit if you fully base your Science Fair Project in the accomplishments of the following Greek Scientists:

Archimedes

Aristarchus

Eratosthenes

Euclid

Hippocrates

Pythagoras

Thales of Miletus

After reading through all the information above, brainstorm an idea for a Science Fair Project that is based in the work of one of these famous Greek Scientists. Be sure to give a complete description of your hypothesis and procedure.

Greek Theater ~ Week 18

Sample Student Post:

I really liked learning about the theater but wanted to know more about it than what the book had. So, I looked up some additional information about the Greek Theater.

History of the Greek Theater

The Greek Theater

Ancient Theater

I think it was really bad that women were not allowed to participate in the plays. Why, do you think, were women not permitted to perform in the Greek plays? Create a list of reasons arguing for a change in this practice.

The Olympics ~ Week 17

Sample Student Post:

I really liked learning about the history of the Olympics. It was cool to hear about some of the original events but I wonder about the events that have come about since then. Here is some information about those events:

The Ancient Olympics

Olympic Events

Olympic Games Background

Wikipedia Information on the Olympic Games

With that wealth of information, compare and contrast the ancient and modern Olympic games. What are your thoughts about the Olympics? Explain any of your own Olympic hopes and dreams!

What Happened to Athens? ~ Week 16

Sample Student Post:

We talked some about what happened to Athens, but I really wanted to know more about it. What happened after the Peloponnesian War? Here is the information:

Decline of Athens

History of Athens, Greece

Wikipedia Information on History of Athens

That should answer my question about what happened. However, what about what could have happened? What measures could have been taken to help prevent the decline of Athens?

A Spartan Existence ~ Week 15

Sample Student Post:

I wasn't exactly sure what Mr. Hammock meant when we talked about Sparta and the phrase about living a "Spartan Existence", so I've looked up some extra information about it. I figure that if I have questions maybe other people do, too. Here are the links:

The Spartan Existence

Spartan Existence

Sparta

Hopefully that helps everyone! Now, in your own words, explain a "Spartan Existence."

After "Troy" ~ Week 14

Sample Student Post:

Most of us are familiar with the story of the Trojan War, especially after the movie "Troy" came out with Brad Pitt in it. What I wonder about is what happened after the Trojan War.

Fall of the Mycenaeans

Wikipedia on the Dorian Invasion

Where the Dorians Came From

What happened after the Trojan War for the Mycenaeans is very interesting. How do you think life changed for the Mycenaeans after the civil wars and Dorian invasion?

Bull Leaping ~ Week 13

Sample Student Post:

The Minoans must have been really athletic to have been able to be good at bull leaping! This sport is crazy! Take a look at this information about bull leaping:

Bull Leaping

More About Bull Leaping

Even More About Bull Leaping

How popular do you think this sport was with the Minoans? How would you compare this sport with popular sports in the world today?

Centralization ~ Week 12

Sample Student Post:

I started to think a lot about centralized government. How exactly did centralized government develop among the people of Mezoamerica? What exactly does it mean to have a centralized government?

Centralized Government

Mesoamerican Governments

So, thinking about that information, what must happend in a civilization before a centralized government can form?

Assyrian, Chaldean, and Persian Contributions ~ Week 11

Sample Student Post:

It's amazing to think of all the things that have come from past societies. Take a look at some of the contributions of the Assyrians, Chaldeans, and the Persians:

Assyrians

Chaldeans

Persians

What are your thoughts about the contributions of the Assyrians, Chaldeans, and the Persians? How have they affected the world? How do they continue to affect the world?

Phoenician Innovations ~ Week 10

Sample Student Post:

The Phoenicians were able to accomplish a lot. They managed to travel to many places, make peace agreements, and create an alphabet that became the base for modern alphabets. Just look at some of this information:

The Phoenician Alphabet

The Phoenician Alphabet History

Phoenician Land & Sea Voyages and Routes

How do you think the Phoenicians benefitted from being so innovative?

Communication ~ Week 9

Sample Student Post:

It's hard to imagine not having history, not knowing what has happened in our past. In some ways, such as the origin of human kind, we have many unanswered questions. Sometimes we get answers with important discoveries, such as the Rosetta Stone.

The Rosetta Stone

In the case of the Harappans in the Indus River Valley, we have yet to understand their writings.

Indus River Valley

If we could read what little we do have about the Harappans from the Indus River Valley, what do you think we might learn about their civilization? How might this knowledge help our world, today?

Hatshepsut ~ Week 8

Sample Student Post:

There was a female pharaoh! Hatshepsut was Thutmose III's stepmother and ruled Egypt before him. Look at this website about her:

Hatshepsut

To show authority and keep her name alive, Hatshepsut wore men's clothes and a fake beard! She also was married to her half-brother, Thutmose II. Here's some more interesting information about Hatshepsut:

More about Hatshepsut

Even more about Hatshepsut

This is all really interesting. What are your thoughts about Hatshepsut's life? How do you think female leaders during the days of Ancient Egypt and modern times compare?

Egypt ~ Week 7

Sample Student Post:

I think it's really odd talking about Egypt. We've heard so much about Egypt that it sounds like it's own part of the world, but it's part of something bigger. Look at these maps:

Map of Egypt & Middle East

Map of Africa: Including Egypt

Looking at these maps, you get a different view of Egypt and where it is located. How do you think Egypt's location provided opportunities for the exchange of ideas, knowledge, skills, and customs between Africa, Asia, and other civilizations?