Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Wednesday, March 20, 2019
First, we will talk about what happened in chapter 11 of The Samurai's Tale.  Then we will read chapter 12 "A Name! A Name!" on page 84 (link) and answer the comprehension questions:
Chapter 12 “A Name! A Name!”
  1. Why does Taro feel jealous when Yoshitoki leaves with Lord Akiyama?
  2. What new name does Lord Akiyama give Taro? What is the significance of his first name?
  3.  What is the significance of his last name?
  4. What else does Lord Akiyama give Taro, in addition to his new name?
Today we will look at the charts and excerpts in Documents D and E and answer the questions in the DBQ "Should we celebrate the voyages of Zheng He?"
The voyages of Zheng He should be celebrated because ___________.
The voyages of Zheng He should not be celebrated because ___________.
Document E:
barbarians (noun)--someone from a different tribe or land, who people believe to be wild and not civilized

Tuesday, March 19, 2019

Tuesday, March 19, 2019
At table groups, you will read chapter 11 "In the House of the Ghost" on page 77 (link) and answer the comprehension questions:
Chapter 11 “In the House of a Ghost”
  1. Why do you think the old man refuses to foretell Yoshitoki’s future?
  2. What three things does the old man foretell about Taro’s future?
  3. When Yoshitoki and Taro return to the mountain pass, what do they find?
  4. What do you think this means?

Today we will look at the charts in Documents C and D and answer the questions in the DBQ "Should we celebrate the voyages of Zheng He?"
The voyages of Zheng He should be celebrated because ___________.
The voyages of Zheng He should not be celebrated because ___________.
Argument Essay Terminology

Term
Definition
argument
Making a claim and supporting it
using logic.
persuasion
Making a claim and supporting it
using feelings and emotions.
claim
The position that you are trying to
get your readers to accept (thesis)
evidence
Facts that support your claim.
bridge/
warrant
Statement that explains how the
evidence supports and connects to
the claim.
counterargument
Challenging the argument by
addressing the position of someone
who may not agree with the argument.
turn-back/
refutation
Demonstrating why the counter-
argument is wrong.
audience
Who will be affected by the topic?
Who will read the essay?


Monday, March 18, 2019

Monday, March 18, 2019

During fourth period, we will take the RI.
Today during fifth period, we will look at the charts in Document B and answer the questions in the DBQ "Should we celebrate the voyages of Zheng He?"

We will go to the library at 1:45.

Friday, March 15, 2019

Friday, March 15, 2019
Today in table groups, you will answer questions 1-6 of the background essay DBQ "Should We Celebrate the Voyages of Zheng He?"  
First, read all six questions. Next, read the first paragraph. Then, underline the answer in the paragraph. Finally, write the answer. Repeat for all six questions.
Question 1--paragraph # 1
Question 2--paragraph # 2
Question 3--paragraph # 3
Question 4--paragraph # 4
Question 5--paragraph # 5
Question 6--paragraph # 6
Next, we will be studying the map on Document A and answering the questions.
5) The voyages should be celebrated because ___________.
6) The voyages should not be celebrated because ___________.
Then, we will read chapter 5 of The Samurai's Tale link and answer comprehension questions:
Chapter 5 “The Stable-Boy Taro”
  1. Who are the two leaders of the failed rebellion?
  2. What shameful thing happens to Lord Obu after the failed
rebellion?
  1. Describe Jiro’s character and actions in 2-3 sentences.
  2. Why does Taro finally lose his patience with Jiro?
  3. Why is it important that Matazo has Jiro fetch the food instead
of Taro?  What does it mean?

Thursday, March 14, 2019

Wednesday, March 13, 2019
Today you will answer questions for in chapter 8 of the book Medieval to Early Modern Times, section 2, pages 204-211.  Answer in complete sentences.
Section 2a “Art and Culture in Heian”, p. 204-208
  1. Give two reasons why between 794-1185 was a golden age
    of arts in Japan.  
  1. Did EVERYONE participate in creating art in Japan?  Explain.
  2. Why were the greatest works of early Japanese literature written
   by women?
  1. Describe the fashion of the time.  (2-3 sentences)
  2. Do you think women in Heian had more rights and freedoms
    than women in other societies (Europe or Arabia)?  Why or why not?
  1. Describe the architecture of the time. (2-3 sentences)
  2. What were two forms of Buddhism that developed in Japan? Describe each in 1-2 sentences. (3-4 sentences total)
  3. How was religion among Japan’s nobles different from religion
     among the common people?  
  1. Why do you think Pure Land Buddhism was popular with common people.
Section 2b “Lady Murasaki Shikibu” and “The Tale of Genji” p. 209-211
  1. What is "The Tale of Genji" about?
  2. What qualified Lady Murasaki to comment on upper-class life in Japan?
  3. Describe Genji’s parents.
  4. After reading the excerpt, what specific arts did Japanese nobles enjoy?
  5. Give two details (quotations) that suggest that Japanese nobles lived lives of
luxury.

  1. Give your overall impression of Japanese court life (2-3 sentences)
During fifth period, we will read chapters 2 - 3 of
The Samurai's Tale.
Chapter 2 “The Journey to Kofuchu”
  1. Why does Taro wish he were a fly?
  2. “I repeated my command, for I was still the bushi’s son and she my little servant.” (p. 10) What does this quotation show the reader about Taro?
  3. What does the bullying soldier force Taro to do?
  4. Once they arrive at Lord Akiyama’s mansion, where is Taro taken?
  5. Chapter 3 “The ‘Dog’ Taro”
    1. What does Togan mean?
    2. Besides cooking, what else does Togan make?
    3. Taro describes Togan as wise.  Write one wise thing Togan says (include page number).
Thursday, March 14, 2019
Today we will explore the different policies toward the rest of the world used in China, Japan, and Europe.
At your tables, figure out how China and Japan had similar
policies towards the rest of the world from the 15th to the
17th century.  Also, describe how their policies differed
from the policies of the countries in Europe during this same
time.
Read about China (page 186) and Japan (page 217) and
locate the description of this policy for each nation.  
What was this policy called?
The policy toward the rest of the world in China was called ____________.
The policy toward the rest of the world in Japan was called ____________.

How did this policy differ from the policy in Europe
(page 446)?

However, the policy toward the rest of the world in Europe was ______________.
   3) What are possible consequences that may result from these differing policies toward the world?
One possible consequence might have been that _______________.
Another possible consequence might have been that _______________.

Background Essay:
Ming Dynasty--a family line of emperors that ruled China from 1368 to 1644
Eunuch--a castrated male (a male without testicles). Eunuchs were important servants in the
Ming government, presumed to be less threatening and therefore more trustworthy.
Tribute--gifts offered to show respect and admiration for a greater power and also to buy protection
Emissary--ambassador or representative sent to another country
Colonialism--the act of one country taking over control of another country or region

Tuesday, March 12, 2019

Tuesday, March 12, 2019
Remember:  Your Reading Counts points are due by Thursday, March 14. Today, I put your Reading Counts points in PowerSchool, but you have until Thursday to read books and take tests.
Third Quarter Points (from 1/8/19--3/14/19)
(due March 14, 2019)

Points earned in Reading Counts
Grade
27-30
A
24-26
B
21-23
C
18-20
D
17 or fewer
F
I'm at a meeting for fourth period.  I will be back after lunch.  Today you will answer questions for in chapter 8 of the book Medieval to Early Modern Times, section 1, pages 198-203.  Answer questions in complete sentences.
Section 1 Geography and Early Japan”, p. 198-203


  1. Japan is only 20 percent flat land.  How has that shaped the lives of the Japanese?
  2. Japan is a collection of islands.  Describe two ways that has shaped the lives of Japanese people.
  3. What two countries are the closest to Japan?  How have those short distances helped shape Japanese culture?
  4. Are most of Japan’s major cities in the interior or on the coast?  Why do you think this is?
  5. What are the two theories about how the Ainu reached Japan?
  6. Describe three characteristics of the first Japanese (how they lived, worshipped, believed, etc.)
  7. When entering a Shinto shrine, what must people pass through? What does it symbolize?
  8. How did emperors take power in Japan?
  9. List four influences from China or Korea on Japanese language, philosophy, religion, and language.
  10. Which influence from above do you think is the most important and why?

  11. How did Prince Shotoku help spread Buddhism in Japan?
  12. The Samurai's Tale Comprehension questions Preface
    1. What does the narrator compare the man, his daughter, and the ox to?
    2. What does the narrator mean when he writes “For they will always be with us”?
    3. What simile does the narrator use to describe the great lords?  What does the narrator mean?
    4. Who was the narrator’s father? What happened to him?
    Chapter 1”In Blood We Are All Born”
    1. Where does his mother hide him?
    2. What happens to his mother and brothers?
    3. Why won’t the samurai Akiyama let Taro keep his father’s name?