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
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?

3. Describe Jiro’s character and actions in 2-3 sentences.
4. Why does Taro finally lose his patience with Jiro?
5. Why is it important that Matazo has Jiro fetch the food instead

of Taro?  What does it mean?

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.  

2. Did EVERYONE participate in creating art in Japan?  Explain.
3. Why were the greatest works of early Japanese literature written

   by women?

4. Describe the fashion of the time.  (2-3 sentences)
5. Do you think women in Heian had more rights and freedoms

    than women in other societies (Europe or Arabia)?  Why or why not?

6. Describe the architecture of the time. (2-3 sentences)
7. What were two forms of Buddhism that developed in Japan? Describe each in 1-2 sentences. (3-4 sentences total)
8. How was religion among Japan’s nobles different from religion

     among the common people?  

9. 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.

6. 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?
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
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?
    
    
    
    

Monday, March 11, 2019
Today we will begin our unit on Japan.  First, we will do a lesson on bias and stereotypes at the beginning of chapter 8 in the book Medieval to Early Modern Times, pages 195-197.  
Answer these questions in complete sentences:

Section 1a--Timeline and “Stereotypes and Bias in History”, p. 194-197

1. What is one of the most important geographic features in Japan?
2. Looking over the timeline, which of the entries are you most interested in learning more about and why?
3. What is the difference between a stereotype and a bias?
4. Write one stereotype from the list.
5. Write one bias from the list.
6. Who does the author of “The Pillow Book” show a bias against?
7. What stereotypes about non-nobles does the author include in her writing?
8. How would a Japanese priest or country person feel about “The Pillow Book?”  Why?

We will also check out our new book The Samurai's Tale.  
First, some general terms to know:

Terms to know:

samurai (noun) a member of a powerful military class in Japan in the past

kimono (noun) a traditional piece of Japanese clothing like a long loose coat

sake (noun) a Japanese alcoholic drink made from rice

hara-kiri (noun) a way of killing yourself by cutting open your stomach, used in the past in Japan to avoid losing honour

We will read the Preface in The Samurai's Tale and answer questions:

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?

Friday, March 8, 2019
Happy International Day of Women!
It was so great to see so many of you last night at "Open House"!  Congratulations to Thomas and Dylan B. for earning 100 points of extra credit! Today we will watch the story of "The Eagle Huntress"
"We too want to be eagle hunters, but we are afraid of eagles."