Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Crosswords and Word Searches
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Sherlock Holmes
Historians form conclusions based on the Evidence that they find. Just like a historian, the Super-Sleuth, Sherlock Holmes, used his keen sense of deduction to solve the most difficult of cases. It is "elementary my dear [student]" that to solve a question you must look hard at the evidence. Holmes said of himself, "I have a turn both for observation and for deduction." Historians could learn a lot from this research genius. In order to learn to be a History Detective, it would be most appropriate to learn from the master sleuth himself - Sherlock Holmes.
Holmes defined what it is to be a detective by saying,
"The temptation to form premature theories upon insufficient data is the bane of our profession."
"It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts."
"It is of the highest importance in the art of detection to be able to recognize out of a number of facts which are incidental and which vital. Otherwise your energy and attention must be dissipated instead of being concentrated."
Activity:
Sherlock Holmes would be a great teacher, but here is the dilemma - There is evidence to show that Sherlock Holmes was only a fictional character. There is also some evidence that leads many to believe that Sherlock Holmes was a real living breathing crime-solver, after all, millions of visitors visit his supposed residence every year at 221B Baker Street, London. Isn't that enough evidence to prove that the man was not just a figment of Arthur Conan Doyle's imagination - a character on the pages of a book? There seems to also be some evidence from a book entitled, The-Seven-Percent Solution, that the real living breathing Sherlock Holmes met with Sigmund Freud about a drug addiction. There even exist actual letters, people who wrote him, wanting to hire him to solve their mystery. Also, the internet is full of websites that claim he is real, and we can always trust the Internet.
So which is it? Was Holmes a real-life-mystery-detective, or was he but a spark of Sir Authur Conan Doyle's imagination?
In the words of the immortal Holmes himself, "Come, Watson, come! The game is afoot."
Look at the available Evidence, and any other hard Evidence you can find.
Then, answer the questions below before you discover the real answer.
Evidence:
- Pictures of Sherlock Holmes' actual London address (The arrow marks the spot.) - 221B Baker Street
- Quotes from the very lips of Sherlock Holmes - http://www.siracd.com/Sherlock-Holmes.shtml
- Evidence of his cocaine addiction and historic meeting with Sigmund Freud - http://www.siracd.com/work_h_cocaine.shtml
- Meeting with Albert Einstein and others. http://www.coolfrenchcomics.com/sherlockholmes.htm
- More about the famous 221B Baker Street - http://www.siracd.com/work_h_baker.shtml
- About 30 letters per month are written to Holmes at the famous address, and he responds to his fan mail.
- A nine foot high memorial to the legend of deduction - http://www.sherlock-holmes.co.uk/news/statue.html
- His former residence has been turned into a museum which has been "faithfully maintained". Go to the following website and click on the "Museum Tour" button to enjoy the virtual tour. You will see Holmes' belongings and even actual pictures - http://www.sherlock-holmes.co.uk/home.htm
Before we discover the answer, think about the questions that follow these instructions, open a new document in your word-processor (Microsoft Word), type the answers to the questions, and save the document in your student file as sherlock. We will discuss these answers later.
1. What evidence exists to prove that Sherlock Holmes is a real person?
2. What evidence do you know of that proves he was only fictional?
3. Where would be a good place to find even more evidence?
4. If you were doing research, what different types of evidence could you use? (Make a list.)
5. How could you categorize and organize the different types of evidence? (Categorize and Organize your list)
6. If you had a piece of evidence in your hand, what questions would you ask about it?
7. How could you insure that your thoughts about a certain piece of evidence are correct?
8. How would you keep track of the evidence you collect?
9. How does this connect to the study of history or government?
Now that you have answered the questions above, write a persuasive paragraph defending the existence of non-existence of Sherlock Holmes.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Mythology
| TASK |
Your job will be to play the role of a detective and investigate the gods. Since there are so many gods from which to choose, we will focus on some of the most famous gods--the gods of Mount Olympus. After a general search you will narrow down your assignment by selecting one god from this group to focus your investigation upon. You will gather information about this god, then you will make a WANTED POSTER with specific facts that you have compiled in your search. Finally, you will report back to the class with a brief PRESENTATION about your god.
| Step One |
Mythology
Let's review. Answer the following questions. Click the picture below each set of questions to find your answer. Answer each question in a complete sentence.
1. What is a Myth?
2. What is the purpose of a myth?
3. What is the Greek word for Myth?
4. What is Mythology?
5. Name 3 characteristics of a myth.
| Step Two |
Greek Mythology
Work with a partner researching the questions in the task you were given. Be prepared to give a brief report to the class based on your research.
Task #1 Mount Olympus
Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to Task #1 Mount Olympus:
1. Who lived on Mount Olympus?
2. What is Mount Olympus?
3. Where is Mount Olympus?
1. Choose one god or goddess that interests you most.
Using many adjectives to describe the god or
goddess. Be sure to include the name.
**Find the names below and write out how to say it using the pronunciation form.
1. Hephaestus
2. Aphrodite
3. Psyche
4. Prometheus
5. Phaeton
- Mount Olympus - Describes the who,what, where of Mt Olympus
- Myth Man's Gallery - Has all god and goddess with many pictures
- How to say the greek names - pronunciation
Task #2 Greek gods and godesses
Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to Task #2 Greek gods and godesses:
** Answer the following questions using the websites below.
1. Who was Hera's husband?
2. What is Demeter's Roman name?
3. Who did Dionysus rescue?
4. What is Echo's name is Greek?
5. What is Athena's name in Greek?
6. Who is Helen and how did she start the Trojan War?
7. Who had the idea of the wooden horse that brought
destruction to Troy?
8. What is Odysseus's Latin name?
- Greek Mythology- Gods, Heroes, and dictionary - Researching the Gods on Mt. Olympus
- Myth Man's names in greek - Shows how to write the gods names in greek
- Trojan War - Has many links to things with the trojan War
Task #3 Beasts and Creatures
Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to Task #3 Beasts and Creatures:
**Answer the following questions about the beasts and creatures of Ancient times.
1. Who was Medusa the Gorgon? What did she do?
2. What was the Sphinx? What did she do?
3. What was the Griffin? What did it do?
- Myth Man's Beast and Creatures - Identifies the beasts and creatures. What they are and did
Mythology in Modern Society
Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to Task #4 Mythology in Modern Society:
** Using the Myth Man's Greek Quiz, take the quizzes to see what you know about Greek Mythology. Let me know your results.
**Next answer the questions.
1. What is the city in Ohio named after the time in
Greek Mythology?
2. How many cities in the United States are named Troy?
3. Mars is a constellation? True or False
- Myth Man's Greek Quiz - Two quizzes appear
- Mythology in Modern Society - How the greek time has influenced us today
| Step Three |
Now that you understand the origin and purpose of myths, let’s learn about some of the gods—specifically the gods of Mount Olympus, also know as the Olympians. Click below for a list of the Olympian gods and some stories and information about them. Browse through the list, clicking on the various gods, and decide which gods are most interesting to you. Narrow your choices down to a few, then come back for Step Four.
| Step Four |
What's so great about these Olympians?
Now that you’ve narrowed down your choices, see if you can find a myth or story that features your favorite Olympian gods. Click below for a wide variety of stories and myths where you can search for the gods you are most interested in. The pages you are about to click on are pages with "Some Great Greek Myths” so shop around and read lots of myths and stories to find the best ones. When you finish, come back for Step Five.
| Step Five |
He has TONS of information about the gods and lots of myths for you to read and enjoy. He sometimes tells his myths in modern day fashion. When you get to his page, click on the HOMEWORK HELP buttons until you arrive at the HOMEWORK HELP CENTER. Then click on MAJOR OLYMPIANS. You will find lots and lots of fun information presented by The Myth Man. Browse through all the categories in the Olympian section to compile lots of information in various forms.
| Step Six |
Directions for WANTED POSTER |
You will need a large sheet of poster board to make your WANTED POSTER.
On your WANTED POSTER you may present your information in any way that looks attractive.
You will need the following information:
- The name of the god (make it easy to see)
- The Roman name and the Latin name of your god
- A picture of the god (choose something appropriate for a poster)
- A brief description of where the god is from and where the god can usually be found (in other words, where does the god spend his time in the myths?)
- He or she is the god or goddess of…?
- This god is famous for…?
- Relatives? (parents, siblings, what god or gods did he or she marry, love, or desire…?)
- Does this god have a weapon?
- What are his/her "favorites"?
- What other identifying characteristics or interesting facts have you discovered about your god?
Saturday, November 12, 2011
William Shakespear
All About Shakespeare:
Read about William Shakespeare. Write a paragraph about the Bard (poet who writes about heroes) that includes the answers to the following questions. It might be easiest to collect the answers and then organize your paragraph after having them. Include a title or heading for this paragraph.
What day do we consider to be Shakespeare's day of birth and how do we know it?
What school and what university did Shakespeare attend?
Who did Shakespeare marry, and how many children did he have?
What tragic family event occurred around the same time as his writing of Romeo & Juliet?
What did Shakespeare's great financial gain in 1605 allow him the time to do?
What two plays are considered Shakespeare's greatest or most famous?
How large is the average person's vocabulary, and how does Shakespeare's compare?
The Elizabethan Theater
Answer the following questions in numbered form and complete sentences in your word document.
1. When was the original Globe Theater built?
2. Where was the original Globe Theater located?
3. From what was the Globe Theater built?
4. How many owners of the original Globe Theater were there? List their names.
The Plays & Sonnets of Shakespeare
Answer the following questions in numbered form and complete sentences in your word document.
1. What three categories of plays did Shakespeare write?
2. List the title of one play from each category.
All About Elizabethan Love & Marriage:
Betrothal and Wedding | More Wedding Customs | Love and Marriage
Read about the Elizabethan society's norms regarding love and marriage. Write a short paragraph (about 150-200 words) responding to those norms on a personal level. Somewhere in your response, answer the following questions. It might be easiest to answer the questions and craft your personal reaction in direct response to them.
- At what age may a boy and girl marry, and at what age is marriage for non-noble families common?
- When a marriage is arranged for a younger couple, what is the usual reason?
- When is it considered “luckiest” to have the marriage?
- How is a wedding engagement announced, and what is thought of an unannounced wedding?
- Marrying for love is generally considered what?
- Why are most noble marriages arranged, and even some common people marriages?
All About Elizabethan Language:
Ms. Hogue's Chart | Life in Elizabethan England | Proper Britannian
* Note: “wherefore” means “why,” not “where.”
Write a short creative passage (minimum of 1 pragraph) using Elizabethan English. Use at least ten of the Elizabethan words correctly; highlight them with bold font. It might be easiest to include dialogue. (Need inspiration? Write about a huge feast or party, or write a boy-meets-girl story.) Title this section "My Elizabethan Language Paragraph."
The Elizabethan Household:
Look at the list of services and occupations common in Elizabethan society. Answer the following questions in numbered form and complete sentences in your word document.
1. From whom do you purchase necessary drugs?
2. From whom do you purchase cloth for making clothing?
3. In your own household, what is the title of the person who would take care of your business?
Shakespearean Insults:
Include a heading that says “My Shakespearean insults.” Visit the insult kit link above and create your own FOUR insults using the formula:
“Thou” + Column 1 + Column 2 + Column 3 + “!”
Then, read a few of the actual insults taken from Shakespeare's works (from the second link above) and copy your favorite on your document. In one sentence, explain: why is it your favorite? What do you like about it?
This webquest were taken from:
http://mrslux.pbworks.com/w/page/21790825/Shakespeare%20WebQuest
With minor adjustments made by Mrs. Sopko.