Homework

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 09:10:59 -0700

In Class Tuesday
We finished the essay test on the Iranian Revolution.
We started viewing and grading the Cyrus the Great shows.

I need 10 backgammon boards by Friday to kick off our study of Turkey!!! If you have one that your parents will let you bring in, please email me asap or just bring it to school tomorrow. Thanks.

Homework
Research the history of backgammon and write me one paragraph in your own words about the history.
Also, please give me 3-4 sentences about what backgammon might have to do with Turkey.

Mon, 8 Feb 2010 09:10:59 -0700

In Class Monday
Essay test on the Iranian Revolution.

I need 10 backgammon boards by Friday to kick off our study of Turkey!!! If you have one that your parents will let you bring in, please email me asap or just bring it to school tomorrow. Thanks.

Homework
Make sure your Cyrus the Great slide show (or whatever) is totally ready to go. We’ll go to the library and do a round robin grading of them. It’s 120 points, so be sure the person who has it on h/er laptop is going to be in school.

Wed, 3 Feb 2010 11:28:44 -0700

In Class Wednesday
We spent the period finishing the Cyrus projects. On Tuesday we will go to the library and view them. You will go around to different tables with your group and evaluate each presentation.

Homework
Test on Monday, February 8. It is an essay test. Using your notes, you will write me an essay that explains the story of the Iranian Revolution starting with Ahmad Shah and ending with the Hostage Crisis and Ayatollah Khomeini. No computers allowed, so print out your notes in advance. If you come to class without your notes and want to quickly print them, I will NOT let you. You need to walk in the door prepared.

At the end of the essay--which is all factual--I want you to write your opinion of the revolution. What kind of revolution was it? What did it accomplish? Did the people get what they wanted?

Mon, 1 Feb 2010 14:04:01 -0700

In Class Monday
DON’T FORGET THAT IF YOU WANT TO TAKE WESTERN CIV HONORS NEXT YEAR, YOU NEED TO HAVE YOUR TYPED PARAGRAPH TO ME BY 3:00 TODAY.

We continued working on Cyrus the Great.

Homework
Talk to your group members so that you know what you need to do for the Cyrus project at home. The slideshow is due at the beginning of class on Wednesday.

FYI: I am moving the test to NEXT Monday, February 8. It is an essay test. Using your notes, you will write me an essay that explains the story of the Iranian Revolution. No computers allowed, so print out your notes in advance. If you come to class without your notes and want to quickly print them, I will NOT let you. You need to walk in the door prepared.

Cyrus the Great Museum Slide Show

You are creating a slide show that requires no narration from you in class. If you were to go to a museum to learn about Cyrus the Great, you could watch this slide show and learn everything you need to know.

What goes into it?
1. Cyrus’ childhood legend
2. He is known for how he treated those he defeated. Bring to life the story of the conquering of the Medes.
3. Bring to life the story of the fall of Babylon, and be sure to include the story of the Jews.
4. The Charter of Human Rights, aka the Cyrus Cylinder: make clear what the 3 main ideas are
5. Highlight 5 impressive excerpts from the Cyrus Cylinder
6. Other interesting facts
7. Make clear the dates of his reign
8. Provide a really clear map of the Persian Empire

Remember that you need to put all this in your own words except for information for #5.

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 07:39:20 -0700

In Class Friday
DON’T FORGET THAT IF YOU WANT TO TAKE WESTERN CIV HONORS NEXT YEAR, YOU NEED TO HAVE YOUR TYPED PARAGRAPH TO ME ON MONDAY BY 3:00.

We continued working on Cyrus the Great. Below is a copy of the handout I gave in class. Max M, Ethan, Meagan He. are working alone since you are absent, but otherwise I have made the groups, so Alex L and Thomas, come see me to find out with whom you are working.

FYI: I am moving the test to NEXT Monday, February 8. It is an essay test. Using your notes, you will write me an essay that explains the story of the Iranian Revolution. No computers allowed, so print out your notes in advance. If you come to class without your notes and want to quickly print them, I will NOT let you. You need to walk in the door prepared.

Cyrus the Great Museum Slide Show

You are creating a slide show that requires no narration from you in class. If you were to go to a museum to learn about Cyrus the Great, you could watch this slide show and learn everything you need to know.

What goes into it?
1. Cyrus’ childhood legend
2. He is known for how he treated those he defeated. Bring to life the story of the conquering of the Medes.
3. Bring to life the story of the fall of Babylon, and be sure to include the story of the Jews.
4. The Charter of Human Rights, aka the Cyrus Cylinder: make clear what the 3 main ideas are
5. Highlight 5 impressive excerpts from the Cyrus Cylinder
6. Other interesting facts
7. Make clear the dates of his reign
8. Provide a really clear map of the Persian Empire

Remember that you need to put all this in your own words except for information for #5.

Movie Night is tonight. The movie is Offside. Google it to see what it is about. Be in my room at 5:30. I’ll have pizza, but you have to bring your own drink. I need your parents to be on time to pick you up. You are not going to be here any later than 7:30, so be sure to tell them this.

Notes
Who was Mohammed Reza Pahlavi, Part II?
1953-1979
1. he says that he left to avoid bloodshed, not that he abdicated
2. the Americans felt that the Shah—even weak—was a more reliable ally than Mossadeq. If we were to restore him, he would remain oil friendly with us.
3. CIA paid demonstrators to go against anti-American demonstrators
4. Iranian soldiers joined the pro-Shah side
5. Iranian people had grown tired of Mossadeq
6. Mossadeq ousted, jailed; armed forces back in control; Shah returns
7. His experience altered the course of the dynasty forever. B/c he had no money, few friends, the awakening that his power could be snatched away so easily, he returns to make sure this never happens again
8. What does he do? Amasses a huge personal fortune, (in foreign banks) strong military presence, relies heavily on US aid, SAVAK, strengthens relationship with clergy who sided with Mossadeq
9. Never was a religious man but made visits to shrines, made the Haj, agreed to more religious teaching in schools and to controlling movies
10. Created the White Revolution: health care, land reform, modernization, westernization—looked like he was improving people’s lives, but was to cement his power.
11. ¾ of Iran were peasant farmers, so he appealed to them, saying he would improve their lives. One problem—the 100 wealthy families who employ these peasants control the land.
12. The Shah knew the wealthy landowners were a threat to him, so he decided to take away their power and give it to the peasants.
13. Many of the landowners were the religious leaders of that land.
14. A split develops—those religious who speak out against the Shah and those who don’t.
15. Those against are angry b/c the shah is threatening their traditions, their income, their Islamic heritage. They mobilize and plan their own revolution.
16. At the heart of the revolution is Ayatollah Khomeini
17. Years pass (1960’s-1979) with all this continuing.
18. Rex Cinema, Black Friday, strikes in banks and industry, riots, the country shut down. Am ambassador tolf Shah he had to leave. He leaves the gov’t in new hands—Baktiar, but revolutionaries take over Khomeini flies home.