Jack McDonald

Here are some maps to help:

I have updated the extra credit book list again, and I strongly urge you to take advantage of the opportunity to read over the break. The books are widely available, and it is an easy way to get extra credit.

When we get back from the Christmas break, we will study the Hindu and Buddhist religions as well as the Confucian philosophy. We do this in preparation for our study of the far east, as well as a comparative tool throughout the course. For those who are wondering, we will also study Judaism and Christianity a little later on. As you know, we studied Islam earlier in the course.

 Our geography study will continue to grow upon our return with the addition of more Asian countries to our list. By the time we take our geography final at year's end, all of Africa, Asia and Europe will be known. It's a wonderful feeling!

We are in Unit 4 now, which deals with Asia. Chapter 7 takes broad strokes in presenting the Mongol, Ottoman and Mughal Empires. Then Chapter 8 deals with China and Chapter 9 with Japan. I am augmenting the extra-credit book list, and I strongly encourage you take advantage of the holiday break time by reading one of them and acquiring some extra credit. I will continue to expand this list as often as I can. As we head into the holiday period, please keep up with your work; there's nothing like having time off and not having to worry about unfinished business that waits your return. I will give a modest reading packet for the class to do while they are away. Other than that, there will be nothing.

Next wednesday (12th) we will be having our 1-2 minute infomercials from each student. The infomercials are to be persuasive pitches to come and see one of the three empires talked about in chapter 7. Notes are allowed; however, I will deduct points if the student is reading the presentation the entire time. The presentation will be scored as a test, and I am looking forward to seeing them. This is always a fun project, and I expect this to be no exception.

I now have a blog, so you will be able to check in when you like and find information that hopefully is handy. I want to point out that the extra credit books are listed on a separate category. These books are AR books if there is an AR point value given for them. This list will grow, and if a student has a book that he or she would like to read for extra credit, the student can approach me ahead of time, and I will let that student know if it is acceptable. I want to stress that exceptions made to the list are on a one-at-a-time basis. In other words, if student A gets approval for a book that isn't on the list, that does not mean that any student can use that book. Only books on the list are universal. All others must be approved each time by each student. I will not be approving many exceptions. The list is full of good, topical books for the students to choose from.

 I will also be adding links and other documents and maps as I become more conversant with blogging. I hope this tool becomes useful to my students and their parents.

Please refer to the Excel spreadsheet for a list of extra credit books

Book List Updated 12/19/07

Extra_credit_Elligible.xls