3/31 - Things Fall Apart discussion

Today we will discuss Chapters 1-6 in Things Fall Apart.

Homework: Read Chapters 7-10 in Things Fall Apart, and write about one interesting thing from each chapter in a Reading Reflection (so a total of four interesting things in one RR), due 4/1

3/30 - African leaders' biographies

Today students gave presentations about various leaders in Africa during the continent's independence movement. We also started discussing the first few chapters of Things Fall Apart, but we didn't get far. We will talk about these chapters tomorrow.

Homework: Review Chapters 1-6 in Things Fall Apart

3/29 - Independence in Africa

We will finish going through Chapter 23, Sec1, and discussing various African leaders. Homework: Read Chapters 1 through 6 of Things Fall Apart and do a Reading Reflection on SIX ideas from these six chapters (one idea from each chapter), due 3/30

Yam recipes

As we read Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart, we will see how central yams are to Nigerian culture. To recognize and celebrate this, students are welcome to try to make various foods using yams. Here are some recipes to consider trying: Top 20 Yam Recipes. Not all of these are African dishes, but I'm sure they're all rather tasty. You can prepare one of these recipes and bring it in during our discussions of Things Fall Apart for extra credit. The final day to bring these in would be Tuesday, April 5th.

3/28 - Starting Chapter 23

Today we'll start going over Chapter 23, Section 1, which is about the independence movement in Africa. Homework: Reach biographical information about an African leader (as assigned in class) for tomorow, 3/29

3/25 - Ch22 Test

Today students will take a test over Chapter 22.

Homework: Read Ch23, Sec1, for Monday, 3/28

3/24 - Presentations of self-portraits

Today students presented their self-portraits a la Frida Kahlo's work. Time remaining will be spent reviewing for the test tomorrow over Chapter 22.

Homework: Study for the Ch22 Test for 3/25

3/21 to 3/23 - Watching the film Evita

Monday through Wednesday we'll be watching the movie Evita, which highlights things we've been reading and discussing about Latin American political and economic reforms/developments in the later half of the 20th century. The biography on Eva Peron closely follows the movie. Students will be responsible for information from this bio for the test on Friday, 3/25, which also covers Chapter 22 and the countries in Latin America.

Here are maps to help you study for the test:
Central America
South America

Homework: Be reviewing the countries (and capitals for extra credit) in Latin America
Be reviewing Chapter 22 for the test on Friday, 3/25

3/16 - Mexico and Central America

Today we finished discussing Ch22, Sec1, and moved into Section 2, which focuses on Mexico and Central America. We will continue to discuss this section tomorrow.


Students were also given an art assignment. As with Frida Kahlo's "Self-Portrait on the Border Line Between Mexico and the United States," students are to make a self-portrait (or collage) with themselves in the middle and elements of their world around them. They can show how they feel torn between worlds like Frida did, or they may make some other statement with their self-portrait. These are due Wednesday, March 23rd.

Homework: Read Ch22, Sec2, and start brainstorming ideas for your self-portraits

3/15 - Modern-day Latin America

Today we started going through Chapter 22, which is about current events in Latin America. We took a brief reading quiz and then discussed the section together.

Homework: Re-read Ch22, Sec1, and read ahead in Ch22, Sec2

3/14 - Starting Ch22 about Latin America

Today we'll go over Chapter 22, Section 1, which is an introduction and overview of economic and political problems in Latin America.

Homework: Read, re-read Ch22, Sec1, for a quiz tomorrow. Look at head at Ch22, Sec2

3/11 - Quiz on African Presentations

Today students took a quiz over their classmates presentations on various events in Africa, such as the Darfur genocide, Rwanda genocide, South African apartheid, and recent Egyptian political upheaval, and a map of Africa.

Homework: Read Chapter 22, Section 1, for Monday 3/14

Extra Credit: Poster comparing/contrasting the French Revolution and American Revolution

Students may earn up to 10 extra credit points toward their homework grade if they make a poster (at least 24x36) comparing/contrasting the American Revolution and the French Revolution. Students will receive two points for each point of comparison/contrast. Each point should include images and a succinct, informative description of the comparison/contrast being made. Posters must be neat, informative, visually pleasing, and turned in by March 18th (the end of 3rd Quarter).

3/7 to 3/11 - Student Presentations and then Quiz

Monday through Thursday students will give presentations on the material they researched over the past week and a half. Friday we will have a quiz over the presentations AND a map of Africa. Students are expected to memorize all the countries of Africa. They will be asked to identify several random countries on that quiz.

Homework: Students who have not done their presentations should prepare to give them
Study the map of Africa
Prepare for the quiz on Friday, 3/11