Three essays in one class, in forty minutes. I chose three topics: the geographic luck, the difference and similarity between the government of Ancient Rome and the United States, and "the unexamined life is not worth living". Hope I can get a fairly good score on that!

Today's class, we went through the test which we took yesterday, unfortunately, I didn't get all the questions right, which because of my carelessly, hope tomorrow's essay part I can go through successfully!

Today's class, we took a 100 score test which includes 40 multiple questions. It's almost then end of the year, hope we can go through the whole year with a great consequence!

Yesturday's class, we had gone through the most part of the big PowerPoint, and I had also learned something new which I didn't get at the first time. Next week is the last school week, hope we can get everything.

Today's class, we finished all of our presentation, the week after next week is our final week. So we are supposed to start reviewing right now. Hope we can get all this semester done perfectly. I will try my best now.

Today, Arthur and I finished our presentation. With thepowerpoint and the Lego temple, almost all of my classmates  accepted us. And also, we listened to the ancient Roman style diary and the potato which made by one of my classmate. They are really awesome!

Start presentation

Today, I have tried the Roman pasta, Roman salad and Roman cheesecake. Additionally, I heard the creative song about ancient Rome. That is really awesome! Finally, we listened to Paj's presentation, the powerpoint is well-organized, and I think they all did a good job! Tomorrow is Arthur and my term, hope we can get a good impression.

Yesterday's class, we listened to some special music which I never heard before named blue music. This is really new to me. And it sounds really cool, I like it! By the way, Arthur and I are the second on Wednesday. Hopefully, we can present well.

Today's class, we talked some more information about Ancient Rome. Additionally, Even took the pop quiz by himself in today's class, because he wasn't here yesterday. Finally, I will live into Arthur's house tomorrow for our project. Hopefully, we can get it done by Saturday.

Today's class, we had a pop quiz which pulled my score to B! I just got 50 for that quiz. So regret that I didn't review the powerpoint and the video. Before next week's test, i should start reviewing the Ancient Rome. Hope that I can get a good score next time.

Today's class, we finished the video about Ancient Rome, it is so impressive and helpful for us to understand what indeed happened during that hard time. The senate finally killed the hero named... is really shocked me. I cannot believe that can happen. The government just destroyed their own country, they lost a great leader.

Today's class, Mr. Schick was not there. Therefore we went to another classroom and continued our Ancient Roman project. Arthur and I thought about our temple and figured out some other ways to improve our temple.

Today's class, we watched a video about the Ancient Rome，but we haven't finish yet. We are supposed to finish this video later back to dorm. My Toefl score might come out tomorrow! So nervous.

Today's class, we had reviewed the three branches of government of Ancient Rome and The United States. These three parts are executive, legislative, and judicial. Additionally, we talked about three Punic wars, unfortunately, Carthege lost all three battles.

Today's class, we continued talking about the Rome. About the type of government and how it changed over time. Additionally, we compared the roman government with the United State's government right now. Interesting to know that originally, the government of America is familiar to the government of Ancient Rome.

Make up for Friday's blog

Friday, the last day of school, was always an easy day for me. But last Friday, I didn't feel any happy or relaxing, that's because my TOEFL test was just the day after that. So I need to spend all my free time on preparing for the test. That's not easy for me. In order to learn another language, I am suppose to pass over at least 80. Hope my dream can come true.

A funny day today, most of my classmates' grandparents came to our class and have the class together. This experience was really fantastic. Mr. Schick is the best teacher ever, even in front of the grandparents, he was still confident and still able to make some fun. It is really a good day.

Today's class, we talked about our project. Arthur and I decided to make a PowerPoint in order to explain our Lego temple. We will start his project this weekend, hope we can get a great score!

Today's class, we talked about the Baltimore protest which happened last Saterday. It started with an African American shot by a police. It was really ridiculous and I cannot understand. But also, in my opinion, the protest is really excesses. I think the local government should figure it out asap and give citizens a acceptable decision.

Yesterday's class, we spent most of the time to decide what shall we do for the project of Ancient Rome. Arthur and I are in a group and we decided to make a temple of Ancient Rome style. And we search about the structure of the temple and the style. It will be fun when we are doing it. By the way, next Saturday I will take TOEFL exam in Towson, I am really nervous about that. Hope i can get a fairly good score next week.

Make up for Thursday

Yesterday, Mr. Schick talked about the main meaning of his song and explained it sentence by sentence. The song is really impressive and I like it. Through he song, we can learn a lot about the Ancient Rome. And among with other teaching method, I prefer this one. It is more fun and effective.  And the rhythm can help us to remember the main point of Rome.

Today's class, the last class on Wednesday, we talked about the essay which wrote by us for the ancient Greece. Arthur and I are in the group. Luckily, we got 92 on this essay totally. I am really satisfied. Mr. Schick is really the best teacher ever in the US I have never met before. He thought about we international students and gave us the fair enough score. We seriously need to work harder in his class.

Today's class, Mr. Schick sang a song which wrote by him named Rome. That is really impressive to me, so amazing! It almost includes most of the information in Ancient Rome. This kind of class is more effective and productive to me. It's different from the classes in China, and I like it!

Make up for Saturday's blog

The last class for this week, we had been thinking about our special project for Western Civilization. Arthur and I are in a group, we decided to make a model of a temple in ancient Greek style. Also, I might go to his hot family's house someday next weekend.

Me.Schick said that we need to do some thing productive and interesting in today's class. So I wandor that if Arthur and me can make a model of the temple in the Ancient Greece. This is just our first plan, we can change if we got a better idea.

Today's class, we watched a short video about Plato. He was a famous philosopher in ancient Greece taught by Socrates. As we know, Socrates' trial is to teach people critical thinking, therefore, Plato also taught his students to think. This video taught us that we need to ask, to think.

We are back!

Today is the first class since the Easter break. And we talked about the test which took before the break. In that test, I got 86. It is not bad but can be better. I need to work harder in order to get a higher score next time.

Today's class, the last day, last class before Easter break. We had a big test, really hard, and hope that I can get fairly good score this time. By the way, I am now coming! New York!

Today's class, Arthur and I finally finished our essay, which involved more than 1200 words. It was not easy for us as international students. And tomorrow, the last day before the Easter break, we will have a big test which valued 100 points. Hope I can get a good score.

Today's class, we continued our essay. This time, we almost finished half, think we can finish this assignment by next Wednesday. Time past so fast this week, next week, after the big test, we will be on the way to New York during our long break. Hope that I can finished this rest of time productively.

Today's class, we started our essay which worth 100 points in power school. Arthur and I just finished the beginning of the essay, think we need more time after class to revise in order to get a higher score.

Today's class, Arthur and I finished our presentation, it was really good and finally, Mr. Schick gave us 98 on this. How can I say, lucky or we really put effort on that. The answer is obvious. We still have a big essay and test on Ancient Greece before the Easter break, hope I can do it well.

Yesterday's class, we had planned to finish all the presentations in one class, and every group just has 5-7 minutes, but in fact, we just did two groups. Fortunately, I still have time to revise my slides. Hope I can get higher score in order to pull up my quarter three score.

Sagoras and Cleisthenes (both were aristocrats - surprise!) engaged in a power struggleIsagoras had support from some fellow aristocrats, plus from SpartaCleisthenes had support of the majority of AtheniansIsagoras becomes archon eponymous (tyrant)He ostracizes CleisthenesCleisthenes’ supporters - and the ordinary Athenian citizens! - revolt against Isagoras’ tyrannythey trap Isagoras on the acropolis for two days - on the third day he fled and was banishedCleisthenes - definitely a member of the elitevery richinsulated from the “hoi polloi”a crafty politician.

We also started watching the video of the Ancient Greece.

Today's class, we started learning about the aristocrats and tyrants in Ancient Greece. We knew that in Ancient Greece, aristocrats can handle even more power than the government did. They held meetings to debate about what to do next, and there were always women to entertain for those rich men. They always exclude middle class people, women, slaves and some certain aristocrats who are not welcomed by others. These aristocrats who have the most power can judge others. Sometimes they rule outside really peaceful, they are good ruler. But most of the time they rule really aggressive and abusive, which we called tyrant.

Today's class is the last class that allow us to do our Google slides. And finally, Arthur and I almost finished our slides, but we still need time to practice in order to present better on Friday. I hope that I can get good score on Friday, the last day of quarter 3.

Today's class, we continued our Google slides for our presentation next week, this time, Arthur and I almost finished the half of the slides, about the architecture and arts in Ancient Greece.

At the beginning of today's class, we chat with Mr. Schick's daughter by Facetime (or something else, maybe i forget). It is her birthday today and she is now in France I guess. And the rest of the class, we start doing our Google slides for our presentation next week, which valued 100 points.

Today's class, we took a quiz which valued 20 points. Fortunately, I got all right. And also, we got two big tasks which valued 100 and 200 points. Arthur and I are in a group, and we got number three, art and architecture.

Greece is a mountainous peninsula, mountains cover ¾ of Greece.There are approximately 1400 islands in the Adriatic, Ionian, and Aegean Seas.Although fertile valleys cover one quarter of the peninsula, only about 20% is suitable for farming, Greek diet consists of grains, grapes, olives. Lack of resources most likely led to Greek colonization. Mycenaeance was one of the first people in ancient Greece.around 1200 BCE the mysterious “sea people” began to invade Mycenae, and burnt palace after palace. So, the Dorians moved into this war-torn region. Dorians were far less advanced. The trade-based economy collapsed. Writing disappeared for 400 years.

Socrates

 Socrates: born in 470/469 BC at Dem Alopece, Athens,    died in 399 BC at Athens. He was a classical Greek philosopher, and he was one of the founders of Western philosophy. Since Socrates didn't write any of his life, his thinking and his knowledge, all the things we know about him are all based on what his students wrote. As a champion of oral modes of communication, Socrates stood up at the dawn of writing against its haphazard diffusion. He suggested his students to get the realization by themselves, answer questions by asking questions. However, this method ran counter to the law at that time. Thus, his got arrest by the government in Athens. He had had a chance to escape the jail and got a better life. But he refused, and chose to drink a poison and got die.

Ancient Greek architecture

Corinthian Capital   
The Corinthian order is the last developed of the three principal classical orders of ancient Greeks.  The Corinthian Capital is decorated with 3 superimposed rows of carved foliage (acanthus leaves) around the capital. 

Temple of Hera, Selinus
This temple is the Doric order, it is found on the hill to the east of the city's acropolis. It is a big temple with 25.33 wide and 67.82 long. There are 6 columns on the wide side and 15 columns on the long side.

Theater of Delphi
There are 35 rows and can involve about 5000 viewers. It was built around 4th C.B.C, by limestone.






There are five different orders of classical architecture, and ancient Greek architects created three, they are Doric, Ionic, Corinthian. The other two are Tuscan and Composite. The material for construct a building gradually from wood to marble. At the first time, wood can not only for some parts of a construction but also even an entire building. But, with time on, Ancient Greeks preferred limestone and marble onside. And the carved stones will be polished by chamois to resist water and be more bright and good looking.   

Today's class, we talked about the cyber day, hope we have no class till next Tuesday!

Class on 3/3

Today's class, we started learning Ancient Greece, because it is the first mod of the day, I felt super sleepy during the class, I had try to be clear and listen, but I cannot, so I think I need to review what we learnt in today's class.

Today's class, we got a big test about the ancient Egypt. Finally, because of my effort, I got 92 this, time. I will keep working hard.

five questions

1._______was all powerful, worshiped as a God. (Pharaoh)2.Egyptians relied on a harmony and balance of the universe, which they called____. (maat)3.Egyptians believed in a(n)_______ and_______ ______ to preserve them for this post-death journey. (afterlife, mummified bodies)4._________ represented religious words, and most commonly adorned temples. ___________ was a shorthand developed by scribes and priests. (Hieroglyphs, Hieratic script)5.________, the precursor to paper, was stored in scrolls and these scrolls were the books of ancient Egypt. (papyrus)

Class on 2/25

• Pharaoh was all powerful, worshiped as a god and intimately connected to the other major Egyptian gods and goddesses. Egyptians relied on a harmony and balance of the universe, which they called “maat”. Pharaohs had multiple wives, and all routes to financial and social success were through the palace. Women could inherit money and land and divorce their husbands, though only a tiny few ever wielded real political power. Gods were often portrayed with animal heads or bodies. Egyptians believed in an afterlife and mummified bodies to preserve them for this post-death journey. All souls would need to justify themselves at the point of death and be either sent to an after-world paradise, or the jaws of a monster. Earliest Egyptian writing formed c. 3100 B.C. and were small pictures known as hieroglyphs. Hieroglyphs represented religious words, or parts of words, and most commonly adorned temples. Hieratic script was a shorthand developed by scribes and priests. Hieratic script was usually written in ink on papyrus, which was made from mashed Nile reeds. Papyrus, the precursor to paper, was stored in scrolls and these scrolls were the books of ancient EgyptEgyptian astronomers created a calendar with 12 months and 365 days to make better sense of the seasonal cycles. Due to their excellent knowledge of human anatomy, Egyptian doctors wrote extensively on health issues and created potions and cures for a number of common ailments. Wooden sailboats were constructed to increase transport ability on the Nile. The pyramids were massive stone tombs, originally covered in marble but the marble was later stripped off during the Muslim conquestStone sculptures and interior painting depicted humans and gods in a series of regulated poses, often in profile and without perspective, but were highly effective
  
  

building you own Pyramid

Today's class, we tried really hard to build our own Pyramid in order to get score. The progress is really fun and finally we got B in this. It's pretty good and we had fun during today's class.

Cyber Day assignment

As you already know, all great civilizations have three things in common: specialized workers, large populations, and advanced technology.  The ancient Egyptians certainly had their share of technological breakthroughs, and they are credited with many different inventions which allowed them to advance as a civilization. 

Your assignment is to find five different technological developments of the ancient Egyptians, using the sites below.  (Don't use Wikipedia this time around; just use any or all of the five sites I have provided.)  Using complete sentences, and in your own words, describe these inventions/breakthroughs, including why they were important and how they improved life for the Egyptians.  Rank these by importance, starting with the one you feel was most important.


Sun clocks: It used the shadow of a kind of sundial to perform the time of one day. And it also divided one day by two part, morning and afternoon. It can also show the shortest day and the longest day in a year.
Water clock: Early water clock use a stone vessel with a little hole at the bottom, the water inside will drop nearly constant speed. And more elaborate kind of water clock developed between 100 B.C.to 500 A.D. 
Empire: It brought Egypt tremendous wealth and power. And also, some of these legacy remained 3000 years later.
Ancient medicine in Egypt: Most of those knowledge came from the papyrus document. When doctors and priests could not explain why the sickness happened, they preferred to belief god. 
Egyptian Hieroglyphs: It is the history of Egyptian writing and mathematics.There are 1000 glyphs,  400 Egyptian word and 500 hieroglyphs.
The astronomy of Egypt: Egypt first named one year as 365 days and divided into 12 months and one month is 30 days, 

Class on 2/19

Today's class, we start learning the chapter about Egypt. There is a set of pictures of some features about Egypt. Fortunately, I studied for that yesterday and be familiar with that in today's class. 

Geography: Egyptian life is centered around Nile River, water for drinking, for irrigation, for bathing, for transportation. But every July it flood, every October it leaves behind the rich soil. The delta is a broad, marshy triangular area of fertile silt. in order to manage the river, people need to breakthrough the technology of irrigation
daily life: slaves and servant helped the wealthy with household and child-raising duties. wheat, barley, lentils, onions. Artisans would carve and relief the scene of life. money was used for merchants. scribes kept records, told stories and wrote poetry. They wrote in hieroglyphs and hieratic. soldiers used wooden and bronze weapon, maybe ride chariot
pharaohs: the political and religious leader of Egyptian people" lord of two lands". He owned all land, made laws, collect taxes, and defend Egypt. Hatshepsut was a woman who served as a Pharaoh.
goddesses and gods: over 2000, they "controlled" the lives of human
pyramids: the great sphinx of Giza, built 2555-2532 B.C. A recumbent lion with human's head. Oldest monumental statue in the world

Class on 2/12

Today's class, we got back our two tests, one is about Mesopotamia, and the other one is about the video named Guns, Germs, and Steel. Both of them are 100 points. The first one, I got 100, but the second one is just 77, terrible score. I will keep working and try to get high score next time.

Today's class, we took a big test again, there are 25 multiple choice questions, some of them are really confused me. Hope I can get not bad score this time. I don't want B!

Yesterday's class, we got our first test's score from Western Civilization. I could not believe my eyes when I first heard that, I never thought about that I can get 100, even at most 90 something. Through this time, I understand that If I put effort on something, I will get the result! I will keep work hard later this semester.

Today's class, we seperated as some groups, and choose a topic for preparing the representation, we tried really hard and put effort on that, we use almost whole class on doing our powerpoint, hope that we can present well.

Guns, Germs and Steel. This a long video which can vividly express the Ancient Mesopotamia's life. The life style in that forest is origin and natural such as the ancient people though it is 21 century right now. This video talked about Jared Diamond's theory of "geographic luck". And finally, we almost finished this video today. Through three classes, we learnt the ancient life of people who lived in Mesopotamia curtly. 

Class on 3 Febuary

Today's class, we continued to watch the video, and today, we first know about the 14 dominant animals. Some of them are really familiar with us, but the others we are not really know about them. BY the way, since i didn't fall in sleep until 1 o'clock, I was really sleepy this morning. Unfortunately, Western Civilization is my first class today, so I cannot focus on the video really well.

Class on 1/30

Yesterday's class, we viewed a vedio about a science professor in a college, we travelled to an tropical island and explore for the aboriginal tribe, and their different living habits. Professor said that they are not feeble minded, but just the different skill set, if we stayed in a original forest, how can we survive in that environment, that is why professor said that.

test today

Today's class, we got a big test which valued 100 points in power school. And I really prepared hard for this test. I hope that I can get a great score this time.

class on 1/28

Today's class, we reviewed the prehistory. And tomorrow, we have a big test which valued 100 points. This is huge, and I need to try my best to get higher score. Last semester's Human Geography, I didn't get a great score, but this time, Western Civilization, I will try my best.

The Origins and “Ages” of Human Beings

–200,000 years ago a human species emerged in southwestern Africa

–14,000 years ago, a worldwide human race existed

–Earliest prehistoric age is the Paleolithic age (Old Stone Age)

–Neolithic Age (New Stone Age) was marked by advanced tool making and the beginnings of agriculture

–Initially, humans were parts of migratory groups which hunted, fished and gathered plants for food

The Agricultural Revolution

–Also known as the Neolithic Revolution, this was a shift from itinerant hunting/gathering to more permanent settlements centered on agriculture (beginning in southwestern Asia)

–Populations rose due to increased ability to care for young children

–Hierarchies appeared in village life; the status of women was lowered as women were confined more to domestic duties

–Invention of wheel and plow made it possible to produce enough food for storage

–Villagers were polytheists, worshiped multiple nature, human and animal gods

The Earliest Cities: Mesopotamia

• the district known as Sumer occupied the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers

• Population increased dramatically due to new irrigation techniques
• Cities and towns were founded, some with as many as 40,000 inhabitants
• better food storage allowed for diversity in professions: priests, tradesmen, artisans, politicians, farmers
• Kings emerged, as did family dynasties and the concept of the “city-state”
• Sumerians invented the earliest form of writing, known as “cuneiform” the world’s first (surviving) epic was the Sumerian “Epic of Gilgamesh,” which told of a great flood Sumerians first divided the hour into sixty minutes and the minute into sixty seconds; they also organized a calendar based on moon cycles the Ziggurat was a Sumerian temple built on top of a “mountain” of earth a pantheon of Sumerian gods and goddesses emerged, with many of the deities representing the natural elements of the world

Civilization in Mesopotamia

• Wandering nomads drove herds of domesticated animals in many areas, especially to the south of Sumer in Arabia
• Sumer was conquered by the Akkadians c. 2350 B.C. - their gods took the place of previous gods and all were forced to worship them
• King Hammurabi of Babylon created a series of laws known as “Hammurabi’s Code” - laws that included “an eye for an eye” and regulations of marriage, divorce, and punishments for all sorts of crimes

Today's class, we talked about the Hammurabi's Code of Laws, and we talked about some of the laws which we are interested in. Such as when someone is jealous about something in others house and if the house start burning, people will throw this guy into the fire.
And also, there are a lot of funny laws, all of them showed us that Babylonians treat people who did something bad really serious, but this law also have some bad point and some thing inhumane. That's why, most of these laws are never use nowadays.

1. When and where did human beings first emerge?
200,000 years ago a human species emerged in southwest Africa.
2. Why did the period known as"prehistory" end?
Prehistory means before things we got written down. The end of this period means there are something we already got written down.
3. What made the rise of civilization possible?
Because of the agriculture revolution, ancient people can just stay in one place and start a village life, thus, the civilization start.
4. Name some early technological innovation.
Agriculture Revolution, cuneiform.
5. How did hunters/ gatherers live?
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6. Who was King Hammurabi, and why was he important?
King Hammurabi of Babylon created a series of laws known as “Hammurabi’s Code” 

prehistory: the period of time before written records

Paleolithic Age (old stone age): during the Paleolithic period, humans grouped together in small societies such as bands, and subsisted by gathering plants and fishing, hunting or scavenging wild animals. The Paleolithic is characterized by the use of knapped stone tools, although at the time humans also used wood and bone tools. 

Neolithic Age (new stone age): this period, like the old stone age, people still use stone tools, wood tools and bone tools, but this period, the climate became warmer, and near the end of the period, people start agriculture. (around 10,000 B.C.), the initial transition from hunting and gathering to settled agriculture in prehistory and developing the ability to farm crops. This period is commonly referred to as the 'First Agricultural Revolution'.)

Agriculture Revolution: Also known as the Neolithic Revolution, this was a shift from itinerant hunting/gathering to more permanent settlements centered on agriculture.

Cuneiform: Cuneiform script is one of the earliest known systems of writing, distinguished by its wedge-shaped marks on clay tablets, made by means of a blunt reed for a stylus.

Ziggurat: a rectangular stepped tower, sometimes surmounted by a temple.

Indo- Europeans: the ancestral Proto-Indo-European language.

First class in Western civ

Fortunately, I get Mr.Schick's Western Civilization this semester. I hope that we have a great class like last semester. Although there is just me as an Asian, I will still work hard and try to get higher score this time.