Western Civ 2019

Today in Western Civ. my partner and I did our Ancient Greece presentation. It went ok, but it could've gone better. We had some technical difficulties with playing the videos and lost our momentum going into that part. We did the Olympics. It was fun to learn about it and film the stuff, but I'm glad it's over. Another group went and probably got somewhere between a 95 and a 100.

Today in Western Civ. we worked on our presentations AGAIN. I don't mind that we're working on a project that'll probably mean the difference between an A and a B for some people, but it just gets boring after a while. We had a game today at Calvert Hall. We won 7-4. We had to come back from behind again but we still won. We were down 4-0 when we scored our first run. Then it just kept getting better. This is the end of my post.

Today in Western Civ. we worked on our project/presentation. We're supposed to go third on Thursday, but I don't know if my partner and I are going to be completely ready. But who cares right? My partner and I are leaving early tomorrow at 1:45 because we have a baseball game @ Calvert Hall and the bus leaves a 2:00. 15 minutes is enough to time to get ready for a game twice. I'm really excited for two reasons especially, the fact that it's going to be our first away game, and my uncle that I haven't gotten to see since last August is coming to see me play. This is the end of my post today.

Today in class we took a test on Greece and what we learned so far. The next time we have class we're going to start learning about Alexander the great. I didn't study at all. I still think I got a 100% (again) but I don't care too much. Mr. Schick told us a story of when he went to the doctor for a shot, the doctor had an "awesome" accent. He asked where he went to high school in Macedonia, birthplace of Alexander the Great. I honestly believe it. But moving on from that. I'm supposed to have a baseball game at Spalding today. I get to leave during 8th Mod to go to the locker room and I'm pretty happy about that. But we're probably not going to play because of all the rain from last night and the day before. This is the end of my post.

Today in class we continued talking about Greece. I don'r remember much because it as Mod 2 and  wanted to sleep, but I have a vague memory that we talked about how it was the first Democracy of history and how it was a Direct Democracy. We also talked about the Greek Gods of Olympus and how they interfered with the lives of Greek civilians. One good example is when Poseidon made a 2-week trip back from Troy to his home after the Trojan War a 10-year journey.

Today in class we learned more about the history of Greece. Specifically on the politics and leaders. We also went into a conversation about North Korea. Unfortunately, I left my notes at school, so I can't write about them. The Varsity Baseball team won 8-5 today. Two of my fellow teammates from JV were brought up to play in this game. The coaches on Varsity say I was almost brought up but I just wasn't seasoned enough to play and be trusted for an inning or more on Varsity. But they say i might be brought up later this year for some Bel Air tournament that they're playing in. I'm excited that I might get brought up this year. My dad is one of the Varsity assistant coaches. He actually played in the major leagues with the Detroit Tigers and the Kansas City Royals back in the 80's. He actually played with Bo Jackson. He also told me that he struck out Ken Griffey Jr. which I believe. He also says he as a lot of regrets because he didn't really give a good effort...

Today in class, we had a sub. His name was Mr. Schick. I know he wasn't really a substitute teacher but he got a shave and looked really different. We worked on our presentation for one of the things that makes up the uniqueness of the Ancient Greek culture. Me and my partner, Will, are doing the Olympics. We videoed some events yesterday like the long jump and the javelin throw. To be completely and utterly honest, I'd rather just look up videos of the actual events in the Olympics because those athletes are doing it on a professional level and have more skill than 10 of me and 10 will combined. But if we have to videos the events ourselves to get a better grade, I'm reluctantly willing to do that. This is the end of my post for today.

Today Me and my partner Will worked on our project for Ancient Greece. We are doing the Ancient Olympic Games. We videoed multiple things like the javelin toss, long jump, discus, and a portion of the running. We didn't do things like chariot racing or pankration because we didn't want to get hurt (or killed) and we're not allowed anyways. This didn't take more than 20 minutes and was kind of enjoyable other than the fact that it was cold. I don't mind the cold, it's just a little hard to withstand it without a sweat shirt. I don't know what else to talk about so I'm just going to say some stuff. I use to go hunting, I go fishing, I like the Pirates, I play baseball, (I think you already know that) I don't have a girlfriend, and I am 15 years old. I know you don't really care about what I just said too much but I needed something to get me close to 150 words and I think it did. This is the end of my post for today.

Today in western civ. Mr. Schick wasn't here, so we had a sub. We watched a video on the Epic of the Odyssey. We answered questions about the video. Here are the following questions and answers (answers are in red) 1. How long did it take Odysseus to return home from the Trojan War?   10 years   2. According to Google Maps, how long should this trip have taken?   2 weeks   3. According to archeological evidence, when did the Trojan War occur?   12 th century BC   4. When did Homer compose The Odyssey ?   8 th century BC   5. What is the definition of “epic poem”?   A long narrative poem; on a serious subject; written in a grand or elevated style; centered on a larger-than-life-hero   6. Who is Odysseus’ wife?   Penelope   7. Who is Odysseus’ son?   Telemachus   8. What happens in the cave of the Cyclops?   Odysseus goes to an island where t...

Today in class we learned more about the Ancient Greeks including the "bard" Homer and the Trojan War. We also talked about the unfortunate passing of Andy Klein, a John Carroll alumni who graduated in 1971. He was in a car crash when, ironically, was hit by his own company's truck. But here is some of the stuff we learned: . Only 20% of the fertile land (only 1/4 of the land was fertile) is arable .Arable- suitable for farming . The Greek diet was very healthy and consisted of: grains, grapes, fish, and olives (obviously there's more to what they eat but that was the normal stuff) . Greek influence on the world began around 2000 BC . Mycenea- located on a rocky ridge of Peloponessus, protected by a 20-foot thick wall . Mysterious people nicknamed "sea people" invaded and destroyed Mycenea . Dorians moved into the war-torn area and dominated the region from 1150-1750 BC . The Dorians were far less advanced . Trading collapsed because the Dorians ...

Today in class we learned more about Greece. This is what we learned, . Formed first Democracy                                                    . Not a unified country/ City-States . Mountainous (3/4 is mountains) . Peninsula . Varied Climate . Originally made of Myceneans, Minoans, and Dorians . River-Valley Civilizations   Egypt- Nile River   Mesopotamia- Tigris/Euphrates River   India- Indus River   China- Huang He . Geography landmarks-   Aegean Sea   Ionian Sea   Peloponnesus   Athens   Sparta   Crete   Asia Minor   Macedonia . Approximately 2000 islands . Poor/Limited natural resources/had to resort to trade . It was difficult to unite the Ancient Greek City-States together because of the terrain . They developed City-States and whichever  City-State you liv...

Today in Western Civilization, we took our Egypt "quest" and I got another 100 on it. Mr. Schick's tests/quizzes seem to be really easy so far this year and they don't seem to be getting any harder. Maybe it's just me these tests almost seem too easy. But I like them. I actually haven't gotten lower than a 100 on any tests or quizzes. But anyways. What we did with Greece today is just read in the textbook again after we finished the test. This is what I read about: .First formed Democracy .Main Idea- Greece originated from Mycenaen, Minoan, and Dorian culture interactions .Not a unified country- made of many City-States .Very mountainous geography .Peninsula .Varied climate (49 degrees in winter- 80 degrees in summer) .Mycenaens first settled mainland Greece c. 2000 B.C. .Made up of migrants from Eurasia steppes, Europe, India, and Southwest Asia. .Warrior-Kings ruled Mycenae This is the end of my blog for today.

Today in Western Civilization, we went over the things we need to know about the "quest" we're taking tomorrow. We were supposed to do it today but we didn't for some reason. So, we went over the exact same thing we went over yesterday which is: .Egypt is split into Upper and Lower Egypt.  .The difference is the elevation, not north and south. .Upper Egypt is a mountainous area. It's also fertile and goes along the Nile. Lower Egypt is long, flat piece of the Nile Delta.  .The Delta empties into the Mediterranean Sea. .Upper and Lower Egypt were unified under one pharaoh named Narmer c. 3100 B.C. .The Egyptians believed in an afterlife (ka) and mummified the bodies of a dead person for their post-death journey. .Every soul had to justify itself.  .The soul was either sent to an after-world paradise or the mouth of a monster. .Ancient Egyptian writing formed c. 3100 B.C. and was called Hieroglyphics. .It was a mixture of both an older form ...

Today in Western Civ. we just reviewed for the "Quest" tomorrow. This is what we learned: .Egypt is split into Upper and Lower Egypt.  .The difference is the elevation, not north and south. .Upper Egypt is a mountainous area. It's also fertile and goes along the Nile. Lower Egypt is long, flat piece of the Nile Delta.  .The Delta empties into the Mediterranean Sea. .Upper and Lower Egypt were unified under one pharaoh named Narmer c. 3100 B.C. .The Egyptians believed in an afterlife (ka) and mummified the bodies of a dead person for their post-death journey. .Every soul had to justify itself.  .The soul was either sent to an after-world paradise or the mouth of a monster. .Ancient Egyptian writing formed c. 3100 B.C. and was called Hieroglyphics. .It was a mixture of both an older form of writing called pictograph which just used pictures to show events and their own kind of alphabet. .The script was usually written in ink on papyrus. .Papyrus i...