Nero the Crazy

Today in western civilization I was actually in class today. We were supposed to watch a video but Mr. Schick’s computer decided to spaz for the 90% of the class. He ended up telling us two stories to pass time while his computer restarted. The first one was about a little 3 year old boy who kept slamming the stereo glass doors. Instead of young Bob Schick asking the little boy to not do that, he told the kid if he slammed another door, Mr. Schick would light him on fire. The next story included little young Martha. When Mr. Schick wasn't on the big screen making the next hit movie of the year, he was playing the role of Mr. Dad. One day he decided to dress young 2 month old Martha up in a dark blue onesie and take her to the grocery store. All the old ladies were in aw over her and kept asking what his name was, only to find out the he was a she. On the seventh grandma that asked when his name was, Mr. Schick said Omar, the grandmother was appalled and backed away slowly in fear. Those were the two stories of the day. Once his computer decided to work, we watched a video about the emperor that went crazy, Nero. 

Absent

Today I was absent from class again.

Absent

I wasn't in class today.

Last of Presentations

Today we finished all the presentations. Laura made Roman toast with fake honey, Grant bought sorbet, and Alexa made an incredible 3D map of Rome. Laura's food was good and I don't think I will get sick from it either. She went to Mars to get all her ingredients but sadly she didn't want to buy the real honey for a dollar more. Ryan ended up eating 6 1/2 pieces of the toast. Haggen-Dazs makes very good peach sorbet. Bella is bringing a dessert on Monday's class just because and we will start the new lesson, until then...

Presentations Day 2

Today, just like yesterday, we spent all class presenting the projects. We do not have class tomorrow so we will have to go into our Friday class time to finish the projects. I do not know how many more projects still have to be presented but it could take up all the class time on Friday. Whenever we finish presenting all of the projects we will continue our topic of Rome but more about the life style kind of. I'm really glad I presented first because I got it out of the way already, now my nerves are replaced with anxiousness while waiting for the grade, which I hope will come out soon. Well until Friday...

Presentation is Over

Today in class we started presenting our projects. My group presented first and I thought we did really well. The cake was terrible but we couldn’t help that, it was how they made it in Ancient Rome. The cookies weren’t as bad as the cake so that was a plus. After we presented Kappel’s group tried to present but none of their computers would work so they are going tomorrow. From how everything went today, the rest of the week will be spent presenting projects.

Test on Rome

Today we took our test on Rome. I think I did alright. Mr. Schick was really worried because the first class that took had a very low average. I think our class will definitely do a lot better, I hope. Today is the last day before spring break! I'm very excited because I get to sleep. Once we get back we will present our Rome projects and then move onto the next topic which is still on Rome. It's more about the gladiators and the kings, etc. Well, enjoy your break.

2 Days

• Roman Legion
• 5,000 soldiers
• groups of 80 people that were called century.
• infantry = on foot.
• cavalry = on horse.
• First Punic War was fought over Sicily - Rome won.
• Second Punic War was fought over Cartages try to fight back - Rome won.
• Third Punic War was fought to eliminate enemies - Rome won.
• Carthage was located in North Africa.
• The rapper that taught us all of this Chi-Cago.

For the rest of class we went over everything for the Ancient Rome Project. The details are all on his blog.

3 More Days

Today in class we watched a couple videos on youtube about the Punic Wars. The videos consisted of an animation that talked very fast and included a lot of information within about 10 minutes each video. Our Rome test will be on Friday and like I have said before, the project will be due when we get back from spring break. 3 more days until spring break, 2 more days of west civ, and Uconn is up by 12 in the first half with about 4 minutes to go.

Notes on Rome

Today in class, we took notes again. Our test will be on Friday and our projects are due the day we come back from school (Tuesday, 4/22/14). The notes from todays class are:

• Because the men were away at war fighting for Rome, the rich would take land from the poor.
• To continue to live on that land, they would farm the land and get paid next to nothing.
• Latifundium - the big estates that the rich managed to control - Gracchus brothers.
• Gracchus brothers wanted the rich to give back the land that they took from the poor.
• They took their idea to court.
• They won.
• A few senates beat them with a chair and threw their corps into a river.
• The idea was over turned and the rich got to keep their land.
• Punic Wars
• Fought on land and sea in three vicious rounds between 264 and 146 BC
• In the first phase, Rome was able to force Carthage out of Sicily.
• Rome won.
• Second, the Carthaginian general Hannibal invaded Italy and brought Rome to a brink defeat.
• Third, Carthage was captured after bitter fighting.
• The Senate ordered the city to be leveled, people to be sold into slavery, and the ground on which it had stood to be solemnly cursed.
• This was only an epilogue to the main struggle.
• Rome had won control of the western Mediterranean.

6 Days

Today in class we took notes from the book on what will be on the Rome test. Those notes are:

• The Romans not only imitated Greek civilization but also improved on it, at least so far as government and warfare were connected.
• They arrived in a Mediterranean land with farming resources that were basically similar to those of Greece and they were able to support a large population.
• The Indo-European settler formed various tribal groups, among them the Latin people of central Italy.
• The Roman also borrowed directly from the Greeks. As part of their expansion across the Mediterranean in southern Italy as early as the 8th century.
• The king was advised by a council of elders called the Senate (Latin meaning old man) whose members he appointed.
• The people that settled in Italy were: Latin's, Etruscans, and the Greeks.
• The Etruscans were non-Indo-European immigrants who arrived in Italy from somewhere east about the 9th century.
• It was the Senate and the patricians who dominated city-state.
• Around 500 bc, Rome overthrew its rulers and the monarchy was also abolished.
• The new government became the "peoples government" (Latin - res publica - republic)
• A mixture of the Greek style democracy and a oligarchy.
• Was run by the Senate.

9 More Days

Today in class we took notes on Rome, those notes are:

• Mediterranean = middle earth.
• Latin's settled in Italy first.
• Settled on the shores of Tiber.
• They thought the gods gave them that location because they were designed to rule.
• Geographically lucky.
• They drained a swamp so they could use that land.
• Tarquin (harsh king) caused people to rebel.
• Their next government mixed a democracy, aristocracy, and a monarchy together.
• Res Publica (republic) - the business of the people.
• The President of the United States, like a king, controls the Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, and Army.
• Unlike the Greeks, the USA can't vote on very government decision. (like Rome)
• Patricians met at the Senate.
• Plebeians met at the Assembly.  

For my project I am working with Leah and Maddie and we are baking a Ancient Roman recipe.

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April Fools Day

Today Mr. Schick started class off with a rap about Rome. It was clever and very funny. After that he told us about a new Rome project that we are starting. We have a lot of options of what we can do. The project is worth 200 points and we can work with a partner. I am working with Leah again and we decided to make an authentic Roman recipe. Because the first one that we picked was easy to make, we decided to make two. The first one is sweet cake and the second is sesame seed cookies. The project is due whenever we get back from spring break which is supposed to be April 21^st. Leah and I decided that we should bake each recipe a few times before we bring the final recipes into school for the class to try. Well until tomorrow.