World War I, Day 5 - Class Recap

As you know, Paris was just on the other side of the Western Front in World War I. Here's a picture of the Eiffel Tower, taken in 2013.

Hi everyone,

Welcome to your long weekend! There is plenty going on in class and lots of assignments due soon that we have been working on together. Here's what happened today in class:

Learning Targets: 
Critical Thinking and Analysis LT 2: I can explain connections between events, issues, problems, and concepts.
Knowledge LT 20: I can explain the impacts of nationalism and revolutionary movements.

Soundtrack: "When It's Over" by Sugar Ray. Selected for today because we are coming to an end to our World War I unit soon! Lyrics here.

AGENDA 2/13/15

News Brief - Andrew
Essay Writing
Peer Review
A Flawed Peace

Homework: Read the blog! Finish your World War I essay if you did not in class. Next news brief: Austin.

News Brief: Andrew brought in an article about this story today for the news brief: CNN.com - Ukraine ceasefire deal reached after marathon Minsk talks. Let's hope this deal actually stops all the violence in the region! We have talked a lot about Ukraine this year, because it really is a high interest area for the United States, along with Europe and Russia.

Austin was assigned to do the next news brief.

Finally, we also watched VICE News today, too.

Essay Writing: The rest of class was devoted to finishing your rough draft/practice essays on the start of World War I. I went around the room and checked off homework (at least two paragraphs were supposed to be completed). The essays are supposed to be five paragraphs long, and needed to be peer reviewed in class. Here are some resources to help if you still need to finish:

Google Docs: Writing Easy Essays in Social Studies PowerPoint

Google Docs - Graphic Organizer for Writing Essays

Google Docs - Thesis Statement Formula and Example

The question you are answering is: Why did World War I start and what happened at the beginning of it?

Words to use: militarism, alliances, imperialism, nationalism, Franz Ferdinand, Sarajevo, Triple Alliance, Triple Entente, June 28th 1914, trenches, Eastern Front, Western Front.

Use your notes! Cite my presentation as (Fritz Lecture) for any concrete details directly from me. You can also use the textbook, if you like.

Peer Review: When students were done (or forgot their work at home, in a couple of troubling cases), I wanted the World War I practice essays to be peer reviewed by someone in the class. Here's the form for that:

Google Drive: World War I Peer Review Form

Please have this done at least once! It will help you prepare for the in class final essay! The rest of class was devoted to work time. Here's a reminder of all the other work we are doing in class that needs to be turned in as a part of the World War I Collection of Evidence:

1) Cornell Notes on MAIN reasons WWI started, US entry, and A Flawed Peace (soon).

2) Franz Ferdinand assassination answers

3) Rough Draft/Practice Essay on start of WWI, with brainstorm/graphic organizer (see above).

4) Letter from the Trenches assignment

5) US Entry into WWI paragraph

There will be a couple more assignments before the final in class essay, as well. Lots of hard work - thank you for checking the blog and working to stay up to date!