How's your hand after all that knowledge you shared?

We've all been there. 

Whoa... how are you doing? 

Well, there you go. That DBQ is in the books. How do you feel like it went? I'm not saying it was a pleasant experience, but we hope you realize that you were more prepared than you gave yourself credit. 

I'm pretty sure I heard someone say this today.

Hopefully the right things.

Now, comes the long, slow, life destroying process of us grading all of these bad boys. Yee haw! WE. ARE. SO. EXCITED.

EVERY TEACHER EVER,

What's on tap this week?

So, now you've put that essay behind you, what's coming up? Good news! More writing!

• Tomorrow we're doing SAQ #2. We hope that you've done your revision of SAQ #1. After that, we'll spend some time looking at scholasticism in medieval Europe. 
• Thursday you're illuminated manuscript is due. We are looking forward to seeing your amazing work. Once those are in it's VIKING TIME! Oh heck yeah!
  
  
• Friday is Medieval Faire work day. Be thinking about what you'd like to get accomplished then. The Faire will be here in no time!

Soundtrack of the Week

What did you think of The Boss's track from yesterday? Good stuff, eh? 

We shall continue on with socially conscious playlist for the week. maybe you'll find both some songs and some causes that speak to you. Who says making the world better can't be fun too?

I love, love, love today's song. The Talking Heads are one of the most important bands of the last several decades. They practically invented the genre of what's known as "Art Rock." With dissonant tones, changing rhythms, and influences taken from world music, they created new sounds that pushed the boundaries of what rock music could and should be. In addition, they careful crafted a visual style all their own through their use of a brand new, at the time, medium, the music video!

This track is entitled "Nothing But Flowers" from their fantastic album, Naked. It is a call for a greater focus on environmental issues, but, instead of doing things the usual way, it is sung from the 1st person point of view of a man lamenting the loss of his beautiful industrial world. He sits in a new Eden and laments of long gone highways and Pizza Huts. It is just so darn clever. Give it a close listen; I think you'll dig it. 

Here is "Nothing But Flowers."

Here a monk, there a monk, everywhere a monk monk!

NO NO NO... wrong Monk!

Was that a great video today or what? 

Okay, okay... maybe it wasn't the best, but it was a little fun, no? Hopefully you picked up some new things about the wonderful world of monasticism. We earliest impressions of monks came from this bit from Monty Python and the Holy Grail:

Probably not the most historically accurate thing out there...

Both your textbook and the video emphasized that the quality of a monk's life was supposed to be hard. They were dedicating themselves to complete focus on God. Anything "worldly" was a distraction from that purpose. To up the ante, some monks would put themselves through physical suffering so that they could further understand Christ's suffering during the crucifixion. Although this is a bit much:

Original gangsta

Fundamental to monastic life is the idea of living in community. 

Not exactly what I meant.

Every task and chore at a monastery was shared equally among the order. In a way, monks were sort of the original communists. 

Some of the many duties required of monks

Are you smarter than a 5th grader? 

Well, to answer that question for the Middle Ages... no! But, the monks sure were. So much learnin' and stuff! 

Ah Aquinas... you rascal! As we'll see coming up in a few weeks, These educated monks are going to be at the forefront of A LOT of change that takes place in Europe. As they learn more and more, and apply their studies to theology and the Bible, they are going to start questioning some things over at the ol' Vatican!

Soundtrack of the Week:

Welcome back to our occasional exploration of music type stuff. 

You may have noticed, but there seems to be quite a bit of political engagement in America right now. No matter what you think about what's happening, I hope you can applaud the American citizenry getting involved in what they believe in. This is what America is all about. 

With that in mind, I thought we might listen to some music that sought to right some wrongs in the United States. I don't necessarily think of these as "protest songs", but more songs of civic engagement; drawing attention to issues that these artists believed in. 

First out of the gate is one of the more misunderstood songs in modern American history. When Bruce Springsteen released "Born in the USA" in 1984, people clamored to what they thought was a wildly patriotic song celebrating American awesomeness. (people really need to listen more closely to lyrics, eh?) Ronald Reagan himself even sought to use it for his presidential campaign. (Springsteen told him "no") But, despite its rousing anthemic chorus and highly emotional style, this is a song sharply critical of how the USA responded to and treated its war veterans; specifically those returning from Vietnam. America had not yet really come to terms with that war and its effects. If you don't believe me, check out some of the great films from that time - Platoon, The Deer Hunter, Full Metal Jacket, etc. 

Springsteen's song gave voice to the traumatized veteran who was just looking for a job and a sense of home after coming back to a country that didn't seem to want him back. You couple the profound lyrics with the images in the music video, and you get a pretty visceral experience. It is a powerful song that still resonates with us today as we see so many men and women returning from our extended wars in the Middle East. 

Here is "Born in the USA":

Goliath the gargoyle shall save us all

Happy Gargoyle Day! An important feature of Gothic cathedrals was the presence of gargoyles and grotesques, designed to ward off evil.  In an otherwise spiritual building, these ominous creatures give cathedrals a sense of character.

Gargoyles also give us an excellent opportunity to take a break from notes and do some arts and crafts! Hopefully you had some fun being creative today and left with your hands smelling really, really clean.  It's very exciting because the Humanities rooms will smell really nice for a little while. Below you'll find some images from today!

Here are some rather...interesting...gargoyles and grotesques from around the world:

Umm...

And here is the trailer for the 1990's animated series, Gargoyles!

Just a friendly reminder that we have Humanities reading due next Monday and that you only have TWO more weekend before the Medieval Faire is due! Other than that, have a great weekend!

- Siddiqui

I may have nightmares about snails tonight

Happy Thursday!! Anyone else feel like this week just dragged??

Today we talked a little bit more about illuminated manuscripts and then gave you a new creative assignment.  Instructions for this are on the website! Your completed manuscript is due next Thursday, February 2nd. We also assigned new pages from the Humanities textbook (200-203) for Monday.


Tomorrow is Gargoyle day! Don't forget to bring a bar of SOAP, a metal FORK, and a metal SPOON to class tomorrow!

Here are some...interesting...bestiary manuscripts:

Hangry much?

What is even happening

I thought unicorns were good?!

Why all the aggressive snails?

Until tomorrow!

- Siddiqui

WOLFPACK

Today we paused in our study of all things medieval and instead welcomed some of the American Studies teachers and the AP Art History teacher.  These are both programs we endorse and encourage our PACE students to consider.  Ninth and tenth graders are registering for next year on Friday, so please make sure you've made your decisions  by then!

Don't forget - we have a DOUBLE Current Event and our Humanities reading over illuminated manuscripts is due tomorrow.

Here are some long-term things to consider:

• We are writing a DBQ essay in class on Tuesday, January 31st - if you need extra help wit this, check out the Word Doc on the website titled, "DBQ Exercise - Influenza" or come visit with Ms. Garafola and Ms. Virdin tomorrow during Block Lunch or Ms. Siddiqui and Mr. Stanton on Monday during Block Lunch
• The Medieval Faire is 2.5 weeks away! There are only two more weekends between now and then

And now for some medieval reaction memes:

At least the teacher here is skinny?

We don't advocate literally opening up to anyone.

Creeeeeeper

I hate typos in memes.  It should be "worst"

I know it's too early for TBT posts, but in honor of our guests from West, here's a picture of me during my senior year at West in 2002:

Rubber ducky, you're the one

Until tomorrow!

- Siddiqui

Quasimodo just needs sanctuary

Today we continued looking at Gothic cathedrals and saw examples from France, England, Germany, and Spain. As long as you understand the characteristics and parts of a cathedral, you're good to go! Need a video recap just in case? Check out this 5 minute video here.

Cologne Cathedral in Germany...so pretty!

Here are some fun facts about cathedrals:

• The term "stained glass" derives from the act of staining silver along the sides of the windows
• Stained glass windows were costly and could only be found in cathedrals until about the 15th century when those with money could afford to incorporate them into their homes
• The Notre Dame in Paris houses one of the most significant relics - the Crown of Thorns
• While French monarchs were typically coronated at the cathedral at Reims (with a few exceptions), Napoleon insisted on being coronated at the Notre Dame in Paris
• The French writer Victor Hugo wrote The Hunchback of Notre Dame in part to revitalize an interest in Gothic architecture (something that was typical of the Romantic period)

Poor, sad Quasimodo

Bored? Try some of the following:

• Take a quiz to determine whether you belong in "The Even Stevens Movie" or "The Lizzie McGuire Movie" 
• Or take this quiz to see what your sandwich preference says about you
• Obsessed with Disney? Check out this montage of some of their most beautiful shots (and yet another nod to Quasimodo!)
• Watch this video to see how artists use food to make sound effects for movies and TV

Until tomorrow!

- Siddiqui

That's a fancy cathedral you got there

All the Gothic cathedrals! Rose windows, tympanums, spires, naves, and so much more. Besides being stunning examples of medieval architecture, we learned the following today about Gothic cathedrals:

• The buildings focused on verticality and luminosity - they physically achieved this for symbolic reasons 
• The architects achieved these two things by incorporating "flying buttresses" onto the exteriors 
• Cathedrals drew pilgrims from far and wide, creating economic opportunities nearby

All you who seek to honor these doors,

Marvel not at the gold and expense but at the craftsmanship of the work

Should brighten the minds, allowing them to travel through the lights.

To the drue light, where Christ is the true door.

The golden door defines how it is imminent in these things.

The dull mind rises to the truth through material things. 

The dull mind rises to the truth through  material things,

And is resurrected from its former submersion when the light is seen.

- Abbot Suger

As we study medieval art this week, you'll find that we'll focus mostly on architecture and sculpture and only one form of 2D art (illuminated manuscripts).  Sometimes...these manuscripts could be kinda weird. Most of it looks like this:

Uh...u ok, bro?

Don't even get me started on the babies. Here's a good article on why medieval babies were...for lack of a better way of putting it...ugly.

Need some mild Internet humor?

Legit question

Wise words in this political climate

Where can I get this?

Seriously.

Happy Monday! Until tomorrow,

- Siddiqui

Knights, cannons, and the black death, oh my

Humanitarians,

Sorry for not posting yesterday, but I was EXHAUSTED! I'm sure you were too - DBQ'ing can take a lot out of you.

Speaking of DBQ's ... if you have any questions at all, please come see ANY of us over the next week or so! We would love to help you before the big one on January 31. I posted a "key" of the DBQ packet online with some samples of the ones you were supposed to do if you want to see some more ideas.

SERIOUSLY YOU MUST PRACTICE 

Today we went over chapter 19....SOOOOOOOME of you seemed to be surprised that we had a reading check. Here are some Humanities Experience Ideas if it didn't go your way: 

• The Meadows Museum has a Modern Spanish Art Exhibit . This is close! At SMU!
• Go see Silent Sky at the WaterTower Theater. 
• Tomorrow the UNT is doing excerpts from Puccini's Opera Madam Butterfly. Tickets are only $5!
• Go see Gloria at the Dallas Theater Center. 

Finally we hopefully finished (coughVirdinStantoncough) the decline of the Middle Ages. Our big four causes are the Crusades, the Hundred Years' War, the Black Death, and the Great (or Western) Schism. Make sure you understand why each of these causes a decline! 

Have a great Thursday!!

- cbg

Your #tbt picture for today is in honor of tomorrow being inauguration day. 8 years ago, I helped a friend chaperone a trip to the inauguration! It was too cold and crowded for my liking, so never again, but I suggest all of you try to go to one - regardless of political leanings - in your lifetime. They are pretty cool spectacles!

BYE Middle Ages...sorta

Humanitarians,

Today was a WHIRLWIND after a three-day weekend, which I hope was FABULOUS for you! Before we head into what we did today, lets talk a bit about MLK. Y'all are going to read his letter from a Birmingham Jail as juniors in AMSTUD, but heck, nothing bad will come of reading it twice. It is STUNNING and so moving! Find the whole thing here. I also recommend y'all read some of his less well-known speeches and writing - not only does he write about the racial injustice we are familiar with, he also tackles economic injustice and the US's role in worldwide wars. Stanford has an entire part of their site dedicated to all his speeches and papers - check it out!

Today we did a lot of things!

1. SAQ! - a change! You may only revise EACH SAQ ONE time, so if you are unsure why you didn't do well, see your teacher before you make changes! We are here to help you!

2. Medieval Faire - we finished signing up today - the sign up sheets are online, so if for some reason you forget what you signed up for, check it. REMEMBER that the group stuff is only worth 30 pts - the other 70 pts is individual, so don't forget to do that!

3. Decline of Middle Ages activity - we looked at some documents regarding the end of the middle ages politically (think: end of feudalism/manorialism/the power of the Catholic Church). We will make sure that we are all on the same page regarding the decline of the middle ages on Thursday - if you have NOTHING down from class today (I am shooting you so much side eye right now), then log onto the site and get it together! 

wrong schism, but lolz

THIS DAY IN HISTORY!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY JANUARY 17!

• 1706: Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston
• 
• 
• 1893: Queen Liliuokalani of Hawaii was forced to abdicate by a group of US planters and businessmen.
• 
• 1977: Gary Gilmore became the first person executed in the US since the death penalty was reintroduced. 
• 
• 1991: Operation Desert Storm was launched against Iraq. This is why Mrs. Garafola moved from Saudi Arabia to the US! My town was on the Saudi/Kuwaiti border and we got rogue missile fire and were evacuated by the United States. 
• 
• 1998: President William Clinton became the first sitting US president to testify as a defendant in a criminal or civil suit.



but we really all want to remember him as the guy who likes ballons this much 

Finally - social media to follow. I already told my classes, BUT DID YOU KNOW the TSA has a instagram? 10/10 would recommend - it's basically pictures of the ridiculous things people try to bring on airplanes. LOLZ for days.  Check it here!

SERIOUSLY WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?!?!?!

Have a wonderful Tuesday! Tacos!!

- cbg