China Computer Lab Activity

Directions: Use the following websites to collect your information.

http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/china/people/index.htm

http://china.donn.org/shang&chou.html

http://www.ancientchina.co.uk/crafts/explore/exp_set.html

http://www.aasd.k12.wi.us/Staff/Hermansenjoel/World%20History%20Files/China/dynasty/wilson.htm

Terra Cotta Warriors March Into DC

In March 1974, a group of peasants digging a well in drought-parched Shaanxi province in northwest China unearthed pieces of a clay figure—the first evidence of what would turn out to be one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of modern times. Near the unexcavated tomb of Qin Shi Huangdi—who had proclaimed himself first emperor of China in 221 B.C.—lay an extraordinary underground treasure: an entire army of life-size terra cotta soldiers and horses, interred for more than 2,000 years.

From Nov. 19 till March 31st you can visit an exhibit on this amazing discovery at the National Geographic Institute in Washington DC

Read more about this amazing discovery and watch video clips here

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/48071972.html##ixzz0V2qZsXO9

Lewis Wetzel, A Relative With A Dark Past

Its interesting to find out about your ancestry and I must say that I haven't done a great deal of research on my own. But what I do know came from bedtime stories I was told at a very young age. I heard from my father stories about my great uncles in WWII and their travels on African safaris. I heard about my grandfather who was a principal of my father's elementary school. But there was one story that always seemed to catch my interest more than all the others and that was the one about my father's namesake, Lewis Wetzel. My father would tell me of the time he was captured as a boy by Native Americans and how he escaped. In my adult years I revisted this story and found that Lewis Wetzel was a person who made vengence his life. I can't say that I am proud to be his relative but I will say that I am fascinated by his story. Read it yourself as I have put a link to a good site about his life.

http://www.earlyamerica.com/review/spring97/wetzel.html

Spooky History

I know that most of you are looking forward to dressing up and getting lots of treats, but have you ever wondered what the history behind Halloween was? Visit the link below to watch a movie clip and read some cool stories about its spooky history.

http://www.history.com/content/halloween

Buddhism 101

Buddhism is one of the most popular world religions and although many of us recognize the image of Buddha you might not know quite as much about the religion, explore the links below to know more.

http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/Homework/religion/buddhism.htm#buddha

http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/5minbud.htm

http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/BUDDHISM/SIDD.HTM

Mr Wetzel on the News!

Click on the link below and select Walkersville vs. Frederick Womens Soccer and watch a clip from last night's game with an interview with me at the end. It looks like I picked the right career and didn't go into TV.

http://your4state.com/content/sports/sportsconnection

6th Grade Computer Lab Assignment

Use these sites to access information about Hinduism


1. Hindu Beliefs:
http://hinduism.about.com/od/basics/u/beliefs_practices.htm
http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/cultural/religion/hinduism/beliefs.html
http://www.religioustolerance.org/hinduism.htm
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/Homework/religion/hinduism.htm
2. The Caste System:
http://www.hinduwebsite.com/hinduism/h_caste.asp
http://www.csuchico.edu/~cheinz/syllabi/asst001/spring98/india.htm
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/Homework/religion/hinduism.htm
3. Hindu Deities (gods and goddesses):
http://www.sanatansociety.org/hindu_gods_and_goddesses.htm
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/Homework/religion/hinduism.htm
http://www.hindunet.org/god/summary/index.htm
http://hinduism.about.com/od/basics/u/beliefs_practices.htm
4. Vedas/Sacred Texts:
http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/
http://www.hinduwebsite.com/vedicsection/vedaindex.asp
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/Homework/religion/hinduism.htmhttp://hinduism.about.com/od/basics/u/beliefs_practices.htm

Mohenjodaro

Imagine yourself on the streets of this city 4000 years ago. It would have been bustling with action as people moved in and out of their homes. This was the city of Mohenjodaro and it was once a prosperous Indian city. exploer it further by follwoing the link below.

http://www.mohenjodaro.net/index.html

View from the top of the world

We may never get there but we can dream, or just vistit the link below. The summit of Mt. Everest has claimed many lives and seen few visitors but you can see a perfect view from the safety and warmth of your home.

http://www.panoramas.dk/Fullscreen2/Full22.html

I have been to the Andes in Peru, the Pyrenees in France, Skiied in the Alps, and driven through the Rockies but this is probably not on my list of mountains to climb.

Hominids on air

The"Discovering Ardi," a world premiere exclusive, airs Sunday, Oct. 11 at 9 PM on the Discovery Channel. This is about the new hominid discovery. I have not seen the show but one of my 6th grade students told me about it and I wanted to pass it on.

Egyptianized

Now that we have completed our Egypt unit in 6th grade its time to extend you learning. I have inculded a few links to some of my favorite Egypt websites that I think are high interest. I hope you enjoy them.

This link has some short video clips on Egypt

http://www.pbs.org/teachers/connect/resources/26/preview/

This site is all about King Tut, many of you had questions about him this site should answer them

http://www.kingtutone.com/tutankhamun/

This site is a children's book on how mummies are made

http://www.salariya.com/web_books/mummy/index.html

GAME ALERT!!! Fun Game Beware!

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/Games/InteractiveAdventures/Tomb-unknown-mummy

New Hominid Found!

Many of my 6th grade students have shared that they heard on the news last week that a new hominid's remains have been discovered. This was a significant discovery because it predates the previous discovery of Lucy(Australepithecus Afaresis). Read the story for yourself and let me know what you think!

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/10/091001-oldest-human-skeleton-ardi-missing-link-chimps-ardipithecus-ramidus.html

I have also inculded a link the website that allows you to explore the caves of Lescaux.

http://www.culture.gouv.fr/culture/arcnat/lascaux/fr/

Up and Operational

Well I'm happy that I've joined the online community with my new blog. I hope to be able to provide educational information, links, and videos that will extend my student's learning outside the classroom. I hope you enjoy navigating the world of history outside the school day and let me know what you think or what you find that others may like as well.