Eighth Grade Week Twenty: January 29-February 2, 2024

I am proud of how hard you are working.  I love you!

Math  - Chapter 9 of Elementary Algebra

Please come ask me if you don't understand something she taught you or have other questions.  

Chapter 9, Lesson 1.  Watch video and then do Set 1 and Set 2 #4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 a, c, e, g, i, k

Chapter 9 Lesson 2.  Watch video and then do Set 1 and Set 2.

Chapter 9 Lesson 3.  Watch video and then do Set 1 and Set 2.

Chapter 9 Lesson 4.  Watch video and then do Set 1 and Set 2.

Chapter 9 Lesson 5.  Watch video and then do Set 1 and Set 2 #4 a, b, e, f, I; 5, 6, 7

Religion & Bible History (None Wednesday) 

• Read Faith & Life Chapter 17
• Read Mark 9:2-29 and the corresponding pages in Heaven's Roar.
• Read He Leadeth Me Chapter 20 & Epilogue

Language Arts (None Wednesday)

Literature 

• Discuss last week's reading with Mom (98-115) before proceeding then for Monday, then in writing answer "How does Wiesel communicate the idea that his feelings about his father’s illness and death were profoundly complicated?  Provide at least three pieces of evidence from pages 104-112, and carefully explain your thinking."
• Read Night pages vii-x (end at "it is still not right"); xiv-xv
• In writing, answer "What was Wiesel’s purpose when he wrote Night? What does he hope that his book will achieve? Provide two pieces of evidence from pages vii-x, and xv to support your answer."
• Read and/or listen to Elie Wiesel's speech on the perils of indifference.  Especially pay attention to paragraphs 6-18.

English From the Roots Up 

• Learn the three new roots for this week - centum, mille, pyro
• List as many extra words that fit the new roots as you can on a piece of paper.
• Study the roots throughout the week.  

Windows to the World - (Not Wednesday)  

        

1.  Do the Plot Analysis on page 44-45 for “The Most Dangerous Game.”

2.  Review the Plot and Suspense Checklist on page 46, you may find this useful in the future when you are analyzing something you read.

 3.  There is a difference between a book report and a literary analysis essays.  In a book report, you are asked to summarize the story.  In a literary analysis, you analyze how the effects of the story are produced:  How do the authors make us empathize with some and feel revulsion towards others?  Why are certain settings selected over others? Read pages 47-49 on how to write a Literary Analysis Essay.

4.  Read pages 50-51 on the Thesis Statement.  Using the template given on page 51, write me a thesis statement on how the author in the last book you read created suspense in the novel. (This could be Night or a book you read for fun.)

Modern World History 

• Read The Century for Young People chapter 6 
• Read A History of US chapters 31 & 32
• Read A History of US chapter 33 on Japense Internment and watch this video
• Read A History of US Chapter 34 
• Read A History of US Chapter 35 and then read Unbreakable Code

World Geography

Do the work for the human geography of Russia and Central Asia

WA State History

**Read All Creatures Great and Small chapters 55-57 this week.

1.  Read Washington:  A State of Contrasts Chapter 2 pages 17-33.  You can break it up into as many days as you wish this week.  Do the Chapter review activities #5 b and #5c on page 34.

2.  Watch this video on Washington's Cascade Mountains.

Human Geography of Russia and Central Asia

 Russia and central Asia have a long, rich, and complex history.  Slavs settled near the waterways of the North European Plain by 600 AD.  They incorporated Scandinavian Varangians during the 9th century.  Muscovites ended 200 years of Mongol control in the 15th Century, and began to expand their control over an emerging empire that became known as Russia.  Under Czarist rule, over the next five centuries Russia continued to expand its borders into Siberia in the east and toward the Black Sea in the south.  During the 15th and 16th centuries, Russian rulers increased their power with the support of the Russian Orthodox Church.  During the next 200 year, czars such as Peter I and Catherine II expanded Russia's territory and turned to western Europe for models in science, technology, and culture.  While the nobles served the czars and accepted European ways, the peasant majority held to tradition and became bound as serfs to the nobles' land.

Mounting injustices fueled discontent among all groups in Russian society.  In the 19th century, czars made some reforms, such as freeing the serfs, but refused to yield any of their powers.  Growing discontent with Czarist Russia's strict governmental controls and social and economic inequalities finally exploded in the violent Russian Revolution of 1917, which ended czarist rule, briefly installed democracy, and brought to power a communist government.  Under Lenin, and later Stalin, Russia was transformed into a new empire:  the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), commonly called the Soviet Union.

The Soviet Union's communist leaders brought nearly all aspects of Soviet life under their control.  Education expanded, and the country rapidly industrialized.  However, millions of people labeled as enemies of the state were either killed or sent to prison labor camps.  After a brutal but victorious  struggle against the Nazis in World War II, the Soviet Union expanded into eastern Europe, where it set up communist governments.  Forty years of Cold War followed, during which the Soviet Union rivaled the United States for global influence.  During this time, Soviet officials spent heavily on defense, scientific research, space exploration, and heavy industry, at the expense of Soviet consumers and the environment.

Under the Soviet command economy, the government owned factories, farms, mines, and transportation systems; controlled the rate of production; and ensured that most people were employed.  The emphasis on heavy industry, however, meant that everyday consumer goods were often unavailable.  By the 1980s, inflexible controls and the stifling of workers' initiative had crippled the Soviet  economy.  A reform-minded leader, Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev introduced glasnost and new policies that guided Russia toward a free market economy.

But the overthrow of communist rulers in Eastern Europe in 1989, and a weakening economy, eventually led to the breakdown of Soviet control.  In 1991, the Soviet Union was dissolved.  The countries of central Asia - Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia - gained their independence (along with northern European countries Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, and eastern European countries Belarus, Moldova, and Ukraine.)  Each of these nations has an incredibly rich and complex history.

Turkic peoples - those who speak Turkic languages - include Kazakhs, Uzbeks, Kyrgyz, Turkmen, and Azerbaijani.  The majority of Turkic peoples are Muslim.  Uzbeks are the largest Turkic group in central Asia.  Tajiks are primarily Muslim, and speak a non-Turkic language resembling Farsi.

The Caucasus region includes more than 50 ethnic groups.  Georgians and Armenians are among the largest groups.  In the 4th century, most Georgians and Armenians converted to Christianity.  The Georgian language is the most commonly spoken of the Caucasian languages.  Armenians once ruled a powerful kingdom.  After being invaded and ruled by many others, including Arabs, Persians, and Russians, Armenians were brutally targeted by Ottoman Turks, and in 1915 over one million Armenians were systematically massacred or deported.  Many survivors immigrated to Southwest Asia, Europe, and the United States.

When the Soviet Union collapsed at the end of 1991, Russia was acknowledged as the successor state.  Under president Boris Yeltsen, Russia emerged as an independent nation intent on fostering democracy and free enterprise.  After transforming from a command economy to a market economy, the Russian economy is slowly improving.  However, Russia has found it hard to shed old ways after 70 years of communism.  With social disorder, crime, economic uncertainty, and secessionist challenges, Yeltsin's successor, Vladimir Putin, in 2001 began to centralize more power in his hands. His actions (even before attacking Ukraine) have raised concerns about the future of Russian democracy.

The Eastern Orthodox Church, Russia's dominant church until it was banned during the Soviet era of atheism, is enjoying a resurgence.  Other religions are also growing strong, although only Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism are considered traditional religions and have full liberties.  The country has worked to strengthen its role in world trade, increase agricultural production and provide more jobs for its workers.  Modern-day Russia has inherited the results of shortsighted economic development during the Soviet era, which resulted in large-scale damage to the environment.  Like many nations around the globe, it is struggling to find a way to balance its need for economic growth with the preservation of its environments.

Learning:

Read Glencoe World Geograpy pages 363-381

Look at the following articles/links:

Population density map of Russia
Russia’s demographics
Soviet Union timeline
Russian architecture
Caucasus region and people

Mapping:

Label Russia and each country in central Asia on a map.  Add the capitol of each country and any major cities.

8th Grade Week 19: January 22-26, 2024

No more foundations, we will do WA State History instead.  Also, you just have this week and you'll be done with Bible History.  I am proud of how hard you are working.  I love you!

Math  - Chapter 8 of Elementary Algebra

Please come ask me if you don't understand something she taught you or have other questions.  

Chapter 8, Lesson 7.  Watch Video and do Set 1 and 2.

Chapter 8, Summary Set 1.

Chapter 8 Test.

Midterm review Set 1

Midterm review Set 2

Religion & Bible History (None Wednesday) 

• Read Faith & Life Chapter 16
• Read Mark 8:27-9:1 and the corresponding pages in Heaven's Roar.
• Read Bible History Unit 8 part 3: 1-4.  Read only, you can skip the questions this week.
• Read He Leadeth Me Chapter 19

Language Arts (None Wednesday)

Literature 

• Discuss last week's reading with Mom before proceeding then for Monday, read pages 85-97 in Night.
• Tuesday, in writing, answer "What mood does Wiesel create on page 95, as he describes Juliek’s final concert? What specific words and phrases help establish this mood? Provide at least two examples and explain how these words/phrases develop mood."
• Thursday, read pages 98-112 in Night.
• Friday, discuss with Mom what you read yesterday, then read pages 98-115 in Night.

English From the Roots Up 

• Learn the three new roots for this week - octo, novem, decem
• List as many extra words that fit the new roots as you can on a piece of paper.
• Study the roots throughout the week.  

Windows to the World - (Not Wednesday)  

1. Read page 38 (this isn’t new to you but review) and list what the conflict is in Androcles and the Lion.
2. Read page 39 (again review) and pages 40-41 on plot devices.  In one or two sentences, summarize the plot of the last movie you watched or book you read.
3. Read page 41-43 on Creating Suspense.
4. Read page 43 on Literary Techniques.

Modern World History 

• Read A History of US book 9 chapter 26 on pages 112-119 about the holocaust.
• Read A History of US book 9 chapters 27 & 28 on pages 120-124.
• Read You Wouldn't Want to be a WW2 Pilot
• Read Attack on Pearl Harbor and A History of the US book 9 chapter 29 pages 125-129.
• Read A History of the US book 9 chapter 30 Taking sides on pages 130-134.

World Geography

Do the work for the natural features of Russia and Central Asia found here

WA State History

**Read All Creatures Great and Small chapters 52-54 this week.

1.  Read Washington:  A State of Contrasts Chapter 1 pages 2-15.  You can break it up into as many days as you wish this week.  Do the Chapter review activities on page 16.

2.  Watch this video on volcanic eruptions in the PNW

Russia and Central Asia Natural Features

 Although Russia is one country, several factors justify it being classified as a region of its own.  Russia's huge size, an area of more than 6.5 million square miles makes it the largest nation on Earth.  The vast and varied landscape of Russia streches over two continents - Europe and Asia- and covers 11 time zones.  The Russian climate is a story of extreme, ranging from the subzero temperatures of eastern Siberia to teh humid continental climate of Nroth European Plain.  The coutnries of central Asia are Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia, all of which used to be part of the Russian empire.

The region's vast plains span nearly half of its surface.  About 73% of the population live in urban areas, and 75% live on the NOrth European Plain.  This region is home to Russia's major cities, Moscow and St. Petersburg.  Mountain ranges punctuate an otherwise flat landscape.  The Caucasus Mountains contain Mt. Elbrus, Russia's highest point.  The Ural Mouintains extend some 1,500 miles from teh Arctic tundra to the Caspian Sea.  They mark the traditional boundary between the North European Plain (European Russia) and the Siberian PLains (Asian Russia).

Russia has ample supplies of natural resources.  The vast country contains some of the world's largest lakes and Europe's longest river.  These waterays contain one fourth of the world's fresh water.  Only 8% of Russia's land can support agriculture, but the Black Earth Belt with its rich soil called chernozem supports high yields of wheat, barley, oats, rye, potatoes, sugar beets, and other crops that feed much of Russia.  Forests supply much of the world's timber, and fishing reamins an important industry.

By the 17th century, Czar Peter I (the Great) encouraged the development of metallurgy.  Iron is still mined in Russia today along with gold, silver, bauxite, lead, copper, nickel, and uranium.  Russia is a leading producer of coal, oil, and natural gas.  The country also has rich deposits of precious gems, such as diamonds, emeralds, topa, and amethyst.  These mineral and enery resources are large but often difficult to tap.

Russia is a country of climate extremes.  In most of northern and western Russia, spring and autumn are short transitions between hot summers and frigid winters.  On the northern fringes of Russia's high-latitude climate lies the tundra, where temperatures hover below zero.  Temperatures near Verkhoysansk, in the Siberian tundra, are colder than any other location outside of Antarctica.  Tundra vegetation is limited to mosses, lichen, algae, and dwarf shrbus, due to the region's permafrost and very short growing season.

Russia's dominant climate, the subarctic, spans across European Russia and parts of Siberia.  This climate supports the taiga, a densely-wooded region that contains the world's largest coniferos forest.  A humid continental climate with milder winters and longer summers dominates teh mid-latitidues, where most people live adn the majority of Russia's agirculture is located.  In a small area between the Black and Caspian Seas is Russia's steppe cliamte. This temperate grassland area has dry summers and long, cold, dry winter with swirling, sparse snow.

Central Asia is a landlocked region that includes high plains, immense grassy steppes, and rugged mountains.  The mountains block moisture, resulting in a dry climate.  Without an ocean or larger body of water to temper the weather, the region can experience extreme temperatures fluctuations.  Desert regions, whcih constitute about 60% of the land area, can go form freezing to sweltering temperatures.  Other parts of the region have more precipitation and experience a humid continental climate with snow in teh winter months.  The countries of central Asia have abundant mineral and natural gas reserves.  However, sparse population adn inadequate infrastructure for transportation make it difficult to capitalize on these resources.

Learning:

Read Glencoe World Geography pages 332-356

Look through the following links:

Natural landmarks of Russia
Russia’s climate zones
Tundra and taiga biomes
Steppe biome
Principle rivers of Russia

Assignments:

Learn about the wildlife of Russia.  Learn about animals unique to the region.  Find out which speicis are endangered and what is being done to protect them.  Write a paragraph or two on what you find.

 Mapping:

Add the natural features of this region to your map.  Use the shape of the continent to carefully determine placement of mountain ranges, major rivers, and lakes.  Add and label bays, ilands and inlets as you want.

8th Grade Week 18: January 15-19, 2024

This is the last week for Foundations, and we will start Washington State History next week instead.

Math  - Chapter 8 of Elementary Algebra

Please come ask me if you don't understand something she taught you or have other questions.  

Chapter 8, Lesson 3.  Watch Video and do Set 1 and 2.

Chapter 8, Lesson 4.  Watch Video and do Set 1 and set 2 #4 a, c, e, g, I, k, m; #5, #6, #7 e, f, g, h, #8 b, d, f, h, I, j, k, m, n, o, q.

Chapter 8, Lesson 5.  Watch Video and Do set 1 and set 2 #4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, #11 a, c, e, #12 b, d, f, skip 13, #14 a, b skip c

Chapter 8, Lesson 6.  Watch Video and do Set 1 and 2.

Religion & Bible History (None Wednesday) 

• Read Mark 8:11-30 and the corresponding pages in Heaven's Roar.
• Read Bible History Unit 8 part 2: 1-4.  Read only, you can skip the questions this week.
• Read He Leadeth Me Chapters 17 & 18.

Language Arts (None Wednesday)

Literature 

• Read Night pages 47-58.  Discuss with Mom.
• Read Night pages 58-65.  In writing answer - "What is the mood in the camp during and after the bombing?  Support your answer with three specific words and phrases from the text, and explain how these demonstrate mood.
• Read Night 66-84.  Discuss with Mom. 

English From the Roots Up 

• Learn the three new roots for this week - quinque, sex, septem
• List as many extra words that fit the new roots as you can on a piece of paper.
• Study the roots throughout the week.  

Middle School Essay Writing/Windows to the World - (Not Wednesday) 

1. Do the biblical allusions Project on page 34 using the following Bible passages.  I am particularly interested in your examples of how this passage might be used and your explanation of the same (see their example). You can present to me in a chart similar to page 34, or in a paragraph format – whichever you choose. 
1. David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17)
2. Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)
3. Pearls before Swine (Matthew 7:6)
2. Do the Biblical Allusions in Poetry assignment on page 35.  Do not do the one on page 36.
3. Read page 37 and annotate Androcles and the Lion.

Modern World History 

• Watch America, Story of US Episode 10 on World War 2
• Rise of Fascism.  Read A History of US #9, chapter 25 - Twenthieth Century Monsters and then watch this video on Hitler's rise to power
• Italy was also seeing a rise in Fascism.  Watch about Benito Mussolini here.  In 1935, Italy invaded and annexed Ethiopia.  You can watch about that here.  Then in 1939, Italy invaded and annexed Albania.
• Appeasement.  Watch this video on the Appeasement strategy they used with fascism.  Appeasement didn't work and Germany's September 1 1939 invasion of Poland began WW2.   Watch WW2 in 7 minutes here.  We will talk about the other Axis power (Japan) next week.

Foundations (None Wednesday) 

**Read All Creatures Great and Small chapters 49-51 this week.

Lesson 1

1. Begging the Question (or circular argument)
2. Appeal to Nature
3. Anecdotal
4. Come up with an example of each.

Lesson 2

1. Texas Sharp Shooter   The saying goes that you can find a statistic to support anything.
2. Middle Ground   
3. Come up with an example of both of the above fallacies.
4. (*) For review, look over (and print out if you like) this page of all of the fallacies we just quickly went over.

Lesson 3

1. Read this Article on 10 Habits of Effective Students 
2.  Read about plagiarism and then watch both the videos linked on this page.

World Geography

Do Europe Culture and Lifestyles found here

European Culture & Lifestyles

  Scenic beauty and rich cultural and historical heritage have made Europe one of the world's most popular travel destinations.  Each year, millions of visitors join Europeans in activities such as visiting art museums in Paris and Florence, snorkeling off Spain's Balearic Islands, and skiing in the Austrian Alps.  European art forms have spread around the world.  Europeans enjoy a variety of sports, with football (called soccer in the U.S.) being the most popular.  Festivities are often linked to religious holidays or celebrations of historical dates or people.

Europe's richly diverse cultural fabric is the result of influences spanning more than 2,000 years. There are about 50 different languages, with more than 100 dialects.  Most languages belong to the Indo-European language family.  Christianity is the primary religion, although other religions exist as well.  In some areas, such as Northern Ireland and the Balkan Peninsula, religion has divided Europeans.  Today, many European countries are putting aside centuries-old differences and working together to forge a united Europe.  Still, nationalist loyalties remain, and, in some cases, are powerful enough to create friction.  This is especially the case in Eastern Europe, where iron-fisted communist rule once held down ethnic rivalries.

Except for areas of conflict, Europeans enjoy a high standard of living and education.  Many countries offer complete social welfare programs, although family life and support are important.  The former communist countries of eastern Europe are trying to attain the same economic and environmental standards as the other countries, but many former communist countries have had difficulty in moving from command economies (where production and prices are determined by government) to free market economies (where production and prices are determined by individuals and businesses), and their standards of living are still lower than those of western Europe.  The European Union has united many of the diverse economies in Europe to boost trade and efficiency.

The varied physical environments of Europe pose challenges of earthquakes, droughts, major storms, and floods.  Manmade problems include acid rain, which destroys forests, waters, and historic buildings; air pollution from factories and the high number of cars everywhere; the threat of global warming due to increased carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere; and water pollution in lakes, rivers, and the Mediterranean Sea.  Factories built without pollution controls and the heavy use of lignite coal in Eastern Europe during the communist era have added to this problem.  Europeans are working hard to control and reduce pollution, demonstrating the global range of Europe's environmental concerns.

LEARNING:

• Glencoe World Geography pages 301-327 (skip 309-312)
• Languages spoken in Europe
  Pollution as global issue
  
  

ASSIGNMENTS: 

YOUR POWERPOINT ON YOUR BOOK YOU CHOSE IS DUE FRIDAY!!

Eighth Grade Week 17: January 8-12, 2024

Math  - Chapter 7 of Elementary Algebra

Please come ask me if you don't understand something she taught you or have other questions.  

Chapter 7, Summary and Review Set 1.

Chapter 7, Summary and Review Set 2.

Chapter 7 Test

Chapter 8, Lesson 1.  Watch Video and do Set 1 and 2.

Chapter 8, Lesson 2.  Watch Video and do Set 1 and 2.

Religion & Bible History (None Wednesday) 

• Read Faith and Life Chapter 15
• Read Mark 7:24-8:10 and the corresponding pages in Heaven's Roar.
• Read Bible History Unit 8 part 1 and do questions
• Read He Leadeth Me Chapter 16.

Language Arts (None Wednesday)

Literature 

• Read Night pages 11-22.  
• Discuss yesterday's reading with Mom.  Then, on page 12, Wiesel writes, "Night fell." In writing, identify one other place on pages 11-22 where he mentions night.  Considering what is happening in these passages, what might "night" symbolize, based on this section of text? Support your answer with at least two pieces of evidence from these pages.
• Read Night pages 22-34.  End at "Do you remember Mrs. Schacter, in the train?"  Discuss with Mom.
• Read Night pages 34-36.  Discuss with Mom.  

Notes:  Wiesel uses the word "gypsy" on page 37, which is considered to be an offensive slur by many Roma people. The Roma are an ethnic group that lives primarily in Europe. They are a nomadic people, meaning that they generally do not settle in one place, but rather move frequently. They have—and continue to—faced significant discrimination. During the Holocaust, an estimated 250,000 Roma were murdered in Nazi concentration camps because of their perceived racial inferiority. 

When we talk about how the Nazis dehumanized Jews and other prisoners of concentration camps, we must be mindful of the fact that they did these things very deliberately. It was part of a larger plan to exercise complete control over the prisoners.

English From the Roots Up 

• Learn the three new roots for this week - duo, tres, quattuor
• List as many extra words that fit the new roots as you can on a piece of paper.
• Study the roots throughout the week.  

Middle School Essay Writing/Windows to the World - DO WITH MOM 

• Read and annotate the article from Mortimer Adler on How to Mark a  Book.  Discuss with Mom.
• Talk with Mom about allusions.  Read the student text pages 27-29 on allusions.
• Read pages 29-31 and do the assignment for biblical allusions in The Gift of the Magi, which you have read.
• Read pages 31-33 on allusion in The Most Dangerous Game.

Modern World History 

• Read Story of US book 9 chapters 20-21 on Eleanor Roosevelt.
• Read Story of US book 9 chapters 22-24 on Franklin Delano Roosevelt.  Watch FDR 60 second president's.
• Read FDR's Alphabet Soup pages 21-37 and 67-82.
• Read the graphic novel Amelia Earhart, Pioneer of the Sky 
• Due to pressures from the Great Depression, over 1 million Mexicans were forced out of the country and back to Mexico during the 1930s. Of those repatriated, about 60% were U.S.-born American citizens. Several Mexican immigrants and Mexican Americans left the U.S. for Mexico with the hope that there they would find not only a refuge from the economic struggles of the Great Depression, but also from the prejudice and discrimination that they had experienced in the U.S. However, most found that Mexico was not the haven they had hoped it would be.  Watch about Mexican Repatriation here and also a video here

Foundations (None Wednesday) 

**Read All Creatures Great and Small chapters 46-48 this week.

Lesson 1

1. The ad hominem fallacy.  Political campaign advertisements are great places to see a lot of these fallacies.
2. The tu quoque fallacy.  These strange words are Latin. There is a strong Latin foundation to what we know as logic and rhetoric, the words we speak.
3. Special pleading
4. Come up with written examples of each.

Lesson 2

1. Loaded question
2. Burden of proof
3. Come up with written examples of each.

Lesson 3

1. Ambiguity
2. The gambler’s fallacy
3. Composition/division
4. Come up with written examples of each.

Lesson 4

1. No True Scotsman
2. Genetic
3. Black or White
4. Come up with an written examples of each.

World Geography

Do the reading/map work for week two of Europe found here

European Demographics and Government

 Remember that your PowerPoint on the book you choose is due January 19.

Europe is a heavily populated continent, with most people living in cities concentrated in geographically favorable areas. There are over 40 countries in Europe, each with its own unique history and culture.  While each country tries to maintain its national identity, the region is moving toward European unity.

Here are the nations of Europe, organized by geographic region:

Countries of Northern Europe:  Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)

Countries of Eastern Europe:  Belarus, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Moldova, Poland, Romania Slovakia, Ukraine.

Countries of Western Europe:  Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Switzerland.

Countries of Southern Europe:  Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cy0rus, Greece, Italy, Macedonia, Malta, Montenegro, Portugal, San Marino, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Vatican City.

In addition, there are several dependencies or territories:

U.K.: Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Gibraltar

Denmark: Greenland, Faroe Islands

Two countries straddle the border of Europe and Asia:  Russia and Turkey.  (In this course, Russia is covered on its own and Turkey is considered part of Asia)

Most geographical features remain relatively stable over time.  The Alps, for example, are constantly changing but the change usually happens gradually over millennia.  In contrast, national boundaries are dynamic.  For instance, during and after World War II, many national boundaries in Europe went through rapid and significant changes.  Even today, geo-political boundaries continue to change.  Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia in 2008 and continues to work toward recognition as a sovereign state.  Recently, the Czech Republic and Poland worked to settle a border dispute, and Ireland and Northern Ireland have a long, complex history of tensions.

Europe's extensive coastlines, natural harbors, and overland trade routes encouraged exploration, which spread European ideas and ways abroad while bringing cultural influences from far away lands into Europe.  As a result, Europe has a diverse population with many ethnic groups.  While these groups live together peacefully in most countries, ethnic tensions exist elsewhere.  Incoming immigrants, including many refugees fleeing war or political upheaval in their countries of origin, put pressure on a nation's infrastructure as they try to house, feed, clothe, and provide jobs, education, and medical care for those newly arrived.  Despite these immigrants, Europe's overall population is shrinking.

Population shifts and migrations have been an important part of Europe's history for centuries.  The population density is greater in Europe than on any other continent except Asia, with most people concentrated in areas with fertile soil, favorable climates, mineral resources, and inland waterways.  The Industrial Revolution changed Europe to an urban society, and labor shortages during the 1950s and 1960s brought many immigrants to Europe.  The 20th century's two world wars redrew national boundaries, displaced many people, and altered population pat terns.  Jews, Roma people (once called Gypsies), and others were systematically executed by the Nazis during World War II, and surviving populations scattered.

The Cold War that followed World War II divided Europe into two parts: communist eastern Europe, tied to the Soviet Union, and largely democratic western Europe, allied to the United States.  While eastern Europe stagnated economically and politically, democratic western Europe rebuilt and prospered.  After communism's collapse in the 1990s, migration from eastern to western Europe increased as people sought jobs and a better standard of living.  Meanwhile, western Europe's prosperity also drew migrants from Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean.  Many major cities today face problems of overcrowding and pollution, but they are also combining old and new ways of life in unique ways.  Many European countries as a group are working toward economic prosperity and political unity within the European Union.

• Glencoe World Geography pages 286-300
• Countries of Europe
  Population data (click on individual countries)
  1000 years of European borders
  Population density in Europe
  
  

Mapping:

1. On a map of Europe label each country.  Use color to make the shape, size, and location of each country easier to see.
2. Identify the capital of each nation.  Add as many major cities as you like.

Grade Eight Week 16: January 3-5, 2023

We are reaching the end of the first semester, we will have a few tests over the next few weeks.  You will also be done with Bible History and Foundations in a few weeks and we will add Washington State History starting soon.   I am proud of you and I love you!

Math  - Chapter 7 of Elementary Algebra

Please come ask me if you don't understand something she taught you or have other questions.  

Chapter 7, Lesson 5. Watch video then do Sets 1 and 2.

Chapter 7, Lesson 6. Watch video then do Sets 1 and 2.

Chapter 7, Lesson 7. Watch video then do Sets 1 and 2.

Religion & Bible History

• Read Bible History Unit 7, Section 3 and answer questions.
• Read Faith & Life Chapter 14.
• Read Mark 7:1-23 and pages that go along with it in Heaven's Roar

Language Arts

Literature 

We are going to read a book called Night by Elie Wiesel.  Night, often considered among the most important memoirs of the 20th century, was written by Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel, the text recounts the author’s experience as a teenager in a Nazi concentration camp.  In order to understand the book, we first need some background on the Holocaust.  

Wednesday

Watch this video The Path to Nazi Genocide 

Thursday

Read pages 3-11.  End after "Then came the ghettos"   

Come discuss what you read with Mom.  

Make sure you understand what the word annihilate means.  

Friday

In writing answer: What does the community’s reaction to Moishe the Beadle’s warning, the news about the invasion of Hungary and the arrival of German soldiers, reveal about them—and about human nature more generally? Provide at least three pieces of evidence from pages 3-11 to support your answer.

English From the Roots Up 

• Test on all the words so far on Friday - make sure you are studying them.

Windows to the World - DO WITH MOM 

1. Read page 14 on further annotation - then annotate The Most Dangerous Game.  
2. Use the annotation checklist on page 24 to evaluate your annotations and go back and add things you missed.
3. Read and annotate Marginalia.

Modern World History 

• Read Century for Young People Chapter 4.  Pick one picture to show Mom and tell her about it.
• Read You Wouldn't Want to Work on the Hoover Dam.  Watch this 6 minute video on building the Hoover Dam.
• Watch Days that Shook the World: Disaster in the Skies on the Hindenburg.  It will also cover the Challenger accident which we won't get to until 1980s, but its okay to watch together.  

Foundations 

**Read All Creatures Great and Small chapters 43-45 this week.

Lesson 1

Read chapter three in the book on Growth Mindset (from Dad)  This is the last part of this book he wants you to read.  Discuss with Dad.

Lesson 2

1. We’re going to be learning about logic. Along with logic, we will be looking at bias and propaganda.  In these types of speeches you will hear what we call logical fallacies, which are basically bad arguments. The speaker may be using them very purposefully to trick people into agreeing with them. You need to be able to spot them so that you don’t fall for the trick. An example would be all those people who believe the election was “stolen from President Trump."    When there is something that is growing in popularity, then people use that to try to make others feel like it must be true and they should join in. That’s called the “bandwagon” fallacy. It’s what we call a logical fallacy. Here’s another example.
2.  The strawman fallacy is another one we see in politics and social media often.  For example, if you say you support money for education, they will ask why you hate our veteran's so much that you don't want funding for them?
3. The fallacy fallacy.  We see this all the time - one scientist had a bad claim about global warming, so therefore all scientists are wrong about global warming.
4. Come up with at least one example of each of these fallacies and share with Mom in writing or by telling her.

Lesson 3

1. The False Cause Fallacy.  Here’s an example. I wore red and then our soccer team lost. I’m never going to wear red again to a game, and we’ll win the championship!
2. Appeal to emotion.  An example is a commercial that uses American pride to make you want to buy their American-made product.
3. The slippery slope fallacy.  If we allow people to see same-sex couples kissing on tv, then they will become gay themselves.
4. Come up with at least one example of each of these fallacies and share with Mom in writing or by telling her.

World Geography 

Do the book reading and work on your powerpoint presentation that is due January 19.