Good morning.

Tomorrow, Friday, April 24, at 1:00 p.m., the grade 8 classes will meet with me for a virtual class--from now on we'll just call this a meeting.  

So we're having a meeting on Friday--I'd like all the grade 8 students to attend.  

Make sure that  your microphone and camera work on whichever device you choose to use. 

Be prepared to see your classmates; THAT means no pajamas--be ready for class!  

 Be in a space that works for learning and listening--maybe the family play area isn't the best place.  Come to the meeting with loose-leaf and pen.  

Here's how to attend the meeting:

1.  Read the email I send later today.  IF YOU DON"T GET AN EMAIL INVITING YOU TO JOIN MICROSOFT TEAMS, SEND ME AN EMAIL!  TODAY--NOT TOMORROW MORNING.  

2.  Scroll to the bottom of the email and click on the purple link that says Join Microsoft Teams Meeting.

3.  On the next page, click on Join as a Guest.

4.  Type your name in the space provided.

5.  You will then be sent to the lobby/waiting room.  On my screen, I watch your names appearing on my screen, not you, your name (you're not in the meeting yet--you're being held in an area where I can see who has arrived--this lets me control who comes to our meeting).

6.  I will accept you into my meeting--watch your screen and you'll see me and your classmates.  

Based on your screen size, you probably won't be able to see EVERYONE, but you will see me.

You don't need to load anything ahead of time.  Follow the instructions above.  

Once you're in the lobby, stay there, class will start at 1.  

It's probably a good idea to start around ten to 1 (12:50); this will give you ten minutes to get to class.

**Parents--you are welcome to check in with us.

8ELA

-Please make sure you do your 40 minutes to an hour of Reading today
-This is the link to the I am David PDF.  Copy it into your browser and make sure it takes you to the book.


https://drive.google.com/file/d/19RwsSZ4Ttm4P5TAb4ngURgzWy7U_otEZ/view?usp=sharing
 

8SS

-Yesterday, I collected homework on the Byzantine Empire.  The answers are posted below; review them and compare to your own.


Answers

1.  In 313 AD, he allowed Christians to practice their religion (without persecution) and in 337 AD, he became a Christian on his deathbed (this would have been monumental—the leader of the empire turning away from the polytheistic religion and CHOOSING to be a Christian).

2.  a)  The official split was in 395 AD.

b)  It was split because the Emperor wanted to live in the east because there was less trouble there.

c)  (answers will vary)  A positive of this split was the Emperor was safer/people of the east were safer because the Emperor would have come with more “security” and a negative of this would be that the west became more dangerous because the Emperor/”security” was gone/people would have felt abandoned because the leader left them for a safer area.

3)  Three characteristics of the Byzantine Empire are the religion (Greek language, refusing the pope as head of its church, a distinct form of Christianity), respect for literature (libraries preserving Greek philosophers and poets), architecture (featuring domes from the East), fashion (expensive silks and other fabrics from Asia), and art (mosaics were popular on walls, floors, ceilings).

4)  Emperor Justinian created the Justinian Code and it influenced the Western world because it focussed on equality and justice not just punishment.  It affected quality of life because people would be treated more fairly which resulted in people being happier and more loyal to the leaders.  It also improved quality of life because people weren’t just being punished when found guilty; they often had to make things better (repay the person they stole from/fix what they had damaged, etc.)

5)  Cosmopolitan means being worldly/understanding how things work in many, different countries.  Constantinople could be called a cosmopolitan city because many people in this city were foreigners who brought their own languages, fashions, and religions.  (Review the answer for #3 above—it reflects a cosmopolitan city).

6.  Constantinople resisted conquest for so long for one main reason:  money.  There was lots of trade moving through the city from east to west and west to east, people were importing goods and then exporting them, artisans within the city used all kinds of products to create new things and sell them to eager people who wanted to buy them.  If the city came under threat, these people would be loyal and protect the city.  Also, foreigners wouldn’t attack and destroy the city that buys their goods or sells their products.  There’s am saying:  don’t bite the hand that feeds you (this is an idiom—like skating on thin ice—we studied this in class).  It means don’t hurt the hand/betray the person who helps you/keeps you alive.  A second answer could be that their geographic location provided excellent observation of their surroundings and they could see the enemy coming and prepare better.


7SS

-Yesterday, I collected homework on Peacekeeping.  The answers are posted below; review them and compare to your own.

Answers

1.  Other than maintaining peace and security, peacekeepers help civilians, support the organization of elections, protect and promote human rights, assist in the disarmament and reintegration of former combatants, and assist in restoring the rule of law.

2.  The three basic principles of UN peacekeeping are consent of the countries, being neutral, and not using force except for self-defence.

3.  It’s important to have female peacekeepers because they provide a sense of security for women and children, act as role models for gender equality, improve access and support from law enforcement for local women, and help the UN address sexual exploitation and abuse.

4.  Most peacekeeping activities are in Africa.

5.  Three stresses Canadian peacekeepers might face are separation from family/friends for long periods of time, the possibility of witnessing extreme violent, having to use force on someone, suffering force used against themselves, and the realization that they could be killed.

6.  Naval Lt. McKinnon ran a medical clinic, worked in hospitals and orphanages and helped victims of war and famine.

7.  Izzy dolls were created by the mother of Master Corporal Mark Isfeld in Croatia in the early 1990s.  They were handmade dolls given to children to bring them happiness and hope.

8.  (answers will vary)