April 29 - Finish Religion notes

Hello ladies and gentlemen,

Welcome and happy to be working with you all again!  Today in class we will be finishing our discussion of World Religions, focusing on the Middle Eastern monotheistic religions.  Afterwards you should continue working on your Religion Research Projects.  I hope that you are doing well and learning something new and interesting with all this!  Let's get down to business!

Objectives:

1. Discuss the concept of religion in order to develop a base of understanding
2. Research a World Religion and create a PPT style presentation to teach peers about that religion

Agenda:

1. Continue World Religions
1. Guiding Questions:
1. What is Religion?
2. Why do people have religion or faith?
3. What are the major types of religions?
2. Monotheism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
2. Continue Religion Project
1. You may work on this project with one partner BUT make sure you follow these guidelines
1. You can choose your partner - must be a student in my class (Period does not matter)
2. Make sure to include both your names on the Title Page
3. BOTH partners must contribute an equal amount of work
4. BOTH partners must turn in a copy of the final product

Homework

1. Current Event #13 due Monday (Event from Asia/Oceania)
1. Current Event Mapping Instructions
1. Add CE #13 to the same map you did CE #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12
2. World Religions Graphic Organizer due TONIGHT!
3. Religion Research Project due May 1 (Friday)
4. Asia Map test Monday May 18
1. Digital Map Directions
1. For Asia you will be doing your map digitally so please follow these directions
2. You can also do it physically and take and upload a picture if you want
2. Asia Countries Quiz (Test prep)
3. Asia Physical Features Quiz (Test Prep) (make sure to customize)
4. Australia and Oceania Countries (Test Prep)
5. Australia Physical Features (Test Prep) Make sure to customize!

That's all for the day folks.  I miss everybody and I hope that you are doing well and learning a lot at your own pace during this crazy time.  Take care my friends.

Live long and prosper,

Mr. Marchetti

4-29-2020 PPT

April 27 - Mapping Monday #9

Hello ladies and gentlemen,

Welcome back!  Oh man its getting a little tiresome having to stay inside so much!  I hoe that you are all finding ways to be productive (personally, academically, with extra curricular activities) while we are sheltered in place.  I have been reading a lot and trying to write a little.  Today will be another Mapping Monday.  Easy schedule, you just need to work on your Asia maps and make sure that you finish and turn in your Current Event #12.  Let's get it done!

Objectives:

1. Locate and identify political and physical features of Asia
2. Research and summarize a current event from Asia

Agenda:

1. Mapping Monday

Homework

1. Current Event #12 due TONIGHT (Event from Asia/Oceania)
1. Current Event Mapping Instructions
1. Add CE #12 to the same map you did CE #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11
2. World Religions Graphic Organizer due April 29 (Wednesday)
3. Religion Research Project due May 1 (Friday)
4. Asia Map test Monday May 18
1. Digital Map Directions
1. For Asia you will be doing your map digitally so please follow these directions
2. You can also do it physically and take and upload a picture if you want
2. Asia Countries Quiz (Test prep)
3. Asia Physical Features Quiz (Test Prep) (make sure to customize)
4. Australia and Oceania Countries (Test Prep)
5. Australia Physical Features (Test Prep) Make sure to customize!

That's all for today folks!  We will continue looking at World Religions on Wednesday and you need to finish and turn in your Religion Research Project on Friday.  I miss you all!  Hope you are doing well!  Take care!

Live long and prosper,

Mr. Marchetti

4-27-2020 PPT

April 24 - Continue Religion

Hello ladies and gentlemen,

Welcome to the last remote lesson for the week!  Today we will continue to discuss World Religions, focusing on Hinduism and Buddhism today.  You will also continue to work on your Religion Research Project.  We just keep trucking along!  I am proud of all of you who are working hard to continue learning and improving your skills in preparation for next school year.  I can't wait to see what you produce for this project!

Objectives:

1. Discuss the concept of religion in order to develop a base of understanding
2. Research a World Religion and create a PPT style presentation to teach peers about that religion

Agenda:

1. Continue World Religions
1. Guiding Questions:
1. What is Religion?
2. Why do people have religion or faith?
3. What are the major types of religions?
2. Polytheism, Hinduism, and Buddhism
2. Continue Religion Project
1. You may work on this project with one partner BUT make sure you follow these guidelines
1. You can choose your partner - must be a student in my class (Period does not matter)
2. Make sure to include both your names on the Title Page
3. BOTH partners must contribute an equal amount of work
4. BOTH partners must turn in a copy of the final product

Homework:

1. Current Event #12 due Monday (Event from Asia/Oceania)
1. Current Event Mapping Instructions
1. Add CE #12 to the same map you did CE #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11
2. World Religions Graphic Organizer due April 29
3. Religion Research Project due May 1
4. Asia Map test Monday May 18
1. Digital Map Directions
1. For Asia you will be doing your map digitally so please follow these directions
2. You can also do it physically and take and upload a picture if you want
2. Asia Countries Quiz (Test prep)
3. Asia Physical Features Quiz (Test Prep) (make sure to customize)
4. Australia and Oceania Countries (Test Prep)
5. Australia Physical Features (Test Prep) Make sure to customize!

That's all for the day folks!  I hope that everyone has enjoyed getting back to work.  I know that it feels better for me to be working and interacting with you all.  I miss you all!  Take care and have a great weekend!

Live long and prosper,

Mr. Marchetti

4-24-2020 PPT

April 22 - Introduce World Religions

Hello ladies and gentlemen,

Welcome to yet another remote lesson.  We are getting good at this!  I can't tell you how much I miss you all!  So today we are starting our next Unit, where we will be looking at and researching World Religions.  This will involve some lecture with discussion questions as well as you researching a World Religion.  This is an important topic to understand the world and people around us.  I hope that you are all continuing to do well and stay safe.

Objectives:

1. Discuss the concept of religion in order to develop a base of understanding
2. Research a World Religion and create a PPT style presentation to teach peers about that religion

Agenda:

1. Introduce World Religions
1. Guiding Questions:
1. What is Religion?
2. Why do people have religion or faith?
3. What are the major types of religions?
2. Introduction to what is a religion
2. Introduce Religion Project
1. You may work on this project with one partner BUT make sure you follow these guidelines
1. You can choose your partner - must be a student in my class (Period does not matter)
2. Make sure to include both your names on the Title Page
3. BOTH partners must contribute an equal amount of work
4. BOTH partners must turn in a copy of the final product

Homework:

1. Current Event #12 due Monday (Event from Asia/Oceania)
1. Current Event Mapping Instructions
1. Add CE #12 to the same map you did CE #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11
2. World Religions Graphic Organizer due April 29
3. Religion Research Project due May 1
4. Asia Map test Monday May 18
1. Digital Map Directions
1. For Asia you will be doing your map digitally so please follow these directions
2. You can also do it physically and take and upload a picture if you want
2. Asia Countries Quiz (Test prep)
3. Asia Physical Features Quiz (Test Prep) (make sure to customize)
4. Australia and Oceania Countries (Test Prep)
5. Australia Physical Features (Test Prep) Make sure to customize!

That's all for the day folks!  I hope that you are all keeping busy and maintaining a good schedule to learn and stay sane.  I miss you all!  We will continue with this topic on Friday.  Take care!

Live long and prosper,

Mr. Marchetti

4-22-2020 PPT

April 20 - Latin America Map Test

Hello ladies and gentlemen,

Welcome to another remote lesson!  I hope that you all were able to enjoy the Spring Break to the best of your ability.  I built a LEGO set!  First time in like 25 years and it was so much fun!  Today we will be taking our Latin America Test.  First time we are doing this remotely, should be interesting!  Latin America should be the easiest of the map tests so I hope that you all have studied and are ready for this.  After you finish the Map test we are moving to the last map for our semester, Asia.  Asia is the largest map so it will take more time to get it done.  I hope that you are all continuing to do well and staying safe during these difficult times.  I miss you all very much.

Objectives:

1. Locate and identify political and physical features of Latin America

Agenda:

1. Latin America Test (Scroll down)
2. Work on Asia Maps

Homework:

1. Current Event #11 due TONIGHT (Event from Latin America)
1. Current Event Mapping Instructions
1. Add CE #11 to the same map you did CE #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10
2. Asia Map test Monday May 18
1. Digital Map Directions
1. For Asia you will be doing your map digitally so please follow these directions
2. You can also do it physically and take and upload a picture if you want
2. Asia Countries Quiz (Test prep)
3. Asia Physical Features Quiz (Test Prep) (make sure to customize)
4. Australia and Oceania Countries (Test Prep)
5. Australia Physical Features (Test Prep) Make sure to customize!

That's all for the day folks!  I hope that you feel good about your test!  Once again I miss you all and hope that we can see each other again before too long.  We are starting our next unit on Wednesday.  Take care and have a great rest of your day!

Live long and prosper,

Mr. Marchetti

4-20-2020 PPT





For fun I built a Lego set over Spring Break!  I haven;t built a Lego in like 25 years.  It took me 3 days and was tons of fun!  Too big now though, I don't know what to do with it lol 😂😂😂

Spring Break Update

Hello ladies and gentlemen,

Week 2 of World Cultures distant learning is in the books. This message is intended to not only keep you up to date on what we've done in class this week, but to inform you what's "on deck" for next week, as well as a clarification on the recent announcement from SJUSD regarding the Grading Policy for this Semester.

THIS WEEK: Monday, April 6th we reviewed Latin & South American maps & current events (just like last Monday). Wednesday, April 8th we started with an exercise regarding Internet Ethics and then kicked off a new assignment where they create a Timeline of historical events for Rwanda & South Africa using the Google Drawing application.  Today, Friday, April 10th was solely dedicated as “work time” allocated to finishing the Timeline assignment from Wednesday. For each class this week I had posted a recorded video of myself giving instruction to the kids. The videos are posted in Google Classroom with the intention of fully explaining all expectations for the work assigned.
NEXT WEEK (April 13th – 17th): Spring Break! Just when we started to get back into the groove of a school schedule we are off for a week. Hooray!

GRADING POLICY: As per direction from SJUSD the grade book has been permanently frozen from March 13th through June 5th. The grades that will appear on the students report cards and transcripts for this Semester will be “Credit” or “No-Credit”. Any student that is receiving a passing grade as of March 13th will receive a “Credit” on their report card. Any student not passing at the March 13th date will receive a “No Credit” on their report card. None of the work that myself (World Cultures), OR ANY OTHER TEACHER in any other class which assigns the students work during the Distant Learning shelter-in-place, will be able to be update that work in the grade book. However, if students have Zeroes in the grade book for assignments prior to March 13th, and are in danger of being near the “No Credit” threshold, then they DO have the opportunity to make-up that work now. Please email me if you have any questions.

Schools may be physically closed, and the grade book may be frozen, but classes are still in session and students are expected to engage in coursework to the best of their ability. Distance Learning means that students are communicating with their teachers, completing and submitting assignments and interacting with teachers to the extent possible. Students who have situations that impact their ability to participate should share that information with myself and their other teachers so that adjustments can be made to their instructional plan when possible. I am dedicated to providing your students with opportunities to continue to learn the curriculum remotely. Additionally, even with all of the “Credit/No-Credit” policy in place I personally am keeping track of each World Cultures student’s work offline and evaluating it so I can track who is doing the work, consistently, and effectively.  That way I can provide feedback and continue to enhance your academic growth. I hope that this new communication release of the Grading Policy does not dissuade your motivation nor ability to continue to work with me with our online distant learning classroom.  Knowing our group of 9th graders as they are I have full faith and expectation that you will continue to engage and excel.

Please email me or message me on Google Classroom if you ever need clarification with what we're doing or what's expected. Thank you for all of your support.

Live long and prosper,

Mr. Marchetti

April 10 - Continue Timeline

Hello ladies and gentlemen,

Welcome to remote learning day 6!  This timeline can be a lot so keep up with your work and let me know if you need any help.  I hope that everything has gone well for you this week.  We have Spring "Break" next week (I think?).  SO continue to do your best to shelter in place, take care of yourselves, and practice self care.

Objectives:

1. Create a timeline that compares Rwanda's and South Africa's post imperialist history
2. Practice using Google Drawing

Agenda:

1. HT #14
2. Continue Africa Comparative Timeline
3. Timeline check in

Homework:

1. African Comparative Timeline due Sunday before 11:59PM
1. Check for updates on a due date change!
2. Current Event #11 due Monday after the break! (Event from Latin America)
1. Current Event Mapping Instructions
1. Add CE #11 to the same map you did CE #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10
3. Latin America Map test Monday April 20
1. Latin America Countries Quiz (Test prep)
2. Latin America Physical Features Quiz (Test Prep) (make sure to customize)
4. Happy Spring Break!

Next week is still "Spring Break" so there will be no new assignments for the week.  If you need any extra help or would like some extra practice let me know!  I will of course always be available to help you!

That's all for the day folks!  Continue to stay safe and take care of yourselves!

Live long and prosper,

Mr. Marchetti

4-10-2020 PPT

April 8 - Introduce African Comparative Timeline

Hello ladies and gentlemen,

Welcome to remote learning day 5!  I hope that you all continue to be working hard and keeping on top of school even in these difficult times.  It can be easy to lose track of time and purpose while stuck at home.  Take the time (every so often) to check in with yourself.  If you need anything make sure to ask.  I think about you all often and hope you are well.

Objectives:

1. Create a timeline that compares Rwanda's and South Africa's post imperialist history
2. Practice using Google Drawing

Agenda:

1. HT #13 - Internet Ethics
2. Introduce Africa Comparative Timeline
3. Google Drawing Tutorial

Homework:

1. African Comparative Timeline due Sunday before 11:59PM
1. Due date is flexible (check back on Friday!)
2. Current Event #11 due Monday after spring break! (Event from Latin America)
1. Current Event Mapping Instructions
1. Add CE #11 to the same map you did CE #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10
3. Latin America Map test Monday April 20
1. Latin America Countries Quiz (Test prep)
2. Latin America Physical Features Quiz (Test Prep) (make sure to customize)

That's all for the day folks!  Continue to wash your hands and keep your stuff as clean as possible!  Take care and have a wonderful rest of your day!

Live long and prosper,

Mr. Marchetti

4-8-2020 PPT

The 16th Man

Hello ladies and gentlemen,

We would have watched this in class but of course we can't do that so if you want to learn about a great sports story that helped reunite South Africa after the World Cup check out this video below!  I miss you all!

Live long and prosper,

Mr. Marchetti

APril 6 - Mapping Monday #8

Hello ladies and gentlemen,

Welcome to our fourth remote lesson!  I hope that everyone is doing well and staying safe.  I hope that you are adjusting to the week and getting into a kind of routine for your school schedule.  Just do your best to stay on top of the work that is being assigned to you all.  This week we just have one larger assignment that we will be working on and I will be introducing on Wednesday.  For now we will stick to our mapping Monday schedule!  I hope that you are ready to do some work!

Objectives:

1. Locate and identify political and physical features of Latin America
2. Research and summarize a current event from Latin America

Agenda:

1. Mapping Monday

Homework:

1. Current Event #10 due TONIGHT (Event from Latin America)
1. Current Event Mapping Instructions
1. Add CE #10 to the same map you did CE #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9
2. Latin America Map test Monday April 20
1. Latin America Countries Quiz (Test prep)
2. Latin America Physical Features Quiz (Test Prep) (make sure to customize)

That's all for the day folks!   Hope that you are all doing well, staying safe, and sheltering in place!  Take care and have a great rest of your day!

Live long and prosper,

Mr. Marchetti

4-6-2020 PPT

Grading update

Hello ladies and gentlemen

I just wanted to touch base about grading policy in this weird and difficult time.  I have spent dozens of hours in meetings, reading emails, attending virtual webinars, and making phone calls simply to be prepared to conduct class this week.  The grade book IS frozen. I repeat, the grade book within Infinite Campus is frozen and will not be updated with any of the work that I have assigned after March 13th. At least not now. 

Remember, things are constantly changing. In the coming days/weeks that policy could change too. I'm not sure how that will shake out. And now that school campuses are closed for the rest of the year the Distant Learning structure will be in place until June 6th. That does not mean that school is canceled. Nor does it mean I'm not evaluating the level or caliber of work you are turning in. I am giving you "Learning Opportunities" on the days that we would normally have a scheduled class.

When I collect those "Learning Opportunities" I will assess how well you have executed that "opportunity". Most everything that we will be doing will be "CREDIT/NO-CREDIT". I am keeping track, offline, with regards to who is doing what/How frequently you are communicating/How timely you are with your responses/Are you simply copying and pasting information or putting in a decent effort/etc... Now is not the time to Check Out of school. I am still waiting for more specific guidance regarding grading.  Since we are closed, there will need to be some form of assessment to finalize your grades for the semester.  Remember that the school year is NOT over, you will still received a transcript record for this semester, therefore the work you are doing matters.  We just do not yet know how it will matter. I will update you all as soon as I know more regarding how grades will be handled for the rest of the semester.

Remember learning is not a passive activity. You must determine what you can get out of it for yourself! Take the pieces that all Teachers give you and apply it to your interests and needs. Look for ways to find your passion to drive your goals.

We are all LIVING THROUGH HISTORY right now. Future generation history books will talk about the nationwide quarantine and the Coronavirus the same way that they did the Spanish Flu of 1918. Let us all work together during these uncertain times in order to grow both as a student and as a person. I'll leave you with this. There was a lyric in a Rush song once that said, "If you choose not to decide, you have still made a choice." Which choice will you make?

Please email me or message me if you have any questions or require any further clarification. I hope everyone has a great weekend.

Live long and prosper,

Mr. Marchetti

April 3 - Ethics and Apartheid Inquiry

Hello ladies and gentlemen,

Welcome to our third distance learning lesson!  Today I would like you all to watch the ethics video, take the personal ethics quiz, and reflect on your own ethical behaviors and decisions.  Afterward I would like you all to continue working on the South Africa Apartheid Inquiry which is due on Sunday!  If you have finished then feel free to work on Current Event #10 due on Monday!  I do miss you all and hope you are coping so far!

Objectives:

1. Reflect on personal ethical behavior and decisions
2. Continue to analyze primary source documents to learn more about South African Apartheid

Agenda:

1. HT #12
1. Ethics Quiz
2. South African Apartheid Document Inquiry due Sunday (Before 11:59PM)

Homework:

1. South African Apartheid Document Inquiry due Sunday (Before 11:59PM)
2. Current Event #10 due Monday (Event from Latin America)
1. Current Event Mapping Instructions
1. Add CE #10 to the same map you did CE #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9
3. Latin America Map test TBD
1. Latin America Countries Quiz (Test prep)
2. Latin America Physical Features Quiz (Test Prep) (make sure to customize)

That's all for the day folks!  I hope that you all continue to take care of yourselves!  Take care and enjoy your weekend!

Live long and prosper,

Mr. Marchetti

3-12/13-2020 PPT

April 1 - Introduce Apartheid in South Africa

Hello ladies and gentlemen,

Welcome to our second distance learning lesson!  I hope that you are all still well and taking care of yourselves!  I miss you very much and wish we could all be back in school.  As things stand I am very thankful that we are practicing safe distancing.  Today you will watch a recorded lecture on South African Apartheid and fill out the Graphic Organizer as you do so.  Afterwards you should begin work on the South African Apartheid Inquiry Assignment which will be due on Sunday.  Hope you all are well!

Objectives:

1. Discuss the history of Apartheid in South Africa
2. Analyze primary source documents to create a narrative of apartheid in South Africa

Agenda:

1. South African Apartheid Notes
2. South African Apartheid Document Inquiry

Homework:

1. South African Apartheid Document Inquiry due Sunday (Before 11:59PM)
2. Current Event #10 due Monday (Event from Latin America)
1. Current Event Mapping Instructions
1. Add CE #10 to the same map you did CE #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9
3. Latin America Map test (TBD)
1. Latin America Countries Quiz (Test prep)
2. Latin America Physical Features Quiz (Test Prep) (make sure to customize)

That's all for the day folks!  I hope that you are doing well and taking care to wash your hands frequently!  Take care and have a great rest of your day!

Live long and prosper,

Mr. Marchetti

4-1-2020 PPT