Fire Drill

 Today in class we had a fire drill basically as soon as class started. Once we got back, we got into our groups and brainstormed more on our projects. Mr. Schick asked everyone who was in their groups and what they were doing for their projects. Even though we did not start building, it was nice to start putting ideas together.

Absent

Today I was not in class because I was not in school.

Facts

Coliseum

• Titus opened the coliseum 
• It was officially known as the Flavian Amphitheater
• Was the largest amphitheater in the Roman world
• Inside, contained seating for more than 50,000 spectators
• Has over 80 entrances 
• The last gladiatorial fights took place in 435 AD
• Festivals/games could last up to 100 days in the coliseum
• Took 9 years to build 
• Built in 72 AD

Circus Maximus

• Was a chariot racetrack first constructed in the 6th century BCE
• Located in the valley between the Palatine and Aventine hills
• Oldest and largest public space in Rome 
• The track was originally covered in sand
• Also used for other public events such as the Roman Games and gladiator fights
• Principal function was as a chariot racetrack and host of the Roman Games which honored Jupiter. 
• The track had 12 starting gates and a decorated barrier that ran down the center of the track

Roman Forum

• The Roman Forum was an open space in the center of a Roman City (open place or market place)
• Forums might be surrounded by temples, shops, and basilicas.
• The Roman Senate was housed in a building inside the Roman Forum 
• Imperial Fora: group of forums built by emperors 
• Forum was originally a market place but was also used for funerals and festivals
• The Roman Forum was built by Romulus 

Aqueducts

• The Roman Aqueducts were used for indoor sewer systems that carried water away from the city
• They obviously also provided drinking water 
• Built of stone, brick and pozzuolana (special volcanic cement)
• Of the approx. 260 mi. of the aqueduct system, only 30 miles consisted of visible arched structures
• First aqueduct was built in 312 BC
• Water in aqueducts ran through concrete channels
• Advanced Roman plumbing 
• Also brought water to public fountains
• Took 500 years to build Rome's massive system 

Rome Projects

Today in class Mr. Schick posted project ideas to his blog and we all began thinking about our projects. We got into our groups and discussed ideas, my group basically already knows what we are doing and what materials we are going to use. My group is hopefully going to end up doing something different from everyone else. Mr. Schick will put a rubric on his blog soon. We have 3 weeks to get our projects done which seems like a good amount of time so I'm excited to see how everything will turn out.

Chi Cago

Today we started off by reviewing the notes we had had a special guest appearance from the very own, Chi Cago. Mr. Schick rapped livin in Rome today which he wrote and recorded himself. I wish I wouldn't have known about it before hand because it would've been funnier but it was still awesome. Mr. Schick definitely knows how to make class more fun and is definitely the coolest and best teacher!

Leaving School Early

Today I was not in class because I had to leave early at 1:45 for a softball game at Spalding.

Salve, Rome!

Today we started class out by getting our papers back and talking about corrections. We went over writing skills too. Then, we started going over the Rome PowerPoint. We talked about Indo-European tribes, the Etruscan people from the east, Romans, plebeians, patricians and others. We talked about their  government, values of gods, and their settlements. Today gave me more ideas on what I could do for my Rome project and hopefully the more we learn, I'll think of even more ideas.

Rome Projects

Today we started brain storming about our projects for Ancient Rome. Next week we will start learning about Rome so it will be easier to pick something to do a project on. Mr. Schick told us that it is best to do something like a sculpture/structure instead of PowerPoint or paper. I'm actually excited to start these projects, even though it will be tough, we will be able to use some creativity. Project based learning is cool so it should be fun.

Perspective

Today in class we finished watching the video. I think a lot of people were sort of confused when we were done watching it because we didn't understand what to get out of it. So then Mr. Schick asked us our opinions on gay marriage to help explain the idea. It took a while, but we shared our opinions which led to the point of the video. Basically everything we know is from what we are taught. The entire point is to question what we hear. This way, you form your own opinions and do not base yours off of what your parents, teachers, or friends think. Maybe sometimes we think one way because that's all we know, but once we know something different, we begin to start thinking that way. It's important to question other's on why they believe what they believe because that way we can know why they think that and we can form our own opinions. To examine life is to live life.

Mr. Schick's Life

Today in class we talked about Mr. Schick's old job as a movie director. For some reason, everybody had a hard time believing him when he first started talking about it. I had obviously known he was telling the truth because he told me last semester. He showed us his profile on the IMDB website and talked about the movies he was in. He told a few really cool stories about the actors he knew and the sets that he worked on. It's pretty awesome to have a job like that, being able to meet lots of celebrities. Then, in the last five minutes of class, we started a video. We will finish and discuss it tomorrow.

Absent

Today was the first day back from break but I was not in class because I had a doctors appointment. 

Welcome back Mr. Schick!

Mr. Schick is back!!!  As soon as we walked in, Mr. Schick handed us the classical Greece test, as promised. I think I did ok on it but not as good as I could've. We also handed in our 1,000 word group essay. Today is our last day of school because of spring break. We obviously do not have to blog over break so this is my last blog until we come back.