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.