I am hoping to impart a few last words of wisdom and inspirational thoughts before you complete your very first trimester of your freshmen year at Grand Haven High School ...this is a BIG deal...
To begin with, step back a minute and think about where you've been (Neolithic Revolution and early settlers, classical civilizations, the growth and spread of regional civilizations) and where we are going in Unit 3 (intensified and globalized trade, world trading power shifting to Europe, immense wealth and absolute rule). Unit 3 is shorter and easier academically than the 1st two units. I am hopeful it will be a strong note to end on for many.
Now, I'd like everyone to reflect on their multiple choice experiences thus far in World History and make note of a few simple ideas...
-read each question carefully, don't rush
-watch out for words like "not" or "except" ...they change the meaning of a question completely
-read each answer carefully...many answers sound good, but there is always a best answer. Know why the answer you are choosing is the best and why the others aren't.
-manage your time wisely during the test...go through your test and answer all the questions you are sure of first and leave everything else blank. ...then go through a second time and answer the questions you are pretty sure of... then go through your test a third time and answer the questions that are the most difficult.
-know your geography...your exam will have 20 geography matching questions. If your exam were a pizza with 6 slices, this would be one whole slice of pizza. :)
Next, let's chat briefly about the upcoming essay question. On the day of the essay, I will randomly select one of the following questions...
1. How did Europe become more powerful than Asia?
2. What were the causes and
effects of the new intensified, globalized, trade networks?
3. Compare and contrast the
reactions of different societies to the new “modern” world (i.e. European
expansionism vs. Chinese Isolationism).
Please don't let the task of being ready for each of these essays discourage you. To begin preparing, use the giant graphic organizer and zero in on 3 examples of European encounters in the wider, new modern world. The information, you'll find, in this unit is very interchangeable...that is, you can take the story (and vocabulary from your learning targets) about Europe and Japan, for example, and use it in a paragraph to support a thesis for any one of the essay questions. Check this out...
At first the Japanese welcomed trade with the Europeans. The Spanish found the Japanese to be receptive to Christianity and the Japanese also welcomed the idea of the printing press. The Europeans brought firearms to Japan, which the Tokugawa used to centralize their rule. The Tokugawa became increasingly skeptical of the Europeans when they found out they had taken over the nearby Philippines and had also converted many Japanese who were now loyal to the Pope rather than Japan. The Japanese expelled the Jesuits and isolated themselves for almost 200 years in response.
After reading this paragraph, can you imagine how it could be used as a body paragraph, with a few minor tweaks, for any one of the above essay questions? Can you tell a similar story for India, China, Korea, Indonesia, etc.?
Try it out on your own. Take India, as an example, and write a paragraph that answers the questions...
What were the Europeans doing there?
How did the people there respond?
What was the lasting impact?
Once you have three paragraphs about three different new modern world encounters, think about how they might be used/tweaked to fit each of the above essay questions.
Does this make sense? I know I ramble at times...see me if you have questions. Eat well, sleep well, hang out with the right people and BELIEVE in yourself.
Lastly, write a draft and get it to me sooner than later. I'll give you FEEDBACK!!
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