Comparing Buddhism and Hinduism

We'll be wrapping up our studies on Buddhism within the next couple of days.  ...Come to think of it, that means we'll be completely done with religions for the year.  Wow.  I feel like I just met this class.

We did a Venn Diagram today comparing Buddhism to Hinduism.  If you were absent, I'll post a copy here in a little bit.  I'll also upload a copy to the H-Block Assignments page.

Again, the religions share a lot of similarities, but they are not the same.

Over the winter break, I watched the Scorsese  film, Kundun.  I watched it to see if it would be worth showing in class.  I had never shown it before, but I had briefly taught about the China/Tibet conflict, as it ties into the Indiana standards.  It's a good movie, but we just don't have time for it.

We DID have time for the trailer today, though.

We see a lot of Buddhist thought in the trailer.  We also get a little glimpse of history: finding the Dalai Lama, the China/Tibet conflict.

The last thing we did today was grade the China map practice from yesterday.  Because that map came from Junior Scholastic, I only have copies here in the classroom.  If students want (or need) to make it up, they'll have to get a pass from me and come in during CAP class.

Students in my class can get extra credit from reading and discussing this blog with an adult.  In order to get the extra credit today, watch the Kundun trailer and discuss it.  See if you can identify any Buddhist beliefs from the trailer.  Then, students, find a scrap piece of paper and write a few sentences about your discussion with the adult.  Make sure your name, date, and hour are on the paper.

Turn it in tomorrow.

In the Lead

We're looking at the leaders of Ancient China.  The chancellors met with groups of people in various provinces.  They had to determine who was most fit to rule China.

All three groups won at different times of the day - which was nice, because it is also true of China.

The emperor met with the chancellors, and listened to their advice.  I was impressed with the maturity showed by these leaders.  They asked valid questions and generally took the advice of their chancellors.  There was one case where 3 chancellors voted one way, while 2 voted another way - and the emperor went with the minority.  When he was questioned about this, he said it was because his most trusted chancellor was in the minority.  Great answer, man.  Great answer.

If you want the extra credit for reading and discussing the blog... well... you have to read and discuss it.

Tell the adult you read the blog with about the role you played.  What did you do?  Who did the emperor choose?  Why do you think he choose them?

On a scrap of paper, write down 2 thoughts about this activity.

Have the adult you read the blog with sign the scrap of paper.

See you tomorrow.

Comfort, Fashion, and Our Cultural Customs

We graded the maps today.  I hope to have the grades entered by this afternoon.

After we finished that up, we read an article on the Chinese practice of foot-binding.  It's been estimated that over 1 billion Chinese women had their feet bound, and the practice lasted approximately 1000 years.

There is so much to teach - and foot binding is hardly representative of Chinese culture - but I can use it as an introduction to the dynasties.  Furthermore, I'll incorporate some of the issues and topics we've discussed in here throughout the year: customs, culture, time, ethnocentrism, values, etc...

In case you'd like to read the article, you can find it HERE.  Here's your warning though: I didn't show the most graphic pictures in class.  I don't think I would have been pushing any boundaries by showing them, but I know that some people are more squeamish than others, and I'd like to respect that.

If you want the extra credit for reading and discussing the blog with an adult, discuss foot binding.  What are your thoughts on the practice?  Is it fair to judge their historical culture based on the culture of today?  Be careful when you answer this...  There are some serious implications to whichever stance you take.

When you're done, draw a picture of a foot, and have the adult you discussed the blog with sign the picture.  Make sure your name is on it as well.  Turn it in tomorrow.

Guns, Tut, and Tombs

I try to be up front with you all.  That's part of the reason I keep this blog - so you all know what's going on in my classroom.

So, the Emperor - Qin - unified China.  He conquered the the warring states, and brought them together.  He spied on those he conquered to ensure there would be no rebellions.  He also confiscated all the weapons, melted them down, and turned them into statues or bells.

Many of my more astute students picked up on the significance of this.  We didn't have time to get into a deep discussion about the 2nd amendment, but I broke down the argument as fairly as I could:

One side - The U.S. should put more restrictions on guns.  When it comes to gun-related deaths in the developed world, we are very near the top - if not at the the top.  Mass shootings appear to be increasing.  We want to protect people.  Something needs to be done.

One side - The 2nd amendment was put into place to protect Americans - and it does just that.  Every restriction put into place takes away from the freedom of the people.  Most importantly the right to bare arms is a "bulwark against tyranny."  Qin proves this - even though his "guns" were swords.

At any rate, I thought you should know that the topic came up.  I feel like any time potentially polarizing topics come up, it's good for you to be aware.  Obviously, this discussion begins at home.


Look... the bell just rang, and I need to get some other stuff done.  So if it seems like this transition is rather shoddy, it's probably because it is.

We discussed King Tut's tomb.  Part of the reason they haven't opened Qin's is because they don't want to risk losing what's inside.

We also started a map of China.

At any rate, if you want extra credit, you're supposed to read and discuss the blog with an adult.  If you did this, find a scrap of paper, and write down two thoughts from your conversation.  Have the adult you read with sign the paper.  Turn it in tomorrow.

Also, all the presentations are in the gradebook.  I'll try to get the notes entered today.

The Tomb

Students are continuing to work on their presentations.  We should have them ready to go some time Monday.

The group that is presenting the death and burial of Qin Shi Huang Di asked me an interesting question today.  They said that if archeologists had found all the Terra-cotta warriors, had they found the body of Qin - if so, where is it now?

That was an interesting question.  You can find the answer by reading THIS ARTICLE if you'd like.  It's pretty interesting.

I'm fighting the feeling that we're winding down.  There's still a lot to accomplish this year - this includes the final, which is quickly approaching - but more on that next week.

If you want the extra credit, you should have read and discussed the blog with an adult.  If you did that, tell them the progress you made on your presentation.  Then, write down how you think it's going on a piece of scrap paper.  Have the adult sign the paper.

Thanks for reading.

Qin

We're into Ancient China - and looking at their first Emperor, Qin Shi Huang Di.  (Normally, I just call him Qin.)

Qin was a beast.  Seriously, he led a pretty grandiose life.  (As far as being a beast, he is referred to as "The Tiger of Qin.)  We started studying that life today, and we'll go a little more in depth the rest of the week.

Students will be making presentations based on Qin's unification of China, his standardization of the culture, his burning of Confuscian books, his building of the pretty good Great Wall, and his death and burial.  I'm expecting some great presentations.

It's worth mentioning that I'm calling him China's first Emperor - as many people do.  But someone out there may be reading this and saying, "but he WASN'T China's first Emperor."  True, true.  Kind of true.  We addressed that today as well.

John Hanson agrees with you.  Qin wasn't China's first Emperor.  Yu was.  (Well, Paoxi may take issue with that...)

If you want the extra credit, read and discuss the blog with an adult.  Tell the adult what we did in class today.  Then, click on the three links at the end.  On a scrap of paper, write a sentence explaining why you think I included them in the blog.  Have the adult sign the paper.  Turn it in tomorrow.