Remember Projects for 5th grade due on Wednesday 12/16!

Here is the rubric again for your convenience.

Ancient Hebrews Webquest

Go here http://goo.gl/yrkQHk

6th Grade Test

6th Grade will have their test on the Middle East and Islam on Thursday.  Below is the jeopardy:

Chicken Mummies Pictures!

 We had a great time, thanks to Mrs. Ropp and Mrs. Parker for helping yesterday!

5th Grade Webquest

Here is the url Egyptian Mythology Webquest

Inspection of King Tut’s Tomb Reveals Hints of Hidden Chambers

LUXOR, Egypt—Nearly a century after the rediscovery of King Tut’s tombignited a worldwide craze for Egyptology, new findings could turn out to be almost as stunning.

On Monday, after a group of Egyptian and foreign archaeologists examined the famous tomb, Egypt’s antiquities minister confirmed that they found evidence suggesting the existence of two previously undiscovered rooms. “This indicates that the western and northern walls of Tutankhamun’s tomb could hide two burial chambers,” minister Mamdouh Eldamaty told the Egyptian state press.


“To be honest, I feel numb,” Nicholas Reeves, the archaeologist who first proposed the existence of the hidden rooms, said in his Luxor hotel room, after inspecting the tomb. “This has been part of my life now on a daily basis for more than a year.”

(Read about the mystery of King Tut's death.)

Earlier this year, Reeves published a paper in which he claimed that the tomb of Tutankhamun, an 18th-Dynasty pharaoh who died around 1323 B.C., includes two doorways that were plastered and painted over.

In Reeves’s theory, these doorways are among several clues suggesting that the tomb was originally built for another ruler—Nefertiti, the principal wife of Akhenaten, who is believed to have fathered Tutankhamun with another wife.

Reeves believes that Nefertiti and her grave goods may even lie intact behind the hidden doors, which were never penetrated by ancient robbers or modern archaeologists. But until Monday his theory had not been supported by a physical examination of the tomb itself. (Read more about Reeves's theory.)

“First of all, we saw that on the ceiling itself there’s a distinct line,” Reeves said, after returning from visiting the tomb with Egyptian archaeologists and officials. He explained that in the room that contains Tutankhamun’s sarcophagus, the line on the ceiling perfectly matches the section of wall that appears to have been plastered over. “It suggests that the room was indeed a corridor,” he said.

The archaeologists also noticed a marked contrast in the materials that cover different parts of the same wall. “What my Egyptian colleagues discovered is that there is a distinct difference in the surface of the surrounding wall and the central part that would be covering the door,” Reeves said. “The surrounding wall is a softer plastering. At the point where I suspect there’s a doorway, it’s quite gritty.”

This gritty material matches fragments that originally covered another blocked door opened by Howard Carter in 1922. Carter, who excavated with a meticulousness that was highly unusual for his era, collected the gritty material, and it’s still stored in a side room of the tomb, where Reeves and the others were able to examine it.

While Carter was obsessively thorough—he spent nearly a full decade excavating and documenting the tomb—he couldn’t have imagined the kind of tools that are available to today’s archaeologists. Reeves first began developing his theory after studying laser scans of the tomb made by Factum Arte, a high-tech team of conservators and artists who built a precise replica of the tomb in Luxor.

As part of that project, which was completed earlier this year, Factum Arte posted all of its data online, including a series of scans that show the tomb’s walls in unprecedented detail. These scans reveal clear, straight lines that lie beneath the surface of the paint and plaster, suggesting the outlines of two doorways.

The material has been available to anybody with even a casual interest in Egyptology— but probably nobody has studied it as closely as Reeves. Over the years, he’s gained a reputation as a scholar who makes breakthroughs by re-examining material that is publicly available.

“He’s always been a very clever and creative guy in the sense that he looks at stuff in ways that a lot of people wouldn’t,” Donald P. Ryan, an archaeologist at Pacific Lutheran University, who has excavated for years in the Valley of the Kings, said in a telephone interview.

Tut’s Treasures—Fit for a Queen?

Ryan referred to one project that began when Reeves visited the Egyptian Museum in Cairo and simply stared hard at one of the most famous artifacts on Earth— Tutankhamun’s golden funerary mask. Over time, Reeves began noticing details that suggest that parts of the mask may have been repurposed from the burial goods of another ruler. “Reeves made a brilliant argument that the face mask of Tutankhamun was originally made for a woman,” Ryan said.



“For the last few years, I’ve been looking at the objects,” Reeves said, referring to the treasures found in Tutankhamun’s tomb. “I came to the conclusion that an estimated 80 percent of the burial equipment had been made for somebody else, for a woman.” Reeves believes that this woman was Nefertiti, and that she ruled as pharaoh under the name Smenkhkare—a mysterious figure who has been the subject of much debate among Egyptologists.


Reeves acknowledges that many other archaeologists have vastly different views of the 18th Dynasty and its rulers. This is one of the most fascinating periods in ancient Egyptian history, but it’s also one of the most controversial, and it has always attracted extreme views and theories. Even Reeves admits that he has entered his recent work with great trepidation.





“I was nervous about this because it looks as if there’s something here, but let’s face it—it’s ridiculous!” he said, laughing. “Carter was a fabulous archaeologist. He was suspicious. He was thorough. He wasn’t going to miss a trick. But again, there are developments in technology that weren’t available to him.”


The next step, Reeves hopes, is to conduct a further examination with radar equipment and thermal imaging, both of which could reveal more clues as to what lies behind the possible doorways. He anticipates that this may be done in late November, depending on Egyptian authorities, who thus far have been highly supportive of Reeves’s work. And the Antiquities Ministry will decide what to do if there is further evidence of hidden rooms. This would represent the biggest challenge of the project, because one of the proposed doorways is covered by a priceless wall painting.


“That’s when decisions are made at the highest levels in the ministry,” Reeves said. He mentioned that it may be possible to make a small hole and introduce a fiberoptic camera, to see what lies inside, and elsewhere in the world Japanese conservators have been successful in removing wall paintings intact. Or there may be some other method that allows scholars to access the hidden rooms. “I know that in theory one can do this,” he said. “I think if there’s a will, there will be a way.”


When asked if another mummy and intact grave goods might wait behind the doorway with the painted scene, Reeves said that this would match his theory. In addition to the material evidence of the wall and the grave goods, he believes that the scene in the tomb originally featured Nefertiti, with the figures altered to portray Tutankhamun instead.


“I think that that blocking, that part with the painting, has not been disturbed,” Reeves said. “Whatever is behind it is the burial of the person shown. And that person looks to be Nefertiti.”


By Peter Hessler, National Geographic


PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 28, 2015 Original Article found from National Geographic.

New Songs, videos upcoming

Golden Age

D G D G Bm A G D Bm A G
In the Arabian Peninsula
Miles and miles of sand
To survive the heat, nomads they be
Wearing long loose clothes

There was a man named Muhammad
He preached Islam
He said share the wealth, take those idols down
Worship only one God.

It’s a Golden Age
Art, Education, and Trade
It’s a Golden Age
Spreading their new faith by
Missionaries, Conquests, and Trade

Islam has five pillars
Shadhadah, the belief in one God
Salat, Pray 5 times a day Zakat is charity
Siyam, fast during Rammadan

The Fifth pillar is the Hajj
A trip to Mecca
Quron the holy book Sharari’ah Islamic law
Mosques are where Muslims worship

Bm G D Em A
It’s a Golden Age
Art, Education, and Trade
It’s a Golden Age
Spreading their new faith by
Missionaries, Conquests, and Trade

Em Bm D A
After Muhummad Died, Islam survived
Led by the Caliphs, but unity did not last
New Groups ruled the lands, Sunni said Umayyads can
But Shia only followed the blood of Ali

It’s a Golden Age
Art, Education, and Trade
It’s a Golden Age
Spreading their new faith by
Missionaries, Conquests, and Trade


Lifeblood of Egypt

Am Dm
In between the rolling sands
Em Am
Lies a fertile land
Protected on every side
The Nile River provides

C
Lifeblood of Egypt,
Dm
Flowing North
Em
South Cataracts,
Am Em Am
None shall pass

Lifeblood of Egypt
flood’s bring silt
The Nile Delta
a Bread Basket

The Ancient land of Pharoahs
Ruled as gods and generals
In pyramid they lay
Em Am Em Am
So their Ka would have a place to stay

Removed the organs Dry pharoah out
Embalming for the after life
Pyramids looted, treasure so great
Now mummies hide in the Valley of Kings

To the south a land of gold
Nubia with whom they trade
Egypt bullied Kush so
the differences you can not see

Lifeblood of Egypt
Gift of the Nile
Kushites sailed north
With iron weapons

Kushites in Charge
the Black Pharaohs rule
Tried to bring back the
Egypt of Old

Hieroglyphics they write
meanings mystery to the mind
Rosetta stone makes clear
After study of many years

Lifeblood of Egypt
On time floods
Gift of the Nile
The land of Pharoahs

Song Videos Video

Before 14 - 5 - 3

Stone Age Rock

When A Tigris on Top!

5th Grade Rise of Civilizations Test

5th Graders will test out of the Rise of Civilizations Unit on Friday 9/25.

Here is the study guide.

Jeopardy

5th Grade Quiz and 6th Grade Test!

Hello, on Thursaday 9/17 both grades will have an assessment.  5th grade will have their Sumer quiz while 6th grade will have their test on the Byzantine Empire and the Rise of Christianity.  

Here is the 6th Grade Study Guide.

Here is the Jeopardy:

Before 14 -5 -3 words

g/a/b C 4 - 7 - 6 West Roman Empire It Fell c/b/a G because - of - these things Bad rulers Inflated cash g/a/b/ C g/c And Barbarians attacked But in the East Rome lived on But we Call them Byzantine They lived in cities They had the cash A thousand years, they’d last c/d/e F Their capital f/e/d C Constantinople c/b/a G They had the trade g/a/b C They had the walls Eastern Orthodox No Pope, no loss Icons they smashed g/a/b/ C g/c But then in 10 5-4

The Great Schism They excommunicated each other - church is not one Catholic West Orthodox East And then there's Justinian He was hated Nika revolt But then he made his code Removed bad laws gave rights to girls Reformed the laws Then he married Theodora Out from the poor He changed the law She told him to stay No run away Fix the city, better than before 14 -5 -3 The end we see Cannons shot down the walls Ottoman bombards Then a great big charge And now it's Istanbul!

Stone Age Rock

Stone Age Rock

Em G D A Paleolithic Old Stone Age Neolithic New Stone Age Paleolithic Old Stone Age Neolithic New Stone Age Hunting, Gathering Living in Caves That’s the Paleolithic way Moving around every day Nomads are the Paleo way. Em Stone, wood, bone That’s all we use UGH Stone, wood, bone That’s all we use UGH Em G D A Paleolithic Old Stone Age Neolithic New Stone Age Paleolithic Old Stone Age Neolithic New Stone Age

Agriculture, growing our food Domestication also new Permanent Shelters and Specialized jobs Living Neolithic now Em Stone, wood, bone That’s all we use UGH Stone, wood, bone That’s all we use UGH Em Stone, wood, bone Paleolithic Age UGH Stone, wood, bone Neolithic Age UGH Paleolithic Old Stone Age Neolithic New Stone Age Paleolithic Old Stone Age Neolithic New Stone Age Ugh

Welcome!

Well I am so excited for the start of this year; it is going to be a great one!  It was a pleasure to meet some of you for the first time on Thursday and a joy to see some faces I already know.  I have attached our homeroom's schedule to this email for your convenience.  Feel free to visit my website to see a few things we will be doing this year and to fill out the parent contact sheet if you did not do it on Thursday.  See you all on Monday!

Click HERE to fill out the contact sheet!

Click HERE for our schedule!

Mongolian shipwreck from Kublai Khan's 13th century invasion of Japan discovered by archaeologists

A shipwreck from a failed Mongolian invasion of Japan in the 13th century has been discovered by archaeologists working at the underwater Takashima Kozaki site.

Researchers from the University of the Ryukyus and the Matsuura city board of education said it was the second shipwreck from the invasion ordered by Kublai Khan. Three other potential wrecks have also been found but are yet to be confirmed, archaeology professor Yoshifumi Ikeda told the Asahi Shimbun.

The first Mongolian warship wreck was found in 2011. Both ships date to invasions that took place in in 1274 and 1281, when fleets of over 4,000 ships were sent by the emperor of the Yuan Dynasty to conquer Japan. On both occasions, the armadas were destroyed by typhoons – called kamikazes – which saved the country from invasion.

The latest shipwreck was identified by its structure and ceramic artefacts found nearby. The remaining wreck measured 12m long and 3m wide, but researchers estimate it would have been around 20m from bow to stern and up to 7m wide.

"We have successfully confirmed the two ships from the Mongolian invasion, and further research on them is expected to lead to the discovery of even more sunken Mongolian ships," Ikeda said.

It was found around a 1.7km from the first confirmed wreck, around 200m off the southern coast of Takashima island. Experts believe those on board had been trying to take shelter from the storm in the bay where it was found when it sank.

Atsuyuki Nakata, the head of the cultural properties division of the Matsuura city board of education, told The Telegraph they expect to learn a great deal from the wrecks: "One thing that we hope to learn from the wreck is the kind of materials that were used by the Mongolians 730 years ago, as well as the techniques used in the construction of the ship.


From http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/mongolian-shipwreck-kublai-khans-13th-century-invasion-japan-discovered-by-archaeologists-1509319

Happy Summer!

As I reflect on my year here at FCCS I can only think of happy and fun memories with your students.  Thank you for sharing them with me this year.  My heart is fuller and richer from all of the interactions this year.  I appreciate your student's hard work, happy smiles, and of course your all's commitment to them receiving an excellent education.  I hope you all have a happy, safe, and enlightening summer.  I already miss the kiddos.  For those returning to me next year, I am so excited to have another year with them.  I work on improving myself / my knowledge / my teaching so, they'll be in for an even better round 2 with Mr. K.  For those moving on to 7th, I am proud of the two years they spent with me; hopefully that is worth a few bonus high fives in the hall ways.  Lastly, for those departing FCCS, I will miss you all dearly.  I wish there is something I could do in my power to make it work for you all, but I still thank you for all you have contributed to the community during your stay here.

Of course, I'd love to solicit any constructive feedback in order to improve my communication and instruction.

Thank you again, for a wonderful year shared with the kiddos.  I am one of the luckiest people in the world with a job that gives me so much back.  Have a great summer.

Great turn out for the awards ceremony!

I am so proud of the amazing students we have here at FCCS!  Thank you for all your support this year.

Jeopardy

Rome


Europe

Commemorating 800th anniversary of Magna Carta

Britain is commemorating one of the most important political documents in human history. England's King John signed the Magna Carta 800 years ago. It's considered the foundation of modern democracy and a crucial influence on America's Founding Fathers, reports CBS News correspondent Charlie D'Agata.

The Magna Carta is more relevant now than ever, and formed the basis of our own Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The queen, husband Prince Philip and Prince William were among the royal family members to make the journey to a place called Runnymede, a meadow west of London, where the historic document was signed.

The ceremony unveiled new artwork symbolizing one of Magna Carta's most important clauses: 12 bronze chairs facing each other to signify the right to a trial by jury.

A replica of the document on board the Royal Barge made its way down the River Thames to the site over the weekend, leading a flotilla 200 boats.

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond called it Britain's first export of intellectual property.

"It inspired the Founding Fathers of the United States. To this day, the image of Magna Carta is emblazoned on the great doors of the Supreme Court of the United States," he said.

Four copies of the document survive, two of them held in the British Library. Earlier this year, Prince Charles visited the National Archives in Washington D.C. where a later version is on display.

Hastily scribbled on a single page of parchment, Magna Carta, meaning "great charter" in Latin, was signed by King John by force in order to subdue angry and powerful barons who were sick of getting kicked around by the treacherous and unpopular monarch.

Monday's ceremony may be making up for lost time. Magna Carta has taken on far more significance in the United States than in Britain. It was, after all, the American Bar Association that dedicated the first monument in the field in Runnymede, not the English.

The original was hardly a rallying cry for the common man, though. In fact, it explicitly discriminated against peasants and women. But later, more enlightened versions helped underpin the American legal system, specifically that "no person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of the law."

Field Day!

Wow, today was so much fun.  Thank you to everyone who helped out!

Wow, amazing projects!

I must say the projects that have been turned in these past two days have been fantastic!

5th Grade Splatter Painting

Ms. Beverage doing splatter painting with the kiddos!  Looks like fun.

Society for Creative Anachronism comes to FCCS

We were blessed to have the Society for Creative Anachronism come to our school today to present for the 2nd and 6th grade.  The kids had a great time.  Thanks to the SCA for coming.  You can learn more about them at SCA.org.

Walters Art Gallery Photos