Extra Credit Mission: Roman Expansion (Due March 25)

A Bonus Mission: 

If looking to gain some extra credit, you could write an extra post about Roman Expansion.

Rome wasn't built in a day. For this mission you get to visit Rome during one of the four periods of expansion (as defined in Chapter 34). Write a post about your experiences.

In your post you might:

• sign a peace treaty and ally with the Etruscans
• fight in a battle during the Punic Wars
• join Spartacus or Caesar in revolt against authority
• plot and debate with your fellow senators about murdering Caesar
• experience the growth of arts and education during the Pax Romana

Specific Post Requirements:

• Must contain the letters "EC" at the start of your post title
• Must contain two pieces of factual information about the period of expansion you've selected
• Must use Writer's Secret 2-3 (AAAWWUBBIS). Be sure to highlight it when used.
• Must use and underline any TWO of the following new delicious words: acquiesce, extol, flabbergasted, mandate, impeccable, or nonchalant.

General Post & Comment Requirements:

You do not have to comment on other posts for this extra mission; the second delicious word will earn you the 2 points normally given for reading and commenting.

M12 - La Dolce Vita (Due A-Mar 11, B-March 18)

This Week's Mission: 

You think life in modern America is great, but you haven't seen anything yet.

At the height of its power the Roman Empire was well known as a center for culture and civilization. Choose one of the 8 aspects of Roman Life covered in Chapter 35 (Recreation, Education, Housing, Food & Drink, Religion, Family life, Law & Order, and Country Life). Then spend some time exploring your chosen aspect.

Your post might include:

• spending a day in a Roman court and describing some of the trials you witness (or being on trial yourself!)
• being a guest in the house of a Roman and talking about the roles and activities each family member performs
• attend a fancy Roman dinner party and describe the food, entertainment, and decorations
• visit the Circus Maximus: describe the stadium and some of the "sports" you watch---or participate in!

Specific Post Requirements:

• Must contain two pieces of factual information about the aspect of Roman life you have selected
• No new writer's secret this week. Instead revisit Writer's Secret 2-1 (FANBOYS). Be sure to highlight it when used.
• Must use and underline the delicious words: invisible or waffle.

General Post & Comment Requirements:

A reminder about the general requirements for each post can be found at the top left of this blog site.

Special Writer's Challenge:

This is a special challenge for those of you who would like a little extra practice in your writing craft. If you choose to do this challenge please add the letters "WC" to your post title. Students who successfully complete this challenge will receive 1 extra credit point.

The challenge: Homonyms are words that sound alike but mean completely different things. These words can be confusing to many writers and, when misused, can really confuse your readers. One of the most common homonyms is: there - their - they're. For this writer's secret you will need to correctly use these three words in your post two times each. When you use them, make them bold and change the font color to help them stand out. Good Luck!

M11 - Revolution! (Due A-Feb 25, B-Mar 4)

This Week's Mission: 

I am very proud, humble yet proud, to welcome you to Rome!


The struggle of Rome's plebeians, the lower-class citizens, caused the empire to become more democratic. Join the plebeian revolution! In this mission you are to join a plebeian rebel group and learn about their struggle for equality.


Your post might include:

• descriptions of how the patricians violated the human rights of the plebeians
• an act of protest where the demands are made clear
• a plebeian describing some of the political rights they gained
• a meeting where the tribunes debate steps to make Rome more democratic

Specific Post Requirements:

• Must contain two pieces of factual information about the role plebeians played in making Rome more democratic
• Must use Writer's Secret 2-4 (interrupters). Be sure to highlight it when used.
• Must use and underline the delicious words: blubber or invisible.

General Post & Comment Requirements:

A reminder about the general requirements for each post can now be found at the top left of this blog.

Special Writer's Challenge:

This is a special challenge for those of you who would like a little extra practice in your writing craft. If you choose to do this challenge please add the letters "WC" to your post title. Students who successfully complete this challenge will receive 1 extra credit point.

The challenge: The starting word, for each of the first 15 sentences, must be in alphabetical order. You obviously won't use all 26 letters, but you may not go backwards. In other words: if the first sentence of your blog starts with the word "Although", the next sentence can start with the letters B-Z. However, if your second sentence starts with the word "During", you can not use the letters B or C to start the next 13 sentences. After you've reached 15 sentences in alphabetical order, you are free to use any letter (but maybe it would be fun to begin working your way back down the alphabet!)

M10 - Photo Safari Time (Due A-Feb 11, B-Feb 18)

This Week's Mission: 

This is your last mission in Ancient Greece. As with Ancient Egypt, I need you to take some pictures of the wonderful things you have seen. 

You will need to post 10-15 images. Each image needs a 2-3 sentence caption. You must use every Writer's Secret (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 2.2, AND 2.3) at least once each. You should also use five different delicious words (LUSH plus any four since we started blogging). If you need an example post look at the previous photo safari on Egypt.

Directions on how to put pictures in your blog (using Firefox):

1-conduct a Google search for the specific image you want, for example: "Parthenon" will get you several pictures of the Parthenon.
2-browse through the thumbnails until you see one you like; click to open it
3-in the "Google Images" preview that opens click on "Full-size image" to the right.
4-right-click on the image and select "Save Image As"
5-make sure you are saving your image to the desktop, give it a title that makes sense to you, and press save.
6-in your "new post" window on blogger click the little picture just to the left of "link." If you hover over it, it will read "Insert Image"
7-in the window that opens make sure "upload" is selected; click "choose file"
8-search for your picture on your desktop, select "Open"
9-wait for the image to be uploaded, when it appears in the window click on it, then click on "add selected."
10-You can change the size of your picture and its alignment by clicking on it and using the toolbar that opens.
11-You will need a caption for each photo. For this mission you should write the captions in your blog. DO NOT use the "add caption" tool found in the picture tool bar.

Specific Post Requirements:

• Must contain 10-15 images with captions that are 2-3 sentences long.
• Must use and highlight  Writer's Secrets 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 2.1, 2.2, AND 2.3
• Must use and underline 5 different delicious word.

General Post & Comment Requirements:

The general post requirements do not pertain to this mission. However, you are still required to read and comment on at least 2 other M10 posts.