Mrmatera.com

The Dark Ages

16eshuler — Tue, 18 May 2010 16:14:08 +0000

Right now the sixth graders are studying the dark ages. This time is an awful time of the downfall of Rome. When the visigoths attacked Rome, many cultures did too. As a result, Rome was split into many colonies. The sixth graders are watching a movie about it also. They learned that that sicknesses spread all around Europe. In spite of everything awful, the only light situation was Christianity. Christianity kept hope in people. This downfall in pretty much everything in history is definitely the darkest time that they have studied yet. They will learn more coming up! Ethan S.

Other images that Mr. Matera thought would be good for this post:

Medieval Knight

Templar Knight

Rome

16eshuler — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 02:44:55 +0000

Right now, the sixth graders are studying Rome at USM. We just played an exciting game of Antike, where you were a civilization trying to get victory points to win. Overall, Phoenicia won, but Greece came in second. As another part of the project, we had too write seven papers plus a visual. We write one on our civilization, three on leaders, and three on cities. The visual was a map or a timeline. I hope that all of the sixth graders do well on their Antike project!

The unit of Rome

max — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 16:26:19 +0000

Not so long ago, in our galaxy, right here on earth, in the USA, in WI, in the school of USM, a new unit was started in history class. This unit is Rome (a particular favorite of Mr. Matera!). At the start of our unit, we were introduced immediately to our project for the unit, the Antike project. The students were assigned to write one civilization paper, about the empire we were given in the beginning. Also assigned were 6 small papers, 3 about famous leaders, the other 3 on famous locations. And finally a time line or map to create about our big civilization. But how do we find what our cities and leaders are? That is left to a Roman simulation. This simulation was a board game, called Antike. Firstly, the students were to learn the rules (like with many board games), and they only made us more excited to play the game. We were soon to enter a game of constructing an empire, making resources, discovering sciences, building temples, and conquering cities. And it was all right in the Mediterranean. The game started, each of the teams in each class with their own mini-empire to control. The Germanic Tribes, the Carthaginians, the Phoenicians, the Romans, the Greeks, and the Persians. Each game went smoothly, but the real work was after the game was over. We had written down the cities we had, and the leaders we obtained, and were then given our assignment. To write the 6 little papers about these places and people. And that is how the unit of Rome started 0ff.

A New Year a New Unit, Greece

lexie5959 — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 03:41:27 +0000

The 6^th graders are currently studying Greece a peninsula covered with mountains in southern Europe. By 550 B.C. Greece became the greatest traders in the entire Aegean region. All of Greece is within 80 miles of sea, which makes trading easy. Ancient Greece started as to city-states or “pilos”, the Minoans and the Mycenaean’s. The Minoans were rich with wood, olive oil, and pottery but did not speak the Greek language. So The Mycenaean’s became the first official Greeks who also invented the Greek language. Greece like any other country had disasters. After the huge eruption of Mt. Thera the whole island of Crete was wiped out. I’m sure this Greece unit will be a “BLAST”.

6th Graders Are Studying China!

anzie4u — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:55:20 +0000

Ni hao. That means hello in Chinese! Right now, the 6th graders are studying Ancient China. It is a fascinating time, when China was one of the most powerful empires in the entire world. Their empire was huge. They occupied lands around both of China’s major rivers, they turned north and advanced almost to the Gobi Desert! When they went south, they advanced as far as the Xi River. By the time the Qin Dynasty came around in 221 B.C.E., China was even more powerful then before. Shi Huangdi, or the first emperor, created a strong government, being the first to unify China. Shi Huangdi, followed Legalist political beliefs. He had strict laws and harsh punishments for those who wouldn’t follow. The Qin Dynasty also standarized the writing & the measurments in Ancient China, making everyone more unified ecspecially after the Warring States Period.

Building projects also helped unify China, too. Such as the Great Wall. The Great Wall is a famous wall that was used to protect China from invasions. Many of hundres of thousands of chinese people worked on the Great Wall. Many of them died, and were burried in the wall. China’s water system was also improved. Workers built canals to connect the country. They also built an irrigation system, which parts of are still used today.

China was very powerful then, as they are today.

Ancient Egypt and Mr. Matera

mr.-matera — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 15:44:34 +0000

Everyone knows about mummies & pyramids. Rightfully so I say. These are the hallmarks of an ancient civilization that was much more advanced than the rest of the world at that time. As most “tribes” and I do use that term loosely were still hunting and gathering, the Egyptians were engineering and empire. The Egyptians were not only building huge pyramids but they had constructed irrigation canals, multi story houses, massive fortifications that would be unrivaled till the middle ages in Europe. These are the Egyptians I want my students to know about. Masters of construction, conquerors of the Nile Valley, and a powerful empire that lasted for more than three thousand years.

Last week began our Egyptian unit. We had just finished studying ancient Mesopotamia. We learned all about the small city states they had constructed. Then, we turned our attention to the first great empire. The empire of the Egyptians. I told the students that this year we will be studying many empires. Going from one to the next. Studying what made each a success and what failures tore apart such a large and powerful units. The students will have to answer that question. This is not an easy one to come to a conclusion on. I am sure the answer will encompass a great many reasons. Some out of the Egyptians control and others a direct relation to what the people and leaders choose to do. This might not be a question they can come to an answer on right now. It may take them some time to understand and piece together what makes an empire both week and strong at the same time. These are ideas they will have to wrestle with for some time and I hope they do.

Whats Up Mr. Matera

mr.-matera — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 21:32:06 +0000

I thought I would write to tell you what is going on in my class. The year is off to a great start. We have already had back to school night, where I got to meet the parents of my wonderful students. They are a great bunch of kids. I look forward to this year and the projects ahead.

In class, we have started discussing the Stone Age. This is a topic that most students find dry. I try to punch it up a bit and I think I have done a good job so far. Students have told me that they really enjoy History. Who wouldn’t be happy hearing that student are enjoying their course. So far we have not had a test or quiz yet in school. This unit, I will have to test their skills and ask them to prepare for a test or give them a pop quiz. I guess those that read this site will be better off knowing there will be a pop test soon.

So far it has be a great year. I am excited to start working with kids on another passion of mine, board games. I offer a Historical Board Game club in the school year. Students will sign up for a four week (one time a week) course. This does cost a little bit of money. All the money goes to buying more board games for the club to keep it running. The students will learn game theory, sportsmanship, long term and short term planning. It is great. I hope to get some of these new 6th graders involved.

Stay tuned for more.

Mr. Matera

The Joy of Cooking!

mr.-matera — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 18:07:34 +0000

Once again, welcome to mrmatera.com. I would like to tell you about one of my greatest passions in life, cooking! I enjoy all the wonderful tastes and styles that can be obtained through cooking. The benefits of cooking are abundant because after you have created amazing dishes you can then sit down and enjoy a meal. Community is built throughout the history of food. Eating is a celebration of life, community, and a connectedness to the earth. I hope you get a chance to visit the recipe site that Heidi, my wife, and I have added to over the past couple of years. I think it is a joy to cook and an even bigger joy to share in that endeavor with others. Enjoy.

Link to recipes

Welcome to MrMatera.com

mr.-matera — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 18:35:19 +0000

Welcome to the new school year! I am Michael Matera, and I will be your new teacher. If you are reading this you must have found your way to my website. The things you will find here are news, resources, Moodle & much more. Please come here often and continue looking around.

First off is the main page, which will be updated often with news and information. The main page is where I will post class updates and activities to be aware of in the near future. This is great for both students and parents.

For students, there is plenty. Under the student tab you will find things like the resource tab and Moodle. Resources will assist you with links for doing assignments that involve research. The tabs lead you to information that will help you throughout the year. I hope you take opportunities to do extra credit as well. Moodle is an electronic classroom. Here you will receive a password and be able to access many sources of information related to our class including homework and assignments that can be printed off or even completed online.

The rest of the website is for you to discover. I have tried to create a website that meets a variety of individual needs. In the past, students have used it to complete the required assignments, while others have utilized it for the “extra” opportunities to explore a topic or assignment more in depth. Both are great ways to use this site. If you take the risk and choose to get involved in all the “extras,” I think you will be in for one of your best years yet! Have fun exploring!