Let's Hear From Mr. Wood

Our AP World History teacher, Mr. Wood, should have lot's to say about Central Asia.  Listen closely to learn about this part of the world that's so critical to history and respond to his questions for house points.

Nurse West and Ms. Walker Address Central Asia

Here's another chance to earn more house points as we do more research on Central Asia.
Nurse West and Ms. Walker talk about health concerns and Central Asian theatre.

No Plane Ticket? Open a Book

I believe traveling is important and we all should take advantage any travel opportunities when possible.  But we all can get a taste of other worlds through literature.  In fact, that's one of the ways I like to prepare for my travels by looking up books about where I'm going and/or written by authors from those places.

Mr. Reece agrees with me.  Let's hear what he has to say about international literature.

For House Points:
Mr. Reece makes reference to a very timely book that shows how recent events in Central Asia have affected the lives of young men just like you.  This novel is set in a country on the southern boards of two of the countries I will be visiting.

High School Question:  In what country does this novel take place?

Middle School Question:  Who is the author?

Faculty Question:  What nationality is the author?

Don't forget to include the name of your house in your post.

Let's Talk About It

I've said many times the best part of traveling around the world is meeting new people.  That can also be a bit challenging when you speak different languages.  I will be encountering at least five or six different languages as I travel through the cities and countryside of Central Asia.  Mr. Mitchell stopped by my room to talk about a few of the languages spoken in these countries and he also has a few questions for you to answer for house points.

Languages Most Spoken in Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan , and Uzbekistan.

Tajik (Indo-European through Persian (Farsi))
Kazakh (Turkic)
Russian (Indo-European through Slavic)
Kyrgyz (Turkic)
Turkmen (Turkic)
Uzbek (Turkic)

When viewed from a large enough time frame, languages evolve rather dramatically. Some of these languages have evolved from a single language.

1. Can you find which of these languages are related and what language family they belong to?
2. Which ones are not related to the others?
3. What are two historical events that led the unrelated language or languages to be spoken so much in these places?
4. Which of these languages would you be more likely to likely find words that you recognize (cognates)? Why?
5. What is one cognate from the language you chose from question 4?

House Points and Pre-Adventure Research

Before my Great Adventure begins, we need to do a bit of research.  I've recruited some of the other faculty to help us learn how these and other global topics relate to their subject areas.  Each teacher will give you an opportunity to earn house points if you are the first to correctly answer a question.

Ms. Hudson will be the first and will be talking about the Silk Road.  Watch her video then correctly answer her questions by posting a comment.  Make sure you indicate what house you are in when you post your reply.

High School Question:
When was the Silk Road first used to transport goods across Asian?

Middle School Question:
The Silk Road stretches from what famous sea across Central Asia to China?

You will find the answers to these questions below in Ms. Hudson's video lesson.

Lifelong Friends

Without question, my favorite thing about traveling to other places is making new friends.  Making personal connections with people from such diverse backgrounds makes my life fuller and I now have true friends all around the world.  The sad thing is that I will likely not see most of them again. Thanks to Facebook and other social media, I can still keep in touch.

In the summer of 2012, I made a great friend in Lazis Otayarov (Laz).  This is a picture of us traveling together on Russia's trans-Siberian railway.  Laz is from Uzbekistan and I just learned last night that he will be in Tashkent this summer and we plan to meet for dinner while I'm there.  It's been five years sense our travels through Russian, Mongolia and China and I'm looking forward to our reunion this summer.

Next Stop: Almaty

My airfare has been purchased and my next Great Adventure will begin on July 2nd when I leave Dallas, heading for Almaty, Kazakhstan.  The map above illustrates the journey I will be taking through Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.  These four Central Asian countries, south of Russia, on the west border of China and the northern border of Afghanistan, will give me a great opportunity to explore some of the worlds highest and most beautiful mountain ranges.  Finding my way through these mostly Muslim communities in previous Soviet territories will surely be a unique cultural experience offering new insights and opportunities to challenge my American perspective.

So, I encourage you to join me as I begin my pre-adventure research and continue to follow my blog throughout my travels.  Then, when we all return for the fall semester, we will draw upon our discovers in Central Asia as we enjoy another year of Great Adventure projects and find our place as Global Citizens.