Jerusalem is holy to Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

As we start our week studying the history of Christianity, you are going to connect many pieces of information from Judaism's history to the birth of Christianity.  For example, Judaism believes in a Messiah but that He has not yet come.  Christianity believes the Messiah is Jesus, and some Jews who converted to Christianity during Roman rule believed Jesus was both the Jewish and Christian Messiah.

Check out this more modern image (Bethlehem Well, 1920-33), which looks like a traditional manger scene.

http://www.lifeintheholyland.com/

Western Wall of The Temple = Wailing Wall

Do you remember when we discussed King Solomon?  He is best known for ordering the construction of The Temple in Jerusalem.  From years of attacks, only the Western Wall of the original structure remains today.  The location of greatest spiritual significance for Jews, it is also known as the Wailing Wall.  Jews visit the Wailing Wall to give their prayers in the hope they will be answered by God.  Visiting it three times daily (morning, noon and night) is common still today.  Check it out here:

http://www.lifeintheholyland.com/wailing_wall_1960s.htm

Middle East Map Practice

Go to this website and practice your Middle East map.  You can explore geography all over the world through this site!

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/Middle-east_Geography.htm

The Murder of King Tut: The Plot to Kill a Child King--A Nonfiction Thriller

Author James Patterson has a hit with this new thriller!  It debuted at the end of September and has gotten many rave reviews.  Several of the reviews specifically address the value of this book for classroom reading and lessons.  If you are a Patterson fan, you cannot miss this one.  Mine arrives from Amazon this week!  Read it and let me know what you think.

NOTE:  There is some language that all parents may not like their child to read.  Parents, please review it first.

http://www.amazon.com/Murder-King-Tut-Nonfiction-Thriller/dp/0316034045/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256744975&sr=8-1

Pete's PowerPoint Website

This website is a fantastic review tool for students.  Look under the topic "Ancient History."  There are PowerPoints for every unit we go through this year!  Use it to review for quizzes and tests, get ideas for imagery and as a resource for projects.

http://www.pppst.com/