American Government 2/26/10

In Class - Turn in article summary, "Failing Our Schools." Complete watching 2 Million Minutes. Discuss the implications of the world's educational systems.

Homework - QOW due by 11:59 tonight!

World History 2/26/10

In Class - Continue discussion with totalitarian regimes prior to World War II. Turn in homework (Chapter 13, Section 3 Quiz/Primary Source/Video Questions and Answers with summary). Hand out chart. When watching the video clips, look for specific examples of how totalitarian regimes influence and control. Write down those specific examples.

Homework - None.

IF YOU ARE DOING THE EXTRA CREDIT (CINDERELLA MAN), HERE ARE SOME SOURCES TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR ESSAY.
http://americanhistory.about.com/od/greatdepression/tp/greatdepression.htm
http://www.montereyinstitute.org/courses/US%20History%20II/course%20files/multimedia/lesson59/lessonp.html
http://www.montereyinstitute.org/courses/US%20History%20II/course%20files/multimedia/lesson60/lessonp.html

If you have any questions about your essay, please see me either during tutorials, or before school during tutoring.

American Government 2/25/10

In Class - Continue topic of education reform. Begin watching video "2 Million Minutes." Discusses the educational paths of six teenagers from three different countries: The United States, India, and China. Hand out article "Failing Our Schools."

Homework - Read and summarize article for tomorrow. Also, QOW due tomorrow by 11:59. This is worth 50 points.

Websites to check out:
http://www.2mminutes.com/ - official website of the documentary we are watching in class.
http://members1.indianmathonline.com/imo/ThirdWorldChallengeAction.do?action=Home - Think you have what it takes to measure up with some of the brightest in the world? Try a few of these quizzes and find out!

Articles to check out:
http://www.2mminutes.com/news/pdfs/The%20Forgotten%20Man%20Blog%2012_10_09.pdf

World History 2/25/10

In Class - Turn in homework: article summary - "What Obama Can Learn From FDR." Short video - Mussolini: Men of Our Time. Watch video and complete the handout that coincides with the video. Discuss answers. Summarize video.

Homework - Read Chapter 13, Section 3. Complete section quiz and primary source. Due tomorrow at the beginning of class.

American Government 2/24/10

In Class - Short video clip: 88 Teachers Fired in Central Falls, Rhode Island. Discuss the implications of education reform and how this will affect future reforms. In groups, discuss QOW. Share your thoughts and insights with your group members. Tentative group discussion date is Tuesday, March 2. This is subject to change, but be prepared to discuss this issue.

Homework - Question of the Week due by Friday, February 26 by 11:59 pm.

Articles to check out: Check out all of the comments posted from this article. Interesting view points.
http://www.wpri.com/dpp/news/central-falls-high-school-teachers-to-receive-pink-slips

Videos from CNN: "Bad Grades, Fire the Teachers?" "Unlikely Victory for Teachers" "Fire Every Teacher?"
http://www.cnn.com/video/

World History 2/24/10

In Class - Class notes: Rise of Totalitarianism and Its Role in the 20th Century. Hand out article "What Obama Can Learn From FDR."

Homework - Summarize article for tomorrow.

American Government 2/23/10

In Class - Obama's Back to School speech (2nd Period). Discuss implications of speech and controversy. Continue to discuss education reform. Discuss teaching scenario in Rhode Island where 74 teachers will be fired.

Homework - Question of the Week due by Friday.

Articles to Check Out:
http://www.projo.com/news/content/central_falls_teachers_02-10-10_INHDDCD_v28.3b40f6e.html
http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2010/02/22/evening-buzz-fire-teachers-for-failing-school/

World History 2/23/10

In Class - Short quiz over Chapter 13, Section 2. Discuss answers to quiz. Use this time to take any additional notes over this section.

Homework - None

EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY - SHOW UP AT 6:30 TOMORROW MORNING.

American Government 2/22/10

In Class - Take out your current events that you found last week while in the library concerning education reform. For the first fifteen minutes of class, read your articles. Highlight or underline any key points or important information. Next, I want you to make a list of five questions you have concerning education reform in this country. Get into your groups, and I want you to discuss your questions and articles. When you are done, each person needs to write a summary of what the group discussed including any relevant or important information. Turn this in before you leave.

Homework - None. QOW due on Friday by 11:59 pm.

Articles to check out for the QOW:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704804204575069502242529826.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
http://articles.latimes.com/2010/feb/17/local/la-me-schools-race17-2010feb17
http://www.times-standard.com/othervoices/ci_14424958

Do some research using the articles above and on your own (check my blog throughout the week). Using concrete and sound arguments from the articles above and from articles throughout the week, respond to the following question: In terms of education reform, should teachers be evaluated more frequently and should student test scores and grades be linked to teacher evaluations? Why or why not? Be sure you include evidence from the articles and other sources to convey your thoughts and opinions. Be honest, and don't hold back your opinions. I want to know what you think.

All responses must include citations and a works cited page (MLA format). Just listing the website of the article will not due. In fact, you no longer need the website to cite your sources. No citations, no works cited, no credit!

World History 2/22/10

In Class - Read Chapter 13, Section 2. While you are reading, answer the standard check questions from the section (5) including the section focus question. This is due before you leave. Be sure to write the question and answer in complete sentences.

Homework - Quiz tomorrow over Chapter 13, Section 2.

American Government 2/19/10

In Class - 2nd Period: Library Research - current events on education reform. 4th Period: President Obama's speech on education (in case you missed it, see the link below).

Homework - Bring your 3-4 articles from the library on Monday for class.

Articles to check out concerning education reform:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/19/AR2010021901366.html
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Education/2010/0201/Education-reform-Obama-budget-reboots-No-Child-Left-Behind
http://www.eschoolnews.com/2010/02/17/are-unions-blocking-school-reform/

President Obama's Back To School speech:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/video/President-Obamas-Message-for-Americas-Students

World History 2/19/10

In Class - Hand back papers. Finish (if you haven't done so already) the 3/4 page essay concerning the Russian Revolution and its comparison/contrast to "Animal Farm."

Homework - Enjoy your weekend.

American Government 2/18/10

In Class - 2nd Period: Continue to discuss education reform. 4th Period: Library research on current events on education reform.

Homework - Bring these articles to class for tomorrow.

World History 2/18/10

In Class - Career Survey and High School Plans. Meet in the Performing Arts Building where the counselors will give you the results of your career intersts survey.

Homework - 3/4 page essay comparing/contrasting "Animal Farm" to the Russian Revolution. Due tomorrow by 3:30 pm.

American Government 2/17/10

In Class - Discuss education reform. Class discussion. If money were not an option, and you had all of the decision making power, what changes would you like to see in your education (9-12)? Write your thoughts and opinions. Would you have more access to technology? How would classes be arranged? Tell me what you think. Turn this writing in before you leave.

Homework - None.

http://talent.kaplan.edu/ - Kaplan commercial we watched today.

Articles to check out on education reform:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/education
http://www.ed.gov/
http://www.northjersey.com/news/national/washington/83319252_Obama_plans_No_Child_Left_Behind_overhaul.html
http://www.mercurynews.com/opinion/ci_14328820?nclick_check=1
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/05/opinion/05fri1.html
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/State_of_the_Union/obama-overhaul-no-child-left-behind/story?id=9725517

World History 2/17/10

In Class - Finish "Animal Farm." Discuss answers to video handout. For Friday, complete the essay portion at the bottom of the handout. Use Chapter 11, Section 5 and Chapter 7, Section 5 for reference. Must be at least 3/4 of a page. Introduction to the 1920's (Chapter 13, Section 1).

Homework - Compare/Contrast Essay of "Animal Farm" and the Russian Revolution is due on Friday.

American Government 2/16/10

In Class - Everest College Presentation (interview and application skills): Carrie Harper.

Homework - Question of the Week due Friday by 11:59 on Friday, February 19.

No QOW for this week.

World History 2/16/10

In Class - Continue "Animal Farm" discussing the Russian Revolution. Complete handout: character matching and questions/answers.

Homework - Read Chapter 13, Section 1. Quiz tomorrow over this section.

American Government 2/5/10

In Class - Class discussion regarding your surveys. Before you leave, each group will get a folder and turn in the following to this folder: 100 surveys and your written analysis. Also, each group member will fill grade your other group members on their involvement for this project. Be honest. If you feel that someone didn't do their part, please let me know. This is to be turned into the top tray before you leave class.

Homework - QOW due by 11:59 tonight.

World History 2/5/10

In Class - Mental Health Day! Enjoy your break!

American Government 2/4/10

In Class - Continue to work in groups. For your written analysis, you might consider (but don't have to) answer these questions: What did you learn? What survey responses did you find interesting? humorous? shocking? Did any of your subgroups answer questions in specific ways? Do these subgroups influence public opinion on any of your questions? Why or why not?

Your group analysis (a minimum of one page if you want a C) is due tomorrow along with all of your surveys (100).

Homework - Written analysis and QOW due by 11:59 tomorrow evening.

World History 2/4/10

In Class - If you didn't turn in the classwork from yesterday (Chapter 7, Section 5; Chapter 11, Section 5 Quizzes and Primary Source - "Bloody Sunday"), then this needs to be turned in at the beginning of class. Briefly discuss the Russian Revolutions of 1905 and 1917. Start viewing "Animal Farm" based on George Orwell's novel. Answer questions from handout.

Homework - None.

American Government 2/3/10

In Class - Continue group survey analysis. Create your subgroups and then analyze the responses. By Friday, each group will need to have a complete, written analysis of the surveys (a minimum of one page). You will present your findings to the class.

Homework - Group analysis, written work due Friday. QOW (see posting from 2/1) is due Friday as well.

World History 2/3/10

In Class - Read Chapter 7, Section 5 and Chapter 11, Section 5 covering the Russian Revolutions. Complete the handout (section quizzes) and primary source concerning "Bloody Sunday." This is due before you leave.

Homework - If you did not complete the primary source in class, then it is due first thing tomorrow at the beginning of class.

American Government 2/2/10

In Class - Survey analysis. In your groups, create sub-groups based on the different responses given. We will continue to work on this in class tomorrow.

Homework - Finish gathering 100 surveys (if you haven't done so already). QOW due by Friday, February 5.

World History 2/2/10

In Class - Extra credit from President Obama's State of the Union Address due today. Mental Health Day.

Homework - None.

American Government 2/1/10

In Class - Watch video clip: President Obama at the Republican Retreat - Baltimore, MD. Invited guest President Obama takes questions from the Republicans in a town hall format.

Homework - 100 survey responses due tomorrow. Bring these to class completed.

Video Link:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/29/transcript-of-president-o_n_442423.html -full video and transcript of President Obama's Republican Retreat Q/A.

Articles to check out:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/02/01/budget.congress/index.html?hpt=T2
http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/02/01/chaffetz.obama.bipartisanship/index.html?iref=allsearch
http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/01/27/obama.sotu/index.html?iref=allsearch
http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/01/28/obama.post.sotu/index.html?iref=allsearch
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/politics/2009/09/09/obama.health.care.now.cnn?iref=allsearch

QOW - Using the videos from above and the articles to respond to this week's QOW.

In his State of the Union Address from 1/27, President Obama outlined his agenda for 2010. "Let's meet our responsibility to the people who sent us here. To do that, we have to recognize that we face more than a deficit of dollars right now. We face a deficit of trust -- deep and corrosive doubts about how Washington works that have been growing for years." (Obama, 2010)

Citing specific evidence from the articles above and from the video, do you believe that Washington and our government can get past the partisanship and do what's best for the American people in 2010? Cite specific evidence (Bash et al, 2010) in your response by citing the author of the story and the year it was published. Your citations must be included in this week's question of the week to receive any credit.

This is due by Friday, February 5 by 11:59 pm.

World History 2/1/10

In Class - Counselor Career Survey

Homework - None

EXTRA CREDIT (see posting from 1/27) is due tomorrow!