Monday, March 28, 2011

Spring Break EC QOW

Click on the title link to view President Obama's address concerning Libya.  After watching the speech or viewing the transcript, summarize his main points with specific details.  After summarizing his main points, write your thoughts on whether you agree or disagree with his decision to use military force in Libya.  This is due by Saturday, April 2 by 11:59 pm.  Quality work is expected and could earn you up to 50 extra credit points.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us


Take a look at this video.  Takes an interesting look at what motivates us.

American Government 3/25/11

In Class - Complete education reform presentations.  Complete group member evaluations and turn in before you leave.  You have the week off from blogging over the break.

Homework - QOW due by 11:59 tonight.  Update your blog.

OVER THE BREAK: If you want extra credit continue to update your blog.  EC QOW will be posted on Monday, March 28 and will be due on Friday, April 1.

World History 3/25/11

In Class - Hand back all papers.  Hand out WWII packet.  Discuss.  This will be due on Wednesday, April 6.  Test over WWII will be on Wednesday, April 6.

Homework - Complete packet by April 6.  Study for the test on WWII.

HAVE A GREAT BREAK.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

American Government 3/24/11

In Class - Continue with education reform presentations.

Homework - Update blog.  QOW due by Friday.

DO NOT BE ABSENT TOMORROW.

World History 3/24/11

In Class - Video: 42 Ways to Kill Hitler.  Video examines the numerous assassination (unsuccessful) attempts on the life of Adolf Hitler.

Homework - None.

American Government 3/23/11

In Class - Group presentations: education reform.

Homework - Update blog.  QOW response due by Friday.

World History 3/23/11

In Class - Turn in homework (video questions from Why Pearl Harbor?).  Continue to discuss World War II.

Homework - None.

American Government 3/22/11

In Class - Continue to work in groups to prepare for group presentations that begin tomorrow.

Homework - Prepare for class presentations.  QOW due on Friday.

World History 3/22/11

In Class - Short Quiz over World War II.  Video: Why Pearl Harbor?  Complete the video questions as you watch concerning American and Japanese relations prior to Pearl Harbor.

Homework - Complete #14 on the video question sheet for homework.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Caption of the Week

American Government 3/21/11

In Class - Group work on education project.  Presentations begin on Wednesday.

Homework - Update your blog.  Finalize group presentations for Wednesday and Thursday.  QOW due by Friday, March 25 by 11:59 pm.

QOW - Pick a current political topic in which we have not discussed in class (you will have to do some outside research for this) that you feel is important to the United States right now.  Write a detailed analysis of the topic and the reasons of why it is significant to the United States.  Discuss the issue or problem and develop an argument as to why it is important to the United States.  For instance, you could select any of the following topics or choose one on your own: unemployment, the economy, world issues (Libya), presidential or political talk, terrorism, domestic issues, earthquake/tsunami in Japan to name a few.  Provide an MLA Works Cited with a minimum of two different sources to support your arguments.  Do quality work!

This is due on Friday, March 25 by 11:59 pm.

World History 3/21/11

In Class - Turn in crossword puzzle (if you didn't turn it in last Friday).  Class notes: WWII.

Homework - Read Chapter 14, Section 3.  Quiz tomorrow.

Friday, March 18, 2011

American Government 3/18/11

In Class -

Homework - QOW due tonight by 11:59 pm.  Discussion reflection due posted on your blog by Sunday evening.  Update your blog.  Group presentations due next week.

World History 3/18/11

In Class - Finish crossword puzzle in class.  Due before you leave (extra credit).  Turn in on Monday for full credit.

Homework - Complete crossword puzzle for Monday if not turned in already.

American Government 3/17/11

In Class - Finish WHIPS (2nd Period).  Group work on education project.  We will start presenting on Wednesday, March 23.

Homework - Update your blog.  QOW due by Friday.  Class discussion reflection due posted on your blog by Sunday evening.

World History 3/17/11

In Class - Short video: Totalitarian dictator's speeches.  Hand out WWII crossword puzzle.

Homework - Complete crossword puzzle for tomorrow.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

American Government 3/16/11

In Class - Class discussion on edcuation reform.  Turn in written work (rating of your education, observation notes from "Stupid in America" and/or "Waiting for Superman," and Education political cartoons).

Homework - Discussion reflection (posted on your blog by Sunday, March 20).  QOW due by Friday, March 18. 

World History 3/16/11

In Class - Class review game on totalitarinism leading up to the events of WWII.

Homework - Review Chapter 14, Sections 1 and 2.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Pay Teachers More

"Pay teachers more." Nicholas Kristof. New York Times. March 12, 2011.

According to Kristof, teachers are underpaid and in order to solve the educational dilemma in this country, teacher salaries need to increase to attract the best and the brightest.  Interesting read.

Don't Give Up, Don't Ever Give Up - Jim Valvano

One of the greatest inspirational speeches of all time.  Apply these ideas to your daily life, and I guarantee you will have a quality day.

Time for Positve Reinforcement

"Time for positive reinforcement for education reform." Editorial. The Tufts Daily. March 15, 2011.

In a time where the No Child Left Behind Act has fallen under critical scrutiny, President Obama is seeking to reform this law by the 2014 deadline for academic proficiency.  Instead of punishing schools for not meeting the district goals for standardized test scores, the way in which students are measured needs to be changed to focus on the positives of student achievement.

American Government 3/15/11

In Class - Continue watching "Waiting for Superman."  Take observation notes (as you see fit).

Homework - Prepare for tomorrow's class discussion on education reform.  Bring your "A" game as you might have some visitors.  Written work will be collected tomorrow.  Update your blog.  QOW due by Friday.  Education presentations will begin next week.

World History 3/15/11

In Class - Begin watching video "Hitler in Color."  Take notes, summarize, and then turn in before you leave.

Homework - Review information on World War II.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Caption of the Week

American Government 3/14/11

In Class - WHIPS (2nd period - we will do all of the WHIPS for the week on Thursday).  Begin watching documentary "Waiting for Superman."  Take some notes (if you want) about some observations from the documentary.

Homework - Update your blog.  Class discussion on Wednesday.  QOW due by Friday by 11:59 pm.

QOW - Click on the title of the post (American Government 3/14/11) to access the article "A Call to Action for Public Schools."  The article talks about the documentary "Waiting for Superman."  After reading this article and watching the documentary in class, answer the following questions:  Why, in your opinion, is reforming public education a difficult task in this country?  Secondly, explain the culture of education today.  In your opinion, how do you view our educational system (as a whole)?  What outside factors may influence for the better or worse student achievement in school?  Finally, what can you, as a high school senior do to influence change in our educational system? 

Give some thought to this and make sure you produce quality work.  You need to include an MLA citation with a minimum of three sources.  This is due by Friday, March 18 by 11:59 pm.

World History 3/14/11

In Class - Short notes: Causes of WWII.  Video: The Road to War - complete the video questions as you watch.  Turn in Friday's homework (Chapter 14, Section 1 and 2 Quiz).

Homework - Watch the news.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

American Government 3/11/11

In Class - WHIPS.  Continue working on education reform project.  You should be done brainstorming and beginning to work on the final project.  Expect excellence.

Homework - QOW due by 11:59 tonight.  Update your blog.

World History 3/11/11

In Class - Short video (introduction to the beginning of World War II.  Collect homework (packet on Totalitarianism).  Hand out Chapter 14, Section 1 and 2 quiz.

Homework - Chapter 14, Section 1 and 2 Quiz due on Monday.

American Government 3/10/11

In Class - Continue to work on your education reform project.

Homework - Update your blog.  QOW due by Friday.

World History 3/10/11

In Class - Benchmark Exam.  When complete, finish your packet on Totalitarianism.  I will collect this tomorrow.

Homework - Totalitarianism.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

American Government 3/9/11

In Class - Group updates on education reform project.

Homework - Update your blog.  QOW response due by Friday.

World History 3/9/11

In Class - CAHSEE.

Homework - Packet due tomorrow.  Study and review for benchmark exam. 

EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY TOMORROW BEFORE SCHOOL.  SHOW UP BY 7:15 AM.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

What do you think?

"Why schools should try things not "research-based." Valerie Strauss. Washington Post. March 8, 2011.

School districts are always data driven trying to find the best practices that measure student achievement.  However, maybe it's time to see if concepts and ideas that aren't research based will finally help decrease the achievement gap in public education. 

***This is a good resource for the QOW.

American Government 3/8/11

In Class - Continue to work on group project. 

Homework - Update your blog.  QOW due on Friday.

World History 3/8/11

In Class - CAHSEE Exam.

Homework - Packet due on Thursday.  Study for Thursday's benchmark exam.

EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY THURSDAY AND FRIDAY BEFORE SCHOOL.

Caption of the Week

Monday, March 7, 2011

American Government 3/7/11

In Class - WHIPS.  Continue group work on education reform project.  Presentations will begin on Monday, March 21.

Homework - Continue to update your blog.  QOW due by Friday, March 11 by 11:59 pm.

QOW - Considering what you have seen, what you have read, and what you have posted on your blog concerning the state of education in this country, there seems to be an overwhelming agreement that reform in our educational system is necessary.  With this in mind, what ideas do you have that would improve student achievement in the classroom, increase motivation and attendance, and prepare students for the next stages of their lives?  Is NCLB working in public education?  Should school days/years be longer?  Should there be more accountability for teachers and students?  Do teacher unions stand in the way of reform?  Should the use of technology be of greater importance in the classroom?  What role do parents, teachers, and students play in all of this?  Does the culture of education need to be changed in this country?

All in all, I want you to be creative and original in your ideas.  Be sure to provide an MLA works cited with a minimum of three (3) sources to support your ideas/concepts of reform.  This is due by Friday, March 11 by 11:59 pm.  Do quality work!!!  Excellence is expected. 

World History 3/7/11

In Class - Continue class notes on Totalitarianism. 

Homework - Packet due on Thursday.

BENCHMARK EXAM ON THURSDAY.  EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY OF THIS WEEK.

Friday, March 4, 2011

American Government 3/4/11

In Class - WHIPS.  Continue group work on education reform project.

Homework - Update your blog.

World History 3/4/11

In Class - Turn in signed gradesheet.  Class notes - Totalitarianism.

Homework - Read Chapter 13, Sections 4 and 5 for Monday.

World History Homework

Complete the following ten questions by Sunday evening (March 6, 2011) by 11:59 pm.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Do Schools Kill Creativity?

Sir Ken Robinson explains the extraordinary evidence of creativity is all around us, but creativity is as important as literacy in schools.  Interesting arguments.

What Teachers Make - Taylor Mali

The Word - Easy A - Stephen Colbert

"The Word - Easy A." The Colbert Report. Comedy Central. June 11, 2007.

Excellent resource for understanding No Child Left Behind, with a little bit of humor mixed in. 

Following Finland

"Following Finland." Brian Williams, NBC News.

Part of the Education Nation summit, discusses how Finland strives in education by ranking first in the world in both science and math. 

Are schools embracing technology enough?

"Are schools embracing technology enough?"  MSNBC.com. 

Round table discussion regarding how archaic teaching methods are not doing the job to educate our children.  Interesting perspective.  Would these ideas improve your learning?

American Government 3/3/11

In Class - WHIPS.  Group Work: article analysis.  Directions: There are six articles in the packet.  As a group discuss possible ways to present information other than writing and discussing.  Be creative and original. 

Homework - Brainstorm ideas for tomorrow's class regarding how to present the information.  Keep updating your blog.

World History 3/3/11

In Class - Continue to take notes and discuss totalitarianism in the Post World War I era.

Homework - Read Chapter 13, Section 3.

American Government - 3/2/11

In Class - Turn in homework from Monday (article summaries/compare/contrast).  Continue to discuss education reform.  Discuss 6 week grades.  Hand out grade summaries.

Homework - Continue to update your blog!!!  Focus on education reform in your posts. 

World History 3/2/11

In Class - Group Work - discuss correct answers to homework.  Class quiz - everyone gets the same score.  Class notes discussing fascism and totalitarianism in post World War I Europe.

Homework - Read Chapter 13, Section 3.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

What Makes a Good Teacher?

Part of the NBC cooperative "Education Nation."  Tom Brokaw interviews Bill Gates and other teachers about what makes a good teacher.

American Government 3/1/11

In Class - Continue and finish watching "Stupid in America."  Discuss.

Homework - Update your blog!!!

World History 2/1/11

In Class - Turn in homework (standards packet).  Group work - Reading activity, section analysis of Chapter 11, Sec. 5, Chapter 13, Sec. 1/2.

Homework - Multiple choice quiz.  I expect perfect scores.