Thursday, August 30, 2012

Undecided Voters Rate Romney's Speech

Considering this election is still up for grabs, CNN analyzes a group of undecided men and women during Romney's speech.  Some say that this is the most important speech of his political career.  What do you think?

American Government 8/30/12

In Class - WHIP.  Group Work: Discuss your findings from your public surveys.  Turn in before you leave (completion grade).

Homework - Watch Mitt Romney's RNC speech and write down any key words and phrases.  This is part one of a two part assignment.  Update your blog.

Also, by Sunday evening, post a reflection on your blog regarding the public opinion surveys.  What did you learn?  What answers surprised, intrigued, or baffled you?  Again, this needs to be a well-organized reflection.  Take your time and do quality work.

World History 8/30/12

In Class - Continue to discuss Ancient Rome.  Turn in homework (3 standards check handouts: Documents of Democracy, Influence on US Political Systems, and Judeo-Christian and Greco-Roman.  Hand out Chapter 1, Section 2 handout (guided notes and section summary, primary source: Edward Gibbin, "The Fall of the Roman Empire," section 2 Quiz).

Homework - Short quiz and handout is due on Tuesday, September 4.

US History 8/30/12

In Class - Continue video "Rebels" from "The Story of Us" and begin watching "Revolution."  Take notes and summarize at the end of the class period.

Homework - Chapter 1 Packet is due on Tuesday.

American Government 8/29/12

In Class - WHIP.  Discuss WHIP.  Continue to analyze the RNC.

Homework - 10 Public Opinion surveys are due tomorrow at the beginning of class.

World History 8/29/12

In Class - Introduction to Ancient Rome and the foundation of its influences on American Government.  Hand out standards check: Judeo-Christian and Greco-Roman.

Homework - 2 Standards Check handouts due tomorrow.

US History 8/29/12

In Class - Hand out packet (due Tuesday, September 4).  Discuss how to complete primary source analysis.  Watch "Assume the Position."

Homework - Chapter 1 Packet is due on Tuesday, September 4.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

American Government 8/28/12

In Class - Assign WHIP dates and discuss expectations of the presentations.  Discuss upcoming RNC and DNC "Word Cloud" project.  Analyzing the speeches of Mitt Romney and Barack Obama, using www.wordle.net, you will create a word cloud with key phrases, ideas, and word from each of their speeches.

Homework - 10 Public Opinion responses are due on Thursday.

World History 8/28/12

In Class - Ancient Greece quiz retake.  Grade multiple choice questions and discuss.  Turn in first quiz with primary sources.

Homework - Read Chapter 1, Section 2 and complete the chart for the Romans.  Also, complete the standards handouts Documents of Democracy and Influence on US and World Political Systems.

US History 8/28/12

In Class - Class Notes: The Colonial Era.  Discuss the significance of the religious people and movements that paved the way to the American Revolution.

Homework - Review Chapter 1, Section 2.

Monday, August 27, 2012

American Government 8/27/12

In Class - Short video clips.  Discuss article from Friday "Why Obama Must Go."

Homework - 10 surveys due by Thursday.  Watch and follow the RNC.

World History 8/27/12

In Class - Grade Friday's quiz and discuss the answers.  Record scores.  Hand out standards check: Documents of Democracy and Influence on the US Constitution on World Political Systems.

Homework - Quiz tomorrow over Chapter 1, Section 1.

US History 8/27/12

In Class - Classwork: Using your chapter outline, read through Chapter 1, Section 2.

Homework - Read Chapter 1, Section 2.

Friday, August 24, 2012

American Government 8/24/12

In Class - Continue to discuss the Public Opinion Project (10 people surveyed by next Thursday).  Hand out article "Why Obama Must Go."  Read this article for Monday.

Homework - QOW response due by 11:59 pm tonight.  Read the article for Monday.  Public opinion surveys due next Thursday.

World History 8/24/12

In Class - Short quiz over Chapter 1, Section 1.  Staple your primary source analysis to the back of your quiz and turn in.

Homework - Read Chapter 1, Section 2 and complete the chart for the Romans.

US History 8/24/12

In Class - Short quiz.  Staple your article comparison/contrast to the back of your quiz and turn in.  Short video on Mormons.

Homework - Review Chapter 1, Sections 1 and 2.

American Government 8/23/12

In Class - Library work day.  Work on creating your blog and QOW response.  Start updating and posting on your blog.

Homework - QOW response due tomorrow.

World History 8/23/12

In Class - Hand out excerpts from the primary sources "The Republic" by Plato and "Politics" by Aristotle.  Discuss the proper way to complete the primary sources (highlight). 

Homework - Complete the second primary source for tomorrow.  Short quiz over Chapter 1, Section 1.

US History 8/23/12

In Class - Short video: The History of US: Rebels.  Hand out the articles "The Root of the Problem" and "The Other Side."  Write two paragraphs comparing and contrasting these two articles.

Homework - Short quiz tomorrow.  Article analysis due tomorrow at the beginning of class.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

American Government 8/22/12

In Class - Turn in signed syllabus.  Introduce public opinion project.

Homework - Email me your blog URL by this Friday.  QOW response due by Friday as well.

World History 8/22/12

In Class - Class Notes: Greek Philosophers and their views on democracy.  Discuss answers to standards check handout (backside of the chart).  Summarize notes.

Homework - Review Chapter 1, Section 1.

US History 8/22/12

In Class - Class notes: Colonization and the Founding of America.  Hand out PowerPoint slides of the same notes.  Hand out Chapter 1 outline.

Homework - Review Chapter 1, Sections 1 and 2.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

American Government 8/21/12

In Class - Short podcast: AC 360 (click on title for the link).  Discuss the significance of Rep. Akin's comments concerning abortion and how this contributes to the discussion of the abortion topic in the United States.  Answer any questions regarding the QOW responses.  Political Cartoon analysis.

Homework - Signed syllabus due tomorrow.  QOW due on Friday by 11:59 pm.  Blog URL needs to be emailed to me by Wednesday.

World History 8/21/12

In Class - Group work: complete the chart (handed out yesterday) for the Ancient Greeks.  Discuss and fill in the blanks with specific concepts.  Quick review.  Short quiz: Ancient Greece.

Homework - Review Chapter 1, Section 1.

US History 8/21/12

In Class - Collect signed syllabus.  Short quiz on religion (save for your notebook).  Discuss reading strategy (SQRRRS).  Read Chapter 1, Section 1.

Homework - Read Chapter 1, Section 2 for tomorrow.

Monday, August 20, 2012

Obama vs. Romney...A look at the issues

Take a look at the following link to update and familiarize yourself with the candidates and their views.  This website is a comprehensive look at the upcoming election.
http://www.cnn.com/election/2012/candidates.html

American Government 8/20/12

In Class - Complete discussion on syllabus and expectations.  Hand out parent/student signature sheet.  Short writing assignment/discussion: What is the purpose of government?

Homework - Set up your blog and email me the URL by Wednesday.  Signed syllabus due Wednesday.  QOW due Friday by 11:59 pm.

Question of the Week (QOW)

Do some outside research and include a minimum of one source with your response.  Be sure to include an MLA citation with your response.  See the syllabus for requirements and expectations.

Considering all of the issues that are being discussed on the campaign trail for the 2012 presidential election, which issue(s) is/are the most important to you?  Be sure to include specific examples to support your argument.

This response is due by 11:59 pm on Friday, August 24.  I do not accept late work!

World History 8/20/12

In Class - Class notes: Roots of Democracy (Ch. 1, Sec. 1).  Distribute handout: Standards Check - Western Political Ideas of Tyranny and chart (we will continue to fill this out this week).

Homework - Complete Standards Check handout and complete the chart for the Greeks.  Signed syllabus due tomorrow.

US History 8/20/12

In Class - Video notes: "God in America."  Take notes regarding the significance of how religion helped shape the colonies prior to the American Revolution.

Homework - Read Chapter 1, Section 2.  Signed Syllabus due tomorrow.

Friday, August 17, 2012

American Government 8/17/12

In Class - Continue discussing classroom syllabus.  This needs to be signed and returned by Tuesday, August 21.  List semester topics and turn in (I appreciate your input).

Homework - Signed syllabus due on Tuesday.  You need to create a blog (see the syllabus) and email me your URL by Wednesday, August 22.

World History 8/17/12

In Class - Continue to discuss the classroom syllabus.  This is due signed and returned by Tuesday, August 21.

Homework - Begin reading Chapter 1, Section 1 for Monday.  Signed syllabus due on Tuesday.

US History 8/17/12

In Class - Continue to discuss syllabus.  Signed syllabus due by Tuesday, August 21.

Homework - Begin reading Ch. 1, Sec. 2 for Monday.  Signed syllabus due Tuesday.

American Government 8/16/12

In Class - Short video clip of Stephen Colbert and his take on "Stars Earn Stripes."  Short discussion.  Hand out and begin discussing the syllabus.

Homework - Watch the news.

World History 8/16/12

In Class - Short video clip of Stephen Colbert concerning the "Stars Earn Stripes."   Short discussion.  Hand out and discuss classroom syllabus.

Homework - Watch the news

US History 8/16/12

In Class - Short video clip from Stephen Colbert regarding his take on the "Stars Earn Stripes." Short discussion. Hand out syllabus and discuss classroom goals and expectations.

Homework - Watch the news.

American Government 8/15/12

In Class - Group Work: Discuss the moral of the story in groups and how it relates to government.  Turn in article response.  Class discussion on Humanism and the significance of giving your time, talent, and energy to help someone else.

Homework - Watch the news.

World History 8/15/12

In Class - Class discussion on Humanism and its significance to history.

Homework - Watch the news.

US History 8/16/12

In Class - Class discussion: Humanism and the signficance to the study of history.

Homework - Watch the news.

American Government 8/14/12

In Class - Personality inventory and short writing assignment.  Hand out article "Defendant Testifies."

Homework - Read the article and write a paragraph response regarding the moral of the story.  Have this completed for class tomorrow.

World History 8/14/12

In Class - Personality inventory and short in class writing assignment.

Homework - Watch the news.

US History 8/14/12

In Class - Personality Inventory.  Short in class writing assignment.  Turn in personality inventory.

Homework - Watch the news.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

American Government 8/13/12

In Class - Welcome Back!  Class introduction.

Homework - Watch the news.

World History 8/13/12

In Class - Welcome Back!  Class introduction.

Homework - Watch the news.

US History 8/13/12

In Class - Welcome Back!  Class introduction.

Homework - Watch the news.