American Government 4/29/11

In Class - Watch documentary "Growing Up Online."  Before you leave, write a detailed reaction to the video: What did you learn?  What surprised/shocked you?  What can you take from this video?  2nd Period: Signed progress reports due today.

Homework - Update your blog.  Discussion reflection (posted on your blog) is due by Sunday, May 1.

World History 4/29/11

In Class - Continue watching video: America in the 20th Century: The Cold War.  Complete the handout as you watch.  Staple your notes from yesterday and turn in with the handout from today.

Homework - Watch the news.

Citizenship Down

An interesting look at the 14th Amendment and the debate on whether children born here should still be considered American citizens.

Interview with Arturo Rodriguez

Stephen Colbert's interview with Arturo Rodriguez and the Take Our Jobs Please campagin.

Taking American Jobs???

Stephen Colbert's take on the migrant worker experience (Part 1).

Taking American Jobs?

Stephen Colbert's take (Part 2) of his migrant farm working experience.

American Government 4/28/11

In Class - Class Discussion: Immigration Reform.  Turn in all written work.

Homework - Progress Reports (2nd Period) due by Friday.  Update blog.  Discussion reflection due posted on your blog by Sunday evening.

World History 4/28/11

In Class - Video: America in the 20th Century: The Cold War.  Take notes as we watch and discuss.

Homework - Watch the news.

American Government 4/27/11

In Class - Group work: prepare arguments for class discussion tommorow over immigration reform.  I will collect all of the written work for this topic tomorrow in class: 1) Video Notes - Moral Case Against SB 1070, Political Cartoon Analysis, Double Entry Web Journal, Classwork - Questions you have regarding immigration reform and topics for further research.

Homework - Update blog.  Post on wallwisher.com on immigration due by this evening.  Work on all written work and prepare for tomorrow's discussion.

World History 4/27/11

In Class - Continue to discuss CST questions.  Mental Health Day.

Homework - None.

American Government 4/26/11

In Class - Turn in signed progress reports (1st and 4th periods).  Continue to discuss immigration reform.  Hand out progress reports (2nd period: due by Friday).

Homework - Post on immigration (wallwisher.com) is due by tomorrow.  Update your blog.  Class discussion on Thursday.  All written work for immigration (PC, Two Column Web Journal, Classwork) is due Thursday.

World History 4/26/11

In Class - Discuss part one of WH CST.

Homework - Review for part two of WH CST.

EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY - CST REVIEW TOMORROW MORNING BEFORE SCHOOL.

American Government 4/25/11

In Class - Continue analysis on immigration reform.  Watch short video clips.  Write down any questions that you have regarding immigration policy or reform.  Select two topics to bring to class tomorrow to discuss in small groups.

Homework - Update your blogs.  Signed progress report (Periods 1 and 4) due tomorrow.  Bring research and resources based on your interests and questions to class tomorrow.  Post an argument on wallwisher.com (see previous post) by Wednesday, April 27.

World History 4/25/11

In Class - Signed progress reports are due on Tuesday, April 26.  No exceptions.  Failure to turn in will result in a phone call to your parents home, cell, and work numbers during class.  Continue to review for the CST (part 1 tomorrow!!!).

Homework - Signed progress report.  Review for the CST.

EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY TOMORROW BEFORE SCHOOL.  SHOW UP NO LATER THAN 6:45.

No Problemo

Borderline Personality

Are Illegal Immigrants Taking American Jobs

Mexico's President on Illegal Immigration

Undocumented Connecticut Student Fights Deportation

The Politics of Immigration Reform

Government Assignment

Click on the title, which will take you to the website http://www.wallwisher.com/wall/immigrationgov.  Post an argument concerning your thoughts on immigration or immigration reform.  You only have 160 characters to state your argument, so be brief, specific, and to the point.  You will have to create an account with your email and username.  Please use your first and last name to identify yourself on your posts.  Double click anywhere and begin your post.  This assignment is due by Wednesday, April 27.

Immigration Laws, Bills, and Proposals Explained

"Explainer: A Guide to Immigration Laws, Bills and Proposals." Sarah P. Reynolds. April 21, 2011.

Good guide to recent immigration reform from the federal level.  Scroll down to the bottom of the article for more resources.

Congresswoman calls for investigation of enforcement program that screens for illegal immigrants in jails

Haraz Ghanbari / Associated Press, April 22, 2011

A California congresswoman Friday called for an investigation into the actions of federal immigration officials, saying they lied about whether counties and states had the right to opt out of a controversial nationwide enforcement program that screens for illegal immigrants in local jails.

American Government 4/22/11

In Class: Hand out and discuss progress reports (1st and 4th; 2nd - Hand out on Monday).  Periods 1 and 4: This is due signed and returned by Tuesday, April 26.  No exceptions.  Period 2: I will hand these out on Monday and will be due no later than Wednesday, April 27.  Class Discussion on Immigration has been moved to Thursday (4/28).  All written work will be due on that day (Political Cartoons and Double Entry Web Journal).

Homework - Continue to update your blog (this is an easy way to improve your grade).  Come prepared Monday, ready to begin the conversation in small groups.  Written work due 4/28.

World History 4/22/11

In Class - Hand out grade sheets (progress reports).  Discuss grades.  Short review for CST.

Homework - Parent signed grade sheets (progress reports) are due on Tuesday, April 26.

EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY: SHOW UP BY 6:45 NEXT MONDAY, TUESDAY, AND WEDNESDAY FOR CST REVIEW.  EXTRA CREDIT FOR SIMPLY SHOWING UP AND WORKING TO REVIEW FOR THE CST.  FOR SOME OF YOU, THIS MAY BE THE ONLY OPPORTUNITY YOU HAVE TO PASS THIS CLASS.

INCENTIVES FOR WORLD HISTORY:

1) Score advanced on the CST: You have the option of changing one semester grade two letter grades or both semester grades by one letter grade.
2) Score proficient on the CST: You have the option of changing one semester grade by one letter grade.
3) The scores on the CST will be included in your eligibility for an off-campus pass next year along with your grades and attendance.  Keep that in mind.

American Government 4/21/11

In Class - Hand out articles: "Georgia governor to sign law targeting illegal immigration" and "A year later, Arizona still split over immigration."  Hand out Double Entry Web Journal.  Complete handout for Monday.  Class discussion over immigration is on Monday.

Homework - Update your blog.  Political cartoons, double entry web journal, and discussion on Monday (4/25).

World History 4/21/11

In Class - Mental Health Day. 

Homework - Review for the CST.

EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY: MONDAY - WEDNESDAY (4/25 - 4/27) - HARDCORE CST REVIEW.  SHOW UP AND WORK.  YOUR EFFORTS COULD RESULT IN INCREASING YOUR 1ST/2ND SEMESTER GRADE(S).

American Government 4/20/11

In Class - Meet at the baseball field to play Political 2-Ball.

Homework - Update your blogs.

EXTRA CREDIT TODAY @ 3:15.

World History 4/20/11

In Class - Meet at the baseball field for CST review, and I don't want to be in the classroom.

Homework - Review for the CST.

EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY TODAY @3:15.

American Government 4/19/11

In Class - Finish immigration presentations.

Homework - Update your blog. 

World History 4/19/11

In Class - Continue reviewing for the CST.

Homework - Review for the CST next week.

American Government 4/18/11

In Class - Finish up presentations over Immigration articles.  Hand out immigration political cartoons.

Homework - Class discussion is next Monday.  Update your blog.

World History 4/18/11

In Class - Discuss CST Review packet.

Homework - Review for the CST next week.

American Government 4/15/11

In Class - 1st Period: Mini discussion (Every 15 minutes).  2nd and 4th Periods: Continue group work on article and poster analysis.  Present on Monday.

Homework - Update your blog.

EXTRA CREDIT = Going to the baseball game @ 3:15.

World History 4/15/11

In Class - Grade Cold War Packet and report your scores.  Hand out CST review (41 questions).  This is due on Monday.

Homework - Complete CST Review packet for Monday.

EXTRA CREDIT = Going to the baseball game @ 3:15.

American Government 4/14/11

In Class - 1st Period: Article and Poster presentations.  2nd and 4th Periods - Mini discussion (Every 15 minutes).

Homework - Continue to update your blog.

World History 4/14/11

In Class - Continue to review for CST.  Write down the topic (Governmental/Political Thought, Enlightenment, French Revolution, Industrial Revolution, Imperialism, World War I, World War II, or the Cold War), key terms and ideas.

Homework - Finish Cold War Packet.  Complete Standards Review handout (staple with other three assignments) to turn in tomorrow.

American Government 4/13/11

In Class - Continue to work on your posters.  We will present these tomorrow in class.  Watch President Obama's address (click on the title to access) to the nation regarding the financial situation of our country.  Bring some talking points to class for Friday, as we will discuss this in class.

Homework - Update your blog.

World History 4/13/11

In Class - Continue to discuss the Cold War.  Class notes.  Pass out standards handout. 

Homework - Cold War Packet is due tomorrow.

Interesting Idea for Illegal Immigration

 

American Government 4/12/11

In Class - Group work: Read the articles "Without citizenship, quest to serve is grounded" and "Win the future?  You'll need immigrants."  As a group, you are to draw the main points and arguments from the articles.  I will give you class time today and tomorrow to finish.

Homework - Update your blog.

World History 4/12/11

In Class - CST Review game.  Hang onto yesterday's homework.

Homework - Begin reviewing for the CST!!!

TEST CORRECTIONS TOMORROW MORNING BEFORE SCHOOL. 

American Government 4/11/11

In Class - Continue discussion on immigration reform and SB 1070.  Short video clips (click on the title to access this link).  Take down some notes on the issue of drug cartels in Mexico and discuss as a class.

Homework - Update your blog.

World History 4/11/11

In Class - Grade multiple choice/matching/short answer of WWII test.  If you haven't taken the test, you will today.  Introduction to the Cold War.  Hand out worksheets (Chapter 15, Section 1 and Standards Check).

Homework - Packet due tomorrow.

American Government 4/8/11

In Class - Continue class discussion on immigration and SB 1070.  Short video clips.  Turn in article summary "Real Education" by Dennis Prager.

Homework - Update your blog.  Mini discussion on immigration on Monday.

World History 4/8/11

In Class - Test over World War II.  Turn in packet with your test.

Homework - None.

American Government 4/7/11

In Class - Begin watching the documentary The Moral Case Against SB 1070.  While you watch, write down any notes that detail arguments against the controversial Arizona immigration bill.  If time allows, then discuss this in groups.  Come prepared tomorrow for a mini-discussion on immigration.

Homework - Update your blog.  Article reaction to Dennis Prager's article "Real Eduction" is due tomorrow.

Quote of the Day:

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore,
is not an act but a habit.
Aristotle

World History 4/7/11

In Class - Video - Hiroshima: Why We Dropped the Bomb.  While watching the video, write down the key arguments as to why President Truman decided to end World War II by using the most terrible weapon ever created.  On the back, write a solid paragraph outlining the arguments and include your own personal thoughts.  Turn this in with your packet tomorrow.

Homework - WWII Packet due tomorrow.  Study for the test over WWII.

TEST REVIEW TOMORROW MORNING!

Immigration: The view from the White House

Click on the title and see what the federal government is doing to battle this ever growing issue.

American Government 4/6/11

In Class - 2nd and 4th Periods - Grade Citizenship Test.  After getting it back, write a paragraph reaction in response to how well you did.  What did you learn?  What surprised you?  Did you pass with an 80%?  Staple this to your test and turn in.  In groups, read and discuss the article "Real Education" by Dennis Prager.  Write a solid response to the article.

1st Period - Introduction to Immigration Reform and SB 1070.  Read and discuss article "Real Education" by Dennis Prager.

Homework - Response to "Real Education" by Dennis Prager.  Update your blog.

World History 4/6/11

In Class - Continue to work in groups on the WWII packet, which is due on Friday.

Homework - Study for test on Friday.  Packet due Friday.

TEST REVIEW ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY MORNING.

American Government 4/5/11

In Class - Take Citizenship Test (100 Questions).  Turn in before you leave.  Our next topic of discussion and analysis will be immigration.  Start updating your blog on recent news for immigration.

Homework - Update your blog.

World History 4/5/11

In Class - Discuss the significant points of the War in Europe (WWII) and the War in the Pacific.

Homework - Continue to work on packet.  Test has been moved to Friday.  Packet will also be due on Friday.

TEST REVIEW WEDNESDAY MORNING.  EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY AFTER SCHOOL.

American Government 4/4/11

In Class - Discuss current events.

Homework - Resume blogging this week.

World History 4/4/11

In Class - Discuss political cartoons (from WWII packet handed out on the Friday before spring break).  Use class time to work on this packet.

Homework - Test on Wednesday over WWII.  Packet for WWII due on Wednesday.