Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Interesting Regarding Eyewitness Testimony

From NPR - An August ruling by the New Jersey Supreme Court will make it easier for defendants to question the credibility of eyewitness testimony in criminal cases. The decision is part of an ongoing debate about the role eyewitness testimony plays in criminal proceedings.

American Government 1/30/13

In Class - Psychological/Social Experiment: Eyewitness Testimony.  Students will remember the events of a crime (witnessed in the classroom) including offering a physical description of the suspect.  Hand out articles regarding gun violence/gun control.  Read these for tomorrow.

Homework - Watch the news.

Economics 1/30/13


In Class - Discuss the requirements of your children's book regarding our nation's economic situation.  This is due on Tuesday, February 19.  Presentations will begin on Thursday, February 21.

Homework - Start researching for your children's book.

World History 1/30/13


In Class - Test over Chapter 9.  Staple the section quizzes and primary sources to the back of your answer sheet.

Homework - Preview Chapter 11.

US History 1/30/13


In Class - Test over Chapter 6.  Staple the review from pages 206-7 to the back of the test.

Homework - Preview Chapter 7.

American Government 1/29/13


In Class - Short tutorial on how to create a blog.  Your blog URL needs to be emailed to me by Friday by 11:59 pm.

Homework - Watch the news.

Economics 1/29/13


In Class - Discuss articles and sources of articles.  Make a list of questions regarding the debt ceiling and fiscal cliff.

Homework - Watch the news.

World History 1/29/13


In Class - Hand out review sheet for tomorrow's test.  Work on reviewing for test and completing Chapter 9, Section 4 and 5 Quizzes and primary sources.

Homework - Finish section quizzes and study for the Chapter 9 Test.

US History 1/29/13


In Class - Discuss important terms from Chapter 6, Section 4.  Keep working on your review (due tomorrow).

Homework - Chapter 6 Review due tomorrow.  Test tomorrow over Chapter 6.

American Government 1/28/13


In Class - Discuss the documentary from Friday "Poor Kids."  

Homework - Watch the news and start creating your blog.

Economics 1/28/13


In Class - Finish watching the documentary "The Untouchables."  Take notes and then write a short reaction to the video.

Homework - Bring two current events regarding the debt ceiling and fiscal cliff.

World History 1/28/13

In Class - Discuss Chapter 9, Sections 4 and 5.  Take notes discussing the most important concepts of these two sections.  Hand out Chapter 9, Section 4 and 5 quiz and primary sources (2).

Homework - Review for Chapter 9 Test.  Section 4 and 5 quizzes and primary sources are due on Wednesday.

US History 1/28/13

In Class - Test has been moved to Wednesday.  Continue discussing Chapter 6 and political cartoon analysis.  Chapter 6 Review - page 206: 1-4, 6-10, 13-15; page 207 - 1-4.

Homework - Review for Wednesday's test.  Chapter 6 Review is due on Wednesday.

Sunday, January 27, 2013

American Government 1/25/13

In Class - Watch the documentary Poor Kids - a documentary that examines the financial crisis of our country and how it effects our children and what it means to the future of our country.  Take notes as you watch.  For Monday, write a paragraph reaction to the documentary.  What did you learn?  What questions do you still have? 

Homework - Email me your blog URL.  Written reaction to the documentary is due on Monday.

Economics 1/25/13

In Class - Watch the documentary The Untouchables - a story regarding some of the biggest crooks on Wall Street and how they have not yet been prosecuted for their roles in the financial collapse in 2007-8.  Take notes as you watch.

Homework - Write a paragraph reaction to the documentary.  Wha did you learn?  What interested you?  What questions do you still have.  This is due on Monday.

World History 1/25/13

In Class - Watch an episode from Mankind: The Story of All of US. 

Homework - Finish notes from Chapter 9, Sections 4 and 5 for Monday.  Test has been postponed until Tuesday.

US History 1/25/13

In Class - Watch an episode from Mankind: The Story of all of US. 

Homework - Chapter 6 Review is due on Monday.

American Government 1/24/13

In Class - Library: work on creating your blog.  Once you have this completed, please email me your URL (Example: http://mikepalo.blogspot.com).

Homework - Work on your blog.  Watch the news.

Economics 1/24/15

In Class - Library research day: research regarding the current economic situation of the United States.  Print out two articles for tomorrow's discussion.

Homework - Bring two articles regarding the debt ceiling or fiscal cliff for tomorrow.

World History 1/24/13

In Class - Read Chapter 9, Sections 4 and 5 in class.  Take notes over these two sections.  What you don't finish in class will be homework.

Homework - Chapter 9, Section 4 and 5 notes.  Test over Chapter 9 has been moved to Monday.

US History 1/24/13

In Class - Read Chapter 6, Section 4 in class.  Complete the end of the chapter review (Ch. 6).  This is due tomorrow.

Homework - Work on the Chapter 6 Review.  Test on Monday over Chapter 6.

American Government 1/23/12

In Class - Turn in signed syllabus.  Continue to discuss the 2nd Amendment and our current culture of gun violence in the United States.

Homework - Watch the news.  Start creating your blog.

Economics 1/23/12

In Class - Hand out article concerning dates of what will happen if Congress does not extend the limit on the debt ceiling.  

Homework - Complete analysis of the two political cartoons regarding the debt ceiling and President Obama's Inauguration speech for tomorrow.

World History 1/23/12

In Class - Discuss homework from yesterday (comparison and contras of two articles regarding modern day imperialism).

Homework - Read Chapter 9, Section 4 for tomorrow.

US History 1/23/13

In Class - Continue to discuss Chapter 6.  Hand out political cartoon assignment (analyze these with a partner).  Discuss the first and last cartoon.

Homework - Finish analysis of WWI political cartoons.  Test over Chapter 6 on Friday.

American Government 1/22/13

In Class - Listen to President Obama's Inaugural Address.  Take notes on any key themes and ideas presented in his speech.  Discuss as a class.

Homework - Signed syllabus due tomorrow.  Watch the news.

Economics 1/22/13

In Class - Listen to President Obama's Inaugural Address.  While you listen, take down any notes regarding key themes and ideas.  Discuss as a class.

Homework - Watch the news.

World History 1/22/13

In Class - Continue to discuss Chapter 9 (class notes over Imperialism) focusing on the key causes of European Imperialism.  Hand out articles relating modern day imperialism.

Homework - Read Chapter 9, Section 2 for tomorrow.  Write a comparison/contrast paragraph regarding the two articles handed out today in class.  Test over Chapter 9 on Friday.

US History 1/22/13

In Class - Discuss homework (new set of terms from Friday).  Class notes - key causes of US entry into WWI.

Homework - Read Chapter 6, Section 3.  Test over Chapter 6 on Friday.

American Governmet 1/18/13

In Class - Hand out and discuss syllabus, classroom rules, and expectations.

Homework - Signed syllabus due by Wednesday, 1/23.  Watch the news.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Economics 1/18/13

In Class - Discuss syllabus.  Continue our discussion on wants vs. needs (from list you created as homework).  Discuss the business model and what drives it.

Homework - Watch the news.

World History 1/18/13

In Class - Continue discussion on Imperialism (short review) and class notes.

Homework - Review Chapter 9.  Test next Friday.

US History 1/18/13

In Class - Copy down terms from the board.  Define these for Monday using the sections as your guide.  Class notes over World War I.

Homework - Content Vocabulary for Tuesday.

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Economics and American Government 1/17/13

In Class - Watch the PBS documentary "Inside Obama's Presidency."  Frontline's look into President Obama's first term outlines his successes and struggles as POTUS.

Homework - Watch the news.

World History 1/17/13

In Class - Watch the episode "Speed" from Mankind: The Story of all of Us.  Turn in primary source analysis (2).

Homework - Read Chapter 9, Section 2.

US History 1/17/13

In Class - Watch the episode "Speed" from Mankind: The Story of all of US. 

Homework - Read Chapter 6, Section 2 for tomorrow.

American Government 1/16/13

In Class - Continue to discuss the issue of gun violence and gun control in the United States.  Short video clips and discuss as a class.  Turn in five topics (homework from yesterday).

Homework - Watch the news.

Economics 1/16/13

In Class - Discuss our current economic system (capitalism) and the role of the government (Adam Smith).  Discuss the different aspects of wants vs. needs and what drives the economic market.

Homework - Make a list of 20 items and categorize them as a want or a need.  Come ready to class to discuss.

World History 1/16/13

In Class - Turn in homework (Standards Handouts: Imperialism) Short quiz over Chapter 9, Section 1.  Turn in.  Hand out primary sources ("Two Views of Imperialism" and "Gentlemen of the Jungle").  Class reading on "Gentlemen of the Jungle."  Discuss primary source questions and answers.

Homework - Second primary source analysis is due tomorrow at the beginning of class.

US History 1/16/13

In Class - Using your terms (homework from yesterday), complete the quiz (3 questions) using specific content vocabulary.  Turn in.

Homework - Preview Chapter 6, Section 2.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

The Colbert Report 1/14/13

Stephen Colbert discusses the shootings in Newtown, CT.  Interview with Piers Morgan.

The Daily Show - January 8, 2013

Jon Stewart discusses the opportunity for open and honest ideas and solutions to dealing with gun violence in the United States.  Interview with General Stanley McCrystal.

American Government 1/15/13

In Class - Hand out the article regarding the "alternative view" of the Three Little Pigs.  On the back, complete the writing prompt using specific details from the text to support your answer.  Discuss in groups and as a class.  Respond to the following question: What is the purpose of government?  Discuss and turn in.

Homework - Make a list of five topics you would like to discuss this semester.  Watch the news.

Economics 1/15/13

In Class - Brief discussion/lecture on the fiscal cliff.  Check out Economics textbooks.  Discuss the writing prompt "There is no such thing as a free lunch." 

Homework - Make a list (at least 20 items) pertaining to wants and needs.

World History 1/15/13

In Class - Introduction to Imperialism (lecture).  Hand out Content Standards Worksheet (Causes of Imperialism and Location of Colonial Rule).  Complete this tomorrow.  Short quiz tomorrow over Chapter 9, Section 1.

Homework - Complete standards worksheet and prepare for a short quiz tomorrow.

US History 1/15/13

In Class - Introduction to World War I (lecture).  Copy down key content vocabulary from the board and while reading throughout Chapter 6, Sections 1 and 2, use the context around the key term to define it.  Short quiz tomorrow over terms.

Homework - Complete Content Vocabulary and prepare for short quiz.

Monday, January 14, 2013

American Government 1/14/13

In Class - Welcome Back!  Class/teacher introductions.

Homework - None.

Economics

In Class - Welcome Back!

Homework - None.

World History 1/14/13

In Class - Welcome Back!

Homework - None.

US History 1/14/13

In Class - Welcome Back!

Homework - None.