Happy Holidays! December 14, 2007

Today in History: December 14, 1897: Margaret Chase Smith was born on this day. She was the first woman in the United States to serve in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

• AP US History: view a documentary over Reconstruction and Western Expansion.
• AP US Government: group public policy presentations.

December 13, 2007

Today in History: December 13, 1862 - Confederate General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia repulses a series of attacks by General Ambrose Burnside's Army of the Potomac at Fredericksburg, Virginia. The defeat was one of the most decisive losses for the Union Army, and it dealt a serious blow to Northern morale.

• AP US History: Career Cruising (in the computer lab).
• AP US Government: Group Public Policy Presentations.

December 11-12, 2007

AP US History:

• Today, students will complete a Chapter 15 Review.
• Wednesday, students will take a 3-Week Exam covering material through Chapter 15.

AP US Government:

• Today, students will write a bill using their group public policy project.
• Wednesday, students will be in the computer lab working on a college/career investigation program.

December 10, 2007

Today in History: Martin Luther King, Jr., was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on December 10, 1964.

AP US History:

• Today: we will conclude the video and conduct a Socratic discussion over the significance of the battle of Antietam. Objectives include: Can students discuss whether the Union and Confederate generals understood how important the battle at Antietam would be in the course of the Civil War? Can students explain what effect Antietam had on the public's morale and attitude about the war?
• Tuesday: students will complete a Chapter 15 Review.
• Wednesday: students will take a three-week exam over Chapters 14-15.
• Thursday: Third, Fourth, and Fifth periods will be in the computer lab working on a career/college investigation program. Second period will have a study hall since they have already completed the program.
• Friday: students will watch a video on Reconstruction.

AP US Government:

• Today: students will work on their group public policy project. This is the last time they will have to work on the project in class. Objectives include: can students apply feedback from the panel discussion to the group public policy project?
• Tuesday: students will write a bill using their group public policy project.
• Wednesday: students will be in the computer lab working on a career/college investigation program.
• Thursday and Friday: students will present their group public policy projects.

December 7, 2007

Today in History: President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed that December 7, 1941, was a day that would "live in infamy." On that day, Japanese forces attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. This event marked the official beginning of the United States' involvement in World War II.

• AP US History: students will view a documentary on the battle of Antietam. Objectives include: Can students discuss whether the Union and Confederate generals knew how important the battle at Antietam would be in the course of the Civil War? Can students explain what effect Antietam had on the public's morale and attitude about the war?
• AP US Government: students will work on group public policy projects. Objectives include: Can students apply feedback from panel discussions to complete group public policy projects?

December 6, 2007

Today in History: On December 6, 1941, Franklin Delano Roosevelt made a personal appeal to Emperor Hirohito of Japan. Roosevelt was trying to keep the United States out of World War II.

• AP US History: Today students will be taking a quiz over Chapter 15. Objectives include: can students demonstrate reading mastery of Chapter 15?
• AP US Government: Today students will apply feedback from panel discussions (yesterday) to their group public policy project.

December 5, 2007

Today in History: The Montgomery Bus Boycott, led by Martin Luther King, Jr., began on December 5, 1955.

• AP US History: Students will create and present information from the assigned reading, Chapter 15: pages 440-450. Objectives include: can students create an engaged presentation about a section of "The Fight to the Finish;" including the Emancipation Proclamation, Copperheads, Election of 1864, and Sanitary Commission.
• AP US Government: Students will participate in a panel discussion on their group public policy project. Objectives include: can students explain the affirmative and negative positions of their public policy topic?

December 4, 2007

Today in History: The first agricultural society of importance in the U.S. was founded on December 4, 1867. It was called the Grange.

• AP US History: today, students will create and present PowerPoint slides for pages 429-440 in the Divine textbook. Objectives include: can students explain how the Union and Confederacy "adjusted to total war?"
• AP US Government: today, students will prepare for a panel discussion (scheduled for tomorrow) on their group public policy project. Objectives include: can students research a current policy, present it, and debate the efficacy of the selected policy?

December 3, 2007

Today in History: The first heart transplant, which was performed by Dr. Christian Barnard, took place in South Africa on December 3, 1967.

AP US History:

• Today, we are completing a jigsaw activity over pages 423-429.
• Tuesday, we will discuss Chapter 15, pages 424-440.
• Wednesday, we will discuss Chapter 15, pages 440-450.
• Thursday, we will take a quiz over Chapter 15.
• Friday, we will watch a video on the Civil War.

AP US Government:

• Today and tomorrow, we are working on our group public policy project.
• Wednesday, we will conduct a panel discussion over the affirmative and negative sides on the group public policy project.
• Thursday and Friday, using information obtain from the panel discussions, we will continue work on the group public policy project.

November 26, 2007

Today in History: Charles Schulz, creator of the "Peanuts," was born on November 26, 1922. Sojourner Truth, the first African American to speak out against slavery, died on this date in 1883.

AP US History:

• Today, we are beginning our discussion of Chapter 14, pages 319-397.
• Tuesday, we will conclude our discussion of Chapter 14.
• Wednesday, we will complete an handout over sectionalism. It will be homework if not completed during class.
• Thursday, we will complete a DBQ. It will be homework if not completed during class.
• Friday, we will complete the unit with a quiz over Chapter 14.

AP US Government:

• Today, we are complete a jigsaw activity over Chapter 21: Environmental Policy.
• Tuesday, we will discuss and begin initial work on our Public Policy Project.
• Wednesday, we will complete test corrections for the Chapter 14-19 exam. Students may complete corrections for homework if needed.
• Thursday, we will take a quiz over Chapters 20-21.
• Friday, we will write two in-class free response essays over public policy.

Happy Thanksgiving, November 20, 2007

Today in History: Robert F. Kennedy was born on November 20, 1925. He served as attorney general of the United States under his brother, John F. Kennedy, and was in the process of campaigning for the 1968 presidency when he was assassinated.

Please be sure to turn in any missing assignments or corrections!

AP US History:

• Today, Tuesday, November 20: we are taking a quiz over Chapter 12.
• Next Week's Agenda: On Monday, we will discuss Divine-Ch. 14, pp. 391-397, including the Compromise of 1850, Wilmot Proviso, Free Soil Movement, and the Fugitive Slave Law. On Tuesday, we will discuss Divine-Ch. 14, pp. 397-404, including Kansas-Nebraska Act, Republicans, Ostend Manifesto, and the Know-Nothing Party. On Wednesday, we will discuss Divine-Ch. 14, pp. 404-412, including Dred Scott, Lecompton Constitution, and John Brown. On Thursday, we will discuss Divine-Ch. 14, pp. 412-421, including the election of 1860. Friday, we will conclude the week with a quiz over Chapter 14.

AP Government:

• Today, Tuesday, November 20: we will conclude foreign policy.
• Next Week's Agenda: On Monday, we will discuss Chapter 22: Environmental Policy. Tuesday, we will discuss and begin work on a public policy project. Wednesday, we will complete test corrections over the last test. Thursday, we will take a quiz over Chapters 21-22. Friday, we will conclude the week with an in-class essay over public policy.
  

Monday, November 19, 2007

Today in History: Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863. He delivered the speech in two minutes.

Remember, this is the end of the 12 Week grading period. Please be sure to turn in any missing assignments or corrections!

AP US History:

• Today, we will be completing a jigsaw activity over Chapter 12: pages 350-360. Objectives include: Can students describe the factors that contributed to American economic growth from 1830-1860? Can students explain how increasing industrialization affected the conditions and attitudes of the new working class?
• Tuesday, November 20: we will take a quiz over Chapter 12.

AP Government:

• Today we will begin our discussion of Chapter 20: Foreign Policy.
• Tuesday, November 20: we will conclude foreign policy.
  

November 16, 2007

Today in History: Indian Territory and Oklahoma Territory were combined and Oklahoma became the 46th state on November 16, 1907.

AP US History:

• Today we are discussing pages 343-350: Manifest Destiny and the Mexican-American War. Objectives include: Can students explain the various political positions regarding Texas and the Oregon territory? Can students define "manifest destiny" and explain three grounds used to justify it? Can students discuss whether the Mexican War was an imperialistic venture by the United States?
• Monday, November 19: we will be discussing Chapter 12: pages 350-360.
• Tuesday, November 20: we will take a quiz over Chapter 12.

AP Government:

• Today we are taking our 3Week Exam over Chapters 14-19.
• November 19-20: we will discuss Chapter 20: Foreign Policy.

November 15, 2007

Today in History: The Articles of Confederation was approved by Congress on November 15, 1777. On this date in 1806, Pikes Peak was discovered by Zebulon Pike.

• AP US History: today we are creating a storyboard over pages 335-343 in the Divine textbook. Objectives include: can students summarize, organize, and illustrate the main ideas of the "Movement to the Far West," including Webster-Ashburton Treaty, Spanish Borderlands, Texas Revolution, and the Mormon Trek?
• AP Government: today we are reviewing Chapters 14-19 using a jeopardy game and class discussion. Objectives include: can students identify strengths and weaknesses in understanding of the judicial branch, civil rights, civil liberties, public policy, economic policy, and social welfare? The test tomorrow will be AP-style multiple-choice.

November 14, 2007

Today in History: Robert Fulton, inventor of the steamboat, was born on November 14, 1765, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

• In AP US History: students are taking their three-week exam over Chapters 10, 11, and 14. Objectives include: Can students demonstrate matery over the Age of Jackson and Jacksonian Era Reform?
• In AP Government: students will participate in a lesson over students rights of expression. Objectives include: Can students explain their rights of expression and distinguish whether or not there is a violation of the First Amendment?

November 13, 2007

Today in History: The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated in Washington, D.C., on November 13, 1982. The memorial was designed by Maya Ying Lin and is a long, polished, black wall that lists the names of soldiers killed or missing in teh Vietnam War.

• AP US History: Students are completing a quiz over Chapters 10, 11, and 13. Objectives include: Can students demonstrate mastery of the knowledge and skills from the unit on The Age of Jackson?
• AP Governmetn: Students will discuss Chapter 17: Social Welfare Policy. Objectives include: Can students describe the goals of the social welfare system and contrast its programs with those in Britain? Can students describe the major elements of the system, including Social Security, Medicare, and the abolition of AFDC? Can students explain why some welfare policies are majoritarian and others client? Can students discuss politics of welfare reform?

November 12-16, 2007

Today in History: Suffragist Elizabeth Cady Stanton was born on November 12, 1815.

In AP US History:

• Today, we are reviewing Chapters 10, 11, and 13 through a group act-it-out activity. Objectives include: can students recall terms and explanations from the Age of Jackson era?
• Tuesday: students will take a multiple-choice quiz over Chapters 10, 11, and 13.
• Wednesday: students will take a three-week exam over Chapters 10, 11, and 13. The test will include 5 identifications, 30 matching, and 1 free-response essay.
• Thursday: students will discuss Chapter 12, pages 335-343 in the Divine textbook; incuding the Webster-Ashburton Treaty, Texas Revolution, and the Mormon trek.
• Friday: we will conclude the week discussing Chapter 12, pages 343-350; including Manifest Destiny and the Mexican-American War.

In AP Government:

• Today, we will continue our discussion of Chapter 16: Economic Policy.
• Tuesday: students will discuss Chapter 17: Social Welfare.
• Wednesday: students will participate in a presentation over students rights of expression.
• Thursday: students will review Chapters 14-19.
• Friday: students will take their three-week exam over Chapters 14-19.

November 9, 2007

Today in History: President Theodore Roosevelt sailed on a United States battleship for the Panama Canal Zone. He was the first president to leave the country while serving in office. He set sail on November 9, 1906.

• AP US History: today we are discussing pages 363-370. Objectives include: Can students explain the geographic, economic, social, and political factors of slavery in antebellum America?
• AP Government: today we will conclude our discussion over public policy and begin looking at United States economic policy (Chapter 16). Objectives include: Can students describe the roles played in the process of public policy formulation by people's perceptions, beliefs, interests, and values? Can students explain how voters have contradictory attitudes regarding their and others' economic circumstances?

Today we are on a special events schedule, celebrating Veterans Day. Please click on the following website to view "The Historyof Veterans Day," http://www.army.mil/cmh/faq/vetsday/vetshist.htm.

November 8, 2007

Today in History: The first circulating library was established by Ben Franklin in Philadelphia on November 8, 1731.

• AP US History: we will complete a "What’s Up with My Slides?" activity over pages 321-331 from the Divine textbook. Objectives include: Can students describe the factors that led to the rise of the women’s rights movement? Can students evaluate the results of the Seneca Falls Convention of 1848? Can students summarize transcendentalism and describe utopian communities?
• AP Government: we will conclude our discussion of Chapter 15: Public Policy. Objectives include: Can students use the the terms "costs," "benefits," and "perceived" to explain the four types of politics: majoritarian, client, interest group, and entrepreneurial, giving examples of each? Can students describe the roles played in the process of public policy formulation by people's perceptions, beliefs, interests, and values?

November 7, 2007

Today in History: On November 7, 1811, General William Henry Harrison defeated Indian attackers at the Battle of Tippecanoe. Also, Lewis and Clark's expedition reached teh Pacific Ocean on this date in 1805.

• AP US History: we completed a "What’s Up With My Slide?" activity over pages 314-321 in our textbook. Objectives include: Can students describe the “Cult of Womanhood”?
  Can students analyze the impact the reform of family life had on lower-, middle-, and upper-class women? Can students explain the purpose of public education according to Horace Mann?
• AP Government we continued our discussion of Chapter 15: Public Policy. Objectives include: Can students explain how certain issues at certain times are placed on the public agenda for action? Can you define the terms "costs," "benefits," and "perceived"? Can students use the the terms "costs," "benefits," and "perceived" to explain the four types of politics: majoritarian, client, interest group, and entrepreneurial, giving examples of each?

November 6, 2007: Election Day!

Today in History: James Naismith, inventor of baksetball, was born on November 6, 1861. The first intercollegiate football game was played on this date in 1869.

November 5, 2007

Today in History: On November 5, 1872, Susan B. Anthony was arrested and fined $100.00 for trying to vote in a presidential election. She was released from prison but never paid the fine. She continued to work for the right to vote for women.

• In AP US History: Today we are discussing Divine, Chapter 11, pages 309-314, "The Second Great Awakening." Students will complete a handout on today's PowerPoint presentation. If not complete, it is due tomorrow. Today's Objectives include: Can students identify and describe the Second Great Awakening? Can students explain the political, economic, and social factors that led to the growth of sectionalism, including the Second Great Awakening. Tuesday, we are scheduled to participate in a career investigation program with the Counseling office. Wednesday, we will discuss pages 314-321, "Domesticity and Changes in the American Family," including the cult of domesticity. Thursday, we will work on pages 321-331 from the Divine text, "Reform Turns Radical: From Abolitionism to Women's Rights." Friday, we will discuss pages 363-378: "Slavery, the Southern Economy, and the Slaveholding Society."
• In AP Government: Today we are taking our quiz over Chapters 14, 18, and 19. When complete, we will begin our discussion on Chapter 15: Public Policy. Today's Objectives: Can students demonstrate mastery over Chapters 14, 18, and 19? Can students explain how certain issues at certain times are placed on the pubic agenda for action? Can students define the terms "costs," "benefits," and "perceived"? Tuesday, we are scheduled to participate in a career investigation program with the Counseling office. Wednesday, we will continue our discussion on Public Policy. Thursday and Friday, we will discuss Chapter 16: Economic Policy. If we have time on Friday, we will also begin discussing Chapter 17: Social Welfare.

November 2, 2007

Today in History: Howard Hughes' Spruce Goose, a huge airplane made of plywood, made its first and only flight on November 2, 1947. It was the world's largest plane.

• AP US History: today we are completing our mini-debates (topics 5-8). Objectives: Can students summarize Jacksonian democracy and explain its opponents' reasoning? Can you describe the debate over nullification and states' rights?
• AP Government: today we concluded our discussion over civil rights and civil liberties. Also, we will have a quiz on Monday over Chapters 14, 18, and 19. Objectives: Can students describe the development of individual rights and liberties? Can students explain the significance of the Fourteenth Amendment and due process?

November 1, 2007

Today in History: The White House became the official residence of the United States' presidents on November 1, 1800. John and Abigail Adams moved in on this date.

I will not be in class today, but I will be on campus is you have any questions or concerns.

• In AP US History: we will work in our debate groups to complete a DBQ assignment on "Jackson: King Andrew or Old Hickory." Objectives: Can students explain Jacksonian democracy and its opponents' reasoning? Can students describe the debate over nullification and states' rights?
• In AP Government: we will work on answering questions regarding the Bill of Rights, Due Process, Exclusionary Rule, and Affirmative Action. Objective: Can students describe the development of individual rights and liberties? Can students explain the significance of the Fourteenth Amendment and due process?

October 31, 2007 - Happy Halloween!

Today in History: Work on the massive sculpture on Mount Rushmore was completed on this day in 1941.

• In AP US History: we will begin our mini-debates over 1) universal male suffrage, 2) universal public education, 3) right to form unions, and 4) tariff and nullification. Objective: AP #7: students will understnad federal authority and its opponents, the bank war, states' rights, Jacksonian democracy, and AP #9: Indian removal.
• In AP Government: we may a have a district judge discussing the court system today. If so, we will push back our Chapters 14, 18, and 19 quiz to Monday.

October 30, 2007

Today in History: John Adams, our second president, was born on this date in 1735. His son, John Quincy, was our sixth president.

• In AP US History: we are working in groups to put together our arguments for our mini-debates over Jackson and the Transformation of Politics in Antebellum Society. The first four mini-debates will be conducted on Wednesday. Objectives include: AP #7 - understand federal authority and its opponents, the bank war, states' rights, and Jacksonian democracy and AP #9 - Indian removal.
• In AP Government: we are continuing our discussion on civil rights and civil liberties, including due process. Objectives include: AP # 6 - understand development of individual rights and liberties and their impact on citizens, understand Fourteenth Amendment and how the doctrine of selective incorporation have been used to extend protection of liberties and rights.

Have a GREAT Tuesday!

October 29 - November 2

Today in History: The stock market crashed on October 29, 1929. This day, known as Black Tuesday, signaled the beginning of the Great Depression.

Today is the beginning of the second nine-weeks grading period. Students received a detailed progress report to very all grades. Any discussions regarding grades should be completed before the end of day Tuesday.

• In AP US History: This week we will complete our discussion of Jacksonian Democracy. Today, we are conducting a jigsaw activity over the Bank War and Second Pary System, pages 296-305 in the Divine textbook. On Tuesday, we will be divided into small groups and given a debate topic to work on while in class. Wednesday through Friday, we will conduct mini-debates on the following topics: 1) universal male suffrage, 2) univeral public education, 3) right to form unions, 4) tariff and nullification, 5) the bank veto, and 6) Indian removal. After completing the debates and analyzing the two sides to Jackson, students will complete a DBQ: King Andrew or Old Hickory.
• In AP Government: This week we will be discussin Chapters 18-19, Civil Liberties and Civil Rights. Today, we will discuss what are civil rights and civil liberties, the Fourteenth Amendment, and due process. Tuesday, we will complete an activity over the material. Wednesday, we will continue our discussion, talking about the purpose and effects of civil rights and the forms of civil liberties. Thursday, we will complete an activity regarding our rights. Friday, we will wrap up the unit with a quiz over Chapter 14, 18, and 19.
• Other Important Information: 1) Thursday is Photo Retake Day for Grades 9-11, in the Cafetorium. 2) Friday we will be on Pep Rally schedule - Go Tigers, Beat Burnet!

October 26, 2007

Today in History: The Erie Canal opened on this date in 1825.

• In AP US History: students are completing a learning station activity over pages 289-296 from the Divine textbook. Students should understand Jacksonian democracy and its successes and limitations, as well as, the bank war and forced removal of American Indians to trans-Mississippi West. Students will also understand the importance of efective leadership (19A) and analyze information and explain and apply different mothods historians use to interpret the past. Assignments Due by Monday: Jigsaw Activity Handout and Jackson's Learning Stations Handout.
• In AP Government: students will participate in a discussion over "The Power of Federal Courts" and "Checks on Judicial Power," describing the dimensions of power exercised today by the Supreme Court and the opposing viewpoints on the desirability of activism by that court.

Please email Mrs. Jennings for an electronic version of available handouts.

October 25, 2007

Today in History: Pablo Picassa, one of hte world's greatest painters, was born in Spain on this date in 1881.

• In AP US History: we will complete a jigsaw activity over the Divine: Chapter 10, pp. 281-289 reading. Please email me if you will be out and need an electronic version of the handout. Tomorrow, we will conduct a learning station activity over pages 289-296.
• In AP Government: we will be playing a "board game" using the material from Chapter 14, pages 403-422.

Please let me know if you have any questions. Have a GREAT Thursday!

October 24, 2007

Today in History: The first transcontinental telegram was sent on this date in 1861. It traveled from San Francisco, California, to New York City, New York.

In AP US History and AP Government we will be taking our 3 Week Exams.

• In AP US History, students should begin reading pages 281-289 in the Divine textbook and work on the terms for Chapter 10.
• In AP Government, students should be reading Chapter 14: The Judiciary and defining the terms in their packet.

I anticipate posting the Government test scores this evening, but will need until Friday or Saturday to complete AP History.

Textbook Websites

Students may find resources located on their textbook website a helpful study tool:

• Divine's America, Past and Present: http://wps.ablongman.com/long_divine_appap_7/0,9455,1517172-,00.html
• Wilson's American Government: http://college.hmco.com/polisci/wilson/am_gov/8e/students/index.html

October 23, 2006

Today in History: Blanche Scott became the first woman to fly solo in an airplane on this date in 1910.

In AP US History, we are reviewing Chapters 7-9 for our 3 Week Exam scheduled for tomorrow.

In AP Government, we will complete our review from yesterday and begin our discussion of the judicial system (Chapter 14).

Please let me know if you have any questions. Have a GREAT day!

Missing Work and Corrections.

All students have until 4:05 pm Friday, October 26, to turn in any missing work or corrections.

How to do corrections:
1. Daily Work: make correction or complete question then resubmit work.

2. Essay: rewrite essay. If you have questions regarding feedback, please see me during tutorials.

3. Quiz: on a separate sheet of paper, (a) write out the entire question, (b) write out the entire correct answer, and (c) write the page number(s) from your textbook in which the information is located.

4. Test. In AP US History, students will need to schedule a retest of the material. Retests will take 50 minutes, before school. In AP Government, for half credit, on a separate sheet of paper, (a) write out the entire question, (b) write out the entire correct answer, and (c) write the page number(s) from your textbook in which the information is located.

The Week of October 22-26, 2007

In A.P. US History: Today we are taking a quiz over Chapter 9 - Nation Building and Nationalism, 1815-1825. Please make sure you have read all of Chapter 9.

Tomorrow we will review Chapters 7-9 in anticipation for the 3 Week Exam on Wednesday. Thursday, we will discuss pages 281-289 in the Divine textbook. On Friday, we will conduct a learning station activity using information from Divine, pages 289-296.

In A.P. Government: Today we are reviewing Chapters 11-13 in the Wilson textbook. Students will be working in a small group to answer various free response essay prompts.

Tomorrow we will begin our discussion of the judicial system with Chapter 14. We will continue the discussion on Thursday (Going to Court and the Supreme Court in Action) and Friday (The Power of the Federal Courts and Checks on Judicial Power). The 3 Week Exam will be Wednesday, covering Chapters 11-13.