I apologize for the tardiness of the post, but here goes...
Frosh. Seminar:
We continued more of the same this past week... we worked on more vocabulary strategies to help the students study for their toughest classes. A lot of our freshmen seem to be struggling with biology, so please encourage your student to use these vocab. strategies to study in that class. We again worked on math concepts on Monday and the students were given ample time to read for their AR points. The students check their grades weekly on Infinite Campus in this class so there shouldn't be any surprises. We make them record the letter grade and the percentage so they can track change over time and then reflect on why their grade has changed either for the negative or the positive.
US History:
We are off and running in our Western Expansion/American Imperialism Unit. This past week we started by looking at the Lewis and Clark Expedition and talked about its role in sparking Western Expansion. We looked at the influences of Thomas Jefferson and his view of an ideal America and how that image drew Americans to the frontier as they searched for "open lands". We also discussed (and will continue to discuss) the tragic consequences of Western Expansion on Native Americans. We wrapped up the week looking at a the Presidency of Andrew Jackson. We watched a film entitled Andrew Jackson: Good, Evil and the Presidency. More specifically we watched the sections entitled "The First Imperial President", "The Great White Father", "Defender of the Union", and "The Prophet". These sections deal with Jackson's Indian removal policy (and its subsequent removal of the Cherokee to Oklahoma via the Trail of Tears), the nullification crisis with South Carolina, his expansion of executive power, and finally his war with the Second Bank of the United States and corporations.
American Government:
This past week we wrapped up our look at Chapter 3 which is a very structural look at the Constitution. We will get into more application of the Constitution in the upcoming chapters and units. Wednesday the students had a quiz on Chapter 3. We also began looking at American Federalism this week and began discussing how the Federal Government balances its powers with State Governments. Friday we had our first Seminar which is an opportunity for the kids to share their opinions on certain topics related to government. This weeks topic was addressing the question, "When should government intervene?" The students were given ten hypothetical situations to consider if government intervention was apporpriate. After looking at the ten situations they chose one to write a position paper on. Next week will will continue our look at American Federalism. Friday of next week they will have a quiz on Chapter 4 and Tuesday the 26th they will have a Unit test covering Chapters 1-4.
Parents Homework:
Frosh:The first nine weeks is coming to a quick close. please continue to encourage your students to work diligently in 1st period.
US:
If you are interested in the presidency of Andrew Jackson I would recommend American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House by John Meacham. For those of you interested in American Imperialism I would recommend Habits of Empire: A History of American Expansion by Walter Nugent. Please continue to encourage your students to READ carefully and diligently. Many of them have not been reading carefully and have missed some easy questions on some of the assignments.
Gov.:
America's Constitution: A Biography by Akhil Reed Amar is a very interesting analysis of the Constitution point by point. American Federalism: A View from the States by Daniel Elazar is an important analysis of this topic. It is a little harder to come by now, but worth the effort. Please encourage your students to READ and be diligent in their work. Remind them about their service hours (the election is coming very soon) and their semester book project.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Week in Review 10/4 - 10/8
It is hard to believe that six weeks have already come and gone in this school year. The first nine weeks is coming to an end quickly. Please encoruage your students to ask for help if it is needed.
FROSH SEMINAR: This past week we worked on our fifth vocabulary study strategy. Please encourage your students to use these strategies in any class they may have trouble in. Our mentors have been working very hard with the freshmen to keep them on track with their studies. This past week we also took a visit to the College and Career Center to begin mapping out a four year plan with the counselors. Please ask your student about the trip and what they planned for themselves.
US HISTORY: Monday we finished a lecture on the War fo 1812. We tried to place the war in the larger context of the Early Republic. The outcomes of the war is where we focused much of our attention. We worked on a practice DBQ (Document Based Question) the seond part of Monday's class in preperation for Wednesday's Unit Test. Tuesday we played Jeopardy in class to review concepts and ideas for the test. Wednesday we had our Unit1/2 test. The students were allowed to make a one page note sheet to assist them on the test. Thursday we completed the test and Friday we looked at the concept of Manifest Destiny to serve as an introduction to our unit on westward expansion and American imperialism.
GOVERNMENT:
This past week we finished our Common Craft "like" videos covering the Constitution. Next week we will review the basic principles of the Constitution and then begin our study of American Federalism.
PARENT'S HOMEWORK;
Seminar: Encourage your students to ask their mentors for help in all aspects of their high school experience.
History: If interested in the War of 1812 and more specifically the outcomes of the war I would suggest The Republic Reborn by Steven Watts. We will begin our look at western expansion with the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis & Clark Expedition. I would recommend American Creation by Joseph Ellis. He has a very interesting chapter on the Louisiana Purchase. For the Lewis & Clark expedition I would recommend Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose.
Government: Please encourage your students to finish their service hours sooner rather than later. If you have any interest in the Constitution I would recommend America's Constitution: A Biography by Akhil Amar.
FROSH SEMINAR: This past week we worked on our fifth vocabulary study strategy. Please encourage your students to use these strategies in any class they may have trouble in. Our mentors have been working very hard with the freshmen to keep them on track with their studies. This past week we also took a visit to the College and Career Center to begin mapping out a four year plan with the counselors. Please ask your student about the trip and what they planned for themselves.
US HISTORY: Monday we finished a lecture on the War fo 1812. We tried to place the war in the larger context of the Early Republic. The outcomes of the war is where we focused much of our attention. We worked on a practice DBQ (Document Based Question) the seond part of Monday's class in preperation for Wednesday's Unit Test. Tuesday we played Jeopardy in class to review concepts and ideas for the test. Wednesday we had our Unit1/2 test. The students were allowed to make a one page note sheet to assist them on the test. Thursday we completed the test and Friday we looked at the concept of Manifest Destiny to serve as an introduction to our unit on westward expansion and American imperialism.
GOVERNMENT:
This past week we finished our Common Craft "like" videos covering the Constitution. Next week we will review the basic principles of the Constitution and then begin our study of American Federalism.
PARENT'S HOMEWORK;
Seminar: Encourage your students to ask their mentors for help in all aspects of their high school experience.
History: If interested in the War of 1812 and more specifically the outcomes of the war I would suggest The Republic Reborn by Steven Watts. We will begin our look at western expansion with the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis & Clark Expedition. I would recommend American Creation by Joseph Ellis. He has a very interesting chapter on the Louisiana Purchase. For the Lewis & Clark expedition I would recommend Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose.
Government: Please encourage your students to finish their service hours sooner rather than later. If you have any interest in the Constitution I would recommend America's Constitution: A Biography by Akhil Amar.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Week in Review 9/27 - 10/1
FROSH SEMINAR: This past week was more of the same. We worked on a series of different note taking strategies along with more vocabulary study skills. The students also had significant amounts of time periodically throughout the week to work on assignments from their other classes.
GOVERNMENT: Monday of this past week we finished a lecture on the ratification debates that took place after the draft of the Constitution was submitted to the states for ratification. We spent time analyzing the arguments of the Federalists and Anti-federalists. The students were assigned roles of either Federalists or Anti-federalists and were also given a specific topic to defend in an in class debate. Wednesday we began looking at the six principles that serve as the foundation for our Constitution. Thursday the students were placed in groups and given a section of the Constitution to explain to their classmates. The students will be producing films like those produced by the talented folks at www.commoncraft.com
US HISTORY: This past week we took a very brief look at the presidencies of the first four presidents (Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison). We did a more detailed comparison of the ideas and thoughts associated with Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. We worked on some primary source document skills using the acronym APPARTS. The students were also introduced to the idea and concept of DBQs or document based questions. This form of assessment will be used in the near future. We concluded the week by beginning to look at the War of 1812.
PARENTS HOMEWORK:
- Frosh Seminar: Please continue to encourage your students to work diligently in 1st period and to be prepared everyday with their AR book.
- Govt.: Please remind your students to work on completing both their service hours and their semester book project.
- US History: Please encourage your students to read diligently and with purpose. Also, they need to make better use of class time when they are given time in class to begin working on homework.
GOVERNMENT: Monday of this past week we finished a lecture on the ratification debates that took place after the draft of the Constitution was submitted to the states for ratification. We spent time analyzing the arguments of the Federalists and Anti-federalists. The students were assigned roles of either Federalists or Anti-federalists and were also given a specific topic to defend in an in class debate. Wednesday we began looking at the six principles that serve as the foundation for our Constitution. Thursday the students were placed in groups and given a section of the Constitution to explain to their classmates. The students will be producing films like those produced by the talented folks at www.commoncraft.com
US HISTORY: This past week we took a very brief look at the presidencies of the first four presidents (Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison). We did a more detailed comparison of the ideas and thoughts associated with Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. We worked on some primary source document skills using the acronym APPARTS. The students were also introduced to the idea and concept of DBQs or document based questions. This form of assessment will be used in the near future. We concluded the week by beginning to look at the War of 1812.
PARENTS HOMEWORK:
- Frosh Seminar: Please continue to encourage your students to work diligently in 1st period and to be prepared everyday with their AR book.
- Govt.: Please remind your students to work on completing both their service hours and their semester book project.
- US History: Please encourage your students to read diligently and with purpose. Also, they need to make better use of class time when they are given time in class to begin working on homework.
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