Thematic Essay Self-Check

Carefully read the questions below. Before you hand in your final drafts, make sure that you can answer these questions with a definite "YES!"

Does your Essay...

1. Identify TWO issues that arose at the Constitutional Convention? If so, which ones?
2. State THE REASONS for the disagreement over the issue. In other words, does the essay tell us how the disagreement happened?
3. EXPLAIN how each issue was resolved through Compromise?
4. CORRECTLY match the compromise with the issue (example: Representation/Great Compromise)
5. Use Correct facts, details and examples from the Constitutional Convention (example: Virginia Plan favored larger states, NJ Plan favored small states, Roger Sherman/Great Comp.)?
6. Create or add new information (example: the slavery question would eventually lead to Civil War)
7. Have a clear and logical plan of organization? In other words, an introduction, a conclusion, and body paragraphs?
8. Have an introduction and/or conclusion that did more than just restate the theme? Do you have an introduction that DOES NOT start with "this essay will talk about," or "in my essay, I I'm going to talk about," etc.
9. Contain at least 350 words?

Constitution Convention Notes - Very Helpful!

The Setting of the Philadelphia Convention

A) Early decision to re-write, rather than tinker (fix) with the Articles of Confederation
B) Open agreement secretly arrived at--Washington's plea
C) Intent of the Convention

1) Economic --Charles Beard--protect property rights and make America safe from democracy.
2) Idealistic--make a perfect Union
3) Pragmatic--dealing with the question of sovereignty. Placing common interests over regional or personal concerns.

II. The Participants
A. 55 delegates from 12 states
1) Young (average age 42), professional (over half were lawyers), men of economic substance
2) Many were Revolutionary War veterans
3) Absent: Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, other Revolutionary War heroes.B. Key

Participants
1) Washington--president of the convention
2) Madison--researched every previous republic
a) Large republic is not only possible, it's preferred
b) Popularly elected officials with sovereignty in the hands of the people, not the states3) Franklin--81 years old. The steadying influence

III. The Compromises

A. Great Compromise (bicameral legislature representing both people and states)

Why?
1. Virginia Plan or Large States Plan (Edmund Randolph)
a) 2 house legislature with representation based on population for both
b) President and courts chosen by legislature

2. New Jersey Plan (William Patterson)
a) Congress with each state having l vote
b) separate executive and judicial branches
c) increased powers of Congress

3. Great Compromise
a) Lower house membership dependent on population
b) Upper house with two members from each state
c) All revenue bills must begin in lower house

B. Three-Fifths Compromise

WHAT: 60% of slaves counted for representation and taxation; no Congressional interference with slavery for 20 years

Why?
1. Non-slavery states wanted slaves counted for taxation, but not representation and wanted an end to importation of slaves
2. Slave states wanted slaves counted for representation, but not taxation and no interference with slave trade by the federal government

C. Commerce Compromise
WHAT: no tax on exports, simple majority needed to pass commerce bills

WHY
1. Cotton and tobacco producing states wanted restriction of taxes on exports and all commerce bills to be passed by a two-thirds vote of Congress
2. Northern industrial states wanted federal tariffs to keep up out cheaper European products and raise revenues for the government.

Thanksgiving Break Assignment:

Hello, Everyone:

This assignment is due on TUESDAY NOVEMBER 28th (the day after we get back). We will begin work on the assignment Tuesday.

Mr. Saltz will also be lending a hand to help us do an excellent job.

It is an essay assignment that will count as a 100 point test. This is a THEMATIC ESSAY, very similar to the ones you will be asked to complete on the Regents Exam.

1. Here's the topic:

The Constitutional Convention of 1787 adopted several compromises to resolve disagreements over major issues facing the new nation.

2. The Task:

From your study of US History, identify TWO issues from the Constitutional Convention of 1787

For EACH ISSUE you identify:

• DESCRIBE the disagreement that arose over the issue at the convention
• EXPLAIN HOW that issue was resolved through the use of compromise

3. Here are some websites to help you complete this assignment.

http://www.usconstitution.net/consttop_ccon.html

http://www.polytechnic.org/faculty/gfeldmeth/lec.conconv.html

http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h368.html

http://regentsprep.org/regents/ushisgov/examoverview/thematic.htm

4. Requirements

• Typed, or neatly handwritten
• You can print the assignment, or if you choose, email it to me at MTessler@schools.nyc.gov

5. How will I be graded?

http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.phpscreen=ShowRubric&rubric_id=1344309

Click here to see the requirements.

HW ASSIGNMENT 11/17/06

Posting Due Date: Sunday 11/19 - 11:59 PM

Based on what you've learned in class about the compromises made regarding slavery at the Constitutional Convention...

- Do you think that the Constitution gave approval to slavery?

Write a response of at least 83, but no more 117 words to this post. For extra credit points, you will respond to at least ONE person's post, explaining why you agree, or disagree with their post.

Consitutional Convention Assignment 11/16/06

In order to get some Southern states to agree to the Constitution, slavery was allowed to continue in the U.S. Do you think that the framers (people who constructed) the Constitution were justified (right) in making this compromise? Explain your answer in a written composition of at least 93, but no more than 127 words.

Blog Assignment

Consider what you learned today about the nation of Merrimac. The authors identified the following as the goals of the convention:

• Strengthen the Nation
• Preserve State Power
• Secure Individual Liberty
• Stabilize the economy

Imagine you were an American living under the Articles of Confederation. In your opinion, which of the following should have been the most important goal for the men who attended the Constitutional Convention in 1787? Write a statement of at least 84, but no more than 97 words. Thanks!

Homework Assignment:

Posts must be received NO LATER than 11:59 PM tonight 11/14/06.

Think about the four goals for Merrimac, which you read about today in class. They were:

• Strengthen the Nation
• Preserve the powers of the States
• Secure individual liberty
• Stabilize the economy

Imagine you were alive at the time of the Constitutional Convention (1787). Which of these do you think was most important for America at that time? Explain why in a brief statement of at least 84, but no more than 97 words.

See you in school!

Regents Review Websites:

Hello, Everyone:

9th graders, I know you have a tough job ahead of you this June; taking and passing 3 Regents exams.

I know you all can do it. However, a little help can't hurt. Here's a couple of Mr. T approved websites that will help you rock this exams!

www.regentsprep.org - This site is FREE. It has all sorts of information for LE, Math A and US History. There's notes, and practice quizzes.

www.barronsregents.com - Back in the old days, when I was in High School, we had to go to the bookstore and buy these red Regents review books. Today, you guys can get the same thing on line! You can take quizzes online here, too. What's cool about this site is that it tells you why the answers you chose were wrong. Pay site, but very cheap. Worth the cash!

See you all in school. Keep working hard!

ONLINE GRADEBOOK!

Put an end to the question of "how am I doing?" Find out for yourself. It's easy!

Get access to Mr. T's online gradebook.

How do I do that?

1. Email Me at MTessler@schools.nyc.gov. DO NOT POST YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS ON THE BLOG!
2. After you email me, I will send the information to the site that handles my gradebook. Their server will automatically email you.
3. You will receive an email from the teacherease.com website. You will get a password, and directions about how to log in.
4. Go to the website with the password, and log in. Check your grades once a week, once a day, whenever, wherever!

Bottom line is that YOU have to be responsible for your learning. This is a major step towards accomplishing that goal.

Core Values

Reflect on our lesson today about core values.

1. Give examples of where you have seen core values in action. Each value has its own section:
Responsibility
Integrity and Wisdom
Respect
Compassion
Acceptance
Stewardship
Health

1) How do your values relate to the core values of our class?
2) Why do you think Mr. Tesler has established these values for our class?
2) How will following these values help you to be successful in school? In life?