Hip Hop Songwriting Contest

http://www.collegeboard.com/cbschools/contesthiphop/

Let's put those hip-hop skills to work! With the quality of the raps we put together, we've GOT to be able to win!

WWI Study Links

1. List of Terms and Multiple Choice Topics
2. Multiple Choice Questions
3. Online Quiz - EduSolution TEST YOURSELF!
4. Regents Prep - World War I
5. Social Studies Help Center This is the link for America's Entry into WWI. Find the links for lessons 72, 73, and 74 for more info.
6. fdmurphy.com scroll down to the section on "writing for the humanities."
7. World War I DBQ's These are taken from a course on AP US History. If you can figure out what these docs are trying to say, then you are ready!

Here it is...Now, it's up to you! Good Luck

Exam World War I

Hello, Everyone:

We are going to have an exam on World War I. It will be a TWO DAY exam. It will as close to a Regents exam as possible.

Day 1: Multiple Choice, Thematic Essay Outline and Thematic Essay
Day 2: DBQ, DBQ Outline, and Essay

Multiple Choice: 45-50 pts
DBQ Short Answer Questions: 10 Points
Outlines 5 points for each outline
Essays 15 points each

Multiple Choice: approximately 30 multiple choice questions, taken from past regents exams.
Thematic Essay Topic: Supreme Court Cases Concerning Constitutional Civil Liberties Task: Using the case of Schenck vs. United States,
• Discuss the facts of the case (what do you know about it?)
• Identify a specific constitutional civil liberty issue addressed by the Supreme Court (what rights were in question)
• Discuss how the decision of the Supreme Court either expanded or limited a specific constitutional civil liberty in the United States (how did the decision affect how people were able to use that right?)

DBQ – Topic: Why did the US enter WWI? Will be VERY similar to the assignment we did in class.

• You’ll have about 5 DBQ’s to answer.
• Each document will relate to the US’s entry into WWI.
• After you finish the DBQ’s, you’ll have an outline to complete
• After the outline, you’ll write your essay.
• Has to have intro, conclusion, and body paragraphs
• Answer MUST make reference to a certain # of document(s) (ex: “in document 1, it shows that the US was exporting nearly 2 billion dollars to Britain by 1916.”
  
  Good Luck!

Tonight's HW 3/10/08

Imagine...You are President Wilson, and you are trying to convince the allies not to punish Germany for causing WWI.  

Write a LETTER to one of the leaders of the Allies (Clemenceau - France, Lloyd George - Britain, Orlando - Italy).  Explain why it is important not to punish Germany, and to accept "peace without victory."  

REMEMBER - Do not refer to it as World War I (they had no idea there would be another).  You can call it the Great War if you like.  

Your letter must be AT LEAST one page; typing is preferred.  Email is acceptable, as are posts to Google Docs (the best option!).  

This is worth 25 points, and it's due tomorrow.  Thanks! 

Civil Liberties During Wartime

In case you missed your notes! 

Today's Lesson - Propaganda

If you missed anything.

US Entry into WWI

In case you missed it 

New Unit - World War I

Hello, Everyone: 

The next unit of study that we will be covering is World War I.  Listed below are the homework assignments for this topic, which is found in CHAPTER 19 of the TB

HW'S: 

Tonight: Read pp. 578-586.  Complete "Terms and Names," and questions 2, and 4 on p. 586

Tuesday: pp. 587-593.  "Terms and Names" and "Critical Thinking" #3.  

Wednesday: pp. 594-601: Complete Questions 1 and 3 on p. 601

Thursday:  pp. 604-608: Complete "Critical Thinking" 3 and 4 on p. 608

Friday: WWI Poster Mini Project: Due Tuesday March 4 NO EXCUSES

TEST: Tentatively Scheduled for March 10 and 11 (two day exam)! Click Here for Details

World War I

In case you missed today's notes, here they are!  

February Recess Assignments

Hello, Everyone: 

Listed below are your assignments for the February Recess.  

1.  Please to the QHST Class Blog and read the post.  After reading the post, what you are going to to is the following: 

• Develop a PLAN of ACTION - something that we as a school community can DO to HELP the victims of Hurricane Katrina.  There are so many different things that need to be done.  Follow the links on the QHST site and I'm certain that you will be able to find a cause, or something that will inspire you to help.  

2.  COMPLETE any missing assignments that are outstanding at this time.  The major assignments I am looking for are the: 

• Thematic Essay on the Supreme Court Cases
• Federalism Mini-Project 

Check previous posts on this blog and teacherease for more information. 

3.  Extra Credit Assignment:  You can do this for extra credit, or in place of one of the major assignments listed in #2 (in case you're missing one of them).  

1. Go to Digital History
2. READ the Documents
3. ANSWER QUESTION #2 at the bottom of the web page
4. Complete a DBQ ESSAY which answers the following question

• "Was imperialism a proper and legitimate policy for the US to follow at the turn of the nineteenth century?" 
• In other words, should the United States have practiced imperialism? 
• Use information in the forms of quotes from documents to back up your opinion
• CLICK HERE FOR HELP WITH THIS ASSIGNMENT scroll down and find the links under "Writing for the Humanities..." Follow the links under "The Writing Process." 
• This assignment is worth the equivalent of a one-hundred (100) point test.   

Imperialism Exam 2/15

Click HERE for topics: 

Places to Study: 

1.  Chapter 18 of textbook

2.  Packet from class

3.  Class notes

Websites: 

Regents Prep - Foreign Policy

Imperialism

How did the US Justify Imperialism

Spanish American War

Latin America/Asian Foreign Policy

Online Quizzes

More Online Quizzes

Imperialism Notes

Click HERE in case you've missed any notes over the last two days

Tonight's HW: Read pages 552-564

Complete: "Main Ideas" 4, 5, 7 p. 574 

America's Foreign Policy

Based on today's class...

What reasons might explain why America seems to be more willing to help other nations than people in our own country?  

For example, in the movie "When the Levees Broke," we learned that the US was able to get supplies into Sri Lanka faster than they did to New Orleans.  

Why do you think we're more concerned with other nations than our own country? 

When the Levees Broke - Part II

Based on the government's response to Hurricane Katrina...

In what areas was the government successful? 

In what areas did each level of government fail? 

What were the major reasons behind the government's success or failure? 

Have your ideas about the responsibilities of government changed as a result of seeing this film? Why, or why not?  

Regents Week Assignments

Hello, Everyone:

Although we are not meeting for class next week, due to the regents exams, please do not be mistaken that this is a week of vacation.

I expect that you'll take some time to enjoy yourself this week. However, there is much work to be done before we finish this course. Therefore, you will have some assignments to complete this week.

Here are your assignments.

1. Complete your blog-post assignment related to "When the Levees Broke." This is a very important assignment, and I am really counting on everyone to make a comment on this film. CLICK HERE FOR THE LINK

2. Go to the "Foreign Policy" section of the regentsprep.org website. Print out the information for each of the topics. Read, and highlight each section (don't worry, they're really short). Bring it with you to class when we return after the Regents. CLICK HERE FOR THE LINK

3. Click Here for the "Foreign Policy Vocab" assignment. Print out the list. Using your textbook, the internet, and/or other sources, please create a definition of each term or concept in your own words.

See you next week!

Right to a Fair Trial Part 2

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/ny-tankleffgallery1002,0,3188407.storygallery.

CLICK ON THE LINK ABOVE. Take time to read some of the articles related to this case...Then, answer the questions below.

1. Do you agree with the decision to set Mr. Tankleff free, even though he confessed to the murder of his parents?
2. Were Martin Tankleff's civil liberties violated? How?
3. Which of Martin Tankleff's rights were violated?
4. What type of recourse should Martin Tankleff have in this case?
5. Based on this case, and the case yesterday, do you think a jury trial is always a fair trial?

The Right to a Fair Trial

http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion/ny-opfocus5518442dec30,0,182822.story

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/ny-limill1211,0,1911067.story?coll=ny_breaking_500

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/ny-limill1212,0,1976604.story?coll=ny_breaking_500

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/ny-limill1128,0,2304290.story?coll=ny_breaking_500

Click on the links above, or copy, and paste the links above into your browser. Read the articles. Then answer the questions below in the form of a paragraph.

1. What role, if any, do you think race played in this trial?
2. Do you think race SHOULD have played a role in this trial?
3. Do you think the outcome of the case would have been different, if the races of the people involved were reversed? Why?
4. Do you believe that John White received a fair trial?
5. What other actions could/should Mr. White or Mr. Cicciaro have taken in this case?

Vacation Assignment for the Rapumentary

Hello, Campers:

As you know, we've been working very hard in class to complete the rapumentary project. Despite some setbacks, we should be able to complete the project shortly after we get back from vacation.

The only way that we can make that happen is if we all do our best, and continue to work hard. That means that over the vacation, you will be expected to complete the following.

1. You are expected to complete TWO VERSES for your group's rap.
2. One of the verses will be an INTRODUCTION. In other words, it will be just like the introduction to an essay. In that intro verse, you should reflect:

• The purpose of the Supreme Court
  
• Why the Supreme Court is important
  
• How the Supreme Court's decisions can affect Civil Liberties.
  

3. You will also be responsible for writing a verse based on one of your cases. Your verse MUST reflect:

• The BASIC FACTS OF THE CASE: Who's involved? What happened? How did the case get to the Supreme Court?
  
• The CIVIL LIBERTIES in question: What amendment? What right?
  
• The OUTCOME AND EFFECTS OF THE CASE: How did the court rule? Did this ruling EXPAND, or LIMIT CIVIL LIBERTIES

4. Please note that each group will lose TEN POINTS for each group member who fails to complete their verses, and bring them to class on January 2 (the day we return from vacation). If you are going to be absent, then email your team-mates. "....is absent, and he/she has the..." is NOT an acceptable excuse.

Here's a link to help you "kick it." Be Creative. Work Hard. HAVE FUN!!!

Dumbing Down?

Click on the link for the article that Follows, and answer the following:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2007/12/14/2007-12-14_harlem_principal_gets_a_slap_over_memo.html


1. What is your reaction to the article?
2. What reasons might explain why the Principal sent the memo to the teachers?
3. Would you be happy if you knew that a teacher gave you a "passing" grade, even though you didn't deserve it?
4. Should teachers challenge students to learn, or just help them to pass exams like the Regents, and the State Tests?
5. Do you feel that you are challenged enough academically in your classes? If not, then what should teachers be doing to challenge you more?

Rapumentary Project Day 6

Morning, Campers:

Today's Mission:

Before you leave class today, you MUST email a copy of your work to ME and yourself. My email is MTessler@schools.nyc.gov.


1. You've had time to research AT LEAST two cases. Today's mission will involve those cases and PowerPoint.

2. You will have time today in class to complete a PowerPoint Presentation on your case. Your presentation should contain

• A Background (not plain)
  
• A graphic related to the case you are researching
  
• A short summary of facts of the case
  
• The Civil Liberty (or LIBERTIES) in Question
  
• An explanation of how the OUTCOME of the case INCREASED OR DECREASED CIVIL LIBERTIES
  

3. IF you didn't finish your thematic essay, you will be working on that during class today. It will be due at the end of the period. If you don't finish by the end of the period, you will have 24 hours to hand it in. If you do no work at all on the essay during class, you will choose to take a grade of zero for the thematic assignment.

4. If you're not really familiar with PowerPoint, click on the link for this post. You will be taken to a site that will give you a brief lesson on how to use it.

5. TONIGHT'S HW: Finish your PowerPoint, and email it to me before 11:59 PM tonight.