HW Blog 12/6/06

Question: Do you think the balance of power is fair to the states and to the Federal Government? Explain your answer.

Publishing Comments:

Hello!

Just an FYI...The comments that are posted to the blog are MODERATED. This means that before you post, they have to be approved for posting (by me). We have to make sure that no one is posting anything inappropriate, and we also have to keep people from posting that shouldn't be here. Therefore, if you don't see your post right away, don't worry about it.

HW Post:

I apologize again for the late post.

Anyway, for the night-owls...

The Constitution was written over 200 years ago...What, if anything would you do to change the balance of power between the state and federal gov't?

Federalism Notes:

Federalism:

• Explains how power is shared between state/federal govt's
• Foundation of US Gov't
• Divides Power

How is power divided?

• "DR. CID"
• Delegated: Specifically given to the FG
• Reserved: Anything not delegated to the FG, goes to the STATES
• Concurrent: Shared by BOTH
• Implied: Not delegated, but allowed b/c they're necessary
• Denied: Neither state, nor fed can do it

Click http://regentsprep.org/Regents/ushisgov/themes/government/federalism.htm for more info.

Preamble Post

Hello, Everyone!

Sorry for the late post. Howver, if you are still up...

Based on what we learned in class today, please rewrite the preamble to the Constitution IN YOUR OWN WORDS!

See you tomorrow!

Notes on the Ratification of the Constitution:

Hope this helps!
(Taken from regentsprep.org)

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?

Extra Credit Assignments!

Want to raise your grade? Here's two easy ways to earn as much as 100 points. Everything is due to me NO LATER THAN FRIDAY NOVEMBER 3rd!

1. MAKE UP TEST - WEDNESDAY 10/25. If enough people want to take it, we will offer it in class that day. If not, we'll hold it after school. It will cover the important events from the ROAD to Revolution, as well as some questions about the Declaration of Independence (think natural rights, rights of the people, etc.). Here's a couple questions:

- What were the results of the F/I War?
- How did the F/I war increase tension between Britain and America?
- How did the colonists react to the change in British policy after the FI war?
- What action directly affected colonists on the Frontier? (think 1763)
- Why were the Intolerable acts passed?
- Why was Thomas Paine's Common Sense significant (that's a fancy word for important)?
- D of I - Parts, Purpose of Government, Importance

2. Battle Assignment: Choose a battle of the American Revolution, and write a detailed news article about it. Write as if you were actually there at the time, as a reporter covering the story for WJPS. Here's a website to help you with that report:

http://wizard.4teachers.org/builder/worksheet.php3?ID=80178

That's it for now. See you all in school tomorrow. The trimester ends soon, so get your stuff in gear, or as my mom used to say "your ducks in a row."

REVIEW BOOKS - WHERE ARE THEY?!?

Hello, Everyone:

I have only received review books from the following:

901: Julia/Jenee/Kevin
Karla/Chandler/Paula/John W
Danielle/Monica/Renzo/Jovan

902: Gerardo/Angelique/Mia/Richard
Erica/Christina/Jon K/Brian
Raymond/Joanna/Frederick
Qwany/Alex/Claudia/Sebastian

903: Penny/Elizabeth/Simone
Jessica/Fernando/Eddie/Jon C/Michael E

People. This is not good. This assignment was worth 30 points. Please get these things together and get them in ASAP. Thanks!

EXTRA CREDIT BLOG ASSIGNMENT

Wow. That was one of the best lessons I've ever been involved with today in class 901. You guys (and girls) were very passionate about this issue. I'm sorry if people got upset, but in a way, it's good. It shows you're alive! That you care very much about something. It's very inspiring when students get into an issue so much.

Anyway, for those of you who weren't there, here's the question:

Should the right to vote be limited only to people who are citizens of this country?

This is an issue that many of us, particularly those of us who have recently come to this country, feel quite strongly about. There are many different sides to the issue. One side, those who say "no," will state if you're not a citizen, you don't get to vote; kind of like if you go to the game without a ticket, you don't get in. The other side states that if these people are here working, and doing their best to start a new life, then the right to vote should be given to them.

Talk to people. Friends, relatives, the guy who owns the deli down the street. Your next-door neighbor. Get their ideas. Also, think about where they are coming from. What's their "perspective," or point of view. There's no easy answer to this.

Feel free to post to this as much as you like. Please maintain a sense of respect. It's OK to disagree, but not to disrespect. Good luck!

See ya!

BLOG ASSIGNMENT #3 -
Due Date: You must post to the site NO LATER THAN 11:59 PM Sunday Night.

What is up, people:

Mr. T here. I've really enjoyed looking at everyone's posts. If you don't have access to a computer, you can still complete the assignments on paper, and give them to me. Well, I guess if you don't have a computer, you're probably not reading this, but you can have a friend print it out and give you the assignment.

Anyway. Here's what I want you to think about. As we all know, and some of us have maybe even experienced, groups of people have been excluded from participation in government. By participating, I mean voting, holding public office, etc. From African-Americans, to women, to non-property holding people, at one time or another, people have not been given a say in their government.

My question to you is this:

What reasons might explain why certain people have been excluded from participating in government?

Write at least 127 words in response. You must also respond to another student's post, and write at least 46 words. If you aren't sure how to post a comment, simply repost to the blog, and put as your heading "Respond to (Name Here)'s post."

This blog thang is really working out very well. My goal is to get everyone on as soon as possible. C-ya in class tmw! Peace!