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!

Tonight's HW BLOG #2

As a citizen of this country, what are your rights? What responsibilities come along with those rights? How can you fulfill those responsibilities.

Please respond to this blog in a minimum (at least) of 103 words. You must also post a comment to someone else's response. That comment must be at least 54 words.

Please take this assignment seriously. Be respectful of your peers, and school community. See you tomorrow!

Mr. T

VERY IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ EVERYONE!!!

In the interest of safety, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!!!!

DO NOT POST ANY INFORMATION ABOUT YOURSELF OTHER THAN YOUR FIRST NAME AND LAST INITIAL. DON'T PUT YOUR AGE, LOCATION, ETC.

Just watchin' out for all of you. Please be safe.

Questions for the Quiz on Wednesday

Hello, Everyone!

Since I am such a wonderful person, and am committed to making sure you are all successful, here is a list of the questions that will be on the quiz tomorrow.

In fact, I am going to allow you to bring in ONE POST IT with as much information as you can fit on it, that will help you to be successful on the Quiz.

There will be about 20 multiple choice questions on the quiz. They will be based on the work you've done in class the last few days. BEWARE. THESE ARE NOT DEFINITION QUESTIONS. This is an exercise to see how well you understood the importance of the things you studied.

Here goes:

What was the effect of the decision of the United States Supreme Court in Marbury v. Madison (1803)

How would you describe Federalism?

What was the purpose of the Declaration of Independence?

What were the Federalist Papers? Why were they important?

What's an example of the "Unwritten Constitution?"

How are the Mayflower Compact, and the Virginia House of Burgesses similar?

Why was the Bill of Rights added to the Constitution?

What were the colonies expected to provide to England under MERCANTALISM?

Why was a system of checks and balances included in the constitution?

Our First Blog Assignment:

Hi, Everyone:

Thanks again for checking in. Before we get to the question, I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate how hard all of you have been working. Keep it up, and we are going to do some amazing things this year.

OK (that's for you, 902!). Here's your assignment. And, no, YOU DON'T HAVE TO COPY THE QUESTION!!!

What type(s) of homework assignment would be "meaningful" to you? In other words, what type of assignments would be important to you. By important, I don't mean studying for a big test. I'm talking about assignments that you would care about doing. Things you would put your best effort into. Things that you would (is it possible?) ENJOY working on.

Please post an honest, serious, and meaningful reply to this question. It would also be cool if you would reply to other people's comments as well. Make sure that you leave your name and class in your reply, so I may be able to give you credit for completion of the assignment.

Thanks, everyone. See you in school!

Mr. T

Welcome New WJPS Freshmen!

Hello, Everyone!

Thanks for visiting the blog. I've set this up as a way for us to communicate with other, and share ideas about Social Studies, school, the world, etc. I'd like to use this a way for us to even complete our homework assignments; saves paper, time, trees, etc.

It's pretty easy to get an account on this site. Follow the directions at the sign-in screen and you should be OK. Additionally, Please make sure that when you post, you leave your name and class somewhere, so I know who is writing, and I may be able to give that person credit for their assignment.

Please note that as aspiring journalists, what you post here is for all of the world to see. It is expected that you will maintain a sense of maturity, and professionalism in your postings. This is a professional space, which will be viewed not only by me, but your other teachers, principals, and parents. While we do have freedom of the press in the USA, remember that you cannot publish anything that is untrue. Additonally, please do not publish anything that is harmful, hurtful, or disrespectful towards other people.

Finally, some safety issues. Only use your first name, and last initial when posting. Don't give any information about yourself (age, grade in school, etc.).

Again, thanks for checking in. Can't wait to read your posts!

Mr. T