Thursday's HW - Thematic Essay Outline

1. CLICK HERE. Download, and print the task sheet for this thematic essay.

2. CHOOSE TWO AMENDMENTS TO RESEARCH - Here's the video link from the other day

3. Using the internet, textbooks, encyclopedias, etc., do research and find out:
• The historical circumstances that led to the adoption of the
amendment. In other words, what was going on at the time that led to the adoption of the amendment? Why was it necessary? Why did the gov't decide to make the amendment?
• How the amendment changed the United States government
and/or American society. In other words, how was, or how has life been affected in America as a result of the amendment's passage?

4. COMPLETE an OUTLINE using the BLOCK Diagram of a THEMATIC ESSAY.

So...On Friday, you need to bring in.
1. Task sheet
2. Research notes
3. Outline.

Click here for examples of what your essay should (and should not) look like when you're done! Don't even think about copying these...I've already read 'em, and know what to look for!

Tonight's HW 11/03/08

Hello, Everyone:

Here is tonight's HW Assignment:

1. WATCH THE VIDEO (CLICK HERE FOR THE LINK). If you haven't set up your PowerMedia Plus! Account, you're going to need to do that in order to watch the video. Use Passcode: yPNvYtchCh to set up an account if you have not yet done so.

2. TAKE NOTES while you watch the video.

3. After you watch the video, answer the questions below.

a. Why were these amendments passed?
b. How do these amendments expand the Constitutional rights of the people?
c. To what degree do these amendments restrict the rights of citizens?
d. Which amendments are the most important, the least? Why?
e. Do you think that the government should have passed an amendment banning the consumption of alcohol? Explain why or why not.

4. For people who cannot access the video, here is a link to information about the amendments.
http://www.ushistory.org/documents/amendments.htm

http://regentsprep.org/Regents/ushisgov/themes/government/amendments.htm

PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE POSTING YOUR RESPONSES ON THE BLOG. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE PUTTING YOUR NAME ON YOUR RESPONSES. NO CREDIT WILL BE GIVEN FOR ANONYMOUS POSTS!

10/.31/2008 - "A Living Document"

Over the years, the Constitution has been referred to as a "living document."

In a post of at least 50, but no more than 100 words, please explain why the Constitution is called a "living document."

Here's a link with information to help you write your post.

http://bensguide.gpo.gov/6-8/documents/constitution/about.html

See you on Tuesday!

HW 10/30/08

Imagine...Only ONE of the 10 Amendments that make up the Bill of Rights could be added to the Constitution. In other words, you can only one have one freedom guaranteed to you by the Constitution.

Which one would you choose? Free speech is nice, but what about the rights of people accused of crimes? Or, it doesn't really sound like it does a whole bunch, what about the 10th amendment, which gives powers not specifically given to the Federal gov't back to the states?

Think very carefully. Then write a post of at least 50 words, but not more than 100 that identifies the amendment you choose, and more importantly, a detailed explanation about your reasons for keeping that amendment.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Tonight's HW 10/28/08

Here's your HW for this evening.

1) Using your textbook, handouts, or the internet, locate the Bill of Rights, or the first ten amendments to the US Constitution. Here's some cool links below to help you.

http://www.constitutioncenter.org/constitution/details_explanation.php?link=120&const=08_amd_01

http://www.ushistory.org/documents/amendments.htm

2. Carefully study the amendments, then create a "Top 10 List" of the amendments in order of importance. In other words...Which of the 10 amendments is the most important to you? Second? Third, Etc.?

3. In a brief composition, explain WHY you chose to put the amendments in that order.

CLICK HERE for information on the Bill of Rights, and other Amendments.

See you in school tomorrow!

HW ASSIGNMENT - 10/24

DUE MONDAY - PERIODS 2 AND 4
DBQ ASSIGNMENT - CHECKS AND BALANCES .

Please click on the link for "DBQ Assessment #2" below for all of the info.

You must turn in:

1. The completed DBQ's
2. The essay.

CLICK HERE FOR THE DBQ'S


Thanks!

Tonight's HW - 10/23/08

Hello, Everyone:

Tonight's HW:

1. If you haven't finished the DBQ's, please finish whichever questions you need to complete.
2. Complete and Outline and Rough Draft of your Essay.

REMINDER: Your essay is due on MONDAY! No ifs, ands or buts! No exceptions!

DBQ Assessment #2

Topic: Checks and Balances.
Due Date: Monday October 27th

You are responsible for turning in the following:

1. The completed DBQ Short Answer Sheet. This is easy, as we'll have completed the questions in class. All you need to do is transfer your answers to the paper.

2. A completed DBQ Essay. We will take time in class to go over an outline, and prepare rough drafts. This will be easy as well if you pay attention.

Everything is due MONDAY. No ifs, ands, or buts. If you choose not to turn the paper in, you will receive a grade of ZERO.

Tonight's HW - 10/22

Very Simple Assignment. Do it, and you get A FULL POINT ON YOUR SEMESTER GRADE!

1. CLICK HERE.

2. Print the docs.

3. Bring it in, and show it to me tomorrow.

Any Questions?

Tuesday's HW - 10/21/08

CLICK HERE to view the video you saw in class today about the three Branches of Government.

After you watch the video, please answer the questions that follow.

1. What reasons might explain why this system called a system of "Checks and Balances?"

2. Which branch do you think has the most power under this system? Why?

3. Some people say that the system of Checks and Balances slows down the process of government unnecessarily. Do you agree? Why, or Why not?

BTW...If you haven't set up your PowerMedia Plus! Account, you're going to need to do that in order to watch the video. Use Passcode: yPNvYtchCh to set up an account if you have not yet done so.

Tonight's HW 10/20/08

One of the ways that our Constitution has survived for so long is its ability to be flexible. This flexibility is made possible by the amendment process, which allows the Constitution to be changed as needed.

For this assignment you need to do the following.

1. CLICK HERE. Read the information on the process of Amending the Constitution.

2. Think of an amendment you'd like to see added to the US Constitution. In a post of no more than 100 words (but at least 50), explain:

a) What your proposed amendment is about.
b) Why your amendment should be added to the Constitution.

Here's a link to a list of amendments that have been proposed in recent years.

http://www.usconstitution.net/constamprop.htm

Promote the General Welfare?

Click on the links below, and carefully read the articles:

Bush Vetoes Child Health Care Bill

House to Vote on New Child Health Bill


Then, based on the article and our discussion in class, reflect on the following questions:

What are the checks and balances taking place here?
Is healthcare a federal, city, or individual responsibility?
What are the limits of "promote the general welfare?"

DEBATE PARTE UNO

1. CHOOSE ONE OF THE DEBATES BELOW:

• CLICK HERE FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE
  
• CLICK HERE FOR LAST NIGHT'S V/P DEBATE
  
• Here's a transcript of the VP Debate
  

2. Answer the following Questions

• What questions were being asked of the candidates?
  
• What is something you learned from this debate about each candidate?
  
• Describe your opinion of the candidates before the debate(s). If you didn't have an opinion of the candidates, please explain why.
  
• Will the debates, or did the debates change your opinion of the candidates? Why? Why not?
  

Our First Exam Monday September 28

Hello, Everyone:

Our first exam will be taking place on Monday September 28th. Please mark your agendas, calendars, etc.

Here's the format of the exam.

1. Multiple Choice. Four choices for each question. Choose the one that you think best answers the question.
2. Thematic Essay: Here's the topic.

In the United States History, the rights of "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness," as stated in the declaration of Independence, have often been denied to certain groups of Americans.


Task:
1. Identify ONE group from your study of United States History.
2. Use TWO historical examples to show how the group has been denied the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
3. Identify, and discuss TWO efforts that have been made to help the group attain life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (how did this group try to get, or what was done by other people, or the gov't to help them?)
4. Evaluate the extent to which that group has achieved equality today (how successful has that group been at getting equality?)

YOU CAN USE ANY group from your study of United States History. Some of the groups you may wish to consider include:
African Americans
Asians
Women
Native Americans
Persons with Disabilities

Resources:
CLICK HERE for the multiple choice questions.

CLICK HERE for help with the thematic essay.
CLICK HEREif you want to review the information we've covered in class.
Another Great Website



Chapter 4 of the Review Book will also come in very handy.

Can You Trust the Federal Government?

The Articles of Confederation, the first government of the United States, was set up with very little power over the states. This was done as a result of a fear, or distrust of a strong central government. This likely came from the colonist's experiences under Britain in the 1760's.

Today, many people continue to distrust the Federal Government. In your opinion, is this distrust justified? Or, is it OK to trust your federal government?

Reflect on this question, and write a reaction of at least 50, but no more than 100 words.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

USH HW 9/19/08

THIS IS THE HOMEWORK FOR PERIODS 2 and 4.

1. COMPLETE the rest of the DBQ questions
2. COMPLETE an outline of your DBQ essay, using the block method we discussed in class today.

APUSH HW Due 9/22

Hello, APUSHers:

Here's your mission for this weekend. Don't worry, this message will not self-destruct in 5 seconds.

1. READ and OUTLINE Chapter THREE in the Review Book (or Chapter 9 in the AP for Dummies Handout)

2. BASED on YOUR HOMEWORK NUMBER, watch the following VIDEO.

NUMBER ONES CLICK HERE

NUMBER TWOS CLICK HERE
NUMBER THREES CLICK HERE

3. CLICK HERE AND PRINT THE FOLLOWING CHART

4. Complete only the part of the chart that goes with the video that you watched.

APUSH HW 9/18/08

APUSHers:

Greetings. Your mission:

1. Click here and obtain the worksheet "Colonial America: Assess Validity"

2. Print out the worksheet.

3. Answer the questions. Remember, it's more than just true and false. You need to explain why it's true, false, mostly true, or mostly false. In other words, be prepared to defend what you're saying

IMPORTANT: When you're doing these assignments, make sure that you're using your class notes, outlines, etc. Look back to these things in order to provide evidence to back up your statements. Don't try to attempt them without your reference material handy.

9R HW 9/17 (p2 and p4)

Hello, everyone:

Here's your assignment:

Based on our class discussion, and the video we watched in class today discuss...

1. How did people react to the declaration of Independence?
2. In reality many people thought the declaration of independence was a bad idea. Why might they think that?

Click HERE to access the video.

You're going to need a password to get in and set up an account. Copy and paste the code below.

yPNvYtchCh

If that doesn't work, click below (how cool is that?).

APUSH HW 9/17/08

Hello, Everyone:

Tonight, you get to watch a video (YAY!)

Click HERE to set up an account; IT'S FREE!

Enter the following passcode (copy and paste works best)

yPNvYtchCh

Watch the video, and then make up TEN (10) questions (not multiple-choice or T/F) that can be answered from the video.