Checks and Balances DBQ INFO

Hello!

Here is the link for the answer key for the Checks and Balances DBQ!

Scroll Down to January 2002. That's the exam where the DBQ came from.

Checks and Balances DBQ

CLICK HERE for the DBQ that we worked on in class today. Please print out the documents, and complete the remaining questions. When you've finished with that, please complete an outline of the DBQ Essay. We will spend time in class Friday working on a draft, and then making it awesome for Monday, to be handed in Tuesday!

HW 11/30

1. Review the information on the 3 Branches of Gov't by CLICKING HERE

2. Listen to the lecture, by clicking here

3. Answer the questions below.

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?

Tonight's HW 11/29

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.

Amendment Thematic Essay Folder!

CLICK HERE

Amendment Thematic Essay Folder!

CLICK HERE

Constitution Quiz Review Guide!

Amendment Mini-Project

CLICK HERE for the mini-project

Tuesday's HW 11/22/11

CLICK HERE Download the issue brief, read it, and print it.

Read FOUR of the articles below. Click the links below. You should outline each article and take notes.

Free Speech and Cyberbullying
MySpace Hoax Led to Suicide

Suspension Violated Student's Rights

Students Have Free Speech Rights

'Bong Hits 4 Jesus' Ruling

Student Sues School For Degree

Free Speech vs. Class Disruption

Using what you've learned from the articles, as well as your knowledge of Social Studies...

What are the arguments for allowing schools to punish students for behavior outside of school?

What are the arguments against allowing schools to punish students for their behavior outside of school?

What role should schools play in deciding what is or is not appropriate online activity for their students?

Should a school be able to suspend you for insulting a fellow student over Facebook?

Editorials

Students’ Right to Free Speech

Schools Must Monitor Students

HW 11/11/2011

Hello, RUSH Students:

Here's tonight's HW:

CLICK HERE for the presentation, "Issue Introductions."

After viewing the presentation...

1. Which amendment from the Bill of Rights relates to...

a. Gun Control

b. Death Penalty

c. Violent Video Games

d. Student Free Speech

e. Student Searches

f. Religion and Science

g. Trials and Terrorism

2. Choose FOUR (4) of the questions listed below. For each question, explain your opinion in a response of AT LEAST ONE PARAGRAPH (FIVE SENTENCES MINIMUM).

a. Should people be allowed to purchase assault weapons, like machine guns?

b. Should a person be sentenced to death if he or she commits a terrible murder?

c. Should schools have the right to discipline students for behavior that happens outside of school?

d. Should schools have the right to search students to protect the safety of all students?

e. Should there be laws to prevent minors from buying violent video games?

f. Should public school students learn about Intelligent Design as well asEvolution?

g. Should the government be allowed to imprison suspected terrorists for years, without a trial?

Bill of Rights HW Assignment

Carefully study the amendments below, 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. Your composition should be around 175 words (1/2 a page).
The Bill of Rights (from regentsprep.org)

Amendment	Right(s)	Historic Roots
1 Freedoms	Freedom of Religion Freedom of Press Freedom of Speech Freedom of Assembly Separation of Church and State (no national religion)	The English gov't had suppressed speech, assembly and press rights in an attempt to quell the growing colonial discontent. Additionally, many early settlers (such as the Pilgrims) came to America in search of religious freedom.
2 Right to Bear Arms	Right to keep and bear arms	In the period prior to the revolution, the English attempted to limit militia activity, as they rightly feared preparations for a coming revolution.
3 No Quarter	Right to protection from troops being quartered in homes during peacetime	The Quartering Act passed by English Parliament required the colonists to house and feed British troops stationed in the colonies.
4 Search and Seizure	Right against unreasonable search and seizure Warrants require cause and must be specific	British troops often search houses and property at will, in an attempt to suppress organizations working towards a revolution.
5 Rights of the Accused	Accused must be indicted by a Grand Jury Cannot be tried for the same crime twice (double jeopardy) Cannot be forced to testify against yourself Right to a fair trial with all proper legal rights enforced (due process) Right to fair compensation ($$) when the gov't takes your property for public use	Many accused under British law in the colonies, were jailed without being accused of a crime. It was also not uncommon for a person in the colonies to be tried under the laws of Britain, without regard to the local laws passed within the colonies.
6 More Rights of the Accused	Right to be informed of the charges against you Right to a speedy and public trial Right to an impartial jury Right to face witnesses against you in court Right to counsel (a lawyer) Right to call witnesses in your defense	In the era prior to the revolution, British courts could keep a suspect in jail without accusing him/her of a crime or bringing them into a court of law. Many suspects sat in prison for years awaiting trial, only to be found innocent an released.
7 Rights in a Civil Case	Right to a trial by jury in a civil case (non-criminal case)	This provision protected the idea of trial by jury (a fundamental notion in both English and American law) and extended it to all cases private or public.
8 Cruel and Unusual Punishment	Right to protection against cruel and unusual punishment Right to protection against excessive bails and fines	Even given that English laws applied to the colonies, English run colonial courts did not enforce the law evenly or fairly in the eyes of many. Excessive fines were levied for small offenses and extended sentences were given colonists perceived as threats for even the most minor offenses.
9 Unenumerated Rights	Guarantee that rights not enumerated (listed) in the Constitution are still protected	The founding fathers wanted to be certain that rights articulated in the Bill of Rights were not thought to be the only possible rights.
10 Reserved Rights	Guarantee that the people and the states have all of the powers not specifically delegated the federal government (reserved powers)	Many of the founding fathers feared the domination of the people and the states by a powerful federal government. To insure the containment of this power, people and states are granted all the powers that the federal government is not.

HW Assignments Week of 11/1

Hello, RUSHers:

Here are your assignments for this week.

Monday Night -

1. DUE WEDNESDAY! FINISH the Thematic Essay on the Constitutional Convention.

2. PLEASE CLICK HERE and PRINT a copy of the Rubric. EXTRA CREDIT if you print it!

2. Print a copy of the Constitution Quest. You will need this to complete the assignment we will be starting on Wednesday. CLICK HERE for the link!

Wednesday - DUE MONDAY 11/08/2010 - Finish the Constitution Quest. We will be working on the C-Quest in class Wed., Thu., and Fri. This assignment will count as a test (4.0 points), and will be graded.

HW Assignments and Announcements Week of 10/25/2010

Hello, RUSHers:

Here are your assignments for the week of 10/25/2010.

Monday Night: Due Tuesday 10/26/2010

CLICK HERE, and post a response to the questions. You don't have to write anything down! Just post a response! Cool, right?!?

Tuesday Night: Finish the Thematic Essay, DBQ and DBQ Essay. Click the link for the exam! Due THURSDAY 10/28/2010

Wednesday Night: Continue Working on the Thematic, DBQ, and DBQ Essay. Due THURSDAY

Thursday Night: Begin THEMATIC ESSAY on The Constitutional Convention (major assessment piece!) due WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 3rd!

Friday: Finish a rough draft of your Thematic Essay on the Constitutional Convention. Final Draft is due November 3rd!

3/5 Compromise Reaction

RUSHers:

Here's a review of the 3/5 compromise

"A fundamental economic and social division began to erupt over the issue of slavery. The southern, agriculturally based states relied heavily on slavery and slaves constituted a significant portion of their populations. The northern states opposed counting slaves for representation in government because they were not citizens and their population could easily be increased, tipping control of the federal legislature to the southern states"

Based on today's lesson regarding the 3/5 compromise, and your knowledge of social studies, respond to the questions below. You can post your responses, so you do not have to write them out on paper.

1. Was the 3/5 compromise the BEST possible solution in 1787 to the issue of slavery?

2. Do you think that the Constitution, by compromising on the slave trade and incorporating a fugitive slave clause, gave approval to slavery?

3. Is compromise over a moral issue like slavery ever justified? Can any human being ever be considered as less than a whole person? Why, or why not?

Assignments 11/8/11-11/11/11

Monday Night - Due Wednesday!
Please finish your station assignment. If you print out the worksheets, you may write on them. Please staple all of your work together, and make sure your name is on every page!

Wednesday Night - Begin working on your...

MAJOR ASSESSMENT PIECE (PORTFOLIO PIECE #1): DUE DATE TUESDAY 11/15

Thematic Essay: Constitutional Issues

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

Task:
Identify two issues from the Constitutional Convention of 1787 (what were two disagreements that occurred?).

For each issue identified

• Describe the disagreement that arose over the issue at the C.C. (tell us about the disagreement; don’t just say what it was! Who was it between? What was it over?)
• Explain how the issue was resolved through the use of Compromise (Give the details behind the compromises; how did they work? What did each side get?

You may use any issue that was discussed at the CC. . Some
suggestions you might wish to consider include, but are not limited to:
• Representation in Congress
• Slavery
• Taxation

Thursday Night - Revise your 1st Draft

Friday Night - Revision of your draft

Essay Resources:
Chapter 4 (p 20-34) of the BLUE Review Books
Chapter 5 of the Textbook The Americans
Regentsprep.org – follow the links for Government.
Fdmurphy.com – follow the links for essay writing
Socialstudieshelp.com
Class Notes

HW 10/22/2010

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.

Tonight's HW - Due THURSDAY!

Hello, RUSHers:

Here's tonight's HW assignment. Please note that the assignment is not due until THURSDAY.

Here's what you have to to do.

1. CLICK the link below for the Podcast

A Brilliant Solution: In May 1787, our Founding Fathers gathered in Philadelphia to create a new American constitution. Some have referred to it as a "brilliant solution." Talking History's Fred Nielsen discusses the "brilliant solution" with Carol Berkin, professor of history at Baruch College and the City University of New York., and the author of A Brilliant Solution: Inventing the American Constitution. Airdate: April 4, 2005.

2. CLICK HERE, for the podcast worksheet. Please read directions and complete the worksheet. Be sure to include important facts and details.

Thematic Essay Rubric

Hello, RUSH students.

Here is the rubric for your essay.

https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0ASwKkVrh4N0RZGQ0cjl2MjhfMjZjdjU1MnNmeA&hl=en

HW Assignments Week of 10/11/2010

Hello, RUSHers!

Here are your assignments for the week of 10/11/2010.

MONDAY NIGHT - Finish any of the assignments that you might be missing from last week (please see the 10/4 post).

TUESDAY - Due Thursday 10/14/2010

WATCH YOUTUBE for SCHOOL! - Please view each part of the video "Shay's Rebellion," from the series "10 Days That Unexpectedly Changed America." The links are listed below.

Part I

Part II

Part III

Part IV

Part V

When you finish viewing the video clips, please complete the corresponding VIDEO WORKSHEET. Click the link for the video.

Wednesday: Begin working on our first Thematic Essay. CLICK HERE FOR THE LINK. Begin creating an OUTLINE of the essay that you're going to write. Bring the Outline to class with you on Thursday.

Thursday: Compose a first draft of your essay and bring to class on Friday

Friday: Compose a second draft of your essay and bring to class on Monday, prepare for a PEER REVIEW.

FINAL DRAFT OF THE ESSAY IS DUE TUESDAY!

HW Assignments week of 10/4/2010

Hello, RUSHers!

Here are your assignments for this week, 10/4. I know, we're at the end of the week, but just to recap, here are the three assignments for the week.

Assignment #1 - Read Chapter 5 Section 1. Please complete "Terms and Names" on page 137 and "Main Ideas" 1,2,3 on page 150.

Assignment #2 - Read Chapter 5 Section 2. Please complete "Terms and Names" on page 144, and "Main Ideas" 4, 5, 6, 7 on page 150.

Assignment #3 - Read Chapter 5 Section 3. Please complete "Terms and Names" on p. 149, and "Main Ideas" 8, 9, and 10 on page 150.

Due to some technical issues with the blog this week, in case you missed any of the assignments this week, you will have until Tuesday to complete any of the assignments that you've missed.