"A" ENTRIES PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT COLLEGE PREP CIVICS (PERIODS 1, 2, AND 4).
"B" ENTRIES COVER MY PERIOD 6 & 8 CLASSES (HONORS CIVICS).
THURSDAY, JAN. 8
A--HOMEWORK WAS RETURNED AND DISCUSSED. A DIAGRAM OF THE AMENDMENT PROCESS WAS INTRODUCED. STUDENTS WERE ASKED TO CONTRIBUTE WRITTEN COMMENTS ABOUT WHAT THEY LIKED ABOUT THIS COURSE DURING THE PAST SEMESTER. A WORKSHEET ON SECTION 2 OF CHAPTER 6 IS DUE MONDAY.
B--STUDENTS WERE ASKED TO CONTRIBUTE WRITTEN COMMENTS ABOUT WHAT THEY LIKED ABOUT THIS COURSE DURING THE PAST SEMESTER. WE THEN DISCUSSED THE ASSIGNMENT FOR TODAY'S CLASS (CHAPTER 4, LESSON ONE). FOR HOMEWORK, STUDENTS WILL HIGHLIGHT AND ANNOTATE LESSONS 2 AND 3 FOR MONDAY. NEXT WEDNESDAY, WE WILL HAVE A SHORT QUIZ ON THE FIFTY STATE CAPITALS, INCLUDING SPELLING.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 7
A--HOMEWORK WAS COLLECTED. WE WATCHED THE NEXT FIVE SCENES FROM THE DOCUMENTARY ON THE U.S. SECRET SERVICE. THIS INCLUDED A GRAPHIC DEPICTION OF THE ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT KENNEDY, AN EVENT WHICH RESULTED IN, AMONG MANY OTHER CHANGES, MUCH GREATER SECURITY PRECAUTIONS IN TRANSPORTING PRESIDENTS.
B--AFTER THE QUIZ, WE WATCHED THE NEXT FIVE SCENES FROM THE DOCUMENTARY ON THE U.S. SECRET SERVICE. THIS INCLUDED A GRAPHIC DEPICTION OF THE ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT KENNEDY, AN EVENT WHICH RESULTED IN, AMONG MANY OTHER CHANGES, MUCH GREATER SECURITY PRECAUTIONS IN TRANSPORTING PRESIDENTS, INCLUDING MAJOR DIFFERENCES IN THE TRAINING OF AGENTS.
TUESDAY, JAN. 6
A--STUDENTS HAVE A WORKSHEET DUE TOMORROW ON THE FIRST SECTION OF CHAPTER 6. MOST OF CLASS WAS USED TO GIVE EACH STUDENT A CHANCE TO LOOK OVER HIS CORRECTED SEMESTER EXAMINATION AND BE ABLE TO ASK ME ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW IT WAS SCORED. EXAMINATONS ARE HELD BY THE TEACHER BUT ARE AVAILABLE FOR PARENTS TO INSPECT.
B--STUDENTS HAVE A QUIZ TOMORROW ON RECOGNIZING EACH OF THE FIFTY STATES ON AN OUTLINE MAP AND SPELLING THE STATE NAMES CORRECTLY. MOST OF CLASS WAS USED TO GIVE EACH STUDENT A CHANCE TO LOOK OVER HIS CORRECTED SEMESTER EXAMINATION AND BE ABLE TO ASK ME ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW IT WAS SCORED. EXAMINATONS ARE HELD BY THE TEACHER BUT ARE AVAILABLE FOR PARENTS TO INSPECT.
MONDAY, JAN. 5
A--ALL CIVICS STUDENTS NEED TO PURCHASE A COPY OF THE 2009 WORLD ALMANAC (PAPERBACK) BEFORE FEBRUARY 9 WHEN WE WILL START TO USE IT IN CLASS. THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE ONLINE AND THROUGH LOCAL BOOKSTORES. THE LIST PRICE IS $12.99 BUT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO FIND IT FOR A FEW DOLLARS LESS IF YOU SHOP AROUND. FROM TIME TO TIME THIS SEMESTER WE WILL BE WATCHING VIDEOS ABOUT OR RELATED TO THE PRESIDENCY. TODAY WE WATCHED THE FIRST FIVE SCENES FROM THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC VIDEO "INSIDE THE U.S. SECRET SERVICE."
B--SAME AS "A" PLUS ASSIGNMENT TO REVIEW THE OUTLINE MAP OF THE 50 STATES FOUND ON PAGE R-18 IN THE AGENDA FOR A REVIEW QUIZ ON WEDNESDAY. STUDENTS WILL BE EXPECTED TO KNOW AND BE ABLE TO SPELL CORRECTLY THE NAME OF EACH STATE.
SECOND SEMESTER BEGINS HERE =====================================================================================================================================================================
MONDAY, DEC. 15--8AM to 9:50AM / CIVICS AND HONORS CIVICS EXAMINATIONS. STUDENTS WHO HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT ANY OF THEIR MARKS LISTED AT NET CLASSROOM SHOULD EMAIL MR. ZOLLER ANYTIME BEFORE JANUARY 8TH, 2009. BE AS SPECIFIC AS POSSIBLE IN YOUR MESSAGE.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 10
A--RETURNED LAST FRIDAY'S QUIZ. ANSWERED QUESTIONS ABOUT EXAM. WENT OVER ANSWERS TO TWO WORKSHEETS. WATCHED FINAL SEGMENT OF WEST POINT VIDEOS. HOMEWORK: 400 WORDS OF HANDWRITTEN EXTRA CREDIT NOTES ADDS 6 POINTS TO EXAM SCORE.
B--ANSWERED QUESTIONS ABOUT EXAM. DISCLOSED EXACT TEXT OF ESSAY QUESTION. WATCHED FINAL SEGMENT OF FILM "SUPER SIZE ME." HOMEWORK: 400 WORDS OF HANDWRITTEN EXTRA CREDIT NOTES ADDS 6 POINTS TO EXAM SCORE. STUDENTS MAY KEEP COPIES OF LAST WEEK'S TEST.
TUESDAY, DEC. 9--OUT AGAIN TODAY, ALL DAY, FOR MEDICAL TESTS (UNAVOIDABLE AND UNEXPECTED). THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS, AND IT LOOKS LIKE EVERYTHING WILL GO VERY SMOOTHLY.
A--WEST POINT CONTINUED WITH SUBSTITUTE TEACHER.
B--SUPER SIZE ME CONTINUED WITH SUBSTITUTE TEACHER.
MONDAY, DEC. 8
A--MR. ZOLLER DISCUSSED THE FINAL EXAMINATION AND REMINDED STUDENTS THAT THEY CAN COPY ANY MISSING READING GUIDES IN THE LIBRARY STARTING TOMORROW--JUST ASK MR. BALLESTEROS FOR THE FOLDER CONTAINING THE SHEETS. FOR TWENTY MINUTES WE WATCHED ANOTHER EPISODE FROM THE WEST POINT SERIES. WE DISCUSSED HOW TO PREPARE THE ESSAY ANSWER ABOUT WEST POINT.
B--TESTS WERE RETURNED TO STUDENTS. THEY CAN TAKE THEM HOME BUT MUST RETURN THEM SIGNED BY A PARENT TOMORROW. MOST MARKS WERE EXCELLENT. WE THEN WATCHED THE FIRST THIRTY MINUTES OF THE FILM "SUPER SIZE ME."
FRIDAY, DEC. 5 (MR. ZOLLER WAS ABSENT TODAY AND WILL BE ARRIVING LATE NEXT TUESDAY--UNAVOIDABLE AND UNEXPECTED MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS)
A--STUDENTS WROTE OUT THE PREAMBLE FOR THEIR QUIZ. THEN THE SUBSTITUTE TEACHER SHOWED AN EPISODE OF THE WEST POINT SERIES THE CLASS HASN'T SEEN BEFORE. (THERE IS AN ESSAY QUESTION ABOUT WEST POINT ON THE SEMESTER EXAMINATION.)
B--THE SUBSTITUTE TEACHER SHOWED A FINAL EPISODE OF THE WEST POINT SERIES. THERE WILL BE A FEW QUESTIONS ABOUT WEST POINT ON THE SEMESTER EXAMINATION.
THURSDAY, DEC. 4
A--ALL THIS WEEK'S WORK HAS BEEN RETURNED, AND TODAY STUDENTS RECEIVED A 3-PAGE OUTLINE OF WHAT TO EXPECT ON, AND HOW TO PREPARE FOR, THE FIRST SEMESTER EXAMINATION. QUIZ TOMORROW ON THE PREAMBLE TO THE CONSTITUTION.
B--STUDENTS RECEIVED AN OUTLINE OF WHAT TO EXPECT ON, AND HOW TO PREPARE FOR, THE SEMESTER EXAMINATION. ALL AGENDAS HAVE BEEN INSPECTED FOR THE SECOND TIME THIS SEMESTER.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 3
A--THE LAST ASSIGNMENT FROM CHAPTER 5 WAS COLLECTED TODAY. STUDENTS NEED TO HAVE THE PREAMBLE TO THE CONSTITUTION MEMORIZED FOR A QUIZ ON FRIDAY. MY SEMESTER EXAMINATION REVIEW BEGINS TOMORROW.
B--TODAY'S TEST WILL BE RETURNED IN MY FIRST CLASS NEXT WEEK. MY REVIEW FOR THE SEMESTER EXAMINATION BEGINS TOMORROW.
TUESDAY, DEC. 2
A--AGENDAS WERE INSPECTED AND MARKED TODAY. THE SCORES FOR THE FIRST AND SECOND AGENDA INSPECTIONS ARE WRITTEN WITH DATES ON THE FIRST PAGE OF YOUR SON'S AGENDA. WHILE I CHECKED THE AGENDAS, STUDENTS WATCHED A DVD THAT EXPLAINED THE CONTENTS OF THE CONSTITUTION.
B--YESTERDAY'S OPEN BOOK QUIZZES WERE RETURNED. MARKS FOR THE TWO HONORS CLASSES INCLUDED 16 As, 10 Bs, 12 Cs, 9 Ds, and 12 Fs. STUDENTS IN HOMEROOMS 8A AND 8B WERE REMINDED THAT THEY WILL BE TAKING TOMORROW'S TEST AT 8AM IN THE LIBRARY. THESE STUDENTS NEED TO GO TO THEIR FIRST PERIOD CLASSROOM AT 7:55 TO LET THE FIRST PERIOD TEACHER KNOW THEY ARE NOT ABSENT, THEN THEY MUST IMMEDIATELY GO TO THE LIBARY. THEY WILL HAVE THE SAME AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE TEST AS THE STUDENTS WHO TAKE IT LATER. TONIGHT STUDENTS SHOULD REVIEW AND PREPARE THE EXTRA-CREDIT NOTES FOR THE TEST.
MONDAY, DEC. 1
A--TWO HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS WERE COLLECTED. WE REVIEWED THE WORKSHEET ON CHAPTER 5, SECTION 1. EXAM REVIEW BEGINS THURSDAY. WORKSHEET DUE WEDNESDAY ON CH. 5, SECTION 3. QUIZ ON PREAMBLE FRIDAY.
B-QUIZ TODAY AND REVIEW FOR WEDNESDAY'S TEST. REVIEW CONTINUES TOMORROW. EXAM REVIEW BEGINS THURSDAY.
TUESDAY, NOV. 25
A--FRIDAY'S TESTS WERE RETURNED TO STUDENTS. HOLIDAY HOMEWORK--WRITE OUT A READING GUIDE WORKSHEET ON SECTION 2 OF CHAPTER 5. ALSO, WRITE OUT THE PREAMBLE TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION AS A STEP TOWARD MEMORIZING IT FOR A QUIZ ON DECEMBER 5.
B--WE DISCUSSED THE OUTLINE OF THE CONSTITUTION, AND THE AMENDMENT PROCESS THAT IS USED TO CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION. A REVIEW WORKSHEET ON THIS MATERIAL WAS GIVEN TO EACH STUDENT. OPEN-BOOK QUIZ MONDAY ON FAST FOOD NATION, PP 107-222.
MONDAY, NOV. 24
A--WE BEGAN TO DISCUSS THE U.S. CONSTITUTION, ITS PARTS AND THE NAMES OF THE PEOPLE MOST RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS EXISTENCE. HOMEWORK TONIGHT: WORKSHEET ON CHAPTER 5, SECTION 1.
B--CLASS RECEIVED A REVIEW SHEET FOR THE TEST SCHEDULED FOR WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3. WE FINISHED DISCUSSION OF AMENDMENTS 11-27. TONIGHT'S HOMEWORK IS TO HIGHLIGHT AND ANNOTATE THE FINAL LESSON IN CHAPTER 3--INCLUDING PAGES 76-80 AND 82.
FRIDAY, NOV. 21
A--STUDENTS SPENT MOST OF CLASS TAKING THE TEST ON CHAPTER 4. THE TEST WILL BE RETURNED DURING TUESDAY'S CLASS. HOMEWORK THIS WEEKEND: MAKE SURE YOUR AGENDA IS UP TO DATE. AGENDAS WILL BE INSPECTED VERY, VERY SOON.
B--STUDENTS DISCUSSED ARTICLES 3-7 OF THE CONSTITUTION. FIRST WE WATCHED A TEN-MINUTE VIDEO ON THE SAME SUBJECT MATTER. HOMEWORK: HIGHLIGHT AND ANNOTATE THE AMENDMENTS FROM 11-27 THAT WERE NOT PREVIOUSLY ASSIGNED (11, 13-19, 21, 23-24, 26-27).
THURSDAY, NOV. 20
A--WE FINISHED THE REVIEW FOR TOMORROW'S TEST. ALL STUDENTS HAVE A COPY OF THE ESSAY QUESTION FOR WHICH THEY SHOULD PREPARE AN ANSWER TONIGHT. IT MUST BE RECOMPOSED TOMORROW WITHOUT NOTES AND WILL BE MARKED FOR GOOD ENGLISH AS WELL AS FOR FACTUAL ACCURACY. WE ALSO WENT OVER SEVERAL RECENT NEWS STORIES--ESPECIALLY UPDATES ON HOW THE NOVEMBER 4TH ELECTIONS HAVE TURNED OUT. HOMEWORK: EXTRA CREDIT NOTES ARE DUE AT THE START OF THE TEST.
B--WE DISCUSSED THE 20TH, 22ND, AND 25TH AMENDMENTS IN TERMS OF HOW THEY HAVE AFFECTED THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT. WE WATCHED TEN MINUTES OF VIDEO RELATED TO THE SAME MATERIAL. HOMEWORK: STUDY, HIGHLIGHT, AND ANNOTATE TEXT PAGES 61-65, AND AMENDMENT 12 ON PAGE 69.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DECEMBER 3 TEST WILL BE DISTRIBUTED ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 19
A--WE REVIEWED THE LAST OF THE THREE READING GUIDE WORKSHEETS STUDENTS NEED FOR THE TEST THIS FRIDAY ON CHAPTER 4. TOMORROW WE WILL COVER CURRENT EVENTS TOPICS AND THE ESSAY QUESTION FOR THE TEST. HOMEWORK: EXTRA CREDIT NOTES FOR THE TEST ARE DUE FRIDAY.
B--WE BEGAN TO DISCUSS WHAT THE CONSTITUTION HAS TO SAY ABOUT THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENT. WE WATCHED A TEN-MINUTE VIDEO ON THE TOPIC BEFORE QUESTIONS BEGAN. SAME HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT AS LAST NIGHT AGAIN TONIGHT.
TUESDAY, NOV. 18
A--WE RETURNED YESTERDAY'S QUIZ,THEN RETURNED AND WENT OVER THE HOMEWORK COLLECTED LAST WEDNESDAY (CH. 4, SECT. 2). WE DISCUSSED THE CONTENT OF THIS COMING FRIDAY'S TEST ON CHAPTER 4.
B--FRIDAY'S QUIZ WAS RETURNED. NO TESTS OR QUIZZES THIS WEEK. WE FINISHED DISCUSSING ARTICLE ONE OF THE CONSTITUTION. TONIGHT HIGHLIGHT AND ANNOTATE ARTICLE 2, AND AMENDMENTS 22 AND 25.
MONDAY, NOV. 17
A--TODAY'S QUIZ WILL BE RETURNED TOMORROW AND WILL NEED TO BE SIGNED BY PARENTS. ALTHOUGH ABOUT 1/3 OF EACH CLASS PERIOD SCORED AN "A," ALMOST HALF OF EACH CLASS PERIOD FAILED WITH MARKS BELOW 50. THIS WAS A QUIZ THEY KNEW ABOUT ON FRIDAY, NOV. 7 (SEE BELOW). I GAVE TWO HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS TO HELP THEM GET READY. IF YOUR SON TELLS YOU HE CAN'T MEMORIZE THAT MUCH, REMIND HIM ABOUT THE SONG LYRICS AND ADVERTISING JINGLES HE MAY BE IN THE HABIT OF RECITING WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING (IF HE DOES). SORRY TO SOUND ANNOYED, BUT I WAS DISAPPOINTED AT SO MANY LOW MARKS. WE WILL HAVE A TEST ON CHAPTER 4 THIS FRIDAY. I WILL DISTRIBUTE A REVIEW SHEET FOR THE TEST TOMORROW.
B--WE WATCHED A VIDEO EXPLAINING THE CONTENT OF ARTICLE ONE OF THE CONSTITUTION. FRIDAY'S QUIZ WILL BE RETURNED TOMORROW. WE HAVE A QUIZ SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY, DECEMBER 1 AND A TEST FOR WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3.
FRIDAY, NOV. 14
A--TODAY STUDENTS TOOK A PRACTICE QUIZ SO THEY WOULD KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT ON MONDAY (SEE ASSIGNMENT A FOR FRIDAY, NOV. 7 FOR DETAIL). AFTERWARDS WE DISCUSSED THE LIST OF NAMES AT THE BOTTOM OF PAGE 109. WE WATCHED THE FIRST 15 MINUTES OF THE FILM "1776" TO UNDERSTAND WHY OTHER PEOPLE BESIDES THOMAS JEFFERSON RECEIVE CREDIT FOR AMERICA'S BIRTHDAY (JULY 4). WE WILL HAVE A TEST ON CHAPTER 4 NEXT FRIDAY. TEST REVIEW SHEET COMING NEXT TUESDAY.
B-TODAY'S OPEN-BOOK READING QUIZ WILL BE GRADED DURING THE WEEKEND AND RETURNED TO STUDENTS ON MONDAY. A SIMILAR QUIZ ON PAGES 108-222 WILL BE GIVEN ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 1. FOR THIS COMING MONDAY (11/17), STUDENTS NEED TO HIGHLIGHT AND ANNOTATE PAGES 48-57 IN THE TEXT. WE CONTINUED DISCUSSION OF TEXT PAGES 44-47 BEFORE CLASS ENDED.
THURSDAY, NOV. 13
A--WE DIVIDED THE DECLARATION INTO ITS FOUR PARTS, THEN LISTENED TO A RECORDING OF THE ENTIRE DOCUMENT MADE ON JULY 4, 1957, BY SENATOR JOHN F. KENNEDY. THE DECLARATION HOMEWORK WAS RETURNED TODAY TO ALL STUDENTS. WORKSHEET (CH 4 SECT. 3) DUE TOMORROW. MEMORIZATION ASSIGNMENT (SEE ASSIGNMENT A FOR FRIDAY, NOV. 7) IS DUE MONDAY.
B--SEATS WERE CHANGED TODAY. WE HAD A PRACTICE QUIZ SO STUDENTS WOULD UNDERSTAND WHAT TO EXPECT ON TOMORROW'S OPEN BOOK QUIZ ON FAST FOOD NATION. WE BEGAN TO DISCUSS TEXT PAGES 43-47.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 12
A--BOTH HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS WERE COLLECTED. THE DECLARATION ASSIGNMENT WAS CORRECTED PRIVATELY AND INDIVIDUALLY IN FRONT OF EACH STUDENT (AS FAR AS I WAS ABLE TO GET DURING THE LAST FIFTEEN MINUTES OF CLASS). WE DISCUSSED THE MEANING OF THE MORE CHALLENGING WORDS IN THE SECTION OF THE DECLARATION THAT MUST BE MEMORIZED FOR NEXT MONDAY'S CLASS. THURSDAY'S QUIZ WAS RETURNED. HOMEWORK: WORKSHEET DUE FRIDAY ON SECTION 3 OF CHAPTER 4.
B--WE DISCUSSED PAGES 39-42 IN THE TEXT. WE ARE STARTING TO EXPLORE THE TEXT OF THE CONSTITUTION (PAGES 48-75). STUDENTS SHOULD PREPARE (HL/AN) PAGES 43-47 OF THE TEXT FOR TOMORROW'S CLASS.
FRIDAY, NOV. 7
A--Homework was collected, corrected while students watched another segment of the West Point video, and then we discussed the answers. Two homework assignments due next Wednesday: 1) to complete a worksheet on Section 2 of Chapter 4, and 2)to copy, with excellent spelling and without changing any words, the part of the Declaration of Independence (on page 106) from "We hold these truths" to "Safety and Happiness." This section must be memorized by Monday, November 17, for a quiz.
B--WE DISCUSSED THE HOMEWORK, PAGES 281-285. TWO ASSIGNMENTS FROM THIS CLASS: 1) TO READ AND HIGHLIGHT FAST FOOD NATION (AS DESCRIBED IN THE NOTES FOR NOV. 6), AND 2) TO HIGHLIGHT AND ANNOTATE TEXT PAGES 39-42. WE BEGIN TO DISCUSS THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION NEXT WEEK.
THURSDAY, NOV. 6
A--ALL CLASSES WATCHED SENATOR MCCAIN'S CONCESSION SPEECH--IT IS A CLASSIC (ELOQUENT AND PATRIOTIC) THAT SHOWS HIM AT HIS VERY BEST. HOMEWORK TONIGHT: WORKSHEET ON CHAPTER 4, SECTION 1. STUDENTS NEED TO MEMORIZE PART OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE (FROM "WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS" TO "SAFETY AND HAPPINESS" ON PAGE 106 OF THE TEXT). THERE WILL BE A TRIPLE-VALUE QUIZ ON THIS ASSIGNMENT ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17.
B--BOTH HONORS CLASSES HAVE WATCHED SENATOR MCCAIN'S CONCESSION SPEECH--IT IS A CLASSIC (ELOQUENT AND PATRIOTIC) THAT SHOWS HIM AT HIS VERY BEST. WE THEN DISCUSSED PAGES 273-280 ON POLITICAL PARTIES. TONIGHT STUDENTS NEED TO HIGHLIGHT AND ANNOTATE THE LAST SECTION OF THE CHAPTER (PAGES 281-285). THERE WILL BE AN OPEN-BOOK QUIZ ON PAGES 3-107 OF FAST FOOD NATION ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS BOOK WAS DISCUSSED IN TODAY'S CLASS.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 5
A--AFTER TODAY'S QUIZ WE DISCUSSED THE INFORMATION GENERATED BY LAST NIGHT'S ELECTION RETURNS. TOMORROW WE WILL START WORKING ON CHAPTER 4 OF THE TEXT.
B--STUDENTS NEED TO BRING THEIR COPIES OF FAST FOOD NATION TO CLASS TOMORROW, ALSO TO REVIEW TEXT PAGES 273-280 BEFORE TOMORROW'S CLASS. WE SPENT MOST OF TODAY'S CLASS DISCUSSING ISSUES RELATED TO YESTERDAY'S ELECTION RESULTS.
TUESDAY, NOV.4
A--TRIPLE-VALUE QUIZ WEDNESDAY ON ALL THE VOCABULARY TERMS FROM CHAPTER 22. WE REVIEWED THESE TERMS IN CLASS TODAY. WE ALSO DISCUSSED TODAY'S ELECTION.
B--WE DISCUSSED DIFFERENT ELEMENTS RELATED TO TODAY'S ELECTIONS. STUDENTS WERE ENCOURAGED TO WATCH OR LISTEN TO SOME OF THE ELECTION RETURNS TONIGHT. ANY THIRTY MINUTES AFTER 9PM IS FINE.
MONDAY, NOV. 3
A--WE PARTICIPATED IN A MOCK PRESIDENTIAL AND CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION ORGANIZED BY THE SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT. RESULTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED TOMORROW. THERE WILL BE A TRIPLE-VALUE QUIZ WEDNESDAY ON ALL THE VOCABULARY TERMS FROM CHAPTER 22. WE WILL REVIEW THESE TERMS TOMORROW. WE CONTINUED OUR REVIEW OF THE READING GUIDE WORKSHEETS FOR THE SAME CHAPTER.
B--WE PARTICIPATED IN A MOCK PRESIDENTIAL AND CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION ORGANIZED BY THE SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT. RESULTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED TOMORROW. BEFORE THE VOTING BEGAN, STUDENTS SPENT FIFTEEN MINUTES READING AND DISCUSSING ARCHBISHOP FAVALORO'S ADVICE ON THE FORMATION OF A VOTER'S CONSCIENCE (FROM HIS COLUMN AT THE FLORIDA CATHOLIC WEBSITE). PROJECT GRADES WERE RETURNED. NONE WILL BE POSTED UNITL STUDENTS HAVE A CHANCE TO APPEAL POSSIBLE ERRORS.
THURSDAY, OCT. 30
A--HOMEWORK WAS CORRECTED WHILE STUDENTS WATCHED TEN MINUTES OF VIDEO ABOUT ROSS PEROT AND THE 1992 ELECTION. THEN HOMEWORK WAS RETURNED AND DISCUSSED. NO HOMEWORK FOR THIS WEEKEND. I HOPE TO SEE MOST 8TH GRADERS AT FATHER AND SON DAY THIS SATURDAY!
B--THE LAST TWO POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS TOOK PLACE TODAY. FINAL EVALUATIONS IN WRITING WILL BE RETURNED TO STUDENTS NEXT MONDAY OR TUESDAY. ALL STUDENTS WILL HAVE A READING ASSIGNMENT EACH DAY THIS WEEK FROM A COLLECTION OF ARTICLES ABOUT THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN. TODAY'S SELECTIONS INCLUDE ONE ARTICLE DESCRIBING HOW EACH CANDIDATE IS LIKELY TO PERFORM AS COMMANDER IN CHIEF. STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO HIGHLIGHT AND ANNOTATE THE ARTICLES AND BRING THEM BACK TO CLASS TOMORROW.
--
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 29
A--HOMEWORK WAS CORRECTED WHILE STUDENTS WATCHED TEN MINUTES OF VIDEO ABOUT POLITICAL PARTIES FROM ABE LINCOLN TO TEDDY ROOSEVELT. THEN HOMEWORK WAS RETURNED AND DISCUSSED. HOMEWORK DUE THURSDAY: WORKSHEET ON CHAPTER 22, SECTION 3.
B--THE NEXT TWO POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS TOOK PLACE TODAY. FINAL EVALUATIONS IN WRITING WILL BE RETURNED TO STUDENTS NEXT MONDAY OR TUESDAY. ALL STUDENTS WILL HAVE A READING ASSIGNMENT EACH DAY THIS WEEK FROM A COLLECTION OF ARTICLES ABOUT THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN. STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO HIGHLIGHT AND ANNOTATE THE ARTICLES AND BRING THEM BACK TO CLASS TOMORROW.
TUESDAY, OCT. 28
A--WE DISCUSSED THE IMPORTANT TERMS IN LAST NIGHT'S HOMEWORK, THEN WE HAD A QUIZ ON THE MATERIAL. TONIGHT STUDENTS WILL BE READING ABOUT THE HISTORY OF U.S. POLITICAL PARTIES (WITH A TWO-SIDE WORKSHEET TO BE FILLED IN).
B--THE NEXT TWO POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS TOOK PLACE TODAY. FINAL EVALUATIONS IN WRITING WILL BE RETURNED TO STUDENTS NEXT MONDAY OR TUESDAY. ALL STUDENTS WILL HAVE A READING ASSIGNMENT EACH DAY THIS WEEK FROM A COLLECTION OF ARTICLES ABOUT THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN. TODAY'S SELECTIONS INCLUDE TWO ARTICLES, ONE ABOUT CATHOLIC VOTERS AND THE ABORTION ISSUE, AND THE SECOND ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THE FINANCIAL CRISIS ON THE CAMPAIGNS. STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO HIGHLIGHT AND ANNOTATE THE ARTICLES AND BRING THEM BACK TO CLASS TOMORROW.
MONDAY, OCT. 27
A--WE CHANGED SEATS TODAY. THURSDAY'S QUIZ WAS RETURNED. THERE ARE THREE QUIZ GRADES FROM THE PAST TWO WEEKS THAT I WILL ADD TO STUDENT RECORDS ON NET CLASSROOM BEFORE THE END OF THIS WEEK. TONIGHT STUDENTS NEED TO STUDY PAGES 590-594 FOR A SHORT QUIZ TOMORROW. STUDENTS ARE ALLOWED TO TAKE NOTES (IN HANDWRITING) AND USE THEM DURING THE QUIZ. WE STARTED TO DISCUSS POLITICAL PARTIES--INCLUDING A VISIT TO PAGES 724-727 WHERE THE PARTY OF EACH PRESIDENT IS POSTED.
B--THE FIRST TWO POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS TOOK PLACE TODAY. FINAL EVALUATIONS IN WRITING WILL BE RETURNED TO STUDENTS NEXT MONDAY OR TUESDAY. ALL STUDENTS WILL HAVE A READING ASSIGNMENT EACH DAY THIS WEEK FROM A COLLECTION OF ARTICLES ABOUT THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN. TODAY'S SELECTION IS A PROFILE OF SENATOR MCCAIN PUBLISHED AUGUST 1 IN THE WASHINGTON POST. STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO HIGHLIGHT AND ANNOTATE THE ARTICLE AND BRING IT BACK TO CLASS TOMORROW.
THURSDAY, OCT. 23
A--WE HAD A QUIZ ON PROPAGANDA AND THEN WATCHED THE 7TH EPISODE OF CADET LIFE AT WEST POINT. NO HOMEWORK IN CIVICS THIS WEEKEND.
B--EACH STUDENT NEEDS TO FIND HIS COPY OF FAST FOOD NATION. WE WILL START READING IT NEXT WEEK. FIRST POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS WILL TAKE PLACE IN MONDAY'S CLASS. WE FINISHED WATCHING "A THIRD CHOICE" TODAY.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 22
A--WE DISCUSSED SIX DIFFERENT KINDS OF PROPAGANDA (TEXT, PAGE 626) AND THEN LOOKED AT SAMPLES (PICTURES AND WORDS) TO IDENTIFY AS ONE TYPE OR ANOTHER. QUIZ TOMORROW ON PROPAGANDA (DEFINITIONS AND IDENTIFYING EXAMPLES).
B--WE WATCHED THE FIRST HALF OF "A THIRD CHOICE"--A PUBLIC TELEVISION DOCUMENTARY ON THE HISTORY OF THIRD PARTIES IN AMERICA. STUDENTS MADE FINAL PLANS FOR THEIR POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS NEXT WEEK.
TUESDAY, OCT. 21
A--LAST FRIDAY'S OPEN-BOOK QUIZ WAS RETURNED. THEN WE BEGAN A DISCUSSION OF THE KINDS OF PROPAGANDA. THERE WILL BE A QUIZ ON THIS MATERIAL THURSDAY.
B--LATE PROJECT WORK WAS COLLECTED. WE THEN DISCUSSED THE FIRST LESSON OF CHAPTER 15. DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF NOVEMBER, WE WILL HAVE A VOCABULARY QUIZ ON CHAPTERS 15-16-17. IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO START LOOKING OVER THE CD-ROM MATERIAL ON THOSE CHAPTERS.
MONDAY, OCT. 20
A--WE USED MOST OF THE CLASS PERIOD TO WATCH ONLINE VIDEOS OF SENATOR McCAIN'S AND SENATOR OBAMA'S PRESENTATIONS LAST THURSDAY EVENING AT THE AL SMITH DINNER SPONSORED BY THE ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW YORK--A MORE HUMAN SIDE OF POLITICS. FOR TONIGHT, STUDENTS NEED TO STUDY PAGES 622-627 IN THEIR TEXTS.
B--PROJECT WORK WAS COLLECTED FROM THOSE WHO WERE READY. WE THEN DISCUSSED THE FINAL LESSON IN CHAPTER 17. FOR TOMORROW'S CLASS, HIGHLIGHT AND ANNOTATE THE FIRST LESSON IN CHAPTER 15.
FRIDAY, OCT. 17
A--STUDENTS HAD 25 MINUTES FOR THE OPEN-BOOK QUIZ ON NICKEL AND DIMED. THERE IS NO HOMEWORK THIS WEEKEND FOR CIVICS. WE WATCHED A FEW MINUTES OF "SURVIVING WEST POINT" BEFORE CLASS ENDED.
B--INSTEAD OF DISCUSSING THE HOMEWORK (WHICH WILL BE CARRIED OVER TO MONDAY), WE USED MOST OF THE CLASS PERIOD TO WATCH ONLINE VIDEOS OF SENATOR McCAIN'S AND SENATOR OBAMA'S PRESENTATIONS YESTERDAY EVENING AT THE AL SMITH DINNER SPONSORED BY THE ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW YORK--A MORE HUMAN SIDE OF POLITICS.
THURSDAY, OCT. 16
A--WE DISCUSSED LAST NIGHT'S DEBATE. MANY STUDENTS THOUGHT IT WAS THE MOST INTERESTING OF THE THREE. WE ALSO LOOKED AT AND DISCUSSED THE FORM USED FOR VOTER REGISTRATION AND THE REGISTRATION TOTALS FOR THE MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY (AVAILABLE FROM THE MIAMI-DADE ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT WEBSITE). OPEN-BOOK QUIZ TOMORROW ON PAGES 121-191 IN NICKEL AND DIMED.
B--WE DISCUSSED TWO NEWS ARTICLES ON "THE BRADLEY EFFECT"--A POLLING ANOMALY THAT HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES WHEN AFRICAN-AMERICANS HAVE BEEN CANDIDATES FOR HIGH OFFICE. THEN WE DISCUSSED LAST NIGHT'S DEBATE. STUDENTS NEED TO HIGHLIGHT AND ANNOTATE LESSON 4 IN CHAPTER 17 FOR FRIDAY'S CLASS. GROUP PROJECT POWERPOINT PRESENTATION MATERIALS (CD AND SCRIPT) ARE DUE IN CLASS ON MONDAY.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 15
A--LAST THURSDAY'S QUIZ ON THE OUTSIDE READING (NICKEL AND DIMED) WAS RETURNED TO STUDENTS TODAY. MANY STUDENTS HAD VERY LOW GRADES. THE FINAL QUIZ ON THIS MATERIAL WILL BE GIVEN THIS FRIDAY--A 25-MINUTE OPEN-BOOK QUIZ WITH ABOUT TWELVE QUESTIONS. YOUR SON WILL PROBABLY DO WELL IF HE HAS READ THE PAGES AND DONE SOME HIGHLIGHTING. IF POSSIBLE, I WOULD LIKE STUDENTS TO WATCH AT LEAST PART OF TONIGHT'S FINAL PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE.
B--WE DISCUSSED LESSON 3 IN CHAPTER 17. I DISTRIBUTED TWO ARTICLES (FROM CNN AND FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES) ABOUT THE SO-CALLED "BRADLEY EFFECT." IF POSSIBLE, I WOULD LIKE STUDENTS TO WATCH AT LEAST PART OF TONIGHT'S FINAL PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE.
TUESDAY, OCT. 14
A--LAST WEEK'S OUTSIDE READING OPEN-BOOK QUIZ WILL BE RETURNED TOMORROW. ALL STUDENTS SHOULD BRING THEIR COPIES OF NICKEL AND DIMED TO CLASS SO THAT I CAN SHOW THEM WHERE THE ANSWERS WERE LOCATED. THE HIGHEST SCORE IN EACH CLASS RECEIVED A MARK OF 100 WITH SCORES GOING DOWN FROM THERE. ALTHOUGH NO STUDENT HAD A PERFECT PAPER, THERE WERE TOO MANY STUDENTS WHOSE SCORES SUGGESTED THAT THEY ARE NOT READING THE BOOK CAREFULLY. WE ALSO DISCUSSED THE PURPOSE OF THE VOTER REGISTRATION REQUIREMENT AND THE NEW METHOD BY WHICH PEOPLE ARE VOTING IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY. WE VISITED THE MIAMI-DADE ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT WEBSITE TODAY AND WILL BE DOING MORE WITH THEM TOMORROW.
B--WE DISCUSSED THE FIRST TWO LESSONS OF CHAPTER 17 TODAY IN CLASS. THE THIRD LESSON SHOULD BE HIGHLIGHTED AND ANNOTATED FOR TOMORROW'S CLASS. POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS ARE DUE NEXT MONDAY (TURNED IN THAT DAY AND PRESENTED DURING THE FOLLOWING WEEK).
FRIDAY, OCT. 10
A--YESTERDAY'S HOMEWORK WAS COLLECTED, MARKED, RETURNED TO STUDENTS AND WE DISCUSSED THE FIRST FIVE QUESTIONS. WHILE I WAS CORRECTING THE PAPERS THE CLASS WATCHED ANOTHER 20-MINUTE SEGMENT OF THE SERIES OF VIDEOS ON WEST POINT.
B--YESTERDAY'S QUIZ WAS RETURNED. I REVIEWED THE PROCEDURES THE CLASS SHOULD BE FOLLOWING FOR HIGHLIGHTING ASSIGNED READINGS. AGENDAS WERE CHECKED YESTERDAY AND TODAY. HOMEWORK (SEE THURSDAY).
THURSDAY, OCT. 9
A--TESTS WERE RETURNED. OPEN-BOOK QUIZ ON NICKEL AND DIMED. HOMEWORK READING GUIDE DUE TOMORROW.
B--QUIZ ON CHAPTER 16. HOMEWORK (DUE TUESDAY): FIRST TWO LESSONS OF CHAPTER 17.
WEDNESDAY, OCT.8
A--WE FINISHED WATCHING "HIGH NOON." FINAL DISCUSSION WILL BE ON FRIDAY.
B--A FEW MINUTES FOR PROJECT MEETINGS, A FEW MINUTES FOR DEBATE DISCUSSION, AND ABOUT TWENTY MINUTES FOR WEST POINT.
TUESDAY, OCT. 7
A--WE WATCHED "HIGH NOON" AND STUDENTS BEGAN TO DISCUSS THE CITIZENSHIP THEME OF THE FILM.
B--WE FINISHED REVIEWING CHAPTER 16.
MONDAY, OCT. 6
A--I CHECKED EACH STUDENT'S COPY OF NICKEL AND DIMED TO SEE WHETHER HE HAD DONE THE HIGHLIGHTING THAT WAS DUE TODAY. THERE ARE NOW TWO MARKS FOR HIGHLIGHTING WRITTEN ON THE FIRST PAGE INSIDE THE FRONT COVER OF HIS BOOK. TONIGHT STUDENTS SHOULD CONTINUE READING (AND HIGHLIGHTING AT LEAST A FEW LINES ON EACH PAGE) UP TO 195. THERE WILL BE AN OPEN-BOOK QUIZ ON PAGES 51-119 THURSDAY. WE CONCLUDED BY STARTING TO WATCH A FILM ABOUT CITIZENSHIP--HIGH NOON (1952).
B--FINISHED POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS ARE DUE ON A CD-ROM TWO WEEKS FROM TODAY. WE DISCUSSED IN CLASS TODAY THE MATERIAL FROM THE LAST TWO LESSONS OF CHAPTER 16. WE WILL HAVE A QUIZ ON THURSDAY THAT WILL MOSTLY CONCERN DEFINITIONS (OF VOCABULARY) AND IDENTIFICATIONS (OF PROPER NAMES). TONIGHT STUDENTS SHOULD REVIEW THE CD-ROM EXERCISES FOR CHAPTER 16.
FRIDAY, OCT. 3
A--NEXT THURSDAY WE WILL HAVE ANOTHER OPEN-BOOK QUIZ USING THE OUTSIDE READING "NICKEL AND DIMED"--PAGES 51-119. FOR THIS WEEKEND, ALL STUDENTS SHOULD READ AND HIGHLIGHT PAGES 51-75. WE DISCUSSED LAST NIGHT'S VICE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE. EVERY STUDENT WHO WATCHED IT HAD A CHANCE TO EXPRESS HIS OPINION ABOUT THE EVENT. FINALLY, WE DISCUSSED THE NEWSPAPER ARTICLE ASSIGNED FOR READING LAST NIGHT.
B--WE DISCUSSED THE VICE-PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE. FINALLY WE WATCHED ANOTHER SEGMENT FROM THE SERIES ABOUT NEW CADETS AT THE UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY (WEST POINT). HOMEWORK: HIGHLIGHT AND ANNOTATE PAGES 297-303 IN THE TEXT. STUDENTS SHOULD EXPECT A QUIZ AND AN AGENDA CHECK NEXT WEEK.
THURSDAY, OCT. 2
A--TODAY'S TEST WILL BE RETURNED TO STUDENTS IN ONE WEEK. TONIGHT, IF POSSIBLE, STUDENT SHOULD WATCH AT LEAST PART OF THE VICE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE. ALL STUDENTS ARE ALSO READING AN ARTICLE TITLED "WHAT EXACTLY DOES A PRESIDENT DO ALL DAY?"
B--WE DISCUSSED THE ARTICLE ASSIGNED FOR HOMEWORK LAST NIGHT. WE REVIEWED THE CONCEPT OF THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE, LOOKING AT MAPS OF THE ELECTORAL VOTES CAST IN 2000 AND 2004. PERIOD 6 STUDENTS RECEIVED BACK THEIR PROJECT SCRIPTS. PERIOD 8 STUDENTS TURN THEIRS IN TODAY.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 1
A--FINAL REVIEW BEFORE TOMORROW'S TEST ON CHAPTERS 2 & 3. STUDENTS HAVE A REVIEW SHEET TELLING THEM WHAT TO STUDY. SIX POINTS OF EXTRA CREDIT IS ADDED TO THE TEST GRADE OF ANY STUDENT WHO BRINGS HANDWRITTEN REVIEW NOTES AT LEAST 200 WORDS IN LENGTH.
B--WE DISCUSSED PAGES 292-296 IN THE TEXT, BUT HAVE NOT EXHAUSTED IT. HOMEWORK TONIGHT IS TO HIGHLIGHT AND ANNOTATE A FOUR-PAGE ARTICLE FROM THE WASHINGTON POST "WHAT DOES A PRESIDENT DO ALL DAY?" PROJECT SCRIPTS ARE DUE TODAY (PERIOD 6) AND TOMORROW (PERIOD 8).
TUESDAY, SEPT. 30
A--STUDENTS RECEIVED TWO WORKSHEETS TODAY. FIRST, MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE (A CONTINUATION OF LAST NIGHT'S HOMEWORK). SECOND, A REVIEW SHEET THAT EXPLAINS HOW TO PREPARE FOR THURSDAY'S TEST. HOMEWORK: FINISH READING ABOUT THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND START WORKING ON THE EXTRA CREDIT REVIEW NOTES FOR THE TEST. WE ALSO DISCUSSED WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THE FINANCIAL SYSTEM.
B--WE BRIEFLY REVIEWED THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE FINANCIAL CRISIS. THEN WE SPENT MOST OF CLASS DISCUSSING THE PROCESS OF NOMINATING CANDIDATES FOR PUBLIC OFFICE (TEXT, PAGES 288-291). HOMEWORK: HIGHLIGHT AND ANNOTATE PAGES 292-296 FOR TOMORROW'S CLASS.
MONDAY, SEPT. 29
A--EACH STUDENT WAS GIVEN A CHANCE TO DISCUSS LAST FRIDAY'S PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE. TWO QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED: WHO WON? AND WHY DO YOU THINK HE WON? WE TALKED ABOUT BODY LANGUAGE AS WELL AS THE WORDS THAT WERE SPOKEN. TONIGHT STUDENTS NEED TO STUDY PAGE 55 IN THE TEXT (THE STORY OF THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE). THURSDAY'S TEST WILL CONTAIN AN ESSAY QUESTION ABOUT THE PLEDGE.
B--EACH STUDENT WAS GIVEN A CHANCE TO DISCUSS LAST FRIDAY'S PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE. TWO QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED: WHO WON? AND WHY DO YOU THINK HE WON? WE TALKED ABOUT BODY LANGUAGE AS WELL AS THE WORDS THAT WERE SPOKEN. TONIGHT STUDENTS NEED TO HIGHLIGHT AND ANNOTATE PAGES 288-291 IN THE TEXTBOOK. PROJECT SCRIPTS ARE DUE WEDNESDAY FOR PERIOD 6 STUDENTS AND THURSDAY FOR PERIOD 8 STUDENTS.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 26
A--THE INTERNET ASSIGNMENTS WERE COLLECTED. WE TALKED ABOUT THE FINANCIAL CRISIS FOR TEN MINUTES. THEN I RETURNED YESTERDAY'S HOMEWORK (CORRECTED) AND WE WENT OVER THE ANSWERS. TONIGHT IT IS HIGHLY DESIRABLE THAT YOUR SON WATCH AT LEAST PART OF THE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE BETWEEN SENATORS McCAIN AND OBAMA. THIS WILL BE BROADCAST FROM 9 TO 11 PM ON SEVERAL TELEVISION CHANNELS.
B--YESTERDAY'S QUIZ WAS RETURNED. WE TALKED ABOUT THE FINANCIAL CRISIS FOR TEN MINUTES. STUDENTS ARE WORKING ON GROUP PROJECTS. TONIGHT IT IS HIGHLY DESIRABLE THAT YOUR SON WATCH AT LEAST PART OF THE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE BETWEEN SENATORS McCAIN AND OBAMA. THIS WILL BE BROADCAST FROM 9 TO 11 PM ON SEVERAL TELEVISION CHANNELS.
THURSDAY, SEPT. 25
A--HOMEWORK WAS COLLECTED. INTERNET ASSIGNMENT FROM LAST WEEK IS DUE TOMORROW. WE CONTINUED TO DISCUSS JURY DUTY AND THE SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM (DUTIES OF CITIZENS).
B--QUIZ ON DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE TODAY. HOMEWORK: WORK ON PROJECTS.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 24
A--MONDAY NIGHT'S HOMEWORK WAS RETURNED CORRECTED. WE BEGAN TO DISCUSS THE QUESTIONS AND SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON THE SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM--THE STUDENTS ARE NOW AWARE OF THE REQUIREMENT TO REGISTER AT AGE 18. MOST OF THE BOYS REACTED AS IF THIS WAS A VERY SERIOUS TOPIC. THEY MIGHT WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT AT HOME. WE ALSO WATCHED TEN MORE MINUTES OF WEST POINT VIDEO INCLUDING THE CADETS LEARNING HOW TO USE A GAS MASK AND BEING EXPOSED TO TEAR GAS.
B--PROJECT GROUPS RECEIVED INSTRUCTIONS ON WHAT STILL HAS TO BE DONE FOR THEIR POWERPOINT PROJECTS. A SCRIPT IS DUE NEXT WEDNESDAY, AND THE POWERPOINT ITSELF IS DUE TWO AND A HALF WEEEKS LATER--ON OCTOBER 20. QUIZ TOMORROW ON THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, INCLUDING A SELECTION THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN MEMORIZED BY NOW.
TUESDAY, SEPT. 23
A--WE DISCUSSED THE NATURALIZATION PROCESS (BY WHICH IMMIGRANTS TO THE UNITED STATES CAN BECOME A CITIZEN). WE LOOKED AT THE MULTI-PAGE NATURALIZATION APPLICATION AND AT THE 100 QUESTIONS THAT MAKE UP THE NATURALIZATION TEST ON GOVERNMENT AND AMERICAN HISTORY. WE ALSO WATCHED ABOUT TEN MINUTES OF VIDEO ON WEST POINT. THE HOMEWORK FROM MONDAY NIGHT WAS COLLECTED.
B--WE SPENT MOST OF CLASS DISCUSSING AN ARTICLE FROM SUNDAY'S NEW YORK TIMES ABOUT THE SERIES OF PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES THAT BEGIN THIS FRIDAY EVENING. WE ALSO REVIEWED THE CONTENT OF THURSDAY'S QUIZ ON THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
MONDAY, SEPT. 22
A--HOMEWORK WAS RETURNED WITH CORRECTIONS AND WE DISCUSSED ALL THE ANSWERS. WE ALSO LOOKED AT MAPS SHOWING HOW THE UNITED STATES VOTED IN THE ELECTIONS OF 2000 AND 2004. HOMEWORK DUE TUESDAY: WORKSHEET ON CH. 3, SECTION 2.
B--CLASS WATCHED A VIDEO ON THE FIRST 60 DAYS FOR NEW CADETS AT WEST POINT. HOMEWORK: HIGHLIGHT AND ANNOTATE AN ARTICLE ABOUT THE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES (COPIES SUPPLIED IN CLASS). PROJECTS WERE COLLECTED FROM PERIOD 6 CLASS. MR. ZOLLER WAS NOT PRESENT FOR PERIOD 8, AND LEFT INSTRUCTIONS THAT THEIR PROJECTS WOULD BE COLLECTED TUESDAY INSTEAD. OTHERWISE CLASSWORK AND HOMEWORK WERE THE SAME.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 19
A--HOMEWORK FROM CHAPTER 3 (SECTION 1) WAS COLLECTED. STUDENTS WILL HAVE NO OTHER ASSIGNMENT THIS WEEKEND EXCEPT TO GET STARTED ON (AND POSSIBLY FINISHED WITH) THE INTERNET ASSIGNMENT ON CAREERS. WE USED ABOUT TWENTY MINUTES OF CLASS TIME TO CONTINUE A DISCUSSION ON THE ORIGIN AND LIMITATIONS OF THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE.
B--PERIOD 6 STUDENTS MET IN SMALL GROUPS FOR ABOUT FIVE MINUTES. YESTERDAY'S QUIZ WAS RETURNED FOR STUDENTS TO UNDERSTAND THEIR SCORES. PERIOD 8 STUDENTS TOOK A QUIZ ON THE FOUR LESSONS FROM CHAPTER 2. STUDENTS FROM BOTH CLASSES WATCHED THE FIRST TWENTY MINUTES OF THE MOTION PICTURE "1776" -- TO APPRECIATE THE ROLE PLAYED BY JOHN ADAMS IN THE DECISION TO BREAK AWAY FROM BRITISH RULE. STUDENTS NEED TO HAVE PART OF THE DECLARATION MEMORIZED FOR A QUIZ NEXT THURSDAY. THE QUIZ WILL ALSO INCLUDE WORK WE HAVE DONE IN CLASS AND IN HOME ASSIGNMENTS ON THE TEXT OF THE DECLARATION.
THURSDAY, SEPT. 18
A--YESTERDAY'S QUIZ WAS RETURNED TO STUDENTS. MARKS WILL BE POSTED TOMORROW. STUDENTS HAVE 8 DAYS TO COMPLETE AN INTERNET ASSIGNMENT USING THE OCCUPATIONAL OUTLOOK HANDBOOK WEBPAGE, AN ENORMOUS AND VERY VALUABLE CAREER INFORMATION RESOURCE. EACH STUDENT HAS A WORKSHEET WITH DIRECTIONS. WE SPENT THE LAST TEN MINUTES OF CLASS DISCUSSING THE MECHANICS OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. THAT DISCUSSION WILL BE CONTINUED TOMORROW.
B--THE PERIOD 6 CLASS TOOK A QUIZ ON CHAPTER 2 AND THEN WATCHED AND DISCUSSED A VIDEO ON CADET LIFE AT THE U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY (WEST POINT). THE PERIOD 8 CLASS WILL TAKE A SIMILAR QUIZ TOMORROW BUT WILL WATCH AND DISCUSS MATERIAL ON WEST POINT TODAY. A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN THE PERIOD 8 CLASS BELONG TO THE FOOTBALL TEAM THAT HAD TO LEAVE SCHOOL EARLY TODAY FOR A GAME.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 17
A--TODAY'S MAP QUIZ WILL BE RETURNED TO STUDENTS NO LATER THAN FRIDAY. HOMEWORK TODAY (DUE FRIDAY) IS A READING GUIDE WORKSHEET FOR THE FIRST SECTION OF CHAPTER 3. MONDAY'S OPEN-BOOK READING QUIZ WAS RETURNED. THE MARKS FOR MOST STUDENTS WERE NOT GOOD AND MANY AGREED THAT THEY SHOULD PREPARE MORE EFFECTIVELY FOR THE NEXT SUCH ASSIGNMENT. THESE MARKS WILL BE POSTED FRIDAY.
B--STUDENTS SPENT MOST OF THE PERIOD WORKING IN SMALL PROJECT GROUPS. EACH GROUP NEEDS TO TURN IN A THREE-PART REPORT ON MONDAY. THE HOMEWORK COLLECTED YESTERDAY HAS BEEN CORRECTED AND WAS RETURNED TODAY. THE MARK WILL BE POSTED FRIDAY.
TUESDAY, SEPT. 16
A--WE HAD A PRACTICE QUIZ FOR TOMORROW'S REAL QUIZ ON THE 50-STATE OUTLINE MAP. COPIES OF NICKEL AND DIMED WERE RETURNED WITH MARKS FOR THE HIGHLIGHTING THAT I FOUND (INSIDE FRONT COVER). WE THEN WENT OVER THE ANSWERS TO THE HOMEWORK PAPERS FROM CHAPTER 2.
B--WE DISCUSSED PAGES 27-35 IN THE TEXT. STUDENTS WILL USE PART OF TOMORROW'S CLASS TO WORK ON THEIR SMALL-GROUP PROJECTS. EACH GROUP HAS A THREE-PART REPORT THAT IS DUE NEXT MONDAY. HOMEWORK WAS COLLECTED.
MONDAY, SEPT. 15
A--AGENDAS WERE INSPECTED AND THERE IS A MARK ON THE FIRST PAGE WITH TODAY'S DATE. NEXT INSPECTION (WORTH MUCH MORE)WILL BE IN LATE NOVEMBER OR EARLY DECEMBER.
STUDENTS HAD TWENTY MINUTES TO FIND THE ANSWERS TO AN OPEN-BOOK QUIZ ON PAGES 11-49 OF NICKEL AND DIMED. THEIR COPIES OF THE BOOK WERE COLLECTED SO THAT I COULD CHECK TO SEE THAT STUDENTS HAD HIGHLIGHTED THE ASSIGNED PAGES.
B--INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING THE AGENDA WERE RETURNED AND DISCUSSED. WE WATCHED A VIDEO DESCRIBING THE FIRST DAY FOR NEW CADETS AT WEST POINT. TOMORROW WE WILL DISCUSS PAGES 27-35 OF THE TEXT. STUDENTS SHOULD HAVE A WRITTEN IDEAS LIST READY FOR PROJECT GROUP MEETINGS DURING WEDNESDAY'S CLASS. THURSDAY WE WILL HAVE A SHORT QUIZ (20 QUESTIONS) ON LESSONS 1-2-3-4 IN CHAPTER 2.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 12
A--I COLLECTED, CORRECTED, AND RETURNED LAST NIGHT'S HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT. WHILE I WAS DOING THE CORRECTING, THE CLASS WATCHED A VIDEO DESCRIBING HOW CADETS AT THE UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY (WEST POINT) REACTED TO THE EVENTS OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2001. OPEN-BOOK QUIZ MONDAY ON PAGES 11-49 OF NICKEL AND DIMED. THESE PAGES SHOULD ALL BE HIGHLIGHTED BY YOUR SON BEFORE HE GETS TO SCHOOL MONDAY (I ASKED THEM TO HIGHLIGHT ABOUT 4 DIFFERENT PLACES ON EACH PAGE--NOT NECESSARILY ENTIRE SENTENCES, BUT MORE THAN ONE OR TWO WORDS).
B--WE DISCUSSED PAGES 16-22. FOR NEXT TUESDAY, STUDENTS NEED TO PREPARE PAGES 27-35 FOR DISCUSSION. WE WILL FINISH WORKING ON THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE MONDAY. THERE WILL BE A QUIZ ON CHAPTER 2 LATER NEXT WEEK (THURSDAY OR FRIDAY).
THURSDAY, SEPT. 11
A--STUDENTS HAVE A WORKSHEET TONIGHT TO USE WHILE READING SECTION 3 OF CHAPTER 2 IN THE TEXTBOOK. LAST THURSDAY'S TESTS WERE RETURNED TO STUDENTS TODAY. OUT OF 70 STUDENTS, THERE WERE 17 As, 23 Bs, 18 Cs, 10 Ds, and only 3 Fs. TEST MARKS WILL BE POSTED LATER TODAY.
B--STUDENTS WILL DISCUSS THE FIRST TWO LESSONS FROM CHAPTER 2 TOMORROW IN CLASS. TESTS WERE RETURNED TODAY. OUT OF 62 STUDENTS, THERE WERE 36 As, 21 Bs, and 5 Cs. MARKS WILL BE POSTED TOMORROW BUT MAY NOT BE VISIBLE UNTIL PROGRESS REPORTS ARE PUBLISHED ON MONDAY.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 10
A--I COLLECTED THE CHAPTER 2 ASSIGNMENT. WE WILL GO OVER IT DURING FRIDAY'S CLASS. STUDENTS LEARNED ABOUT GRADE 8 FATHER AND SON DAY (SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1)--MORE INFORMATION WILL BE SENT HOME SOON. THEN I RETURNED THE CORRECTED OPEN-BOOK AND ESSAY SECTIONS OF LAST THURSDAY'S TESTS SO THAT STUDENTS COULD ASK ME QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW THEY WERE CORRECTED. BELEN REQUIRES TEACHERS TO KEEP ALL TESTS--HOWEVER, ANY STUDENT OR PARENT HAS THE RIGHT TO SEE A TEST. JUST CONTACT THE TEACHER AND WORK OUT A DATE AND TIME THAT IS MUTUALLY CONVENIENT. I ALWAYS GIVE STUDENTS AT LEAST TEN MINUTES TO LOOK OVER CORRECTED TESTS BEFORE I TAKE THEM BACK OR POST GRADES AT NET CLASSROOM. TOMORROW I WILL RETURN THE REST OF THE TEST, ALONG WITH A FINAL GRADE.
B--STUDENTS LEARNED ABOUT GRADE 8 FATHER AND SON DAY (SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1)--MORE INFORMATION WILL BE SENT HOME SOON. WE DISCUSSED THE HOMEWORK, THEN DIVIDED THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE INTO ITS FOUR SECTIONS AND FOLLOWED THE TEXT WHILE LISTENING TO A RECORDING MADE BY JOHN F. KENNEDY. FINALLY, WE DISCUSSED THE REASON WHY JEFFERSON SEEMS TO BLAME THE KING FOR SO MUCH THAT HAD GONE WRONG IN AMERICA. TESTS WILL BE RETURNED TOMORROW.
TUESDAY, SEPT. 9
A--STUDENTS HAVE A WORKSHEET ON SECTIONS 1 AND 2 OF CHAPTER 2 (CIVICS TEXT) THAT IS DUE TOMORROW. DURING CLASS I CORRECTED EACH STUDENT'S WEEKEND HOMEWORK SO HE COULD SEE HOW I AM MARKING THEM (LEAVING THINGS BLANK IS VERY COSTLY). CHAPTER TWO IS AN EASY CHAPTER WE WILL MOVE THROUGH QUICKLY.
B--FIRST, I TOOK FIFTEEN MINUTES TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE TEAM PROJECT THEY BEGAN YESTERDAY. THE FIRST SECTION (ABOUT FOUR TO SIX PAGES) IS DUE ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 22. THE FINAL REPORT (POWERPOINT) IS DUE FOUR WEEKS LATER ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 20. THESE REPORTS WILL BE PRESENTED IN CLASS DURING THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 27. WHEN WE FINISHED DISCUSSING THE PROJECTS, WE THEN TURNED TO THE NEXT CHAPTER OF THE CIVICS TEXT. STUDENTS NEED TO STUDY PAGES 16-22 FOR FRIDAY'S CLASS. THEN WE BEGAN TO DISCUSS THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. STUDENTS NEED TO MEMORIZE A PORTION (FROM "WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS" TO "SAFETY AND HAPPINESS") DURING THE NEXT TWO WEEKS. A ONE-SIDED WORKSHEET WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THE DECLARATION WAS DISTRIBUTED FOR STUDENTS TO STUDY TONIGHT (NO WRITING REQUIRED).
MONDAY, SEPT. 8
A--I COLLECTED HOMEWORK AND WE DISCUSSED WHY I HAVE ASSIGNED THEM TO READ NICKEL AND DIMED. STUDENTS WILL HAVE AN OPEN-BOOK QUIZ ON PAGES 11-49 OF THIS BOOK NEXT MONDAY. ALL THESE PAGES SHOULD BE READ AND HIGHLIGHTED (AT LEAST FOUR PLACES ON EACH PAGE)BEFORE THAT CLASS. THERE WILL BE A QUIZ ON SEPTEMBER 17 IDENTIFYING THE 50 STATES ON AN OUTLINE MAP.
B--WE ESTABLISHED TEAMS FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION PROJECT.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 5
A--THIS WEEKEND WE BEGIN READING "NICKEL AND DIMED"--PAGES 1-10 WITH A WORKSHEET DUE MONDAY. IN CLASS WE DISCUSSED SENATOR MCCAIN'S SPEECH LAST NIGHT TO THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION.
B--WE DISCUSSED SENATOR MCCAIN'S ACCEPTANCE SPEECH LAST NIGHT AND THEN BEGAN TO EXPLORE A PROJECT ON THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION FOR WHICH TEAM MEMBERSHIP AND ASSIGNED TOPICS WILL BECOME SPECIFIC IN THE NEXT CLASS.
THURSDAY, SEPT. 4
A--TODAY'S TEST WILL BE RETURNED TO STUDENTS IN ONE WEEK--NEXT THURSDAY. I AM ENCOURAGING ALL STUDENTS TO WATCH AT LEAST PART OF SENATOR MCCAIN'S ACCEPTANCE SPEECH AT THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION TONIGHT. THERE IS NO OTHER HOMEWORK. STUDENTS DO NOT NEED TO BRING THE CIVICS TEXTBOOK TOMORROW TO CLASS, BUT THEY WILL NEED THEIR LOOSE-LEAF BINDERS AND STUDENT HANDBOOK (AGENDA). TOMORROW I WILL OUTLINE A GROUP PROJECT ASSIGNMENT WORTH MORE THAN TWICE THE VALUE OF TODAY'S TEST.
B--SAME AS A.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 3
A--I RETURNED THE CORRECTED HOMEWORK STUDENTS BROUGHT YESTERDAY. WE REVIEWED ALL THE CURRENT EVENTS MATERIAL FROM THE PAST TWO WEEKS OF CLASSES AS A FINAL PREPARATION FOR TOMORROW'S TEST. STUDENTS SHOULD PREPARE A WRITTEN ANSWER TO THE ESSAY QUESTION THAT WILL BE ON TOMORROW'S TEST. TWO-HUNDRED WORDS OF REVIEW NOTES WILL ADD SIX POINTS TO THE TEST SCORE.
B--WE REVIEWED ALL THE CURRENT EVENTS MATERIAL FROM THE PAST TWO WEEKS OF CLASSES AS A FINAL PREPARATION FOR TOMORROW'S TEST. I DISTRIBUTED A WORKSHEET WITH MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FILM "CROMWELL." WE CONTINUED TO WATCH THE FINAL PORTION OF THE FILM. THE TEST ON CHAPTER ONE AND RELATED MATERIAL WILL TAKE PLACE TOMORROW.
TUESDAY, SEPT. 2
A--I COLLECTED THE HOMEWORK (CH. 1, SECTION 3). STUDENTS RECEIVED AND DISCUSSED A TWO-PAGE OUTLINE OF THURSDAY'S TEST--TELLING THEM EXACTLY WHAT TO EXPECT. 200 WORDS OF HANDWRITTEN NOTES ON TEST MATERIAL WILL ADD SIX POINTS TO THE TEST SCORE OF ANY STUDENT WHO BRINGS THESE NOTES TO CLASS AT THE START OF THE TEST. WE BRIEFLY DISCUSSED THE NEWS ABOUT HURRICANES (GUSTAV AND HANNA) AS WELL AS EARLY NEWS FROM THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION. FINALLY WE WENT OVER THE ANSWERS TO THE HOMEWORK FROM SECTION 2.
B--I COLLECTED THE HOMEWORK (A SELECTION FROM LOCKE'S TREATISES ON CIVIL GOVERNMENT). STUDENTS RECEIVED AND DISCUSSED A ONE-PAGE OUTLINE OF THURSDAY'S TEST--TELLING THEM EXACTLY WHAT TO EXPECT. 200 WORDS OF HANDWRITTEN NOTES ON TEST MATERIAL WILL ADD SIX POINTS TO THE TEST SCORE OF ANY STUDENT WHO BRINGS THESE NOTES TO CLASS AT THE START OF THE TEST. WE BRIEFLY DISCUSSED THE NEWS ABOUT HURRICANES (GUSTAV AND HANNA) AS WELL AS EARLY NEWS FROM THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION. FINALLY WE CONTINUED THE FILM "CROMWELL."
FRIDAY, AUG. 29
A--I COLLECTED THE SECTION 2 HOMEWORK, THEN WE WENT OVER THE ANSWERS TO THE SECTION 1 ASSIGNMENT THAT HAD BEEN RETURNED YESTERDAY. WEEKEND HOMEWORK--STUDY THE FINAL SECTION IN CHAPTER 1 AND COMPLETE A WORKSHEET BASED ON THESE PAGES. TEST ON CHAPTER 1 NEXT THURSDAY. WE BRIEFLY DISCUSSED THE CONCLUSION OF THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION.
B--WE BRIEFLY CONSIDERED THE EARLY NEWS ABOUT GOVERNOR PALIN'S SELECTION AS RUNNING MATE TO SENATOR MCCAIN. THEN WE RESUMED THE FILM ("CROMWELL"), MOVING FROM THE ARREST OF CHARLES 1 TO HIS TRIAL FOR TREASON. HOMEWORK: STUDY (HIGHLIGHT AND ANNOTATE) TWO PAGES OF SELECTIONS FROM JOHN LOCKE'S TWO TREATISES ON CIVIL GOVERNMENT.
THURSDAY, AUG. 28
A--I COLLECTED THE HOMEWORK AND RETURNED IT TO STUDENTS CORRECTED BEFORE THE END OF CLASS. WE DISCUSSED THE CONTINUING DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION AND THE PRESSURE ON SENATOR OBAMA TO DELIVER A GREAT SPEECH TONIGHT. WE LOOKED AT THE WEBSITE OF THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER FOR A MINUTE. THEN WE DISCUSSED THE ILLUSTRATIONS ON PAGES 10-16, ESPECIALLY THE TWO PIE GRAPHS AT THE BOTTOM OF PAGE 14. FINALLY, STUDENTS RECEIVED A WORKSHEET ON SECTION 2, DUE TOMORROW.
B--I RETURNED TWO CORRECTED HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS. I COLLECTED THE WORKSHEET DISTRIBUTED YESTERDAY. WE DISCUSSED THE SHORT BIOGRAPHY OF OLIVER CROMWELL BOTH IN TERMS OF VOCABULARY AND IN RELATION TO WHAT THEY ARE SEEING IN THE FILM. THAT LEFT ABOUT 22 MINUTES FOR FILM TIME. STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO WATCH AT LEAST A FEW MINUTES OF THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION THIS WEEK AND THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION NEXT WEEK.
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 27
A--WE DISCUSSED PARTS OF CHAPTER 1, SECTION 1--THE WORKSHEET ASSIGNMENT ON THESE PAGES IS DUE TOMORROW. YESTERDAY'S HOMEWORK WAS RETURNED WITH CORRECTIONS. ALL STUDENTS NOW HAVE PERSONAL COPIES OF THE BELEN AGENDA (OR STUDENT HANDBOOK). STUDENTS HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED IN HOW THE AGENDA IS TO BE USED. I WILL BE CHECKING AGENDAS IN CLASS THIS FRIDAY TO MAKE SURE EACH BOY UNDERSTANDS.
B--YESTERDAY'S HOMEWORK WAS COLLECTED. SOME STUDENTS FAILED TO LEAVE EVIDENCE THAT THEY HAD WORKED WITH THE SHEET. WE ARE CONTINUING TO WATCH THE FILM "CROMWELL"--WE ARE UP TO THE BATTLE OF NASEBY. TONIGHT STUDENTS SHOULD CAREFULLY STUDY (INCLUDES HIGHLIGHTING AND ANNOTATING) THE WORKSHEET ON USING THE STUDENT AGENDA THAT WAS DISTRIBUTED TODAY IN CLASS.
TUESDAY, AUG. 26
A--I COLLECTED HOMEWORK. WE DISCUSSED TODAY'S ELECTIONS AND SENATOR KENNEDY'S APPEARANCE BEFORE THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION LAST NIGHT. OUR FIRST TEST WILL TAKE PLACE ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4. IT WILL INCLUDE CHAPTER 1--WHICH WE BEGAN TO READ IN CLASS TODAY. A WORKSHEET ON THE FIRST SECTION OF CHAPTER 1 IS DUE THURSDAY.
B--I COLLECTED HOMEWORK. WE DISCUSSED TODAY'S ELECTIONS AND SENATOR KENNEDY'S APPEARANCE BEFORE THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION LAST NIGHT. THEN WE WATCHED ANOTHER PORTION OF THE FILM "CROMWELL." TONIGHT STUDENTS HAVE TO REVIEW AND ANNOTATE A SHORT BIOGRAPHY OF CROMWELL AND A TIMELINE ABOUT JOHN LOCKE'S LIFE.
MONDAY, AUG. 25
A--WE BRIEFLY DISCUSSED THE OLYMPIC GAMES AND THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION. WE SPENT MOST OF CLASS GOING OVER THE HOMEWORK. TONIGHT'S HOMEWORK IS VERY SIMILAR AND WILL BE COLLECTED AND MARKED.
B-WE DISCUSSED THE CHINESE OLYMPIC GAMES AND THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION. OUR FIRST TEST WILL BE ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4. IT WILL INVOLVE CHAPTER ONE AND MATERIAL RELATED TO THE FILM WE WILL BE WATCHING FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS--CROMWELL. HOMEWORK TONIGHT--FINISH READING CHAPTER ONE AND FINISH THE WORKSHEET DISTRIBUTED LAST FRIDAY.
FRIDAY, AUG. 22
A-WE DISCUSSED THE REFERENCE SECTION OF THE TEXTBOOK (FROM PAGE 696 TO END). HOMEWORK IS A WORKSHEET WITH ABOUT TWENTY QUESTIONS MOSTLY FROM THIS SECTION. WE STARTED TO DISCUSS THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION PROCESS.
B-STUDENTS SHOULD STUDY PAGES 4-8 OF THE TEXT AND ANSWER HALF THE QUESTIONS ON A WORKSHEET. I EXPLAINED HOW TO USE THE CD-ROM THAT COMES WITH THE TEXT.
THURS., AUG. 21
A-I COLLECTED THE HOMEWORK (SHEET OF PERSONAL QUESTIONS). WE DISCUSSED HOW STUDENTS WILL BE USING THE STUDENT HANDBOOK TO KEEP ASSIGNMENT RECORDS--WITH A WORKSHEET CONTAINING SAMPLES OF WHAT TO DO. A WORKSHEET ON THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION WAS DISTRIBUTED. WE FINISHED DISCUSSING THE CLASS RULES.
B-I COLLECTED THE HOMEWORK. I DISTRIBUTED AND WE DISCUSSED THE COURSE OUTLINE. I DISTRIBUTED A WORKSHEET ON THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
WEDS., AUG. 20
A-STUDENTS WERE ASSIGNED SEATS. WE DISCUSSED BRIEFLY THE SUBJECT OF THE CLASS (THE COURSE OUTLINE IS ALREADY POSTED ON MY FACULTY PAGE AT THE BELEN WEBSITE, AND A SHORTER VERSION OF THE COURSE OUTLINE WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO STUDENTS LATER THIS WEEK). STUDENTS HAVE A HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT DUE TOMORROW--A SHEET OF PERSONAL QUESTIONS WITH A SHORT ESSAY ON THE BACK TELLING ME SOMETHING ABOUT THEMSELVES THAT THEY ARE PROUD OF BUT THAT I MIGHT NEVER GUESS JUST FROM SEEING THEM IN CLASS. I ALSO DISTRIBUTED A COPY OF CLASS RULES. WE DISCUSSED SEVERAL OF THESE AND WILL FINISH TOMORROW.
B-SAME AS FOR A. ALSO, HONORS STUDENTS MUST HAVE THE CD-ROM THAT COMES WITH THE TEXTBOOK. WE WILL BE USING THE CD-ROM CONSTANTLY THIS YEAR. THE FIRST TEXT ASSIGNMENT WILL BE TOMORROW OR FRIDAY, NO LATER. THE CD-ROM WILL BE USED FOR THE FIRST TIME AT HOME THIS WEEKEND. DON'T PANIC IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT YET, BUT MAKE SURE TO ORDER IT ASAP.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 30
A-WHILE YOU ARE WAITING FOR CLASSES TO BEGIN, PLEASE SPEND AT LEAST A LITTLE TIME READING OR LISTENING TO THE NEWS. I RECOMMEND THE MIAMI HERALD OR NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO, BUT ANYTHING IS BETTER THAN NOTHING. WE WILL SPEND A LOT OF TIME THIS YEAR FOLLOWING NEWS STORIES AND IT WILL BE HELPFUL IF YOU ARE ALREADY PAYING ATTENTION BEFORE CLASSES START. SOME TOPICS YOU SHOULD ESPECIALLY PAY ATTENTION TO ARE 1--THE ECONOMY (HIGHER PRICES, BANKS, THE HOUSING INDUSTRY), 2--THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN, AND 3) ELECTIONS FOR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS FROM SOUTH FLORIDA (IN PARTICULAR FOR THE SEATS PRESENTLY OCCUPIED BY ILEANA ROS-LEHTINEN, LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART, AND MARIO DIAZ-BALART--ALL REPUBLICANS AND ALL BEING CHALLENGED BY WELL-FINANCED DEMOCRATS: ANNETTE TEDEO, RAUL MARTINEZ, AND JOE GARCIA, A GRADUATE OF BELEN).
A-IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT COLLEGE PREP (OR HONORS) CIVICS, PLEASE BE PATIENT. JUST MAKE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR TEXTBOOK, SOME PAPER, A PEN AND A PENCIL ON THE FIRST DAY OF CLASSES. YOU WILL GET A CHANCE TO ASK PLENTY OF QUESTIONS DURING THE FIRST WEEK.
A-ENJOY THE REST OF THE VACATION--ESPECIALLY THE BEIJING OLYMPICS!
B-SAME AS "A" ABOVE.
Some Favorite Links:
BELEN JESUIT PREP WEBSITE There's a lot going on at our school that many students miss out on because they just don't explore our web site.
GOOGLE Probably the best place to start looking for information. When you exhaust GOOGLE, check below.
Newseum Current Events Questions The current events quizzes posted at this site will help keep you up to date on the news. If you need more information on a question, try the search engine at Google News.
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