It looks like it might be a snowy Christmas...

Hello students, I hope you're having a great Christmas break, I'm sure you're all reading your history books and equipping yourselves with college level knowledge so when you come back to school on January 4th, you'll be ready to speed through the rest of the history curriculum. So I'm courious, what is on your Christmas list? Leave your comments below Maybe Santa is reading this blog, you never know...

Picture taken from http://www.texasescapes.com/Where/Photos/BattleCreekMichiganSnowRoad032808SMichaels24.jpg

Post American Revolution Test Review

Today students worked on the Review for their Post American Revolution Test. It's 25 questions of government, constitutional rights, rules for new states, & drama between the Founding Fathers over the Constitution. Tomorrow, we have our field trip to MacArthur High School during the first half of the day. Thursday, students will be taking the Post American Revolution Test.

Random Christmas fact: The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree tradition began in 1933. Franklin Pierce, the 14th president, brought the Christmas tree tradition to the White House.

Picture taken from: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0a/Rockefeller_Center_Tree.jpg

Bill of Rights & Review

Most students turned in their Bill of Rights assignments (Bill of Rights Match & Mr. Xanders' Rights) today. If you haven't, they must be in by Thursday because there will be a test over the Articles of Confederation, the Northwest Ordinance, the Constitutional Convention, and the Bill of Rights. So, I need your help...I'm looking for some good basketball pump up music (pre-game music) for the basketball team and seeing how I'm so hip and all, I've got some good ideas but I could use more. Please keep in mind that these songs need to be clean.

The Bill of Rights & the criminal's past

All classes finished up the Bill of Rights notes with the 2 Pre-AP classes providing their own interesting take on the first 10 amendments. Students provided artwork while others acted out their amendment and some surprised the class with their "rap" and "metal" renditions of the Bill of Rights. Overall, great job by the Pre-AP students. Also, all students were able to learn a little bit more about "my past" through the worksheet titled "Mr. Xanders' Rights." This is an important section of government that we're currently covering in class which is why I am making sure that all of the students understand their rights as individuals aka The Bill of Rights. Which of the first 10 amendment is the most important amendment and why?

Picture taken from http://www.wholeperson-counseling.org/jpg/jail.jpg

Reading benchmark & The Bill of Rights

Today, students took their Reading benchmark during 1st-3rd period. While, 4th-8th period covered more of the Bill of Rights notes. Tomorrow, we should be finished with the Bill of Rights notes and moving on to some real life examples.

Picture taken from http://images.chron.com/blogs/baseballblog/archives/mcgwire.jpg

I know my rights!!!

Today we began our section over the Bill of Rights, if you need a worksheet please follow this link: http://tw.neisd.net/webpages/cxande/calendar.cfm and click on today's date. We were able to cover the first 3 to 4 amendments in most classes. Students in the Pre-AP classes will be presenting their take on the 10 amendments on Thursday, that's just a reminder Pre-AP students and don't forget to finish the "Writing and Adopting the Constitution" worksheet given out today. Students will be learning about my past during an activity on Thursday.

Random Christmas fact: Today, in the Greek and Russian orthodox churches, Christmas is celebrated 13 days after the 25th, which is also referred to as the Epiphany or Three Kings Day. This is the day it is believed that the three wise men finally found Jesus in the manger.

The Federalist party and their creative opponents

The Constitution was finally ratified...with the help of what famous document? This should be very simple. It's an important document that we should all know about. Today, we were able to finish our "We still can't come to an agreement" notes. We talked about the Constitutional issues that the framers or Founding Fathers dealt with which included such questions as "how should slaves be counted" and "what is going to persuade the Anti-Federalists to approve the Constitution?" Which important U.S. figure is pictured to the left? Give me liberty or give me death!

Picture taken from: http://thebsreport.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/henry.jpg

Garner basketball & Gator-'Bama football

Well this morning reminded me why I don't enjoy the cold weather...is it summer yet? The Garner A and B teams played in the 4 team NEISD tournament today. The A team & B team lost their first games of the day but were victorious in their second games defeating Lopez & Wood respectfully. I'm proud of the boys' effort today. Now I get to relax and watch Tim Tebow try to lead the Gators over the Alabama Crimson Tide. Currently, it's not looking too good.

Picture taken from: http://defininggrace.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/tebowgladiator1024.jpg

HSI: Constitutional Convention

Students worked on their H.S.I. (Historical Scene Investigation) assignment. Remember if you haven't finished the who am I section then it's homework over the weekend. Use the picture above to finish your assignment. Have a safe weekend and I'll see you on Monday.

Picture taken from http://www.vmfa.state.va.us/collections/50_2_1.jpg

Pop Quiz & Rules on Campus

For those who weren't in class, you missed out on a surprise today. And if you ask the rest of your classmates, I'm sure they would tell you that they really enjoyed it. Also, Dr. Newman came in to class and talked about disrespect, PDA (public display of affection), bullying, & overall effort in class. Tomorrow, students will investigate an important historical scene.

Christmas fact of the day:

We have taken many customs from different places around the world and mixed them together to form our modern celebration of Christmas. For example, we have taken the Christmas tree from Germany and gift giving from the Dutch tradition of leaving out wooden shoes for them to be filled with goodies from St. Nicholas.

source: http://www.internetfamilyfun.com/holidays/christmas/christmasfacts.htm

Quiz & Constitution

Class was a little quiet today. The quiz over the Articles of Confederation, the Northwest Ordinance, & Constitutional Convention probably had something to do with it. After the quiz, everyone was given the next set of notes titled "We still can't come to an Agreement!!!" Everyone should have finished it in class, since there was enough time after the quiz. In fact, students it would benefit you to finish the notes for homework, there may be a surprise tomorrow. If you need a copy of the notes, click on the following link: http://tw.neisd.net/popup_info.cfm?get=76786&dirname=cxande

Random Christmas fact:

After the American Revolution, English customs fell out of favor, including
Christmas. In fact, Congress was in session on December 25, 1789, the first
Christmas under America’s new constitution. Christmas wasn’t declared a
federal holiday until June 26, 1870.

Information from http://www.thehistoryofchristmas.com/ch/in_america.htm

Articles, Branches, & Cheese steaks

During class today, we finished up the 2 worksheets over the Articles of Confederation, the Northwest Ordinance, & the Constitutional (Philadelphia) Convention. The classroom discussion over the Constitutional Convention was pretty interesting today. We were able to discuss the Electoral College and how that whole system works. Remember me students when I run for President in 2012. "X defeats O every time!!" Another reminder, students, tomorrow you will be taking a quiz over the 2 worksheets covered today and yesterday. Which of the plans (Virginia or New Jersey) was more significant to the forming of the Constitution and why?

Image taken from http://students.historygeek.org/Unit2/independence%20hall%20interior.jpg

Government, Rules, & Territory

First day back from the Thanksgiving break and for the most part, we were able to cover a good amount of information. Today, all of the classes covered the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation & the Northwest Ordinance. Click on the following link if you need access to the worksheets that we covered today: http://tw.neisd.net/popup_info.cfm?get=75749&dirname=cxande

History question for the day: Out of the 6 present-day states in the Northwest Territory, which state is the best and why? (Be careful how you answer)

Are You a U.S. Citizen?

Take a look at what happened this day in world history: http://link.history.com/services/player/bcpid18808667001?bctid=1213938762

Let's see how good you are. Post your results and time. http://www.history.com/content/citizen_quiz/citizenship-quiz

Picture provided by: http://serie23productions.com/clients/The%20History%20Channel%20logo.jpg & www.history.com/

Michigan basketball

Well, I'm sure you're all very excited for this time of year. I'm not talking about the holidays, I'm talking about college basketball, more importantly...Michigan Wolverine basketball. I've been looking forward to it ever since the Michigan football team started stumbling in the middle and end of the season. It's alright, because now Michigan basketball will hopefully bring that winning tradition back to Ann Arbor.

Picture courtesy of: http://www.thehoopsreport.com/images/harris.jpg

Thanksgiving Day

My first post on one of the best holidays of the year. What other holiday do you get to eat as much as you'd like through out the day while watching football in between multiple servings? I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving.

Picture courtesy of: http://img.timeinc.net/southern/events/news/images/ThanksgivingFeast.jpg