How well do you know about Washington's Presidency?

Today students took their quiz over the Presidency of George Washington covering Washington's farewell address, growth of political parties, war debt, the French Revolution, and arguments over how the government should be ran.

Math Benchmark & the French want help

To start the day, students took their Math benchmark in their advisory class during the first 3 class periods. From 4th - 8th period, students turned in their Homework: Early U.S. Foreign Policy and we went over the assignment. Afterwards, students were able to see how the French tried to encourage the Americans to be a part of their issues with Great Britain and the rest of Europe.

Washington retires & the growth of political parties

Pre-AP classes finished the "Washington faces some new but familiar problems" notes and they began the "Retirement, Arguments, & Escargot" notes and are to be finished before class on Friday. Students were also given another homework assignment "A New Nation takes Shape" and is also due on Friday.

Did we follow President Washington's advice given in his farewell address? Do political parties really separate our country? The Democratic-Republicans came on the scene and their thoughts on how the government should be ran were very different from the Federalists. The Regular classes talked about these issues today.

Reminder to all classes, there will be a quiz this Friday over the Presidency of George Washington. Study the following the notes: "The First President of the U.S.," "Washington faces some new but familiar problems," and the front side of "Retirement, Arguments, & Escargot."

Pre-AP Branches of Government Project & President Washington steps down

Attention Pre-AP classes your Branches of Government project is now due on Monday February 1, 2010. Follow this link and you can download the Farcebook template for those who would like to use it for their project. Remember you still have to cover the major events, the numbers that you circled on your research questions. Also, if you follow the link, it will give you the rubric that I'm using for the project. When you see the calendar, make sure to click on today's date (January 26, 2010) and the files will be there so that you can download them.

Teacher Web page link: http://tw.neisd.net/webpages/cxande/calendar.cfm


Regular Classes:

We just finished the "Washington faces some new but familiar problems" notes which will lead us into Washington's retirement, the formation of the political parties in the U.S., & our rocky relationship with the French. You should have received the new notes in class today titled "Retirement, Arguments, & Escargot" and if you didn't finish them in class, they are to be finished for homework. Be ready tomorrow for a wonderful surprise.

pop quiz...oh joy and Washington had some issues

Welcome back from your wonderful weekend, it's pop quiz time. The pop quiz covered the assignments that were homework. For the Pre-AP classes, the quiz covered two worksheets: The First President of the U.S. and Washington faces some new but familiar problems. For the regular classes, the quiz covered "Washington faces some new but familiar problems" (notes). In the Pre-AP classes, students were given more epals from Switzerland and Turkey. While in the regular classes, some students acted out some of the issues President Washington had to face including a group that did not want to leave their land, a group of rowdy farmers who hated taxes, and a mob that no longer wanted a king. All issues that helped to define Washington's presidency.

Do you know the Constitution?

What is the main job of Congress, how does the President execute his authority, and why does the Supreme Court meet? These are just a few of the questions discussed on today's quiz which covered the U.S. Constitution and the 7 Principles of the U.S. Constitution. After the quiz, students worked on and hopefully finished their notes over Washington's new but familiar problems. If you need a worksheet please follow the link at the top of my blog which will take you to my calendar and it will allow you to download the worksheet and print it. If you didn't finish the worksheet in class, it is homework over the weekend. On Monday, I will be checking your notes. Don't forget to label the pictures. Have a great weekend, see you Monday.

The National Bank....what's the big deal?

Why are banks important in our economy? Where would we be without them? Can you imagine carrying all of your coins around or keeping your money in a safe place at home? Do we really need banks? How do they influence our economy? The Founding Fathers debated this issue Alexander Hamilton on one side and Thomas Jefferson & James Madison on the other side. Should the government be forced to follow the Constitution word for word? Or should there be some loose interpretation involved while figuring out what the government can and can't do?

Picture taken from http://cache.virtualtourist.com/52841-National_Banks-Philadelphia.jpg

Branches Project & the man on the $1 bill

On Wednesday Pre-AP students were assigned their Branches of the Government project. Please take a look at what you need to do by clicking on the link above towards the top of my blog, it will take you to my teacher calander, from there you can print an extra copy of the Branches of the Government questions and lists. Pre-AP project is due January 29th

Regular classes began discussing the First President of the United States notes which deals with George Washington becoming our first president and the establishment of the Supreme Court.

U.S. Constitution and the man named.....Washington

Regular classes were able to finish the class discussion over the U.S. Constitution which included the Amendment process, the 7 Articles of the Constitution, and the Electoral College. This discussion led us into our next unit, discussing our first President of the United States and how he faired during his two terms. Pre-AP classes began their notes covering the U.S. Constitution and whatever they didn't finished became homework. Pre-AP classes will begin their Branches of Government Project tomorrow in the computer lab, most of this project will need to be finished away from class.

Martin Luther King Jr Day

Today, take some time and watch this video of Martin Luther King Jr.'s last speech before his unfortunate assassination. Most of us have heard of his "I have a dream" speech but this speech really shows the emotional side of Mr. King. Listen to what he has to say and think about where we are currently at. Leave your thoughts below, if you'd like.

Video was taken from http:www.teachertube.com

The Supreme Law of the Land

What has 7 articles, a Preamble, 3 branches, tons of rules for the government, and has shaped our country into what it is today? The answer is the same as the title: The U.S. Constitution. Students began working on and most finished their notes on the U.S. Constitution.

Picture taken from http://www.bibleintheschools.com/images/photos/US_Constitution_158b15.jpg

Tests are so much fun!!!

Today, students took their 1st Semester Exam. I wish I could tell you that we did more during class but we took the rest of the class period off after the test so that students could study for their other semester exams or 9 weeks tests.

Picture taken from http://staffwww.fullcoll.edu/fbrown/Images/taking%20test.jpg

It's almost game time!!!!!

Students worked on their review sheets for the 1st Semester Exam (Wednesday) with a partner or independently. Tomorrow's test will cover all the major topics or units that we've learned about up to this past week. That means Early Exploration...think Christopher Columbus and why the Europeans came to the New World. Also, the formation of the 13 Colonies, their struggle for independence from a mother who didn't want to let go, the War that took place between the British and the colonists, the formation of a new government and what that looked like, good and bad. All students should have the review sheet and it would be wise of them to study these questions.

Picture taken from http://www.nba.com/media/jumpball_070501.jpg

7 Principles Activity & Review

Students worked on and turned in an assignment titled: 7 Principles of the U.S. Constitution activity, in which they had to read the 14 statements and decide which of the 7 principles applies to each one of the statements. Students also received the Review Sheet for the 1st Semester Exam. The review sheet is not homework but students need to bring it to class tomorrow so that they can finish it and we go over some of their questions in class. Reminder for all classes, the 1st Semester Exam will be this Wednesday.

Picture was taken from http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100111/capt.d003e5bd22e54f8185256d5b1ce08ab2.packers_cardinals_football_azmg146.jpg

Which of the 7 Principles of the U.S. Constitution is the most important?

What would our government look like without Popular Sovereignty? Why is Republicanism an important issue in the U.S.? How would the 3 branches of government be affected if Checks & Balances was not an important idea in the U.S. Constitution? What if the government had no limits to their power? These are just a few of the questions discussed during class today and will also be brought back up on Monday. Students finished up their 7 Principles of the U.S. Constitution worksheets and are well on their way to understanding the significance of the U.S. Constitution. Have a great weekend!!!

Picture taken from http://images.usatoday.com/news/_photos/2004/11/01/voting-inside.jpg

It's all about POWER!!!!!

The Constitution is based off of 7 important principles, which we are currently covering in both classes: Pre-AP & Regular. The 7 Principles are like the ingredients in your favorite dessert...meaning that once you leave one of those ingredients out it doesnt quite taste the same. All classes are going through the 7 key terms or Principles of the U.S. Constitution: Popular Sovereignty, Republicanism, Federalism, Separation of Powers, Checks & Balances, Limited Government, and Individual Rights.

Pre-AP Classes: Reminder - There will be a quiz over the Bill of Rights tomorrow, take a look at your notes if you need any help.

Quiz & Ingredients for making the U.S. Constitution

Image was taken from http://leduc998.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/jury6.jpg

Today regular history classes took their quiz over the Bill of Rights. Afterwards, students worked on the 7 Principles of the U.S. Constitution part 1 worksheet, if you need another copy of the worksheet follow this link and click on the agenda for today's date: http://tw.neisd.net/webpages/cxande/calendar.cfm.

Pre-AP classes began writing a story in which they are the main character and their first 10 amendments have been violated. Students this assignment is for homework and is due first thing tomorrow in class. Refer to your notes or pages 250-252 in your textbook. Classes also started the 7 Principles of the U.S. Constitution part 1 worksheet, if you need another copy of the worksheet follow this link and click on the agenda for today's date: http://tw.neisd.net/webpages/cxande/calendar.cfm.

It's important to know your rights

Regular classes finished up their small Bill of Rights review which was started yesterday. The point of this assignment was to review the Bill of Rights using everyday scenarios and I have to say that most students did really well and were very creative. Reminder for the regular classes: Quiz over the Bill of Rights on Wednesday.

Pre-AP classes were able to send their introduction emails to their peers across the Atlantic Ocean through www.epals.com. Students will be responsible for mainting communication through out the school year. This is a great opportunity for the students to learn about different cultures around the world while explaining what makes Americans so unique.