Political Cartoon time

Today students analyzed current political cartoons. Including this one. What do you think this picture is saying?

Are you smarter than an 8th grader?

Students took their 2nd History Benchmark of the school year which will help let me know who may need additional help with the Causes of the American Revolution, the War of 1812, the U.S. Constitution, and other facts covered during the last few months. The benchmark was 23 questions and most students seem to finish in about 20 minutes, not sure if that's a good sign or maybe they're breezing through it because they been taught well. Remember students to bring your dollars so that you can purchase some duct tape to tape your favorite History teacher to the wall during lunch.

Post War Sectionalism

What were the main 3 sections or regions of the United States after the War of 1812? What economic resources did each region rely on? Who was known as the "Great Compromiser?" What was the Missouri Compromise? How did the Missouri Compromise effect the United States?

sorry I was out but...

I had to attend to some business. I hope all went well in class today. Remember on Thursday, you will be taking your History Benchmark which will help me assess where you may need help in or if you're understanding everything that I've taught.

Why is cotton such a big deal in the South?

Pre-AP classes finished up their Winter Olympics presentations and will be taking a quiz tomorrow over Presidents Adams, Jefferson, & Madison (previous worksheets/notes discussed in class). Afterwards, students will complete their Friday Flashback #1 (mini TAKS assessment). Then they will work on their assessment over the Nationalism & Sectionalism notes using their textbook and notes, if needed.

Regular classes began working on and even discussing in class the notes covering Post War sectionalism. These notes cover the 3 major regions in the U.S., their economic resources, the Missouri Compromise, the Monroe Doctrine, and the Election of 1824.

Surprise and discussion

Today, regular classes took another mini-assessment, "Friday Flashback #1." Afterwards, we discussed the class notes, "Post War Nationalism."

Pre-AP classes began their Winter Olympic presentations today and should be finished on Monday.

Quiz and Discussion

What year was the Louisiana Purchase made? What is the Embargo Act of 1807? What were the causes and effects of the War of 1812? Why did Lewis & Clark explore Louisiana? These questions and more were covered on the quiz today.

Pre-AP classes will take their quiz on Monday because they will be presenting their Winter Olympics project tomorrow. Today they finished discussing the War of 1812 and began looking at Post War Nationalism and Post War Sectionalism which are both due on Monday in class.

Are you a Nationalist?

Students, you should be able to answer that question after today's class? Who is known as "The Great Compromiser?" We will soon begin talking about the "Era of Good Feelings." We will be gaining new land because the Spanish didn't want to enforce the rules at their border. Just a reminder, tomorrow you will be having a quiz over "The Louisiana Purchase," "Problems with Foreign Powers," and "The War of 1812" notes...make sure you study them and if you've been able to answer the Exit Questions on the white board everyday, you should be fine.

Let the games begin....Pre-AP

Pre-AP students began working on their Project covering the Winter Olympics. Students paired off with a friend and picked an event, randomly. To access information regarding your Olympic event, click on the following link: http://school.nettrekker.com/authenticate/upauth/ and remember the username and password are the same thing (think where do you go to school and what level of education are you currently in?) If you have lost your rubric, go to my teacher webpage and click on the calendar icon and look under today's date.

Regular classes finished up their War of 1812 notes (cutting out the fat strategy) and remember there will be a quiz covering those notes, "Problems with the Foreign Powers," and "The Louisiana Purchase" notes.

Presidents' Day

Fun day at school today...we did nothing. Students had the day off. Why is today called the Presidents' Day? When did Presidents' Day become a federal holiday? Someone try to answer and comment on the blog. Let's see what you know.

Do you know your states?

What state is directly north of Nebraska? Which state is in the northwest corner of the United States? Which state looks like a mitten and has produced such famous athletes as Magic Johnson & Coach Xanders? Everyone try to catch the beginning of the Winter Olympics, if you can. Does anyone have a favorite winter sport? Curling...anyone?

Thursday Throwback??? And The War of 1812 - Cutting Out the Fat

Students had the wonderful opportunity to experience their first ever Thursday Throwback (daily work assessment). Afterwards, students began working on the next section - The War of 1812 using the "Cutting Out the Fat" strategy.

Kidnapping sailors, encouraging Native resistance, & the Embargo Act

Today, we finished discussing the 3 major causes of the War of 1812. These causes will lead us to our next war with the British. The Americans have had enough and they are ready to fight despite the war debt and their desire to stay neutral.

Why are there British pirates?

Jefferson's foreign policy took up most of the discussion today as well as a new set of notes titled, "Problems with Foreign Powers" which comes from Chapter 10 section 3 in your textbook. Jefferson and the United States faced a dilemma because France and Great Britain were at war and we didn't want to get involved but some how we were pulled into it...those darn pirates and girls I'm not talking about Jack Sparrow. Don't forget your 50 States Test will be on Friday. If you would like to prepare for the quiz, follow this link: http://www.lizardpoint.com/fun/geoquiz/usaquiz.html

Cutting Out the Fat!!!! And H.S.I.

Pre-AP Classes finished their notes over the conflict between Thomas Jefferson and John Adams using the "Cutting Out the Fat" reading and comprehension strategy. This strategy helps the students take out the extra information and narrow down the main idea to 1 sentence only using the amount of the words given by the teacher. We finished discussing the Marbury v. Madison Supreme Court case and the significance it had on our government. On to the Louisiana Purchase...

Regular classes worked on an H.S.I. (Historical Scene Investigation) assignment/illustration. Students had to look for 3 details, come up with 1 question, and 1 prediction per quadrant. The illustration dealt with the relationship between the British and Native Americans and how they felt about the Americans.

Cutting Out the Fat?!?

Today regular classes read through Chapter 10 Section 2, pages 302-307, "The Louisiana Purchase & Exploration" using a reading/summarizing strategy known as Cutting Out the Fat. Each student was assigned a sub-section of Section 2 on pages 302-307, after reading their sections to themselves, students then wrote out a sentence that would be summarize their sub-section but they could only use the amount of words that Mr. Xanders gave them (10, 13, 12, 11, etc.). Once they've come up with their sentence, then they get together with the other students who were assigned the same sub-section and they create a sentence or edit one of their own but using less words. Afterwards, one student from each group comes to the white board and writes their group's sentence down for the entire class to see. We will continue this strategy tomorrow with more of the discussion aspect.

What do you know about the conflict between President Adams & VP Jefferson?

Pre-AP classes finished presenting their Branches of the Government projects and overall everyone did a good job researching and most did very well presenting, which can be very tough.

During the Regular classes, students displayed their knowledge over President Adams and Thomas Jefferson through an assessment. We talked about the Marbury v. Madison Supreme Court case and why Judicial Review is important. Just think of the "Official Review" during an NFL game.

There's some drama in the White House

Regular classes began working on their notes "Jefferson goes against President Adams" in class. Students will be able to see why there was drama in the White House during President Adams' term in office. President Adams and Thomas Jefferson allows some philosophical differences to get in the way of their friendship. Thomas Jefferson later on becomes President with a little help from an unexpected government official. Lastly, students will learn about an important Supreme Court case which gave full judicial power to the Supreme Court.

The video below is the very funny Hamilton v. Burr "Got Milk" commercial. Let me know what you think by leaving your comments.

Pre-AP Presentations & John Adams becomes President

Pre-AP classes began presenting their Branches of the Government projects which should take another 2 days to complete. So far, I've been impressed by their research, especially the Judicial Branch students because Supreme Court cases are not the easiest to understand.

During the Regular classes, we finished discussing the John Adams section of the notes, "Retirement, Arguments, & Escargot." We discussed John Adams' Presidency and the United States' rough relationship with France, the Alien & Sedition Acts, and the how Madison and Jefferson reacted to John Adams decision to take actions against foreigners in the states.