Friday, October 30, 2009

In the spirit of Halloween, the instructor went through a PowerPoint presentation about the History of Halloween and its impact on American culture and our Hollywood film genre. Students were exposed to information talking about Samhein (Celtic Festival), the introduction of Halloween to America (through the Irish Potato Famine immigrants) and some of the customs and practices we have adopted (and altered) for our "Americanization holiday". In addition, students were introduced to the history behind some of our greatest horror icons and the real people that inspired their stories.

HAVE A VERY SAFE YET SCARY HALLOWEEN...hope to see you at Parent-Teacher Conferences (with Mom or Dad) on Monday.

Tonight's Homework: Continue with Unit 5 AP Chapter Questions (Chapter 14 and 15).

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Today, students were given an opportunity to Peer-to-Peer review with their AP Chapter Questions over the topics in Chapters 14 and 15. In addition, they were asked to review some of the concepts from Chapter 13 that relate to the Era of Good Feelings (Monroe's Administration).

Tonight's Homework: Continue with Unit 5 reading and the AP Chapter Questions.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Today, the instructor continued with lecture notes and discussion dealing with Westward Expansion and the implications of the Monroe Doctrine on American Politics and Foreign Affairs. In addition, the students were introduced to the idea of Sectionalism and its debate over politics, economics and the slavery debate.

Tonight's Homework: Continue with your reading in Chapter 14 and 15 and working on your AP Chapter Questions. Bring your textbook and questions for tomorrow's class period.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Today, the students completed the Monroe Doctrine FRQ.

The Monroe Doctrine has been called the "cornerstone" of American foreign policy in the western hemisphere. How did the events listed below (use 3 in your argument) influence the Monroe administration to issue the Monroe Doctrine?

• Washington's Neutrality Proclamation of 1793
• Washington's Farewell Address 1796
• The XYZ Affair
• The Louisiana Purchase
• The Chesapeake Affair
• The Embargo Act of 1807
• The War of 1812

Tonight's Homework: Continue with your reading in American Pageant (Chapters 14 and 15) and continue working on the AP Chapters Questions for Unit 5.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Today, we started our study of Unit 5 (Chapters 14 and 15) dealing with the developments of new nationalism under the Monroe Administration (The Era of Good Feelings). The instructor introduced the new curriculum through lecture notes dealing with the backgrounder on James Monroe and some of his administrative policies (New Nationalism, the development of Sectionalism and America's Manifest Destiny).

Prior to the students leaving for the day, they were given information explaining Tuesday's Free Response Question on the Monroe Doctrine: The Monroe Doctrine has been called the "cornerstone" of American foreign policy in the western hemisphere. How did the events listed below (use 3 in your argument) influence the Monroe administration to issue the Monroe Doctrine?

• Washington's Neutrality Proclamation of 1793
• Washington's Farewell Address 1796
• The XYZ Affair
• The Louisiana Purchase
• The Chesapeake Affair
• The Embargo Act of 1807
• The War of 1812

Tonight's Homework: Prepare for Tuesday's FRQ on the Monroe Doctrine and begin working on your Unit 5 AP Chapter Questions (Chapters 14 and 15)

Friday, October 23, 2009

MODIFIED SCHEDULE DUE TO HOMECOMING, SPORTS RALLY AND API CARNIVAL
Today, the students have a shorter class period in celebration of their API achievement during last year's school testing...thus, the instructor had a fun activity for the students to participate in for recognition of their academic achievement.

Tonight's Homework: Continue reading in Chapters 14 and 15 and beginning working on the AP Chapter Questions for Chapter 14 and 15.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Today, the students took the RUSD District Assessment in United States History (California Standards 1-3). The exam was 40 multiple-choice questions over curriculum from Quarter One.

Tonight's Homework: Continue reading in Chapters 14 and 15 in American Pageant and beginning working on the AP Chapter Questions for Unit 5 (Chapters 14-15).

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Today, the students participated in a fun activity on self-reflection and self-identity (developed around Historical Thinking skills). The activity was used as a review session for tomorrow's United States History District Assessment for RUSD.

Tonight's Homework: Beginning reading in Chapters 14 and 15 in American Pageant

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Today, the students participated in the Teaching American History Grant Assessment (Document Based Question-Structured Outline) on Constitutional Government vs. Tyranny. The assessment is a benchmark exam to determine students' abilities in Historical Thinking skills and Document Based Analysis in United States History.

Tonight's Homework: None

Monday, October 19, 2009

UNIT 4 EXAM GIVEN TODAY (Chapters 11-13)...50 Multiple-Choice Questions

Students submitted their Unit 4 AP Chapter Questions for credit with the instructor.

Tonight's Homework: Begin reading in Chapters 14-15 regarding the Era and Good Feelings, the Adams Presidency and the Jacksonian Democracy (Mass Democracy).

Friday, October 16, 2009

Today, students were given an opportunity to Peer-to-Peer review over the Unit 4 AP Chapter questions in preparation for Monday's 50-question multiple choice exam over Chapters 11-13. The Unit 4 AP Chapter Questions will be due on Monday before the exam.

Tonight's Homework: Finish the Unit 4 AP Chapter Questions and review for Monday's test over Chapters 11-13...the test is 50-mutiple choice questions over these chapters on a Scantron...be sure to bring a #2 pencil for the exam (scantron provided by instructor).

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND!!!

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Modified Schedule due to Earthquake Drill. Today, we finished up the notes on President Madison to close out Unit 4. The focal point of the notes and discussion dealt with the legacy of the War of 1812 and the transition into the timeperiod known as "The Era of Good Feelings".

Tonight's Homework: Begin to study for Monday's Unit 4 Exam over Chapters 11-13. Also, finish up the AP Chapter Questions for Unit 4 (they will be collected before the exam on Monday). Bring your unfinished questions and concerns to class tomorrow for Peer-to-Peer learning session and instructor assistance.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

The instructor was out today due to Professional Development with the school district. In addition, many AP students in Periods 2 and 3 were also out due to the PSAT exam being given during Periods 1-4...thus, students were given an opportunity to work on their AP Chapter Questions over Unit 4 (Chapters 11-13) together during a Peer-to-Peer Review Session. The Unit 4 Exam (50 multiple-choice questions) is scheduled for Monday, October 19th.

Tonight's Homework: Continue with AP Chapter questions and begin reviewing for Monday's Unit 4 exam.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

The instructor finished up the lecture and classroom discussion on Jefferson today (dealing with the Louisiana Purchase and its impact on later issues) and then, transitions into Madison's presidency and the impact on the War of 1812 (Madison's War).

Tonight's Homework: Continue with Unit 4 AP Chapter Questions.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Today, the instructor continued with the lecture notes and classroom discussion dealing with the first few presidents and the start of our new nation (Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison). As a portion of the notes, students are exposed to some of the Supreme Court decision of John Marshall that a profound effect on the development of American Ideals and the court's supremacy over Judicial Interpretation (Judicial Review).

Tonight's Homework: Continue with Unit 4 AP Chapter Questions (Due next week for test)

Friday, October 9, 2009

Today, the students got an opportunity to work together in a Peer-to-Peer review session dealing with the AP Chapter Questions from Unit 4 (Chapters 11-13). The teacher walked the room and assisted with concepts and ideas yet to be fully covered in the lecture material. When we return on Monday, the lecture will pick up with Jefferson, Monroe and Madison and their presidential impact leading up to the War of 1812 and the Era of Good Feelings.

Tonight's Homework: Get a jump on your AP Chapter Questions for Unit 4 (Chapters 11-13) and be sure to have read the information dealing with Thomas Jefferson's presidency for Monday lecture and discussion. HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Today, we finished up the notes dealing with the War of 1812 (Second War for Independence). As a transition, we stepped back (following the War of 1812) to evaluate the presidencies of Adams, Jefferson, Monroe and Madison independently (to show their developments and assistance in contributing to the War of 1812 and the "Era of Good Feelings". Today, we were able to get through John Adams...we will continue with the remainder over the course of the next 3-4 days.

Tonight's Homework: Continue reading in Chapters 11-13 in American Pageant and working on your Unit 4 AP Chapter questions. Bring your textbook and questions to class tomorrow for Peer-to-Peer review/work-session.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Today, the students and the instructor continued with the notes dealing with Washington's presidency and transitioned to the issues dealing with the Causes of the War of 1812. Following a basic understanding of the causes of the War of 1812 (Second War for Independence)...the instructor and the students will revisit the presidencies of Adam, Madison, Monroe and Jefferson and how they impacted the events leading up to the War of 1812.

Tonight's Homework: Continue reading in the American Pageant (Chapters 11-13) and continue with Unit 4 AP Chapter Questions.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Students were introduced to the lecture materials for Unit 4 (Chapters 11, 12 and 13). Today's initial discussion dealt with the troubles associated with the fledgling American nation and the huge stresses set upon the inagural administration of George Washington and his presidency.

Tonight's Homework: Begin reading in the American Pageant (Chapters 11-13) and start to develop thoughts and answers to the Unit 4 AP Chapter Questions.

Monday, October 5, 2009

UNIT 3 QUIZ (30 Multiple-Choice Questions over Chapters 8-10)

Tonight's Homework: Begin reading for Unit 4 (Chapters 11-13) and start the AP Chapter Questions for the chapters (handout provided today).

Friday, October 2, 2009

Today, students finished up the notes dealing with Unit 3 (Chapters 8-10). The focus of today's lecture centered around the arguments for support of the U.S. Constitution (Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists). As a side note, the Fugitive Slave Law was discussed and its ramifications for the development of North vs. South mentalities over slavery (Pre-Civil War developments). Following the lecture and discussion, students were given time to work on their AP Chapter Questions from Unit 3 in preparation for Monday's quiz (30 multiple-choice questions).

Tonight's Homework: Finish Unit 3 AP Chapter Questions and study for Unit 3 quiz [Chapters 8-10](Monday)

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Finished up the lecture notes and background material on the Constitution Convention (minus the Fugitive Slave Law and Federalist/Anti-Federalist issues...we will discuss on Friday). Following the lecture, students were given an opportunity to Peer-to-Peer review over their AP Chapter Questions for Monday's Quiz over Unit 3 (Chapters 8, 9 and 10).

Tonight's Homework: Bring materials to class on Friday dealing with AP Chapter Questions for Unit 3 (Chapters 8, 9 and 10). Also, finish all reading for Unit 3.