computer lab tomorrow, party politics project and test

We're all set for the computer lab tomorrow, so please meet me in 321 6th period (you don't need to come to the room first).

Your party politics and government project is due Friday after vacation.  The project description is here, and  here's the sign up page.

Your test on party politics (Washington and Adams' presidencies, the emergence of the first political parties and today's parties) will be the second week of January.

Due next Monday and Tuesday

Due Monday 12/17:  Research on the cabinet (the assignment can be found here) and create a symbol for one of the first political parties (Federalists or Republicans).  The symbol must be creative, clear, colorful, reflective of the values and ideals of the party and generally show unique thought and effort.  Explain your symbol in 2-3 sentences on the back of the page you draw it on.  Worth 5 points and due next class. 

Due Tuesday 12/18:  Find a political cartoon from the past year that somehow reflects the ideals (in either a positive or negative way) of one of the two major political parties today.  

Please have the following printed and ready for class on Tuesday (you may include all of these on the same page);

·         A clear, printed copy of the cartoon 

·         The source of the cartoon (name of the website and URL or publication information and the date it was printed/published).  The date is necessary to establish the context of commentary it's making.

·         Explain in 3-4 sentences how it reflects the ideals of the political party, whether it's making a positive or negative comment about that party and why you chose it (other than it was the first image that came up on a Google search).  Please type if possible.  

 

upcoming assignments

Due Thursday:  2 pages of notes on p. 168-178.

citizenship test answers and note about lunch tomorrow

See last Tuesday's post for study questions for tomorrow's test.  Also, since lunch is during 5th period tomorrow rather than 4th, please take 1st lunch.

Here are the answers to the citizenship test you took in class today.

due Friday 12/7

Please research the verdicts of the cases you read about in class (www.oyez.org is a good source for this, but you may use another source if you can't find it on oyez).  Please have a short summary (2-3 sentences or bullet points) of the reasoning behind the verdict for each case.  Also, choose another case that you found to be of interest and summarize the facts of the case and the decision.
Here is the timeline of later amendments from class today.

upcoming due dates and study questions for next week's test

Due Thursday 12/6:  reflection on mock congress activity

Using your experience in the three day simulation as a basis for answering this (though you may also consider how Congress itself works, if you wish), what works well about the legislative (law-making) process?  What could be better (how could this process be improved)?

Also, what clarifying questions or further questions did this raise for you about the legislative process?

Please write clearly and thoughtfully, and organize your response effectively.  Between one and two double spaced typed pages is a sufficient length.  Due at the start of class Thursday 12/6.  

Here are two answer keys for the "guide to the Constitution" activity (thanks to Emily and Will for these!)

Other upcoming dates to be aware of:

Your government test (on the history behind the writing of the Constitution, the document itself, the bill of rights, and the fundamental principles of American government) is next Tuesday (12/11).  The format will be the usual (multiple choice and an open response question).

American Government study questions:

1.       What were the strengths and weaknesses of American government under the Articles of Confederation?

2.       Why was Shay’s Rebellion one of the ten days that unexpectedly changed America?

3.       What were the main issues discussed at the Constitutional Convention?  Who were the major players in the writing of the Constitution?  What key compromises were reached?

4.       What main issue divided Federalists and anti-Federalists?  How was this dispute resolved?

5.       What rights are guaranteed by the bill of rights, and why are these necessary for democracy to function effectively?

6.       What are the strengths and weaknesses of the current system of government? (In what ways is democracy in America both a blessing or a curse?)