last assignments (!!!)

Tuesday 6/16:  "quest" (length of a quiz, but with the finality/closure and format of a test) on the Civil War and Reconstruction.  Here are the questions you should be able to answer thoughtfully.  (Less emphasis on the military side of the war than the meaning behind the war).

Here is a link to the History Channel's Presidents series:  Lincoln starts around 23 minutes in.  The segments on Johnson and Grant are also worth watching.

Here are the Reconstruction documents we looked at in class (today for A block, will look at Monday with G block):  set 1 (we didn't look at E, I, J or L of this set) and set 2.

A block - remember to view the video linked in the previous post (from the Story of Us series).

Here is the final exam study guide.  Info about the format is also included.  

G block work for Old Hall Wednesday 6/10

1.  Read the NY Times Up Front articles given out in class.
2.  View the Story of Us:  Civil War episode and be able to answer the questions in the accompanying study guide.  Here are the links to the episode and questions:
video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDTupjXbNrc&list=PLNIsj5B_uDSPDWhwCQU8qzacHzr04pSQx (this is the link to part one of the video.  The second part should start automatically when part one ends, as should the third part).
http://cdn.history.com/sites/2/2013/04/America_Episode5_guide_FIN.pdf

due next week - 6/9-6/12

Civil War reading 1 due Monday 6/9  - *see note below
Civil War reading 2 due Tuesday 6/10
Civil War reading 3 due Thursday 6/11
Reconstruction reading due Friday 6/12

Timeline (based on Civil War readings above) and Reconstruction organizer (based on Reconstruction reading above) are due Friday 6/12.

*As you do the reading, I encourage you to highlight key points in the packet, and even make notes in the margins.  The points you highlight may be added in to the timeline later, but I'd suggest that you wait until you've read the entire chapter before you actually start putting events into the timeline.  You only have 10 spaces, and will want to wait until the end to determine what ten events you should note.  The boxes on the timeline should be filled with an event, its description and how it reflects a larger theme or trend.

work for next week (6/1-6/5)

Research paper final drafts are due Tuesday 6/2. These need to be printed.  (G block:  since you don't have class, it's up to you to drop off your paper with me at some point during the day on Monday, before 2:45).

Your test on chapter 13 (the Impending Crisis) will be Friday 6/5.  Format is the same as usual (MC and a writing prompt).  Review questions are here.

G block:
You will have Old Hall or a sub on Monday.  Please complete the work given out in class (artwork on John Brown and read through the Secret Lives chapters below).
Here is the PowerPoint with the John Brown artwork in color.
Here are the presidents from this era from The Secret Lives of the American Presidents.

upcoming due dates

Both classes:

Notes on 350-355 due Friday 5/15
Notes on 355-359 due Monday 5/18
Notes due 359-363 due Friday 5/22
Notes on 363-367 due Tuesday 5/26

First draft of research paper due Thursday 5/28.  It must be printed and ready for class - there is no late credit for this step.

to be done in class this week (when directed)

Explore the sites below during this class period in the order they are listed.  You need to answer the following questions and turn them in for credit before the end of the period.  Any remaining time can be spent working on your research paper. 

 http://www.thealamo.org/

 http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/alamo/

 http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/

 http://www.pbs.org/wnet/ranchhouse/

Questions to answer:

1. What was the basis of the Texas economy in in the early-to-mid 19^th century?
2. Who was Davy Crockett?
3. What was the significance of the phrase “Remember the Alamo!”?
4. What’s something you already knew that one of the sites reinforced, and something you learned?

due next week 5/11-5/15

A block:

Citations are due Wednesday 5/13 - you will get your graded outlines back early next week

Notes on p. 342-350 in the Brinkley book due Thursday 5/14

G block:  same assignments as above, but flip-flop the dates (notes due Wednesday, citations Thursday)

A Block: 5/4 - 5/8 Due Dates

Monday 5/4: Pre-Search page of notes due.*
Tuesday 5/5: Test on economies of North and South
Friday 5/8 Outline and Thesis due*

** Please consult the shared research paper assignment sheet for full expectations for these two parts. Both should be brought to class with you on the day they are due.

G block: 5/4-5/8

Wednesday 5/6 is your economies of North and South test.  Here are the study questions.  Format is the usual (multiple choice and free response).

Links to America, the Story of US:  Division:   Here are the links to part 1 and part 2 (we saw most of part 2 in class, up until the last 5 minutes or so) and part three (the relevant part ends around 3:30, when they start talking about westward migration to Kansas)

Preliminary thesis and outline due Friday 5/8.  The outline should be at least one page typed.  The thesis does not need to be a three-part thesis (it's actually better if it's not), but needs to be developed beyond stating that your topic reflected growing sectionalism.

G block: upcoming due dates

"Presearch" notes due Thursday 4/30.  Use the sources you included on your works cited page; you may also choose to consult other sources that you will note cite in you final paper (i.e. less academic sources).  I will return your works cited pages tomorrow.

Next week:  sectionalism test (Wednesday 5/6, most likely, but not earlier) and preliminary thesis and outline due Friday (5/8).

A block: Homework due 4/27 (Monday after break)

-Research paper preliminary thesis will be due. Please type this and print it out. 

• I will be sharing the paper assignment and rubric with each of you this weekend. Take time to carefully read through this before forming a thesis. If you have any question or concerns about your topic or forming a thesis statement, please e-mail me over break! 

-Complete transcendentalist art, comics, poems, songs. Due at the start of class on Monday - be prepared to present these to the class 

G block research assignment information

Here is the research paper assignment, rubric (which contains information not explicitly in the assignment description, so be sure to read it) and sign-up.

The works cited page is due Monday 4/27 after break.  The second step, your page of notes, is due Thursday 4/30.

A Block: In class Chromebook assignment - 4/15

1. Visit the following site: http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/bhistory/underground_railroad/

2. Navigate through each stage of the site, reading slideshows, personal accounts, and other blurbs about slavery/escaping slavery.

3. Answer the handout questions as you go along

4. Respond to the following writing prompt:

Write a  personal narrative as if you are an ex-slave who escaped on the Underground Railroad. You may write a letter or journal entry in the voice of a runaway slave that reached the North. Based on what you have learned, what was life like as a slave? What was your job? how and why did you escape? What hardships did you face while trying to escape? What was life like after reaching freedom?

This should be typed and be between 1-2 pages in length. - Due 4/17

A Block: HW for week of 4/13

- "Proper Source" assignments from Monday's class will be due on Wednesday 4/15. Please share them with me (ctocco@arlington.k12.ma.us) before class Wednesday. For those of you who need, here is the assignment:

Identify a topic from this unit that you want to learn more about

Research this potential topic.

Have at least 2 outside sources identified:

In a google doc, create a proper MLA citation for each and include a

brief description of what is found in your source

In addition, write a paragraph explaining why these sites are good

sources. What makes up a good source?

- Research paper topics will be due Friday. I will create a shared google doc to post topics. 

research topics due Friday 4/17

G block:  your research topics are due by the start of class on Friday.  Remember that you will need to tie your topic to the growing sectional crisis.  Look back at the notes you have on the alternate text, as well as the Brinkley chapters we skipped over for ideas.  I will post a Google doc shortly, and you can begin signing up!

homework due 3/30-4/13

The pages below are not from the Brinkley book.  You can find them in one of these two documents: Part 1 and part 2.

Due Monday 3/30:  1 page of notes based on pages 228-232
(the rest of the week is MCAS, so no homework due - huzzah!)

Due Tuesday 4/7:  1.5-2 pages of notes based on pages 233-241
Due Wednesday 4/8:  1.5-2  pages of notes based on pages 243-245 and 267-273
Due Thursday 4/9:  1 page of notes based on pages 274-277
Due Friday 4/10:  1.5-2 pages of notes based on pages 278-285

Due Monday 4/13:  1 page of notes based on pages 286-291

presidents DVDs

Here's the link to the presidents' series.  The Jackson segment starts at almost 12 minutes in.  The Tyler segment starts around 34 minutes in.

1840 election images

From class Tuesday/Wednesday - here they are.

Democrat/Whig Party Symbol Assignment

A Block: Due Wednesday, 3/25
G Blcok: Due Tuesday, 3/24

Using the following information about the 2 political parties, along with any knowledge from the text (pg 251-252), create a symbol that represents what each of the 2 major parties stands for.


Democrats 

•Role of the government should be limited

•Government should remove obstacles to opportunity

•Encouraged westward expansion

•Attack on the corrupt and privileged – fearful of giving too much power to banks and corporations

•Appealed to: smaller merchants and workers in East, Southern planters suspicious of growth, those who favored agrarian economy 

Whigs

•Favored expanding power of Federal Govt.

•Encouraged industrial development

•Cautious about Westward expansion

•Though America Should rise as an economic power through industry.

•Appealed to: New England wealthy manufacturers, wealthy Southern planters, Rising Western commercial class

A+G Block: Test

Test next Friday, 3/27 on Chapter 9.  Here are your study questions.  Format will be the usual (multiple choice and a free response prompt).

reading due this week - chapter 9/Age of Jackson

Due dates for both classes:

p. 240-244 for Tuesday 3/17
p. 244-248 for Wednesday 3/18
p. 248-251 for Thursday 3/19
p. 251-259 for Friday 3/20

Chapter 9 Reading

A+G Block - For Thursday, 3/12: Read & outline pg 235-240

For Monday, 3/16: Finish election of 1828 ads, Read & Outline 241-244

chapters 7 and 8 test (Jefferson, War of 1812 and Era of Good Feelings) next Wednesday 3/11 - both classes

Here are your study questions to help you review.

A Block HW: Due 2/26

Write a brief (1-2 paragraph) reflection about your iCivics court activities. This reflection should answer the following questions:

• What information that you had already learned was reinforced in this activity? 

• What new information did you learn about the courts from this activity?  

Make specific references to aspects of the game in your response. This reflection can be typed or neatly written.  

 

chapters 7 and 8 project, icivics directions for class

Here is the project description for chapters 7 and 8 - due in class on Friday 3/6
Here is a student project from last year to give you an idea of what the film part might look like.  


iCivics/the judicial branch:  to be done in class on Wednesday 2/25 (A block) or Thursday 2/26 (G block)

Return to the iCivics website (http://www.icivics.org) and select any of the following simulations to play:
Supreme Decision
Court Quest
Argument Wars
Branches of Powers

due next week (2/9-2/13) and important update about these assignments

Please note that these assignments will not change due to snow days, so plan to keep up with the reading as it's outlined below.
*If you need to do any makeups on these assignments:  I do not expect you to have everything made up tomorrow, or even by the end of the week.  However, I will expect you to have what's due for Thursday and Friday's meetings and be caught up by the Monday after vacation for all the assignments to count for full credit.  It's your responsibility to show me any missed work.

A block:
notes on 204-209 for Monday 2/9
notes on 209-214 for Tuesday 2/10
notes on 216-224 for Wednesday 2/11
notes on 224-233 for Friday 2/13

G block:
notes on 194-204 for Monday 2/9
notes on 204-209 for Tuesday 2/10
notes on 209-214 for Wednesday 2/11
notes on 216-224 for Thursday 2/12
notes on 225-233 can all be done for Monday after break (it doesn't make sense to split the reading into parts)

Click here for directions for the activity we'll be doing with the iPads in class.

chapters 7 and 8 readings

A block:
Notes on 194-204 for Friday 2/6

G block:
Finish the timeline for Thursday 2/5
Notes on 194-204 for Monday 2/9

You'll be reading the entirety of these chapters this and next week (the first has a lot of pictures, and the second is short), so feel free to get ahead if you want.

Due Wednesday 2/4 for both classes

1. Notes (1.5-2 pages) on p. 180-188, OR
2. Read pages 180-188 and write 5-10 themes/big ideas from the reading (in full sentences - you need to say more than "religion" and "education") and create a political cartoon or product advertisement based on one of the key ideas from the reading.  Please use an 8 x 11" piece of paper and make it thoughtful, neat, and colorful, and include a short (2-3 sentence) explanation on the back.

Each of these is worth 10 points (2 homework grades)

icivics, cont.

G block:  please revisit https://www.icivics.org/ and choose from the following simulations related to the executive branch and party politics:
Branches of Power
Executive Command
Win the White House
People's Pie

Presidents series

Here are the links to the presidents' series on George Washington and John Adams - definitely worth a few minutes of your time for review.

Here is the key to the crossword puzzle given out in class. (Don't worry about the blank clue - not something you need to know ).

assignments for 1/23-1/30

I won't be in school Friday 1/23.  Please sign in individually in Old Hall or for the sub in the room, and be sure to pick up and work on two sheets:
1.  Washington's Farewell Address
2.  this political cartoon involving a controversial event in John Adams' presidency

It is your responsibility to think about and be familiar with these primary sources!  We will discuss them in class next week.  

Here is the party politics assignment I mentioned in class this week.  It's now due Thursday 1/22 because of the two snow days.

Your party politics test is still Friday, 1/30.  Format is the usual:  multiple choice and free response.  Here are your study questions.  

party symbol and last notes on the Brinkley chapter

This is explained on the bottom of the sheet given out in class today (with the chart and two columns).  Due Friday 1/16 for A block and Tuesday 1/20 for G block.

Also due next week:  notes on pages 174-178 - due Wednesday 1/21 for both classes.

(If you saw the now-deleted post about unit 11 reading, please disregard and sorry for the confusion.  That was meant for my AP Psych blog.  Your reading assignments are above)

notes for Wednesday

Reading and notes on 168-174 for Wednesday 1/14

citizenship test answers

Here are the naturalization test questions and answers.

government test next Monday (1/12)

Your test on American government will be next Monday (1/12) and will be the same format as previous tests.  Your handouts and notes from class are the basis for this unit, since there was only a bit of textbook reading, so be reviewing those.
Here are your study questions:

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

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

3.  Was Daniel Shays a rebel or a patriot?

4.  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?

5.  What main issue divided Federalists and Anti-Federalists?  How was this dispute resolved?

6.  What key functions does the Constitution serve?

-What does it do?

-How and why does it divide power?

-How is it a living document?

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

8.  How have later amendments to the Constitution helped to fulfill the original promises of American democracy?

9.  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?)