Friday, January 30, 2015

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

Thursday, January 29, 2015

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 ).

Thursday, January 22, 2015

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.  

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

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)

Monday, January 12, 2015

Friday, January 9, 2015

Monday, January 5, 2015

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?)