3/7

Took Unit V Exam & Big List Quiz

Grades are Due the Tuesday we come back, so you'll need to make these up by then.

Cumulative Final Exam is tomorrow.

3/6

B2: Landmark Supreme Court Cases (55)

• Jigsawed (taught) each other your cases
• Skipped other parts of this lesson (making webpages) b/c of the snow day

Review for Exam (s)

• Use the Final Review Presentation to review for the following:
• Thurs: Unit V & Final Big List Quiz
• Friday: Final Exam

3/5 No School!

We will jigsaw the Supreme Court Cases Wed & then Review for the Exams coming up.

The schedule will be the same:

Wed: Supreme Court Cases & Review
Thurs: Unit V exam & Final Big List
Friday: Final Exam (early dismissal)

Enjoy your snow day.

(This is Scalia)

3/3

Turn in Unit V Homework A

Finish B1: Current Supreme Court (54)

• Complete activity from Friday
• Last part: decide which of the 15 cases we learned about have been decided and denote (briefly) on the sheet which side won (there should be 6 of them) 
• Hint: oyez.org is a great site to help  you....

Begin B2: Landmark Supreme Court Cases (55)

• Read about one of these Landmark Supreme Court Cases (you were assigned one)
• Answer the Landmark Supreme Court Case Questions about your Case
• Complete your the Landmark Supreme Court Case Chart with information  about your case only
• We'll continue this tomorrow
• You'll make a website with your classmates 
• Block 1's Website
  Block 2's Website
• Then you'll look at the other groups' websites to complete your Court Case Chart

Schedule for the week:

Monday/Tuesday: Landmark Supreme Court Case Work in Library

Wed: Finish Landmark Supreme Court Case Work & Review for exams

Thurs: Unit V exam & Final Big List Quiz

Friday: Final Cumulative Exam

3/1

This was the last day for ANY revisions from Units I-IV

B1: Current Supreme Court 

• Complete prezi from yesterday, if needed (see link to it on yesterday's blog post)
• Practice: Watch & Discuss the Supreme Court Justice Youtube Playlist
• Complete the back of B1 by using the Alliance for Justice Reading packet...make sure to finish this for Monday!!

Unit V Homework A is due Monday...Last one!!

2/28

Review Activities

• Each of the following should be completed on the back of your UNIT V OBJECTIVES sheet (#49)
• With your island, create a limerick about information from A1 & A2
• Complete the Bill of Rights Matching activity (actual pieces of paper that you'll need to get from Mr. McDonald)
• Create a mnumanic or song or poem or any other memory device to help your remember what each of the amendments are

B1: The Current Judicial Branch (54)

• Complete the front of the Current Judicial Branch notes sheet with the Current Judicial Branch Prezi
• We will do the back tomorrow.

2/27

Finish/Review A2: Judicial Branch Notes 

• These notes are from yesterday.
• Add three to each slide
• See video link on yesterday's blog post

A3: Bill of Rights Notes (52)

• Complete your notes on the Bill of Rights Note Sheet
• Use Bill of Rights Notes presentation
• Video to come

Homework A (53)

• Homework A is Due Monday

2/26

Took Big List Quiz #3

• If you were absent, you need to schedule this quiz by the deadline Friday

Unit V Objectives (49)

A1: Constitution Search (50)

• Complete the Constitution Search sheet using your textbook

A2: Judicial Branch Basics Notes (51)

• Add three things to a printout of the Judicial Branch Basics Notes
• Video of notes

2/25

Took Unit IV Exam 
Turned in Unit IV Notebook
Turned in Homework B

Reminders: 

1. Friday AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS is the deadline for revisions or exams from Units I-IV (This includes people who were absent for today's exam)
2. Revisions for Unit IV Exam: Thurs. & Friday 730AM-820AM
3. Big List Quiz Tomorrow (Units I-IV)

2/22

Snow day.... Go sledding

2/21

Review for Exam: 

• Finish Pizza Bureaucracy as a class
• Complete the Unit IV Review

"Snowmaggedon":

No matter what happens Friday & Monday, we will have the Unit IV Exam, Notebook turn in & Homework B on the first day we have school.

Big List #3 is the 2nd day we have school

Next Friday is the last day for revisions from Unit I- Unit IV.  This includes missing exams!

2/20

B4: Bureaucracies (45)

• On your own piece of paper, jot down the graphic organizer & notes from the B4: Bureaucracies notes & answer the questions based on the readings from the textbook

B5: Bureaucracy of Pizza (46)

• Read the instructions & work with your island to complete Bureaucracy of Pizza

Homework B (47)

• Homework B is due Friday after notebook turn in and exam.

2/19

Turn in Homework A

Review: 

• Presidential Powers
• VP Reading

B3: Becoming President in 2012

• Look through these notes & find a general pattern that people went through to get to become president
• Write down that pattern on your blank detailed timeline

2/15

Don't Forget: Homework A is due Tuesday

B1: Evolutionary Powers (42)

• Complete the front of Evolutionary Powers worksheet using your textbook
• Complete the practice on the back...the answers can be EVOLUTIONARY OR CONSTITUTIONAL POWERS of the President
• Try to do it like a quiz first, with nothing to help you
• Correct it using your worksheets & classmates

B2: The REAL Vice Presidency (43)

• Read this reading.... but "mark it up" while you read it by doing each of the following:
1. Circle the names of Vice Presidents
2. Underline VP actions or how the VP has changed
3. Create a "Margin summary" for each paragraph off to the side that labels the paragraph's subject or summarizes it in 1-3 words
• If EVERYONE THAT WAS HERE completes this by Tuesday at the beginning of class, there will be no Unit IV Homework B next week.
• Good luck.

2/14

A2: Electoral College Notes (38)

• Completed these notes
• Here is a Lecture Video of those notes

A3: Electoral College Practice & Constitutional Powers (39)

• Complete the front of this worksheet...try to do it without the notes first & then use your notes to correct.  Check with Mr. M for the key
• Complete the back of the worksheet using your textbook

A4: Presidential Succession & the VP (40)

• 1st Block: Completed this sheet
• 2nd Block: We will finish this tomorrow

Homework A (41)

• Homework A is Due Tuesday for everyone

Why the minimum wage matters « Iowa Policy Points

Why the minimum wage matters « Iowa Policy Points

What Actually Happens When You Raise the Minimum Wage - Politics - The Atlantic Wire

What Actually Happens When You Raise the Minimum Wage - Politics - The Atlantic Wire

2/13

Unit IV: Executive Branch Objectives (36)

A1: Constitutional Search (37)

• Use page 502 in your textbook to complete the Constitutional Search Worksheet

State of the Union--Watched these videos & discussed

• http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/13/politics/state-of-the-union/index.html
• http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/02/13/fact-check-on-obama-state-union-address/
• http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/13/state-of-the-union-chris-matthews-rachel-maddow_n_2676823.html?utm_hp_ref=media
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krTZCrtXLCI
• http://nbcpolitics.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/12/16940147-state-of-our-union-thirsty-says-social-media?lite

A2: The Electoral College (38)

• We began the Electoral College notes
• Printed out & added three things to each slide
• We will finish tomorrow.  
• Video will be posted on tomorrow's post.

2/12--Exam

Turned in Unit III Notebook
Dominated Unit III Exam

See Mr. McDonald to schedule a make up time if you missed it:
730-825AM
3rd Block

Is the filibuster unconstitutional? - The Washington Post

Is the filibuster unconstitutional? - The Washington Post

2/11

Finish B4: Write a Legislator (34)

• Finish this from Friday
• Use this sheet for instructions
• REQUIRED to complete this to take Unit III Exam

Unit III Review (35)

• Complete the 1st slide of the Unit III Review
• 2nd & 3rd slide are examples & reteaching those terms
• Last slide is FYI only...I'd make sure you can do those things if I were you....

Unit III Exam & Notebook Check are tomorrow!!! 

Here is the Table of Contents in case you didn't see them on my website....

2/8

B4: Write a Legislator (34)

• Follow the directions on this sheet to complete this activity
• Completing this is a requirement to take the Unit II Exam
• No Homework B for Unit II

Unit III Exam is Tuesday

2/7

Turn in Unit III Homework A

B3: Controversial Issues (32)

• On the back of B1 Notes sheet, complete the activity on this Presentation.  
• Answer the questions
• Define the bolded terms
• View the videos
• Thats it!

B4: How a REAL Bill Becomes a Law (33)

• We went to the library to finish B4: How a REAL Bill Becomes a Law that we started yesterday
• This is the last day we'll work on this in class

Wed 2/6

Don't forget...Homework A due Tomorrow!

B1: Non-Constitutional Congress (32)

• Use a blank notes sheet to take the B1: Non-Constitutional Notes
• Here is the video

B2: How a REAL Bill Becomes a Law (32)

• Follow the directions on this sheet---you'll need access to the internet.
• We will work on this tomorrow as well for a 1/2 block.

Tuesday 2/5

Big List Quiz #2--Schedule with Mr. M if you missed

Hand back Unit II exam:

• Revision dates are:
• Friday (730-820AM)
• Monday (730-820AM)

Finish A2:  How A Bill Becomes a Law Notes (29)

• Complete this worksheet you got yesterday
• Video

A3: Clauses & Representation (30)

• Add three things to each slide from this presentation
• Video 

Homework A (31)

Monday 2/4

Cover Page: Unit III Objectives (27)

A1: Constitution Search Worksheet (28)

• Complete the Search Worksheet using the US Constitution, beginning on page 497 in your textbook

A2: How a Bill Becomes a Law Notes (Basic) (29)

• Complete the activities on this worksheet using How a Bill Becomes a Law Notes
• Only got through Committees... will finish tomorrow & will add video tomorrow

BIG LIST QUIZ TOMORROW!!! #1-34

Thurs 1/31

Finish C1: Media & Interest Groups

Review for Exam tomorrow

Happy Snowday!

If you're looking for something to do...

At the end of each of these 2012 campaign videos, you can see who paid for them.  Which one was paid for by the candidates?  Hint: neither.  What is the message?

Interesting TED video about Media's Code:

Tues. 1/29

Unit II homework B Due

C1: Media & Interest Group Notes (25)

• On your own piece of paper, copy down these notes

UPDATE:  REVIEW TOMORROW & EXAM THURSDAY!!

Monday 1/28

Review: 

• Big List Quiz--handed back.  See Mr. M if you wanted to see it
• Here is an example of some answers & the grades they got
• Campaign Finance (23)
• Added Political Action Committee to the notes sheet
• Copy from a classmate

B4: Voter Turnout (23)

• This was a lecture with this presentation on the back of your Campaign finance notes sheet.
• View presentation & copy classmate's notes

Friday 1/25

Turn in Homework A 

• Make sure you turn in all A1-A4 also

B2: Electoral Process (22)

• Finish the Electoral Process worksheet using your textbook

B3: Campaign Finance Questions (23)

• This sheet ended up being a bust in 1st block, but we fixed it for 2nd block
• We'll finish this activity Monday as a class

Unit II Homework B (24)

• Unit II Homework B due Tuesday
• You won't be able to complete it all without information from Monday, but you can get a start on the portions that you can.

Thurs 1/24

Big List Quiz #1 {1-26}

• If you missed this quiz, you'll need to schedule a time with Mr. M to take it
• Note: You will have different words than the rest of the class.

Finish B1: Major & Minor Political Parties (21)

• Complete Major & Minor Political Parties Notes that we started yesterday
• Make sure to add 3 pieces of notes per slide
• Here is the video of the lecture

Review: Political Socialization

• Ms. Kindl went over this presentation
• Here is the video

B2: Electoral Process (22)

• Handed out and began B2: Electoral Process worksheet
• No student really got beyond the 2nd question

Unit II Homework A Due Tomorrow!!!

Wed 1/23

Finish A4: Political Socialization Notes (19)

• Complete the notes from yesterday.
• Here is the video of the notes

Unit II Homework A (20)

• Hand out Homework A
• Due Friday
• Worked on it for about 20 minutes

B1: Major & Minor Political Parties (21)

• Major & Minor Political Parties Notes Got about 1/2 finished
• Add 3 things per slide
• We will finish tomorrow

Big List Quiz tomorrow!!! {1-26}

• 5 terms will be picked!!

Tues. 1/22

Meet Ms. Kindl

• She is our Student teacher from the University of Iowa

Go Over Unit I Exam

• Discuss Revision Process
• Days for Revision:
• Thurs. Jan 24th 730-820
• Tues. Jan 29th 730-820
• Schedule with Mr. M if you cannot make one of those

1st Big List Thursday!!

• #1-26
• Will use random.org to pick 5 terms!

Discussed (17 &18) from Friday

A4: Political Socialization Notes (19)

• Use these notes to work on this worksheet.  (here is a video of the whole set of notes)
• We only through the 1st slide

Friday 1/18

A2: Conservative & Liberal (17)

• Finish this worksheet using this packet
• We started this on Thursday

A3: Your Ideology (18)

• We went to the library to take the following political ideology quizzes (to explore your personal beliefs)
• http://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=what-is-your-political-ideology
• http://www.people-press.org/typology/quiz/
• http://www.pbs.org/newshour/vote2012/quiz/
• Answered the questions on the A3: Your Political Ideology worksheet

Begin Unit II

Unit II Cover Page (15)

• Just previewed the sheet in class and talked about that there will be 3 homeworks this unit
• Unit is scheduled to have the exam Jan. 30th

A1: Political Ideology Notes (16)

• You received a copy of these notes
• REQUIRED to add 3 things from the lecture onto each notes slide on your copy.
• Watch this video of the notes if you missed class

A2: Conservative & Liberal Beliefs on the Issues(17)

• Use this reading to complete the Conservative and Liberal Beliefs worksheet
• You are trying to decide which arguments each side is using to state their view.  Read the instructions carefully
• We didn't get very far; we will finish this tomorrow. 

Unit I Exam

Unit I Exam--

• Turned in your notebook for grading (it'll always be the day of the exam)
• Dominated exam.... There is a revision process if you didn't dominate it.  We'll discuss that later.

Wrap up and Review Day

Turn in / Work on and Turn in Homework B

• Make sure to turn in, along with it the following items:
• B1: Beginning of American Government/B2: Articles of Confederation question s(on same sheet)
• B3: Why the Founders wanted Change
• B4: Constitutional Convention Compromises
• B5: Constitutional Principles
• Homework B: Constitutional Convention Re-Write

Review (14)

Complete the following for the exam tomorrow, we spent most class on these:

• Types of Gov't & Politicows sheet
• Types of Gov't IS exactly like the one you did earlier in the unit... do it again without your notes!  Then use your notes & classmates to help finish it
• Politicows: This is a joke, but its useful for reviewing the types of government.  Read through it then create 3 of your own versions of the Politicow statements.  Use these government types:
• Confederation 
• Plutocracy
• Authoritarian
• Principles of Government
• Try to answer these with a partner (front & back)
• We'll go over the answers at the end of class
• PAC--This is a more difficult one, use your notebook, the textbook's portion about the Articles and the Constitution itself (printed on page 497 of your textbook) to complete the chart.  The idea is that the Articles of Confederation failed to provide some part of each purpose of government...what were they?  Then the Constitution fixed those problems...how did it do that?

I have A Plan

There was no Government today b/c students all went with the counselors for the I Have a Plan activity.
I did answer questions about Homework B that is due tomorrow.  See me in the morning with any additional questions!

Finish B

Break up Story 2

• The competition continues: This time its about the US & the Articles

B4: Constitutional Convention Compromises (11)

• Use these Notes to complete this note sheet

B5: US Constitution Notes (12)

• Add 3 items to each slide on the printout of these notes

Break up Story 3

• This will actually probably not be a break up story since its about the US & the US Constitution....
• We will work on this Tuesday (Monday is "I have a Plan")

Homework B: Constitutional Convention Re-Write

• Here is Homework B .... This will be a challenge!
• Check with me Monday or email me an example to make sure you are doing it correctly!!

B3

Share Break-up story 1

• There will be a series of "Break up stories" ...This one was about the break up of the Colonies and England, but as a metaphorical situation.
• Each team presented their stories and we are keeping a running total of connections through the stories.
• The team with the most connections at the end will be crowned champions

B3: Why the Founders wanted Change (10)

• Complete the B3 worksheet using the B3 Reading

Work on Break-up Story 2

• This break up story continues the story of your character in another relationship. 
• Think about the following things for connections:
• What your character's new girlfriend/boyfriend is like. 
• Why your character is in the new relationship
• Why it goes sour
• How they break up 
• We will present tomorrow.

B1 & B2

Turn in Homework A:
Staple all of these (completed) sheets together:
A1, A2, A3 & Homework A

B1 & B2: Beginning of American Government (9)

• Practice:  COMPETITION!!
• Finish Beginning of American Government worksheet
• Finish Article of Confederation & the Articles of Confederation Questions
• Boys vs. Girls:

• In groups, create a "Break up story" 
• The competition is to see how many "connections" you can create between your break up story and the soured American/British relationship.
• Use Vocabulary terms!  Use Names!  DO NOT USE THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION!! (Right before it is where your story should end)
• Whichever group has the most connections wins.  

Begin Objective B

Homework A

• About 10-15 minutes to work on Homework A.
• Remember that all of the following must be complete and turned in with you Homework:
• A1
• A2
• A3
• Reviewed Types of Gov't Practice as a class

Objective B: Foundations, Development & Features of the US Constitution

• Preview: In groups, try to jot down information you know about each of the following items:
• American Revolution
• Articles of Confederation
• US Constitution
• B1: Beginnings of American Gov't Worksheet (9)
• Use your textbook to complete the first page
• After the first page, begin scanning the Articles of Confederation and answering the B2 Questions...use the back of your Worksheet page to jot down your answers

Finish A

A2: Origins & Elites Notes (6)

• Finish questions at the end of the notes
• Review each of the elite theories

A3: Types of Gov't Worksheet (7)

• Complete the Types of Gov't worksheet in groups.... no Jigsawing! (you do this part & I'll do this part).  Work together on each portion of the worksheet!
• Types of Gov't Practice sheet
• Try it by yourself without the worksheet 1st
• Use your worksheet & your partners next
• We'll go over the answers tomorrow 1st thing.

Homework A: Gary the Gov't Guy (8)

• Due Wed.

Finish A1 & A2

Unit I A1: Worksheet (5)
Mr. M explains Purposes of gov't &
Create mnemonic as a small group & share
Discussion questions with small group & class from worksheet

Unit I A2: Origins & Elite Notes (6)
Use the blank notes sheet to complete the notes & answer questions on the slide
Review: Monday we'll go over the last questions together

First Day

Introduction Topics:

• Room Set up
• Notebooks--you'll need one just for this class.  It will be graded.
• Grades/Lessons/Policies
• Web Page & Google Docs

Papers Received:

1. Grades
2. Notebook Grades
3. Big List
4. Unit 1 Cover Page/Objectives
5. Unit 1 A1: Worksheet
• Use pages 2-5 in your textbook to complete
• Review items for the Front:
• Created a metaphor with each part of the requirements for nation-states
• Review items for the Back:
• Created a mnemonic to help remember the 5 purposes of government.
• We will finish this & the discussion questions tomorrow.