10/29/10

Today's agenda:

1)  Handed back the Working Bibliographies and discussed what may needed to be fixed at this point of the research process to get oneself on the right track.
2)  Notes ("The Transit of Power").
3)  Finished the Alien and Sedition Acts vs. the USA PATRIOT Act questions.
--Graded Discussion.
4)  Homework:  Textbook, pages 235; 238-241 ("Republican War Hawks").

10/28/10

1)  Notes ("The Republicans' Political Revolution").
2)  Alien and Sedition Acts vs. USA PATRIOT Act.
--Work Day today using readings and answering questions.
--20 minutes or so to finish tomorrow before a Graded Discussion.
3)  Homework:  Richard Hofstadter reading in Blue Reader ("The Transit of Power").

10/27/10

Today's agenda:

1)  Notes ("The Rise of Political Parties" and "Western Expansion").
2)  Hamilton vs. Jefferson presentations
--Each group member presents their information.
--Audience takes some recommended notes.
--Informal discussion at the end.
3)  Homework:  Textbook, pages 230-234 ("The Republicans' Political Revolution").

10/26/10

Today's agenda:

1)  Notes ("The Political Crisis of the 1790s").
2)  2 groups:  Alexander Hamilton vs. Thomas Jefferson presentations (Prep Day in lab).
--This assignment will teach you about the origins of the 2-party system in the U.S.
--Each person in the group is responsible for researching one aspect of their gentleman and preparing a sheet with information to be used in the presentations tomorrow.
--A website list was handed out to help you get started.
3)  Homework:  Textbook, pages 216-218; 222-230 ("The Rise of Political Parties" and "Western Expansion").

10/25/10

Today's agenda:

1)  Working Bibliographies are due.  I will get these back to you soon with feedback.
2)  Notes ("The Framers of the Constitution and the 'Genius' of the People").
3)  About 20 minutes to finish the James Madison assignment from last week, and then we will go over the questions and have a Graded Discussion.
4)  Homework:  Textbook, pages 210-215 ("The Political Crisis of the 1790s").

10/20/10

Today's agenda:

1)  Notes ("The Founding Fathers:  A Reform Caucus in Action").
2)  Reading and Questions:  James Madison's Federalist #10:  "Factions: Their Cause & Control".
--Work Day today.
--Monday you will have about 20 minutes to finish before we have a Graded Discussion.
--This is a difficult reading.  Highlight or underline as you read carefully.
3)  Homework:  Alfred Young reading from Blue Reader ("The Framers of the Constitution and the 'Genius' of the People").

Working Bibliographies Reminder (they are due Monday):
a)  Use the sample paper and the bibliography sites for help as a model to follow.
b)  You need at least 6 sources (4 secondary and 2 primary).
c)  Must be typed.
d)  Please type the topic question at the top of your bibliography.
e)  Include a brief update at the bottom of the sheet indicating where you've gone for sources.
f)  Mark each source on the bibliography as either primary, secondary, or both (primary/secondary).

10/19/10

Today's agenda:

1)  Notes ("The Constitution: Was It An Economic Document?").
2)  Constitution Role Play
--Handed out "Travellers at the Inn--February 1788".  Keep the same roles as last time.
--Each group presents.  Everybody needs to participate.
--Audience asks 1 question and completes the Evaluation Form.
3)  Homework:  John Roche reading in Blue Reader ("The Founding Fathers: A Reform Caucus in Action").

10/18/10

Today's agenda:

1)  Notes ("The Constitution: A Minority Document").
2)  Discuss and hand in video notes from Friday (3rd and 4th periods only).
3)  Prep day for the Constitution Role Play.
--3 groups review the Option information and complete the Considering Your Option sheet.  Also, each group makes a transparency for their presentation tomorrow.
4)  Homework:  Henry Steele Commager reading in Blue Reader ("The Constitution:  Was It An Economic Document?").

10/15/10

Today's agenda:

1)  Notes ("The Constitution of 1787").
2)  Video:  "Are We to be a Nation?"
--Take 1 page of notes.
3)  Homework:  Charles Beard reading in Blue Reader ("The Constitution: A Minority Document?").

--If you haven't found your books by historians, or other sources, for your Research Paper, this weekend might be a good time to do it.  Only one weekend left!

10/14/10

Today's agenda:

1)  Constitutional Convention Graded Debate/Discussion during the entire period.
--You need to respond in the discussion to at least 2 of the 10 issues.
--You will be graded on your level of preparedness out of 10 points possible.
2)  Homework:  Textbook, pages 201-205; 208-210 ("The Constitution of 1787").

**No class notes today.
**Some students missed the last part of 3rd period or the first part of 4th period due to the Oregon University System presentations.

10/13/10

Today's agenda:

1)  Notes ("Creating Republican Institutions, 1776-87").
2)  Went to computer lab to do some Research Paper investigation.  I also handed out a Research Tips sheet.
Options in the lab included: a)  Becoming more familiar with the topic with some general research.
b)  Searching for primary sources online.
c)  Discussing the topic with Mr. Unis.
d)  Searching online databases of college or public libraries looking for available sources for your paper.

3)  Homework:  Read the packet "The Mini-Debates of Philadelphia" to prepare for the Constitutional Convention Debate/Graded Discussion tomorrow.  You will need to respond orally to at least 2 different issues.
Assigned position based on your birth month:
a)  If the issue only has 2 options (A or B), then January-June takes A and July-December takes B.
b)  Three options (A/B/C), divide up Jan-Apr/May-Aug/Sept-Dec.
c)  Four options (A/B/C/D), divide up Jan-Mar/Apr-Jun/Jul-Sept/Oct-Dec.

10/12/10

Today's agenda:

1)  Handed in video notes today if kept overnight for studying.
2)  Test #2.  I hope to get these back by Monday.
3)  Homework:  Textbook, pages 194-201 ("Creating Republican Institutions, 1776-87").

10/11/10

Today's agenda:

1)  Ms. Stover (counselor) visits today to talk about college.
2)  Notes ("The Path to Victory, 1778-83" and "Republicanism Defined and Challenged").
3)  Finish going over Test 2 Prep Sheet (questions 2 and 3).
4)  Finish watching video "The Times that Try Men's Souls".  Video notes can be turned in tomorrow if you'd like to keep them for studying tonight.
5)  Study for Test 2 tonight.  Send me questions and/or essay outlines until 10:00 p.m. tonight.  If you did not do well on the last test, make the necessary adjustments.  Find out how to do better if you're not sure!

10/7/10

Today's agenda:

1)  Notes ("The Trials of War, 1776-78").
2)  Video:  "The Times that Try Men's Souls".
--Take at least 2 pages of notes, between today and Monday, when we finish the video.
3)  Homework:  Textbook, pages 175-179; 182; 184-190 ("The Path to Victory, 1778-83" and "Republicanism Defined and Challenged").  Focus especially on pages 184-190.

--This 3-day weekend is a good time to begin your research, looking for books by historians (college level reading or higher).  Try college libraries or the Multnomah County Central Library in downtown Portland if at all possible.  Remember that your Working Bibliography is due Monday, October 25.
--Mr. Unis was gone today.  His sub was Mr. White.  The class periods were slightly shorter due to the p.m. assembly.

10/6/10

Today's agenda:

1)  Notes ("Conflict and Consensus in the American Revolution").
2)  Hand out Test #2 Prep Sheet and discuss first part.  Test #2 is next Tuesday, October 12.  Remember to show me outlines and ask me questions about the essays either in person or by email over the 3-day weekend.
3)  Finish Revolution Role Play (last 2 groups).
a)  Finish filling out the Evaluation Form as an audience member.  This 2-sided sheet will be turned in today.
b)  We will discuss which viewpoint each of your individual identities would have chosen (and why) if we have time at the end.
4)  Homework:  Textbook, pages 170-175 ("The Trials of War, 1776-78").

10/5/10

Today's agenda:

1)  Notes ("The American Revolution as a Colonial War for Independence").
2)  Begin Revolution Role Play presentations.  We will finish these tomorrow.
a)  Handed out "Travellers at the Inn-Feb. 1776" and assigned individual identities.
b)  2 groups present today.  Make initial info presentations and most of the time take questions from the audience where you defend your position.
c)  Audience members ask 2 questions (1 per day).  They also fill out the Evaluation Form for all groups, including their own.
3)  Homework:  Edmund Morgan reading in Blue Reader ("Conflict and Consensus in the American Revolution").

10/4/10

Today's agenda:

1)  Handed back Test #1.  I hang onto all of these, but you can come look at them at any time.  Before handing them back, always look at how you lost points and remember to not repeat the same mistakes on future tests.  If you need help understanding why you didn't do well, please make arrangements to come in and talk with me outside of class!  This is very important to do so that you can be successful in this class.
2)  Notes ("Toward Independence, 1775-76").
3)  Pick Research Paper topics.
4)  "February, 1776" Role Play (Prep Day).
--4 groups
--Today you will receive information about your group's point of view on the American Revolution (whether it should be fought or not and why).  Read through the info and complete as a group the "Considering Your Option" sheet.  Use overhead pens and a transparency to prepare a basic list of info that you will present to the class about what your group believes.  Most of the time you are presenting, you will be asked questions from the audience to see how well you can defend your position.  Presentations will be Tuesday and Wednesday.
4)  Homework:  Thomas Barrow reading in Blue Reader ("The American Revolution as a Colonial War for Independence").

10/1/10

Today's agenda:

1)  Notes ("The Road to War, 1771-75").
2)  Explain Analytic Research Paper Project.  This is the big project for 1st Semester.
--I handed out and explained the paper expectations, Sample Paper, and Topic List.  We will pick topics on Monday.
Due dates:  Working Bibliographies  Monday, October 25
Part A of the paper  Friday, November 19
Final Paper  Friday, December 17
Extra Credit for early papers:  (20 points)  Week of November 29-December 3
(10 points)  Week of December 6-December 10
--Spend a lot of time on this in order to do well.  Look for sources at a large library (Multnomah County Central, PSU, etc) early, take a while to become familiar with them, and follow the due dates on the above assignments to keep on schedule.  Read the Sample Paper regularly and use it as your model.  Please ask me for help as much as you need to.  Don't think you are bothering me too much.  I want you to do well!
3)  Homework:  Textbook, pages 166-170 ("Toward Independence, 1775-76").