Over Holiday Break

Happy holidays!

Over break, you should be working on learning the events you worked so hard to identify for your flash cards. When we return, you will start most classes with a quick 5 minute quiz. You will be provided with a date, and you will provide events that occurred during that year, emphasizing the most important and explaining why you believe it to be significant.

*Check back during Winter Term for the assignment that will be due the day you return.

Notes from today:

Due Thursday Dec. 13th

Please actively read The Declaration of Sentiments, having your copy of the Declaration of Independence on hand for comparison while you do so.

Last installment of flash cards are due before you leave!

Notes from today:

Due Wednesday Dec. 12th

Be working on your LAST installment of flash cards. They are due before you leave, so you may submit them Thursday during class or Friday morning to my faculty room (Graham...) mailbox.

On Wednesday, I will check your assignment from the weekend, so make sure you are all caught up!

Enjoy the fruits of your labor: Abolition & Women's Rights Activists

Due Monday Dec. 10th

Please finish your abolitionist slide, change the privacy setting and send it to me.

Read and takes notes starting on page 378 through page 384.

Actively read the handout on "Texans and Tejanos."

Due Friday Dec. 7th

Please read and take brief notes starting on page 337 under "Abolitionism" through page 343.

Notes from today:

Due Thursday Dec. 5th

Should nullification be allowed? What about secession? How does the 10th amendment figure into this?

Against nullification (Adams/Jackson/Webster): Bashey, Grieve, Skinner, Lawrence, Quarrier, Gordon

For nullification (Jefferson/Madison/Calhoun): Ghiasuddin, Levenson, Alvino, Abbott, O'Brien, Feingold, Loh

You will have 5-10 minutes at the start of class to gather yourselves for the debate. Tonight, learn about the supporters of the different sides of the debate and the documents that express their viewpoints. Consider what the other team will argue and prepare rebuttals! This will be graded based on participation and preparation.

Notes from today:

Due Wednesday Dec. 5th

Complete your paper on a minority figure in the Jacksonian Era of the Common Man. Have it printed, stapled, 3-hole punched and ready to hand in at the start of class!

Due Monday December 3rd

You and your group will prepare a GoogleDoc providing the following in answer to the question, "What's more important in the Era of Good Feelings--nationalism or sectionalism?":

1. A short list of "nationalist" or "sectionalist" events/docs/acts/laws etc. that come to mind.
2. 4-5 document excerpts that you would include in support of your choice.
3. A thesis statement supporting your position.

I will give you 5 minutes at the start of class to make sure it is polished, then you will send the link.

*Also, remember you have a 2-page paper on the contribution of a minority figure during the Jacksonian Era of the Common Man due Wednesday. Please try to have a thesis statement, and if you have time an intro, by Monday's class so we can peer edit.

Notes from today:

Due Friday November 30th

1. Finish the next installment of flash cards to be turned in!
2. Start researching docs to create the DBQ of whether you think nationalism or sectionalism was more prominent or influential during the "Era of Good Feelings."

Your groups are the following:

Group 1: Feingold, Gordon, Lawrence
Group 2: Alvino, Ghiasuddin, Grieve
Group 3: Skinner, Quarrier, O'Brien
Group 4: Bashey, Loh, Abbott

Notes from today:

Due Thursday Nov. 29th

Please be working on your next installment of flash cards, which are due Friday!

Due Friday Nov. 16th

Complete your next set of flash cards, 1929-1948. We will pick up where we left off today, so please be prepared to talk about the remainder of questions that were on the board.

Over break:
1. Study for a quest on the Articles of Confederation through the Monroe Doctrine (Wed. 11/28).
2. Complete your DBQ on 1790s-1820s (try to limit yourself to 15 mins prep, 45 mins writing). Review your materials on good DBQ writing practices before you begin!

*Try to finish your flash cards tonight, now that you don't have to study for the quest. You may hand in your DBQ before you leave if you want to complete it early.

Questions from today:

Due Thursday Nov. 15th

Please read and take notes pp. 244-255. Actively read the Monroe Doctrine.

Notes from today:

Due Wednesday Nov. 14th

Please read and take notes pp. 233-236 and 238-244. Actively read Washington's Farewell Address if you didn't get to it for today!

In looking at George Washington's presidency, check out the precedents he set for the office:

 

 Notes from today:

Due Monday Nov. 12th

1. Read and take brief notes pp. 219-232.*
2. Actively read George Washington's Farewell Address.

*Now is a time when it's important for you to take ownership of the subject matter- we can't get to everything in class!

Due Friday Nov. 9th

1. Read and take brief notes on pp. 205-211.
2. Complete your comparison charts! See below for help.
* If you want to think ahead, check out the 3 questions at the back of your Constitution.

Look at pg. 189 to pg. 193 stopping before "From Congress to Confederation" if you have any questions about the Articles of Confederation. Continue on for insight on the US Constitution.

Read sections 1, 6 & 7 of "John Adams and the Massachusetts Constitution" and jot down any notes or observations you might have. Browse through the "Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts."

Take the virtual tour of the John Adams Courthouse.

Notes from today:

Due Thursday Nov. 8th

Study for a quiz on 1763-1783, the Revolutionary Era!

Also, please read and take notes on pp. 189-193.

Notes from today:

Due Wednesday November 7th

Great job with your visuals! The timeline at the front of the classroom looks great. I look forward to you sharing your research on Wednesday.

Your next installment of flash cards is due Wednesday (there are 7). I have graded your third installment, so if you want to pick them up Tuesday for reference, stop on by. They looked great- just make sure you don't feel pressured to list 3+ events- we are looking for only the MOST important. Could be just one or two things! Presidential inaugurations and state admissions are not necessary.

In addition, I would like for you to post a comment to the blog answering the question: "How did the colonies win the war?" It will be graded out of 15 points- use your skimming of pp. 168-185 to help you!

Notes from today:

Due Friday Nov. 2nd

Your homework due tomorrow is posted under yesterday's heading. Flash cards now due Wednesday 11/7...be happy about the extension, but also know that you will be studying for a quiz. :)

Notes from today:

Due Thursday Nov. 1

Good to be back in action following the power outage!

1. Shannon will present on Degler 4.1, for real. Read it.

2. Complete your webquests, to be turned in.

3. Get a jump on your assigned Revolution battle (Fri.) & work on flash cards (Sat.).

For Friday, we are creating a timeline of the battles of the American Revolution to be displayed in our classroom! It will be picking up where we left off after the signing of the Declaration and carrying us through the Treaty of Paris.

Your assignment is to create an 8.5" by 11" visual. It should include, prominently displayed, the name of your battle(s) and the date(s). It should have a graphic component, so either something you draw or print out having to do with the battle or its leaders. Finally, it should have a short summary of what happened that is historically significant.

You have creative license to expand upon these guidelines if you would like (eg. Yorktown & Treaty of Paris could do 2 visuals if it's easier to split them), but it should have at least the bare minimum described above. Think about using Google Docs so you can work on it together from 2 different locations! You must use scholarly sources but you do not need to create a bibliography.

Campaigns in NY & NJ, NYC: Lawrence, Feingold

Trenton & Princeton: Alvino, Quarrier

Philadelphia, Brandywine & Germantown: Abbott, Bashey

Saratoga: O'Brien, Gordon

Charleston, Camden, Cowpens: Levenson, Ghiasuddin, Loh

Yorktown & Treaty of Paris: Skinner, Grieve

Notes from today:

Due Monday Oct. 29th

*Remember that your recitation is due by lunch Saturday!

1. Please read and take notes pp. 163-168.
2. Actively read The Declaration of Independence (you have the print out).
3. Skim Degler 4.1 for Shannon's presentation!

Looking ahead, you will likely have a quiz on the Revolutionary Era through 1776 on Thursday.

Due Friday Oct. 26th

*Don't forget the extra credit opportunity available to you- prepare a thoughtful question for guest speak alumnus Will Kinzel '92, assistant to John Boehner, to ask during school meeting.

1. Read and take notes pp. 152-159.
2. Actively read the remainder of Common Sense.

Notes from today:

Due Thursday Oct. 25th

1. For those of you with extensions: 7 Years' War paper due.
2. Read and take notes pp. 150-152 stopping before "The Boston Massacre."
3. Actively read just the first page of Common Sense (you have a print out).
4. Read Degler 3.4 in preparation for Gordon's presentation.
* Explore "Coming of the Revolution!"

Notes from today:

Due Wednesday Oct. 24th

Your papers on the French & Indian War are due, unless I hear from you otherwise stating why an extension until Thursday is necessary. If you wish to meet about your draft between now and then, please contact me to set up a time.

In class, be prepared to discuss the rest of "Join or Die"/"Don't Tread on Me," James Otis's 1761 Writs of Assistance, the Proclamation of 1763, Molasses & Sugar Acts, Quartering Act, Stamp Act (& Repeal), Declaratory Act, Townshend Acts & the Sons & Daughters of Liberty. We will discuss Henry's "Give Me Liberty..." and preview Common Sense.

For those of you who like accompanying auditory clips, check out this recitation of Patrick Henry's speech (scroll to the bottom).

Due Monday Oct. 22nd

1. Make sure your "Join or Die" worksheet from class is complete. We will finish discussing it on Monday, after which point I will collect it for a grade.
2. Actively read Patrick Henry's "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" (you have a print out).
3. Here is the introduction to a post-French & Indian War paper assignment, due Wednesday. Get started!

Notes from today:

Due Friday Oct. 19th

1. Third installment of flashcards!
2. Degler 3.1, 3.2, 3.3.

Here are notes from today:

Due Wednesday & Thursday Oct. 17th/18th

Wednesday: No class due to the PSATs. Read and take notes starting on page 137 with "The Joys of Being English" through page 146 stopping before "The Beginning of Colonial Resistance."

Thursday: Degler presentations on 2.7 (Quarrier) and 3.1 (Skinner). Read and take notes picking up on page 146 through page 150 stopping before "The Resistance Organizes."

Due Monday Oct. 15th

1. Study for Part II of test (matching and short answer).
2. Read Degler 2.6 to prepare for Rachel Loh's presentation.
3. Make sure you check "looking ahead" so you have an idea of what to expect!

*Reminder that DBQ essays are due to my faculty room mailbox over the weekend.

Due Friday Oct. 12th

1. Study for test.
2. DBQ essays due to my faculty room mailbox by 12 noon Saturday.

Due Thursday Oct. 11th

1. Finish your DBQ essays to be submitted Friday at the start of class.
2. Read Degler 2.3 (Grieve), 2.4 (Lawrence) and 2.5 (Levenson). They WILL have discussion questions for you, so please DO read and prepare to chat about the content.
3. Notes are due on pp. 124-127.

Due Monday Oct. 8th

Please read this Examiner article on Glenn Beck's attitude towards the institution of slavery, and make sure to listen to the 4 minute audio clip to help you better understand the opinion piece (slavery comes up around 2:30, be patient, it will help to have the context).

Using the "comment" function on this post, please answer the following questions in a minimum of two paragraphs (3-5 complete sentences per pgh). It will be graded out of 15 points.

• Based on what you have learned, do you think slavery "started with seemingly innocent ideas?" If so, did it ever lose its innocence? When?
• Do you think that health care reform is reintroducing the institution of slavery to the U.S.? If so, do you see a parallel between the beginning of slavery in the Atlantic slave trade and Beck's idea of slavery today?

*In addition, please actively read the 2 handouts you have on how to write a AP US DBQ. This will prepare you for your discussion and practice DBQ with Mr. Latham. 

In-Class Week of Oct. 1st

Due Friday Oct. 5th

1. Finish notes on pp. 360-368 if you have not already.
2. Round 2 of flash cards due tomorrow.
3. Make sure you have read Degler 2.2 for Emma's presentation.

Due Thursday Oct. 4th

1. The New York, New Jersey & Georgia groups will present.
2. We will hear from Emma about Degler 2.2.
3. Read and take brief notes pp. 360-368- remind me to check them tomorrow!

*Watch the presidential debates and make Graham a birthday card!

Due Wednesday Oct. 3rd

1. The Carolinas & Pennsylvania groups will present. The other 2 will go Thursday.
2. Read and take notes starting on page 121 starting with "Slave Societies in the Eighteenth Century South" through page 124 ending before "Enlightenment and Awakening in America."
3. Be working on your flashcards (this should NOT be a big deal, you have 2 weeks to create 8 cards!).

Due Monday Oct. 1

1. Work on Colony PowerPoint/GoogleDoc presentation.
2. Read Degler 2.1
3. Catch up on any outstanding notes.

Due Friday Sept. 28th

1. Actively read the handouts on the Salem Witch Trials.
2. Read and take brief notes on pp. 67-74 if you have time.

Due Thursday Sept. 27th

1. Read and take brief notes starting on page 100 with "The Mid-Atlantic Colonies" through the end of the chapter on page 105.
2. Read Degler 1.4 for Zainab's presentation- she's going to ask us discussion questions!
3. Re-read your notes to prepare for part III of the partner quiz!

*If you want to get a head start for Thursday's class, read the handout on PowerPoint presentations I gave you and start talking to your group members- we'll work on that project in class!

Due Tuesday Sept. 25th

1. Read and take brief notes starting on page 94 with "Communities in Conflict" through the bottom of page 99.
2. Read Degler 1.4 for Zainab's presentation- she's going to ask us discussion questions!
3. Actively read the first 1.5 pages of The Trial of Anne Hutchinson.

Due Monday Sept. 24th

1. Read and take BRIEF (don't kill yourselves like you've been doing!) notes starting on page 88 with "The Founding of New England" through page 94 stopping before "Communities in Conflict."

2. Puritans!

• Actively read John Winthrop's "City Upon a Hill" speech from 1630.
• Listen to JFK's "City Upon a Hill" speech from 1961.
• Record your thoughts (brief note form) on the former inspiring the latter and the significance of the message in both instances. 

3. Read Degler 1.3 in preparation for Shannon's presentation/discussion.

*Heads-up: due to Yom Kippur we have our Wednesday schedule on Tuesday 9/26- you may want to get a head start on that work over the weekend (see "Looking Ahead").

Due Friday Sept. 21st

1. Flashcards! Paper-clip the rubric, with your name on it, to the flashcards.
2. Actively read the Mayflower Compact and think about the discussion questions.
3. Read Degler 1.2.

*4. If you have time, working ahead for Monday:

• Read John Winthrop's "City Upon a Hill" speech from 1630.
• Listen to JFK's "City Upon a Hill" speech from 1961.
• Record your thoughts (note form) on the former inspiring the latter and the significance of the message in both instances. We will discuss Monday!

In-Class Activity: Jamestown!

You will be receiving a worksheet on Jamestown. Please use the following websites to aid you in answering the questions:

Virtual Jamestown
Jamestown Rediscovery
Secret of the Dead: Death at Jamestown
America in 1607: Jamestown and the Powhatan

Due Thursday Sept. 19th

For Wednesday, just get a head start on the following (I will not check new hw until Thursday):

1. Read and take notes starting on pg. 61 with "English Society on the Chesapeake" through the top of pg. 67 stopping before "From Servitude to Slavery."
2. Work on your flash cards for Friday!

Due Monday Sept. 17th

1. Actively read (highlight most important, colored pen to underline supporting information & circle words you don't know) the 2 articles handed out to you: "10 Things You Need to Know About the Middle East" (it's only the first 5 things) and "Election 2012: What's at Stake."
2. Make sure you are up to speed on the notes from Davidson (pp. 44-48 & 53-61).
3. Be working on your flash cards because the first set is due Friday!

Welcome!

Welcome to a new school year! Congratulations on making what I like to call "varsity" history. Our objectives for the first day include intros, course expectations (click this link!), acquainting you with the class blog, goal-setting for the year and an explanation of upcoming assignments.

Regarding your summer reading, you will complete your work in 2 installments:
Summer Reading Assignment Part I, due Wednesday Sept. 12th
Summer Reading Assignment Part II, due Friday Sept. 14th

In addition to completing Part I for Wednesday, please read and take notes starting on pg. 44 with "The English Reformation" through the end of Chapter 2 in Davidson.