Today in U.S. History: 9/30

The Story of Us:  "Westward"

TODAY'S RUNDOWN:

• Random States Quiz (3rd Block Only)
• Binder Check #4
• Scrapbook:  "Westward"  
• On Youtube:

                                                                                                   

COMING UP/REMINDERS:

• Next Tuesday (10/4)
• Scrapbooks Due
• Next Thursday (10/6)
• 50 States Test

Read more...

Today in Western Civilizations: 9/30/11

Greece:  The Age of Alexander

TODAY'S RUNDOWN:

• Binder Check #4
• Scrapbook:  The Age of Alexander
• On Youtube:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

COMING UP/REMINDERS:

• Next Tuesday (10/4)
• Scrapbooks Due

Read more...

Are "We the People" Responsible?

A House Divided?

This CNN article, written by political analyst David Gergen, asks whether or not the American voters should be looking in the mirror when it comes to our government's problems.  According to recent studies, true moderates (those who don't identify with either Democrats or Republicans) are disappearing, which could be leading to a more divided government via more divided constituents.  What do you think?  When our government isn't getting the job done, who's responsible?  Is it the people making the decisions, or those who hired the decision-makers?

Read more...

Historic Collapse... Times Two

If you stayed up late enough Wednesday Night, you had the opportunity to witness history.  If you didn't, you missed not one, but two teams simultaneously setting the record for the biggest flop in the history of Major League Baseball.  Inhistoric has a breakdown of the Red Sox and Braves' epic collapses.

Read more...

CNN Student News for 9/30/11

Read more...

Today in U.S. History: 9/29/11

TODAY'S RUNDOWN:

• Random States Quiz #1
• Video:  How the States Got Their Shapes

COMING UP/REMINDERS:

• Thursday
• Random States Quiz #1
• Practice the States!
• Practice the Capitals!
• Blank Printable Map
• Labeled Map
• Friday
• Binder Check #4
• Next Tuesday (10/4)
• Scrapbooks Due

*Don't forget:  If you aren't sure about any aspect of your Scrapbook assignment or grade, ASK!!!

Read more...

Today in Western Civilizations: 9/29/11

"The Senate and the People of Rome"

TODAY'S RUNDOWN:

• Middle East Map Quiz!
• Notes:  The Roman Republic
• What is a republic?
• What set Ancient Rome apart from other Ancient Civilizations?
• What attributes do you think Rome and it's people had that set it up to be successful?
• Why do you think the republic might be doomed for failure?
• IWT

COMING UP/REMINDERS:

• Thursday
• Middle East Map Quiz
• Friday
• Binder Check #4
• Next Tuesday (10/4)
• Scrapbooks Due

*Remember:  If you have a question about any aspect of the Scrapbook assignment or how it's been graded thus far, ASK!!!

Read more...

CNN Student News For 9/29/11

Read more...

Today in U.S. History: 9/28/11

TODAY'S RUNDOWN:

• Lewis and Clark Journal Activity
• Essential Questions:
• What stood to be gained by this expedition?
• What are some dangers that they faced on the expedition?
• What are some things that you think helped this expedition to be a successful one (i.e. the qualities of the leaders, etc.)?

COMING UP/REMINDERS:

• Thursday
• Random States Quiz #1
• Practice the States!
• Practice the Capitals!
• Blank Printable Map
• Labeled Map
• Friday
• Binder Check #4
• Next Tuesday (10/4)
• Scrapbooks Due

*Don't forget:  If you aren't sure about any aspect of your Scrapbook assignment or grade, ASK!!!

Read more...

Today in Western Civilizations: 9/28/11

The Senate and the People of Rome

TODAY'S RUNDOWN:

• Turn in Map Activity
• TAG:  Foundations of the Roman Republic
• What is a republic?
• What set Ancient Rome apart from other Ancient Civilizations?
• What attributes do you think Rome and it's people had that set it up to be successful?
• Begin E/E:  Rome (w/questions)

COMING UP/REMINDERS:

• Thursday
• Middle East Map Quiz
• Friday
• Binder Check #4
• Next Tuesday (10/4)
• Scrapbooks Due

*Remember:  If you have a question about any aspect of the Scrapbook assignment or how it's been graded thus far, ASK!!!

Read more...

CNN Student News for 9/28/11

Remember, comments should be thoughtful and relevant.  Make sure you leave your first name and last initial so that you receive credit!

Read more...

Is Our Government Broken?

James Madison, "Father" of the Constitution

In this article from CNN, William J. Bennett argues that while things aren't pretty right now, our government is doing exactly what it's supposed to.  He says that though it is frustrating to watch stalemates, filibusters, and gridlock, slow and stable change, which prevents radical reactions and disastrous decisions, is precisely what our founding fathers had in mind when the constitution was written.  What do you think?

Read more...

Today in Western Civilizations: 9/27/11

Topographical Map the United States

TODAY'S RUNDOWN:

• Turn in Newsletter
• Using Maps Activity (Make sure you have your partner calendars)
• Middle East Map
• "Ancient Rome"  Vocabulary

COMING UP/REMINDERS:

• Tuesday (Tomorrow!)
• Newsletter Due at The Beginning of Class
• Thursday
• Middle East Map Quiz
• Friday
• Binder Check #4
• Next Tuesday (10/4)
• Scrapbooks Due

*Remember:  If you have a question about any aspect of the Scrapbook assignment or how it's been graded thus far, ASK!!!

Read more...

Today in U.S. History: 9/27/11

Westward Expansion

TODAY'S RUNDOWN:

• "A Growing Nation"  Vocabulary
• Notes:  America Discovers it's Manifest Destiny (Click for the presentation!)
• Essential Questions for Today:
• What is “manifest destiny”?
• What ideas made Americans think they had the right to expand?
• What actually gave America the right to expand?
• Why did some think that we shouldn’t expand?
• What problems existed when it came to expansion?

COMING UP/REMINDERS:

• Thursday
• Random States Quiz #1
• Friday
• Binder Check #4
• Next Tuesday (10/4)
• Scrapbooks Due

*Don't forget:  If you aren't sure about any aspect of your Scrapbook assignment or grade, ASK!!!

Read more...

CNN Student News for 9/27/11

Read more...

On This Day in...

Kennedy-Nixon Debate, 1960

1960:  The first televised presidential debate took place, pitting John F. Kennedy against Richard Nixon.  The debate was a game-changer in the '60 election.  Nixon had been ill, and insisted on campaigning right up until hours before the debate began.  As a result, he looked pale, sickly, and tired.  He also refused to wear makeup.  Kennedy, on the other hand, was well-rested, and took time to prepare extensively for the event.  He looked young, vibrant, and confident.  Most believe this was the turning point in the closest election in the history of the United States.  Ironically, a majority of those who listened to the debate on the radio actually thought Nixon won!  Here's the debate in it's entirety.  Who would you vote for?

Read more...

Today in Western Civilizations: 9/26/11

The Battle of Issus

TODAY'S RUNDOWN:

• Engineering an Empire:  "The Age of Alexander"
• Middle East Map
• "Ancient Rome"  Vocabulary
• Scrapbooks are Graded!  (Grab them up front)

COMING UP/REMINDERS:

• Tuesday (Tomorrow!)
• Newsletter Due at The Beginning of Class
• Thursday
• Middle East Map Quiz
• Friday
• Binder Check #4
• Next Tuesday (10/4)
• Scrapbooks Due

Read more...

Today in U.S. History: 9/26/11

"American Progress"

TODAY'S RUNDOWN:

• Story of US:  "Westward"
• "A Growing Nation"  Vocabulary

COMING UP/REMINDERS:

• Thursday
• Random States Quiz #1
• Friday
• Binder Check #4
• Next Tuesday (10/4)
• Scrapbooks Due

Read more...

Western Civ. "Villain of the Week" for 9/26-9/30

Judas Iscariot

Summaries are due Friday, 9/30.  Remember, it must be hand-written!

Read more...

U.S. History "Villain of the Week" for 9/26-9/30

Aaron Burr

Summaries are due Friday, 9/30.  Remember, it must be hand-written!

Read more...

CNN Student News For 9/26/11

Read more...

Satellite Paranoia

Via Informed Comment:

Worried about Satellite fragments raining from space?  BBC says "don't".  According to their report, NASA says you have a one in twenty trillion chance of being hit by fragments from the Satellite that will be falling back to earth this weekend, which makes it 20 million times less likely than your chances of being hit by lightning this year.  Video from The Telegraph:

Read more...

Today in U.S. History: 9/23/11

TODAY'S RUNDOWN:

• Test:  "A New Nation"
• Vocab Due
• Complete Video:  "The First Invasion" w/Worksheet

COMING UP/REMINDERS:

• Thursday
• States Quiz #5
• States Packet Due
• Friday
• New Nation Test
• Vocabulary Due

Read more...

Today in Western Civilizations: 9/23/11

TODAY'S RUNDOWN:

• Test:  Ancient Greece
• Complete Video:  Hercules

COMING UP/REMINDERS:

• Thursday
• Europe #3 Quiz
• Friday
• Ancient Greece Test
• Vocabulary Due

Read more...

CNN Student News for 9/23/11

EXTRA CREDIT:  For 2 points, leave a comment on this post regarding today's broadcast.  Your comment must be in the form of a complete sentence.  It must also be thoughtful and relevant.  If you do not have internet at home, the IMC is open before and after school, and you can also use the department laptops during independent work time.  You are allowed to comment daily, but make sure you use your first name and last initial so that you receive credit!

Read more...

Western Civ. Review: "Ancient Greece"

REVIEW!

• Vocabulary
• "Top 10" - Fill in the Blank
• "Second Tier" - Matching
• "All Stars" - Short Answer, T/F, and/or Multiple Choice
• Other Short Answer Topics:
• What two factors led to Ancient Greece being made up of a large group of independent city-states rather than one large, unified country?
• Despite living in and being intensely loyal to individual city-states, what things did all Greeks have in common?
• How did the last stand of 300 Spartans at the Battle of Thermopylae contribute to the world that Americans live in today?
• True/False section over Alexander the Great (study your anticipation guide).

Questions?  Leave a comment!

VIDEO REVIEW!
Ancient Greece



The Persian Wars



The Peloponnesian War



Alexander the Great



FINISH YOUR VOCAB AND STUDY!

Read more...

U.S. History Review: "A New Nation"

REVIEW!

• Vocabulary
• "Top 10" - Fill in the Blank
• "Second Tier" - Matching
• "All Stars" - Short Answer, T/F, and/or Multiple Choice
• Other Short Answer Topics:
• Problems with the Articles of Confederation (3)
• The 3 Branches of Government and who they consist of.
• Why was George Washington's decision to leave office after two terms so important?
• For what reasons did President Madison declare war on Great Britain in 1812?
• Why was the U.S. military ill-equipped to take part in a war with Great Britain in 1812?

Questions?  Leave a comment!

VIDEO REVIEW!

The Articles of Confederation

The Constitutional Convention

The Presidency of George Washington

The Louisiana Purchase




The War of 812

FINISH YOUR VOCAB, AND STUDY!

Read more...

Today in Western Civilizations: 9/22/11

TODAY'S RUNDOWN:

• MAP QUIZ #5
• Complete Ancient Greece Project:  Front Page News
• Publisher/News Letter (Front Page Only)
• 3 Stories at least 6-8 Sentences Long:
• City-States/Persian Wars
• Peloponnesian Wars
• Conquests of Alexander the Great
• Include Title of Newspaper
• Title and Picture for Each Article
• IWT/Review
• All-Stars and other individuals
• Finish Vocabulary

COMING UP/REMINDERS:

• Thursday
• Europe #3 Quiz
• Friday
• Ancient Greece Test
• Vocabulary Due

Read more...

Today in U.S. History: 9/22/11

TODAY'S RUNDOWN:

• States Quiz #5
• Video:  "The First Invasion" w/Worksheet

COMING UP/REMINDERS:

• Thursday
• States Quiz #5
• States Packet Due
• Friday
• New Nation Test
• Vocabulary Due

Read more...

CNN Student News for 9/22/11

EXTRA CREDIT:  For 2 points, leave a comment on this post regarding today's broadcast.  Your comment must be in the form of a complete sentence.  It must also be thoughtful and relevant.  If you do not have internet at home, the IMC is open before and after school, and you can also use the department laptops during independent work time.  You are allowed to comment daily, but make sure you use your first name and last initial so that you receive credit!

Read more...

Today in U.S. History: 9/21/11

TODAY'S RUNDOWN:

• Louisiana Purchase/Inflation Activity
• Inflation Calculator
• HOW TO GET PERCENTAGE CHANGE:
• Take the initial amount, and subtract it from the current (today's) amount to get the difference.
• Take the difference, and divide it by the initial amount.
• HOW TO MARK YOUR GRAPH:

COMING UP/REMINDERS:

• Thursday
• Map Quiz #5
• Map Packet Due
• Friday
• New Nation Test
• Vocabulary Due

Read more...

Today in Western Civilizations: 9/21/11

TODAY'S RUNDOWN:

• Finish Video GIST:  Ancients Behaving Badly
• Begin Ancient Greece Project:  Front Page News
• Publisher/News Letter (Front Page Only)
• 3 Stories at least 6-8 Sentences Long:
• City-States/Persian Wars
• Peloponnesian Wars
• Conquests of Alexander the Great
• Include Title of Newspaper
• Title and Picture for Each Article

COMING UP/REMINDERS:

• Thursday
• Europe #3 Quiz
• Friday
• Ancient Greece Test
• Vocabulary Due

Read more...

CNN Student News for 9/21/11

EXTRA CREDIT:  For 2 points, leave a comment on this post regarding today's broadcast.  Your comment must be in the form of a complete sentence.  It must also be thoughtful and relevant.  If you do not have internet at home, the IMC is open before and after school, and you can also use the department laptops during independent work time.  You are allowed to comment daily, but make sure you use your first name and last initial so that you receive credit!

Read more...

Today in Western Civilizations: 9/20/11

TODAY'S RUNDOWN:

• Anticipation Guide:  Alexander the Great
• Video GIST:  Ancients Behaving Badly

COMING UP/REMINDERS:

• Thursday
• Europe #3 Quiz
• Early Next Week
• Ancient Greece Test
• Vocabulary Due

Read more...

Today in U.S. History: 9/20/11

TODAY'S RUNDOWN:

• Notes:  A New Nation in a Dangerous World
• Worksheet:  Getting to Know Your Constitution

COMING UP/REMINDERS:

• Thursday
• Map Quiz #5
• Map Packet Due
• Friday
• New Nation Test
• Vocabulary Due

Read more...

CNN Student News for 9/20/11

Read more...

A 12 Year-Old's $100,000 "Hobby"

Props to this kid for his commitment and dedication!  Jordan Brown is 12 years old, and has currently raised $87,000 for a World War II memorial featuring the likeness of Major Dick Winters (Major Winters was the commanding officer of Easy Company for much of WWII, and was a leading character in the Band of Brothers series).  He's raised all the money through donations, as well as by selling wristbands, which can be purchased at his website.  His goal, which he will probably reach very soon after being featured on CNN, is $100,000.

Read more...

Week 2 in the NFL a Historic One

A look at the NFL's record-breaking week 2, via Inhistoric.

Read more...

Today in U.S. History: 9/19/11

TODAY'S RUNDOWN:

• Map Packet #5
• Notes:  The Constitution Becomes a Reality
• IWT
• Geo Worksheet:  Ratification
• Vocab
• Map Packet

COMING UP/REMINDERS:

• Thursday
• Map Quiz #5
• Map Packet Due
• Friday
• New Nation Test
• Vocabulary Due

Read more...

Today in Western Civilizations: 9/19/11

TODAY'S RUNDOWN:

• Europe #3 Map
• GIST:  Section 5.2 (pg. 134)
• List the 25 Most important Words
• 4-6 Sentences Summarizing What You Read
• IWT
• Vocab
• Map 

COMING UP/REMINDERS:

• Thursday
• Europe #3 Quiz
• Early Next Week
• Ancient Greece Test
• Vocabulary Due

Read more...

Western Civ. "Villain of the Week" for 9/19-9/23

This weeks villain of the week:  Herostratus.  Summaries are due Friday, 9/23.  Remember, it must be hand-written!

Read more...

U.S. History "Villain of the Week" for 9/19-9/23

This weeks villain of the week:  Fletcher Christian.  Summaries are due Friday, 9/13.  Remember, it must be hand-written!

Read more...

Happy Constitution Day!!!

Constitution Day was actually observed yesterday, but the document itself was signed on September 17th in 1787.  It took another couple years filled with heated debates and sly propaganda to actually get the Constitution ratified and put into action, but this was probably the easiest day to pinpoint for some recognition, so September 17th it is!

More info on the signing of the United States Constitution.

By the way, remember this?

Read more...