If you were absent today...
March 13, 2006
American Government: We finished our discussion of issues related to the First Amendment. There is an individual assignment that you should get from the Monday folder tomorrow. We also took some notes. The test will be Wednesday. Quiz is Friday.
Advanced Placement: Took notes related to presidential campaigns. We also discussed the differences between primaries and caucuses, including the advantages and disadvantages of each. We also watched a video clip of the 2004 Iowa Caucus.
March 14, 2006
American Government: We corrected the individual assignment, took notes, and prepared for Friday's quiz. The quiz is over the following amendments: 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, 13th, 14th, 15th, and 19th.
Advanced Placement: We discussed the advantages and disadvantages of primaries and caucuses, and open primaries and closed primaries. There was a short writing assignment for homework. Get it from the Tuesday folder tomorrow.
March 15, 2006
American Government: You missed a test and review for Friday's quiz. Begin reading chapter 5, section 1.
Advanced Placement: You missed discussion of the criticisms of the primary process and ideas for reform. You also missed notes on campaigns and elections. Continue working on the chapter 9 reading.
March 16, 2006
American Government: Read Chapter 5 through page 145. Define the following words: special session, adjourn, redistricting, gerrymandering, reapportionment, incumbent, constituent, filibuster, cloture, bill, bicameral, personal staff, committee staff, administrative assistant, legislative assistant, case worker, Library of Congress, Congressional Budget Office, General Accounting Office, Government Printing Office. Amendment quiz is tomorrow.
Advanced Placement: You missed the video "Taking on the Kennedys" and discussion. One political cartoon due tomorrow.
March 17, 2006
American Government: You missed a quiz over citizenship/civil rights and liberties. We corrected the vocab assignment from yesterday and took notes. Be sure to get the notes from a friend.
Advanced Placement: You missed notes on campaign finance reform. Get a packet from me and the notes from a friend.
March 20, 2006
American Government: You missed a partner activity (leadership and committees). Get the assignment from the Monday folder.
Advanced Placement: You missed a cooperative learning assignment / discussion on campaign finance reform.
March 21, 2006
American Government: No new assignments or notes -- we spent the block going over the papers and the most recent tests...we wrapped up the third nine weeks.
Advanced Placement: We concluded our discussion of campaign finance and took notes on interest groups.
March 22, 2006:
American Government: Answer the following questions using chapter 5: 1) What are the characteristics of the majority of members of Congress? 2) Name the three types of personal staff members. 3) Name the four support agencies that assist members of Congress. You also missed some notes and a video. The homework is to read chapter 6 and to complete the chapter 5 questions. (Click for a copy).
Advanced Placement: You missed the free response section of the test.
March 23, 2006:
American Government: You missed a cooperative learning activity, notes, and a video. Be sure to get the cooperative learning from the Thursday folder and the notes from a friend. All make-up work is due on Friday.
Advanced Placement: You missed the multiple choice section of the test.
March 24, 2006:
American Government: You missed a video.
Advanced Placement: You missed a video and a current events discussion.
March 27 - March 31 -- Spring Break
April 3, 2006
American Government: You missed a review and a lecture (get the notes from a friend). There was a homework assignment. You will need to get the worksheet from the Monday folder. Also, you need to read chapter 7 sections 1 and 3.
Advanced Placement: You missed notes on comparative chapter 6. You need to read comparative chapter 7 by Wednesday. Two political cartoons are due on Friday.
April 4, 2006
American Government: You missed a review of how a bill becomes a law and a video clip. You also missed a discussion of tips on how to do well on the social studies MEAP test. Answer the following question: Is the lawmaking process too difficult? Why or why not? You also need to read chapter 7, section 4.
Advanced Placement: You missed notes and discussion of comparative chapter 6. Homework is to finish the chapter 6 packet and to read chapter 7. Remember that two political cartoons are due on Friday.
April 5, 2006
2nd Block American Government: Answer the following questions:
1. Why are incumbents re-elected at such high rates?
2. What factors influence the actions/decisions of members of Congress?
3. How (specifically) do members of Congress help their constituents?
4. Define: pork barrel legislation and logrolling.
You also missed a reading and notes on term limits. The vocab quiz is tomorrow.
4th Block American Government: Due to MEAP testing, class was only 25 minutes long. If you were absent, you need to answer questions 1-4 above. Vocab quiz is Friday.
Advanced Placement: We corrected the chapter 6 notes/packet. You also missed an introductory lecture on chapter 7, advanced democracies. Homework: What challenges confront advanced democracies? Two political cartoons due Friday. Begin reading Great Britain Case Study.
April 6, 2006
2nd Block American Government: You missed a vocabulary quiz. We also discussed the pros and cons of term limits and reviewed for tomorrow's test.
4th Block American Government: MEAP testing was during fourth block today. We did correct the questions from yesterday. The vocabulary quiz is tomorrow.
Advanced Placement: We discussed the challenges confronting advanced democracies and the European Union. Homework: Read the Great Britain (online) case study. Two political cartoons are due tomorrow.
April 7, 2006
2nd Block Am. Government: Legislative Branch Test
4th Block Am. Government: Vocabulary Quiz, Reading, Pros and Cons of Term Limits. The test is on Tuesday.
Advanced Placement: Discussed EU; Read two current event articles, Cartoons due, Writing Assignment (What do you know about GB?) Lecture: GB
HW: Finish reading case study. You can read Mexico when you are done with Great Britain.
April 10, 2006
2nd Block Am. Government: No class due to MEAP testing
4th Block Am. Government: Review for test.
Advanced Placement: Lecture: GB. HW: Begin reading Mexico case study. Two political cartoons are due on 4/18.
April 11, 2006
2nd Block Am. Government: No class due to MEAP testing.
4th Block Am. Government: Legislative Branch test.
Advanced Placement: You missed notes on the UK. You need to answer the questions on the packet for home
April 12, 2006
American Government: Read chapter 8, section 1
Advanced Placement: You missed a discussion of the UK and notes on Mexico. Homework: Outline key characteristics of political parties / party system in Mexico.
April 13, 2006
American Government: 2nd Block: MEAP Testing -- be sure to read Chapter 8, section 1 by Tuesday; 4th Block: You missed notes on the President and the Vice President.
Advanced Placement: We discussed the party structures of the Mexico, did a short writing, and finished the notes on Mexico. Homework: Finish current issues section of Mexico, Read O'Neil Chapter 8, Political Cartoons are due on Tuesday.
April 14 and 17 -- No School
April 18, 2006
American Government:
2nd Block: You missed notes on the President and Vice President and an assignment on the Electoral College. The homework is to read all of chapter 8 sections 1 and 2, to finish the flow chart, and to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the Electoral College.
4th Block: You missed notes on the Electoral College and a discussion of the qualifications of the presidency.
Advanced Placement: We discussed current issues in Mexico and started O'Neil Chapter 8 (Communism and Postcommunism). The chapter 8 packet is due tomorrow.
April 19, 2006
American Government: You missed a discussion on the Electoral College, notes on reform plans for the Electoral College, and a video. The homework is to read chapter 8, sections 3 and 4, and to complete the following writing assignment:
Should the Electoral College be reformed? If yes, which reform do you suggest? Why is this reform better? If no, why not? Be specific. Be sure to completely explain/justify your position
(3/4 page; complete sentences.)
Advanced Placement: We finished discussing O'Neil Chapter 8 and started our study of Russia. Homework: Outline Russian political parties for tomorrow. Read China case study. Read Nigeria by Monday.
April 20, 2006
American Government: You missed a review of the Electoral College. You missed some brief notes, a brief video, and a discussion of the weaknesses of the reform plans.
Advanced Placement: You missed notes on Russia. Be sure to finish the Russia packet.
April 21, 2006
American Government: Read chapter 9, section 1. Get section notes from a friend. You missed notes on the bureaucratic departments and notes on presidential succession.
Advanced Placement: We finished our discussion of Russia and China.
April 24, 2006
American Government: You missed a discussion of the bureaucratic departments and we defined the EOP agencies.
Advanced Placement: You missed notes on Chapter 9 and Nigeria. I handed our two articles and review charts for comparative.
April 25, 2006
American Government: You missed a discussion of the influences on bureaucratic decision making. You also missed a review over the Executive Branch.
Advanced Placement: You missed notes on public policy and economic policy. You also missed a discussion of how things get on the policy agenda. There was homework assignment -- get the worksheet from me tomorrow.
April 26, 2006
American Government: You missed a quiz. You need to read chapter 11 sections 1 and 2 and define the following terms:
jurisdiction
constituional court
legislative court
trial jury
grand jury
judicial circuits
senatorial courtesy
opinion
judicial review
precedent
Advanced Placement: You missed notes on economic policy and social welfare policy. You also missed a discussion of the four policy coalitions. Finish the chart for tomorrow. Extra Credit Option is tomorrow!
April 27, 2006
American Government: You missed an individual assignment and a video. Get the assignment from the Thursday folder and the video note from a friend.
Advanced Placement: You missed notes on social welfare policy and foreign policy. Keep up with the reading. Test is tomorrow.
April 28, 2006
American Government: You need to make a chart to show the differences of the lower federal courts -- see me for more information. You also missed notes that you will need to get from a friend.
Advanced Placement: You missed the LAST comparative test!
May 1, 2006
American Government: You missed a TON of notes. You also need to read 11.3 and all of chapter 12.
Advanced Placement: You missed notes/lecture on environmental policy. Remember -- there are several review sessions that you can attend this week!
May 2, 2006
American Government: You missed cooperative learning (see me for a reading and the questions on judicial activism and judicial restraint) and a video. Get the video notes from a friend.
Advanced Placement: We discussed the free response portion of the test and took notes on the first amendment.
May 3, 2006 -- Shortened Classes Due to a Fog Delay
American Government: You missed cooperative learning about significant court decisions.
Advanced Placement: You missed notes on the first, fourth, and sixth amendments. Also, we discussed the significance of the 14th amendment. Be sure to get both from a friend.
May 4, 2006
American Government. You missed the review for tomorrow's test. You should be prepared to take the test tomorrow. Click below for review sheets.
Executive Branch Review Judicial Branch Review
Advanced Placement: We finished the AP Curriculum!!!! :) The Civil Rights and Liberties test is tomorrow. We will spend the second 1/2 of the block on Friday and all of Monday reviewing. Tomorrow's after school review session will focus on political belief and behaviors.
May 5, 2006
American Government: You missed the executive and judicial branch test. Also, required project guidelines were handed out.
Advanced Placement: You missed the Public Policy/Civil Rights and Liberties Test. We started to review for Tuesday's test.
May 8, 2006
American Government: You missed an in class essay assignment (get the assignment from the Monday folder) and vocab for chapter 17.
Advanced Placement: You missed a review for tomorrow's test! Get some sleep tonight!
May 9, 2006
American Government: You missed notes on voting qualifications and a video. Read chapter 17 sections 1 and 3.
Advanced Placement: AP TEST!!!
May 10, 2006
American Government: Define: general election, referendum, recall, and initiative. Read chapter 17 section 2 and identify the characteristics of non voters and regular voters. Record your answers on pages 99 and 100 of your binder. Be sure to get the notes from a friend. Answer questions: p. 479 #5, P. 484 #5, and P. 491 # 4 and 5.
Advanced Placement: Post AP Test Survey (See the Wednesday folder). Time to make-up work missed yesterday during testing.
May 11, 2006
American Government:
i. How would you run a successful campaign? Consider things like: How would your campaign be organized? What things would you need for the campaign? How would you finance your campaign? What types of campaign activities would you use to generate support?
ii. What are the rules for campaign finance that you would need to follow?
Advanced Placement: Video "Roe v. Wade" and extra credit opportunity.
May 12, 2006
American Government: You missed a discussion of voting behavior. 4th block only needs to complete the following assignment.
Answer the following questions: “Assessment and Activities” pages 500-501. Do all of the questions EXCEPT “Applying Tech. Skills” and “Participating in Local Government”
Advanced Placement: Children's Book Assignment -- see me for guidelines tomorrow.
May 15, 2006
American Government: You missed notes on political parties -- be sure to get them from a friend. Read all of chapter 16. Projects are due on Friday.
Advanced Placement: Time to work on project.
May 16, 2006
American Government: We went to the library to work on projects. You need to complete the chapter 16, section 3 worksheet. (Click here for a copy)
Advanced Placement: You missed time to work on the project.
May 17, 2006
American Government: We corrected 16.3 worksheet and took preference quiz.
AP: Projects
May 18, 2006
American Government: We looked at the differences between the Republican and the Democrats. Read 18.1. Answer the following questions: What are the functions of interest groups? What are the different types of interest groups? What methods do interest groups use to have influence? What are some criticisms of interest groups?
Advanced Placement: Worked on projects.
May 19, 2006
American Government: Finished notes and reviewed for Monday's test. Click here for a review sheet.
AP: Projects due today.