Monday, October 28

US History
1. Students wrote a 3-step analysis of a political cartoon, which I collected (Pledge #4).
2. Students worked in class to complete a chart on Reconstruction. We reviewed this in class.

World Civilizations
1. Students wrote a 3-analysis of a political cartoon (Pledge #2).
2. Textbook assignment: "Beginnings of Industrialization." This is due during the block period (Tuesday or Wednesday).
3. We began an introductory lecture on the Agricultural Revolution, and looked at some slides on this topic.

Block periods: Tuesday, October 29 and Wednesday, October 30.

US History
1. We briefly reviewed Reconstruction.
2. Students worked on two projects in class: Civil War Creative Anachronism and the Civil War Crossword. Both of these were meant to help students review for the unit test on Thursday.

World Civilizations
1. We continued our discussion fo the Agricultural Revolution and its relationship to the Industrial Revolution.
2. I stamped and we reviewed "Beginnigs of Industrialization."
3. Textbook assignment: "Industrialization Changes Ways of Life." This is due on Thursday.
4. We watched Charlie Chaplin's "Modern Times," and took video notes.

Thursday, October 31
Happy Halloween!!

US History
1. We reviewed the Civil War Crossword. I also collected Creative Anachronism posters.
2. Students took the unit test on the Civil War and Reconstruction.
3. I handed out a textbook assignment: "Rise of Industrialism " This is due on Monday, November 4. We will take an open-note reading quiz on this material during the block period (Tuesday or Wednesday).

World Civilizations
1. Students wrote a paragraph on the message of "Modern Times."
2. I stamped and we reviewed "Idustrialization Changes Ways of LIfe."
3. We reviewed what we have covered in this unit so far by reading a short selection on the beginnings of the Industrial Revolution and creating quiz questions to ask fellow students. We will use these for a quiz on Monday, November 4!
4. Textbook assignment: "Unionization and Legislative Reform." This is due on Monday, November 4.

b>Thursday, October 24

US History
1. We had a brief lecture on the Kansas-Nebraska act, and we reviewed the impact of the Dred Scott decision.
2. Students worked in class on a timeline of the Civil War and completed a sheet analyzing the Gettysburg Address. Both sheets are due tomorrow, Friday, October 25.

World Civilizations
1. We prepared to write an essay evaluating the historical impact of Napolean Bonaparte. We started by brainstorming for facts about Napoleon, then deciding whether each fact revealed Napoleon to be a force for democracy or a throwback to monarchy. We completed a chart that helped us get these facts in order.
2. I handed out an outline form showing the correct format for the essay. We discussed thesis statements, topic sentences, etc.
3. Students should complete the outline tonight, and then write a rough draft of the essay. On Friday, you may use the chart, outline and rough draft to help you write the essay.

Friday, October 25

US History
1. We reviewed the Civil War timeline and the handout on the Gettysburg Address.
2. Students took a page of lecture notes on Reconstruction.
3. We analyzed a couple of political cartoons on the recent Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision regarding the Pledge of Allegiance. On Monday, October 28, I will present our last cartoon on this subject, and students will write a three-step analysis which will be collected and scored.
4. Please note that we are planning to take the unit test on the Civil War on Thursday, October 31. The following day is a "no-school" day for students! October 31 is also the last day of the first quarter; I will submit quarter grades on Monday, November 4.

World Civilizations
1. Students wrote an essay on Napoleon Bonaparte! If you were absent for this, please see me as soon as you return to arrange at time to come in and write the essay. This essay counts as the test for our unit on Napoleon.
2. Thursday of next week, October 31, is the last day of the first quarter. Please see me about any missing work!
No weekend homework!

Monday, October 21:

US History
1. We compared our outlines for the Dred Scott decision. Your notes on this handout may be used when you take the open-note quiz on Thursday, October 24.
2. We discussed the handout entitled "Lives of Men and Women Under Slavery." These notes may also be used during the quiz.
3. Students were assigned to outline pages 168-174 in the textbook; the outline is due on Thursday. Your outlines may also be used when you take the quiz on Thursday.
4. Open-note reading quiz on Thursday, October 24!

World Civilizations
1. I stamped the homework entitled "Napoleon's Empire Collapses." We reviewed Napoleon's three big mistakes using overhead notes.
2. We began watching and taking notes on a video on the life of Napoleon. We are paying special attention to Napoleon's contradictory character -- he called himself a son of the revolution, but ruled as a military dictator. We will be writing an essay evaluating Napoleon's rule in class on Friday!
3. I handed out a textbook assignment entitled "The Congress of Vienna Convenes." This is due during the block period (Tuesday for 6th period; Wednesday for 5th and 7th periods).

Tuesday, October 22 and Wednesday, October 23 (block periods)

US History
1. We completed our lecture notes on the period leading to the Civil War (Kansas-Nebraska Act).
2. Students watched and took notes on the documentary "The Civil War."
3. Remember that you will have an open-note quiz on Thursday, October 24!
4. Students must bring books to class on Thursday!!

World Civilizations
1. We finished the video and notes on Napoleon.
2. We reviewed the homework assignment on the Congress of Vienna.
3. Students were given class time to complete the vocabulary review sheet on Napoleon and the Congress of Vienna. This sheet is due Thursday, October 24.
4. On Thursday, we will be preparing to write our essay on Napoleon! We will write in class in Friday, October 25.

Friday was Rally Day...classes were short, and no new work was assigned.
See the entry below for Thursday, October 17, to find the assignments due on Monday, October 21!

US History
1. I stamped and we discussed "Two Views of Slavery." This goes in the "Student Writing" section of the notebook.
2. We took a few notes on the relationship between westward expansion and slavery.
3. I gave students two assignments, both due Monday, October 21st. The first assignment is to outline a reading on the Dred Scott case, and answer the questions at the end of the reading. The second assignment was a series of reading guide questions on pages 164-168 in the textbook, entitled "Lives of Men and Women Under Slavery."
4. On Friday, October 18, all US History class will go to the library to hear Bob Wilson perform music from the Civil War era. This is a popular event, and Bob is really wonderful to do this for us. Please arrive on time so we can take attendance quickly and go straight to the library.

World Civilizations
1. We discussed the new political ideas that emerged during the period of the French Revolution. Next week, students will be writing a major essay on Napoleon, evaluating whether Napoleon was a true son of the revolution, or whether he betrayed the revolution and took France back into absolute monarchy. For this reason, we are paying special attention to the political ideas that motivated the revolutionary period, and comparing them with the actions of Napoleon.
2. I stamped and we reviewed the maps of Napoleon's empire, and the textbook assignment entitled "Napoleon Reading Guide."
3. I handed out a textbook assignment entitled "Napoleon's Empire Collapses." This is due on Monday, October 21, but I will give 2 points extra credit to those students who have it completed on Friday, October 18.

Block periods -- Tuesday, October 15 and Wednesday, October 16:

US History
1. We began our unit on the Civil War by brainstorming for facts about this great conflict.
2. I stamped and we reviewed the introductory reading on the Civil War. The chart on sectionalism was particularly important.
3. Students completed a map of the nation during the Civil War.
4. I handed out a reading entitled "Two Views of Slavery." Responses to this reading are due Thursday, October 17th. We also discussed a handout containing a selection of primary sources regarding slavery.
5. Students should bring their textbooks to class on Thursday, October 17th.
6. Don't forget to come to tutorial if you need to get your notebook in order!

World Civilizations
1. Students took the unit test on the French Revolution.
2. I collected notebook packets.
3. We're starting a brief unit on Napoleon; students should place a new divider in their notebooks for this section.
4. Students were given time in class to complete two assignments, both due Thursday, October 17th: "Napoleon Reading Guide" and "Map of Napoleon's Empire at its Height."
5. If you missed the test, please make arrangements to make it up as soon as possible, preferably at tutorial on Wednesday.

Block periods -- Tuesday, October 15 and Wednesday, October 16:

US History
1. We began our unit on the Civil War by brainstorming for facts about this great conflict.
2. I stamped and we reviewed the introductory reading on the Civil War. The chart on sectionalism was particularly important.
3. Students completed a map of the nation during the Civil War.
4. I handed out a reading entitled "Two Views of Slavery." Responses to this reading are due Thursday, October 17th. We also discussed a handout containing a selection of primary sources regarding slavery.
5. Students should bring their textbooks to class on Thursday, October 17th.
6. Don't forget to come to tutorial if you need to get your notebook in order!

World Civilizations
1. Students took the unit test on the French Revolution.
2. I collected notebook packets.
3. We're starting a brief unit on Napoleon; students should place a new divider in their notebooks for this section.
4. Students were given time in class to complete two assignments, both due Thursday, October 17th: "Napoleon Reading Guide" and "Map of Napoleon's Empire at its Height."
5. If you missed the test, please make arrangements to make it up as soon as possible, preferably at tutorial on Wednesday.

US History
1. We reviewed the crossword puzzle on the westward expansion of the United States; this was a review for the test.
2. Students took the test on our Westward Expansion unit.
3. Students handed in a notebook packet for this unit. It included the physiographic features map and questions, the textbook assignment entitled "A New Era in Politics," the questions on the readings about Native Americans and the crossword puzzle.
4. We are starting a new unit on the Civil War. Students received a sheet with two introductory readings and a series of questions. Answers to these questions are due during the block periods this week (Tuesday, October 15 for 4th period; Wednesday October 16th for 3rd period).
5. Don't forget to come in during tutorial if you saw your name on the board in front of the room...let's get those notebooks straightened out!

World Civilizations
1. We reviewed three study worksheets for our unit test tomorrow.
2. I handed back the short identifications that students wrote for the unit test on Foundations of Government. I also handed out some sample answers so students could compare their answers with full-credit responses. We will do more of these short identifications on future tests.
3. I handed out a study guide for tomorrow's test. I will award extra credit for completed study guides; credit will be awarded on a sliding scale depending on the number of items completed and the quality of the answers.
4. Please bring your textbook and notebook to class during the block periods(Tuesday October 15 for 6th period; Wednesday, October 16th for 5th and 7th periods). You will be handing in a notebook packet right after the test. As always, I will deduct points if you do not have your textbook, as this prevents you from doing the assignment for the day.

US History
1. We reviewed the readings selections on American Indians, and discussed the use of primary sources in the study of history.
2. I stamped and reviewed the homework on Andrew Jackson's presidency (A New Era in Politics).
3. Students were given a crossword puzzle on the westward expansion of the US as a review for Monday's test.
4. As students worked in the crossword, I walked around the room and took a peek at their notebooks. Students with really messy/unorganized notebooks were given an appointment to come in to tutorial next week to get matters straightened out. Feel free to come in before Wednesday if you can...during first period or after school, or during lunch period on Monday.
5. Test on the territorial expansion of the USA is Monday, October 14! I will also collect a packet of materials from students' notebooks on Monday (after the test).

World Civilizations
1. We read a new current event article on the recent Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision regarding the Pledge of Allegiance. (Parents: see if your student can explain "ceremonial deism.") Students wrote a 3-step analysis on a political cartoon about the decision.
2. We continued to review for our test on the French Revolution. All review sheets will be stamped on Monday.
3. Test on the French Revolution will take place during the block period next week (Tuesday, October 15 for 6th period; Wednesday, October 16 for 5th and 7th periods).

US History
1. I stamped the homework on "A New Era in Politics," but we will wait until tomorrow to review it.
2. We finished the chart describing the long relationship between the US and American Indians.
3. I handed out a selection of short readings on American Indians; the questions accompanying these readings are due on Friday, October 11.
4. The test for this unit will take place on Monday, October 14!

World Civilizations
1. I stamped, and we reviewed, the textbook questions on pages 202 and 203.
2. I handed out a new current event article. Our new topic is the controversy over the Pledge of Allegiance. Students copied down two questions to answer about the decision of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Answers are due on Friday, October 11.
3. We started reviewing for our test on the French Revolution, which will take place during the block periods next week! I handed out two review sheets -- we will have time in class tomorrow to complete these.

Block periods: Tuesday, October 8 and Wednesday, October 9

US History
1. Students took a practice quiz on the territorial acquisitions of the United States. This was a dry run for the real thing...the unit will have very similar questions!
2. We started a chart on the history of US - American Indian relations.
3. We watched a segment of the "500 Nations" series, and took video notes.
4. I assigned a set of homework questions entitled "A New Era in Politics." Answers are due on Thursday, October 10.
5. All students should check the grade printouts at the front of the room, to see if they have any items to make up!

World Civilizations
1. I stamped the homework assignment entitled "Conflicting Goals Cause Conflicts." We reveiwed this assignment in detail...this information is important for the unit test.
2. We watched a video on the Reign of Terror, and took video notes.
3. We filled in a bit more of our chart on the stages of the French Revolution.
4. I assigned homework questions on pages 202-203 of the textbook. These are due on Thursday, October 10.
5. Please check the grade printouts at the front of the room, to see if you have any work to make up!

It's ever-so-warm again in room 118...

US History
1. Students took notes on the war of 1812. We will not do a homework assignment on this material, so these brief notes will be your only study resource on this event. If you missed today's class, be sure to come in and get the notes from me!
2. Students received a map and chart showing the territorial expansion of the US. We filled in the chart and labeled the map. At the end of this unit, students will be expected to be able to identify each of the territories acquired by the US, and to give some basic information about the acquisition.
3. If you missed Friday's homework quiz, see me right away to arrange a makeup!
3. No homework.

World Civilizations
1. We reviewed the ideas of liberty and equality that motivated the French revolutionaries. We contrasted these ideas with the society and government of the middle ages, and discussed the similarities between the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the American Declaration of Independence.
2. Students began filling out a chart summarizing the stages of the French Revolution.
3. I gave students time in class to complete a textbook assignment entitled "Conflicting Goals Cause Divisions." This is due at the block period (Tuesday for 6th period, Wednesday for 5th and 7th periods).
4. If you missed the homework quiz on Friday, October 4, you should arrange to take it right away. See me for details.

US History
1. Students took an open-note reading quiz on pages 130-135 of the textbook (Territorial Expansion).
2. Students read a new current event article on the recent decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals regarding the Pledge of Allegiance. We discussed separation of church and state and the concept of "ceremonial deism." Students wrote a 3-step analysis of a political cartoon about the decision.
3. We added slavery to our list of important terms/ideas associated with the westward expansion of the United States, and discussed how the acquisition of new territories forced the nation to confront the issue of slavery again and again in the period leading up to the Civil War.
4. No weekend homework!

World Civilizations
1. Students took an open-note reading quiz on pages 195-198 of the textbook. I also collected students' reading notes on this section. We will continue to do some of our textbook homework this way. Over the course of the year, students' reading and note-taking skills should improve.
2. We watched excerpts from the oldie but goodie b&w film "A Tale of Two Cities." It was quite melodramatic, but still powerful after all these years (it was made in 1935).
3. No weekend homework, but students will need to bring their textbooks to class on Monday!

US History
1. I returned notebook packets from our first unit (Founding of USA). I discussed the comments/marks made on student papers, and showed students examples of good and not-so-good answers. All students should have taken the "Colonies to Constitution" test by now. Remember that if you have been absent, you must see me immediately to arrange to make up your work.
2. We finished the video segment about King Phillips war.
3. I gave students a list of important terms/concepts for this unit (Expansion of the USA).
4. Reminder: there is an open-note reading quiz on pages 130-135 tomorrow! Outlines for this section were stamped today.

World Civilizations
1. I returned notebook packets from our first unit (Foundations of Government). I discussed comments/marks made on student papers, and showed examples of good and not-so-good answers.
2. I stamped students' outlines for pages 195-198 of the text (Revolution Dawns). I displayed my own outline of these pages on the overhead, so students could compare their reading notes with mine. The open-note quiz on this section is tomorrow!
3. Students read and highlighted a review sheet entitled "France before the Revolution." Each student then composed two review question to ask the class. We displayed some of these on overhead transparencies (as well as some questions from me).

Block periods -- Tuesday, October 1 and Wednesday, October 2

US History
1. I stamped -- and we reviewed -- the map students created showing physiographic features of the United States. We also reviewed the question sheet that went with this map.
2. Students took an open-note reading quiz on the text section entitled "Washington and the Government."
3. I introduced a list of methods by which land was acquired by the United States, and we talked about the different perspectives of settlers and Indians.
4. Students took notes on two video segments from the "500 Nations" series. We will finish the second segment on Thursday.
5. Homework assignment: Outline the text section entitled "Territorial Expansion of the United States," pages 130-135. The outline is due on Thursday, October 3, and the open-note quiz on this section will be Friday, October 4.

World Civilizations
1. I read aloud some information about court life in the time of Louis XIV.
2. Students participated in a re-enactment of life in 17th century France.
3. We reviewed the "three estates" of the French feudal system.
4. I stamped the homework assignment entitled "Revolution Threatens the French King." We reviewed the answers together.
5. I handed out instructions for creating outline notes from the text. Instead of the usual reading guides, I will sometimes give open-note reading quizzes. Students will be given a section of text and asked to take notes (preferably in outline form) or answer questions about the text. During the quiz, they will be able to use their notes as a resource. This approach is designed to encourage students to read the text more carefully and also to give them practice in taking notes from text.
6. I assigned the first outline -- "Revolution Dawns/Revolution Brings Reform and Terror," pages 195-198 in the textbook. We will review our outlines together on Thursday, October 3, so students can see whether they are selecting the right information from the text and getting that information clearly and simply into note form. We will take the open-note quiz on Friday, October 4.