USG+Class+Log+Spring+2012

Watched "Arlington National Cemetery: Field of Honor" - 18 minutes left, if you want to watch it on your own, it is here.
 * Friday, May 25**

Final exams or government pictionary
 * Thursday, May 24** -

Work on final projects
 * Wednesday May 16-Wednesday May 23**

2. Worked in library on Final Projects.
 * Tuesday, May 15 -**
 * 1.** Signed up here expressing final exam status/plan

1. Returned Branch Exams 2. Discussed Final Exam Options 3. Discussed Final Project - due next Thursday 4. Signed up for final project Work time in library on Final Project
 * Monday, May 14** - Met in library

1. Took Branch Exam. 2. Learned about final project and exam. Look in "Assignments" for details.
 * Friday, May 10 -**

Worked on review packets in class. Reminder: Branch exam on Thursday.
 * Tuesday & Wednesday 5/8 & 5/9**

Took Judicial Branch quiz. Corrected the quiz. If the quiz helped you, you turned it in to be scored officially - if it would have hurt you, you hung onto it and will use for review/prep for Thursday's exam. Received review packet (all present, if you lose yours, see Ms Wolfe otherwise it will not be posted online)
 * Monday, May 7** -


 * Thursday & Friday 5/3 & 4** - Mock Trial and Moot Court.

1. Used this presentation created by students yesterday to fill out this Landmark Case grid (must be finished before Monday's class, most finished during the class hour) 2. If time allowed, students worked on Mock Trial & Moot Court prep for tomorrow and Friday's class.
 * Tuesday, May 2**

Started work on our Landmark Case. Click here for directions.
 * Tuesday, May 1**

1. Collected podcast notes. If people did not complete their podcast notes, they did so in class. 2. Signed up for Mock Trial and Moot Court assignments. 3. Prepped for Mock Trial and Moot Court.
 * Monday, April 30** -

Introduction to basic Judicial Branch vocabulary - click here for the activity and readings. Complete them asap
 * Friday, April 27**

1. Took Executive Branch quiz. If you were absent, take your quiz on your free hour, during lunch, or after school tomorrow. Find Ms Wolfe to take the quiz. 2. Received Judicial Branch calendar, unit reading, and reader's guide (due tomorrow)
 * Thursday, April 26**


 * Wednesday, April 25 -**
 * Finish "The Short List."
 * Reminder, review activities are on the wiki under "Assignments" for tomorrow's Executive Branch quiz.

1. Finish Monday's stations. 2. Complete Appointments front side of worksheet 3. Saw first 3.5 minutes of West Wing's "The Short List."
 * Tuesday April 24 -**

1. Stations on Executive Branch - be sure you finish them before Thursday's quiz so you have all necessary information. Green/Foreign Policy = Blue/Clemency: [|file 1] & [|file 2] [|Pink/Vetoes, click here] [|White(TG)/Line of Succession, click here] [|Red/Impeachment, click here] Manilla/Wrap-it-Up, click here
 * Monday, April 23**

Finished Executive Privilege
 * Friday, April 20**

1. [|Watched videos from this playlis]t. Wrote down the video name, president, and which of the 8 roles is represented in the video clip. 2. Started learning about executive privilege (5 minutes)
 * Thursday, April 19**

The question was raised in class: what do presidents do after they are no longer the sitting president? CBS News offers this 5 minute video to answer that question - you might find it interesting :) [FYI = they call their video "Executive Privilege," they don't mean the concept of executive privilege we studied in class...]

1. Discussed Secret Service/Military scandal in Colombia 2. Went over 8 roles of the president and meanings of them. Read this if you have questions after what you read in your Executive Branch Unit Reading (7 are covered in the link, see your reading for #8). 3. Looked at artifacts from the Smithsonian Exhibit on the American Presidency. Pick 8 artifacts. Determine which role they are representing and explain why.
 * Wednesday, April 18**

1. Play "Executive Command" 2. Watch (with headphones) the 11 minute video on a day in President Obama's life 3. Work on an assignment for this unit.
 * Tuesday, April 17 -**

1. Receive Executive Branch unit calendar, discuss due dates and schedule 2. Turn in Executive Branch Reader's Guide 3. Discuss filibusters, finish West Wing video from 4/12
 * Monday, April 16 -**

Take Legislative Branch Quiz, receive Executive Branch reader's guide and corresponding reading.
 * Friday, April 13 -**

West Wing video on the filibuster. If you were absent, please read about the filibuster here. Take notes and be sure if you have questions, you ask Ms Wolfe asap
 * Thursday, April 12** -

Legislative Branch apps, looking at the Legislative Branch on the iPod Touch apps. If you were absent, check out this news site and write about at least 5 news events happening on Capitol Hill.
 * Wednesday, April 11 -**


 * Tuesday, April 10 -**
 * Received handout on Legislative Process, used the following links to complete it:
 * Legislative Process if a bill begins in the House of Representatives
 * Glossary to learn about the override
 * About the filibuster ("Only in the Senate")
 * If time remains, work on homework assignment due tomorrow **or** for bonus, create an illustrated flow chart showing the process of a bill becoming a law if the bill begins in the US Senate.

Shared blabbers - watched NBC evening news (free from iTunes) from 4/4
 * Thursday, April 5**

([|If it plays, the example is here]) 2. Put a link to your Blabber on your wiki page before tomorrow's class. 3. If [|Blabberize isn't working, this is the last resort (it is a new tool and you need to read on-screen directions to work.]
 * Wednesday, April 4**
 * 1. [|Created our Blabberize]**[|on Expressed & Implied powers]

1. Discussed Expressed/Implied powers - specifically their definition 2. Turned in notebooks. 3. Went to the computer lab. Have the above bullet points complete prior to coming to class tomorrow. If you were absent, send Ms Wolfe an email so you can get your topic and do as much as possible before tomorrow's class.
 * Tuesday, April 3**
 * Drew an expressed/implied powers slip
 * In a Google doc: type the powers and where the expressed power is found in the Constitution (Article, Section and Clause)
 * Write down how the two are related
 * Researched an example of each in action. Wrote a description/overview of the news story or event and cited the URL it in a Google doc
 * Found one picture to represent each power

Introduction to Expressed & Implied powers 1. Watch "The Powers of Congress" As you watch, take notes on the things Congress can do and if they are listed in the Constitution (expressed) or not (implied) 2. Complete Expressed or Implied activity (paper handout) 3. Receive this notebook check form and have remaining class time to work on it. Be sure they are completed **upon your arrival to class** tomorrow or they will be docked late.
 * Monday, April 2** -

1. [|Play LawCraft (register in case you don't finish in class)] 2. If you finish, play Represent Me!
 * Friday, March 30 -** Gaming through the Legislative Branch basics

Finish Wednesday's presentation, watch the video on slide 9 and click on //**all links**//, especially those on the last slide. Understand kidnapping, hijacking, bleaching, cracking and packing. Received and started working on this gerrymandering exercise, please bring it completed to class tomorrow. Tomorrow we meet in lab 106.
 * Thursday, March 29 -** continuation of yesterday.

1.Received the new unit calendar : [|LegBr_UnitSheetW.pdf] 2. Collected Leg. Br. Readers' guide 3. Started learning about Apportionment and redistricting. If you were absent, click through the presentation including all underlined text (leads to internet sites) read all connected articles and watch all videos. media type="custom" key="13565700"
 * Wednesday, March 28 - Apportionment, Redistricting, Gerrymandering**


 * Tuesday, March 27 -**
 * Finished exploring the links on this document addressing the legal challenges of the Health Care Reform Act (after the line in the document). If you were absent, click through the articles and watch at least 2 of the videos. Take notes on what you learn.
 * If time allowed, we went to the computer lab and explored "The Impact of Congress." After clicking on the link, scroll down and click the picture next to the title, "Impact of Congress." The starting point is here.
 * If people finished the Impact of Congress and time was still remaining, explore yesterday's Supreme Court activities and today's agenda in the Court

Explored the links on this document which walked the class through the history of the Health Care Reform Act which is being challenged in the Supreme Court this week. If you were absent, click on each link and take notes on what happened and when in the videos/articles you see.
 * Monday, March 26 -**


 * SPRING BREAK**

Shared infographics Watched CBS evening news for 3/15 (from iTunes)
 * Friday, March 16 -**

Work in computer lab on infographics.
 * Tuesday-Thursday, March 13-15**

1. Stamp homework on voting. media type="custom" key="12945056"
 * Monday, March 12 -** Introduction to Infographics

Click here to access the handout (print and read if you were absent!) To learn more (or especially if you were absent), check out this tutorial. Be sure to finish the homework assigned for tomorrow.

Presentation: Handout: Side notes: learn Roman Numerals And for fun...
 * Friday, March 9 -** Suffrage.

Go to computer lab and play election game(s). Follow the directions and start with game 1 which you will find here.
 * Thursday, March 8 -**

1. Received unit calendar. 2. Explored the remainder of the Electoral College. If you were absent or would like to review, please check out these two links: Link 1 Link 2 3. Explored Super Tuesday results. Please check out these links: Link 1 Link 2 Link 3 4. Worked on an activity exploring past elections and electoral college results.
 * Wednesday, March 7 -**

1. Explored slides and links through the general election and started the electoral college. Be sure to check out the links on the presentation __**and**__ click on all links.
 * Tuesday, March 6 -**

1. Collected elections & voting readers' guide 2. Explored slides 1-7 of the following presentation. Click on the underlined text in the presentation to access links which will help you understand the concepts presented on the slides. media type="custom" key="12835812"
 * Monday, March 5**

//About tomorrow:// //Romney v Santorum...//

1. Took exam on the Foundations of the Constitution 2. Received reading on elections & voting and readers' guide (due Monday, Tuesday if you were absent on 3/2) on elections and voting. 3. Received unit calendar (will be posted on 3/2 after class)
 * Friday, March 2**

Collected and graded the Constitution Introduction readings Made it clear that all work for this unit must be completed prior to coming to class tomorrow (the end of the unit) Went over the details regarding tomorrow's exam (has been posted for 2 weeks on the "Assignments" page) Work time to prep for tomorrow's exam.
 * Thursday, March 1 -**

Completed station activities revisiting the documents which were studied in our homework as well as the Virginia Declaration of Rights and the English Bill of Rights. See Ms Wolfe to make arrangements to make this up if you were absent.
 * Monday Feb. 27 & Tuesday, February 28 -**

Went to the computer lab. Received the handout below outlining the US Constitution. Completed an activity comparing the AOC to the Constitution and learning about the changes made by the Constitution. C lick here to access the questions. Copy them into your own Google Doc, complete them, print this document and put it into your notebook.
 * Friday, February 24:** Meet the Constitution

1. Check in documents homework (Weds). 2. Talked through an overview of life in the Colonies/new US around 1776 (print, read, and add to your notes the pdf which is below if you were absent (Weds). 3. Watched the video, "Saving the National Treasures." If you were absent, explore the "Inquiry and Interview" and "Interactives and Overview sections of the website.
 * Wednesday, February 22 & Thursday, February 23-** The Declaration of Independence

1. Stamped in philosopher notes & quotes homework 2. Walked through this presentation 3. Used the handout below and worked with a partner to make connections between which philosopher's ideas supported which of the 5 principles of the Constitution. Be sure to complete this activity and see Ms Wolfe if you have questions, this is preliminary prep for your unit exam.
 * Tuesday, February 21 -** Wrap up philosophers & make connections

Read and answer the questions for 3 of the philosophers (all are in the pdf which is below). Answer the questions in complete sentences so you can understand them later.
 * Friday, February 17 -** Philosopher Readings!

We went to lab 106 today and worked on this activity. It is listed on your assignment sheet and the assignments page of this wiki and should be complete by Tuesday 2/21 for on-time credit.
 * Thursday, February 16 -** Philosopher Day!

1. Checked in homework. (Constitution reading questions) 2. Created a 5-fold brochure following these instructions. 3. On the front, the long edge of the brochure, we wrote "The Five Principles of the Constitution." 4. On each flap of the 5, we wrote one of the 5 principles of the Constitution (see the Constitution reading handed out 2/14) See example of both 3 & 4 here. 5. On the inside top flap (the other side of where the principles were written), we wrote the definitions of each principle. 6. On the space above the words, we created an illustration for each one using the clipart from this page. 7. We received this handout on the Constitution and used [|the text of the Constitution]to complete the first page, Articles I-VII
 * Wednesday, February 15 -**

1. Take [|quiz on political spectrum] 2. Receive unit calendar 3. Receive unit reading (due tomorrow, attached below), work on it for time remaining.
 * Tuesday, February 14 -**

1. Be sure the political ad work with your partner is finished and posted to both of your wiki pages. 2. Be sure your headlines activity from Friday is checked by Ms Wolfe and glued into the notebook correctly for reference. 3. Be sure all of your assignments for this unit (listed on the unit calendar) are complete - after 9am tomorrow, no credit will be given for them. 4. Draw a political spectrum without looking at your notes. Include on it the following. When finished, check your answers with your notes. You will be asked to draw this tomorrow also. 4. Be sure you can identify statements and positions as liberal or conservative. R ead this article if you would like to review the content and ask any questions you have to clarify as needed. 5. You could also check out this infographic 6. FYI, the format includes at least one activity simliar to what we did at each part of class thus far including cartoon analysis and your thoughts on the cartoonists (videos from 2/8). See you tomorrow :)
 * Monday, February 13** - Exam Prep
 * Liberal
 * Conservative
 * Republicans
 * Democrats
 * Communists
 * Socialists
 * Fascists
 * Green Party
 * Libertarians


 * Friday, February 10 - Print Media Bias Exercise **
 * Discuss: [|Headlines Practice]
 * Discuss: Political newspaper images (Star Tribune Coleman v Mondale)
 * Learning Activity: Create the Liberal Line and the Conservative Chronicle from the headlines, images & cartoons on the provided pages (activity & directions on the pdf below).

** Thursday, February 9 - Political Ad bias **  In class: [|We watched as many of these ads as time allow] s (click on the URL to see the list of 7, click the right or left arrow until you see "view in a new window" - when you see that, click on it and the video will appear in a new window).  [] In the computer lab: Worked with a partner to complete this learning activity. (If you were absent, please complete the activity on your own.)
 * While we watched each ad, we watched for bias and identified propaganda techniques used.

1. Interviews with political cartoonists.
 * Wednesday, February 8**
 * Watched from :25 seconds to 1:06 and 3:-8:00 of this interview with an editorial cartoonist.
 * Watched the first 22 minutes of this video with a second editorial cartoonist. (Pay close attention to his drawing of the presidents).

2. Identifying bias in the media.
 * We received this handout on propaganda techniques and read it as a class (if you were absent, be sure to read it and either print it or get a copy from Ms Wolfe tomorrow to have in your 3-ring as reference.

1. Be sure you finished writing notes/answering q's through slide 5 on yesterday's presentation (listed under Monday's #2). Click through the others on your own, think about the answers (you don't have to write them if you don't want to). 2. Check your answers to yesterday's cartoons here. Discuss with your neighbor, brain-buddy from yesterday and/or Ms Wolfe if you have any questions. 3. Complete the activity listed on slide 11 of yesterday's presentation (listed under Monday's #2).
 * Tuesday, February 7 -**

BTW - it is caucus day in Minnesota! At 7pm, over 4,000 statewide neighborhood meetings organized by political party will transpire. If you would like to participate (are a legal US citizen, resident of MN, and will be 18 by November 6, 2012), click here to find where your precinct is and check it out!

Introduce political cartoon analysis. 1. Completed this activity. Took notes on this handout. 2. Practiced identifying the techniques used in this cartoon presentation as directed on the first slide. media type="custom" key="12364734"
 * Monday, February 6 -**

Finished the activity analyzing the Republican Candidates for president in 2012. Use the handout posted under 2/2 if you don't have one. Be sure the handout is completed.
 * Friday, February 3 -**

1. Finished answers of political party platform activity started yesterday. 2. Used this article to learn about the Republican candidates for president. Linked blind positions to candidates. 3. Received this handout - will complete it tomorrow.
 * Thursday, February 2 -**

Used this packet of "blind" party platforms. Determined where they fall on the political spectrum, drew this into our notebooks. Goal: start identifying degrees of liberal/conservative beliefs.
 * Wednesday, February 1**

With a sub, completed the following activities. Directions are on each sheet. 1. Liberal or Conservative? Print and complete. 2. What are political parties and political platforms? Print and complete.
 * Tuesday, January 31 -**

1. Handed out unit calendar. (If you were absent, be sure to print it out!) 2. Went over slides 7-14 in the presentation posted under 1/27.
 * Monday, January 30 -**

1. Checked in 1: 3-ring notebooks & loose-leaf paper. 2. Explained on-time system for our class (in-notebook work, if completed on time gets a blue stamp worth 2 points which is in addition to the quality grade. Late work must be completed within the unit of study and is eligible for a red stame worth 1 point in addition to the quality grade. People returning from a 1-day absence are expected to bring their completed work to class upon return for on-time credit. People returning from multiple-day absences are expected to complete the work within the same number of days they were absent. E.g. 2 days absent, have the work completed within 2 days of return.) 3. Started learning about the political spectrum and political ideology (slides 1-6). Received this handout (if absent, be sure to print a copy) media type="custom" key="12251016"
 * Friday, January 27**

Continued to work on our State of the Union analysis - it is due tomorrow, posted to your wiki page. Joined the wiki (check student email, follow the directions written in the message and on the screen - you will need to set up an account)
 * Thursday, January 26**

1. Discuss State of the Union reflections 2. Listened to this 9 minute story fact checking the State of the Union 3. Joined the class wiki (if you were absent, see Ms Wolfe on your lunch on the day you return to take care of setting this up!) 4. Started to work on this activity analyzing State of the Union addresses.
 * Wednesday, January 25**

1. Welcome to class 2. Receive unit calendar with materials requirements and initial due dates 3. Explore the background for tonight's State of the Union (see presentation below) 4. Receive State of the Union Viewing Guide (optional - to print, select "File" under the title of the document, then "download pdf" then print) media type="custom" key="12188903" Link to see Mrs. Obama's guest list biographies
 * Tuesday, January 24**