Sorry for the delay in getting our blog updated this week.  To be honest, I completely forgot.  Ms. Shaw reminded me and then I got distracted.  So, better late than never!!  We finally finished STAR tests — hopefully they all went well for you.  We are in the home stretch of the school year.  Try and stay focused.

On Saturday, May 19, we will be offering DSA school again.  It will be open to all sophomores, juniors and seniors.  It is an opportunity to retake tests, to make up some assignments and to work on the larger projects are due.  It was a great success last semester so, if you need to do some work in your classes use Saturday to improve your grades.

The last week of content in World History we talked about some of the events that took place after World War II creating the Cold War.  This week we will study how the Cold War caused conflicts around the world. In US History we examined US foreign policy in the 1930s and began to watch Schindler’s List to discuss US response to the holocaust.  We will continue that examination this week and we will work on a group writing assignment analyzing US response.  In Government we finished studying the executive branch and began to look at the amendment process and our Bill of Rights.  This week we will continue to examine the Bill of Rights and then discuss the judicial branch as outlined in our Constitution.

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TESTS

World History:  5/24

US History: 5/17

Government: 5/17

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Homework

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World History

5/16 — Cold War Vocabulary and Timeline

5/18 — Final draft of Implementation Plan – book printed for Multimedia, website complete for Computer Science

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US History

5/14 — US Response to the Holocaust (part 1)

5/15 — US Response to the Holocaust (part 2)

5/16 — Schindler’s List questions

5/17 — Study Guide OR Ch. 11 sect. 3 #1, 3, 5; sect. 4 #1-5; Ch. 16 sect. 1 #1-5; sect. 3 #1-5

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Government

5/15 — Bill of Rights Handout

5/16 — Bill of Rights (and others) cartoons

5/17 — Study Guide OR Ch. 3 sect. 2 #1-6; sect. 3 #1, 4 – 6; Ch. 13 sect. 4 #2-5; sect. 5 #1-4, 6; Ch. 18 sect. 1 #2-5; Sect. 3 #1-5

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Over the weekend I had the privilege to travel down to Lake San Antonio to watch my 60 year-old dad compete in the Wildflower Triathlon (1 mile swim followed by a 25 mile bike ride and then a 6 mile run).  It’s one of the most difficult triathlons there is and it was the first one my dad has ever done.  He had a goal that he worked hard for and was able to accomplish, it’s such an incredible feeling and I’m so proud of what he was able to do!

Back to school…happy STAR testing week!  I hope that you were all able to get some good rest over the weekend and that juniors and sophomores are prepared to take the STAR test.  Remember to take your time with the questions, think about each one that you read and do the best you can.  You have all learned A LOT of History this year, give yourself time to access all the knowledge you have and good luck!

In World History we are taking a break in our Cold War study for STAR testing.  We have the World History test Monday & Tuesday and then you have the Life Science test in class on Thursday & Friday.  Just because we aren’t learning history though doesn’t mean that Legacy of Imperialism stops.  Don’t forget that you have the first draft of your entire development plan due on Friday, 5/11.  In US History last week we wrapped up our study of World War I by looking at how the United States reverted back to an isolationist policy after the war and this week we will take a look at the foreign policy that was developed as a result of the rise of dictators in Europe during the 1930s.  In Government we will begin to examine the constitutional amendment process, both formal and informal, and start our study of some of the more important amendments.

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Test Dates:

World History — 5/24

US History — 5/17

Government — 5/17

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Homework

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World History

5/7 — Notebooks collected & outline extra credit

5/11 — Draft 1 of entire Development Plan

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U.S. History

5/10 — Ch. 16 Sec. 1 Guided Reading

5/11 — US Response to Holocaust and final draft of Issue Narrative

5/14 — US Response to Holocaust

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Government

5/7 — Electoral College Article

5/8 — Ch. 3 sect. 2 & 3 guided reading

5/9 — Amending the Constitution handout

5/10 — Bill of Rights worksheet (end of the period)

5/11 — Bill of Rights & others cartoons

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I never really feel old until I see how old my children are getting.  This last weekend we celebrated by daughter’s 4th birthday.  I look at her and can’t believe how big she has gotten in just four years.  It seems like yesterday, we were anxiously awaiting her arrival.  Now, when I look at her I can see just how quickly time passes.  It is even more that way when I look at my son.  Again, it was just yesterday when he was learning to swim and ride a bike.  Now he is driving — how scary is that?!  One benefit to having kids so far apart is that I really am trying to appreciate the time with Sofi when she is little. When Max was little, I couldn’t wait for him to move onto the next phase.  From infancy to toddler years to school age.  Now I wish I could go backwards just a little bit.  With Sofi, I am not.  I am hoping each stage will last a little longer.  That’s why when I look at pictures of her from when she was born to more recent shots, I am amazed that despite my efforts to slow down and appreciate, it seems to be going by even faster than it did with Max.

As you seniors are getting closer to graduation, many new things will be starting.  You may be thinking about college or moving out of your parent’s house or perhaps it’s just being done with school.  Whatever lays ahead for you, try and savor the moments.  Savor the new experiences and savor the time spent with old friends.

The next two weeks are STAR test weeks.  You will be taking English, math & science this week.  Next week will be social studies.  Remember – try your best.  Your scores demonstrate how well you have learned this year and how well your teachers have taught you.  We are all proud of you and know that your scores will be great!

Last week in World History we began our discussion of what happened in Europe after WWII.  This week we will take a break in our regular content to review all the information we have learned this year in order to prepare for next week’s STAR test.   In US History, we finished studying imperialism and began to examine US involvement in World War I.  This week we will examine the peace process following World War I and begin to understand how it is connected to the causes of World War II.  We will also be reviewing material that is likely to be on the STAR test that we have not yet learned.  In Government, we spent last week examining some of the different political parties in our system. This week you will write a platform for your own political party.  We will also examine how a candidate is elected and discuss the electoral college.

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TESTS

World History:  STAR test 5/7 & 5/8; next regular test 5/17

US History: 5/17

Government: 5/17

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Homework

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World History

5/1 — Fascism Project, letter & propaganda poster

5/4 — LOI: Draft 2 of Impact Analysis and Project Implementation; Draft 1 of the Executive Summary  (remember that the rough draft for you entire country book is due next week, 5/11)

5/7 — Notebook due  (see classroom Table of Contents for required content)

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US History

5/2 – Ch. 11 sect. 4 gd. rdg.

5/4 – 1st Draft of Issue Narrative: All of it put together into one document with subheadings for each section – typed and double spaced

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Government

4/30 – Own political party platform & logo

5/3 — Ch. 13 sect. 4 & 5 guided reading

5/4 — Electoral College Article

– 1st Draft of Utopia Paper

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Spring break is behind us, STAR testing is only a couple of weeks away, and then only about 1 month until semester 2 finals and summer time!  It seems like this year has gone by especially fast, I feel as though I just started teaching most of you.  It’s important that you don’t give up yet, that you stay focused all the way through the end of your last final in June.

And because I haven’t shared any yet…here are a few pictures from Mr. Shaw and I’s spring break trip to Haiti.  The first picture is of our “team” which consisted of my parents and Mr. Shaw and I on the balcony of the house we rented.  The second picture is me with some of the kids at the orphanage where they currently live.  There are 75 children in the orphanage (some of the girls are pictured on the left) with very little play space and not very many amenities (the picture on the right is their kitchen).  The last picture is one of the tent cities in the capital, Port-au-Prince, where millions of people have been living since the earthquake over 2 years ago.

Haiti is truly an incredible country and we can’t wait to go back!
In World History last week we finished up our study of World War II and this week we will take a look at how the end of the war fractured the world and the conflicts that resulted from the split.  In U.S. History we will continue to discuss World War I and how the U.S. was involved.  In Government we discussed the basics of the executive branch to our government and will begin examining the electoral process this week by examining the role of political parties.

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Test Dates:

World History: STAR test 5/7 & 5/8

U.S. History:  4/26

Government:  4/26

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Homework

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World History

4/24 — Space Race worksheet

4/26 — P. 492 #3, 4, & 5

4/27 — Legacy of Imperialism:  Draft 1, Impact Analysis; Draft 1 Project Implementation

5/1 — Fascism poster & letter

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U.S. History

4/23 — Ch. 11 Sec. 1 Guided Reading

4/24 — Ch. 11 Sec. 3 Guided Reading

4/25 — Ch. 11 Sec. 4 Guided Reading

4/26 — Study guide or Ch. 15 Sec. 1 #1 & 4; Sec. 2 #1-3; Sec. 4 #3 & 4; Sec. 5 #1 & 2; Ch. 19 Sec. 2 #1-3; Sec. 3 #1 & 4; Ch. 10 Se. 1 #2 & 3; Sec. 2 #1 & 2; Sec. 3 #1-3; Ch. 11 SEc. 1 #1-2, & 4; Sec. 2 #2-3; Sec. 3 #1, 3, & 5; Sec. 4 #1, 2, & 4

4/27 — Draft 1 Connection to Progressive Movement & Draft 2 Current status of the issue

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Government

4/24 — Ch. 5 sect. 1 & 4 guided reading

4/26 — Ch. 13 sect. 1 #1-4, 6; sect. 2 #-14, sect. 3 #1-3, 5; Ch. 14 sect. 1 #1-4, sect. 2 #2-3, 5, sect. 3 #-1-3, 6, sect. 4 #1-3; Ch. 5 Sect. 1 #1-4, 6; sect. 2 #1-4, sect. 4 #1-3, 5-6 OR Study Guide

4/27 — Political Party Chart & Own Party Platform

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Welcome back from your spring break!  I hope you all had an opportunity to relax and recharge.  I definitely did.  I had the opportunity to go with my family to visit my father in Mexico.  I see my dad about 2 times a year so it is really nice to see him with my children, especially my son, Max.  While watching them together, it occurs to me how much my son is like my father — which is weird since they have only recently really spent time together.  It includes some of his physical characteristics like his curly hair — which I clearly do not have, as well as some of his personality traits.  I enjoy watching them together because it allows my kids to connect with part of my past through my father.

I wish that I had taken advantage of talking to my grandparents and my own parents to learn about their lives.  I think we sometimes forget that some of the best teachers of history our own families.  Not only can they help us discover our family histories but they can also teach us something about the history you are learning about in class.  They can give you a perspective that may be different from your teachers.  So, as we are learning about some of the events in history or some of the current events connected to government, take a few minutes to speak to your parents and grandparents.  You never know what you may learn.

We are into the 4th quarter — so the end is in sight.  Stay focused as we move through this quarter.  We will also begin to prepare for the STAR test, which is an important indicator of how successful our school is at teaching you.  In World History you will continue your study of World War II.  On Wednesday, we will be visiting UC Berkeley to explore the campus. In US History, we will finish our study of consumerism in the 1950s and we will begin our unit of the US as a world power by looking at the growth of imperialism and US involvement in World War I.  On Tuesday we will be visiting SF State University and explore their campus. In Government we are finishing our Timeline of Discontent project and will begin our study of the Executive Branch to our government.

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TESTS

World History:  STAR test, 5/7 & 5/8

US History: 4/26

Government: 4/26

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Homework

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World History

4/18 — UC Berkeley visit

4/20 — College Reflection; Legacy of Imperialism:  Project Proposal, draft 2

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US History

4/17 — SF State Visit

4/18 – Ch. 10 sect. 1 guided reading

4/19 — Ch. 10 sect. 3 guided reading

4/20 — College Reflection

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Government

4/17 — Executive Branch Scavenger Hunt

4/18 — Timeline of Discontent One Pagers & Reader assignments

4/19 — Ch. 13 sect. 1 & 2 guided reading

4/20 — Ch. 14 sect. 1 & 2 guided reading

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You’re almost there, welcome to the last week before spring break!  Last weekend I couldn’t believe that spring break was 2 weeks away, I didn’t even feel like I was ready for a break.  Now I’m quite excited that it’s here and I’m certainly looking forward to a break.  Mr. Shaw and I are heading back to Haiti for our spring break so we won’t have much time for rest and relaxation but it will be a time to recharge and break out of our daily routines.

In World History we will continue our study of World War II and look at how the Allied Powers eventually stop the forward momentum of the Axis Powers.  In U.S. History last week we began the “bust” portion of our economics unit by discussing the causes of the Great Depression.  This week we finish that discussion and look at how the United States moved into a booming economy once again in the 1950s.  In Government

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Test Dates

World History — 4/4

U.S. History — 4/26

Government — 4/26

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Homework

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World History

4/4 — Study guide

4/6 — Legacy of Imperialism:  Draft 1 Impact Analysis, Draft 2 Project Proposal (all Ms. Shaw’s group work should be turned into Randy)

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U.S. History

4/3 — Alphabet Soup

4/4 — Ch. 19 Sec. 2 Guided Reading and Alphabet Soup propaganda poster (extra credit)

4/5 — Ch. 19 Sec. 3 Guided Reading

4/16 (Monday we return from spring break) — Draft 1 Current status of the issue your organization addresses, Draft 2 History of the issue

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Government

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March is a long month.  I’m not talking about number of days, but just the feeling.  We have so many breaks between November and February, that March seems endless to me.  I know you are all feeling it too.  I always see a bit of a drop in grades and attitude in students during March.  I call it the winter doldrums.  The weather is usually icky-although we did have a beautiful winter, it looks like the spring is going to be a bit soggy. The end of the school year seems so far away.  However, be assured, that it is not as far away as you may think.

This week is the end of the 3rd quarter.  That means after this next week, we have just one more quarter left of this school year.  3rd quarter grades will be turned in after this week, so it should give you a sense of how you are doing in all of your classes.  Keep in mind that in your DSA classes, you are all working on a project that could have a positive impact on your grade, but won’t be seen until the end of the year.  So, work hard on those projects.  Take the work seriously and pay attention to due dates.  The more work you do now the less you will have to do at the end of the year.

Last week in World History, we continued to examine the rise of dictatorships in the 1930s as we begin to study World War II.  In US History, we began our study of the consumerism of the 1920s and the impact of the rise of consumerism on our society, which we will finish this week as well as begin our study of the Great Depression in the 1930s. In Government, we continued our study of the legislative branch.  This week we will begin an in-depth exploration of your senior reader so make sure you bring your reader beginning on Tuesday as we look at periods of our history where the reality didn’t match up with the utopian ideas about our ideas of democracy.

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TESTS

World History:  4/4

US History: 3/29

Government: 3/29

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Homework

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World History

3/27 — Background to WWII worksheet

3/29 — P. 465 #1, 3, & 5

3/30 — Legacy of Imperialism:  Draft 1 Project Proposal and Draft 2 Description of Need

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US History

3/27 — Ch. 14 sect. 3 guided reading

3/28 — Alphabet Soup

3/29 — Study Guide OR Ch. 9 sect. 3 #1, 3; Ch. 12 sect. 1 #3, 5; sect. 2 #2 & 4; sect. 3 #1&2; Ch. 13 sect. 1 #1-5; sect. 3 #1-3; Ch. 14 sect. 1 #2, 3; sect. 3 #1-3

3/30 — History of Issue Draft #1; Organization & Role Draft #2

Alphabet Soup Propaganda Poster (extra credit)

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Government

3/26 — Mr. Smith Analysis and advertisement

3/29 — Study Guide or Ch. 3 sect. 1 #1-6, Ch. 4 sect. 1 #1-3; Ch. 10 sect. 2 #1, 4, 5, 6; sect. 3 #1-5; Ch. 11 sect. 4 #2 &3; sect. 5 #2; Ch. 12 sect 1 #1-4; sect 3 #1 & 5; sect. 4 #1-3

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My sister is a nurse at Children’s Hospital in Oakland on the hematology/oncology floor.  That means that every day when she goes to work she deals with kids with cancer and blood disorders.  She sees the sickest of the sick and every day she loves them and takes care of them.  While she loves her job, she hopes that one day she is out of a job.  She would love to live in a world where kids don’t get cancer.  Where they don’t have to shave their heads because the medicine that they receive to fight their illness is actually poison and is killing many of their healthy cells along with their sick cells.  She is one of my heroes and because of her and her willingness to serve a group of people many others can’t handle I sat next to her on Saturday and had my head shaved.  Many of her patients and their parents were present to watch as my sister, Andy (her husband), and I all had our heads shaved in solidarity with the kids who are fighting for their lives everyday.  It was a great experience, one I won’t forget.  My hope is that all of you have heroes like my sister, someone who is willing to do the “dirty” or thankless job that many people won’t do or can’t handle doing.  She is an amazing person who I am so lucky to have in my life!

In World History last week we finished studying the outcomes of World War I and began our review of totalitarian leaders who come to power between the two world wars.  This week we will finish that review and begin to look at the road to World War II.  In U.S. History last year we began our study of the 1920s and how the modern advertising industry began during the decade.  This week we will continue our study of the 1920s and looking at the consumer culture that was created in the U.S. after World War I.  In Government we examined the principles to the Constitution and began our study of the Legislative branch.  This week we will continue that study of the legislative branch.

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Test Dates

World History — 3/22

U.S. History — 3/29

Government — 3/29

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Homework

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World History

3/20 — Peace Settlement worksheet

3/22 — Study Guide

3/24 — Legacy of Imperialism: D1 Description of Need, and D2 Country Profile (entire thing)

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U.S. History

3/19 — 1920s Advertising assignment

3/20 — What Ford Hath Wrought (4th/5th only) History Honors — Progressivism DBQ

3/21 — Business in America handout

3/22 — Ch. 13 Sec. 3 Guided Reading

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Government

3/20 — Congress worksheet

3/21 — Ch. 12 sect. 3 & 4 guided reading

3.22 — Ch. 10 sect. 4 guided reading

3/26 — Mr. Smith Ad & Analysis

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I love spring.  The first day of spring is next week but one of the sure signs of spring is daylight savings.  I hate daylight savings time.  I love it in the fall when we gain an hour of sleep — but in the spring, it’s pretty lousy to lose that hour of sleep.  It always seems to come when I am most in need of extra sleep and losing that hour is really felt.  I know that after I adjust it will be great because it will be lighter later and that’s one of the best things about spring and summer.  But right now, I’m feeling pretty groggy.

It occurs to me that it is rather arrogant of us to make this change to time. Historically, it was first implemented during World War I by Germany and its allies.  The early goal was to reduce energy use.  The US adopted it in 1918. The idea is that when the sun rises early then we are wasting daylight time sleeping.  So we shift time so as to not “waste” that time sleeping.  Those in favor argue that it saves energy and promotes outdoor activities, which is good for both our physical and psychological health. Those opposed to it argue that it is disruptive. I don’t really have an opinion on it, time is always relative to me as is evidenced by the fact that every clock in my home is set to a different time, with none of them being accurate.  Regardless of the reason, all I know is that I really missed that hour of sleep this year.

Last week in World History, we studied World War I.  This week we will continue to watch Joyeux Noel and then take a look at the outcomes of the war. In US History began our examination of the Progressive movement during the Industrial Revolution.  We will continue that study this week and begin looking at how your client for Digital Safari Design is connected to this movement.  In Government, we finished studying the foundation for our Constitution and will now examine the principals to the Constitution.  We will also begin our study of the legislative branch under Article I of the Constitution.

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TESTS:

World History: 3/22

US History: 3/22

Government: 3/22

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Homework

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World History

3/14 — WWI Weapons worksheet

3/15 — P. 433 #1, 4, & 6

3/16 — D1 Country Profile Part B (History, Human Rights Status Report)

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US History

3/14 — Ch. 9 sect. 3 Guided Reading

3/15 — Paragraph on Teddy Roosevelt

3/16 — What Ford Hath Wrought

– Issue Identification

3/20 — Honors:  Progressivism DBQ

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Government

3/13 — Separation of Powers Handout

3/14 — Ch. 4 sect. 1 & 2 guided reading

3/15 — Federalism Venn Diagram

3/16 — Ch. 10 sect. 2 &3 guided reading

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Mr. Shaw and I had a meeting over the weekend to discuss our upcoming spring-break trip to Haiti and as I’ve been thinking about the 10th grade Legacy of Imperialism project and the work that I’m doing in Haiti it has made me so thankful for all I have.  What many of you don’t realize is that no matter how little you have here, you are still significantly more wealthy than most of the world.  When I think about Madame Soliette and the 70 orphans that she single-handedly cares for I realize that my problems, our problems, are quite small.  It’s difficult to live in this country and not realize how lucky we are.  Some of you have real issues and problems in your lives, but the fact that you can go to any drinking fountain anywhere in the U.S. and get clean water that is not going to make you sick is a luxury that you shouldn’t look past.  We live in a country with a lot of problems, but we live in a country that has clean water, free public education, and doctors that most people have access to, and for that we are very fortunate and wealthy.  I have seen children in countries all over the world not be able to go to school because their families can’t afford it.  I have seen them cherish their school supplies as though they are the greatest things they have ever been given because it means they don’t have to be on the street or working in a field and then I see so many of you throw away the opportunity you have to be in school.  I know that many of you have not chosen to be here, but believe me when I tell you that your education is a privilege!  Take advantage of the time that you have here, don’t throw it away because there are millions of children all over the world who would give everything to be in your shoes and to be sitting in your seat.

In World History this week we are going to study the Great War, or what most people at the time thought was the War to End All Wars.  In U.S. History we will continue our study of American Industrialization and look at ways that groups tried to address many of the problems brought by industrialization.  In Government we will finish examining the ratification of our Constitution and begin our examination of the Constitution itself.

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Test Dates

World History — 3/8

U.S. History — 3/8

Government — 3/8

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Homework

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World History

3/6 — P. 363 #1, 3 & 4

3/8 — Study Guide

3/9 — Country Profile (Part A, Draft 1) – [MDG Report, Environmental Status Report, Geography/Resource Map]  for more information go to the Project Requirements section of the Project wiki page

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U.S. History

3/7 — Leaders of Progressives chart and paragraph

3/8 — Study Guide or Ch. 5 Sec. 1 #1 # 3; Ch. 6 Sec. 3 #1, 2 & 5; Ch. 7 Sec. 1 #1 & 4, Sec. 2 #1-4; Ch. 9 Sec. 1 # 1 & 2

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Government

3/6 — Federalists/Antifederalist article & questions

3/7 — Federalist and Antifederalist political cartoons

3/8 — Study Guide or Book Questions:  Ch. 2 review pg. 60 #13-15; sect. 2 #1-5, 7; sect. 3 #1-3, 5-6; sect. 4 #-18; sect. 5 #1-2, 5

3/9 — A New Nation Grows Handout

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