9/5/13--Pleasure to meet you today. We don't see each other on Friday, so your homework is to go to two websites which ask you questions that will put your thinking on a political spectrum. The sites are: http://www.theadvocates.org and www.pbs.org/newshour/vote/2012/quiz. You are to take half a page for each and tell me what you learned about the process and/or yourself. Were you suprised by the political label that you were assigned by each of these sites. Due Monday. Thanks, and happy weekend.
CORRECTION TO ABOVE: website for the PBS political quiz should read as follows: www.pbs.org/newshour/vote2012/quiz Sorry/Thanks!
9/10/13--Today we had the test from the summer reading book. I asked you to study the information from the power point presentation as there will be a quiz on it on Thursday. Thanks.
9/11/13--Quiz on Friday on the power point presentation. Study. And, I gave out an assignment today that will be due on Tuesday. It involves reading the Boston Globe article about Crossfire and then watching Crossfire on CNN. Again, it is due on Tuesday. Thanks.
9/16/13--Sorry for delay in posting. I am having technical difficulty with this site using my school computer. Today we read in its entirety, the U.S. Constitution (including 27 Amendments). It took us almost-50 minutes. We did this because tomorrow is Constitution Day and the beginning of Constitution Week. You were asked last Friday to review the Constitution and to note all 7 Articles and all 27 Amendments for a quiz on Thursday. Also, due tomorrow, is the Crossfire assignment noted above. Thanks. 9/17/13--Sorry, but I can't get this to return. You will have a quiz on Thursday on the Constitution. Use the copy that I gave you in class today to take brief notes on the 7 Articles and the 27 Amendments. I also gave you a reading with questions which will be due on Monday, 9/22. Thanks.
9/19/13--Reading response due on Monday (Wasserman Chapter 1). Questions are at the end of the reading. Type if possible. Thanks.
9/24/13--Test on ALL of Chapter 3 on Friday -- we are still working on some of it, but you should be studying what we have already gone over and pre-read the remainder of the chapter. Also, I gave out Chapter 2 from Wasserman. Read and respond to the questions at the end. This is due on Friday. 9/27/13--We had a test on Chapter 3 today. Homework which will be due on Tuesday is 1) complete the handout on Chapter 1, Section 1 AND 2) read thoroughly Chapter 1, Section 2 AND 3, and highlight the important information as you are reading (I will be giving you notes on these sections, but you must read it as well!). Happy weekend, Go Presidents. 10/1/13--I returned Friday's test to you and we went over it. You read today's Boston Globe about the government shutdown. I assigned homework: read both "government" stories in the magazines that you took. Then, answer the 10 multiple choice questions and the 6 in-depth questions over at the side on the separate sheet. This is due on Thursday. We will be covering all of Chapter 1 tomorrow and you can expect a quiz on it on Monday (it should be a review chapter for you). Thanks. 10/3/13--I graded and returned all papers and everyone should know their grades in my class. I collected homework noted above and we went over the multiple choice section. You are to hold on to the magazines because you will be writing a paper soon and will want to use them as a source. Homework is to complete the handout on Chapter 1, section 4. On Monday we will go over that. Tuesday will be a quest (75 points) for all of Chapter 1 and the political words of the day to-date. So, re-read Chapter 1 and brush up on the political terms. 10/8/13--We had our quest today and then we went over the answers. I had you take 5 papers. Your homework is to READ in its entirety the Chapter 6 from the AP book on the origins of government (I think it's about 10 pages). Have this read for our class on Friday. Also, for written homework I gave you the Upfront article on the Electoral College along with an answer sheet. Do the multiple choice ON the actual handout, but write the answers to the in-depth questions on a separate sheet. Please type if possible, if not, your careful penmanship would be appreciated. Thanks! 10/10/13--Homework as noted above is due on Friday. 10/11/13--Homework is to complete a timeline on chapter 2, section 2. (I found 21 items to post. And, nothing major here: just a date, a dash, followed by event. Of course, if you don't remember the event you might want to state more details. Thanks, and happy long weekend! 10/16/13--I collected the timeline on Tuesday and graded it. I will return it on Thursday. Also, yesterday I gave a homework on the Texas v. Johnson flag burning Supreme Court case. I collected your written work and we spent the period discussing it. Yesterday I gave you a paper assignment which will be due on November 12th (I told you this can't be late and that I can't copy it for you. Use tonight and tomorrow to get your thoughts together so it doesn't come down to the wire in getting it done. So, no written homework due on Friday, but know that some assessment on ALL of chapter 3 is coming next week. Thanks. 10/21/13--Sorry I didn't post this on Friday, but what I told you on Friday was that today during the double you would have a quiz/test using a match-up format, multiple choice and an essay on the Electoral College. You went way longer than was expected. I wanted only to use the first half of the double, but you had an extra 15 minutes. This won't happen in the future. Your answers to the essay question were given to you on the board last week, AND you knew the essay question in advanced. We then began watching Constitution USA. I gave you Chapter 4 packet and asked that you read all of the tables/pictures in Chapter 4, Section 1. Be ready to discuss these tomorrow. 10/24/13--Today we went over the handout on Chapter 4, Section 1. Tonight's homework is to begin the AP review section on Federalism. I expect at some point next week to give you a test --AP category-- covering Chapters 1, 2, 3 and 4. When you don't have written homework you are meant to be reading the AP study guides. Also, remember that you are working on a paper that will be due on November 12th. Again, it can't be late. Thanks. 10/25/13--During the double we finished up the handouts on Chapter 4, section 1. We finished the first of the four episodes of the GBH special, Constitution USA. No written homework tonight, but a reminder that you will have a test on Thursday -- it is a double, but you can only have 45 minutes for the test. We will have a mini-AP exam. I have given you the readings that you need to study (they read Chapters 6 & 7). There will be other written homework next week, so don't leave the reading until then. Happy weekend. 10/29/13--Homework is to read Chapter 4, sections 3 and 4. Then, answer in full sentences questions 1-4 from Chapter 3 and then 1-5 from Chapter 4. This is due on Wednesday. We will review it and you will have a test on all four chapters on Thursday (the first half of the double). Thanks! 11/1/13--The test you took yesterday was graded and returned to you with BOTH that test grade AND your quarter one report card grade -- no surprises for your history grade. Do get your community service forms in soon. If I had the forms by today you will get a COMPLETE on your report card. If not, get it in soon for the next report card. I gave you the Wasserman handout on the Legislative Branch. It is a long reading with questions. Answers will be due on Wednesday. And, you have a paper that is due on Tuesday, November 12th. Thanks. 11/8/13--Your papers on the gridlock in our nation's capital are due on Tuesday. Do not be late with this, do not ask me to print it for you, do not email it to me, and do not be late -- PLEASE. We are working on Chapter 5 -- Congress. This is a lot of material to understand, so as time permits do re-read the Wasserman chapter as well. Do thank a veteran this weekend (or thank a veteran on any day!), and enjoy the long weekend. 11/13/13--Sorry for delay again. So, last night you had to complete Chapter 5, Section 2. I collected these and will return them tomorrow. In class we looked at the 51st state (not Puerto Rico, but Colorado wanting to secede). We then watched the second episode of Constitution USA. There is NO written homework tonight, but of course there is a test coming on all of Chapter 5 -- and it is BIG. So, start to reread the Chapter handout and the Wasserman article (which I graded and returned to you). Also, I collected your papers on the gridlock in Congress and expect to read and grade them when I am in Virginia -- at Madison's home studying the U.S. Constitution! Stay tuned for weekend homework. 11/14/13--Your homework is to review and study Chapter 5, sections 1 & 2 as you will have a quiz on these sections on Monday. Happy weekend. 11/19/13--Yesterday we had the quiz on Chapter 5, sections 1 & 2. And, I returned to you your graded papers on why our government isn't working. I also gave you a copy of an AP section on Congress. This is to be read as we will be having a test on Congress before we break for Thanksgiving. Also, homework tonight is to report to me on how you are going to get a copy of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington so you can watch it during the Thanksgiving break. Finally, I gave written homework which will be due on Friday that includes answering from the packet, Chapter 5, section 3, questions 1-4, and then Chapter 5, section 4, sections 1-5. Thanks. 11/26/13--We had a test today on Chapter 5. Your homework is to watch Mr. Smith Goes to Washington -- you can get this on You Tube. There will be a quiz on this on Monday when we get back. Also, you have to have read the article on the front of Friday's Boston Globe about Democrats changing the filibuster rules (this is what the movie is about too). Happy, happy Thanksgiving to you all. I am most thankful to have you all in my life. 12/1/13--Today (Monday) we had our quiz on Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Then, I returned your tests with the open responses graded and we graded together the multiple choice questions. Homework tonight is to read last week's Globe article about the Supreme Court hearing on mandatory coverage of contraceptives under the Affordable Health Care Act/Obamacare. I want you to write about five sentences summarizing the article. Thanks. 12/3/13--Today we began work on Chapter 6, section 1. Tonight's homework is to review the small section on Removal Power. There will be a homegrade-grade-25-points quiz on this section tomorrow. Also, I asked you to consider how you will get a copy of Nickel and Dimed so that we can read it as a group (not together in class, but as a group!). Thanks. 12/4/13--We had a quick homework grade quiz on the Removal Process of the president (Chapter 6, section 1). We started to go over the hand-out from this section. Homework is to read 6,2 and to answer questions 1-4 in full detail AND to complete the handout for 6,3. I will not be in on Friday as I am on a field trip with another class. You are to get the Globe and read all the stories on page A2 and then recap them (in your own works -- not a group assignment). Also look at the political cartoon on the second to last page at the end of section 1. Work with the sub is graded work and MUST be left with the sub -- you can't take it home. The other Chapter 6 homework will be due on Monday. Finally, I asked you to get a copy of Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich and to have it in class for the Wednesday before we break. That will be a homework assignment -- getting the book here on time. You can buy it (new or used) or you can borrow it from the library. Thanks. 12/9/13--Today we went over the notes you did while watching Reagan on Friday with the sub. Good work. I then collected your homework for chapter 6 and we are almost finished with going over it. You will have an open-notes quest (75 points) on Thursday. So, homework for the next couple of nights is to study. Sometimes open notes is harder because you start second-guessing yourself. So, study, study, study. And, work on getting the book, Nickel and Dimed in place for next Wednesday's class (not this Wednesday's). Thanks. 12/10/13--Open notes QUEST on Chapter 6 on Wednesday. I would still study so that you can find the answers more easily. Thanks. 12/12/13--We had out quest today. We will go over it in class tomorrow. Do get busy finding your book for next week, Nickel and Dimed (you're either buying it or getting it from the library -- but if you wait until the last minute you will be late!). 12/13/13--We went over yesterday's quest. We looked at stories in today's Globe about the House compromising to pass a budget. I passed out Chapter 7 and gave you a handout to complete for Chapter 7, Section 1. This will be due on Wednesday (together with your book which is also a homework assignment). I will have sub coverage on Monday and you need to watch Reagan and take notes just as you did the last time I was out. Leave this work with the sub. Thanks, happy weekend.
12/18/13--(the dates above are wrong -- sorry). Today I gave you a grade for having the Nickel and Dimed book in place. We looked at the back cover and some of the praise for the book. We began to go over the homework, the 7,1 handout. I quickly graded it and returned it. I asked that you study this for a quick homework grade tomorrow. I also returned the Reagan notes that you took with the sub on Monday. Four of you were out, so each of you needs to replace that assignment (get a Boston Globe, read all of page A2, summarize each of the stories, and return your summaries and the copy of page A2 to me by the Friday when we return. There is no homework for the break, enjoy it. But, do bring your copy of the book to class each day as we may use it. Thanks. 12/20/13--Merry Christmas. No homework over break. Today we read some of Nickel and Dimed. Happy New Year! 1/7/14--Happy New Year. Today we looked at the calendar for the next couple of weeks. 1--You need to read in its entirety, Nickel and Dimed. Questions/essay for this will be part of the midpoint. It will account for at least 25% of the midterm. So, get reading. 2--Tomorrow we will go over the 7,2 homework that I forgot that I assigned over the break -- or at least you got it because I didn't see you yesterday. 3--I gave you the list of political terms of the day and there will be a homework grade quiz on these on Thursday. 4--We will be finishing up chapter 7 by this Thursday. On Monday, expect a test on the chapter -- no essays, just matching and multiple choice. Thanks. 1/10/14--As already noted above, you will have a test on Chapter 7 on Monday. There won't be any open responses or essays in order to give you a break before the midterm on January 23rd -- Thursday. Study, thanks, and happy weekend. 1/14/13--Yesterday, Monday, we had the Chapter 7 test and we graded and reviewed it in class. Last night's homework was to read Nickel and Dimed. Today in class I showed you all your grades. I discussed taking the AP exam. In class we did an Upfront reading on the "Nuclear" option taken by the Democrats in regards to the filibuster when applying to judicial nominees. We then started reading a Globe article on the minimum wage. Homework -- WHICH IS DUE ON FRIDAY -- is to sign online for the Boston Globe. Go to: bostonglobenie.newspaperdirect.com; username is qhshistory; passwork is mcmillen. Read TODAY's paper (1/14). Articles as follows: pA2 Key appeals court overhaul finished; pA2 Justices seem to hold strict review...; pA11 How to manage a Crisis. Do notes on all of these. And, continue reading your book. This will be the last written homework before your midterm next week. I will give you the study guide on Friday. Thanks. 1/28/14--So, we are back! Everyone got their midterms back and their quarter two grades. I won't see you on Wednesday and on Thursday you will have a sub because I am helping with ACCESS testing. On Thursday you will watch the President's State of the Union. Paying attention to this because I will quiz on both the State of the Union and the two Boston Globe articles that I gave you. The quiz is on Friday during the double. I told you with both of the articles that you can make a list of 10 bullet points for each which you can use for the quiz. Don't forget to bring it. I also gave you Chapter 8. You need to read Chapter 8, Section 1, and and answer questions 1-5 for Friday. Finally, I gave you copies of the Wasserman book on the Executive Branch and the Federal Bureaucracy. Answer the discussion questions at the end and this is due on Wednesday of next week (I won't see juniors on Monday because that will be your class assembly). Thanks! 2/6/14--Parent/Teacher Conferences tonight! So, I saw the seniors on Monday as the juniors had an assembly. During class we discussed the presidential future for 2016. I didn't see you on Tuesday and yesterday was a snow day. I know you seniors are loving it, but we have work to do! Today, I collected the Wasserman questions. I gave you a hand out on the electing the president. This must be completed by tomorrow's class. I also put on the board the breakdown of team work so that we can get through Chapter 8, both sections 3 and 4. You each are to do notes on your respective sections as assigned and bring them to class tomorrow. Looking ahead, you will have a test on Chapters 8 and 9 on Thursday of next week (barring no more snow days). There will be homework this weekend and all of next week so we can get through this. I will be out on Friday as I am taking a group to Harvard. But, you will have an in-class graded assignment, so be here and leave your work with the sub. There will NOT be homework over vacation, so work hard the next week and a half. Over vacation, I will be at Harvard's Model Congress with four from our class! Thanks. 2/7/14--I gave you the AP section for the Executive Branch and the Bureaucracy. I also gave you Chapter 9, and you need to read Section 1 and answer questions 1-5. This is due on Monday. Happy weekend. 2/10/14--We went over the homework, Chapter 9, section 1. I returned the Wasserman homework. Tonight's homework is to read Chapter 9, sections 2 and 3 and answer questions 1-5 of BOTH sections. This is due on Wednesday. There is a test on Thursday. I will be out on Friday and you will watch a documentary for which you will need to pay attention as it is a graded assignment. There will be NO homework over break, so you really need to do your homework now. Thanks. 2/14/14--Happy Valentine's Day, Happy Vacation! I am on a field trip to a Harvard collegiate Model UN. Today in class you will read political stories hot-off-the-press in the Globe (copies in class). You need to write a few sentences in your own words about each of the stories. Start on A2. Again, your own words. No other homework during the break. Four of you will be with me at Harvard's Model Congress in Boston over the vacation. Rest-up because when we get back we go a couple of months without another break. Thanks. 2/25/14--Alrighty. Nice to have you back. I returned the last test and the work you did with the sub on Friday when I was out. We are starting Chapter 10 on the Bureacracy. Your homework is to read ALL of chapter 10 and to complete sections 1, 2 and 3, questions 1-5. This will be due on Thursday when you will have a quiz for which you can use these homework notes. Thanks. 2/27/14--Today you had a quiz/quest on the Federal Bureaucracy, Chapter 10. You turned in the homework with it. You now have the Wasserman reading on the Judicial Branch. Read this and turn it in on Wednesday of next week -- turn in the questions with answers at the end.
3/2/14--We will continue with the Supreme Court. I will be out on Tuesday, but you will watch Muhammed Ali's Greatest Fight. You need to pay attention here because you will be tested on this! Thanks. Remember, homework, as noted above will be due on Wednesday when I see you next. Thanks. 3/6/14--Ok. So, on Wednesday I gave you a quiz on Muhammed Ali's Greateast Fight. I also mirrored for you the way I want you each to present your individual Supreme Court cases. On Monday, I need everyone to turn into me a printed copy of their power-point presentation (remember, no more than 3 pages). The first four cases will be presented by the first four students. I asked that you bring a plug-in and NOT use your email. You will be given a maximum of 50 points for the printed copy, and 50 points for your presentation. I also collected the Wasserman article which was due on Wednesday. 3/11/14--On Monday during the double we began the power point presentations of the major U.S. Supreme Court cases. I gave you the packet to chapter 11 and you are to read it all and answer completely each of the three sections, questions 1-5. This is due on Friday. Also, cases 5-8 will also present on Friday, so be ready. Thanks.
3/14/14--Today in class we went over four more Supreme Court cases. I collected the homework that was due (Chapter 11, Section 1-3, questions 1-5). There is no written homework, but bright students know to review any and all notes! Thanks, and happy weekend.
3/19/14--We have had abbreviated schedules because of MCAS for the sophomores. Today we did one more Supreme Court case. Yesterday, I returned the last homework and I gave you the packet for Chapter 12. You are to read each of the three sections and answer questions 1-5 for each. Please -- do your own work. I am noticing work that is not original! Chapter 12 responses will be due on Tuesday of next week. I also gave you the AP chapter on the Judicial Branch. You need to have this read as well. Tomorrow (Thursday) you will be workign with a sub. I have three assignments which must be done in class. Leave the work with the sub and we will go over it on Tuesday. Enjoy, and thank you! You are a terrific class.
3/26/14--Sorry for delay. We are continuing to go over Supreme Court cases -- we will do as many as we can tomorrow to finish up, and then finalize on Monday. I gave you a two-sided homework that sums up chapters 10 and 11. (I realize now that I was supposed to give you 11 and 12, so tomorrow I will give you 12 as well.) This homework is due on Monday. On Tuesday, I will be out and you should expect a test on all of the Supreme Court. I will trust you to do your own work while you have a sub. Thanks!
4/1/14--I am out at an appointment today. You will be giving about 20 minutes to study for the test on the Judicial Branch. The remainder of the double will be for the test. You will have a sub while you are doing this, so I am really trusting you to not talk or use your notes. I also left the next homework assignment with the sub, Mr. Leonard, to give to you. Answers to the discussion questions will be due on Monday.
4/7/14--Today I collected Wasserman and we looked at it together. I returned the last test and sub work from Friday. I gave you homework which is to read and to take notes on Chapter 16, Political Parties. There are only 3 sections. Take BRIEF NOTES. They will be due on Friday. There will be a quiz on all of Chapter 16 on Friday. It is familiar information that I want to go over, particularly for those taking the AP exam. Thanks.
4/14/14--We took the quiz on Friday and we went over the answers. Tomorrow, Wednesday, you will have another quiz on Chapter 17--Elections and Voting. Tomorrow, your notes on Chapter 17 will be due (you will NOT be using these notes for the quiz). I am on a field trip on Thursday with a few of you -- we are going to see Becoming Cuba at the Huntington Theatre in Boston. More than a few of you cannot come for various reasons. However, there will be a sub and you must come to class and you must do the assignment and you must leave it with the sub. Other than that you are not being given vacation homework. Please do enjoy it. For those of you taking the AP exam you do have a study guide, but I do not want you to get overwhelmed. If time permits, try to just read it -- no need to answer questions. Get rested and you can get back to work on Monday when we return. Thanks, and a very happy vacation to you.
4/28/14--Alrighty, we're back. Those who came on the field trip on Thursday before break were given surveys from Huntington Theatre to complete and those who stayed back were given a quiz on the Wasserman reading that you took notes on while we were out on Thursday. You got to use these notes on the quiz. I also showed everyone their grades and reminded the class that we still have classes to tend to and whether a senior or not, we are still learning. Homework is to take chapter 18 and read sections 1 and 2. There will be what I will call an easy quiz on Wednesday morning when I see you next. Thanks!
5/5/14--OK, so what's been happening. On Thursday during the double we worked together on Chapter 18, sections 3 & 4. We then took a quick quiz on those sections. On Friday I was on a field trip at Harvard. You were given Chapter 19 and asked to answer ALL sections (1-3) with questions 1-5. I then had the sub give you the Wasserman reading on Civil Rights and Liberties. You must complete notes on this. Both are these will be due on Wednesday during class (I am out on Tuesday for a Community Service All-Stars breakfast from 8 til 11. I will be in the building if you need me. Thank you for your patience with me.
5/8/14--Yesterday during the double I returned all work that has been grading and which I have been holding waiting for some to make-up what they missed. I showed grades on the board as well -- so everyone knows where they stand. Seven of you are taking the AP exam on Tuesday and I congratulate you for doing so. Knowing that you need time to study for it, I am not assigning you any written homework. The other members of the class needed to read yesterday's Globe, page A2, and recap these stories in your own words. That was due today, Thursday. In class we read together the final chapter of Wasserman which dealt with pluralism vs. elitism and who then is really governing. For those not taking the AP exam, you need to read and respond to Chapter 25, Sections 1 & 2, questions 1-5. This will be due on Monday. Enjoy the prom this weekend!
5/12/14--Because of the late start today we only met for 20 minutes. When I saw "we," I don't mean all of us as most of you took part in senior skip day. However, the rest of us got papers returned and current grades were posted on the board. We then discussed tomorrow's AP exam and the final for our class which will be two parts: part one is on Monday which will include material on ALL of chapters 25 and 26 AND an essay which encapsulates all that we have learned this year; and, part two will be on Tuesday and this will be pure multiple choice (I think now anyway) covering the Constitution, Amendments, presidency, House of Reps., Congress, Judicial Branch and federal bureacracy. We will talk more about this when I see you next in class. Thanks.
5/20/14--So we had our final today (and yesterday as it was in two parts). I won't see you again until Thursday when I will sign the seniors out. The five remaining juniors will be reading a book that I got at the library for you. I will not be giving you much homework, but you are expected to be in class everyday and to journal about your readings. So, farewell on Thursday to seniors and juniors, stay tuned. Thanks.
5/27/14--OK, so the seniors have left us and we are a class of 5. Today we went to the library and picked up the book you will be reading, Me the People. Your homework is to read to page 42 and to write a full page of thoughts or bullet-points on what you are reading. This is due on Thursday, when I see you next. Thanks.
6/3/14--So, you need to get to page 102 of Me the People by tomorrow's class -- Wednesday. And, we are going to the JFK Library on Thursday for the double. I will drive 5 of us, and one student will drive herself (already arranged with parent). Field trip forms and permission have been obtained.
6/5/14--Today we went to the JFK Library and Museum during our double. It was a quick trip (I think the city-rain slowed down the traffic), but I still believe it was worthwhile. Homework is to get to page 124 in the book, Me the People, and journalling as you go. Thanks!
6/10/14--This Thursday you will have a test on Me the People. You will need to have completed the book and you will be able to use your notes -- not the book. You have today in class and tomorrow's double to get the book the read (and, of course, your own evening time if needed). Thanks.