The Executive Branch, Day 4 - Class Recap

Inside the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston, 2011.

Dear class,

Last day in class to be working on your Cabinet presentations - next class we will present and then take the Executive Branch test! Here's what happened today:

Learning Targets:
SS.HS.CR.ALT.03: I can apply understanding of ideas and concepts to a new context or problem.
SS.HS.RE.ALT.05: I can effectively conduct and apply research.
SS.HS.KN.ALT.02: I can demonstrate an understanding of the role of governments in current issues.
SS.HS.CO.ALT.05: I can communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Soundtrack: “Gone But Not Forgotten” by TQ. Selected because you need to not forget about. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 4/29/14:
News Brief
Protest Outside
Cabinet Project Overview
Study Guide/Computer Lab N229

Homework: Cabinet presentation in class! Study for the Executive Branch test! Read the blog!

News Brief: Anab had the news brief today, but was absent from class.

Protest Outside: I wanted to talk a bit at the start of class about the protest outside Westview this week. Without mentioning the specific protest here to give them more publicity, I thought it was important to note the relationship between the actions outside and the First Amendment, which we talked about earlier in the semester.

Cabinet Project Overview: Before going to the computer lab for the last time, we talked one last time about the expectations for this presentation. Namely:

1) One problem that your cabinet department wants to work on, three possible ways to fix it.
2) Explain the importance of the problem. Give background information.
3) Persuade the President (me) as to the best option with charts, tables, and/or graphs about what needs to be done.

If you missed class, or are somehow missing the project packet (yes, this will be turned in as part of the assessment), here it is:

Google Drive: Presidential Cabinet Project Assignment

Study Guide/Computer Lab N229: I also passed out a brief study guide of key points and vocabulary to know for the Executive Branch test next class. You can find that handout here if you missed class or lost your copy:

Google Drive: Executive Branch Test Study Guide

A sample question from the test: In response to the terrorist attacks on September 2001, President George W. Bush created the: A) National Security Council. B) Central Intelligence Agency C) Joint Chiefs of Staff D) Department of Homeland Security

The rest of class was spent in the Computer Lab. Make sure that you are ready to go next class! Emailing me your PowerPoint ahead of time would be a great idea, just to make sure it works! Send it to luke_fritz@beaverton.k12.or.us

Thanks! See you on Thursday!

The Executive Branch, Day 3 - Class Recap

Some of the famous "HOPE" posters for the Barack Obama campaign in Philadelphia, 2008.

Dear class,

Welcome to another blog recap! Here's what we did today in class.

Learning Targets:
SS.HS.CR.ALT.03: I can apply understanding of ideas and concepts to a new context or problem.
SS.HS.RE.ALT.05: I can effectively conduct and apply research.
SS.HS.KN.ALT.02: I can demonstrate an understanding of the role of governments in current issues.
SS.HS.CO.ALT.05: I can communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Soundtrack: “No One to Depend On" by Santana. Selected because the President's cabinet are people he or she depends on to help advise about what the government should do. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 4/24/14:
News Brief
The President's Cabinet
Cabinet Project
Computer Lab N229

Homework: Project due in class next Thursday. Read the blog! Next news brief: Anab.

News Brief: Olivia had the news brief today and selected this story to talk about: NYTimes.com - Sweeping Measure Expanding Rights of Gun Owners Is Signed Into Georgia Law. A very interesting current story relating to both the Second Amendment of the Constitution, and the Executive Branch (Governor) of the State of Georgia! Thanks, Olivia!

The President's Cabinet: For your upcoming test on the Executive Branch, you are going to need to know all about the various departments that the President oversees. This was a group reading (the same group as your project) and worksheet packet to help know what each department does. Here is a little bit about the cabinet positions (click on each) if you missed class.

Cabinet Project: The project is about advising the President (me, in this case) about a specific cabinet department's concerns. This assignment hits four learning targets, so it is really important for your success that you come to class and prepare for your presentation. Here is the link to the electronic copy of the assignment:

Google Drive: Executive Branch - Cabinet Project

Computer Lab N229: The rest of class we spent in the Computer Lab, working on the project, which will be due in class next Thursday. You will have time on Tuesday to work on it, but you also need to be working outside of class to come up with the presentation. Thank you!

The Executive Branch, Day 2 - Class Recap

The White House, as seen from the top of the Washington Monument. Photo taken in 2010.

Hi everyone,

Back at it today - a big week ahead! Progress report grades, a project to work on, ACT tests for the juniors, and a staff development day on Friday for me. Let's get to it!

Learning Targets:
SS.HS.CR.ALT.03: I can apply understanding of ideas and concepts to a new context or problem.
SS.HS.RE.ALT.05: I can effectively conduct and apply research.
SS.HS.KN.ALT.02: I can demonstrate an understanding of the role of governments in current issues.
SS.HS.CO.ALT.05: I can communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Soundtrack: “Bomb the World" by Michael Franti & Spearhead. Selected because the executive branch has final authority on whether or not to drop bombs, as the commander in chief of the United States military. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 4/21/14:
News Brief
Duties of the Executive Branch
Cabinet Project
Computer Lab N229/Grade Conferences

Homework: Missing and/or late work to me by next Wednesday for progress report grades. Read the blog! Next news brief: Olivia.

News Brief: Anab had the news brief today, but was absent, so yet again, we did not have one.

Duties of the Executive Branch: This was a quick review worksheet for some of the basic functions and responsibilities of the executive branch of the United States government.

Cabinet Project: The project is about advising the President (me, in this case) about a specific cabinet department's concerns. This assignment hits four learning targets, so it is really important for your success that you come to class and prepare for your presentation. Here is the link to the electronic copy of the assignment:

Google Drive: Executive Branch - Cabinet Project

Computer Lab N229/Grade Conferences: The rest of class we spent in the Computer Lab, working on the project. I also had conferences with individual students about grades and what to do before progress reports are due. I hope this helped!

The Executive Branch, Day 1 - Class Recap

The White House, in Washington, DC, where the head of the Executive Branch of the United States government lives. Photo taken in 2011.

Hi everyone,

I am not sure about you, but I have a To Do list that is about a mile long at this point. I do like writing the blogs, though! It reminds me of everything we did today in class and makes me think of how it all went. In this case, I think it went well! Here's what happened today:

Learning Targets:
SS.HS.CR.ALT.03: I can apply understanding of ideas and concepts to a new context or problem.
SS.HS.RE.ALT.05: I can effectively conduct and apply research.
SS.HS.KN.ALT.02: I can demonstrate an understanding of the role of governments in current issues.
SS.HS.CO.ALT.05: I can communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Soundtrack: “The Times They Are a-Changin’” by Bob Dylan. Selected because we are changing to a new unit and this is a very famous song about American society changing. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 4/17/14:
News Brief
Review Test
The Executive Branch Overview
Cabinet Project

Homework: Missing and/or late work to me by next Wednesday for progress report grades. Read the blog! Next news brief: Anab.

News Brief: Marco was not in class today, so we did not (yet again!) have a news brief.

Review Test: I passed back the legislation test and we went over the answers together as a class. Generally, this seemed to go pretty well. The real struggle for many of you was in the flow chart of how a bill becomes a law, which I had posted here on the blog before the test multiple times. Here is the breakdown for proficiency scores:

4 = 44-39 correct
3 = 38-33
2 = 32-27
1 = 26-0

The Executive Branch Overview: The start of another branch of government to be learning about! This involved going through a reading together and answering some related questions. I do not have electronic copies of these - if you missed class (as many students today did), please pick them up next time.

Cabinet Project: The project is about advising the President (me, in this case) about a specific cabinet department's concerns. Students split off into groups and decided on what department they wanted to represent. Next class, we will start researching the departments and creating a recommendation! This assignment hits four learning targets, so it is really important for your success that you come to class and prepare for your presentation. Here is the link to the electronic copy of the assignment:

Google Drive: Executive Branch - Cabinet Project

Have a great weekend!

The Legislative Process, Day 6 - Class Recap

Inside the United States Capitol Building dome, where the U.S. Senate is located. Picture taken in 2010.

Hello everyone,

We are now finished with legislation and will be moving on to the executive branch next class! Hopefully, the in class test today went well for everyone. Here's what we did:

Learning Targets Addressed:
SS.HS.KN.ALT.05: I can demonstrate an understanding of the principles, structures, and functions of different levels of U.S. government.
SS.HS.CO.ALT.05: I can communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Soundtrack: "Miss Misery" by Elliott Smith. Selected because of the Smith connection, again. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 4/15/14:
News Brief
Finish MSGTW
Study for Test
Legislation Test

Homework: Turn in any late/missing work by next Wednesday for progress report grades. Read the blog! Next news brief: Marco.

News Brief: Cameron had the news brief today and chose this article to talk about: TIME.com - Obamacare Will Be Billions Cheaper Than Expected. Another good look at a really huge piece of legislation that took quite a lot of effort to pass and be signed by President Obama. Thanks, Cam!

Finish Mr. Smith Goes To Washington: We did manage to finish this today in class and go over the answers on the worksheet. This movie is a classic - especially the filibuster scene, which we watched today! If you were not able to see the film in class (or missed parts of it), you can check it out here:

Mr Smith Goes To Washington (1939) 

Study for Test: After the movie, I gave the class a few minutes to go over the study guide again, as well as answer any questions that students had about the legislation material.

Legislation Test: The rest of class was devoted to working on the legislation test. I hope that everyone studied and did well on it! I will have them graded and back to you next class. See you then!

The Legislative Process, Day 5 - Class Recap

In the film Mr. Smith Goes To Washington, the title character spends some time at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. I took this picture in 2011.

Hello everyone,

Today was almost entirely filled with Mr. Smith Goes To Washington, and we still have a bit left for next class! We will definitely be taking the legislation test, though, so please be studying up!

Learning Targets Addressed:
SS.HS.KN.ALT.05: I can demonstrate an understanding of the principles, structures, and functions of different levels of U.S. government.
SS.HS.CO.ALT.05: I can communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Soundtrack: "Just Crusin'" by Will Smith. Selected because of the "Smith" connection! Lyrics here.

AGENDA 4/11/14:
News Brief
Finish Mr. Smith Goes To Washington
Debrief
Test/Study for Test

Homework: Study for the legislation test (here is the study guide). Read the blog! Next news brief: Cameron.

News Brief: Dawnte had the news brief today and chose this article to talk about: Newsweek.com - Key Part of Obamacare Is Working, Poll Says. This sparked a conversation about what, exactly, "Obamacare" is, and I related some personal experiences with it, since I was needing to sign up for health insurance before becoming employed full time here at Westview.

Finish Mr. Smith Goes To Washington: We actually did not finish today! About 15 minutes left or so, then we will take the legislation test next class. Be prepared! Here is a copy of what I passed out in class:

Google Drive - Legislation Test Study Guide

Here is the chart of how a bill becomes a law that you will have to know (click to become bigger)!

Keep studying, please! See you next Tuesday!

The Legislative Process, Day 4 - Class Recap

The view over Queenstown, New Zealand. This place was stunningly beautiful and reminded me of the good life that we have when we learn about the world! Photo taken on February 3, 2014.

Hello everyone,

Plenty of content packed in to today, with a possible test next class. Please be ready for it - see below to help get prepared!

Learning Targets Addressed:
SS.HS.KN.ALT.05: I can demonstrate an understanding of the principles, structures, and functions of different levels of U.S. government.
SS.HS.CO.ALT.05: I can communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Soundtrack: "Good Life" by OneRepublic. Selected because we are hoping to promote good lives for everyone through this project. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 4/9/14:
News Brief
Finish Town Hall
Divided Washington
Study Guide for Test
Mr. Smith Goes To Washington

Homework: Study for the legislation test (here is the study guide). Read the blog! Next news brief: Cameron.

News Brief: The news brief slipped Kenny's mind today - please remember one in the future!

Finish Town Hall: Mel, Emi, and Hailey were our candidates and they were asked questions about their views on specific legislation, coming from the audience of students that had roles to play. The whole point of this was that candidates have to say what they believe in ways that appeal to the most amount of people, in order to win an election.

Divided Washington: This was an article from a New York Times Upfront magazine, dated October 2011. It sounds identical to an article that could probably be written today, about the current government situation. Here is a version without all the nice photos and graphics: NYTimes Upfront: Divided Washington. This article was to help everyone understand what is currently going on in our government and some methods and reasons for why nothing seems to be getting done.

Study Guide for Test: The legislation test is upcoming! Here is a copy of what I passed out in class:

Google Drive - Legislation Test Study Guide

Here is the chart of how a bill becomes a law that you will have to know (click to become bigger)!

Mr. Smith Goes To Washington: To end the class, we started watching the classic film Mr. Smith Goes To Washington (1939), which is all about the legislative process. We skipped the first 30 minutes or so, which do not really relate to the class. Next time, we will hope to finish the film, go over the film questions (I do not have an electronic copy, so pick one up in class), then take the legislation test.

See everyone on Friday. Please be prepared!

The Legislative Process, Day 3 - Class Recap

This is the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, which is not too far outside of Los Angeles. One of the topics that students have chosen to do an activist project on is climate change. Photo taken in 2008.

Dear students,

Welcome to another week! The sun has broken through the clouds - it is going to be a bright sunny day! Here's the recap for today:

Learning Targets Addressed:
SS.HS.KN.ALT.05: I can demonstrate an understanding of the principles, structures, and functions of different levels of U.S. government.
SS.HS.CO.ALT.05: I can communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Soundtrack: "More Than A Feeling" by Boston. Selected because you should have more than just a feeling about your activist project - you should want to act and do something! Lyrics here.

AGENDA 4/7/14:
News Brief
Review Oregon Legislators
The DREAM Act/DOMA
Town Hall Simulation

Homework: Study for upcoming legislation test (probably on Friday). Read the blog! Next news brief: Kenny.

News Brief: Maria was not in class today, so we did not get a news brief. Cameron would have been next up, but he was absent as well. So Kenny, you are up for next class! Again, everyone has to complete this assignment, which I am grading alongside your forced choice reflection!

Review Oregon Legislators: Shockingly poor level of completion among the class here. Three students out of 25 actually finished it, as required by the homework? Really frustrating. In any case, it is an important assignment for actually understanding who represents Oregon in the federal government. Thank you to those that did complete it.

The DREAM Act/DOMA: To continue our look at legislation, we investigated two famous (somewhat recent) bills: the DREAM Act and DOMA (Defense Of Marriage Act). I went through the various perspectives on the bills and we talked about the purposes for them.

Town Hall Simulation: Next class, we will do a little bit of this. Mel, Hailey, and Emi were assigned to be a political candidate for U.S. Senate. The rest of the class will be asking them questions from the perspective of various organizations that have different philosophies, specifically in regards to the DREAM Act and DOMA.

See you on Wednesday!

The Legislative Process, Day 2 - Class Recap

Something I am passionate about (I like political figures who support it as well) is promoting women's soccer, ever since one of my friends in high school played at the University of Portland. This is a photo of the season opening "tifo" display in the crowd last season for the Portland Thorns professional soccer team.

Hi everyone,

Welcome to another class recap! Back in the full swing of things after the break. Here's what we did today:

Learning Targets Addressed:
SS.HS.KN.ALT.05: I can demonstrate an understanding of the principles, structures, and functions of different levels of U.S. government.
SS.HS.CO.ALT.05: I can communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Soundtrack: “Comin’ From Where I’m From” by Anthony Hamilton. Selected because the legislative process overview and congressional research packet should help you identify where people are coming from. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 4/3/14:
News Brief
Finish Legislation Packet
Oregon Reps in Congress
Computer Lab N228

Homework: Finish legislation packet. Read the blog! Next news brief: Maria.

News Brief: Mel had the news brief today and talked about this story: NYTimes.com - After Push by Obama, Minimum-Wage Action Is Moving to the States.

Finish Legislation Packet: I do not have an online copy of this, so please see me in class if you need it again - basically, this looked at the process for how a bill becomes a law in Congress, along with what the President can do in regards to signing or vetoing the bill. Article I, Section 7 of the United States Constitution is what this is all about. Hold on to this packet - you will use it to study for the legislation test, which is probably next week.

Oregon Reps In Congress: Next, I introduced an assignment designed to look more closely at who our representatives are here in Oregon - the people who get to vote on laws at the Federal level of government. This involved looking up key pieces of information about Congress.

Computer Lab N228: For the most part, I think students worked well on this, but almost everyone had this left as homework. If you missed class, please come grab a copy from me in person! Again, this is important information for your upcoming test.

Thanks for the hard work - see you next Monday!

The Legislative Process - Class Recap

Sand on a beach near Waldport, at the Oregon Coast. I went on a day trip during Spring Break and really liked how the sand looked like a fingerprint design, so I took a quick snap on my iPhone.

Hello class,

It was so great to see everyone again! I hope that you all had a restful and enjoyable Spring Break. I am certainly excited to get back to class! Here's what we did today:

Learning Targets Addressed:
SS.HS.KN.ALT.05: I can demonstrate an understanding of the principles, structures, and functions of different levels of U.S. government.
SS.HS.CO.ALT.05: I can communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Soundtrack: “Welcome Back" by Ma$e. For obvious reasons. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 4/1/14:
Spring Break Recap
News Brief
Review Test/113th Congress
Legislation

Homework: Come see me about missing or incomplete work/tests/quizzes! Read the blog! Next news brief: Mel.

Spring Break Recap: To start the class, I had students go talk with the person on the opposite side of the room, as if it were a mirror image. I just wanted you to check in about how Spring Break went and if anything interesting or noteworthy happened. Then we came back together as a class and I asked if there were any especially fun activities anyone did.

News Brief: This section has drastically suffered from a general malaise about remembering to do the current events. If you were assigned to do this and have not already, please finish one and have it ready to go ASAP.

Review Test/113th Congress: Many students still needed to do the Constitution test from before Spring Break, so I had them do it out in the hall as I reviewed the answers with those who took it in class. Generally, there is plenty of room for improvement. I will also be adding a score in for the philosophies of government questions (17-23) that hits that learning target. Here is the breakdown for hitting the functions of government learning target with the 40 questions:

40-35: 4 - Highly Proficient
34-27: 3 - Proficient
26-19: 2 - Approaching Proficiency
18-0: 1 - Not Proficient

We also talked about the make up and characteristics of the current US Congress - the 113th in our nation's history. A particular point I wanted to emphasize was that 18.8% of the legislators are women, whereas they make up about 50% of the population.

Legislation: To end class, I passed out a packet that looks more at the legislative branch. The first section was about the difference between a trustee (vote what your convictions tell you to) and a delegate (vote what the majority of the people you represent want you to) philosophy of legislation. The next part was about the legislative process. We will look at this next class, then go to the computer lab to work on another look at Congress.

Thanks for visiting - welcome back from Spring Break!