Semester Finals - Class Recap

Sunset over Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii. It was a great semester, everyone! Thank you for your hard work! Photo taken in 2011.

Hi everyone,

Today was our last day of class for the semester. We had our final test, reflection on the year, and then talked about life for a while. Here's what we did today in class:

Learning Targets: 
Knowledge LT 1: I can demonstrate an understanding of the interplay between citizens and their governments.
Knowledge LT 5: I can demonstrate an understanding of the principles, structures, and functions of different levels of U.S. government.
Research LT 5: I can effectively conduct and apply research.

Soundtrack: "Thankful" by Kelly Clarkson. Selected for today because I always choose this song for the last day of class, since I am so thankful to get to teach you all. Especially this year, which was a pretty challenging one, with my dad being killed - it was so helpful to be able to come to class and work with you. Thank you! Lyrics (some of which I read aloud in class) are here.

AGENDA 6/10/15:

News Brief – Katlyn
Final Test
Reflection
Questions/Stories

Homework: Read the blog (if you want)! Have a great summer! Let me know if I can help you at any point in the future! :-)

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News Brief: Katlyn had the news brief today and selected an article about this story to talk about: CNN.com - Pair of threats close parts of White House, Congress hearing. An article about the Executive Branch of government to end the semester. Thanks, Katlyn!

I talked in class about the importance of following the news and trying to stay up to date with what is happening in your city, state, country, and world. Knowledge is power! Try to stay plugged in to what is going on, if you can!

Final Test: As promised, this was a cumulative multiple choice final on the work we have done this semester. It may take me a little bit of time to get all of the grades entered for the class, as a heads up. There is a fair amount of back work for the State/Local projects, as well as late work that I need to grade, along with the final. So, I anticipate having the grades submitted on Monday, but it could possibly be earlier.

Reflection: The last part to the test was a reflection short answer about how the semester went in Government - what you learned, what you will put into practice in your life, and what you will remember five years from now. I look forward to reading these!

Questions/Stories: The end of class was set aside for study time, as well as students to ask me anything they wanted to (obviously, within reason) about anything at all. I enjoyed this time!

Thank you all so much for being so wonderful to work with. Take care of yourselves and I hope to see you around! Have a great summer! :-)

State and Local Government, Day 9 - Class Recap

My mom, Amanda Fritz, came to talk with our class today!

Dear class,

Today was our last day before finals, so we decided to have my mom, Portland City Commissioner Amanda Fritz, come talk about her job, which counted as a Career Related Learning Experience towards graduation requirements! Here's what we did today in class:

Learning Targets: 
Knowledge LT 1: I can demonstrate an understanding of the interplay between citizens and their governments.
Knowledge LT 5: I can demonstrate an understanding of the principles, structures, and functions of different levels of U.S. government.
Research LT 5: I can effectively conduct and apply research.

Soundtrack: "City of Blinding Lights" by U2. Selected for today because my mom asked for a U2 song as her soundtrack, and she works for the City of Portland, serving all you beautiful people. :-) Lyrics here.

AGENDA 6/9/15:

News Brief – Mr. Fritz
Presentations
Jeopardy Review
Commissioner Fritz

Homework: Read the blog (for the last time)! Study for your final test! Next news brief: Katlyn.

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News Brief: I had the news brief today and selected an article about this story to talk about: CNN.com - Authorities search farms, fields for signs of New York escaped killers. This is about how two convicted murderers escaped from prison in New York, about 20 miles from Canada. Even if they were found in Canada, they would still be sent back.

The next news brief was assigned to Katlyn, who kindly volunteered.

Presentations: We finished up our student presentations today in class on the State and Local final project. Thank you to everyone who presented and did great work!

Jeopardy Review: We did not have time to do this in class, because my mom was early and I did not want to keep her or Ms. Nelson's class waiting. If you want to study up, look at the questions for Jeopardy review for the final, here:

Google Drive - Finals Jeopardy Review PowerPoint

I think that should help! :-)

Commissioner Fritz: The last part of class was taken by my mom coming to talk about her experience as a Portland City Commissioner. It was great to have her in to talk with us and Ms. Nelson's class, after we have talked so much about State and Local Government during the past few weeks! Thank you for your interest, focus, and questions! I'm glad that you got to meet my mom! I'm also glad you completed one of the four CRLE forms you need to graduate! :-)

Thanks, everyone! See you during finals period!

State and Local Government, Day 8 - Class Recap

Mt. Hood. We are almost to the end of the school year, everyone! Selected for today because I will be enjoying part of the weekend up at the mountain with my girlfriend and her family!

Hi everyone,

Today was almost entirely based on student presentations for the State/Local project. Thanks for focusing on the issues and for all of your research! Here's what happened in class today:

Learning Targets Addressed:

Knowledge LT 1: I can demonstrate an understanding of the interplay between citizens and their governments.
Knowledge LT 5: I can demonstrate an understanding of the principles, structures, and functions of different levels of U.S. government.
Research LT 5: I can effectively conduct and apply research. 

Soundtrack: "I Wish" by R. Kelly. Selected for today because the State/Local project was all about how you were wishing to change your local community.

AGENDA 6/5/15:
News Brief – Simone
Presentations
Jeopardy Review
Questions for Commissioner Fritz

Homework: Read the blog. Study for your final (see study guide below). Next news brief: Mr. Fritz.

News Brief: Simone had the news brief today and since she was late, I don't have a record as to the article she chose. I will have the next news brief, since I did not assign one in class.

Presentations: We had most of the class go today. Thank you for your work and for the class in focusing and respecting the presentations. It was good to see the thought and effort put into these and making possible solutions! Today, I particularly enjoyed the obvious amount of research that went in to each project. It was cool to hear all of the information!

Next class, we will finish the presentations, then my mom and Beaverton Mayor Denny Doyle will come in and talk with us! Woo hoo! If you want to learn more about them, here's my mom's bio and here is Mayor Doyle's bio.

Here's the study guide for the final, to be reviewing this weekend for:

Google Drive - Government Semester Final Study Guide

One last weekend of the school year to go! You can do it! See you on Tuesday. I'm excited for you to meet my mom! :-)

State and Local Government, Day 7 - Class Recap

Today was the sunset for the seniors in our class! I am wishing them all the best and success in life! Photo taken in 2007, over California.

Dear class,

Another disjointed day today, due to some juniors needing to finish their Smarter Balanced tests, the seniors needing to finish presenting and take their finals in class, and rest of the class (juniors done with Smarter Balanced and our sophomore) just using the class as a study period. Here's what happened in class today:

Learning Targets Addressed:

Knowledge LT 1: I can demonstrate an understanding of the interplay between citizens and their governments.
Knowledge LT 5: I can demonstrate an understanding of the principles, structures, and functions of different levels of U.S. government.
Research LT 5: I can effectively conduct and apply research. 

Soundtrack: "Good Life" by OneRepublic. Selected for today because of the seniors last day! On with the rest of their life soon! Lyrics here.

AGENDA 6/3/15:
News Brief – Yovani
Smarter Balanced
Senior Presentations
Work Time

Homework: Read the blog. Continue working on your State/Local final project, which is due for all non-seniors next class! All late work is due by this Friday (next class) at the latest. Next news brief: Simone.

News Brief: Yovani had the news brief today and selected an article about this story to talk about: CNN.com - Source: Man fatally shot by officers in Boston was under terror investigation. We talked a little bit about this story, and Katlyn remarked that it sounded like it wanted to blame police for the death, due to a lack of details. Read the article to determine for yourself! Thanks, Yovani! Simone has the next news brief.

Smarter Balanced: Right after the news brief, I sent juniors who had not finished the English portion of the Smarter Balanced test to S219 to test with Mr. Yoder.

Senior Presentations: We had two seniors go today: Thomas and Ashton. Thank you for your work and for the class in focusing and respecting the presentations. It was good to see the thought and effort put into these and making possible solutions!

Work Time: The rest of class was devoted to working on either the State/Local project:

Google Drive: State and Local Government Final Project

Or reviewing for the final. Here's the study guide I passed out for that:

Google Drive - Government Semester Final Study Guide

Students who were in class also got a more detailed study guide on the back side of this. Come see me if you missed class for this. Thank you!

During this time, seniors were taking their final in class. Thanks for respecting their time and effort with being quiet! I hope they went well for the seniors! I am grateful for their effort this semester and I am wishing them all the best! Keep in touch, class of 2015!

State and Local Government, Day 6 - Class Recap

Something I care a lot about in our local community is supporting the Portland Thorns women's professional soccer team. I helped paint this banner for the start of this season! Photo taken in 2015.

Hi everyone,

Today was a strange day, due to Smarter Balanced, for sure. We had a few final presentations from seniors, then the rest of the day was quiet work/prep time for finals. Here's what happened in class today:

Learning Targets Addressed:

Knowledge LT 1: I can demonstrate an understanding of the interplay between citizens and their governments.
Knowledge LT 5: I can demonstrate an understanding of the principles, structures, and functions of different levels of U.S. government.
Research LT 5: I can effectively conduct and apply research. 

Soundtrack: "I Want It That Way" by Backstreet Boys. Selected for today because 1) I know some of the juniors did not want to take the Smarter Balanced tests, and 2) the seniors were presenting on what they wanted to have happen in the state/local government. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 6/1/15:
News Brief – Zoey
Smarter Balanced
Senior Presentations
Work Time

Homework: Read the blog. Continue working on your State/Local final project (juniors) and studying for the final (seniors)! All late work is due by this Friday at the latest. Next news brief: Yovani.

News Brief: Zoey had the news brief today and selected an article about this story to talk about: CNN.com - Patriot Act provisions have expired: What happens now? This is an ongoing news story, due to the U.S. Senate still trying to figure out how they want to precede. There has been a big debate about government surveillance ever since the documents from Edward Snowden came out, which is why this is a big deal. Thanks, Zoey! Yovani has the next news brief.

Smarter Balanced: Right after the news brief, I sent juniors who had not taken the English portion of the Smarter Balanced test to S219 to test with Mr. Yoder. All of Mr. Yoder's students who did not need to take the test came to our room to watch presentations and then study (on either Project Citizen or the retakes for the finals).

Senior Presentations: We had three groups go today: Bryant/Gabby, Raul, and Julia. Thank you for your work and for the class in focusing and respecting the presentations. It was good to see the thought and effort put into these and making possible solutions! Seniors that were not in class or were not prepared will need to present next class, before the final.

Work Time: The rest of class was devoted to working on either the State/Local project:

Google Drive: State and Local Government Final Project

Or reviewing for the final (especially seniors). Here's the study guide I passed out for that:

Google Drive - Government Semester Final Study Guide

Students who were in class also got a more detailed study guide on the back side of this. Come see me if you missed class for this. Thank you!