State and Local Government, Day 9 - Class Recap

The famous "White Stag" building sign in downtown Portland. Photo taken over Winter Break, 2015.

Hi everyone,

It was a busy last day before finals week in class today! Here's what happened in class:

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: "Summertime Sadness" by Lana Del Rey and Cedric Gervais. Selected for today because it is almost summer, but we unfortunately still have plenty of work to do for finals! Lyrics here.

AGENDA 6/9/16:
News Brief – Olivia
Finish Lift Ev'ry Voice
Questions for Commissioner Fritz
Jeopardy Review

Homework: Read the blog. Continue studying for finals! Next news brief: Claire.

News Brief: Olivia had the news brief today and selected an article about this story: NYTimes.com - California Primary Election Results. We discussed the final states voting in the primary process, and what will likely happen next for the nominations of the Democratic and Republican parties.

Finish Lift Ev'ry Voice: We finished watching an excellent recent documentary from OPB, called Lift Ev'ry Voice. If you want to watch again, share, or get caught up, it is here:

OPB.org - Portland Civil Rights: Lift Ev'ry Voice

Here is the worksheet that goes along with the documentary:

Google Drive: Lift Ev'ry Voice Documentary Questions

I think it is super important that we understand our own history regarding race in Portland, especially as I think there are some common assumptions that are just not true. As such, I was glad to see that almost everyone was glued to this in class. Thanks for your focus and willingness to learn about our own history! It was great to hear student responses after the film about what they learned.

Questions for Commissioner Fritz: After the documentary, we made questions for my mom, Portland City Commissioner Amanda Fritz, who is coming to our class on Monday to talk about her role in local government. The questions the class came up with are:

What has been one of the most challenging things that you have had to deal with as Portland’s Commissioner?
What does your day to day life as Portland’s Commissioner look like? Do you have days where you have a lot to do and other days that you do not? Or do you have a steady but stable amount of work each day?
How will the city resolve the homeless crisis in Portland’s streets?
How will the local government deal with the ever increasing rent prices in Portland?
For what reasons did you become a Commissioner?
What is the best thing about being Commissioner?
What is the most interesting thing about your job?
Why do you want to be a part of our government?
Do you think your psychiatric nursing skills have helped your skills as Commissioner?
What got you to leave nursing to be a Commissioner?
What area takes up most of your time?
How did you know that being a Commissioner was something that you wanted to pursue?
What is the biggest problem that Portland is facing?
How long do you want to be Commissioner for?
What is the biggest project that you’re working on?
Who’s your favorite child?
What’s your favorite dessert?

I'm looking forward to having her come in and talk with everyone!

Jeopardy Review: This is always so fun and today was no exception. Thank you for a spirited round of Jeopardy to review for the final! Here are the slides for the game if anyone wants to see them again:

Google Drive: Jeopardy Review for Finals PowerPoint

Thanks for ending the class with a lot of laughter and enthusiasm. I am looking forward to our last week together next week! Keep working hard in preparing for finals!