Finals - Class Recap

Congratulations, everyone! You are done with Government for this semester! Photo taken at Niagara Falls in 2010.

Dear class,

I really loved being your teacher this semester. It was a challenging time for me personally, and you all were fantastic and working hard and keeping class an enjoyable place to come to in the morning. Thank you! 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: "Thankful" by Kelly Clarkson. I always choose this song for the last soundtrack of a class I am teaching, because I remain so thankful for all of you! I read part of the lyrics at the start of class.

AGENDA 1/21/15:
News Brief – Timothy
Final
State/Local Discussion
Reflection

Homework: Have a great rest of the year! Say hi to me in the halls! :-)

News Brief: Mathew had the news brief today and talked about last night's State of the Union address by President Obama to Congress and the country. I wish I had made this homework to watch! In any case, here it is if you want to watch or read it. It is such an interesting speech, every year!

Final: This was 100 questions, multiple choice. I think it took a bit longer to complete than in past years, but that is okay. I am looking forward to seeing how everyone did! Grades are due by next Tuesday morning, I believe.

State/Local Discussion: Due to the length of the final, we did not have time to talk about your State and Local government projects, to my great chagrin! I asked that they all be turned in to me, and I will read through them all in the coming days. I hope this was at least interesting and compelling as a project that could make a difference in your community!

Reflection: As the class was winding to a close, I passed out a final reflection prompt, about how the class went, what you learned, and what you will remember (if anything) five years from now. I always enjoy reading these, as well.

Thank you all so much for your hard work! See you around! :-)

State and Local Government and Finals Prep, Day 4 - Class Recap

The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington D.C. Photo taken in 2011.

Dear class,

I really enjoyed our last day before finals! It was great to review some of the State and Local government material and play Jeopardy to review for the final. 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: "Pride (In the Name of Love)" by U2. Selected for today because the song is about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We have Monday off of school to honor Dr. King, and I showed this website in class to encourage students to do some sort of community service on Monday (as the day has increasingly been about). Lyrics here.

AGENDA 1/16/15:
News Brief – Mathew
State/Local Review
Finals Jeopardy
Study for Test

Homework: Read the blog. All late/missing/incomplete/make up work due by TUESDAY. State/Local paper due on finals day. Next news brief: Timothy (does not need to write anything for it).

News Brief: Mathew had the news brief today and selected this story to talk about: CNN.com - Snyder bucks NRA, vetoes gun bill. This was actually the governor of Michigan (not Washington, as mentioned in class), but was a great example of state government decision making.

Timothy was selected to do the next (last) news brief.

State/Local Review: We went through the State and Local government reading and answers together, as some of these will be on the final test. Make sure to review your answers from this! If you were not in class today, be sure to complete it on your own and ask others to check your answers.

Finals Jeopardy: Here's a link to the Jeopardy game that we played in class!

Google Drive - Finals Jeopardy Review PowerPoint

The first four categories contain questions that will actually be on the test. Obviously, questions about myself or the class itself will not be on the final.

Study for Test: At the end of class, I passed out a study guide (two sides) that explained the basics of what to study for and the learning targets associated with the test.

Google Drive - Government Study Guide for Finals

That was it for today! Thanks for your hard work! It has been such a pleasure to be your teacher! :-)

State and Local Government, Day 3 - Class Recap

With my friend Tyler, my mom, and my brother at the College Football National Championship Game in Texas, on Monday!

Hi everyone,

It was great to be back teaching today, after missing the first two days of the week to see Oregon play! 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: "Love Loss Hope Repeat" by Carbon Leaf. Selected for today because of Oregon losing on Monday. It was a wonderful season, for sure! I was really happy to get to witness so much of it. I look forward to many more years of attending Oregon football games, regardless of the outcome. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 1/14/15:
News Brief – Alfredo
State/Local Readings
Computer Lab S213

Homework: Read the blog. Turn in your citizenship paper if you did not already! State/Local paper due on finals day. Bring your materials to study for the final next class! Next news brief: Mathew

News Brief: Alfredo had the news brief today and talked about the continuing story with terrorism in France. Mathew asked to do the next news brief.

State/Local Readings: This is the last reading/overview of the class! We will go over it together on Friday.There are copies of this handout (it is somewhat lengthy, with questions on top) in class, on the desk.

The final assignment for the class is this project, which is a two page paper, with at least MLA citations, about a local issue that you care about. It will be due in class on finals day, and you will probably be asked to give a short (like a minute or two). Here's the handout:

Google Drive: State and Local Government Final Project

Computer Lab S213: This was the last in class time time to work on finishing the Citizenship paper (if you have not already turned it in) and State/Local paper, to be able to demonstrate proficiency again with LT 1. Here are the assignments:

Google Drive: Citizenship Paper Assignment

 Google Drive - State/Local Government Project Paper

Please be reading through and answering the questions on the State/Local government packet, so we can go through it together on our last class before finals, on Friday

See you on Friday! We will review, play Jeopardy, and I will hand out a Study Guide for finals.