The Legislative Branch, Day 5 - Class Recap

The United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. This is where the House of Representatives and Senate meets to debate legislation. Photo taken in 2011.

Hi everyone,

Test day today in class! I hope that everyone studied and did well. Judging by the amount of "when is the retake?" questions that were asked, this was possibly not the case. Here's what happened today in class:

Learning Targets Addressed:
Knowledge LT 1: I can demonstrate an understanding of the interplay between citizens and their governments.
Knowledge LT 3: I can demonstrate an understanding of how individuals and non-governmental institutions interact with each other and the government in shaping politics.

Knowledge LT 5: I can demonstrate an understanding of the principles, structures, and functions of different levels of U.S. government.

Soundtrack: "Thriller" by Michael Jackson. Selected for today because it's a classic song to play on Halloween. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 10/30/14:
News Brief – Jazmin
Legislative Branch Test
Washington's Gridlock
The Presidency

Homework: Read the blog. Have a great, safe weekend. Next news brief: Timothy.

News Brief: Jazmin was absent from class today, so we did not have student presented news brief. I did talk about this current event article and show a bit of the video, which I think is appalling: CNN.com - What 10 hours of street harassment in NYC looks like. We need to promote a culture of respect, wherever we are. Catcalling anyone is unacceptable. Just thought it was worth highlighting. Timothy has the next news brief (Jazmin should also have hers ready to go).

Legislative Branch Test: Pretty much exactly as I described it on the blog for last class, right? I will have these graded and back to you as soon as I can. It will probably be this weekend! We will go over the results next class.

Washington's Gridlock: I think this is an important story to learn about, with why many people are very frustrated with the United States government, in that not much of consequence seems to get done. Here is the reading we did in class (pick of the questions sheet in class if you missed it):

Google Drive - New York Times Upfront: Washington's Gridlock

As part of the article, I talked about redistricting and gerrymandering contributing to inaction in Congress. Here's an interesting article about the most gerrymandered congressional districts in America. 

We also talked about the filibuster as a tactic to stall debate. Most of the times now, people don't have to stand and talk - as long as they have enough support (40+ votes, which is almost guaranteed for both sides in the Senate), they can just threaten it and possible legislation won't be voted on. Here's an example of a funny filibuster that I showed part of in class (from Parks and Recreation):

We stopped at the end of the article (which we mostly read aloud using the "popcorn" method). Next class, we will move on to the Executive Branch! Have a great weekend!

The Legislative Branch, Day 4 - Class Recap

Today's town hall had various (fake) political candidates running for office. Here's a very real candidate: my mom, running for Portland City Council in 2012!

Dear class,

Another interesting day, especially with the town hall meeting! Here's what happened today in class:

Learning Targets Addressed:
Knowledge LT 1: I can demonstrate an understanding of the interplay between citizens and their governments.
Knowledge LT 3: I can demonstrate an understanding of how individuals and non-governmental institutions interact with each other and the government in shaping politics.

Knowledge LT 5: I can demonstrate an understanding of the principles, structures, and functions of different levels of U.S. government.

Soundtrack: "Party in the U.S.A." by Miley Cyrus. Selected for today because our town hall meeting was sort of like a party, with all the different people and groups interacting! Lyrics here.

AGENDA 10/28/14:
News Brief – Abby G./Mathew
Finish DOMA/Dream Act
Town Hall
Washington's Gridlock

Homework: Read the blog. Review for Legislative test, which is next class. Here are some resources to help you with this:

The second page of this handout, charting how a bill becomes a law, will be on the test. You will need to fill in the blanks with what happens on each side of Congress, then what happens when it gets to the President.

You will need to know: the political spectrum (from left to right: radical, liberal, moderate, conservative, reactionary). the number of representatives in each branch of Congress, and the eligibility requirements for them. The main job of each of the three branches of the U.S. government - legislative, executive, and judicial. The checks that each of the three branches have. Powers that the branches have, as given by the Constitution. Different scenarios with rights, as given by Amendments to the Constitution.

Next news brief: Jazmin.

News Brief: Both Abby G. and Mathew were in class today, with news brief stories! Hooray! Abby selected this article to talk about: NYTimes.com - Is the Affordable Care Act Working? We talked more about "Obamacare" and how it is being implemented. Mathew chose this story to talk about, which related to gun rights: CNN.com - Washington school shooter texted lunch table invites to victims. Another interesting discussion! Thanks, guys! Jazmin was selected to do the next news brief.

Finish DOMA/Dream Act: I was pleased to see many students did their homework and had the DOMA section of this finished:

Google Drive - DOMA and Dream Act Handout/Questions

I went through the DOMA section, then gave some time to work on the Dream Act as a part of preparing for the Town Hall style meeting.

Town Hall: My thanks to Mr. Kellogg for helping me out with this! We had three candidates (well, actually, five students, representing three candidates) in front of the class. Everyone else in the class was responsible for writing questions for the candidates, representing different non-governmental organizations. This hits LT3: I can demonstrate an understanding of how individuals and non-governmental institutions interact with each other and the government in shaping politics.

Here was the assessment I used for LT3, after the Town Hall:

Google Drive - Town Hall Review Questions

If you missed class today, you will have the opportunity in the future to make LT3 up.

Please study for the legislative branch test (some multiple choice, some fill in the blank, some short answer) and let me know if you have any questions I can answer about it! Thanks! See you next class!

The Legislative Branch, Day 3 - Class Recap

The Statue of Liberty and Lower Manhattan in New York City. Photo taken in 2011.

Hi everyone,

We had quite a lot to do today in class and we were pressed for time at the end, so I hope you are visiting with the intent of making it clearer as to what you need to do by next class! Here's the recap for today:

Learning Targets Addressed:
Knowledge LT 1: I can demonstrate an understanding of the interplay between citizens and their governments.
Knowledge LT 3: I can demonstrate an understanding of how individuals and non-governmental institutions interact with each other and the government in shaping politics.

Knowledge LT 5: I can demonstrate an understanding of the principles, structures, and functions of different levels of U.S. government.

Soundtrack: “Leaders of Men" by Joy Division. Selected because Seth suggested it to me before last class, and the title totally relates to our study of Government (leaders of women, too!). Lyrics here.

AGENDA 10/24/14:
News Brief – Mathew
Computer Lab S210
DOMA/Dream Act
Town Hall Prep

Homework: Read the blog.
- Finish the Oregon representatives handout.
- Complete the DOMA questions page of the DOMA/Dream Act handout.
- Know your role for the Town Hall simulation next class. This means reading over your character, if you are a politician, or reading over your assigned group and thinking of a question for the candidates. Again, this is mostly about DOMA and the Dream Act.
- Next news brief: Abby G. and Mathew (again, as neither was in class today).

News Brief: This section sort of fizzled this week, as both Abby G. and Mathew were not in class today, which makes three consecutive days of no presented news briefs. Hopefully, one or both is ready to go on Tuesday!

Computer Lab S210: As I said at the end of last class, I wanted to give some more time to work on the Oregon Reps in Congress handout, so we went to the computer lab and spent most of class there. I think almost everyone has about 10-15 minutes more of work left as homework, so please ensure that you do that! Ask me if there are any questions I can help with! Here's the handout again:

Google Drive - Oregon Representatives on Congress Handout

We will talk about this in class next week.

DOMA/Dream Act: When we returned to the classroom, I talked a little bit about the importance of the Defense Of Marriage Act (DOMA) in recent American history, along with the idea of the DREAM Act. We are going to have a debate about these two ideas next class. Again, here's the handout I passed out. I'd like students to complete the first page of questions, dealing with DOMA, for homework:

Google Drive - DOMA and Dream Act Handout/Questions

This should take maybe 30 minutes. A fairly quick reading, then some questions associated with it. We will work on the rest of the handout (about the Dream Act) next class.

Town Hall Prep: At the very end of class (I know this wasn't super clear as to how it is going to work, so I apologize - we will go through it again next class), I passed out three candidate profiles, who are going to be represented by students at a "Town Hall" style simulation next class. I also passed out summaries of different nongovernmental organizations, who have positions on one of the two issues we are talking about (this is in reference to LT3). Lots to do next class! Be prepared!
:-)

Thank you once again for your hard work and understanding. Today marked a month since my dad was killed and I was reminded once again by what a joy it is to work with you all. I am truly thankful to be your teacher. Have a wonderful weekend!