Finals Prep, Day 1 - Class Recap

Delicate Arch in Utah. A bridge between this semester and next! Photo taken in 2014.

Hi everyone,

One more week until our last class together before semester finals and I say goodbye to everyone, and welcome a new group of Government students next semester! 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.

Soundtrack: "Talk" by Coldplay. Selected for today because we continued talking about the role of State and Local government. Lyrics here. 

AGENDA 1/31/17:

News Brief – Josh
State and Local Packet
Jeopardy Review
Finals Review

Homework: Read the blog! Study for your final test! Next news brief: Dylan.

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News Brief: Josh had the news brief today and selected an article about this story to talk about: CNN.com - Trump fires acting AG after she declines to defend travel ban. We had an extended conversation at the start of class about all of the various actions taken by the Trump administration since our class last met. We discussed the travel ban on seven countries. We talked about the acting Attorney General being fired. We also talked for a bit about the impending Supreme Court nomination. There were plenty of good questions here - thanks, everyone.

The next news brief was assigned to Dylan.

State and Local Packet: I gave a few minutes after the news brief section to work on the State and Local reading and answers, which were the last "new" assignment of the semester. Here it is again if you want to see, if you want to study this section for the final:

Google Drive - State and Local Government Reading

We then went through the answers together as a class. Thanks for your participation here, everyone!

Jeopardy Review: Another fun session of Jeopardy with the class! This was to review content for the final, next week. If you want to see the slides again, here they are:

Google Drive - Government Jeopardy Final Review

Congratulations to Team 1/Fluffy Bunnies for coming out on top of the competition! I hope everyone had fun playing. We ended right as the bell rang!

Finals Review: Here it is (at least, the first page), if you missed class or wanted to see it again:

Google Drive - Government Semester Final Study Guide

See you on Thursday, where we will likely have a study day/watch something short and sweet. Thanks everyone!

State and Local Government, Day 6 - Class Recap

Cannon Beach, Oregon. Photo taken in 2007.

Dear class,

Today was our last real work day in class, as far as new content to do (the State and Local packet). 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.

Soundtrack: "Pride (In the Name of Love)" by U2. Selected for today because the song is in large part about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and because today is PRIDE Friday at Westview. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 1/27/17:
News Brief – Ellie R.
State and Local Packet
Final Review
Work Time

Homework: Read the blog. Prepare for finals! Next news brief: Josh.

News Brief: Ellie R. had the news brief today but missed the start of class, so we talked generally about what is going on in the news, as well as updates on the finals schedule (yours is on Tuesday, February 7), before moving on.

State and Local Packet: After the news, I passed out this packet, which should be treated as a Study Guide for the State and Local government portion of the final test:

Google Drive - State and Local Government Reading/Questions

This reading went over all sorts of different aspects of State and Local governments. Important to know! We will review the material next class.

Final Review/Work Time: Most of class was designated as work time, since it was the last day to turn in any missing work from the semester for me before finals. I went over grades individually with every student in the class. I also passed out the final review sheet, here:

Google Drive - Government Semester Final Study Guide

Next class, we will play Jeopardy to review for the final, go over the study guide, and then there will be study time. Have a great weekend!

State and Local Government, Day 5 - 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: "So What" by Miles Davis. Selected for today because it was a bit of jazz to start class and we were talking about "so what" in terms of our own history with the black community in Portland.

AGENDA 1/25/17:
News Brief – Harmony
Lift Ev'ry Voice
Film Questions
State and Local Work

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

News Brief: Harmony had the news brief today and selected an article about this story: CNN.com - Examining the top contenders on Trump's Supreme Court list. We talked about this story, which will obviously have an enormous impact on our federal government, as well as a lot of other stories involving President Trump's first few days in office (there is plenty going on).

Lift Ev'ry Voice/Film Questions: 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.

In wrapping up the unit, I told the class that if they were interested in continuing to talk about issues such as race and ethnicity, they should consider forecasting for my new Diversity and Social Justice class here at Westview. It will be .5 elective credit, team teaching with Ms. Labossiere! If the course happens as we want it and you get it on your schedule, you would be guaranteed (we think!) of having me as your teacher for it, along with Ms. Labossiere. Here is a flyer to check out more information!

Google Drive - Diversity and Social Justice Class Flyer

Consider it as a part of your forecasting for next year! Forecasting will start in early February!

State and Local Work: We ended with not enough time to start this, so we will start next class. Please bring your Chromebook on Friday! Then next week we will do some review for the final. Your final will be on Tuesday, February 7th. So, we have three more classes together before the final, then one after (apparently). It has been a pleasure to be your teacher, so I will enjoy every last minute! :-)