Welcome back from vacation!
CLASS STUFF:
This week Miss Gertz’s classes are starting a unit on one of my favorite people from American history, Andrew Jackson.
My classes will be starting a unit on African American heroes.
BLOGGISH STUFF:
Bogush:
Write a post about the discussion from day 1–I’ll let you decide how you would like to handle the post and what direction you would like to take it–please remember da rules.
Sign-up for the blogging challenge
Miss Gertz:
Sign-up for the blogging challenge
Andrew Jackson:
Two Party System of Government
Democrats:
http://www.democrats.org/a/party/platform.html
http://www.democrats.org/a/party/history.html
Republicans:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_United_States_Republican_Party
http://www.ontheissues.org/republican_party.htm
Directions for Assignment (Two Party Political System)
In this assignment, you will be creating your own political party. Due to the early dismissal and the CMT schedule, I am giving you the entire class time today (2/26) and the entire period on Monday (3/1) to complete the assignment. Each student will present their project to the class on (3/2). It does not have to be a PowerPoint presentation, you may use whatever resources and programs you would like. Using the websites above will give you ideas and topics that you may choose to incorporate into your party platform. The assignment must include the following, please:
1. Name to your party
2. A picture, logo or symbol representing your party
3. You must choose four topics to include in your platform ideology (ex. education, taxes, economy, healthcare; you may choose whatever topics you would like though I would prefer you choose a couple of topics you learn about in the political platforms of the Republican and Democratic parties as well. There are a number to choose from). For each topic you must explain why you chose to include that issue within your platform. Each topic should include at least three ways/reasons why that issue is important within your party and an explanation of how you would incorporate each topic into society (ex. Education-No Child Left Behind, Taxes- lower/raise taxes for various income brackets…etc)
4. A brief history of your party (this part is from your imagination)
5. Write about a possible presidential candidate you would want to nominate for President. What are his stances on controversial issues? What does he value and find important within society? What experiences does he have that make him a viable candidate to run for President?
Lastly, this assignment will be presented in class as previously stated above. Each assignment will be graded. You will be paired with another classmate and work on the project together. You may work alone if you choose to. Keep in mind that if you choose to work with another student, you must share the workload, and both students MUST have a part in the presentation (whether big or small).
If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail via Wiki-mail. 
GOOD LUCK!
Directions for assignment (Presidential Election):
Please write a four paragraph article living as if you were in the time period of the 1824 election. From the information you have obtained you will support one candidate and explain why you support him. You must use specific examples (at least three) within your article. Such questions to think about are: what do you believe is important within society (education, taxes, religion, economy, etc) and do those beliefs line up with a specific candidate? How do personal experiences impact individual’s and their future decisions? In your opinion, can a President keep their personal opinions and beliefs out of their political position. Why or why not? Please provide examples from previous Presidents to support you answer (again, at least three)..DEEPLY THINK ABOUT THE LAST QUESTION
I know…been a little behind in updating the blog…
For Ms. Gertz’s class on Thursday you will need to find your image on the slide share here.
- Additional sources may be found above
- You must use evidence of these sources in your presentation
- Use the first person
- Speak from an enslaved Africans point of view
Please answer the following questions in a blog post:
1. In what ways did stereotypes influence European/African relationships?
2. How do you think stereotypes influence relationships today, (please give at least two examples in your answer)?
3. Explain at least two ways that you can help stop the continuation of stereotypes in your society.
4. Lastly, in your opinion, do you think that stereotypes will always be apart of society, why or why not?
Today we welcome Ms. Gertz into Water and Air classes. She will be taking over both classes and starting with a unit on slavery in 19th Century America.
Question for Wed/Thurs:
How do experiences in a relationship mold your future decisions and relationships with others?
Class Stuff:
Fire and Earth will continue with me…wha ha ha. We will start a unit focusing on one of my favorite people in history, Andrew Jackson.
FRIDAY
See “Day 2” for directions with the sub.
Bloggish Stuff due Friday:
- Should we define someone by their actions or their intentions?
- Write a psychological profile on Andrew Jackson. What type of President do you think he will make based on his life experiences prior to being President?
Next week we will have Ms. Heather Gertz a student teacher from CCSU starting with us on Monday. This short week will be a mix of bringing the War of 1812 to a close, discussion on what’s going on in Haiti, and a reflection on MLK’s life. No blog posts due this week, but feel free to contribute on your own.
Still trying to figure out how to continue posting what we are doing while we are in a block schedule…so for now here is the link to the current unit.
If you would like to comment on some other students’ poetry please check out mrsgstudent.blogspot.com/
Photo Source
Due to all sorts of problems, this will be quick! Rest of the week will be filled in later…
Monday: We’ll do a big ol’ HWYW, and then hop on the laptops. Please go to your blog, clean it up, and then write a post answering the question from Mrs. Parisi in Long Island. After you are done, please spend some time on her studen’s’ blogs or blogs linked on the left side of her blog and give them some comment love.
Tues-Fri: Start unit on the Star Spangled Banner
Class Stuff
We are on “Day 11” of the hero project. I would give some more details here, but I think you have heard enough in class.
Bloggish Stuff
This is a good one 
Leave a comment on a class or student blog somewhere in the world asking if they would be willing to watch your video and send you feedback on a blog post you are going to write next week that will have your video embedded. In your post simply write who you invited and a link to their blog. Ask them to accept the invitation in a comment on the post.
Class Stuff
This week we will start to make the movies. One week left!! You can access the directions here.
Bloggish Stuff
Please put up one post of your choice this week.
Also…after listening to so many great quotes from your “heroes” last week please write a post that includes a favorite quote of yours. It could be one from a relative, a friend, or a new one that you find on the internet. Share the quote and why it is your favorite.
oKidokie pokies-we are back to full scale blogging!
Class Stuff
We are rocking the hero world this week. Make sure you are up to snuff on the hero project. All research is to be done by Wednesday, the essay must be done by next Monday, and also on Monday you need to come in with a one minute oral presentation for the panel of experts. If they approve that the evidence you have given for your hero meets your definition of a hero then you can move on to making the movie. This Wednesday the team will be watching a movie in the Auditorium. If you would like to come to the library and catch-up, or get ahead and write the essay or start making the movie please let me know by the end of the day on Tuesday.
Bloggish Stuff
Write one post that includes your definition of a hero and a brief description of someone living today that you think meets your definition. Include one image that represents your definition.
Lewis and Clark will continue with Ms. Morrissey.
Bloggish stuff due Friday
1–Finish the Blogging challenge post
2–Visit one blog that is on a topic you want to know more about. In a post include a hyperlink to the blog, a little about what you learned by visiting the blog, why your readers would want to visit the blog and an image that matches your topic. Simply by typing your topic followed by blog will usually lead you to many blogs on your topic. For example I typed in farm + sheep + blog and was led to many blogs that interested me!
