Chapter 3 The U.S. Constitution

Thursday September 30, 2010 – Periods 1, 5, 7                                                                  Friday October 1, 2010 – Period 2

Friday 10/1, all class notebook are due. Your notebook should have Chapters 2 and 3 notebook guides completed, class notes and assignments. The class wiki: author 2 news article posts, author 1 thread (can be on a news article, current event, or topic covered in class), and author 3 comments (reply to three of your classmates’ threads) is also due on Friday.

Students completed a Constitution Outline worksheet using the word bank on the page and without using the Constitution as a reference. We then corrected worksheet and put the handout into our notebooks. We continued our activity to acquaint us with the rules and operations of the U.S. government as enumerated in the Constitution.

Finally chapter 4 notebook guide was distributed before the end of the class period.

Chapter 3 Constitutional Convention of 1787

Tuesday September 28, 2010 – Periods 1, 5, 7                                                                      Wednesday September 29, 2010 – Period 2

This Thursday 9/30, class notebook are due. Your notebook should have Chapters 2 and 3 notebook guides completed, class notes and assignments. The class wiki: author 2 news article posts, author 1 thread (can be on a news article, current event, or topic covered in class), and author 3 comments (reply to three of your classmates’ threads) is due on Friday 10/1.

Today we covered the formation of our present constitution. Some topics covered are: Great Compromise, North-South Compromise, Executive Branch, Federalist, Anti-Federalist, Federalist Papers (specifically 10 and 51), and ratification. For four months, 55 delegates from the several states met to frame a Constitution for a federal republic. The video below presents the story of two delegates to that convention and the framing of the federal Constitution.

We concluded with a Social Science Analysis Frame activity. We used the article “Coming: Hard Tax on Soft Drinks” to write a introductory paragraph with a thesis statement. We also had a class discussion on the topic of taxes on soft drinks, candy, and junk/fast food.

Chapter 3 Articles of Confederation

Friday September 24, 2010 – Periods 1, 5, 7                                                                         Monday September 27, 2010 – Period 2

Chapter 2 Quiz today.

The class was reminded of our requirements for our class wiki: author 2 news article posts, author 1 thread (can be on a news article, current event, or topic covered in class), and author 3 comments (reply to three of your classmates’ threads). Next Thursday 9/30, class notebook will be graded. Your notebook should have Chapters 2 and 3 notebook guides completed, class notes and assignments.

We took notes on the Articles of Confederation and Shay’s Rebellion. We concluded class with a Pair-Share activity on the articles and ammendments found in the U.S. Constitution.

Chapter 3 Roots of American Democracy

Wednesday September 22, 2010 – Periods 1, 5, 7                                                                Thursday September 23, 2010 – Period 2

We completed our Chapter 2 notebook guide. We identified a form of government, system of government, and economic system that would best fit the following priorities in creating a new government: efficiency, freedom, prosperity, equality, and security. There was an notebook assignment check fro Chapter 2 timeline and vocabulary. Chapter 2 Quiz on Friday 9/24.

Chapter 3 notebook guide was distributed and we took notes on European philosophers that influenced the develpment of democratic government in the United States.

Nucountry Activity

Monday September 20, 2010 – Periods 1, 5, 7                                                                      Tuesday September 21, 2010 – Period 2

We reviewed the seven forms of government, three types of government, and four types of economic systems to prepare us for the Nucountry activity and the upcoming Chapter 2 Quiz on Friday 9/24. (Period 2 – Chapter 2 Quiz on Monday 9/27)

In our Nucountry activity, students took on the role of a representative at a constitutional convention. Each of the groups represented a different interest group within that society. The groups must work together to establish a new form of government, create a system of organization for that government, and choose an economic system for their newly independent country.

Chapter 2 Forms of Government

Thursday September 16, 2010 – Periods 1, 5, 7                                                                   Friday September 17, 2010 – Period 2

The class was reminded of our requirements for our class wiki: author 2 news article posts, author 1 thread (can be on a news article, current event, or topic covered in class), and author 3 comments (reply to three of your classmates’ threads). Our Chapter 2 Notebook assignment is due on Monday 9/20 for periods 5 & 7 and Wednesday 9/22 for period 1.

We proceeded with a review on forms of government, types of government, and economic systems to prepare us for the Nucountry activity. Students were asked to define and provide an example for each form and type of government and economic system.

In our Nucountry activity, students took on the role of a representative at a constitutional convention that is charged with creating a stable government and an economic system for a fictitious country that has just achieved independence. Each of the groups represented a different interest group within that society. Some groups will have similar interests, while others will have conflicting interests. The groups must work together to establish a new form of government, create a system of organization for that government, and choose an economic system for their newly independent country.

Chapter 2 Comparing Forms of Government

Tuesday September 14, 2010 – Periods 1, 3, 5                                                                      Wednesday September 15, 2010 – Period 2

We reviewed our requirements for our class wiki: author 2 news article posts, author 1 thread (can be on a news article, current event, or topic covered in class), and author 3 comments (reply to three of your classmates’ threads). These are minimum requirements. You may do more if you want to be more involved in our discussions.

We did a SSA (Social Science Analysis) Frame activity with the Wrong Direction on Privacy article. We used the 6-Ws worksheet to pick out the necessary information for an effective introductory paragraph. We finished this activity by writing a frame paragraph.

The Chapter 2 notebook guide was handed out and assigned for homework. We continued with a short powerpoint presentaion on the forms of government. The class was asked to be familiar with the vocab for 2.3-2.5 for our class activity on Thursday.

Below is an explanation of the various forms of government.

Chapter 1 Power Politics and Government

Friday, September 10, 2010 – Periods 1, 3, 5                                                                        Monday September 13, 2010 – Period 2

We did a sample post on our class wiki to demonstrate the process for posting on Wetpaint. We reviewed our requirements for our class wiki: author 2 news article posts, author 1 thread (can be on a news article, current event, or topic covered in class), and author 3 comments (reply to three of your classmates’ threads). These are minimum requirements. You may do more if you want to be more involved in our discussions.

The class brainstormed ideas on what is government. This was followed up with class notes on government and how it relates to politics and the economy.

Finally, we took did a chapter 1 review to assess our comprehension on our reading assignment. There was no homework assigned.

Government Economics Class

Wednesday 9/8/2010 – Periods 1, 5, 7                                                                                   Thursday September 9, 2010 – Period 2

Welcome to our class!

Today was an introduction to our class. We reviewed our class syllabus, went to the computer lab to register on our class wiki at WetPaint and class account at Turnitin. We also completed our first online assignment (Assignment 1). Then we picked up our government textbook from the TMC.

We briefly talked about the class and although the course is listed as Government /Economics, we will be covering government in the first semester and economics during the second semester. Other classes are doing the reverse (economics then government).

We are reminded to be civil in this class. It’s okay for others the share their opinions even if we do not agree with their point of view. These differences will serve to strengthen our point of view or cause us to question and change if necessary.

The chapter 1 Notebook Guide was handed out and can be compared to the electronic notebook samples on our class wiki. This will help guide you in setting up you own notebooks for this class. There is no notebook assignment for this chapter other than to read it. You will begin your notebook with Chapter 2.