Period 8 World History for Thursday, December 17

We finished our World War I posters.  Voting for the best poster will take place once we return from break.  Have a fantastic vacation!

Period 8 World History for Tuesday, December 15

1. Notes:  Realities of War & Trench Warfare.  Copy from a classmate.
2. Begin The Great War Poster Project.  See me when you return so that I can get you into the right group.
   

U.S. History for Monday & Tuesday, December 14 & 15

1. Completed Boom to Bust video on the 1920s.
2. Notes:  Why did the Great Depression happen?  Factor #1.
   
3. Group work on  factors 2 and 3.
4. Game on the first three factors.  Play it here!
   

Period 8 World History Friday, December 11

1. Showed me the completed homework, which was coloring the map according to the directions on the sheet.  Worth 10 points.
2. Imperialism quiz.  Make up will be Wednesday Dec. 16 at lunch.  No show = zero.
3. Notes:  World War I weapons
4. Video:  Arming for War
   

U.S. History for Thursday & Friday, December 10 & 11

1. Finished notes from 1920s
2. Began Boom to Bust video. 
   

Period 8 World History for Wednesday, December 9

1. World War I notes.  Copy from classmate.
2. Homework:  complete numbers 3 and 4 on the World War I map (color the Allied Powers and the Central Powers).  Due Friday.
   

U.S. History for Tuesday & Wednesday, December 8 & 9

1. Finished 1920s posters and began reviewing them in-depth.  Get notes on those topics from classmate.
   

U.S. History: Today's bailout & the 1920s

The current financial state, by the British Broadcasting Company:

In U.S. History we're making allusions to the looming financial crisis of the 1930s.  Once we're done with our 1920s unit, we'll explore the Great Depression in-depth.

I came across the following article this morning that discusses the current financial crisis and the controversy surrounding the government's bailout plan.  I thought it might be interesting reading for you as we prepare for the Great Depression unit.  Pay special attention to why the government has offered this bailout and that will lend some insight into the causes behind both the current crisis and the Great Depression.  I've placed that section in bold and italics.  Article from the Associated Press.

Geithner: bailout program extended to October

By JEANNINE AVERSA and DANIEL WAGNER, AP Economics Writers Jeannine Aversa And Daniel Wagner, Ap Economics Writers  

December 9, 2009

 

WASHINGTON – Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner told Congress Wednesday that the administration will extend the government's financial bailout program until next fall, saying it's needed to protect against fresh economic shocks.

In a letter to House and Senate leaders, Geithner said the extension is "necessary to assist American families and stabilize financial markets."

Money from the $700 billion taxpayer-funded bailout program has helped rescue big Wall Street firms, auto companies and others. That's angered many Americans, who feel the government hasn't provided them with relief from high unemployment and rising home foreclosures.

The Troubled Asset Relief Program that Congress passed during the height of the financial crisis in October 2008 was scheduled to expire at the end of the year. Geithner said it will be extended until Oct. 3, 2010. He has the authority to extend the TARP simply by notifying lawmakers.

"The recovery of our financial system remains incomplete," Geithner told lawmakers. "And, near-term shocks to that system could undermine the economic recovery we have seen to date."

Geithner said he doesn't expect to use more than $550 billion of the funds.

The Treasury secretary said new commitments bankrolled by the bailout fund will be limited to three areas next year.

One focus is stepping up efforts to curb record-high home foreclosures, a move necessary to stabilize the housing market and support a lasting economic recovery.

Another will be providing capital to small banks, which play a crucial role in providing credit to small businesses — normally a leading engine of job creation. Small banks have been weighed down by problem commercial real estate loans, which has made them reluctant to lend and hurt the ability of small businesses to expand and hire.

In a third area, Geithner said the government may boost its commitment to a program aimed at sparking lending to consumers and small businesses. Run by Treasury and the Federal Reserve, the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility started in March.

December 7, 1941 Pearl Harbor Remembered

Today is the anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.  We'll be studying this in the spring.  In the meantime, here is an interesting video about an artifact from the USS Arizona.

U.S. History for Friday and Monday, December 4 and 7

1. Finished the posters on the 1920s
2. Discussed each group's addition to the prohibition poster.
3. Took notes on prohibition.  Copy from a classmate.
   
4. Watched a clip from a prohibition video.
   

Period 8 World History for Monday, December 7

1. Make-up test for the benchmark we had last Thursday will be Wednesday, December 9 at lunch.  If you do not show up for it, you will receive a zero.
2. We will be having a quiz on Imperialism on Friday, December 11.  Two things that will definitely be on the quiz:  the vocabulary terms (spelling counts) and the motives for imperialism.
3. Today in class, we played the vocabulary game for our new unit on World War I.  Copy those terms from a classmate.
4. Notes on World War I.  Copy from a classmate.
   

Period 8 World History Thursday, December 3

We took benchmark test #1.  The make up will be Wednesday, December 9 at lunch.

U.S. History Wednesday & Thursday, December 2 & 3

We completed the 1920s chart and began work on the posters.

BRING FOOD!

The official Clovis East Canned Food Drive has begun!  The contest has been going on for six years.  I had a five year winning streak that was snapped last year by Mr. Dias.  This year the competition is being held by department and our social science department will be going up against the others on campus.

This competition is a great way to support a very worthy cause, the Poverello House.  The Poverello House has been helping people in the Valley for over 3 decades.  While none of us might be millionaires and may even be struggling ourselves, there is always someone out there who is worse off than us and could use our help.  Please bring in your non-perishable food items (cans, dried goods, top ramen, etc.) as soon as possible.  Let's help folks out and let's win this competition!

Volunteers serving food at Poverello House.

Period 8 World History for Tuesday, December 1

Welcome back from the break.  Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Here's what we did today:

1. Reviewed our viewing of Gandhi.
2. Watched a short video about India and Pakistan.  Watch it below.
3. Completed #1-6 only on the Nationalism in India worksheet.
4. Completed #1 and 2 on the World War I map.

Watch the video below to get an overview of the conflicts between India and Pakistan since Gandhi's time.

U.S. History for Monday/Tuesday, November 30 and December 1

Welcome back!  Hope you had an excellent Thanksgiving.  Here's what we did in class:

1. Broke into groups and began the 1920s Chart.  Most groups got through about half of it.  If you were absent, you should work to complete about half of it on your own.
   
2. Next time we will finish the chart in class, then work on posters.
   

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope everyone has a terrific Thanksgiving.  No matter what your situation is, you have much for which to be thankful.  Enjoy your break.

Period 8 World History for Friday, November 20

1. Finished the last portion of Gandhi.  If you were absent, be sure to watch the film on your own.  Our unit test on Imperialism will ask about Gandhi.

U.S. History for Thursday & Friday, November 19 & 20

1. Turned in U.S.Imperialism Reveiw Sheet
2. Took U.S. Imperialism Test.  Make up will be Wednesday, December 3 at lunch in my room.  This is the ONLY time to take the make-up.  No show = zero.
   

Period 8 World History for Wednesday, November 18

I didn't realize that this class had already seen most of the 9/11 video On Native Soil so after that was quickly finished, the sub I guess ran out of ideas and had someone grab Ratatouille from another teacher.  Uh...not what I had in mind, but what can you do?

If you had a cleared, excused absence you will be excused from the notes on the 9/11 video.  If you do not have a cleared excused absence, you will have earned a zero.

U.S. History for Tuesday & Wednesday November 17 & 18

I was out sick both days so on Tuesday, I had the substitute show a video on Theodore Roosevelt to my odd classes, and on Wednesday we continued watching the next portion of the 9/11 video On Native Soil.  If you have a cleared, excused absence through the main office, you are excused from those assignments.  If your absence from that day is not excused, you will have earned a zero.

U.S. History Imperialism Review Sheet from Last Week

U.S. History Imperialism Review Sheet for those of you who need another copy.  Remember, you may still turn it in for up to two weeks after the due date for half credit.  That would be December 3 for odd classes and December 4 for even classes.

NOTE TO ALL U.S. HISTORY CLASSES

Even though I was absent today and will be absent Wednesday, we will still be having our imperialism test on Thursday (odd classes) and Friday (even classes).  Don't forget too that the review sheet will also be due the day of your test.

U.S. History for periods 1, 3, 5 for Tuesday, November 17

I was home sick today so the sub showed a video on Theodore Roosevelt.  If you had a cleared, excused absence through the main office, you'll be excused from the assignment.  If your absence is uncleared, you will receive a zero on the assignment.

Period 8 World History for Monday, November 16

1. Watched the next portion of Gandhi and answered more questions from the movie question sheet.
   

U.S. History Period 2 for Monday, November 16

1. Notes:  Political, Social, & Economic Effects of World War I on the U.S.  Copy from a classmate.
   
2. Labor Negotiations Game.  No make-up possible.
   

Period 2 U.S. History for Thursday, November 12

I was gone for jury duty so we had a substitute teacher.  I had her show the video called From Rough Rider to Rushmore about Theodore Roosevelt.  If you have an excused, cleared absence from that day, you will be excused from the assignment.  If you have an uncleared absence from that day, you will receive a zero.

Period 8 World History for Thursday, November 12

In class there was a substitute because I was at jury duty.  I had the sub show the movie On Native Soil about the September 11 attacks.  There is no make-up possible or necessary.  If you have an excused, verified absence from that day, you will be excused from the assignment.  If you have an uncleared absence, you will receive a zero.

Old date: U.S. History for Friday & Monday November 6 & 9

1. Complete and turn in World War I Shell Shock video.
2. On page 395 answer #2.  Turn in.
   

Periods 1, 3, & 5 U.S. History for Tuesday, November 10

1. Notes on the political effects of World War I on the U.S.  Copy from a classmate.
2. Labor negotiations game.  No make-up necessary or possible.
   

World History for Thursday, November 5

1. Finish explaining placards from the Motives for Imperialism activity.
2. Preview British Imperialism in India from pages 357-361 in textbook.
3. Begin watching Gandhi with question sheet.
   

U.S. History for Wednesday & Thursday, November 4 & 5

• Collect notes:  
• Practice analyzing political cartoon

• Watch Panama Canal video
• Analyze Panama Canal political cartoon

U.S. History and World History: World War III Could Have Started Over Berlin Wall

One thing I love about history is when major players in gigantic historical events come out and explain their stories.  Mikhail Gorbachev, former leader of the Soviet Union, made some statements this morning that explained his thoughts behind the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.  Interesting article:

Moscow could have started WW3 over Berlin Wall: Gorbachev

By Guy Faulconbridge  Tue Nov 3, 12:06 pm ET

(Photo: Mikhail Gorbachev on October 3, 2009)

MOSCOW (Reuters) – The Kremlin could have started World War Three in 1989 had it used troops to crush the demonstrations that preceded the fall of the Berlin Wall, former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev said on Tuesday.

Gorbachev is hailed in the West for ignoring hardliners who advised him to guarantee the Soviet Union's future by crushing a growing wave of dissent in Eastern Bloc countries which led to the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989.

When asked by a reporter why he did not use force to halt the demonstrations, Gorbachev said it would have sparked a catastrophic set of events and even a world war.

"If the Soviet Union had wished, there would have been nothing of the sort (the fall of the Wall) and no German unification. But what would have happened? A catastrophe or World War Three," said Gorbachev, 78.

"My policy was open and sincere, a policy aimed at using democracy and not spilling blood. But this cost me very dear, I can tell you that," he said.

Most Russians revile Gorbachev for his weakness in allowing the collapse of the Soviet Union and the loss of Moscow's global empire. A poll last year found that 60 percent of Russians still viewed the demise of the Soviet Union as a "tragedy."

Thousands of East Germans crossed to West Berlin in November 1989 after the Soviet-backed authorities unexpectedly ordered the opening of tightly guarded border crossings in the Wall.

Gorbachev, who could have used nearly half a million Soviet troops stationed in East Germany to crush the rebellion, quipped that he had "a good night's sleep" after the Wall was opened.

"I am very proud of the decision we made," he said. "The Wall did not simply fall -- it was destroyed just as the Soviet Union was destroyed."

The fall of the Berlin Wall -- a symbol of the Cold War divide of Europe -- was one of the nails in the coffin of the Soviet Union, which collapsed at the end of 1991.

SOVIET UNION
After becoming Soviet leader in 1985, Gorbachev -- then just 54 -- battled against the conservative wing of the Communist Party to push through reforms that dismantled the one-party system, freed the press and ended restrictions on religion.

The father of "glasnost" (openness) and "perestroika" (restructuring) said he had not wished to preside over the collapse of the Soviet Union, adding that it was destroyed by internal discord.

The fall of the Soviet Union also signaled the end of Gorbachev's own political career. Despite winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990, he never won elected office afterwards and nowadays appears much more often abroad than in Russia.

But Gorbachev warned that the West had also made mistakes, missing an opportunity to build lasting peace in Europe by being over-triumphant after the Soviet collapse.

"The West and above all the United States thought that they had a full monopoly in their hands...Their triumphalist complex cost a fair amount: a lot could have been resolved and wars avoided in Europe," he said.

"They now need their own perestroika," he said, adding that he was glad Barack Obama had won the U.S. presidential election.

"The lesson from the Berlin Wall is not to divide up the world again. We must live peacefully in the European house together with all its windows and doors," said Gorbachev.

World History for Tuesday, November 3

1. Complete Motives for Imperialism sheet.
2. Review each placard
3. Introduce imperialism in India from pages 357-361 in textbook in preparation for watching Gandhi on Thursday.
   

U.S. History for Friday & Monday, October 30 and November 3

1. Collected the worksheet Acquiring New Lands that was assigned previously.
2. Reviewed benchmark exam #1.
3. Notes on Cuba and American diplomacy
4. Began Shell Shock video on World War I.
   

U.S. History for Wednesday & Thursday, October 28 & 29

1. Reviewed Immigration, Industrialization, & Progressive Era Test.
2. Completed #7-10 on Spanish American War worksheet which was begun last time.
3. Worksheet:  Acquiring New Lands.  Students were to complete only section A (complete the chart for questions 1-4) and section C at the bottom about Emilio Aguinaldo.  This sheet is due at the beginning of the period on Friday October 30 (odd classes) and Tuesday, November 3 (even classes).
   

Period 8 World History for Tuesday, October 27

1. Turned in homework:  pg. 344 #1, 3, 6
2. Began Imperialism Motives chart with partner.
   

Great Opportunity!!!

I received an email from our district recently about a chance for students to write an essay and win incredible prizes.  It would be great if my students got involved in this and I am here to help if you would like to give it a shot.  The teacher submitting the winning essay also gets a piece of the prize--double bonus!

Being An American  Essay Contest

The Bill of Rights Institute is sponsoring an essay contest which challenges students in grades 9-12 to reflect on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, helping them better understand and embrace America's civic values and founding principles.

The Question:  What civic value do you believe is most essential to being an American? 

Trace the enduring importance of this value throughout the American story discussing: 

A founding document that reflects this value;

a figure from American history who embodies this value;

and examples of how you have and/or could put this value into practice.

Essays may be no longer than 750 words and may only be submitted online by a teacher. 

All entries must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. EST, December 1, 2009. 

Complete contest rules and regulations, student eligibility, essay guidelines, judging and awards information may be found at:

www.BeinganAmerican.org/Letter

Eighteen Student and Teacher $5,000.00 cash prizes

Eighteen Student and Teacher $2,500.00 cash prizes

Eighteen Student and Teacher $1,250.00 cash prizes

...and more!

Twenty-Seven All Expense Paid Trips to Washington D.C.!

U.S. History Monday & Tuesday, October 26 & 27

1. Notes:  Taking Hawaii.  Copy from a classmate.
2. Video:  Yellow Journalism.
3. Worksheet: The Spanish American War
4. Homework:  page 345 #2, 3, 4.  Due next class at the beginning of the period.
   

Period 8 World History for Friday, October 23

1. Notes:  Reactions to the Industrial Revolution--Arts & Literature.  Copy from a classmate.
2. Imperialism vocabulary: copy from a classmate
3. Homework:  Pg. 344 #1, 3, 6