Penguin Deluxe Editions

 I've blogged before about my favorite book editions, Penguin Classics Deluxe Editions.  They just released a couple of new deluxe editions and they are some of the true classics in literature, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, and The Scarlett Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne.

These editions have great graphic art covers with French flaps and rough edges.  They're not hardback, so they're reasonably priced and are still neat collector's items.  Later this year, Penguin is releasing two American classics, Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn, which I re-read this summer, and Herman Melville's Moby Dick.  Their cover designs have already been revealed:

 

Periods 1, 3, & 5 U.S. History for Wednesday, September 30

Above:  The cover of the very cool Penguin Deluxe Edition of Upton Sinclair's novel The Jungle.

1. Took notes on the social gospel.  Copy from a classmate.
2. Read an excerpt from Upton Sinclair's The Jungle.  Read the excerpt here.
3. Began group work on the activity 7 Super Americans.  See me when you return to find out which group you are in.

Period 2 U.S. History Tuesday September 29

Above:  The cover of the very cool Penguin Deluxe Edition of Upton Sinclair's novel The Jungle.

1. Took notes on the social gospel.  Copy from a classmate.
2. Read an excerpt from Upton Sinclair's The Jungle.  Read the excerpt here.
3. Began group work on the activity 7 Super Americans.  See me when you return to find out which group you are in.
   

Periods 1, 3, & 5 U.S. History for Monday, September 28

I was absent again due to another meeting all day at the district office.  Mrs. Wilson, the substitute left a report and we will talk about it Wednesday.  The sub from last Thursday also left a report.  What was the outcome?  Find out Wednesday!

In class the sub showed a video on Ellis Island and the class took notes.  See the blog entry for the 25th to read about how absences are handled.

Looking forward to seeing these classes on Wednesday and catching up with everyone!

Periods 1, 3, & 5 U.S. History for Thursday, September 24

I was absent due to a meeting at the district office so the substitute showed a video about immigration and the class took notes.  If you have an excused absence from that day, you will be excused from that assignment and it will not count against you.  If you're absence from that day is not excused, it will be considered a truancy and you will receive a zero on that assignment.

Period 2 U.S. History Friday September 25

In class we participated in four different stations.  If you were absent you missed a fun game (Pit) and some key information about political machines.  You need to complete the following:

1. Page 256, #5 & 6 in the Main Ideas section.
2. Page 272, #1, 2, 4, & 6 in the Main Ideas section.
3. Copy notes from a classmate about political machines.
   

Period 8 World History for Tuesday, September 29

Good job in class today of finishing off the French Revolution simulation.  Today we chopped heads off!  I hope that you peasants enjoyed seeing your king get his head chopped off after the days you suffered doing peasant activities and sitting on the floor.  If you missed class today, be sure to copy the notes we covered from a classmate.

Period 8 World History for Friday, September 25

1. We played out Stage 2 of the French Revolution.
2. Notes on the French Revolution--copy from a classmate.
   

Message to my odd classes on Thursday, September 24

Remember folks, I won't be in class on Thursday.  We will be having a substitute teacher and there will be an assignment that you will need to complete.  I'm looking for PERFECT behavior and I know you are capable of it.  Also, please remember that I will be following up on any absences from that day.  If you are absent and do not have a cleared, excused absence through the main office, it will be considered a truancy and you will be assigned a Saturday school--no fun!

If you miss me and get lonely in class, don't forget that my high school senior portrait is located at the front of the room and will be shining down upon you while I'm gone.

Period 8 World History Wednesday, September 23

I've been pleased with the progress this class is making.  You have been doing a good job and we're starting to get back into the swing of things in this class.  On Friday we will get back to the French Revolution simulation.  Today in class we did the following:

1. Turned in Democracy/6 Thinkers Review Sheet.
2. Worksheet:  Enlightenment in Europe.  Due Friday September 25
   

U.S. History Tuesday/Wednesday September 22/23

1. Reviewed the Foundations of America Quiz.
2. Notes:  Industrialization (Rockefeller, Carnegie, business strategies, etc.).  Copy from a classmate.
3. Worksheet:  The Challenges of Urbanization.  Due Thursday/Friday 24/25
   

Period 8 World History Monday, September 21

1. French Revolution simulation, stage 1. 
2. Notes on stage 1; copy from a classmate.
3. The Democracy/6 Thinkers test will be on Wednesday.  The review sheet will also be due at the beginning of the period on Wednesday.
   

U.S. History Friday & Monday, September 18 & 21

1. Turned in some of the notes from the first few weeks of the school year.  The ones we turned in were:
1. August 28 (for odd classes) or 31 (for even classes).  The notes entitled "Survey on American Ideals" and "Religious Foundations."
2. September 3-4. "Contractor/Architect/Builder," Making of the Consitution video, video notes.
3. September 8-9. "Religious Liberty" and "Religious Revivals."
4. September 10-11. "Reconstruction" and "Segregation" (very short section).
2. Finish notes on immigration (copy from a classmate).
3. Worksheet:  Industry & Urban Growth.  Due upon your return.

Period 8 World History Thursday September 17

1. Notes:  Enlightenment & Revolution (copy from classmate)
2. Video:  Declaration of Independence, read by celebrities.  See video here.
3. Introduction to Louis XIV and France.  Copy notes from classmate
4. Democracy/Autocracy & 6 Thinkers Review Sheet.  Test is Monday.

Here's a link to the great Palace of Versailles interactive website we used in class.  It's in French, but you won't really need to read anything.  Click on any of the red dots to look around.

U.S. History Wednesday/Thursday September 16/17

1. Watched video clip of In America.
2. Answered questions about the clip (copy from classmate).
3. Notes:  The Immigrant Experience (copy from classmate).
   

U.S. History: Ellis Island

Above:  A 46-star American flag dates this photo of the Great Hall between 1907-1912.

I use this website to research our Immigration unit every year.  Here is the link to the photo albums of Ellis Island in past years and today.  Some fascinating pictures.

The Declaration of Independence...by CELEBRITIES!

We've been talking about the Declaration of Independence (DOI) in both U.S. History and World History.  We've talked about how Thomas Jefferson was influenced by thinkers from the Enlightenment period.  There is a good video of the reading of the DOI by some of today's best known actors and actresses (including Mel Gibson, Morgan Freeman, and Renee Zellweger) and I'm going to post it here.

Take note of how John Locke's idea of the social contract is evident in the DOI and his idea that if a government breaks their end of the contract (i.e. fails to protect the people's rights) the people have the right to rebel.  Much of the DOI (and as a result, the video)  is a list of King George's abuses.  Because of that, Jefferson says, we declare ourselves to be free and independent.

Period 8 World History Tuesday, September 15

1. Complete 6 Thinkers chart.  Copy notes from a classmate.
2. Answer the following five questions about the 6 Thinkers: 
1. Which two pairs of thinkers share similar ideas?
2. What ideas did each pair share?
3. Which thinker applied his ideas in South America?
4. Which thinker was the most purely democratic?
5. Which thinker supported having a king and/or queen?
   

U.S. History Monday/Tuesday September 14/15

Reminder that the make-up Foundations of America Quiz will be Wednesday the 16th at lunch in my classroom.  This will be the ONLY time to take the make-up.  No Show=Zero!

Here's what we did in class:

1. Immigration vocabulary game--copy the terms from a classmate.
2. Quick Write in your notes on immigration.  Answer the question at the top of page 900 in the textbook.
3. Watch video From China to Chinatown.  Copy questions and answers from classmate.
   

If you chose "Other" in the new poll question...

 Above:  A picture of me teaching back in 1968.

The new poll question is up and running!  Remember, we're shooting for 50  60 responses!  If you choose "Other" as your answer, leave a comment on this post and tell me what that class actually is.  Looking forward to seeing your responses.

Period 8 World History Friday, September 11

1. Worksheets:  Democratic Developments in England (use the section starting on page 12 in the book to find the answer) and The Judeo Christian Tradition (starting on page 18).  Only did part "A" on both sheets. Turned in both sheets at the end of the period.
   

U.S. History Thursday/Friday September 10/11

1. Turn in Foundations of America Review Sheet.  
2. Take Foundations of America Quiz.  If you were absent, the ONLY time to make it up will be at lunch on Wednesday, September 16th in my classroom.  Come right at the beginning of lunch with your materials for test-taking (paper & pen).  If you have an extraordinary situation that does not allow you to take the quiz on Wednesday, see me before Wednesday to arrange an alternative time.
3. Notes:  Civil War & Reconstruction.  Copy from a classmate.
4. Watched a portion of the video On Native Soil to commemorate the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
   

U.S. History Tuesday & Wednesday September 8 & 9

1. Notes on the Religious Foundations of America (Second Great Awakening, Civil War Revivals, etc.)
2. Foundations of America Review Sheet (due Thursday/Friday Sept. 10/11)
3. Foundations Quiz on Thursday/Friday Sept. 10/11--BE READY!

Don't dig a hole for yourself on our first real quiz of the year.  Start off with an excellent grade!

Period 8 World History Friday, September 4

1. Turned in the Legacy of Ancient Greece & Rome Worksheet
2. Assigned the Democracy Timeline.  The due date is Tuesday September 15 at the beginning of 8th period.
3. Began 6 Thinkers assignment.  See me on Wednesday to find out what group I assigned you to.
   

U.S. History Thursday & Friday September 3 & 4

 

1. Reviewed Locke, Jefferson, & Paine assignment
2. Notes:  The Making of the Constitution
3. Video:  The Constitution
4. Video Quiz

If you had an excused, verified absence, you will be excused from the quiz.  If you ditched class that day or do not have an excused absence through the main office, you will receive a zero on the quiz. 

Speaking of quizzes, if you did not take the Class Contract Quiz, the ONLY time to make it up will be this Wednesday, September 9th at lunch.  If you do not show up for that quiz, you will receive a zero.

First Poll Results

 The first poll results are in and you have decided that the most difficult part about coming back to school after the summer was...

WAKING UP EARLY.  Thirty of the 35 respondents chose that option.  In second place with 18 votes was doing homework.  Fourteen people said it was sitting through classes.  And three people said being around me was the most difficult part.  Apparently my wife voted three times in the poll.

Thanks to all who voted.  Get ready for another poll shortly and remember, we're shooting for 60 votes this time around!

World History Wednesday, September 2

1. Grade Contract Quiz
2. Notes on the Roots of Democracy in Greece and Rome
3. Worksheet:  The Legacy of Ancient Greece and Rome.  Use the section starting on page 5 of your textbook to help you with the worksheet.  It is due on Friday September 4 at the beginning of the period.
   

U.S. History Periods 1, 2, 3, 5 on Tuesday/Wednesday September 1/2

1. Graded the Contract Quiz
2. Quick-Write in Notes: What is the most significant impact of the internet?
3. Notes: The Enlightenment and the American Revolution (copy from a classmate)
4. Read pages 52-53 in your textbook and take notes on the key ideas of:
   
   
   
   • Thomas Jefferson
   • John Locke
   • Thomas Paine (or "T. Paine" as I like to call him)
   Then decide which one was the
   
   
   
   • CONTRACTor
   • Architect (laid the plans)
   • Builder
   This is should be completed before coming to class on Wednesday/Thursday.