U.S. History for Wednesday & Thursday, January 12 & 13

1. I checked the Final Exam Review Packet and stamped those that were complete (10 points). Students will be turning them in the day of the final so if you didn't have it complete for the stamp, be sure to complete it by the day of the final.
2. Video: Over the Edge.  Print out the questions here and watch the videos below.

U.S. History for Friday, December 17

Finished and turned in the chart about New Deal programs.

U.S. History for Wednesday & Thursday, December 15 & 16

1. Notes on FDR's New Deal.  Be sure to copy those from a classmate.
2. We began an activity that had students examining Roosevelt's New Deal programs.  See me if you were absent and I'll get you in the right group.

U.S. History for Tuesday, December 14

1. We viewed some Great Depression photos.
2. We then went over a worksheet on Herbert Hoover's approach to the Great Depression.  Be sure to pick one up from me in class.

U.S. History for Monday, December 13

1. Read about the liberal and conservative approaches to solving the Great Depression.
2. Created a chart and categorized various ideas into "liberal" or "conservative."

Be sure to copy the chart from a classmate when you return.

U.S. History for Friday, December 10

1. Completed the video Stormy Weather.  Students turned in their question sheets.  Watch the last section below. 
2. We began to examine the liberal and conservative approaches to ending the Great Depression.  We will continue this activity on Monday.

U.S. History for Wednesday and Thursday, December 8 & 9

1. Seven minute video on the Dust Bowl.
2. Notes on factors 5 and 6 that led to the Great Depression.
3. Review game:  Rags to Riches.
4. Continue with video Stormy Weather.  Watch it below.

U.S. History for Tuesday, December 7

1. We watched the first 10 minutes or so of The Century--Stormy Weather.  Here is the question sheet for the video.  Print it out and watch the video below.

1. We also took notes on the 4th factor leading to the Great Depression, overproduction.  In period 3 we also took notes on the 5th, the decline of farming.  Be sure to copy those notes from a classmate if you were absent.

U.S. History for Monday, December 6

Today we took some notes on the first three factors that led to the Great Depression:

1. Coolidge's Republican Policies (trickle-down economics)
2. Real Estate and Stock Speculation
3. Weak Banks

Make sure that you copy those notes from a classmate if you were absent.

U.S. History for Friday, December 3

1. Took notes on the first reason the Great Depression happened.  Be sure to copy those from a classmate.
2. We then played a game based on the first three reasons the Great Depression occurred.  Click on this link and play the game here.

U. S. History: Great Depression Photographs

Really descriptive Great Depression photos site here.

U.S. History for Tuesday & Wednesday, January 12 & 13

1. Completed New Deal chart.
2. Played the final exam vocabulary game posted in yesterday's entry.
   

U.S. History for Friday and Monday, January 8 and 11

1. Notes:  New Deal.  Copy from a classmate. 
2. Began chart on the New Deal.  Get one from me when you return.

U.S. History: the First Hundred Days

In U.S. History we're talking about Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal and how he was able to work with Congress to get many programs approved in his first 100 days.  Since that time, each president has had his first 100 days used as a measuring stick of how effective he has been  Below I've posted a CNN montage of President Obama's first 100 days.

U.S. History for Friday, December 19 & Monday, January 5

1. Reviewed the 6 factors leading to the Great Depression.
2. Watched The Century--Stormy Weather. No make-up possible.  If you have an excused, cleared absence, you will be excused from the assignment.
   

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!
   

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.

U.S. History: The Civilian Conservation Corps

Recently in U.S. History we discussed Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal and the programs that were intended to jump-start the economy. One such program was the Civilian Conservation Corps.

I like to read different blogs and one that has a fashion slant to it is called A Continuous Lean. One of today's posts on that blog contains photographs from the Oregon State University archive of photos of the CCC. Click here to see some beautiful photographs of that program in action.

World History & U.S. History: Review Games

Get rid of your XBox and Wii, history review games are here! Prepare for the final exam by studying and playing these games. For World History, there are fifteen terms and that amounts to fifteen test questions. Click on this link and the game will help you prep.

For U.S. History, the Great Depression game is one that will review key ideas from that unit. Play the game here.