Citizenship, Day 2 - Class Recap

Inside Ellis Island, where many immigrants came to the United States for the first time. Photo taken in 2011.

Dear class,

Welcome to your Winter Break! We ended 2017 by finishing up a mini-unit on citizenship. Here's what happened in class today:

Learning Targets Addressed:

Knowledge LT 1: I can demonstrate an understanding of the interplay between citizens and their governments.

Soundtrack: "Reelin' In The Years" by Steely Dan. Selected for today because the next time I see everyone will be in 2018! Lyrics here.

AGENDA 12/19/17:
News Brief – Trinity
Citizen USA
Citizenship Paper
Break!

Homework: Read the blog. Turn in your citizenship paper if you did not in class on Google Classroom! Next news brief: Mr. Fritz.

News Brief: Trinity had the news brief today and talked about this recent story: OregonLive.com - Jeff Merkley says someone impersonated him to weigh in against net neutrality. Obviously, students are really interested in this story, which I am glad to see. Thanks for your comments here! I will have the next news brief, as it is quite the wait until the next one.

Citizen USA: This was a short documentary (available streaming on HBO GO - if you do not have it, do not worry, as I will only put a grade in for students that are able to watch it). Here are the questions I had students answer as we watched the documentary:

Google Drive: Citizen USA Questions

This is another opportunity with LT 1 in class. Here is a list of dates for citizenship/naturalization ceremonies in Portland, if you are interested in attending one, after having seen them in the documentary! There is one this Thursday, the day that break starts!

USCourts.gov - Oregon Naturalization Ceremonies

Citizenship Paper: At the end of class, I gave a few more minutes for students to send me their citizenship paper on Google Classroom. Here's the assignment (which is due as homework if you did not finish in class):

Google Drive: Citizenship Paper Assignment

That was it for the day! Have a wonderful Winter Break and see you in 2018! :-)

Citizenship Paper - Class Recap

Last night, I was at the Jay-Z concert here in Portland. Imagine my delight when he performed "99 Problems" with lyrics on the screens? I definitely had to take a picture for my Government class!

Hello again, everyone!

It was really great to see you all today in class. Here's what happened in class today:

Learning Targets Addressed:

Knowledge LT 1: I can demonstrate an understanding of the interplay between citizens and their governments.
Knowledge LT 5: I can demonstrate an understanding of the principles, structures, and functions of different levels of U.S. government.
Research LT 5: I can effectively conduct and apply research. 

Soundtrack: "We Belong Together" by Mariah Carey. Selected for today because of the aspects of citizenship that bring us together. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 12/15/17:
News Brief – CJ
Review Class Feedback
Citizenship Paper

Homework: Read the blog. Turn in your citizenship paper if you did not in class on Google Classroom! Next news brief: Trinity.

News Brief: CJ had the news brief today, but was absent from class, so I filled in and talked about this recent story: NYTimes.com - F.C.C. Repeals Net Neutrality Rules. Thanks for the comments, insight, and questions here! We then had a check in about what we were up to outside of class. I am off to St. Louis this weekend!

Class Feedback: I always enjoy asking my classes about how things are going, both with the class and with my teaching. Here is the PowerPoint with the results of the feedback from last class:

Google Drive - Government Period 6 Class Feedback

Thank you for your input here! It is good to see what is going well and what perhaps could be improved on with about a month of classes left in the semester.

Citizenship Paper: This is meant as a short assignment, just so be able to demonstrate proficiency again with LT 1. Here's the assignment (which is due as homework if you did not finish in class):

Google Drive: Citizenship Paper Assignment

Again, I am just looking to see that you can identify and explain the basics of rights and responsibilities as a United States citizen. See you next week! Thank you!

Judicial Branch, Day 9 - Class Recap

We are about to begin our State and Local Government unit - my mom is a local elected leader in Portland!

Hello everyone!

It was great to see you all today in class. Here's what happened in class today:

Learning Targets Addressed:

Knowledge LT 1: I can demonstrate an understanding of the interplay between citizens and their governments.
Knowledge LT 5: I can demonstrate an understanding of the principles, structures, and functions of different levels of U.S. government.
Research LT 5: I can effectively conduct and apply research. 

Soundtrack: "Walk on Water" by 30 Seconds to Mars. Selected for today because of the music video (which I played in class) having a lot to do with American government.

AGENDA 12/13/17:
News Brief – Vinh
Review Judicial Quiz
12 Angry Men
Class Feedback
Citizenship Paper

Homework: Read the blog. Turn in any missing work ASAP! Next news brief: CJ.

News Brief: Vinh had the news brief today and talked about this recent story: Mashable.com -  What the 2017 net neutrality vote actually means for you. We talked about tomorrow's Net Neutrality vote and what the possible impacts could be. We also talked about what people were up to outside of class. Thanks, everyone!

Review Judicial Quiz: Last class, we took the Judicial Branch quiz, so today, we reviewed it as students who had not taken it were taking it outside of the class. Grades have been updated on StudentVUE!

12 Angry Men: We finished this movie today (there was only about 10 minutes left in class). I hope you enjoyed this classic!

Class Feedback: I always enjoy asking my classes about how things are going, both with the class and with my teaching. I will review the anonymous feedback you gave and go over it with the class soon.

Citizenship Paper: We did not have time today in class (due to the shortened Wednesday schedule) to get to this today, so we will start it next class. Thanks, everyone!

Judicial Branch, Day 8 - Class Recap

Inside a subway station in Washington, DC, where the three branches of our federal government are based. Photo taken in 2010.

Dear class,

We finished the judicial branch today in class, with wrapping up the movie and taking the test! Here's what happened today in class:

Learning Targets Addressed:

Knowledge LT 2: I can demonstrate an understanding of the role of governments in current issues.
Knowledge LT 5: I can demonstrate an understanding of the principles, structures, and functions of different levels of U.S. government.

Soundtrack: "Money" by Pink Floyd. Selected for today because trials and lawyers cost a lot of money to run.

AGENDA 12/11/17:
News Brief – CJ
Review
Judicial Branch Test
12 Angry Men

Homework: Read the blog. Turn in any late/incomplete work. Next news brief: Vinh.

News Brief: CJ had the news brief today, but was absent from class, so I filled in and talked about this story: CNN.com - Roy Moore in 2011: Getting rid of amendments after 10th would 'eliminate many problems'. This is especially important considering we did not talk much in class about many of the incredibly important amendments to the Constitution after the Bill of Rights, and the election fro Alabama's new senator is tomorrow (Tuesday). We also talked about last weekend, before moving on.

Vinh was assigned to do the next news brief.

Review/Judicial Branch Test: As promised, 40 questions, multiple choice. I will hope to get these grades get entered ASAP. Thank you for your effort on this!

12 Angry Men: After the test, we continued watching one of the most critically acclaimed movies ever: 12 Angry Men (1957). This is a great way to wrap up the judicial branch unit, as we learn more about the jury process through watching this film. I know it is old and black and white, and I was glad to see that students were paying close attention. Here is the film note-taking assignment, if you missed class or lost your copy:

Google Drive: 12 Angry Men Film Questions

We will finish this next class and start our last unit on State and Local government soon. See you then!

Judicial Branch, Day 7 - Class Recap

The exterior of the Colosseum in Rome. At the end of gladiator fights, the loser would famously be judged by the emperor. Photo taken summer 2014.

Dear class,

It is always great to see you! I enjoyed watching the first part of 12 Angry Men today. Here's what happened today in class:

Learning Targets Addressed:

Knowledge LT 2: I can demonstrate an understanding of the role of governments in current issues.
Knowledge LT 5: I can demonstrate an understanding of the principles, structures, and functions of different branches of U.S. government.

Soundtrack: "Happy" by Pharrell Williams. Selected for today because we are getting close to Winter Break, and student were probably happy to watch a movie today in class. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 12/7/17:
News Brief – Paul
National Judiciary
Juries/Study Guide
12 Angry Men

Homework: Read the blog. Study for the Judicial Branch test next class! Turn in any late/incomplete work - know your grade and how to improve it. Next news brief: CJ.

News Brief: Paul had the news brief today and talked about this story: WWeek.com - Some of Portland’s Best Mexican Food Is Gone, Apparently After Chef’s Immigration Issue. We discussed this story and talked about various different immigrant groups and visa issues with the Trump administration. We also checked in about the weekend and what people were up to.

CJ was assigned to do the next news brief.

National Judiciary: We then went through this in detail today - thoroughly reviewing the main concepts of the unit:

Google Drive: The National Judiciary Readings and Questions

Hopefully everything is making sense as far as the judicial branch!

Juries/Study Guide: Most of class was spent going over many questions about the judicial branch. I also passed out this study guide (the juries reading was on the back side) for preparation:

Google Drive: Judicial Branch Test Study Guide

Google Drive: Reading on Juries for Judicial Branch Test

One of the questions on the test will be (thanks for checking the blog!): In this case the U.S. Supreme Court declared that no one accused of a crime has to stand trial in any court in the land without benefit of counsel unless he or she specifically refuses it.
A. Dred Scott v Sanford C. Gideon v Wainwright
B. Plessy v Ferguson D. Brown v Board of Education

If you aren't sure, guess in the comments and I will tell you what the answer is!

12 Angry Men: To finish class, we started watching one of the most critically acclaimed movies ever: 12 Angry Men (1957). This is a great way to wrap up the judicial branch unit, as we learn more about the jury process through watching this film. I know it is old and black and white, and I was glad to see that students were paying close attention. Here is the film note-taking assignment, if you missed class or lost your copy:

Google Drive: 12 Angry Men Film Questions

We will take the Judicial Branch test next class, then watch the rest of 12 Angry Men! See you then.

Judicial Branch, Day 6 - Class Recap

An umpire in baseball is supposed to be an impartial judge, calling balls and strikes. Photo taken in 2011.

Hi everyone,

I really enjoyed the discussions and debates the the mock trials brought up today, and I had the sense that most students did, too. Here's what happened today in class:

Learning Targets Addressed:

Knowledge LT 5: I can demonstrate an understanding of the principles, structures, and functions of different levels of U.S. government.

Soundtrack: "Differences" by Ginuwine. Selected for today because there were differences of opinion in terms of the mock trial outcomes.

AGENDA 12/5/17:
News Brief – Hunter/Jun
Mock Trials
The National Judiciary
Work Time

Homework: Read the blog. Get any late work in ASAP to improve your grade. Next news brief: Paul.

News Brief: Hunter had the news brief today and talked about this story: BBC.com - John Conyers announces retirement amid sex harassment claims. This is an important story which continues the look at how sexual harassment charges are having a dramatic impact in all areas of our society right now.

Jun also had a news brief, which was from this article: TIME.com - Supreme Court Allows Full Enforcement of President Trump's Travel Ban. We discussed this latest news and why it is not actually a full decision from the Supreme Court yet, as the travel ban has not been decided.

Paul was assigned to do the next news brief.

Mock Trials: We had a really excellent discussion on the issues: school segregation, drug searches at school, and saying the Pledge of Allegiance in class. Please complete the rest of your mock trial packet, if you did not in class! Here are the actual results of the cases, with audio of the arguments, if you are interested:

Case #1: Oyez.org - Morse v. Frederick

Case #2: Oyez.org - Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School District No. 1

Case #3: Oyez.org - Safford Unified School District v. Redding

Case #4: Oyez.org - Elk Grove United School District v. Newdow

We finished all the cases within the class! Thank you for participating in this - I thought it was a pretty cool activity and I was glad to see students engaged in trying to answer these important legal questions.

The National Judiciary: To help with understanding the process for how the Supreme Court takes and decides cases, please watch these two videos (we did not in class due to time):

These videos are pretty cheesy (and older), but do a good job of explaining what happens!

We then went through this in detail today - thoroughly reviewing the main concepts of the unit:

Google Drive: The National Judiciary Readings and Questions

Please keep working on this! Sound good? Let me know if you have any questions I can answer! Thanks again for an enjoyable class this afternoon! :-)

Judicial Branch, Day 5 - Class Recap

Snowy Denver in 2007. Will we get some snow soon? Possibly!
Dear class,

It was a mostly a review and study day in class, for the upcoming judicial branch test. Here's what happened today in class:

Learning Targets Addressed:

Knowledge LT 2: I can demonstrate an understanding of the role of governments in current issues.
Knowledge LT 5: I can demonstrate an understanding of the principles, structures, and functions of different levels of U.S. government.

Soundtrack: "Rockin' in the Free World" by Neil Young. Selected for today because the laws of our country are supposed to ensure freedom. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 12/1/17:
News Brief – Jun
Finish Prep
Mock Trials

Homework: Read the blog. Next news brief: Hunter.

News Brief: Jun had the news brief today, but it slipped his mind, so I filled in and talked about former Vice President Joe Biden's visit to Portland yesterday. Here is the photo from my Instagram that I showed in class!

Hunter was assigned to do the next news brief.

Mock Trials: The majority of class was taken up by doing the mock trials for the cases we had time for (#1 and #2, listed below - we will finish with #3 and #4, next class) We had a really excellent discussion on the issues: student speech and school segregation. Please complete the rest of your mock trial packet, if you did not in class! Here are the actual results of the cases, with audio of the arguments, if you are interested:

Case #1: Oyez.org - Morse v. Frederick

Case #2: Oyez.org - Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School District No. 1

I was pleased to hear so many well thought out opinions on these cases! Thanks, everyone!