State and Local Government, Day 6 - Class Recap

Cannon Beach, Oregon. Photo taken in 2007.

Dear class,

Today we continued the last unit of the semester with the State and Local packet. 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.

Soundtrack: "I Will Buy You A New Life" by Everclear. Selected for today because the song references Portland ("way up in the West Hills") and the band is from the city. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 1/19/18:
News Brief – David (Kayla, Ernesto, CJ, Calvin, Erick)
Presentations
State and Local Packet
Work Time

Homework: Read the blog. Prepare for finals! Next news brief: Avery (and anyone who has not presented yet).

News Brief: David had the news brief today and selected an article about this story to talk about: TheVerge.com - Here’s how Hawaii’s emergency alert design led to a false alarm. We checked in about this story and the possible implications, as well as updates on the finals schedule, before moving on to talk about the government shutdown that could happen tonight.

Presentations: We finished the State and Local presentations in class today - I will aim to have these projects graded by next week, so you know where you are going into finals!

State and Local Packet: After the presentations, I passed out this packet, which should be treated as a Study Guide for the State and Local government portion of the final test:

Google Drive - State and Local Government Reading/Questions

This reading went over all sorts of different aspects of State and Local governments. Important to know!

Work Time: Most of class was designated as work time, since it was the last day to turn in any missing work from the semester for me before finals. I went over grades individually with every student in the class. Thanks for your effort here! One more full week of the semester to go!

State and Local Government, Day 5 - Class Recap

My view of Mt. Hood and Lost Lake on final approach into Portland International Airport last year.

Dear class,

Today was another presentation day for the last major assignment of the year: the State and Local project. Here's what happened in class today:

Learning Targets Addressed:

Knowledge LT 2: I can demonstrate an understanding of the role of governments in current issues.
Knowledge LT 6: 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.
Critical Thinking and Reasoning LT 3: I can apply understanding of ideas and concepts to a new context or problem. 

Soundtrack: "Talk" by Coldplay. Selected for today because students continued to talk about their State and Local projects in class. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 1/17/18:
News Brief – Kayla, Ernesto, CJ, and Calvin
State/Local Presentations
Late Work?

Homework: Read the blog. All late work needs to be turned in by Friday! Next news brief (just find a news story - does not need to be a write up): David.

News Brief: No students were present in class who had a remaining news brief, so we skipped this for today. I assigned David to bring in an article to talk about (no write up, since he has already done one) for next class.

State/Local Project: The class was entirely taken up after the news brief by students continuing to share out their State and Local project with the class, as I asked questions. Here's the handout for the assignment:

Google Drive: State and Local Government Final Project

Overall, I was pleased by the projects and answers. At the very least, it did appear that most students did research and had put thought into their responses for the problem facing our community and possible solutions. Thank you, all! I am looking forward to reading more about your projects in your papers.

Late Work?: Please remember that all late work is due Friday if you want your grade to improve before finals! 

State and Local Government, Day 4 - Class Recap

Something I care a lot about in our local community is supporting the Portland Thorns women's professional soccer team. I helped paint this banner for the start of last season! Photo taken in 2015.

Hi everyone,

Today was almost entirely devoted to State and Local Project Presentations. 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: "Pride (In the Name of Love)" by U2. Selected for today because the song is in large part about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who we honor on Monday with a day of service! Lyrics here.

AGENDA 1/12/18:
News Brief – Jacqueline
Prep Time
State and Local Presentations
Readings/Questions

Homework: Read the blog. All late work is due by next Friday. Next news brief: Kayla, Ernesto, CJ, Calvin.

News Brief: Jacqueline had the news brief today and selected an article about this story to talk about: TIME.com - Trump's Decision to Expel Salvadoran Immigrants Reverses an American Tradition. Since we had just talked about citizenship in America and the process to become a citizen, we also talked about what is happening here.

We also checked in about the weekend. Please remember that although you have Monday off of school, the whole idea behind the holiday for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is that it should be a day of service to the community in some way. As such, there are a ton of events that people can participate in around town - or, you could take the initiative to do something else in our community. Here's a list:

HandsOnPortland.org - Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend of Service Events

I (Mr. Fritz) memorably had David send me this video in 2016 after I implored my Global Studies student to participate in service on MLK Day:

Twitter.com - @zackpatton11: Picking up trash on MLK day

Please participate in service in some way! :-)

Prep Time: After the news brief, we had some time to prep for the state and local presentations as I set up the room.

State and Local Presentations: Thank you for your work and for the class in focusing and respecting the presentations. It was good to see the thought and effort put into these and making possible solutions! I enjoyed hearing all about the ideas for possible solutions in our state and local community! If you have not presented yet, you will be asked to do so next class. Thanks, everyone!