State and Local Government, Day 6 - Class Recap

Rowena Crest Viewpoint, near Moiser, Oregon. Photo taken in 2016.

Dear class

I enjoyed talking with everyone about their projects today, and also our work with analyzing how race has impacted our state and local government, especially in Portland. 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: "Coming Home" by Mat Kearney. Selected for today because it is a song about Oregon. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 6/8/18:
News Brief – Carlos
State and Local Presentations
Lift Ev'ry Voice
Discussion

Homework: Read the blog. Continue studying for finals! Next news brief: Sofia.

News Brief: Carlos had the news brief today and selected an article about this story: CNN.com - Trump picks 'attitude' over prep work ahead of Singapore summit. This meeting between President Trump and Kim Jong Un is scheduled to take place next Tuesday, when we have class! So I am sure we will have plenty to talk about then.

State and Local Presentations: Most of the rest of class was spent presenting these projects about a state or local issue of student choice. Woo hoo! If you have not turned in the corresponding paper, please do so ASAP (link to do so on Google Classroom), as I will be grading these soon. The rest of these presentations will be next class.

See you next week, everyone!

State and Local Government, Day 5 - 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 our final work day on State and Local Project Presentations, because it was such a short class, due to the Senior Assembly. 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: "I Want It That Way" by Backstreet Boys. Selected for today because students were presenting on what they wanted to have happen in the state/local government. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 6/6/18:
News Brief – Abby K.
Work Time
State and Local Presentations

Homework: Read the blog. State and Local projects due to be presented next class! Start studying for the final! All late work is due by Friday. Next news brief: Carlos.

News Brief: Abby K. had the news brief today, but was forgot, so I filled in and selected an article about this story to talk about: CNN.com - Exclusive: Trump invokes War of 1812 in testy call with Trudeau over tariffs. This was about the recent tariffs (import taxes) on steel and aluminum that President Trump has imposed on Canada (among lots of other countries).

We also checked in about what students were up to outside of class, before moving on.

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

State and Local Presentations: Thank you for your work and for the class in focusing and respecting the presentations for students who were ready to go today. 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.

Thank you! See you on Friday!

State and Local Government, Day 4 - Class Recap

Today was the sunset for the seniors in our class! I am wishing them all the best and success in life! Photo taken in 2007, over California.

Dear class,

Another disjointed day today, due to the seniors needing to take their finals in class, and rest of the class just using the class as a study period, before State and Local government presentations are due later this week. 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: "Good Life" by OneRepublic. Selected for today because of the seniors last day! On with the rest of their life soon! Lyrics here.

AGENDA 6/4/18:
News Brief – James
Senior Finals
Study Time
State and Local Project

Homework: Read the blog. State and Local project due to be presented in class on Friday! All late/missing/revised work due Friday as well! Thank you, seniors! Next news brief: Abby K.

News Brief: James had the news brief today and selected an article about this story to talk about: CNN.com - Supreme Court rules for Colorado baker in same-sex wedding cake case. We talked a little bit about this very interesting story and the implications that it could have moving forward. Abby K. has the next news brief.

Senior Finals: During this time, seniors were taking their final in class. Thanks for respecting their time and effort with being quiet! I hope they went well for the seniors! I am grateful for their effort this semester and I am wishing them all the best! Keep in touch, class of 2018!

Study Time: The rest of class (as seniors were taking the test) was devoted to reviewing for the final. Here's the study guide I passed out for that:

Google Drive - Government Semester Final Study Guide

Students who were in class also got a more detailed study guide on the back side of this. Come see me if you missed class for this. Thank you!

State and Local Presentations: We will continue with these as we have time to do so! Next class, we will have a very short work day (due to the senior assembly), before the project is due to be presented on Friday.

Thanks everyone, and especially all of the seniors!