February 21

Social 33

We did some "housekeeping" at the beginning of the class (homework checks). Next, I gave you a diagram of the seating plan of the House of Commons. I then gave you a handout on the structure of the American government, which you were to take notes on as I was lecturing. For homework tonight you are to complete the Chapter 4 booklet on the American government. I will be checking this tomorrow in class, please make sure that it's finished. I will be giving you a Democracy Quiz on Friday. Here's the study guide:

Democracy Quiz Study Guide:

Quiz format:

1. True/False Section
2. Matching Section
3. Short Answer Section
4. Definitions Section

Quiz topics:

1. Political Spectrum (know the beliefs and values of the following, and where they 'fit' on the spectrum):

• radical
• reactionary
• conservative
• socialism
• liberals
• communism
• conservatism
• NDP

2. Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches of government-what do they do?

3. Advantages/Disadvantages of Direct Democracy (from ppt on Democracy)

4. Advantages/Disadvantages of Representative Democracy (from ppt)

5. Key Terms:

• democracy
• periodic elections
• independent courts
• free press
• representation by population
• referendum
  
  
  

Social 10

At the start of class, I had you read a CBC News Indepth article on the equalization program. If you didn't finish this in class, please finish it tonight at home. I then discussed what you need to know about the program for Social 10:

• Alberta has received equalization payments in the past
• Ontario has never received equalization payments (it came close in the 1970s)
• Currently Alberta and Ontario are the "have" provinces and don't receive equalization payments
• The equalization payment program is built into our Constitution, it would require a constitutional amendment to get rid of the program
• The rationale behind equalization is to "level the playing field" and allow "have not" provinces offer social services at comparable levels to "have" provinces
• Key issue in the news today: how will equalization payments be calculated in the future?

I gave you the Regional Brochure assignment. You will get one research period for this tomorrow in the library. Please come to class, and then we will go to the library together. It is due on Thursday, March 1st. You will be working on this assignment individually. I gave you the remainder of the class period to finish the "Regional Challenges" section of the Regionalism booklet. I will be collecting the Regionalism booklet next week (date to be announced).