September 30

Social 20-1

We watched a short video on "Trench Warfare" from the CBS News series on World War I. I then went through required elements for a Written Response Assignment I (3 source analysis assignments). You'll be doing a Unit 1 WRA I tomorrow. I also gave you back the results for your Chapter 1-2 Test, and your current mark in Social 20-1. Please remember that you have your Chapter 3-4 Test on Tuesday and your Unit 1 Final Exam on Wednesday of next week. Please see the study guide for both tests here (scroll down to find the study guides).

Social 30-1

I went through Keynesian economics again, specifically giving you a detailed booklet on both fiscal and monetary policy. We also started a video called "FDR and the New Deal" from the BBC 20th Century History series. We'll finish this video tomorrow. As you watched this video, you should have been taking notes. If you didn't get a chance to look and listen to the podcast from the NPR yesterday, please look at the link in yesterday's post. It's worth it!

September 29

Social 20-1

We looked at a couple of videos from the CBS News series on World War I. We watched "Doomed Dynasties" and "Clash of the Generals" in today's class. If you missed class today, you will need to get notes from a classmate on these two videos. Tomorrow, we'll watch the third in the series called "Trench Warfare" and we'll go over how to write a Written Response Assignment I (3 source analysis). Please see the study guides for the Chapter 3-4 Test and the Unit 1 Final Exam (scroll down to find it).

Social 30-1

We went over Keynesian economics, monetary and fiscal policy and its effect on the boom and bust cycle. If you missed today's class, make sure that you get the handouts that you missed. We also watched a video from the BBC 20th Century History Series called "Boom and Bust". While you were watching this video, you were to complete the video study questions. Please take some time and read over this article from NPR on John Maynard Keynes, and the podcast that goes along with it.

September 28

Social 30-1

I did a homework check on the "Philosophies of Industrialism" booklet at the beginning of class today. Your Chapter 4 Key Terms and Questions are due tomorrow. We looked at connections between industrialization, classical liberalism, laissez faire economics and reform movements today. I talked about how the Industrial Revolution saw the emergence of ideologies in response to classical liberalism, such as ideologies on the left, like socialism and communism and ideologies on the right, like conservatism. I talked about the emergence of welfare capitalism and modern liberalism in response to inequalities caused by classical liberalism. If you missed today's class, you need to get notes from a classmate. We re-visited the boom and bust cycle as well today. If you understand the "economic snapshots" of the economy at the various stages of the business cycle, then you will have a greater understanding of Keynesian economics and government responses to economic situations along the boom and bust cycle and the rationale behind the use of monetary and fiscal policy. We'll be dealing with Keynesian economics (demand-side economics) for most of the rest of this week. I promise you will all understand it.

Social 20-1

I went through a PowerPoint presentation today that focused on "The Causes of World War I". I have sent this presentation to you already, please print it off (4-6 slides per page) and add it to your notes.

I also gave you a booklet called "The Causes of World War I", make sure that you read it tonight. Please have a look at the following upcoming important dates:

• Chapter 4 Key Terms and Questions are due on Wednesday, September 29th
• Read the Causes of World War I booklet tonight!
• Unit 1 WRA I (3 source analysis) is on Friday, October 1st (I will be re-teaching how to write these assignments on Thursday)
• Chapter 3-4 Test will be on Tuesday, October 5th (please see the study guide below)
• Unit 1 Final Exam is on Wednesday, October 6th (please see the study guide below)
  

Chapter 3-4 Test Study Guide:

This test will be on Tuesday, October 5th. It will consist of a matching section (10 key concepts) and a short answer section.

• study the PowerPoint presentation "Contending Loyalties"
• make sure that you have read Chapters 3 and 4 (it is all testable material)
• know the key concepts from Chapters 3 and 4 (please see the Unit 1 Worksheet for these)
• study your answers to the Chapter 3 and 4 questions from the Unit 1 Worksheet (all could potentially be on the quiz)
  

Social 20-1 Unit 1 Final Exam Study Guide:

Your Unit 1 Final Exam will be on Wednesday, October 6th. It is 75 multiple choice questions. Make sure that you have read Chapters 1-4 in Exploring Nationalism. Please make sure that you know the key concepts from Unit 1 (see below). Also review the PowerPoint presentations that you should have in your notes. These are the presentations that you should review:

1. Nation and Identity
2. The French Revolution
3. The Napoleonic Era
4. Contending Loyalties

Know the key concepts from the Unit 1 Worksheet. If you know the key concepts you'll be able apply them in a multiple choice test (hopefully).

• nation
• nation-state
• nationalism
• patriotism
• self-determination
• sovereignty
• sovereign
• civic nation
• civic nationalism
• ethnic nationalism
• collective consciousness
• French Revolution
• Estates-General
• Louis XVI
• First Estate
• Second Estate
• Third Estate
• cahiers de doléances
• Ancien Régime
• bourgeoisie
• feudal system
• philosophes
• Declaration of the Rights of Man
• National Assembly
• Tennis Court Oath
• constitutional monarchy
• Jacobins
• Girondins
• National Convention
• levée en masse
• Robespierre
• Danton
• Marat
• Reign of Terror
• Napoleon
• Napoleonic Code
• Continental System
• contending loyalties
• cultural pluralism
• reasonable accommodation
• sovereignists
• federalists
• royal commission
• expressions of nationalism
• non-nationalist loyalty
• alienation
• segregation

September 27

Social 30-1

I gave you back the results from your Unit 1 Essay, and I talked about areas for improvement. Here are some key areas that everyone can improve on:

• Memorize the checklist of required elements for the 1st paragraph from the "Recipe for Success" handout. Really go over the entire checklist prior to the next essay, and include those items.
• Make sure that you ANALYZE the source! Paraphrasing the source is not analysis. For ideas as to how to analyze text-based sources, please study the Analyzing Quotes handout.
• Be proactive! If you didn't do well on this essay, please come see me in tutorial, sooner rather than later. We can go over your essay and I can give some tips to help you improve.

I gave you the remainder of the class period to work on homework. Remember you have your "Philosophies of Industrialism" booklet due tomorrow, and your Chapter 4 Key Terms and Questions are due on Wednesday.

Social 20-1

I finished off the "Contending Loyalties" PowerPoint presentation today. I will be sending this to you this afternoon, so please check your e-mail at home. Make sure that you print off the PowerPoint (4-6 slides per page) and add it to your notes. I won't be doing a homework check on this, but it is still HIGHLY recommended that you print these presentations off so you have a hard copy in your notes. I did a homework check on your Chapter 3 Key Terms and Questions today. Please have a look at the following upcoming important dates:

• French Revolution DBA Assignment is due tomorrow (September 28th)
• Chapter 4 Key Terms and Questions are due on Wednesday, September 29th
• Unit 1 WRA I (3 source analysis) is on Friday, October 1st (I will be re-teaching how to write these assignments on Thursday)
• Chapter 3-4 Test will be on Tuesday, October 5th (please see the study guide below)
• Unit 1 Final Exam is on Wednesday, October 6th (please see the study guide below)
  

Chapter 3-4 Test Study Guide:

This test will be on Tuesday, October 5th. It will consist of a matching section (10 key concepts) and a short answer section.

• study the PowerPoint presentation "Contending Loyalties"
• make sure that you have read Chapters 3 and 4 (it is all testable material)
• know the key concepts from Chapters 3 and 4 (please see the Unit 1 Worksheet for these)
• study your answers to the Chapter 3 and 4 questions from the Unit 1 Worksheet (all could potentially be on the quiz)
  

Social 20-1 Unit 1 Final Exam Study Guide:

Your Unit 1 Final Exam will be on Wednesday, October 6th. It is 75 multiple choice questions. Make sure that you have read Chapters 1-4 in Exploring Nationalism. Please make sure that you know the key concepts from Unit 1 (see below). Also review the PowerPoint presentations that you should have in your notes. These are the presentations that you should review:

1. Nation and Identity
2. The French Revolution
3. The Napoleonic Era
4. Contending Loyalties

Know the key concepts from the Unit 1 Worksheet. If you know the key concepts you'll be able apply them in a multiple choice test (hopefully).

• nation
• nation-state
• nationalism
• patriotism
• self-determination
• sovereignty
• sovereign
• civic nation
• civic nationalism
• ethnic nationalism
• collective consciousness
• French Revolution
• Estates-General
• Louis XVI
• First Estate
• Second Estate
• Third Estate
• cahiers de doléances
• Ancien Régime
• bourgeoisie
• feudal system
• philosophes
• Declaration of the Rights of Man
• National Assembly
• Tennis Court Oath
• constitutional monarchy
• Jacobins
• Girondins
• National Convention
• levée en masse
• Robespierre
• Danton
• Marat
• Reign of Terror
• Napoleon
• Napoleonic Code
• Continental System
• contending loyalties
• cultural pluralism
• reasonable accommodation
• sovereignists
• federalists
• royal commission
• expressions of nationalism
• non-nationalist loyalty
• alienation
• segregation

September 24

Social 30-1

I went through a PowerPoint presentation that covered Chapter 4 material, "Responding to Classical Liberalism". While I was going through this presentation you were to take notes on a chart. I have sent the PowerPoint to you already. I returned your Chapter 3 Questions as well today. I gave you a booklet called "Philosophies of Industrialism" that is due on Tuesday. Next Friday you will have your first three source analysis assignment based on Unit 2 material, I will go over how to write these in class writing assignments on Thursday.

Social 20-1

I started a PowerPoint presentation called "Contending Loyalties", which I will continue on Monday. Your Chapter 3 Key Terms and Questions are due on Monday. Your French Revolution DBA Assignment is due on Tuesday.

September 23

Social 20-1

You wrote your Chapter 1-2 Test today. It took most of the period.

Social 30-1

You learned a couple of new concepts today, the law of supply and demand, and the boom and bust cycle. If you missed today's class, you'll have to get notes from a classmate. You also got your Chapter 4 Worksheet today, the key terms and questions won't be due until next week. Please make sure that you have read Chapter 4 before tomorrow's class.

September 22

Social 20-1

We looked at expressions of nationalism and ranked the causes of the French Revolution today. If you missed today's class, please get these notes from a classmate. You have your Chapter 1-2 Test tomorrow, please see the study guide here.

Social 30-1

I did a review of the 19th and 20th century political spectrums, and the political economic grid. We also started looking at basic economics, such as scarcity, economic systems, the basic economic questions, factors of production, economic values. Tomorrow you will look at the law of supply and demand and the boom and bust cycle. Please start reading Chapter 4, if you haven't already. You should have read Chapter 4 prior to Friday's class. Your Chapter 4 Key Terms and Questions will be due next week. You'll get the Chapter 4 Worksheet tomorrow.

September 21

Social 30-1

I had to play catch up a bit today by completing a lecture in one class that I was scheduled to start on Friday. At any rate, I have sent the PowerPoint presentation called "The Development of Classical Liberalism" off to you by e-mail. Please print it off (4-6 slides per page) and add it to your notes. Your Chapter 3 Questions are due tomorrow.

Social 20-1

We watched an excerpt from the film "Waterloo" at the beginning of class today. I gave you your French Revolution DBA Assignment today. This assignment is due in one week's time on September 28th. I will also be sending the DBA to you by e-mail, it might be nice to have an electronic copy of the DBA to help you complete it more quickly. Please remember that your Chapter 1-2 Test is this Thursday, please see the study guide here.

September 20

Social 30-1

You wrote your Unit 1 Essay today in the Blenheim Room. You won't be getting your results back for probably a week. We'll be moving on the development of classical liberalism tomorrow.

Social 20-1

I finished off "The Napoleonic Age" PowerPoint presentation today. This lecture also looked at the Congress of Vienna as well. I have sent this to you already, so please print it off (4-6 slides per page) and add it to your notes. We also watched a video from the "Turning Points of History" series on Napoleon's invasion of Russia. Please remember that you have your Chapter 1-2 Test on Thursday, please see the study guide here.

September 17

Social 30-1

I gave you back the results of your Unit 1 Final Exam. I gave you some advice on how to structure your 1st paragraph for your Unit 1 Essay. On Monday, you have your Unit 1 In-Class Position Paper, which is one of the types of written response assignments you will be expected to write for Part A of your Diploma Exam. I gave you the essay sheet at the end of class, you are allowed to prepare notes on the bottom quarter of this sheet and bring it with you into the Blenheim Room on Monday. The notes must be hand-printed/hand-written and can only be below the line clearly marked on the essay question sheet. Here is the text-based source:

"An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity."

-Martin Luther King Jr.

As always, the essay question will be the same throughout the semester:

To what extent should we embrace the ideological perspective(s) in the source?

Use this weekend to prepare ideas, arguments, specific and detailed evidence to support your position. You are not allowed to write the essay ahead of time or anything like that, but prepare for it. Use the essay outline sheet that I have e-mailed to you, and start organizing your essay. Go back over the "Recipe for Success" as well and make sure that you follow the checklists of what needs to be in each paragraph of your essay (particularly that first paragraph). Also, look over the "Anlalyzing Quotes" handout for advice as to how to analyze a text-based source. Good luck!

Martin Luther King Jr.

Social 20-1

You wrote your World Geography Test today. I also started a PoweRPoint presentation/lecture on the Napoleonic Age that I will continue on Monday. You have your Chapter 1-2 Test on Thursday, please see the study guide here.

September 16

Social 20-1

I did a homework check on your Chapter 2 Key Terms and Questions and your French Revolution PowerPoint presentation. I gave you a timeline handout on the life of Napoleon Bonaparte that you were to complete as we watched the video "Napoleon Bonaparte: The Glory of France". After tomorrow's World Geography Test we'll continue looking at the life of Napoleon and the domestic reforms that he introduced. Please see the study guide here for the World Geography Test. Also, remember that your Chapter 1-2 Test is one week from today. Please see the Chapter 1-2 Test Study Guide here.

Social 30-1

You wrote your Unit 1 Final Exam today, which took most of the period. I also gave you your Unit 1 Essay Question Sheet in class today. This is the sheet that you are allowed to have out when you are writing your Unit 1 Essay on Monday in the Blenheim Room.

September 15

Social 20-1

I went through some notes that I had written on the board on the French Revolution, so if you missed class today please get these notes from a classmate. We finished watching the History Channel video called "The French Revolution" as well today. Please remember that I am doing a homework check on "The French Revolution" PowerPoint presentation and your Chapter 2 Key Terms and Questions tomorrow. You have your World Geography Test on Friday, so please see the study guide here for that test. Next Thursday (September 23rd) you have your Chapter 1-2 Test. Please see the study guide for this test below.

Chapter 1-2 Test Study Guide:

This test will be on Thursday, September 23rd. The test has a matching section and a short answer section.

• Make sure that you have read both Chapter 1-2 from your textbook Exploring Nationalism
• Study Chapter 1-2 Key Terms from the Unit 1 Worksheet
• Study your answers to the questions from the Unit 1 Worksheet for Chapter 1-2

Study the following PowerPoint presentations:

• "Nation and Identity" (Chapter 1 material + supplementary material)
• "Shaping Nationalism: The French Revolution" (Chapter 2 material + supplementary material)
• "The Napoleonic Age" (Chapter 2 material + supplementary material)

Social 30-1

Most of the period was spent writing your Chapter 1-2 Test. You have your Unit 1 Final Exam tomorrow. Please see the study guide here for the Unit 1 Final Exam. You will also get the Unit 1 Essay Question Sheet tomorrow as well. On Monday, go directly to the Blenheim Room to write this essay (I will post reminder notes outside my classroom on Monday). I did a homework check on your Individualism vs. Collectivism booklets today as well.

September 14

Social 30-1

We finished watching "Sicko" today. Hopefully you have some idea how you could potentially use the issue of universal health care and its connection to the principles of collectivism in an upcoming essay. I also did a homework check on your Chapter 2 Key Terms and Questions. Please remember that you have your Chapter 1-2 Test tomorrow, please see the study guide here (scroll down to find it). Your Unit 1 Final Exam is on Thursday, please see the study guide here. Also, remember that you have your Unit 1 Essay (Written Response Assignment II) on Monday. You will get the essay question sheet on Thursday.

Social 20-1

We watched part of a video from the History Channel called "The French Revolution", which we will continue tomorrow. I also did a quick homework check on "The Enlightenment" PowerPoint presentation as well today. Please remember that your Chapter 2 Key Terms and Questions are due on Thursday, September 16th. Your World Geography Test is on Friday, please use the study guide here to focus your studying efforts. Here is a link to a timeline that I made on the French Revolution. You should look at it to complete your own French Revolution timeline handout.

September 13

Social 30-1

I quickly went through the principles of individualism and collectivism today. I gave you a booklet that really covers the concepts of individualism and collectivism nicely. This booklet is due on Wednesday. Your Chapter 2 Key Terms and Questions are due tomorrow. Your Chapter 1-2 Test is on Wednesday, please see the study guide here (scroll down to find it). We started a film study of "Sicko" today, which we should finish tomorrow in class. Your Unit 1 Final Exam is on Thursday, and your Unit 1 Essay is on Monday, September 20th. You will get the essay question sheet on Thursday.

Unit 1 Final Exam Study Guide:

The Unit 1 Final is a 55 question multiple choice test. It will be written on Thursday, September 16th. Make sure that you study the following:

•Chapter 1 and 2 Key Terms from the Unit 1 Worksheet
•Study the Ideology Notes (Black Gold School District PDF file)
•Study the 19th Century and 20th Century political spectrums
•Study the political-economic grid
•Know the values and ideas associated with the various ideologies
•Study the Individualism and Collectivism booklet

Social 20-1

I finished off the PowerPoint presentation on "The French Revolution" today in class. We'll continue looking at the French Revolution in the coming days. I will try to send this presentation out to right after I post here on the blog (so figure about 8:45 p.m.). I didn't get the homework check on "The Enlightenment" PowerPoint today, we'll deal with that tomorrow. Depending on which section you are in, you either got your Chapter 1 Key Terms and Questions back and your Enlightenment Thinkers Quiz results back, or just the quiz results. We'll be looking at a documentary that does an outstanding job of covering the key events of the French Revolution tomorrow. Please remember that you have your World Geography Test on Friday, please see the study guide here.

September 10

Social 30-1

I went through a "recipe for success" handout for writing position papers. If you missed today's class, please make sure that you get this handout on Monday. Please remember that your Chapter 2 Key Terms and Questions are due on Tuesday, and you have your Chapter 1-2 Test on Wednesday. Please see the study guide here for the Chapter 1-2 Test.

Social 20-1

I did a homework check on the Chapter 1 Key Terms and Questions today as well as a homework check to see if you printed off the "Nation and Identity" PowerPoint. You also wrote your Enlightenment Thinkers Quiz in class today, and you will get the results back on Monday. We started looking at the French Revolution in the time remaining, and we sort set the stage for the French Revolution by looking at the structure and organization of French society on the eve of the revolution. We'll continue looking at the causes of the French Revolution on Monday. Please start studying for the World Geography Test (which is next Friday), please see the study guide here. I recommend that you read Chapter 2 over the weekend, but don't start the key terms or questions from Chapter 2 yet since they are due on Thursday of next week.

September 9

Social 20-1

I went through a PowerPoint presentation called "The Enlightenment" today. As I went through the lecture, you were to take notes on the Enlightenment thinkers featured in the presentation and take notes on them. I have sent this presentation to you already. You have an Enlightenment Thinkers Quiz tomorrow based on this material, and it is a matching format. Your Chapter 1 Key Terms and Questions are due tomorrow as well. Please remember that you have your World Geography Test next Friday (September 17th), please see the study guide here. I will be doing a homework check on your "Nation and Identity" PowerPoint presentations tomorrow in class after the Enlightenment Thinkers Quiz. We'll start the French Revolution tomorrow as well.

Social 30-1

I reviewed the 19th century political spectrum and the 20th century political spectrum today. I also reviewed the economic-political grid with you. If you missed today's class you should get these notes from a friend. I did a homework check on your Chapter 1 Key Terms and Questions today, as well as homework checks to see if you printed off the first two PowerPoint presentations and the Ideology Notes from the Black Gold School District. Please read Chapter 2 tonight. Your Chapter 2 Key Terms and Questions are due on Tuesday. Tomorrow, I will be reviewing how to write a position paper. Please see the study guide here (scroll down to find it)for your Chapter 1-2 Test (which is on Wednesday, September 15th).

September 8

Social 20-1

I finished off the PowerPoint presentation called "Nation and Identity" today. I will be sending to this to you today, so please check your e-mail and print it off 4-6 slides per page (see instructions below). Your Chapter 1 Key Terms and Questions are due on Friday, September 10th. You also have a World Geography Test on Friday, September 17th, please see the study guide below.

Social 20-1 World Geography Test Study Guide

This test will take place on Friday, September 17th. It is simply a country identification test. You will be given a world map with certain countries identified and you need to be able to write out what country it is. Here are the countries that may appear on the test:

• any of the EU countries (there are 27 countries in the EU, a map of the EU is in your textbook on page 265)
• any of the NATO countries (there's some overlap here with the EU, but not all EU countries are members of NATO)
• any of the G8 countries: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom
• full members of MERCOSUR: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and other associate members or countries that are achieving membership in MERCOSUR, such as: Venezuela, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador
• to ask you to know ALL of the countries in the African Union would be cruel, so we'll focus on countries that came up last year or will likely be in the news this year: Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Zimbabwe
• other very important countries that will be in the news this year, or that we'll be talking about, or get mentioned in your textbook: Cuba, Mexico, Jamaica, Serbia, Georgia, China,
  India, Myanmar, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq,
  Israel
• **BIG HINT: if a country is a member of a few of these international organizations then there's a STRONG possibility that they will be on the test!!**

Geography Games

• World Geography Games
• Test Your Geography Knowledge
• Maps.com Online Games (the "Find It" games are excellent!)

Printing PowerPoint Presentations

When I send you presentations, here is what I recommend that you do: keep an electronic copy of the presentation, preferably in an appropriately named folder. Next you'll need to print it off. I recommend that you print off 4 slides per page. Here's how you do it. Open the presentation up in PowerPoint, then go under File and select Print. Then set things up like the picture below:

Social 30-1

I went through a PowerPoint presentation called "Identity and Ideology" that I have already sent to your e-mail accounts. Please print off both of the PowerPoint presentations and bring them to class tomorrow for homework check marks. Your Chapter 1 Key Terms and Questions are due tomorrow. Your Chapter 1-2 Test is on Wednesday, September 15th (please see the study guide below). Please print off the Ideology Notes from the Black Gold school district. One week from today you have your Chapter 1-2 Test. This is the only test this semester that will have matching and short answer on it. Please see the study guide below.

Chapter 1-2 Test Study Guide:

The Chapter 1-2 Test is on Wednesday, September 15th. It is a mixed format test, it will have a matching section and a short answer section. Here is what you should review/study for this test:

• Chapter 1 and 2 Key Terms/Concepts and the Supplementary Key Terms from the Unit 1 Worksheet
• be able to answer any of the questions from the Unit 1 Worksheet (hopefully you have quality answers to study from!)
• you must know the 19th century political spectrum and the 20th century political spectrum
• know similarities and differences between communism and fascism
• be able to label political and economic spectrums and the values associated with these ideologies
• be able to label the political-economic grid and know examples of the ideologies in the quadrants (study the Ideology Notes and the notes I gave you in class)
• know the differences between individualism and collectivism, be able to apply your understanding of these concepts
• know the key ideas associated with Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau (for example, view of the nature of human beings, etc.)

September 7

Social 30-1

I went through a PowerPoint presentation today called "Introducing Government" which covered the ideas of three important political philosophers: Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean Jacques Rousseau. I will be sending this presentation to you as soon as I have the e-mail distribution list up and running. I gave you the Unit 1 Worksheet today, you are responsible for completing the Chapter 1 Key Terms (from ideology to progressivism) for homework. I will do a homework check on this tomorrow. Please read Chapter 1. You also have another homework assignment due tomorrow, which is the friendly letter. Make sure that your friendly letter is in paragraph form too. The letter will probably be about 1 page in length (single-spaced). Please make sure that your letter demonstrates your writing ability and covers some of the following topics:

• family
• education plans (this year, and in the future; future career plans)
• post-high school plans
• favorite TV shows, movies, music
• hobbies
• extracurriculars
• sports
  

Please check your e-mail accounts! Please respond back to the message!

Social 20-1

I will try to set up the e-mail distribution list for my Period 3 and 4 classes this afternoon, so please check your e-mail inboxes for the test message. I started a PowerPoint presentation today called "Nation and Identity", which we will finish tomorrow. As far as homework assignments go, for tonight, please read Chapter 1 (it will be a review of some of the topics covered today in class) and please write a friendly letter. Make sure that your friendly letter is in paragraph form too. The letter will probably be about 1 page in length (single-spaced). Please make sure that your letter demonstrates your writing ability and covers some of the following topics:

• family
• education plans (this year, and in the future; future career plans)
• post-high school plans
• favorite TV shows, movies, music
• hobbies
• extracurriculars
• sports
  

Please check your e-mail accounts! Please respond back to the message!

September 3

Social 20-1 and Social 30-1

With all of my classes today I briefly introduced myself (more about that after the long weekend), started talking about the course content (I gave you all course outlines) and I went through some classroom rules and expectations (see yesterday's post). We'll start the looking at course content on Tuesday.

September 2

I thought that I would post some of my classroom rules and expectations of behavior on the blog this year. Also, I will also write down some ground rules for using the blog this semester.

Classroom Rules/Expectations of Behavior:

I think that I have very simple, straight-forward classroom rules and expectations. I will be discussing these in class tomorrow, but here's a quick recap:

• Please be on-task during classroom time (visit later)
• You must wear your visual ID around your neck during class time, no exceptions!
• No cell phones; if your parents really need to get in touch with you, they should call the office. Please don't bring cell phones to class, or if you do, please remember to turn them off! Yes, you have some new freedom this year with regard to electronic devices, but not in the classroom!!
• Please don't listen to music on MP3 players or iPods during class time, UNLESS I have given you permission to do so.
• Be polite. You should be listening during class lectures or when your classmates have questions to ask (you might have some of the same questions).
• Be on time. If you are late, please enter the classroom quietly and apologize for being late. If the door is locked, I have started the lecture or there is a class presentation in progress; I will open the door and let you in as soon as possible.
• Clean up after yourselves. Please don't leave garbage on the floor. I like my classroom fairly neat and tidy.
• Don't bring junk food to class. Healthy snacks only. Or you could always wait until lunchtime.
• You may chew gum in class on the following conditions: don't chew like a cow, I don't want to see the gum or hear you chewing it, that's just gross.
• Late assignments: 10% is deducted for every day an assignment is late. If you have an excused absence, then there is some flexibility with this rule.
• Please make sure that a parent or guardian calls the school to have absences excused. If you miss a test due to an unexcused absence you will be assigned a mark of "zero".
• I will be contacting parent/guardians if you have unexcused absences.
• Please adhere to the school's academic honesty policy which is on the back of your course outlines.
• If you are going away on holidays (please do not schedule holidays during examination periods in January and June), please let me know in advance. I can prepare materials for you, let you know what you'll be missing, and even give you handouts in advance. This way you won't feel "lost" when you come back from holidays.
  
  

Posting on the Blog:

Here are some simple rules that I have established for using the blog, and some other informational items:

• Please post on the blog anonymously.
• If you feel the need to identify yourself, or clarify which grade you're in, please use your initials and your class and section (for example, K.G. in Social 20-1).
• Some of you may have your own Blogger accounts. Please don't post on this blog using your Blogger ID, otherwise you may have people visiting your blog that you may not want to see what you're posting.
• Please be courteous, polite and respectful when posting comments on the blog. Don't be rude to your classmates on the blog.
• Please be patient with my response time.
• Please post comments and questions on the blog prior to 10 p.m.
• Between 6-8 p.m. I am usually not online.
• Monday nights are particularly busy for me, this is the night that I have a Masters class at the University.
• Please do not post links to questionable materials.
• Inappropriate comments will be deleted. Please don't do this, it's a waste of my time, I could be doing more productive things, like answering questions that you may have.