10/30/18

Today students gave and received peer edits on their outlines. We also discussed what a good paragraph should look like and tips for how to take their outline into Rough Draft format.

Peer edits and Rough draft notes

Due Friday Nov 2nd: Midterm Election Research Pt. 3

Civics Paper: Tonight students should review their feedback and begin developing their ideas into a rough draft. Remember to upload your outline to Tii if you have not already done so.

Due Friday Nov 2nd: Rough Draft and Final Thesis revision

10/29/18

Today we discussed citizenship and the rights/responsibilities that come with it. We also discussed how age and education influence voter participation.

Citizenship class notes

Due Friday Nov 2nd: Midterm Election Research Pt. 3

Civics Paper: Tonight students should be finalizing their 3-level outline. You should bring a hard copy to class for peer editing AND submit your outline to Turnitin.com.

Due Tuesday Oct 30th : 3-Level MLA outline (see Thursday's agenda for notes and template)

Due Friday Nov 2nd: Rough Draft and Final Thesis revision

10/26/18

Today was a work day for our Civics paper. Students also turned in their Source Analysis and Thesis Revision #2.

Civics Paper: This weekend students should be working on developing their Body Thesis Statements and organizing their outlines

Due Friday Oct 29th : Thesis Revision #2

Due Tuesday Oct 31st : 3-Level MLA outline (see Thursday's agenda for notes and template)

10/25/18

Today we finished our discussion on suffrage and disenfranchisement (see below).

Suffrage

We also went over outlining and Body Thesis Statement instruction. Powerpoints and an outline template can be found below.

Outlining (additional resources can be found in the Writing Resources page in the sidebar)

Body Thesis Statements This has been updated to reflect our class discussion of not needing a full so what for your BTS.

Outlining Template


Remember when finishing up your OPCVL Source Analysis, this is NOT something that should take more than about an hour, even with more than 6 sources. Do the simplest version. Briefly tell me where it's from/author, why it was written, and what information you gained. Then tell me why it's a legitimate source and why that information was important for your paper. (Value) Then tell me what you couldn't get from it and what bias is included (Limitations). KEEP IT SIMPLE!

Civics Paper: Tonight students should finalize their OPCVL Source Analysis. If finished, students can work on organizing their notecards to match the how and/or so what of their thesis statement in preparation for outline writing.

Due Friday Oct 26th : Source Analysis

Due Friday Oct 26th : Thesis Revision #2 (I will also accept this on Monday if students are still working through it.)

10/24/18

Today was our final in-class research day for our Civics paper.

Civics Paper: Tonight students should finalize their research and prepare their notecards to be handed in tomorrow.Make sure to number your sources and categorize your notecards (color coding works great) by context, evidence for your position, and evidence against your position.

Due Thursday Oct 25th : All research note cards

Due Friday Oct 26th : Source Analysis

10/23/18

Today we took an open note quiz covering everything from the roots of American government through the three branches of government. Schedule make-up with Mrs. Santos if absent.

We also began our discussion on Voting rights which will be continued on Thursday.

Civics Paper: Tonight students should continue their research. Remember to focus on finding specific evidence to support your so what and the different parts of your how. Specify these if you have not done so.

Due Thursday Oct 25th : All research note cards and Source Analysis

10/22/18

Today was a research day in the library for our Civics paper.

The sign up sheet for one-on-one conferences with Mrs. Santos can be found outside my office in 2410D. It will hang on the whiteboard next to my door and I will bring it to class each day.

Remember, tomorrow we will have an open note quiz on everything we've covered so far in Civics. It is a short quiz meant to jog our memories in a big unit so we don't forget stuff while we are working on our papers.

Civics Paper: Tonight students should continue their research. Remember to focus on finding specific evidence to support your so what and the different parts of your how. Specify these if you have not done so.

Due Thursday Oct 25th : All research note cards and Source Analysis

10/19/18

Today was a research day in the library for our Civics paper.

Turned in today:
        ~Initial thesis statement
        ~Fake News Article

Civics Paper: This weekend students should continue their research. Remember to focus on finding specific evidence to support your so what and the different parts of your how. Specify these if you have not done so.

Due Thursday Oct 25th : All research note cards and Source Analysis

10/18/18

Today we learned how to do an OPCVL source evaluation and practiced in groups. We also turned in and received feedback on our research questions and looked at how to find specific evidence. Tomorrow and Monday will be research days in class. These will be your final in class research times before we begin in class writing. All other research needs to be done at home.

OPCVL class notes

OPCVL handout

Due Friday: Fake news article for one of your midterm election candidates. See instructions in Monday's agenda

Civics Paper: Tonight students should be writing their thesis statement. Remember that you need to take a position on the issue and your thesis statement should answer your research question.

Due Friday: Initial Thesis Statement

10/17/18

Today we discussed how to recognize media bias. This will be important when doing our source evaluation for our Civics paper. Notes are below. Use these to help you when assessing the sources you find for your paper. We also received instruction on how to write a good research question, which is due tomorrow.

Media Bias and Research Questions

Due Friday: Fake news article for one of your midterm election candidates. See instructions in Monday's agenda

Civics Paper: Tonight you should be working to finalizing your topic and writing your research question. Use today's notes to help. Email Mrs. Santos or see her before school if you need help.

Due Thursday: Final Topic Choice and Research Question

Due Friday: Initial Thesis Statement

10/16/18

Today was our first library research day for our Civics Research Paper.

Due Friday: Fake news article for one of your midterm election candidates. See instructions in Monday's agenda

Civics Paper: Tonight you should be working to finalize and specify your topic. If you already have your topic, narrow it down, define your position, and or work towards finding your needed evidence. If you have not finalized your topic, look into the possibilities some more. Make sure you can look at both sides and take a firm position. Email Mrs. Santos or see her before school if you need help.

Due Today: Civics Research Paper sheet signed by student and parent (just the last page)

Due Thursday: Final Topic Choice and Research Question

Due Friday: Initial Thesis Statement

10/15/18

Today we held a joint LA/SS discussion on Fake News: What it is, why it's important and how to recognize it. Students have the following assignment DUE FRIDAY.

Create a fake news article for one of the candidates in the midterm election you are tracking for Mrs. Santos. Below are the signs of a strong fake news story that you should consider when creating your article. This will go in BOTH gradebooks and be graded on the criteria in red.

1.Confirm the partisan beliefs of its target audience (cognitive bias) - you choose the audience

◦Including extreme ‘conspiracy level’ views of the left or right

◦Not likely to target moderates

2.Include quotes (fake or real and taken out of context) and pictures

3.Appear on a website that LOOKS legit and follow news “style” (Make it look like a legitimate news site, using something familiar as a template. Create a legitimate looking url.)

◦Decent looking URL like abcnews.com.co

◦Mention possibly credible sources

◦Have other content including ads and other Fake News

4.Be short enough that a reader might quickly read and share it before thinking critically

5.Be about something alarming or scary

6.Target a group of people with similar beliefs who feel marginalized (they have less power) (echo chamber)

7. Click-bait title

8. DO NOT share this on social media

Civics Paper: Tonight you should be continuing your preliminary research to decide on a topic. Tomorrow is our first library research day. Come prepared to come help finalizing/choosing a topic OR be ready to share your topic with Mrs. Santos and begin your thorough research.

Due Tuesday: Civics Research Paper sheet signed by student and parent (just the last page)

Due Thursday: Final Topic Choice and Research Question

10/12/18

Today we discussed our Midterm Election Research and turned in part 2. Remember that if you have not turned in all the parts of your Supreme Court Case project by the end of today it is considered late.

We also introduced our Civics Research Paper. You can find the intro document and topic list below. Your signature sheet signed by your and your parent/guardian indicating your understanding of the paper requirements is due Monday.

Civics Paper Explanation and Requirements

Civics Paper potential topics

10/11/18

Wednesday was PSAT day.

Today we did and in class discussion on the Bill of Rights and what each amendment means to us. I have included the powerpoint below but know that this simply highlights the important phrases in each amendment to help you remember the basic right being protected. If absent you should still touch base with someone from class to see notes on the deeper discussion about the conflicts that arise from these ideas.

Bill of Rights powerpoint

Due tomorrow: Midterm Election Research pt. 2

10/9/18

Today students presented their Landmark Supreme Court Case project in small groups. Remember to email your presentation to Mrs. Santos (or give some kind of hard copy) so that I can grade it. Students took notes on each of the presentations.

Students should also give Mrs. Santos a hard copy of their notecards (email is also acceptable) AND upload their works cited page to Turnitin.com

Homework due Thursday: Critically read the Bill of Rights. Keep in mind the following:
                   *What rights are protected?
                   *What does this mean in our day?
                   *What conflicts arise surrounding these rights?

Supreme Court Case Presentations

Brown v Board
Mapp v Ohio
Gideon v Wainwright
Miranda v Arizona
Tinker v Des Moines
Regents of the U of California v Bakke
Roe v Wade
New Jersey v TLO

10/5/18

Today we had class time to research our Landmark Supreme Court Case.

Each member of you group should be researching a different court case. You will present your case to your group on Tuesday October 9 in a manner of your choosing, so long as it is clear and meets all requirements. I have linked the assignment and the powerpoint on how to do research notecards below. You can find additional resources by clicking on the Writing Resources link at the right.

Remember you will have Friday in the library to research your court case.

Landmark Court Case Jigsaw                                           

Research and Notecards

Don't forget your election research! Part 2  is due next Friday October 12 and is focused on the media aspect of your candidates' campaigns. This part should be a separate typed document that is more thorough than the first (meaning full sentences).

Midterm Election research

Midterm races assignments

**Due date for part 2 has been adjusted to October 12 to accommodate the beginning of our Civics research paper.

10/4/18

Today we discussed the Judicial Branch of government (notes below). We also assigned our Landmark Supreme Court Case Jigsaw. Each member of you group should be researching a different court case. You will present your case to your group on Tuesday October 9 in a manner of your choosing, so long as it is clear and meets all requirements. I have linked the assignment and the powerpoint on how to do research notecards below. You can find additional resources by clicking on the Writing Resources link at the right.

Remember you will have Friday in the library to research your court case.

Landmark Court Case Jigsaw                                            Judicial Branch class notes

Research and Notecards

Don't forget your election research! Part 1 is due tomorrow!! If you are finished with part 1 (due Friday October 5) you may begin working on part 2. (same document) This part should be a separate typed document that is more thorough than the first (meaning full sentences).

Midterm Election research Part 1 (part 2 can also be found here)

Midterm races assignments

Due date for part 2 has been adjusted to October 12 to accommodate the beginning of our Civics research paper.

10/3/18

Today we discussed the Executive Branch of the government. If absent, notes are below, after the George Washington slide you do not need to write stuff down. The rest was an idea we discussed that will tie back in later discussions.

Executive Branch class notes


Don't forget your election research! If you are finished with part 1 (due Friday October 5) you may begin working on part 2. (same document) This part should be a separate typed document that is more thorough than the first (meaning full sentences).

Midterm Election research Part 1

Midterm races assignments

Due date for part 2 has been adjusted to October 12 to accommodate the beginning of our Civics research paper.

10/2/18

Today we had a work day in the library for our midterm election research. If you are finished with part 1 (due Friday October 5) you may begin working on part 2. (same document) This part should be a separate typed document that is more thorough than the first (meaning full sentences).

Midterm Election research Part 1

Midterm races assignments

Due date for part 2 has been adjusted to October 12 to accommodate the beginning of our Civics research paper.

10/1/18

Today we finished our discussion of the Legislative Branch by looking at pork barrel legislation, war powers, and state legislatures.

Legislative Branch class notes

We also introduced our midterm election research project. Below you will find the instructions and resources for part 1 as well as the list of contested races and who is assigned to each one. (Both 3/4 and 5th period are on the same sheet.) Each student should be looking at either a governor race, a congressional Senate race, or a specific congressional House of Representatives district within a state. If there is a name and party next to the district, that is your incumbent. If it says open, that means the incumbent is not seeking re-election. Part one will be due on Friday October 5 and students will have Tuesday to work on this in class.

Midterm Election research Part 1

Midterm races assignments