Time for Reflection

This past week, acting as good historians, we spent time reflecting on earlier events. To reflect means to “realize after, or to think seriously” and that is mirrored in your timeline activity, your current events assignments, and your end of first quarter assignment sheet.

Events leading up to The American Revolution

You are designing a timeline with a partner on events leading up to the “start” of the American Revolution. This activity gives you the opportunity to look at events, debate with your partner on their significance, and to make a judgment as to which events are crucial to understanding why the colonists decided to wage war against the British Empire. This activity is due on Monday so plan ahead so you can start off the second quarter on the right foot.

Rosa and Sam

Rosa Parks was honored this week by thousands of mourners who filed by her casket as it lay in the Rotunda of the Capitol. This is the first time in history that a woman was so honored. We need to pause and reflect on her contributions and to ask how each of us will continue to add to her legacy of equal rights for all.

With the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court, it is time to reflect on our Constitution and the role each of the branches plays in supporting and defending the oldest Constitution in the world. The Senate has begun the advice and consent process with the scheduling of hearings for January. We should be in the middle of our study of the Constitution just as the Senate begins this debate. Great timing!

One down and Three to Go

This past week the first quarter ended. Congratulations to all who met or exceeded the standard. You showed perseverance and completed your assigned tasks. Many of you went above and beyond and worked to receive extra credit on your current events assignments. A special congratulations to all of you who participated in class discussion, asked questions, and pushed all of our thinking beyond the text.

If you did not meet the standard first quarter, you have a new opportunity starting now. You need to reflect on what you did or did not do first quarter and then design a corrective action plan. What do you need to do differently so you can be successful second quarter? Do you need to take a more serious approach to class time? Do you need to be better organized, using your three hole punch notebook, folder, and agenda book? Do you need to use the blog as a review and a reminder? Do you need to be more diligent with your homework? It is up to you. If you need any further assistance, please come by and see me.

Signed status of assignment sheets are due Monday and are worth 3 points.

Planning 101

Planning is an important part of our lives and it is useful to review the steps to successful planning. I would urge you to check out Eye on Education. This site is devoted to helping students be better planners. As you will see, there is a special link for high school students.