Success

 

 

This week was our last week together as we prepared for final exams.  While the rain never seemed to end, at least our room stayed cool and we could focus on what we needed to know instead of wishing we were at the beach. 

This year we have strengthened our analytical skills as we discussed a wide range of issues.  Your point of view will change over time as you experience more of life.  The classroom is a safe place to practice developing points of view and sharing them with fellow students.  Don’t ever be afraid to speak your mind, but always take time to gather information and think about your point of view.  Argue and debate out of knowledge.

We have had an exciting year as we travelled the globe via our current events and study of Contemporary World Issues.  You will soon find out that the world is really very small...we can see and be in contact with people from all over the globe in a matter of seconds....we can fly to, buy from and sell to any part of the world...and our actions as individuals and a nation affect all.  You are truly COTW: Citizens of the World!

In addition to our international studies we have spent much time thinking and talking about the major internal changes our country is experiencing. We have talked about domestic issues, including the presidential election and the economic challenges we are facing.  We have seen that issues are never as simple as they appear, and people with good intentions can differ sharply in interpreting what they observe.

Oral Histories

Congratulations again for doing such a good job on your oral history interviews.  This month-long project allowed you to experience history as events that affect everyone in their daily lives.  The stories told by family and friends make the events of the past come alive.  The last of the thank-you notes were mailed yesterday…a nice touch to what I hope you found to be a very meaningful project.

Study Guide

You have a study guide to help you review for the exam.  I would also urge you to use your portfolio and of course read over each blog entry.  By reading the weekly entry, you will have a review of all the classes since our midterm exam.  When doing the study guide, don’t just use the glossary for definitions as that does not put the event, person or term into context.  By using the text to read about the events, you will get a better understanding of the reason why the term is on the study guide.  Be sure to explain the significance of each term, person or event – why we need to know about it.

The study guide also has a description of the exam.  Take time to read it over and make sure to bring the study guide the day of the final…you will get extra points for a study guide that shows you took the time to think about the topics. As always, I am available for extra help before and after school…all you need to do is ask.

Status of Assignment Sheet

This week you also handed in your sheet of assignments.  This is a very useful tool for you to monitor your grades.  All the assignments are posted in the class, all your graded work goes in your folder and since we run on a point system, all you have to do is add up your points and divide by the total number of points offered.  These are your grades and you should take the time to monitor your progress.  As students about to entire your Senior year, you should have a system in place to track your progress.  So at the end of the quarter there should be no surprises… 

A Final Farewell to our Seniors

Congratulations on your graduation!  Walk the stage with pride…and go forth to do good things for one and all!

Last Entry

So it is now time to say good-by and wish all of you a happy and safe summer.  I want to thank my blog editor for keeping my thinking and writing clear, crisp and accurate.  I want to thank my many readers for their comments which always led to a better entry.  But most of all, I want to thank all of my students for a great year.  Your interest, enthusiasm, and questioning have led us to a deeper understanding of our world and how we can contribute to a better tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

 

The importance of staying focused

LBJ and Senator Greene D-RI

 

 

As we approach the end of the year, we have engaged in group activities that help us better understand the tides of change in America since 1960.  Working in groups allows everyone to have better access to information, as long as everyone pulls their weight. Psychologists and people who study how we learn best recommend group activities.  To get the most out of working together you need to have a plan and focus on understanding and discussing the material together, as opposed to simply copying someone else’s notes.

 

We used this approach as we began examining the presidency of Lyndon Baines Johnson (LBJ), reading a book review by President Bill Clinton of Robert Caro’s book “The Passage of Power.”  You used an anticipation guide to frame your thinking, and then you each read one section of the review.  Having each member of the group read one section made the assignment more manageable.  Each person then reported a link they found in the reading to the anticipation guide.  You discovered LBJ was the most powerful Majority Leader in the history of the Senate before becoming Vice President to John F. Kennedy.  The Vice Presidency was a far less powerful position and LBJ came to hate it.  But as Caro states, “with the crack of a gun, everything changed” and LBJ became President.  He used his knowledge of the legislative process and his ability to “get to people” to achieve passage of major Civil Rights legislation at a time most observers said it would be impossible.  We also watched an interview of Caro so you could see and hear the author of this critically acclaimed fourth volume on LBJ.  

 

The reading also contained challenging vocabulary.  Each of you should have looked up the meaning of unfamiliar words in your section and talked with your group about the meanings.  Increasing your vocabulary is a critically important tool that will help you on SATs and other standardized tests and allow you to express yourself more clearly in any situation.

 

We watched a clip from a TED talk by Sheryl Sandberg, CEO of Facebook.  She offered recommendations on leadership we should all take to heart: be at the decision-making table, stay focused on the task right to the last day, and select friends or partners in your life who will support your efforts.  Maybe your summer reading list should include her book “Lean In.”

 

You also had your announced quiz on the women’s movement. It was based on your text reading and by now you should be masters of locating key information: vocabulary and names are always important. 

 

We updated our status of assignment sheets.  We will do this one more time as I return your women’s quiz, and then you can add up your total points and divide by the points you could have earned to see your percentage grade.  All assignments are posted on the board and it is your responsibility to keep your folder up to date.  You will receive credit for a well-organized folder and a completed status of assignment sheet.

 

Study guides will be distributed next week…it is the same guide that was posted last week.  Study guides are like savings accounts…you get out what you put into it, plus interest! 

 

World History

 

We had to juggle this week as we encountered more standardized testing.  Congratulations to all of you for submitting your power points on time.  Punctuality is an essential trait in the working world.

 

We will present the projects on Monday.  You should use note cards and make sure you have practiced with your partner.  Be prepared to respond to questions.  This is a great assignment to wrap up our study of World War II.  As you listen to the presentations, you will be asked to take notes and then use your notes in responding to quiz questions.

 

You had a one page reading on the Cold War which contained key vocabulary.  I know what is on your final exam (!) and vocabulary from this time period will be included.

 

Next week we will update our status of assignment sheets and start preparing for the final exam.  You will have a map activity on the final so we will spend some time working with a map of Europe.

 

With summer weather finally arriving and the end of term just weeks away, it’s easy to be distracted.  Don’t let that happen to you!  How you perform in these final weeks could have a decisive impact on your grade.