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.