Christmas Vacation — No School 🎄

Clintondale High School is currently on Christmas Vacation. Classes will resume on Monday, January 6, 2025, at 7:35 A.M.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year, Dragons!

Christmas Break Countdown 🎶

⏰ What We Did

• Due to low student census, listened to Christmas music and played classroom games

The Powers of Congress 💪

🎯 Learning Targets

• Describe how Congress uses its powers to meet the goals stated in the Preamble to the Constitution
• Explain how limits on the power of Congress protects the rights of citizens

⏰ What We Did

• Used the instructional notes for Lesson 7, Part 2: The Powers of Congress, assigned yesterday, to answer the following questions in complete sentences:

1. Define budget.
2. Describe two powers that help Congress "promote the general welfare."
3. For what purpose does Congress conduct investigations?
4. Why are bills of attainder and ex post facto laws unfair?
5. Evaluate Do you think the Framers were right in giving "the power of the purse" to Congress rather than to the president? Explain your answer.

The Members of Congress 🏛

Today's class was led by a guest teacher. 🏫

🎯 Learning Targets

• Describe the groups to which a member of Congress is responsible
• Explain the duties of a member of Congress
• Compare the jobs of a representative and a senator
• Summarize the requirements for being a member of Congress and the salary and benefits

⏰ What We Did

• Watched and took instructional notes on Lesson 7, Part 1: The Members of Congress
• Used Lesson 7, Part 1 notes to examine the general public's familiarity with the members of Congress

⚙️ Resources

• Lesson 7 Instructional Notes
• Lesson 7, Part 1: The Members of Congress
• The Legislative Branch (A-17)

💻 Homework

• Watch and take notes on Lesson 7, Part 2: The Powers of Congress, before class tomorrow

Class to Gymnasium 🏀

⏰ What We Did

• Assistant Principal Woods escorted the class to the CHS gymnasium for the hour

Unit 2 Assessment 💯

🎯 Learning Targets

• Assess Civics Unit 2 comprehension

⏰ What We Did

• Completed the Unit 2 Assessment

Unit 2 Review, Part III ♻️

🎯 Learning Targets

• Review Civics concepts introduced in Unit 2

⏰ What We Did

• Reviewed instructional notes and lesson reviews for Lessons 4, 5, and 6 to prepare for the Unit 2 Assessment

Save A Life Tour — 11th Grade 🚗

⏰ What We Did

• Attended a Save A Life assembly in the CHS Conference Center about distracted driving and driving under the influence

Unit 2 Review, Part II ♻️

Late Start Day 🕣

🎯 Learning Targets

• Review Civics concepts introduced in Unit 2

⏰ What We Did

• Reviewed instructional notes and lesson reviews for Lessons 4, 5, and 6 to prepare for the Unit 2 Assessment

Unit 2 Review ♻️

🎯 Learning Targets

• Review Civics concepts introduced in Unit 2

⏰ What We Did

• Reviewed instructional notes and lesson reviews for Lessons 4, 5, and 6 to prepare for the Unit 2 Assessment

⚙️ Resources

• Unit 2 Review

Civics Unit 2 Review Game 🗑

🎯 Learning Targets

• Review Civics concepts introduced in Unit 2

⏰ What We Did

• Conducted a review game, covering practice test questions from Lessons 4, 5, and 6

Lesson 6 Lesson Review 6️⃣

🎯 Learning Targets

• Review the key concepts covered in Lesson 6 of Civics

⏰ What We Did

• Collected Summarizing the Amendments projects
• Took a quiz on Lesson 6, Part 3: Changing the Law of the Land
• Began working on Lesson 6 Lesson Review

⚙️ Resources

• Civics ✮ Lesson 6 Lesson Review (LR-6)

Summarizing the Amendments 📜

🎯 Learning Targets

• Summarize the amendments to the Constitution

⏰ What We Did

• Used the last work period to wrap-up the summary posters of an assigned constitutional amendment, using the rubric provided (NOTE: Summary posters will be due at the beginning of class on R 5 December 2024)

Summarizing the Amendments 📜

🎯 Learning Targets

• Summarize the amendments to the Constitution

⏰ What We Did

• Continued working on a summary poster of an assigned constitutional amendment, using the rubric provided

Changing the Law of the Land 🧑‍⚖️

Today's class was led by a guest teacher. 🏫

🎯 Learning Targets

• Explain how the laws concerning slavery have changed since the signing of the Constitution
• Describe the amendments that ensured the right to vote for African Americans
• Summarize women's struggles for the right to vote
• Explain why the voting age was lowered to eighteen
• Describe how the amendment process gives Americans a voice in their government

⏰ What We Did

• Using the instructional notes taken yesterday on Lesson 6, Part 3, answered the following questions in complete sentences:

1. Define suffrage.
2. Summarize the Supreme Court's ruling in the Dred Scott case.
3. How did the Fourteenth Amendment guarantee citizenship to African Americans?
4. Explain why a women's suffrage amendment was finally added to the Constitution.
5. Why was the voting age lowered to eighteen?
6. Evaluate Do you think that the voting age should be higher or lower than eighteen? If so, what age do you think it should be? Support your opinion — either yes or no — with reasons.

Summarizing the Amendments 📜

🎯 Learning Targets

• Explain how the laws concerning slavery have changed since the signing of the Constitution
• Describe the amendments that ensured the right to vote for African Americans
• Summarize women's struggles for the right to vote
• Explain why the voting age was lowered to eighteen
• Describe how the amendment process gives Americans a voice in their government

⏰ What We Did

• Watched and took instructional notes on Lesson 6, Part 3: Changing the Law of the Land
• Began working on a summary poster of an assigned constitutional amendment, using the rubric provided

⚙️ Resources

• Lesson 6, Part 3: Changing the Law of the Land
• Summarizing the Amendments rubric
• The Amendments to the Constitution of the United States, with Commentary

Thanksgiving Break 🦃

Clintondale High School is closed for Thanksgiving Break. Classes will resume on Monday, December 2, 2024, at 7:35 A.M.

Have a happy and relaxing Thanksgiving Break, Dragons!

Catch-Up Day 🥫

⏰ What We Did

• Due to extremely low student census, used today's class to catch up on any previous Q2 work or notes

Protections in the Bill of Rights 📜

🎯 Learning Targets

• Define the freedoms that are protected by the First Amendment
• Summarize the amendments that protect against abuse of power by the government
• Explain how the rights of the accused are protected by the Bill of Rights
• Describe the rights protected by the Ninth and Tenth Amendments

⏰ What We Did

• Watched and took instructional notes on Lesson 6, Part 2: Protections in the Bill of Rights
• Used Lesson 6, Part 2 instructional notes to complete "The Bill of Rights"

⚙️ Resources

• Lesson 6, Part 2: Protections in the Bill of Rights
• The Bill of Rights (A-16)

💻 Homework

• Watch and take notes on Lesson 6, Part 3: Changing the Law of the Land, before class on M 2 Dec 2024

The Preamble Quiz 💯

🎯 Learning Targets

• Define the major goals of our government

⏰ What We Did

• Played Schoolhouse Rock's The Preamble in preparation for today's quiz
• Took the quiz on the Preamble to the United States Constitution

⚙️ Resources

• The Preamble Song

Adding the Bill of Rights ➕

🎯 Learning Targets

• Describe the two methods that may be used to propose and ratify an amendment
• Summarize the debate in Congress over the Bill of Rights
• Describe how the Bill of Rights became part of the Constitution

⏰ What We Did

• Played Schoolhouse Rock's The Preamble in preparation for tomorrow's quiz
• Watched and took instructional notes on Lesson 6, Part 1: Adding the Bill of Rights
• Used Lesson 6, Part 1 instructional notes to complete "Identifying Causes and Effects; The Bill of Rights"

⚙️ Resources

• The Preamble Song
• Civics ✮ Lesson 6 Instructional Notes
• Lesson 6, Part 1: Adding the Bill of Rights
• Identifying Causes and Effects; The Bill of Rights (A-15)

Town Hall Meeting 🏫

⏰ What We Did

• The majority of the class was called down to the CHS Auditorium for a 11th Grade Town Hall

The Supreme Law of the Land 🔑

🎯 Learning Targets

• Summarize the major sections of the Constitution
• Explain the three main principles in the Constitution that limit the government's power

⏰ What We Did

• Played Schoolhouse Rock's The Preamble in preparation for Friday's quiz
• Discussed the answers to Friday's assignment, "The Supreme Law of the Land"
• Collected yesterday's Lesson 5 Lesson Review

⚙️ Resources

• The Preamble Song

Lesson 5 Lesson Review 5️⃣

🎯 Learning Targets

• Review the key concepts covered in Lesson 5 of Civics

⏰ What We Did

• Collected Friday's "The Supreme Law of the Land" assignment
• Watched Schoolhouse Rock's The Preamble in preparation for Friday's quiz
• Took a quiz on Lesson 5, Part 3: The Preamble
• Began working on Lesson 5 Lesson Review

⚙️ Resources

• The Preamble Song
• Civics ✮ Lesson 5 Lesson Review (LR-5)

The Supreme Law of the Land Scavenger Hunt 👀

🎯 Learning Targets

• Summarize the major sections of the Constitution
• Explain the three main principles in the Constitution that limit the government's power

⏰ What We Did

• Played Schoolhouse Rock's The Preamble in preparation for next Friday's quiz
• Checked for completion of Lesson 5, Part 4 instructional notes
• Distributed and discussed Checks and Balances of the Federal Government handout
• Use Lesson 5, Part 4 notes, a copy of the United States Constitution, and the checks and balances handout to complete "The Supreme Law of the Land" scavenger hunt

⚙️ Resources

• The Preamble Song
• Checks and Balances of the Federal Government (H-4)
• The Supreme Law of the Land (A-14)
• The Constitution of the United States of America, with Commentary

The Supreme Law of the Land 📜

Today's class was led by a guest teacher 🏫

🎯 Learning Targets

• Summarize the major sections of the Constitution
• Explain the three main principles in the Constitution that limit the government's power

⏰ What We Did

• Played Schoolhouse Rock's The Preamble in preparation for next Friday's quiz
• Using notes from Lesson 5, Part 4, answered the following questions in complete sentences:

1. Define veto, delegated powers, amendments, federalism, concurrent powers, reserved powers, checks and balances, and impeach.
2. Describe two goals listed in the Preamble to the Constitution.
3. Summarize Article II of the Constitution.
4. Describe one specific way the Constitution limits the power of the government.
5. Analyze How are the goals of the Framers reflected in the Constitution?

⚙️ Resources

• The Preamble Song

The Preamble 📜

Late Start Day 🕣

🎯 Learning Targets

• Define the major goals of our government

⏰ What We Did

• Handed back and discussed the answers to Monday's "Compromise and the Constitution" and yesterday's "We the People?, or We the States?" assignments
• Began learning the Preamble to the United States Constitution, using Schoolhouse Rock's The Preamble as a guide to identify the six goals of the Constitution (NOTE: There will be a quiz on the Preamble on F 22 November 2024)

⚙️ Resources

• Schoolhouse Rock's The Preamble (H-3)
• The Preamble Song

💻 Homework

• Watch and take notes on Lesson 5, Part 4: The Supreme Law of the Land, before class tomorrow

The Struggle for Ratification 💪

🎯 Learning Targets

• Compare the views of the Federalists and Anti-Federalists
• Summarize the arguments presented in "The Federalist"
• Explore reasons that the states finally ratified the Constitution

⏰ What We Did

• Checked for completion of Lesson 5, Part 2 instructional notes
• Used Lesson 5, Part 2 instructional notes to help examine a primary source — a speech by Anti-Federalist Patrick Henry on his opposition to Virginia's ratification of the United States Constitution

⚙️ Resources

• We the People?, or We the States? (A-13)

💻 Homework

• Watch and take notes on Lesson 5, Part 3: The Preamble, before class tomorrow

The Constitutional Convention 💭

Today is Veterans Day 🇺🇸

🎯 Learning Targets

• Explain how the delegates organized the Constitutional Convention
• Summarize Madison's plan for the new government
• Summarize the debate over how power would be shared by state and national governments
• Describe the compromises that were made about representation in Congress
• Explain the major elements of the executive and judicial branches created by the Constitution

⏰ What We Did

• Watched and took instructional notes on Lesson 5, Part 1: The Constitutional Convention
• Used Lesson 5, Part 1 instructional notes to complete "Compromise and the Constitution"

⚙️ Resources

• Civics ✮ Lesson 5 Instructional Notes
• Lesson 5, Part 1: The Constitutional Convention
• Compromise and the Constitution (A-12)

💻 Homework

• Watch and take notes on Lesson 5, Part 2: The Struggle for Ratification, before class tomorrow

End of the First Quarter 🌛

⏰ What We Did

• Used today's class to complete and turn in any Q1 assignments

Lesson 4 Lesson Review 4️⃣

🎯 Learning Targets

• Review the key concepts covered in Lesson 4 of Civics

⏰ What We Did

• Collected Lesson 3 Lesson Review
• Took a quiz on Lesson 4, Part X: X
• Began working on Lesson 4 Lesson Review

⚙️ Resources

• Civics ✮ Lesson 4 Lesson Review (LR-4)

Organizing a New Nation 🇺🇸

🎯 Learning Targets

• Describe the state and national governments Americans established after winning independence
• Analyze reasons why many Americans wanted a stronger national government

⏰ What We Did

• Using notes from Lesson 4, Part 4, answered the following questions in complete sentences:

1. Define compact, constitution, and ratification.
2. After declaring independence, how did the Americans organize their state and national governments?
3. Why did many Americans think that the national government under the Articles of Confederation was too weak?
4. Analyze Why did their experience under English rule make it difficult for Americans to form a strong national government?

Election Day — No School 🇺🇸

Clintondale High School is closed for Election Day. Classes will resume on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at 7:35 A.M.

Catch-Up Day 🥫

Today's class was led by a guest teacher 🏫

⏰ What We Did

• Used today's class to catch up on any previous Q1 work or notes

Organizing a New Nation 🇺🇸

🎯 Learning Targets

• Describe the state and national governments Americans established after winning independence
• Analyze reasons why many Americans wanted a stronger national government

⏰ What We Did

• Using notes from Lesson 4, Part 4, answered the following questions in complete sentences:

1. Define compact, constitution, and ratification.
2. After declaring independence, how did the Americans organize their state and national governments?
3. Why did many Americans think that the national government under the Articles of Confederation was too weak?
4. Analyze Why did their experience under English rule make it difficult for Americans to form a strong national government?

Examining the Declaration — The Denunciation and Conclusion 📜

Today is Halloween 🎃

🎯 Learning Targets

• Summarize the arguments in the Declaration of Independence

⏰ What We Did

• Concluded the examination of the Declaration of Independence by reading and interpreting the document's denunciation and statement of declaration

⚙️ Resources

• Examining the Declaration — The Denunciation and Conclusion (A-11)

💻 Homework

• Watch and take notes on Lesson 4, Part 4: Organizing a New Nation, before class tomorrow

Examining the Declaration — The Indictment 📜

🎯 Learning Targets

• Summarize the arguments in the Declaration of Independence

⏰ What We Did

• Continue the examination of the Declaration of Independence by reading and interpreting the document's evidence against King George III and Parliament in groups

⚙️ Resources

• Examining the Declaration — The Indictment A | B | C | D | E (A-10)

Examining the Declaration — The Introduction and Preamble 📜

🎯 Learning Targets

• Summarize the arguments in the Declaration of Independence

⏰ What We Did

• Begin the examination of the Declaration of Independence by reading and interpreting the document's introduction and preamble

⚙️ Resources

• "Examining the Declaration — The Introduction and Preamble" (A-9)

Examining the Declaration — The Introduction and Preamble 📜

🎯 Learning Targets

• Summarize the arguments in the Declaration of Independence

⏰ What We Did

• Begin the examination of the Declaration of Independence by reading and interpreting the document's introduction and preamble

⚙️ Resources

• "Examining the Declaration — The Introduction and Preamble" (A-9)

Moving Toward Revolution 📜

🎯 Learning Targets

• Describe how and why American colonists organized to oppose English rule; Summarize the arguments in the Declaration of Independence

⏰ What We Did

• Used Lesson 4, Part 2 notes to complete "How Thomas Jefferson Got the Job; America's Political Heritage"

⚙️ Resources

• "How Thomas Jefferson Got the Job; America's Political Heritage" (A-8)

Roots of American Government 🏛

🎯 Learning Targets

• Examine the connection between American government and governments in ancient Greece and Rome
• Explain how the English tradition of government influenced Americans
• Identify the ideas of European writers who influenced the development of American government

⏰ What We Did

• Checked for completion of Lesson 4, Part 2 instructional notes
• Using notes from Lesson 4, Part 2, answered the following questions in complete sentences:

1. Define direct democracy, republic, natural rights, and separation of powers.
2. Describe which traditions in colonial government can be traced back to Ancient Greece and Rome.
3. What did the American colonists inherit from the English tradition of government?
4. What ideas of Locke and Montesquieu were important to the colonists?
5. Compare What similarities do you think the colonists saw in the Greek, Roman, and English traditions of government?

💻 Homework

• Watch and take notes on Lesson 4, Part 3: Moving Toward Revolution, before class tomorrow

The Colonial Experience 🇬🇧

Late Start Day 🕣

🎯 Learning Targets

• Describe the role colonists played in their government
• Define the rights and responsibilities of colonial citizens
• Identify the freedoms that early colonists struggled to gain
• Explain why many colonists became dissatisfied with royal governors

⏰ What We Did

• Watched and took notes on Lesson 4, Part 1: The Colonial Experience
• Using notes from Lesson 4, Part 1, answered the following questions in complete sentences:

1. Define heritage, legislature, charter, and tyranny.
2. Why were colonial citizens able to influence the laws that governed them?
3. Compare English citizens in the colonies with American citizens today.
4. How are some of our freedoms rooted in the colonial period?
5. Evaluate How well do you think the colonists practiced the values of freedom, justice, and equality? Explain your answer.

⚙️ Resources

• Civics ✮ Lesson 4 Instructional Notes
• Lesson 4, Part 1: The Colonial Experience

💻 Homework

• Watch and take notes on Lesson 4, Part 2: Roots of American Government, before class tomorrow

PSAT/NMSQT Testing ⚫️

⏰ What We Did

• 11th Grade students were taking the PSAT/NMSQT

Unit 1 Assessment 💯

🎯 Learning Targets

• Assess Civics Unit 1 comprehension

⏰ What We Did

• Completed the Unit 1 Assessment

Unit 1 Review ♻️

🎯 Learning Targets

• Review Civics concepts introduced in Unit 1

⏰ What We Did

• Reviewed Lessons 1, 2, and 3 instructional notes of Civics for Monday's assessment

Lesson 3 Lesson Review 3️⃣

🎯 Learning Targets

• Review the key concepts covered in Lesson 3 of Civics

⏰ What We Did

• Took a quiz on Lesson 3, Part 1: Being a Voter
• Began working on Lesson 3 Lesson Review

⚙️ Resources

• Civics ✮ Lesson 3 Lesson Review (LR-3)

The Electoral College 🇺🇸

🎯 Learning Targets

• Explain the role of the Electoral College in presidential elections

⏰ What We Did

• Distributed and discussed "The Electoral College: How the President Gets Elected" handout
• Completed "The Electoral College: Myth and Reality" individually, then as a group through Kahoot!

⚙️ Resources

• The Electoral College: How the President is Elected (H-2)
• The Electoral College: Myth and Reality (A-7)

Campaigning for Office 🏘

🎯 Learning Targets

• Explore how campaigns are planned and managed
• Describe how campaigns are financed
• Identify factors that help people win elections

⏰ What We Did

• Collected the Election Advocacy Projects at the beginning of class
• Read a primary source account on what it takes to run for elected office
• Weighed the pros and cons of making the decision to run for elected office

⚙️ Resources

• Running for Office; Making Decisions (A-6)

💻 Homework

• Watch and take notes on Lesson 3, Part 4: The Electoral College, before class tomorrow

Mock Election Advocacy Project 🪧

Today is Columbus Day 🌎

🎯 Learning Targets

• Describe ways that candidates get their messages to voters
• Analyze the role of interest groups in the election process
• Explain how candidates and interest groups try to influence the way people vote
• Explore the importance of the media in election campaigns

⏰ What We Did

• Finished developing propaganda for either one of the two mock candidates or an issue raised in the campaign simulation (NOTE: Propaganda posters are due at the beginning of class tomorrow)

💻 Homework

• Watch and take notes on Lesson 3, Part 3: Campaigning for Office, before class on Monday

Class to Gymnasium 🏀

Today's class was led by a guest teacher 🏫

⏰ What We Did

• The class went to the CHS gymnasium with the guest teacher