We will continue learning about the revolutionary period, specifically the War of Independence and the lasting effects of the war on the United States, Great Britain, and other parts of the world. You will evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the Americans and the British, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. Your chapter 2 identifications should be completed by Wednesday, as well as the chapter review. You should have already completed the terms of people, places, and things and you need to complete the following sections on the review: 1) Word Relationships 2) True/False 3) Reviewing Main Ideas 4) Thinking Critically (only choose one to answer in depth. The chapter review will be graded on Wednesday for correctness, not completion. We will begin Chapter 3 on Wednesday.
AP US History
A P US History
US History Sept 19-23
This week we are focusing on Chapter 2 in the textbook, the Revolutionary Period. We will discuss the causes and effects of the American Revolution, particularly how the revolution plays a vital role in the shaping of American history to the present day. You will need to complete the identifications from this chapter which will be posted on my daily class presentation- these will be due on Wednesday, September 21st and you will have a quiz on Thursday, September 22nd on all the identifications you have had up to this point in the class. I recommend you study a little bit each night and we will play some review games on Wednesday for you to prepare.
US History Sept 5-9
We will finish our unit on colonial America this week by completing a DBQ on the British colonies in America. We will read the primary and secondary sources together and use this information to write an essay on this material. You will not have a test for this chapter; the essay will serve as your formal assessment for this unit. The first draft of the essay will be due on Thursday.
US History Aug 29- Sept 2
We will finish up our lesson on the Columbian Exchange with the Harkness discussion on chapter 4 on Monday. On Tuesday and Wednesday we will discuss European settlement in North American and Native American resistance to these various groups. You will be expected to complete the identifications of each section which are all on the presentation that I update daily (this should already be in your Google Drive) and we will finish the week with colonial life in America and the geographical and culture differences the east coast colonies.
US History August 22-26
We will continue discussing the encounter of Native Americans, Europeans, and Africans this week by looking at the Columbian exchange and its impact in the 1600’s as well as its impact today in the global world. On Tuesday, you will work in groups to understand the different intentions and geographical locations of various European settlements and then discover how the people that already lived on those lands reacted to this invasion of peoples. You should have chapter 4, “Red Eyes” in Lies My Teacher Told Me read by Thursday and be prepared for Harkness Discussion.
US History August 15-19
On Monday you will need to complete the essential questions from the Harkness discussion last Friday. Please follow the requirements listed on the presentation. We will also begin Period One 1491-1607 by creating a graphic organizer on the three lands that college in the 15th century as well as reading Chapter 2 in Lies My Teacher Told Me and analyzing primary sources on Christopher Columbus.
I am providing the Google Presentation that I use every day in class so that you are always informed and up-to-date with what is happening in class. Once you click on this link, it will always be saved in your “Shared with me” file in your Google Drive.
US History August 10-12
Welcome back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! These first two weeks we will be focusing on class procedures and familiarizing you with the expectations of the class and my style as a teacher. Please refer to the supply list and try to have everything ready by next week. Items such as hand sanitizer and Kleenex are very nice to have, but not requirements.
On Thursday, we will have a Harkness discussion about US history and then on Friday we will discuss the current impact and influence of the United States.
This class is not an Advanced Placement class, but will use similar resources and pacing; therefore, if you are interested in taking the APUSH exam at the end of the course, I will gladly prepare you for this throughout the school year.
APUSH May 16-20
This week we are watching Schindler’s List. Here are your discussion questions that are due on Friday:
1. Can one responsibly create a work of historical fiction about the Holocaust? If so, what considerations does one have to make? If not, why not?
2. Do you see Oskar Schindler’s narrative as a success story, or a story of failure?
3. Schindler’s original plan was simply to make money off the war. Are the people who profit from wars morally responsible for them, or are they simply businesspeople?
4. Throughout the movie, we meet Jewish prisoners acting as enforcers for the Nazis in the ghetto. Why do you think Spielberg chose to emphasize these characters?
5. In his portrayal of the 1943 liquidation of the ghetto, Spielberg juxtaposes footage of the massacre with footage of an SS officer playing Mozart on a piano in one of the apartment buildings. What do you think Spielberg is trying to convey by doing this?
6. In a conversation with Amon Goeth, Schindler tells the SS officer that it is not the ability to exercise violence that makes somebody exceptional, but rather the ability to pardon the “worthless” for no apparent reason. One interpretation of this scene is that Schindler is attempting to convince Goeth to treat his prisoners better, but is it possible that Schindler is really explaining his own motivations?
7. Immediately before fleeing his factory after Germany’s surrender, Schindler laments all the additional lives he could have saved. Do you experience this kind of tension between spending money on yourself and spending it on others whose lives may depend on it?
8. In addition to those directly involved, many others both inside and outside Germany knew that terrible crimes were being committed against Jews, yet did nothing to stop them. Did these people have a responsibility to act? If not, why not?
9. Why do you think Schindler agreed to help Stern rescue his workers from the Holocaust? Do his motivations matter?
APUSH May 3-6
This is our final week before the AP Exam on Friday, May 6th. In order to prepare for the exam, we will be completing a timed practice test throughout the week. You will be allowed to use your devices during the practice exam, and this exam will be for a grade, but I highly encourage those of you that are taking the AP exam on Friday to not use your devices (or limit the usage). On Tuesday we will complete the multiple choice, on Wednesday we will complete the short answer, and on Thursday we will complete the DBQ and/or the long answer. You will be able to choose for Thursday.
Next week we will start the American film festival as promised, but you will first need to get the film permission slips signed by your parents. These will be given out on Wednesday of this week and should be turned in by Friday.
APUSH April 25-29
On Monday, we will finish our WWII unit by discussing women, war, and propaganda, as well as the benefits and problems of women in the work force during the 1940’s. You will participate in a group activity to examine other groups struggling for justice such as Braceros, Native Americans, and the Japanese internment camps.
On Tuesday, we begin our AP test crunch. Each day you will be given two chapters and you will be adding to a shared Google Doc for the key concepts and terms from each chapter. This document will be used to study for the AP test.
Tuesday- Chapter 17 and 18
Wednesday- Chapter 19 and 20
Thursday- Chapter 22
Friday- Chapter 23
If you are taking the AP exam, you need to complete chapters 24 and 25 for homework over the weekend.
Discovery School Grade 12 