Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Agenda for 10/29 - 11/2

Monday - Presentations on Election Topics
Tuesday - Presentations on Election Topics
Wed/Thu - Finish Final Papers, Add pictures to Blogger assignments, complete late work
Friday (END OF QUARTER) - Quiz on Presentations, Turn in Final Group Paper, Vote in Mock Election


Sunday, October 28, 2012

Quarter 1 ends this Friday

All work must be submitted by Friday, November 2nd to receive credit this quarter. Please see me if you have any questions about missing work.


Recap of 10/22 - 10/26

MONDAY - (Computer Lab) Discuss expectations for Presentations, Work on Paper and Presentation

TUESDAY - (Computer Lab) Work on Paper and Presentation, Find Media to incorporate into presentation

WED/THU - Discussion on Electoral College and latest Presidential Polling, Peer Editing of Research Paper

FRIDAY - (Computer Lab) Polish Research Paper, Work on Presentation, Turn in First Draft of Paper and Five Question Assessment

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Agenda for 10/15 - 10/19

Monday - Current Events discussion, review Political Cartoons, and discuss next stage of Group Research Project

Tuesday - No School

Wednesday - Presidential Debate discussion by topic and Group Research

Thursday (Early Release)  - Examination of Policy Differences between Pres. Obama and Gov. Romney

Friday - Library for introduction and instruction on research sources

Friday, October 12, 2012

Political cartoon assignment

Today you will select a cartoon for analysis. First, you find a political cartoon and post the url. You can find the cartoons here.

http://politicalhumor.about.com/od/politicalcartoons/ig/Political-Cartoons/

Next, you will write a complete paragraph about the cartoon. You will begin by stating what people and topic this cartoon is discussing. Then, you will write about what is portrayed in the cartoon. Lastly, you will explain the message that the artist is trying to send to the reader, and whether you believe it is effective. Your paragraph should be 4-5 sentences at least.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Agenda for 10/8-10/12

Monday - Test retakes and independent work time to complete missing assignment

Tuesday - Introduction to major policy research project.

Block Day - Begin group research on major policies affecting the 2012 campaign.

Friday - Discussion of VP debate, continue researching for group project.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Test Retakes

Many students have asked to retake the Chapter 1 and 2 test, so I am setting aside time on Monday during class for retakes. If you are planning on retaking both sections, I would ask that you also plan on coming into class before school, during lunch, or after school on Monday as well so that you have plenty of time to complete each part.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Block Day Classwork

In class today and tomorrow, we will be discussing the electoral college and presidential debates. At the end of class, students will be asked to complete 4-5 sentences on what they believe matters most in "winning" a presidential debate (policy ideas, body language, tone, zingers, etc.) and to list one example from class or from personal knowledge. If they do not finish in class, it should be completed for homework.

This is a brief video we watched about the Electoral College. The speaker speaks quickly, but I think it is an entertaining look at a difficult concept.


This is a run down of famous debate moments that we viewed as well.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Debate Extra Credit Homework


*** I would like all students to try and watch some of the Presidential debate if possible. However, it is not required. ***

Directions: Pick one part of the debate and answer the following questions in Blogger Post.
***Use your own words.

1. Choose one question asked by the moderator. What topic did he ask about?

2. How did Barack Obama respond?

3. How did Mitt Romney respond?

4. In your opinion, who do you think responded better? Why?

5. What questions do you still have about the candidates or the issues discussed?

Monday, October 1, 2012

Agenda for 10/1-10/5 and Understanding Political Ads Assignment

Monday: Today we discussed political ads and their purposes. We watched a few past presidential ads and discussed their messages and effectiveness.

Tuesday: Students will find political ads from the presidential candidates (one from each) and analyze the content of the ad, answering questions about the ads' messages, target audiences, tone, factual content, and overall effectiveness.


UNDERSTANDING POLITICAL ADS ASSIGNMENT: Please find one political ad from both the Obama Campaign and the Romney Campaign. Please post the link to the ad then answer the following questions - 

1) What is the message of this ad? 
2) What are the facts in this ad? 
3) Who is the target audience? 
4) Is this ad positive or negative? 
5) Is this ad effective? Why or why not? 

Ads can be found here. http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/politics/political-ad-tracker/most-recent


Wednesday/Thursday Block: We will begin group project regarding the major topics being discussed in the presidential campaign, beginning with the acquisition of basic facts about each topic.

Friday: We will be reviewing the presidential debate from Wednesday night,

Presidential Debate #1 - Wed at 8pm

This is a reminder that the first Presidential Debate will be held Wednesday night at 8pm, and shown on almost all major networks. I would like students to try and watch at least a portion of the debate, preferably with a parent or family member who can help explain the more complicated topics. The debate can also be watched online the next day for any students who are unable to watch live. I will post that link when it is available.

"POLITICAL ADS" HOMEWORK DUE WEDNESDAY!!

The "Understanding Political Ads" will be due on WEDNESDAY, not tomorrow. I'm not sure if I can change the assignment due date on Edmodo, but I will not be checking the assignment until Wednesday. We will have more time in class Tuesday to work on the assignment as well. I apologize for the confusion.