Fun Friday Formative, Coming Up!!! February 16, 2017

Hi everyone,
Another late start to the day...sigh.  Oh well, we will keep moving forward.

TOMORROW, you have a formative assessment on the information we've been covering about the Constitution and our government.  This will include material from the vocabulary and the Principles of the Constitution packet.

You will need to be able to:

• Match vocab to definitions
• Correctly describe what bicameralism is
• Identify descriptions of how the branches check and balance one another
• Identify which actions reflect designated powers, concurrent powers, and reserved powers

Look at blog posts for 2/14 and 2/8 for resources to help you study.  There is also a review of checks and balances linked below.  Have fun and good luck!

Checks and Balances Review

Bicameralism:

Checkmate (and Balances): February 15, 2017

Hi everyone,
Today in class, you had a chance to check the powers of different government branches using the Constitution.  Everyone seemed to have a pretty good time!

HOMEWORK:  Please finish your Constitutional Superhero assignment.  Info in the previous post.

If we do not have school tomorrow, you do NOT have a Fun Friday Formative.  You will have a Monday Funday Formative instead!!!!

Here is a visual of the checks and balances system in our government:

It's a Bird, It's a Plane! February 14, 2017

Hi everyone,
Today in class, we reviewed the unit vocabulary and started reviewing the major principles of the Constitution.

Your homework is intended to help you show how well you understand one of the branches of government.  You should understand what each branch does, based on the work we have done so far (Constitution Scavenger Hunt, Principles of the Constitution handout). If that does not give you enough information, I have additional info for you to use:

Here is a reading to help you with the three branches.

Here is a copy of the assignment.

Here is a presentation on the three branches.

If these are not enough, please drop me an email or see me in school!

While You Were Out: February 10, 2017

Hi everyone,
Today in class, we reviewed who still needs to pass in work for the Making of the Constitution unit.  If that includes you, please get that done for MONDAY.  If you were on the NYC trip, I will check in with you on Monday and your work is due Wednesday.  Remember to come in with your Constitution Scavenger Hunt and your worksheet packet done!

Yep, It Snowed: February 9, 2017

If you're really bored and need something to do, you can check your understanding of US government by playing some games here.

Let It Snow? Oh, No! February 8, 2017

Hi everyone,
Here is a reminder of what you need to have done:

CONSTITUTION SCAVENGER HUNT - this should have been done by the end of class on Wednesday. If it's not done, finish it for our next class meeting.  There are links in my previous blog post to Constitution resources.

PRINCIPLES OF THE CONSTITUTION PACKET - this is DUE on Thursday (or the next time we meet), finished, at the start of class.  You got one on Monday or in class today.  If you do not have one, you will need to get one from me next time you see me.

CONSTITUTION VOCABULARY  - if we do NOT have school on THURSDAY, please review these terms for a surprise check in on Friday.  If you are going away, bring this with you and run through the terms to get familiar with them.

Quizlet #1

Quizlet #2

Unit Vocabulary List

The Constitution: February 6, 2017

Hi everyone,
If you need to finish up your Constitution handout, here are two resources you can use to do that:

http://constitutionus.com/ This has the text of the Constitution, a little simplified.

http://www.annenbergclassroom.org/page/a-guide-to-the-united-states-constitution This breaks down the Constitution, article by article, and then explains what each article means.  Be sure you are looking at the right article!

HOMEWORK:  Today, you got a packet in class called "Principles of the Constitution".  The three worksheets in it are due on Thursday.  You can decide how to pace out these assignments.  If you need a new packet, please let me know ASAP.