US History– Ms. Ulfers' ClassroomDearborn Public Schools

Feb 27th Thursday, Feb 28th

Last day of February! Despite it being the shortest month, it certainly feels long.

2/28 Quick Write:

Through our Adams’ Cornell Notes and Brace Map we have examined how Adams’ presidency contained both triumphs (the XYZ Affair) and utter defeats (the Alien and Sedition Acts).  We have analyzed how the Federalists and Republicans have become more divided, and soon we will see how that tension will deeply affect the upcoming 1800 Election.

Today, you will demonstrate to me how well you understand our material from the past two weeks by taking a summative assessment on Google Classroom (remember, summative = big points!).

After we complete the Quick Write, you will have the rest of the class period to take the assessment. You may use all of your notes!!!

Remember: Current Event and Quick Writes are due TOMORROW!

Feb 26th Wednesday, Feb 27th

Halfway done with this week, let’s keep going!

2/27 Quick Write:

If I haven’t already checked off your Adams’ Cornell Notes, be sure you show them to me! You’ll keep them to help you complete the Brace Map. Our intention of  the Brace Map is to deconstruct the events of Adams’ presidency and see how it influenced the division of the political parties.

Today, we will go over the Brace Map together, and on the back you will answer the Language Objective:

John Adams [could/could not] have prevented the formation of political parties in the United States because …

The Brace Map will be collected today for a Quiz Grade, so be sure it is complete!

Remember: Current Event due on Friday!

Feb 25th Tuesday, Feb 26th

Today we will continue to work with John Adams and figure out why his presidency unfolded how it did: could he have done anything to change the turbulent course of our political parties, or was it inevitable?

2/26 Quick Write:

A note on last week’s Current Event:

Keep this in mind as you work on your next one, due this Friday.

Today we will wrap up our Adams’ Cornell Notes. Once completed, you will be given a Brace Map to explain how tensions of political parties grew during Adams’ presidency. This will be collected tomorrow (quiz grade!!).

Party Tension Brace Map

Current Event due this Friday, March 1st!

Feb 24th Monday, Feb 25th!

Welcome back! This week is the first full week of the semester…. 5 full days… 😮

2/25 Quick Write:

Work I will be collecting from you (unless you already turned them in):

If you didn’t turn in your Quick Writes or Current Event from last week, be sure to get them in today! If I do not have your 2/22 Current Event today, you will receive a signature on the PBIS form (just as we discussed in class on Friday).

Today we are moving through the Election of 1796, and into John Adams’ presidency. For background on the election, watch the first 4 minutes of the video below:

It was a complicated and trying four years for Adams, and the country as a whole. Today we will focus on several key events that he was involved in. First we will watch this video which briefly describes him as a person and as a president.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4C_F3-VbI-E

Then we will read pages 291–294 in our textbook, taking Cornell Notes as we read.

Pages 291–294:

I want you to focus on the stark differences between Adams and Washington, as well as the tense relationships between the political parties: the Federalists and the Republicans.

Reminder: Current Event is due THIS FRIDAY.

Feb 21st Friday, Feb 22nd:

Yay Friday! Even with it being a semi-short week, I feel many of us need another mid-winter break! I guess a weekend will have to do.

2/22 Quick Write: I am collecting all your Quick Writes today! (there should be FOUR)

Today we are wrapping up the tensions between Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton.. don’t worry, the conflicts they started don’t go away and we will continue to revisit them!
In order to show me what you have learned and that you understand each person’s political views and the corresponding political party, you will be given the following assignment: create either a Political Poster/Advertisement OR write an Editorial in a newspaper in support of either the Federalists or Republicans. You must pick only one of the parties and use persuasion to convince others to vote for your party.

Note: this is a quiz grade, so it is worth more for your grade.

The 3/4 things I am collecting today:

1. Quick Writes
2. Current Event– time to get back into the routine of them!
3. The Venn diagram we did yesterday
4. Hamilton vs. Jefferson Wrap-Up assignment if completed

If you want to hear about the Hamilton vs. Jefferson battle in a more rhythmic way, watch the attached video which uses music from the play “Hamilton”. It depicts Hamilton and Jefferson arguing during a cabinet meeting with President Washington over whether or not to establish a National Bank.

Feb 20th Thursday, Feb 21st!

2/21 Quick Write:

Today we will examine two men who are known for being wise, arrogant, and total opposites. Thomas Jefferson, secretary of state, and Alexander Hamilton, secretary of treasury, were both members of George Washington’s cabinet. While Washington respected both of their passionate political beliefs, they made him very nervous (remember how Washington felt about factions??). Jefferson and his followers, the  Republicans, and Hamilton and his fellow Federalists, are famous for creating the foundation for the political parties we have today.

Remember: when we talk about Hamilton’s Republicans, they were nothing like modern day Republicans. Do not relate the two parties! The beliefs and platforms of all political parties have changed a lot over time.

You will be given a Venn Diagram and throughout class we will be filling out the charts. After reviewing what we already know about Jefferson and Hamilton, we will watch a short video. This video will help you fill out your Venn diagram. After, we will come up with real-world examples of factions.

Your Venn Diagram will be collected tomorrow, so keep it safe!! Also, I will be collecting your Quick Writes for the week and your Current Event.

Venn Diagram of Jefferson and Hamilton:

Jeff & Ham Venn

Feb 19th Wednesday, Feb 20th!

Hello! Please enjoy this gorgeous picture of my dog.

Okay, back to business.
2/20 Quick Write:

Today we are wrapping up George Washington’s presidency. In order to show me what you have learned about the challenges Washington faced (both politically and economically), the various accomplishments he’s credited with, the state of affairs of the new nation, the leadership traits he possessed, and precedents he set, we will be doing the following activity:

Keep in mind, this assignment is a quiz grade (so it’s worth more!). Also, you only need to pick one activity: either the diary entry or the sketch/cartoon.

Tomorrow we will progress into the famous (and ongoing) battle between Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton… two people who were polar opposites, and yet both members of Washington’s cabinet. Let the battle begin!

Reminder: You have a Current Event due on Friday!

Feb 17th Tuesday, Feb 19th

Hope you all had a wonderful, relaxing, satisfying break! And now get ready to get back to that history grind 😀

2/19 Quick Write & Objectives:

PLEASE NOTE: We are starting Current Events again. You will have a current event due THIS FRIDAY. 

Here are documents to remind you of the format and expectations of a Current Event. You can also find this info on the “Important Docs” page of this blog.

Current Events Format

Current Events Log

Today for the first half of class, we will be reviewing what we learned about George Washington before the break. I will return your graded Cornell Notes and we will review Washington’s cabinet, the Whiskey Rebellion, the French Revolution and the various precedents Washington set as the first US president. This will be our opportunity to clarify any confusions we may have about Washington, and give us a chance to examine his leadership traits (or lack thereof) that we believe are important.

The second half of class we will dig a little deeper into the economic (money, money money!) situation of the new country, and what the secretary of treasury, Alexander Hamilton, did about it.  We will read an article describing the actions Hamilton proposed to Washington and Congress. Then you will be asked to list and explain the three steps Hamilton took to expand the US economy.

US Economy reading:
Page 1-

Page 2-

New info and instructions:

Tomorrow we will wrap up our work with Washington.. bring colored pencils if possible!

Feb 13th Thursday, Feb 14th! Half day :(

Hello, happy half-day Thursday!

2/14 Quick Write:

I am collecting this week’s Quick Writes today!

Today we are finishing our Washington Cornell Notes. In class we will add in 5 questions from each reading topic, as well as complete the “Summary” portion using the sentence frame: “We remember George Washington as a model for the presidency because…”
You must include three reasons within your summary.

Your completed Cornell Notes will be turned in at the end of class!

If you need another copy of the Cornell Notes or reading, they are attached in Wednesday’s post or on the “Important Docs” page!

Feb 11th Wednesday, Feb 13th

Happy Wednesday! Hope you all enjoyed another the day off!
2/13 Quick Write:

Today will be our official introduction to the first president of the US: George Washington.
We will watch a short video on Washington and his accomplishments and evaluate if he possessed traits that we believe a great leader should have.

Then we will examine the challenges Washington faced being the first president. We will set up our George Washington Cornell Notes and begin to read and take notes on the reading “Washington Becomes President”. In class we are only focused on completing the “Essential Question” and “Notes” sections of the Cornell Notes. If these sections are not completed in class, they are to be homework.

Washington Cornell Notes:

Washington Becomes President reading:
Washington Becomes Pres 5 readings

Instructions for the Cornell Notes (“Essential Question” and “Notes” sections only):

Stay warm!