US History– Ms. Ulfers' ClassroomDearborn Public Schools

Feb 10th Monday, Feb 11th

Welcome Back!!
Hopefully we have all had a rejuvenating weekend (and slept in a little).

2/11 Quick Write:

Today in class we are wrapping up our Unit 3 Vocab Notes. Once you think you’re done, I will check off  your sheet and give you a specific words from our vocab list. With this word you will do a poster.

Be as creative and decorative as possible! If you do not finish in class, it will be homework, due tomorrow– Tuesday.

Feb 7th FRIDAY, Feb 8th

So close to the weekend!
2/8 Quick Write: (Today I am collecting all four Quick Writes from the week!)

We are moving forward in our unit! We are beginning to study how the US was governed during the first few decades. The Constitution and the Bill of Rights gave us structure and guidelines for how our country should run, but actually applying those guidelines were far more challenging than originally thought.

Here are our Objectives as we begin this new section:

We start class by considering what makes a good leader– what sort of person do you want to lead a country?
Then, in order to have productive class discussions in the future, we are doing a gallery walk around the class, which will introduce you to new vocab we will use throughout the unit. You will go to various stations around the classroom, filling in your Unit 3 Vocab Handout as you go.

You can find the Unit 3 Vocab Gallery Walk and Unit 3 Vocab Notes attached below, and on the “Important Docs” page of this blog.

Unit 3 Vocab Gallery Walk
Unit 3 Vocabulary Notes

Feb 7th If you were testing on Thursday…

For those of you who were testing today, Thursday, and did not get a Frayer Model handout, please find the attached (you can choose either one, but only need to complete one!). Instructions are in the previous post, and you may also email me with any questions. This assignment is summative points, so take your time to show me what you have learned about the Bill of Rights!

Feb 5th Thursday, Feb 7th!

Happy Thursday! We were so close to having a full week of class! Hopefully you all stayed dry and warm during the ice day.

2/7 Quick Write:

Today we are wrapping up our review of the Bill of Rights with a colorful activity. Before this, we will discuss the film What’s Right With America, which we watched yesterday. The last column for most of the amendments on the Bill of Right Handout should be filled in with various connections from the film. You are to answer the two questions on the back side as well. I will collect this handout at the end of class. 

For the rest of class, we will work in partners to complete a frayer model of one of the 10 amendments. Each partner needs to contribute, all four boxes need to be completed, and creativity, decoration and color are encouraged! This frayer model will be collected at the end of class.

If you have colored pencils, please bring them to class! 🙂

Feb 4th Tuesday, Feb 5th

Quick Write 2/5:

Today we will spend half of the class watching the film “What is Right With America” (the first 25 minutes). Throughout the film you will be filling in the last column of your Bill of Rights handout. Every time the film references or portrays one of the ten amendments, note down the connection in the last column next to the appropriate amendment. [Yes! The film is pretty cheesy… it was the 90’s, but it’s still relevant and entertaining].

After the film, as a class we will discuss how several amendments were connected to the film, and you will individually answer the last two questions on the handout. I will collect the handout at the end of class (so make sure you have everything completed).

Keep in mind, tomorrow, Wednesday the 6th is a late start!

See you soon! 🙂

Feb 2nd Class on Monday, Feb 4th

Happy weekend!

Here is what you can expect from class on Monday.

Note: If you were absent on Friday, I need your Daily Quick Write sheet with both the quick writes from Tuesday 1/29 and Friday 2/1. You can find those prompts in the last post!

In class we will finish paraphrasing (putting into our own words) the last few amendments of the Bill of Rights on this handout. If you have lost your handout, print off another copy.

Then we will use the rest of the class to do the following writing assignment. This is to be turned in at the end of class.

I’m looking forward to having a full week with you all! See you soon.

Jan 31st Bill of Rights Review

Objectives for Bill of Rights review:

Tuesday, Jan 29th Quick Write:

Friday, Feb 1st Quick Write:

Hello! Despite it being another two day week, we will continue to familiarize ourselves with the Bill of Rights.

On Tuesday, I passed out a Bill of Rights handout. Together as a class, we began to discuss each amendment, rephrase the amendments into our own words, and fill out the middle column on the handout. The emphasis of our review is to understand how each and every citizen has certain rights that protect us from our own government.

You are to keep this handout safe over the net few days, as we will continue to use it next week as well.

Keep in mind, you will be turning in this week’s two Quick Writes tomorrow in class. Make sure they are complete and in complete sentences!

See you soon.

Jan 26th We made it to the weekend!

What a very odd week… it was only 2 days, and yet a lot was packed into it.

First of all, now that I have met you all, I am so excited to learn with you for the next 5 months! We have covered classroom expectations, gave an overview of classroom policies, and you all got to know me a little better through our Anthropology activity.

Here’s what to expect for the upcoming week:

• We will finish our anthropology “presentations”
• As a class, we will subscribe to my blog (the one you’re reading right now!) and enroll in Google Classroom
• We will review the Bill of Rights and then dig deeper into it’s significance
• We will continue to establish classroom expectations and guidelines

Please note, it is looking pretty cold out there, so we may be in for another snow/cold day. Be prepared, stay warm, and be very safe out there. Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Jan 22nd New Semester, New Teacher.

Hello!

My name is Ms. Ulfers and I will be your new US History teacher for the rest of the year! I am ecstatic to meet you all, and welcome you to a new semester. This term our classroom conduct, expectations, structure and environment will be very different. However, the intention of the class is the same: for you to learn the history of this country in order to become a more informed community member and global citizen.

This blog, along with Google Classroom, will be a helpful resource for you when you’re absent, to clarify any questions you may have from class, and for your parents. I am also consistently available through email, ulfersk@dearbornschools.org. Please review the email policy in the “Classroom Guidelines” document attached below.

See you soon!!

Below you will find our Classroom Guidelines and a Letter to your parents that I will pass out to you in class.

Classroom Guidelines

Letter for Parents