US+History

Class syllabus -

__Thursday, December 11th, 2008__
In American history, the era following the Civil War is known as the //Reconstruction// period. Today in class we will be completing an in class reading - net search to examine this topic. Use the following links to complete today's handout. Be patient while navigating the site below - the required information is there!

Each student is responsible for completing their own copy of the handout, and response to the questions should be done in your US History notebook.

[|America's Reconstruction - People and Politics After the Civil War] [|Digital History]

Here is a copy of the reading questions...

__Friday, December 5th, 2008__
Today in class is a REVIEW day of our Civil War Unit. You have a couple things to work with. 1) Complete the review crosswords... start with what you remember off of the top of your head- then go to the internet for help. 2) Attempt to master the following online review games- - [|Civil War Guru] - [|Military Channel Civil War Quiz]

__Thursday, November 6th, 2008__
This week in class we examined two major topics: 1) The 2008 Elections & 2) President Andrew Jackson. From the PBS program that we viewed in class and the discussion of the recent Presidential race connections can be found between the two.

To wrap up our mini-unit on Andrew Jackson's impact on American history we will complete the following activity in place of taking a quiz or test. Using your video study guide, and the link to [|Andrew Jackson: Good, Evil & The Presidency] you will create a concept map. This is what I am asking you to do. You may work with one other person (no groups of three).

1) Get a sheet of 11 x 17 sheet of paper from Mr. Litecky.

2) Find a picture of Andrew Jackson from the above link, print and attach to the center of the paper.

3) Again, from the website above find pictures that represent the __**FIVE**__ of the following important key events / issues / policies from the age of Jackson. Print and attach your picture to the 11 x 17 sheet (minimize the picture if necessary). - The Battle of New Orleans - Redefining the role of the President (ex. elections, spoils system, veto power) - feelings towards "corporations" - the Bank War - Indian Removal - Slavery - The role of Women - "nullification"

4) Next provide a short 3-4 sentence description of your issue/picture IN YOUR OWN WORDS next to the image.

5) Make sure your name is on the paper, and turn in the activity.

Enjoy the three day weekend... see you on Monday

__FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31__
Today in class we will have a few different tasks-

1) Complete the War of 1812 Assignment from the prior week [|The War of 1812], turn in when completed.

2) Using the "Election Speak" handout that you all did such incredible drawings on, we are going to identify some of these terms in the media today. I have provided a series of links (you are not limited to these) below. From the following choose **8** of the terms from the class handout and show that you have understanding of them by locating a story in the news that exemplifies them.

Print off your stories, HIGHLIGHT the parts of the article that you believe make it an example of the term. Staple your 8 stories together and turn in. You may work with a partner.

[|CNN] [|MSNBC] [|FOX News] [|CBS] [|ABC] [|The Associated Press]

3) If you are feeling lucky, we can try the election game again... no promises that it will - but it is worth a shot [|ELECTION GAME]

=__Tuesday, October 28th__= We are now one week from election day and the return of traditionally lousy TV & radio commercials...

Well, after the diligent work of Ms. Wolfe and Mr. Cleary we are going to have a chance to engage in a virtual election today in which you play the role of a Presidential candidate.

In this simulation you will: - choose choose your political party - choose your platform issues - chose what states to concentrate your campaign on - examine "virtual polls" of what states find to be important issues - choose campaign activities - manage campaign financial responsibilities - deal with scandal - and finally win the Presidential election.

Work with a partner, two people on one machine please... and be ready to discuss what you have experienced in the simulation in class tomorrow.

Here is the link to the [|ELECTION GAME]

Good luck and ask for help when needed.

=__Friday, October 24th__=

If the internet Gods are smiling on us today we will play the following election game with a partner... only one computer needed per two people... be patient, we may experience a few glitches along the way. But if not you may actually have a little fun in this simulation. Click on the following link... [|ELECTION GAME]

//Or// if things go down like usual, we will work on the following...

Today's web-reading and assignment is examining the War of 1812. Some historians refer to this conflict as the second revolutionary war. Use the information from the following link to complete the worksheet distributed in class.

[|The War of 1812]

= = =__October 20 - 24th, 2008__=

Post your ELECTION 2008 ASSIGNMENT to the link that corresponds to your class. Directions for posting your videos to the wiki will be provided in class.

2nd Hour 3rd Hour 4th Hour 5th Hour

=__Friday, OCTOBER 10th, 2008__=  ELECTION 2008 ASSIGNMENT

As a class we have been studying both the Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates since the beginning of the school year. Now, with less than a month to go before the election it is time for you to choose what "ticket" you would endorse.


 * 1.** Your task is to use the pictures from this copyright-free link (thanks Ms. Wolfe) that you want to incorporate into a Candidate movie (12-20 images = 30 seconds). It is important to use the photo resources from this wiki because they are in the public domain - no work cited necessary. These pictures should give the viewer a strong idea why you feel these people will make the best Presidential - VP team. Refer to the candidate matrix worked on in class last week at some of the platform issues (gun control, foreign policy, health care, energy, economy.. etc).

YOU MUST put words into the pictures explaining your candidates beliefs, paste them into PowerPoint, type the words //on the pictures// and then take a screen shot (SHIFT + APPLE KEY + 4). You can save the images in the jpeg format under "Save As>" (Note: The Quality should be set closer to low than high).

PAY ATTENTION TO EXAMPLE IN CLASS - IF YOU NEED HELP ASK MR. LITECKY!


 * 2**. Save all of your images into a folder on your desktop.


 * 3**. Go to [|animoto.com].


 * 4**. Set up an account. (AGAIN- Copy down your account information in a safe place for future reference.)


 * 5**. Click "Create Video."


 * 6.** Select "Animoto Short" (30-second video)


 * 7**. If you saved your images to your desktop (or other computer), select "Upload from your computer"


 * 8**. Click "Upload Now" (you can select multiple files to upload at a time if you press the shift key while you click)


 * 9.** Upload your images. (PATIENCE - this may take a litle while)


 * 10**. When your pictures show as thumbnails, if they look the way you want them to click "Continue" - if they don't click on the ones you want to re-do, recreate the picture, and then upload JUST the new images. When done, click "Continue"


 * 11.** For your music, you are required to use public domain music also. You can use the [|Animoto] site for music, or you can visit here for free music as well.


 * 12.** Fill in the required information (A brief statement about why you feel this is the best "ticket" for the country in '08) __//**This is important DO NOT PUT YOUR LAST NAME, ONLY INITIAL!**//__


 * 13**. It will take a little bit of time for your video to be created, this may be a step you must complete at home - or outside of class.


 * 14**. We will post videos to the wiki on a later date... posting directions will be given later.

=__FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3rd, 2008 __=

Today we will be further examining the two Presidential Candidates as we are rapidly approaching the election. Even though some of you may already have decided which candidate you feel will make the better President, today you will examine where John McCain and Barack Obama stand on some of the issues that currently face America.

Download and print, or create the following ISSUE MATRIX in your notebook.



Search the WWW to find where the opposing candidates stand. In each box provide the website where you found your information (cnn.com, msnbc.com, foxnews.com...)

YOU ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE INFORMATION FROM AT LEAST 4 DIFFERENT SITES!

Here are a few sites to get you started...

[|CNN] [|OnTheIssues.org] [|johnmccain.com] [|barackobama.com]

THIS ASSIGNMENT SHOULD BE POSTED BY 8AM THURSDAY THE 26th FOR CREDIT.
 * POSTING TO CLASS DISCUSSION BOARD (Wednesday, 9/25)**

Once you have completed your ZoHo slide show you will post it's URL to the class discussion board for assessment. Here is what you must do:

1. Log into [|Zoho Show] and find your saved, completed 10 slide show. 2. On the ZoHo page toolbar, click "Publish" it is near the top left on the screen. 3. A box titled "Make Public" will appear. 4. In this box there are two URL's that appear. Copy the URL in the SECOND box. Above this box should read "This presentation is publicly available..." 5. Close the "Make Public" box. 6. Log into our class wiki and click on US HISTORY. We want to post on the US History discussion board. 7. Click on the "Discussion" tab at the top of the web-page. 8. Post a new message. //THIS IS IMPORTANT, DO NOT REPLY TO ANYONE WHILE TRYING TO POST, CREATE A NEW MESSAGE!// 9. The Subject should be your full name & class hour. 10. In the Message box PASTE the URL that you copied from your ZoHo presentation. 11. Click the POST button at the bottom of the message page. 12. Check the discussion page to make sure your item posted. 13. Congrats- you are done! Enjoy your homecoming games-dances-pepfests etc. ..

=__Tuesday, September 23rd & Wednesday, September 24th__= Happy Homecoming ... man this is an exciting week ... woo-hoo !!! What an exciting coronation, my favorite class in school was LUNCH too -- man that one never get's old!

This week we will be examining the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. For the next two days we will be creating a "ZoHo" slide show demonstrating that you have a basic understanding of the Bill of Rights. We will break our assignment into several parts. Read the following steps and complete this task.


 *  THIS IS AN INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT! **

- [|Bill of Rights](Cornell University) - [|Explanations of the Bill of Rights]
 * STEP ONE**: Read the following links on the Bill of Rights. Before moving onto Step Two - you need to have a very basic understanding what is expressed in the first 10 amendments:


 * STEP TWO**: From our friend Ms. Wolfe's public domain page your next task is two select a picture that depicts each amendment from the Bill of Rights. Copyright Free picture pages.

Save the pictures to your desktop until step three. To copy pictures (If on a PC, right click, select “Save image/picture” name it, and save it to your desktop. – If on a MAC, press the Control key & Click on the picture, select “Save Image as,” give it a name (ex. Amendment 1, 2, etc...), and save it to your desktop.)


 * STEP THREE:** Create a ZoHo account. This is an online presentation tool that you will use to publish to our class wiki.  You will create a 11 Slide personal presentation on the Bill of Rights (Including the title page).

//Each slide will have three parts to it a title, a picture , and <span style="color: rgb(211, 16, 13);">a description of how the picture signifies the Amendment .//

1. Go to [|Zoho Show] and register for the program 2. Write down your username and password (in your US History. notebook would be a good place, we'll probably use it in the future) 3. Log into Zoho Show. 4. The program will automatically open a new blank show for you. Create a title (BILL OF RIGHTS) and subtitle, include your first name, last initial and hour on your title slide. 5. Save your slideshow. (Click “Save,” name the file, and click save) 6. Add a slide (suggested layout: Title with 2 text boxes). 7. To post your picture click the icon that looks like a mountain with a sun (between the bold “T” and the “Edit Background” button on your Zoho screen). 8. Click “Browse” and use the menu that pops up to find one of the pictures you just saved to your desktop. 9. Once you find it, click “Open” and once the file name shows in the Zoho box to the left of the “Browse” button, click the “Insert” button. Your picture should show up on your slide. 10. You can click on the picture and resize it, move it around on your slide, etc. 11. Give your slide a title (Amendment 1, Amendment 2, etc...) and write your explanation of the slide and what the amendment means in your own words.. 12. Save your show after every slide is complete. 13. Repeat steps 6-12 until complete with task.

GO EAGLES!

<span class="wiki_link_new"> =__Friday September 12th 2008__= Today in class you will be posting your cartoon to the link that corresponds with your class meeting hour:

USH 2 USH 3 USH 4 USH 5

Follow the directions provided below in order to post your cartoon to the class link. We will be going step by step as a class on how to do this... but if you need written directions use the following...

1. Be sure that your work is finished. 2. Go to "save as" 3. In the save box, give your cartoon its official title and click the circle next to "Keep it private!" 4. Click "Publish" then "View it later" 5. Close out the cartoon creating window so you are still logged into ToonDoo but you see the ToonDoo front page with tabs across the top. 6. Click the "ToonDoos" tab then "My ToonDoos" 7. Select the cartoon that you would like to publish and click "View" 8. Right click (or "Control+Click" if on a MAC) on your cartoon and save the image to the desktop (or folder of your choice - just pay attention to where it goes). 9. Open a new window or tab and log on to our class wiki then go to the page to which you want to add your cartoon (ex USH - class hour) 10. Click "edit this page" 11. Type your name and class hour. 12. Click the "tree" (images and files) icon in the edit menu bar 13 Click "Browse" under "Upload New File" 14. Find the cartoon on your computer, wherever you put it. 15. Click "Upload" 16. Find the image in the box of uploaded images (shaded light yellow) and double click on it. 17. Close the uploaded image box. YOUR CARTOON WILL SHOW IN YOUR WINDOW NOW> YOU CAN MAKE IT A LITTLE BIGGER, IF YOU NEED/WANT TO. 18. Click "Save" for the page.

CONGRATS YOU ARE NOW PUBLISHED ON THE CLASS WIKI!! <span style="color: rgb(174, 19, 19);"> When you are finished putting your cartoon on the wiki, complete the following task before the end of the hour. <span style="color: rgb(157, 11, 13);"> Compare the Continental and the British armies, on a "slice" of paper give 10 characteristics of each fighting force using the WWW. I provided the first few links to get you started... you will need to search the British Revolutionary War army on your own...

[|The Continental Army] [|The Continental Army...2]

<span class="wiki_link_new"> =__Friday, September 5th, 2008__= <span class="wiki_link_new"> <span class="wiki_link_new"> Yesterday in class we watched a video that discussed reasons for discontent in the British Colonies prior to the American Revolution. Your task for today is to create a cartoon using [|toondoo.com] that depicts a specific problem that may have led to the war.

If you are in need of outside readings to assist you for this assignment use the following: http://www.harlingen.isd.tenet.edu/coakhist/amrev.html http://independence.nyhistory.org/museum/exhibition.cgi?page_id=9903 http://www.usfca.edu/fac-staff/conwell/revolution/openingpage.htm

Be creative, pay attention to detail... and consider the time period in which these things happened.

THIS IS AN INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT! This assignment is due next Friday...

Come back to this site next week for directions on how to post your cartoon to the class wiki.

=__Friday, August 29th, 2008__=

We have two task for today's shortened class periods. 1) Register for Mr. Litecky's class Wiki. 2) Create an account at [|toondoo.com], and create your own cartoon.

For you to be able to publish to our wiki, a two-part registration process is required. If you do this successfully, you will only do it once. If you have an account with another teacher’s wiki, skip steps 1- 6 below, begin at #7. *
 * __1) Wiki Registration Directions__**

Read and follow the directions carefully. Check each step off as you do it to guarantee you did not miss any of the steps.

Step 1.– Be sure you have an email address. If you do not have an email address, go to gmail.com and set one up. 2. Go to [|www.wikispaces.com] 3. Pick a username. This should be the first two or three letters of your first and last names and then the last two digits of the year you were born, e.g. Mary Anderson born in 1986 would be: marand86 4. Select a password. This should be a password you will remember. 5. Write down your username and password in your agenda book or US History notebook. 6. Enter your email address – you can use your family address if you do not have siblings who have a wiki account already. No spam will come to your email account. (If you do not have an email address, see step 1. ) 7. Check your email to verify your registration. 8. Go to our wiki: litecky111.wikispaces.com 9. Click “Join this space” (left side of margin) 10. In the message box, type you full name & hour 11. Click the Request Membership button & wait for Mr. Litecky to approve your request. <span class="wiki_link_new"> 2.[| TOONDOO.com] FIRST TIME TOONDOO USER: 1. Go to [|toondoo.com] 2. Click "Register" 3. Create your username and password AND provide an email address for them (__you will not receive spam__) 4. Sign in to toondoo and begin!

Creating a cartoon: - Click "Create Your Own" - Select 1, 2, or 3 panels. - CREATE! (you can upload your own pictures/images if you need/ want) - you can save your cartoon, and wait to publish it until you are done.