US History
Mr. Chrisman | Room E-8
Embedded Files
Welcome to U.S. History
Thanks for checking out the website. I've been maintaining a classroom website for ten years. I update it every day and it's available to anyone with internet access. It's extremely important that you bookmark this website on your bookmarks bar.
If you want to buy classroom supplies, you will need mechanical pencils and a spiral college-ruled (not wide-ruled) notebook that is used exclusively for this class. Any work done in a wide-ruled notebook or a notebook that is shared with other classes will not be given credit. These are available for about 35 cents at target and I have a bunch in my classroom if you want to buy one for 35 cents. If you take care of this notebook, it will last all year.
Please click on the dates to see the day's slides show. All homework is highlighted on the first slide
This is a SAMPLE page from the slides show. Click on the dates to access the current slides shows.
Week 20
If you didn't get a chance to take the final for whatever reason, please come to my class during period 2 or Advisory/Lunch. These are the only opportunities I will be able to let people take the test.
Today we watched the second part of Gone with the Wind. Tomorrow is promotion. If you get dropped off by your parents in the morning, you will have to stay here all day long. Every year, at least one kid shows up on promotion day and I always say, "didn't we talk about this yesterday? You aren't supposed to be here until 1:00 p.m.?" It's a tough conversation. Anyway, best of luck to all of you.
Today we watched the first part of Gone With the Wind and I ran around like a spidermonkey trying to get people to take their finals.
Week 19
June 6, 2025 (No slides show)
IMPORTANT: If you didn't take the final you can take it either Monday during advisory or Tuesday during advisory. These are the only times I will be administering the test. About 40 students still haven't taken it and if it's not finished by the end of lunch on Tuesday I will not be able to give you a grade.
Have a nice weekend.
June 5, 2025 (No slides show)
Okay, today was a bit of a nightmare because of the softball game. Most students knew we were having a final exam and came to class. Some students decided today to ditch class and go to the softball game even though I wasn't there. It was the responsibility of your PE teacher to alert all the general ed teachers as to who would be missing class and it was also incumbent on the student to check in with the teacher. No one checked in and no PE teacher let me know who would be out.
Well after the softball game, I did get a list of students who were actually signed up to play softball. I will allow those people to retake the test on Monday during class. People who decided to go to the softball game and were not signed up to play can take the test Monday during lunch or after school.
Here are the people that were signed up according to Mr. Fernandez:
Brody, Nahina, Ella, Leonidas, and Alex. I now have a copy of the list. I will be speaking to the other students individually to discuss retakes and consequences for truancy and these consequences will comply with the California Education Code and MLK discipline policies.
Other than that we did our Planner, Stamp, and Final Exam of the year so grades should be more or less final if you took that test.
Today we got our part four stamps and played Kahoot. We didn't finish the whole game, but you can play it at home by clicking here. There is no time limit so it's a good way to make sure you have the info in your notebooks.
Please remember that we can only use notebooks tomorrow; we can't have any loose paper whatsoever. If you have a loose piece of paper please let me know before hand so we can tape it in.
Sorry for the late post. Today we finished all the presentations. Tomorrow I'll stamp them but if you're behind on notes you can get them stamped on Thursday for reduced credit. We'll review tomorrow and go over the Amendments once again and I have a massive Kahoot that I will use to get test questions from so if you pay attention you may be able to do okay on the test without having any notes, but notes are important for the stamps. The Section 4 of the notes will be worth twice as much since there are something like 12 different things in it. I'll also update the score tomorrow morning and take any last minute questions. Monday and Tuesday will be used for anyone who misses Thursdays test and we'll watch Gone With the Wind so feel free to wear a costume.
Today we finished some presentations. Tomorrow we will return History Textbooks to please bring them!! We will also have our Final on Thursday and you are allowed to have only one notebook. No loose pages. You must turn it in to submit the test. Please get everything in one notebooks now (you still have three nights to do it so it's not that much work if you have any loose papers.) There will be no exceptions to this policy as I want everyone to be responsible for their own work.
Week 18
Today a lot of student were out on a field trip so we did Sherman's March to the sea in most classes. In Period 1 and period 6 we did Appomattox as well. Eventually, we will do Appomattox in all classes so having those notes isn't a bad idea. Have a nice weekend.
Today we talked the New York Draft Riots and the 54th Massachusetts in most classes. We'll look at Sherman's March to the Sea tomorrow and maybe Appomattox in some classes.
Today we talked about Vicksburg, Andersonville, the 54th Massachusetts and possibly some other projects. Please look at the note sheet on the Stamp Board for more specific info for each class. Also, be sure to turn in permission slips for Wild Rivers (many students haven't)
Today we reviewed some information on the Emancipation Proclamation and also talked about Gettysburg, and the Gettysburg Address and maybe Vicksburg. See notes for each class.
Week 17
Today we talked about the Emancipation Proclamation and how it affected the second half of the war. Even though it didn't technically free that many slaves (because what southern slaveowner is going to listen to Lincoln?) it did prove to the world that this war is now about slavery and not just reuniting the Union.
I also stamped notes and updated grades for those who have presented their Civil War projects. Have a nice break see you on Tuesday.
Today we wrapped up some presentations namely Antietam, Shiloh, Mathew Brady and a few others. Be sure to keep these notes up to date so I can stamp it tomorrow.
Today we continued talking about the Civil War. Some of the projects. This week I'd like to finish:
Frederick Douglass, Shiloh, Minié Balls, Vicksburg, Antietam, Mathew Brady and maybe Gettysburg.
Today we finished our Health and Human Development lessons on Human Trafficking. Tomorrow we'll resume our Civil War Projects.
Today we did our first Human Trafficking lesson. The phone number are on the slides show.
Week 16
Today we talked about Ulysses S. Grant and reviewed some of the major battles of the Western Campaign with a focus on the Mississippi River and its tributaries.
Today we did a few more projects. I will stamp these tomorrow so be sure your notes are up to date. See this document if you don't have all your notes.
Today we did a few more projects (Clara Barton/Hunley/Mary Chesnut and others). Please keep up by using this document. We will get this stamped on Friday.
Today we reviewed some Civil War projects and updated our notes. If your project is highlighted in pink you will probably present this week. If you aren't ready I have to give zero points (all projects should be ready by now but you have the option to continue to work on them as we review projects in class).
Also: support local businesses and go to the Guanhan Grill. It's amazing.
Today we did a few more projects for the Civil War. Please check out "Civil War Project Notes" on the Stamp Board to update your notes if you weren't here.
Week 15
Today we talked about Manassas, saw a presentation and watched part of Ken Burns' documentary Civil War and answered some questions. Please finalize projects over the weekend.
Today we saw a presentation on Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederacy and reviewed some information about telegraphs and how they impacted the Civil War. We also caught up on our presentation notes and worked on the North and South Chart which should have been stamped by the end of class.
Today we did a slides show on the early part of the Civil War and reviewed with a Peardeck and started on the North and South Chart. In some classes we did presentation so we may be behind on the chart, but I would encourage you to get it done by tomorrow so you get a stamp. We also stamped the first section of our bullet point notes.
UPDATE: We really didn't have much class time to work on the chart so if you end up starting on it tomorrow, nbd. If people are done early they can work on their proects
Today we talked about Border States and the Anaconda Plan. Please have your notes finished by the end of class today. I will probably stamp them tomorrow. If you are not sure where to find the notes they are on the Stamp Board and also linked here. The table at the top should be accurate by the end of the day.
Today we saw two presentations, one of Brooks v. Sumner and one on Fort Sumpter. Please be sure your notes are up to date. I will probably stamp at the end of the week. No homework other than to work on projects and bring charged chromebook.
Today we talked about the runup to the Civil War and saw a brainpop. We also talked about the Ken Burns documentary "Civil War" which is a very informative and well-researched video. I highly recommend tracking down the segment of that movie that relates to your project. It may include a youtube search, but if you can't find it, please let me know and I'll make a screencast of your section. The projects we've seen so far are good, but could have been better by tracking down that video.
I'm on campus but at a meeting so be good today. I'll be watching on Blocksi so make sure you aren't just looking up answers for the Smartbook 2.0. If that happens I'll give you a zero for the assignment and put a link to the screenshot in the comments. Smartbook is due at the end of class (it will not be available after the bell). Email if you have questions/tech problems.
If you finish the Smartbook here are some productive activities to work on:
Work on Civil War Project (alone, not in pairs)
Quizlet terms for Chapter 14
Seterra Civil War Map (this will open up about 20 minutes into class)
Update Project Notes (Click on Stamp Board and "Civil War Project Notes" to see bullet points)
Be good and please don't get your name written down. I will be on campus and will be here in seconds if there are any issues (sub has my number and pictures/seating chart.)
Today we had our stamp and planner test and looked at some presentations.
Today we talked about the election of 1860 and did our first presentation on Uncle Tom's Cabin. The bullet points are on the Stamp Board.
We also will have a stamp quiz tomorrow and a planner quiz.
Today we did a formative on the Kansas-Nebraska Act and did a Peardeck on the Lincoln Douglas Debates of 1858. Please turn in your projects if they are being presented this week (there are four listed on the slides show: Bleeding Kansas, Brooks v. Sumner, Harper’s Ferry, Uncle Tom’s Cabin.
Week 13
Today we talked a bit about the Kansas-Nebraska Act and looke at some quotes from the Lincoln-Douglas debates. We spent most of class working on our projects so see the checklist at the end of today's slides show for specific things to focus on.
Today we did a quick peardeck on the crisis that emerged after the Mexican American War and how northerners tried to limit the spread of slavery through the Wilmot Proviso and the California Compromise of 1850. I also talk about what fonts to use, the importance of animated bullet points and the importance of using high-resolution images by only searching using Google Advanced Image Search (don't just look for pictures: they have to be bigger than 1,024 pixels across
Today we went into greater detail on some of the events on the 1850-1860 timeline and did a quick peardeck and video review of the Compromise of 1850, the Dred Scott Case, and the Fugitive Slave Act.
Today we talked about MLA citations and how to make them. Everyone is required to have a Works Cited page and the formatting has to perfect. I go into detail on this topic and have a video linked to this section of the Project Sheet. The reason we're looking at this now is that we have to keep track of all the sources we use and these sources should be listed on the final slide of our project. We also finished our timeline and got it stamped. We will do the peardeck tomorrow.
Today we started chapter 14 by doing an entry test and getting started on our Ch. 14 timeline. I also have turned off editing on the sign up sheet so if you have not signed up you will get a zero unless you come in at lunch to have a project assigned to you.
Week 12
Today we reviewed the Smartbook 2.0 questions from last night's homework, talked about the Civil War project and looked at the requirements and expectations and played a Kahoot. After school today I will release an at home version of that Kahoot and also allow people to sign up on the sign-up sheet.
Today we reviewed the video from yesterday on the California Gold Rush and California Statehood. We also quickly went through the end of Chapter 11.4 and talked about Mormon Migration into Salt Lake City. We finished by working on tonight's homework which is Smartbook 2.0 Chapter 11. This is due tomorrow at 8:00 for period 1-4 and at 1:00 p.m. for per 6 and 7. So you will all have one advisory period to get this finished.
Today we took a vocabulary quiz, finished up our Peardeck from Monday and saw a video on San Francisco and the Gold Rush. Please start to research Civil War topics for our project (you have to choose by Monday, right now just decide on a few choices. Here is the document that lists all the possible projects.
Sign up sheet is now editable.
Today we looked at picture from the DC trip and also learned about the California Gold Rush. Study 2 quizlet activites tonight! Don't forget (I can't allow retakes).
Today we reviewed the Mexican-American War Brainpop, made a chart that explains the advantages and disadvantages of both sides of the conflict and took an open note quiz based on the information from the chart. Make sure you have that chart done so I can stamp it tomorrow if it didn't get stamped today.
Week 11
Today we learned about the Mexican American War, made a chart took a brainpop quiz and went through some slides on the Mexican American War. We didn't have time to start the Advantages and Disadvantages chart in most classes so if you want to do that over the break you can or we can do it in class when we get back. The important things to do today: Brainpop Quiz (on google classroom) and finish the California 11.3 assignment on Formative.
Today we reviewed the Texas War of Independence and started talking about the California Mission System. Be sure to finish the formative as well as the notes from the Juniperro Serra Video. I will stamp this on Friday.
Today we took our timeline quiz and watched a Brainpop on the Texas Revolution and went over the answers to the quiz. Homework is to do at least two activites on Quizlet, Chapter 11. Please get these done and make sure you are doing Chapter 11 and that you are logged in. I won't be able to accept late work if you don't get this done.
Today we talked about the events that impacted U.S. Expansion betweeen 1820 and 1853. Since we're having a field trip tomorrow, you might have 2 days to finish the timeline unless you're in period 6 and 7. I will give people in 6 and 7 some time to work tomorow in class, but try to get some done tonight regardless of which class you are in.
Week 10
Today we started Ch. 11. We did our Entry Quiz and looked at a Seterra Map on U.S. territories. We also watched a brainpop on Western Expansion.
Today we took our Chapter 9 and 10 test and started thinking about the Oregon Trail. Here is the link to some games that are "fun" to play. If you have any time after the test you can play them (assuming they aren't blocked).
Today was a short day so we did a Kahoot and I let everyone review for tomorrow's test. I have also updated the study guide. The Kahoot from today is on google classroom (or it will be at the end of class). Please let me know if you have any questions and PLEASE bring a charged chrombook to class tomorrow.
Today we finished our review game and took our open note quiz on Hamilton/Jackson chart. Homework is to work on cheat sheet for Thursday's open note test.
Today we played a review game and worked on a chart for Hamilton and Jackson.
Week 9
Today a lot of people were at the field trip but those of us who were in class got to review for next Thursday's test. We arranged the first 11 presidents in order and figured out their nicknames and political parties. We also played Jeopardy. Click on the link to review the questions. I also put the results of the Quizlet studying on Google Classroom it's also here if you want to see if you studied correctly (if two things are black that means you studied).
Today we finished up Chapter 10 and started talking about our Ch. 9 and 10 test which will be Thursday. Homework tonight is to study this combined study set and it's also a good idea to look at this study guide (it will be update more and more throughout the next week). I will stamp a one page cheat sheet right before we take the test (keep the cheat sheet in your notebook until right before the test).
Today we reviewed the presidency of Andrew Jackson and talked about the closure of the second National Bank. Please do the McGraw Hill Smartbook by tomorrow. Email if you have questions.
Today we reviewed the Nullification Crisis and took at open note quiz on it and talked about the Trail of Tears. Please have the 11 questions in your notebooks for an open note test tomorrow.
Today we talked about the Nullification Crisis, the Force Act and the prospect of secession. Please get the notes done by tomorrow if you weren't here so I can stamp it and we'll have an open note quiz as well.
Week 8
Today we talked about pi for a bit and we read some of chapter 10 about the election of 1824 and the Age of Jackson. We did a Kahoot using a John Green Video and you can take it here or just watch the John Green video here.
Today we took an open note quiz on the Conquerors video and saw a short video on the Election of 1824. Homework is to finish the entry quiz on chapter 10 which is posted on Google Classroom.
Today we finished the Conquerors video and answered most of the questions. Try to have all of these in your notebook by tomorrow for a stamp (probably won't stamp it today due to it being a short day). If you missed any information, this document will have the questions, time codes, and a link to the video.
Today we reviewed the Monroe Doctrine and looked at some of the drawings we made over the weekend. We also started on the Conquerors Video about Andrew Jackson's conquest of East Florida. Please have those notes in your notebooks by tomorrow.
Week 7
Today we talked about the Monroe Doctrine and how it defines and complicates America's role in the western hemisphere. Please finish the notes in your notebook and (if you want two stamps) try to make a drawing that is original (don't just copy the other political cartoons). The more effort you put in the more stamps I can give. The notes, however, have to be there.
Have a great weekend.
Today we talked about western expansion, focusing on roads and canals. We did a Peardeck of Chapter 9, lesson 2 and started out Smartbook 2.0 assignment which is due tomorrow morning at 8:00. Some student were able to finish in class.
Today we reviewed the vocabulary from chapter 9 and also talked about the Missouri Compromise and why it might have temporarily prevented Civil War but was not a good long-term plan for Western Expansion.
Today we talked about the cotton gin and the American Industrial Revolution. Please do two sets of quizlet tonight for homework
Today we started Chapter 9 and took our Black History Month Quiz. Homework is to finish Ch. 9 Entry test with an 85 percent or better. Hopefully we will get our How Inventions Change History Notes done today but if not we will finish tomorrow and get a stamp
Week 6
Today we did quite a bit. We had our end of the month Planner/Stamp Quiz, and we had our chapter 7 and 8 open note quiz. After that we did a practice quiz for Black History Month on Formative . We will take something very similar to that next week to make sure we know the basics about these people. Have a great weekend.
Today we reviewed for our test, went over the homework and watched two videos. One was about the burning of Washington and the other was about the Star Spangled Banner.
Today we talked about the lead up to the War of 1812 and started answering questions in our notebooks. Please use today's slides show to have theses questions answered by tomorrow.
Today we reviewed the Brainpop from yesterday and also talked about the lead up to the War of 1812. I gave students the end of class to work on their cheat sheets for Friday's test. I will stamp those on Friday.
Today we reviewed the Barbary Coast Wars and talked about the Chesapeake Leopard Affair and the Embargo Act of 1807. We also watched a Brainpop of Tecumseh. Homework it to finish that Brainpop Fourmative (it's on Google Classroom or you can just go to app.formative.com to find it.) The study guide has been updated. The test will be Friday and it will be Open Note (see study guide for more details).
Week 5
Today we reviewed the Barbary Coast Wars with a Peardeck and reviewed the Jefferson Presidency with a Jeopardy Quiz. No homework over the break but keep your eye on this study guide. I'll be updating it throughout the day but it's a good way to get a jump start for the test we will take on the Thursday we get back.
Today we did a very short and easy Smartbook 2.0 assignment and started talking about the Barbary Coast Wars. Please complete Smartbook 2.0 by tomorrow if you didn't finish it in class. Also try to do the Seterra Challenge and get on the leaderboard.
Today we did a quick review of the Lewis and Clark expedition and talked about some of the specific challenges and places where they got absolutely lucky when they probably should have gotten killed. Only homework is to check out this Google Earth Tour of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. If it doesn't work, nbd, but give it a try and let me know what happens.
Today we finished up the Louisiana Purchase and took our open note test. If you were absent, please come in at lunch on Wednesday to retake it. We also saw a Brainpop on Lewis and Clark. The Formative is due tomorrow (you can take it up to four times).
Today we finished the Louisiana Purchase video. You should have the answers to 40 questions in your notebook and it should have gotten stamped today (if not, get it stamped tomorrow). Tomorrow we will have an open note quiz on those questions so your homework is to be sure those questions are answered in complete sentences and numbered correctly.
Week 4
Today we watched up to number#29 in all periods today. Please have those questions answered in complete sentences feel free to use the slides shows or the transcript
Today we reviewed Marbury v. Madison, the election of 1800 and started a video on the Louisiana Purchase. Parts 1 and 2 of the video questions are due tomorrow. They are on the slides show.
We had a bit of a technical problem in period 1, so period 1 only has to do part 1 of the notes but all other periods should have parts 1 and 2 completed by tomorrow.
Period 3 got to Question 12 and all other classes were able to finish part 1 and 2.
Here is a transcript of the video (I highlighted the parts we watched)
Today we reviewed some vocab and talked about Marbury v. Madison.
Today we took our timeline quiz, an entry quiz and looked at the new vocabuarly for Chapter 8. Be sure to finish the Entry Quiz if you didn't in class. You can access it here. Homework is to study at least one exercise (Flashcards, matching, test, etc.) Be sure you are logged in under your name and that you complete this before 8:00 a.m. We also talked about the Election of 1800 and the creation of the 12th amendment.
Today we reviewed the major events of Chapter 7 (French Revolution, XYZ Affair, Alien and Sedition Act. We also started talking about Black History Month and started a Timeline from 1800-1820. This timeline is due for a stamp tomorrow and there will be an open note quiz on the timeline this week
Week 3
Today we talked about the XYZ affair, the Alien and Sedition Acts and the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions. We also did a stamp and planner quiz so please come in next week to get a score put in. We also did a retake of the Cabinet Quiz from earlier this week. I will put in the highest score that you get from those two quizzes. Here is the Kahoot if anyone want to practice material from Chapter 7.
Today we started talking about the Adams presidency and the XYZ affair and saw a short video. If you weren't here please review the slides and be ready for a retake of Wednesday's quiz on Washington's Cabinet.
Today we reviewed Cabinet Battle #2 and discussed the advantages and disadvantages of staying neutral in the conflict between England and France. Homework is to finish chart on Republicans vs. Federalists and there will likely be an open note quiz tomorrow.
Today we did a Peardeck on Washington's decision to remain neutral and how it further divided the country into Federalists who did not want to hurt trade and Republicans who wanted to support France. We also watched Cabinet Battle #2 and started annotating the lyrics. The instructions and the document are on Google Classroom. Try to focus on the lyrics not the background info that I give you at the beginning. Be sure to submit the google form to get credit and to link your document to the google doc. This is due tomorrow.
Week 2
Today we reviewed our vocabulary from Chapter 7, saw a Brainpop on the French Revolution and discussed how the French Revolution affected the U.S. and Washington's Cabinet.
January 23, 2025
So today I'm on campus at a training and I thought I would give everyone an opportunity to finish the movie National Treasure and answer the remaining questions on that handout. This will be stamped tomorrow and you will be required to have that stamp in your notebook.
I would definitely continue to study the Quizlet terms in Chapter 7 again because there could very well be a quiz on those terms on Friday.
Please be good today and I'll see everyone on Friday.
Today we reviewed the members of Washington's cabinet and talked about Washington's domestic challenges in the Northwest Territory. Be sure to do at least two sets in Quizlet for Chapter 7. This means you go through all the flashcards at least once and then choose another challenge, like matching or set up a test, or the blocks game. It's VERY important that you not only start them but finish them. Otherwise I don't know if you did one slide or all of them. So do slides and matching or slides and set up a test or play the blocks game. Could be a vocab quiz in the future.
Today we took an in-class, open note quiz on Hamilton's Plan. We also started annotating the lyrics to Cabinet Battle #1. After that we turned in our google doc and attached our annotations. When we finished that, we shared our finished annotations and made comments on 3 classmates' annotations. We also looked at Lin Manuel Miranda's annotated lyrics and started reading about Washington's problems in the Western Territories.
Week 1
Today we finished our notes for Hamilton's Plan and also watched Cabinet Battle #1 and started annotating it. Have a nice weekend.
Today we took a quiz on How a Bill Becomes a Law and also started to talk about Hamilton's Economic Plan. The chart for this assignment is due at the end of class tomorrow.
Today we reviewed How a Bill Becomes a Law using peardeck and we took an entry Quiz on Chapter 7. The vocabulary terms are on quizlet and if you're new to class you will have to sign up using the following links. When you sign up, you have to use a name I can recognize (it should be your own first name followed by a few numbers because most names are already taken)
Today we talked about the Stamp Board, watched a Brainpop on How a Bill Becomes a Law and worked on our How a Bill Becomes a Law diagram. The diagrams are due at the end of class and the Formative is due tomorrow.
Today we reviewed some of the late work policies and class procedures and talked a bit about Australia and how American History affected the growth of that country. We also started on a diagram of how a bill becomes a law. This is due Tuesday at the end of class so it's not really homework unless you want to work on it at home and make it super nice. Be sure to be creative and to make it a flow chart, not just a list of things that need to happen.
Week 18
December 19, 2024
Okay, I'm in Brisbane Australia right now and having a great time. I also got a bunch of grading done this morning so here's a quick update. I haven't heard much so far from the guest teacher so I'm assuming things are going well and for the next two days we're just watching American Treasure so try to keep it together.
I've graded both the assignments from Tuesday and Wednesday and many people finished them with lots of time left. Some people never even got started even though they were there. In a few of these cases, that score switched people's entire grades. Whatever you do, I ask respectfully that you not direct your complaints at me if your grade isn't where you want it to be.
I also finished updating the ungraded assignments page from google classroom so things are about finalized gradewise. Again, please be cooperative on Friday and take a look at the ungraded assignments document if there is work you handed in but didn't get credit for. Emailing is a bad idea since I'll probably read that email and then forget I read it a few hours later.
Thanks and have a great Holiday Break!
December 17, 2024
There's no slides show today because you guys are going to be working in the Smartbook on Chapter 5. As a reminder, the assignment is only going to be open during class, but you have enough time to finish it if you lock in and focus.
Feel free to email if there are any problems, I'll be checking my email and Mr. Miller can text me if there are any issues. So have a good day and try to finish the assignment before the bell rings.
Today we talked about expectations for the week ahead and reviewed some key information from the first six chapters.
Week 17
Today we reviewed the test and we also had some egg nog and talked about egg nog and did a stamp/planner quiz.
Today we had our ch. 5 and 6 test and reviewed a bit. Please come in at lunch if you have any ungraded assignement. Planner /stamp quiz tomorrow.
Today we did a massive Kahoot review of Chapter 6 and the Bill of Rights. I will post this online at the end of the day. Study for tomorrow's test! See study guide
Today we did a massive Kahoot Review of Chapter 5 and did a blooket review of Ch. 5 and 6 vocabulary. Here is the Chapter 5 Kahoot
Today we reviewed the Bill of Rights and in our table groups went through some scenarios where people's First Amendment Rights may have been violated.
Week 16
December 6, 2024
Today we took a quiz on the first five amendments and learned about Amendments 6-10 and played Jeopardy and looked at the study guide for next Thursday's test.
Today we finished our notes and got them stamped. We also reviewed the Brainpop and talked about Amendments 1-5. Please have these memorized by tomorrow using Quizlet
Today we worked on our Map of the Constitution. We will finish these and get them stamped tomorrow. If you finish the map, but not the Bill of Rights by then end of class then you're in good shape.. This Bill of Rights Brainpop is available as well at this link and there is a transcript on the test if you have problems accessing the video. You can take it as much as you want.
Today we talked about Articles 4-7 of the Constitution and saw two videos: one on how hard it is to change the Constitution and another one from the Daily Show with Trevor Noah about the man who actually was able to get get 27th Amendment passed. Homework is to do the Article IV-VII scavenger Hunt. If you want to start the Map of the Constitution you can but it's a good idea to have some highlighters or colored pencils to make it easy to understand. Bring those tomorrow if you have them (I may have some you can borrow)
Today we reviewed some Ch. 6 Vocabulary and took a closer look at some famous Supreme Court Cases. Homework is to do the Article III Scavenger Hunt if you didn't do it in class.
Week 15
Today we did our stamp and planner quiz. If you were absent, please take these the day you get back. We also reviewed Thursday's Slides show and I critiqued some of the storyboards. Please save a high res image and post your storyboard to the correct slide (you can find the slide number on the sign up sheet). If you didn't sign up, I suggest you try to do one that hasn't been signed up for and get it in ASAP. I do not know exactly when I will be grading them, but get them in as soon as you can. If you can't edit the google doc that means I've already graded them and you missed the deadline.
Also, I changed the names on the Bitmoji folder so you can understand who is whom. So if you're looking for a Representative from the House of Representatives, it should be clear who the reps, senators, judges, and presidents are.
Have a great Thanksgiving and I'll see everyone on December 2.
Today we talked about the Supreme Court and took a vocab quiz. Be sure to watch the videos in the slides show if you were out. Planner/stamp quiz tomorrow and Storyboards due tomorrow.
Today we took a matching quiz on the principles of the Constitution and reviewed the powers of the Executive Branch under Article II of the Constitution. Study quizlet terms for a quiz tomorrow and finish the Scavenger Hunt for Article II by tomorrow as well. Article I storyboards due Friday.
Today we practiced some vocabulary from Chapter 6, specifically looking at the seven principles of the Constitution. We also watched a Brainpop and took a quick quiz on Formative. Please do that quiz by tomorrow morning. We also took an in-class Scavenger Hunt on Article 1 of the Constitution. Please have that done by tomorrow if you didn't finish in class. Any other time was used to work on the Storyboards which are due Friday.
Today we did some Preambles, took a quiz on Checks and Balances, reviewed some pages from Chapter 6 and learned about our Storyboards for Article I which will be due Friday.
Week 14
Today we reviewed the Brainpop from yesterday, finished our notes, and recited the Preamble. We also played Kahoot in some classes. The Kahoot is posted here if you wan to practice.. If you were absent, plan on getting your Checks and Balances notes stamped and reciting the Preamble on Monday.
Today we reviewed the entry test, watched a Brainpop and took a quiz and reviewed the 7 principles of the Constitution and started our Checks and Balances notes.
Today we talked about the Preamble of the Constitution and learned some tricks for memorizing it. Your job it to memorize it by Friday. We also took a quiz on Federalists and Anti Federalists using our notes and we reviewed yesterday's slides show on Peardeck. We also filled in our chart on the Problems of the Articles of Confederation.
Today we talked about the Ratification process of the Constitution and the emergence of Federalists and Anti-Federalists and the difference between them. Be sure to have that chart done by tomorrow and be prepared for an open note quiz.
Week 13
Today we talked about the great compromise and worked on some spreadsheets to figure out the effects of the 3/5 compromise on representation.
Today we talked about two compromises in the Constitution, the Connecticut plan (aka the Great Compromise) and the 3/5th compromise. We watched a Brainpop and took a quiz on our notes from last night. Finish the Great Compromise Notes for tomorrow.
Today we reviewed the Brainpop from yesterday and talked about the Land Ordinance of 1785 and the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 and took some notes. Please have these ready for a stamp by tomorrow.
Today we talked a bit about the electoral college and tried to predict some swing state results. We also saw a Brainpop on The Articles of Confederation. The Forms Quiz is homework. If you weren't here you can take the quiz anyway but you'll have to reaed the transcript to get the answers (you can take it as much as you want).
Today we started looking at Chapter 5 Lesson 1 on the Articles of Confederation. Please finish the Problems under the Articles of Confederation notes for homework tonight.
Week 12
Today we took the planner and stamp quiz and also an entry quiz for chapter 5. Please take this at some point, you can take it four times. We also worked on a seterra map and watched the end of Yorktown from Hamilton all the way up until "Non-stop".
Today we took our Chapter 3 and 4 test. The scores will be out today at around 3:15. Today's slide show has some material from the next chapter but I would encourage you to read this if you have a few minutes after the test.
Today we did a table review of the events of Chapter 3 and 4 and in addition we saw a Brainpop on the American Revolution and reviewed the key points from it. Then we Blooketed and watched "The Battle of Yorktown" from Hamilton. Please see the chapter 3 and 4 study guide on google classroom for tomorrow's test and feel free to email or stop by if you have any specific questions.
Today we did a slide show on the surrender of Yorktown and reviewed a bit for the class. Please check out the slides show and the Study Guide which is on google classroom.
Today we finished The Good, The Bad, and The Cray and took an in class quiz and got a stamp. We also started our Smartbook 2.0 on Chapter 4 which is due tomorrow. Hopefully must of us finished most of it in class. We will have a chapter 3 and 4 test on Thursday and we will spend tomorrow and Wednesday preparing for it.
Week 11
Today we talked about reviewed the differences between Hamilton the play and Hamilton the book. We also started the Good, the Bad, and the Cray. If you were absent, you should have a few notes for Benedict Arnold and Lafayette. We will start John Paul Jones on Monday. In 7th period we didn't get to Benedict Arnold but we will do that on Monday.
Today we reviewed Valley Forge and compared the musical Hamilton to Ron Chernow's book Hamilton. I need you to draw a chart comparing what the major differences were betwee the play and the book. I have linked both songs and a pdf of the book that we read today if you weren't here. Please have that chart by tomorrow even if you were absent.
October 23, 2024 Today we did a peardeck review, practiced vocab and took a vocabulary quiz. Homework tonight is to memorize the Crisis. See my website for more info.
Today we took a timeline quiz, blooketed and did a peardeck review on a Slides presentation. Please study Chapter 4 vocabulary (actually log in and study!) for homework.
Today we saw a quick video on smooth-bore muskets, watched a Brainpop and started our Revolutionary war Timeline. Please have this done by tomorrow for a stamp
Week 10
Today we took another look at the Revolutionary War timeline and watched a short cartoon called "The Shot Heard 'Round the World." We also talked about two bonus opportunities that will be available for the next two weeks: 1. Watch Hamilton (it's available on Disney Plus) and Memorize The Crisis (up to the the word Triumph) the text is available online or on today's Slides show. Also, we played Jeopardy and I will post the game here so you can review some of the questions for our next test on Chapter 3 and 4 (which will be the first week of November)
Today we watched a bit of Animated Battlefields on the attack on New York and took a quick quiz on the questions. We also critiqued the Storyboards.
Today we talked about the Declaration of Independence and finished up our storyboards. There is a checklist on this slides show and on Google Classroom if you want to double check if you did things correctly.
Today we talked about the Battle of Bunker Hill (1775) and started our Storyboards. They should be Linked by Thursday at 8:00am.
Today we talked about our Draw A Grievance Project and reviewed some information from Chapter 3.4. Tonight's homework is to finish the formative on Chapter 3. 5 and so sign up for a Grievance to draw by tomorrow.
Week 9
Today we watched read some of chapter 3.4 and watched a few movies. The Animated Battlefields movie about the Battles of Lexington and Concord came first then we watched the song "You'll be Back" from Hamilton. We talked about how the song shows how America is in a dysfunctional relationship with a England. We also Kahooted. If you want to practice that Kahoot! here is the link. Have a great weekend and Go Dodgers.
Today we reviewed Chapter 3.3 and did a peardeck. We also started Chapter 3.4 and did a formative at the end of class. This formative is going to be homework if it's not finished in class. You can take it twice so try to get the best score possible if you don't do well the first time. If you are at home and need to find the formative, it should be available at app.formative.com.
Today we turned in our highlighting assignments and worked on a shared document where we listed the actions of the British Government and the Reactions from the Colonists. Be sure to actually study Quizlet tonight. You'll remember that last time very few people studied so I gave a pop quiz to the people who didn't study. So, please, study ch. 3 flashcards and try a little bit of matching. Go Dodgers.
Today we watched a video on the Boston Massacre and took an in class quiz on the timeline and the video (open note). Tonight continue to annotate chapter 3.3 using red for actions taken by the British and green for reactions by the colonists.
Today we started and finished our Taxation Timeline in our notebooks and annotated Ch. 3.2 focusing on the actions of the British Government and reactions of the Colonists. Please turn in by tomorrow on Google Classroom.
Week 8
Today we reviewed the effects of the French and Indian War, especially how it relates to the unrest in the colonies over the next ten years. We will probably start the chart on Monday but feel free to work on it over the weekend. I also put up the chapter 3 words in case anyone wants to get a jump start on those. Go Dodgers.
Today we talked about the French and Indian War. We watched a Brainpop movie on its causes and effects and we also watched a John Green Video. Homework is to finish the digital handout by Tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. The information is on the document.
Today we took our chapter 1 and 2 test. If you weren't here you have to come in at lunch to take it this week.
Update: here is the link for today's Kahoot!
Today we finished up Chapter 5 by reading about the Great Awakening preachers Johnathan Edwards and George Whitfield. We also reviewed Chapter 1 and 2 by doing a Kahoot that was based almost exclusively on information that I distributed on Friday. It was clear that some people in my classes had not studied. Tonight it is your job to study the information in the study guide, especially vocabulary (try doing a test using all matching) and maps.
September 30, 2024 Today we had a chance to fix our links on our shared screencasts. Many people had links that didn't work because they didn't share them with everyone at OUSD (they were "restricted" and unplayable). We also did some notes on Triangular Trade, Blooketed, and did the last few Bitmojis.
Since we didn't have a lot of time for Blooket, I added it to google classroom. Please play by clicking here if you want to get some practice in before Wednesday's Test
Week 7
Today we took a planner and stamp quiz and looked at our study guide for Chapter 1 and 2. Test is Wednesday. We also reviewed some of chapter 2.3 and saw some great bitmojis. Have a nice weekend.\
Today we took our Colonies Map quiz and learned about the Middle and New England Colonies. We also started the 13 Colonies Resource Map which will be due tomorrow for a stamp. Be sure you list the resources. The resources are on the maps. Iron, Whale Oil, Indigo, Rice are all examples of resources. Be sure to list them.
PLEASE HAVE YOUR STAMPS and COMPLETE PLANNERS TOMORROW!
Today we reflected on Hobbes and King Philip, watched a Brainpop and took a quiz on that Brainpop. If you were absent, please take the Brainpop Quiz (you can watch the video on the slides show). Be ready for a Map Quiz on the 13 Colonies tomorrow. Use Seterra to Study (linked in google classroom).
In some classes we didn't have time to finish the Brainpop quiz, so I would recommend finishing it for homework (that way you can make sure you get 100 percent) but if you don't I'll give a little bit of time at the beginning of class tomorrow to either study the map or finish the Brainpop.
Today we finished our Screencasts and started our notes from King Philip's War. I will stamp these tomorrow. Please finish them for homework if you didn't finish in class.
Today we talked a bit about the Massachusetts Bay Company and the Plymouth Colony and the idea that the New England settlers were a group of dissidents (people who disagreed with the policies of the Church of England), but within these groups were other dissidents who broke off from the Massachusetts Bay Company and started their own colonies in New England (Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire). We also started our screencasts from Chapter 2.2.
Regarding the homework tonight: I totally understand that some of you might experience problems with Screencastify at home. If you can record a short, five minute screen cast, great, but if you are not able to we can do it at the beginning of class. The important part of the assignment is to get the annotations completed. So if you are unable to make a screencast, please just past a document of your annotations (like we have done in the past) to the link on the document in google classroom.
Week 6
Today we started our screencasts for Chapter 2.1. Please have those linked by the end of class today. They should last approximately 5-7 minutes. The sheet to link them on are on Google Classroom. After you've linked them you can listen to other students' screencasts and start annotating chapter 2.2.
Today we started by trying to organize events by colonies. Then we took a Formative Quiz on that material (we didn't do this in first period but we'll do it tomorrow). Tonight it's very important that people highlight and make at least five comments in Chapter 2 lesson 1. If you have any McGraw-Hill issues, you can simply make a google doc with your comments and the text. It's a little less fun, but you can still get credit for the homework. Tomorrow I have something fun and interesting planned with the annotations, so don't forget to have them done.
Also: Check you score for the Stamp Quiz. I made a mistake inputing them and I want to make sure you understand your score. It's out of 5 points, one for each stamp. A late or sideways stamp is worth .85 and an upside down stamp is world .7 and two stamps on the same assignment are worth 1.15 points. If it seems wrong, let me know, or if you don't have a score, please let me know and I'll get it fixed ASAP.
Today we took a quiz on the colonies, got our notes stamped and watched a video on John Rolfe and Jamestown's tobacco farming industry.
Today we talked about the first three colonies, took some notes, took an entry quiz, saw a video and talked about way to get credit for the Smartbook 2.0 assignment if you had difficulties.
Today we looked at some major rivers in North America and talked about some of the early Colonies, specifically the lost colony of Roanoke Island. Homework is to finish the Smartbook 2.0 Assignment if you haven't already. We can finish the Early American Colonies notes in class tomorrow in class.
Today we reviewed a little bit about the Glorious Revolution of 1688 and learned about how England became a Constitutional Monarchy. We also started our Smartbook 2.0 assignment. Unless you had a problem over the weekend and you let me know about it, I'm assuming this will work just fine for everyone. If you chose not to do the stress test over the weekend and have problems, I still expect you to hand it in by the due date.
If you can finish it by tomorrow, I'll give you 100 percent. If you finish it by Wednesday, I'll give you 80 percent.
Week 5
Today we reviewed a little bit about the European Explorers, took an open note quiz on Enlightenment Thinkers, and Played Jeopardy.
About this weekend's homework: I really want to make sure that McGraw Hill is working at home. I think it will, but if not, let me know by sending an email and I can see what I can do. The assignment will not be graded, but if it doesn't work and you don't let me know, I won't be able to help you out if it doesn't work when we do the real assignment. So if you have had any problems whatsover, please try this stress test and let me know if you have any issues. Important: This will assignment will not open until after 4:00 pm today and it will close at 8:00 am on Monday. This is because I want people to do it at home, not at school.
Parents: If you have had any problems with McGraw-Hill please spend a few minutes to make sure you can access the stress-test (which is on the McGraw-Hill Portal under "Assignments").
Here's Jeopardy (good chance to study chapter 1)
September 12, 2024
Today we finished copying our notes about Enlightenment Thinkers I will stamp these tomorrow. We also took a practice quiz on Formative and finished up some Bitmojis. We also talked about the three Rs: Roman, Representative and Republic. The Romans (not the Greeks) were the first to have Representative Government. A country that has Representative Government is called a Republic. Greeks did not have Representative Government. They had Direct Democracy. This is where voters vote directly on laws and policies.
If you are in class right now, you have to paste this code into your browser window to access the slides show: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1e5XGWIz5kzZbJXBf1XBggqcDrgUeirUN2ar9LqciCrs/edit?usp=sharing
o take these the Formative Quiz in Class, you have to copy and paste these codes into your browser window (it will work fine at home)
Period 3: https://frm.tv/join/BAYN4H
Period 4: https://frm.tv/join/6SHWF3
Period 6: https://frm.tv/join/6L2GEM
Period 7: https://frm.tv/join/TB8S7F
Today we reviewed last night's homework and assessed some of the Enlightenment Thinkers. Tomorrow we will work on the notes. Your only homework is optional: you can start the notes so there aren't so many to take tomorrow, but I won't stamp it until the end of class tomorrow or Friday so it's not urgent.
Today our we started on our interactive workbook on Chapter 1.4 and reviewed Capitalism and Mercantilism. Please get this done. I realize the second question tends to mismark the answers and incorrect, but this is a glitch I've spoken to McGraw-Hill about and they said they will fix it in a few days. In the meantime, just get the answers correct and ignore the incorrect corrections. But complete the entire assignment and turn it in. I will score those questions on my own. Also: if you need help with something PLEASE EMAIL BEFORE 9:00 p.m. Otherwise I'll have to mark this assignment as missing.
Today we reviewed some of our notes with a google forms quiz. I'll post the grade in Aeries later this afternoon. We also did a Peardeck on the King Henry VIII and England's separation from the Catholic Church at the hands of King Henry VIII. Be sure to study Quizlet terms tonight and make sure you are logged in so I can see that you actually studied. I recommend doing Flashcards and Match.
Week 4
Today we watched a video on the Protestant Reformation and added a few bullet points to our notebook. We also did a few presentations. Have a great weekend
Today we learned about Capitalism and Mercantilism and created a chart showing the difference between the two. We also reviewed some vocabulary and watched a video on the D.C./New York trip.
It was great to see everyone at back to school night and I'm sorry our time was so short. Someone pointed out my grading policy appeared to only apply to the second semester, but it applies for the whole year. So, for clarity, here is the late work policy as it should have been stated on the syllabus:
I will allow one late assignment per six week grading period with an 85 percent maximum score. Any late assignment beyond the first will require an in-person parent conference.
I've updated the syllabus. Sorry for the confusion.
Today we reviewed the Columbian Exchange, talked about Hernan Cortes and started our homework. The homework is due tomorrow at 8:00 am. Please turn it in on Google Classroom before then. If you have any questions, please email me and I can help, but I can't help if you just tell me tomorrow that you were absent or had computer issues, etc. There is a screencast on the slides show and on google classroom.
Today we tried to figure out which foods and animals originated in the Old World and the New World. We also watched a video on the Columbian Exchange. Please answer the questions in your notebook if you didn't do it in class. We also learned a new term: The Treaty of Tordesillas (1494). This is when Pope Alexander VI split the world into two sections, the eastern section for Portugal and the western section for Spain.
Week 3
Today we took our first stamp and planner quiz and those are in Aeries now. If you were absent, please see me asap to get a score in. Also, over the weekend I will be auditing these and you may see a message in the score to see me. Please see me (otherwise it's a zero in the gradebook.)
Today we went over Chapter 1 Lesson 2 and talked about Ptolemy how the Greeks were able to calculate the circumference and shape of the earth and how Columbus was so badly misinformed. about circumnavigation. Stamp/Planner Quiz tomorrow.
Today we had a peardeck review, talked about Latitude (Ladder) and Longitude (Long), we also did some presentations. Be sure to do the homework tonight and read chapter 1 lesson 2 on page 21 in the digital textbook. Please turn in a minimum of 5 annotations on google classroom. Do it for the plot.
Today we finished our notes on the Age of Exploration and got a stamp. We also looked at chapter 1 lesson 1 and signed up for Quizlet. Please sign up for Quizlet by tomorrow at 8:00 am using a username I can recognize.
Today we used our digital textbook for the first time and did some quick annotations. I also demonstrated one of two ways how I can check your annotations. There are some notes on the website, but we can copy those in class tomorrow. I would recommend finishing reading/annotating Chapter 1 Lesson 1 on page 20 and starting to copy those notes, but the only real homework is to have the Notes done by the end of class tomorrow (I'll update at the end of the day if there are any changes to this.)
So you have the OPTION of finishing these notes tonight or doing it in class. By all means get started if you have the time, but because most classes were last there will be some time in class to do the notes tomorrow.
Week 2
Today we got our textbooks and took a quiz on the map of Europe. We used the remaining time to get our timeline notes stamped and finish up our Bitmojis. Please get these done over the weekend if they are not finished. We will present on Monday.
Today we talked about seven key events in American History, or at least events that led to the founding of America. We also copied the timeline into our notebooks and I will stamp those tomorrow. We will have a quiz on the countries of Europe tomorrow. We may have some time in class to work on either the Bitmoji projects or finish up the notes, but there is also a chance that students may have finished the notes at home and the entire Bitmoji project, so it could be an easy day depending on what you have completed already. I also added the Syllabuses to Aeries.
Today we took a practice quiz on European geography. I would highly recommend that everyone who struggled on that test try to play this game to internalize the major European countries. and worked on our bitmoji islands. Bring syllabus tomorrow. Here is where you can find a copy of it. Be sure to do the Form at the end.
Bring Chromebooks, Planners and Notebooks tomorrow.
Today we wrote in our planner for the first time, looked at a map of England/United Kingdom/Great Britain, etc. reset our chromebook passwords and also got some work on the Bitmoji Island project. I realize the computers are a bit glitchy, so I will make the assignment due on Monday, August 26th which should give us plenty of time to make these thing beautiful. Be sure to see the Screencasts if you are getting stuck (they are on the third slide of the project.)
Also: Are you looking for a King Core Value flag to put on your island? I have a bunch here. Just copy and paste one of them. Or you can get them from this folder
Today we learned about stamps and how the stamp board works. Please have the following items by tomorrow:
Name tag (should have been stamped today!)
Notebook (I stamped some of these today but will stamp the rest tomorrow. Must be college Ruled)
European Map. Must be glued into the first page of your notebook and you should have 12 countries landmarks labled (see today's slides show). I will stamp this tomorrow.
Week 1
Today we reviewed the classroom rules, talked about Schoolwide Expectations for King Middle School, started to talk about how to make Bitmojis and reviewed some basic European Geography.
August 15, 2024 (click on this link to see the slides show)
Today was our first day of class. It was great to see everyone and hopefully the seating chart worked out and everyone got a name tag. PLEASE SAVE THESE NAME TAGS. They will be grades, so if you lose it, I have to reduce points. We also saw a quick video about classroom rules and talked about what to expect in this class. Feel free to use my email if you have any specific questions about anything. Thanks!
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