E. Extra Credit
Sometimes students do not do well on notebook checks, and this can be for various reasons. Maybe you had too many other things going on at home or too many other class assignments. For whatever reason, we fell behind.
In U.S. History, I want to ensure that you are successful in the course. Below are some alternative assignments that can help you boost your grade if you did not do well on a notebook check.
Note: If you are consistently not completing your In-Class Assignments, then we need to talk and you will be banned from completing the alternative assignments. These alternative assignments are intended for emergency purposes.
Fall Semester
Bombed Notebook Check
Based on Chapters 1-3
Historical Research (30 points)
Requirements: 2 page, double spaced essay, size 12 font, Times New Roman.
Explain how historians conduct research. In your essay, explain
Evidence
Primary Sources
Artifacts
Secondary Sources
Chronology
Historical Interpretation
Pick one of the 13 Colonies (30 points)
Requirements: 2 page, double spaced essay, size 12 font, Times New Roman.
Explain the geographical layout of the region
What rivers, lakes, or oceans are nearby?
What are the weather patterns like?
Explain how the geography of the region impacted new settlers lives?
Women in the New Colonies (20 points)
Requirements: 1 page, double spaced essay, size 12 font, Times New Roman.
Explain the role of women in the new colonies
How did single women's rights compare to that of married women?
How did conditions for women improve in the 1700s?
Mercantilism (30 points)
Requirements: 2 page, double spaced essay, size 12 font, Times New Roman.
Define Mercantilism
Explain the impact of mercantilism in the 13 colonies
Research/Explain/Analyze the Navigation Acts of 1660
How did the colonists feel about the implementation of these Acts?
Bombed Notebook Check#
Based on Chapters 4-7
The Executive Branch (40 points)
Write a one page double spaced essay (or 2 page printed work) which explains the Executive Branch. Draw a diagram that includes how the executive branch functions.
The Rights of American Citizens (50 points)
Explain American citizens “protections from unfair actions, equal treatment, and basic freedoms” in a 2 page, double spaced short essay. Create a collage which represents the elements above with small captions for the images.
Election of 1800 (40 points)
Create a newspaper article that explains the American election of 1800. Explain the position of John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Aaron Burr. Minimum of 3 paragraphs with 2 images.
Alien and Sedition Acts (40 points)
Image you are a newspaper editor in Georgia or Spanish-held Florida. Write an editorial in which you criticize or defend the Alien and Sedition Acts.
Unit 4: Growing Pains and Gains
Chapters 12-15
California Gold Rush (20 points)
Create a bubble map which outlines the 1849 California Gold Rush
What was it? What was the outcome? Use pp. 152 as a guide or the online book, Section 12.2
Working on the Railroad (20 points)
Find an article which explains Early Railroads in America. Print and annotate the article.
Explain who was it that worked on America's first railroads. What was this job like?
Dawes Act (20 points)
Write a paragraph (7-10 sentences) which explains in your own words what the Dawes Act of 1887 was. Then explain whether it had positive or negative impacts on Native American tribes.
Gilded Age Poster (30 points)
Create a poster to represent the Gilded Age. On the back, explain what the Gilded Age was and how long it lasted.
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire (20 points)
Write a letter home pretending you were in the sister or brother of someone who died in the Triangle Fire (page 177 in your book, Ch 14 the first page). Explain in the letter to your parents what happened that day.
The Roaring Twenties (Based on Chapters 28-29)
1. Explain in one paragraph prohibition during the 1920s. Include:
what was it,
why did people support it,
why did people oppose it, and
what happened as a result of prohibition (for example, resistance and accidental deaths, speak easie's).
2. Explain the new "flapper" culture of the 1920s. What was this? Why did women dress like this? what was the symbolism behind the flapper outfits?
After you have explained the above questions, create a 1920s magazine advertisement of a flapper outfit, including price, description, and hand-drawn image.
1930s Documentaries
Watch the film The Plow That Broke the Plains made in 1937. Write a 1 page summary of the film. Who is the target audience? Was the film effective in convincing the audience of its goals?
(20 points)
Watch "The Housing of Our Time," a 1930s documentary.
A depression era film by the United States Housing Authority of the Federal Works Agency, showing urban renewal projects in slum areas. Includes of housing construction and related activities. Explain the difficulties faced by Americans in the 1930s based on this film. (1 page)
20 points
SPRING Semester
Political Cartoons During World War II
Research 3 Doctor Sues Political Cartoons that were drawn during World War II. Write a paragraph per cartoon, explaining:
Intended Audience
Significance
Descriptive Writing
Take on the role of American soldier fighting in the Pacific in World War II. Write a letter to your family explaining what conditions are like for you and what you hope to accomplish during the war.
Profiles in History
Write a brief report (1.5 pages) about Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz (1885-1966) and Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto (1884-1943). Then Compare and Contrast their roles in World War II.
Profiles in History
Write a two page report about the Navajo Code Talkers (1942-1945) during World War II.
Learning From Geography
Hand Draw the Battle of Normandy. Then answer the following questions:
1. Why did the Allies choose Normandy as the site of the invasion?
2. Why was the landing at Omaha Beach so much more difficult than U.S. leaders expected?
Watch Cold War Documentary
Summarize the contents of the film in 3-4 handwritten pages. Explain how events in the film led to the Cold War. (30-50 points depending on quality of work)
The Death of Stalin
Explain how the death of Stalin in 1953 changed the Cold War?
Requirements: Use at least 3 articles to support your arguments. Quotes must be cited within your work. Must be 2-3 pages in length, double spaced, size 12 font. (50-100 points in research paper category depending on the quality of the work).
Things You Might Not Know About the Cold War
Read the article, the Cold War, then complete a current event for this assignment. Current Event instructions are in section B on our website. (20 points)
http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/05/us/cold-war-5-things/
How Vital Were Cold War Spies?
Read the article, then complete a current event for this assignment. Current Event instructions are in section B on our website. (20 points)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8184338.stm
CIA
Write a brief essay which explains the history and current state of the Central Intelligence Agency.
Requirements: Use at least 3 articles to support your arguments. Quotes must be cited within your work. Must be 2-3 pages in length, double spaced, size 12 font. (50-100 points in research paper category depending on the quality of the work).
The 1950s
Write a brief essay based on ONE of the following questions. In your essay, use at least 3 articles to support your arguments. Quotes must be cited within your work. Must be 2-3 pages in length, double spaced, size 12 font. (50-100 points in research paper category depending on the quality of the work).
How did the implementation of the interstate highway act affect towns and cities in the 1950s?
What impact did automobiles have on the culture of the 1950s?
How do towns and cities of today compare to the Levittown system of the 1950s?
Watch the film 1940 Appalachia Pioneer's Mountain Life and Children. In three paragraphs:
1) Summarize the Film
2) Explain how the experiences of Appalachia Pioneer's differed from other Americans.
The Vietnam War
Option 1: Watch the Khan Academy Video and Take Notes on the 18 minute video (20 points)
Option 2: Listen to the Song, "Fortunate Son", then address the following questions: (20 points)
Throughout the song, what type of person, or American, is Fogerty referring to?
What is meant by the phrase, “some folks are born silver spoon in hand”?
What group of people would have most closely identified with this song in 1969? Why?
“Fortunate Son” was originally written about the grandson, David Eisenhower, of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Regardless of party affiliation, do you find it right for the children of politicians to receive exemption in a military draft? Why or why not?
Option 3: Read the article, The Drugs that Built a Super Soldier, then a) Summarize the article b) Explain whether you believe the government acted ethically. (30 points)
Option 4: Read the article, Vietnam: The War that Killed Trust, a) write a paragraph summarizing the contents of the article, then b) draw an image to articulate the contents of the article. (30 points)
Option 5: Examine the military terms used during the Vietnam War, then select 10 and write a diary entry using these terms. Highlight the terms in your diary entry, containing 3 paragraphs, 250 words or more. (30 points)
Option 6: Design a war memorial for Vietnam War army veterans. This may be on a poster, diorama, or statue. (20-30 points depending on quality)
Option 7: Read the article about Agent Orange. What was it? Why was it used? What were the harms?
The 1950s T
Honors U.S. History
Due Monday, June 01, 2015
How to Create a Portfolio
What Is a Portfolio?
A portfolio is a binder or book that shows off your work and abilities. It goes beyond a cover letter and a résumé. A portfolio is a college entrance tool that you develop that gives recruiters a picture of who you are—your experience, your education, your accomplishments, and your skills. It is designed to do one thing—to support you as you market yourself!
Top Reason to Have a Portfolio
Distinguish yourself from the competition!
Where to Begin
You should start developing your portfolio by first doing a self-assessment. Evaluate what you have to offer and what the best ways are to market your assets. You should decide which skills and experiences you have will relate to the needs of the interviewer, or what you would most like the interviewer to see. If you have don't have much work experience—most students don't—you'll need to mine your school work, volunteer work, and hobbies for evidence of the relevant skills you know you have. For example, if you did event promotions for a campus organization, include a copy of a flyer or poster you designed.
The following is a list of items you may want to include:
Table of Contents (for easy reference)
Career Summary and Goals: A description of what you stand for (such as work ethic, organizational interests, management philosophy, etc.) and where you see yourself in two to five years.
Traditional Résumé: A summary of your education, achievements, and work experience, using a chronological or functional format.
Skills, Abilities and Marketable Qualities: A detailed examination of your skills and experience. This section should include the name of the skill area; the performance or behavior, knowledge, or personal traits that contribute to your success in that skill area; your background and specific experiences that demonstrate your application of the skill.
Samples of Your Work: A sampling of your best work, including reports, papers, studies, brochures, projects, presentations, etc. Besides print samples, you can also include CD-ROMs, videos, and other multimedia formats.
Testimonials and Letters of Recommendations: A collection of any kudos you have received–from customers, clients, colleagues, past employers, professors, etc. Some experts even suggest including copies of favorable employer evaluations and reviews.
Awards and Honors: A collection of any certificates of awards, honors, and scholarships.
Transcripts, Degrees, Licenses, and Certifications: A description of relevant courses, degrees, licenses, and certifications.
Test Results: PSAT
Newspaper Clippings: Include articles and/or photos that address your achievement.
References: A list of three to five people (including full names, titles, addresses, and phone/email) who are willing to speak about your strengths, abilities, and experience. At least one reference should be a former manager.
Organizing Your Portfolio
You should keep your portfolio in a professional three-ring binder.
Come up with an organizational system of categories to put your items together. Sample categories are as follows: Work Experience, Education, Awards and Certificates, Special Skills, Personal Accomplishments, Background. Use tabs or dividers to separate the various categories.