Howdy History Fans!
Mr. Murren turned me on to a terrific resource for studying history and I want you to check it out!
It's called Historyteacher.net it's a "META WEBSITE" a collection of
resources about history and don't let the name fool you! It's not just for teachers!
If you take the time to explore it you will find a collection of sources for all the research projects, essays and entries to the class blog! Got something to say? Have a question about something we're doing? BLOG IT!
Study for your midterms and complete all projects before DECEMBER 1st! If you're not sure where you stand log in to your account on TEACHEREASE.com
Mr. Neff
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Assignment for the Week November 17th - 21st
THEMATIC ESSAY QUESTION
Directions: Write a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, several paragraphs addressing the task below, and a conclusion.
Theme: The Constitution and Change
The United States Constitution not only provides a basic framework of government, but also allows for the flexibility to adapt to changes over time.
Task: Identify two basic constitutional principles and discuss how each principle allows the government to adapt to changes in the United States.
For each constitutional principle you discuss, describe a specific historical circumstance when the principle was used to meet the changing needs of American political, social, or economic life.
You may use any geographic feature from your study of United States history. Some suggestions you might wish to consider include: the amendment process, the elastic clause, judicial review, equality, civil liberties, presidential power in foreign affairs, and presidential power during wartime.
You are not limited to these suggestions.
THEMATIC ESSAY
GENERIC SCORING RUBRIC
Score of 5: Shows a thorough understanding of the theme
Addresses all aspects of the task
Shows an ability to analyze, evaluate, compare, and/or contrast issues and events
Richly supports essay with relevant facts, examples, and details
Is a well-developed essay, consistently demonstrating a logical and clear plan of organization
Introduces the theme or problem by establishing a framework that is beyond a simple restatement of the task and concludes with a summation of the theme or problem
Score of 4: Shows a good understanding of the theme
Addresses all aspects of the task
Shows an ability to analyze, evaluate, compare, and/or contrast issues and events
Includes relevant facts, examples, and details, but may not support all aspects of the task evenly
Is a well-developed essay, demonstrating a logical and clear plan of organization
Introduces the theme or problem by establishing a framework that is beyond a simple restatement of the task and concludes with a summation of the theme or problem
Score of 3: Shows a satisfactory understanding of the theme or problem
Addresses most aspects of the task or addresses all aspects in a limited way
Shows an ability to analyze or evaluate issues and events, but not in any depth
Includes some facts, examples, and details
Is a satisfactorily developed essay, demonstrating a general plan of organization
Introduces the theme or problem by repeating the task and concludes by repeating the theme or problem
Score of 2: Shows limited understanding of the theme or problem
Attempts to address the task
Develops a faulty analysis or evaluation of issues and events
Includes few facts, examples, and details, and may include information that contains inaccuracies
Is a poorly organized essay lacking focus
Fails to introduce or summarize the theme or problem
Score of 1: Shows limited understanding of the theme or problem
Lacks an analysis or evaluation of the issues and events
Includes little or no accurate or relevant facts, examples, or details
Attempts to complete the task, but demonstrates a major weakness in organization
Fails to introduce or summarize the theme or problem
Score of 0: Fails to address the theme, is illegible, or is a blank paper
Reproduced from the August 2001 United States History and Government Regents Exam
Permission to use this resource is granted only for educational, non-profit use.
Directions: Write a well-organized essay that includes an introduction, several paragraphs addressing the task below, and a conclusion.
Theme: The Constitution and Change
The United States Constitution not only provides a basic framework of government, but also allows for the flexibility to adapt to changes over time.
Task: Identify two basic constitutional principles and discuss how each principle allows the government to adapt to changes in the United States.
For each constitutional principle you discuss, describe a specific historical circumstance when the principle was used to meet the changing needs of American political, social, or economic life.
You may use any geographic feature from your study of United States history. Some suggestions you might wish to consider include: the amendment process, the elastic clause, judicial review, equality, civil liberties, presidential power in foreign affairs, and presidential power during wartime.
You are not limited to these suggestions.
THEMATIC ESSAY
GENERIC SCORING RUBRIC
Score of 5: Shows a thorough understanding of the theme
Addresses all aspects of the task
Shows an ability to analyze, evaluate, compare, and/or contrast issues and events
Richly supports essay with relevant facts, examples, and details
Is a well-developed essay, consistently demonstrating a logical and clear plan of organization
Introduces the theme or problem by establishing a framework that is beyond a simple restatement of the task and concludes with a summation of the theme or problem
Score of 4: Shows a good understanding of the theme
Addresses all aspects of the task
Shows an ability to analyze, evaluate, compare, and/or contrast issues and events
Includes relevant facts, examples, and details, but may not support all aspects of the task evenly
Is a well-developed essay, demonstrating a logical and clear plan of organization
Introduces the theme or problem by establishing a framework that is beyond a simple restatement of the task and concludes with a summation of the theme or problem
Score of 3: Shows a satisfactory understanding of the theme or problem
Addresses most aspects of the task or addresses all aspects in a limited way
Shows an ability to analyze or evaluate issues and events, but not in any depth
Includes some facts, examples, and details
Is a satisfactorily developed essay, demonstrating a general plan of organization
Introduces the theme or problem by repeating the task and concludes by repeating the theme or problem
Score of 2: Shows limited understanding of the theme or problem
Attempts to address the task
Develops a faulty analysis or evaluation of issues and events
Includes few facts, examples, and details, and may include information that contains inaccuracies
Is a poorly organized essay lacking focus
Fails to introduce or summarize the theme or problem
Score of 1: Shows limited understanding of the theme or problem
Lacks an analysis or evaluation of the issues and events
Includes little or no accurate or relevant facts, examples, or details
Attempts to complete the task, but demonstrates a major weakness in organization
Fails to introduce or summarize the theme or problem
Score of 0: Fails to address the theme, is illegible, or is a blank paper
Reproduced from the August 2001 United States History and Government Regents Exam
Permission to use this resource is granted only for educational, non-profit use.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
How is Barack Obama's Administration already different from previous administrations?
They want to hear from you!
http://change.gov/
Visit the Transition Website and visit the section "America Serves". What does it mean to "serve your community?"
Can you name places in your community where you can help people?
Who should the President get citizens to help first?
Form a group of four classmates and create a list of community resources that would benefit from 50 hours of student volunteer hours a year.
http://change.gov/
Visit the Transition Website and visit the section "America Serves". What does it mean to "serve your community?"
Can you name places in your community where you can help people?
Who should the President get citizens to help first?
Form a group of four classmates and create a list of community resources that would benefit from 50 hours of student volunteer hours a year.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Regents Prep
Many students in this class are going to be preparing for the Global History Regents in January. If you are one of these students and want to start refreshing your memory. You can hit the reviews on
There are section/topic reviews, multiple choice questions and links to other resources available on regentsprep.org
If you feel really inspired check out the work of our Global One Class for review:
http://globalhistory1.blogspot.com/
There are section/topic reviews, multiple choice questions and links to other resources available on regentsprep.org
If you feel really inspired check out the work of our Global One Class for review:
http://globalhistory1.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Change we believe in!
Take a minute and share your thoughts right now!
Then ask the oldest people you know how they feel today! Share the response with us.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
TAKE THE CLASS SURVEY!!!!
Follow this link to take the class survey. Let me know what you think.
Click Here to take survey
Mr. Neff
Click Here to take survey
Mr. Neff
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