American+History+Pd.+4

Welcome Students of 4th Period!
On this page you will find information about class assignments and announcements that you will need to be successful in Ms.McCabe's class. Be sure to check back often, especially if you are absent, so you can catch up on any missed work!

//*** for all missing openers/closers, please see the red notebook located at the front of the classroom.**//


 * March 28, 2012 **

Today students took notes on the U.S. involvement in WWI. Then, students got into groups to reenact the escalation of WWI. This will be continued tomorrow.


 * Homework**: Complete any questions to prepare for the reenactment tomorrow.


 * March 29, 2012 **

Today students completed the simulation on the escalation of WWI.

Students had to turn in their questions from yesterday.


 * Homework**: Discuss the system of alliances that was created prior to and during World War I. Is it in a nation's best interest to remain neutral? Are alliances in America's best interest today? Give examples to back up your opinion. (1 page, due Monday, April 9th).


 * April 9, 2012 **

Today students took notes on life in America during WWI. We discussed the Four Minute Men and propaganda. Then, students had the following assignment:

Imagine you have been hired as a Four Minute Man. Write a speech that could have been read to the American public during WWI to get them to support the war. You should make the audience feel like they are being spoken to personally and avoid cliches. It should be long enough that it would take you a minute and a half to read it aloud.

Due Wednesday!


 * April 10, 2012 **

Today students read about trench warfare and the new technology that rose during WWI.

Then, students got into groups to research a WWI weapon of their choice. They had to find answers to the following questions about their weapon:

1. What does your weapon do? 2. What will it do to the enemy (how will it destroy them)? 3. Why should someone buy this weapon over other weapons


 * (See links under "American History Resources" on this website).**

Students will present their findings in class to each other. The team that sells the most weapon wins!


 * Homework**: See classwork from Monday.


 * April 11, 2012 **

Today students completed research for their weapons presentations. Then they presented them, to be continued tomorrow.


 * April 12, 2012 **

Today students completed their weapon trade. Then they completed an online simulation (see last link under American History Resources) to see if they would make good officers during WWI.


 * Homework due Monday:** During the war, what kinds of challenges were faced by both soldiers and their officers? Would you have made a successful officer? Why or why not? (1 page)


 * April 16, 2012 **

Today students took notes on the end of the war. Students took notes on The Treaty of Versailles and why the U.S. opted not the be involved. We also read about Wilson's 14 Points for Peace.


 * Classwork:** Think about what causes violence on a worldwide or local scale. Then write your own 7 points for peace in your community/world. Be as specific as possible.


 * Homework**: Complete classwork.


 * April 17, 2012 **

Today students took notes on the effects of WWI on America and read a story called "Johnny Got His Gun". Then they completed this worksheet:




 * Homework**: Complete worksheet fro above.


 * April 18, 2012 **

Today students reviewed for the test tomorrow. See sheet here:




 * April 23, 2012 **

Today students took notes on flappers and their significance in American society during the 1920s. Then they looked at slang from the time period to see how conventions had changed (see links at bottom of "American History Resources").


 * Classwork:** Using the slang terms you have seen (at least 7) write a one-page letter from the POV of a person living during this time period. Some suggestions:

-from the POV of a young woman, talking about a man she just met -from the POV of a young man talking about a flapper -from the POV of an adult, talking about the "youth of the 1920s"

Your letter should include info on the time period as well.


 * Homework**: Complete letter, due Wednesday.


 * April 25, 2012 **

Today students read about Prohibition and the rise of organized crime. Then, in preparation for a study of a 1920s gangster of their choice, students had to answer the following questions pretending that they are a gangster from that time:

1. How would you make your money? 2. Who would you choose to be your most trusted confidants (people you've known forever, or someone you recently met)? 3. How would you make a name for yourself? 4. When you get caught, how would you behave in prison? (Make alliances? Quit crime?)

These questions should be completed for tomorrow in preparation for the comparison to 1920s gangsters.


 * Homework**: Complete questions.


 * April 26, 2012 **

Today students researched a 1920s gangster of their choice and completed these questions:



See links under "American History Resources".


 * Homework**: Complete gangster sheet, if not already completed.


 * April 27, 2012 **

Today students took notes on the cultural innovations of the 1920s. Then they read pp.624-625, where they chose 4 important events/quotes items, and wrote why they represent life in the 1920s.


 * Homework**: Can the 1920s be considered an "era of change"? Argue one side or the other. Due Monday.


 * April 30, 2012 **

Today students read about and looked at examples of Renaissance art. Then they read a story about life in Harlem during this time period.

Students will have a mini-test (quiz) on Wednesday on the Roaring 20s.


 * Homework**: Study notes (pp. 626-628 in textbook)


 * May 1, 2012 **

Today students reviewed for the "quest" tomorrow. See review sheet below:




 * May 2, 2012 **

Today students completed their quizzes on the Roaring 20s.


 * May 3, 2012 **

Today students were given a project on the 1930s/1940s. See files below:






 * May 4, 2012 **

Today students worked on their project.


 * May 7, 2012 **

Today students continued work on their projects.


 * May 8, 2012 **

Students continued work on their projects.


 * May 9, 2012 **

Students continued work on projects.


 * May 10, 2012 **

Students continued work on projects.


 * May 14, 2012 **

Today students completed their projects. They should be prepared to present them tomorrow.


 * May 15, 2012 **

Today students started to present their projects. To be continued Thursday!


 * May 17, 2012 **

Today students completed presenting their projects.


 * May 21, 2012 **

Today students learned about the causes and effects of the Cold War. Then they read about the Korean War, and then answered these questions:

1. What was the Cold War? What caused it? 2. Do you believe the U.S. was really at risk? Why or why not? 3. What was the iron curtain? Do you think this was the best solution for the tension at the time? 4. What caused the Korean War? What was it's outcome? 5. If you had been President Truman, would you have handled the situation in the same way at the time?

Students are to complete any 3 of these questions for tomorrow.


 * May 22, 2012 **

Today students talked about life in the U.S. during the Cold War. They read a letter written by the Rosenbergs before their execution and watched a video on "duck and cover"


 * Homework:** Could McCarthyism happen again, but with communism replaced by another "fear" of Americans? Why or why not? Are Americans less likely to fall prey to the "witch hunts" that were common of the 1950s? 1 page, due Thursday.


 * May 23, 2012 **

Today students examined popular culture of the 1950s. They listened to music and watched video clips.


 * Homework**: See homework from Tuesday, due tomorrow.


 * May 24, 2012 **

Today students discussed the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement, particularly the murder of Emmett Till. Students were given his killers' confession to read and then are to do the following for homework:


 * Homework:** Pretend it is 1956 and you have just read Emmett Till's killers' confession in //Look// magazine. Write a letter to the editor that you hope will be published. Express how you feel about the outcome of the case and what you think should happen to the killers. Due Tuesday.


 * May 29, 2012 **

Today students took notes on the Black Panther/Black Power movement. Then they read and discussed the Black Panthers' Ten Point Plan.


 * May 30, 2012 **

Today students took notes on the Vietnam War. Then they read pp. 902 and 903 and wrote 1) Why Johnson believed the U.S. should retaliate against the Gulf of Tonkin incident, and 2)whether or not Johnson was too quick to declare war.


 * May 31, 2012 **

Today students discussed and took notes on the experiences of a Vietnam War soldier. Then they read an excerpt from "The Things they Carried" by Tim O'Brien.


 * Homework:** Was Tim O'Brien wrong in his decision to go to war? Discuss some of the things he considered in making his choice on whether to flee or not. What would you consider if you were placed in a similar position? Due Friday!


 * June 1, 2012 **

Today students discussed the types of protest used during the Vietnam War, most notably the use of music. Then they listened to music from this time period to analyze it for elements of protest:



This completed sheet must be handed in by Monday.


 * June 4, 2012 **

Today students took notes on the hippie movement and read Timothy Leary's banned speech. Then they answered the following questions:




 * Homework**: Finish hippie questions.


 * June 5, 2012 **

Today students took notes on the end of Vietnam War. Then they did the following:

Choose 3 events from the Vietnam War era and write why they are the most significant of the time period. Do the same with 3 people of the era.


 * June 6, 2012 **

See test review sheet here: