mcmurray's classes

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

2011-10-12T17:05:00.000-07:00

B1 and B2 AP US History

I checked Chapter 8 Outlines and we took the Chapter 8 Quiz. I lectured over the American Revolution. REMINDER - Test on Friday!!!

B3 Special Topics

We discussed the importance of incorporating interviews into the research. Look for that "perfect" interview and attempt to make contact. If there is someone you would like to interview, but aren't sure how to contact them, talk to me and I will help you. Keep researching and writing!

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

2011-10-12T17:00:00.000-07:00

A2 AP US Government

Seniors were at a College Fair, and the Junior worked on test corrections.

Monday, October 10, 2011

2011-10-12T16:56:00.000-07:00

B1 and B2 AP US History

I checked Chapter 8 Key Terms. We began scoring released student essays for in response to a DBQ prompt about the American Revolution. After students read and scored 5 essays, we discussed the scores that the essay received from the College Board and the rationale for those scores.

B2 and B3 Special Topics

We spent a lot of time going over the format of the rough draft. The due date is quickly approaching. You should be getting into some great resources.

Friday, October 7, 2011

2011-10-07T08:52:00.000-07:00

A2 AP US Government

I passed out the Unit 3 Key Terms. We made some adjustments in the due dates on the calendar. Be sure to check the board for those new dates, or check with me. We then took the Unit 2 exam (again). I passed out the study workbooks for Unit 3.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

2011-10-07T08:50:00.000-07:00

B1 and B2 AP US History

I checked the Chapter 7 Outlines, and we took the Chapter 7 Quiz. I passed out the grading rubric for DBQ's and FRQ's. We discussed the scoring of essays. I then passed out a DBQ on American Identity and Unity. In small groups, students analyzed the documents and drafted a thesis statement in response to the prompt. On Monday, we will discuss the thesis statements, and score sample student essays using the rubric. I also passed out the DBQ that needs to be written by October 14th.

B3 Special Topics

I collected the Prospectus for your paper, and we continued to work on research. Monday, we will discuss the format of the research paper.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

2011-10-05T12:17:00.000-07:00

A2 AP US Government

We spent the class period going back over Unit 2 material. I handed out a copy of a power point over Unit 2. We will be taking a Unit 2 Test retake on Friday.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

2011-10-04T16:23:00.000-07:00

B1 and B2 AP US History

We finished the lecture on colonial resistance to British regulation. We watched a clip on the Boston Massacre, and read Common Sense by Thomas Paine. I passed back the Unit 1 DBQ.

B3 Special Topics

We worked on research and the prospectus. It is due on Thursday, October 6th.

Monday, October 3, 2011

2011-10-04T16:20:00.002-07:00

A2 AP US Government

We took the Unit 2 Test.

Friday, September 30, 2011

2011-10-04T16:20:00.000-07:00

B1 and B2 AP US History

I lectured over the French and Indian War, British regulation after the war, and colonial reaction. Chapter 7 Key Terms are due next time.

B3 Special Topics

We worked on the Prospectus. It is due on October 6th.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

2011-10-04T16:18:00.000-07:00

A2 AP US Government

I lectured over Political Beliefs. Reminder - Test next time.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

2011-09-28T10:14:00.000-07:00

B1 and B2 AP US History

I checked Chapter 5 Outlines and Chapter 6 Key Terms. I finished the lecture on Colonial America in the 18th Century. The class was divided into groups to read parts of two articles (Henretta and Nash). We then began to share that information in larger groups. We will finish reporting out on Friday. I gave a handout with three primary sources and three questions. The questions need to be answered by next class. Chapter 6 Outlines are also due on Friday and we will be taking the quiz.

B3 Special Topics

I handed out a calendar with the major due dates. I will add a few others as we go along, for note cards and such. We spent the first 20 minutes discussing The Prospectus. It is due on October 6th and is made up of the following four parts: 1) a clear, concise introduction to your topic; 2) the main research question(s); 3) a summary of the basic arguments surrounding your topic, or what you have learned so far; and 4) a list of your research materials (a rough bibliography). The remainder of class was spent doing research.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

2011-09-27T08:59:00.000-07:00

A2 AP US Government

I checked Chapter 5 and Chapter 6 Key Terms. We turned in the answers to the questions in the packet (5.1 and 5.2). We spent the hour taking a political philosophy survey. The survey can be accessed at politicalcompass.org. While taking the quiz, students were instructed to write the statement, their response, and a brief explanation of why they responded that way. Reminder - Chapter 6 Quiz next time.

Monday, September 26, 2011

2011-09-27T08:56:00.000-07:00

B1 and B2 AP US History

It was a minimal day. I lectured on "Life in 18th Century Colonial America". I will finish the lecture on Wednesday, and then I will post the Power Point to the website. I did not check Chapter 5 Outlines. I will do that on Wednesday when I also check for Chapter 6 Key Terms.

B3 Special Topics

Given the shortened class period, we worked on research. Bring your note cards to class next time. We will be discussing our first drafts and due dates.

Friday, September 23, 2011

2011-09-27T08:48:00.000-07:00

A2 AP US Government

We finished reading "Democracy in America" by Alexis de Tocqueville and discussed the questions. Students were assigned 5.2 in the packet. The answers to both 5.1 and 5.2 are due on Tuesday, along with Ch. 5 and 6 terms.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

2011-09-27T08:45:00.000-07:00

B1 and B2 AP US History

I checked Ch. 5 Key Terms. We analyzed out test scores and preparation for the exam. The rest of the class was spent on test corrections. Test corrections must be completed in my classroom before school, at lunch, or after school prior to the next exam on 10/14. Chapter 5 Outlines are due next time.

B3 Special Topics

We worked on research.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

2011-09-27T08:42:00.000-07:00

A2 AP US Government

We continued discussing political culture and public opinion.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

2011-09-27T08:38:00.000-07:00

B1 and B2 AP US History

Everyone took the Unit 2 Test, and turned in the DBQ. Remember, this first DBQ will take me a while to get back to you. Be patient.

B3 Special Topics

Everyone wrote and turned in their topic and explanation of how that topic fits the theme.

Monday, September 19, 2011

2011-09-19T09:39:00.000-07:00

A2 AP Government

I checked Chapter 4 Key Terms. We took the Chapter 4 quiz. I lectured on Political Culture, and passed out a reading packet. You are to read 5.1 and answer the questions.

Friday, September 16, 2011

2011-09-17T16:37:00.000-07:00

B1 and B2 AP US History

I checked Chapter 4 Outlines. We took the Chapter 4 Quiz. I went over the DBQ prompt and discussed how to use Documents B and C from the DBQ packet. We also talked about how to organize the response to the DBQ prompt. The remainder of class time was devoted to group study in preparation for the Unit 1 Test on Tuesday, September 20th. REMINDER - Your DBQ is due on Tuesday, also. Don't forget, the essay needs to be handwritten (legibly).

B3 Special Topics

I showed everyone a template for note cards, and how to cross reference the note cards with with the source cards. I checked to see who brought a source to class with them. We spent the rest of class using the computers and looking for some general information on our topics in order to refine our topics. On Tuesday, we will discuss how to write a prospectus, and then we will continue with research.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

2011-09-15T10:35:00.000-07:00

A2 AP US Government

We worked on test corrections for the Unit 1 Test, and turned in the Current Event. REMINDER - Chapter 4 Key Terms are due on Monday, September 19th.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

2011-09-15T10:23:00.000-07:00

B1 and B2 AP US History

I checked Chapter 4 Key Terms. I gave a power point lecture over the 13 Colonies which is posted on the website, and I passed out the DBQ that is due on Tuesday, September 20th. REMINDER - Chapter 4 Outlines are due tomorrow and there will be a quiz.

B3 Special Topics

We went to the library, where Mrs. Olsen gave a presentation on how to use the library resources and Pioneer Library's online resources. Students were given the opportunity to check out resources to use in class tomorrow. Don't forget to bring it to class, it will count as an assignment in the gradebook.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

2011-09-15T10:17:00.000-07:00

A2 AP US Government

We took the Unit 1 test and answered the Unit 1 FRQs. REMINDER - Current Event #2 is due Thursday.

Monday, September 12, 2011

2011-09-15T10:02:00.000-07:00

B1 and B2 AP US History

I checked Chapter 3 Outlines. We took the Chapter 3 Quiz. We finished discussing the Colonial Wethersfield Documents. Afterward, on a separate sheet of paper, everyone defined democracy. They created a sentence for each of the quadrants on the back of the documents describing whether or not the evidence indicated more or less democracy. Then, they wrote a thesis statement in response to the prompt. That was turned in at the end of class.

B3 Special Topics

We made source card templates for the many types of sources you may come across. These should be kept at the front or back of your source cards so that you will be able to record all of the pertinent information from whatever source you are using. HOMEWORK - Bring a source related to your topic to class on Wednesday.

Friday, Septembr 9, 2011

2011-09-09T11:21:00.000-07:00

A2 AP US Government

We took Ch. 3 Quiz and scored it. I passed back papers. I handed out the FRQ's that will be answered in class after the multiple choice test on Tuesday, and we talked about the format for answering the questions. We read Federalist Papers #47, #48, and #51 and answered some questions. The remainder of the questions should be answered for homework. REMINDER - Unit 1 Test is on Tuesday, September 13, 2011.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

2011-09-08T12:07:00.000-07:00

B1 and B2 AP US History

I checked Ch. 3 Key Terms today. Afterward, I lectured on the APPARTS process for analyzing documents. I handed out the Colonial Wethersfield DBQ/Worksheet and students worked in small groups analyzing the documents and discussing how the documents support a response to the prompt. We will finish the exercise on Monday, September 12th. REMINDER - Ch. 3 Outlines are due on Monday and we will take Ch. 3 Quiz also.

B3 Special Topics

We discussed the difference between primary and secondary sources. We brainstormed a list of the kinds of documents that we could consider primary source documents and then I lectured over the 12 categories that primary source documents fall within. I told everyone that they should be looking for some secondary sources that deal broadly with their topic to start laying a foundation of prior knowledge before they begin their original research. REMINDER - Bring at least 5 3 X 5 cards to class on Monday. We will be working on how to keep track of our sources.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

2011-09-08T07:50:00.000-07:00

A2 AP US Government

I checked Ch. 3 Key Terms. We went over the Constitution Scavenger Hunt worksheet. Students answered "Why the Constitution?" questions, and we discussed the answers. Next time we have a quiz on Ch. 3, will read and discuss Federalist Papers #47, #48, and #51, and I will lecture on Federalism. Unit 1 Test is coming up on September 13th.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

2011-09-06T18:16:00.000-07:00

B1 and B2 - AP US History

I checked Chapter 2 Outlines today. Everyone took the Chapter 2 Quiz. I finished the lecture on European Exploration and Settlement and then discussed essay writing. There are two Power Point Presentations on the website under course documents that I showed class. They are titled "Understanding the Prompt" and "The Thesis Statement". Chapter 3 Key Terms are due on Thursday. REMINDER - Parent meeting is at 7 PM tomorrow night, Wednesday, September 7th in room 102.

B3 - Special Topics

The class read an excerpt on historical research dealing with the problems that can occur while researching. We summarized the key problem and discussed them. I also met individually with everyone to discuss their research topic. If you did not have a topic or need to narrow your focus, remember, you need to visit with me on Thursday to give me an update.