Blog Archives

Friday, January 30th

1/30/2015

Today in class we started our study of the executive branch. We took introductory notes, as well as notes on the Electoral College. If you were absent, be sure to get the notes from a friend. You will also want to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the Electoral College.

Homework:
Paper due at 11:55PM
Read Chapter 12 by Monday
Leg. HW (and EC) due Tuesday (see yesterday's post).
Quiz on Tuesday.
CE due 2/6 (Topic: US)
Next test - week of 2/9.

Thursday, January 29th

1/29/2015

Today in class we finished our study of the legislative branch. If you were absent you will need to get the notes from a friend.
Also - Please write a response to the following in your journal/yellow notebook: Describe the demographic characteristics of Congress. Should voters/constituents be concerned about the demographic characteristics of Congress? Why or why not?

Homework:
Paper due tomorrow.
Payment #2 due tomorrow.
Read Chapter 12 by Monday.
Quiz on Tuesday.
Assignment (see below) due on Tuesday.
CE Project (Topic US) due on 2/6.

Due Tuesday:
Homework:

Answer in complete sentences.
How are Congressional committee chairs selected? What limits have been placed on committee chairs?

Extra Credit – Choose ONE.
How are members of Congress compensated? Do you think the compensation is appropriate? Why or why not?

Should the size of the House of Representatives be expanded? Why or why not?

ON YOUR OWN:
READ: Reduction of Power and Perks AND Ethics and Congress - 320-324.

MAKE SURE YOU KNOW:

why committee assignments are important to members of Congress
what committees do
the political party make-up of committees.
what the franking privilege is.

Wednesday, January 28th

1/28/2015

Today in class we took notes on incumbency, identified the pros and cons of having a large number of incumbents in Congress, and discussed term limits.

If you were absent, be sure to get the notes from a friend. Also - please write a response to the following in your journal - Should Congressional terms be limited? Why or why not? Provide at least three reasons to support your answer. Homework:

Paper due on Friday.

Payment due on Friday.

CE due on 2/6.

Quiz Tuesday.

Read Chapter 12 by Monday.

Tuesday, January 27th

1/27/2015

Today in class we discussed the process of how a bill becomes a law. We also took notes on the non-legislative powers of Congress, the special powers of Congress, and legislative oversight.

If you were absent, be sure to get the notes from a friend.

You will also want to define the following views of representations:
Organizational
Attitudinal
Representational.
In addition, decide when members of Congress are likely to use each.

Homework:
Paper due on Friday.
Payment #2 due on Friday.
Quiz on Tuesday
CE due 2/6 -- topic US
Read Chapter 12 as soon as possible.

Monday, January 26th

1/26/2015

Today in class we discussed the enumerated powers of Congress, the denied powers of Congress, and how a bill becomes a law.

Homework:
Paper due Friday.
Payment #2 due on Friday.
CE due 2/6 - Topic is US

Friday, January 23rd

1/23/2015

Today in class we:
1. Took the legislative branch vocabulary quiz.
2. Took notes on the Jobs/Responsibilities of Members of Congress and Congressional Leadership.
3. Discussed the different types of committees that exist in Congress.
4. Identified the enumerated powers of Congress AND the denied powers of Congress.

HW:
START YOUR PAPER -- Due Friday!
Remember second payment is due on Friday.
Next CE due Friday, February 6th -- Required topic is US.

Thursday, January 22nd

1/22/2015

Today in class we finished our study of reapportionment and redistricting.
- We watched a video. The video can be found at: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/need-to-know/video/drawing-the-lines-parties-fight-for-redistricting-power/4756/
- We played The Redistricting Game (http://redistrictinggame.org/)
- We completed a cooperative learning assignment (in the Thursday folder).
- Discussed issues related to redistricting.

HW:
- Vocabulary Quiz on Friday.
- Check due 1/30.
- Paper due 1/30; Do you have a topic?
- Read Article I; Identify powers of Congress.

Wednesday, January 21st

1/21/2015

Today in class we studied reapportionment and redistricting.

Homework:
Read Reapportionment Part B and answer questions.
Study legislative branch vocabulary - quiz on Friday.
Choose a paper topic; Paper due 1/30.
Payment #2 due 1/30.

Tuesday, January 20 - SECOND SEMESTER BEGINS

1/20/2015

Today in class we went over the FR section of the Unit II test and the Exam. We also discussed the differences between the US House and the US Senate.

Homework:
Read Chapter 11 by tomorrow.
Vocabulary Quiz on Friday.
Paper due 1/30
Payment #2 due 1/30
Define congressional committees by Wednesday.

Thursday, January 8th - Monday, January 12th

1/8/2015

Comparative Unit II Test on Thursday and Monday
No School Friday (due to weather)

Reminders:
Extra Credit due on Monday
Exam on Friday, Jan. 16th

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