Last Day Before Break

Reminder:  You should check back during break for extra credit assignments during break.  Many of you are in serious need of the extra work to get your grades up.  I will be offering extra assignments on this site over the next two weeks for you to do.

When we get back we will be closing out the semester with a look at the Supreme Court and then will quickly transition into review for the final exam.

For today we will be watching the remainder of the documentary "Rise of the Drones."

Test Today

Reminder there is a test Thursday for periods 3, 4, 5, & 7 and Friday for period 2. 

Packets are due at the start of the test.  You may chose the multiple choice test for a maximum grade of a PROFICIENT.  If you chose the short answer test you could receive a maximum grade of an ADVANCED. 

You may use a pre-prepared note card or your completed practice test if you wish on the test. 

Site Upgrade!

You can now check your grades online and access your student email via the Infinite Campus and Student Email images on the right-hand side of the page!

Don't forget you can also enter your email into the box above to receive automatic updates regarding when this site is updated.  A free answer to the upcoming test has been added to an update of a post from earlier this week.  Re-read the earlier posts to discover it!

Remember, you can also email me your questions at dunbecka @ milwaukee.k12.wi.us (without the spaces)

Review Day

By this point your group should have completed through page 12 of your packets and completed our lessons on the Executive Branch.  You were required to complete the remaining review pages of the packet on your own at home last night.  Today we will spend the period allowing you to complete of the following options:

1. Complete the fill-in-the-blank practice test provided to you today in class.  You will be allowed to use this practice test on the test as well as a note card with any notes you believe to be important.
2. Complete any pages you have left in your packet.
3. Prepare a note card for tomorrow's test on the Presidency.

Reminder: packets are due tomorrow and will not be accepted late unless you were absent the day of the test.  If you were absent you will be required to take the test on you own time after school AND the packet will be due the next day you are in class.  It will not be accepted after that.

If you need a copy of the practice test it can be found here, or on the right-hand side of this blog under Homework.

The Federal Bureaucracy

Learning Objective:  Students will understand the role of the federal bureaucracy in our government and our lives.

Success Criteria: Students can DEFINE and EXPLAIN the roles of both civil service workers and political appointees in the federal bureaucracy.

As part of our study of the Presidency we going to take a look at the federal bureaucracy which is run by the President as the Executive Leader of the government.

The federal bureaucracy is in charge of carrying out the laws that Congress (our Legislative Branch) creates.  This includes everything from making sure the air we breathe and water we drink is reasonably clean to making sure food stamps are paid out every month for those living in poverty.  We hardly notice the federal bureaucracy, that is until it stops working properly.

The test will ask you to explain the difference between a civil service worker and a political appointee.  For a PROFICIENT answer you will need to explain that while both work for the federal bureaucracy and help execute the laws passed by Congress under the President's direction, civil service workers are hired based on merit (i.e. their skill, knowledge and overall ability to do the job) whereas political appointees are appointed by the President and approved by the Senate.  They are given their high level jobs generally due to their support of the President and not necessarily because they are capable of the job to which they were appointed.

Test Reminder

Reminder to all sections of Citizenship, we are coming to the end of our unit on the Presidency.  With the end of the unit also comes packets being due as well as the test.

Period 2 will have their test & packets due on Friday of this week. 

All other periods will have their test and packets due on Thursday of this week.

Late packets will not be accepted!  Copies of the President packet can be found to the right under homework or here.

Rise of the Drones

Learning Objective: Students will under what drones are and why they are used as a tool of foreign policy.

Success Criteria: Students can EXPLAIN and DEFEND their own OPINION regarding if the use of drones meets the goals of US foreign policy.

Monday we will analyze the President's role as both Command in Chief and Chief Diplomat of the United States.  Specifically we will be analyzing the President's policy on the use of "drones" to kill terrorist suspects without trial and to form an opinion on whether or not this policy meets the four goals of US foreign policy that we learned about on Friday.

Those goals are:

1. Promote national security of the United States.
2. Promote trade with the United States.
3. Promote the spread of democracy around the world.
4. Promote world peace.

In order to do this analysis we will be watching part of the NOVA special "Rise of the Drones" that aired on PBS to introduce the topic.  The full video can be found here:

We will be doing a close reading of an abridged version of the President's policy on the use of lethal force that can be found in our group packets for this unit.  The unabridged version of it can be found here.  We will also be reading an abridged version of "A Drone Victim's Message to the United States" that was published on the news site The Huffington Post that can also be found in our group packets for this unit.  The unabridged version of the article can be found here.

Students will need to analyze the material provided and come to their own conclusion regarding which of the four goals of foreign policy (if any) the use of "drones" meets.

US Foreign Policy

Friday we will be introducing the concept of the President as the Chief Diplomat of the country.  As part of this we will be introducing the topic of trade embargoes, a powerful diplomatic tool.  To illustrate this tool and the effect it can have on countries we will be watching this short video reporting on the US embargo on Cuba, a small island nation 90 miles south of Florida.  

The video can be found below.

Executive Orders

Today in class we reviewed what executive orders are (a rule or order issued by the President that carries the force of law).  We also discussed how this can be seen as the President stepping on the toes of the Congress.

Below is a link to a video on the story we watch regarding a current controversy over a recent executive order issued by the President.

Executive Order on Illegal Immigrants

President Unit

This week we began our unit on the President of the United States or POTUS.  In this unit we will be exploring questions such as

• What are the qualifications for becoming President?
• What role does the President play in our system?
• What is the federal bureaucracy and how does it work? 
• What is the real power of the presidency and why are so many people upset with the President?
• What is foreign policy and what are America's foreign policy goals?
• What are drones and does our use of them meet the goals of US foreign policy as laid out by our textbook?

The review sheet for this unit is built into our group work packet that is to be completed in class with your partners.  However, the review sheet can be found individually here, or on the right side of your screen under the "Unit Review Sheets" section.

The practice test for the unit can be found here, or under the "Homework" section of the blog to the right as well.

The group work packet must remain in the classroom and you should have your ambassador check the group's answers after each page to ensure you have the correct answers.  We will be completing approximately one page of the packet a day with only one or two exceptions.  The final two pages of the packet are review and must be completed on your own either on our review day or at home once the packets are released at the end of the unit.  

The packet is worth roughly as much as the test for this unit so it is in your best interest to do well on every page of the packet and work closely with your group to ensure you get every answer correct.  The packet is due the day of the test and WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED LATE.  The test for this unit will be held on Thursday, December 18th for period 2 and Wednesday, December 17th for all other sections.  

Packets must remain in the classroom, but a digital copy of the packet will be uploaded tomorrow in case you want to work on it at home or need to print up another copy.  You will need Chapter 7 of the textbook to complete most pages of this packet.

In the meantime, enjoy these videos that were shown in class this week to introduce the topics we were discussing.  

How the President and Congress are selected.

Does the President really matter (link to Huffington Post for the Video)

Why the President isn't as powerful as you think.

 

Congress Packet

The group work packet for the unit on Congress has now been uploaded and can be found by clicking here, or by going clicking on "Congress Packet" under assignments to your right.  This packet should have been done in class with your group and is weighted equally to your test.  It is due Friday, December  12th at the latest.  If not turned in by that date it will be consider a ZERO for all standards measured.

Note Outlines & Practice Test for Congress Unit

Just an FYI, the fill-in-the-blank versions of this unit's notes are now uploaded and ready for your downloading as well as the fill-in-the-blank practice test for this upcoming unit on Congress.

Feel free to print them out or copy them down as you like.

New Group Work Format

Starting this week our civics class is being revamped to focus on more cooperative learning and individual assessment.

Notes will be much shorter and information will now be learned more through cooperative learning.  The vast majority of work will be done in class with fewer homework assignments.

Students will be placed in groups of 3 - 4 students assigned by myself and will work together to work through packets to gain an understanding of how the three branches of our government work.  Packets will remain in the class until the unit is finished.  Only then will students be allowed to remove them from the classroom.

Each student in the group will serve one of four roles:

Retriever: gets group folder with groups packets inside

Ambassador: checks groups answers for assigned pages with the teacher

Checker: makes sure everyone in your group has the same answers

Engineer: returns packets and all materials to the teacher, makes sure group area is clean.

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For every 15 points earned each member gets 1 piece of candy.

Points can only be earned, not lost.

Examples of reasons points will given out include (but are not limited to):

• Group working well together
• Everyone pulling their weight in a group
• Great answers
• Group not adding to the disruptions of other groups
• Group's packets are picked up on time
• Group's packets are put away at turned in at end of class and area is left clean & in order
• Any other reason the teacher decides

Examples of behaviors that can keep your group from earning points include (but are not limited to):

• Disrupting other groups
• Talking to members of other groups during work time
• Throwing things
• Writing on desks
• Being disrespectful
• Not working
• Relying on only 1 member to do all the work
• A group member not following directions
• Any other reason the teacher decides

*****Classwork is done in a group, but all testing is done individually*****

***You are responsible for making sure you know all the material in your packets***

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Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

This past week as an introduction to our unit on Congress, our class has been watching Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Frank Capra's cinematic masterpiece from 1939 that depicts one man against the corruption of Washington, DC.  Students are required to fill out guided questions for the movie.  A copy of this sheet can be found here.

The full movie can be found on Netflix, or at this link.

Constitution Paper

Monday students will be required to write a 5 paragraph paper explaining how the Constitution of the United States breaks up power and sets up the relationship between the branches of government in such a way that it prevents tyranny.

All last week students were going through 4 concepts one by one using notes, group work, and document analysis to answer the above question.  

This week starting Monday students will be required to write a 5 paragraph paper answering the question: How does the Constitution prevent tyranny?  The outline for this paper and directions will be handed out in class but can also be found here.  Students will have to write 3 body paragraphs each based on one of the four questions below.

1. How does federalism prevent tyranny?
2. How does separation of powers prevent tyranny?
3. How does checks and balances prevent tyranny?
4. How did the compromise between small and large states prevent tyranny?

Students will pick the 3 of these questions to answer in their paper.  If students have completed their homework by this past Friday they will be handed it back with corrections and pointers to help improve their writing as the last question on each assignment was a practice paragraph answering one of the above questions.

Papers can be handwritten or typed as long as it is legible.  If handwritten only black ink, standard blue ink, or pencil will be accepted.  

Papers are due at the end of the day on Tuesday and students will only have Monday & Tuesday to work on them in class.

Students can and should get help from after school tutoring with City Year to make sure their papers are the best possible product.  

ANY CHEATING BY COPYING FROM OTHERS OR THE INTERNET WILL RESULT IN AN IMMEDIATE FAILED ASSIGNMENT.  

This paper takes the place of a test for this unit an will count for multiple grades as it meets multiple standards.

Constitution Notes

All slides from the Constitution unit that we spent the last week working on have now been uploaded so that you may download or copy them in all their glory if you missed any days.

Free Speech Notes

Periods 4, 5 & 7 will be taking notes on your rights to free speech.  The outline with blanks in it for this lesson can be found here.

Whisper to a Roar

Tyranny is a dangerous thing.  It is a threat to the freedoms and rights of all of us.  You've asked how we prevent it, today we start our unit on your rights, responsibilities, and duties of being a citizen.

Let's start with a fable about dragons and see if you can discover the answer for yourselves...

Make sure to fill out the fill in the blank notes for this video to check your understanding. If you need another copy click here.

Test this week!

We are finishing up Unit III: What is Tyranny?  Which means of course we have a test coming up.  The fill in the blank practice test can be found here.

Filling it out and using it to prepare your note card is a great study tool!  We will have review game as well which you can play here.

I know why you're all here, you're here for a free answer to the test!

Question:

List the truths that are “self-evident” (obvious)?

Proficient Answer:

The three truths that are self-evident according to the Declaration of Independence are that all men are created equal, we all have unalienable rights, that among them are life, liberty & the pursuit of happiness.

Binder Check Date Moved

Due to the debate tournament tonight, the binder check for this class will be moved to next week Friday, October 3rd.  Make sure you have your binder in order as it counts as a test grade!

If you need help setting up your binder see myself or Erin or Megan from City Year!

You can also use this handy handout!  Click here!

Test & Binder Check

Reminder I will be checking your binder this coming Friday.

You will also have a test this Tuesday/Wednesday depending on your period.

As always here is a sneak peak question and answer.

1. List the 6 values we covered that unite us as Americans.
   freedom, equality, opportunity,volunteering, popular sovereignty, never saying "not my problem."

Review sheets can be found to the right ->

Or by clicking here.

You can use a note card on this test.  Make sure to see the City Year volunteers or myself for extra help!

Good luck!

Virtual Tour of America

We are studying America in three ways in this unit.  America's demographics (the race, gender, age, religious make up of our population) was covered in today's lecture.  If you weren't here make sure to download the bare bones version of the notes and use a friend's notes to fill in the blanks!

We also studied the America briefly as a geographic place.  In order to show you how large and diverse the geography of our nation is we watched a virtual tour of the country.  

Take a virtual tour of the US using Google Earth!

Follow this link

Tomorrow we will be filling in a map of the United States, as always make sure you bring your books!

Yes We Can!

Watch the President’s famous “Yes We Can” speech and answer each questions with a short paragraph.

1. In your own words, explain the message of President Obama's speech? (Yes we can what?)

2. If you could change anything in your neighborhood, community, school, etc. what would it be, why and list what steps you could take to start making it better. You do not need to solve the problem, you only need to list small actions that might help move it in that direction.

Ferguson

Tuesday we will be discussing the events of Ferguson, MO as an entrance into the topic of why a civics class is a crucial aspect of you education, not just for school, but for your entire life. 

Test Tip!

You can use a standard 3x5 note card on tests!   Use your unit review sheet and your notes to figure out what you need to have on it to help you get the best grade possible!

Bonus!  A question on this upcoming test will be as follows:

Describe the American flag.

The proper answer will include colors, shapes, patterns, what the patterns (the stars and stripes) represent.  The more detail the better!

This question is designed to judge whether or not you understand how to answer description questions. 

Other questions will judge your ability to answer compare, contrast, list, define, analyze and other question types covered in class (and in the How to Answer Questions notes!).

Keep checking back for more information!

Movie Permission Slips!

Make sure you turn in your movie permission slips filled out by your parent/guardian.  Failure to do so would mean you would have to be assigned an alternative assessment when the class is watching movies your parent/guardian did not authorize you to watch. 

Copies of this slip can be found in class our under the home work section to the right of this post!

In solidarity,

Mr. Dunbeck

BVHS Debate Team 2.0

Ever find yourself arguing with someone trying to prove you're right?  Interested in the world around you?  Are you a good reader who is looking for a challenge? BVHS is starting year two of our re-launch of the BVHS Debate Team and we want you!

Meet new friends, win awards, earn scholarships and become of part of Bay View's history!

This year's resolution (topic): Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its non-military exploration and/or development of the Earth's oceans.

See Mr. Dunbeck for details!

Milwaukee Debate League

Youth Empowered in the Struggle launches at Bay View High School!

Join the fight for immigrant rights, worker rights, and student rights!

See Mr. Dunbeck for details.

Start of School Year

Welcome Class of 2018! (Wow, that's weird to say out loud).

Here are copies of the materials handed out in class on Thursday, September 4th, 2014.  Make sure you sign the commitment pledge form and have your parent/guardian fill out and sign the Teaching is a Team Effort form for a free note pass!  Both can be found in the Civics Syllabus.

Also don't forget to have your parent/guardian fill out and sign the permission form so you can watch PG-13/R rated movies in our course (for the purpose of furthering your education of course!)

Both can be found attached to this post.

Binder Expectations <=this explains how your binder should be set up
Syllabus <= explains the class, FREE NOTE PASS FOR GETTING FORMS FILLED OUT!
Movie Permission Slip <= let's you watch PG-13/R rated movies in class (only ones that help the lesson).

Solidarity Redcats!<=