Establishing the routine

While we never want life to be routine, we do seek some routine in life so that we have some sense of confidence/security about how things will go and how things work. We certainly like to have that feeling in class and in school. By now you should be gaining a sense of how our US History class will run. I recognize that my teaching style can be somewhat erratic at times, but beyond that, there are certain routines I follow that you should begin to recognize by now. And it is important that you create some of your own routines as well ---in studying, in how you approach the chapter assignments (quizzes, essay exercises, etc.), are you taking chapter notes? outlining?, vocabulary routines --- all of these must be established by you for you. Be aware of this for yourself. And not just for US History but for all of your classes.

Hope you are following the presidential campaign developments somewhat. We have not had much opportunity to address the campaigns as yet, as we are just trying to get back into the school mindset, but we will be taking a look at this incredible process (and this incredible privilege). In fact, the Honors sections will be running a mock election along with some mock campaign events as we near the November election. Be sure to take notice of the various issues in this campaign, try to categorize the types of political ads you see, and also pay attention to how the media covers events and developments.

And of course, on this day, let us remember the events and the people of 9/11. As noted above in the title of this blog, history is all around you, and never so striking as on that day 7 years ago. It was a day that changed us. We already have seen a multitude of changes but have many yet to come, and of course we can not know those changes...America's role in the world? How we are viewed by this now "Post-American World" (Fareed Zakaria's latest book)? Economic impacts yet to be felt? There is a long list, but still what sticks in my mind will always be the horror of that day.