October 26-30

BOO!

Okay, it's that time of year, time to get silly & scary & crazy kooky. Let's make sure your fun is in the right place and right time, and of course, always in good taste and safe for everyone.

Also, I want to thank everyone for their prayers for Mrs. S and your cooperation while I was out. It has been a very serious process for my wife and myself, and your prayers and thoughts and patience and cooperation have made it much easier for me. I thank you all very sincerely.

Prayer this week:

US I: Cara Murphy, Amy Gaeta

US II: Catherine Flaherty, Nicole Trifone

Honors: Jess McCabe

US I: as we approach the War for Independence, let's develop a growing awareness of the issues: taxation, natural rights, a genuine sense of independence, and the role the Enlightenment played in all this. You also want to draft a personal statement about the causes of the revolution, especially one where you prioritze that causes.

US II: We will focus this week on the labor issues. What were the goals of the labor organizers? What were the objections of the owners to labor organizations? Why did labor unions not gain widespread acceptance in American society?

Honors: same issues as US II and please a "Bill of Rights" for workers of the world.

REMINDER!!!! All US II and US II Honors students Due November 1...

The Jungle by Upton Sinclair or The Alienist by Caleb Carr. You must have the book of your choice read by our first class in November.

Week of October 19-23

This week all classes will be looking to analyze the cause(s) for significant events/developments in our history. When we look at history, it is most important to look at the causes of events more than the event(s) themselves. Many students lose interest in the study of history because they see it as simply a list of dates, events, and names. One needs to see it the study of history as an investigation, as a problem solving exercise, as a mystery to be solved.

And so...

US I: Why did the colonies rebel? Why did the British treat the colonies as they did? Were they justified in that treatment/policy? Were the colonists justified in rebelling? And a very significant question: just what was this 'no taxation without representation' cry all about?

Make sure you understand the terms salutary neglect, virtual representation, Committees of Correspondence, and Continental Congress.

The DBQ you looked at on Thursday will be examined closely this week. And a quiz is very likely sometime soon.

US II and Honors: some issues to ponder...
Robber Barons or Captains of Industry?
Are you a Social Darwinist?
Labor Unions - good or bad?

Be able to construct a list of the benefits of this industrialization of America, and a list of the harmful effects as well.

The Jungle and The Alienist? Are you reading one of these? You must be done by November 1, so you have 2 weeks left. Do not save this until the very last please.

Prayer:
US I --- Katelyn Sullivan and Cara Ciardelli
US II --- Stephanie Ayers and Danielle Quinn
Honors --- Olivia Kajencki

Week of October 5-9

Prayer:
US I -- Lizz Lawrie and Shannon Swift
US II -- Meg Reynolds and Renee Dupre
Honors -- Julie Sullivan

US I: this week we will have our first major exam on Tuesday. Your study/review should focus on the reasons why colonists came to North America, what was their early life like, and what factors shaped their early societies.
After the exam, we will begin looking at the coming American War for Independence. Two key questions to be pondered: (1) What was salutary neglect and why did it end? (2) Why is 1763 a turning point in the relationship between the colonies and England?

Make sure you have pages 61-77 completed by Thursday, Oct. 8.

US II: first, we will be focusing on several "isms" in the week ahead and through next week. Populism. Capitalism. Social Darwinism. Additionally, we will be examining the rise of industry and the resultant rise of labor movements. Key question to consider: were the leaders of the industrial world "Captains of Industry" or "Robber Barons"?

Honors: similar topics for US II sections, but also address the following question: When are monopolies good? - or are they always a negative force? Please comment here.

Make sure you have completed the Chapter 17 assignment by Oct. 8