American Revolution

Why did the British Lose the American Revolutionary War??

amendments

Choose one of the 27 United States Constitutional Amendments and explain why it is significant to you.  Have this done by 9/26/2014

Your Malala Moment

Malala had a moment in her life that changed her life and it is one that she could never forget.  A watershed moment of awareness that shapes ones thinking could be witnessing an event, learning a once secret fact, a funeral, discovering a talent, falling in love, or realizing that we as humans are frail mortal beings: life is precious. What is one of the moments in your life that can not be erased from your memory; a moment that  revealed to you a significant truth about yourself.

This assignment is to be written on my WFG blog for all of us to read on by class on Friday for 
A   B   D   and  E period classes.   It is to be on the blog by Saturday for F period class. One great paragraph will be enough, but write more if you desire.  Be ready to speak about your moment in class.

Remember this blog can be read by anyone in the world.  You are writing for an audience that is much bigger than your teacher.

world's faster female ice hockey player

At the senior dinner at Berkshire School this May the quest speaker was Olympic Silver Medalist Kendall Coyne.  I was lucky enough to teach her during her senior year at Berkshire, and then as you can see I was honored to have my picture taken with her.  She and her accomplishments are awesome.

Topics Question due May 9, 2014

   Read the question asked and post your answer by clicking onto the comment section.   Goggle Chrome or Internet Explorer work much better to write on this blog.  It is a goggle blog so the goggle platform will be the easiest for you.

Question:       The first amendment to the US Constitution protects the freedom of religion as well as the freedoms of expression.  Please read this amendment carefully, along with Article IV Section I of the main body of the Constitution, ( full faith and credit clause).  What is your opinion on the constitutionality of same sex marrigage?
________________________________________________

Article IV

Section 1

Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State.  And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.

Article [I]¹³

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

time

Finishing my 35th year as a teacher at Berkshire School feels quite different than other years.  As I get older my energy seems to be draining faster, and I find myself wishing I could spend time with my wonderful wife.  I love the kids who are as inspirational as ever, but I am longing to live a less stressful existance.

Should the US have joined the League?

Should the United States of American have joined the League of Nations in 1919?  

President W. Wilson

Senator H. C. Lodge

Sports and Politics Homework

Homework---Write a one paragraph account of a moment in your personal sports history that is special to you.

Put this on the WFG blog at  http://briananddansdad.blogspot.com/
by Tuesday for all of us to read in class.

Behind the Badge Homework

Your homework is to check out one of these organizations in your community and tell us something about the organization.  Write one or two paragraphs explaining the P.D.  or  the F.D. or the E.M.S. in your town.  Submit these paragraphs on the WFG blog at this location by Wednesday for us to read them in class.

Medical Services

Firefighting Services

Law Enforecment

kids

It has occurred to me that the students at Berkshire School where I am a history teacher are the reason I have stayed teaching for 35 years. What great feeling when a student says hello and you can see the genuine happiness in their eyes.  This experience just happened for me as a Post Grad Senior girl saw me in passing and greeted me with friendship.  One of us is 60 and the other 18, yet her expression of friendship was perfect.  Small gestures are not small gestures they are great inspirations to continue on.  Thanks Aly Hall, you made my day.

another example of a former student making it all worth it.

Trivia Night Bonus Question

Tell the crew in Trivia Night Headquarters where the photographer was standing when the picture was snapped--not what the picture is of -- where the person taking it was standing.

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

#8

Paper topic ideas

Write two or three sentences that describe your term paper topic and submit it on the WFG blog for our consideration. Be prepared to support your idea in class.
 Topics Must be from 1865 to 2014 and be related to the History of the USA

Reconstruction Plans

Which plan for reconstruction do you feel was superior:  Lincoln's 10% plan or The Wade Davis Bill?

Make sure to give your reasons.

This is due on Thursday, January 9th  2014

President Abe Lincoln

Senator Ben Wade (OH) & Representative Henry Davis (MD) 

map for exam review

Know these Locations for the Fall Exam

1 .St. Lawrence River                                             21. Gettysburg 

                              

2. Mississippi River                                                 22. Proclamation Line of 1763

3. Jamestown                                                           23. Vicksburg

4. New Orleans                                                        24. Ohio River

5. Florida                                                                 25. Hudson River

6. New York City                                                     26. Trail of Tears Destination

7. Boston                                                                  27. “Bleeding” State

8. Ohio                                                                     28. Atlanta

9. Baltimore                                                              29. Washington State

10. Plymouth                                                            30. Andrew Jackson’s Home State

11. Hartford                                                             31.  Mason Dixon Line

12. Pittsburgh                                                          32. Thirty-six thirty line

13. Sheffield Ma.                                                     33. Locke’s Model tried here

14. The Alamo                                                         34. Great Salt Lake

15. The Missouri Compromise Line                        35. Savannah

16. Saratoga                                                            36. Chicago

17. Sacramento                                                       37. Great American Desert                                              

18. Lake Champlain                                                38. Gadsden Purchase

19. Lake Erie                                                           39. Maine

20. Rio Grande River                                              40. St. Louis

Expanding southwest

Do either one of the following questions on this blog.
E and H periods your entry is due Friday Nov. 15th
F period your entry is due Saturday Nov. 16th.

1. Compare the attitude of James Polk to that of Abraham Lincoln in regards to war with Mexico in 1846?  Which of these American leaders reflected the feelings of most United States citizens at the time?

2. Why do Americans "Remember the Alamo" and forget Goliad in reference to the Texas war for
independence??

Social Security

 Should the United States Government use tax revenues to support socially, both legal residents and citizens of the country? Prior to 1933 this was not done, but the "New Deal" of F.D.R.'s administration commenced with programs to offer funding and programs to help those in need. Was this activity constitutional??

Entry due Tuesday November 12th

I copied the below from the Oyez, Oyez web page:

SEARCH: 

STEWARD MACHINE COMPANY v. DAVIS

Print this Page

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Case Basics

Docket No. 

837

Petitioner 

Steward Machine Company

Respondent 

Davis

Decided By 

Hughes Court (1932-1937)

Opinion 

301 U.S. 548 (1937)

Argued 

Thursday, April 8, 1937

Decided 

Monday, May 24, 1937

Term: 

• 1901-1939
  • 1936

Location: Steward Machine Co.

Facts of the Case 

The Steward Machine Company challenged the validity of a tax imposed by the Social Security Act. The Act established a federal payroll tax on employers; however, if employers paid taxes to a state unemployment compensation fund (created by the states subject to federal standards), they were allowed to credit those payments toward the federal tax.

Question 

Did the Act arbitrarily impose taxes in violation of the Fifth Amendment or subvert principles of federalism?

Conclusion 

In a 5-to-4 decision, the Court held that the tax under the Social Security Act was a constitutional exercise of congressional power. The Court found that the tax was uniform throughout the states and did not coerce the states in contravention of the Tenth Amendment. The Court took note of recent unemployment statistics from the years 1929 to 1936, maintaining that "[i]t is too late today for the argument to be heard with tolerance that in a crisis so extreme the use of the moneys of the nation to relieve the unemployed and their dependents is a use for any purpose narrower than the promotion of the general welfare. . .The nation responded to the call of the distressed."

Jackson and $$$$$$$$$

This is to be posted before class on November 5th.

"What role did Jackson's financial policies play in the economic boom and financial panic of 1837?"

This is to be posted before class on November 5th.

Con Law Dred Scott Assignment

                                                Scott

                                                                            Taney

Slaves in America

             The American Civil War

Dred Scott was the Plaintiff in a 1857 case that has been called, "the self inflicted wound" on the US Supreme Court. Is this an accurate description of the legacy of the Taney Court???  In the best one or two paragraphs ever written give us your opinion on this statement. This is due October 31--Trick or Treat?