Thursday, February 25th

Advanced American History

NHD Work -- Projects due March 3rd!

American Studies

US Holocaust Memorial Museum Webquest--complete questions on pink handout while viewing the US Holocaust Memorial Museum Webpage

Wednesday, February 24th

Advanced American History

WWII Exam

American Studies

Our discussion of the Holocaust continued today with a jigsaw activity to answer the questions on the gold outline handout.  The focus is on the "process" of the Holocaust, attempting to answer how the systematic murder of 11 million can take place.  Key elements related to the following process were discussed:

Discrimination -- Segregation -- Ghettoization -- Deportation -- Camp System

Tuesday, February 23rd

Advanced American History

To conclude our study of WWII, we conducted a class discussion on the firebombing and atomic bombing of Japan at the conclusion of the war.  The basis for discussion was rooted in a few minutes of commentary from the documentary Fog of War.  The clip viewed in class is below:

Monday, February 22nd

Advanced American History

After culminating our viewing of Flags of our Fathers, we began our final assignment in our analysis of WWII.  Please complete questions and reading of text pages 498-503.

Reminder:  WWII exam Wednesday!

American Studies

Before moving on to our next unit of study, today we are examining the story of the Navajo Codetalkers during WWII.  For further information check out the Navajo Codetalkers Association Website.

 

photo courtesy navajocodetalkers.org

Thursday - Friday February 18th -19th

American History

Thursday -- Exam Review!  Be sure to complete both your study guide and the questions from Ch. 15.5 Effects of WWII  in preparation for your WWII Exam.

Friday - WWII Exam. 

Wednesday, February 17th

Advanced American History

1.  Quiz #3 -- focuses on turning points discussed in the European and Pacific theaters of action during WWII.
2.  Film -- Flags of our Fathers.  The film, based on the best selling book by James Bradley, it is the story of the invasion of Iwo Jima and that of the flag raisers on Mount Suribachi.

 

Joe Rosenthal's iconic flag raising image courtesy marines.mil

American Studies

1.  Quiz #2 -- focuses on turning points discussed in the European and Pacific theaters of action during WWII.
2.  Video/discussion -- Civilians at War.  During the Second World War, all the major players, including the United States, intentionally killed civilians.  After a short video clip, we will discuss some of the following topics regarding the killing of civilians in WWII:

• The Holocaust
• The Rape of Nanjing
• Firebombing of German and Japanese Cities
• Atomic Bombs over Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Assignment:  Complete handout from class discussion and Part II for use with Chapter 15.5 in textbook.

Reminder:  WWII Exam -- Friday!

Tuesday, February 16th

Advanced American History

Today we conclude the mini-presentations on turning points during WWII.  In the European theater, we examned the Battle of the Bulge and VE Day.  In the Pacific, we discussed the following engagements:

Battle of Coral Sea
Midway
Guadalcanal
Philippines
Iwo Jima
Okinawa

Assignment:  Read text pages 482-491.  Quiz Wednesday.

 

photo from the battle of Midway courtesy navy.mil

American Studies

Our focus today shifts from the war in Europe to the war in the Pacific during WWII.  Be able to discuss the significance of such events as the Doolittle raid, the Battle of Midway, Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. 

Assignment:  Read text pages 482-491.  Place terms and chart on 482 in notes for tomorrow.  Quiz Wednesday.

Monday, February 15th

Advanced American History

Student presentations and discussion of the war in Europe began today.

Reminder:  Quiz Wednesday


American Studies

Our discussion of the war in Europe occurred today with a discussion of the following turning points:

• Stalingrad
• North Africa
• Italy
• D-Day
• Battle of the Bulge
• VE Day

Reminder:  Quiz Wednesday.  WWII Exam Friday!

Friday, February 12th

Advanced American History

Reminder:  Complete WWII battle presentation for Monday!

American Studies

Class today focused on information from Chapter 15.1 of your text.  In essence, we discussed how the allies begin to turn the tide of war in 1942-43.  Locate some of the key events we discussed on the map distributed in class.

Assignment:  Complete 15.1 questions and map

Thursday, February 11th

Advanced American History

Today our focus move to the fighting in Europe and the Pacific during WWII. For the next two days, you will be charged with putting together a short presentation on a specific turning point in either the European or Pacific theater during WWII. Presentations will begin on Monday.

American Studies

Today we culminate our viewing of Flags of our Fathers.  For more information on the individuals in the book/film, check out the following links:

John Bradley
Ira Hayes
Rene Gagnon
Ralph Ignatowski
James Bradley

Other Links:
Bradley Funeral Home -- Antigo WI
Iwo Jima

Wednesday, February 10th

Advanced American History

Today's class discussion focused on the Homefront during WWII.  Through examining a number of examples, you should be able to recognize how the government sought to mobilize soldiers, industry and public opinion, as well as the war's impact on civil liberties.  Moreover, you should recognize how the war both created a near unanimity of purpose amongst all Americans at the time, but you should also recognize that not all people were included in this unifying spirit.

Assignment:  Complete green handout based on text 473-78.

Der Fuehrer's Face courtesy Walt Disney

Tuesday, February 9th

Advanced American History

1.  Quiz #1
2.  Our study of Pearl Harbor continues with an analysis of interpretations of historical events on that day.  Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, a number of individuals and interest groups asked the question "who was at fault."  Dozens of studies and books have been conducted and written on the subject.  Today, your task is to identify some of the conclusions of these studies and analyze how and why similar events can lead to different historical conclusions.

Assignment:  Finish Analysis handout

American Studies

Reminder:  Complete scrapbooks for Wednesday.

In class today we began the film Flags of our Fathers.  Based on the best selling book by James Bradley, it is the story of the invasion of Iwo Jima and that of the flag raisers on Mount Suribachi.

 

Joe Rosenthal's iconic flag raising image courtesy marines.mil

Monday, February 8th

Advanced American History

Our discussion of the Second World War continues today with an analysis of Pearl Harbor.  Despite aims at neutrality, the tragedy of 2500 dead, 150 warplanes, 8 battleships, 3 cruisers and 3 destroyers destroyed plunged the United States into WWII.  Special attention was given in class discussion to the fact that a number of warning signs on the morning of December 7th were missed that resulted in tragedy.

Reminder:  WWII Quiz #2 Tuesday


American Studies

WWII Scrapbook due Wednesday!

Wednesday, February 3rd

Advanced American History

Our study of WWII resumes with a discussion of the rise of Hitler and the steps to war in Europe in 1936-40.  Special attention will be paid to how Hitler was able to secure complete dictatorial control in Germany and how his aims of "lebensraum" came to be realized in the late 1930's.


American Studies

Today we began the scrapbook project.  By tomorrow, you should have a selected persona approved by Mr. Brice and have begun research finding relevant primary sources.

To access newspaper clippings from the WWII era, access www.badgerlink.net and click on AccessNewspaperArchive.


Assignment:  Have persona worksheet completed for Thursday as well as the note chart on page 473 in your text.

Tuesday, February 2

American Studies

Today's focus is on the homefront during WWII.  We examined propaganda posters, discussed the impact of WWII on Wisconsin, and focused on issues like Japanese internment camps.

 

launching of USS Peto in Manitowoc courtesy of wisconsinhistory.org

 

Assignment:  Read 473-78 (complete chart on the bottom of 473)

Monday, February 1st

Advanced American History

NHD meetings continue today and tomorrow.  Be sure to have completed thesis statements, outlines, and bibliographies.


American Studies

 

Pearl Harbor image courtesy archives.gov

After viewing a short videoclip on the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, we discussed the context for this "day of infamy."  To review, be able to discuss what actions the Japanese took in the 1930's that led to war and what specific causes resulted in Pearl Harbor's attack.

Finally, to better understand the events of that day, check out this link:

National Geographic Pearl Harbor Page