Thursday, November 20th

Advanced American Studies
(photo on left courtesy of Time.com)

1. 1970's Quiz
2. Upon completion of the quiz, we examined the election of 1980 (Carter v. Reagan). To do so, we viewed a few political commercials from the election. In doing so, we both discussed the issues in the 1980 election and compared those ads to ads from the 2008 election.

Assignment: Read Reagan's Inaugural Address and complete election handout.

Wednesday, November 19th

Advanced American Studies
(Iranian Hostage Crisis photo on left courtesy npr.org)
Our study of the 1970's continues today with discussions about some of the foreign policy difficulties of the late 1970's and some of the links with today. Specifically, we focused on:

Oil Embargo
Camp David Accords
Iranian Hostage Crisis
Soviet invasion of Afghanistan

Assignment: Read pgs 740-744 (A Conservative Resurgence). 70's Quiz on Thursday!

American Studies

Assignment: Complete Demon Rum assignment for Thursday

Tuesday, November 18h

Advanced American Studies

(image on right courtesy of www.theinsider.com)

It's the 1970's! Although I left my leisure suit at home, today we are examining some of the economic difficulties of the 1970's. Our collective discussion centered on the odd combination of high unemployment and high inflation (stagflation). Our discussion also focused on connections to the economic difficulties of today.

Assignment: Read 727-733 (Foreign policy difficulties of the 1970's)


American Studies

After taking some notes on the key political leaders and philosophies of the 1920's, we moved to the topic of prohibition.

Assignment: Complete the reading and questions entitled The War against Demon Rum.

Monday, November 17th

Advanced American Studies

NHD Work Day - should be refining topics and beginning to acquire some research materials.

Assignment: NHD Contracts due Friday! Read pgs. 719-725 (Ch. 22.2) Ford and Carter Years


American Studies

After finishing the Scopes trial video, class time was used to work on Ch. 11.2 questions (politics of the 1920's)

Assignment: Finish 11.2 questions (handout)

Friday, November 14th

Advanced American Studies

We used class time today to begin some research for National History Day. Preliminary topics are due at the end of class.


American Studies

1. Twenties Quiz #1
2. 10 Days that Changed America--The Scopes Trial. Accompanying video guide with this show will be due Monday.

Thursday, November 13th

Advanced American Studies

Class today largely focused on lecture notes on the Watergate Scandal. Pay close attention to the sequence of events between 1972-74, what Nixon did that prompted a resignation, and why Watergate was so dangerous.

Assignment: NHD topic ideas due Friday

Photo on right courtesy of Wisconsin Historical Society


American Studies

Today we took notes on the economic breakthroughs of the 1920's and some of the social backlash that accompanied it. If you missed class, get the notes from a friend or a copy of the power point from Mr. Brice.

Assignment: Ch.11.2 Politics of the 1920's handout. Quiz Friday!

Wednesday, November 12th

Advanced American Studies

Americanism and Government test -- scholarship contest from the American Legion. If anyone missed the test and wants to take it, make arrangements to do so in study hall or before/after school before Friday.

Assignment: Read pgs. 710-717 in textbook and complete notes on the Watergate Scandal.


American Studies

Americanism and Government test -- scholarship contest from the American Legion. If anyone missed the test and wants to take it, make arrangements to do so in study hall or before/after school before Friday.

Assignment: Complete Ch. 11.3 "Differing Viewpoints" handout.

Tuesday, November 11th

Happy Veterans Day! Please take a moment today to reflect on the sacrifice of veterans and their families throughout American history.

Advanced American Studies

Speed Dating interviews were held in class today. If you were absent, you must stop in before or after school to be interviewed by me to make up the missing points.


American Studies

Our focus today was the "roaring" economy of the 1920's. In class, we examined the use of new mass mediums to spread advertising in the 1920's, as well as some common advertising tactics that have their origins in the 1920's. All work was completed in class.

Speed Dating Questions!

Advanced American Studies

(photo on right: RFK and JFK, courtesy of jfklibrary.org)

Tuesday is the deadline for your biographical essay and the date of the speed dating activity featuring leaders from the sixties and seventies. Here is your list of possible speed dating questions to help you prep for Tuesday:

1. What achievement in your life are you most proud of?
2. Identify one decision or experience from your life that you truly regret?
3. If you could meet anyone from history, who would it be and why?
4. Growing up, what was your biggest goal in life?
5. What struggles in your life have you lived through or overcame?
6. If you could compare yourself to anyone, who would it be and why?
7. If you could say one motivational phrase to the world, what would you say?
8. Who/what influenced you to become the person you are?
9. What are your hobbies?
10. What was the turning point in your life?
11. What motivates you?
12. Tell me about your family life? What influence have they had?
13. What are two important beliefs you have that you will never compromise on?
14. What change would you like to see in society that would make the world a better place?
15. How did your upbringing affect who you have become?

The point of this is to not merely run through these questions in your interview but rather to have a dialogue and discussion between two people. Use these questions to prepare as examples of the types of things that will be discussed.

Assignment reminders: Essay due Tuesday. Be thinking about NHD topics. I would advise coming up with a list of possible interest areas and then do a little preliminary research. I want some idea of topics by next Friday (11/14).


American Studies

Today we discussed the blue US News handout to introduce some of the unique elements of the 1920's.

Assignment: Complete Ch 11.1 questions (handout)

Thursday, November 6th

American Studies

Today we are beginning our next unit, The Roaring Twenties. The decade of the twenties was a phenomenal time of broken boundaries and modernization in a number of areas for the United States, but also witnessed significant examples of intolerance and backlash against modernization.

To begin, we took a look at a short reading and fill in the blank worksheet to introduce you to some of the key people and unique developments of this exciting period of history.

Assignment: Finish US news handout

Wednesday, November 5th

Advanced American Studies

Work continued on biographical essays / interview prep for 60's and 70's leaders. Questions were submitted today that will be posted to prep for Tuesday's interviews. Also, review the handout distributed in class for essay organizational requirements and MLA formatting info.

Tuesday, November 4th

Advanced American Studies

Today we began some biographical research on activists from the 60's and 70's.  As you begin your research, keep in mind that you must build a historical argument about the individual you research.  A biography does not necessarily mean a listing of facts about that individual.  Rather, you should build a thesis about that person's impact on history and support that thesis with rich details to demonstrate the impact your historical figure had.

Upcoming reminders:  

Submission of Speed dating question -- Wednesday 11/5.

Speed dating activity and submission of biographical essays -- Tues. 11/11.

American Studies

World War I Exam.  If you are absent for this test, you have 3 days to make up the exam.

Monday, November 3rd

Advanced American Studies

This week we will be introducing a number of different activities, including your upcoming work for National History Day.

Today, we began the 1960's - 70's Speed Dating project. We will begin research on a specific person you will play the role of on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.

Interview Question: Due Wednesday.
Two page biography: Due Tuesday (11/11)
Speed Dating: Tuesday (11/11)


American Studies

Prepare for WWI exam. Gold study guides are due for extra credit at the time of the test. Exam begins Tuesday, November 4th.