Tuesday, September 28th

Advanced American History

In Class Essay.  Completed essays are due at the end of class today!

American Studies

Review for Civil War Exam -- be sure to understand concepts related to the causes of the war, the course of the war itself, and the period of Reconstruction and the legacy of the Civil War.  Complete the study guide for extra credit points added to your test score.

Monday, September 27th

Advanced American History

Final preparations for the Civil War essay and test take place today.  In class essays are being distributed, as well as test study guides.

To best prepare for the DBQ essay, be sure to review the documents in the packet and craft a thesis statement in support of or refuting the statement "Despite its original purpose as an instrument of national unity, by the 1850's the Constitution was failing to hold the nation together." 

American Studies

After the surrender at Appomattox and the assassination of Lincoln, tremendous challenges face the fractured nation.  How will 4 million former slaves be assimilated into American society?  How does the nation move forward?  Should the south be punished?  What will their economy look like?

The period of Reconstruction sought to answer these and other questions.  Some were answered, while we, yet today, are still feeling the legacy of this era.

Assignment:  Answer questions based on a review of the PBS Reconstruction website (click link below).

American Experience:  Reconstruction--The Second Civil War

Friday, September 24th

Advanced American History

After a presentation by Student Services, we took Civil War Quiz #3.  If absent, please make arrangements to make this quiz up within the next three class days.

American Studies

After a presentation by Student Services, the remainder of the class was dedicated to learning the basics of the period of Reconstruction, 1865-76.  Please complete handout based on text 87-91 for Monday.

Assignment:  87-91 worksheet

Thursday, September 23rd

Advanced American History

After the surrender at Appomattox and the assassination of Lincoln, tremendous challenges face the fractured nation.  How will 4 million former slaves be assimilated into American society?  How does the nation move forward?  Should the south be punished?  What will their economy look like? 

The period of Reconstruction sought to answer these and other questions.  Some were answered, while we, yet today, are still feeling the legacy of this era.

Assignment:  Answer questions based on a review of the PBS Reconstruction website (click link below).

American Experience:  Reconstruction--The Second Civil War

American History

1.  Quiz #1
2.  Overview of the war from Vicksburg to the end in April of 1865. 
3.  The assassination of Abraham Lincoln

Wednesday, September 22nd

image of Grant (left) and Lee (right) at Appomattox courtesy army.mil

Advanced American History

After beginning class with a reading of the Gettysburg Address, we finished our discussion of the Civil War with an analysis of the war after Gettysburg and Vicksburg.  Lee and Grant are engaged in a brutal war of attrition in northern Virginia, while Sherman's March to the Sea marks a shift to the strategy of "total war."  Finally we examined the tone and events surrounding the surrender at Appomattox, as well as the assassination of Abraham Lincoln one week later.

Assignment:  Read text 87-91.  Quiz Friday

American Studies

Our discussion of the battle of Gettysburg continues today.  While breaking down the events of this high water mark in the Civil War, special attention was given to the second and third days of the battle.  After confederate flanking maneuvers on July 2nd on Little Round Top and Culp's Hill, the battle culminates with Pickett's Charge, the failed confederate advance at the center of Union lines on cemetery ridge.  We viewed scenes from the film Gettysburg related to this failed tactic.

Tuesday, September 21st

Advanced American History

Our discussion of the battle of Gettysburg continues today.  While breaking down the events of this high water mark in the Civil War, special attention was given to the second and third days of the battle.  After confederate flanking maneuvers on July 2nd on Little Round Top and Culp's Hill, the battle culminates with Pickett's Charge, the failed confederate advance at the center of Union lines on cemetery ridge.  We viewed scenes from the film Gettysburg related to this failed tactic.

Reminder:  Quiz #3 Friday

American Studies

Class presentations continued today with a look at some of the key events from Anteitam to Gettysburg.

Monday, September 20th

Advanced American History

1863 was the turning point in the Civil War.  After stunning Union failures at Frederickburg and Chancellorsville, the tide of the war turns in Gettysburg in the east and Vicksburg in the west, and both on the 4th of July.  These events were studied and presented today.

American Studies

1861-62 Presentations.  Ask Mr. Brice for notes if you were absent.

Assignment:  Complete Weapons/Health worksheet for class tomorrow.

Friday, September 17th

Advanced American History

Our presentations on the general course of the Civil War continue today as we finish some of the key events of 1861-62.  We will culminate with Antietam, a strategic Union victory that led to the Emancipation Proclamation and the failure of Britain to recognize the Confederacy.  While not a resounding military victory for the north, Antietam still had a substantial cost.  Today, September 17th is the 148th anniversary of this battle that yet today remains the bloodiest day in American military history.

We also finished class by taking Civil War Quiz #2.  Be sure to make this up within 3 days if absent.

Antietam battlefield image courtesy civilwaracademy.org

American Studies

Project work continues today.  Have presentations ready to go for class on Monday.

Thursday, September 16th

Advanced American History

Discussion and presentations on the course of the war begins today.  Keep in mind the following elements as context for the battles that begin in June of 1861.

• Northern Strategy:  3 pronged attack and the Anaconda Plan
• Leadership strengths:  Northern civilian leadership vs. the effectiveness of Southern military leadership

Finally, we analyzed the first third of the war marked by many key victories for the Confederacy.  Starting with the first Battle of Bull Run, we also examined events like Shiloh, the Clash of the Ironclads, the Peninsular Campaign, Second Bull Run, and Antietam.  

Reminder:  Quiz #2 on Friday

American Studies

Today's class was dedicated to research and work on battle projects.  Presentations are due Monday.

Wednesday, September 15th

Advanced American History

Class time today was devoted to preparation for turning point presentations.  Presentations will begin on Thursday.

American Studies

1.  Quiz #1
2.  Comparison of the North and South at the beginning of the war.

**If absent, be sure to make up the quiz within 3 class days.  See me if you would like to review in ELT.

Tuesday, September 14th

Advanced American History

After the attack on Fort Sumter, many northerners unified around the cause of saving the Union.  Northern enthusiasm was buoyed by expectations for a short war.  Many thought the conflict would only last 3 months.  It would last almost 4 years.  Many were well aware that the north had 70% of the people, 96% of industrial production, and was more varied agriculturally.  However, the difficulty of occupying southern states proved more difficult than expected.

We also introduced the Civil War Turning Points project.  These short presentations will begin Thursday, and will focus on one key battle of the Civil War.

American Studies

The following topics were discussed in class today:

• The hanging of John Brown
• The election of 1860
• Southern Secession
• Fort Sumter

Reminder:  Civil War Quiz #1 on Wednesday!

Monday, September 13th

 Map of the election of 1860 courtesy knoledgerush.com

Advanced American Studies

After taking care of some housekeeping items like returning paperwork and reviewing the quizzes from last Friday, we concluded our discussion of the causes of the Civil War.  Specifically, we examined the election of Lincoln, the resulting secession of southern states, and the war that begins with the firing on Fort Sumter.  If absent, review pages 72-79 in your textbook.

Assignment:  Complete Sumner reading by Tuesday

American Studies

After reviewing the 1850's culminating with John Brown's attack on Harper's Ferry, we analyzed the major players and results of the election of 1860.  Review pages 72-79 in your textbook.

Assignment:  Complete Political Cartoon or illustrated timeline for Tuesday.

 

Fervent Abolitionist John Brown, executed for his assault on Harper's Ferry in 1859

Photo courtesy umd.edu

Advanced American History

After a brief review, students took the first Civil War quiz.  If absent, this quiz must be made up within the next three days.

Assignment:  Assault in the Senate Reading--Due Tuesday

American History

Today, we continued our look at the 1850's and the path to Civil War.  If absent, be sure to ask for a review of questions on the green sheet associated with Ch. 3 Section 1. 

Thursday, September 9th

 "The Little Giant" -- Illinois Senator and architect of the Kansas - Nebraska Act Stephen Douglas

 Photo courtesy politico.com

Advanced American History

Our discussion of sectionalism and tensions between North and South continues today with a discussion of some of the key events and individuals that lead to Civil War in the 1950's.  You should understand the following:

• How and why the Compromise of 1850 produces unintended consequences that lead to conflict.
• How the Kansas-Nebraska Act produces tensions, leads to the formation of the Republican party, etc.
• The impact of things like the Dred Scott Case, Uncle Tom's Cabin, etc.

Reminder:  Quiz #1 -- Tomorrow!

American Studies

After checking your homework for today, we reviewed the concept of Sectionalism, the Abolitionist Movement, and problems of the early 1800's between North and South.  We also began work on questions from Chapter 3, Section 1 (p. 66) that summarize some of the key events leading to war in the 1860's

Wednesday, September 8th

Advanced American History

The Civil War did not happen in a vacuum, there were dozens of causes and decades worth of division between northern and southern regions in the United States. Today, we explored this idea of sectionalism, the development of slavery as an institution in the south, the triangle of trade and the growing diversity and economic power of the north. All of these factors drove a wedge between north and south that would inevitably lead to the outbreak of war.

Assignment: Read Chapter 3 Section 1. Answer questions on green handout.
Reminder: Quiz #1 Friday

American Studies

The Civil War did not happen in a vacuum, there were dozens of causes and decades worth of division between northern and southern regions in the United States. Today, we explored this idea of sectionalism, the development of slavery as an institution in the south, the triangle of trade and the growing diversity and economic power of the north. All of these factors drove a wedge between north and south that would inevitably lead to the outbreak of war.

Assignment: Read pages 44-48. Answer Questions 2, 4 & 5.

Tuesday, September 7th

Advanced American History

Today we begin our first unit, a discussion of the American Civil War.  As we begin the examination of some of the root causes of the Civil War, consider these statistics:

• 3 million served
• 620,000 were killed (2% of the population)
• it is the bloodiest conflict anywhere in the world in the 19th century
• it is the bloodiest conflict in American history
• 4 of 10 who served were killed or wounded
• One soldier killed for every 6 slaves freed

Between 1861 and 1865, in the words of David McCullough, "Americans made war on each other and killed each other in great numbers, if only to become the kind of country that can no longer conceive how that was possible"

If absent or for review, please view the introductory piece by Ken Burns found above.

Assignment:  Read text pages 44-48 

American Studies

To finish our introduction to the study of American history, we discussed our oral history results about high school students of a generation or two ago.  After completing this, we introduced the first unit of study for the school year, The Civil War.  If absent or for review, please view the introductory piece by Ken Burns found above.

Monday, September 7th

Advanced American History

Today we begin our first unit, a discussion of the American Civil War.  As we begin the examination of some of the root causes of the Civil War, consider these statistics:

• 3 million served
• 620,000 were killed (2% of the population)
• it is the bloodiest conflict anywhere in the world in the 19th century
• it is the bloodiest conflict in American history
• 4 of 10 who served were killed or wounded
• One soldier killed for every 6 slaves freed

Between 1861 and 1865, in the words of David McCullough, "Americans made war on each other and killed each other in great numbers, if only to become the kind of country that can no longer conceive how that was possible"

If absent or for review, please view the introductory piece by Ken Burns found above.

Assignment:  Read text pages 44-48 

American Studies

To finish our introduction to the study of American history, we discussed our oral history results about high school students of a generation or two ago.  After completing this, we introduced the first unit of study for the school year, The Civil War.  If absent or for review, please view the introductory piece by Ken Burns found above.

Advanced American History

Both American history and American literature classes are in the auditorium for a two period block.  Here students will be introduced to the nature of the interdisciplinary course with an overview slideshow of the two courses and other activities including quizzes, group trivia and music in history. (note:  Mrs. Koehler and myself have been known to entertain in this intro experience, but you won't see anything like the video above).

Assignment:  Be sure to cover your textbook by Tuesday

American History

Our study of American history continues with an analysis of the nature of historical study.  What does it mean to think "historically?"  Why would you want to?  Through a few informal class activities, we will come to understand how studying our collective past allows us to better understand our present and plan for our future.

Assignment:  Complete oral history interview questions for Tuesday.

Thursday, September 2nd

 

 

Advanced American History

As a precursor to our study of American history, we set out to try to define America and Americans, examined the responsibilities of citizenship, etc.  Questions on John Steinbeck's essay were collected.

Assignment:  Cover Textbook by Tuesday

American History

As part of a discussion of American citizenship, we took a sample citizenship test and examined a few statistics on American knowledge of civics and history.

Assignment:  Cover Textbook by Thursday