Advanced American History / American Studies
Civil War Quiz #3 -- be sure to complete within 3 days if absent.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Thursday, September 27th
American Studies
As we complete discussion of the turning points of the Civil War (Gettysburg and Vicksburg), be sure to complete the assignment listed below in preparation for tomorrow's quiz:
Assignment: Read p. 80-86. Define terms and answer questions 4 and 5 on page 86.
As we complete discussion of the turning points of the Civil War (Gettysburg and Vicksburg), be sure to complete the assignment listed below in preparation for tomorrow's quiz:
Assignment: Read p. 80-86. Define terms and answer questions 4 and 5 on page 86.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Wednesday, September 26th
Advanced American Studies
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.
Assignment: Read text pages 80-86 in preparation for the quiz on Friday.
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.
Assignment: Read text pages 80-86 in preparation for the quiz on Friday.
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| entrance to Camp Randall in Madison, Wis. courtesy wisc.edu |
Monday, September 24, 2012
Thursday Sept 19th - Tuesday Sept 25th
Advanced American History/ American Studies
During class between Thursday 9/20 and Tuesday 9/25, we will be viewing the film Glory, an account of the 54th Mass. regiment, the first regiment of color in American history. Colonel Robert G. Shaw volunteers to lead the first company of black soldiers in the Federal Army during the American Civil War. Dealing with the prejudices of both his officers and his enemy, Colonel Shaw strives to lead his men to victory and recounts his tale along the way.
Monday will also be dedicated to a presentation by the Student Services department related to preparation for the transition from school to work/tech school/college that needs to be accomplished your junior year. This is done in preparation for the trip to the Wisconsin Education Fair this Thursday.
During class between Thursday 9/20 and Tuesday 9/25, we will be viewing the film Glory, an account of the 54th Mass. regiment, the first regiment of color in American history. Colonel Robert G. Shaw volunteers to lead the first company of black soldiers in the Federal Army during the American Civil War. Dealing with the prejudices of both his officers and his enemy, Colonel Shaw strives to lead his men to victory and recounts his tale along the way.
Monday will also be dedicated to a presentation by the Student Services department related to preparation for the transition from school to work/tech school/college that needs to be accomplished your junior year. This is done in preparation for the trip to the Wisconsin Education Fair this Thursday.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Wednesday, September 19th
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:
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.
American Studies
After briefly completing some in class map and graph work related to the secession of southern states, we discussed the relative strengths and weaknesses of both the Union and Confederacy. Despite having overwhelming advantages in terms of population, industrial capability, and agricultural output, the first two years of the war prove to be quite difficult for the north.
Finally, as a pretext for the sacrifice of many as the war begins, we examined the following famous letter from Major Sullivan Ballou written to his wife Sarah on the eve of the First Battle of Bull Run.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Tuesday, September 18th
Advanced American History
Today, 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.
Today, 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.
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| image courtesy loc.gov |
American History
Class time today was dedicated to researching your turning point / key battle during the Civil War. Be sure to have all necessary information for class discussion on Thursday.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Monday, September 17th
Advanced American History
Work in the lab was conducted to day with the aim of developing presentations to complete the assignment shown below. Presentations will begin on Wednesday of this week.
American History
Class discussion today was on the election of 1860, the philosophies of Abraham Lincoln, and the secession of southern states after Lincoln's election. If absent, be sure to review pages 72-79 in your text.
Work in the lab was conducted to day with the aim of developing presentations to complete the assignment shown below. Presentations will begin on Wednesday of this week.
American History
Class discussion today was on the election of 1860, the philosophies of Abraham Lincoln, and the secession of southern states after Lincoln's election. If absent, be sure to review pages 72-79 in your text.
Friday, September 14th
Advanced American History
Quiz #1 (causes of the Civil War). If absent, be sure to make up this quiz within THREE days!
American Studies
Prior to taking Quiz #2, we viewed two segments from The Civil War by Ken Burns to review topics discussed in the past few days. Descriptions of the segments are listed below:
1.5 Chapter 5 - A House Divided :23:36 - :27:45
Events leading up to secession: Uncle Tom's Cabin published in 1850; Supreme Court's Dred Scott Decision; political conflict over entry of new states in the Union. In 1858 Lincoln writes, "a house divided against itself cannot stand."
1.6 Chapter 6 - The Meteor :27:46 - :32:43
John Brown raids the arsenal at Harper's Ferry in 1859, and is captured by Colonel Robert E. Lee. The Southern militia now becomes a viable instrument; it is the beginning of the Confederate army.
Quiz #1 (causes of the Civil War). If absent, be sure to make up this quiz within THREE days!
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| Democratic Senator from Illinois Stephen Douglas (courtesy wikipedia.org) |
American Studies
Prior to taking Quiz #2, we viewed two segments from The Civil War by Ken Burns to review topics discussed in the past few days. Descriptions of the segments are listed below:
1.5 Chapter 5 - A House Divided :23:36 - :27:45
Events leading up to secession: Uncle Tom's Cabin published in 1850; Supreme Court's Dred Scott Decision; political conflict over entry of new states in the Union. In 1858 Lincoln writes, "a house divided against itself cannot stand."
1.6 Chapter 6 - The Meteor :27:46 - :32:43
John Brown raids the arsenal at Harper's Ferry in 1859, and is captured by Colonel Robert E. Lee. The Southern militia now becomes a viable instrument; it is the beginning of the Confederate army.
 |
| Radical Abolitionist John Brown (courtesy wikipedia.org) |
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Wednesday, September 12th / Thursday September 13th
Advanced American History
After a brief review of the concept of sectionalism, class members divided into learning teams to tackle the following questions. The overarching idea here is that the decade of the 1850's was a tumultuous one, and the passions derived from centuries of sectionalism was simply too much for political leaders to overcome, leading the nation to Civil War. Pay particular attention to the impact of such events/items as: the gold rush, Uncle Tom's Cabin, The Kansas-Nebraska act, Dred Scott, Lincoln-Douglas,and John Brown.
American History
1. Quiz #1 (on the topics of triangle of trade, sectionalism, and the anti-slavery movement of the early 19th century).
2. Begin work on the questions above.
3. Thursday - discussion of above questions.
After a brief review of the concept of sectionalism, class members divided into learning teams to tackle the following questions. The overarching idea here is that the decade of the 1850's was a tumultuous one, and the passions derived from centuries of sectionalism was simply too much for political leaders to overcome, leading the nation to Civil War. Pay particular attention to the impact of such events/items as: the gold rush, Uncle Tom's Cabin, The Kansas-Nebraska act, Dred Scott, Lincoln-Douglas,and John Brown.
American History
1. Quiz #1 (on the topics of triangle of trade, sectionalism, and the anti-slavery movement of the early 19th century).
2. Begin work on the questions above.
3. Thursday - discussion of above questions.
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| John Brown Broadside courtesy wikipedia.org. |
Monday, September 10, 2012
Tuesday, September 11th
Advanced American History / 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.
AAS Assignment: Read Chapter 3 Section 1. Answer questions on handout.
Reminder: Quiz #1 Friday
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US History Assignment: Read text 44-48. Complete concept web related to ways Americans worked to oppose slavery prior to the Civil War.
Reminder: Quiz #1 Tomorrow!
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.
AAS Assignment: Read Chapter 3 Section 1. Answer questions on handout.
Reminder: Quiz #1 Friday
******************************************************************************
US History Assignment: Read text 44-48. Complete concept web related to ways Americans worked to oppose slavery prior to the Civil War.
Reminder: Quiz #1 Tomorrow!
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Friday, September 7th
Advanced American History
American Studies
Oral history assignments were discussed and submitted.
Today classes were introduced to the philosophy and structure of Advanced American Studies, as class time was blocked with Advanced American Literature. Aside from a number of quizzes and activities, the following slideshow was shown to acclimate students to the topics that will be discussed this year.
American Studies
Oral history assignments were discussed and submitted.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Thursday, September 6th
Advanced American Studies / US History
Class discussion today related to the question, "what responsibilities do we have as American citizens?" Aside from the requirements of paying taxes and jury duty, many of us agreed that we have some fundamental responsibility to be informed, to participate in the democratic process, and be involved in the community.
With this as the context, we answered a few brief questions based on the US Citizenship exam, and compared our performance to our answer about what responsibilities we have as citizens. The questions are found below:
Class discussion today related to the question, "what responsibilities do we have as American citizens?" Aside from the requirements of paying taxes and jury duty, many of us agreed that we have some fundamental responsibility to be informed, to participate in the democratic process, and be involved in the community.
With this as the context, we answered a few brief questions based on the US Citizenship exam, and compared our performance to our answer about what responsibilities we have as citizens. The questions are found below:
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Wednesday, September 5th
Advanced American History
After a brief continuation of the class overview/syllabus, we began a discussion of America as both a nation and an idea. In order to properly understand the history of the American people, we must first analyze who we are as a people, and what ideas hold a large and diverse nation together. After answering some of the questions in the brief slideshow below, we also examined the thoughts of John Steinbeck in his essay America and Americans.
Assignment: Complete Steinbeck Reading and Questions for Thursday.
American Studies
After a brief continuation of the class overview/syllabus, we began a discussion of the purpose and function of studying history. In doing so, we defined what history is, and how and why historical inquiry is conducted. Essentially, the true meaning of history is not contained in the pages of a textbook, and historical events are interpreted by those in the present and meaning is attached to past events.
To test this, we examined pictures from different eras in the slideshow below. For the average person, pictures constitute much of our historical record, and we analyzed these pictures to try to interpret the time period they were taken, what broader events may have been impacting those in the image, etc.
Assignment: Complete Oral History Interview Questions for Friday!
After a brief continuation of the class overview/syllabus, we began a discussion of America as both a nation and an idea. In order to properly understand the history of the American people, we must first analyze who we are as a people, and what ideas hold a large and diverse nation together. After answering some of the questions in the brief slideshow below, we also examined the thoughts of John Steinbeck in his essay America and Americans.
Assignment: Complete Steinbeck Reading and Questions for Thursday.
American Studies
After a brief continuation of the class overview/syllabus, we began a discussion of the purpose and function of studying history. In doing so, we defined what history is, and how and why historical inquiry is conducted. Essentially, the true meaning of history is not contained in the pages of a textbook, and historical events are interpreted by those in the present and meaning is attached to past events.
To test this, we examined pictures from different eras in the slideshow below. For the average person, pictures constitute much of our historical record, and we analyzed these pictures to try to interpret the time period they were taken, what broader events may have been impacting those in the image, etc.
Assignment: Complete Oral History Interview Questions for Friday!
Monday, September 3, 2012
Tuesday, September 4th
Advanced US History / American Studies
Welcome Back! It is a pleasure to have you in class and I look forward to doing much learning together over the course of the school year!
Today's abbreviated classes were simply utilized to introduce you to the course and a bit about myself as your history instructor (some liberties with the truth may have been taken:) With this short presentation below as the backdrop, be prepared to discuss some of the specifics of the course syllabus and begin examining the "American Idea" in more depth tomorrow.
Welcome Back! It is a pleasure to have you in class and I look forward to doing much learning together over the course of the school year!
Today's abbreviated classes were simply utilized to introduce you to the course and a bit about myself as your history instructor (some liberties with the truth may have been taken:) With this short presentation below as the backdrop, be prepared to discuss some of the specifics of the course syllabus and begin examining the "American Idea" in more depth tomorrow.
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