Foreign Policy, Day 10 - Class Recap

We learned about current American foreign policy today in class, which is largely directed by the President of the United States in recent years. Photo taken in 2010.

Hi everyone,

Today was really our last day of new content this year, before preparations for finals next week. Here's what happened in class today:

Learning Targets Addressed:
Knowledge LT 8: I can identify how technological knowledge and innovation shapes a society, place, or region.
Knowledge LT 22: I can describe the influences, impacts and resolutions of historical conflicts.
Critical Thinking LT 4: I can evaluate information and explanations within a given context and develop a relevant conclusion.
Critical Thinking LT 5: I can justify and support arguments or interpretation with appropriate evidence.
Communication LT 1: I can communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Research LT 1: I can effectively conduct and apply research.

Soundtrack: "Differences" by Ginuwine. Selected for today because of the dramatic differences in U.S. foreign policy of President Obama and President Trump. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 5/31/19:
News Brief - Connor

Post-Cold War
Current Foreign Policy
Work Time

Homework: Read the blog! Continue working on your conflict presentation! All late/missing/revised work is due ***TODAY***! Next news brief: Gerardo.

News Brief: Connor had the news brief today, but was not in class at the start, so I filled in and selected an article about this story to talk about: CNN.com - Dow slides 300 points as US tariffs on Mexico amplify trade fears. After discussing the story, we also checked in to see if anyone was up to anything interesting or fun outside of class.

Gerardo was assigned to do the next news brief.

As part of the news brief, we also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):

BBCNews.com - One-minute World News

Post-Cold War: Much of our time in the past couple of months has been spent analyzing what happened during the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. Today, we learned more about what happened after, and current foreign policy. Here's the PowerPoint presentation that I went through in class:

Google Slides - Post-Cold War America Foreign Policy PowerPoint

Here is the sheet for notes that I passed out to the class:

Google Drive - Post-Cold War American Notes

Current Foreign Policy: As noted in the presentation near the end, we then turned our attention to current issues with the U.S. relationship with the world. There were a fair amount of handouts in class about this, which were all about current positions that President Trump has about the world. Students read these positions and attempted to summarize them into an overall statement. Next class, we will be working with these statements on the last assignment before finals.

Work Time: The rest of class (if there was any time) was devoted to work time on the conflict presentation - assigning roles for what to do, creating the presentation, etc. Here is the assignment for the United States conflict presentations, which is the final major project of the year (hopefully not too stressful, though):

Google Drive - U.S. Conflict Presentations Assignment

Here is the PowerPoint that shows who is in what conflict presentation group:

Google Slides - U.S. Conflict Presentation Groups

Here is the calendar of what I think we will be doing for the rest of the year in American Studies, to help students plan. That calendar is linked here (and may be updated, so use the link over the paper copy you were given):

Google Drive - American Studies 10 Foreign Policy Calendar 2019

See everyone next week! Almost there to the end of the year - keep at it!

Foreign Policy, Day 9 - Class Recap

For Memorial Day weekend, I visited the Alvord Desert in Southeastern Oregon (and a lot of other landmarks in our state) with family!

Dear class,

This was our designated work day this week on the conflict presentations (the final project for the year), along with wrapping up Apollo 11 from last class. Here's what happened in class today:

Learning Targets Addressed:
Knowledge LT 8: I can identify how technological knowledge and innovation shapes a society, place, or region.
Knowledge LT 22: I can describe the influences, impacts and resolutions of historical conflicts.
Critical Thinking LT 4: I can evaluate information and explanations within a given context and develop a relevant conclusion.
Critical Thinking LT 5: I can justify and support arguments or interpretation with appropriate evidence.
Communication LT 1: I can communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Research LT 1: I can effectively conduct and apply research.

Soundtrack: "Space Oddity" by David Bowie. Selected for today because we finished Apollo 11 in class today, and this song was made in 1969, as well! Lyrics here.

AGENDA 5/29/19:
News Brief - Jack

Apollo 11
Work Time

Homework: Read the blog! Continue working on your conflict presentation! All late/missing/revised work is due this Friday! Next news brief: Connor.

News Brief: Jack had the news brief today and selected an article about this story to talk about: CNN.com - 4 shot in Cleveland, Texas, including sheriff's deputy. After discussing the story, we also checked in to see if anyone was up to anything interesting or fun outside of class.

Connor was assigned to do the next news brief.

As part of the news brief, we also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):

BBCNews.com - One-minute World News

Apollo 11: Last class, we watched most of this impressive documentary on the Apollo 11 mission to land people on the moon for the very first time, in 1969 (this July will mark 50 years). There were only a few minutes left in class to watch, but I wanted to be sure to do so. I hope everyone enjoyed this documentary - our last of the year!

Work Time: The rest of class was devoted to work time on the conflict presentation - assigning roles for what to do, creating the presentation, etc. Here is the assignment for the United States conflict presentations, which is the final major project of the year (hopefully not too stressful, though):

Google Drive - U.S. Conflict Presentations Assignment

Here is the PowerPoint that shows who is in what conflict presentation group:

Google Slides - U.S. Conflict Presentation Groups

Here is the calendar of what I think we will be doing for the rest of the year in American Studies, to help students plan. That calendar is linked here (and may be updated, so use the link over the paper copy you were given):

Google Drive - American Studies 10 Foreign Policy Calendar 2019

See everyone next class, which will focus on current American foreign policy. Keep working on any late/missing/revised work to get to me at the end of this week, please!

Update - here are Jackson's Top 15 films of all time (subject to future revision):

1.) Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
2.) Avengers: Endgame
3.) Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
4.) Captain America: The Winter Soldier
5.) Transformers
6.) Spider-Man 2
7.) Logan
8.) Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
9.) Searching
10.) Guardians of the Galaxy
11.) The Dark Knight
12.) Booksmart
13.) The Avengers
14.) Bumblebee
15.) Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

Foreign Policy, Day 8 - Class Recap

The movie poster for Apollo 11, which we watched in class today.

Hi everyone,

Today was billed as "Cold War Review" on the foreign policy calendar. What better way to review part of the technological impact of the Cold War than by watching my favorite documentary (so far) of 2019: Apollo 11, which is about the moon landing 50 years ago this July 21! As such, I greeted each student at the door (as usual), with the additional question of: Are you willing to pretend it is 50 years ago for this class? Everyone answered Yes, so here's what happened in class today:

Learning Targets Addressed:
Knowledge LT 8: I can identify how technological knowledge and innovation shapes a society, place, or region.
Knowledge LT 22: I can describe the influences, impacts and resolutions of historical conflicts.
Critical Thinking LT 4: I can evaluate information and explanations within a given context and develop a relevant conclusion.
Critical Thinking LT 5: I can justify and support arguments or interpretation with appropriate evidence.
Communication LT 1: I can communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Research LT 1: I can effectively conduct and apply research.

Soundtrack: "Fanfare for the Common Man" composed by Aaron Copeland. Selected for today because of the soaring trumpets being associated with the space program.

AGENDA 5/24/19 (or July, 1969):
News Brief - Haddie

Apollo 11
Work Time

Homework: Read the blog! Continue working on your conflict presentation! All late/missing/revised work is due next Friday! Next news brief: Jack.

News Brief: Haddie had the news brief today and selected an article about this story from July 1969 to talk about: Wired.com - July 20, 1969: One Small Step... One Giant Leap.... After discussing the story, we also checked in to see if anyone was up to anything interesting or fun outside of class.

Jack was assigned to do the next news brief.

Due to wanting to watch the documentary ASAP, we skipped watching the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day:

BBCNews.com - One-minute World News

Apollo 11: Come on. You didn't seriously think I could end our time together without watching a powerful documentary, right? To be kind to students (especially those who missed class on Memorial Day weekend trips), I did not have any notes or worksheet as a part of this process, but we will have a short discussion about what we learned about the space race in the Cold War after the film ends. I really love this documentary (just released earlier this year!) and I hope that students do, as well.

Work Time: The rest of class (if there was time) was devoted to work time on the conflict presentation - assigning roles for what to do, creating the presentation, etc. Here is the assignment for the United States conflict presentations, which is the final major project of the year (hopefully not too stressful, though):

Google Drive - U.S. Conflict Presentations Assignment

Here is the PowerPoint that shows who is in what conflict presentation group:

Google Slides - U.S. Conflict Presentation Groups

Here is the calendar of what I think we will be doing for the rest of the year in American Studies, to help students plan. That calendar is linked here (and may be updated, so use the link over the paper copy you were given):

Google Drive - American Studies 10 Foreign Policy Calendar 2019

See everyone next class, which will be Wednesday and a work day! Thanks!

Foreign Policy, Day 7 - Class Recap

The World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. Sent to me by McKenzie!

Dear class,

This was our designated work day this week on the conflict presentations (the final project for the year). Here's what happened in class today:

Learning Targets Addressed:
Knowledge LT 8: I can identify how technological knowledge and innovation shapes a society, place, or region.
Knowledge LT 22: I can describe the influences, impacts and resolutions of historical conflicts.
Critical Thinking LT 4: I can evaluate information and explanations within a given context and develop a relevant conclusion.
Critical Thinking LT 5: I can justify and support arguments or interpretation with appropriate evidence.
Communication LT 1: I can communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Research LT 1: I can effectively conduct and apply research.

Soundtrack: "Battlefield" by Jordin Sparks. Selected for today because the end of the year often feels like a battlefield and because we are continuing to research foreign policy conflicts in American history. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 5/22/19:
News Brief - Brinley

Presentation Rubrics
Work Time

Homework: Read the blog! Continue working on your conflict presentation! All late/missing/revised work is due next Friday! Next news brief: Haddie.

News Brief: Brinley had the news brief today and selected an article about this story to talk about: CNN.com - A flamingo in an Illinois zoo had to be put down after a child threw a rock at it. After discussing the story, we also checked in to see if anyone was up to anything interesting or fun outside of class.

Haddie was assigned to do the next news brief.

As part of the news brief, we also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):

BBCNews.com - One-minute World News

Presentation Rubrics: As noted on the calendar, we walked through the rubrics attached to the conflict presentation, which has now been posted on Google Classroom for students to see (in addition to the links below). As I stated in class, I am approaching the grades for the final project as an opportunity to maintain or improve your overall grade in class, unless you do not contribute your best effort to your group and/or do not show up for finals.

Work Time: The rest of class was devoted to work time on the conflict presentation - assigning roles for what to do, creating the presentation, etc. Here is the assignment for the United States conflict presentations, which is the final major project of the year (hopefully not too stressful, though):

Google Drive - U.S. Conflict Presentations Assignment

Here is the PowerPoint that shows who is in what conflict presentation group:

Google Slides - U.S. Conflict Presentation Groups

Here is the calendar of what I think we will be doing for the rest of the year in American Studies, to help students plan. That calendar is linked here (and may be updated, so use the link over the paper copy you were given):

Google Drive - American Studies 10 Foreign Policy Calendar 2019

See everyone next class, which should be a good way to review some major Cold War concepts. Thanks!

Foreign Policy, Day 6 - Class Recap

Various photos from the American Cemetery in Normandy, France, which was the site of the D-Day landings in World War II. Photos taken in 2015.

Hi everyone,

This is our last week of the year with three "A" Days at Westview! Time to get to work! Here's what happened in class today:

Learning Targets Addressed:
Knowledge LT 8: I can identify how technological knowledge and innovation shapes a society, place, or region.
Knowledge LT 22: I can describe the influences, impacts and resolutions of historical conflicts.
Critical Thinking LT 4: I can evaluate information and explanations within a given context and develop a relevant conclusion.
Critical Thinking LT 5: I can justify and support arguments or interpretation with appropriate evidence.
Communication LT 1: I can communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Research LT 1: I can effectively conduct and apply research.

Soundtrack: "The White Cliffs of Dover" by Vera Lynn. Selected for today because it is a song made during World War II, hoping for peace in the United Kingdom (where Dover is). Lyrics here.

AGENDA 5/20/19:
News Brief - Sean

World War II
Poster Analysis
Work Time

Homework: Read the blog! Complete and submit the United States Imperialism assignment if you did not in class. Continue working on your conflict presentation! Next news brief: Brinley.

News Brief: Sean had the news brief today and selected an article about this story to talk about: CNN.com - 2 million people are at 'high' risk for catastrophic tornadoes in parts of Oklahoma and Texas. After discussing the story, we also checked in to see if anyone was up to anything interesting or fun outside of class.

Brinley was assigned to do the next news brief.

As part of the news brief, we also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):

BBCNews.com - One-minute World News

World War II: For the past two years, we have talked a lot about the impacts of World War II, as well as the causes of it, but never really what actually happened, except for our unit on the Holocaust in Global Studies. It is impossible to cover everything about World War II in one day, so this was only a brief overview (as there is also a student group presenting on it for finals):

Google Slides - World War II Overview PowerPoint

The page for notes that students were taking is here:

Google Drive - World War II Notes Worksheet

I took a study abroad course in London on World War II and it was my favorite class that I have ever taken. I also have multiple family members impacted by the war, including my grandmother and my grandfather-in-law. So, this is definitely a conflict I am very interested in!

Poster Analysis: To transition from the notes, we took a look at various different World War II propaganda posters up around the room (an activity we have done a fair amount this year). Here is the link to the assignment and the color versions of the posters:

Google Drive - World War II Poster Analysis Assignment

Here's one of my favorite World War II propaganda posters:

Beat "Firebomb Fritz" - wow! We debriefed this activity and then students turned in the assignment.

Work Time: The rest of class was devoted to work time on the conflict presentation - assigning roles for what to do, creating the presentation, etc. Here is the assignment for the United States conflict presentations, which is the final major project of the year (hopefully not too stressful, though):

Google Drive - U.S. Conflict Presentations Assignment

Here is the PowerPoint that shows who is in what conflict presentation group:

Google Slides - U.S. Conflict Presentation Groups

Here is the calendar of what I think we will be doing for the rest of the year in American Studies, to help students plan. That calendar is linked here (and may be updated, so use the link over the paper copy you were given):

Google Drive - American Studies 10 Foreign Policy Calendar 2019

See everyone next class, which will be another work day (we will also look at the rubrics for the assignment more). Thanks!

Foreign Policy, Day 5 - Class Recap

The World War I group simulation was a big hit last class! Here are Period 1's Secretaries of State, in the middle of negotiations.

Dear class,

As promised, today was another work day on the foreign policy conflict presentation with your small groups. Here's what happened in class today:

Learning Targets Addressed:
Knowledge LT 8: I can identify how technological knowledge and innovation shapes a society, place, or region.
Knowledge LT 22: I can describe the influences, impacts and resolutions of historical conflicts.
Critical Thinking LT 4: I can evaluate information and explanations within a given context and develop a relevant conclusion.
Critical Thinking LT 5: I can justify and support arguments or interpretation with appropriate evidence.
Communication LT 1: I can communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Research LT 1: I can effectively conduct and apply research.

Soundtrack: "War of Man" by Neil Young. Selected for today because students are researching conflicts in United States history. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 5/16/19:
News Brief - Gabe

Zimmerman Note
Conflict Work Time

Homework: Read the blog! Complete and submit the United States Imperialism assignment if you did not in class. Continue working on your conflict presentation! Next news brief: Sean.

News Brief: Gabe had the news brief today and selected an article about this story to talk about: NBCNews.com - Frantic parents fear for kids after radioactive contamination found at Ohio middle school. After discussing the story, we also checked in to see if anyone was up to anything interesting or fun outside of class.

Sean was assigned to do the next news brief.

My update for what I was up to outside of class involved noting that there is a 25th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide commemoration in Portland this Sunday, from 1-3 PM. I am planning on going and I would love if any students (especially those who were really interested in the unit last year) were to come! Here are the details:

OHS.org - Kwibuka 25: Remember, Unite, Renew

Let me know if you would like to go and/or would like me to email your parents with details about the event!

As part of the news brief, we also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):

BBCNews.com - One-minute World News

Zimmerman Note: Part of the presentation last class had to do with the Zimmerman Note, sent by Germany to Mexico to propose an alliance during World War I. We did a short analysis (with OPVL) in class on this document, here:

Google Drive - World War I Document Analysis on the Zimmerman Note

After students completed this, we talked in class about what we thought for the analysis and had a conversation about the role of the United States in World War I.

Work Time: The rest of class was devoted to work time on the conflict presentation - assigning roles for what to do, starting to create the presentation, etc. Here is the assignment for the United States conflict presentations, which is the final major project of the year (hopefully not too stressful, though):

Google Drive - U.S. Conflict Presentations Assignment

Here is the PowerPoint that shows who is in what conflict presentation group:

Google Slides - U.S. Conflict Presentation Groups

Here is the calendar of what I think we will be doing for the rest of the year in American Studies, to help students plan. That calendar is linked here (and may be updated, so use the link over the paper copy you were given):

Google Drive - American Studies 10 Foreign Policy Calendar 2019

See everyone next week, when we will talk about World War II on Monday! Have a great weekend and Go Blazers!

Foreign Policy, Day 4 - Class Recap

The World War I memorial (a Stonehenge replica) in Maryhill, Washington, overlooking the Columbia River Gorge. Photo taken in 2015.

Hi everyone,

Today marks exactly one month to go until the last day of finals for the year. Plenty to do with that time left. Here's what happened in class today:

Learning Targets Addressed:
Knowledge LT 8: I can identify how technological knowledge and innovation shapes a society, place, or region.
Knowledge LT 22: I can describe the influences, impacts and resolutions of historical conflicts.
Critical Thinking LT 4: I can evaluate information and explanations within a given context and develop a relevant conclusion.
Critical Thinking LT 5: I can justify and support arguments or interpretation with appropriate evidence.
Communication LT 1: I can communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Research LT 1: I can effectively conduct and apply research.

Soundtrack: "GDFR" by Flo Rida. Selected for today because it was "Goin' Down For Real" when the United States entered World War I.

AGENDA 5/14/19:
Wildcat News Brief - Josiah

Group Scenario
World War I
Document Analysis
Work Time

Homework: Read the blog! Complete and submit the United States Imperialism assignment if you did not in class. Continue working on your conflict presentation! Next news brief: Gabe.

News Brief: Josiah had the news brief today and selected an article about this story to talk about: CNN.com - Tiger Woods hit with lawsuit after employee dies in car crash. After discussing the story, we also checked in to see if anyone was up to anything interesting or fun outside of class.

Gabe was assigned to do the next news brief.

I also talked about the new education funding that passed the Oregon legislature yesterday and will likely be signed into law soon, here: OregonLive.com - Oregon Senate sends multibillion-dollar tax, education funding bill to Kate Brown. This *could* mean some really good things for next year, depending on how the Beaverton budget is made.

As part of the news brief, we also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):

BBCNews.com - One-minute World News

Finally, we also watched Westview Wildcat News, which is available to see again here:

Group Scenario/World War I: To start this section of the class, I had students form four groups based on a scenario from World War I, and to try and have everyone determine their course of action from an assigned country. Here's the presentation we went through with this:

Google Slides - The United States and World War I Overview PowerPoint 

After the group scenario, we debriefed and then went into the overview (also in the PowerPoint above), which was mostly review for students in my Global Studies classes last year. Here's the note sheet I passed out:

Google Drive - World War I Overview Notes

Document Analysis: Part of the presentation had to do with the Zimmerman Note, sent by Germany to Mexico to propose an alliance during World War I. We did a short analysis (with OPVL) in class on this document, here:

Google Drive - World War I Document Analysis on the Zimmerman Note

After students completed this, we talked in class about what we thought for the analysis and had a conversation about the role of the United States in World War I.

Work Time: The rest of class was devoted to work time on the conflict presentation - assigning roles for what to do, starting to create the presentation, etc. Here is the assignment for the United States conflict presentations, which is the final major project of the year (hopefully not too stressful, though):

Google Drive - U.S. Conflict Presentations Assignment

Here is the PowerPoint that shows who is in what conflict presentation group:

Google Slides - U.S. Conflict Presentation Groups

Here is the calendar of what I think we will be doing for the rest of the year in American Studies, to help students plan. That calendar is linked here (and may be updated, so use the link over the paper copy you were given):

Google Drive - American Studies 10 Foreign Policy Calendar 2019

See everyone next class, when we will have another work day on the conflict presentations!

Foreign Policy, Day 3 - Class Recap

The Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C.. Photo taken in 2010.

Dear class,

It was great to see everyone again today! I introduced the final major assignment of the year today (there will be other assignments in class) and we began work. Here's what happened in class today:

Learning Targets Addressed:
Knowledge LT 8: I can identify how technological knowledge and innovation shapes a society, place, or region.
Knowledge LT 22: I can describe the influences, impacts and resolutions of historical conflicts.
Critical Thinking LT 4: I can evaluate information and explanations within a given context and develop a relevant conclusion.
Critical Thinking LT 5: I can justify and support arguments or interpretation with appropriate evidence.
Communication LT 1: I can communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Research LT 1: I can effectively conduct and apply research.

Soundtrack: "Edge of the Ocean" by Ivy. Selected for today because yesterday, I was in Seaside for a 9th Grade Success conference and the weather has been amazing! Lyrics here.

AGENDA 5/10/19:
News Brief - Issac
Class Elections

Conflict Presentations
Form Groups
Work Time

Homework: Read the blog! Complete and submit the United States Imperialism assignment if you did not in class. Next news brief: Everett.

News Brief: Issac had the news brief today and selected an article about this story to talk about: CNN.com - The US just raised tariffs on Chinese goods. China says it will hit back. After discussing the story, we also checked in to see if anyone was up to anything interesting or fun outside of class.

Everett was assigned to do the next news brief.

As part of the news brief, we also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):

BBCNews.com - One-minute World News

Class Elections: At the start of class, we voted in the class elections for Westview. Here's the video we watched :

Voting was only open today through the lunches, but if you were absent and are doing your homework in reading the blog quickly, here's the link to vote:

https://tinyurl.com/2021WVCatsClassElections

Conflict Presentations: At the end of last class class, I showed students what the United States conflict options are for the final presentation of the year, which were:

1. Spanish American War
2. World War I
3. World War II
4. Korean War
5. Bay of Pigs/Cuba
6. Vietnam War
7. Central American Conflict (Grenada, Panama, Nicaragua)
8. Persian Gulf
9. Bosnian War
10. Afghanistan
11. Iraq
12. Involvement in Syria

I posted a survey link in Google Classroom for students to tell me what their top three choices are (after doing a bit of research in class and/or at home) in terms of a conflict in United States history they are interested in learning more about for the presentation, and used this information to make groups.

Here is the assignment for the United States conflict presentations, which is the final major project of the year (hopefully not too stressful, though):

Google Drive - U.S. Conflict Presentations Assignment

Form Groups: Here is the PowerPoint that shows who is in what conflict presentation group, based on your survey input (if you did not fill out the survey by Thursday, I put you in groups that had space left):

Google Slides - U.S. Conflict Presentation Groups

If there were any groups that seemed like they would not work, I reserve the right to move students within these first few days of work time.

Work Time: The rest of class was devoted to work time on the conflict presentation - assigning roles for what to do, starting to create the presentation, etc. Here is the calendar of what I think we will be doing for the rest of the year in American Studies, to help students plan. That calendar is linked here (and may be updated, so use the link over the paper copy you were given):

Google Drive - American Studies 10 Foreign Policy Calendar 2019

See everyone next week, when we will do some review on World War I!

Foreign Policy, Day 2 - Class Recap

The Pearl Harbor memorial in Hawaii. Photo taken in 2011.

Hi everyone,

As we continue our last unit of the year, on foreign policy of the United States, I thought it was important that we review a key concept from Global Studies last year: imperialism. Here's what happened in class today:

Learning Targets Addressed:
Knowledge LT 8: I can identify how technological knowledge and innovation shapes a society, place, or region.
Knowledge LT 22: I can describe the influences, impacts and resolutions of historical conflicts.
Critical Thinking LT 4: I can evaluate information and explanations within a given context and develop a relevant conclusion.
Critical Thinking LT 5: I can justify and support arguments or interpretation with appropriate evidence.
Communication LT 1: I can communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Research LT 1: I can effectively conduct and apply research.

Soundtrack: "The Imperial March" from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. Selected for today because of the connection to imperialism and because of it being May The Fourth over the weekend!

AGENDA 5/6/19:
News Brief - Jackson

Imperialism

Cartoon Analysis

Conflict Research

Homework: Read the blog! Complete and submit the United States Imperialism assignment if you did not in class. Take the survey on Google Classroom for what conflict you are most interested in learning more about for your final presentation! Next news brief: Issac.

News Brief: Jackson had the news brief today and selected an article about this story to talk about: APNews.com - Just the feces: Kentucky Derby winner poop on sale for $200. After discussing the story, we also checked in to see if anyone was up to anything interesting or fun outside of class.

Issac was assigned to do the next news brief.

As part of the news brief, we also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):

BBCNews.com - One-minute World News

Imperialism: This was a bit of review from last year in terms of the concept of what imperialism is, but I did want to make sure students understood how the United States was involved, as well. Here's the presentation we went through together in class:

Google Slides - United States Imperialism PowerPoint

And here is the sheet for notes that I passed out in class to help guide students:

Google Drive - United States Imperialism Notes Worksheet

Hopefully this helps give some context to how the United States is viewed around the world and the reverse.

Cartoon Analysis: The next step was to use this information to determine what some of the reactions to imperialism in the United States were, via some political cartoon analysis. Here is the assignment given in class (posted on Google Classroom, so it can be submitted electronically - I also had paper copies available in class):

Google Drive - United States Imperialism Assignment

Most of the rest of class was devoted to work time on this assignment, which I would like to have turned in on Friday during our next meeting.

Conflict Research: At the end of class, I showed students what the United States conflict options are for the final presentation of the year, which are:

1. Spanish American War
2. World War I
3. World War II
4. Korean War
5. Bay of Pigs/Cuba
6. Vietnam War
7. Central American Conflict (Grenada, Panama, Nicaragua)
8. Persian Gulf
9. Bosnian War
10. Afghanistan
11. Iraq
12. Involvement in Syria

I posted a survey link in Google Classroom for students to tell me what their top three choices are (after doing a bit of research in class and/or at home) in terms of a conflict in United States history they are interested in learning more about for the presentation, and will use this information to make groups.

Here is the calendar of what I think we will be doing for the rest of the year in American Studies, to help students plan. That calendar is linked here (and may be updated, so use the link over the paper copy you were given):

Google Drive - American Studies 10 Foreign Policy Calendar 2019

See everyone next class, when I will introduce the final presentation assignment and we will begin to work on it!

Foreign Policy, Day 1 - Class Recap

Today, we started our last unit of the year (and for most students, the last unit of the past two years in my class), which is an investigation of United States foreign policy - how the U.S. relates to other countries around the world. The Olympics (hosted again in Los Angeles in 2028) is an example of this! Photo taken in 2010.

Dear class,

Welcome to our last unit of the year! Hopefully, students have submitted their Historical Investigation research project (due today on Google Classroom) and are ready to move on. Here's what happened in class today:

Learning Targets Addressed:
Knowledge LT 8: I can identify how technological knowledge and innovation shapes a society, place, or region.
Knowledge LT 22: I can describe the influences, impacts and resolutions of historical conflicts.
Critical Thinking LT 4: I can evaluate information and explanations within a given context and develop a relevant conclusion.
Critical Thinking LT 5: I can justify and support arguments or interpretation with appropriate evidence.
Communication LT 1: I can communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Research LT 1: I can effectively conduct and apply research.

Soundtrack: "A World Alone" by Lorde. Selected for today because of the relationship of the United States to the world. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 5/2/19:
News Brief - Ash
Personal Scenarios
Intro to Foreign Policy
Global Scenarios

Homework: Read the blog! The Historical Investigation final draft is due TODAY - submit on Google Classroom! The peer review sheets must be turned in as a part of getting a grade on the Historical Investigation. Next news brief: Jackson.

News Brief: Ash had the news brief today and selected an article about this story to talk about: CNN.com - Thousands of North and South Carolina teachers are protesting -- but not just for the reasons you might think. After discussing the story, we also checked in to see if anyone was up to anything interesting or fun outside of class.

Jackson was assigned to do the next news brief.

As part of the news brief, we also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):

BBCNews.com - One-minute World News

I also passed out a calendar of what I think we will be doing for the rest of the year in American Studies, to help students plan. That calendar is linked here (and may be updated, so use the link over the paper copy you were given):

Google Drive - American Studies 10 Foreign Policy Calendar 2019

Personal Scenarios: To introduce some of the concepts involved in foreign policy, I split the class up into seven groups and had the groups debate these seven scenarios (first page):

Google Drive - Foreign Policy Intro Scenarios

After a few minutes, I had the groups discuss their proposed solution to the given situation and asked the class if they agreed. This is basically what the idea of diplomacy is - talking about problems instead of fighting.

Intro to Foreign Policy: Next, I walked students through a brief history of how the United States has related to other countries around the world, with this PowerPoint:

Google Slides - Introduction to Foreign Policy PowerPoint

Here is the sheet of notes that I passed out to help students, as they added to it with details from the presentation:

Google Drive - Introduction to Foreign Policy Notes

Global Scenarios: Finally, we ended class by going back to the scenario document linked above and having the assigned groups discuss what the United States should do in specific scenarios based off of actual events in our history. This is where we ended class for the day - we will pick back up next week, on Monday!