THE POPE AND A JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS

A) Did the Pope act as a diplomat or as a religious icon? 

B) What role should religion play in US domestic policy decisions?

Remember to discuss these issues responsibly respecting each other's opinions.

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF THE PRESIDENT Today's Date (For example: Jan. 1 2015)

Dear President __________ (Write the President's name here),

In the body of the letter, you should first briefly introduce yourself. Remember to include you name and address so that you can receive an answer to your letter. Explain why you are writing this letter to the President. Perhaps you have a question, a suggestion, an opinion, a request, a concern, or a criticism for the President. Look up the President's schedule ( and using critical vocabulary from the President's Packet, write well thoughtout questions, concerns or requests.)  Please avoid expressing your personal politics but rather assert you concerns as a high school students starting your adult lives.  The letter should focus on a day in the life of the President. My goal here is that you A) can use critical vocab to ask questions about the President's day and B) express your concerns as a young citizen The President's schedule can be found at this link: http://www.whitehouse.gov/schedule/president/2014-12-02 Ask the President specifically for a response that you would like (for example, you might request that the President visit your city or support legislation helping students).     Remember to thank the President for reading your letter.

Thank you, (or use another closing phrase)(Sign your name here) Acopy of your letter is due to me on January 6th/7th depending on our day 1/ day 2 schedule. We will mail them together.

Winter Break Assignment:

 

Watch a movie about the Presidency and blog a review of the movie citing 5 critical vocabulary terms from the packet provided to you in class.

Here are some choices:

Romantic Comedies: 

The American President
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyGibtCfMLM

Dave
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vkf4VQx2MHE

Classic Movie:

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sm9qaEJ3MBc

Action Adventure: 

Air Force One
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwQzfS-Di98

Historical recreations:

Frost/Nixon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dh26dgvPWO0

Thirteen Days
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSA7Evcy7iE

Capaign Finance Reform

Lobby groups and other special interests allow Americans a voice in government.  What dangers are present in American democracy when that access into the government is abused?

Watch the following video and offer your opinion using at least two vocabulary words from the unit.

EXTRA CREDIT BLOG

PLAY THE REDISTRICTING GAME.

Post your results and one vocabulary word you learned when you were playing

http://redistrictinggame.org/

Play the Basic Section of Mission 2 - You should see a section that looks like this:

Mission 2: Partisan Gerrymander
Gerrymander the State of Hamilton in your party's favor.
Basic - Advanced - Learn More - Quotes

THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING THE LICSS WORKSHOP ON INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM.

 If you leave an e-mail address in the comments section I will happily foward my materials to you if you didn't get a handout at the conference.

FEDERALISM AND HURRICANE KATRINA

Federal, State and Local government all failed to communicate with each other in dealing with Hurrican Katrina. Hundreds lost their lives in the aftermath.  Politicians spent a great deal of time blaming each other.  The babies of Katrina are now attending high school.  We will be talking to the kids in this video via Skype in class.

a) Please watch the above video and please offer a comment based on your reaction and your familiarity with government agancies dealing with crisis management.  Was Sandy easier for New Yorkers because of the lessons earned from Katrina?

b) What should have been done that was not done, in your opinion?  Please answer in the context of vocabulary from chapter 3.