Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Extra Credit Presidential Interview Project

EXTRA CREDIT OPTION FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO RAISE THEIR GRADES!

Please see me if you have any questions on the directions.


American Govt.
Mr. Posthumus

President Interview Project

120 points

You will spend time in the Library researching the U.S. president of your choice. After you have finished, you will be conducting and “interview” with your president. Your final interview must be typed and double spaced. In addition, you must provide a bibliography of the five sources you use for your project. Your bibliography must be in the correct format. You may use no more than one encyclopedia as a source, and you must use at least one computer source. The other sources may include other reference books, biographies, and magazines.


You must use any 10 of the following questions in your “interview.” The purpose of this project is to obtain a sound understanding of your chosen president’s background, including his childhood, education, family, political career, presidency, and a summary of the historical events surrounding his presidency. You may make up three of your own questions for extra credit, however, these questions MUST be approved by me ahead of time.

______________________________

Assuming your chosen president could come back to life, ask any 10 of the following and provide insightful and historically correct answers.

1. Tell me about your childhood.
2. When did realize you wanted to become President?
3. Who is your hero? Who has most influenced your life?
4. What was the toughest decision you had to make during your presidency?
5. What was happening in the world during your presidency?
6. Who were your political foes?
7. What other political offices have you held?
8. Where did you get your education? What did you study?
9. What has most prepared you for the presidency?
10. What do you believe to be your greatest achievement during your presidency?
11. During what period in history did you serve?
12. During your presidency, of what are you least proud?
13. Who were your opponents during your campaign? Who was your running mate(s)?
14. What advice would you give me, if I decided to run for President?
15. What is your reaction to the United States today?
16. What programs do you agree or disagree with in regards to the current Presidents administration?
17. What has changed in American since you were President?
18. What was you greatest struggle during your administration?
19. If you were the President today, what would you do differently?
20. What major legislation passed during your presidency? Describe it.

American Govt.
Mr. Posthumus

President Interview Project Evaluation


Student’s Name

President


Written Interview:

10 questions/answers - 10 points per (100) __________
Did you ask 10 questions?
Did you provide thorough and historically correct answers?

Bibliography (20) __________
Did you use five sources?
Did you use the correct format?



Total Score: ______/ 120

McChrystal relieved of command, Petraeus chosen to take over

In American Government we are constatnly discussing current events, I posted an article link to CNN news which dicsuss the resignation of General McChrystal from commander of military forces of Afghanatsan becaseu of comments he made about President Barack Obama. Let me know what you think.

Mr.P
http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/06/23/general.mcchrystal.obama.apology/index.html?hpt=T1&iref=BN1


American Government Expectations

American Government
Expectations:
-Be to class ON TIME!
-Have material read and Homework Completed
-Be an active participant

Classroom Rules:
1. Do your Best
2. Do what's Right
3. Treat others like you want to be treated
4. If it’s in the handbook it applies in the classroom.

Homework and In-class work:
All homework is due at the beginning of the next class period unless told differently. You will be expected to turn in all homework on the day it is due. Late homework WILL NOT be accepted! If you are absent and it is excused, it is YOUR responsibility to get your missing assignments from the teacher. The number of days you were absent are the number of days you have to complete the assignment and turn it in to me.

Test and Quizzes:
Quizzes will be given periodically in this class. Some you will know about and some you will not. A test will be given at the end of each unit and you will receive plenty of notification before. If you are absent on a test day and it is excused, you will take the test on the day you return. If your absence is unexcused you will not be able to retake the test!

Unexcused Absences and Tardies
Any unexcused absence will result in a detention and a zero for the missed work. Tardies will also be counted on a regular basis; see handbook for tardy rules. The detention times are 3:00-4:00 after school and 7:00-7:45 before school.




Grading:
93% - 100% = A 73% - 76% = C Total Points!
90% - 92% = A- 70% - 72% = C-
87% - 89% = B+ 67% - 69% = D+
83% - 86% = B 63% - 66% = D
80% - 82% = B- 60% - 62% = D-
77% - 79% = C+ Below 60% = F

Binder/Folder:
At the end of each marking period you can earn points by keeping a WELL ORGANIZED binder/folder with all the notes/worksheets/ assignments etc. that we do in the class. Points will be given based on the organization and neatness of your organizational folder.

Extra Help:
If you need extra help on any assignments, tests, or projects PLEASE come and find me. I am usually at school between 6:30 and 7:00 and stay until around 3:00. If these times do not work with you let me know and we will set up a time we can meet. You can also contact me through e-mail anytime. If you need help it is your responsibility to come and ask for it!


Contact Info:
Please feel free to contact me by phone or email if you have any questions throughout the semester.

Phone: 616-254-6421
Email: eposthumus@gpsk12.net

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We have looked over the Classroom Procedures and other important information about American Government and discussed it together. We are signing the document to acknowledge that we have reviewed the information and understand the expectations. If you have any questions or concerns please call 254-6421 or email eposthumus@gpsk12.net.

Parent signature X_____________________________________

As the student, I agree to abide by the classroom procedures and be a positive member of our classroom.

Student signature X___________________

Sunday, April 25, 2010

EDUC 6715 Week 8 Reflection

The FINAL Blog post for my Walden Masters degree program, boy did that go quick! I am excited to move on into new adventures in learning with technology leading the way through varied instruction and new tools I can see the future is bright in Education. Reflecting on my program I realize just how much I have learned and that this new learning will never stop with the rapid development of technology so it is my responsibility as a 21st century teacher to keep a eye out and a open mind as technology changes around me usually faster then I can keep up with.

I am more confident to incorporate technology daily in my school and also confident enough to show and assist other teachers in my school to help them become more tech savvy. I know not everything works for everyone, and there were a few times when I was skeptical on how I could use certain things in my own classroom but I tried and saw it did make positive impacts in my own classroom.

Looking back at weeks 6 and 7 of this course and developing and implementing a learning activity that included new technology. I chose the MUVE Second Life and kept and open mind even though I was initially hesitant and found I got more and more excited the more I explored and understood the possibilities for my self of what these new online worlds could really accomplish. Students would definitely benefit from keeping up with all the new technology tools available to them.

I believe throughout this course I have been making the necessary adjustments all along to implement new technology into my classroom, now all I need is to have more technology available to myself and my students. All in all this has been a great experience.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Week 4 Application Online Learning In K-12 Schools

Here is my link to my Presentation.

http://prezi.com/wpoqldump5zr/

http://prezi.com/wpoqldump5zr/

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Week 8 Reflection

Week 8 Reflection- EDUC-6714I


During this course I have gained a wealth of knowledge and know how I plan this new on carrying this new knowledge base into my teaching practice. This is not the first time I have encountered DI or UDL, but this was a great opportunity to see new ways of incorporating technology into my class which makes DI and UDL all the more powerful and engaging to my students.

Through the class online and text resources I now have numerous sites and tools bookmarked online (i.e. CAST tools) that will help me on my way to becoming a more effective teacher. I know now that the more choices of assessments and the more options for learning will make a huge difference in my student’s lives.

I have already re-done a number of my projects in my classes that were purely book/internet research papers in to projects that offer choices of student using Blogs, Wikis, and video/audio to create something completely unique and interesting that can be shared with others all around the world. I don’t plan on stopping here, I also plan on incorporating more technology and DI/UDL in to my daily teaching as a whole to get students more involved in the classroom through new ways to encourage learning.