Thursday, September 17, 2015

Agenda for 9/18

1. Maine Map Quiz #3

2. Today's article: Chinese-Americans on track to learn history of railroad-worker ancestors
3. What is was the Transcontinental Railroad? More information about it's impact on America.

4. Read more about the railroad and how it was built.


5. Transcontinental RR video
  1. Describe at least three obstacles/challenges faced by railway workers.
  2. Describe President Abraham Lincoln's involvement in the Transcontinental Railroad.
  3. Explain how the railroads were funded.
  4. What groups provided labor for the railroad construction?  Describe the role of Chinese and Irish workers in the railroad construction.
  5. Explain why Native Americans were angered by the Transcontinental Railroad.
  6. Identify the places where the Union Pacific and the Central Pacific Railroads began their construction.  Where did the two railroads meet?
  7. Why did the government play such a large role in the building of the Transcontinental Railroad.
  8. Using this map of the railroad, identify the body of water that is located near where the Union Pacific and Central Pacific met.
  9. The map (above) shows that the Union Pacific Railroad was able to lay more miles of track than the Central Pacific Railroad.  Why do you think that is?
  10. Assess the importance of the Transcontinental Railroad.  Why was it important?  How did it change the country?

Open House

1. Essential Online Resources
  • blog - apushta.blogspot.com
    • daily agendas, course resources, assignments
  • eBackpack
    • www.thorntonacademy.ebackpack.com
    • mobile app (iPad, iPhone)
    • all assignments are submitted via eBackpack
    • see me for your parent code 
2. Goals for the class
  • Improve English skills: reading, writing, speaking, listening skills
  • Foundational understanding of US History and Geography
  • Awareness of current events/issues
  • Prepare students for mainstream history courses
 3. Email: brandon.parise@gmail.com

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Agenda for 9/16

1. Current Event Article Study shows season's small hits to the head can hurt the brain

Answer the following questions

1. What did the new study find out about what might happen to Americans who play football and hockey.

2. What happened when football and hockey players took tests? How did they do compared to students who didn't play those sports?

3. Would you let your children play American football or hockey? 

2. Maine Map Quiz #2

HW - Maine Map Quiz #3 (next class)

Add the new places below to your map and be ready for the quiz

The 11 places from the first quiz and:
  • Sunday River (ski mountain)
  • Sugarloaf (ski mountain)
  • Moosehead Lake
  • Kennebunkport
  • Jackman, ME
  • Bangor, ME
  • Sebago Lake
  • Boothbay Harbor
  • Baxter State Park
  • Kittery
  • Machias
  • Belfast

Monday, September 14, 2015

Agenda for 9/14

1. Maine Map Quiz

2. Current Events Article: First females graduate from elite Army Ranger School
After reading the article, write a one paragraph  response (at least 5 full sentences) to the following questions:
  • Do you believe that American women soldiers should be able to work the same military jobs as men, including fighting as soldiers. Be sure to explain the reasons for your opinion.
3. Inequality for women in American Society: "the pay gap

  • Why do you think women in most countries make less money than men? Do you think America should pass a law that requires women to be paid the same as men? 
Pass in your answers to the two questions above to eBackpack Assignment #3
 
4. Is the United States falling behind in women's rights? 

5. What about education?


HW - Assignment #3 - Answer the two questions below and submit to eBackpack:

1. Do you believe that American women soldiers should be able to work the same military jobs as men, including fighting as soldiers. Be sure to explain the reasons for your opinion. 

2. Why do you think women in most countries make less money than men? Do you think America should pass a law that requires women to be paid the same as men?

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Agenda for 9/10

1. Current Events Article: First females graduate from elite Army Ranger School

After reading the article, write a one paragraph response to the following questions:
  • Do you believe that women soldiers should be able to work the same military jobs as men, including fighting as soldiers. Be sure to explain the reasons for your opinion.
2. Inequality for women in American Society: "the pay gap
  • Why do you think women in most countries make less money than men? Do you think America should pass a law that requires women to be paid the same as men? 
3. Pass in your answers to the two questions above to eBackpack Assignment #2

4. Geography 
Map of Maine
  • Place the following places on your map of Maine:
    • Portland (most people)
    • Augusta (state capital)
    • Saco
    • Freeport
    • Brunswick
    • Bar Harbor
    • Lewiston
    • Orono
    • Waterville
    • Madawaska
    • Mt. Katahdin
HW:
  • Study for Maine Map Quiz NEXT CLASS (9/14)

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Agenda for 9/8

1. NEWSELA Current Event Article (Assignment #1)
  • create login (use same as TA email)
  • sign-up code: UHTHBM
  • Click here to read the article 
  • Questions to answer after reading
    • What major decision did the supreme court make this June?
    • Why is this an important decision?
    • How many states had laws against gay marriage?
    • Do a majority of Americans agree or disagree with the court's decision?
    • What did President Obama think about the court's decision? 
  • Submit to eBackpack Assignment #1 
2. Geography 

Map of Maine
  • Place the following places on your map of Maine:
    • Portland (most people)
    • Augusta (state capital)
    • Saco
    • Freeport (LL Bean)
    • Brunswick (Bowdoin
      College)
    • Bar Harbor
    • Lewiston (Bates Coll.)
    • Orono (Univ. of Maine)
    • Waterville (Colby Coll.)
    • Madawaska
    • Mt. Katahdin
Map of New England
  • Label the following states and cities:
    • Maine
      • Portland
      • Augusta
    • Massachusetts
      • Boston
      • Worcester
    • Connecticut
      •  Hartford
      • New Haven
    • New Hampshire
      • Portsmouth
      • Concord
    • Vermont
      • Burlington
      • Montpelier
    • Rhode Island
      • Providence
      • Newport
HW:
  • Study for map quiz next class

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Agenda for 9/2

1. Introduction to Mr. Parise

2. Introduction to you!

3. What do you know about US History?

4. What do you want to learn about US History?

5. Newsela Article
  • create login (use same as TA email)
  • sign-up code: UHTHBM
  • Click here to read the article 
    • What major decision did the supreme court make this June?
    • Why is this an important decision?
    • How many states had laws against gay marriage?
    • Do a majority of Americans agree or disagree with the court's decision?
    • What did President Obama think about the court's decision?