Thursday, January 31, 2013

Class Updates: 1/30/13 and 1/31/13


Yesterday in class (1/30/13) we used are textbooks to take notes on the 3 plans for Reconstruction. Lincoln’s purpose for his plan was that he wouldn't allow pardons of the Confederate military. Johnson’s plans purpose was to forgive the south and enter the Union with little cause. Lastly the Radical Republicans’ plan (the harshest of them all) was mostly to just punish the south as much as they could.  We also colored and labeled a Radical Reconstruction map.

Today in class (1/31/13) we read Andrew Johnson’s Obituary which was extremely long. Andrew Johnson, former president of the United States and member of the Senate from Tennessee died July 31st, 1875. We talked about his impeachment which “is a formal process in which an official is accused of unlawful activity, the outcome of which, depending on the country, may include the removal of that official from office as well as criminal or civil punishment.” Andrew Johnson was impeached because The Radical Republicans didn't agree with him and had other plans for Reconstruction. 

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Class Updates: 1/28/13 and 1/29/13


Yesterday in class (1/28/13) we went to the computer lab and worked on two worksheets. We were placed in groups and everyone got a state to do research on. My group had Louisiana and we found out state population around 1860-1870, percentage of African Americans, cash value of farms, and growth in capital investment in manufacturing. We had to put ourselves in the eyes of the southerners after the Civil War, and decide what we would do legally and what we would do illegally. We also answered a few questions on a political cartoon that depicted KKK members. The second worksheet we did was on The Black Codes. After the Civil War slaves were free, this meant the south was going to punish them as much as they could. This is when The Black Codes were created; these laws meant blacks had different schools, bathrooms and restaurants. The Black Codes also created many laws that prevented African Americans from owning property and starting businesses.

Today in class (1/29/13) we talked about the 14th Amendment. The 14th amendment suspended The Black Codes, allowed citizenship and equal rights. If someone was born or “naturalized” in the United States of America they would be considered U.S citizens. It was possible for both your parents to have been illegal immigrants and you being born in the U.S, would become a citizen with equal rights. African Americans were encouraged to go to school, get a job, and get married. In groups at the end of class we created a magazine cover that displayed news on the 14th Amendment. 

Friday, January 25, 2013

Class Updates: 1/24/13 and 1/25/13


Yesterday (1/24/13) we talked about Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address which took place on March 4th, 1865. Next we talked about Restoration and Reconstruction. Restoration was Lincoln’s plan to abolish slavery while Reconstruction was a plan by the radical Republicans to punish the south.  

Today in class (1/25/13) we talked about President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth on April 14th, 1865. Booth felt he was doing the right thing and was flustered by the loss the Confederacy had just faced, this led to Abraham Lincoln’s sudden death, and a sudden halt to his plans for restoration. At the end of class we listened to music by Aaron Copland which showed Abraham Lincoln as an incredible American hero who will never be forgotten. 

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

"Winnie the Pooh" Blog 1/22/13

Which Winnie the Pooh Character Are You?


You are Rabbit. You are clever, intelligent, and level-headed. You have close, loyal friendships, but you have a bit of a short temper when the people around you act foolishly.
The words “worrisome” and “nervous” from the descriptions immediately helped me distinguish that I was Rabbit. Rabbit is a worrisome rabbit that means the best for his friends but is not always sure how to help. The actor playing this role should be able to find variety in the ways to portray Rabbit’s nervousness. Rabbit primarily sings as part of the ensemble with only one solo singing line. After I took the quiz it came up as Rabbit, just as I expected. I am happy with who I am. I can become paranoid and nervous about things, but I don’t not like this about myself. I think it helps me do things right, after I've checked that I've done it right like 30 times! I also like the fact that I always want the best for my friends. 




Thursday, January 17, 2013

Updates: 1/16/13 and 1/17/13

Yesterday we had are C and E period exams. Today we had B and D exams.

Updates: 1/14/13 1/15/13

In class yesterday the last few days we have been reviewing for the midterm. We got a study guide and got to ask Mr.Boyle questions regarding the test. Today we had are A period Exam which is my study.

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Class Updates: 1/9/13 and 1/10/13


Yesterday in class (1/9/13) we took out test on The Civil War. Today in class 1/10/13 we presented are intergraded American Studies projects in the library. It was really interesting to see everyone’s project, and the cause that they were committed to. The cause I was committed to was sweatshops. Sweatshops are factories where workers get paid a very low wage, work for long hours, work in poor and dangerous conditions and are treated horrible by their employers. Most sweatshops are seen throughout Asia, China, and Latin America. At a young age children are forced to work with their mothers in hazardous conditions, they are forced to handle toxic substances like chemical paint and glue. Sweatshops are also located in the United States where workers experience similar horrible working conditions. A lot of the high-end clothing people wear in the United States today was produced in sweatshops. For example some items like Gap and Nike sell are known to be produced in sweatshops. One of the best things you can do to help stop sweatshops is inform people about them! When most people think of Nike, they think high-end and made in a USA factory with care. The sad thing is this isn't true Nike is a large contributor to this modern day form of slavery. Several organizations have set their priorities to stopping this horrific labor but more still need to be done. Another aspect that needs to be looked at is the amount of money that companies are paying their CEO’s. The cost of advertising and CEO salaries has come before workers safety and this is a large problem that we face today. In 2007, Mark G. Parker, who is the CEO of NIKE made $6,227,968. In 2007, NIKE’s advertising budget was $678 million. A study has shown that if NIKE took 1% of its advertising budget and added it to their workers salary they could have enough money to feed and clothe their workers and their families properly. American’s need to become informed and realize that a modern day form of slavery still exists in America today. 

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Class Updates: 1/7/13 and 1/8/13


Yesterday (1/7/13) I wasn’t in class. We had our quiz on The Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln, and then we took notes on “The Tightening Anaconda.” Today in class (1/8/13) we took notes on the end of The Civil War and then we got to ask Mr.Boyle questions about our test tomorrow on The Civil War. I also took the quiz on The Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln that I missed yesterday.

Friday, January 4, 2013

Class Updates: 1/3/13 and 1/4/13


Yesterday in class 1/3/13 we further discussed the Emancipation Proclamation which stated all those enslaved in Confederate territory to become forever free. We read a blog that discussed how the Emancipation Proclamation wasn’t as important as most people seem to think. I agree with the author due to the fact that not all of the slaves were freed, leaving a vast majority of slaves under the cold arms of slavery. We also read The Gettysburg Address which encouraged soldiers to continue fighting throughout the war. It also tells are Union to never forget what the soldiers did and what they fought for, its states we will have a new beginning: “That this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom.”
Today in class 1/4/13 we analyzed a sculpture (Robert Gould Shaw Memorial in Boston) of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment. After the Emancipation Proclamation, thousands of African-Americans enlisted in the army to fight for the Union. Frederick Douglas convinced President Lincoln to agree upon African-American soldiers, and soon enough they had a chance to fight. They were sent to attack Fort Wagner which was a Confederate fort that protected the entrance to Charleston Harbor. The 54th Massachusetts Regiment failed to take the fort that would stay in Confederate hands throughout the war. On the bright side they improved the idea of African-American soldiers fighting in war, and encouraged more African-Americans to enlist.