Method to My Madness

I had very few (if any?) people question WHY we had a Water Test and a Places/Cities Test. I found that interesting - and refreshing...sometimes you little demons remind me of even smaller little demons - 2-year-olds: always asking "WHY?" of everything. And then I heard or read how everyone studied or figured out ways to remember information. I also saw some of you take great initiative in preparing a study-map for the water test without my prodding. And even those of you who didn't think of doing that until I gave you a packet still had to look up, draw, and eventually memorize what body of water was where.

YOU LEARNED ON YOUR OWN GIVEN SOME SPECIFIC DATA.
YOU ADAPTED WHAT YOU KNEW ABOUT SPECIFICS AND APPLIED IT TO VAGUE DATA.

Now consider that the AP US History course earns you college credit only after "passing" ONE (1) TEST at the end of the year. It's all-or-nothing for you, with MOST of the preparation falling on YOUR shoulders and only SOME vagaries about WHAT will be tested. You will be expected to know MORE than what was presented in class, more than what the high school course formally (even informally) assessed.

Until I explain this further in class on Tuesday, consider WHAT you did to prepare for the two tests, HOW you FELT, and your result(s). I was very proud of you as a group...

Oh, reread it and remember I wrote "was" ---not am. Remember that I am a historian. What happened is in the past - learn from it, but never rest or rely upon it. Enjoy your weekend, and I'll see you Tuesday.

Yes, I am a nerd...I enjoyed this:

Oh the Places You'll Go...EXPLAINED

Final Directions for tomorrow's test:
You will have a full size sheet of paper. On one side will be PLACES. The other side will be CITIES. There will be a list of PLACES (in alphabetical order) with a number next to each PLACE. On the right side of the page, there will be a list of SLIDE NUMBERS (1-x). In the space next to each SLIDE NUMBER, you will place the CORRESPONDING PLACE NUMBER AFTER looking at the slide. Each slide will be visible for 30 seconds. Read the clue, look at the picture. Find the CORRESPONDING PLACE. Copy that PLACE NUMBER next to the SLIDE NUMBER. Easy. Repeat for CITIES. You will have a 3-second break between PLACES and CITIES. After 45 minutes, you will have 10 minutes to enter your choices using the clickers.

You DO NOT need to know COUNTRIES for CITIES.
You DO NOT need to know CITIES for PLACES.

NO TALKING OR INTERRUPTING.
NO TIME EXTENSIONS.

You will do fine...if you studied the pictures and listened when originally presented.

Guns, Germs, and Steel

Yes - we are watching this series TWTh. I am going nuts losing students for testing and activities - it's actually kind of ridiculous. So, You will have a "viewer's guide" (also known as a worksheet) for each part. All three will be due Friday. This way, if you miss class, you can bring your flash drive, grab a guide, and watch at home.

On Friday, you'll have a 90-slide test on PLACES and CITIES. It will be timed (45 minutes to watch and match) followed by 10 minutes to enter your test into the clickers. Please Study.

We'll debrief the PENNY CITIES and GG&S next week - after Memorial Day.

Lastly - I changed the grades on the portal - the tests are now shown with RAW scores rather than percentages. I'll input other things later this week.

What do you think of Jesse?

Water Water Everywhere

So, I gave you a test with ALL Bodies of Water included. HA! I will use a sliding scale to be determined, but I am sure there will be a couple of perfect scores. We'll be moving forward this week with some BBB, so expect to use your textbooks again. Then there is Friday's Fun Day! A powerpoint. With Pictures. You SHOULD know them! Hint Hint.