Dec. 15-19

The Gilded Age begins. We will be looking at how the country dealt with the problems caused by the industrialization and urbanization of the United States.

Monday: Review positives and negatives of Industrial Boom. Define Progressive. HW: Read Chapter 19, finish by Wednesday.
Tuesday: Assign DBQ packet. Learning centers. HW. Finish Chapter 19.
Wednesday: Learning centers and work on QBQ.
Thursday: Discuss Chapter 18 Sections 1-2. HW. DBQ
Friday: DBQ’s due.
Extra Credit cartoons are still available. Take advantage of them.

Contact information: e-mail: jbrislen@op97.org Voice Mail: 524-5830 X4223
Blog: d97brislen.blogspot.com

Dec. 1-5

We begin the new trimester today.

Monday: Finish discussion of Chapter 17. Review quizzes and packets. Begin reading Grewell story. As we read take notes. You will be writing a paper based upon this article.
Tuesday: Continue reading Grewell. HS testing.
Wednesday: Finish Grewell. Writing assignment.
Thursday: Discuss Grewell and paper.
Friday: Current events.

Contact information: e-mail: jbrislen@op97.org Voice Mail: 524-5830 X4223
Blog: d97brislen.blogspot.com

Nov. 17 - 28

We are done with the constitution tests today.

Monday: Illinois Constitution test. Constitution papers assigned.
HW: Preview Chapter 17 (574-601) – Paper due Monday 11/24.
Tuesday: Review test. Discuss papers. Begin Unit 6. Questions about chapter?
HW: Read Section 1 (578-83) – Paper due Monday11/24.
Wednesday: Discuss Section 1. HW: Read Section 2 (584-89) – Paper due Monday11/24.
Thursday: Video. Take notes. HW: Read Section 3 (590-94) – Paper due Monday11/24.
Friday: Document Based Questions packet. HW – Paper due Monday11/24 – 9:00 AM.
Monday: Paper due at 9:00 AM. Review document Packet. HW: Read Section 4 (595-99)
Tuesday: Discuss Section 4 and chapter 17.

Contact information: e-mail: jbrislen@op97.org Voice Mail: 524-5830 X4223
Blog: d97brislen.blogspot.com

Constitution Essay Name ____________________ Per. __

For this assignment, you must select an issue related to either the US or Illinois Constitutions and write an essay addressing this issue. The actual issue is your choice and the only requirement is that the focus must be on the Constitution. You may write either a persuasive or expository essay.
The following are some, but not the only, possible options for the papers:
• Explain how a bill becomes a law
• Make the case for doing away with the electoral college
• Analyze how Amendments 15, 19, 23, and 26 changed America
• Explain the concept of checks and balances, the separation of powers, or judicial review.
• Select a current constitutional issue and explain how it should be decided and why you
feel that way (medical marijuana, The Patriot Act, signing statements, etc.).
• Propose an amendment and explain why it is needed. (For this option you will need to
explain which sections of the Constitution would be changed.)
• Explain the differences between the veto power of the President and the Governor.
The final essay should be typed and double-spaced (if this is a problem you need to see me before the due date). You are expected to use proper grammar and mechanics. You must also refrain from plagiarism; make certain that the work is your own. If you have printer problems email the paper to me. You should come in and print it and make certain the format is correct.
This assignment will be worth 40 points. A late paper will be penalized 4 points per day that it is late.
The topic of you essay is due on Wednesday, Nov. 19, and the final paper is due on Monday, Nov. 24.

Nov. 10-14

The IL. Constitution test is next Monday. There will be study sessions After school Friday, and before school next Monday.

Monday: Review Articles 1-6. Homework: read Articles 7-14
Tuesday: Veterans’ Day. Remember all those who have done so much.
Wednesday: Review Articles 7-14. Homework: Review sheet.
Thursday: Field trip
Friday: Final review for IL Const test.
Look for information on Constitution essay. This will be assigned Next Monday (11/17) and will be due the following Monday (11/24).

Contact information: e-mail: jbrislen@op97.org Voice Mail: 524-5830 X4223
Blog: d97brislen.blogspot.com

Mr. Brislen – Social Studies – Nov. 3-6

Well done! Your tests were good.

Monday: Tests returned. Go over results. Who should I vote for? Discuss election.
Tuesday: Vote in class. Begin study of Illinois Constitution. HW: Preview IL.
Constitution (ILC2 –ILC37)
Wednesday: Current events. Discuss election results. DVD? HW: Read Article 1. Bill of
Rights.
Thursday: Compare and Contrast US and IL Bills of Rights. (IL2-6) HW: Read Articles
2-5 (ILC6-15)
Friday: Compare and Contrast Legislative and Executive branches. HW: Read Article 6
(ILC 16-21)
Look for information on Constitution essay.

Contact information: e-mail: jbrislen@op97.org Voice Mail: 524-5830 X4223
Blog: d97brislen.blogspot.com

Mr. Brislen – Social Studies – Oct. 20 – 24

Last two weeks before the Test. If you have not begun your review, start! I have found that making flash cards of the terms and such have been helpful for many students.

Monday: Review the Bill of Rights using the text, my notes and yours. HW – Review.
Tuesday: Continue with Bill of Rights. Look at specific freedoms guaranteed. HW – Review other amendments.
Wednesday: Amendments 11-27, especially 13-15, 19, 23, 26 (expansion of voting rights). HW – review notes.
Thursday: Discuss other amendments.
Friday: Movie – Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.

Extra credit cartoons are on the counter. They are due by Wednesday.

Contact information: e-mail: jbrislen@op97.org Voice Mail: 524-5830 X4223
Blog: d97brislen.blogspot.com

Social Studies – Mr. Brislen – October 13 - 17

Three weeks and counting; the Constitution test is coming up on Oct. 31.

Tuesday: Checks and Balances
Wednesday: Media Center: Research cases. HW: Prepare presentation.
Thursday: Present cases. HW: review notes.
Friday: Review Judicial Branch. HW: Read Bill of Rights, Amendments 1-10 (240-2).

Many of you are being careless with the board work questions. If you miss a day, I have copies of the questions posted in the front of the room. You are expected to do every day’s questions. Also, please remember to put your names on the work.

Contact information: e-mail: jbrislen@op97.org Voice Mail: 524-5830 X4223
Blog: d97brislen.blogspot.com

Social Studies – Mr. Brislen – October 6 - 10

I was very pleased that the vast majority of you turned in the Roles of the President Project. I have not completed grading them but the seem to be well done.

Monday: Review Article 2. Homework: Review for test. Use study guide.
Tuesday: Art 2 test. Homework: Read Articles 3-7.
Wednesday: Intro and discuss Article 3. The Judicial Branch. Homework: Read Citizen Handbook, part 6 and 7 (pgs 262-5)
Thursday: Judicial Review. Review important cases and process.
Friday: Current Events

EC Cartoons are on the counter. They are due by Wednesday.

Contact information: e-mail: jbrislen@op97.org Voice Mail: 524-5830 X4223
Blog: d97brislen.blogspot.com

Social Studies – Mr. Brislen – September 28 – October 3

Monday: Review and clarify Roles of the President Project. A copy of the Assignment sheet
will be on my blog. HW – work on project, read Part 5 of Citizen Handbook (pgs. 260-1)
Tuesday: Look at Cabinet and other Executive Department members. HW – work on project.
Wednesday: Presidential election process. HW – work on project,
Thursday: Finish Executive Branch. HW – work on project,
Friday: Roles of the President project due. Current Events. HW: review for Art II test. Probably
Tuesday.

EC Cartoons are on the counter. They are due by Wednesday.

Contact information: e-mail: jbrislen@op97.org Voice Mail: 524-5830 X4223
Blog: d97brislen.blogspot.com



Roles of the President Project – Sept. 2008 Name _________________________ P. __

As you have seen in class the President performs several roles. Your assignment is to look back at former Presidents and find an example of each of the roles. You may not use any President more than once and you must cover the full history of the U.S. Choose at least one President from each of the following time periods: 1789-1850, 1850-1901, 1901-1953, and 1953-2000. Since I will be using George W. Bush as as an example for how to do this assignment, you may not use his presidency. Also, do not use the examples given on the worksheets we used in class. Do research and find new examples.

You have several options for how best to present the information.
1. a booklet with a separate page for each role.
2. a power point or similar presentation in which one slide presents each role.
3. a poster board display presenting the different roles.
4. a video presentation.
5. If you would like to do this project in some other format see me and we will work out the details.
Whichever option you choose, each role must be presented individually and it must contain the following
information:
1. the role as the title.
2. a description of the role and what it actually entails.
3. an appropriate illustration.
4. background information on the President involved. (Name, years in office, party, historical events during
presidency, etc.)
5. a detailed explanation of the situation you chose and why it is a good example of that role.
Whatever format you will be using, you will also need to include a cover page or similar element. If a separate page, it must follow the format described in Research Basics and in evey case must include the appropriate
student information, title, and illustration.
This assignment sheet should be turned in along with the project. Remember, grades will be lowered one full grade for each day the project is late.

Due date: Oct. 3 Notes _________________________________________
________________________________________
Grading rubric:
Title page: ____ / 2 pts.
Assign. sheet: ____ / 2 pt. Comments: _______________________________
Roles: title ____ / 3 pts. ________________________________________
expanation ____ / 7 pts. ________________________________________
illustration ____ / 7 pts. ________________________________________
background ____/ 7 pts. ________________________________________
event ____/ 14 pts. ________________________________________
Mechanics: ____ / 8 pts. ________________________________________

Total ____ / 50 pts.

Bill template

(Bill #) _________________
(Purpose) __________________________________________
(House where bill begins) _________________
(Date bill introduced) ____________________
(List of Sponsors) ___________________________________________
___________________________________________

A Bill
(Purpose of bill again) _____________________________________________
1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of
2. America in Congress assembled.
3. SECTION I. SHORT TITLE.
4. This Act may be cited as the “ ________________________________________
5. _____________________________________________________ Act of 2004”
6. SECTION II. FINDINGS
7. _______________________________________________________________
8. _______________________________________________________________
9. _______________________________________________________________
10. _______________________________________________________________
11. _______________________________________________________________
12. _______________________________________________________________
13. _______________________________________________________________
14. _______________________________________________________________
15. _______________________________________________________________
16. _______________________________________________________________
17. SECTION III (ACTUAL BILL)
18. _______________________________________________________________
19. _______________________________________________________________
20. _______________________________________________________________
21. _______________________________________________________________
22. _______________________________________________________________
23. _______________________________________________________________
24. _______________________________________________________________
25. _______________________________________________________________
26. _______________________________________________________________
27. _______________________________________________________________
28. _______________________________________________________________
29. Section IV. (who will carry out the bill and how will it be done)
30. _______________________________________________________________
31. _______________________________________________________________
32. _______________________________________________________________
33. _______________________________________________________________
34. _______________________________________________________________
35. _______________________________________________________________
36. _______________________________________________________________
37. _______________________________________________________________
38. _______________________________________________________________
39. _______________________________________________________________
40. _______________________________________________________________
41. _______________________________________________________________
42. _______________________________________________________________
43. _______________________________________________________________
44. _______________________________________________________________
45. SECTION V. (Penalties)
46. _______________________________________________________________
47. _______________________________________________________________
48. _______________________________________________________________
49. _______________________________________________________________
50. _______________________________________________________________
51. _______________________________________________________________
52. _______________________________________________________________
53. _______________________________________________________________
54. _______________________________________________________________
55. _______________________________________________________________
56. _______________________________________________________________
57. _______________________________________________________________
58. _______________________________________________________________
59. _______________________________________________________________
60. _______________________________________________________________

Social Studies - Mr. Brislen – Sept. 15-19

This week you will be completing your bills and finishing with the Article I.

Monday: Work on bills with your group. Finish research and finalize details.
Tuesday: Write bill using template.
Wednesday: Present bills. Review Article 1.
Thursday: Present bills. Review Article 1.
Friday: Article 1 test. Homework: Read Article 2 for class on Monday.

I was disappointed in the number of students who did not take advantage of the chance to retake the Principle and Preamble test. Please take advantage of these opportunities.

Remember the extra credit cartoons. They will be on the counter along with the forms on Tuesday. Due by Thursday.

Contact information: e-mail: jbrislen@op97.org Voice Mail: 524-5830 X4223

Sept. 1-5

Happy September.

Tuesday – Movie posters due. Today we will be taking the Constitution pretest.
Books will be distributed. Keep them at home.
Wednesday – If necessary, we will be completing the pretest. Begin work on the preamble and
Constitutional principles.
Homework: Review chapter 7 (200-22), Read Parts 1-3 of Citizen Handbook (252-7)
Thursday – Continue with Preamble and principles.
Friday - Finish with Preamble and Principles, perhaps quiz. Homework for Monday, Read Art.
I (228-34).

Remember the extra credit cartoons. They are on the counter along with the forms. Due by
Thursday.

Contact information: e-mail: jbrislen@op97.org Voice Mail: 524-5830 X4223