APA: Personal Choice v. Government Intervention

Hello everyone!  Yesterday we discussed the impact of the Temperance Movement on American society and the importance (and negative qualities) of the saloons within the 19th and 20th centuries.  Many people at the time believed that the government had no reason to ban or limit the consumption of a product that can be considered more of a personal choice.  Even today, there are a lot of laws that many feel should not be regulated by the government because Americans feel that they should be able to decide if they want to use it or not (i.e., cigarettes in public areas, consumption of large sodas, assisted suicide, etc.). 

For homework, I gave everyone in the class a worksheet that has several scenarios in which the government regulates a certain area of life and in which many people feel should be a personal choice.  I want you to read through the worksheet and develop your own opinion on whether the government should be able to enact the law or whether you believe it should be more of your choice to decide if you want to do something or not.  Please answer the following questions for each scenario in your notebook:

1.)  Do you believe the government has the right to regulate in this case?  Why or why not?  Explain using details.
2.)  Why may others feel the opposite viewpoint?  Explain using details.
3.)  Do you believe this law affects many at the expense of a few?  Affects a few at the expense of many?  Explain using details.

Thank you and have a great weekend!

~Mr. Mazur

APA: Muckrakers and Civil Rights Reformers

Hello everyone!  Today we discussed the impact of the muckrakers during the Progressive Era.  We analyzed the various reforms during the Progressive Era and read examples of muckraking during the time period.  Two of the selections we read were The Bitter Cry of the Children (John Spargo) and The Jungle (Upton Sinclair).  We will discuss the project that you will have during next class.

For homework, I have handed out a list of muckrakers that I would like you to know for the test on November 7.  Please fill out the worksheet by next class.  There is a list of websites that will be helpful for completing the chart.  Please skim these websites to obtain the required answers.

Also, you need the read Chapter 16 Section 3 in your textbook.  When you are finished, you need to complete #1-5 on p. 495 within your notebook.  If you have any questions, please email me.  Have a great day!

~Mr. Mazur

AAHS: Progressive Reforms

Hello everyone!  Today we discussed the Plessy v. Ferguson court case.  We are going to finish our discussion on civil rights during the Progressive Era by analyzing the arguments of Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. DuBois and participating in a debate during next class.  For homework, you have two assignments:

1.)  Research a topic that you will be using for your project on muckraking.  Remember that you are looking for a current issue that you would like to expose to the class.

2.)  Read pp. 577-584 in your textbooks and answer the questions on the worksheet that I have handed out.

Please email me if you have any questions or concerns.  Remember that the test on the Progressive Era will be on November 6 and your muckraker articles will be due on November 12.  Have a great weekend!

~Mr. Mazur

APA: People's Party and the Rise of the Progressives

Hello everyone!  Today we discussed the rise and fall of the People's (Populist) Party.  We analyzed the agricultural issues for the farmers and how this led to farmers organizing to better their conditions.  We also analyzed the People's Party platform for the 1892 presidential election.  At the end of class, we began to create campaign posters for the People's Party during the presidential election.

For homework, please finish your campaign posters.  We will present them in the beginning of class on Monday.  Lastly, please read Chapter 17 Section 1 in your textbook and answer questions 1-2 within your notebooks.  Please remember that you will be responsible for all the information within this section and any information may be assessed when we have our test on November 7.

Have a great weekend!

~Mr. Mazur

AAHS: "The Jungle"

Hello everyone.  Today we discussed the impact of the muckrakers during the Progressive Era and various effects of their writings.  We also analyzed an excerpt from John Spargo's The Bitter Cry of the Children to see an example of muckraking. 

You have two assignments for homework.  The first assignment is the volunteer proposal that was explained in the previous post and was issued during Monday's class.  The second assignment is the read the excerpt from Upton Sinclair's The Jungle and to answer the four questions at the end.  Please answer the questions on a separate sheet of paper.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me.  Have a great day!

~Mr. Mazur

AAHS: Volunteer Proposal

Hello everyone!  Today we discussed urban reform during the Progressive Era.  We specifically talked about the Social Gospel and Settlement House movements.  For homework, you are to write a proposal intended to help the needy within our communities.  You may create one of the following:

a.  A proposal to the administrators of Allied Health asking to start a volunteer project that will help the needy.  You must include who you want to help and why, what your plans are for your project, and why you believe your ideas will be effective. The proposal must be organized and at least two paragraphs.  It may be better if you explain your ideas, and answer the questions within a different section.

b.  A proposal to create an organization to help the needy within the community.  You would include all the essential ideas from the previous section above.

Please make sure your proposal is neat and organized.  It must be professional and typed.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email me.  For those that were at the college visit during class, please make sure you obtain the notes from class.  Have a great day!

~Mr. Mazur

AAHS: Populist Party

Hello everyone!  Yesterday we discussed basic information on the Progressive Era.  For homework, you are going to be researching information on the Populist Party in the 1890s.  Please research the Populist Party and answer the questions on the worksheet provided.  You may use your textbooks (which has a lot of great information) or reliable literary or Internet sources.  Please feel free to email me if you have any questions.  Have a great day!

~Mr. Mazur

APA: American Imperialism Test

Hello everyone.  Unfortunately as I have mentioned in class, the American Imperialism test will have to be rescheduled for this upcoming Tuesday.  Therefore, please study for this upcoming test and complete the study guide for that same day.  Have a great day!

~Mr. Mazur

AAHS: American Imperialism Test

Hello everyone!  This is just a reminder that your American Imperialism test will be on Thursday.  Your study guide will be due in the beginning of that class.  Please make sure that you complete the entire study guide because it will be collected and graded.  If you need help with anything, please feel free to email me or see me during the school day.  Have a great day!

~Mr. Mazur

APA: Foreign Policy (1900-1914)

Hello everyone! Please remember that your test is on Friday. Please complete all of the questions on the study guide. This study guide will be collected and graded on the day of the test (Friday).  You must complete all of the questions and definitions.

For homework, will be to read Chapter 18 Section 4 in your textbooks and fill in the worksheet that I have handed out.  Also the extra credit on the first presidential debate of 2012 will be due during next class. Please email me with any questions or concerns.
If anyone needs extra help on anything that we have discussed, please email me or see me during class. You may also find me during my co-curricular or lunch. You may also stay after school and form a study group, but you would need to notify me in advance. Have a great weekend!

~Mr. Mazur

AAHS: Foreign Policy (1900-1914)

Hello everyone!  Please remember that your test is on Thursday.  I have sent everyone the study guide via email.  If you have not received the email, please email me to let me know.  This study guide will be collected on the day of the test (Thursday).

Your homework that is due during next class (Tuesday) will be to read pp. 604-610 in your textbooks and answer the questions that were on the accompanying worksheet.

Finally, the extra credit on the first presidential debate of 2012 will be due during next class.  Please email me with any questions or concerns.

If anyone needs extra help on anything that we have discussed, please email me or see me during class.  You may also find me during my co-curricular or lunch.  You may also stay after school and form a study group, but you would need to notify me in advance.  Have a great weekend!

~Mr. Mazur

APA: Status of Puerto Rico/Presidential Debate

Hello everyone! Today we discussed the effects of the Spanish-American War. We analyzed the provisions of the Treaty of Paris (1898) and the effect of American occupation in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. We also analyzed primary sources from anti-imperialists to determine why some Americans were strongly against the United States acquiring colonies.

We also discussed the on November 6, Puerto Rico will be taking a vote on whether they want to change the status of their country. Possible choices are to stay a commonwealth of the United States, to become the 51st state, or to become independent.
For homework, you are to read the worksheet of the various opinions on the status of Puerto Rico. You must write down which one you believe is the best solution for the territory and why. Please come prepared to debate these issues during next class

Also, you may participate in an extra credit assignment. Today at 9 P.M. will be the first presidential debate this year. For extra credit (and due on Wednesday), you should watch the debate and make a chart showing the various topics/questions asked and a summary of each answer from the two candidates. The right side of the chart would be the topics and you would have two vertical columns for each candidate. Additionally, you would fill out the scorecard for the two candidates once the debate is finished. Please email me or see me during class if you have any questions or concerns

AAHS: Presidential Debate

Hello everyone.  This is an extra credit assignment, if you choose to accept it.  Wednesday at 9 P.M. will be the first presidential debate this year.  For extra credit (and due on Tuesday), you should watch the debate and make a chart showing the various topics/questions asked and a summary of each answer from the two candidates.  The right side of the chart would be the topics and you would have two vertical columns for each candidate.  Additionally, you would fill out the scorecard for the two candidates once the debate is finished.  Please email me or see me during class if you have any questions or concerns.

Have a great day everyone!

~Mr. Mazur

APA: Spanish-American War

Hello everyone!  Today we viewed a documentary on the Spanish-American War.  For homework, you are to answer these 4 questions within your notebook.  Make sure that they are in complete sentences and on a separate sheet of paper.  Furthermore, please remember that you will have a quiz on Friday and a test on the Friday after that (October 12).  Have a great day!

a.  How were Cubans or Filipinos treated during the war?  Do you think that our treatment of these groups ultimately hurt us during the Spanish-American War?  Why or why not?


b. Do you believe that the United States effectively fought during this war?  Why or why not?

c. What were the issues for Americans during the war?

d. How could the war have run more effectively for the Americans?

~Mr. Mazur