Periods 1-2 B Day Only: Tenement Conditions

Hey guys! Today we finished talking about what the immigrants endured in order to come into this country, including forms of racism. We then began talking about urbanization and the problems that it caused for the United States. We will finish this discussion on Tuesday.

For homework, you are to read "How the Other Half Lives." This primary source written by a newspaper report, Jacob Riis, who was covering the conditions in the tenements. Please read it and write down the sights and sounds he used to describe the tenements.

Also remember that your immigration projects are due on Thursday. The presentations will be on that day. If you have any questions, feel free to email me.

Lastly, our test is going to be Monday, October 4. Your study guide will be handed to you on Tuesday. If you have any questions or want to hold a study session with me, just let me know. Have a great day and happy studying!

~Mr. Mazur

9/23 and 9/24 Homework: Political Machines

Hey everyone. Today we finished our discussion of immigration and began to talk about the effects of urbanization, or movement into the cities. As I said, there were some positive and some negative effects. Today, for homework, you are going to read pp. 473-475 and answer questions 2-3 on p. 477. These pages are about the political machines and how immigration and urbanization helped propel them into power. Enjoy! And remember, the test for the A Day is Friday, October 1. The test for the B day is Monday, October 4. A study guide will be handed out Monday and Tuesday. Your immigration projects are due Wednesday and Friday

~Mr. Mazur

Immigration Projects and Test

Hey everyone! Just a reminder that your immigration presentations are going to be due on September 29 (A day) and September 30 (B day). If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.

Your first test is going to be on October 1 (A day) or October 4 (B day). I will make sure to give you a study guide on Thursday and Friday of this week. The test will be on the reasons for industrialization after the Civil War and its impact. It will test Inventions, Transportation, Natural Resources, Entrepreneurs, Workers (Immigration), and capital (the impact of the wealthy). It will also test urbanization and reform (all will be taught the rest of the week part of next week.

Make sure you study! I am able to stay after school, during co, or during lunch if you need help. You could also email me. But please do not ask me the answers to the study guide, I want you to work on the answers yourselves. Thanks and good luck!

~Mr. Mazur

Gospel of Wealth

Hey everyone! The past two days we talked about the impact of the railroad and technology and how that contributed to the rise of factories and industrialization after the Civil War. Remember...It New C! We also talked about how as more factories began to grow and we moved into a surplus economy, people began to have more time for leisure activities so that they may forget about their work and participate in theatre, sports, movies, etc.

For homework, you are to write a letter to Mr. Rubin telling him what you learned/found interesting in class the past two days. I will not be giving these to him; this is just to assess what you learned.

Also, you are to read Andrew Carnegie's Gospel of Wealth. The link is posted below. Write down what he thinks the rich should use their money for. Why?

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1889carnegie.html

~Mr. Mazur

Homework 9/8-9/9

Hey guys! It was great meeting everyone! Two very important things:

1.) Please disregard the current event assignment below until I actually post a current event.

2.) For those of you absent from class, all we did was issue books, handed in index cards with keep information, and did a skit on what we learned last year in U.S. History I. If you were absent, please see me.

3.) Homework for your next class (A-Day: Monday; B Day-Tuesday)- Please get policies signed, cover your book, and label the United States map.

Thanks and enjoy your holiday!

~Mr. Mazur

Current Events

Background:
Significant issues and events will always affect how Americans will live in the future. In order to understand these events, people can make connections to previous events and issues that have plagued our nation’s history.

The blog:
I have created a current event blog at http://mazurevents.blogspot.com/. Around every two weeks, I will post a significant current event or issue that relates to a topic that we have discussed in class

Your assignment:
•Each student must post two responses to the current event. Both responses should be original and present your opinion on the issue. The first response should be your opinion on the issue and your second should be responding to another student’s post.

Some general guidelines:
•You should post two responses to each event on the appropriate class section.
•You cannot post two responses in a row. You can only make your second response after someone else has posted a comment.
•Your post should show your opinion on the issue. Please do not repeat what someone else has said without putting your own original opinion on the issue. If you agree with someone’s opinion, simply elaborate why in your own words.
•Your post should show your understanding on the issue. If you do not understand the issue by reading the article, research a little so that you have a better understanding to develop your own opinion.
•Your responses should be original, thoughtful, and supported. You can definitely use ideas that we have used in class to support your opinion. This is STRONGLY encouraged! Although there is no limit to how long a response can be, two sentences will not be enough to explain your opinion and support it.
•No cursing or racist comments. You will automatically get a 0 if you disregard this rule.
•Remember that I want everyone to feel comfortable to voice their own opinion. Therefore, there will be no insulting other members of the class. You can say that you disagree with someone (and explain why), but do not make personal attacks on someone’s opinion.
oWhat to do: I disagree with Mr. Mazur’s opinion because…
oWhat not to do: Mr. Mazur is an idiot who does not deserve to live in the United States. He clearly did not understand the article.


Each post is worth 5 points each for a total of 10 points per current event. You must make both posts before the deadline or points will be deducted.