READ!!!

Seniors,

We've reached a crucial time in your preparation for the AP Exam. We are doing all three of the big government "institutions" (Congress, Presidency, Courts) over the next 2 months and you absolutely MUST do your part. There's plenty of reading to be done, and if you aren't doing it you're going to be behind. PUH-LEASE double your efforts and keep up with the reading. The reading quizzes will be coming nearly daily to help motivate you. :-)

Reminder: AP Exam registration is due on Friday 2/22.

Mr. G

Kairos is Over, APUSGOV Marches On!

Welcome back from Kairos those of you who were gone - I hope the experience was great.

On Monday 2/11 and Tuesday 2/12, we'll have our Media (Ch. 10) Reading Quiz.

On Wednesday 2/13 and Thursday 2/14, we'll have our Media FRQ Exam. Be ready!

2nd Semester, Senior Year & AP US GOV

Students,

You've been waiting to be 2nd Semester Seniors forever, though some of you came down with Senioritis many months before now. Nonetheless, it's here. PLEASE challenge yourself to continue giving the kind of effort being a student requires. I've been through 2nd semester many times before with seniors and I'll do my part to make it as painless as possible, but you have to do your part to keep at it. Deal?

Keep up with the reading! Check the Course Calendar link at the right.

Mr. G.

UPDATED End of Semester Notices

AP GOVers - here are your end of semester updates:

1. Study for the Final Exam. As mentioned in class, the exam covers chapters 1-9 and is built the way your Unit Exams were - all former AP Exam questions. Yes, you'll recognize many (or most!) of the questions. Use the Fast Track to a 5 review guides located at the Course Calendar page (http://216.101.58.17/hs/mgwaltney/apusgovt/files/Fast%20Track%20Ch.%207,8,9.pdf). For those of you needing the first and second unit "Fast Tracks", go to the Course Calendar page and scroll to that unit schedule.

2. Blog Wrap-up Assignment. I've decided to extend the "capstone" assignment from the Current Event Blog project into the second semester. More on this to come next week.

3. Grades. They'll be posted online by Monday or Tuesday. If you really need to know before then, email or come see me.

Mr. G.

UPDATED AP U.S. Gov, Movies, and Extra Credit

I've let slip in a few blocks that I would consider extra credit in the gradebook for people who take an "extra" interest in public affairs, politics, government issues, etc. For now, I'm offering that to people who do the following:

1. See a current movie about public affairs, political issues, government, etc.
2. Bring a ticket stub from said movie.
3. Attach a one-page write-up which explains how the movie relates to our class and what new or "extra" you learned by seeing the movie.

Not just any movie will suffice for this. Here's a list of current movies (in theaters now unless noted) that I think will work. If you have a different idea, propose it to me. You can find info and listings for these movies at RottenTomatoes.com.

• King Corn
• Lake of Fire
• Jimmy Carter, Man From Plains
• In The Valley of Elah
• Darfur Now
• Rendition
• Lions For Lambs
  
• Redacted (opens 11/16)
• Charlie Wilson's War (opens 12/25)

UPDATED 11/11/07

Two instead of Four. Grrr...

Ok, so apparently I've given conflicting directions about the number of Unit 2 Discussion questions you are required to answer. My apologies.

Officially, you are now required to only do TWO (2). Grrrrr...

~Mr. G.