Friday, August 31

World History - Today in my world history classes, 3rd and 7th period are doing the same work that 2nd period did yesterday.  They are reading through information in chapter three section four and five about the ancient civilizations of China.  They have a note skeleton which is intended to guide them through the information.  Students are to get as much done as possible today.  Tuesday of next week will be left for students to finish up, and review material as they are scheduled to take a test on Wednesday over the ancient civilizations we have covered.

Government - Students in government classes today are taking their first test.  The test covers chapters one through three.

In other news...
-Looking forward to hearing our guest speaker today during SRT.
-Good luck to all athletes in action this weekend.  Looking forward to seeing and hearing about a successful weekend for BCHS.  Go Trojans!

-Enjoy the three day weekend, and see you on Tuesday!

Thursday, August 30

World History - Today in world history, 7th period had to again catch up with the previous day's material.  We went through information on ancient civilizations in India.  Students are through chapter three, sections one and three.  Then 2nd period starting material on the ancient civilizations in China.  They were given a note skeleton and worked through it in class.  When we are through chapter three, we will be having a test.  At this point, the test is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday of next week.  Students would be very well served to begin reviewing material from notes, and through the online text if they can access it.

Government - In the past two days of government, students continued through chapter three, covering more information about federalism (yesterday) and separation of powers and checks and balances (today).  Students have completed the first unit, and will be taking a test tomorrow in class.  Students should be prepared for a 60 multiple choice question test.  They will be given 45 minutes to complete the test, as is standard for an AP exam.  Students will need to review their notes, and the text book.

In other news...
-There are a number of teams in action tonight.  Plenty of opportunities to get out and support our Trojan student athletes!  Go BC!

Tuesday, August 28

World History - Today, 7th period caught up with the other classes, and did what was posted yesterday.  Then, this afternoon with 2nd and 3rd period world history, we moved through chapter two section three, which is about the geography and beginning of Egyptian Civilization.  Students created graphic organizers to display information about the Old, Middle and New Kingdoms of Egypt, and for homework will read a piece of the Book of the Dead, and through section four, which covers day-to-day life.  After reading section four, students are to answer questions in the section assessment (#1,3,4,5,6).

Government - 6th period government class also caught up with what was done yesterday.  They worked through information about Federalism from chapter three as well.  They also have readings for homework from the text (pg. 67-87) and the Lanahan Reader (pg. 121-126).  First test is approaching soon, so students should continue to prepare!

In other news...
The girls golf, boys tennis, and boys soccer teams are all in action tonight.  All of these teams are on the road tonight.  Let's go Trojans!

Monday, August 27

World History - We started by taking care of a few administrative details.  Next, we finished the notes from Friday on Sumer.  Students should know the legacy that Sumer left behind as it was replaced.  After completing these notes, students then broke up into groups of four and worked through section two of chapter two.  This section covers the groups who invaded and replaced the Sumerians.  Students each worked on a piece of this whole section, and then shared there work with the other members of their group.  For homework, students have a packet on Hammurabi's Code to read through and questions to answer.  These laws give a quick look into what life was like for the people who lived under Hammurabi's rule.

Government - We need to cover the same administrative details before moving on to other items.  Next, students got their first quiz back, and we reviewed quickly.  Then we went into chapter three, which covers federalism and the separation of powers.  Students should understand the historical basis for federalism, as well as how it has evolved.  For homework, students need to read page 67-87 from the textbook and page 121-126 from the Lanahan Reader.

In other news...
All sorts of sporting action this evening.  Hopefully we can get out and support all of our Trojan athletes!  Go Trojans!

Thursday, August 23

World History - Today, 7th period world history caught up with what the previous classes did yesterday.  They worked through their map exercise and had some time to do their vocab and current events work.  Both of those will be due tomorrow, as well as a short reading assignment.  2nd period world history is saw me for the last time this week and turned in those same assignments.  They then took notes over the first section of chapter two.

Government - We covered a few current events articles to begin class.  These classes both have a current events and vocab assignment due tomorrow.  We talked about the amendment process and the steps involved.  Then in small groups, students were given potential proposed amendments and they had to decide the ideal way for that amendment to makes its way through the amendment process.  We discussed answers after they finished.  For homework, they need to read the rest of chapter two.

In other news...
-It was great to meet so many parents last night at our Back to School night.  Thanks for coming!
-Lots of Trojan sports teams in action tonight.  Volleyball, girls golf, boys tennis, and boys and girls soccer all competing.  Let's go Trojans!

Wednesday, August 22

World History - 7th period world history was catching up on the material the other two classes did yesterday.  So they registered for the text book on line, as well as going through section three of chapter one.  Then my 2nd and 3rd period classes started into chapter two by doing some map work that covers the Middle East and the ancient civilizations there.  This gives them a geographical starting point for chapter two.  For homework, students have a few things to accomplish.  #1 - Students need to have their vocab ready.  #2 - Students need to have a current events article with a 1/2 page report and citation.  #3 - Students were emailed two short readings with a few questions at the end of each one.  Students should read and answer the questions.

Government - In both classes today, students took a quiz over the material we have covered from chapter one and two of the text book as well as the extra readings from the Lanahan reader.  From that point, we went further through chapter two covering some key items from the Constitutional Convention.  For homework, students are to read page 37-57, which will give more detail on the convention.

In other news...
-It's Back to School night at BCHS.  Looking forward to seeing many students parents this evening.  The evening starts at 6:00.

Tuesday, August 21

World History - In class today, students were instructed on how to sign up to view the textbook online. Students should now be able to log in and read the text online.  We then went on to cover section three, which is about the beginnings of civilizations.  We covered the basic features of civilization.  Students had to rank them in order of importance and discussed.  Students should continue working through their vocab list as well as preparing a current events article for either Thursday (period 2) or Friday (period 3 and 7).

Government - Met with 6th period government today, and they presented their utopian societies like 5th period did yesterday.  Both classes had very good and original ideas and thought through their type of government as well as the principle of politics that best suited their society.  Students were told of the information to read and research for homework, which is the same as yesterday's class.

In other news...
-Boys' tennis is on the road at Lebanon tonight.
-Girls' varsity golf takes on Park Tudor this evening.
-Reminder that tomorrow is Back to School night.  Looking forward to meeting with parents tomorrow night!

Monday, August 20

World History - Today in world history, we reviewed a couple of procedural things regarding current event articles and vocab. Students have documents for both and are expected to have those completed by Friday.  We also worked through section two of chapter one, which is about the Neolithic Revolution and the advancements made by modern humans.

Government - Government also was given the current events assignment as well as vocab to take care of by Friday.  They were given a few minutes to finalize their utopian societies and then presented.  All groups did a very nice job, and had created well thought out civilizations considering the short time frame we were working on.  With the time left over, students were to research on the theories of the origin of the state (Evolutionary, Force, Divine Right, and Social Contract), John Locke and Thomas Paine.  Students for homework should read pg. 30-37 from the textbook, as well as two entries from Lanahan, which were emailed.

In other news...
Good luck to all BCHS students in action tonight in a variety of sports including girls' golf, girls' soccer, volleyball, and freshman and JV football.  Go Trojans!

Friday, August 17

World History - In world history classes, we discussed a few current events to kick off class.  After talking about the news, students took notes over section one of chapter one.  The first section deals with introductory information about how individuals study history.  Students should now be familiar and be able to explain the impact of geography, anthropology, and archaeology.  Students were also prompted to read pages from the first section and add information to their notes.  These pages covered discoveries of early hominids and the characteristics of those groups.

AP Government - Students in these classes also started with a brief current events discussion.  Second, we worked our way quickly through the two readings from last night.  We discussed the People of Paradox entry from Lanahan, as well as expanding where necessary on forms of government and the principles of politics listed within chapter one.  In the second half of class, students were given an activity that involves creating a utopian society.  They will connect the information from chapter one when creating their "new society".  On Monday (or Tuesday for 6th period) students will present their information, and we will classify their new governments as well as characterize the principle of politics used to accomplish their goals.

In other news:
-It's a big weekend at Bishop Chatard as there will be a ribbon cutting for the new athletic complex.  Also, good luck to all of our student athletes competing this weekend!  Go Trojans!

Thursday, August 16

I apologize for missing the last couple of days, I am still trying to adjust to a new schedule!  We are off and running here at BCHS.  Here's what is going on in class.

World History I - In World History classes, students have gone through the syllabus and discussed why we should study History.  Students gave thoughtful answers on this very open ended question.  After discussing this, we looked at how know what we know.  In brief, students were asked to give examples of how we learn about what is happening in various places.  Students were then directed to think about how we know about History.  The answer comes from artifacts.  We discussed how different people will have different interpretations.  To illustrate this point, students were given a picture of an artifact and told to decide what is was and what its use was.  After rotating the artifacts, students learned their actual uses, and discussed how historians and others have to use that information to create history.

AP Government - In these two classes, we also covered the syllabus.  To begin government related discussion, students were asked to describe democracy.  They also read two entries, an excerpt from Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville, and Dinner with Democracy by Cynthia Farrar.  In today's class, we discuss what democracy is, and its key components.  We then compared their written responses to those views from the two entries.  Finally, we introduced chapter one of the textbook.  Students are to read chapter one tonight as well as one more entry from the Lanahan reader.  They should be prepared to discuss both of these again tomorrow, along with going over some key pieces from the first chapter.

Tuesday August, 14

Welcome back!  Today is the first official day of school for students at Bishop Chatard High School.  Coincidentally, it is also my first day as a teacher at Bishop Chatard.  I will be teaching World History and AP Government, as well as coaching freshmen basketball.  I am very excited to meet the students and begin what hopefully will be a very successful school year!  Since I am new here, I will give a brief introduction.  My name is Chris Schrank, and I am beginning my sixth year of teaching.  For the past five years, I have taught world history, government, economics, and sociology at Union County High School in Liberty, IN.  I was also the JV boys' basketball coach, and Model Legislature sponsor.  I received my Bachelor's Degree from Miami University in Oxford, OH.  This summer has been an exciting summer for me because not only did I accept a new job, but I also got married!  My wife and I live in Fishers.  I am thrilled to be here, and am looking forward to working with all of my new students.  Hopefully this blog will serve as a resource for students and parents stay up to date with what is happening in either World History or AP Government.  I will do my best to update this daily and will post assignments as often as I can.  Thanks for checking in, and I am looking forward to working with you all.

Chris Schrank
Bishop Chatard Social Studies Teacher