Category Archives: X 09 GOV

Calling Congress 101

Calling All Government Students:

Don’t forget to call your representative this weekend…

  • Mr. Wood’s phone number (616) 402-8668
  • Saturday 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
  • Sunday 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Check here for copy of the syllabus for phone call assignment.

Check here for worksheet on calling your congressman.

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Government Honor Roll – MP#2

Congratulations to the following individual for earning an “A” for Government in Marking Period #2.

  • 94% – Benjamin Newman

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A Final Look at the Election and the Electorate

  • This Extra Credit Assignment is worth up to twenty points.
  • This Extra Credit Assignment must be posted by 7:00 PM on Saturday November 15.

The New York Times has provided a fascinating look at the final polling numbers of the voters on November 4. Click here to take a good long look at this report. There are soooooo many comparisons.

In order to earn extra credit here you must do the following:

  1. Take a long look at all the numbers as they landed on 2008.
  2. Take a long look at the changes for those numbers from 1976.
  3. Choose five specific graphs (the ones you see as most significant)
  4. Identify the graph by topic (ie. Age, Race, Family Status)
  5. Identify the graph by percentage breakdown (totals for each)
  6. Then take your one graph and do a thorough evaluation of the numbers, the history of this segment of the electorate, and why you think the numbers posted as they did.
  7. Repeat this four more times – five separate segment evaluations.

It might be best if you looked at this post with a friend. That way you could compare thoughts and come to mutual conclusions. Make sure however, that your post is yours and in your own words. Good luck on this one…I think you’ll find it rather interesting.

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The VOTE – Final Results

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Map and count reflects the final results of the 2008 Presidential Election. On a special note – the second photo reflects the results of Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District. Nebraska along with Maine are the only two states that tally electoral votes on a proportional basis. Obama won Maine’s 2nd Congressional District and it’s one electoral vote.

  • Obama / Biden – 365 (53% popular vote total)
  • McCain / Palin – 173 (46% popular vote total)

To all of you who joined with us these past nine weeks on “The VOTE”, thank you so much for your input – we particularly appreciated all of the teacher comments. The dialog was exciting for us. For those seniors who posted their podcasts, articles, and questions – great job! You kept us all informed. It is now up to all of us, students and teachers alike, to continue to watch and read, and to participate in this democracy, by holding the new administration accountable for their actions in leading the United States of America. Democracy is a participatory event – EVERY DAY – Not just Election day.

On this last edition of the “The VOTE” we have two podcasts. Go to New York Times – Election Results while you listen. Podcasts coincides with photo of map in room 112, located at the top of this post.

Special Note the podcast does not work in Firefox browser.

Podcast #1– Is a standard 5:00 podcast on the Electoral Results from November 4. It was created by – Angelina Mosher, Charity Wilde, and Mr. Wood.

Podcast #2– Is more indepth (14:59) and is the focus of this weeks extra credit question. Podcast #2 is Corey Swanson’s interpretation of the results on Nov 4. I think you’ll find it enlightening. We hope that you choose to listen to each and comment one more time on our blog. Thanks!

News Article – The Australian – Why Barack Obama’s Win Matters to the World

Question – Your question for podcast two is four part. Listen to Corey’s evaluation of the outcome of the election. Identify three things that he notes swung the election to Barack Obama. State his postion and provide your thoughts on each of the three. Number 4, read the news article selection and answer the following question. How do you see a Barack Obama presidency differing from that of George Bush in regards to foreign policy, and what impact will it have on the world?

Any posts on this final edition of “The VOTE” must be made by 7:00 PM on Saturday November 15. Posts can count up to twenty-five points extra credit.

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THE TOSS UP STATES – Extra Credit

  • If you choose to do this assignment it must be posted by 8:00 PM EST (Eastern Time Zone Poll Closing) on Tuesday Nov 4.
  • You may earn up to 35 pts extra credit (3 pts per state) 5 pts for all ten, for a superior effort.

This blog assignment is simple but challenging. The outcome of the 2008 presidential election will come down to the vote in ten crucial swing states. The New York Times has covered each of these states independently. If you read these summaries you will understand Tuesday night’s Electoral results so much better.

In order to earn the extra credit you must do the following:

  1. Read each separate state summary
  2. Post (in your own words) your evaluation of the situation in that particular state as reported by the Times. In your summary tell me what you see as the most significant issues brought up in the article. Add your own thoughts and opinions into the summary.
  3. Come up with a snappy headline in quotes, something that captures the win like “Obama lassos McCain in Montana.”
  4. Finally choose which candidate (Obama or McCain) will take that state. (your choice has NO bearing on your grade)

When posting do so in the following manner –

  • Note the name of the state – IE – MICHIGAN
  • Note the number of electoral votes – IE – 17
  • Identify who you think will win the state – IE – TYLER DARNELL
  • Write your snappy headline in quotes
  • Write your summary
  • Skip a line or two before the next one.

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