Just a Test

New Additions to the Classroom

There's going to be something new in Room 3011 this year!

What I'm Up To This Summer

I hope everyone's enjoying their summer. This week I've been attending the N.E.C.C. conference in downtown Washington, DC. The conference focuses on uses for technology in education. I've gotten more than a few good ideas from other educators and technology specialists to use in the classroom this fall. There will also be a big technology surprise for students in my classes this fall. I wish I could say more about it, but then it wouldn't be a surprise, would it? ;)

Mock Congress - Day 6

Period 3

• Congrats to Jen on getting her bill passed, however there were still many flaws in the bill.
• There was lots of wasted time in the Congress today. The best way to operate more efficiently is for committees to do a good job of mark-up and for parties to be coordinated before floor debate occurs.

Period 4

Mock Congress - Day 5

Another great day of legislative action! Bill Logs can be found in posts below, so I'm not going to re-post them here. A reminder to committees to be thorough in your mark-up; this is how you avoid 30 minute floor debates on bills.

Mock Congress - Day 4

Period 4

• Congrats to Beth for getting her bill (H. 4) passed!
• Period 4 Bill Log is available for review.
• A word of advice to committees: take time on mark-up. Only send quality bills to the whole House.
  

Mock Congress - Day 3

Period 3

• If you submit a new bill, remember to share your bill with the clerk and to publish your bill.
• Congressman Sam's bill has been postponed until the next class.

Period 5

• Parita did a super job as clerk!
• The Period 5 Bill Log is now available for all Members of Congress to examine.

Period 7

• Many thanks to Christine for quickly entering the bills and getting the committees moving quickly!
• The Period 7 Bill Log is now available for all Members of Congress to examine.
  

Mock Congress - Day 2

Period 3

• Congratulations on your first day in committees. The Rules Committee did a good job of distributing the bills to all committees.
• There have been many interesting bills, however I find this bill to be particularly disturbing.
• It's the Speaker's decision whether any bills that have made it through committee will be debated tomorrow in the whole house. The Period 3 Bill Log is available for viewing.
• Christy did a great job as clerk!

Period 4

• Committee work was very productive today!
• Once you have turned in one bill that you have written yourself, you are free to submit a bill that has been co-authored.
  
• The Speaker will determine the agenda for Wednesday. Your bill may be on the agenda - you can check if it's passed committee by examining the Period 4 Bill Log.
• Kelsey did a great job of tackling more than 20 bills and entering amendments made in committee mark-up!
  

Mock Congress - Day 1

Congratulations to the period 3 Republicans - you drive a hard bargain!

I'm disappointed in the lack of compassion for pandas exhibited by several of the Mock Congresses :(

Remember that your first bill is due next class! You'll need to turn in your bill and cover sheet to the hopper. You'll also need to submit your bill to GoogleDocs. When you submit the bill to GoogleDocs, make sure that you share it with me (mccarthyroom3011[at]gmail[dot]com and with the clerk of your Congress.

Civil War Project

Details of the Civil War project can be found by clicking here. The majority of our time in class will be spent working on this project.