SEMESTER ONE
In my first semester as a student teacher, I was extremely grateful to be placed at Castro Valley High School in the beautiful East Bay. I taught government classes virtually with a fantastic cooperating teacher who has over 20 years of experience - Matt Johanson.
The students in my classes were all seniors who exhibited great potential. We explored the three branches of the U.S. government along with the Constitution. We also dedicated time to discussing current events and how they are affected by what's happening in our government today. This allowed the students to reflect on a historical election and consider the factors that shape our political decision making and the role of media literacy. I am certainly humbled by the opportunity to influence them as they become young adults and help them see things from different perspectives.
We utilized Google Classroom to post assignments, using social platforms such as Nearpod, iCivics, fiscalship.org, and more. We even had students create their own political cartoons. Additionally, we used Google Slides to share weekly current event information related to the course.
In my first semester as a student teacher, I was extremely grateful to be placed at Castro Valley High School in the beautiful East Bay. I taught government classes virtually with a fantastic cooperating teacher who has over 20 years of experience - Matt Johanson.
The students in my classes were all seniors who exhibited great potential. We explored the three branches of the U.S. government along with the Constitution. We also dedicated time to discussing current events and how they are affected by what's happening in our government today. This allowed the students to reflect on a historical election and consider the factors that shape our political decision making and the role of media literacy. I am certainly humbled by the opportunity to influence them as they become young adults and help them see things from different perspectives.
We utilized Google Classroom to post assignments, using social platforms such as Nearpod, iCivics, fiscalship.org, and more. We even had students create their own political cartoons. Additionally, we used Google Slides to share weekly current event information related to the course.
Fiscal Ship
Fiscal Ship Assignment
Below is a student example of completing the Game - FIscal Ship: "The Fiscal Ship challenges you to put the federal budget on a sustainable course". "To win the game, you need to find a combination of policies that match your values and priorities AND set the budget on a sustainable course"
https://fiscalship.org/about.php
Fiscal Ship Assignment
Below is a student example of completing the Game - FIscal Ship: "The Fiscal Ship challenges you to put the federal budget on a sustainable course". "To win the game, you need to find a combination of policies that match your values and priorities AND set the budget on a sustainable course"
https://fiscalship.org/about.php
Below is an example of a Current Events assignment that I created
Here is an example of a student's response to the Current Event assignment referenced above
SCOTUS NY Religious Decision
How far should we allow authorities to go in a pandemic to protect public health when there's still personal freedom?Houses of worship argued limits imposed by the state of NY violated 1st Amendment rights. Do you think it violated the First Amendment? Why or Why not?
I don’t believe that not allowing churches congregate in a global pandemic is a violation of the first amendment. Even though we have freedom of religion, safety comes first and religious services can be performed virtually. I know this because my family attends a church virtually and though it’s not ideal, the general safety of the public is more important. Church services may be conducted in areas of high risk with less than 10 people which I think is more than fair. If people are that antsy to go to service, then they can develop a system to have them alternate each week. We aren't ready to have hundreds of people congregate in the same building where they recite prayers and sing and what not. In my opinion, I think everyone in the entire US should go on a strict nationwide lockdown for 14 days and those who are seen outside should be fined or have a very harsh (not cruel) punishment inflicted on them. I think masks should be MANDATORY and there should be a harsh fine for not having one in public and during the lockdown if someone must go out for groceries or what not, only one person per household should be allowed to go out. I think the government should do what they’re doing in countries like Canada where they are paying people to stay home. I think that’s a good incentive for the general public and it helps small and local businesses. After the 14 days, I think we can slowly let people come back outside, but masks must be mandatory and worn at all times and there shouldn’t be gatherings with more than ten people. I think strict social distancing is something the authorities should enforce to protect the public health even if it does violate our personal freedom in the short term because if they don’t, we might be in this situation for much longer than it should have (aka us now).
SCOTUS NY Religious Decision
How far should we allow authorities to go in a pandemic to protect public health when there's still personal freedom?Houses of worship argued limits imposed by the state of NY violated 1st Amendment rights. Do you think it violated the First Amendment? Why or Why not?
I don’t believe that not allowing churches congregate in a global pandemic is a violation of the first amendment. Even though we have freedom of religion, safety comes first and religious services can be performed virtually. I know this because my family attends a church virtually and though it’s not ideal, the general safety of the public is more important. Church services may be conducted in areas of high risk with less than 10 people which I think is more than fair. If people are that antsy to go to service, then they can develop a system to have them alternate each week. We aren't ready to have hundreds of people congregate in the same building where they recite prayers and sing and what not. In my opinion, I think everyone in the entire US should go on a strict nationwide lockdown for 14 days and those who are seen outside should be fined or have a very harsh (not cruel) punishment inflicted on them. I think masks should be MANDATORY and there should be a harsh fine for not having one in public and during the lockdown if someone must go out for groceries or what not, only one person per household should be allowed to go out. I think the government should do what they’re doing in countries like Canada where they are paying people to stay home. I think that’s a good incentive for the general public and it helps small and local businesses. After the 14 days, I think we can slowly let people come back outside, but masks must be mandatory and worn at all times and there shouldn’t be gatherings with more than ten people. I think strict social distancing is something the authorities should enforce to protect the public health even if it does violate our personal freedom in the short term because if they don’t, we might be in this situation for much longer than it should have (aka us now).
