Mr. Duffany U.S. History

Glory

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Duffany) — Tue, 26 May 2009 12:07:00 +0000

We are hoping to watch the movie Glory this week. Here is a copy of the letter I sent home:
May 26, 2009

Dear Parents or Guardians:

As part of our study of the Civil War, I would like to show the students the movie Glory. The movie stars Mathew Broderick and Denzel Washington and depicts the 54th Massachusetts Regiment and their involvement in the war. This regiment was one of the first made up entirely of African-Americans and is an important part of our history, especially in Massachusetts. The reason for this letter is to inform you that the movie does contain some scenes of violence. If you would like your student to opt out of watching the movie, a replacement movie will be available for them to watch. If you have any questions please feel free to call the school and leave a message on my voice mail. You can also reach me at Jeffrey.duffany@tyngsboroughps.org any time of the day.

Thanks
Jeff Duffany

Parent/Guardian Signature: ______________________________________________

First Paragraph

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Duffany) — Fri, 22 May 2009 13:33:00 +0000

Your 1st Paragraph is due on Tuesday on Google-docs. Please email if you have any problems. If there is a computer issue, use the old method and write it on a piece of paper. Remember that you need a THESIS. This should be a big, bold statement about your topic. You also want to answer the research question.

Research Project

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Duffany) — Tue, 19 May 2009 16:58:00 +0000

Here is an update about due dates for the research project:

First Paragraph and Thesis Next Tues. 5/26
Rough Draft Next Fri. 5/29
Final Draft Mon June 1

We will not have much time in the computer lab coming up. You need to do the assignments on Google docs, therefore you will need to make the proper arrangements. I can come in early or stay after school. Please don't give any excuses.

Outline

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Duffany) — Thu, 14 May 2009 14:05:00 +0000

The rough outline is due on Google-docs tomorrow. You can access some examples on my website in the assignments section under research paper. This is a basic outline and only needs to have general ideas and not full sentences. If you have finished the outline, you can work on a rough draft that will be due soon.

Civil War

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Duffany) — Tue, 12 May 2009 13:55:00 +0000

We are about to begin our study of the American Civil War. Please keep in mind that the paper will be due on June 1. You need to work on it outside of school in order to finish.

Preliminary Bibliography

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Duffany) — Mon, 04 May 2009 14:12:00 +0000

The Prelim Biblio is due on Wed. Please make a Googledoc and share it with me. You need to show that you have been finding sources and are on the right track. Check the website for more specific details.

Research Project

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Duffany) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 14:13:00 +0000

The research project has begun. Please bring in at least two resources by next Mon. Check the website for links and such that might help you.

Mrs. Puleo Visits

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Duffany) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 14:11:00 +0000

Karyn Puleo will be visiting the school to talk to the eighth graders about town government. She is a member of the Board of Selectmen in town and does a great job. We can't wait for her to come.

Research Topic

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Duffany) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:55:00 +0000

You need to come up with 3 possible research topics for your research project. They must deal with the Civil War era. I have provided a list of possible topics for you, but if you find something that you would like to research that is fine. Make sure you check with me first. The list and guidelines are on the website for you to view. Email me with any questions.

Patriots Day

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Duffany) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:51:00 +0000

By the way, Patriots Day is on Monday. There are festivities and reenactments going on all weekend in Lexington and Concord. Here is a link to the Minuteman National Park website if you are interested.
http://www.nps.gov/mima/patriots-day.htm

Test Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Duffany) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:41:00 +0000

There will be a test on Friday. The test will be on the Reform Movement and the Institution of Slavery. Please come in with any questions on Friday.

Gum on the floor

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Duffany) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 13:46:00 +0000

This is why you cannot chew gum in school.

18.7 Seneca Falls and the Declaration of Sentiments

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Duffany) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:04:00 +0000

18.6 Women's Rights

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Duffany) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:03:00 +0000

18.5 Anti-Slavery

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Duffany) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:01:00 +0000

18.4 Education

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Duffany) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:00:00 +0000

18.3 Reform of Prisons and Mentally Ill

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Duffany) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 14:58:00 +0000

Reform Response

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Duffany) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:30:00 +0000

1 Page
Find one thing you feel should be reformed in America today. Describe why it needs reform and what you would do to reform it.

Chapter 18

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Duffany) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 13:40:00 +0000

We will be skipping over chapter 17 in order to make up some time. There were a number of reform movements of the mid-1800's that we will look at in class. You and your group will have to make an Important Book about one of the chapters and teach some of the other kids about the section you studied.

Test Tuesday

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Duffany) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 13:04:00 +0000

There is a test on Tuesday of next week on Ch 15. The review sheet due Monday. Be sure to look closely at #1, 16, 17, 18. wink, wink, nudge, nudge. Perhaps I have said too much.

Lewis and Clark

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Duffany) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 13:21:00 +0000

We will be going to the computer lab to look at the journals written on the Lewis and Clark expedition. The website is run by PBS and has a compilation of the journals. The assignment is on the website for you to access.

Trail of Tears memorial/monument

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Duffany) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 15:31:00 +0000

Today in class, we started working on a monument or memorial to the Trail of Tears. This will commemorate the 4,000 Cherokee that died on the Trail of Tears. Please include where?, What it is made of?, why this design?, and an inscription. Put this info on the back of the design. We will have a contest for the best design in class tomorrow.

Andrew Jackson odds and ends

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Duffany) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 21:49:00 +0000

We have started our examination of the presidency of Andrew Jackson. I anticipate that we should have a test next week some time. On Wed., be ready to discuss the political cartoons and look at the election of 1828.

Ch 13 Essay

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Duffany) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 21:47:00 +0000

I am working on grading your essay's as we speak. Please bear with me, as doing it on google will be too time consuming. I will print out each of your essays and grade them manually. They should be back by the beginning of next week. Sorry and thanks for your understanding.

Letter to your Representative

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Duffany) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 13:27:00 +0000

Your letter to Congress is due after the vacation. I would like you to use a modified block format for the letter. Please use the following template.

Your Name
Your Address
Your Zip Code
Today's Date

Addressees Name
Addressees Address
Addressees Zip Code

Dear The Honorable (Rep or Senator),

BODY OF THE LETTER. Be sure to explain why you feel the way you do. These people represent you and need specific details about what they need to do to better serve you. Whenever possible, cite laws or policies to show you know what has been going on surrounding this topic. Please be courteous and do not threaten anyone. The last thing you need is for the Secret Service to show up at your door.

Sincerely,

Your Name

______________________________________________________________________________________

ENVELOPE:

In the top left, write your name and complete address
In the middle of the envelope, write the person to whom you are writing's name and compete address.
The stamp goes in the top right hand corner.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Your name Stamp
Your Address

Addressee Name
Addressee Address

______________________________________________________________________________________