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| Are her eyes bigger than her stomach? |
Happy New Year!!
You've probably noticed that it's been quite awhile since I last added an entry to this blog....and for that I apologize. Turns out that trying to incorporate technology with a new website and blog, plus learn how to use the new iPads given to teachers (Thank you, TCCS Auction Donors!!) all in the same semester was a bit more than I could successfully do. My mother would say that my "eyes were bigger than my stomach." Fortunately, we are starting both a new year and a new semester, so I have the chance to make a renewed commitment to update this blog more frequently. Thanks for your continued patience.
As we move ahead into Unit 6, we're smack in the middle of the "Gilded Age" period and will discover as we study 19th century American imperialism that the United States also perhaps had eyes bigger than its stomach. The next few chapters will cover the expansion of American interests outside its continental boundaries...and the situations which resulted.
Want some good news? We're more than half-way through the course material and textbook! Yippee! Remember that this class is a MARATHON, not a sprint. There will be times--especially in the next 2 months--when you will be totally tired of reading that book and doing those weekly homework questions. You might even feel like the class is torture, that you don't even want to take the AP test. Maybe you'll even think you don't want to go to college (you could always learn to walk a tightrope or swing on a trapeze and join the circus, right?). When this happens, put down your pencil and go for a walk, listen to music, read a book, call a friend or do something else fun for awhile. Then take a deep breath and KEEP GOING! Don't give up on this class and don't give up on doing the work either...even though it's hard and you may not want to do it. I promise you that all the work and pain will pay off and IT WILL BE WORTH IT in the end!! Trust me on this!!
I'll share more thoughts about APUSH class being similar to an athlete training for the Olympics in the next post. In the meantime, answer the Blog Question below....and get your Ch. 24 Questions done, OK??
This Week's Question: What activities do you turn to when you are putting off doing your homework? (For example, I read junk mail and clean my house). What has been the toughest part about APUSH during the first semester?
Well, when I put off my homework, which happens ALL the time, I usually go on Pinterest. I have recently become addicted to YouTube as well. And when it starts getting down to the line, I will clean stuff. My mom says that when I am cleaning, I am obviously not doing something I should be doing. Also, music! I love listening to music, which is what I am doing right now, even though I know I should focus more on my homework. At 10:44 at night. HA. Acceptance is the first step in fixing a problem! I'm Mikaela, and I'm a professional procrastinator. AND the toughest part of APUSH first semester was self-inflicted. PROCRASTINATION. I basically put my homework off until I was stressed enough to do it. Healthy, right?
ReplyDeleteDuring the few times I put off my homework, I play xbox or watch Television. Procrastination is not my forte. I am a relaxed and laid back sort of person. Stress is not in my vocabulary. If I procrastinate, it may only be for an essay. Otherwise, If I do not do my homework relatively early, I usually either forgot to do it completely or I was never planning on doing it in the first place. The most difficult part of APUSH first semester for me was performing well on homework. My goodness! I did not have to write near as much last year in WHAP as I have to now. I get by it though and persisted to the half way checkpoint and now four months blockade my path towards becoming a Senior.
ReplyDeleteI have A LOT of different activities I engage in when I'm putting off my homework. One thing is going on the computer to look at my favorite book author's facebook page (I know...nerdy, right? :D) or listening to One Direction songs to my heart's content. Another activity is catching up on missed tv shows either on my DVR or on the computer :) Another activity I do is to take a long time eating my after school snack. Actually, I think the hardest part about APUSH last semester was trying to not put off my questions!! Also, trying to manage how long I spend on each question has been a goal and a challenge for me :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I put off my homework, I usually go on Youtube and watch funny videos or I will draw. Sometimes I call my parents in Hong Kong. If those are getting too long and KaYi finds out that I am not doing something which I suppose to do, I will do laundry and clean the room. I think the hardest part about APUSH last semester was trying not to procrastinate any homework.
ReplyDeleteI turn to playing music when I am not doing my homework. My parents are always on my case about practicing piano or drums so it is a safe way to get out of doing homework. The hardest part for me in the first semester was the writing. I have never been a strong writer and taking this class and AP Language will hopefully make a strong writer.
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