Changes

Reminders on exam or homework questions:

Reminders on exam or homework questions:

*Understand the question first.  Students are missing points for not completely understanding the question.  Pause a moment after you read a question.  Read it twice.  Ask yourself, what’s the point of the question?

*Understand the question first.  Students are missing points for not completely understanding the question.  Pause a moment after you read a question.  Read it twice.  Ask yourself, what is the point of the question?

*Skip the tough questions and answer the other questions first.   

*Skip the toughest questions and answer the other questions first.  But when the answer sheet is separate from the exam, be sure to leave a gap in your answer sheet for the skipped question.

*When stuck, use a source other than the lecture.  On your written homework, you may use extra resources although the answers are in the lecture, event list, textbook or perhaps a dictionary.

*When stuck, use a source other than the lecture.  On your written homework, you may use extra resources although the answers are almost always in the lecture.

   

   

Tips in learning history:

Tips in learning history:

*Beware of over-reliance on authority.  Unless we’re talking about the Bible, authority is not always going to be correct.  Every book contains mistakes, and it's beneficial to read many sources, because some authors will cover what others miss.

*Beware of over-reliance on authority.  Unless we're talking about the Bible, authority is not always going to be correct.  Every book contains mistakes or fails to explain a concept well, and it's beneficial to read many sources, because some authors will cover what others miss or explain a concept better.

*Learn history in small pieces.  I can’t grade all the papers in this course at one time, or even in one day.  After about an hour or two, I burn out.  But by grading in 45 minute periods each day, it is very enjoyable.  The material is easier to digest.  Could you eat one and only one meal each day?  No, we eat three meals so it’s easier to digest.  Same with learning history.  45 minutes each day for 5 days will be much easier than over 4 hours in one day.  You’ll retain the material much better if you spread it out.

*Learn history in small pieces.  I cannot grade all the papers in this course at one time, or even in one day.  After about an hour or two, I burn out.  But by grading in 45 minute periods each day, it is very enjoyable.  The material is easier to digest.  Could you eat one and only one meal each day?  No, we eat three meals so the food is easier to digest that way.  Same with learning history.  45 minutes each day for 5 days will be much easier than over 4 hours in one day.  You'll retain the material much better if you spread it out.

*On the same note, don't wait until Wednesday night to start your homework.  Set a goal for yourself, such as answering three questions each day until you are done.  Answering a few questions at a time doesn't take long, but trying to finish homework in one sitting when you are tired is difficult and produces poor results.

*Avoid procrastination!  Don't wait until the last minute to begin your homework.  Set a goal for yourself, such as answering three questions each day until you are done.  Answering a few questions at a time doesn't take long, but trying to finish homework in one sitting when you are tired is difficult and produces poor results.

Quick question:

Now consider the following riddle about history:  Consider this sequence: 2, 1, 2, 2, 2, 1, 2, 1, 1, ??, ??, ??, ??.  What goes in the question marks?  The answer is below.<ref>Answer: 1, 1, 1, 1 – this sequence represents the number of terms that each president (including his vice president if he died) served, starting with George Washington.</ref>

Why are there so many 1's as we approach the Civil War?  Imagine riding the raging bull at the rodeo.  It's hard to stay on beyond a few seconds.  Before the Civil War, the United States was like the bull, and it was nearly impossible for a president to be reelected amid that turmoil. No president could ride the raging bull of a divided country for more more than one term as the Civil War approached. 

 

 

 

Why are there so many “1” as we approach the Civil War?  Imagine riding the raging bull at the rodeo.  It's hard to stay on, and 4 or 5 seconds is good.   

 

Before the Civil War, the United States was like the bull, and it was nearly impossible for a president to be reelected amid that turmoil.

==Review==

==Review==

This week, practice memorizing all of the presidents we have learned about.  Which ones have we covered so far? <ref>George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, and Andrew Jackson.</ref>

This week, practice memorizing all of the presidents we have learned about.  Which ones have we covered so far?<ref>George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, and Andrew Jackson.</ref>

Last week we learned about Andrew Jackson, who represented the common man.  He was a “Democrat”.  The masses elected their military hero.  The Whig Party arose just to oppose Jackson.

Last week we learned about Andrew Jackson, who represented the common man.  He was a "Democrat".  The masses elected their military hero.  The Whig Party arose just to oppose Jackson.

In accordance with his image as a common man, Jackson was against a national bank.  His military background caused him to be cruel to the Indians, heightening conflict there.   

In accordance with his image as a common man, Jackson was against a national bank.  His military background caused him to be cruel to the Indians, heightening conflict there.   

Although Jackson was a Democrat, his stance toward the South opposed nullification and secession.

Although Jackson was a Democrat, which was then the main party in the South, Jackson's stance toward the South opposed nullification and secession.

==Martin Van Buren==

==Martin Van Buren==