Engaging Bellwork Prompts for Students

1. 8/21 Bellwork • What inspires, or motivates you in school, life, or work? • Remember, BW should be 2-4 sentences to earn full credit.

2. 8/22 Bellwork (US) • On a sheet of paper, draw a map of the U.S. to the best of your abilities. Label as many states as you can. • Remember, to earn full credit, bellwork should be 2-4 sentences. You may use the same sheet of paper as yesterday.

3. 8/22 Bellwork (APUSH) • After last night’s reading, what is your opinion on Native American populations prior to European contact? Do you side with the “high counters” or the “low counters”? Why? • Remember, to earn full credit, bellwork should be 2-4 sentences. You may use the same sheet of paper as yesterday.

4. 8/23 Bellwork Respond to the above quote. Do you agree or disagree? Why? Can you give an example of American history growing or changing?

5. 8/24 Bellwork • Respond to this quote. Do you agree that dissent (protest, boycotts, etc.) is a form of patriotism? Why or why not? • Be sure to write 2-4 sentences AND answer the entire prompt to earn full credit.

6. 8/25 Free Write Friday • On Fridays you will have 5 minutes to free write. You should keep writing until I call time. You can write about anything, just know I do read them so keep it appropriate!! • If you’re stuck and don’t know what to write about, here’s a prompt…. • What would a perfect weekend look like for you??? • Remember writing the entire time…. 

7. 8/28 Bellwork (US) • Do you think Reconstruction was successful? Why or why not? From the perspective of a freed slave, do you think reconstruction was successful? • Remember to write 2-4 sentences for full credit.

8. 8/28 Bellwork (APUSH) • In 1491 would you have preferred to be a Native American or European? Remember some of the descriptions of each group from 1491, Cahokia, and Seasons of Want and Plenty. Explain your reasoning for choosing either group. • Remember bell work should be 2-4 sentences to get full credit.

9. 8/29 Bellwork(US) • Why does Wells not believe there is anything that can be done about lynching? Do the reconstruction amendments protect African Americans from this form of persecution?

10. 8/29 Bellwork (APUSH) • In response to last night’s reading, do you believe Columbus Day should still be celebrated? Why or why not? What was your reaction to the actions of the Spaniards in Hispaniola?

11. 8/30 Bellwork (US) • Without looking at your notes or vocab, what is the main difference between Jim Crow laws and black codes?

12. 8/30 Bellwork (APUSH) • Looking back on this first unit of our class, what is one thing you need to study/look over tonight? Is there anything you feel very confident on?

13. 8/31 Bellwork (US) • How does the Industrial Revolution affect you today? *Think of the technological advances, affect on climate, and the more modern idea of capitalism.

14. 8/31 Bellwork (APUSH) • Use your time wisely and study for your exam!!!!  If you have questions, PLEASE come ask me!

15. 9/1 Free Write Friday • I will set a timer for 5 minutes, remember you should be writing the entire time. You can write about whatever you want. • If you cannot think of what to write, here’s a prompt: What are your plans for the long weekend?

16. 9/6 Way back Wednesday (US) • What is Social Darwinism? Do you think this “survival of the fittest” logic still exists today?

17. 9/6 Way back Wednesday (APUSH) • What group of Europeans treated indigenous people well, or in a friendly manner? Why did this group treat Indians well, what were they getting out of it?

18. 9/7 Bellwork (US) • Looking back on yesterday’s reading, how biased was Zinn’s view of the “robber barons”? Did you agree with his version of the story?

19. 9/7 Bellwork (APUSH) • Looking back to yesterday’s lecture, name two differences between the Chesapeake colonies, and the colonies in New England. If you were a colonist, which region do you think you’d fit in better?

20. 9/8 Free Write Friday • I will set a timer for 5 minutes, remember you should be writing the entire time. You can write about whatever you want. • If you cannot think of what to write, here’s a prompt: If you could be any animal, which animal would you choose and WHY?

21. 9/11 Bellwork (US) • Do you characterize the wealthy businessmen of this time period as “robber barons” or ”captains of industry”? Use evidence to support your statement. • ALL Bellwork will be turned in tomorrow. Remember 2-3 sentences are required for full credit!

22. 9/11 Bellwork (APUSH) • Name two reasons colonists turned from indentured servitude to slavery. • Answer in complete sentences…Bellwork will be taken up with the next Unit Exam on 9/20

23. 9/12 Bellwork (US) • Spend the next 15 minutes getting caught up on last week’s assignments. • Due today: • Bellwork • HL1 &2 • Robber Barons and Rebels • Chapter 3 & 4 vocabulary

24. 9/12 Bellwork (APUSH) • In response to last night's reading, did the English or French Enlightenments have an effect on the American Enlightenment? Name two of the 6 main ideas of enlightenment thought in the U.S.

25. 9/13 Bellwork (US) • Describe what a monopoly is. Provide an example of a monopoly (other than the AT&T/cell phone example).

26. 9/13 Bellwork (APUSH) • What was the impact of the Great Awakening in America? Do you think you would have been swept up in the fervor of this religious zeal?

27. 9/14 Bellwork (US) • In your VOCABnotebook, copy these two definitions. • Push factors – something that forcefully PUSHES someone out of their country. (famine, political/religious persecution) • Pull factors – something that attracts new immigrants to a country. (religious freedom, possibility for economic success)

28. 9/14 Bellwork (APUSH) • What are some of the characteristics of indentured servants? What is the average length of indenture contracts?

29. 9/15 Free Write Friday • I will set a timer for 5 minutes, remember you should be writing the entire time. You can write about whatever you want. • If you cannot think of what to write, here’s a prompt: Do you think that intelligent life exists outside of Earth? Why or why not?

30. 9/19 Bellwork (US) • Without looking at your notes, name TWO differences between old immigrants and new immigrants?

31. 9/19 Bellwork (APUSH) • Who dominated the Atlantic slave trade (beginning and end)? Why did slavery become central to the Southern colonies? • Reminder: Bellwork is DUE tomorrow!

32. 9/20 Bellwork (US) • Define urbanization, without looking at your notes. How did increased immigration lead to urbanization?

33. 9/20 Bellwork (APUSH) • APUSHers, get together all BW, staple it, and turn it into the tray! • You have 5 minutes from the time the bell rings to study! • When the tardy bell rings, turn in your study guide, clear your desk, and get ready to test!

34. 9/21 Bellwork (US) • What rights did the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments guarantee for African Americans? What are these amendments collectively called?

35. 9/21 Bellwork (APUSH) • What is one thing in this class that you do not feel confident with? How can you work to improve this, whether it is keeping up with homework, studying, taking notes, etc.

36. 9/22 Free Write Friday • I will set a timer for 5 minutes, remember you should be writing the entire time. You can write about whatever you want. • If you cannot think of what to write, here’s a prompt: If you could live in a movie/TV show/book, what movie/TV show/ or book would you choose?

37. 9/25 Bellwork (US) • Define assimilation. Were Indians fully assimilated by the U.S. government? (Think of Native Americans you may know now, do they still practice their culture?)

38. Historical Marker Example (4-5 sentences) (US) • Here was fought a major battle between Indians and the United States government on June 25, 1876. This battle marked the death of General Custer and……….

39. 9/26 No Bellwork • Just let me take attendance, and we will go to the auditorium.

40. 9/27 No Bellwork Relocated to N114 for PSAT testing

41. 9/28 Bellwork • No Bellwork

42. 9/29 Free Write Friday • I will set a timer for 5 minutes, remember you should be writing the entire time. You can write about whatever you want. • If you cannot think of what to write, here’s a prompt: If you could have superpowers, what superpower would you want and WHY? Also, would you be a hero or a villain?

43. 10/2 Bellwork(US) • Happy October! • What is your favorite holiday? Why? • If you did not turn in your notebooks last week, please do so now.

44. 10/2 Bellwork (APUSH) • Happy October!! • What was the Newburgh conspiracy (p. 130)?

45. 10/3 Bellwork (US) • Based on what you know right now, what is the Progressive Movement?

46. 10/3 Bellwork (APUSH) • Name and explain TWO weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

47. 10/4 Bellwork (US) • Which Progressive Era reform do you benefit most from today? Feel free to look back through yesterday’s vocab to review the reforms.

48. 10/4 Bellwork (APUSH) • Why did the British begin taxing the colonists when they did? Why were colonists upset by the new taxes?

49. 10/5 Bellwork (US) • What was the 16th amendment? What was the trick I gave you to remember it?

50. 10/5 Bellwork (APUSH) • Which group opposed a Bill of Rights being added to the Constitution? Why did they oppose it?