Jerry O'Brien Palatine High School

Mr. Jerry O'Brien

Social Studies Department

- 25th Year at PHS –

"Good things happen, to good people, who work hard!"

	Married to Pirate Diving Coach Donna (Waz) O'Brien
	Proud Pirate Parent Kevin '08' & Jeff '05' (Pepperdine University)
	Teacher 17 years
	Assistant Principal 7 years
	Department Chairman 4 years
	Head Wrestling Coach 17 years
	Assistant Wrestling Coach 6 years
	Football Coach 5 years
	Sponsor of various clubs & activities
	Bachelor's Degree North Central College (History)
	Master's Degree Roosevelt University (School Administration)

Teaching Philosophy

It is my RESPONSIBILITY to PROVIDE Vision -

to DEVELOP Skills -

to ENCOURAGE Will -

and to REWARD Stamina!

	Effort and Attitude are more important than Ability.
	Effort and Attitude reflect Performance. I expect Positive Effort and Positive Attitude!
	Ability reflects potential!
	I respect individual differences and abilities, and strive to teach students to maximize their performance!

I believe there are many different types of people in the world who constantly define themselves through their daily actions. Those individuals have Locus of Control - they have control of their actions and choices. Those individuals are responsible for their choices, but they are not responsible for all of their circumstances. In class I categorize people into one of the following five groups:

Positive Leaders

Positive Followers

Mopes – People unwilling to commit – to take a stand – or to do much of anything!

Negative Followers

Negative Leaders

I judge behaviors in this framework and I try to get kids to believe in themselves and challenge themselves. I enjoy helping kids grow up and become positive leaders and or followers.

I think that all behaviors can be modified, and I stress the importance of students taking personal responsibility for their actions. When absent, I expect students to check with their classmates for missed assignments or to meet with me before or after school. See schedule.


Mr. O'B's final lesson! Commencement address June 5, 2005.	Class of 2005 Graduation Address6.htm

First Semester Schedule

2006 -2007

Ms. O'Brien's Schedule:
First Semester 2006-2007

PERIOD	TIME	SUBJECT	ROOM
Early Bird	7:30 - 8:05	Activity/Athletic Study Table	191
1	8:15 - 9:05	Multi-Cultural Perspectives	273
2	9:10-10:00	Multi-Cultural Perspectives	273
3	10:05 - 10:55	Preparation	Office
4	11:00 - 11:50	Multi-Cultural Perspectives	273
5	11:55 - 12:45	Lunch
6	12:50 - 1:40	Multi-Cultural Perspectives	273
7	1:45 - 2:35	Law & the Individual	273
8	2:40 - 3:30	PREPARATION	Office
After School	3:45 - 5:00*	Individual Tutoring	273

* Students are welcome to drop in before or after school for tutoring (Absent students should avail themselves to this opportunity), but are encouraged to make arrangements to ensure that I will be available. My other activities and responsibilities (Professional Development Classes, Do the Right Thing Committee, Assistant Wrestling Coach, Teachers Union Building Representative, and Athletics Event Worker) periodically preclude me from working with students before and after school.

PHS Homepage District 211 Homepage Pepperdine University

Multi Cultural Perspectives

Richard Sowa's Spiral Island (Made from discarded plastic bottles) - Cancun, Mexico -

G216 Multicultural Perspectives Township High School District 211 Curriculum Guide — Social Studies Page 58

Multicultural Perspectives is designed to increase cultural awareness and to prepare students to thrive in a diverse society. Through the examination of prejudice, self-esteem, cultural similarities and differences, students will be more prepared to function constructively in multicultural settings.

LEVEL: 2,3,4 One-half year One-half unit

Sample Topics Understanding and Defining Culture Philosophy and Culture Religious, Gender, Racial, Ethnic Differences & Similarities Case Studies of Different Cultures Prejudice & Discrimination
Grades Third Quarter Emphasis Students are graded (50%) according to their performance on individual & group assignments, quizzes, and tests. Positive participation and attendance* account for the remaining 50% of the quarter grade. Fourth Quarter Emphasis This quarter is primarily based upon application of acquired knowledge and skills. Students are evaluated based on their completion of a MCP related portfolio (33%), class assignments/tests (33%), and class participation (33%).
Other Information Students Sophomores - Seniors Able-Non-able bodied & Native-Non-native. Homework This is an elective class and as such homework is rarely assigned. Textbook *(Ethnic Cultures in America* -supplemental) Students are encouraged to use their environment as the text .**
Class Notes
Introductory Culture Unit	Ten Elements of Culture2-2005-webpage.htm
Racial Classification Unit	..\MCP 2004-2005\Racial Classification-Linnaeus2.ppt

Related Links
A site dedicated to answer the most basic question - Why?

Law & the Individual

G365 Law and the Individual Township High School District 211 Curriculum Guide — Social Studies Page 60

Students in this class learn about the rights and obligations of citizenship, the historical development of our system of law, our court structure and procedure, and substantive criminal law. A primary purpose of class exercises is for each student to develop the ability to think clearly by recognizing the value conflicts present in the law.

LEVEL: 3,4 One-half year One-half unit

Topics Understanding the Individual Rights & Responsibilities of good Citizens! The U.S. Constitution & Bill of Rights Ex. Freedom of Speech, Due Process, Freedom from Discrimination The U.S. Court System Criminal Law on the State & Federal Levels Defenses to Charges, Investigative Phase (Arrests, Interrogation, Search&Seizure) Pre-Trial Proceedings-Trial-Sentencing & Corrections
Grades Third Quarter Emphasis Students are graded according to their performance on Individual & Group Assignments – Chapter packet assignments, Law related current events, Presentations on Constitutional Amendments, Presentations on Important Supreme Court Decisions, Arranging Speakers in law related Fields, Vocabulary and Text assignments, Active participation in class related simulations. Class participation and attendance* are also reflected in the grading system utilized for this class. Fourth Quarter Emphasis This quarter is primarily based upon application of acquired knowledge and skills. Students are evaluated based on their completion of a law related portfolio, their development of court related performance skills, and their participation in Mock Trials. Examples of previous Speakers – Famous case trial participants ex. Defense Attorney for convicted serial killer John Wayne Gacy Judges, Court related Participants, Defense Attorneys & Federal & State Prosecuting Attorneys Federal Agents from the FBI, DEA, ATF, IRS, etc. Local & State Police – Detectives, & Street Patrol Officers, Special Units- Juvenile, Gangs, Canine, C.S.I., Computer Forensics Other Local Leaders - Mayor of Palatine, Palatine's Fire & Police Chief
Other Information Homework This is an elective class and as such homework is rarely assigned. Students may need to prepare for tests, quizzes, and mock trials outside of class. Textbook *Street Law - A Course in Practical Law* Speakers Unit During the first quarter students are divided into groups which are responsible for bringing into class a speaker from a law related field. Students will not be graded on the content of the presentation, but on the process of making arrangements and following up with the related speakers unit assignment.
Class Notes
Criminal Law Unit	Defenses to Criminal charges
" " "	Searches - Court ordered - Non-Court Ordered
" " "	Ingredients of a crime

Related Links
Street Law Text Support	Illinois Crime & Punishment
Federal Bureau of Investigation	Court TV Site
Comprehensive Legal Info Guide	Internet Law Library
Self help Law Site
Law related Films and Media

To contact - E-mail or call me in the Social Studies Office at 847-755-1826.

Created by Jerry O'Brien Last edited August 23, 2006

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Ms. O'Brien's Schedule: First Semester 2006-2007

PERIOD

TIME

SUBJECT

ROOM

Street Law - A Course in Practical Law

Ms. O'Brien's Schedule:
First Semester 2006-2007