Welcome back to a new school year and to my new blog for 2008. I know the first question you may have is why I named the blog MHSCOTW. I believe that all of us should start viewing ourselves as “Citizens of the World.” If we thought of ourselves as parts of a bigger community than Middletown, or Rhode Island, or even America itself, our world would benefit. I think this global thinking would lead to less strife and more cooperation. This idea truly hit home when my son graduated from an American university and was hired by a German bank that immediately sent him to London, then on to New York City, India and now Tokyo. His story is not that unusual for recent college graduates as more businesses have an international presence.
The blog is a way for us to review what we worked on during the week and to provide additional information on a variety of topics through links. You will notice that the entries include highlighted words which are active links to other sites where you can read further about a particular topic. For reasons of time and space, the blog is not an all inclusive wrap-up of the week, and because five different classes will be using the blog, it cannot provide detailed information about homework.
I hope you enjoy reading the blog. Please feel free to offer recommendations.
Contemporary World Issues (CWI)
This week we talked about issues facing the world (global warming, terrorism, poverty and disease) as well as countries in the news. You quickly identified the major regions and countries we will be studying this semester: the Middle East, China, India, Africa and Russia. How do world issues affect you? Thomas Friedman, author of the best-seller “The World is Flat,” makes a compelling argument that all businesses and fields of employment will be affected by new technology and the growth of what used to be called “third world” countries. One example he gives are the number of McDonald’s restaurants that are now using operators located off sight to respond to drive-in orders. While some of these off-site operators may be in the US, more are located in India. With this example it is hard to think of a job that might be safe from outsourcing. We will also make time to look at some national issues, especially the history-making Presidential election.
You will find that your understanding of the issues will be greatly enhanced by watching the news or reading a daily paper. Next week we are scheduled to start receiving The New York Times. This is a major investment on the part of the District and I know that you will quickly appreciate having this opportunity to read a world class newspaper. As good thinkers and policy makers, we will also be consulting other sources, such as The Wall Street Journal, international press, and news web sites. If you have a favorite one please bring it in and we will add it to our list of resources.
Honors World History
This week we practiced our 3-2-1 strategy of marking up the text. As you read try to pull out the big ideas and make connections to what you already know. Asking questions of the text makes you a more involved reader and thus a more effective reader. We started our study of the world with the Greeks and next week we will work on a map (bring those colored pencils) and read about the lasting influence the Greeks have had on our lives. You already identified two areas: architecture and the Olympics!
AP European History
This week we have started the march to the AP exam which will be given on May 8. You will find that the pace of the reading is swift, but if you read about 10 pages per night you should be able to stay on schedule. You have been given a study guide which can be handed in the day of the exam. I will be putting together a calendar for you so you will be able to plan your time. I would urge all of you to visit the AP European web site for further information on the course. While different AP European History classes may use different texts, all of the classes have similar content.
We started this week with a study of the Renaissance. One of your first assignments was the comparison chart of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. This chart with categories is a useful method for gathering and sorting through information. If you did not complete the chart in class, you should finish it as part of your guide to the chapter.
We are fortunate to be members of the Middletown school community. We have a great school with wonderful students and a supportive faculty and administration. I know we are going to have a great year. Please do not hesitate to see me if there is anything I can do to help you have a fun, safe and productive year.
The blog is a way for us to review what we worked on during the week and to provide additional information on a variety of topics through links. You will notice that the entries include highlighted words which are active links to other sites where you can read further about a particular topic. For reasons of time and space, the blog is not an all inclusive wrap-up of the week, and because five different classes will be using the blog, it cannot provide detailed information about homework.
I hope you enjoy reading the blog. Please feel free to offer recommendations.
Contemporary World Issues (CWI)
This week we talked about issues facing the world (global warming, terrorism, poverty and disease) as well as countries in the news. You quickly identified the major regions and countries we will be studying this semester: the Middle East, China, India, Africa and Russia. How do world issues affect you? Thomas Friedman, author of the best-seller “The World is Flat,” makes a compelling argument that all businesses and fields of employment will be affected by new technology and the growth of what used to be called “third world” countries. One example he gives are the number of McDonald’s restaurants that are now using operators located off sight to respond to drive-in orders. While some of these off-site operators may be in the US, more are located in India. With this example it is hard to think of a job that might be safe from outsourcing. We will also make time to look at some national issues, especially the history-making Presidential election.
You will find that your understanding of the issues will be greatly enhanced by watching the news or reading a daily paper. Next week we are scheduled to start receiving The New York Times. This is a major investment on the part of the District and I know that you will quickly appreciate having this opportunity to read a world class newspaper. As good thinkers and policy makers, we will also be consulting other sources, such as The Wall Street Journal, international press, and news web sites. If you have a favorite one please bring it in and we will add it to our list of resources.
Honors World History
This week we practiced our 3-2-1 strategy of marking up the text. As you read try to pull out the big ideas and make connections to what you already know. Asking questions of the text makes you a more involved reader and thus a more effective reader. We started our study of the world with the Greeks and next week we will work on a map (bring those colored pencils) and read about the lasting influence the Greeks have had on our lives. You already identified two areas: architecture and the Olympics!
AP European History
This week we have started the march to the AP exam which will be given on May 8. You will find that the pace of the reading is swift, but if you read about 10 pages per night you should be able to stay on schedule. You have been given a study guide which can be handed in the day of the exam. I will be putting together a calendar for you so you will be able to plan your time. I would urge all of you to visit the AP European web site for further information on the course. While different AP European History classes may use different texts, all of the classes have similar content.
We started this week with a study of the Renaissance. One of your first assignments was the comparison chart of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. This chart with categories is a useful method for gathering and sorting through information. If you did not complete the chart in class, you should finish it as part of your guide to the chapter.
We are fortunate to be members of the Middletown school community. We have a great school with wonderful students and a supportive faculty and administration. I know we are going to have a great year. Please do not hesitate to see me if there is anything I can do to help you have a fun, safe and productive year.
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