This week we saw how the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India, became a dangerous international crisis between two nuclear-weapons states as India accused Pakistan of harboring and training the terrorists. The tense relationship between these two neighbors grew worse as the week went on and the lone surviving terrorist in captivity revealed details about the methods and leadership of his Pakistan-based group, known as Lashkar-e-Taiba (“Army of the Pure”). President Bush dispatched Secretary of State Rice to meet with leaders of both countries in an effort to encourage calm.
Meanwhile, back in the US, the three major auto makers went to Capitol Hill again to ask, some would even say plead, for at least $35 billion in loans to help them retool and keep people employed. With the country already facing high unemployment (6.3% or over 2 million) Congress was intent on learning what it could do to help while being skeptical as to how the funds would be used. Should the US government support a failed business? Should the auto makers have seen the need for smaller, fuel efficient cars? Did the government abandon its role of regulator when it allowed the car companies to continue making autos that polluted the air and required vast amounts of imported oil? These questions go to the heart of what we expect from government. As voters and active citizens it is ultimately our responsibility to take a stand. With a new administration we will see if there is a change of direction.
CWI
Congratulations to so many of you who did a great job on your final assessment for South West Asia. Your in-class writing assignment demonstrated your ability to empathize and to integrate information from a variety of sources. Well done!
This week you completed your map of South Asia and took the map/note quiz. By doing the map you were also able to keep current with the news, as Mumbai has been the lead story of the week. As I have said many times, watching the first 10 minutes of the evening news will give you the background you need to be more successful in class.
This week we also read the editorial from The New York Times on Mumbai and practiced making connections. Your UpFront reading showed us another side of India as that country grapples with modernization and the trade-offs it requires. You took that experience and applied it to your own town of Middletown as you responded to the question on local economic development issues.
We are scheduled to complete our study of South Asia this coming week. We will also be starting an extended portfolio task that will be due prior to the December break.
Your next current event is due December 9. It must be on any country in South Asia except India. We want to make sure we have the opportunity to look at other countries in the region before moving on.
Extra Credit: The Taj Mahal hotel, which was at the center of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, is named after one of the world’s most beautiful and famous buildings. Why was the original Taj Mahal built?
AP European History
This week we spent time sorting document and writing thesis statements. After reading student essays that were part of last year’s exam, one student commented that high scores were earned by following the rubric and said, “It gives me hope.” You should be very confident tackling the DBQ in May as we will have had ample opportunity to practice the skills so you can earn the extra points.
Your next exam will be December 18. The study guide will be due that day. We are right on schedule. Great job!
World History
This week we finished reading the primary source documents on Louis XIV. While primary sources are challenging, they give us the opportunity to think and act like historians. It allows us, the readers, to sift through the evidence and come to our own conclusions. This is a skill you will need for your portfolio tasks.
We also worked on writing a thesis. Your assignment now is to finish your paper on Louis XIV. The word processed paper is due December 10. Make sure it is done on time and attach the rubric. We spoke about time management in class on Friday so make sure you write the paper over the weekend and then review and revise on Monday. Waiting until the last minute to write puts too much pressure on you and you can’t produce your best work.
You also had your book quiz this week on Louis and you all improved. Great job.
On Monday you will have your current event quiz based on the questions you wrote. Make sure to bring your notes as you may use them during the quiz. Your next current event is due December 11.
Extra Credit: How old was Louis when he came to the throne? How long did he hold the throne?
Inauguration Count Down
This past week I was in DC to celebrate Thanksgiving and to start planning to attend the inauguration events. Good news came this week in an announcement that the entire Mall area will be open for viewing the ceremony. The last Bush inauguration had approximately 100,000 people viewing the swearing-in on the west side of the Capitol. The Inauguration Committee is estimating that over 1.5 million people will be in DC for the January 20 ceremony. This blogger plans to be there and report on what it was like to witness this historic event!
Meanwhile, back in the US, the three major auto makers went to Capitol Hill again to ask, some would even say plead, for at least $35 billion in loans to help them retool and keep people employed. With the country already facing high unemployment (6.3% or over 2 million) Congress was intent on learning what it could do to help while being skeptical as to how the funds would be used. Should the US government support a failed business? Should the auto makers have seen the need for smaller, fuel efficient cars? Did the government abandon its role of regulator when it allowed the car companies to continue making autos that polluted the air and required vast amounts of imported oil? These questions go to the heart of what we expect from government. As voters and active citizens it is ultimately our responsibility to take a stand. With a new administration we will see if there is a change of direction.
CWI
Congratulations to so many of you who did a great job on your final assessment for South West Asia. Your in-class writing assignment demonstrated your ability to empathize and to integrate information from a variety of sources. Well done!
This week you completed your map of South Asia and took the map/note quiz. By doing the map you were also able to keep current with the news, as Mumbai has been the lead story of the week. As I have said many times, watching the first 10 minutes of the evening news will give you the background you need to be more successful in class.
This week we also read the editorial from The New York Times on Mumbai and practiced making connections. Your UpFront reading showed us another side of India as that country grapples with modernization and the trade-offs it requires. You took that experience and applied it to your own town of Middletown as you responded to the question on local economic development issues.
We are scheduled to complete our study of South Asia this coming week. We will also be starting an extended portfolio task that will be due prior to the December break.
Your next current event is due December 9. It must be on any country in South Asia except India. We want to make sure we have the opportunity to look at other countries in the region before moving on.
Extra Credit: The Taj Mahal hotel, which was at the center of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, is named after one of the world’s most beautiful and famous buildings. Why was the original Taj Mahal built?
AP European History
This week we spent time sorting document and writing thesis statements. After reading student essays that were part of last year’s exam, one student commented that high scores were earned by following the rubric and said, “It gives me hope.” You should be very confident tackling the DBQ in May as we will have had ample opportunity to practice the skills so you can earn the extra points.
Your next exam will be December 18. The study guide will be due that day. We are right on schedule. Great job!
World History
This week we finished reading the primary source documents on Louis XIV. While primary sources are challenging, they give us the opportunity to think and act like historians. It allows us, the readers, to sift through the evidence and come to our own conclusions. This is a skill you will need for your portfolio tasks.
We also worked on writing a thesis. Your assignment now is to finish your paper on Louis XIV. The word processed paper is due December 10. Make sure it is done on time and attach the rubric. We spoke about time management in class on Friday so make sure you write the paper over the weekend and then review and revise on Monday. Waiting until the last minute to write puts too much pressure on you and you can’t produce your best work.
You also had your book quiz this week on Louis and you all improved. Great job.
On Monday you will have your current event quiz based on the questions you wrote. Make sure to bring your notes as you may use them during the quiz. Your next current event is due December 11.
Extra Credit: How old was Louis when he came to the throne? How long did he hold the throne?
Inauguration Count Down
This past week I was in DC to celebrate Thanksgiving and to start planning to attend the inauguration events. Good news came this week in an announcement that the entire Mall area will be open for viewing the ceremony. The last Bush inauguration had approximately 100,000 people viewing the swearing-in on the west side of the Capitol. The Inauguration Committee is estimating that over 1.5 million people will be in DC for the January 20 ceremony. This blogger plans to be there and report on what it was like to witness this historic event!
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