Our day of silence on Friday, sponsored by the Gay Straight Alliance, reminded us that not all people in our country have equal rights. This was a powerful statement of silence when we had so many students participating in this day of awareness. Thank you GSA for reminding us that civil rights have not yet been extended to all groups.
Next week, student government is sponsoring a Week of Awareness on health issues. We will have color themed days, so get into the spirit and wear the color of the day: pink on Monday for breast cancer, green on Tuesday for St. Jude’s Hospital, red on Wednesday for heart health, and blue and white on Thursday for the Make A Wish Foundation. Thursday’s advisory period will be moved to the end of the day to make time for a pep rally to conclude our Week of Awareness.
Next week, President Obama marks his 100th day in office. This has been a day that has been marked by past presidents as a milestone. What has the new president accomplished by this time? Has he started to move the country in new and better directions? Do the people of the country feel more optimistic about the future? These are questions that many are asking and you can answer for yourself.
CWI/Comparative
This week we watched a very powerful power point and video on the Civil Rights Movement. These stark black and white images can be shocking as we see police officers using fire hoses to break up demonstrations and dogs to attack marchers. We read about the use of nonviolent techniques to change policies that discriminated against African American citizens. We read about Brown versus Board of Education, a landmark Supreme Court case that stated separate schools are inherently unequal. Our discussion as to why parents on both sides of the argument felt strongly about integration and segregation allowed you to see different points of view.
Next week we will continue to read about the movement and continue to use primary source documents. All of these assignments are preparing you for the portfolio task that will be offered at the end of the unit. The task will require you to analyze several primary sources and to use the documents as well as your prior knowledge to respond to the prompt.
While many of you did an excellent job on your announced quiz based on our text reading, some of you were below standard. When you have an announced quiz on a few pages of reading, you should have little difficulty earning a high score. You need to take greater care in preparing by reading, rereading and taking the time to do the section review. It is up to you. If you were absent the day of the quiz, you have 5 days to make up the work. Don’t delay.
Our next current event is due on April 28. It can be an international or national article focused on an individual or group of people that are working towards greater civil liberties.
AP European History
This week our two guests, Mrs. Reed and Mr. Crowley, gave us a very thorough review on how to be successful on the DBQ and the FRQs. This was a timely review and I hope a confidence builder as you have practiced all aspects of these two assignments.
On Friday you generated questions based on today’s Europe and as Mr. Crowley told you, at least one question will come from this time period. Next week we will go over the questions, look at the first paragraphs and critique the responses. I will also give out a list of possible questions from this time period. It would be great to have one FRQ question all prepared in your head for May 8.
We will have our last chapter test on Wednesday and I will also collect the bold to bold and study guides. We will then start our review for the exam.
World History
This week we focused on events in Europe between World War I and World War II. Some historians have noted that the wars were the same war with just a lull in the middle to rearm and refocus efforts. You have a packet with worksheets that will guide you through the readings. The chart comparing communism, fascism and democracy is especially useful as we look at the key elements of these rival systems of government. You will find this useful as you continue with your study of history.
We should complete this unit next week and we will begin the study of World War II. I have a packet prepared for you and as we decided this week, the final assessment for WW II will be a power point project. We will talk further about what makes a good power point presentation and review possible topics.
Your next current event is due on Monday. It can be any international article.
No comments:
Post a Comment