Connections

Making connections in our daily lives can add meaning and purpose. Learning to see patterns and similarities helps us better understand the world we live in. The past two weeks brought several events linked to major episodes in history: Efforts to provide boat transportation across the English Channel for British citizens stranded by flight cancellations due to volcanic ash called to mind the evacuation of British troops from Dunkirk in World War Two; Dorothy Height, one of the great leaders of the Civil Rights movement, died and was eulogized by President Obama in the same week protests began against an Arizona law that many believe discriminates against Hispanics; and rallies by New Jersey students protesting school budget cuts were a further reminder of the role popular protests have played in our past. These are all examples of how our study of history is linked to events of today.

World History

This week you had time to work on your World War II power point presentations. Take the time to read and reread the rubric so you can earn all your points. Doing this type of oral presentation is great practice for your Capstone which comes in your Junior year. This is a fun project as you get to pick your partner and your topic. Enjoy putting the project together and make sure it is emailed to me by 11:00 pm on Sunday. On Monday we will present.

Your timelines on World War II were handed in on Monday. A timeline gives you the opportunity to visualize the sequence of events. You can see cause and effect. It also gives you the opportunity to decide which events were most crucial over the course of the war. Timelines are meant to be visual so make sure you take the time to neatly arrange your information. A timeline should be clear and easy to read. As we mentioned in class, written work must be your own to earn credit. It is tempting to use someone else’s words when providing the written explanation of the events but you cannot portray it as your work. You may use a few quotes if properly attributed, but I want to read your own writing.

Our next current event is due May 11 and it may be on any international event.

CWI/Modern America

This week we continued to follow our syllabus on the Civil Rights Movement. On Tuesday we watched part of “Eyes on the Prize,” a PBS documentary about the Civil Rights movement. We focused on getting a better understanding of the struggles to integrate high schools in the South. This was a great video to prepare you for the task. We spent one day analyzing documents and one day in the lab writing the task. You showed great focus in your determination to complete your essay in the allotted time. Great job! If you were absent for any part of the assignment you need to see me ASAP to make arrangements to complete the activity by May 7. The task will be for your graduation portfolio as well as a 50 point in class activity.

Next week we will start a new unit on the Women’s Movement. This was an exciting and challenging time for many as roles of men and women were redefined. We are a constantly evolving society. Last year ABC News did a special report on how families are changing due to the recession. More men have been losing jobs than women because of the nature of the jobs being cut. Therefore men have taken on more house and child care responsibilities, while many women have become the chief wage earners. Income figurers still show a gap between the earnings of men and women but it is narrowing each year.

Your current event which is due May 5 must be about women in the news. You may select an article about politics, business or labor. As an example, we spoke about the recent suit that a group of women have brought against Wal-Mart, changing discrimination in pay, wages and promotions.

As part of our unit, you will have the opportunity to do an interview with someone who has felt the sting of discrimination. Discrimination comes in many forms and many of us can tell stories of how we were treated differently because of our age, sex, or other identifying markers. The most interesting history can be the stories told by others so take the time to speak with family members and friends and ask how women were treated in the past. Does your grandmother remember when women were criticized for wearing pants in public? Do you have family members who remember when the only jobs open to women were teaching, nursing and secretaries? Do you have family members who remember when there were few if any sport teams open to women at the high school and college levels?

Extra Credit:

I am going to try again as some of you have asked for an extra credit opportunity. Bring in an editorial cartoon to share with the class.

On the Lighter Side:

A new way to ask for a prom date...