This week our world news has been dominated by three major events: the continuing ecological and economic disaster caused by the collapse of a BP oil tower in the Gulf of Mexico, the attempt to set off a bomb in Times Square, and the financial collapse of Greece which has led to riots. You could tell we live in an interconnected world as we watched our stock market plummet over 300 hundred points on Thursday on the fear that the financial mess in Europe would impact our delicate economic recovery. Just when we thought we were starting to make a recovery investors’ confidence is tested by these events. Similarly, the bombing suspect’s possible ties to the Pakistani Taliban are a stark reminder that the heart of our principal city can still be threatened by terrorists half a world away.
World History
Congratulations on your World War II power point projects. This was a great exercise for you as you worked with a partner on a topic of your choosing. We had a variety of interesting topics and great visuals. You also had the opportunity to reflect on your work. What did you learn from this project? The next time you are asked to do a project, how will you approach the assignment? So many of you mentioned time management and that is something we all struggle with. How many times have we felt that we didn’t have enough time to complete all parts of a task? You need to continue working on your presentation skills as this will be part of your Capstone project during your Junior year. Becoming comfortable speaking before a group is an important skill to acquire.
This week we also looked at the results of World War II and devised categories to group our information. Historians enjoy taking their analysis and then grouping common elements. It makes it easier to understand and interpret complex information. We had some groups that developed categories (economic, political, social, etc) and then filled in the information, while other groups reversed the process and looked first at results, then established groups. Another group looked at positive and negative effects of the war.
This is a friendly reminder that your current event is due May 11 and it may be on any international issue. You should also complete your World War II and Cold War packet. Please be prepared for a quiz on section 5. Next week we will look at a short clip about the Berlin Wall and try to imagine what life must have been like for those people who were confined to a country where they had few liberties.
CWI/Modern America
This week we completed uploading our tasks. Congratulations to all who met the deadline. You will receive class credit (50 points) as well as portfolio credit (if you meet standard).
We also continued with our study of the Women’s Movement. You had the opportunity to read your text for background and then engage in a group activity using “The Feminine Mystique” by Betty Friedan. This book caused a sensation when it reached the public in the 1960s. It quickly became a best seller and a source for heated debates as men and women discussed the role of women in society. Our accountable talk activity gave you the opportunity to think about the role of women and to talk about the tensions and conflicts inherent in any person’s life as they try to balance family and work. The music from the period set the stage as we listened to Jack Jones sing “Wives and Lovers” and then Helen Reddy sing “I Am Woman.” We will continue this discussion next week when we look at the campaigns of Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton.
While we don’t have time to watch a movie for this unit, I would recommend “Mona Lisa Smile” with Julia Roberts, Kirsten Dunst and Julia Stiles. The story takes place on the campus of a women’s college in the 1950s. Julia Roberts plays an art history professor who tries to open her students to possibilities other than becoming wives and mothers. While the film did not win any awards, it does a very good job of portraying a time when women were not expected to have careers. I read you several articles from the Radcliffe Magazine which illustrated just this point. Our reading about Justice Ginsburg’s early career spoke about the obstacles she encountered as she entered the field of law.
On the lighter side, many of you took the test that was given to female students in New York after completion of a Home Economics class. The questions came off an exam that was given in the 1950s and while we had a laugh or two it is a commentary on what schools thought all smart girls should know.
Your interview is due May 10. Some of you have already started talking with family and friends about this time period and have shared some great stories. This is the best way to learn history.
A special thank you to Ms. A who joined our B period class and shared some of her experiences. Title IX made a huge impact on sports opportunities and any of you young ladies who play a sport can thank Congresswoman Patsy Mink for insisting on equal funding for girls and boys sports at any institution that receives federal funding.
This and That
We are approaching an especially busy time of year with sporting events, plays, proms, and our regular school work. It is essential that you stay organized and focus so you can successfully complete all of your activities. Make sure you have a calendar and use it! Write down due dates, block out time to do projects, and set priorities.
One very important step you can take is to make every effort to come to school every day. When you are absent, it is easy to think you didn’t miss anything and making up a reading or worksheet will keep you on track. But you miss discussions and the give and take in a classroom that helps you better understand the content and skills you need to be successful. If you are absent, plan on staying after to get the work you have missed. After being absent, you have 5 days to complete work that was assigned.
Oh No!
It is so sad to read that Newsweek, a weekly magazine devoted to following key stories from around the world, is “For Sale.” The magazine is owned by The Washington Post and on May 5 the Post announced that the magazine continues to loose money and therefore is being sold. Newsweek has been published for over 77 years and has offered readers insightful commentary on world events.
Mother’s Day
In 1915, President Wilson designated the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. Julia Ward Howe, author of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” and a former summer resident of Portsmouth, introduced the idea of honoring mothers in 1872. Howe believed that by honoring mothers we would also be honoring peace. Mothers play many different roles in our lives and over time our perceptions of these roles can change. Last year CNN did a piece on the questions everyone should ask their mother. They are well worth thinking about, so I have given you the link to the article.
45 years and he “still can’t get no satisfaction!”
The Rolling Stones “I Can’t Get no Satisfaction.” is 45 years young today!
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