Farewell to 2011

More Congratulations

Hats off (maybe Santa hats) to our wonderful band and jazz group who performed so magnificently on December 21. Your talent, dedication and hard work paid off. Great job!

South Asia

This past week we completed our study of South Asia. We watched the Emmy award winning show “India Rising” which focused on the rapid development of a middle class in India which is larger than the entire population of the US. After watching the video, you had an on demand writing assignment where you had to decide if this new large middle class in India would benefit or harm the United States. This in class writing assignment was worth 10 points

We concluded our study of South Asia by working in groups with multiple texts and videos to help us respond to two questions: Is Pakistan a dangerous country? And what should the US relationship be with this country? You had excerpts from your UpFront magazine, Newsweek, and the New York Times as well as a video clip on pop musicians in Pakistan, a TED video on suicide bombers, and a CNN interview with Greg Mortensen, author of “Three Cups of Tea.” This wealth of information gave you a wide ranging perspective on Pakistan but ultimately you had to decide the answer to each question. This in class writing assignment was also worth 10 points.

Current Events

In addition to our regular events, we took time to review reports on the death of the North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il and to speculate how the transfer of leadership to his young son will impact the country. Secretary Clinton hoped this change in leadership could be the start of a new and more positive relationship between North Korea and the U.S. We will continue looking at this major event in the new year when we continue our study of Asia.

Task

Congratulations to all of you who handed in the task. Many of you met or exceeded the standard and therefore the task can go in your portfolio. For those who nearly met standard, you were still able to earn in-class credit. Task scores will be provided to you upon your return. My advice is to think before you write, give yourself time to rewrite and be specific…avoid generalities.


Enjoy

Now we have all earned some rest and relaxation time. No homework was assigned over the break but let me remind a few of you that revisions are due on January 3. I know you will keep up with the news and what is happening in the outside world.

If You Were Absent

This past week we had two in class writing assignments. If you were absent for the assignments, you have five days to make up the work. I am available before and after school each day except Wednesday (faculty meetings). Please make arrangements ASAP so you don’t lose the opportunity to make up the assignments.

A Time to Say Thank you

There are many who help make this blog an interesting, useful and helpful source of information for students and parents. I want to thank BABM, KLM, and MLM who give me the student’s point of view on the entries. They are especially good at pointing out the need for a consistent positive message no matter what the challenges are. They also provide technology support when I have goofed up an entry or inserted the wrong size picture. I also want to thank LEM who has been my faithful editor. His insistence on word choice and good grammar have made me a better writer. He has also been a constant source of encouragement when some weekend mornings I consider not writing an entry... “What, no blog?! Say it’s not true!” Finally, thank you to my faithful readers both near and far. While this is the last posting for the year, stay tuned for a special New Year’s kickoff!

End of a Long Campaign

The Providence Journal headline, “WAR OVER,” was indeed good news. A few American troops will remain in Iraq to help train the Iraqi army, but all other military personnel will be home before the end of the year. We still have approximately 100,000 troops in Afghanistan with a target withdrawal date of December 2014. I look forward to the time when war in the South West Asia region comes off the CWI syllabus.

Happy Bill of Rights Day!

We took time off from our busy schedule to celebrate Bill of Rights Day on December 15. This is a great time to pause and think about how fortunate we are to live in a country that respects and promotes individual liberty. It is amazing that so many people do not know their basic rights, but you did a great job outlining our five essential freedoms under the First Amendment: freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition. Bill of Rights Day was formally declared in 1941 when President Franklin Roosevelt asked all Americans to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the passage of the Bill of Rights. So when you walk into room 246 and see the bright lights you know it is time to celebrate! Did you “Tweet for Freedom”?

Tasks

We squeezed in one day in the library this week to revise tasks. Many of you did a great job the first time out but others needed to go back and reference the articles in the body of your essay. Those of you who treated the assignment as a current event were able to complete the task without revision. My goal is to have 100% meet standard so I am anxious to start reading your revised essays.

South Asia

We used our chapter 25 worksheet to help build background on India and we used the vocabulary cards as a way to help tell the story of this country. Focusing on new vocabulary and key terms is a way to better understand the readings. We also saw a clip from the NYT on outsourcing and interviews with young Indians and how they view their future. Our reading from The Economist gave us a well written argument on how India’s growth could outpace China’s. We took the opportunity to make a list of factors that would support investment in India, what the challenges are, and where we would invest money for future growth: India or China.

Our finally video is entitled “India Rising,” an Emmy award winning documentary by PBS NOW. The video points out the reasons for a fast growing middle class in India and its impact on your life style. The growth of the middle class is causing prices for all commodities to increase. Are we on a seesaw? As India rises does it mean our own standard of living will decrease?

Naval War College Guest Speaker Series

Our speaker series started off with two dynamic and engaging speakers: CDR Bottger from Peru and LT Vaidotas from Lithuania. Their PowerPoint presentations covered the history of their countries and brought us up to contemporary times. You could quickly see that both officers are enthusiastic supporters of their homelands.
I want to compliment you as an audience on your attention and great listening skills. Speakers appreciate a good audience and I know our two international officers will go back to the Naval War College with glowing reviews. Next time, let’s work on questions. Speakers always enjoy thought provoking questions as it shows you were listening and it gives them the opportunity to bring out additional points. Our next speakers will be January 13.

Current Events

This is an ongoing assignment and by now you should be earning high scores. You have a week to do the assignment so that is plenty of time to find an article and write your two paragraphs. When you need an event from a certain region let me remind you again that you can’t just go to the computer and type in the region. We must use our text and your map work to determine which countries are in the region of study. Some search engines put Afghanistan in South Asia while our text considers it part of Southwest Asia. By doing the regional map as your first assignment on the syllabus you know which countries are part of the region we are studying. I will return the assignment and you have the opportunity to revise.

Wrap Up

We are just about at the end of our 2011 school year and my goal is to finish our South Asia syllabus and return the tasks to you prior to our break. If we can finish our multiple text study of Pakistan (that will require you to do the few pages of reading in your text on Monday evening) then we can all go home for the break without any formal homework. Yes, I know...keeping up with current events, watching the news, and knowing what is happening in the outside world are ongoing tasks, but it would be nice not to have any formal worksheets, papers or assignments, so let’s put in that extra effort.

Beautiful Music

A special thank you to our chorus for a wonderful holiday concert. Your long hours of practice paid off and it was an evening many of us will remember for a long time.

On Task

While the President and Congress wrangled over tax cuts, and the world looked on as the European Union tried to put its financial house in order, your efforts were focused on your “It’s My World” task. You had nine days to think about the prompt and to collect and analyze three articles on an international topic of your choosing. We went over the rubric twice and explained each requirement in an effort to prepare you for the assignment. Many of you came into the library ready to write...congratulations for good time management skills! Those who were ready to write completed the task within the two-day allotment, while those who were still collecting articles had difficulty meeting the deadline. This was a very manageable task as it was just what you have been doing with your regular current events assignments only in an expanded form. One student even entitled the essay “Just a Big Current Event”... that made me laugh!

If you were absent for one of the days for writing or you are granted extra time, you may work on the essay at home and upload to TieNet. I will keep the task open until December 14. Please hand in a hard copy, rubric and articles to me no later than December 14. The task was also your major project for second quarter.

South Asia
This week we also continued our study of South Asia. You have completed your map and have taken notes from “The World Today.” You will have your map and note quiz on Monday, and as usual you will be able to use your own map and notes to help you with the questions. Sounds like a great opportunity to earn high marks!

Your current event on South Asia is due December 15 (which also happens to be Bill of Rights Day…this is cause for a celebration). Make sure you select an event from a country that is in the region so check your map for eligible countries…don’t just Google “South Asia current event” as you may get a country outside the region.

As you will see from the photos we will view in class, this is a complex region. We have the mountain kingdoms of Nepal and Bhutan, the largest democracy in the world, India, and Pakistan, which has been described “as the most dangerous country in the world.” President Obama travelled to this region last year and spent several days in India in an effort to boost our trade with a country that can also help keep the balance of power in a region being encroached upon by China. It is crucial that India continue to be closely aligned with the US. Two years ago, President Obama signaled to the world that our relationship with India was unique by holding his first state dinner honoring Prime Minister Singh. A White House State Dinner is an elegant and unique function reserved for the most important alliances. The President spoke eloquently about our relationship with India and Gandhi’s impact on our own Martin Luther King. India has entered our contemporary culture through the popularity of such films as “Monsoon Wedding,” “Slum Dog Millionaire” and “The Namesake.” A former Rhode Islander, Jhumpa Lahiri, winner of the 2000 Pulitzer Prize for fiction, bases much of her writing on experiences growing up in a household with parents from India. If you are looking for quality short story fiction, I highly recommend any of her books.

Guest Speakers
On December 16 we will be having an in-school field trip in room 212 during advisory to hear from the Naval War College International Officers from Peru and Lithuania. This is a unique opportunity to hear about far off countries from a leading military officer of the country. Let me remind you that you are expected to arrive on time and to listen to our guests. This is the time when your best manners are on display. Time will be allotted for a question and answer period. Students who ask questions will earn extra credit.

Intra-terms
Intra-terms are due next week so we will take class time to update our status of assignment sheet and figure out your score as of December 12. Your task will count for the second half of the quarter.

When You’re Absent
While we have gone over the expectations and they are outlined in your room management plan, I want to remind you that when you are absent, you must arrange time (before or after school or during advisory) to come by and make up the work. You have 5 days to complete the work. If you do not make arrangements then you will receive no credit for the assignments. It is up to you!

“Gifts That Say You Care”
As this is the time for giving, our friend, New York Times columnist Nicolas Kristof, had some interesting suggestions for holiday shopping in his article entitled “Gifts that say you care.” I have given you the link if you are interested in reading more about his idea. He also used the column to announce his annual win a trip contest. Remember…we heard Paul Bower, one of the winners, report on famine in Africa.

Time for a Task

This week there was good news to celebrate at home and overseas. Egypt began its first truly democratic elections, and most observers feel the process is going smoothly and eventually a parliament will be seated. In Myanmar, Secretary Clinton made an historic three-day visit, encouraging its people and military government to continue down the road toward democracy. And banks around the world coordinated actions to provide funds for loans and debt relief that gave confidence to stock markets and investors. Here at home, our unemployment rate has started to move in the right direction with a decline from 9.1% to 8.6%, and MHS PREPARED TO DEFEND ITS SUPERBOWL TITLE!

Afghan Profile

Using your text, the UpFront reading and the Goode’s Atlas, you developed a statistical profile of Afghanistan. I especially like Goode’s Atlas as the maps give us a great deal of information visually. Using the atlas you discovered how much clean water is available Afghanistan (only about 22% of the population has it), the country has negligible exports, the people are suffering from malnutrition and only about 30% are literate. You can see why the Taliban, an organization that offers food, clothing, shelter and some degree of hope to young people can be appealing. TED features a video on how the Taliban recruits youngsters to become suicide bombers and next week we will watch a clip as part of our study of Pakistan.

Afghan Star

We finished watching this documentary that shows life in Afghanistan before, during and after the rule by the Taliban. The movie allowed you to see firsthand what the country looks like and how the people are trying to restore their culture after years of Taliban censorship. You also saw how the show “Afghan Star,” modeled after “American Idol,” is teaching people about democracy. Afghans are encouraged to vote for the best singer, not the one from their region or tribe. We also witnessed one of the female singers who was roundly condemned by viewers for performing a simple dance on stage, a violation of tradition. Her life was threatened so she immediately sought safety with her family. The TV show is now in its fifth season and over 11 million people watch it each week.

Final Assessment

You had your announced final assessment this week. You had an open ended question and you were allowed to use your map to help you with your thinking. If you were absent, you have 5 days to make up the work. Don’t delay...come by and make plans to do the assessment during advisory or after school. Our pep rally interfered with our last class of the day, so if you did not finish the assessment there will be an alternative available on Monday.

Task

This week you received your portfolio task. You must select an international issue to analyze. You must have 3 current event articles to attach to your reflective essay. Your topic must be preapproved. While many of you were ready with a topic on the assigned day, some students still need to have an approved topic. The sooner your topic is approved, the sooner you can start collecting the news articles you will need for the essay. We will go over the rubric again next week. Writing will take two days in the computer lab. This is a great opportunity to complete a portfolio task AND receive class credit as this will be your major project for second quarter. I have not assigned any homework since giving out the task so that you could spend your time finding the articles, reading and summarizing. To meet standard, your reader is going to look for your ability to synthesize and analyze the issue and come up with a solution or recommendation. You must also include why this issue is important to you and its impact on the world community.

And now we are off to India and Pakistan

You have received the new syllabus for our next unit on South Asia. The syllabus has been punched with 3 holes so you can put it in your binder. Staying organized is a critical step in meeting the stress and challenges of school – and beyond! We will start with a map and some reading to acquaint you with this area of the world.

The $100 Challenge

Thank you to the students who contributed to our first challenge and a special thank you to my outside blog reader who contributed money, along with a note about how malaria took the life of a friend. Our votes for how to use the money were scattered but ultimately mosquito nets came out on top. A check for $40 was sent to Save the Children and according to their catalog this will be enough to buy nets for four families. Malaria is the leading cause of death in the world, and your simple action of contributing $1.00 may save someone’s life. So take the time to think about how this one painless action could affect the lives of four families in some far off place. You should take satisfaction in knowing that you helped!

A Day to Give Thanks

In between football games, parades, and eating turkey, I hope all of us took a moment to remember why we commemorate this day and give thanks to those who suffered through many hardships to establish a place in the New World where freedom and tolerance could flourish. We should also remember those who were living here before the arrival of Europeans and who greeted the newcomers in peace and helped them survive. A special thank you must also be given to our Founders who recognized the worth and value of each individual and sought to design a country where all would have the opportunity to pursue their dreams. We also owe thanks to those of succeeding generations, right up to today, who have struggled and sacrificed to bring the Founders’ vision closer to reality. No matter what hardships or misfortunes we may face, we live in a country that extols freedom and where opportunities abound. It is a heritage we must do all we can to nurture and maintain.

CWI

We finished our study of South West Asia by designing a profile of Afghanistan using our text and Goode’s Atlas. Using the atlas gave you the opportunity to see the wealth of statistical data available for countries around the world. Using the calorie map you quickly saw that a large percentage of the population has a very poor diet. Working with a partner you designed a profile of the country using multiple sources. We are now ready to watch “Afghan Star,” a winning documentary that tells the story of how democracy is being taught to people who do not have a tradition of voting. Using an “American Idol” format, viewers vote for the person they think has the most talent – not the person who happens to come from their family or area of the country. The show also celebrates Afghan culture, something that has been suppressed when the country was dominated by the Taliban. Keep in mind our power point comparing Al Qaeda and the Taliban.

Editorial Cartoons

Many of you did a great job finding a cartoon about the region and providing an analysis. Those who followed the task sheet and rubric earned high marks. Some students did not read the rubric carefully and forgot to attach the analysis sheet or did not write the two paragraphs. You will be given the opportunity to revise. Make sure you use this chance to improve your grade as well as practice the skills needed to analyze a cartoon. It wouldn’t surprise me if there were cartoons on the mid-term exam (hint, hint). If you are not going to revise, please let me know and return the cartoon so you can earn some credit.

Final Assessment

So we have now completed our study of this region and as announced last week we are ready for a final assessment. Your final assessment will be an in-class, on-demand writing assignment. You will be allowed to use your map for the assignment. The best way to prepare is to review your worksheets and activities. You can also use your text to review the region and its challenges. Your assignment will require you to integrate your knowledge of the history and geography of the region with your understanding of current events there. It is an open ended question so you will have some flexibility in how you decide to respond but you will be evaluated on the accuracy of your information. The final assessment will be given once we complete watching the movie.

Our next area of study will be South East Asia, which includes Pakistan and India.

Portfolio Task

We will start preparing for our task on Monday. You will be given a task sheet, prompt, and rubric. You will have several days to collect three current events on one topic. Your topic must be preapproved so you can start thinking now about a possible topic. You will be given time to analyze and summarize the articles and you will have two days in the computer lab to write and upload the task. You have been doing current events since September and should be experts at this now. The task should be viewed as a jumbo current event using three articles to analyze an international problem.

Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences

Thank you to the many families who came by last week. Taking the time to reflect on the successes and the challenges of the first quarter gives us the opportunity to adjust our teaching and learning so we can be even more successful in the second quarter. If you were unable to book a time slot (they do fill up quickly), please contact me via email and we can set up a time to meet. I am available every morning starting at 6:45 am and most afternoons except Wednesday, when we have faculty meetings.

Cans, Challenges and Congratulations

Congratulations to our Thespians who put on a most enjoyable and inspiring play: “Twelve Angry Jurors.” This play offers many lessons about keeping an open mind and not rushing to judgment, especially when people’s lives are at stake. Great job!

And congratulations to ST for being selected student of the week by the Newport Daily News. A well-deserved write up!

Cans and Challenges

This upcoming shortened week is our last opportunity to help with the MHS canned food drive. Please take a moment and bring in a can of soup, a box of pasta, or any other non- perishable food item that you can share with families who are struggling during these difficult economic times. One can does make a difference.

And speaking of making a difference, in the anonymous survey this week, I learned that 95% of you are on Facebook and about 20% know about the $100 Challenge…so how about using your Facebook contacts to urge everyone to participate? To date, six students have made a donation and voted on what they would like the money to go towards: soccer balls, mosquito nets, bees/chickens or a donation to the music program in Uganda documented in “War Dance.” All donations will be matched up to $100 dollars so we have the potential of sending $200 dollars to an organization that will assist many of the people we saw in our study of Africa. So get onto Facebook and make the announcement…it’s a challenge…let’s rise to the occasion!

Second Quarter

We have started second quarter and we spent time organizing folders. All of your work from first quarter should be saved as it will be invaluable to you when it comes time to study for the midterm. We have already had five assignments for second quarter: map of SW Asia, map quiz, a current event, the life as a refugee worksheet, and the “Over A Barrel” worksheet with an in class writing assignment.

Conflict and Resolution

As you (period G on Friday, A,B and E on 11/21) read about the experiences of teens living in this region you quickly discovered that violence and uncertainty are part of their everyday lives. The teen interviews gave you insights into how the Palestinian people have been stereotyped as terrorists even though most just want to live a peaceful and productive life. Hanan, the young lady who left the region to go to school in the US, described how her daily life was a struggle going through endless check-points and encountering the military everywhere she went. Upon her arrival in the US she was amazed at the ease of travel and the lack of a military presence. At the same time, the Israeli students complained about living in terror even while undertaking simple chores of everyday life. Should they go the movies or mall when they are favorite spots for bombings?

Seeds of Peace is an organization that works with Arab and Israeli teens from this region. Through recreational activities, camping events and education, the organization is trying to teach tolerance and acceptance. By planting the seeds of peace with the young, the organization aims to bring peaceful coexistence to this region. We also talked about how Sesame Street has gone international and is teaching tolerance and acceptance to the very young. We can only hope all these efforts will eventually lead to a nonviolent solution so all people in South West Asia can live in peace and freedom.

We also watched two clips from the BBC web site. The first was an overview of why the Palestinians are seeking recognition from the UN as an independent state, and the second was a helicopter tour of the Israeli settlements on former Palestinian land that are a major stumbling block in the peace process. There are over 300,000 Israelis on former Palestinian land and the Israeli government would have to come up with a plan for the orderly transfer of these settlements to the Palestinians.

Growing Up Saudi

In class you had the opportunity to work with a partner on two articles about growing up in Saudi Arabia, as a young man and as a young woman. After reading and talking with partners, we took our discussion to the accountable talk table. Accountable talk gives you the opportunity to think more deeply about the readings and to hear from your classmates. The Saudi young people live very different lives when compared to our way of life but at the same time we have much in common. They are a very strict and traditional society even though over half of the population is under the age of 25. We heard Robert Lacey, author of “Inside the Kingdom,” state that Saudis “hate” Americans for three main reasons: they see us fighting in Muslim countries, we support Israel, and they consider us a decadent society as illustrated by our clothing and reality television shows. Lacey went on to say that only through education will our countries build a better relationship. This was the same message Admiral Christensen spoke about last month.

Breaking News

We compared the actions in Jordan where King Abdullah is moving his country towards democracy with the actions of President Bashar al-Assad of Syria who has resorted to killing citizens who are protesting and asking for a greater voice in their government. King Abdullah is the first leader in the South West Asia region to call for President Assad to step down. His moving interview with BBC clearly stated that a leader who starts killing his own citizens will not have a good end. I would encourage you to listen to the interview.

Cartoon Assignment

Your editorial cartoon about South West Asia is due on November 22. Your task sheet and rubric clearly outline the expectations. Think of this as a current event analysis using a cartoon as opposed to an article. Please bring a copy of the cartoon and your analysis to class so you can share it with your fellow students.

Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences

On Monday from 5-8 we have our first conferences. If you have signed up for a conference please make sure you attend. These are your grades and you should have the opportunity to review your progress and plans for the future with your parent/guardian.

Extra Credit

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will be visiting this Asian country in the next few weeks to show our support for the steps they are taking to become more democratic. This will be the first visit by a US Secretary of State in more than 50 years. Name the country she will be visiting. Email me the correct response (using your MHS account) by Monday at 7:30 am and earn extra credit.

Honoring our Veterans

Today is a day we pause to thank our Veterans. The eleventh day of the eleventh month is set aside to remind us of the signing of the armistice that ended World War I. The loss of life was so great – over 30 million – that countries vowed never to resort to war again. This goal has been broken over and over.

As we read about areas around the world that are wracked by violence today, and recall the sacrifices and suffering of the men and women who have served in our own wars, we must ask what each of us can do to create a future where lives, fortunes and talent are devoted to building a better world for all, not mutual destruction.

$100 Challenge

We started our $100 Challenge last week and already students have begun to participate and cast their ballots. Make sure to read last week’s posting for all the details. This is a great activity that can mean so much to those who have so little.

International Speaker Series

Please note the dates for our speaker series in your agenda. This is an exciting event as we hear about a wide variety of countries from some of their top military officials. You will be given a permission slip the week of the event to give to your advisory teacher.

Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences

Our conference time is scheduled for November 21. Letters will be going home announcing the details for the conferences. This is a time when all of us can sit down and review what you have accomplished first quarter and make plans for the next quarter. Maintaining the portfolio will allow you to show your parents or guardians the type and quality of work you have been engaged in. If you have struggled this quarter, this is the time to put a corrective action plan in place. Do you need to be more prepared for class, do you need to reread some assignments, do you need to follow the current event rubric more closely to earn all your points, and do you need to make up work you may have missed?

Absences

If you have been absent, make sure you take the time to stay after school to find out what lessons and assignments you missed so you can stay current with your work. You have five days to make up missed work. You may also use Advisory time to come by 246 to make up work if you have asked in advance for a pass. It is your responsibility to make arrangements for missed work. According to the handbook, if you are absent unexcused, you may get the assignments but no grade will be earned for the work.

South West Asia

This week we started our unit on South West Asia, beginning with the map and map quiz. You were given a syllabus so you know what to expect for this unit. Maps are especially important for this region as you see how Israel was carved out of an area inhabited by Palestinians. You need to look at the complicated borders to see how division is further complicated by multiple sections of land inhabited by both Palestinians and Israelis. You can also see how Afghanistan’s opportunities are limited by it being land-locked. And you can see the importance of the Suez Canal as a short cut from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea.

We also read an update on the Arab Spring in our UpFront magazine and a personal account of life in Yemen from Newsweek. These readings give you the background you need to understand why people revolt and the different options for ending the uprisings. While reading about the thousands of young people putting their lives at risk marching in Syria or Yemen you should ask yourself whether you would be willing to take to the streets. What values and issues are so important to you that you would march?

On Friday we spent time on a human rights web site gathering information about refugees from South West Asia. Then we watched the presentation “Beyond the Fire” to hear from teens who are war refugees. You also needed to use your text to gather information on the Palestinian refugees. This assignment gave you the information to better understand life as a refugee and to see that this region of the world has produced a high number of displaced people due to conflict.

We also had our first set of current events for the new quarter. Doing your current events assignment is good practice for the portfolio task we will be doing in early December. The task is based on your ability to summarize and analyze a series of current events. At this point, you should be earning high scores for this assignment. You usually have about one week for the assignment and you have a rubric. Excuses for not doing the assignment include “I forgot” (it is written on the board for the week, and don’t you read the blog?) or “My computer is broken, my printer is out of ink, I have no paper” (you do not need a computer to do this assignment...you can hand-write the summary and you can cut the article out of the paper or photocopy it). Students who do the current events are usually the students who earn the highest grades for the quarter.

Also a caution when using the computer for current events…you can’t google “South West Asia current events” as the computer recognizes countries outside of our study region. You must look at the map in the text and take a current event from one of those countries.

Are you watching the evening news or going on line to stream the latest broadcast? It is an efficient way to stay up to date and to build your background knowledge for our class discussions. Be in the know...

Less than a year to go

Our presidential race for 2012 is starting to heat up. The republican candidates continue to hold debates so voters have a clear choice during the primary season. President Obama has begun his campaigning by outlining the choices voters will have next fall. If you will be eighteen you get to vote so be prepared. If this is your last presidential race as an observer, take note how the process works and start thinking about the type of candidate you will support in the future.

The $100 Challenge

This week we finished our study of Africa by reading about famine, and watching the clips from the New York Times (see last week’s blog).
We all need to ask ourselves if this is a crisis we should be more involved with. Should we be urging our government to do more? Should we sponsor an organization that helps feed the people of Africa, or could we purchase fair trade coffee or beads for life in an effort to help people become self-sufficient? One of the groups I am especially interested
in is Heifer International. I have put their catalogue on the board if you are interested in seeing how a small amount of money can help purchase a pig, goat or sheep to help a family become self-sufficient. Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times is an advocate of micro financing, which lends small amounts of money, mainly to women, to help them start a cottage industry. Take a look at “A Powerful Truth” to see how
this program works. And closer to home, why not participate in the $100
Challenge??? (See below.)

Our final activity for our unit on Africa was watching “War Dance” and then comparing and contrasting our lives with Nancy, Rose and Dominic. You quickly recognized that you have much in common with these young people: a love of music and dance, the importance of family, town and heritage. But there are also stark contrasts: they live a life filled with terror and shortages of basics including food, water, and schools. If you are interested in learning more about Nancy, Rose and Dominic, I have provided a link to the web site so you can check on them. It is truly an inspirational story. I want to compliment you on your respectful attitude towards the movie. While it is not easy to read subtitles and
hear much of the dialogue in a foreign language, you paid attention. While I have seen this movie numerous times, I am still moved by certain phrases, especially when Dominic says, as they are driving to the capital, “I am excited to see what peace looks like.”

A special nod to one of your own, ZH, who composed an original song based on “War Dance.” Next week we will take a moment and
listen to this inspirational percussion-based song. Great job ZH!

Africa Power Points

Your reflection sheet and rubric will be returned next week. I hope you saw this assignment as an opportunity not only to learn about Africa but also to practice your group skills and presentation technique. While Capstone is a solo show, it is still useful practice presenting with a group.
Using note cards and practicing your presentation are essential for a
successful Capstone event.

South West Asia

You have the rubric for the South West Asia map which is due on November 8. Keep in mind that you are doing one map that combines physical as well as political features of the region. Many people still refer
to this region as the Middle East, but geographers have renamed it South West Asia in an attempt to sound less Euro-centric. Politically, militarily and economically, this region is of critical importance to our nation and poses some of our greatest challenges. It is likely events there will be affecting you for the rest of your lives, and as responsible citizens you need to be informed.

Your current event from this region is also due on November 8. You are encouraged to look for stories that might appear on the front page of major newspapers. You will be amazed how easy it is to find major news stories on Syria, Yemen, and the continuing conflict between the Israelis
and the Palestinians.

End of the Quarter

We are just about at the end of the quarter. We will continue to update our status of assignment sheets next week. By keeping your folder up to date, you can monitor your grade and keep work organized as
we move closer to mid-term exams.

International Speaker Series

I am pleased to announce that our speakers’ series with international officers from the Naval War College will continue on December 16
with officers from Lithuania and Peru. On January 13 we will hear from Brazil and the United Kingdom, on March 16 India and the Philippines, and on April 13 Argentina. I am continuing to work with the Naval War
College to invite other speakers and will let you know when they are scheduled. Please mark your agenda books for these days. Our speakers are always during the advisory period. A permission slip will
be available the week of the visit and you must present it to your advisory teacher. This is a great opportunity for to learn more
about other countries from some of their top military leaders.

Bank of America Responds

Bank of America recently imposed a $5 monthly fee for people who use debit cards. Many people have begun to use debit cards in an effort to better monitor their expenditures and avoid running up credit card debt.
One customer, 22-year old Molly Katchpole, originally from RI, was appalled at the idea of paying money to get access to her money and her outrage led her to start an on-line petition opposing the fee. The Saturday Newport Daily News had an article about Molly in the Business section on page 5 (I would like to give you a link but the Newport paper charges for the on-line version). In a matter of a few weeks she collected over 300,000 signatures and eventually forced the bank to drop the fee! This is clearly a victory for the little guy and demonstrates the strength of protests and petitions. And speaking of political power…

Student Political Boot Camp at URI

On November 18, URI will be hosting a political boot camp for high school and college students. The three day event is “about empowering youth with the skills to create change.” If you are interested you can go to http://www.ofbyforrhodeisland.org/.

And now for the $100 Challenge!

Many students commented on their power point reflections
and after seeing “War Dance” that they would like to do something for the young people of Africa. With this suggestion in mind, I have come up with the $100 Challenge…for those who would like to participate, we will collect money in each of the CWI classes. For every $1 you donate, you get to vote for one of the possible recipient organizations. And I will match all donations up to $100! You can look through the
catalogues on display in the front of the room and see that we could purchase mosquito nets, soccer balls, honey bees or make a donation to the music program of Patongo. A very small amount of money can make a big difference in the lives of people who survive on so little. Think
about how you would like to be involved and donate to the $100 Challenge!

Reaching Out to Africa

What a wonderful spirit week! While I didn’t always recognize you in your outfits or painted blue and white faces, it was evident that MHS has school spirit! Congratulations to the football team for providing us with an exciting game.

Africa Travels

This week with the help of technology we traveled to the second largest continent, Africa. Your projects clearly illustrated the numerous challenges, opportunities and successes of the different countries we
visited. I hope you have developed a deeper understanding and appreciation of the people of this continent.

Your projects were impressive. You chose good photos to help tell the
story. Your use of note cards resulted in smooth, confident presentations. Some of you are natural presenters, standing tall and speaking clearly and at an understandable pace. All of these skills
will serve you well when it comes time for your Capstone presentation and in your future calling, whatever that may be.

Finally, your reflections and self-evaluations gave you the opportunity
to think about the steps of the project and how you could improve. So often we get so busy that we forget to pause and reflect about a process that helps us advance in every field of endeavor. Using your reflection, the rubric and my notes, you will receive a final individual grade for the project.

Things to keep in mind as you prepare future presentations:
1. Make sure you understand all the terms you use...copying information onto a note card without understanding the content is dangerous...I was very pleased when one student used the term “emerging market” and then immediately defined it for us...great job!

2. You should be able to identify every illustration you use and say why you selected it; the illustrations are supposed to help tell the story...not distract attention from the point you are trying to make...if you are talking about tourism, an appropriate photo of a place of beauty or interest would support your point; if you use the flag of
the country, know what the colors and symbols represent.

3. Not all answers are found on the web...some groups struggled with the opportunity slide (the potential future of the country) and the success slide...these focus questions required you to think
about the material you had read, analyze the different sources and then
synthesize the information into a coherent prediction or assessment. It can be hard but it is a skill you need to practice.

4. Your source slide should list all the resources you used for the project. You will look at some sources and decide not to use them and those do not have to go on the list. The source slide is not a laundry list but a concise listing of the sources you found useful. When you do your Capstone, you will be asked to do an annotated bibliography which will require you to explain how each source helped you with your project.
Students often list Google or Bing as a source...they are not sources
but search engines. The sites to which your search leads you are the sources. Your source list also required a newspaper or magazine from the country.

Accountable Talk
This week we had our first accountable talk activity. Using two readings from our UpFront magazine (“Armed and Underage” and “Africa’s Rising Stars”) you had the opportunity to read, take notes, and process the information using our 3-2-1 strategy prior to conducting the discussion. Accountable talk gives students the ability to direct the conversation. It is your time to explore your ideas and ask
others what they think about issues in the readings. You earned credit for your notes, contributions and reflections. If you struggled with this activity, we will have other opportunities. Get in the swing of things...contribute...ask a question...make a connection. All
ideas are welcome. A special blue ribbon goes to Period A which did an
outstanding job…citing the text, making connections to current events,
projects, and outside readings. Great job!

Famine
After reading in our text about famine, we watched Nicolas Kristof’s video on “Hidden Hunger” and the “60 Minutes” piece on plumpy’nut,
a high calorie nutrition packed supplement for children. We will continue to look at Kristof’s ideas for fighting poverty as we start our study of South West Asia. This award winning journalist thinks
differently about how to solve big problems. Instead of spending millions of dollars on grand projects, Kristof is a supporter of micro-financing. He believes small loans directly to individuals will have a bigger impact on the quality of life. If you want to read more about micro-financing I have given you a link to the Kiva website. We will also watch a slide show based on “Half the Sky,” a recent book Kristof and his wife co-authored. Two years ago one of our own MHS students did
an independent study on micro-financing and helped a Mongolian woman buy a goat.

War Dance
Next week we will be watching “War Dance,” an inspirational and true story of a group of high school students from Uganda who participated in the country’s annual song and dance competition after undergoing horrifying experiences as captives of the terroristic Lord’s Resistance Army. The LRA was again in the news recently when the President deployed U.S. Special Forces to assist the
government of Uganda in eliminating this longstanding threat to the region. The film is a powerful reminder that hope and healing are possible even in the face of some of the worst atrocities
imaginable.

While there is no homework for the weekend, make sure you are watching the news. Our next unit on South West Asia will study an area that has been the main focus of international coverage since September 11, 2001. The region has gained added attention as the Arab Spring overthrew dictatorial governments in Tunisia, Egypt and, most recently, Libya. It has spread from North Africa into Yemen, Syria and Bahrain, and it could eventually affect Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Current Events Quiz
We had our first current events quiz this week and you were able to use your notes to answer the questions the class wrote. Now let me see...take good notes....keep my notes organized....write the questions for the quiz....use the notes for the quiz...could this be a trick or treat....no ....it is an opportunity to earn lots of points! We will start a new set of current events at the start of our next unit on South West Asia.

Halloween
As part of our study of Africa, we mentioned different organizations that help the people. On the display at the front of the class I have catalogs from Save the Children and Heifer International, two organizations that directly assist many African countries. One of the more
popular groups that assist children in Africa is UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund. Many children in the US trick or treat for UNICEF, collecting coins instead of candy to help young people in Africa.

Have a fun and safe evening...extra
credit for those dressing up as historical figures or elected officials!

Monday Assembly for Juniors

As you may know, all Juniors will be meeting during periods A and B on Monday so our classes will have to compensate for the lost time. We will update our folders and take the time to figure your grades as of October 31. We only have a few days left in our quarter.

If you are absent

If you are out of class, please check your syllabus for work and make arrangements to see me before or after school. You have five days to make up any missed work…don’t wait till the last minute.

Extra Credit

Email me using your MHS account by start of school on Monday with the correct answer and earn extra credit:

“Mother of Exiles” is another name for this statue that just celebrated her 125th birthday. Provide the name most commonly used and the
source of the alternative name “Mother of Exiles.”

A Violent End

A Violent End

This was a week that will go into the history books as the Libyan
dictator for the past 42 years, General Omar Gadhafi was killed. We started our week with a power point presentation by Ms. MacRoberts which highlighted the actions in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. You
could see that these countries have a significant number of young people who are unemployed and the frustrations and lack of hope finally spilled into the streets. Tunisia was the first country to expel its leader, followed by Egypt and now Libya. Meanwhile, demonstrations continue in Syria and Yemen.

Our current events on Friday (and one class on Monday) focused on Africa and many of you selected an article on the brutal end to Gadhafi.

We also watched the MSNBC story on the ancient city of
Timbuktu. Western Africa was a rich region and home to wealthy and powerful kingdoms. Cities traded in slaves, gold and salt. Today, these cities have fallen into disrepair but there is a new interest in preserving the culture, especially the thousands of documents that were part of the Timbuktu library. While many African countries have fallen on hard times, we must never forget their rich history.

We also met William Kamkwamba, “the boy who harnessed the wind.” William tells his own story as the young son of a poor farmer. His family
was hard hit by a drought, and because of the lack of money he was forced to drop out of school. But he would not be defeated. By reading a book on electricity from his local library (which had just two shelves of books), he was able to put together a wind mill out of scrap pieces of PVC pipe and old bicycle parts. He soon was generating enough electricity for his home, the farm, and recharging people’s cell phones. William uses proceeds from an award he received to conduct workshops in his home village in Malawi to teach other young people the useful skills he has learned. His is an inspiring story. For more on William, you can find his book at the Middletown Public Library or go to his blog, http://williamkamkwamba.typepad.com/.

Economic Worksheet

Some classes have completed this worksheet while others have
it for homework. You had some class time so hopefully it should not take long to complete. This chapter will help you think through the history of economic problems experienced by many countries in Africa and what
steps countries are taking to improve their economic opportunities. Think infrastructure…no business wants to locate in a place without a strong infrastructure. We have linked the need for good infrastructure to our own state as efforts are underway to link rail service with the airport, improve Quonset Point port, upgrade our roads and bridges, and implement education reform that will result in a competitive labor
force. When all of these conditions are positive, companies will locate and invest in your state or country.

We also read brief excerpts from Bloomberg’s Business Week
and an article by Nicolas Kristof that spoke of the investments India and China are making in Africa. Many African countries are now growing at 6-8% a year and will reap big rewards for those countries and companies willing to take a risk. So while our text may speak of the numerous challenges confronting Africa, we must not lose sight of the potential of this continent.

Africa Group Project

Your country project is due on Wednesday October 26 and it must be emailed to me, using an MHS account, by 7am. Please put your class period and name of your project in the subject line. I will put
the projects in one folder so we can use our class time for presentations.

Take the time to read over the rubric one more time. Make sure you practice the presentation. Make sure to have your note cards (not loose
leaf paper) to help guide your comments. And be confident…you and your group are the resident experts on your country!
I look forward to a great day of presentations.

Federal Forms

Impact Aid forms were distributed and are due in the Main
Office by Wednesday October 27. Those forms can bring in additional federal aid to our District so it is very important to have them filled out and returned as soon as possible. We all want to do what we can to make our District efficient and this is one way you can help out.

Happy Birthday to two faithful readers: BABM and LEM

Preparation Pays!

This week we continued our journey through Africa. You had two days to work in the computer labs with your partners on your power point project. Learning to work successfully with a group is a great skill to have asyou get ready to enter the work force or go on to further professional
development. Using your MHS email accounts and Acrobat (optional) allowed you to collaborate beyond the school building and regular class hours. As with any technology we have to be prepared for glitches. Your room management plan clearly stated that MHS email accounts had to be up and running by October 1. Many students were ready on time and that made the project start smoothly. Some of the paper work got tied up in the office but again with enough advance warning most of you were ready. You will need an MHS account for another project in the future so please be sure to make any necessary arrangements now.

A few last minute hints:
1. Read the rubric and then reread it; it is a very clear list of what you will need to do to have a project that meets standard.

2. Use visuals; limit writing on the slides; you may put all of your words on note cards that will be handed in.

3. Practice your presentation; be confident, be comfortable; you are the expert on the country.

4. Focus on the 3 main questions: what are the
challenges, opportunities and successes of your country?

If you can think of any other questions, please post a comment and I will get back to you. Good luck…all projects are due by 7am on October 26. You must email me the project, using an MHS account, and put the name of the country and class period in the message line. All of the projects will be put into a folder. Presentation day, October 26, will go smoothly when all of the projects are located in the same folder.

Maps

Some classes have finished both the physical and political maps
of Africa. High quiz grades were earned by students who took the time to draw a clear and well labeled map. Some classes are finishing up the physical map and your syllabus states that a quiz will follow. Make sure to follow the rubric to earn all of your points.

National Geographic Reading

Most classes had the opportunity to read an excerpt from National
Geographic on Africa and the impact of geography on its development. As we read, we took the time to pull out one or two main ideas per paragraph. Keep in mind a paragraph contains at least
one main idea and after reading you should be able to select the key idea. Keep your notes short…don’t write long sentences…look for the nuggets of information. Effective note taking skills are a necessity for your future years of work or school.

Admiral Christenson

On Friday Admiral Christenson, President of the Naval War
College, spoke to you about the mission of the College and its unique role in fostering cooperation and understanding with navies from around the world. Over 60 foreign countries send their top officers to Newport to learn side by side with our military leaders. Working closely together over the year provides a unique bond and has served this country and the world as we work towards better communication and cooperation.
Over the year, we will have international officers visit us
during the advisory period. You will be notified in advance and receive a permission slip to attend the mandatory in school field trip. It is an exciting opportunity to learn more about the world.

If You Are Out

As you can see, we have very full class days. When you are absent it is your responsibility to come before or after school to sit down with me and go over the work and assignments. It is not always possible
to spend the time with you during class as we are continually working on the assignments on the syllabus. I would also urge you to check the blog every weekend.

Recognizing Achievement

Just as we started our study of Africa, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to three women for their work in promoting women’s rights and their use of nonviolent protest to end conflict. Two of the women were from the West African state of Liberia. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Leymah Gbowee were honored for their roles in stabilizing a country that had been mired in civil war for fourteen years. Against powerful warlords who had terrorized the people, these women organized demonstrations that ultimately led to the election of President Sirleaf, who became Africa’s first female president. While the country is still reeling from the loss of over 250,000 lives, destruction of its infrastructure and disruption of its economy, it has been at peace since 2003 and rebuilding has begun.

Tawakkul Karman of Yemen was also honored for her role as a human rights activist and a supporter of anti-government protests. She is 32 years old, a mother of three, and has been described as a “modern” Arab woman who has stopped wearing the full facial veil. She has shown that Islamic women can and do support human rights and freedom for all people.

The statement issued by the Nobel Committee included a strong message that women must be seen as an integral part of seeking peace and stability in the world: “We cannot achieve democracy and lasting peace in the world unless women obtain the same opportunities as men to influence development at all levels of society.”

Steve Jobs: Innovator and a Symbol of Excellence

This week also marked the loss of a man who has touched all our lives with his numerous inventions, from Mac computers to I-pods, I-tunes and I-phones. Steve Jobs had the uncanny ability to envision products with broad appeal ahead of other innovators and bring them to market before his competitors. In addition to producing unique ideas, he demanded excellence of his people and products. He never settled…he never said “good enough”…he constantly sought perfection. May he always be a reminder that excellence and big dreams can come true.

Testing and schedule disruptions

We have struggled this week with NECAP testing and shorter class periods. I wish you the best as you tackle the testing that is required in your Junior year. If you have been absent any time this past week, you will be rescheduled for your tests and you will have to make arrangements to make up your class work. Time is available any afternoon except Wednesdays but keep in mind you have five days to make up missed work due to an excused absence.

Global diversity

This week we discussed the different types of governments around the world. Knowing how a country governs itself will give you insight into its relationship with the rest of the world. In addition, we talked about how the size, location and shape of a country affect its ability to trade and protect itself. Think about the disadvantages a landlocked country may have as opposed to a country with ample sea ports.

We also tackled a difficult chapter on economic geography. The text was loaded with new vocabulary words to help describe economic systems, activities and how to measure economic output. These vocabulary words will be useful when you analyze current events and begin to study different regions.

We had a quiz as we ended these segments. The questions have been a mixture of identification based on the vocabulary and an open ended question which allows you to apply the information you have learned. Full credit will be earned for responses that are well thought out and respond to all parts of the question.

Admiral Christenson visiting

Rear Admiral John N. Christenson, President of the Naval War College, will be our guest speaker on October 14 during the Advisory period. This is a unique opportunity to hear about the role the Naval War College plays and the significance of the international students who come to Newport to study alongside our own officers. Over the course of the year, we will have a series of international speakers during our Advisory period. Last year we hosted ten international officers from around the world, and many students said it was the highlight of the year. You have been given a permission slip that must be shown to your advisory teacher. The slips will be collected as you enter Room 212. If you do not have an advisory period, please return the permission slip with your name and a notation that you do not have advisory.

Africa

We started our unit with a power point presentation that used stunning photography and dramatic music. By listening to the music and watching the photos you were introduced to the beauty and variety of people and landscapes on this continent.

While we can make some generalizations about the continent it will be more useful to look at the regions of Africa. Your text has a map that shows the different regions. Many of the classes received the map assignment so make sure you use both the political map and the region map to draw your own map. You will have a quiz on the political map and you will be able to use your map to answer the questions. A good map should mean a good quiz grade.

As part of our study of this continent, you have begun a group power point project on a country. Prior to starting our group work, we went over some planning tips to make the project go smoothly. We spent Friday in the library…if you were absent, you need to email your group so you know what you have been assigned. Make sure you continue to work on the research portion of this assignment at home so your limited class time can be used making group decisions and building the slides. Some groups have designated one person to build the slides while others are using Acrobat. Many elements of this project will help you with your Capstone project.

Current Events

By now you should be earning high grades on your current event assignments. We will continue having this assignment for the remainder of the year so early mastery of the elements of a good summary and a paragraph on comments and connections will earn you lots of points. Some students are struggling with finding an international article. Most newspapers and web sites categorize articles as international or national, so use that as your guide. We are looking for major stories from countries outside the US. You need to use your own words for a 5-7 sentence summary of the article and a second paragraph of connections and comments. The article must be attached to your written work. The last current event assignment had to be based on religion or international economy. Our next assignment will be about Africa.

Revisions

Being allowed and encouraged to revise gives you another chance to show your understanding of the assignment. You can revise the work if requested, and bring it up to standard. If you decide you are not going to revise, please indicate that on the assignment and return it so you can get some credit

Interterm reports

Our interterm reports are ready. Many of you have well organized portfolios with an up to date status of assignment sheet. You will be pleased that all your work is in one location as it will give you a head start for studying for the midterm exam. As announced for the past 2 weeks, if you did not have a folder with an update sheet, you are below standard. A final check of folders will be done on October 11. Take the time to organize your work and keep the folder in the bin so you can earn all of your credit. If you are below standard, you still have four weeks to bring up your grade. What is your plan?

Email

Is your MHS account ready to go? You can check your account by going to the Middletown High School web page...use your password...go to mail...type in your name and then check “Charlie Checker” to see if becomes highlighted...if yes...you are ready.
You should have a school email account to do the Africa project.

Columbus Day Weekend

We have a long weekend as we celebrate Columbus Day on Monday. This holiday has come under criticism in recent years as historians note Columbus did not really “discover” new lands, which were already inhabited with advanced civilizations, but instead reported their existence to Europeans previously unaware of them. He and those who followed him have also come under harsh criticism for their treatment of the indigenous people, many of whom did not survive the coming of the Europeans. These criticisms raise the question of why we should be honoring this man. At the same time, many use this holiday to honor all great explorers no matter when or where they went as they established links between peoples who previously had not known of one another, thereby laying the foundations for today’s global community.

Extra Credit:

What Africans have won the Nobel Peace Prize? Email me a correct response using your MHS email account and earn extra credit!

Elements of Understanding

This week we focused on the elements of culture and how understanding the attitudes, beliefs, and knowledge of other countries will aid us in understanding their point of view or perspective on world issues. All countries do not believe the same things and as our value assignment illustrated, even within a country different people espouse different values.

One of the major components of culture is religion. You had a graphic organizer that helped you select key information from our text. Our class discussion gave you the opportunity to think about three major religions of the world, Christianity, Judaism and Islam, and you quickly saw the overlapping nature of these religions, which all started in South West Asia. By understanding the histories of these religions, you will better understand the conflicts that arise today, both between these religions and within each of them. In addition to the graphic organizer you also did a world religion map. Seeing how different religions are distributed across the continents gives us additional information on how religion contributes to culture and enables us to better understand the world. We also answered the questions posed by the UpFront IQ Test that was based on the Pew Research survey done in the US last year. The survey found that most Americans don’t have basic information about the major religions of the world. When people are ignorant of one another’s beliefs, misunderstandings and conflicts can arise more quickly. Finally, you had your announced quiz on religion. Many of you earned high marks but some struggled and now have the option to revise. If you are given the option to revise, make all the corrections and return your revised quiz for additional credit. If you decide not to revise, please write on the paper that you will not be revising and return it to me so I can give you some credit.

Political and Economic Geography

You have two worksheets to help you learn the material in your text on political and economic geography. Our section on political geography focuses on the different types of government throughout the world and how the size and shape of a country can affect its role in world affairs. We had a discussion of how the size and shape of a country can influence its history. A good example is the US as we have only two neighboring countries, a vast amount of land with many natural resources, and access to large rivers and two oceans, promoting trade and transportation. Countries that have threatening neighbors to defend against, or who are landlocked or have limited natural resources, will have different challenges. Next week we will look at different types of economies, the role of infrastructure in promoting a healthy economy, and different methods of measuring wealth within a country. Keep in mind we will be having a quiz on these two sections.

Current Events

Your current event, due Monday or Tuesday (depending on your class period) must have a connection to religion OR the economy. Keep in mind that this must be an international issue. Your rubric clearly lists all that you must do to meet standard. This will be your third graded current event so you should be earning high marks. Please take the time to read my comments on your assignment so you can improve.

Coming Attractions

We are finishing up our first unit and will start our study of Africa by focusing on the challenges, opportunities and successes of this diverse continent. You will be doing a power point project with a group on an assigned country that will give you the chance to direct your learning, practice working in a group, and gain experience in making a presentation. This is an especially good assignment for those who have not yet completed their Capstone. Much of what you will be doing for the Africa project will align with your Capstone project.

Our schedules will also be affected by NECAP testing, which starts October 5.

October 1 Email

We have talked in class about the need for a school email, and as part of your room management plan you must have a Middletown school email account by October 1. We will be using these accounts when we do group projects and our first group project is fast approaching. If you need the permission forms, you may see Mrs. Gill, Mr. Fontaine or ask in the Main Office.

Staying Organized

This week we updated our class folders. You have a status of assignment sheet and a list of all the assignments to date. All of your graded work must be in the folder. You are responsible for keeping track of your work. Your folder is checked from time to time. All folders must be up to date by inter-term week in order to meet standard.

Makeup work or extra help

Please keep in mind that I am available before school from 6:45 to 7:15 and again after school (except Wednesday) for makeup work or extra help. If you are absent excused, you have 5 days to make up the assignment. Don’t delay…make up missed work as soon as possible.

Cash Prizes

Now that I have your attention…would you like to earn a cash prize by writing an essay on what it means to be an American? The Bill of Rights Institute is sponsoring an essay contest for high school students. I have given you the link for further details. If you are interested in participating, let me know and I will be happy to help out.

Learning to Live With Differences

World leaders were focused on two key issues this week: the continuing debt crisis in Europe that could force the world into a double-dip recession, and the Palestinians’ efforts to seek full state status for their yet undefined country. While American trade with Europe represents only a modest share of our economy, some economist believe that even a slight slowdown could force the delicate American economy into a recession. The Dow dropped over 700 points this week. Investors lack confidence that the world economy is going to improve and thus money is being pulled out of the market.

Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian leader, addressed the United Nations on Friday and formally requested membership for the Palestinian people. While his request has worldwide support, the United States has come out against this move. President Obama has stated that only the Israelis and the Palestinians can negotiate a settlement. This is a complicated and decades long dispute. In the Letter to America from Osama bin Laden, we read about the Arab complaint that Americans always side with the Israelis and have done little to help the Palestinian Arabs.

Values

This week we finished our discussion of values. You had the opportunity to rank the value that was most important in your life. Many of you selected freedom, democracy or human rights as your top values. When this same question is asked of people around the world, the value most often selected as number one is stability. In the US we are used to having peace and stability. We don’t worry about being shot on our streets and we know where we can find food and shelter. While these are difficult times for many, we have the support of family, friends and social institutions. Life in other countries is less secure, so their citizens have different priorities. The different emphasis countries place on values can lead to conflict or misunderstandings.

Five Themes of Geography

Working in groups we looked at the five themes of geography: location (where is it?), place (what is it like?), region (how does it compare to other places?), movement and human-environment interaction. We read the section in our text, took notes, and then heard the presentations. The syllabus clearly states that you will have a quiz after this section so hopefully you are well prepared. The most important homework is the work you decide you need to do to be ready for the next class. It is easy to think that if you read, do a worksheet, or whatever homework is assigned that you will be ready, but all of us learn differently and you need to decide what additional steps might best prepare you for the next day – rereading, outlining, discussing content with someone else, etc. This is a great habit to develop as you get ready to go on to the next level of education or career.

Folders

This week we set up our folder system. You are responsible for putting all of your graded work into the folder and maintaining your status of assignment sheet. The sheet will allow you to monitor your work and grades. You are welcome to take the folder home from time to time to share with your family but please return it to the class bin when you are done. We are staying organized. This folder will be especially important when you prepare for midterms.

Elements of Culture

This week we started reading about the “knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors shared by and passed on by members of specific groups.” Anthropologists study how people live and act as a way to better understand the differences among different groups of people. Learning to think this way will be a highly valuable tool throughout your life as you interact with others in work, recreational and family settings. You will be reading your text and taking notes on the elements of culture. Using your notes you will be answering questions from a worksheet. This will be a good opportunity to evaluate your note taking strategies.

Current Events

We ended the week with our current events (G period due on Monday). This is a great opportunity to read about an international issue that you find of special interest. Your summary gives you the opportunity to practice selecting key information and your second paragraph allows you to make connections and predictions.

9/11 Memorial

I am writing this blog from New York City and as part of my weekend visit I had the opportunity to visit the 9/11 Memorial. The size, beauty and power of the two four-sided waterfalls where the towers once stood are awe inspiring. The names of colleagues and friends are grouped along the rampart around the falls. I was struck by the variety of names and recalled from our 9/11 lesson that people from 155 nations lost their lives that day. If a trip to NYC is in your future, make plans to visit the site. Keep in mind that you need to request a ticket (free and available on line) and they are timed so no more than 1500 people are allowed in at one time to keep a sense of reverence.

Open House

Thank you to all of the parents, guardians, and students who stopped by on Tuesday evening. It is always a wonderful event as we celebrate the start of a new school year.

Email

This is your friendly reminder that your MHS email account needs to be set up by October 1.

And finally...

Happy Birthday MLM! A faithful blog reader and source of technical support.

Off to a Fast Start

The world was focused on European debt this week. In an effort to curtail a possible repeat recession, major banks in the US and other countries agreed to pump dollars into the fragile European banking system. This vote of confidence reassured investors and lifted the prices of stocks around the world. Our economies have become so interconnected that problems in Greece or Italy or Spain or Ireland or any other developed country influence our own economy.

Meanwhile, the countries of South West Asia (Middle East) continue to “boil.” Demonstrations continue in Syria despite violent responses by the government that have resulted in over 2600 deaths. Bahrain’s people have been protesting for the past five months in an effort to bring reforms like those in other countries during the “Arab Spring” but the leadership has been relentless in trying to suppress the uprising. Torture, arrests, and job dismissals have dampened opposition activity but failed to suppress it altogether.

Are You Organized?
This week you were issued a text and given a Unit 1 syllabus. Please cover your text and plan on bringing it every day to class. Your Unit syllabus should be in your 3 ring binder alongside your signed room management plan, the current events assignment and your hints on doing a summary. I will check your notebook from time to time to make sure you are staying organized. Next week we will set up student folders. You are responsible for keeping your status of assignment sheet updated and all of your graded work in the folder. Keeping track of your grades will allow you to monitor your progress in the class. It will also be a great resource for you when it comes time to study for the mid-term exam.

Basics of World Geography

This week we worked with partners and our text to answer a series of questions about world geography. This activity gave you the opportunity to review basic world geography and to better understand what resources your text has so that you can better understand the world around you. We corrected the worksheet in class. If you did not finish, please take the time to complete it and put it in your binder.

Current Events

We had our first round of current events this week. Most of you did a good job and followed the rubric. Keep in mind that we are focusing on major international issues. Make sure to use your own words for the summary and write 5 to 7 complete sentences for each paragraph. We do current events about once a week and it is a great way to earn lots of points.

Values

This week we also discussed values, that is, what is important to you, to our country and to the world community. National Public Radio had an interesting interview with a woman who was running for a seat in the Afghan parliament and her platform was focused on bringing stability and security to her country. She has already lost two of her five children to violence. We are fortunate to live in a safe and secure community. Keep these values and the ranking of values in mind as we look at world issues and try to develop empathy for those living in very different circumstances. Can we take it for granted that our own country will always be stable and secure?

Goal Sheet

Using the “Business Week” article on “hanging tough” you have some guiding questions to respond to and turn in next week. This sheet prompts you to think about your goals for the year and how you plan on accomplishing them. Just as we need a map when we are going to a new place, we need a goal sheet for the start of a new school year so we can monitor our progress. Take the time to answer the questions in a thoughtful manner...use complete sentences...check your spelling...and take pride in your work.

Welcome Ms. MacRoberts

Ms. MacRoberts from Salve Regina University will be working with us this year. She will be in the classroom every Monday during the first and second quarter and will be teaching lessons and assisting you with your work. During the second half of the year Ms. MacRoberts will take over many of the duties of the classroom. It is always exciting to welcome a new person to our learning community.

Open House

The MHS Open House is scheduled for Tuesday, September 20, from 6:00 to 8:00. This is a great opportunity to walk your parents/guardians through your schedule. I look forward to greeting you on Monday evening.

“An American Who Placed Himself in the Thick of the Fight”

This week the President awarded the Medal of Honor to Dakota Meyer, a former Marine who fought in Afghanistan. He is the first living recipient from the Marine Corps to receive the award for actions taken in Afghanistan. I would urge you to read the story behind the actions taken by Sergeant Meyer that earned him the award. It is an inspirational story.

Mrs. Kennedy in Her Own Voice

For all of us history fans, the ABC News Special was a real treat as we heard for the first time tapes Mrs. Kennedy made over 47 years ago. She was asked questions by historian and friend Arthur Schlesinger and her responses, coming only four months after the assassination of her husband, give us a unique insight into her thinking and the times. I was especially taken with her comments about the Cuban Missile crisis. This event is often described as the closest we have come to nuclear war but it seems so much more believable when we hear Mrs. Kennedy say she wanted to stay with the President so they could die together as a family.

Happy Birthday Constitution!