Overwhelming world events dominated this week’s headlines: “Obama Threatens Military Action Against Qaddafi;” “Stuck in Japan’s Danger Zone” and “Dozens Killed in Yemen.” Any of these events could bring major changes to our international community. The US, Britain, France and members of the Arab League are trying to fashion a united front against Qaddafi in an effort to help Libyan civilians being attacked by their own government. Government supporters fired on pro-democracy protesters Friday, killing at least 45 and wounding 200. Elsewhere, U.S. sympathy for pro-democracy demonstrators lies in direct conflict with long-term policies and alliances. Yemen’s weak government has received aid from the US in an effort to fight one of Al-Qaeda’s active branches, yet it responded brutally against Yemeni citizens seeking a less repressive government. The U.S. 5th Fleet is based in Bahrain and has good ties with its government, but that government has invited in troops from Saudi Arabia to help suppress demonstrations by its Shia majority, who feel oppressed by the ruling Sunnis. By now you have seen the numerous videos of Japan’s tsunami and the widespread devastation around Sendai. The nuclear power plants in this area have been severely compromised and radiation has been leaking for several days. Thousands are homeless or stuck without electricity or supplies, waiting to be rescued.
All these events demonstrate how much we are an international community…events in other countries affect all of us to varying degrees. The price of commodities such as oil and rice will rise as tensions continue. Parts for a variety of manufacturing lines throughout the world will be affected by the loss of plants in Japan. Will the nuclear fallout from this accident put a freeze on the building of new nuclear plants? Will energy become scarcer and more expensive in 2011? So much to think about…
World War II
This week we continued our study of World War II by looking at the Four Freedom illustrations of Norman Rockwell, works inspired by FDR’s speech to Congress. FDR wanted a world community that embraced freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. These illustrations helped inspire people to buy over $130 million dollars’ worth of war bonds.
The war was not popular with some people, including one of America’s great heroes, Charles Lindbergh. You read primary sources from FDR, Lindbergh and Senator Taft that outlined the reasons some advocated involvement and some wanted neutrality. This is an important skill for you to develop…reading primary sources to understand both sides of an issue.
With the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the time for discussion was over and the US entered the conflict. We saw a power point that showed Japan’s aggression into neighboring countries and the U.S. island-hopping strategy to tighten the ring around Japan. The fighting was brutal with heavy losses on both sides.
You also read about the contributions different groups of Americans made to the battlefront. Your graphic organizer showed you how to divide the contributions made by men, women, African Americans, Mexican Americans, Native Americans and Japanese Americans. All of these groups made unique contributions to the war effort. Take a moment to look behind those contributions and consider the perspective each group had towards the war. As you read, African-Americans were limited in the roles they could play. Towards the end of the war, to beef up dwindling infantry units, they were allowed to train for the infantry. Native Americans were fighting for a country that did not allow them to vote. Japanese-Americans were fighting while their families at home were confined to internment camps. These groups that felt so much discrimination at home must have had great strength of character to see that even an imperfect America would be better than its enemies and that America itself would change over time.
We had the opportunity to think more deeply about the varied experiences of our soldiers during our accountable talk activity. We had three groups…one focused on the Pacific, one on Europe and one on the role of women. Your accountable talk activity on Friday gave you the opportunity to think more deeply about these events. Try to envision what it must have been like to be landing on the beaches of Normandy or fighting the tenacious Japanese in the Pacific or flying target airplanes...these people were everyday citizens...plumbers, electricians, factory workers, teachers and yet they were asked to defend our country in these faraway places under the most brutal of situations...you can see why they have been called “The Greatest Generation.”
Having student led discussions allows you time to develop your own thinking and to ask questions of your fellow students. Recently I was reading an article about successful interview techniques and the writer pointed out the importance of quality questioning. Doing accountable talk gives you that opportunity to ask questions…your questions…not questions from a text or teacher. Our discussion must still be rooted in the text, so make sure you use it to support your thinking. A special thanks to students who brought in outside information to enrich our understanding of the readings.
When you return next week we will talk about the reasons why the atomic bomb was used on Japan. You had some reading and questions to prepare for that discussion. I also have an interesting comparison to show you on the destruction of Hiroshima and the recent tsunami. It is an eerie comparison. I will also share with you photos from my trip to Hiroshima. For homework you are to do assignment number 7 on the syllabus…how the US shifted to wartime production.
International Speakers
Our next two speakers are from Norway and Denmark. They will be with us during Advisory on Friday March 25. You will be given a pass for the event. Please check in with your Advisory teacher and then come to room 212. What interesting questions will you have for our speakers?
Congratulations
So many good things happening at MHS this week…Islander girls’ basketball rules!!!! Who is Mr. MHS Middletown??? And good luck to our Academic Decathlon team!!
Counting
Only 13 days to go!!!
All these events demonstrate how much we are an international community…events in other countries affect all of us to varying degrees. The price of commodities such as oil and rice will rise as tensions continue. Parts for a variety of manufacturing lines throughout the world will be affected by the loss of plants in Japan. Will the nuclear fallout from this accident put a freeze on the building of new nuclear plants? Will energy become scarcer and more expensive in 2011? So much to think about…
World War II
This week we continued our study of World War II by looking at the Four Freedom illustrations of Norman Rockwell, works inspired by FDR’s speech to Congress. FDR wanted a world community that embraced freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. These illustrations helped inspire people to buy over $130 million dollars’ worth of war bonds.
The war was not popular with some people, including one of America’s great heroes, Charles Lindbergh. You read primary sources from FDR, Lindbergh and Senator Taft that outlined the reasons some advocated involvement and some wanted neutrality. This is an important skill for you to develop…reading primary sources to understand both sides of an issue.
With the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the time for discussion was over and the US entered the conflict. We saw a power point that showed Japan’s aggression into neighboring countries and the U.S. island-hopping strategy to tighten the ring around Japan. The fighting was brutal with heavy losses on both sides.
You also read about the contributions different groups of Americans made to the battlefront. Your graphic organizer showed you how to divide the contributions made by men, women, African Americans, Mexican Americans, Native Americans and Japanese Americans. All of these groups made unique contributions to the war effort. Take a moment to look behind those contributions and consider the perspective each group had towards the war. As you read, African-Americans were limited in the roles they could play. Towards the end of the war, to beef up dwindling infantry units, they were allowed to train for the infantry. Native Americans were fighting for a country that did not allow them to vote. Japanese-Americans were fighting while their families at home were confined to internment camps. These groups that felt so much discrimination at home must have had great strength of character to see that even an imperfect America would be better than its enemies and that America itself would change over time.
We had the opportunity to think more deeply about the varied experiences of our soldiers during our accountable talk activity. We had three groups…one focused on the Pacific, one on Europe and one on the role of women. Your accountable talk activity on Friday gave you the opportunity to think more deeply about these events. Try to envision what it must have been like to be landing on the beaches of Normandy or fighting the tenacious Japanese in the Pacific or flying target airplanes...these people were everyday citizens...plumbers, electricians, factory workers, teachers and yet they were asked to defend our country in these faraway places under the most brutal of situations...you can see why they have been called “The Greatest Generation.”
Having student led discussions allows you time to develop your own thinking and to ask questions of your fellow students. Recently I was reading an article about successful interview techniques and the writer pointed out the importance of quality questioning. Doing accountable talk gives you that opportunity to ask questions…your questions…not questions from a text or teacher. Our discussion must still be rooted in the text, so make sure you use it to support your thinking. A special thanks to students who brought in outside information to enrich our understanding of the readings.
When you return next week we will talk about the reasons why the atomic bomb was used on Japan. You had some reading and questions to prepare for that discussion. I also have an interesting comparison to show you on the destruction of Hiroshima and the recent tsunami. It is an eerie comparison. I will also share with you photos from my trip to Hiroshima. For homework you are to do assignment number 7 on the syllabus…how the US shifted to wartime production.
International Speakers
Our next two speakers are from Norway and Denmark. They will be with us during Advisory on Friday March 25. You will be given a pass for the event. Please check in with your Advisory teacher and then come to room 212. What interesting questions will you have for our speakers?
Congratulations
So many good things happening at MHS this week…Islander girls’ basketball rules!!!! Who is Mr. MHS Middletown??? And good luck to our Academic Decathlon team!!
Counting
Only 13 days to go!!!
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