The world turned its attention this week to Westminster Abby to witness the marriage of Prince William, heir to the British throne, to Kate Middleton, a commoner whose grandfather was a coal miner. The pomp and pageantry showed the over 2 billion viewers that an appreciation for the monarchy is alive and well today. The brightly colored uniforms, the horse drawn coach, and the magnificent cavalry lent a fairy tale quality to what has been described as a “private” wedding.
Meanwhile, back in the United States our southern states were coping with horrific weather that left over 330 dead from tornadoes, while many others lost homes and businesses. Unusually warm humid air from the south met a cold front from the north and this created monster tornadoes. President Obama visited the area on Friday offering all available federal assistance to help people rebuild.
Modern American
We have continued our study of the Civil Rights Movement by watching the video “A Time for Justice” and Mrs. O’Donnell’s power point on the movement. Your video questions guided you to a better understanding of the types of oppression experienced by African-Americans and the non-violent methods they used to counter widespread hatred. You also had the opportunity to write a speech nominating a key member of the movement for a Civil Rights award. This speech-writing activity gave you time to research an individual and identify the risks he or she took to stand up against discrimination. Many risked their homes, their families and their lives as they protested for greater educational opportunities and political participation.
Working in groups and using primary sources, we read an excerpt from Brown versus Board of Education of Topeka Kansas, part of Governor Wallace’s inaugural address and a description of life at Central High by Ernie Green, one of the Little Rock Nine. By reading different points of view we could design a chart that listed reasons why some people supported segregation while others, including the Supreme Court, wanted to end the separation of the races. Some classes also had the reading from The Newport Daily News that told about President Eisenhower’s meeting with Arkansas’ Governor Faubus in Newport in August 1957 at the Eisenhower House outside Fort Adams. The President was not a supporter of integration but once the Supreme Court ruled in Brown versus Board of Education that students must go to the same schools, the President was obligated to uphold the law of the land.
After completing this activity you had your quiz. The syllabus clearly indicates when you are going to have a quiz and shows you what pages of material you need to prepare. You should all earn high grades.
Some classes started the graphic organizer on Civil Right leaders and strategies. Some leaders, such as Martin Luther King, advocated nonviolent techniques. They used sit-ins, boycotts and marches in an effort to publicize their plight and urge change. Other leaders, such as Malcolm X and Stokely Carmichael, were impatient with slow progress and threatened violence if that is what it took to gain the attention of the public. The raised black fist and posters announcing Black Power sent a different message from that of the Reverend King and his followers.
Homework versus Class work
In an effort to help you juggle the many demands on your time, an effort will be made to do most of our work in class. In order to do this you must come to class prepared with your textbook and syllabus. Don’t be a drag on your group by not having your text.
Upcoming Project
Next week you will be given your project for this quarter. You will have the opportunity to do an oral history interview with someone who has lived through an event or time period you are interested in. I have a rubric, guidelines and preliminary interview sheet ready for distribution. You will have two weeks to work on the project and you may turn in the completed work between May 16 and May 27. We will have an in class activity that will group events by decades and then we will do the math to figure out who you may want to interview. For example, if you are interested in the JFK Assassination, you need to talk to someone who is at least 55 years old. This should be fun and an interesting project that will leave a lasting impression on you and the person you interview.
Status of Assignment Sheet
For the final quarter we will once again be using the status of assignment sheet so you can track your progress. As always, you are welcome to take the folder home to show your parents your work but please return the folder to the class bin ASAP. To date, you have had three assignments that have been graded and will be returned this coming week: the video question, the Civil Rights speech and the quiz on Chapter 27 section 4 materials. We will also return to the policy of no late work.
International Speakers
Our international speakers’ series ends May 13 with a presentation on Great Britain. You will be given a pass to present to your advisory teacher. Advisory periods are now closed for much of the fourth quarter, but Mr. Ruscito has given permission for you to attend our last lecture. This has been a unique and informative trip around the world with military officers from 13 different countries. As part of your final exam, you will have a question on this speakers series. I hope you have enjoyed the series and have a greater appreciation for the diverse countries we deal with in this interconnected world.
Freedom Riders
PBS will air a documentary on May 16 celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Freedom Riders. Our video “A Time for Justice” had a brief excerpt about these brave men and women who rode interstate buses through the deep south in an effort to get the buses, waiting rooms and restaurants along the route integrated. By taking buses across state lines, the riders pushed this issue to the federal level as Congress has the power to regulate interstate commerce. If the buses had stayed within one state, state law would have prevailed and segregation would have remained the rule of the day. To end this injustice, the Freedom Riders had to get the federal government involved. So tune in May 16!
Best Wishes to Mr. Young
While Mr. Young will be around MHS for a few more days we gave him his formal farewell this week. Thanks to all who made his stay enjoyable and a true learning experience. Your patience and cooperation helped him greatly in learning how to be an effective teacher. Mr. Young has offered to stay in touch as he goes on to his next teaching assignment in France. Bon Voyage, Monsieur Young!
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