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!