Events That Connect Us

This week we had good news on the economic front with a reduction in unemployment, now below 8 percent for the first time in four years.  We saw our Presidential candidates side by side in the first of their three debates (the Vice Presidential candidates will also have one debate), and we had a worrisome exchange of artillery fire between Turkey and Syria.  All these events have implications for your future and the opportunities and challenges you will face.  The path our country takes and the kind of economy you will be living in depend a lot on who is at the helm.  Be informed, and try to understand how what you see in the news will affect you personally.

 

Testing and schedule disruptions

 

This past week and the next we are dealing with NECAP testing and shorter class periods.  I wish you the best as you undertake the testing required in your Junior year.  If you have been absent any time this past week, you will be rescheduled for your tests and will have to arrange to make up your class work.  Time is available any afternoon except Wednesdays.

 

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 international community.  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 ways to measure economic output.  These vocabulary words will be useful when you analyze current events and begin to study different regions.  We also put key points on the board which you should have written in your notebook. To help you understand the implications of economic investment, you had two readings and questions on infrastructure.  Working with a partner and having an opportunity to pair and share gave you additional information on how cement might be able to save the world.  Yes, that is a bit of an exaggeration but after reading “Paving Paradise” you may be tempted to come to the same conclusion.  After our whole-class discussion you had the opportunity to write about how an economic and military alliance between a small and large country could affect both countries.

 

This week you also received your presidential promo ad assignment.  You will be writing a 30 second ad for the candidate of your choice based on his position on one foreign policy issue.  To help you with this project you need to bring in one article on a foreign policy issue on October 9.  You may also bring in material from either candidate’s campaign site that speaks to these issues.  Working with a group will give you the chance to think more deeply about the topics and select the one that means the most to you.  Keep in mind that you may also tape your ad for the final product. I have given you a sample of a side by side analysis of the candidates’ foreign policy positions to get you started.

 

 

Interterm reports

 

Our interterm reports are almost ready.  Many of you have well organized portfolios with an up to date status of assignment sheet.  You will find it very useful to have all your work in one location, as it will give you a head start when studying for the midterm exam.  As announced for the past two 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 9.  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 it becomes highlighted...if yes...you are ready. You will need a school email account to do the Africa project.

 

World History

 

This week you presented your interviews with a person from the Reformation.  This was a great opportunity for you to be creative, work with a partner and have some fun learning more about this time period.  You seemed to enjoy this activity so let’s plan on doing another interview.

 

We watched a power point on the spread of the Reformation to England.  The power point along with the interviews gave you the information you needed to do well on your quiz. Congratulations - many of you earned high grades.

 

You also had the Elizabeth project due on Friday.  We went over this assignment on the computer in class so you knew how to access the lesson, navigate the web site and produce your final writing assessment that linked a quote of your choosing with Elizabeth’s leadership style.  We were unable to get time in the computer lab this week due to state testing, so you had to find another way to get access to a computer.  If you have not completed the assignment and don’t have access to a computer at home, try to use the school library, computers in your advisory, or the public library.  You need to plan and not wait till the last minute to do assignments.

 

We started the Scientific Revolution with a worksheet and a power point presentation. We also tackled our first primary source reading from Sir Francis Bacon.  The primary sources, which were written at the time, are more difficult to read because of the arcane sentence structure and vocabulary, but with patience and perseverance you were able to understand Bacon’s approach to scientific inquiry. Good job!

 

On Friday you had the entire period to work on your Scientific Revolution character project.  You have one person to research for this activity.  Be sure to follow the rubric.  The “poster” should be no larger than 11x12…if you plan carefully you should be able to fit all the information on an 8x11 sheet of paper. You will present the information in class so make sure to practice at home…be able to explain the quote…and use your own words, not copying and pasting.  This project will be your final assessment for this chapter…no quiz!

 

 

 

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 by advanced civilizations, but instead reported their existence to Europeans previously unaware of them.  He and those who followed him have also been sharply criticized for their treatment of the indigenous people, many of whom did not survive the coming of the Europeans.  These criticisms raise questions about whether we should continue to honor Columbus.  On the other hand, many people view this holiday as an occasion to acknowledge all explorers throughout the ages who established links between peoples previously unknown to one another, thereby laying the foundations for today’s global community.

 

Spirit Week Has Arrived!

 

Have fun and stay safe as we celebrate all that is good at MHS!