Half Time

This week we wrapped up our second quarter by turning in your status of assignment sheets and taking your folders home so you can use your past work to prepare for the midterm exam.  Both CWI and World History classes have the study guide and the guides have also been posted on the blog (see last week for CWI and special posting for World).  If you review your past work, use the study guide to help focus your efforts and of course read over the weekly listing on the blog you should be in great shape for the exam.  Extra help is available before or after school.

CWI/Current Events

Your current event on East Asia was due this week.  Many of you did a great job summarizing and commenting on a wide variety of events from this region.  The good news is that many of you are exceeding the standard on this assignment.  The discouraging news is that only about 65 percent are handing in the work.  You have one week to do the assignment so time should not be a factor. Computer problems seem to be a major problem…that is why you have a week to do the assignment…learn to get over these obstacles…find a different computer…print at the MHS library or the public library…maybe cut the article out of the paper…don’t be late, don’t ask to print…be ready on time!

The Most Influential Thinker

To better understand the people of China, you must know about Confucius.  In an introduction to “The Analects,” Henry Rosemont described Confucius as the most influential thinker in the world as more people follow his teachings than any other belief system. Our reading on this belief system stressed the importance of relationships, education, hierarchy and order. So much of what we value as Americans, particularly individual liberties, does not factor into the Confucian way of thinking and acting. Your fill in the blank activity will be a useful review sheet as you prepare for the midterm.

We also watched a video clip on how students in Florida are studying Confucian thinking and Mandarin as they prepare for jobs in China.  Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island, runs a similar program.

Accountable Talk

This week you also had the opportunity to talk with your fellow students about the rise of China and how China will play a role in your future.  We used three readings: “China Cheerleaders” (posted on last week’s blog), “Go East Young Man,” a NYT piece about a college graduate who left the US for employment in China, and “ChinaRises, and Checkmates” by Nicolas Kristof. Many of you did a fine job citing the text and entering into a dynamic conversation.  Some of you did not come prepared so the time dragged and there were many empty spaces.  I know you like to talk…I know you like your fellow students….what a perfect opportunity to earn credit by sharing your ideas.

Ai Wei Wei

Our last video for the unit was a portion of a documentary about the most famous person in China, Ai Wei Wei, an artist and a dissident. He is the artist who designed the famous bird’s nest stadium for the Olympics and is noted for his installations.  He takes seemingly innocent objects (such as children’s backpacks) and uses them to make provocative political statements.  He has been jailed numerous times and his art studio has been destroyed but Wei Wei is tenacious about speaking out on behalf of the common man of China.

I feel fortunate to have seen some of his art work in Tokyo while it was on display in the Mori Museum.

World History

Congratulations to all who completed the first portfolio task on the Industrial Revolution.  Many of you did a great job and will be able to put the task into your graduation portfolio.  Some of you nearly met the standard so we will work on making improvements.

We went over the midterm exam.  You know what types of questions you will have and you have an advance copy of the essays with the opportunity to prepare key information on one file card to use during the exam.  You can also earn extra credit by turning in your study guide the day of the exam.

Martin Luther King

This weekend we enjoy an extra day as we pause to celebrate the contributions Martin Luther King made to this country.  His peaceful campaign for civil rights is a reminder that when many people act together, they can bring revolutionary change without using violent methods, even when their opponents are more than ready to use violence against them.  Next semester we will spend more time looking at the Civil Rights Movement and King’s contributions.

President Obama’s Inauguration

The President will be sworn in for his second term on Monday, January 21.  He will take the oath of office a few minutes before noon.  All channels will be covering this event so take a few minutes and tune it in.  While I will not be attending this time, I did attend his first inauguration and it is an event I will never forget.