Civil Rights, Day 9 - Class Recap

The view over Queenstown, New Zealand. This place was stunningly beautiful and reminded me of the good life that we have when we learn about the world! Photo taken on February 3, 2014.

Hello everyone,

I think we probably could have finished the activism project with one less day of work in class, but at least this way, your projects should be fantastic for Thursday! Here's what we did today.

Learning Targets Addressed:
SS.HS.KN.ALT.17: I can explain the process of change and continuity in a society, place or region.
SS.HS.KN.ALT.19: I can explain the role and impacts of social hierarchies.
SS.HS.CO.ALT.01: I can organize ideas in a logically sequenced manner and in a way that is appropriate to the content area.

Soundtrack: "Good Life" by OneRepublic. Selected because we are hoping to promote good lives for everyone through this project. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 4/8/14:
News Brief
Library Time
Finish Activism Projects

Homework: Have the activism project done and ready to show next class. Read the blog! Next news brief: Brandon/Gabby.

News Brief: Jacob was not in class today, so we did not have a news brief before going to the library. I did mention UConn winning the national championship in men's basketball last night, and that the UConn women have a chance to do so as well, tonight!

Library Time: This was the last time in class available to work on the activism project. We used the computers in the library to try and find sources of information for it (remember that you need three total, cited in MLA format on a separate sheet of paper). Hopefully, everyone is feeling good about working on the elements of the project. There is poster paper and printer paper in the room, as well. Please come prepared for next class! You will be expected to share with others, no matter what state your poster or brochure is in.

Finish Activism Projects: I saw some really great examples during class today. I think this could be pretty great, if everyone keeps working hard on finishing it! Let me know if you need help!

See everyone on Thursday, with your finished projects, please!

Civil Rights, Day 8 - Class Recap

This is the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, which is not too far outside of Los Angeles. One of the topics that students have chosen to do an activist project on is climate change. Photo taken in 2008.

Dear students,

Welcome to your weekend! The first week back after Spring Break went by fairly fast, I would have to say. Still so much to do, though! Here's the recap for today:

Learning Targets Addressed:
SS.HS.KN.ALT.17: I can explain the process of change and continuity in a society, place or region.
SS.HS.KN.ALT.19: I can explain the role and impacts of social hierarchies.
SS.HS.CO.ALT.01: I can organize ideas in a logically sequenced manner and in a way that is appropriate to the content area.

Soundtrack: "More Than A Feeling" by Boston. Selected because you should have more than just a feeling about your activist project - you should want to act and do something! Lyrics here.

AGENDA 4/4/14:
News Brief
Library Research

Homework: Have elements 5+6 done for activism project (everything should be finished for putting together in a brochure or poster next class - the project is due on Thursday). Read the blog! Next news brief: Jacob.

News Brief: Abbey selected this story as the news brief today: CNN.com - Strong storms advance on South, Midwest. A few students are doing activist projects related to the environment and/or climate change, so this might relate!

Library Research: We used the computers in the library to try and find sources of information for the project (remember that you need three total, cited in MLA format on a separate sheet of paper). Hopefully, everyone is feeling good about working on the elements of the project. There is poster paper and printer paper in the room, as well.

Please be sure to work on the activist project over the weekend and come back ready to try and finish it in class on Tuesday. Let me know if you need any help with this at all. Again, this is due in class next Thursday. Thank you! Have a great weekend!

Civil Rights, Day 7 - Class Recap

Something I am passionate about (relating the activist project) is promoting women's soccer, ever since one of my friends in high school played at the University of Portland. This is a photo of the season opening "tifo" display in the crowd last season for the Portland Thorns professional soccer team.

Hi everyone,

Welcome to another class recap! Back in the full swing of things after the break. Here's what we did today:

Learning Targets Addressed:
SS.HS.KN.ALT.17: I can explain the process of change and continuity in a society, place or region.
SS.HS.KN.ALT.19: I can explain the role and impacts of social hierarchies.
SS.HS.CO.ALT.01: I can organize ideas in a logically sequenced manner and in a way that is appropriate to the content area.

Soundtrack: “Comin’ From Where I’m From” by Anthony Hamilton. Selected because your activist project should explain why you are passionate about changing something - coming from where you're from. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 4/2/14:
News Brief
Finish The Differences Between Us
Library Research

Homework: Have elements 3 + 4 (along with 1 + 2) done for your activism project. Read the blog! Next news brief: Abbey.

News Brief: Miles had the news brief today and selected this article: Today.com - More than 20 cases of measles in California due to 'unvaccinated children'. I talked about the supposed link between vaccines and autism, which has been thoroughly debunked, as far as I can tell. Please, get your shots and encourage others to do so! It is awful that children are getting unnecessarily sick and/or dying because of preventable illness.

After the news brief section, I passed back a proficiency grade from the Early Struggles readings. Those are in the gradebook now. Please ask if you are at all confused by what you got and why! I would love to explain in person.

Finish The Differences Between Us: If you missed class, here is the link to watch the part of the Race: The Power of Illusion documentary, titled "The Difference Between Us." MSU.edu - Race: Power of an Illusion.

The film guide that went along with this is here (keep for future reference): Google Drive - The Differences Between Us Film Questions.

I enjoyed our talk after the documentary about it. Like I said, I think it is a pretty powerful way to think about the concept of race - in that biologically, it does not exist, but socially, it has a huge impact on our day to day experience.

Library Research: The rest of the class was devoted to library research on the activism project. I tried to get around to every student to check in about where everyone was at. There were some really great ideas! Remember that you need to have three sources, cited in MLA format. I also want you to propose (you do not actually have to do it) a plan of action of how you might actually be able to help further your cause.

Please let me know if I can help with this process! See you next class!