The White House at night, 2011.
Hi everyone,
Cabinet presentations day and a test - a big day! I hope you were prepared. Here's what happened:
Learning Targets:
SS.HS.CR.ALT.03: I can apply understanding of ideas and concepts to a new context or problem.
SS.HS.RE.ALT.05: I can effectively conduct and apply research.
SS.HS.KN.ALT.02: I can demonstrate an understanding of the role of governments in current issues.
SS.HS.CO.ALT.05: I can communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Soundtrack: “Somebody to Die For” by Hurts. Selected because a student in my Period 1 class requested it via an anonymous comment here on the blog. I'm happy to look into any requests for soundtrack choices, as long as it can be related to what we are doing in class. Lyrics here.
AGENDA 5/1/14:
Current Events
Cabinet Presentations
Executive Branch Test
Judicial Branch Overview
Current Events: Anab had an article for us today about the government trying to fight hunger: OregonLive.com - A tax credit that will help feed the hungry.
I wanted to talk more about some stuff currently happening in the country, to start class:
The reason the news brief was extended today was because of this story: FOXSports.com - Union: NBA players considered playoff boycott before Sterling ban. I wanted to talk about this for a number of reasons. First, we just did a lengthy unit on racism and Civil Rights in America. This is yet another case that shows we have not "solved" racism as a society. If an owner of an NBA franchise can be repeatedly accused for years of discrimination and not many people seem to take notice until an audio tape of racist comments is heard, that is a problem. It is a problem if we see society as totally equal now - that we have nothing to work on, when the evidence does not back that up.
Related to this, as some people try to argue that Donald Sterling has free speech rights, and thus can say whatever he wants and not face punishment: I wanted to make sure that we again addressed the protesters outside Westview this week. I would feel irresponsible as a Social Studies teacher to not at least have the conversation about what the First Amendment to the United States Constitution is all about, given the very obvious example of it in practice outside of our school. I want to be clear again that it is not my role to take a position in class on the issue the protesters are concerned with. It IS my role to try and inform the class about why they are allowed to, and why counter-protests and demonstrations are also allowed, as long as both sides do not come into open conflict.
Just because someone may not like your cause, does not mean that you cannot protest or demonstrate. The example I always use is Nazi Germany. If there was freedom of speech in Nazi Germany, guaranteeing Jewish people the right to speak up about the way they were being treated, without fear of being thrown into jail for their beliefs, then it is possible the Holocaust could have been avoided. Freedom of speech is only valid as a core of our democracy when we are able to express our views, however radical they may be, without fear of the government throwing us in jail.
Again, what the First Amendment does NOT guarantee is the right to say whatever you want with no consequences. If Donald Sterling wants to say racist garbage, he is allowed to without going to jail. He can still face all sorts of other consequences in private affairs, like the NBA banning him for life, fining him $2.5 million dollars, and people around him never wanting to associate with him again. Words do have incredible power.
Cabinet Presentations: These made me smile - thank you to the four groups who went today! I enjoyed and appreciated your recommendations!
Executive Branch Test: I will get these graded and back to you next class. I hope you studied and did well!
Judicial Branch Overview: At the end of class, we went over a bit of what the judicial branch is all about. We will pick back up with this next class. See you then! Thanks!
I wanted to talk more about some stuff currently happening in the country, to start class:
The reason the news brief was extended today was because of this story: FOXSports.com - Union: NBA players considered playoff boycott before Sterling ban. I wanted to talk about this for a number of reasons. First, we just did a lengthy unit on racism and Civil Rights in America. This is yet another case that shows we have not "solved" racism as a society. If an owner of an NBA franchise can be repeatedly accused for years of discrimination and not many people seem to take notice until an audio tape of racist comments is heard, that is a problem. It is a problem if we see society as totally equal now - that we have nothing to work on, when the evidence does not back that up.
Related to this, as some people try to argue that Donald Sterling has free speech rights, and thus can say whatever he wants and not face punishment: I wanted to make sure that we again addressed the protesters outside Westview this week. I would feel irresponsible as a Social Studies teacher to not at least have the conversation about what the First Amendment to the United States Constitution is all about, given the very obvious example of it in practice outside of our school. I want to be clear again that it is not my role to take a position in class on the issue the protesters are concerned with. It IS my role to try and inform the class about why they are allowed to, and why counter-protests and demonstrations are also allowed, as long as both sides do not come into open conflict.
Just because someone may not like your cause, does not mean that you cannot protest or demonstrate. The example I always use is Nazi Germany. If there was freedom of speech in Nazi Germany, guaranteeing Jewish people the right to speak up about the way they were being treated, without fear of being thrown into jail for their beliefs, then it is possible the Holocaust could have been avoided. Freedom of speech is only valid as a core of our democracy when we are able to express our views, however radical they may be, without fear of the government throwing us in jail.
Again, what the First Amendment does NOT guarantee is the right to say whatever you want with no consequences. If Donald Sterling wants to say racist garbage, he is allowed to without going to jail. He can still face all sorts of other consequences in private affairs, like the NBA banning him for life, fining him $2.5 million dollars, and people around him never wanting to associate with him again. Words do have incredible power.
Cabinet Presentations: These made me smile - thank you to the four groups who went today! I enjoyed and appreciated your recommendations!
Executive Branch Test: I will get these graded and back to you next class. I hope you studied and did well!
Judicial Branch Overview: At the end of class, we went over a bit of what the judicial branch is all about. We will pick back up with this next class. See you then! Thanks!
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