Missing! 2.0

Today in class we participated in a simulation called “Missing!”, in which Juan Verdad, an editor of a newspaper in Barbarica is kidnapped due to a piece he published in his newspaper exposing the massacre and torture of the Indigi peoples. The Humongous International (HI) corporation is taking over Indigi lands in order to mine there, using torture and massacre to “convince” the Indigi peoples to leave their land. Once Juan’s article is published exposing this to the Barbarican people, he is missing!

In your paragraph, tell me how you think this simulation applies to the real world. Do you think things like this happen?

What are “human rights”? What sorts of human rights violations occur? How would having more rights in Barbarica have helped Juan?

Do you think this simulation was realistic? If you had lived in a country like Barbarica all your life, would YOU ever take risks?

Have your feelings about life in our country changed as a result of today’s simulation?

Due by Friday, January 30, at 3:00pm.

Mt. Everest – Why do they climb it?

Climbing Mt. Everest is a dangerous undertaking. Many people each year die from trying, yet more and more people try anyways. Why do you think people are compelled to try dangerous adventures? Why do they put their lives at risk to climb big mountains?

Are YOU an adventurous person? If given the chance, what sort of BIG ADVENTURE would you want to go on?

Tell me your thoughts in a 7-10 sentence paragraph. Remember to check for spelling and grammar!

“The Scramble for Wealth” 2.0

Today in class we did an activity to show how wealth and resources are distributed in the world. What did you think about the activity? Do you think it was fair? Why or why not? Should powerful countries be concerned about the countries that are poor? Should they give money to poor countries? Explain your thoughts and answers in a 7-10 sentence paragraph.

Missing!

Today in class we participated in a simulation called “Missing!”, in which Juan Verdad, an editor of a newspaper in Barbarica is kidnapped due to a piece he published in his newspaper exposing the massacre and torture of the Indigi peoples. The Humongous International (HI) corporation is taking over Indigi lands in order to mine there, using torture and massacre to “convince” the Indigi peoples to leave their land. Once Juan’s article is published exposing this to the Barbarican people, he is missing!

In your first paragraph, tell me about your particular role and experience in the simulation. What role did you have? Did you ever end of in jail? How well did you represent your role? Was it hard to figure out which options to choose?

In the second paragraph, tell me how you think this simulation applies to the real world. Do you think things like this happen? What sorts of human rights violations occur? How would having more rights in Barbarica have helped Juan? Do you think this simulation was realistic? Which factors were the most important leading to Juan’s eventual release? If you had lived in a country like Barbarica all your life, would YOU ever take risks?

Due by Monday, April 28, at 3:00pm.

Voices For Darfur

What a cool thing! There is a learning campaign about the Darfur region in Sudan going on right now through a blog! The goal of the blog is to educate people, especially students, about the genocide in Darfur, and get as many K-12 students to respond to the blog as possible in a 48 hour period. Our students were very excited to participate. You can check it out yourself at http://manyvoicesdarfur.blogspot.com. Also, some of the kids who had some extra time in class after posting to the Darfur blog posted their responses here. What a great way to end our unit on Africa. Take action!

“The Scramble For Wealth”

Today in class we did an activity to show how wealth and resources are distributed in the world. What did you think about the activity? Do you think it was fair? Why or why not? Should powerful countries be concerned about the countries that are poor? Should they give money to poor countries? Explain your thoughts and answers in a 7-10 sentence paragraph.

“My Lost Country” Response

In class on Friday, we read the news story, “My Lost Country”, by Muzamil Jaleel, and watched a picture slide show of images from around the Kashmir Region. In a 7-10 sentence response, tell me what you thought. How did the story make you feel? What stood out in the story or the pictures? Do you think that this article is neutral, or does it show partiality to one particular side of the conflict?

When you respond to postings, please use only your first name and last initial (ex. Kelly W.). Also, please DO NOT include your email address.

Favorite Place?

Hi, class! OK – our first discussion! I am excited!

 What is your favorite area or region in the world, and why?

Please write a paragraph (7-10 sentences) in your original post (due Monday, 10/22).  Remember good internet etiquette – check spelling, check grammar, no “text message” talk, etc.

 When you respond to postings, please use only your first name and last initial (ex. Kelly W.). Also, please DO NOT include your email address.