Current Event #28: Trading Places/Past or Present

Current Event #28: Trading Places/Past or Present

Due: Friday, May 24th, 2013

During the course of this year, we have discussed various historical individuals which have had some sort of impact (small or large) within our society. For this week's current event, select a person from the past or present, that you would trade places with for a day. Relive a major victory, accomplishment, battle, etc. that your chosen person may have experienced in their lifetime. It can be a person you know personally, a celebrity, or some person of notoriety to others. What would life be like for you by taking on another's identity? How would things change or stay the same?

What You Will Do:

1. Select one individual past or present that you admire and would consider switching identity with for a day. Be sure to discuss who the person is and what contributions or actions/influence he or she has had on society.

2. Explain why you chose the individual and what experiences would come from walking in that person's shoes for any amount of time.

3. Discuss at least one thing that makes you similar to the person you chose and one thing that you would have to change/do in order to come close to the talent of your person of choice.

***Note: Remember to answer all questions in complete, detailed sentences/paragraphs.***

Current Event #27: Your Topic of Choice

Current Event #27: Your Topic of Choice

Due: Friday, May 17, 2013

The topic for this week's current event blog assignment is your choice. The topic must revolve around a  topic in history which focuses on something currently happening the world of politics, education, government, etc. Please refrain from using sports or entertainment articles. Make sure to use a current and reputable source (not Wikepedia) and find an article that interests you. 

Your post should adhere to the following format:

Heading/ Be sure to include the following in your blog post:

-Your name/class period

-Title of article/author-Source/date of article

-URL (copy and paste your article link in your response for me to review your article)

Paragraph #1:

-Summary of your selected article (minimum of 5-7 sentences that provide detail about who/what, when, where, and why your current event is significant) 

Paragraph #2:

-Reflection/Opinion of article (minimum of 5-7 sentences)

-Give supporting facts and include any personal experiences associated with the article

-Relate the current event to what we've been studying in class (if applicable)

-pose questions/concerns about the event

***Note: Remember to answer all questions in complete, detailed sentences/paragraphs.***

Current Event #26: Are Video Games Designed Just for Child's Play?

Current Event #26: Are Video Games Designed Just for Child's Play?

Due: Friday, May 10th, 2013

The quick-thinking skills required in video games may be more helpful than crossword puzzles in slowing or even reversing declines in brain function that come with aging. According to a recent study conducted by researchers from the University of Iowa, certain types of video games have been identified to help boosts the memory of older adults. With this evidence, I guess it is now safe to say that video games are not just for kids anymore?


What You Will Do:

1) Students will read the Time Magazine Article found at the following link: http://healthland.time.com/2013/05/03/video-games-are-not-just-childs-play-gaming-could-slow-mental-decay/ , which features the cover story relating to video games improving memory.

2) Secondly, students should indicate their video game status, by explaining the frequency of their time devoted to playing any throughout the day. (Note that these methods of play can include actual game systems used to play the video games as well as cell phone applications permitting you to play games to stimulate your brain.) Identify and explain how some of the games you play have various aspects incorporated into them, which forces individuals to have to rely on their quick-thinking and processing skills to complete the game.

3) Do you agree or disagree with what the article states regarding video games playing a pivotal role in helping individuals maintain higher levels of memory? Explain in detail.

4) Students should also identify an older adult in which they would assist in playing video games with to experiment and/or test this memory theory. How would you convince or persuade your selected person to switch places with you completing a crossword puzzle and having them play video games for hours to test their memory. 

***Note: Remember to answer all questions in complete, detailed sentences/paragraphs.***

Current Event #25: Is Texting Killing the English Language?

Current Event #25: Is Texting Killing the English Language?

Due: Friday, May 3, 2013

In today's times it is becoming more apparent that the English language is being replaced with the technology age's text language. Constantly, people are substituting words and phrases with shorten symbols and letters. It has become an epidemic which has caused some older people to further dislike technology and the way in which younger people have been accused of discontinuing a language of pride. 

What You Will Do:

1) Students will visit the following link: http://ideas.time.com/2013/04/25/is-texting-killing-the-english-language/ and read the article posted to answer the following questions.



2) Do you utilize the various texting symbols and language to communicate with people within your phone messages or everyday writing? Explain through examples.

3) How do you go about learning the various meanings of different texting symbols and phrases used in text messaging?

3) Why do you think people like to invent new languages such as texting and will the new texting language lead to people forgetting and/or abandoning the proper English language?

***Note: Remember to answer all questions in complete, detailed sentences/paragraphs.***

Current Event #24: Earth Day 2013

Current Event #24: Earth Day 2013

Due: Friday, April 26th

Recent polls have revealed Americans have become less concerned about the environment now than when Earth Day first began. Americans place less importance on environmental issues than they did in 1971, a year after Earth Day was established, according to a new HuffPost/YouGov poll. But the poll also finds that more Americans are taking some steps to protect the environment, such as cutting down on electricity use, eating organic foods and recycling.

For Earth Day this year, The Huffington Post and its polling partner YouGov assessed how environmental attitudes and behaviors have changed since the first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970 by repeating questions that were originally asked on two 1971 surveys.

What You Will Do:

1)  Students will view the video, “Do We Really Care About Climate Change?”, and read the article found at the following link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/22/environment-poll-earth-day_n_3117003.html

 2) Answer the following questions in complete sentences after reading the article and provide detailed explanations for each of your responses.

---Do you care about climate change as it relates to the future?

---How important do you think it is to work to restore and enhance the natural environment? Provide steps that can be taken to achieve these goals.

---Do you think government spending on programs to enhance and restore our environment should be kept at the present level, increased, or decreased?

---In the past few months, have you saved aluminum cans, glass bottles, plastic bottles, newspapers or magazines for recycling? Describe any actions you have taken.

***Note: Remember to answer all questions in complete, detailed sentences/paragraphs.***

Current Event #23: Your Topic of Choice

Current Event #23: Your Topic of

Choice

Due: Friday, April 19, 2013

The topic for this week's current event blog assignment is your choice. The topic must revolve around a  topic in history which focuses on something currently happening the world of politics, education, government, etc. Please refrain from using sports or entertainment articles. Make sure to use a current and reputable source (not Wikepedia) and find an article that interests you. Your post should adhere to the following format:

Heading/ Be sure to include the following in your blog post:
-Your name/class period
-Title of article/author
-Source/date of article
-URL (copy and paste your article link in your response for me to review your article)

Paragraph #1:
-Summary of your selected article (minimum of 5-7 sentences that provide detail about who/what, when, where, and why your current event is significant) 

Paragraph #2:
-Reflection/Opinion of article (minimum of 5-7 sentences)
-Give supporting facts and include any personal experiences associated with the article
-Relate the current event to what we've been studying in class (if applicable)
-pose questions/concerns about the event

***Note: Remember to answer all questions in complete, detailed sentences/paragraphs.***

Current Event #22 The Iraq War 10 Years Later: Was it Really Worth Fighting?

Current Event #22

The Iraq War 10 Years Later: Was it Really Worth Fighting?

 

Sean Smith/Getty Images  U.S. Marines pull down a statue of Saddam Hussein in the center of Baghdad April 9, 2003.  

Due: Friday, March 22^nd 2013

The week of March 17 marks the 10-year anniversary of the war in Iraq, when a U.S.-led coalition invaded the country to topple Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.The war succeeded in removing a despotic regime, but sparked years of sectarian strife in the Middle Eastern nation and regional upheaval, while the U.S. and its allies also felt the repercussions of a battle thousands of miles away.

A decade on from the conflict, America is keen to hear from those who were involved, from Iraqis themselves and people in neighboring countries, to the military who served in battle (and those they left behind), to charity workers and contractors who worked in Iraq at this time.

What You Will Do

Students should visit the following link:

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/10-years-iraq-invasion/story?id=18759281

to view footage highlighting the 10 year anniversary of the Iraq War. Students should read the articles and watch the videos, to learn about a war which divided a country over its existence. Students should also answer the following questions in full details to express their point of views.

1)      Ten years later, what do you think the Iraq war has changed in you, your family, and in our country?

2)     Was the Iraq War worth fighting and was it a victory for the United States?

***Note: Remember to answer all questions in complete, detailed sentences/paragraphs.***