Facial Tissues

Are a beautiful thing to have in cold and flu season, don't you think?

Enrichment Opportunities

There are several exciting opportunities this month to enrich yourself (and if you come back and share it with us, possibly your grade!).

• Thursday, October 16th, 7p, Robbins Library: From War to Hope. A presentation on Arlington's sister city in El Salvador. Free and open to the public. Visit their website and see the brochure on my bulletin board for more information.
  
• Sunday, October 19th, 3p, Southern Sudanese Community Center in Arlington: Francis Bok. The author of Escape From Slavery (an amazing memoir!) is speaking right here in Arlington. I'm hoping we'll get to read his book this spring ... don't miss the chance to see him in person.
  
• Thursday, November 6th, Robbins Library: Lion's Club Speech Contest. Prepare a five minute speech to earn fame and extra credit. You need to sign up with Ms. Walsh in advance ... let me know and I can pass on the word, or see her directly over in Downs House.

Lots of cool happenings ... there won't be many more opportunities for extra credit this fall so take advantage while you can. And as always, if there's an event in the community you think we should know about ... share the word.

Speaker Preparation

In order to prepare for our speaker on Wednesday, please review the following documents:

• The Genocide Convention, which you are already familiar with
  
• The U.N.'s page on frequently asked questions about the International Criminal Court
  
• For more on the Criminal Court, see the I.C.C.'s own information page
  
• Read about the Nuremberg Principles that evolved out of the Nuremberg Trials following WWII

We'll be joining Mr. McCarthy's class. You don't need to commit these documents to memory, but do prepare yourself mentally to ask a question or two!

Class Calendar: October 6th to October 14th

Monday, October 6th (T)
• No class today.

Tuesday, October 7th (W)
• Due: Congratulations on surviving the SATs one more (hopefully last) time!
• Class: Housekeeping. Understanding the Executive Order.

Wednesday, October 8th (H)
• Due: Prepare for today’s speaker by reviewing documents posted to class blog.
• Class: David Raikow (and Mr. McCarthy’s class!) will be visiting us today. Be ready to ask questions and make us look good.

Thursday, October 9th (F)
• Due: Read “Evacuation Order No. 19” (p. 3-22) in When the Emperor Was Divine and take notes using the study questions as a guide.
• Class: I’ll be out of school today. Those of you who are here will be taking a closer look at civil liberties issues raised in the novel and by the historical period.

Friday, October 10th (S)
• Due: Nothing today but keep working since there’s lots to do for Tuesday.
• Class: Discussion of “Evacuation Order No. 19” and discussion of preexisting racism (“Prelude to the Evacuation: The Early Years”).

Monday, October 13th
• No school today. Enjoy the long weekend!

Tuesday, October 14th (U)
• Due: Revised college essay and read “Train” (p. 23-48) in When the Emperor Was Divine, taking notes using the study questions as a guide.
• Class: Discussion of the reading; analysis of a government video.

The Bear That Wasn't

You're not a bear! You're a silly man, who needs a shave and wears a fur coat! You know you want to watch it again ...

Class Calendar: September 29th to October 6th

Monday, September 29th (H)
• Due: Draft of college essay.
• Class: Peer review(s) of college essays; return essays on First They Killed My Father.

Tuesday, September 30th (F)
• Due: Nothing today! Keep studying the vocabulary words.
• Class: Review vocabulary with substitute; practice SAT questions. If you are out for the holiday, just be sure you’re ready for the quiz on Friday.

Wednesday, October 1st (S)
• Due: Draft of college essay in hard copy to me (typed, double spaced, include question or prompt, proofread). Keep all drafts and editing sheets as you go.
• Class: Debrief on Weimar Republic; introduction to identity.

Thursday, October 2nd (U)
• Due: Make progress towards Friday deadlines.
• Class: Debrief on identity charts; The Bear That Wasn’t.

Friday, October 3rd (M)
• Due: Practice faux SAT prompt; study for vocabulary quiz. Click here if you need the prompt.
• Class: Quiz on remaining “Route 66” words; peer review of homework essays; “Little Boxes” by Anthony Wright.

Good luck to those of you taking the SATs this weekend!

Monday, October 6th (T)
• Due: This was a light week due to the holiday and upcoming SATs. Take advantage of the situation by getting some of your college application paperwork in order! We’ll be starting a new unit at a brisk pace on Monday so make the most of this weekend; I don’t pass up the opportunity to give you homework very often.
• Class: Introduction to When The Emperor Was Divine.

Understanding the Weimar Republic

Click here to go to the Facing History online module for the Weimar Republic. Where it says "If your teacher has created a page for you to view ..." enter my last name and you're ready to go! If you finish reviewing the artifacts I have suggested, continue exploring on your own.