Please list what is subjective and what is objective from the above commercials.  Bring it to class.  Then please leave a comment on this blog about how these commercials are biased.  (Try to add something unique to the discussion, not just the obvious)

Here is a great site to practice your map knowledge. 

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/Geography.htm

No Arms, No Legs, No Worries

In our discussion about the pursuit of happiness and the value of human life - I think this supports some of what we talked about.

Brazil's Economic Improvement

Iraq - Brief Overview

Israel-Palestine Problem

60 minutes piece that examines the problem of Jewish settlements

A more pro-Israel explanation of the peace problems

Cold War Topics

                                                   Winston Churchill's Iron Curtain Speech

Berlin Airlift

Marshall Plan

Soviets Explode Bomb

Korean War

Sputnik

Bay of Pigs

Cuban Missile Crisis

Berlin Wall

Vietnam War

Iran Hostage Crisis

Soviets Invade Afghanistan

Strategic Defense Initiative (Star Wars)

Berlin Wall Falls

Soviet Union Collapses

World War II Documentaries

Clips about the Middle Ages

She's a witch

"Bring Out Your Dead"

"The Annoying Peasant"

There has been a lot of news these days about the 1% vs. the 99%. The Occupy Wall Street group is upset that the system we have in the United States favors the wealthy. There is support for their arguments in recent data showing that the income levels of the middle class and poor have stagnated or even declined in recent years while the income levels of the wealthiest Americans has continued to climb, increasing the wealth gap. Republicans counter that, although the wealthiest continue to gain, it has helped all individuals (the trickly down theory) improve. They point out that many of the "poor" in our country still manage to have air conditioning, cell phones, satellite tv and other conveniences that the poor in the rest of the world would consider wealthy conveniences.

So when I went to Best Buy today, I had some time to look around at some of the latest "conveniences" that many of my students seek.
I-pads - $600 - $1000, depending on the speed, accessories and Geek Squad package.
I-phones (and similar brands) - $400+ service plan.
Classic I-pod - $200 couldn't find the price for the new, more expensive version.
Dr. Dre/Skull Candy/Bose Head phones $150-200

I make a good salary. I would be consider my family to be solidly middle class. There is no way I would pay this kind of money for these things. Who does? Seems like there are a lot of students who have these toys. Should parents spend money getting their kids these toys, or building their savings acount for college? With college getting so expensive, shouldn't parents help thier kids save instead of getting them these toys? Are head phones that sound really clear that important?

Major US Cities Quiz

Geography buffs - try this.  Mr. C got 426 points.  http://www.lizardpoint.com/fun/geoquiz/uscitiesquiz.html

Bond Passes!

Byron Center voters approved a bond last night by a 70-30% margin.  This is good news.   Now we have to figure out the best way to spend the money to improve students skills and abilities.  There is talk of every high school student having a laptop or I-pad.  The immediate response would most likely be positive, but are there potential negative consequences?   Will it keep students from focusing in class or will it help them take notes?  Are students responsible enough?  How much tech support would be needed?  If you are a student, do you really believe your education would benefit?  My thoughts are mixed - what are your thoughts?

Reading is important!

You will be doing a lot of reading in this unit on East Asia.  Being able to understand what you are reading is extremely important.  Take the lessons and reading seriously.  Work to improve your reading comprehension skills.  Be able to pick out the "Big Idea".  Be able to make inferences.  See me for help on anything you are struggling with.  This skill is much more important than an understanding of East Asia history.

Marking Period Over

The quarter is over - your grades are final. There is still a lot of time left to improve your grade.   Please come see me in the mornings for extra help if you need it.