Social Studies Toolbox

Washington Post Story: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/25/AR2008072501154.html?sid=ST2008072501227&pos = Past posts (including "The Last Lecture"): http://hansengeorge.blogspot.com/2008/04/definitely-worth-listening-to.html ABC News: http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=3906861&cl=8977416&ch=4226713&src=news Many links here: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/27/the-online-legacy-of-professor-pausch/index.html?hp

At first I was a little shocked, after all , it is the middle of summer and the High School parking lot was full. And then I saw the bus.....and the people. LOTS of them! I later learned people had been gathering in the parking lot since very early this morning. They were waiting to be "checked in/cleared" as volunteers for the newest project on "Extreme Home Makeover." La Crosse Tribune Story: http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/07/25/news/03makeover.txt

As I searched NPR for more project ideas to include on the blog, I stopped in my tracks when I saw the word " Nirvana ." Hey, I admit, I can't get past the early 90s! Anyway, if you need a break, you might enjoy this story. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92833535& ps = bb 1 More Nirvana on NPR: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15446165 "Smells Like Teen Spirit" - NPR: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1074173

Watch Frontline "Changing the Rules of Engagement": http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/haditha/view/main.html Analysis: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/haditha/themes/ Related Links: Interactive Map - "The Toll of War" Civilian and Military Casualties: http://www.npr.org/news/specials/tollofwar/tollofwarmain.html "Collateral Damage or Civilian Massacre in Haditha ?" Time Magazine Story: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1174682,00.html Lesson Plan "The Human Costs of War" New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/19991004monday.html?searchpv=learning_lessons Project Suggestion # 1: Click on the link above (The Human Cost of War) and scroll down to "Extension Activities." Go to #1. Post your answers in the comments section. In your comments, first answer the questions relating to the War in Vietnam then answer the questions focusing on the War in Iraq. (See me for clarification if need...

Sudan (Fast Facts) http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/10/10/country_facts/main3352310.shtml Student Video ( Darfur ) http://www.facinghistory.org/video/projections Frontline : "On Our Watch" http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/darfur/ Resources (In depth coverage, analysis, links) http://www.pbs.org/newshour/indepth_coverage/africa/darfur/index.html What you can do: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum: http://www.ushmm.org/conscience/alert/whatcanido/en/ Enough Project: http://www.enoughproject.org/action Save Darfur : http://www.savedarfur.org/content?splash=yes Sign the Petition: http://action.savedarfur.org/campaign/savedarfurcoalition Human Rights Watch: http://hrw.org/english/docs/2004/06/24/darfur8954.htm Amnesty International: http://www.amnestyusa.org/our-priorities/darfur/page.do?id=1351050&n1=3&n2=52 Project Suggestion #1:   In your comment, briefly discuss your feelings on the following question: Why do you think it is ta...

Several of you have expressed interest in learning more about LGBT issues. Considering current events is an important part of this course and the fact that several of you are interested in this issue, I thought I'd share this story. Young, Gay and Murdered (In last week's Newsweek): http://www.newsweek.com/id/147620 http://www.newsweek.com/id/147790 Related Posts (including project suggestions): http://hansengeorge.blogspot.com/2008/07/past-posts-on-assault-on-gay-america.html http://hansengeorge.blogspot.com/2008/05/assault-on-gay-america.html http://hansengeorge.blogspot.com/2007/10/safe-environment-for-lgbt-students.html

The book: Intern: A Doctor's Initiation . As I sat there listening to NPR one afternoon, I immediately thought of you future doctors -you know who you are! I thought, "this sounds like a pretty good book!" Callers to the program who had read the book said it was a hilariously accurate portrayal of life as a medical intern. For those of you thinking of law, I'd suggest One L: The Turbulent True Story of a First Year at Harvard Law School by Scott Turow . Dr. Juahar's site: http://www.sandeepjauhar.com/book.html NPR stories: http://www.npr.org/blogs/talk/2007/12/initiating_doctors_1.html http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=17648245

A 639 year-long concert? http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92502862 More on "As Slow As Possible" http://www.npr.org/programs/pt/features/2003/sep/aslsp.html PBS American Masters: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/database/cage_j.html

From today's New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/21/education/21endowments.html?em&ex=1216872000&en=a77d3816b3d96c57&ei=5087%0A Video: http://gmy.news.yahoo.com/v/8941848 Berea College: http://www.berea.edu/about/default.asp

Many of you have expressed an interest in learning more about volunteer opportunities relating to some of the issues we've explored this summer in History Recovery (children's rights, tolerance, ending poverty, women's rights, peace, etc.) Here are a few links to get you started: Volunteer: Heifer http://www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.201454/ Idealist http://www.idealist.org/kt/ Longitude http://www.golongitude.org/www/Home.html Longitude Volunteer Opportunities http://www.golongitude.org/www/Volunteer.html Fight Poverty: http://www.americorps.org/for_individuals/choose/vista.asp CNN Impact Your World: http://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2007/impact/ CNN Heroes: http://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2008/cnn.heroes/ Doctors without Borders working to end childhood malnutrition: http://doctorswithoutborders.org/news/issue.cfm?id=2396

60 Minutes Story: http://60minutes.yahoo.com/segment/178/plumpynut More: UNICEF http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/niger_39675.html Doctors without Borders http://doctorswithoutborders.org/news/issue.cfm?id=2396 Map (Malnutrition "Hot Spots") http://doctorswithoutborders.org/images/news/malnutrition/Malnutrition-Hotspots2_large.jpg NYT Opinion Piece http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/30/opinion/30shepherd.html?ex=1359435600&en=83b7293596c22 bbe & ei =5124&partner= permalink & exprod = permalink Washington Post coverage of the issue including videos: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/01/AR2008070102504.html http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/07/19/ST2008071900998.html?sid=ST2008071900998& pos = Project Suggestion: Read a story and watch a video. What is the issue? What is being done? What are the obstacles to progress? What are you going to do now that you are aware of the issue?

As the world marked International Women’s Day on March 8th, international agency Oxfam highlights the shocking conditions for millions of women giving birth . In sub-Saharan Africa for instance, they still face a one in sixteen chance of dying in pregnancy or childbirth . Niger , one of the poorest countries in Africa, is the most dangerous place to give birth with women facing an astonishing one in seven chance of dying . Link: http://www.oxfam.org/en/news/2008/pr080308_international_womens_day More on the issue of maternal mortality: http://www.unfpa.org/safemotherhood/ How can you help? http://www.unfpa.org/support/index.htm More statistics : The risk of a woman dying as a result of pregnancy or childbirth during her lifetime is about 1 in 8 in Afghanistan and Sierra Leone compared with fewer than 1 in 17,400 in Sweden. Most maternal deaths (61 per cent) take place during labour, delivery or in the immediate post-partum period . Some 3.4 million newborns die wit...

Past posts pertaining to the movie "Blood Diamond": ( For credit , you may click on the link below and answer the questions in the post.) http://hansengeorge.blogspot.com/2008/04/global-citizenship.html ( For credit , answer the "Comprehension Questions" or the "Discussion Activity Questions.") http://hansengeorge.blogspot.com/2007/09/sierra-leone.html "Adbusting" Project - Create an "Adbusters" style poster focusing on the issue of conflict diamonds. See the link below for more detail on "adbusting," project requirements and more resources on the issue of conflict diamonds. http://hansengeorge.blogspot.com/2007/10/adbusting.html Similar Project Ideas : http://www.rethinkingschools.org/archive/14_02/adv142.shtml Visit this link for samples of "Adbuster" posters on the issue of conflict diamonds: http://hansengeorge.blogspot.com/2008/05/samples-of-student-work.html Important: If you choose to answer questi...

Very powerful Washington Post story (iconic images from the War in Iraq, PTSD ... includes slideshow ) http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/07/11/ST2008071102706.html Editorial - NYT: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/15/opinion/15tue4.html?_r=1&oref=slogin Talk of the Nation link (scroll down to "An Arresting Image"): http://www.npr.org/blogs/talk/on_air/ Project Suggestion: Read and comment on the story . (Those of you who watched "Born on the Fourth of July" may want to do this assignment. Many of the topics dealt with in the film and subsequent discussion questions tie in well with the story above. In addition, those of you who completed projects dealing with photojournalism and the Vietnam War may also be interested in reading and commenting on this story.) Time Magazine story: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1811858,00.html "Born on the Fourth of July" post (many similar stories can be found here): ...

Links: Lies My Teacher Told Me http://www.uvm.edu/~jloewen/liesmyteachertoldme.php Read the Introduction to Loewen's book and tell me what you think. http://www.uvm.edu/~jloewen/content.php?file=liesmyteachertoldme-introduction.html CNN story - C ontroversy over Columbus: http://archives.cnn.com/2000/US/10/09/christopher.columbus/ Read the story and tell me what you think. Do you agree with Loewen or Buchanan? Video: http://www.cnn.com/video/us/2000/10/09/bd.other.columbus.affl.html Zinn discusses and Matt Damon Reads from, A People's History of the Twentieth Century : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xwq_jiTjAuY This is pretty cool: http://www.uvm.edu/~jloewen/content.php?file=slideshow.html Listen to Loewen - Lies in History Part I: http://talkinghistory.oah.org/shows/2003/Lies1.mp3 Lies in History Part II: http://talkinghistory.oah.org/shows/2003/Lies2.mp3 Listen and comment for credit. James Loewen Videos: Watch and comment for credit. If you don...

Looking for sites relating to Pearl Harbor? Here are a few sites I thought I'd share with you. Have you seen this site? It looks really good. http://plasma.nationalgeographic.com/pearlharbor/ngbeyond/ CNN: http://archives.cnn.com/2001/fyi/news/05/24/pearl.harbor/index.html Lesson Plan: http://archives.cnn.com/2001/fyi/lesson.plans/05/24/pearl.harbor/index.html

UNICEF estimates that 30-40 % of all landmine victims are children under the age of 15. Mines kill and mutilate 8,000 to 10,000 children each year. View a powerful PSA here, under "Quick Links" on the right-hand side (Right-click to watch full-screen version): http://www.landmines.org/ Links: http://news1.securesites.net/edResources/resources/extras/landmines.php UNICEF: http://www.unicef.org/silentshout/ http://www.mineaction.org/index.asp International Campaign to Ban Landmines: http://www.icbl.org/ What can you do about this issue? http://www.landmines.org.uk/ban_cluster_bombs_petition Sign a Petition: http://www.minesactioncanada.org/peoples_treaty/index.cfm?fuse=Peoples_Treaty.Petition Additional Resources: http://www.rethinkingschools.org/war/readings/mine174.shtml Landmine Awareness Activities: http://www.rethinkingschools.org/war/readings/awar174.shtml Project Suggestion: Research a mine-affected country. How extensive is the problem of land mines ...

What the heck is plastic island? Several links with additional information about "plastic island": http://http//www.mindfully.org/Plastic/Ocean/Trashing-Oceans-Plastic4nov02.htm http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/the-worlds-rubbish-dump-a-garbage-tip-that-stretches-from-hawaii-to-japan-778016.html http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/22/httpeditorialhuffingtonpo_n_108547.html Project suggestion: First, explain what "Plastic Island" is with other readers. Second, were you able to find any information regarding what can be done about "Plastic Island." If so, explain what it is and what you may or may not do about the issue.

Some of you are interested in looking at music lyrics that contain references to historic events. One song several people have expressed interest in is Rage Against the Machine's "Sleep Now in the Fire." Lyrics: http://www.ratm.net/lyrics/sle.html After reading the lyrics and listening to the song(you may choose another song as well) post your comment here. In your comment, you may want to discuss which historic events or references are made in the song. You may also want to discuss the overall message of the song and/or the "tone" of the song. (What does the song mean? What if anything, does the artist or group hope to achieve by writing and performing this song?) Another song kids have analyzed in the past is Flipsyde's "U.S. History." Lyrics: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/flipsyde/ushistory.html Past posts dealing with music and history: http://hansengeorge.blogspot.com/2008/06/more-on-theme-of-history-through.html http://hansenge...

Resources on the issue: http://www.tolerance.org/news/article_tol.jsp?id=168 Documentary: "In Whose Honor?" http://jayrosenstein.com/pages/honor.html National Coalition on Racism in Sports and Media: http://www.aics.org/NCRSM/index.htm MANY Resources found here: http://www.racismagainstindians.org/UnderstandingMascots.htm APA position on the issue: http://www.apa.org/releases/AmIndRes101805.html Doing research on the issue and need sources? Here is a lengthy Bibliography: http://www.asanet.org/cs/root/leftnav/governance/issue_statements/mascot_bibliography More cartoons : http://aistm.org/cartoons.htm Many useful resources including cartoons and other images: http://www.bluecorncomics.com/stharm.htm Stereotype of the Month Contest: http://www.bluecorncomics.com/stertype.htm MANY resources found here: http://www.bluecorncomics.com/stertype.htm Another good site: http://aistm.org/1indexpage.htm

I'M SERIOUS!

Many of you completed the "Hidden History: Images in Action" activity and asked if I knew of similar activities. I'll provide links to a few activities that are similar in style or content: Learn more about kids around the world: http://www.oxfam.org.uk/coolplanet/kidsweb/children.htm Teenage Refugees: http://www.itvs.org/beyondthefire/master.html Child Soldiers: http://www.un.org/works/Lesson_Plans/WGO/WGO_LP_CS.pdf Landmines in Cambodia: http://www.un.org/works/Lesson_Plans/WGO/WGO_LP_LM.pdf Darfur (student video, "Projections") http://www.facinghistory.org/video/projections Responding to Genocide ( Podcasts and Blogs) THIS SITE LOOKS EXCELLENT...I plan to spend a lot of time looking at this site. http://blogs.ushmm.org/index.php/COC2/ Facing History and Ourselves: Be the Change http://www2.facinghistory.org/Campus/bethechange.nsf/home?OpenForm I have other links on the blog relating to this activity, here is one: http://hanseng...

Project suggestion (answer one of these questions from the Teacher's Guide linked above) 1. WHY DID HE DO IT? Schindler risked his life in order to save Jews. It was a time when terror reigned. The Jews had been dehumanized in non-Jewish eyes by Nazi propaganda and brutality. Tom Keneally, the author of the book Schindler's List, quotes Schindler as having said that "A life is not worth a pack of cigarettes." Yet Schindler risked his own life. Why? 2. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE GIRL IN RED ? In the film, Schindler and his mistress witness a brutal Action in the Krakow ghetto. Amidst the mass of forsaken humanity, Schindler observes a wandering Jewish girl dressed in a red coat. This is one of the four occasions in the otherwise black and white film in which color is used. In the book, Keneally writes that the sight of the child in red "compelled Schindler's interest because it made a statement." What is the statement? Why does Spielberg, the fi...

Photojournalism and the Vietnam War Media coverage of the war expanded and played a role in shaping public attitudes toward the war. A high school student is quoted as saying, "To show a photograph of one naked girl crying after she had been napalmed changes the entire meaning of the war to a high school student." From, Lies My Teacher Told Me Project Idea: Choose four images from the Vietnam War linked below. Answer the following questions: 1. What is depicted in the photographs? 2. How does this photograph make you feel? 3. Do you think these photographs are too graphic to be printed in a newspaper? Why or why not? 4. Do you think these photographs add to or detract from the news stories they accompany? If you are interested in focusing on the impact of photojournalism during the Vietnam War, the links below contain images and relevant information. The Effects of Photojournalism on the Protest Movement During the Vietnam War Vietnam's Most Harrowing Phot...

Thank you for sharing this story. For those of you who haven't seen this story, follow this link and share your feelings. http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/08/global-food-crisis-menus-and-meaning/ Christian Science Monitor story: http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0627/p01s08-woaf.html # Time Magazine story: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1717572,00.html Other links of interest (I highly recommend both of these stories): Time Magazine Photo Gallery (What the World Eats) http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1626519,00.html More on the book "What the World Eats:" http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5005952 "What the World Eats" discussed in NY Times blog: http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/16/show-us-your-food-a-qa-with-the-authors-of-what-the-world-eats/ "Blessings in a Backpack" http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/10/15/eveningnews/main3369975.shtml DO SOMETHING! One: http://www.on...

I've had a few students ask for recommendations with regard to Vietnam War films. Personally, my preferences are "Born on the Fourth of July" and "Platoon." I'll provide Wikipedia and other links here so you can learn more about these films. After you've done your research and you decide to view one of these films, let me know. Perhaps we can work together on coming up with a project to go along with one of the films. "Platoon" ( Wikipedia ): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platoon_%28film%29 Other links: http://www.platoondvd.com/ Washington Post review: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/platoonrattanasio_a0ad90.htm Interview with Oliver Stone (He discusses both "Born on the Fourth of July" and "Platoon.") http://globetrotter.berkeley.edu/Stone/stone-con5.html PBS American Experience - Vietnam http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/vietnam/index.html "Born on the Fourth of July" (W...

Before you leave today , you need to let me know what theme/topic you are going to focus on for the next day or two. You may post your comment here. In addition, you need to let me know how you spent your time. Did you visit some of my post blog posts? If so, which ones did you find particularly interesting? Did you find any project suggestions that appeal to you? If so, which one(s)? If you are struggling coming up with topics/themes, visit the wikispace page or see me for Mr. Theide's binder. I have copies of the U.S. History and World History textbooks as well. You can spend some time looking through the textbooks or skimming the Table of Contents for topic suggestions. If you posted a comment under an older post, let me know so I can give you credit. Wikispace page: http://georgeclasses.wikispaces.com/U.S.+History+Recovery I mentioned the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in one of my comments. Here is the link: http://www.ushmm.org/ Online exhibits: http...

Sometimes, when things seem overwhelming you come across something that really grabs you...forces you to put things into perspective. The video I've linked below is one of those things. Another reminder that for many of us, we have a lot to be grateful for. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Twjg7v-pTO4

Summer School July Session History Recovery begins July 7. Class will meet Monday through Friday, 8:30-1:00 (includes bathroom and lunch break). Most of the information regarding course requirements, projects, etc. can be found on the wikispace page under "U.S. History Recovery." World History Recovery information can be found here as well. http://georgeclasses.wikispaces.com/U.S.+History+Recovery You will post Unit/Theme choices, beginning and ending dates, questions and comments here. ( This is required . After you complete each Unit/Theme, I will post a comment verifying completion of your project. Parents/guardians/Guidance, etc. will be able to track your progress by checking the comments section of this blog post.) Before you post comments, you must register with Blogger. On the first day of class we will do this. Everyone must do this. If you do not have an email address, we will set one up for you. Once you register, DO NOT forget your user name or password ! Your u...

We watched this documentary in Psychology last semester as part of our Social Psychology unit. Jena 6 is dealt with quite extensively in the video. If you are unfamiliar with the Jena 6 story, visit the links below: Spend some time looking at the interactive map showing "noose-related" incidents across the United States. http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2007/11/25/opinion/25opchart.html Interactive Map: http://www.splcenter.org/intel/map/?source=redirect&url=tolerance-maps-hate Hate Symbols: http://www.adl.org/hate_symbols/default.asp The CNN site includes a lot of information about the Jena 6 incident as well as similar stories: http://edition.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/siu/the.noose/ Project Suggestion: After watching the video and viewing the site linked above, post your comments here. In your comment, you may want to discuss what the noose means to you. Do you think it is a symbol of hate? Why or why not? How would you respond to those who considered the hanging...