Week of December 23, Tying up loose ends

Hi everyone,

This week we are going to explore the websites of Not in our Town and Not in our School.

Before we do that, we need to take care of some final business before break:

1. Give me your letter for your buddy TODAY!
2. If you need more images for your media final, get them today and save them on a flashdrive and in dropbox (media.teacher@gmail.com, nhs002, EDU_Mann folder, then your group's folder).
3. Decide as a team if you want one person editing, or if you need two people editing starting after break. Please tell me who will be editing for each group.
4. Check out Christian's video (congratulations Christian on this well-deserved honor!)
5. Please visit the websites above(NIOT and NIOS): read different blogs, look at images, look at video clips, and write a post on each site.

Then in Google Docs, answer the questions below:

1. What articles, videos, photos did you find most interesting or informative and why?
2. What did you post about when you wrote on their websites?
3. What inspires you about these sites and this organization?

When you are finished, post your answers to our class blog.

Then read 2 other students' responses and write to them.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! HAVE A WONDERFUL VACATION! SEE YOU IN 2012!!!!

Week of December 19, Media Final Exam

Hi everyone,

This week we will be working on our Media Finals.

Please sit in your groups. You need to get the following things done - different people should do different jobs:

1. Type up your combined voice over paragraph in google docs.
2. Then upload it to dropbox and to a flash drive, just in case.
3. Get images about the major topics, issues in your paragraph.
4. Save and upload those images to dropbox and to a flashdrive, just in case

Specific group jobs:

Group 1:

• Rabita – paragraph
• Roseanna and all – images related to paragraph

Group 2:

• Mayda – paragraph,
• Wensi, Jessica, etc. – images

Group 3:

• Anamaria – paragraph,
• Owen, all else- images

Group 4:

• Yinghang – paragraph,
• Yingying, everyone else – images

Group 5:

• Abbas: paragraph,
• Aysha, all else – images, etc.

Dropbox information:

www.dropbox.com

username: media.teacher@gmail.com

password: nhs002

Folder: EDU_MANN

Then find your group's folder and save the stuff there by uploading to the dropbox website.

IMPORTANT:

1. YOU MUST FINISH THIS WORK! If you don't finish in the computer room, you must finish it for HW. It is due on Thursday!
2. IF DROPBOX isn't working, just use a flashdrive and google docs!!!

Week of December 9, Evaluating Human Rights Day

Hi everyone,

Today we will reflect on the visit we had with our St Luke's buddies.

But first, enjoy these photos:

St Luke's visit:

share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AaOWLZk1YtFHKU

ADL training:

share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AaOWLZk1YtFHLQ

Alabama Banner:

share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AaOWLZk1YtFHMM

St Luke's Christmas Fair:

share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8AaOWLZk1YtFHNI

In Google Docs, please answer these questions:

1. What was the best part of our day? Why?
2. What will you remember 10 years from now about the visit?
3. What do you wish we had more time for?
4. What part of the day should have been changed and why?

Now post your answers to the blog.

Then respond to two other posts.

Week of November 18, Creating Media

Hi everyone,

Last week, when I showed you the Youth for Human Rights videos on the UDHR, many of you said you wanted us to make media too. Today we will brainstorm possible ways we could create media about Human Rights. Please visit School Tube (click on link) and look at the videos made at Newcomers High School in the media center.

Watch at least 5 films.

Then in Google docs, please answer the questions below:

1. How do you feel about the videos you saw and why?
2. If you had a chance to make media about human rights, what would you like the topic to be?
3. If you had a chance to make media about human rights, what format would you like to use (newscast, acting in the studio, documentary, voice over still photos, interviews, public service announcements, etc.)?

Post your answers to our class blog. Then respond to two other students' posts.

Week of November 4, More on Alabama

Hi everyone,

This week we will hear about how the Alabama Immigration Law is affecting lives for immigrants in Alabama. It's been a few weeks and I want you to see how things are now.

1. Please listen to this podcast about how families are affected:

2. Now watch these two videos about how farmers are affected (the second video is a satire):

For the first video, click on this link.

For the second video, hit play below.

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Alabama's Migrant Workers
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog Video Archive

3. In Google Docs, answer these questions:

• How do you feel about what you heard and watched? Why?
• In what ways is what you learned surprising?
• In what ways is what you learned not surprising?
• How do you think others will be affected by this law as time goes on?

4. Now post your response to our comments section.

5. Then read and respond to two other students' posts.

Week of October 27, Continuing our Human Rights Exploration

Hi everyone,

Today we will continue to visit very important websites for human rights:

Please visit the websites below and do the following:

1. Teaching Tolerance - visit the whole website, www.tolerance.org , especially their magazine page - click on one back issue of the magazine and read an article from it.
2. Youth for Human Rights - visit the whole website and watch the film "The History of Human Rights" on the home page
3. Not in our Town - visit the whole website and especially the Newcomers High School page, www.niot.org/nios/newcomers.

In Google Docs, please answer the questions below:

1. Please write what you learned from each website.
2. How can you use these websites for yourself?
3. Which website was your favorite and why?

Now paste your answers into the comments section of our blog. Then respond to two other students' blogs and tell them what you liked about their post.

Week of October 20, Human Rights Exploration

Hi everyone,

Today we will visit very important websites for human rights:

Please visit each website and do the following:

1. Amnesty International - visit the whole website, and especially the "learn about human rights section" where you can read about your country.
2. Human Rights Watch - visit the whole website, especially scroll down to the bottom and find information about your native country or the region of the world you are from.
3. The Anti Defamation League - visit the whole website, especially the page on combating hate.

In Google Docs, please answer the questions below:

For each website, answer:

1. Please write what you learned from each website (all 6).
2. How can you use these websites for yourself?

When you finish viewing each website, write:

3. Which website is your favorite and why?

Now paste your answers into the comments section of our blog.

Week of October 14, More on Alabama

Hi everyone,

This week we will write letters in support of immigrant students in Alabama.

1. Please look at this debate on the NY Times website.
2. Please read these letters written by bishops in Alabama.
3. Now please write your own letter, in Google Docs, in support of the Alabama Dreamers for the Future. This is a group of undocumented immigrant students, who are bravely speaking out for their safety and rights.
4. Follow the format below, copy and paste what I've prepared into Google Docs, then make it your own by filling in the information that is true for you.
5. When you finish, post your letter to our blog's comments page. Then read two other classmates letters. Note: I will mail your letters to this student group.
6. Email your letter to me at mandelovich@yahoo.com

Your Name
Your Address

Date

Dear Alabama Dreamers for the Future,

My name is _________________ and I'm a student at Newcomers High School in Queens, NY. I'm an immigrant from __________ and I've been in this country for _______ years. I'm writing to show you support during this difficult time.

When I found out about the Alabama Law HB 56, the “toughest immigration law in the country", I felt ____________________________________________. In addition, as an immigrant student, I believe this law is unfair because of ____________________________________________________. I'm here in this country to contribute in the following ways ______________________________________________. My hopes and dreams are to ________________________________________________.

My wishes for you are ________________________________________.

It is my hope that your government will repeal this law now and that you can live a safe, secure and successful life.

Thank you,

Sincerely,

Your name

Now post your letter to our class blog.

Week of October 7, Alabama

Hi everyone,

As you know, very strict immigration laws were passed in Alabama. Below are the videos we watched in class yesterday.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

I asked you:

1. What do you think this law is about?
2. How does the law and news around it make you feel?
3. What should we do about it?

Today, please do the following:

1. Please listen to this podcast (clicking on the word podcast).
2. Please read this opinion article (click on the words opinion article).
3. Then go to the NY Times Learning network to participate in their student poll on this topic. Here you will have a chance to share your views on the Alabama law (click on the words student poll).
4. Finally, in Google Docs, answer the questions above. Label your document Blog 1, Alabama.
5. Post your answers to our blog in the comments section.
6. Go back to the comments and read two classmates posts. Write a response to each in which you tell them:

• What do you like about their post?
• What did you learn from their post?

Go Human Rights!

Our successes

Hi everyone,

What an amazing year! Please look at our wonderful successes here:

1. Our website of videos and stories
   


2. Photos from visiting the St Luke's first graders


3. Photos from visiting the St Luke's eight graders


4. Photos from the American Place Theatre gala


5. Photos from the Nuyorican performance (Check)


6. Photos from your performance at Newcomers HS


7. Photos from the No Place for Hate Ceremony

Week of May 9, Bullying

Hi everyone,

This week we are going to think about bullying and why it's a human rights violation.

To begin, please visit these websites:

1. The Bully Project - watch trailer


2. NY Times interview - watch what the film maker says.


3. CNN clip on film - watch


4. Go to Do Something and do something. Scroll to the bottom of the page. Where it asks you what cause, select violence and bullying. Then fill out the rest of the form and do what it asks you to do! Also, give them your email address to get emails about helping others.
   


5. In google docs, write a response to the questions below:

• a. What does bullying mean to you?


• b. Have you ever been a victim of bullying? How did it make you feel?


• c. How is bullying a human rights issue?
  


• d. What steps can you personally take to help those who are bullied

When you finish, please post your response as a comment on our blog. After you post your response, read 3 other students' responses and write a response to them.

Week of May 2, Reaction to Three Cups Scandal

Hi Everyone,

Today we are going to react to the scandal around Three Cups of Tea.

Please do the following:

1. Read this op/ed piece by Kristoff.
2. Read this interview with Greg Mortenson.
3. Read a summary of Three Cups of Deceit by Jon Krakaeur
4. Read this article in which the CAI responds.

• Now, in Google Docs, write your reaction to this controversy. How do you feel about it and why?



• Post your response on our blog.



• Then read 3-4 other students' responses and write reactions.

Week of April 11th and May 2nd, Writing Letters to Greg Mortenson

Hi everyone, This week we are going to begin letters to Greg Mortenson, which we will eventually mail to him! We will also be trying a new software that will help you edit your work as you write it.

• Please go to the Write to Learn website to begin the process.


• Your username is generally the first initial of your first name and then your last name.


• Your password is your OSIS number.


• See me if you are having trouble logging in.


• Once you have logged in, click on the assignment called "Letter to an Author". Here you will have space to begin a letter to Greg Mortenson. After you write a first draft, the program will give you feedback so that you can write a well-revised letter! How cool and exciting.

For your formal, business style letter, please follow these instructions:

Paragraph 1: Introduce yourself (where you are from, your school, etc.). This should be a lengthy account of who you are. 5-7 sentences.

Paragraph 2: Tell Mr. Mortenson what you liked about Three Cups of Tea, what you learned from it, and a favorite quote. This paragraph should be very detailed and specific. 5-7 sentences.

Paragraph 3: Ask him three respectful questions.

Then close your letter by thanking him and inviting him to our school :).

We will be working on this for a few blog sessions. Be sure to save your work on the Write to Learn website.

Week of April 4-8, Letters to Greg from students

Hi everyone,
This week you will pretend to be a student in either Pakistan or Afghanistan.
In Google Docs, write a letter to Greg Mortenson.

1. Introduce yourself (as if you are student from Pakistan or Afghanstan).


2. Tell Greg Mortenson why you want to go to school.


3. Tell Greg Mortenson why you appreciate his work.


4. Closing.

Post your letter on our blog.

Then read two other students letters and respond.

Week of March 28-April 1, Pennies for Peace

Hi everyone, Today we are going to learn about Pennies for Peace, the organization that helps to support Greg Mortenson's work. Please visit the website for Pennies for Peace. In Google Docs, please answer the questions below. Then paste your answers into a post on our blog.:

1. Click on the link on the top that says "For Kids!". What is the value of a penny?


2. On the left side of this page is a link that says "feature village". What did you learn about this village?


3. On the left side of this page is a link that says "feature school". What did you learn about this school.


4. On the left side of this page is a link that says "Afghanistan facts". Name three facts you learned about Afghanistan.


5. On the left side of this page is a link that says, "Pakistan facts". Name three facts you learned about Pakistan.


6. Now click on the link on the top that says "Media". Choose the TV show option and watch at least one video about Greg Mortenson or Three Cups of Tea or Pennies for Peace. Write down what it was about.


7. Read another students' entry and write a comment.

Week of March 21-25, Geography for Three Cups of Tea

Today we are going to think about geography.

Please look carefully at these maps of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Then in MS Word, answer the questions below:

1. How does where one lives affect how one lives? (be sure to think about location, climate, soil, vegetation, animal life, human interaction)


2. Write a journal entry of an imaginary day in your life in Afghanistan or Paksitan. What would your day be like? Think about what you eat, what you wear, what you do for fun.


3. Do the same thing now for a real day in your life here.


4. How are your days different or the same?


5. Look at two other classmates' entries and write a response to them.

Week of March 14-18, Three Cups of Tea

Hi everyone,

Today we are going to begin to explore the incredible work of Greg Mortenson, author of Three Cups of Tea and founder of Pennies for Peace, an organization working to build schools for girls living in rural Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Please watch this video to learn about him. His section begins at19.23 minutes, so please scroll ahead in the time bar to that piece.

Then, in MS Word, please answer the questions below:
1. What did you learn from the video?

2. What inspires you about Greg Mortenson?

3. If he came to our class, what three questions would you ask him?

4. Read and respond to someone else's post.

We will begin the book Three Cups of Tea on Friday and we will be raising money for Pennies for Peace!

Week of March 7 - March 11 Judaism, Passover and Slavery

Hi everyone,

Today we are going to talk about Judaism, the religion of the Jewish people, which is featured in our upcoming play, The Whipping Man. More specifically, the slaves in this play take part in a religious ceremony called a seder, which is special meal Jews share during the Passover holiday. In many homes, this meal is known as the Feast of Freedom, so it is quite relevant that slaves are having this meal in our play.

I. Please visit these websites to learn about the story of Passover. You will watch a series of videos:

a. How the Jews left Egypt.

b. What if we never left Egypt.

c. Matzah: What's up with it?.

d. Crisis in Egypt.

e. Rapping the Sea

II. Please visit this website to see the 10 plagues: The Animated Ten Plagues

III. Please visit this website to read The Passover Story.

IV. Please look at this vocabulary list of Passover words, and click on any you don't know. They come up in the play.

V. Please visit this website to read about Jewish Americans who had slaves.

VI. Please answer the questions below in Microsoft Word and then post your answers to our blog:

1. How is the story of Passover related to the story of slavery in the US?


2. What did you learn about the Passover seder? List three things.


3. What surprised you about what you learned today?


4. How do you feel about the fact that there were Jewish Americans who had slaves and why?

Slavery, Week of February 28

Today we are going to think about slavery.


Please visit this website of slave narratives.


Pick five narratives to read. Then answer the questions below in Microsoft Word. Then post your answers to our blog:

1. How do the narratives make you feel and why?
   
2. What do the narratives teach you about slavery?


3. What, if anything, surprised you and why?
   
4. What questions do you have?

When you finish, please read another student's blog post and respond to it.

The Civil War, Week of February 14th

Today we are going to be learning about the Civil War and President Lincoln, important elements of our upcoming play, The Whipping Man.



Please do the following activities. Post your answers as a comment to this blog post, but please type them in Microsoft Word first.

1. View this video, The Civil War in Four Minutes. Take notes and write down what you learn.
2. Read The Emancipation Proclamation.
3. Listen to The Emancipation Proclamation. Write your reaction to it.
4. Imagine you were a former slave living in 1865. You have just been freed by President Lincoln and then you learn that Lincoln has been assassinated (April 15, 1865). Please write a diary entry after you get this news about how you feel, what you fear, and why.
5. When you are finished, read another students' post and respond to it.

Week of Feb 7, Manhattan Theater Club

This week we will be visited by Stephanie Allston of the Manhattan Theater Club. She will be helping us to prepare for our visit to see The Whipping Man.

This play was reviewed recently in The New York Times. The playwright also discussed the play in this video.

Please click on the four links above to learn more about the organization, the play, and the review of the play.

After you visit and explore these links, please answer the questions below in Microsoft Word and then post your responses to this blog by clicking on the word comments below. MAKE SURE YOU WRITE YOUR NAME ON YOUR RESPONSE!

Note: If you do not have a gmail account, you will need to create one. Click on this link to create your account. You will be asked to sign into this account any time you want to post to our blog.

1. What do you think this play is about?


2. How do you feel about going to see this play?


3. What is the connection between this play and our human rights class?


4. What questions do you have for the playwright and/or the actors? (create at least three)

Once you have done this, please read your classmates' posts and respond to at least one person.

Week of February 2-4

Hi everyone,

Welcome to the EDU2-05 blog! Here you will find news about our class, links to organizations we work with, and upcoming events and assignments.

This week you must get your community service placement set and if you are new, write your buddy, create a bio poem, and bring in a photo. See the links below if you are not sure what to do or if you need instructions/forms.

This is going to be a great term and I look forward to working with you all!

Ms Mann