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!