Monday, June 18, 2018

Semester Finals - Class Recap


Sunset over Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii. It was a great year, everyone! Thank you for your hard work! Photo taken in 2011.

Hi everyone,

Today was our last day of class for the year! We had our final Israel-Palestine peace conference, reflection on the year, and also talked about life and what is coming up for a while. Here's what we did today in class:

Learning Targets: 
Communication LT 1: I can use language and style that is appropriate to the content area.
Critical Thinking LT 2: I can explain connections between events, issues, problems and concepts.
Knowledge LT 9:  I can explain demographic changes in the world and their effects.
Knowledge LT 19:  I can explain the impacts of nationalism and revolutionary movements. Knowledge LT 21:  I can explain how religious ideas impact the shaping of societies.

Soundtrack: "Thankful" by Kelly Clarkson. Selected for today because I always choose this song for the last day of class, since I am so thankful to get to teach you all. Thank you! Lyrics (some of which I read aloud in class) are here.

AGENDA 6/18/18:
News Brief/Summer Plans – Rachel
Final Presentations
Discussion
Reflection/Adventure

Homework: Read the blog (if you want)! Have a great summer! Let me know if I can help you at any point in the future! I will be at the July 25 at 1:00 PM coffee shop meeting with Mr. Puterbaugh at the Barnes and Noble Starbucks in Tanasbourne, about summer reading (or anything else you want to), if you are going to that! See you in the fall!
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News Brief: Rachel had the news brief today and selected an article about this story to talk about: ESPN.com - Croatia defeat Nigeria in opener thanks to own goal and penalty. For the last time, we found Croatia in the world map and noted this story. Thanks, everyone for doing this all year and getting better at geography in the process! In class, we tallied up the number of times we talked about the different continents throughout the year and talked a bit about why the news tended to be centered in a few different areas.

World Map Topics:

South America - 3

North America - 8

Oceania - 2

Africa - 6

Europe - 18

Asia - 15

Middle East – 22

We talked about why this might be and what we can do to continue to stay informed and engaged about the whole world.

We also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):

I talked in class about the importance of following the news and trying to stay up to date with what is happening in your city, state, country, and world. Knowledge is power! Try to stay plugged in to what is going on, if you can!

Final Presentations/Discussion: As promised, this was the Israel and Palestine peace conference. First, we had speeches and presentations (students that needed to demonstrate a Communication grade) that explained various aspects of the conflict and proposed possible solutions. We then had an in class discussion about the prospects for peace. Generally, I thought this was quite good, and students seemed to know their stuff. Thank you for your effort on this! I look forward to reading your papers, as well.

After the final project, as I alluded to all year, we played the Sporcle Country Game for one last time. Your final score as a class was 175 out of 197. Thank you for playing!

Reflection: The last part to the final was a reflection short answer about how the year went in Global Studies - what you learned, what you will put into practice in your life, what you are wanting to study in American Studies or APUSH next year, and what you will remember five years from now. I look forward to reading these!

There is a fair amount of work involved in grading the finals, but the deadline to submit our grades is next Wednesday by 3:00 PM, as a heads up.

Adventure: At the end of class, I talked about having the spirit of curiosity in life and whatever you do - that could involve traveling around the world, or even just going to a local stream and exploring. I showed this video, which I've watched probably a hundred times or more to illustrate this - I hope it is as inspiring to you as it is to me, and a good reminder of so much of what we learned this year:


Thank you all so much for being so wonderful to work with. I truly loved teaching each and every one of you, and I hope you know that I care about you and want you to be successful in the future. Take care of yourselves and I hope to see you around! I am especially excited to be "looping" next year to teach American Studies to most of the class! Have a great summer! :-)

Thursday, June 14, 2018

Israel and Palestine, Day 8 - Class Recap


The sun is setting on our school year! This is a collage of photos I took in 2013 at the Eiffel Tower in France.

Dear class,

As it was the last day before finals, I did not assign any new work - it was mostly a study day. Here's what we did today in class:

Learning Targets: 
Communication LT 1: I can use language and style that is appropriate to the content area.
Critical Thinking LT 2: I can explain connections between events, issues, problems and concepts.
Knowledge LT 9:  I can explain demographic changes in the world and their effects.
Knowledge LT 19:  I can explain the impacts of nationalism and revolutionary movements. Knowledge LT 21:  I can explain how religious ideas impact the shaping of societies.

Soundtrack: "One Day" by Matisyahu. Selected for today because it goes with our Israel and Palestine unit well. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 6/14/18:
News Brief – Kylie
Final Questions?
Clean Up
Work Time

Homework: Read the blog! Your final project for the year is due next class - upload it on Google Classroom (specific guide for what to do here). Finals for your period are Monday at 7:45 AM. Next news brief: Rachel.
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News Brief: Kylie had the news brief today and selected an article about this story to talk about: BBC.com - World Cup 2026: Canada, US & Mexico joint bid wins right to host tournament. We found Russia in the world map (where this vote took place) and discussed what has been happening there recently, especially with the Men's World Cup. After that, we checked in about what students were up to outside of class.

We also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):


Final Questions/Clean Up: I told the class to start taking down pictures and posters from the bask wall in order to help clean up the classroom for the end of the year. I also gave time to continue working on the final project:


You should already know what learning targets you need to work on. As I have said in class, everyone needs to have their final project address their ideas for a solution for the conflict. If you are writing a paper, it needs to be a minimum of 2.5 pages, typed, double spaced, Times New Roman, size 12 font (yes, you can write more than that if you want). If you are doing a presentation or a speech, it needs to be from 3 to 5 minutes long (no, you may not go longer or shorter than that).

Work Time: For the rest of class, we worked on the final assignment - whether that is a speech, paper, or a combination of the two. To help with this, I passed out a paper copy of this recent New York Times Upfront article:


Some other resources we have been using in class to help prepare for the final project are:


There is a few pages of timeline and introduction in that, and then the characters start talking on page 229.

The two characters in the reading were David (representing Israel) and Daud (representing Palestine). I wanted students to partner up and go through the reading together. Here is the assignment that goes with the reading, to note each perspective and help you prepare for your final assignment:

Google Drive - David and Daud TMEE Assignment

Another resource is this timeline of the conflict:

Google Drive: Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Timeline

Thank you for your hard work on the final project! See you next class, for finals!

Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Israel and Palestine, Day 7 - Class Recap


Mt. Hood. We are almost to the end of the school year, everyone! The climb is close to being done!

Hi everyone,

We are so close to the end of the year! Hooray! There is plenty to prepare for the next week with finals, so keep working hard, please. Here's what we did today in class:

Learning Targets: 
Communication LT 1: I can use language and style that is appropriate to the content area.
Critical Thinking LT 2: I can explain connections between events, issues, problems and concepts.
Knowledge LT 9:  I can explain demographic changes in the world and their effects.
Knowledge LT 19:  I can explain the impacts of nationalism and revolutionary movements. Knowledge LT 21:  I can explain how religious ideas impact the shaping of societies.

Soundtrack: "City of Blinding Lights" by U2. Selected for today because of Jerusalem being a city that is so contested due to major religions. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 6/12/18:
News Brief – Richard
Final Questions?
Chromebook Check
Work Time

Homework: Read the blog! Keep working on your final project for the year (specific guide for what to do here). APUSH Meeting S117 on Thursday 6/14 at 2:45. Get your summer homework and handouts if you are taking APUSH. News news brief: Kylie.
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News Brief: Richard had the news brief today and selected an article about this story to talk about: LATimes.com - Here's what you need to know about the Trump-Kim summit in Singapore. We found Singapore in our world map packet and talked about this major news of the day (the meeting starts at 6 PM last night our time)! It will be interesting to see what happens moving forward, for sure.

We also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):


Final Questions: Yet again, I went over in class what the expectation is going to be on the day of the final, as well as what students should be writing/talking about:


I'm going to keep it simple and have students just focus on this. You should already know what learning targets you need to work on. As I have said in class, everyone needs to have their final project address their ideas for a solution for the conflict. If you are writing a paper, it needs to be a minimum of 2.5 pages, typed, double spaced, Times New Roman, size 12 font (yes, you can write more than that if you want). If you are doing a presentation or a speech, it needs to be from 3 to 5 minutes long (no, you may not go longer or shorter than that).

Chromebook Check: For a quick behavior target assessment (on managing your responsibilities as a student), I asked students to bring their electronic devices to work on the final in class. It seemed like just about everyone was prepared and able to do this - thank you!

Work Time: For the rest of class, we worked on the final assignment - whether that is a speech, paper, or a combination of the two. To help with this, I passed out a paper copy of this recent New York Times Upfront article:


Some other resources we have been using in class to help prepare for the final project are:


There is a few pages of timeline and introduction in that, and then the characters start talking on page 229.

The two characters in the reading were David (representing Israel) and Daud (representing Palestine). I wanted students to partner up and go through the reading together. Here is the assignment that goes with the reading, to note each perspective and help you prepare for your final assignment:

Google Drive - David and Daud TMEE Assignment

Another resource is this timeline of the conflict:

Google Drive: Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Timeline

Thank you for your hard work on the final project! Keep it up!

Friday, June 8, 2018

Israel and Palestine, Day 6 - Class Recap


This week is the graduation ceremony for the seniors at Westview! Therefore, a sunset picture above the clouds is appropriate. I took this on the way from California to Portland in 2007.

Hi everyone,

I hope you are feeling more clear about what to do for the final and feeling good about the end of the year! Here's what we did today in class:

Learning Targets: 
Communication LT 1: I can use language and style that is appropriate to the content area.
Critical Thinking LT 2: I can explain connections between events, issues, problems and concepts.
Knowledge LT 9:  I can explain demographic changes in the world and their effects.
Knowledge LT 19:  I can explain the impacts of nationalism and revolutionary movements. Knowledge LT 21:  I can explain how religious ideas impact the shaping of societies.

Soundtrack: "Good Life" by OneRepublic. Selected for today because all people want is a Good Life, even in Israel and Palestine! Lyrics here.

AGENDA 6/8/18:
News Brief – Krista
Check In
Final Questions
A City Divided
Through Middle Eastern Eyes
Work Time

Homework: Read the blog! All late/missing/revised work due TODAY. Bring your Chromebook charged and ready to work next class! Keep working on your final project for the year (specific guide for what to do here). Next news brief: Richard.
---
News Brief: Krista had the news brief today and selected an article about this story to talk about: USGS.gov - M 2.9 - 157km WNW of Haines Junction, Canada. We found Canada in the world map and talked about what happened in this article before moving on to check in about the weekend.

We also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):


Check In: After the news brief, I had students turn to each other and check in about how the end of the year was feeling, in terms of stress and finals. It's important to take care of one another during stressful times! I had a few students share out about how they were doing, too. Please know that I am here for you! Let me know how I can support you, both now and into the future! Yes, I will still be that teacher in four years, saying hello to you when I see you in the halls!

Final Questions: Yet again, I went over in class what the expectation is going to be on the day of the final, as well as what students should be writing/talking about:


I'm going to keep it simple and have students just focus on this. You should already know what learning targets you need to work on. As I have said in class, everyone needs to have their final project address their ideas for a solution for the conflict. If you are writing a paper, it needs to be a minimum of 2.5 pages, typed, double spaced, Times New Roman, size 12 font (yes, you can write more than that if you want). If you are doing a presentation or a speech, it needs to be from 3 to 5 minutes long (no, you may not go longer or shorter than that).

A City Divided: After this, we watched a few videos from VICE News (because last class was so short, due to the Senior Assembly), which help explain what is going on in Jerusalem and the West Bank right now. The first was from the HBO version of the show (Season 6, Episode 2), which a preview can be found here.

Next, we looked more into Jerusalem:


We also watched the last five minutes of this video, which has to do with violence in the West Bank:


After watching "Promises" last class, this was intended to be an update about what is currently happening in the region. 

Through Middle Eastern Eyes: This was an excerpt from a book, which I made a class set of. The two characters are representing the perspectives of Israel and Palestine. Here's the online version if you want to keep working on this at home:


There is a few pages of timeline and introduction in that, and then the characters start talking on page 229.

The two characters in the reading were David (representing Israel) and Daud (representing Palestine). I wanted students to partner up and go through the reading together. Here is the assignment that goes with the reading, to note each perspective and help you prepare for your final assignment:

Work Time: For the rest of class, we worked on the final assignment - whether that is a speech, paper, or a combination of the two. To help with this, I passed out a paper copy of this recent New York Times Upfront article:


Some other resources we have been using in class to help prepare for the final project are:


There is a few pages of timeline and introduction in that, and then the characters start talking on page 229.

The two characters in the reading were David (representing Israel) and Daud (representing Palestine). I wanted students to partner up and go through the reading together. Here is the assignment that goes with the reading, to note each perspective and help you prepare for your final assignment:

Google Drive - David and Daud TMEE Assignment

Another resource is this timeline of the conflict:

Google Drive: Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Timeline

Thank you for your hard work on the final project! Keep it up!

Finally, at the end of class, I showed this update that fellow Global Studies teacher Mr. Yoder put together about the children (now adults!) from Promises:


So crazy to see them all now! Have a great weekend, everyone!

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Israel and Palestine, Day 5 - Class Recap


I have not been to Israel/Palestine, but I have been to Jordan, which is right across the border. This is the famous Monastery in the ancient city of Petra. Photo taken in 2014.

Dear class,

It was an incredibly short day with you, as it was the Senior Assembly schedule. So, we will finish with the rest of this lesson next class! Today was our last real day of new content in the class, with a look at an excerpt from a book about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Here's what we did today in class:

Learning Targets: 
Communication LT 1: I can use language and style that is appropriate to the content area.
Critical Thinking LT 2: I can explain connections between events, issues, problems and concepts.
Knowledge LT 9: I can explain demographic changes in the world and their effects.
Knowledge LT 19: I can explain the impacts of nationalism and revolutionary movements. Knowledge LT 21: I can explain how religious ideas impact the shaping of societies.

Soundtrack: "I Want It That Way" by Backstreet Boys. Selected for today because each side in the conflict wants in their way. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 6/6/18:
News Brief – Tristan
Final Roles
A City Divided
Through Middle Eastern Eyes

Homework: Read the blog! All late/missing/revised work due by this Friday. Keep working on your final project for the year (specific guide for what to do here). Next news brief: Krista.
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News Brief: Tristan had the news brief today and selected an article about this story to talk about: BBC.com - Emirates looks to windowless planes. We found United Arab Emirates in the world map and talked about this news story for a bit, before moving on.

The next news brief was assigned to Krista.

We also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):


Final Roles: Speaking of the final project, this form clarifies what the expectation is going to be on the day of the final, as well as what students should be writing/talking about:


I'm going to keep it simple and have students just focus on this. You should already know what learning targets you need to work on. As I have said in class, everyone needs to have their final project address their ideas for a solution for the conflict. If you are writing a paper, it needs to be a minimum of 2.5 pages, typed, double spaced, Times New Roman, size 12 font (yes, you can write more than that if you want). If you are doing a presentation or a speech, it needs to be from 3 to 5 minutes long (no, you may not go longer or shorter than that).

A City Divided: After the news brief, we watched a few videos from VICE News, which help explain what is going on in Jerusalem and the West Bank right now. The first was from the HBO version of the show (Season 6, Episode 2), which a preview can be found here.

We will continue this next class. See you then!

Monday, June 4, 2018

Israel and Palestine, Day 4 - Class Recap


The Embassy of Palestine, in Bogota, Colombia. I got yelled at right after I took this picture. Photo taken in 2009.

Hi everyone,

Another week together! Next week will be our last full one of the year, with plenty to do to prepare for the final. Here's what we did today in class:

Learning Targets: 
Communication LT 1: I can use language and style that is appropriate to the content area.
Critical Thinking LT 2: I can explain connections between events, issues, problems and concepts.
Knowledge LT 9:  I can explain demographic changes in the world and their effects.
Knowledge LT 19:  I can explain the impacts of nationalism and revolutionary movements.
Knowledge LT 21:  I can explain how religious ideas impact the shaping of societies.

Soundtrack: "Put Everything Aside" by E-Z and Tailsman. Listen to the song here. Selected for today because a former student sent it to me as a comment on the blog last year. He helpfully translated the lyrics, which definitely relate to our work in trying to come to a solution for Israel and Palestine!

AGENDA 6/4/18:
Wildcat News Brief – Emina
Finish Promises
Epilogue/Discuss
Final Roles

Homework: Read the blog! Know your grade (updated on StudentVUE) and how to improve it by this Friday, if possible. Keep working on your final project for the year (specific guide for what to do here). Next news brief: Tristan.
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News Brief: Emina had the news brief today and selected an article about this story to talk about: BBC.com - Guatemala volcano: Dozens die as Fuego volcano erupts. We found Guatemala in the world map packet and talked about this story, which is still developing.

We also watched the one minute BBC World News update. Here's the link to see the latest one minute update, at any time of day (it will probably be different from what we watched in class):


The next news brief was assigned to Tristan.

Finally, we also watched Westview Wildcat news today. If you missed class or wanted to see it again, here it is:



Finish Promises: Next, we finished watching the Promises (2001) documentary, about Israeli and Palestinian children. Here's a link to the note taking guide we are filling out as we watch:


Here's a link to a stream online for the documentary (this quality isn't very good, but it's better than nothing): Veoh.com - Promises Streaming.

Epilogue/Discuss: After the documentary, I showed an epilogue that catches up with a few of them in 2004. How crazy is it about Faraj and where he ended up?

I also showed this link, which is a more recent interview with Sanabel: An Update from Sanabel. I'm glad that she is happy students are still learning about the conflict and thinking of ways to solve it!

Here's an update from Faraj, as well: Promises: An Interview with Faraj Adnan.

We discussed the documentary and the roles of the children involved with it. Keep these notes to work on your final project!

Final Roles: Speaking of the final project, this is a form that clarifies what the expectation is going to be on the day of the final, as well as what students should be writing/talking about:


I'm going to keep it simple and have students just focus on this. You should already know what learning targets you need to work on. As I have said in class, everyone needs to have their final project address their ideas for a solution for the conflict. If you are writing a paper, it needs to be a minimum of 2.5 pages, typed, double spaced, Times New Roman, size 12 font (yes, you can write more than that if you want). If you are doing a presentation or a speech, it needs to be from 3 to 5 minutes long (no, you may not go longer or shorter than that).

Another resource is this timeline of the conflict:


Let me know if you have any questions about what you need to do! Not much longer to go until finals! You can do this! :-)