Conflict, Hardship, and Revolution

It has been quite the roller coaster ride in class lately learning about the hardships and conflicts and in Africa. We began learning about apartheid in South Africa, traveled to a tribal conflict in Rwanda, and ended discussing the atrocities that are occurring in the Darfur province of Sudan.

Many students were shocked and touched by the images they saw of the suffering in Darfur. The more people know about what has gone on there the sooner it may stop. The more we learn about others mistakes the less likely we are to repeat them. Here are some links you can check out that gives more info, news, and ways to help in Darfur.

Daily Darfur News
Save Darfur
New York Times- Sudan

Our next project will focus on the current social and political revolutions in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. There are exciting changes that have recently taken place and are currently taking place and we will be researching news articles, first hand accounts, and video footage online.

As these revolutions were said to have been organized via social media we will be blogging about the experience on a new program to Manor Middle School called gaggle. The service will be open to students as long as we have it and allows students to email, blog, video search, and social network. There are also other features such as online document storage that we will be exploring over the next couple of months.

I'm very excited to explore these changes in the world and try our new online tools. Here are some links if you want to check out the news on your own.

Tunisia Revolution
Egypt Revolution
Libya Revolution/Conflict

Viva la Revolucion,
Mr. Hanson

We are moving along with our new culture region, Africa. Last week students learned about South Africa and it's oppressive apartheid history through assignments and watching the movie Invictus. I hope students enjoyed the experience, and learned a little more about world history.

This week we will finish out our government type presentations (sorry about the delay) as well as a map showing some physical features on the continent of Africa. Following that we will research some conflicts in the history of Africa which will lead in to some current conflicts in the Northern region.

To get a background on what is currrently going on in Northern Africa and the Middle East you can research the following links.

Dogo News for Kids

Time News for Kids

The people in these countries have either overthrown their dictators and monarchs or are demanding their government be changed. The people want to be in control; the people want democracy and a limited government.

Stay up on your news, and I'll see you in class.

Mr. Hanson

Welcome Back!!! Semester 2 is under way!!!

Greetings, and I hope the winter break treated you well. We made it through our first day back and made some changes in class:

1. Points are now under a strict system and should work great with student reminders.


2. Bathroom permission is now given through the mighty whisk.


3. Class managers will be explained this Friday and change once a week.


4. Wednesday tutorials are make-ups or extra help only. No 'hanging out' or 'computer games'.

I was very impressed with the grades from most of my students this first semester and anticipate only improvement in the next. Keep up the good work!

Our next culture region is Europe. Here are some websites to check out:

European Geography

European History Quiz

Good Luck!!!

Mr. Hanson

Happy Thanksgiving!

Our first big break is upon us and we are fast approaching the midway mark of school. Now is an important time to pay attention to your grades and start studying for your midterms.

Midterms are tests that you have in every class that asks you questions from the entire first semester. We will range from basic map skills to government types. If you are not comfortable with any of the skills we have covered in class thus far please come in for tutorials during lunch.

After the break we will look at the indigenous cultures of Latin America: the Mayan, Inca, and Aztec civilizations. These civilizations are ancient but we can see their influences in Latin American culture today. We will be doing a short project based on these civilizations followed by a study of modern day Latin America.

For your leisure time during the break you will receive a packet on each of these civilizations. The packets are not due until Wednesday December 1st, but if you would like to complete them and turn them in the Monday you get back I will give you extra credit (free 100 or replacement grade for a 0).

Safe travels, eat lots of Turkey, and I'll see you in a week.

Mr. Hanson

Tutorials and Extra Credit

Just a Reminder...

Tutorials are daily in my room during lunch. I have created new passes that are available on the front pin board for you to take with you and use to get out of the cafeteria. You don't have to come to my room for help, you could also use it as a quiet place to work, read, or work on a project with a friend.

I also have three MacBooks that are available for student use. Feel free to come up here and use them for anything school related.

Tutorials are Friday morning in the library as well. Ms. Burnham or myself will be in there to help with projects, homework, or concepts you are having trouble with.

There has been little to no effort on extra credit, so until there is a demand I will not be posting extra credit projects. I will, from time to time, be posting daily grade extra credit. Here is an example that will get you a free 100:

Click on the following link and follow the directions. This link will take you to a GoogleDoc, an online version of Microsoft Word that you can use to create, share, and edit. You will be able to edit the document and save your changes. We'll use this in class in the future for projects.

Click Here for Google Doc

Thanks!
Mr. Hanson

Revolution, part dos

Just wanted to check in and give you links to documents that haven't even been passed out in class yet! Hot off the presses!

First, the format for your compare and contrast paper.

Second, here's the format for the declaration.

And last, here is the power point with the graphic organizers and vocabulary.

Happy Revolution-ing!!!

Hanson

REVOLUTION

Revolution is upon us here at MMS!

For our next project we will be creating our own revolution and declaring independence from the US. The assignments for this project are as follows:
-Written Declaration by group.
-Speech given by group.
-Compare and Contrast report on limited and unlimited governments by each person.

For a copy of the entry document and rubric click here.

Stay tuned for more information and links to helpful websites!

Mr. Hanson