MLK Day: Where should we go from here?

Thanks for visiting the blog. I hope you enjoyed the film The Witness: From the Balcony of Room 306. Read over the following, then respond in the comments below.

There are always questions that come up surrounding the issue about whether or not we should be celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. I recently came across two interesting spins on that old argument.

Should we celebrate MLK Day by taking a day off from school, or should we use that day in school to focus on the accomplishments of MLK and his legacy? I often wonder about this as it relates to most holidays that call for a day off - Memorial Day, Labor Day, and MLK Day.

The second issue that has come up this year is about whether we should replace MLK Day with a more general Civil Rights Day (similar to what was done with Presidents Day). It would be a day to recognize important events and people related to the civil rights movement.

I'd like to know your thoughts about these two issues.  Try to think outside the student ideas of "lets get out of school as much as possible," and take a serious look at the issue.

If you have difficulty figuring out how to comment, just let me know in class and I'll help you.

Day 26 - History Fair 2014 Starts Now!

Sorry! I've missed a few days here on the blog, but I'm back.

Today was all about history fair.


History Fair 2014!
Our history fair journey begins today.  Here are a few resources that you may find helpful as you consider topics and categories.

2014 NHD Theme Sheet - Rights & Responsibilities

Sample Topics

Mr. Veliz's LHS History Fair Website

NHD Website

HF Homework - Click here for the HF Topic and Category Selection Form

As you work through this process, please let me know if there is anything that I can do to help.

Day 18 - Timelines - Are you done yet?

Thursday Recap
I shared a story with you today about the taxing of Coptic Christians by the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.  Here is the article that I shared - http://bit.ly/18MJp5o.  There are many interesting articles on the topic, just do a Google search.

After reviewing Muslim beliefs, we started on our timeline activity.  Make sure you have that done by tomorrow.

REMINDER:  Our chapter test is on Tuesday.  Study!

Day 17 - Never Forget!

What doe sit mean to Never Forget?  I shared some of my personal 9/11 story with you all today.  I also shared that I am wrestling with what has become the slogan of 9/11 - Never Forget.

Through a brief essay, I have asked you to think through that question for yourself.  I look forward to reading what each of you think.

Make sure you have your essay ready to turn in tomorrow.

Day 16 - Always be prepared

Be ready everyday for a knowledge check quiz like the one we had today. It is an easy way to pickup points. Fail to do the nightly reading, and you can dig yourself into a hole.

Tonight in Honors WH
Make sure you complete section 2 of the Muslim World chapter tonight.


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Day 15 - Islam discussion tomorrow

Sorry for the late post. It's been a busy evening.

We'll be discussing section one tomorrow, so make sure you have read the material before coming to class.


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Day 14 - The Muslim World

Friday Recap
We jumped into our new chapter today - The Muslim World - by listening to a call to prayer.  You can hear it again by watching the video below.

 

We also took a look at John Green's Crash Course video on Islam.  Green provides a great series of videos that tackle complex periods of history in about 10 minutes.  These videos are great as a review or to reinforce material from our readings.

 

 

This Weekend in World History

 Continue working your way through Section 1 of the chapter.  You will need to get the PDF from Edmodo.  Make sure you use the study guide that I provided.

Our chapter quiz is scheduled for next Thursday, but be prepared for a section 1 quiz on Monday.