2-28/3-1-2007 This we believe

Lesson:
We took a quiz on the story "The Moment Before the Gun Went Off". If absent, please make this up.
We discussed our own belief systems and how they are formed. We brainstormed topics for a personal essay about our beliefs based on the NPR program "This I Believe". If absent, please go to npr.org and listen to 2 essays from the "This I believe" program. It can be found at this link:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4538138

ONce you get the idea of these, try it yourself. The assignment can be found on the "Assignments" link.

HOMEWORK:
"This I Believe" rough draft due next class typed.
Work on final project

2-26/2-27 2007 Once Upon a Time

Lesson:
We performed our 2 voice poems today. If you were absent make sure you turn in your poem.
The final South Africa project was assigned. The due dates and assignment can be found on the assignments page.
We read the story "Once Upon a Time.." by Nadine Gordimar and filled out a symbols sheet. If absent please pick up both of these.

Homwork: Read "The Moment Before the Gun Went Off" by Nadine Gordimar and answer the 4 questions at the end of the story. Quiz next class.

EXTRA EXTRA: Extra credit available

Check out the assignments page for some extra credit options.

2-22/2-23 2007 Only A/ two voice poems

Lesson:
We took our vocab test
We read the story "Only A". If absent , pick this story up from the room before next class. You will need this to do your homework.
If absent, answer the following questions for class credit:

1. Think back to the last time you stood up for someone who was teased. Was it hard to do this? Why? Were there any consequences?

2. Why might the author have chosen a “mad/man woman” as the target of this story? Why does the author wait until the end to reveal that the woman is black?

3. Which came first?: Did racism lead to Apartheid , or did Apartheid lead to racism? Explain your answer.

4. What does this story tell us about:
How prejudice is passed on from one generation to the next.
The role of the bystander in passing on prejudice.
The motivation of the girls.


We then wrote 2 voice poems. The directions for this assignment can be found on the assignments page.
We discussed how our beliefs are established.

Homework:
2 voice poem due next class to perform.

2-20/2-21-2007 Amandla!!

Lesson:
We had a lecture on the history of Apartheid. and viewed the film Amandla!
If absent, rent the movie Amandla. View it and answer the following questions. If you can't rent it, check out these websites to find the answers (The movie is a much more engaging way to answer these).
http://www-cs-students.stanford.edu/~cale/cs201/apartheid.hist.html
http://www.africanaencyclopedia.com/apartheid/apartheid.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apartheid

1. Who was Verwoerd?
1960 Sharpeville:
2. Why did the people protest at Sharpeville?
3. How many people died? What was significant about how they died?
4. Who was Nelson Mandela? What happened to Nelson Mandela?
June 19, 1976 Soweto Uprising
5. Why did the children rise up?
6. Why is this uprising so significant in the history of South Africa?
7. How did the fight against Apartheid chnage in the 1980's?
8. What was the global response to the crisis in South Africa?
9. Describe the final transition to democracy in South Africa.

HMWK: Study for vocab test
Vocab Test next class

2-15/2-16-2006 Tell Freedom

THIS IS BEING POSTED EARLY SO MAKE SURE YOU ARE DOING MAKE UP WORK FOR THE CORRECT DAY!!!

Lesson:
Discussed our personal reflections. If absent, answer the following questions:
Q: How can people use fear?
Q: How is fear used to control people?
Q: Can you have courage without fear?
Q: Can you blame Black South Africans for their circumstance?
Q: What is true courage?
Q: When was a time when you felt you had courage?


Read “Tell Freedom”. If absent, pick up the reading from the teacher and answer the following questions.

Q: Power/ what methods do people use to keep people subservient?
Q: Discuss the tension between Uncle Sam and Aunt Liza
Q: Uncle Sam says: “One day…” What does he mean? Why is he waiting? What are the consequences of rebellion for Uncle Sam? Would you have made the same decision about when to stand up for yourself?
Q: Who is the strongest character in the story?
Q: What is the author telling us about life in South Africa?


Your homework will require you to write from the perspective and voice of another character. This is not a “Rewrite”. Your writing should go deep into the internal conflict of the character you choose. you may only repeat three lines total from the original story (this will probably be dialogue). The focus should really be on flashbacks, perceptions, lens, etc of the other character.


Went over Day One and Two of Vocab
Vocab day 3 and 4 for homework

HMWK:
Tell Freedom rewrite assignment sheet
Vocab day 3 and 4

2-13/2-14 –2007 Fear and Courage

THIS IS BEING POSTED EARLY SO MAKE SURE YOU ARE DOING MAKE UP WORK FOR THE CORRECT DAY!!!

Lesson:
We collect the Kaffir Boy assignment
If absent, make-up Kaffir Boy quiz
Passed out Vocab Day one and two.
If absent answer these questions using examples from Kaffir Boy:
How is fear used to control people?
Can you have courage without fear?
What is true courage?
When is a time you feel you had courage or when you saw someone display courage?

Assigned Fear and Courage assignment
Check out Kaffir Boy from the library and read the book for extra credit

HMWK:
Vocab Day one and two (can be found on assignments page)
Read Kaffir Boy Part 2 (need to pick up from teacher)
Complete the “Fear and Courage assignment” in lieu of a study guide (can be found on assignments page)

2-12-2007 Africa Celebration

THIS IS BEING POSTED EARLY SO MAKE SURE YOU ARE DOING MAKE UP WORK FOR THE CORRECT DAY!!!
Africa Celebration

If you were gone today, you missed out. Wipe that frown off. It will be OK, but you need to do some work to make up for this. To get credit for the day you need to do 2 of the following 3 activities:

1. Interview a student who went to the celebration. Sample questions may include: What was the best part about the celebration? How did the Model African Union voting turn out? What was the message of Anne Williams from Tostan? What was the most interesting booth at the conference?
(1 page minimum, typed).

2. Visit Swahili Imports at the 5th Street Market. Describe the most interesting things there. Talk with someone who works there and learn at least three new things about African art or culture. (1 page minimum, typed)

3. Find African music on-line. Find at least three different artists. Name the groups you heard. Give a short bio and description of the music. What did you like? What wasn’t your favorite? If possible, what’s the story behind this music?
Some cool websites to check out are:
http://bennloxo.com/
http://www.naijajams.com/
http://soundroots.org/

(1 page minimum, typed)

2-8/2-9-2007 Introduction to South Africa

Lesson:
We introduced the South Africa Unit.
If you were absent, please pick up the Kaffir Boy packet from the back of the classroom tomorrow. Answer the questions on the study guide. To get credit for the class activity, pick up the extra reading from the classroom (this can be found also at the website: http://www.sahistory.org.za/pages/specialprojects/apartheid-and-resistance/background.htm).
Write a page expalaining what apartheid was in South Africa and how it was able to keep going for such a long time.

HMWK:
Kaffir Boy Packet
Study Guide (Found on the assignments page)

2-7-2007 Final Kenya Discussion

Lesson:
Today we answered these questions. If absent, turn these in next class answered:

Kenya Final Discussion
1. Why does Robert Edgerton, the author of Mau Mau: An African Crucible, argue that the Mau Mau movement, an epic battle of sacrifice, cruelty, and courage, should be remembered not just in Kenya or in Africa—but as a lesson for us all? What is the lesson? How can this lesson be applied to our world today? Use specific examples from the world today to apply these lessons.

2. In what ways are the lives of Mrs. Hill and Njoroge similar? In what ways does Ngugi show the “human” sides of both characters?

3. How do Ngugi and Harry Hook, the director of The Kitchen Toto, incorporate cultural lens into the two stories?

4. Take these stories to a modern context. What are three themes you see in The Kitchen Toto and/or The Martyr. Remember, a theme is a universal message the author is expressing. Use examples to back your opinion of the author’s message.


Choose one of the following to answer as a group
5A. Make an argument from the point of view of Mrs. Hill regarding why she should have fired the shot. Extra credit if you have a thesis, assertions, and support from the story.

5B. Make an argument from the point of view of Njoroge that he should have warned Mrs. Hill or make an argument that he should not have warned her. Extra credit if you have a thesis, assertions, and support from the story.

HMWK:
Letter to Mr.K (See assignments blog)

2-5/2-6 2007 Kitchen Toto and "The Martyr"

Lesson:
We finished the Kitchen Toto and read the short story"The Martyr" by Ngugi wa Thiong'o. If absent, pick up a copy of the story from the pile in the back of class.

HMWK: Read "The Martyr"