Trial and...Error?

The long-awaited trial day came and went for my US History I class. Our mock trial was a case that was straight off the script of Law and Order! And happily I can say, that some of my students' performances falls nothing short of a future Emmy Award!

The trial consisted of a woman, Martha Monroe, who was in an abusive relationship with her husband. After many beatings, she did not want to tell the police due to fears that he would come after her. However, one night she couldn't take it anymore and shot him three times while he lay sleeping in his bed. It's truly a case that could go either way, and we will finish it up on Tuesday! (I have to be gone on Monday)

In other news...

- Was dropping the atomic bombs on Japan to end WWII justified? Was it something that should have been done? US History II students had to consider those questions on Friday as we wrapped up our WWII unit.

- Storming their way through Europe was my World Geography class this week. It was an action-packed week that included plans to build a bridge (or two!) over the Strait of Gibraltar; lessons on the Tour de France, French culture, and the French Revolution; and country studies of Italy, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Students learned that many of the foods they eat on a daily basis have roots in all 4 countries; they "explored" the old vestiges of the Roman Empire at the Forum; and examined the smallest country in the world, Vatican City!

- And in Sociology, students were introduced to the elements of culture. We took a look at how Western values differ greatly from many other culture systems in the world, especially on relationships and individuality. The students also read an article on the sociology of naming and found that high culture tends to filter down to pop culture! Pretty interesting that a name usually starts out small like anything else, then is released to the masses and becomes the latest fad!

Best Field Trip Ever?

The seniors took their big field trip yesterday, and what a wallop of a day it was! After getting up bright and early, we left at 6:30 for a two-hour drive to Gridley, IL. The students visited the home of Clark Stoller, who is an avid World War II buff that has collected many artifacts through the years. Of course, none were as memorable as the Japanese rifle and sword!

After an hour-long talk on the War in the Pacific, where Mr. Stoller brought out stories from his father who had served as a medic, the students took a 1/2 hour drive to Pontiac to visit the Livingston County War Museum. There, they were able to speak with veterans who had served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. They were able to see uniforms, ammunition, artillery, helmets, and many other items of interest.

The next stop was Mario's Pizza, where the veterans treated us to lunch! We had all the pizza we could eat, and the curator of the museum loaded us up with boxes of snacks, chips, cookies, and soda.

Ronald Reagan Museum in Eureka was the next stop on the trip. The students participated in a self-guided tour that included materials from all eras of Reagan's life.

The last stop on the trip was the Rave Theater in Peoria, where the students watched "Invictus." This movie is about Nelson Mandela, rugby, and a desperate attempt to put the old racial caste system of apartheid in the past. Mandela realized that success in rugby was crucial to South Africa's success, and the movie incorporated that theme well.

Overall, it was a fantastic trip and one that will surely be remembered for a long time to come!

Snow Days

Who doesn't love them? There is something mythical and magical about getting a phone call or seeing on the news that we will not have school. Believe it or not, teachers like them too!

Hopefully you all have had a very warm holiday season and are off to a great New Year! I haven't updated this site in quite some time: engaged life will do that to ya!

In Class:

We hit the ground running earlier this week but as you can see, we are at a standstill until Monday. I have been in contact with the Livingston County War Museum regarding our field trip on Thursday 1/14, as well as tying up a few other loose ends. Here's what next week will look like (weather pending):

US History II: Nazism, Pearl Harbor and why it happened, War in the Pacific, and a host of other fascinating topics. Students have enjoyed our WWII unit so far and I hope this keeps up!

US History I: Does the Electoral College accurately represent America's votes for President? Should it be changed? Why or why not? An in-depth study of the EC, as well as continued focus on the Executive Branch, will dominate this week's studies.

World Geography: Leprechauns, luck of the Irish, Stonehenge, Riding of the Bulls, and much more is in store for my World Geography students. It's all part of our unit on Europe; this week focuses on much of Western Europe before making our way east!

Sociology: We will have a live talk show on Monday and invite the founders of Sociology to speak about how they see the social world! Special guests like Max Weber, Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim, Herbert Spencer, and Auguste Comte will "appear" and present their views.

Have a great weekend and see you soon!!