Grade 7 World Geography and Recent World History

For those or you who participated in our first annual World Geography and Culture Night, provide feedback related to some of the following topics:

-  What did you learn through the event?

-  Which activity was most interesting and why?

-  Which activity was least interesting and why?

-  What could be done to improve the evening?

As always, any student who engages in a dialogue over the blog regarding this topic will earn 2 points towards a learning check.

Nelson Mandela, who as we learned in class lead the charge to end the Apartheid in South Africa, is said to be one of the most influential African’s in the world.  Below is a link to a You Tube video of him making his inaugural address (a speech made when taking over as President of a country).  Watch the video and respond to some of the questions below.  Some people may find it hard to understand him as he has a thick accent.  There is also a link posted below that leads to a webpage with the text of his speech.  Happy viewing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grh03-NjHzc (Video)

http://www.speech-topics-help.com/nelson-mandelas-inaugural-speech.html (Text)

(1)  How does Mandela’s speech demonstrate Pan-Africanism?

(2)  Do you think Mandela is right in what he proposes to improve Africa?  Why?

(3)  Based on this speech, do you believe Mandela should be a successful leader?  Why?

Good Luck!  Happy blogging.

Over the course of this school year I have been trying different ideas on how to make blog usage a significant component of the learning process in my class.  Today, I am making two posts that ask questions regarding two movies that would be great to show in school, but unfortunately we only have 180 days and there just isn’t time to get to them and everything else.  I would encourage you to watch these movies with your families and engage in discussion in this blog to further your understand about what we have been learning in class.  Another movie I would recommend would be The Gods they Must Be Crazy directed by Jamie Uys.  This is a very funny movie that start out like a documentary but is truly and thoughtful comedy.   After viewing the film, try blogging to some of the questions below.

(1)  What difference exist between urban life and the life of indigenous peoples in Africa?

(2)  What impact does modern society have on indigenous peoples?

(3)  Should modern society work to protect indigenous lifestyles?

This movie is rated PG and is available on Netflix for those students who have access to that service.  As always, I recommend you view the film with your families.  Happy blogging!

Over the course of this school year I have been trying different ideas on how to make blog usage a significant component of the learning process in my class.  Today, I am making two posts that ask questions regarding two movies that would be great to show in school, but unfortunately we only have 180 days and there just isn’t time to get to them and everything else.  I would encourage you to watch these movies with your families and engage in discussion in this blog to further your understand about what we have been learning in class.  This first post is asking about the film Hotel Rwanda directed by Terry George which is available for streaming on Netflix for those students with access to the service.

(1)  What emotions do you believe the victims of the Rwandan Genocide would have been feeling throughout this ordeal?  Why?

(2)  Did the United Nations take appropriate actions during the crisis?

(3)  President Clinton (who was the President of the United States during the Rwandan Genocide) asserts that his biggest failure as President was failing to take action on the Rwandan Genocide sooner; when do you think the United States should have became involved in the conflict and why?

Respond to any of the questions below.  Just be clear which one you are responding to.  Be forewarned that this film is rated PG13 and you should not view it without parental permission.  I do recommend you watch it with your parents.  Happy viewing!