Four Corners!!!

Today in class we did a four corners activity. In this activity you had to agree, strongly agree, disagree, or strongly disagree with a statement that was made. This is a great way to see how all of our opinions may differ on certain topics. What I would like you to do is agree, strongly agree, disagree, or strongly disagree with the statement below. I would then like you to support your argument in about 3/4 of a page to a page. Good luck, and remember, there are no wrong answers.

"The United States does a good job providing for people who are in need"

Hoops of Hope - Charity event

Every day over one thousand African children lose a parent to HIV/AIDS. These children become orphans and their lives are changed forever. MS 582 is trying to raise money to help build a medical facility to help a community in Africa. On May 17th, students at MS 582 will shoot thousands of free throws to help raise awareness of the cause. If you would like to support MS 582, Hoops of Hope, and most importantly the thousands of African children who are affected, please talk to me personally or make a small donation at www.firstgiving.com/ms582. You can also click on the link on the right side of this page. Thank you for your support, and remember "Make what you Believe in, Happen".

The March on Washington Reflection

On Friday we did out what we set to do. We re-created the historic 1963 March on Washington. Shaiasha, Genise, Briona, Yarritza, Ruthie, and Javon were outstanding speaking in front of such a large crowd. The signs everyone made in Ms. Cappellino's class were amazing, and the whole event went pretty smoothly. You all did a fantastic job. Now I would like to know your thoughts on the experience. Did you feel like you were a part of something? Was it moving at all? What did you like about it? What could have been better? I'd like to know your thoughts. I value your opinions and could use your feedback to make it even better next year. Thanks.

"I Have a dream" - The dreams of our students

On Friday we spent class writing and talking about our dreams. Many of you wrote about dreams that you have for your country, the world, yourself, and your family. Your words were truly incredible and I think it would be nice if we were able to share some of these dreams with each other. Dr. King's dream was shared by millions of Americans in the 1960's. What are your dreams?

"I Have a Dream" - a speech by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."

This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the South with.

And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.
Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York.
Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania.
Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado.
Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California.

But not only that:

Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.
Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee.
Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi.
From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

And when this happens, when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:

Free at last! Free at last!

Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!

Civil Rights Reflection

Imagine that you were a member of the Supreme Court who declared that the buses were discriminating against Rosa Parks and other African Americans. Why did you agree with Rosa Parks? What helped your decision? Why did you think it was unfair for African Americans to have to give up their seats to whites?

Hotel Rwanda

We have been watching the movie "Hotel Rwanda" in class to help us understand the role the United States plays in world issues. The US is a very powerful country. In cases like Rwanda in 1994, or in Darfur today, do you think the United States has a responsibility to help out foreign countries? Is it our job to make peace for other nations? Is it the world's job? What do you think?