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"
Friday, April 11, 2008
Monday, April 7, 2008
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".
Saturday, April 5, 2008
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.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
"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?
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
"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!
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!
Monday, March 24, 2008
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?
Thursday, March 13, 2008
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?
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
A letter to President Bush
The Great Space Debate
We have learned recently that by addressing our concerns with things that are happening in our country we can help change them. We have just finished writing suffrage letters to the President of the United States asking that women’s voting be granted. The letters we wrote are very similar to those written almost one hundred years ago.
Writing letters to the President or Congress is still a great way to get your point across. In Science class you have been learning quite a bit about outer space. We will use the knowledge you have learned to write a letter to President Bush regarding the Space program in the United States. There is a great debate about the program. Many believe it can help us advance science and technology while some believe it costs way too much money and that the money spent on it could be used for other things like education or healthcare. What do you think? For your letter you must:
- Research both sides of the topic.
- Decide if you are for the space program or against it.
- Write a letter to President Bush voicing your concerns.
We have learned recently that by addressing our concerns with things that are happening in our country we can help change them. We have just finished writing suffrage letters to the President of the United States asking that women’s voting be granted. The letters we wrote are very similar to those written almost one hundred years ago.
Writing letters to the President or Congress is still a great way to get your point across. In Science class you have been learning quite a bit about outer space. We will use the knowledge you have learned to write a letter to President Bush regarding the Space program in the United States. There is a great debate about the program. Many believe it can help us advance science and technology while some believe it costs way too much money and that the money spent on it could be used for other things like education or healthcare. What do you think? For your letter you must:
- Research both sides of the topic.
- Decide if you are for the space program or against it.
- Write a letter to President Bush voicing your concerns.
Suffrage Letter Project
Suffrage Letter
Women began fighting for the right to vote in the 1850’s at the Seneca Falls Convention. It was a long and arduous process that took almost seventy years before women were granted the right to vote in America. In 1920 congress passed the 19th amendment granting women’s suffrage.
It was a trying journey for women like Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and Alice Paul. They marched in Washington D.C., picketed outside the white house, and wrote thousands of letters to the President and Congress asking for the right to vote.
It is your job to help recreate the type of letter that was written to the President or to congress. You assignment is to write a letter that details the reasons why women deserve the right to vote, and why it is important for all of America that women are granted suffrage. Here are your requirements.
- A letter written to the President of the United States or Congress stating why women should be granted suffrage.
- Three paragraphs.
- Proper Salutations (ex. Dear Mr. President, Sincerely yours)
- It must be dated between 1910 and 1919.
- It must be stained with tea, and look old and authentic.
Women began fighting for the right to vote in the 1850’s at the Seneca Falls Convention. It was a long and arduous process that took almost seventy years before women were granted the right to vote in America. In 1920 congress passed the 19th amendment granting women’s suffrage.
It was a trying journey for women like Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and Alice Paul. They marched in Washington D.C., picketed outside the white house, and wrote thousands of letters to the President and Congress asking for the right to vote.
It is your job to help recreate the type of letter that was written to the President or to congress. You assignment is to write a letter that details the reasons why women deserve the right to vote, and why it is important for all of America that women are granted suffrage. Here are your requirements.
- A letter written to the President of the United States or Congress stating why women should be granted suffrage.
- Three paragraphs.
- Proper Salutations (ex. Dear Mr. President, Sincerely yours)
- It must be dated between 1910 and 1919.
- It must be stained with tea, and look old and authentic.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
NYC Geography Club
Last week the NYC Geography Club took a trip to the South Street Seaport and boarded two ships from the early 1900's. The students in the club were able to see and feel what it was like to sail on such early vessels. The club must move forward however and look ahead to its next field trip. If you have any suggestions on where we should travel to please let me know. So....what's next?
Friday, February 15, 2008
The Roaring Twenties
The roaring twenties were unbelievable! Jazz, music, dancing, prohibition, flappers, women's rights, and gangsters! Yea the 1920's were a crazy time in American history. With the nation doing so well economically, it is no wonder that people were having such a great time living it up. I'd like to know your thoughts. If you could go back in time and hang out in any decade, which decade would you choose? I think the 1920's are the place for me. Let's do the Charleston! How about you? Tell me about your favorite decade.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Mid Week Reflections
Hey everyone. It's about that time again where I would like to know your thoughts regarding our class. Are you enjoying it? How can we make it better? Do you have any suggestions? This is a great opportunity for you to provide me with information so that our class can continue to improve....so lets hear it!
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
A Biography of American Inventors - New Project!!!
Dear Students,
The age of invention in America was an incredible time in our nation’s history. From around 1870 to about 1910, some of the most important inventions in history were created. These inventions were not just important for their time, but important for our future. Each invention helped the United States grow in a variety of ways. Communication and transportation became faster and easier, industry boomed, and American cities began to grow. In understanding these inventions we must first look at the people who made them.
It is your job to create a biographical poster board that highlights the inventors and the inventions that helped America grow. Here are the requirements:
1) You must create a poster board that displays the accomplishments of three inventors. You will report on three inventors chosen from the list below.
- Thomas Edison
- Henry Ford
- Alexander Graham Bell
- The Wright Brothers
2) You must write a brief biography of each inventor that includes:
- Name of inventor
- Invention
- Year of invention
- How the invention was created
- How did this invention help America grow?
- One photograph
3) This project may be done in groups or individually.
4) Extra credit will be offered to any student who adds an additional inventor who is not listed above who invented something that helped America to grow.
The age of invention in America was an incredible time in our nation’s history. From around 1870 to about 1910, some of the most important inventions in history were created. These inventions were not just important for their time, but important for our future. Each invention helped the United States grow in a variety of ways. Communication and transportation became faster and easier, industry boomed, and American cities began to grow. In understanding these inventions we must first look at the people who made them.
It is your job to create a biographical poster board that highlights the inventors and the inventions that helped America grow. Here are the requirements:
1) You must create a poster board that displays the accomplishments of three inventors. You will report on three inventors chosen from the list below.
- Thomas Edison
- Henry Ford
- Alexander Graham Bell
- The Wright Brothers
2) You must write a brief biography of each inventor that includes:
- Name of inventor
- Invention
- Year of invention
- How the invention was created
- How did this invention help America grow?
- One photograph
3) This project may be done in groups or individually.
4) Extra credit will be offered to any student who adds an additional inventor who is not listed above who invented something that helped America to grow.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
The Age of Invention
For the last few days we have begun talking about the "age of invention". This was a time in American history when many of our most important inventions were created. We have spoken so far about Thomas Edison (the lightbulb, phonograph) and the Wright brothers (airplane). Tomorrow we will look at the accomplishments of Henry Ford and the automobile. I'd like you to think about our essential question and try to answer it. "How have these inventions helped America to grow?" Are their any other inventions that you believe are as important? Let me know your thoughts.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
