June 29

In Class - On the eve upon our final day of class, we will hopefully recessitate our conversation from yesterday concerning education reform and the economy. As a bit of review, I have a few short video clips we watched in class regarding SB 1070. In case you missed it, they are listed below:


http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/308060/april-26-2010/the-word---docu-drama

http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/281867/april-21-2010/the-word---no-problemo


Group Work: Get out your research and classwork concerning education. In groups, respond to the following six questions: 1) If you could have any resource (money is no option) available to you for your education in high school, what would you want (ie. technology, class options, programs)? 2) How would each item listed above benefit your learning? 3) List several aspects of public education you would change. 4) Should adminstrators evaluate teachers more frequently? 5) Should teachers be paid based on the test results of their students (merit pay)? 6) What actions do you need to take in order to make a change happen? Discuss these answers in groups and then as an entire class. Continue discussion on education reform with the answers to these questions as the focus of the discussion. Focus more efforts on question six. Discuss final exam (see homework below). Begin watching "Capitalism: A Love Story." This documentary is based on the economic collapse of the late 1970's early 1980's to the most recent collapse in 2008. We will continue this tomorrow.





Homework - You have two things due for me. 1) Question of the Day response due by 11:59 tonight.


2) First draft of letter. In this first draft, include your name, the name of your school, your year in school, and the reason behind your letter. Keep it short, but make specific points. Do some research on their views of education. Have they supported any educational bills, serve on any educational committees, or financial committees? Are they campaigning or up for reelection? Don't worry about the format (business letter), but I do want the content completed for peer editing tomorrow in class.


People you may write to:

Riverside County Superintendent of Schools - Kenneth M. Young
http://www.rcoe.k12.ca.us/
Alvord Unified School District Superintendent - Dr. Wendall Tucker
http://www.alvord.k12.ca.us/superintendent.html
Alvord Unified School District Board of Education President - Mr. Ben Johnson II http://www.alvord.k12.ca.us/board_of_education.html
California State Department of Education Superintendent - Mr. Jack O'Connell
http://www.cde.ca.gov/index.asp
United States Senators (CA) - Barbara Boxer (D); Dianne Feinstein (D)
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm?State=CA
US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
http://help.senate.gov/ Legislation: http://help.senate.gov/legislation/
US Representative (44th District) - Representative Ken Calvert (R)
http://calvert.house.gov/
Secretary of Education - Arne Duncan
http://www.ed.gov/
President Barack Obama
http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/education
Meg Whitman (R) Running for California Governor
http://www.megwhitman.com/
Jerry Brown (D) Running for California Governor
http://jerrybrown.org/

June 28

In Class - Discuss current events: BP oil spill, General Stanley McCrystal, Afghanistan, SB 1070, education. Small group discussion: Discuss one teacher (positive or negative) that has made an impact on you. Share with the class. Continue our discussion on education. Watch "2 Million Minutes," a documentary discussing the comparisons and contrasts of education systems in the United States, India, and China. On a sheet of paper, divide it into three columns and write observations you notice concerning the differences and similarities between the three countries. Why is the United States behind in terms of global education? What separates our culture of academia to other nations? What are the economic implications of global education. Class discussion: education. Continue to present arguments and research based on the articles given to you and the articles you have researched in class. Ask yourself, evaluate your education, why is it this way, and what can you do to change it? We will continue this discussion tomorrow. I highly suggest that some of you come prepared to participate.

Question of the Day: Considering what we have studied in our short time together, I would like for you to choose a topic that has some relevant significance to you. After you select this topic, do some research, and write two solid paragraphs with citations and works cited that responds to the following prompt: How does your topic relate to the study of economics? Be sure to include specific evidence to support your arguments. I am not going to give you any suggestions for topics because I really want for you to make this your own. This is due by Tuesday, June 29 by 11:59 pm. This is the last question of the day, so make it count!

Homework - Tomorrow, bring in a stamp and an envelope. We will take care of the rest in class. Finish strong!!!

June 24

In Class - Continue topic discussion of education. Begin watching video clips concerning SB 1070 and California Budget Crisis (Review). Write down in one or two sentences the main arguments from these clips. Discuss as a class the rating of your public education on a scale from 1-10 (1 being low, 10 being the highest). Discuss the implication of the factors that may have contributed to your rating. Watch the back to school speech from President Obama from September of 2009. Take notes during this speech indicating pieces of the speech that caught your attention, was interesting, or personally related to you in some way. Write a brief summary of your feelings, thoughts, emotions after listening to his speech. Group work: Discuss the following in your groups - 1) share your responses 2) discuss statements from the speech you agree or disagree with 3) what was the overall tone of the speech? 4) were there any statements from the speech that may have been politically motivated? Discuss these in your groups and then as a class, discuss your answers. Hand out article "Conservatives enraged over Obama school speech." Read the article and discuss how people may have viewed this speech as political propaganda. Group Work - Hand out examples of quality Question of the Day responses, edit, and grade these responses based on the rubric from your syllabus. Hand out a series of articles concerning education reform in the United States. Use these articles to help you answer the Question of the Day. Also, read these articles for Monday for our class discussion concerning education.

Question of the Day - Nothing for today.

Homework - Question of the Day from June 23 is due by 11:59 tonight. Begin preparing arguments for Monday's class discussion on education.

NOTE - I will try to email everyone this weekend an updated grade, so you know where you sit before entering the home stretch of summer school. Have a good weekend!

June 23

In Class - Turn in articles (homework) concerning education. Short tour of campus. When we get back to the classroom, write your first reaction as to what it is you see in terms of how this effects funding for education. Group work: Political Cartoon Analysis (Education). Talk in your groups about the overall message behind the cartoon and any symbols that are significant to that meaning. Discuss as a class. Library Research: Find two more articles concerning how the economy and the recession effects education either K-12 or higher education. One needs to be about economics of education and the other can just be about education in general. Watch "Stupid in America." This is a look at public education in the United States. While you watch, write down any scenarios, facts, or anything that you find interesting. This video may shock you. Hang onto this for tomorrow.

Question of the Day: This response is due on Thursday, June 24 by 11:59 pm. Concerning education in the United States, how is our current economic situation hurting public education? Be sure to write at least two solid paragraphs with specific details to support your arguments. You will also need to cite your information and include a works cited in your post. Questions to consider answering in your response: Will more money improve education? What factors contribute to low graduation rates and poor test scores? Is No Child Left Behind working? What is the "Race to the Top" and how will this improve state standards of education? Should teachers be more accountable for student performance? What impact do teachers' unions have on politics and education? How are other countries performing in the classroom? What does this say about our society and our views on education?

Homework - Question of the Day. Also, plan to have a class discussion concerning education tomorrow afternoon in class concerning education.

Articles to check out:
http://www.2mminutes.com/news/pdfs/The%20Forgotten%20Man%20Blog%2012_10_09.pdf
http://www.projo.com/news/content/central_falls_teachers_02-10-10_INHDDCD_v28.3b40f6e.html
http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2010/02/22/evening-buzz-fire-teachers-for-failing-school/ - Be sure to read the blog postings from this article.
http://www.times-standard.com/othervoices/ci_14424958 - Race to the Top
http://www.eschoolnews.com/2010/02/17/are-unions-blocking-school-reform/
http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/education - White House views on education
http://www.ed.gov/ - Department of Education homepage
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/State_of_the_Union/obama-overhaul-no-child-left-behind/story?id=9725517
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1993877,00.html - KC school closings
http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1972820,00.html
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1976724,00.html - Europe's education crisis
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1978589,00.html - Should kids be bribed to do well in school?
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1967580,00.html - The case against a college education
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/05/education/05protests.html - California students protest increased tuition

June 22

In Class - Group Work: Begin to prepare arguments and evidence from your research concerning Arizona SB 1070 for the class discussion. Class Discussion: Participation and originality of arguments will earn you your points for this discussion. Topic is Arizona SB 1070 and the financial implications of this bill as well as other issues, such as illegal immigration, racial profiling, educcation, employment, 4th Amendment, and foreign policy. Begin watching documentary "A Day Without a Mexican." In this "mock"umentary, issues such as racial stereotypes and illegal immigration. As you watch this, you are to write down as you see them, examples of racial stereotypes.

Question of the Day - Nothing for today.

Homework - Our next topic of study will be education and the financial background to public education in California and the United States. Your homework is two bring in two (2) current articles discussing education. I would like these to relate to economics, but any two articles will do for tomorrow. Bring these to class and receive points.

June 21

In Class - Turn in article (homework from Thursday) regarding the economic impact of the World Cup. Group Work: Hand out articles regarding the economic impact of the World Cup on South Africa and other nations around the world. In your groups, read the article, discuss the main topics/points, then write down three important details, three interesting facts, and three questions you have. Each group will share their article with the rest of the class. Discuss. Turn in written work. Library Research: Before going to the library, turn in the article (homework from Thursday) concerning Arizona SB 1070. Continue to focus your research on the economic implications of SB 1070 in Arizona. Start preparing yourself for tomorrow's class discussion. I will still be looking for participation, but I want you to dig deeper and find some original arguments for and against this bill. Class brainstorming schedule: begin listing arguments for and against SB 1070.

Question of the Day: None for today.

Homework - Begin preparing for tomorrow's class discussion on the economic implications of Arizona SB 1070. Start preparing your arguments and evidence to bring in orginal arguments based on the research you have done in the library and from home. Remember, you must participate in order to receive any credit. Also, bring all of your articles tomorrow to turn in; I will give you points for this. Finally, Question of the Day (See Thursday, June 17 posting) is due by 11:59 tonight. You must post a comment on my blog and also on your own blog.

Articles/Videos to Check out:
http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/06/21/fremont.immigration.ballot/index.html
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2010/06/21/dnt.va.county.immigration.push.WUSA?iref=allsearch
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/politics/2010/06/21/am.feds.suing.arizona.cnn?iref=allsearch
http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/06/17/arizona.immigration.law/index.html?iref=allsearch

June 17

In Class - Turn in: Classroom notes from Monday, June 14 (scarcity, economic principles, wants vs. needs); four articles: one you brought from home, two you printed in the library, and the one I gave you in class; evidence/argument sheet with your reaction to the class discussion. Continue to explore and analyze the Gulf Oil Spill. Finish watching "When the Levees Broke." Discuss scarcity handout from the movie. Written response: Compare and contrast the Gulf Oil Spill and Hurricane Katrina. What examples connect these two incidents? Slow government response? The economic impact? Staple this to the handout and turn in. Group work: Brainstorming/pre-writing - what do you know about SB 1070? Library research: Look for two articles concerning the issue of immigration in this country, especially in Arizona. Look for one article that supports this bill and another that does not. Video clips concerning immigration and SB 1070. Briefly discuss the global economic impact of the World Cup (bring article for Monday).

Question of the Day (due Monday, June 21 by 11:59 pm): By analyzing the evidence you have found, I want you to write two paragraphs with solid evidence and details concerning this prompt: What are the main arguments that support SB 1070? What are the main arguments that oppose SB 1070? Provide specific and detailed information (including citations and a bibliography in MLA style) that support your answers. Also, provide your thoughts and opinions regarding this controversial bill.

Homework - For Monday, bring in one current event focusing on the World Cup and its impact on the global economy. Also, bring in at least one additional article (for a total of three: two from the library today). Be prepared to have a class discussion on this topic on Tuesday morning. Question of the day due by Monday, June 21 by 11:59 pm.

Articles/Videos to check out:
World Cup
http://www2.goldmansachs.com/ideas/global-economic-outlook/the-world-cup-2010-doc.pdf - you want every aspect of how the global economy is being affected by the World Cup? Look no further!!!
Arizona SB 1070
http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/04/24/arizona.immigration.reaction/index.html?hpt=T2 - check out all the videos from this page - "Reaction to Arizona immigration law"; " Arizona immigration fight not over"; "Will Arizona's new law hold up?"
http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/04/23/obama.immigration/index.html
http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/04/22/jones.arizona.immigration/index.html -scroll down and check out all the videos from this page - "Lawmaker defends immigration bill"; "Arizona's immigration bill uproar"; "Arizona's illegal immigration crackdown"
http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/04/21/arizona.immigration.bill/index.html - scroll down and check out all the videos from this page - "Bill makes illegal status a crime"; "Arizona immigration law sparks debate"

June 16

In Class - Continue discussion on Gulf Oil Spill including analyzing President Obama's Oval Office Address and the economic impact to the Gulf Coast. Small group work: Take out a sheet of paper and begin writing arguments or talking points for the class discussion with their evidence. Class Discussion: In order to receive full credit, you must participate at least five times within the discussion. Silence is not an option. After the discussion, write a reaction to the class discussion: What did you learn? What was interesting? What questions do you still have?

The mainstream media has made connections with the Gulf Spill as "Obama's Katrina." With this in mind, begin watching "When the Levees Broke," a documentary discussing the issues of economics, politics, the roles of government in times of natural disasters, race, and human emotions. Pass out handout concerning the role of scarcity before and after Hurricane Katrina. Complete and discuss while watching the documentary.

Question of the Day: None for Today.

Homework - Question of the Day Posting (See June 15) is due by 11:59 tonight.

June 15

In Class - Turn in signed syllabus. Begin reading article brought from home. Highlight and underline the main points, interesting points. On the back of your article, write down three important details from your article or from your small group discussion; write down three interesting points of information regarding your article or small group discussion. Write down three questions you have after your reading and small group discussion. Watch video clips (Anderson Cooper/Kevin Costner; Matt Lauer interview with President Obama; Rachel Maddow and oil spills in the last decade). Hand out article "The Spreading Stain." Begin reading in groups and discussing important pieces of information from the article. Library Research: Continue to research resources and articles concerning the economic implications of the recent Gulf Oil Spill. Continue small group discussion. Class discussion.

Question of the Day: After viewing President Obama's national address concerning the BP Oil Spill, looking over the articles you have printed out, and remembering information discussed in class, write a solid, well defended (including specific evidence from your articles) response to the following prompt: What are the economical and political implications resulting from the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill? Be sure to provide specific evidence to support your answers.

Homework - First Question of the Day writing response is due by 11:59 tonight. You need to post these comments on your blog and also on mine. Secondly, you are to watch the Presidential Address tonight at 5 pm. If you do not see it live, then I will provide a link for you to access Mr. Obama's speech. You are required to include specific references from the president's speech in your Question of the Day response (due on Wednesday, June 16 by 11:59).

Articles/Videos to check out:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/president-obama-s-oval-office-address-bp-oil-spill-energy - President Obama's White House Address
http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/06/15/oil.spill.disaster/index.html?hpt=T1
http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/06/15/oil.disaster.bromwich/index.html?hpt=T1
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2010/06/15/stephen-colbert-v-stephen-prothero-on-religious-truthiness/?hpt=C2 - Steven Colbert Interview - Topic: Religion - interesting questions raised.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/06/15/louisiana.brown.pelican/index.html
http://www.cnn.com/video/ - Scroll down about half way. Video titles: BP ignores requests to appear on AC360 and 'Lord' of BP's safety sacrifices?

June 14

In Class - Introduction to the course. Short writing activity: What is economics and how does it relate to you. Class notes: economic principles: scarcity, wants vs. needs, factors of production.

Question of the Day: Writing Assignment due by 11:59 tomorrow evening (June 15) . Respond to the following statement: "There is no such thing as a free lunch." Do you agree? Why or why not?

Use the rubric from the syllabus to see what I am looking for in terms of your response. I will not focus too much on grammar, but the overall content. If you use any information other than what you already know, then you must cite that information and provide a bibliography. See the example from the syllabus.

Homework - Signed syllabus. Discussion Post to writing prompt is due by 11:59 tomorrow evening (June 15). Also, print out one article about an economical issue and bring to class. All you need is the article. To participate in tomorrow's group work, you must have this article. Also, begin watching the news and checking online for any economical issues we can tackle in class. I'm always open to suggestions.