October 29

Social 10-1

I gave you a handout today called "Dilemmas of Global Trade" that presented you with seven different scenarios, that you were to respond to, and start thinking of arguments and evidence to support your position on the issue. This is the beginning stage of positional-thinking that you will need to develop over the next three years to have success on your Diploma Exam. We'll talk about another scenario tomorrow (we'll vote again on what you want to discuss). Social 10-4 talked about and debated the merits of requiring countries like Thailand, Pakistan, India and Malaysia to put TEDs on shrimp fishing nets whereas Social 10-3 debated the issues surrounding genetically modified foods and informing consumers if the food products they are purchasing genetically modified. If you like discussing controversial issues such as this, you might want to go the Science Cafe that is happening after school tomorrow. The topic centers around evolution and intelligent design.
Please remember that you have your Unit 2 Final Exam on Monday, November 2nd, please see the study guide here (scroll down to find it).

Social 30-1

I gave you back the results of your Chapter 5 Test today. The class average again was outstanding, for a test that I know is not easy. We started our examination of the Cold War today. I hope that you read Chapter 7 prior to today's class. If you haven't read it yet, please do so tonight. I delivered a PowerPoint presentation today called "The Origins of the Cold War", which I have already sent to you. I also sent today's other handouts by e-mail as well, make sure you read these handouts. I know that I gave them out at the end of the period, but they are important. The handout that covers the WWII conferences and agreements is especially valuable in my opinion. I would like you to go to the World War II Behind Closed Doors website tonight, and read the sections on the Yalta Conference and the Potsdam Conference. This is an excellent site, with tons of information, maps, video clips, timelines and archival footage and re-enactments as well. You do need to really make sure that you understand the Yalta Agreements and the Potsdam Declaration (among other things) and this is a great site to do this. Episode 3 is the one that contains most of the information that you would need to read and watch. There's a great little video clip on this website called "Stalin's Distrust of the West" that might help you see WWII from the Soviet perspective and why the Soviets might wish to extend control over Eastern Europe and be so distrustful of their wartime allies. You can find this video clip in Episode 3 (Dividing the World), scroll down and click on the video clip on the right called "Stalin's Distrust of the West". It's a short little clip, but you'll get the idea. We'll continue our look at the Cold War tomorrow.