Journalism,
Students are introduced to five countries that form North Africa as that region reflects on the ten years after the Tunisian Jasmine Revolution and the beginning of Arab Spring and evaluates its success. Western Sahara provides a case study as the Biden administration faces foreign policy challenges.
The U.S. Constitution provides the framework for governing, including the oath of office the president takes every four years as a peaceful transition of power occurs. Realizing the rituals of inauguration faced challenges during pandemic surges but creative plans took shape to include the entire country in safe celebration. President-elect Biden rolled out his nominees for Cabinet leadership. Attacks on the Capitol on January 6 reminded everyone that democracy requires vigilance and commitment to protect it.
The power and potential of words is our theme. Rhetoric with rhetorical devices and rhetorical modes influences our reactions and actions. Language — adding new words, changing meanings and demoting others to footnotes. The way we express ourselves with words, communicates our culture and reflects our character.
From Abigail Adams to Febb Burn women asked men to remember the ladies in their legislative endeavors. Along the difficult journey to their enfranchisement, women took their pursuit into their own hands — they organized, petitioned and protested in front of the White House; they marched, they sang, and were arrested. They voted and ran for office. We focus on the 19th Amendment, women in the Supreme Court and a 2020 Election Toolkit.
There is always change, but 2020 was a year of extraordinary changes — global deaths due to a pandemic, marches for racial equality and justice, name changes of schools and teams, a woman of Indian and Jamaican heritage on the Democratic ticket, NASA’s return to space shuttles — and mundane curtailments that influenced culture. Students read, discuss and debate, and write about these changes and those who made a difference.
Students and teachers join in celebrating 20 years of KidsPost. They are encouraged to write profiles, news stories and comic strips; create Gyotaku prints; meet young activists; and publish a newspaper. Students also observe Bethany Beach fireflies and learn the physics of roller coasters, Ferris wheels and observation wheels.
Pandemics have spread across the globe before, but like the novel coronavirus they always bring new challenges. The personal impact as well as the tests to businesses, the medical community and local, state and federal governments are included in readings and activities.
Clean rivers require awareness of what our actions can do to them. They may be polluted by carelessness or intent. They may be monitored by volunteers — citizen scientists, revived, used and enjoyed. Government, businesses, communities and individuals all have roles.
Animals who have adapted or face survival in fires. Animals in zoos and animal farms. Animals used for research and abandoned. Animals who are hunted, legally and illegally. In one way or another humans impact and respond to animals at risk.
With lesson suggestions, discussion questions and research prompts learn about cocoa and chocolate for possible health benefit, the cause of deforestation and cocoa farmers’ continued use of child labor.
