English,
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.
Winning or losing season, varsity or JV, mens or womens, all sports teams should be covered by the school media. The Washington Post provides models for writers, editors and photographers and the Society of Professional Journalists guides with a code of ethics.
Brain damage, a new competitive sport, advocacy advertisements, elder boom and young worker shortage, current global and national issues, our relationship with works and kids and an appreciation of Toni Morrison are covered in this month’s guide with suggested activities for using the Post reprints.
Current events and short, reflective pieces provide stimulus and models for student expression — and possible school community activities. Students can use these nonfiction works to analyze, interpret and practice rhetorical strategies.
After the FBI announced charges against 50 people in a college admissions scam, we take a closer look at college admissions (legacy, development, regular applicants), admissions essays (approaches to writing with authentic voices) and the effect of wealth on society and on determined parents (bribes, payments, sabotage), their children and other college applicants.
Understanding the origins of its use and historical context in which blackface emerged will help students to understand why photographs in old yearbooks and its use in Halloween costumes are offensive and part of centuries-old degradation of one race by another.
