Mr Mimal and Mr Wiktm ("Well, I know the math," said one of my students) are not real fellows. They are imaginary people. We call them mnemonics.
Mnemonics are memory aids. They help students learn, especially when it comes to memorization. Mimal helps people remember the states that border the Miss R on the west side. Wiktm is his podna on the east.
In class students used a US map handout to denote the 10 Miss valley states.
Pupils colored them in the practice of tactile learning - using the sense of touch.
Then the class added 5 of the tributaries ("contribute") of the Miss.
- the Ohio, Tenn, Missouri, Ark and Red rivers.
How is that network of rivers like an early form of the internet? That's a question for brief response on the next quiz.
How is a Philadelphia cab driver connected to a dock worker in New Orleans?
There's an answer that relates to our map.
Finally, I call our sketch-based learning the Einstein approach. That's because Einstein used visualization throughout his entire life, says slideshare.net.
At the age of 16 Einstein used visualization when he discovered that the speed of light was always constant. Einstein believed that visual understanding was the most important form of education and more important than knowledge. Later in life Einstein would write: “ I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination circles the world.”
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Spaceship Earth teaching project
Teaching a lesson in latitude and longitude / the Spaceship Earth teaching project
6 pts
Due Th, Fri, Sept 2, 3.
- Using your Spaceship Earth sheet, teach a person review of latitude and longitude.
- Your pupil might be a sibling, a parent, a peer, a child or an adult.
- Identify the equator and prime meridian.
- Sailors, pilots and the makers of GPS (Global Positioning System) devices are among those who depend on this grid system.
- After explaining the coordinate system, have the student add a line of both latitude and longitude to your map.
- Show your student the coordinates for Shreveport on the map: 32N, 94W.
- Ask your student to place these major cities using only the coordinates.
New York City: 40N, 74W
Paris: 49N, 2E
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: 23S, 43W
Johannesburg, South Africa: 26S, 28E
Complete the project by getting your
Pupil's
- signature,
- status (3rd graders, mom, uncle, etc) and
- occupation (student, etc),
Be prepared to stand and make a brief presentation to the class when the assignment is due.
6 pts
Due Th, Fri, Sept 2, 3.
- Using your Spaceship Earth sheet, teach a person review of latitude and longitude.
- Your pupil might be a sibling, a parent, a peer, a child or an adult.
- Identify the equator and prime meridian.
- Sailors, pilots and the makers of GPS (Global Positioning System) devices are among those who depend on this grid system.
- After explaining the coordinate system, have the student add a line of both latitude and longitude to your map.
- Show your student the coordinates for Shreveport on the map: 32N, 94W.
- Ask your student to place these major cities using only the coordinates.
New York City: 40N, 74W
Paris: 49N, 2E
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: 23S, 43W
Johannesburg, South Africa: 26S, 28E
Complete the project by getting your
Pupil's
- signature,
- status (3rd graders, mom, uncle, etc) and
- occupation (student, etc),
Be prepared to stand and make a brief presentation to the class when the assignment is due.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Notes on population, Ramadan and coordinates
Implications of the world population of 6.8 billion -
- a crowded planet, therefore . . .
- food shortages
- water "
- housing "
- jobs "
India: democratic government. Fastest population growth.
China: totalitarian / Communist government. The central authorities control population by the policy that states "One family, one child."
* Required for geography class: Hammond Notebook Atlas or the Rand McNally Notebook Atlas.
Spaceship Earth project -
- Cutting, coloring, pasting, adding info: a tactile, or hands-on lesson.
- World Geo reading on coordinates: pp. 5 - 7, 35, 237.
- Pangaea - theory of massive continent that split apart into today's several continents.
- oblate - oval
Ramadan Mubarak! ("Happy Ramadan!")
- a month of fasting from sunrise to sunset.
- one billion Muslims across the world.
- feast that ends Ramadan: Eid al Fitr.
- a crowded planet, therefore . . .
- food shortages
- water "
- housing "
- jobs "
India: democratic government. Fastest population growth.
China: totalitarian / Communist government. The central authorities control population by the policy that states "One family, one child."
* Required for geography class: Hammond Notebook Atlas or the Rand McNally Notebook Atlas.
Spaceship Earth project -
- Cutting, coloring, pasting, adding info: a tactile, or hands-on lesson.
- World Geo reading on coordinates: pp. 5 - 7, 35, 237.
- Pangaea - theory of massive continent that split apart into today's several continents.
- oblate - oval
Ramadan Mubarak! ("Happy Ramadan!")
- a month of fasting from sunrise to sunset.
- one billion Muslims across the world.
- feast that ends Ramadan: Eid al Fitr.
The implications of 6.8 billion people
Feeding, supplying water, offering housing and creating jobs for a crowded planet is a problem in most nations today.
The recent rapid increase in human population, says Wikipedia, over the past two centuries has raised concerns that humans are beginning to overpopulate the Earth, and that the planet may not be able to sustain present or larger numbers of inhabitants.
The population has been growing continuously since the end of the Black Death, around the year 1400;[2] at the beginning of the 19th century, it had reached roughly 1,000,000,000 (1 billion). Increases in life expectancy and resource availability during the industrial and green revolutions led to rapid population growth on a worldwide level. By 1960, the world population had reached 3 billion; it doubled to 6 billion over the next four decades.
The scientific consensus is that the current population expansion and accompanying increase in usage of resources is linked to threats to the ecosystem. Many environmental problems, such as rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, global warming, and pollution, were believed to be aggravated by the population expansion.[6]
The recent rapid increase in human population, says Wikipedia, over the past two centuries has raised concerns that humans are beginning to overpopulate the Earth, and that the planet may not be able to sustain present or larger numbers of inhabitants.
The population has been growing continuously since the end of the Black Death, around the year 1400;[2] at the beginning of the 19th century, it had reached roughly 1,000,000,000 (1 billion). Increases in life expectancy and resource availability during the industrial and green revolutions led to rapid population growth on a worldwide level. By 1960, the world population had reached 3 billion; it doubled to 6 billion over the next four decades.
The scientific consensus is that the current population expansion and accompanying increase in usage of resources is linked to threats to the ecosystem. Many environmental problems, such as rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, global warming, and pollution, were believed to be aggravated by the population expansion.[6]
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Enrichment reading: the history of navigation
Enrichment reading: the history of navigation
The first record of boats large enough to carry goods for trade is around 3500 B.C., says boatsafe.com, and this would mark the birth of the art of navigation.These first navigators stayed close to shore and navigated by sight of landmarks or land characteristics that they could see. Usually they traveled by day and sought a calm harbor or anchorage at night. They did not have charts but lists of directions, similar to today’s cruising guides.
When they did venture out of sight of land, the navigator was able to determine his latitude (north/south direction) by observing the height of the sun during the day and the North Star at night.
Please see more at boatsafe.com.
The first record of boats large enough to carry goods for trade is around 3500 B.C., says boatsafe.com, and this would mark the birth of the art of navigation.These first navigators stayed close to shore and navigated by sight of landmarks or land characteristics that they could see. Usually they traveled by day and sought a calm harbor or anchorage at night. They did not have charts but lists of directions, similar to today’s cruising guides.
When they did venture out of sight of land, the navigator was able to determine his latitude (north/south direction) by observing the height of the sun during the day and the North Star at night.
Please see more at boatsafe.com.
Multiple choice, open notes test: first quiz in geo class on Wed-B/Th-A
For the first quiz, prepare your class notes and notes from MondoTrudeau articles.
Typically your teacher's questions address vocab, facts and implications of the material. Refer to the practice quiz on Caddo history.
The quiz will be an open notes test of some 12 questions. Most questions will be multiple choice.
You must always be ready for a "constructed response" question/answer. That means a question to be answered in 2 or 3 sentences that shows your ability to offer appropriate facts in a mini-essay. You must also show strength in grammar, spelling and construction.
5 pts. Due on Wed/Th.
Typically your teacher's questions address vocab, facts and implications of the material. Refer to the practice quiz on Caddo history.
The quiz will be an open notes test of some 12 questions. Most questions will be multiple choice.
You must always be ready for a "constructed response" question/answer. That means a question to be answered in 2 or 3 sentences that shows your ability to offer appropriate facts in a mini-essay. You must also show strength in grammar, spelling and construction.
5 pts. Due on Wed/Th.
World geography project: latitude & longitude review via Spaceship Earth poster
This week in class -
Students will demonstrate knowledge of latitude and longitude via a colorful one-sheet project called Spaceship Earth.
Designations -
- equator
- prime meridian
- examples of latitude N and S, of medians both E and W.
- a major city in each quardrant.
- major bodies of water.
- world population
- texture via cutting and pasting 2 elements (I did narrow lines for the equator and the prime meridian.)
- color.
- title.
Students will demonstrate knowledge of latitude and longitude via a colorful one-sheet project called Spaceship Earth.
Designations -
- equator
- prime meridian
- examples of latitude N and S, of medians both E and W.
- a major city in each quardrant.
- major bodies of water.
- world population
- texture via cutting and pasting 2 elements (I did narrow lines for the equator and the prime meridian.)
- color.
- title.
World Geography additional text: The 2009 World Almanac Notebook Atlas by Hammond Atlas Corp
With the help of the local Barnes & Noble staff, I have decided on requiring of my World Geography students the 2009 World Almanac Notebook Atlas (Hammond) by Hammond World Atlas Corporation.
It costs $6.95 at full price.
Barnes & Noble has plenty of store and warehouse stock. You might be able to order it online for the equivalent price or at a savings. Please investigate.
The reasons for requiring an additional atlas:
a) the textbook maps are useful but not as large and detailed as these.
b) the data in the textbook was compiled some 12 years ago.
c) the paperback atlas represents a family resource - it encourages quick use in researching material from TV, movies, books, magazines and discussions.
Please secure the book asap. My extended deadline will be Sept 6.
Questions? trudeau11@gmail.com.
It costs $6.95 at full price.
Barnes & Noble has plenty of store and warehouse stock. You might be able to order it online for the equivalent price or at a savings. Please investigate.
The reasons for requiring an additional atlas:
a) the textbook maps are useful but not as large and detailed as these.
b) the data in the textbook was compiled some 12 years ago.
c) the paperback atlas represents a family resource - it encourages quick use in researching material from TV, movies, books, magazines and discussions.
Please secure the book asap. My extended deadline will be Sept 6.
Questions? trudeau11@gmail.com.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
What's for lunch this week: Pimento Cheese sandwich
Pimento cheese is a common food in the Southern United States. The basic recipe for most pimento cheese spreads has few ingredients: sharp cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, pimentos, salt and pepper, blended to either a smooth or chunky paste[1]. There are a multitude of regional ingredients, which include but are not limited to: Velveeta cheese, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, jalapeños, dill pickles, onions, or garlic[2][3][4].
The primary way pimento cheese is eaten is as a sandwich on soft white bread, and is considered a Southern comfort food[7].
The pimento or cherry pepper is a variety of large, red, heart-shaped chili pepper (Capsicum annuum). The flesh of the pimento is sweet, succulent and more aromatic than that of the red bell pepper.
"Pimiento" is the Spanish word used in English.
The primary way pimento cheese is eaten is as a sandwich on soft white bread, and is considered a Southern comfort food[7].
The pimento or cherry pepper is a variety of large, red, heart-shaped chili pepper (Capsicum annuum). The flesh of the pimento is sweet, succulent and more aromatic than that of the red bell pepper.
"Pimiento" is the Spanish word used in English.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Out of print: the long-valued Rand McNally Quick Reference World Atlas!
You may cease the quest for the Rand McNally Quick Reference World Atlas. I apologize for your inconvenience.
Two weeks before school began I checked online to make sure that copies of my work-horse would be available. There seemed to be a more than adequate supply. Little did I know that Rand McNally had ceased publication of the $6 book. Nor did I realize that the listings of used copies would give way to "out of stock."
Meantime, we will use the maps in the textbook.
Sorry!
Two weeks before school began I checked online to make sure that copies of my work-horse would be available. There seemed to be a more than adequate supply. Little did I know that Rand McNally had ceased publication of the $6 book. Nor did I realize that the listings of used copies would give way to "out of stock."
Meantime, we will use the maps in the textbook.
Sorry!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
"Caddo:" what's the background of the name of this august secondary school?
"The Caddo Nation is a confederacy of several Southeastern Native American tribes," says Wikipedia, "who traditionally inhabited much of what is now East Texas, northern Louisiana and portions of southern Arkansas and Oklahoma. Today the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma is a cohesive tribe with its capital at Binger, Oklahoma.
The Caddo lived in the Piney Woods eco-region of the United States up to the foothills of the Ozark Mountains and often near the Caddo River.
Several Caddo villages were resettled, including the community of Elysian Fields, Texas, and Nacogdoches and Natchitoches, both of which have kept their original names. The Caddo were progressively moved further west until they reached what is now western Oklahoma.
Caddo food varied in many types, the most common being dried corn. Sunflower seeds and pumpkins were also important staples with cultural significance, as were wild turkeys.
The Caddo first encountered Europeans in 1541 when the Hernando de Soto Expedition came through their lands.[16] De Soto's force had a violent clash with one band of Caddo Indians, the Tula, near Caddo Gap, Arkansas.
The Caddo tribes were divided into three confederacies when first encountered by the Europeans, the Hasinai, Kadohadacho, and Natchitoches, and loosely affiliated with other tribes. The Haisinai lived in East Texas, the Kadohadacho lived near the border of Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, and the Natchitoches lived in now northern Louisiana.[17]
With the arrival of missionaries from Spain and France a smallpox epidemic broke out that decimated the population. Measles, influenza, and malaria also devastated the Caddo, as they were Eurasian diseases to which they had no immunity.[14]
Before extensive European contact, some of the Caddo territory was invaded by migrating Osage, Ponca, Omaha and Kaw, who had moved west beginning about 1200 CE because of years of warfare with the Iroquois in the Ohio River area of present-day Kentucky. The Osage particularly dominated the Caddo and pushed them out of some former territory, becoming dominant in the region of Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma.
Having given way over years before the power of the former Ohio Valley tribes, Caddos later negotiated for peace with Spanish, French, and finally Anglo-American settlers. After the 1803 Louisiana Purchase, the United States government sought to ally with the Caddos. In 1835 the Kadohadacho, the northernmost Caddo confederacy, signed a treaty with the US to relocate to then Mexico. This area had been rapidly transformed by greatly increased immigration of European Americans, who in 1836 declared independence from Mexico with the Republic of Texas.[14]
"Texas" comes from the Hasinai word táysha, meaning "friend."[18]"
Please answer the reading comprehension quiz which follows on the blog; the questions are taken directly from this article.
The Caddo lived in the Piney Woods eco-region of the United States up to the foothills of the Ozark Mountains and often near the Caddo River.
Several Caddo villages were resettled, including the community of Elysian Fields, Texas, and Nacogdoches and Natchitoches, both of which have kept their original names. The Caddo were progressively moved further west until they reached what is now western Oklahoma.
Caddo food varied in many types, the most common being dried corn. Sunflower seeds and pumpkins were also important staples with cultural significance, as were wild turkeys.
The Caddo first encountered Europeans in 1541 when the Hernando de Soto Expedition came through their lands.[16] De Soto's force had a violent clash with one band of Caddo Indians, the Tula, near Caddo Gap, Arkansas.
The Caddo tribes were divided into three confederacies when first encountered by the Europeans, the Hasinai, Kadohadacho, and Natchitoches, and loosely affiliated with other tribes. The Haisinai lived in East Texas, the Kadohadacho lived near the border of Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, and the Natchitoches lived in now northern Louisiana.[17]
With the arrival of missionaries from Spain and France a smallpox epidemic broke out that decimated the population. Measles, influenza, and malaria also devastated the Caddo, as they were Eurasian diseases to which they had no immunity.[14]
Before extensive European contact, some of the Caddo territory was invaded by migrating Osage, Ponca, Omaha and Kaw, who had moved west beginning about 1200 CE because of years of warfare with the Iroquois in the Ohio River area of present-day Kentucky. The Osage particularly dominated the Caddo and pushed them out of some former territory, becoming dominant in the region of Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma.
Having given way over years before the power of the former Ohio Valley tribes, Caddos later negotiated for peace with Spanish, French, and finally Anglo-American settlers. After the 1803 Louisiana Purchase, the United States government sought to ally with the Caddos. In 1835 the Kadohadacho, the northernmost Caddo confederacy, signed a treaty with the US to relocate to then Mexico. This area had been rapidly transformed by greatly increased immigration of European Americans, who in 1836 declared independence from Mexico with the Republic of Texas.[14]
"Texas" comes from the Hasinai word táysha, meaning "friend."[18]"
Please answer the reading comprehension quiz which follows on the blog; the questions are taken directly from this article.
Looking historically at the name "Caddo" - a diagnostic quiz
The Caddo in 4 States quiz -
- concepts in social studies
- using context to enrich your vocabulary
1. "Confederacy:" a) organized group b) rebels c) native Americans.
2. "cohesive tribe:" a) conflicted b) sticking together c) diminishing
3. Ozark Mountains: a) southern Arkansas b) northern Arkansas
4. Nacogdoches and Natchitoches were names that came from the: a) settlers
b) native peoples c) we are not sure of the source.
5. This article implies that the Caddo consumed ___ protein. a) much b) little
6. "Kadohadacho" were tribal peoples also known as the a) Hasinai b) Natchitoches c) Caddo.
7. "Decimated" means a) measured b) destroyed c) aided by.
8. The Ohio Valley tribe that overpowered the Caddo: a) Iroquois b) Hasinai c) Osage.
9. In 1836, one year after the founding of Shreve Town, aka Shreveport, the Republic of __ proclaimed freedom from the vast nation of Mexico.
a) Texas b) Oklahoma c) the United States.
10. T / F The name "Texas" comes from the Spanish language term for "friend."
11. "August" has a meaning beyond (see the title of this article) the name of the 8th month: a) high in status b) warm to hot c) small to medium-sized.
1.a2.b3.b4.b5.b6.c7.b8.c9.a10.f11.a
- concepts in social studies
- using context to enrich your vocabulary
1. "Confederacy:" a) organized group b) rebels c) native Americans.
2. "cohesive tribe:" a) conflicted b) sticking together c) diminishing
3. Ozark Mountains: a) southern Arkansas b) northern Arkansas
4. Nacogdoches and Natchitoches were names that came from the: a) settlers
b) native peoples c) we are not sure of the source.
5. This article implies that the Caddo consumed ___ protein. a) much b) little
6. "Kadohadacho" were tribal peoples also known as the a) Hasinai b) Natchitoches c) Caddo.
7. "Decimated" means a) measured b) destroyed c) aided by.
8. The Ohio Valley tribe that overpowered the Caddo: a) Iroquois b) Hasinai c) Osage.
9. In 1836, one year after the founding of Shreve Town, aka Shreveport, the Republic of __ proclaimed freedom from the vast nation of Mexico.
a) Texas b) Oklahoma c) the United States.
10. T / F The name "Texas" comes from the Spanish language term for "friend."
11. "August" has a meaning beyond (see the title of this article) the name of the 8th month: a) high in status b) warm to hot c) small to medium-sized.
1.a2.b3.b4.b5.b6.c7.b8.c9.a10.f11.a
Class of 2014 Talent Show performance night scheduled for Tues, April 19, 6:30 pm, PAC
In the Magnet tradition, the Class of 2014 will enjoy the team-building and celebration of talent that comes from producing an all-freshman talent show.
The performance night will be Tues, April 19, 6:30 pm, in the PAC.
We've accepted a Tues night showtime because the Magnet PAC calendar is chock full of activities. This was the best date available when your sponsor visited the school calendar.
Try-outs will be held Th and Fri, Ap 7 and 8, after school - in the PAC.
The week of Rehearsals will be held during testing week: April 11 - 15.
Performers and production staff (set, costumes, sound & lights, etc) will be expected to be present Mon - Fri from 3:50 to 5 pm (or later, on some days).
Teacher sponsors are Robert Trudeau and Ginger Marks.
We welcome all forms of performance talent: readings, acting, martial arts, dressage, etc. Please see your sponsors for developing the possibilities.
The performance night will be Tues, April 19, 6:30 pm, in the PAC.
We've accepted a Tues night showtime because the Magnet PAC calendar is chock full of activities. This was the best date available when your sponsor visited the school calendar.
Try-outs will be held Th and Fri, Ap 7 and 8, after school - in the PAC.
The week of Rehearsals will be held during testing week: April 11 - 15.
Performers and production staff (set, costumes, sound & lights, etc) will be expected to be present Mon - Fri from 3:50 to 5 pm (or later, on some days).
Teacher sponsors are Robert Trudeau and Ginger Marks.
We welcome all forms of performance talent: readings, acting, martial arts, dressage, etc. Please see your sponsors for developing the possibilities.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Water Bottle represents an industry that is far from helpful and deserves a second look by consumers
Tapped, an excellent documentary hitting DVD this week, details, with grim thoroughness, the multiple overlapping evils of the bottled water industry, says NPR.org.
Basically, the film contends, the bottled water industry is an ecological and consumer nightmare from end to end.
Corporations like Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Nestle mine public water sources and sell it back to the public at criminal markup. (Forty percent of bottled water is just recycled tap water from municipal sources.)
Of course, all of this water has to be transported, processed, packaged and retailed – with attendant energy costs. Most of those plastic bottles end up in landfills, or the ocean. The statistics are dispiriting.
According to the film, Americans buy 29 billion single-serve bottles of water each year. About 20 percent are recycled. Transporting the water uses about 18 million gallons of oil.
Basically, the film contends, the bottled water industry is an ecological and consumer nightmare from end to end.
Corporations like Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Nestle mine public water sources and sell it back to the public at criminal markup. (Forty percent of bottled water is just recycled tap water from municipal sources.)
Of course, all of this water has to be transported, processed, packaged and retailed – with attendant energy costs. Most of those plastic bottles end up in landfills, or the ocean. The statistics are dispiriting.
According to the film, Americans buy 29 billion single-serve bottles of water each year. About 20 percent are recycled. Transporting the water uses about 18 million gallons of oil.
Saturday, August 07, 2010
US no longer leads in college degrees, ages 25 to 34 - 11 nations ahead of US in finishing degrees
From NY Times columnist Bob Herbert
According to a new report from the College Board, the U.S. is 12th among developed nations in the percentage of 25- to 34-year-olds with college degrees. The report said, “As America’s aging and highly educated work force moves into retirement, the nation will rely on young Americans to increase our standing in the world.”
The problem is that today’s young Americans are not coming close to acquiring the education and training needed to carry out that mission. They’re not even in the ballpark. In that key group, 25- to 34-year-olds with a college degree, the U.S. ranks behind Canada, South Korea, Russia, Japan, New Zealand, Ireland, Norway, Israel, France, Belgium and Australia. That is beyond pathetic.
“While the nation struggles to strengthen the economy,” the report said, “the educational capacity of our country continues to decline.”
Continues Herbert:
But instead of exercising the appropriate mental muscles, we’re allowing ourselves to become a nation of nitwits, obsessed with the comings and goings of Lindsay Lohan and increasingly oblivious to crucially important societal issues that are all but screaming for attention. What should we be doing about the legions of jobless Americans, the deteriorating public schools, the debilitating wars, the scandalous economic inequality, the corporate hold on governmental affairs, the commercialization of the arts, the deficits?
Why is there not serious and widespread public engagement with these issues — and many others that could easily come to mind? That kind of engagement would lead to creative new ideas and would serve to enrich the lives of individual Americans and the nation as a whole. But it would require a heavy social and intellectual lift.
Your teacher:
Bob Herbert is a heavy-handed writer who should avoid words like "nitwits" and the phrase "beyond pathetic." He is "name calling" and demonstrating how writers sometimes take cheap shortcuts in opinion pieces.
Nonetheless, I share his concern. As your teacher I pledge to work hard to ready you for college and other advanced studies.
According to a new report from the College Board, the U.S. is 12th among developed nations in the percentage of 25- to 34-year-olds with college degrees. The report said, “As America’s aging and highly educated work force moves into retirement, the nation will rely on young Americans to increase our standing in the world.”
The problem is that today’s young Americans are not coming close to acquiring the education and training needed to carry out that mission. They’re not even in the ballpark. In that key group, 25- to 34-year-olds with a college degree, the U.S. ranks behind Canada, South Korea, Russia, Japan, New Zealand, Ireland, Norway, Israel, France, Belgium and Australia. That is beyond pathetic.
“While the nation struggles to strengthen the economy,” the report said, “the educational capacity of our country continues to decline.”
Continues Herbert:
But instead of exercising the appropriate mental muscles, we’re allowing ourselves to become a nation of nitwits, obsessed with the comings and goings of Lindsay Lohan and increasingly oblivious to crucially important societal issues that are all but screaming for attention. What should we be doing about the legions of jobless Americans, the deteriorating public schools, the debilitating wars, the scandalous economic inequality, the corporate hold on governmental affairs, the commercialization of the arts, the deficits?
Why is there not serious and widespread public engagement with these issues — and many others that could easily come to mind? That kind of engagement would lead to creative new ideas and would serve to enrich the lives of individual Americans and the nation as a whole. But it would require a heavy social and intellectual lift.
Your teacher:
Bob Herbert is a heavy-handed writer who should avoid words like "nitwits" and the phrase "beyond pathetic." He is "name calling" and demonstrating how writers sometimes take cheap shortcuts in opinion pieces.
Nonetheless, I share his concern. As your teacher I pledge to work hard to ready you for college and other advanced studies.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Make a model of the ocean-crossing catamaran made of plastic bottles called Plastiki
Student adventurers: make a paper model of Plastiki to explore lessons in re-use of plastic products and to investigate additional sustainable technologies.
See more on Plastiki at National Geographic.
See more on Plastiki at National Geographic.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Thunnus thynnus (giant bluefin tuna) - how to save a species
Today the public faces "choices that will shape the fate of not just Atlantic bluefin tuna, not just all tunas, but all the great sea creatures — sharks, swordfish, marlin, even whales. For every one of these animals is highly migratory and roams the high seas, the vast, ownerless seascape that makes up some 60 percent of the oceans."
Thus an article in the NY Times called "Tuna's End," informs us.
What solution do you prefer in regards saving species in the sea?
Thus an article in the NY Times called "Tuna's End," informs us.
What solution do you prefer in regards saving species in the sea?
Blood diamonds; blood phones
“Blood diamonds” have faded away, but we may now be carrying “blood phones.” Thus writes Nicholas D Kristof of the NY Times.
An ugly paradox of the 21st century is that some of our elegant symbols of modernity — smartphones, laptops and digital cameras — are built from minerals that seem to be fueling mass slaughter and rape in Congo.
See more.
An ugly paradox of the 21st century is that some of our elegant symbols of modernity — smartphones, laptops and digital cameras — are built from minerals that seem to be fueling mass slaughter and rape in Congo.
See more.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
NY Times: Recipe for Green Tires: Plants, Not Petroleum
125 discarded tires, Shreveport Clean Up: Montessori / Anderson Island / Stoner Hill
Originally uploaded by trudeau
By STEVEN ASHLEY
WITH each new model introduction, automakers take pains to point out how much they have done to reduce their vehicles’ negative effects on the environment. A rundown of the advances can involve almost every aspect of the car’s design and production: carbon dioxide output has been cut; paint application has changed to a water-based process; recycling and waste reduction at the factory has been improved to a point where nothing goes to a landfill.
more at
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/20/automobiles/20TIRE.html?ref=automobiles
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Theories of Human development and the importance of Trade
From the Wall St Journal: Humans: Why They Triumphed
How did one ape 45,000 years ago happen to turn into a planet dominator? The answer lies in an epochal collision of creativity. By Matt Ridley
How did one ape 45,000 years ago happen to turn into a planet dominator? The answer lies in an epochal collision of creativity. By Matt Ridley
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