For our first day of current events blogging, you are to choose one of the topics discussed in the "Week in Rap" video (options listed below). Once you have picked the two topics that you want to research in more depth, use the hyperlinks below in order to read more about these topics.
Once you have read two of the articles linked below, take time to answer the questions that correspond with these articles by posting your answers as a comment on the blog. Write at least 5 sentences PER QUESTION!
Remember, when posting your comments, first name & last initial only!
Before you post you will need to have signed up for an account.
Before you post you will need to have signed up for an account.
Georgia Death Penalty:
1. From the article you read, do you think it was a sound decision to convict this man of the crime? Why or why not?
2. What criteria would you use when evaluating whether or not a person is innocent or guilty?
3. Do you agree with the death penalty? If yes, for what kind of crimes? If not, why not?
“Racist” Bake Sale:
1. In your own words, summarize what affirmative action is and what it hopes to do.
2. Do you think that this bake sale was inappropriate or crossed a social line? Why or why not?
3. Do you believe that colleges should be able to consider race and gender when considering admission and/or scholarship funds? Why or why not?
A Palestinian State?:
1. Jerusalem has been under Israeli control for many years now. But because the city is also important to the Palestinian people, they are asking for control of it as well. Do you think this group of people has the right to ask for control (or partial control)? Why or why not?
2. Both Israelis and Palestinians claim that Jerusalem is an important city for their history, and both want control over this city. Is there a solution you can think of to meet the needs of both of these groups? If yes, explain. If not, why not?
3. Do you think Palestine should be recognized as a country on its own? Why or why not?
4. Why do you think Israel and America are such close allies?
Postal Service Budget Cuts:
1. Do you think cutting back funding for the postal service is a good idea or bad idea? Why or why not?
2. Why is the postal service suffering so much? What factors are contributing to its downsizing?
3. Do you think the postal service might ever be completely eliminated? Why or why not?
4. Brainstorm and discuss some different ways that the mail system could be reorganized to better suit the changing needs of our society. Could the postal service be “combined” with another service? Or do you think it should be eliminated all together? Why or why not?
No Child Left Behind:
1. How do you exhibit your best work? Are you a good test-taker, or do you do better with another form of assessment (papers, projects, speeches, etc.)? Explain.
2. Why do you think the No Child Left Behind law was put into place in the first place? Is a law like this, or some form of assessment of schools, necessary? Why or why not?
3. Do you think government-mandated tests is a good way of looking at students’ ability and performance? Why or why not?
4. What are some ways different from tests that your learning could be assessed? Explain in as much detail as possible – you never know if your idea might be tried!
