Foreclosures

Leta posted a way...to find broad and specific foreclosure numbers.

When you get some information post it on the Giant Pool of Money/Inside Job Doc.

Here's the rubric for this assignment:

1. Make it a live document.
2. Post at least six pieces of information on it that will illuminate the issue.
3. Use color and fonts to make your work identifiable.
4. Respond in some way to another person's contribution.
5. Effective use of graphics, charts, colors, links and succinct explanations OR questions will exceed the standard.

ALSO:
Listen to this nine minute story from this morning's newscast and come to class prepared to discuss whether the conditions that led to the 2008 collapse are being addressed.

Supreme Court rejects two social media cases

Two cases, one where both a student's punishment for bullying, and another where a student's right to make arguably bullying comments are left intact as the Supreme Court refuses to hear them.

Both concern whether a school board's authority can reach into students' homes and computer. Apparently the Court is not prepared to rule on the scope of a school's authority outside of school. I wonder what any court would say if the computers used were supplied by the school as they are here in Maine.

What is a Thesis?

For a good synopsis of what a good thesis is and isn't click on the link in the Connections column entitled, wildly enough, "What is a Thesis?"

Constitutional Amendment Paper

Just in case you thought you had a first draft due Monday, yes, you do. Yay! Time for workshopping. Be considerate of your readers. Please make sure your work is double spaced and beyond rough.

You're glad you checked the blog, right?

Paper Rubric

Amendment Paper Rubric

Amendment Paper

Leta's looking at Prohibition; Riley is looking at the end of slavery; Craig's examining cruel and unusual punishment.

A Country Designed by Charter

A bit of holiday reading and writing:

UPDATED 2.Jan.12

One of the tenets (some say conceits) of our democracy is that our freedoms are outlined in documents and charters, as opposed to heritage, privilege, or at the end of a gun.

This website demonstrates and explains the origins of these documents. The link sends you to a page called "From Loyal Subjects to Traitorous Rebels." Near the bottom is an image of 1776 Americans pulling down the statue of King George III. Click on it to learn a bit more. Next, click here and watch a short video from early in the Iraq War. Read this brief LA Times article about the latter image.

For Tuesday:

read this longer article from the NYer that outlines the power of mass media to emblazon an image on the minds of its audience. After reading this article comment below on the images' purposes and power.

For Wednesday:

click on the square buttons at the top(ish) of the "Charters of Freedom" page from left to right. The information is concise, factual and well written. When you get to the Declaration of Independence, read it and make a three paragraph comment below about a few things that surprise or interest you about either the Declaration itself or list of harms done by the King. Comment on and/or argue others' work as well.