The Holocaust

The Holocaust was one of the most horrific periods in human history. The Nazi's committed one of the biggest mass murders in history. Although people across the world knew about the persecution of the Jews, the full extent of the genocide was not known.

How can America make sure an event like the Holocaust does not happen again?

What should America do about genocides across the world?

World War 1

We are currently studying World War I in class. World War I was the second most deadly war of all time. Over 16 million people were killed during the four years of fighting. Young men often joined the army with their friends. These men would then see their friends killed in front of their eyes. These experiences left the men permanently traumatized. Many men suffered from shell shock, caused by the constant bombardments. Men desperate to get away from the war would desert, injury themselves on purpose, give themselves to the enemy or simply commit suicide.

If you were in World War I..........

would you have wanted to fight alongside your friends?

how would you have tried to deal with the dreadful trench conditions?

how would you have felt about the possibility of dying on any given day?

Imperialism

In class we have been studying the Age of Imperialism. The USA has been accused over the last eight years of imperialism in the middle east. The new Obama administration is trying to change the image of America across the world.

Do you think America is an imperialist country? Is American imperialism good for the world?

What other ways can America increase its influence and power in the world without using its military?

Why is imperialism less accepted than it used to be?

Technological Advances

There has been great advances in science and technology in the last 200 years. These advances have generally made our lives better, but these has also been some negatives effects.

Which technological advance has been hte most important?

Which advance has made your life better?

How should schools use technology to improve instruction of students?

Capitalism

In America we live in a Capitalist society. Wealth and the means of producing wealth are privately owned. This economic system has enable thousands if not millions of people to become extremely wealthy. There are however millions of people living in poverty working minimum wage, living on welfare, without health insurance etc.

Do you think the government should do more to lift people out of poverty or should people take individual responsibility and lift themselves out of poverty?
Do you think America is a meritocracy(people achieve wealth and success because they are talented)?
How can the people of South West Philadelphia help themselves succeed in the American Capitalist society?

Please post your name and section with each response.

Child Labor

During the Industrial Revolution children worked very long hours in dangerous conditions. They received very little pay for their efforts. Child labor laws oon started to give protection to children and prevented child labor.
Today young people can work in America. The current minimum wage in Pennsylvania is $7.15.

1)Do you think $7.15 is a fair amount for the minimum wage? If not explain why.
2)What work opportunities would you like to be able to pursue in the summer? Are these opportunities available? What could be done to make them available?
3)Do you plan to work after school or go to college? If you plan to work what sort of career do you intend to pursue?

Art

We looked at the Revolutions in Art in class this week. During the 1800's Romanticism, Realism and then Impressionism were specific art movements. Today art comes in many different forms. Art can be music, film, theater, sculpture, paintings, cartoons, etc....

What is your favorite type of art?

Explain why you prefer this type of art?

What style of your art do you enjoy most? For example in music do you like romantic, realist, melancholy etcc.... Explain your reasoning.