GEP - Current Events Email - January 15, 2008

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Dear Teacher:

As a recipient of World Savvy's Current Affairs Update, every two weeks you will receive a set of resources for 3 major recent news stories, including articles at varying reading levels, a list of relevant standards, and curriculum that can be used to teach about the issues covered by that news story. If you are interested in teaching a larger unit on a specific issue, please contact us for support.

Topic 1: Benazir Bhutto Assasinated

Advanced Article: www.nytimes.com
Intermediate Article: news.bbc.co.uk
Beginning Article: www.breakingnewsenglish.com

Background Article: Pakistan Timeline - news.bbc.co.uk

Discussion Questions:

1. How has Bhutto’s assassination affected the stability of Pakistan?
2. What role did Benazir Bhutto previously play in the Pakistani government?
3. Why is there controversy surrounding the cause of Bhutto’s death?
4. Do you believe Musharraf should delay the upcoming elections in Pakistan? Why or why not?
5. Why is Pakistan’s stability important to the United States government?

Curriculum:

1. In Trouble in Islamabad: Read it now >>
2. Pakistan: Country and Culture: Read it now >>
3. Pakistan: Economy and Politics: Read it now >>
4. The Return of the Taliban: Read it now >>

California Standards:

World History: Modern World Economy, Contemporary Nation Building
U.S. History: Foreign Policy since 1948
Government: Comparative Government

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Topic 2: Election Violence in Kenya

Advanced Article: query.nytimes.com
Intermediate Article: news.bbc.co.uk
Beginning Article: www.usatoday.com

Discussion Questions:

1. What event caused violence to erupt in Kenya?
2. From what ethnic group is President Kibaki? Opposition leader Odinga? Why is this important to the leaders’ followers? Are there issues beyond ethnicity that are contributing to the violence?
3. What role is the international community playing in the peace process? Should their role go beyond hosting talks?
4. How would you respond if the leader you had voted for and strongly supported seemed to have been cheated out of winning an election
5. What effect do you think the recent violence in Kenya could have on its economy? Keep in mind that foreign investment and tourism are two key parts of its economy.

Curriculum:

1. Voting in Violence: Read it now >>
2. Kenya: Read it now >>
3. When Things Fall Apart: Exploring African Nations’ Colonial Histories Through Traditional Research and Literature: Read it now >>
4. Discussion Guide for The Diary of Angelina Jolie and Dr. Jeffrey Sachs in Africa: Read it now >>

California Standards

US History: Comparative Governments
World History: Contemporary Nation-Building, Modern World Economy
Economics: International Trade
Language Arts: Literary Response and Analysis: universal theme, historical period of a work, works from other cultures

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Topic 3: Iowa & New Hampshire Primaries

Advanced Articled: www.nytimes.com
Intermediate Article: www.latimes.com
Beginning Article: news.bbc.co.uk

Background Article: Q&A - U.S. Primary Elections: news.bbc.co.uk

Discussion Questions:

1. Who were the winners of the Iowa caucuses? The New Hampshire primaries?
2. Who are the two leading democratic candidates in national polls? And the major Republican candidates?
3. Why were analysts surprised at who won both the Democratic and Republican New Hampshire primaries?
4. What do you believe are the most important issues in this election? Why? What qualities do you think one should possess in order to be a good president? Why?
5. Why do you think it is important to choose just one Democrat and one Republican before national elections? Would it be more or less fair if everyone could run for the national elections (eliminating the need for primaries)? What might be some of the potential problems?

Curriculum:

1. Magnetic Polls: Exploring the Results and Effects of the New Hampshire Primaries: A Math and Civics Lesson: Read it now >>
2. The Times, Are They A-Changing? Read it now >>
3. Are We There Yet? Read it now >>
4. Hillary Clinton’s Record, Through the Looking Glass: Read it now >>
5. How Does the Primary Process Work? Read it now >>

California Standards:

Government: Elections, U.S. Political Issues, The Media
US History: Contemporary America, Domestic Issues and Foreign Policy since 1948
Math: Understanding statistical samples, evaluate validity of claims from statistical data, understanding graphs and charts

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Bonus Topic: Update of UN Climate Change Conference in Bali

Recap of Talks: www.nytimes.com
Bali Climate Deal at a Glance: www.latimes.com

Discussion Questions:

1. Which countries opposed original drafts of the agreement?
2. Why do you think a country like the US would not be in favor of strict emissions limits? Why would a developing country not be in favor of such agreements?
3. WDo you think international cooperation on climate change is necessary to effectively address the problem? Why?

Curriculum:

1. Adding Fuel to the Fire: Examining Interconnections between Energy Consumption, Fuel Emissions, and Gross Domestic Product in Select Countries: Read it now >>
2. The Global Warming Cover-Up: Read it now >>
3. Global Warming? Read it now >>

California Standards:

World History: Modern World Economy
US History: Domestic Issues since 1948
Economics: Role of the Federal Government
Science: Earth Sciences – greenhouse gases, energy in the Earth’s system, climate, biogeochemical cycles

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The views expressed in the articles and resources listed above are not the views of World Savvy. They are listed here as resources for educators but do not necessarily reflect the opinions and priorities of World Savvy. If you ever want to unsubscribe from this list, just send an email to Kelly at kelly@worldsavvy.org.