GEP - Current Events Email - February 01, 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: Bush Economic Stimulus Plan

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

Background Articles:
A Beginner’s Guide to the Crisis: news.bbc.co.uk
The US Sub-prime Crisis in Graphics: news.bbc.co.uk

Discussion Questions:

1. Why are politicians and citizens worried about the economy?
2. How is the United States government planning to stimulate the economy?
3. How do supporters of this plan think that tax rebates will help revive the overall economy? Do you believe this will be effective?
4. Why are Democrats and Republicans so willing to work together and compromise in their negotiations surrounding this plan? How does this compare with their past relationship? What are the advantages and disadvantages of bipartisanship?
5. How have sub-prime mortgages contributed to economic recession in the US? How has this affected the world economy, and in particular Europe and Japan’s economies?
6. Who should be blamed for the crisis? What policies, if any, should be put in place to prevent future economic crises? How do such regulations fit within free trade philosophies?

Curriculum:

1. Understanding the Bush Tax Cut Plan: Read it now >>
2. Domestic Downturns and Global Woes: Read it now >>
3. The Early 1980’s: A Tough Time for Home Builders and Mortgage Bankers: Read it now >>
4. The Economics of Home Buying: Read it now >>
5. All Those In Favor: Holding a Mock Congressional Vote and Presidential Veto: Read it now >>

California Standards:

Government: 12.7 - Powers of National Government
Economics: 12.2 - America’s Market Economy in Global Setting, 12.3 - Role of Federal Govt in Economy, 12.5 - Economic Behavior in the U.S. Economy
Mathematics: Mathematical Reasoning, Statistical Analysis

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Topic 2: Border Crisis in Gaza

Advanced Article: english.aljazeera.net
Intermediate Article: www.washingtonpost.com
Beginning Article: news.bbc.co.uk

Background Article:
Timeline: Gaza Blockade Crisis: news.bbc.co.uk

Discussion Questions:

1. Why are so many Palestinians crossing into Egypt?
2. What spurred Gazans to breach their border with Egypt? Why do you think they chose this border (as opposed to their border with Israel)?
3. Why is there a closed border between Gaza and Egypt? Which countries support its closure and which oppose it?
4. How do you think Egyptians feel about this border breach? Consider various perspectives, such as everyday Egyptians in border towns and Egyptian officials?
5. How might instability in this region affect other countries? Consider neighboring countries, the US, and European countries.

Curriculum:

1. Prospects for Peace in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Read it now >>
2. Fatah vs. Hamas: Continued Strife in the Gaza Region: Read it now >>
3. Muppets as Mediators: Read it now >>
4. Palestinian-Israeli Conflict Simulation: Read it now >>

California Standards

World History: 10.10 - Contemporary Nation Building, Skills: Historical Perspective and Point of View
Language Arts: Reading and Writing, Analyzing the Media

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Topic 3: Continued Violence in Kenya

Advanced Articled: www.nytimes.com
Intermediate Article: www.npr.org
Beginning Article: www.pbs.org

Background Article:
Kenya’s Problem Goes Beyond Ethnicity and Elections: www.worldpress.org

Discussion Questions:

1. Why are people fighting in Kenya? What recent event sparked additional violence?
2. Which prominent person is currently helping to broker peace in Kenya? What position did this mediator previously hold? How might this position have prepared this mediator for his current role?
3. What specific steps do you think will be necessary in order to stop the current violence in Kenya?
4. What do you think the role of the international community should be in addressing this problem? Should certain countries take on more responsibility than others? What factors should a country consider when deciding whether to become involved? What factors do you think countries actually use to determine their level of involvement?
5. Read the background article regarding the root causes of the violence in Kenya. Does this article change your understanding of the first article you read? Why or why not? Would you write the first article any differently based on the second background article?

Curriculum:

1. Voting in Violence: Investigating Kenya's 2008 Post-Election Unrest: Read it now >>
2. In Search of Truce (adapt for Kenya): Read it now >>
3. Colonialism in Africa: Read it now >>
4. Negotiating and Resolving Conflict: Read it now >>

California Standards:

World History: 10.10 - Contemporary Nation Building
Government: 12.02 - Citizenship and Rights, 12.09 - Comparative Governments
Language Arts: Reading and Writing, Analyzing the Media

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