GEP - Current Events Email - February 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: Presidential Primaries, cont.

Advanced Article: www.nytimes.com
Intermediate Article: www.washingtonpost.com
Beginning Article: www.pbs.org

Discussion Questions:

1. Who is currently leading in the Democratic primaries? In the Republican primaries?
2. What two states does Hillary Clinton believe she needs to win in order to remain competitive with Barack Obama?
3. What was significant about the demographics of people voting for Obama in Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Maryland? In what ways do some people think this shift will affect the outcome of upcoming primaries?
4. Do you believe it benefits a party to have a clear front-runner in presidential primaries (like McCain is for the Republicans), or do you think it is better to have multiple strong candidates (Clinton and Obama for the Democrats)?
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. Why do you think that Clinton has received more support from women, the white working class, and rural voters? Why do you think Obama has received more support from African Americans, young voters and affluent, educated whites? To what extent do you believe the candidates’ appeal is based upon their policies? Are there other factors influencing voters’ decisions?

Curriculum:

1. Understanding the Bush Tax Cut Plan: Read it now >>
2. Analyzing the Candidates in the 2008 Presidential Election: Read it now >>
3. Are We There Yet? Exploring Diversity in American Politics: Read it now >>

California Standards:

Government: 12.6 - Elections, 12.8 - Influence of Media on Politics
U.S. History: 11.11 - Domestic Policy Issues in Contemporary America
Mathematics: Mathematical Reasoning, Statistical Analysis, Evaluating Validity of Claims from Statistical Data, Understanding Graphs and Charts

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Topic 2: Yahoo! rejects Microsoft’s takeover bid

Advanced Article: money.cnn.com
Intermediate Article: www.economist.com
Intermediate Article 2: www.newsweek.com
Beginning Article: news.bbc.co.uk

Discussion Questions:

1. What company does Microsoft want to buy? How much did Microsoft offer?
2. What are at least two reasons that Microsoft wants to buy Yahoo!?
3. How has Microsoft’s bid to buy Yahoo! affected the stock prices of Yahoo! and Microsoft? How do you think a successful deal would affect prices?
4. When you conduct an internet search, what website do you use? Why? What might make you switch to a different website? How might your Internet experience be affected (if at all) by Microsoft’s purchase of Yahoo!?
5. What do you think constitutes a monopoly? Do you think that an acquisition of Yahoo! by Microsoft would constitute a monopoly, or do you think it would increase competition? Why might Google make the argument that the deal would create a monopoly?

Curriculum:

1. Turning Some Things Old into Something New: Exploring the Ways in Which Companies Combine: An Economics Lesson: Read it now >>
2. Being Too Hard on Microsoft? Examining Monopolies and the Impact of Historical Antitrust Decisions: Read it now >>
3. The Choice is Us: Monopolies: Read it now >>

California Standards

World History: 10.11 -Technology in the Global Economy
Language Arts 12.2 - US Market Economy in Global Setting, 12.3 - Influence of the Fed. Govt. on Economy
Math: Mathematical Reasoning, Statistical Analysis, Understanding Graphs and Charts

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Topic 3: Smoking as a Global Health Issue

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

Discussion Questions:

1. Who recently released a report detailing anti-smoking programs around the world? What were the key findings of this report?
2. What strategies does WHO say are the most effective for combating smoking?
3. Why are tobacco companies now focusing more on lower income countries?
4. What strategies do you think are best for deterring people from using tobacco? Are there certain strategies that might work better for different populations (i.e. youth, parents, women, low income populations)?
5. To what extent do you believe a government has the right to regulate smoking? How can the government balance respecting personal freedom with safeguarding its population’s health?

Curriculum:

1. Clearing the Smoke About Cigarettes: Creating Anti-Smoking Ad Campaigns Geared Towards Kids: Read it now >>
2. Where There's Smoke, There's Fire: Developing Smoking Policies for the Workplace: Read it now >>
3. Is a Tough Smoking Law Coming to Your State? Read it now >>
4. Selling Tobacco: Read it now >>

California Standards:

Government: 12.2 - Individual Rights in Society
Health Education: Reducing Health Risks, Influences on Health

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