GEP - Current Events Email - April 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: Violent Protests in Tibet

Advanced Article: www.cnn.com
Intermediate Article: www.pbs.org
Beginning Article: www.breakingnewsenglish.com

Background Article:
Q&A: China and Tibet: news.bbc.co.uk

Discussion Questions:

1. Against whom were the Tibetans rioting, and what are some of the reasons for the rioting?
2. Who is the Dalai Lama and where does he live today? What is his stance toward China?
3. How have Tibetans characterized the Chinese response to the riots and how have the Chinese presented their response? How does this rioting compare to past riots in China?
4. Why is it significant that China is hosting the 2008 summer Olympics? To what extent should politics be allowed to influence the Olympics?
5. What factors influence the people of a geographic region to fight for autonomy or independence? What are some characteristics that should be present in order for a certain region to become an independent nation?

Curriculum:

1. Splitting the Motherland? Examining Points of View in the Debate over Tibetan Independence Read it now >>
2. Competing National Stories in Tibet: Read it now >>
3. Detailed Bibliography and Timeline of Tibet from Tibet Education Network: Read it now >>

California Standards:

Government: 12.9 - Comparative Government
World History: 10.10 – Contemporary Nation Building, 10.11 – Modern World Economy
Language Arts: Reading and Writing, Analyzing the Media

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Topic 2: Iraq: Five Years and 4000 Troops Killed

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

Discussion Questions:

1. What two milestones occurred in the Iraq war during the last two weeks of March?
2. Why is it significant that so many troops have died and the war has gone on for five years? How does this compare to how the war was portrayed when it first began?
3. What is public opinion on the state of the Iraq war? How has this changed over the past five years? What are the factors that have led to changes in public opinion?
4. How has the Iraq war influenced the current presidential race?
5. To what extent has the US been successful in achieving its goals in Iraq? What do you personally believe is necessary to achieve success in Iraq and how does this compare with the Bush administration’s definition of success in Iraq?

Curriculum:

1. Acts of Defiance? Contemplating War in Iraq (discusses the decision to begin the war): Read it now >>
2. Reconstruction of Iraq: A lesson of historical precedents: Read it now >>
3. Student Debate: Is Keeping Troops in Iraq Vital to American Interests in the Middle East? Read it now >>
4. PBS Newshour - Democracy in the Middle East (contrasts Bush’s foreign policy with Cold War containment policy) Read it now >>

California Standards

World History: 110.9 – the Cold War (lesson 4 above), 10.10 – Contemporary Nation Building
U.S. History: 11.9 - Foreign Policy post WWII
Government: 12.1 – Democratic Thought and Principles, 12.6 – Elections, 12.8 – Media and Government

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Topic 3: Barack Obama Speaks on Race

Advanced Articled: www.usatoday.com
Intermediate Article: www.washingtonpost.com
Beginning Article: news.bbc.co.uk

Background Article:
YouTube video of Obama’s speech: www.youtube.com

Discussion Questions:

1. What prompted Barack Obama to give this speech?
2. Why was it significant that Obama addressed the issue of race?
3. How have various people reacted to Obama’s speech? What is your reaction to his speech?
4. Can a candidate’s personal experiences qualify him/her for a position? Why or why not?
5. Do you believe racism or sexism is a more pressing problem in American society? Why or why not?

Curriculum:

1. NY Times – Analyzing Obama’s Speech Read it now >>
2. Revisiting ‘Separate but Equal’: Examining School Segregation 45 Years After Brown v. Board of Education: Read it now >>
3. Exploring Structural Racism – and the Racial Wealth Gap: Read it now >>
4. Black Power – Organizing a Roundtable of Black Leaders: Read it now >>
5. Africans and African-Americans: Read it now >>

California Standards:

History and Language Arts Skills: Point of View and Historical Investigation, Persuasive Writing, Analyzing the Media
U.S. History: 11.8 – Domestic Issues Post WWII, 11.10 – Civil Rights, 11.12 – Contemporary America (comparing domestic policy speeches)
Government: 12.8 – Media and Government, 12.10 – Tensions within constitutional democracy
Economics: 12.1 – Economic Concepts, 12.3 – Role of Federal Govt. on Economy (lesson 3 above)

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