John F. Kennedy

1.  Watch "The Cold War," and copy at least five lasting effects of the Cold War.

2.  Watch "The Kennedy-Nixon Debate," and explain why most political analysts agree that Kennedy beat Nixon in televised debate and ultimately won the Presidency.

3.  Watch "The Cuban Missile Crisis."  Do you think Kennedy did the right thing?  Why or why not?

4.  Watch "Jackie Kennedy: Queen of Camelot," and explain how Jackie Kennedy was unique as a First Lady.  Then, explain what you think the First Lady's role should be and if Jackie fit into that role.

5.  Watch “JFK: A New Generation.”  What made Kennedy so appealing to people?  Give examples.

6.  Research the Peace Corps, a program started by Kennedy.  Would you ever consider joining the Peace Corps?  Why or why not?

Creative Writing: Realistic & Autobiographical Writing, Pt. 1

Week of March 26-30, 2012:

I would like you to send me TWO reading journals of the free read book you are reading. If you do not have a free read book anymore, let me know before FRIDAY, and I will send you a couple of short stories to read instead.

I then want you to think of some ideas for your own short story.  Think about your own experiences.  "Write what you know" is a famous piece of advice.  Think of at least FIVE ideas of stories that have happened to you or someone that you know well that you can retell in a short story (creative licence is fine here to fill in some details).  

So that you have some other options, write down THREE ideas in which you can be a little more creative.  That is, you don't have to write about an actual instance in your life, but base it on what you know.  Nathan Englander explains that sometimes, “'Write what you know’ isn’t about events… It’s about emotions. Have you known love? jealousy? longing? loss? Did you want that [video game system] so bad you might have killed for it? If so, it doesn't matter whether your story takes place in Long Island or on Mars – if you’re writing what you know, readers will feel it.” 

So, to summarize: This week you will need to complete the following by Friday: (Remember, no school on Friday, so you may want to get this all finished and sent by THURSDAY, though Friday is acceptable for on-time credit):

• TWO (2) reading journals (your free read book OR the following short stories: "Hair" by Malcolm X and "Eleven" by Sandra Cisneros)
• FIVE (5) story ideas based on your life/experiences (a phrase or sentence describing the event is fine)
• THREE (3) creative (but realistic) story ideas (Ex. "A story of a girl named ____________, who lives in _____________ during _______________ and does ___________________/________________ happens to her.")

Africa Climate Zones

Use this map to help you color in your Africa climate map:

Discrimination & Bias

View the FRONTLINE program about an Iowa schoolteacher who, the day after Martin Luther King Jr. was murdered in 1968, gave her third-grade students a first-hand experience in the meaning of discrimination. This is the story of what she taught the children, and the impact that lesson had on their lives.  "A Class Divided"

Bill of Rights

Watch Ms. Kappelman's Xtranormal video about religious freedom and the first amendment.

1st Amendment
by: kappelman

Then, you will choose your own issue in the Bill of Rights to address.  Using Xtranormal, You will create a conversation between two characters that illustrates a particular right.  You must include the following in your Xtranormal video:

• The actual wording of the amendment and a character's interpretation of what that means.
• References to at least three court cases that strengthen or limit the rights outlined in the Constitution.
• For help, refer to The Bill of Rights Institute and Find Law.
• At least ten character actions/gestures.
• A clear beginning, middle, and end in which we all have a better understanding of the issue at play.

Please note:  Xtranormal is FREE, but requires you to create a login and limits your use of certain characters, etc.  Please watch as Ms. Kappelman walks you through the process.

Attribution (The Blame Game)

The causes of behavior are often attributed (blamed on) to negative motivations.  Attributions are also made based on previous knowledge about the person.  Sometimes attributions are made because of the nature of the person or the situation.  Such attribution can lead to what social psychologists call the fundamental attribution error.  This theory basically states that people attribute faults of their own to the situation or to external factors (ex. “It’s not my fault that I couldn’t get my homework done”), but faults of other people are attributed to the person or internal factors (ex. “He needs to control his temper better.”)

“Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer (May 21, 1960 – November 28, 1994) was an American serial killer and sex offender. Dahmer murdered 17 men and boys between 1978 and 1991, with the majority of the murders occurring between 1987 and 1991. His murders involved rape, dismemberment, necrophilia and cannibalism… His trial began on January 30, 1992. With evidence overwhelmingly against him, Dahmer pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.” (Wikipedia)  Dahmer blamed his behavior on his alcoholic mother.  What do you think of such a defense?

This lesson examines the causes of behavior and the placing of blame.  Read Part A of Handout 78.  Then, complete Part B, using inference, or, if you need to, you may look up the terms.

Next, think of situations in your own life that create person of situation attribution.  For example, when you fail a test, who do you blame?  Do you tend to commit the fundamental attribution error in these situations?

Read the situation in Handout 79.  Then, answer the questions.

Finally, create a cartoon that illustrates the fundamental attribution error and attach it to the worksheets. Hint, it may help you to think of your own experiences here or of a famous court trial.

Using Art to Explore Implicit Personality Theory

Fig. 35.1

Fig. 35.2

Fig. 35.3

Fig. 35.4

What are the pros and cons of using implicit personality theory?


Find an advertisement that features a famous person.  Explain how implicit personality theory is being utilized by the ad.