Egyptian Revolution?

Revolutions happen when an oppressed group bands together to protest and overthrow the established power within a nation or state.

This is exactly what is happening in Egypt as we speak.

The people are tired of corruption within their government. They have been enduring high unemployment rates, poverty and inflation as a result of the choices of the Mubarak government- a non-democratic political leader.

Ever since the 1950s Egypt has been ruled by 'dictatorial' leaders. The country has been under emergency law since the 1960s. Emergency law allows the government to take extreme control over the government- censorship and denying freedoms is a large part of this control.

Protests call for the current regime to step down and be replaced with governance system based on democratic principles...

If the government dissolved itself political analysts say that perhaps the Muslim Brotherhood or the Army could take power.

As of right now the government has shut down internet service and mobile phone lines to curb protests. Canadians have been chartered out of the country.






http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/01/31/egypt.protests.crackdown/

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/01/20111311965695371.html

New semester! Inspiring Quotations

Today was the first day of a new semester :)

We reviewed course outlines, reviewed rules, got acqainted with the new classroom layout and started an activitiy...

In ELA 10 & 30 we will be exploring global issues and understanding ourselves through literature...

Today we found quotes that reflect our individual selves and posted them up on the back board. You then reflected on the quote you chose and did your first portfolio entry...which is for HW if you are not finished... (Helpful questions to guide you:
How have your experiences led you to a place where this quote has meaning in your life? How could this quote help guide you through life? What does this quote say about you as a person?)

Tomorrow we will share our quotes and why we chose them! Here is mine:
To Have Succeeded
To laugh often and love much:
To win respect of intelligent people
And the affection of children;
To earn the approbation of honest critics
And endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To give one's self;
To leave the world a little better,
Whether by a healthy child,
A garden patch,
Or redeemed social condition;
To have played and laughed with enthusiasm
And sung with exultation;
To know even one life has breathed easier
Because you have lived...
This is to have succeeded.


Ralph Waldo Emerson


In the afternoon Kevin Brooks came to share his experience with drinking and driving with us- it was a powerful presentation. Check out his site!

http://www.kevinbrooks.ca/

LAST DAY OF THE SEMESTER!!

It is the last day of the semester...

We had a snow day yesterday which put us behind schedule for reviewing- especially in ELA 30...

Oh well, thats how it goes in Saskatchewan. We will cram today!!

ELA 30- The big question is "do we value some lives more than others?"

We have been looking at marginalization and what it means to be marginalized...

We have been reading poetry written by Aboriginal women about their positions in society.

There are stories and essays in the marginalized voices package which you can look at if you are interested...

Here are links to the clips we watched:
Stolen Sisters clips
United Nations experts on women’s rights call for Canadian action plan to stop violence against Indigenous women
There are numerous links to reports on amnesty.ca- here is one

All of the literature can be used on the departmental...speaking of departmental, we will be working on the practice exam for the remainder of our class time. YOU'RE WELCOME :)

ELA 20

We have been working on cover letters!!!!!

Tomorrow we will work on interview skills. Friday we will be reviewing!

ELA 10

We finished 'Z for Zachariah' today.

We then did some comma stuff...

Friday we will be reviewing!

Hist. 10

-We watched 'Sometimes in April' on Monday.

-Today we watched a TED video about American Expansionism and it's effect on the Indigenous peoples of North America- we then worked on a few sheets about the effects of Imperialism in Africa...The impact of colonialism on Indigenous inhabitants is very similar on all continents...

- Friday we will be reviewing for the final!

Hist 10

Today in class we watched a video about Emmanuel Jal and then answered questions using some handouts.

Here are the questions for the first handout. Answers should be 3-4 sentences:

1. What was Africa like before Imperialism?


2. Why were the Imperial countries racing for colonies?



3. What forces enabled the Europeans to take control in Africa?



4. What was the Berlin Conference?

Hilarious!!!

Current Event- Effects of Imperialism

Imperialism In Africa: Modern Effects

Sudan has been independent from Britain/Egypt since 1956. Sudan was colonized by Britain during the Imperial Era.

The northern territory is primarily Muslim, while the southern is Christian. This has caused major conflict throughout the nation’s history.

Sudan is a war torn country- it has rarely seen peace in its existence. (civil war, Darfur crisis)

Literacy rate: 27% (males 40%; females 16%), persons 15 years and over.

Life Expectancy: 58

Poverty: Half the population live on less than the equivalent of $1 a day.

In an attempt to secure peace and re-establish infrastructure the North has offered to support the succession (formation of own country in territory of the southern area of the Nation.

Right now there is a vote occurring (referendum) on behalf of the south to decide if Sudan will split and become two nations.


Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2011/01/07/f-sudan-timeline.html#ixzz1AyHqixOQ

music

Music is a mode of expression for all people. I played a few songs for you in class that deal with the effects of Imperialism. For these artists, music is a way to express the political, social and economic hardships in Africa that are a result of lasting Imperial effects.





Check out this guy, a Sudanese child soldier who shares his stories through lyric and music.

History 10

Hello People:

For the last 2 classes we have learned about Imperialism. What is it? Why did it happen? Who was an imperialist? Where did they colonize? When did they colonize?

Today we focussed mainly on Africa and what is know as "The Scramble for Africa"

We played a game that simulated what colonization in Africa was like.


Remember to get your permission forms in to view 'Sometimes in April' a film about Rwandan genocide in 1994. It is a powerful film. I think you all would gain a lot from viewing it.

E10

ELA 10:

You did a great job on your presentations today! I was very impressed with your creativity and dedication to the project. Awesome job guys!

You also handed in your Z notebooks today.

Marks will go out tomorrow- exemption requests need to be written by Monday!

Tomorrow we will watch Z on YouTube....




Ann is not as I pictured :S

E20- Toronto at Dreamer's Rock

Toronto at Dreamer's Rock sets are due on Monday (remember to label all of the parts of a set!)

They look awesome so far!

ELA 20- Toronto at Dreamers Rock

Yesterday we talked about how Rusty has changed over the course of the play.



In the beginning, Rusty knows little about his Aboriginal culture. He shows little pride for his culture and he is lost. Keesic, the teen from the past, teaches that Odawa culture is about heart and language. He shows Rusty and Michael that Odawa culture is passed on through the language as many meanings can not be truly expressed through English. Rusty realizes the importants of his culture towards the end of the play. He is able to work through some of his confusion by talking with the people from the past and the present, and he learns to value his Odawa/Ojibway roots. He ends the play by singing a song in Odawa and thanking the creator; Meegwetch he says.

Hist 10

Last week we finished off our Political Ideologies unit with presentations on various politicians and ideologies.

They were very well done. I was pleased with the work you exhibited : )

Monday is the quiz! I hope you all studied!

ELA 10- Z

Hello 10s,

On Friday we finished 'Z'

Presentations for your inquiry research will be on Wednesday as we do not have class Monday.

Your 'Z' Notebooks will also be due on Wednesday!

DON'T FORGET!!

E 20- Toronto at Dreamer's Rock

We have been reading the play 'Toronto at Dreamer's Rock' by the renouned author and playwright: Drew Hayden Taylor.

Here is what we learned last week:

3 Main Characters (all from Ojibway/Odawa Nation):

Keesic- From the Past- Traditional
Rusty- From the Present- Caught in the middle
Michael - From the Future- No sense of culture

End up meeting at Dreamer's Rock, a real, spiritual place in central Ontario.

We learn that each character has their problems, some similar, some different.

Keesic- Likes girl from same clan....doesn't realize how much his life will soon change with the arrival of Europeans

Rusty- Girl problems, abusive father, identity crisis- to retain Aboriginal traditions or to be absorbed into dominant culture.

Michael- Girl problems, has lost culture.


Questions to consider:
What stereotypes does Taylor build up surrounding the characters and culture? How does he also tear them down? How does he use humour in this play to touch on big issues?

*** At the beginning of the week we did quick talks about marriage from several different cultures.

E 30- Last week/this week

ELA 30 People:

Last week we worked on SJW. This week we will continue to work on the SJW study.

Remember that it is due NEXT MONDAY- JANUARY 17!!

You have been working and reading really well in class- keep it up!

:)

ELA 10/Hist 10

Today in ELA we continued reading 'Z'- up to chapter 15. Do this for homework if you are not done, then do the notebook work.


In history, today was your last political research day. Presentations are on Wednesday- first half of the double. The second half of the double is the DEBATE!

ELA 30- January 3- The Secret Lives!

Today we revisited Ethel Wilson's "We Have to Sit Opposite" and began reading a Canadian non-fiction, true crime novel entitled "The Secret Lives of Sgt. John Wilson."



You recieved the reading and study guide today in class. Remember to keep up with your readings so you don't fall behind!!

Tonight's reading- if you didn't finish in class: Pg. 7-34

ALSO REMEMBER: ESSAY PRESENTATIONS HAVE BEEN MOVED TO WEDNESDAY!

ELA 20- January 3

Today we read an excerpt from the non-fiction book: Aman: The Story of A Somali Girl

Aman, a young Somali girl, was married to a friend of her uncle's at the age of 13. The man was in his late 50s. Driven by poverty she married the man in a covert ceremony which most of her family was unaware of. Once her mother and father (divorced) found out, Aman immeadietely regreted the decision. Although she believed her father would save her from this marriage, Aman was not saved and her father legitimized the union to avoid family shame.

You then responded to the literature in your journals.