A lot of general discussion about a cut in school days and all that is happening with us in schools. Media accuracy/inaccuracy, strike possibilities, district actions, legislative inactions, implications, cuts to state police, prisons, and those who cannot care for themselves (mentally ill), et cetera. There is so much going on and so much to try to understand. We are trying to gain an integrated understanding of it all.

A bit of talk about textbooks being misleading and biased was inspired by Lies My Teacher Told Me by James Loewen. Texas is the center of the social studies textbook world. We discussed the value of remaining open and learning from each other. I told the story of the blind men and the elephant which illustrates how our truths are partial truths and we greatly benefit by learning from each other. We get a fuller picture. That's the best of what education can be. Here is the story of "The Blind Men and the Elephant"

We spent the last ten minutes of class reviewing what we learned this week. A bit about imperialism and Hawaii, a lot about the things of our daily school lives.

Assignment: "What I learned this week" (.5-2 pages)

We began class with a bit about imperialism, in the context of expanding industrialism. We watched a few minutes of video about the Kingdom of Hawaii and the American influences. People took notes on three areas of influence: political, economic, cultural. I gave a bit of context about Hawaiians and Polynesia.

We spent the next hour discussing Measure 28's failure and the consequences. So much complexity involving mental health services, state police, teachers and striking, responsibility of people to the greater good which in turn benefits individuals, et cetera. James Williams joined us for the last 20 minutes to give us perspective as a former PPS school board member, student, activist, and extremely informed citizen. Mr Kolinsky, whose room we borrow, gave us a few words also. I felt like the discussion was active, and I'd like to do more of that with more people interacting and more people fully involved.

Assignment: notes on video.

Some current events, some general discussion. Some discussion about advertising and the glut of products that envelop our lives. A brief lecture on "methods of subsistence": hunting/gathering, pastoralism, horticulture, industry, information?.

Assignment: write about industrialism and it's effects on our world. Look around you and see what you see and relate it to the beginnings of industrialism.
define three words given yesterday

It's second semester. We watched "Walker" on our finals day which shows some early American imperialism. The finals were mostly excellent. Many of you are beginning to use your brains in a way that connects to American history.

Current Events.
Today I reviewed a bit of industrialism and the enormous industrial growth in the second half of the 19th century. (note-taking)

Assignments:
-take notes on industrialism
-define in a personal & opinionated way: corporation, capitalism, subsidy (give an example)