Friday, November 23. 2012

Today's schedule is D-C-A-B

CONGRATULATIONS to Ms. Curry on her final day of her practicum...isn't it amazing that she survived me? Thank you from all of us Ms. Curry and we hope to see you again soon.

D Block Social Studies 11 - Today with Ms. Curry...you'll have the block to finish up your research projects. I'll be handing out a WWII battle package so that you have some additional information to check out. If there's time (and if you need it), you can work on your propaganda posters. Remember: they are due today!

C Block Crime, Media & Society 12 - Today we are going to watch a Dateline video called "My Kid Would Never Do That: Stranger Danger".

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

This episode deals with the fear associated with stranger abductions and tests whether kids would know what do to when confronted by someone who attempts to lure them. The Dateline website says:
While stranger abductions are rare, all parents worry about keeping kids safe. In this special report, parents and experts watch as the following scenarios unfold, testing whether or not children know what to do when approached by a stranger.

Check out these online posts in response to the show (from MSNBC and the Anderson Cooper talk show)

So now for the reality of stranger danger and abductions...

• Stranger Danger doesn't teach what a stranger is
• It doesn't account for trusted adults and 
• It can demonize all adults to children. 

A 2000 Justice Department study found that of the 800,000 kids who were reported missing that year, half turned out to be runaways. MOST abductions turned out to involve family members; only 115 of all the cases reported were a version of the nightmare scenario that most troubles parents - abduction by a stranger. For more information look at kidshealth.org; cnn.com; yahoo.com; ncpc.org; ncjrs.gov; or keeping children safe

OK so now what? Here's what I'd like you to answer:

1. What do you think the purpose of the "My Kid Would Never Do That: Stranger Danger" show and what assumptions or beliefs do its creators have that are reflected in the content?
2. Who and what is shown in a positive light? In a negative light? Why might these people and things be shown this way? What conclusions might audiences draw based on these facts?
3.  What techniques does the Dateline show use to get your attention and to communicate its message?

A Block Law 12 - Today with Ms. Curry...we'll finish up our mini presentations on criminal defenses, and then we'll watch an episode from Law and Order.

B Block Geography 12 -  Today we'll begin looking at Albedo, energy distribution, the greenhouse effect and temperature (if there's time we'll watch the BBC DVD “The Weather” episode on heat... Grrrr, Donal MacIntyre is doing my job!). NASA has a good website (Earth Observatroy Global Warming) that tries to explain the concept of climate change and global warming without a biased political viewpoint for or against the subject. Check it out. You could also look at the Hyper Physics website from the department of Physics and Astronomy at Georgia State University.
Every day we are going to start by looking at the synoptic forecast along with weather maps.
Data Streme
Envrionment Canada: Weather Office Comox