Friday, May 8. 2015

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

B Block Social Studies 11 - Today we'll start with the last section of Schindler's List that we didn't get to yesterday (this part deals with the death camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau) and then we'll continue with our focus on the end of the war in the Pacific looking at the Manhattan Project and the use of nuclear weapons in Japan (Hiroshima and Nagasaki). This takes us to V-J Day and the end of World War Two. I'll have you work on questions 1-4 on page 121 (Is the use of Weapons of Mass Destruction ever justified?) and questions 1 & 2 on page 122 from the Counterpoints textbook. We'll watch "Seconds from Disaster: Nagasaki"



C Block Geography 12 - Today we'll be talking about air pollution, specifically the anthropogenic additions to our atmosphere. We will look at the effects of nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxides on human health and terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. We'll see what Tim and Moby have to say about air pollution and we'll also look at the Environment Canada Air Quality Index

Environment Canada Air Pollution site
David Suzuki Foundation Air Pollution Site
National Public Radio site on the London "Killer Fog" of 1952
EPA website on acid rain



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

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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?