Is dying a right?

Gloria Taylor

the-life-and-death-of-gloria-taylor

Impromptu #3 November

Throne Speech

http://speech.gc.ca

Voting Day!

Socials 11 students, please remember to bring your picture ID with you to class on Monday,
November 3 (you'll need your textbook this class too).  It's the BALLOTING stage of the Electoral Process in class and those of you who are enumerated on my class list (with proper ID)  will be given a ballot and the chance to vote for the candidates you feel will do the best job in our class government.  Good luck to all the candidates!

Congratulations Candidates!

Queenie says "Congratulations to all the candidates who made such excellent speeches during today's All Candidates Meeting.  You were all well prepared and thoughtful as you shared ideas about changes you would bring if elected.  The future is very bright.  Continue your campaign efforts over the next couple of days, in preparation for Election Day, Monday, November 3rd.  Good luck to all the candidates."

All Candidates meeting. Tuesday October 28th

Socials 11 students will kick off their political campaigns on Tuesday, October 28th during our All Candidates Meeting in class.  All candidates must have their campaign speeches ready to present during Tuesday's class.  Follow the criteria provided in class, rehearse and think positive!

Poe . . . a master of Spooky Stories

The Tell Tale Heart - Audio only

The Tell Tale Heart - Video

What's Your Platform?

Try this survey to see approximately which Political Ideology your current views might fit with.  Once on the home page, click on the link on the left "Take the Test".  Complete all the multiple choice questions and at the end, scroll all the way to bottom to see your results, in graph form.  Click on the box "see your graph on a separate page" and then PRINT and submit a copy of your graph to me on TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21.

http://www.politicalcompass.org/test

Spooky Stories: Let's Learn from some masters

The Cask of Amontillado

The Monkey's Paw

A Ghost Story

Gore

Each of you will get the opportunity to read at least one of these Spooky Short Stories and explore one aspect of it during Literature Circles.  The stories are posted here if you need to re-read yours, or if you'd like to read the other Spooky Stories shared, read, and discussed in class.

All of this is helping you to prepare for writing your own Spooky Story, to be submitted as part of your Term 1 Writing Portfolio, due November 7th.  Happy Haunting Writing!

What's your PLATFORM?

Today we're beginning our government simulation to experience the realities of establishing a government system, and being an active citizen participating in the process.  What will your party platform be?  What promises will you make? How will you get yourself elected?  How easy or difficult is to make changes in government?  We shall see!

Check out this party platform from a Mayoral Candidate in Burnaby running in the coming civic elections.

http://globalnews.ca/news/1613505/candidate-for-burnaby-mayor-promises-to-ban-kissing-in-public/?utm_source=Other&utm_medium=MostPopular&utm_campaign=2014

Try this survey to see approximately which Political Ideology your current views might fit with.  Once on the home page, click on the link on the left "Take the Test".  Complete all the multiple choice questions and at the end, scroll all the way to bottom to see your results, in graph form.  Click on the box "see your graph on a separate page" and then PRINT and submit a copy of your graph to me on Friday, October 17.

http://www.politicalcompass.org/test

Elements of a Short Story

Elements of a Short Story Lesson

The Elements of Fiction

Text "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson

Audio The Lottery by Shirley Jackson

Who are "Canadians" in the Global Community?

I am Canadian

Who are "Canadians", eh?

Tom Brokaw during the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver) explains "Canadians"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnpVH7kIb_8

Joe Canadian Rant

Download the video

Download the mp3

Hey, I'm not a lumberjack, or a fur trader.... I don't live in an igloo or eat blubber, or own a dogsled.... and I don't know Jimmy, Sally or Suzy from Canada, although I'm certain they're really really nice. I have a Prime Minister, not a president. I speak English and French, not American. And I pronounce it 'about', not 'a boot'. I can proudly sew my country's flag on my backpack. I believe in peace keeping, not policing, diversity, not assimilation, and that the beaver is a truly proud and noble animal. A toque is a hat, a chesterfield is a couch, and it is pronounced 'zed' not 'zee', 'zed' !!!! Canada is the second largest landmass! The first nation of hockey! and the best part of North America My name is Joe!! And I am Canadian!!! "We Are More" by Shane Koyzman Poem lyrics When defining Canada you might list some statistics you might mention our tallest building or biggest lake you might shake a tree in the fall and call a red leaf Canada you might rattle off some celebrities might mention that we’ve got a few barenaked ladies or that we made these crazy things like zippers electric cars and washing machines When defining Canada it seems the world’s anthem has been been there done that and maybe that’s where we used to be it’s true we’ve done and we’ve been we’ve seen all the great themes get swallowed up by the machine and turned into theme parks but when defining Canada don’t forget to mention that we have set sparks We are not just fishing stories about the one that got away we do more than sit around and say, eh? and yes we are the home of the Rocket and the Great One inspirers of little number nines and little number ninety-nines but we’re more than hockey and fishing lines off the rocky coast of the Maritimes some say what defines us is something as simple as please and thank you and as for you’re welcome well we say that too But we are more than genteel or civilized we are an idea in the process of being realized we are young we are cultures strung together then woven into a tapestry and the design is what makes us more than the sum total of our history We are an experiment going right for a change with influences that range from a to zed (yes we say zed instead of zee) we are the colours of Chinatown and the coffee of Little Italy we dream so big that there are those who would call our ambition an industry larger than sticky maple syrup and clean snow bigger than wheat and beer we are vineyards of good year after good year we reforest what we clear because we believe in generations beyond our own knowing now that so many of us have grown past what used to be We can stand here today filled with all the hope people have when they say things like, someday someday, we’ll be great someday, we’ll be this or that someday, we’ll be at a point when someday was yesterday and all of our aspirations will pave the way for those who, on that day, look towards tomorrow and still say, someday We will reach the goals we set and we will get interest on our inspiration because we are more than a nation of whale watchers and lumberjacks more than backpacks and hiking trails we are hammers and nails building bridges towards those who are willing to walk across we are the lost and found for all those who might find themselves at a loss we are not the see-through gloss or glamour of those who clamour for the failings of others We are fathers, brothers, sisters and mothers, uncles, nephews, aunts and nieces we are cousins we are found missing puzzle pieces we are families with room at the table for newcomers we are more than summers and winters more than on and off seasons we are the reasons people have for wanting to stay because we are more than what we say or do we live to get past what we go through and learn who we are we are students students who study the studiousness of studying so we know what as well as why We don’t have all the answers, but we try and the effort is what makes us more we don’t all know what it is in life we’re looking for so keep exploring go far and wide or go inside, but go deep go deep as if James Cameron was filming a sequel to "The Abyss" and suddenly there was this location scout trying to figure out some way to get inside you Keep exploring because we are more than a laundry list of things to do and places to see we are more than hills to ski or countryside ponds to skate we are the abandoned hesitation of all those who can’t wait we are first-rate greasy spoon diners and healthy living cafés a country that is all the ways you choose to live a land that can give you variety because we are choices We are millions upon millions of voices shouting "keep exploring" we are the surprise the world has in store for you it’s true Canada is the "what" in "what’s new?" so don’t say, been there done that unless you’ve sat on the sidewalk while chalk artists draw still-lifes on the concrete of a kid in the street beat boxing to Neil Young for fun don’t say you’ve been there, done that unless you’ve been here doing it let this country be your first-aid kit for all the times you get sick of the same old, same old let us be the story told to your friends And when that story ends leave chapters for the next time you’ll come back next time pack for all the things you didn’t pack for the first time but don’t let your luggage define your travels each life unravels differently and experiences are what make up the colours of our tapestry we are the True North strong and free and what’s more is that we didn’t just say it, we made it be.

WELCOME BACK!

Welcome to the start of a great year of learning, thinking, and fun!

SOCIALS 10 CLASSES

A reminder to Socials 10 classes that your final Year End Assignment Celebration is scheduled for Friday, June 13.

Block 1.1 is 8:15 - 10:10

Block 1.2 is 10:25 - 12:15 ** Note the time correction.  I had originally said it was 8:15 . . . but I was incorrect on the block order for that day.  My apologies.

Please ensure you have a copy or a web link to a "Radio Edit" (clean lyrics) of ONE of your songs reflecting Canada past, present, future.

Please ensure you have a printed copy of the lyrics to this song to share with your group.

Remember to bring in your textbook.

See you then

Canada's French Identity

Multi-Media reflections on the CPR

In addition to the print article provided in class, and the link to Gordon Lightfoot's "Canadian Railroad Trilogy" posted on this blog on April 30, check out the following two links to an archival photo gallery and on line site about the CPR.

http://www.cpr.ca/en/about-cp/our-past-present-and-future/Documents/cp-childrens-history.pdf

Canada's Railroad

Mr. Gordon Lightfoot, Canadian folk music icon.  He was commissioned by the Canadian government to write a song reflecting the significance of the Canadian Pacific Railroad for Canada's centennial (100 year) birthday.  Here is what he wrote. . .

He's also responsible for songs like  "Sundown"

Left? Center? Right?

Take this quick on line survey to figure out where you fit within the political spectrum.

www.politicalcompass.org/test

Facebook "FakeWall" for our Louis Riel Trial Simulation

For those of you who are witnesses to be called to the stand and testify in our class simulation 'mock trial' of Louis Riel 2014, please complete your character biographies using the following Facebook "Fakewall" template on googledocs.  Click on the link provided, complete it with information relevant for your historical character, save and print.

fakebook

fakewallsample   ***this account is 'locked' but you can select the "new" button from the top tabs on the right and start your own, new page

Some books that might be helpful

Riel:  A Life of Revolution  by Maggie Siggins
Riel and the Rebellion:  1885 Reconsidered by Thomas Flanagan
Louis "David" Riel:  A prophet of the New World by Thomas Flanagan
Prairie Fire:  The 1885 North West Rebellion  by Bob Beal and Rod MacLeod

HDI Comparison Projects

Here are a couple of good websites and sources to help you with your comparative research.  Remember . . .  all sources used must be properly cited.

Check these sites out . . .

Census data

UN Human Development Index

World Bank Data

Nation Master

Population Pyramids

Here is the name of the free app called 'Easy Bib" which let's you scan the bar code on the back of any book and 'translates' it into properly bibliography format for you!  How easy is that?!  (no excuses now)

What's your size?

What size is your Eco Footprint?

As discussed in class, the earth's current carrying capacity is 1.8 ha/per person.  However, the earth's current population is actually using 2.0 ha/per person.  This means that we will likely 'run out of earth' to support human life if we continue our current consumption and use of global resources.  How much of the earth's resources are you currently using to support your lifestyle?    Take this on line Eco Footprint Quiz to find out what size your footprint is.  Select "Calgary" as your location, "kids" version and "more detailed" questions . . .  even though you are obviously not 'kids', but the questions are specific to someone attending school full time and living at home.  Please print out your Eco Footprint results and bring them in to class.  We'll share and compare on Thursday, April 3.

Eco Footprint Quiz

SECRET SPY VIDEO! cph episode 9

First World Problems

First World Problems

Lyric:

Nerd rap infests your internet. You left a trap, but it's empty.
MC Frontalot took a gape but the bait wasn't tempting,
ending up uncaged and at large
to talk smack at you through the networking appliance that's in charge
of every drip of your attention.
Yo, when mine goes out I've got to log in just to mention
my disappointment at the interruption of convenience.
I mean just: a lot left, but none up in between this
couple of minutes here and a couple of minutes later.
It's an outrage, at the price I paid. These dictators
of my leisure rule with an iron fist.
Has anybody ever been so put upon as this?

Your GPS run out of battery (first world problem)
Got to wake up Saturday (first world problem)
You just delayed a honeymoon (first world problem)
Pledge season's coming soon (first world problem)
Half your friend list is spam accounts (first world problem)
And your center channel speaker's out (first world problem)

Muffy, my hair regrowth cream is mostly ineffective
and I'm struggling to keep this in perspective,
but I feel like a massive injustice occurred.
Says "regrows hair" on the tube (in the words)
in a third — or maybe a quarter — of all users.
I must have got swindled. Is it a fault? Of whose is?
Oooh, Muffy, Muffy, I had all the servants tortured.
Did you keep them on retainer? Do you got some more on order?
'Cause I can't comb my hair on my own no more.
I got accustomed to the lifestyle, sniffed upon the spore
and it molded up my innards, made the blood turn blue.
Muffy, Muffy, there's a revolution; what we're gonna do?

Misplaced the Ambien (first world problem)
Left a participle dangling (first world problem)
You're scheduling your root canal (first world problem)
Your grad schooling had no rationale (first world problem)
You didn't like your appetizer (first world problem)
Your yacht got capsized (a first world problem)

Now while our capitalism is in a minor kerfuffle,
you have to hustle. Before the fates come, reshuffle.
Rustle up another couple grievances and air 'em.
You can laugh about it later (maybe needed while despairing).
For the moment though, you ordered half caf, didn't get it;
there was no TV set when you jetted; internet resetted
itself just as I was in the middle
of tournament play, and so I suffered from transmittal
interruption. Completely ruined my day.
MC Frontalot's a jackass, that's all I'm trying to say.
People buy CDs in these days of disaster,
so poor me: I have to be a professional rapper.

No bubbles in the soda cup (first world problem)
App crashed when you loaded up (first world problem)
Phone's OS is outta date (first world problem)
Colors won't calibrate (first world problem)
They never stock the snack you want (first world problem)
Caught herpes from a celebutante (first world problem)

Got wallhacked in PVP (first world problem)
Oh no, HD-DVD (first world problem)
Pixels aren't perfect square (first world problem)
Your favorite rapper isn't debonair (first world problem)
You own too many underwear (first world problem)
And you're not much of a millionaire (first world problem)

Name the Savage Country

The following description depicts a country in the world. The various aspects of life within this country are explained and certain clues are given as to the country's identity.

Education: Illiteracy is widespread; most children quit school before grade eight. They have to drop out to work on the land or at odd jobs. Children are economic units, essential to their families' survival. There is no time for them to go to school or to train for professions.
Disease and Health Care: The infant mortality rate is high. Death in childbirth is risked by every mother. The sanitation diseases-dysentery, typhus, typhoid, diarrhea-kill young and old alike. Children are afflicted with parasites and worms, the cures for which are few and difficult to obtain. Tuberculosis is another major killer. Hospitals are few and hard to reach. Medicine is just emerging from its medieval traditions. There are no publicly funded medical plans: health care, even if it is available, is too expensive for the average person. Dental care consists mainly of extractions. By the time a person reaches thirty chances are he has few teeth left. The 30-year-old has a life expectancy of 25 more years. Life is "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short".
Movement: Mobility is limited and expensive. True, there is a good national railway system, but it misses many communities. Beyond the railways, the only way to travel is by horse, by boat or on foot. Some trips that would take two hours by car take three days. Most people are born, grow up and die in the same village.
Money: Subsistence farmers and wage-earners can rarely acquire anything beyond the basics. Up-to-date consumer products are available, but most people have no money to purchase them.
Birth Rate: People have many babies. Parents want to be taken care of when they get sick or too old to work, and they must have at least six children to ensure that one son will survive to adulthood. (There are no old age pensions, welfare benefits or extended care facilities for the elderly.)
Energy: Fuel is a precious commodity. Wood and coal are the primary fuels for heating, cooking and industry. Labour on farms is done mostly by muscles-animal and human. Precious coal oil is saved for the lamps at night.
Work: The majority of people are engaged in subsistence farming and fishing. Work is endless. Every hand is needed because there are so few machines. Conditions in the mining and logging industries are particularly harsh. In the cities, factory working conditions are terrible-low wages, long hours, no holidays, a six-day week, no employee benefits. The few mercantile and professional jobs are limited to those with advanced education and family connections.

You have just read a description of a nation thirty years after it achieved independence. Since independence day (the natives call it Dominion Day), these people have thrust aside colonial status-being ruled by another country-and now govern themselves. This country has a long way to go, but success is certainly possible. It takes a long time to improve health care, transportation, education and working conditions. Thirty years is not long at all!



ASSIGNMENT: Read the description carefully looking for clues and suggest which country it is with reasons for your suggestion.


http://hdr.undp.org/en/statistics/

The Story of Stuff!

http://www.storyofstuff.org/movies-all/story-of-stuff/

Solutions to our exploding global population. Are there any? Are any needed?

Are there viable solutions to the overpopulation issue?

Canada. A nation founded on . . . shopping?

http://www.hbcheritage.ca/hbcheritage/outreach/scavenger-hunt-questions-senior-contest

Girl Power

Girl Power

                                          Malala, 15 year old girl attacked by the Taliban for
                                          pursuing  her right to an education, is nominated
                                          for a Nobel Peace Prize

Educating and empowering Women: could it change the world?

What might happen if we don't take steps to stop over population of the earth?

Why Geography Matters

So why does Geography matter?

In Socials 11, we've begun exploring what the study of Geography (at least Human Geography) involves and why it is so important.  Here are two clips to help illustrate the importance of studying and understanding our world population growth and the myriad of issues it brings up . . .  for ALL of us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbkSRLYSojo 

http://testtube.nfb.ca

I feel the earth - quake, under my feet . . .

Earthquakes

An end . . . and a new beginning for some

Adopt-A-Vet . . . Valentines for Veterans

Here are just a few websites I stumbled upon that may help you in your quest to find your vet!  Email me if you happen to find any other great links and i"ll post them here.

Do not give up!   Remember the courage and determination your veteran had. . . . you can certainly persevere to find your vet/or surviving family member and make a personal contact with them for Valentine's Day.  Be creative and thoughtful in your re-searching.  Stuck?  Email me and I"ll see if I can help and/or give you another veteran.

Letters/Valentines to Veterans are due on Friday, January 31.  I will proofread them for you and provide a stamp.  The rest is up to a bit of chance at making contact and seeing if your veteran responds.
Good luck!

http://www.spiritofcanada.com/index.php

http://www.veterans.gc.ca

http://www.canadaatwar.ca/page3.html

http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/index-e.html

http://www.voicesoftheleftbehind.com

http://thememoryproject.com

The Holocaust

THE HOLOCAUST

http://www.youtube.com/verify_controversy?next_url=/watch%3Fv%3DlBDh1Rl9OXo

The Japanese Internment

Blitzkrieg

Conscription . . . to go? or not to go?

NFB Conscription Crisis

http://www.nfb.ca/film/mackenzie_king_crisis