Weekly History and Geography - 38

Photographs can lie. They certainly do in the Soviet Union from 1929 to 1953, the years of Joseph Stalin's dictatorial rule. Stalin's agents routinely arrest and kill as "enemies of the people" anyone who disagrees with his politics. Communist Party workers then try to remove any trace of these people from the photographic archives, and so from the media.  Click the following link to see how Stalin "edited" history through the manipulation of photographs.  http://www.newseum.org/berlinwall/commissar_vanishes/index.htm

Then, return to the blog and reflect on a picture and/or fact you learned from the website.
1.  What was it about the picture and/or fact that stuck with you?  Explain.
2.  Why do you think is was important to Stalin to edit history?
3.  Do you think any US history in pictures or print have been edited?  Explain.

Weekly History and Geography - 37

Choose one of the following discussion questions to respond to from Ji-Li Jiang's memoir "Red Scarf Girl."  Please answer in complete sentences in paragraph form - remember, a paragraph has 5-7 sentences!

1. Consider that "Ji-li" means "lucky and beautiful" in Chinese. Do you think Ji-li was lucky?
2. Do Ji-li's feelings and opinions about the Community Party and Chairman Mao Ze-dong change over the course of the story? How?
3. Why did some of her fellow students so quickly embrace the idea of criticizing their teachers?
4. Why did the critical statements (da-zi-bao) upset Ji-li so much?
5. Name some examples of the "Four Olds." If the Cultural Revolution were to happen in the U.S. today, what among your family's possessions would be considered "Four Old?"
6. How would you feel if someone wanted to search your home?

Weekly History and Geography - 36

Ji-Li Jiang is the author of "Red Scarf Girl" as well as several other books.  Click the following link to take you to an excerpt of "The Magical Monkey King" by Ji-Li Jiang.  http://www.jilijiang.com/monkey-king/monkey-king-excerpt.htm  Then, return to the blog and write a one paragraph continuation of the excerpt (what you think happens next).  Remember, a paragraph is 5-7 sentences!

Weekly History and Geography - 32

Talk Like An Aussie.

If you travel to the "Land Down Under," you need to know how to talk the talk as well as how to walk the walk.  Click on the Fact Monster Link, http://sf.factmonster.com/quizzes/aussie/1.html, and take the "Aussie Talk" quiz.  Then, return to the blog and reflect on the following questions:

1.  What was your quiz score?
2.  Compose a sentence using at least one Aussie slang word.
3.  What did you learn from the "Home Among the Gum Trees" tune?  Explain.
4.  What did you learn from the movie "Rabbit-Proof Fence?"