National Social Studies Newsletter Face Mask Igbo People Nigeria-Early/mid 20th Century This month: May 15 June Edition Newsletter Submittal Deadline May 22 WC and EC Individual Monthly Social Studies Meeting Volume 1, Issue 7 May 2013 Chinese Historical Society of America Field Trip On April 5 th 2013 Treasure Island SiaTech students went on a field trip to the Chinese Historical Society of America located in Chinatown, San Francisco. Founded in 1963 CHSA is the oldest and largest organization in the country dedicated to the documentation, study, and presentation of Chinese American History. The tour was given in both Cantonese and English and led students through the beginnings of Chinese Immigration to America, to the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, to the modern day experience. Mr. Jacks Inside this issue: Successful Voter Registration Drive Thoughts on Government Spending International Museum Day 2 3 4 Virtual Museums 4 Bill of Rights Essay 5 Resources 5-6 Professional Development 6 On Fri 4/5, Mr. Jacks and I brought 17 students to the Chinese American Museum. We were given a guided tour of the place. The guides separated the group into Chinese speaking and English only groups. Mr. Jacks led the English speaking group and I went with the Chinese speaking group. I was surprised to learn that the Chinese came here before the American Independence. They were sequestered by the Spanish in the Philippines to crew the ships that were sailing to the Americas. We were shown a lot of artifacts that the early Chinese brought with them to the U.S. Many pictures and drawings showed Chinese building of railways, mining, fishing and farming. The early Chinese faced discrimination until the civil rights movement. Today, Chinese make up less than 1% of US population. -Mr. Pang
Page 2 National Social Studies Successful Voter Registration Drive at JJCC Submitted by Janice Bates Jontashia Myles (center) handing out forms and explaining the application process to students. A Voter Registration Drive was held at JJCC on March 27, 2013 and hosted by the SIATech Social Studies class in the school Café. Janice Bates (Social Studies Instructor) and some of her students volunteered to host the drive along with Mrs. Brenda Byles and Mrs. Linda Byles, both from the Duval County Supervisor of Elections Office. Because the general Presidential election was just held in November, very few students and staff was expected to apply, but surprisingly, numerous students showed up. Our Social Studies students were very instrumental in drawing their peers to the table. They greeted other students and staff, handed out voter registration forms, and answered pertinent questions concerning their party, application, and the voting process. Students not only applied but some changed their address also. Mrs. Linda Myles (left) Ms. J. Bates (SIATech) and Mrs. Brenda Byles (right) are from the Supervisor of Elections Office YES They re twins! Jontashia Myles (L), Ben Pinckney (C) & Talia Hoursey handing out forms. Jontashia Myles (L), Talia Hoursey (center) and Zhontrel Hannans show forms Mrs. Linda Byles explains to applicant what is required. Jontashia Myles (L), Ben Pinckney (center) & Talia Hoursey handing out forms Student filling out voter registration form
Volume 1, Issue 7 Page 3 Thoughts on Government Spending by Erica Perez Sacramento Government spending, a huge topic in the economy. Everyone has different beliefs on what their tax money should be spent on. As everyone else has their opinion so do I. In my opinion I believe that the government spends some of the money wisely, but not all of it. For instance their working on the roads when they know schools can use that money. I m more than sure people wouldn t mind giving money for education. I believe a person s education matters way more than the road that CARS will be driving on. In society today many people try to only benefit themselves. Many don t see how much tax money can help society today with many people who try to only benefit themselves. Many don t see how much tax money can help society today. An example of this is Job Corps; Job Corps is a government funded program that really benefits the people. Right now there are people trying to close down this program. They do not see how much this program really does help young adults like myself. The people thinking of closing the Job Corps programs down do not benefit from the program, so they don t see how important Job Corps facilities are to the economy and society. I believe if anything the tax money should be spent more on programs like Job Corps. These programs help the economy in many ways. This program actually gets people off of welfare; so why not help fund these programs and why not help the poor get well educated and able to live stable lives. In conclusion I believe some of the government s money is being well spent but not all is well spent. The people thinking of closing the Job Corps programs down do not benefit from the program, so they don t see how important Job Corps facilities are to the economy and society. Budget cuts? Budget cuts affect everyone. Many programs that really help society are suffering from budget cuts. I feel that the government is using tax money to the military why not share some with educational programs. After all the military doesn t seem to be doing anything if North Korea, with its nuclear weapons and missile programs, stands as a serious threat to the United States. If any budget cuts need to be made it shouldn t be on educational programs, it should be on International affairs. The government spends so much money on debt interest they shouldn t be involved in international affairs. Society should use what we have instead of going internationally. In conclusion the government should be helping out the citizens instead of using tax money on building new roads, international affairs, and the military.
Page 4 International Museum Day May 18, 2013 May 18, 2013 marks another year for the International Council of Museums (ICOM) to increase public awareness of the role of museums in our global society. First established in 1977, the participation of museums throughout the world has grown to 32,000 in more than 129 countries. Museums (Memory + Creativity) = Social Change While it s not always possible to physically visit a museum, and certainly across the world, the availability of virtual and interactive tours have brought this wealth of knowledge and experience to us. According to the comprehensive directory Museums of the World published by De Gruyter Saur, 55,000 museums span 202 countries. Visit the Lascaux Caves of France Although the cave itself has been closed to preserve it s natural and cultural state, with a virtual visit, exploration is still possible. The interactive tour spans science, art, and social sciences. The information is available in four languages. http://www.lascaux.culture.fr/#/en/00.xml Virtual Museum Opportunities Enter Into... King Padibastet s Tomb http://www.virtual-egyptianmuseum.org/ Once you enter, interactive reference tools and non-public artifacts are available to view. Here, as many other virtual museums offer a glimpse into artifacts not displayed in museums.
Volume 1, Issue 1 Page 5 Bill of Rights Essay by Bryson Kelley Phoenix What exactly would happen to the American people if their 1 st amendment was taken? I believe that our freedom to express ourselves and our ability to petition our government would be lost and replaced by strict laws from the government. The Bill of Rights was drafted on August 21, 1789 and formally came into effect on the date of December 15, 1791 and is currently known to be one of the most important documents in America. This is due to the fact that it is the only thing standing between us and the government having complete and total control over our personal lives and freedoms. Possibly the most important amendment that the Bill of Rights gives us is the 1 st amendment, this amendment dictates that we have the freedom of speech, religion, press, and the right to peaceably assemble. If this amendment was to be lost our ability to form peaceful petitions against our government would disappear and we would also lose the ability to use free speech, for example (Martin Luther Jr. I Have a Dream speech) would never have been allowed to take place and Martin Luther King would have been imprisoned. The reporters who would have attended Mr. King s speech would also be imprisoned because their right of press would have been taken and the crowd that gathered at Mr. King s speech would have been immediately dispersed because their right to gather peaceably would have been taken. Basically, without the 1 st Amendment the government would be able to stop the American people from spreading ideals and would keep people in control how they would see fit. Things such as the internet, television, and music would be heavily monitored so that the American people could not freely express themselves and there would be no way for us to legally petition these laws. The thought of the American people losing their rights is truly terrifying. Even if one Amendment was taken it would drastically affect everyone in America who exercises that right almost on a daily bases. Submitted by Felix Fornino Resources for National Financial Capability Month Included are relevant games, lessons, simulations, books, mobile applications, video clip links, special education resources for financial education, and high school specific career/college sites. http://smartblogs.com/education/2013/04/08/40-resources-to-celebrate-national-financial-capabilitymonth/
Professional Development and Resources Join fellow educators at the California Financial Literacy Conference for Educators on Aug. 13 at UC Berkeley or Aug. 15 at UCLA. The conference will give you the tools you need to help your students become more responsible managers of their own finances. In addition, you will learn valuable tips for better budgeting, maximizing savings and reducing credit card debt. Learn more about the conference at www.calcpa.org/flconference Teaching With Documents and Works of Art : An Integrated Approach July 22 July 24, 2013 National Archives Building and Smithsonian American Art Museum Washington D.C. For more information: http://members.socialstudies.org/ Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History A Dynamic model and range of services aligned with the Common Core State Standards For more information on this resource and others: https://www.gilderlehrman.org/programs-exhibitions/gilder-lehrman-teaching-literacy-throughhistory-program