Ryan's Classes Friday April 28, 2012

Peace and Justice Studies (combined sections)

We had a combined class today as part of our Alternative ALSO schedule.  We continued working on our Coffee House.  So far we have over 30 people as confirmed to attend on facebook!  This number will grow as we continue to invite people!  Keep working on these projects if you can. 

We will be going to the Station on Thursday May 10 for a dress rehearsal/run-through, so be ready for that!

Due to ALSO week, I will not be making any more posts until Monday May 7.  Happy ALSOing!

Native Studies and History 20 did not have class today due to the alternative ALSO schedule

Ryan's Classes Thursday April 27, 2012

Combined History & Native Studies 20

Due to Alabama and Guatemala being gone today, we organized an alternate day which combined History 20 and Native Studies.  Each class presented what they were learning to the other.  It was helpful for students from each class to get insight into what the other class was learning.  It is important that both indigenous history and European history are taught.  It is too bad that all students can't study both! 

After this we had a work period to work on our 'Heroes' and 'Totalitarian Regimes' assignments.

Peace and Justice Studies

There was no class today due to the alternate schedule.

Ryan's Classes: Wednesday April 25, 2012

Peace and Justice Studies

We continued preparing for our Peace and Justice Coffee House today.  Everyone is asked to invite friends and family on facebook by logging into the Peace and Justice Studies Forum and sharing the invatation to our event.  For now we will keep working on our specific projects, but when we return from ALSO we will devote our class time to dress rehearsals.  Here is where we are at in terms of program and preparation:

Tentative Coffee House Program

Cody Epp: Star Spangled Banner (video/slide behind)

Mike Arnason, Luke Zakreski, and Jamieson: Child Soldiers Radio Play

LP & Michael Epp: 'Blood Diamonds' Slide Show

Say Eh Too and Landon: 'Consumerism' Video

Kerstin Balzer Peters & Teresa: The Chain of Fair Trade

Sarah Driediger: 'Syrian Uprising' Slide Show

- Matthew Hildebrandt (Self-Esteem): Power Point/Brain Game

- Ryan Wood & Mario (Prayer for Change): Outlandish "I Only Ask"

- Emily Hooge, Brendan, Macaila, and Rachel (Guatemala/El Salvador): Interview Video

- Kelsey Cancade (Human Trafficking): Spoken Word

- Say Eh Wah: Takra demonstration

- Patrick Laughlin, Jem Gascho, and Tyler Desroches: Music "For What It's Worth"

Art projects: Mario (Bannanna poster), Johnathan Meikle (AK-47 Poster), Crystal & Steph. Willie ('bullying' cupcakes), Mike Ayam (Loss of Childhood  Poster), Sara Bartel, Gwen Laughlin (Iqbal Poster)

Coffee House Tasks

Intermission/Snacks: Kelsey, Crystal, and Steph. Willie

Program Macaila and LP

Sound/Lights: Jem and Paddy

House: Emily

Set-up/Clean-up: Everyone

Ryan's Classes Tuesday April 24, 2012

Peace and Justice

Tentative Coffee House Program

- Cody Epp (Guitar solo with video behind?)
- Mike Arnason, Luke Zakreski, and Jamieson (Child Soldiers): Role Play
- LP & Michael Epp: Power Point 'Blood Diamonds'
- Say Eh Too and Landon: Consumerism video
- KBP & Teresa: Links in Fair Trade
- Sarah Driediger: Syrian Facebook Slide Show Awareness Extravaganza
- Ryan Wood and Sarah Driediger: Syrian YouTube
- Matthew Hildebrandt (Self-Esteem): Power Point/Brain Game
- Ryan Wood & Mario (Prayer for Change): Outlandish "I Only Ask"
- Emily Hooge, Brendan, Macaila, and Rachel (Guatemala/El Salvador): Interview Video
- Kelsey Cancade (Human Trafficking): Spoken Word
- Say Eh Wah: Takra demonstration
- Patrick Laughlin, Jem Gascho, and Tyler Desroches: Music "For What It's Worth"

Art projects: Mario (Bannanna poster), Johnathan Meikle (AK-47 Poster), Crystal & Steph. Willie ('bullying' cupcakes), Mike Ayam (Loss of Childhood  Poster), Sara Bartel, Gwen Laughlin (Iqbal Poster)

History 20

We continued working on our 'Totalitarian Regimes' assignments.  Try to get your groups together and divide the work load so that others can continue to work if you are away at Guatemala or Alabama.  The due date for this assignment is Thursday May 10.

Here are the student groups and the Assignment sheet, along with some sweet 'students at work' pics.  Nice learning faces!

Student Groups for the 'Totalitarian Regimes' assignment

Hitler/Germany: Travis, Nicole, Jordan, Brayden

Franco/Spain: Josh, Sarah, Eric, Say Eh Wah

Mussolini/Italy: Johnathan, Paradise, Meghan, Cody

Stalin/USSR: Kayla, Liam, Nic, Tyler

Hirohito/Japan: Mike, Nathan, Laura, Kyla

'Totalitarian Regimes' Assignment

Native Studies

We continued working on our 'Indigenous Heroes' assignment.  These are due on Fri. May 11.

'Indigenous Heroes' Assignment

Check out these Students working on their projects!

Ryan's Classes Monday April 23, 2012

History 20

Here are the final groups for the Totalitarian Regimes assignment.  This will be due Thursday May 10. 

Hitler/Germany: Travis, Nicole, Jordan, Brayden
Franco/Spain: Josh, Sarah, Eric, Say Eh Wah
Mussolini/Italy: Johnathan, Paradise, Meghan, Cody
Stalin/USSR: Kayla, Liam, Nic, Tyler
Hirohito/Japan: Mike, Nathan, Laura, Kyla


Native Studies 20

We began the class brainstorming criteria that would define a 'hero'.  Using this criteria each student needs to study an indigenous 'hero' and write a biography and poster of that person (see assignment).  If you need ideas you can check out Chapter Five in our textbook: Fighting Back. 

Peace and Justice Studies

Tentative Program

- Cody Epp (Guitar solo with video behind?)
- Mike Arnason, Luke Zakreski, and Jamieson (Child Soldiers): Role Play
- LP & Michael Epp: Power Point 'Blood Diamonds'
- Say Eh Too and Landon: Consumerism video
- KBP & Teresa: Links in Fair Trade
- Sarah Driediger: Syrian Facebook Slide Show Awareness Extravaganza
- Ryan Wood and Sarah Driediger: Syrian YouTube
- Matthew Hildebrandt (Self-Esteem): Power Point/Brain Game
- Ryan Wood & Mario (Prayer for Change): Outlandish "I Only Ask"
- Emily Hooge, Brendan, Macaila, and Rachel (Guatemala/El Salvador): Interview Video
- Kelsey Cancade (Human Trafficking): Spoken Word
- Say Eh Wah: Takra demonstration
- Patrick Laughlin, Jem Gascho, and Tyler Desroches: Music "For What It's Worth"

Art projects: Mario (Bannanna poster), Johnathan Meikle (AK-47 Poster), Crystal & Steph. Willie ('bullying' cupcakes), Mike Ayam (Loss of Childhood  Poster), Sara Bartel

People who don't know, or I don't know, what they are doing: Cody, Gwen Laughlin (Iqbal)

Ryan's Classes Friday April 20, 2012

History 20

We read pp. 668,69 today.  This is the beginning of Chapter 30: The Rise of Totalitarian States, in the textbook.  Hitler rose to power, with the use of propaganda and ruthlessness.  We discussed how totalitarian states control the totality of the country's human, financial, and physical resources.  We discussed how authoritarian states still exist, like in Syria, and watched a video that was posted on you tube by the wives of ambassadors to Syrian calling on Asma Al-Assad (the wife of the leader of Syria) to take a stand against her husband's actions (you can find this link on the peace and justice forum facebook page).  The Internet has allowed for new ways to promote and combat authoritarian rule.

The assignment that goes along with this unit will be to write a one page report about your authoritarian leader, and to perform a spoken word poem that explores that leader's rule.  More info later.

Native Studies

We read chapter 5: Fighting Back in our textbooks.  We are looking at heroes of indigenous history.  So often history doesn't record the efforts of Native leaders.  We want to look at some of these leaders.  You need to research a hero from indigenous history and write a biography of their life highlighting why they are a hero.  This will be posted on a poster sized picture of them creatively displayed by you.  Here is a picture of the assignment:

Peace and Justice Studies

We continued working on our Coffee House acts and art projects.  Some people still don't know they are doing.  Keep at this!

Tentative Program

- Mike Arnason, Luke Zakreski, and Jamieson (Child Soldiers): Role Play
- Say Eh Too and Landon: Consumerism video
- KBP & Teresa: Links in Fair Trade
- Sarah Driediger: Syrian Facebook Slide Show Awareness Extravaganza
- Ryan Wood and Sarah Driediger: Syrian YouTube

- Matthew Hildebrandt (Self-Esteem): Power Point/Brain Game
- Ryan Wood & Mario (Prayer for Change): Outlandish "I Only Ask"
- Emily Hooge, Brendan, Macaila, and Rachel (Guatemala/El Salvador): Interview Video
- Kelsey Cancade (Human Trafficking): Spoken Word
- LP & Michael Epp: Power Point 'Blood Diamonds'
- Say Eh Wah: Takra demonstration
- Patrick Laughlin, Jem Gascho, and Tyler Desroches: Music "For What It's Worth"

People doing art projects: Mario (Bannanna poster), Johnathan Meikle (AK-47 Poster), Crystal (cupcakes), Mike Ayam (Loss of Childhood  Poster), Sara Bartel, Steph. Wille (Girl Bullying Poster).
 
People who don't know, or I don't know, what they are doing: Cody, Gwen Laughlin (Iqbal)

Ryan's Classes Thursday April 19, 2012

Native Studies

We started reading Chapter 5 in our textbooks: Fighting Back.  For the next two weeks we are going to look at specific situations in history where Native people fought back against the oppressive forces working against them.  Students will need to pick one indigenous hero from history, someone perhaps previously unknown by the student, to study.  I will explain more about this in a few classes, but for now students should listen to the stories and try to find a native leader that they want to study.

Like I said, we started to read chapter 5, but quickly got off on a tangent about drugs and Kony 2012 and 4-20 and all that.   We had a good class discussion about this.  Too bad some of you missed it!

Peace and Justice Studies

Well, the posters are finished!  Thanks Macaila, Sara, and Rachel!  Michael, LP, and Steph. Willie spent the class posting them around town and Luke Z.  posted some at school.  The word is out, let's make sure we get our acts together!  Here is where the program is at right now.  This is very tentative:

1) Mike Arnason, Luke Zakreski, and Jamieson (Child Soldiers): Role Play
2) Say Eh Too and Landon: Video
3) Steph. Willie (Girl Bullying):
4) LP:
5) Michael:
6) Matthew Hildebrandt (Self-Esteem): Power Point/Brain Game
7) Mario Saltaren (Bannannas): Poster
8) Ryan Wood & Mario (Prayer for Change): Outlandish "I Only Ask"
9) Emily Hooge, Brendan, Macaila, and Rachel (Guatemala/El Salvador): Interview Video
10) Sara Bartel (): Art Project
11) Johnathan Miekle (AK-47): Art Project
12) Cody Epp (?): ???
13) Gwen Laughlin (Rug Makers, Iqbal): ???
14) Kelsey Cancade (Human Trafficking): Spoken Word
15) Patrick Laughlin, Jem Gascho, and Tyler Desroches (Activism): Music "Stop Now WHhat's that sound"
16) Crystal Lau (?): Cupcakes with postitive messages?

This is where it is at; let's keep working on this!

History 20

We finished watching "Love, Hate, and Propaganda" video then when back to the classroom to discuss our next assignment.  Students chose to study one of the following leaders/totalitarian regimes but only four students per group.  Chorale students will join an available group when they return.

Hitler/Germany: Travis, Nicole, Jordan, Brayden
Franco/Spain: Josh
Mussolini/Italy: Johnathan
Stalin/USSR: Kayla, Liam, Nick
Hirohito/Japan: Mike, Nathan, Laura

Ryan's Classes Wednesday April 18, 2012

Peace and Justice Studies

We continued to work on our Coffee House.  We are now finished the poster!  If you would like one to take to your home church, ask Ryan.  We are hoping to have upwards to 100 people attend this event, so let's put our best foot forward!

History 20

Remember to hand in your 'Gandhi' assignments that are due today.  We watched a video today called 'Love, Hate, and Propaganda', a documentary series hosted by George Strombopolus (sp?).  We got an overview of five leaders who we will study: Franco, Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, and Hirohito.  We also got to know a few unsung heroes of the era.   Look for an assignment on this as well!

Native Studies

Today were finished our Band Poster/Resistance Music presentations.  Fantastic song picks! 

Ryan's Classes Tuesday April 17, 2012

Peace and Justice Studies

We had a short class today due to the Faith Alive Band coming early for chapel.  We also took some time out of class to set up for this.

We did discuss the Coffee House and the following people are involved with specific tasks.  Remember that we will all be in charge of set-up and clean-up!

Promotions: Sarah, Rachel, and Landon
Intermission/Snacks: Kelsey and Crystal
Program Macaila and LP
Sound/Lights: Jem and Paddy
House: Emily

History 20

Final work period for the Gandhi' assignments due tomorrow!  We will begin Unit 3: Totalitarian Regimes starting tomorrow.  Good times.

Native Studies 20

Great job with the resistance music presentations.  I enjoyed being introduced to some new music!  Looking forward to continuing with this tomorrow.

Ryan's Classes Monday April 16, 2012

Peace and Justice Studies
1) Organize: Peace and Justice Studies Coffee House.  This is what we decided needs to be done.  The other sections will have to sign-up for places to help as well.
- Prepare acts (everyone)
- Promotions: Facebook and Poster (Rachel and Sara)
- House
- Lights/Sound (Jem and Paddy)
- MC (Ryan Wood)
- Intermission/Snacks (Kelsey)
- Displays (everyone who is doing art displays)
- Program (Macaila)
- Set-up/Clean-up (Everyone)
2) Work Period: Peace and Justice Coffee House Acts

History 20
We continued working on our 'Gandhi' assignments.  These are due on Wednesday.  There will be no formal Unit 2 exam.  The information from Unit 2 may be Incorporated into a unit 3 exam. 


Native Studies 20
We continued working on our 'Band Poster' assignments.  These will be presented tomorrow in class.

Ryan's Classes Thursday April 5, 2012

History 20
We continued to work on our Gandhi assignments today.  We listened to Rihanna's 'We Found Love' song as background music.  I don't think she was thinking about Good Friday/Easter when she wrote this song, but it has an Easter theme (We found love in a hopeless place).  It also reminds me of some of the sacrifices that Gandhi made (finding love in hopeless places). 

The Gandhi assignments are due the Wed. after we get back from Easter break.  Some of you will be really busy with Chorale tour so you should work hard to finish these before you go.  I still don't know exactly what we'll to do in terms of a unit exam for this unit, but I have some ideas!  I will know after the break.  Happy Easter! 

Native Studies
We are still working on our Band Posters.  These will be presented on the Tuesday after Easter break.

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!!  We are an Easter people!

Ryan's Classes Wednesday April 4, 2012

History 20
1) Discussion: We talked about our reflections on the movie 'Gandhi'.  We discussed different aspects of Gandhi's philosophy with which we agreed and questioned.
2) Assignment: I handed out the details for the 'Gandhi' assignment (due Wed. April 18, 2012).  You need to write a report on the man, and make a poster of one of his quotes, you choose.  See the assignment handout for details.   
3) Work Period: 'Gandhi' assignment (due Wed. April 18, 2012)

Native Studies
1) New Assignment Discussion: There are two new assignments on the horizon.  First, we will be working on a spoken word assignment.  Groups of students can choose a theme from Native Studies and create a spoken word poem that speaks to that theme.  This is part of our resistance music focus.  Students will perform the poem on a video slide show complete with a simple beat and music.  The class will be split into 4 groups.  I want to post these on YouTube, and the tentative due date will be Friday May 17.  Second, after the break, we will begin working on an 'Unsung Heroes of Native Studies' assignment.  You need to choose a little known native hero and write a report on them, and create a button.  The tentative due date for these is Thurs. May 23.  More details to come, but you can start thinking about this.
2) Work Period: "Band Poster" assignment and presentation (due Tues. April 17, 2012).  See assignment below for details.  Remember that these presentations are due right after the break. 

Ryan's Classes Tuesday April 3, 2012

Native Studies 20
Today was a work period for your "Band Poster" assignment.  Remember that you need to present these on Tues. April 17, when you return from Easter break.  Some people seem to be chugging rights along, and others still haven't locked down a band yet.  It is time. 


Peace and Justice Studies
1) Facebook: We checked out the most recent post "Home: Through a New Lens'" on our facebook page.  I am hoping to do some more spoken word poetry in class and am looking for feedback.  This might be an idea for some of you who are thinking of using video for the Peace and Justice Coffee House.
2) Work Period: "Peace and Justice Issues Report" (due Thurs. April5, 2012).  This is the last day we have together before the Easter break.  Make sure to finish this before you leave!

History 20
We finished watching Gandhi in class today.  It is a long movie, but worth it.  I will hand out an assignment that goes along with the movie in class tomorrow.  They will be due the Wed. after the Easter break.  

There will not be a unit exam on Thursday. 

Ryan's Classes Monday April 2, 2012

Peace and Justice Studies
1) Facebook: I posted a few new videos on the Peace and Justice Studies Forum.  Check them out, especially if you are going to, or are interested in, Guatemala.
2) Work Period: "Peace and Justice Studies Issues" report (due Thursday April 4)

History 20
We continued watching 'Gandhi'.  Some moving scenes today: The Salt March, the 'storming' of the salt works (this is tough to watch), and Gandhi's fast.  Should finish tomorrow.  I will give assign a 'Gandhi' assignment then.

Native Studies
1) Facebook: I posted Hery, Mario, and Say Eh Htoo's video on the 'Room 204' facebook page.  Check it out and give some supportive comments to your classmates!
2) Work Period: "Band Poster" assignment and presentation (due Tuesday April 17).