Two views on Katrina...

These two videos are prime examples of how the American people reacted to the government's handling of Hurricane Katrina.  These are rather poignant examples because it shows how two men with rather different views can express very similar positions.  Jack Cafferty is a news pundit who has described himself as a conservative and a Republican.  Kanye West is outspoken music superstar who tends to express liberal views and anti-Bush sentiments.  In the classroom, these videos can be used to spur debate about our government, the media, and our disaster preparedness.

CNN's Jack Cafferty's angry responce to the government's handling of Hurricane Katrina.

The now infamous video of Kanye West's outrage over Katrina.

Hurricane Katrina resources...

These sites provide in-depth inquiry into Hurricane Katrina and its impact on the United States.

The Southern Poverty Law Center has created a website called Tolerance.Org.  This link directs you to a great article by Jeff Sapp.  Sapp has reviewed three web resources on Hurricane Katrina.  Sapp has devoted time and effort to critically examine these sites for content, and relevance.  Take the time to explore Tolerance.Org after reading Sapp's article, there is much more that can be used in your classroom.  TEACHING KATRINA

Matt Welch takes a look at how the media has shaped our perceptions of Hurricane Katrina. His provocative article, The Bigotry of Low Expectations, is a great way to teach about the media as well as providing informations related to one of America's worst natural disasters.

Teachingforchange.org is a great resource for any social studies classroom.  This link provides you with lesson plans, resources and other organizations.  The highlight of this link is the audio interview with Enid Lee.  If you are struggling with how or why you should teach your students about Hurricane Katrina, then this is a must visit.  Teaching about Katrina

Two great resources for teaching about 9/11...

These sites include lesson plans that teach and inform students about 9/11 related topics...

PBS-sponsored site of lesson plans that include topics such as Afghanistan, terrorism, disaster planning, human rights, etc...  PBS: America Responds

Social Studies School Services includes lesson plans, guides, resources and other valuable tools for teaching about terrorism, the Middle East, and Arab Americans... 

Welcome to our blog (Mission Statement)

This blog is an attempt to help educators tackle current events in their classrooms.  The students of our America are the future of our society.  American society is not middle-class white males.  American society is made up of numerous religions, ethnicities, races, and two genders.  A multicultural society demands that we present concepts in ways that all students can relate to and embrace.  Each student may have differing backgrounds and therefore have differing experiences, conceptions, and values.  Current events is a way to present and bridge these differences in a meaningful way.  Although our students may be different, they are all living and experiencing an ever changing and dynamic world.  Teaching our students to examine this world will help them become aware and conscientious citizens.  We are not trying to promote opinions or world views, but rather prepare multicultural student society to navigate and understand this nation and our world in their own way.

As educators, we have a duty to present material that is relevant and worthy of our and students' attention.  Topics in current events are a great way to present themes and ideas to students because it often demonstrates how the present can enlighten the past and illuminate our future.  The resistance to traditional means of education can be overcome through using resources that transcend the textbook and the worksheet.  Current events are the "here and now" so it is only fitting that we use "here and now" technology and resources to present materials that are interesting and important to students.  In our blog, you will find videos, websites, other blogs, articles and other resources that can help you, the educator, bring current events into the classroom in exciting and important ways.  Although our attention is focused on 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, the ways in which these topics are presented can be replicated to include other topics (War in Iraq, AIDs, 2008 Elections, local concerns).  Use these resources to enhance learning in your classroom because our diverse students need diversity in teaching methods, materials, and lessons.