What is the most severe consequence of climate change?

Write a paragraph that describes 4 important consequences of climate change. Provide specific details from your documents, and be certain to cite your sources -- for example, (Doc. A). Which consequence is the most serious? Why?

Was China's one-child policy a good idea?

Write a well written paragraph that answers the question, "Was China's one-child policy a good idea?" Make sure that your paragraph contains these parts:

• A well written, engaging topic sentence
• Briefly explain China's 1-child policy
• Three reasons to support your topic sentence
• Cite your sources 
• In your conclusion, explain why people who disagree with your ideas are mistaken
  

How wealthy is Brazil?

Task:

1. On a national level, is Brazil wealthy? Give 3 specific pieces of evidence to support your answer. Be certain to cite your sources.

2. On a local level, is Brazil wealthy? Give 3 specific pieces of evidence to support your answer. Be certain to cite your sources.

Declaration of Independence

Our students have been analyzing the Declaration of Independence, and have been looking at the work of two historians, Bernard Bailyn and Howard Zinn, who answered the question, "Why did the Founders write the Declaration of Independence?"

Now, the students will explain which historian makes a better case. In a well written paragraph,  the students will respond to this prompt:

• Contrast Bernard Bailyn and Howard Zinn's ideas about the Declaration of Independence
• Explain the main ideas of Bailyn and Zinn. Use short quotes from each historian to support your writing
• Find one example from the text of the Declaration that supports Bailyn, and 1 that supports  Zinn. Use short quotes from the text, and explain how each supports the historian
• In a short conclusion, explain which historian is correct, and why

Manifest Destiny

Manifest Destiny was the idea in the 19th century that the destiny of the United States was to spread from the east coast to the Pacific Ocean. However, even though we look at the idea today and realize that people such as the Native American Indians and the country of Mexico might have suffered under Manifest Destiny, it was very popular at the time.

Your assignment is to write two paragraphs that answer these questions:

1. How did people at the time justify Manifest Destiny?
1. Be sure to cite at least 3 specific reasons that supported Manifest Destiny, and brief quotations  to support your ideas
2. Were their reasons legitimate? Why or why not?

"I Hear America Singing" by Walt Whitman

I Hear America Singing

Freedom of Speech? The Sedition Act of 1798

Congressman Matthew Lyon of Vermont, shown here in a actual fight with another congressman on the floor of the House of Representatives, said that all President Adams wanted was "ridiculous pomp [ceremony]." That was enough to have Congressmen Lyon charged with violating the Sedition Act, passed by Congress in 1798 and signed into law by President Adams. He was one of many to be charged and convicted under this law.

As you post your responses, please make sure that you start your entry with your period, and then first name and last initial

Paragraph 1: Describe the Sedition Act of 1798 – explain what acts were illegal, why the law was passed, and the penalties for violation. Be sure to use brief quotations from the text to support your answer

Paragraph 2: Describe the reasons that Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Armstrong oppose the Sedition Acts. Explain what actions that they suggest should be done to stop these laws. Be sure to use brief quotations from the text to support your answer

Paragraph 3: The Sedition Act clearly limited freedom of speech. Some “speech” in the US is limited: for example, making terrorist threats or revealing military secrets are not considered “protected speech” under the First Amendment. Do you think that there should be any limits on free speech? Why or why not?