GEOGRAPHY Although two-thirds of Americans have reported following the situation between Russia and Ukraine in Crimea at least “somewhat closely,” most actually know very little about events on the ground—or even where the ground is. (Washington Post blog) We’ll help you find Ukraine! Discussion Ideas Why does it matter if Americans know where Ukraine is? Watch our video “Why is Geo-literacy Important” for some help. … Continue reading Can You Find Ukraine?
UNITED STATES American filmmaker Ken Burns returns to a favorite subject, the Civil War, with a fresh look at Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. (National Geographic News) Use our resources to catch a glimpse of Lincoln in Gettysburg. Discussion Ideas The Gettysburg Address, one of the most important speeches in American history, is a primary source. A primary source is a material that has not been … Continue reading Documentary Digs into ‘The Address’
SCIENCE Marine biologists unravel baleen whales’ remarkable “manuring mechanism”—and secrets of the ocean food web. (NPR) Let our resources fill you in on all you ever wanted to know about marine food webs but were afraid to ask. Discussion Ideas Read the typically terrific article (with illustrations!) by one of my very, very favorite journalists, Bob Krulwich. Then, compare this photo of whale poop with this … Continue reading The Power of Poop, the Circle of Life
SCIENCE A substantial ocean most likely exists beneath the icy surface of Saturn’s moon Enceladus, raising the possibility that extraterrestrial life exists in its briny depths. (National Geographic News) Use our resources to understand how astrobiologists are looking for life on Enceladus and elsewhere. Discussion Ideas The analysis of Enceladus’ icy surface and churning interior was done with the amazing Cassini spacecraft. Read through our … Continue reading Extraterrestrial Ocean
WORLD Afghanistan goes to the polls on Saturday. Hundreds of women are running for provincial council posts, and a former minister is making history as the first-ever female vice presidential candidate. (Christian Science Monitor) Use our resources to better understand Afghan culture. Discussion Ideas Read the short Christian Science Monitor (CSM) article, then read through the just-as-short article “The Taliban, Women, and Human Rights” from … Continue reading Afghan Women Run for Office
