preclectic.com

Welcome to 2010!

Up until now I’ve been so wrapped up in my new job that I’ve been too busy to post much of anything else. I have to prove my mettle and it has taken a great deal of my time. That said, I haven’t given up blogging. In fact, one of my resolutions for this year is to get back in the habit of blogging something each day. I know, from experience, that the process of searching and sharing helps me keep my mental toolbox of ideas well-stocked and ready for action.

To kick off the process, I’m going to suggest that all of my friends resolve to learn about, support, and use GNU resources when possible. By supporting GNU, we foster an intellectual environment that recognizes the importance of the freedom to

• run a program, for any purpose
• study how a program works, and adapt it to one’s needs
• redistribute copies of a program so as to help others and
• improve a program, and release improvements to the public, so that everyone benefits.

Note that I am NOT advocating the practice of pirating software. I am, however, suggesting that everyone use already existing, great, FREE software like that available on the GNU site.

Have a great year!

Uncategorized free, freedom, freeware, GNU, liberty

It began with the signing of the armistice that ended World War I. Yes, today is Veterans Day. Do your students understand the significance of this day? Do they understand what it mean to truly pay respect to veterans? What are some of the ways veterans are (and should be) honored in our society today?

Encourage your pupils to stop and think about the brave men and women who have served and are currently serving in America’s Armed Forces. They deserve our respect and students should know why. The United States Department of Veteran Affairs contains educational resources designed to help teachers discuss the importance this day.

It’s never too late to learn.

Related resources:

• The Veterans History Project is a content rich Library of Congress web page dedicated to Veterans Day.
• The on a Smithsonian’s stirring Price of Freedom is an exploration of Americans who served during times of war.

government civics, freedom, history, holiday, liberty, peace, war

It’s likely that students and educators will make comments or ask questions about the events of September 11, 2001, at some point in the day. On this day in 2001, life in the United States of America was forever altered when terrorist attacks destroyed the World Trade Center in New York City, a portion of the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and resulted in the downing of a passenger airliner in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Almost 3,000 were killed in the atrocity. Like the tragic assassination of President John F. Kennedy, this dreadful day in history left an indelible mark upon the memories of an entire generation. The events of 9-11 generated a number of political outcomes. Osama Bin Laden and Al-Qaeda, dominated headlines and political leaders frantically drafted new legislation (such as the Patriot Act) that soon raised concerns about privacy.

What happened on 9/11 is still painful to discuss. Like a scar on the psyche of our nation, this day is tinged with sadness and fear. Indeed, the troubling emotions associated with the day may never dissipate. Still, when we look beyond petty differences, come together, and learn from from our experiences, the sorrowfully rich soil of tragedy becomes fertile ground where hope takes root and blossoms.

Consider talking about how people everywhere can gather the tools needed to break the cycle of violence and fear. Humans have unlimited capacity for doing good. Educators, students, people everywhere on our fragile planet can acknowledge, address, and overcome forces that lead to violence and terrorism:

• separatism
• racism
• economic disadvantage/poverty
• dehumanization
• fanaticism

Peace is possible. We just have to be champions for it. Peace doesn’t magically happen. It must be cultivated over time. We must be vigilant to nurture its growth and help it spread.

The good folks over at the Southern Poverty Law Center know what it means to fight for peace. They’ve been doing it since 1971. With close to three decades of experience, the SPLC has amassed very powerful tools for addressing the social inequalities that compromise peace.  The SPLC shares its ideas for promoting peace at a project site called Tolerance.org. The site has a number of excellent suggestions as well as teaching kits that are designed to teach, promote, and foster peace.

Start now. Decide to to care. Join with others and help make the world a better place. Be a champion for peace.

learning civil-rights, liberty, peace, politics, rights, tolerance

Well, I’m back in Georgia now. I’m glad to be home as life here in the South (or, at least, the portion of it where I reside) is a little more relaxed, a little more peaceful than the hustle and bustle that suffuses our nation’s capitol. That said, I can’t help wondering what it’s like in Washington, DC today. I imagine it’s hot and crowded with lots of traffic. People are probably poring over all those wonderful monuments to liberty. After all, today is an important day there and everywhere else in this great land of ours.

July the 4th is one of many U.S. holidays that many Americans cherish and enjoy. However, it’s a day that holds a special place in the hearts of many of our citizens. It’s a day of barbecue, fireworks, and the nationwide celebration of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. July the 4th is also an excellent day for learning. Thanks to technology we can easily access, read, revisit, and reflect upon the revolutionary ideas expressed in the Constitution of the United States of America.

Why not revisit the bold proclamation that heralded our nation’s freedom and see why it was aptly referred to as the Declaration of Independence? Why not get reacquainted with the amendments that limit the powers of the federal government and protect the rights of all citizens, residents and visitors on United States territory? Today is more than just a day to fly a flag, grill a burger, and watch fireworks. Today is the day that we remember the birth of a nation dedicated to providing its citizens with fair treatment, equal opportunities, and the freedoms enshrined in and protected by our Constitution.

Informed citizens are the best citizens. Be the best citizen you can be. Get a refresher as to why the concept of checks and balances is still an important foundation upon which our liberty rests. A careful review of the importance of the separation of powers is a prudent means of correcting dangerous aspirations that ambitious office-holders may be contemplating. We place trust in those we vote into political office. We have the power–more importantly, the responsibility–to insure that our elected officials safeguard our liberties. Celebrate independence and freedom but, more importantly, preserve and practice these ideals.

Related links:

• Why not explore vital events and themes in our nation’s history with We the People?
• The Freedom of Information Act celebrates its birthday today. Devised by Sen. John Moss and signed into law in 1966 by Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson, the history of the FOIA and the manner in which it gives Americans the right to access the records of federal agencies is worth exploring. Read Michael Lemov’s article about Sen. Moss and his tireless efforts to make government accountable to its citizens.
• Take a very detailed tour through the U.S. Constitution Online.
• Be informed. Drop by OpenTheGovernment and make a point to use technology to achieve less secrecy and more democracy.

learning democracy, freedom, government, holiday, liberty, politics, rights

Today is Memorial Day. Use technology to remember the sacrifices that the men and women of our armed forces have made in the service of our nation. Digital resources make it possible to:

• explore the origins of Memorial Day,
• help wounded veterans and their families,
• reflect upon stories of the dedicated Americans who fought for the freedoms we enjoy,
• commemorate the service, achievements, and sacrifice of U.S. armed forces by virtually visiting sites such as the American Battle Monuments Commission, and
• tune into the National Memorial Day Concert being broadcast by PBS.

It’s a little thing to do, to merely stop and appreciate the freedoms we enjoy. Think of the people who have given so much–who have paid for our liberty with their hearts, health, and lives–that we might live free. Reflect upon the dedicated members of the United States Military, brave women and men who served or are serving in the the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard. These courageous citizens, often overlooked, are much, much more than just numbers or statistics. They are ordinary people with extraordinary historical legacies. They are worthy of our attention and gratitude. Please, remember them and help the younger people of our nation understand why we should all be so grateful.

Uncategorized history, holiday, liberty, patriotism

Americans have always had a dream for a better life, a better world. Following a dream can be a difficult endeavor. On this day in 1955 in Montgomery, Alabama, an ordinary citizen with extraordinary courage challenged the status quo to persue a better life for all Americans. In a remarkable act of civil disobedience, a humble seamstress confronted a repressive code of behavior heretofore accepted by many Americans. Her actions made the nation examine its resolve to insure equal rights for its citizens. Rosa Louise McCauley Parks, a normally timid person, stood her ground. By refusing to obey a bus driver’s order to give up her seat to make room for a white passenger, she effectively ignited the modern Civil Rights Movement. No matter what you teach, take some time today to use technology to help your students explore this important milestone in our nation’s history.

Essential questions (as described by Grant P. Wiggins and Jay McTighe in their book Understanding by Design) are the “big ideas” wrapped up in questions that humans continue to ponder over the course of a lifetime. Such questions lack easy answers. They can be used to engage students and encourage them to seriously ponder the core or the essence of a topic being studied. Essential questions are extremely useful in revealing what pupils think about a topic. A few such questions related to the topic of equality and challenging norms include:

• What are the most important skills for understanding what’s right and what’s wrong?
• How do we know when we should make a stand for a belief?
• What are the most important rights, responsibilities, and privileges of citizenship?
• What must happen in order for equality to become commonplace in our world?
• Will equality ever become commonplace in our world? If so, how? If not, why not?
• In what ways do prevailing conditions in society begin to give rise to change?
• What is this most important role of leadership in bringing about an important change?

Related links:

• The Library of Congress has a useful guide to materials for studying Rosa Parks.
• The Montgomery Advertiser presents The People, The Community, The Movement that Changed the World.
• The Encyclopedia of Alabama has an entry for Rosa Parks that’s well worth reading.
• National Public Radio’s moving audio remembrance of Rosa’s achievements.

Tools for exploring/explaining this topic:

• Swing by Timetoast and sign up for an account. Students can use this tool to create an interactive timeline about Rosa Parks and her legacy.
• If you like timelines, give Dipity a glance as well.
• The Center for History and New Media has a timeline builder, too.

Uncategorized civil-rights, history, liberty, rights

Media Specialists and Librarians: Considering that librarians regularly safeguard liberty and intellectual freedom (just take a look at the Library Bill of Rights, for example), you might want to be especially watchful this week. Yep, you guessed it. It’s Banned Books Week.

Essential questions related to this topic:

• Are there any times when ideas should be censored?
• What is the best argument for/against censorship?
• What’s the best way to safeguard intellectual freedom while simultaneously protecting children?
• Does the availability of technology enhance or erode intellectual freedom?
• Who is the best judge of what ideas ae helpful/harmful to society and/or individuals.
• What’s more destructive in the long run: banning books or allowing anyone to read/access any kind of information?
• What are the most disturbing unintended consequences of censorship and/or unrestricted access to information?

.

Uncategorized censorship, freedom, liberty, reading

On September 17th, 1787, attendees at the U.S. Constitutional Convention made history by signing the one of the most important documents in the world. Now, some 221 years later, America proudly recognizes the ratification of the United States Constitution (as well as all individuals who’ve become citizens by either coming of age or through the process of naturalization). Today is Constitution Day. Does this matter to your students? Do they know their rights? How informed are they about their liberties? Integrate a little technology: listen to a digital audio recitation of the Constitution as read by David P. Currie, the Edward H. Levi Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus of University of Chicago Law School.

Essential questions related to this topic:

• What’s the best/worst way to interpret the Constitution?
• Is the Constitution the best means of resolving the struggle between security and liberty?
• What (if anything) is the most important reason to understand or support the continued use of the Constitution?
• How can the Constitution be improved?
• What’s the best evidence of the power of the Constitution?
• What is the most good the Constitution has done for any individual in the history of our nation?
• What is the weakest part of the Constitution?
• What is the single, most important right insured by the Constitution?
• What is the most compelling reason to deny and/or suspend an individual’s or group’s rights as guaranteed by the Constitution? Should these rights ever be suspended?
• Which individual is the epitome of the ideals expressed in the Constitution (i.e., who is a role model for the ideals expressed in the document)?
• How can/could the Constitution be reworded so as to express the same (or even more noble) ideals for a larger audience?

Related links:

• Explore vital events and themes in our nation’s history with We the People.
• Take a very detailed tour through the U.S. Constitution Online.

Uncategorized government, history, liberty, politics, rights, u.s.