The Chief Comes Back

The Chicago Tribune reports that Chief Illiniwek, the former University of Illinois mascot, has been resurrected by a group of students who have elected a new mascot to perform for students and the University community this year.







Please read the story and respond. Write your first name and class period in your post.

What do you think of this new manifestation of Native American mascots? Should the students be allowed to do this? Is the University responsible? Are they condoning the practice and how does this fit with the NCAA ruling that no teams that host tournament play are allowed to have Native American mascots?

Your post will count as extra credit!

The Pocahontas Story

For the past few weeks we have discussed the settlement of Jamestown in terms of location, people, and the challenges and successes of the colony. This week you watched Disney's Pocahontas, which offers yet another viewpoint on the settlement of Jamestown and the relationship between John Smith and Pocahontas.

Your assignment is to write an essay that discusses about the accuracy or inaccuracy of the Disney movie. You can use the following sources to help you plan and defend your argument:

- Readings from the Jamestown/Pocahontas unit in the green Social Justice humanities reader
- Notes you took while watching Disney's Pocahontas
- Quotations from Disney's Pocahontas


If you want, you can use this blog as a place to trade ideas for your papers or share some of your reactions about the movie. How does watching it now compare to what you got out of it when you were younger?

*Be sure to be respectful when making your post.

American Indian WebQuest-- We were there first!

Each 7th grade humanities class now has a set of web pages answering specific questions about the American Indian culture they studied. You will need to read/explore at least one web page from each class (one from Ms. Doyle's class and one from Mr. Nekrosius's class). Post a response to the webpages on my blog, including information about the following:
1. Write three things you discovered about the cultures explained in BOTH of the web pages.

2. Note at least one similarity or difference from the culture you studied for BOTH web pages.

3. Ask at least one question that you think should be answered about the TWO cultures you read about.

4. Make one comment about the design and layout of the TWO web pages you visited. Be sure your comments are constructive/helpful. Be polite but truthful.

* Be sure to sign your post with your first name, Humanities teacher's name and class period.

Presidential Election 2008

You are living in a moment of history. What you have experienced these past few months and yesterday is something that you will be able to share for years to come. Here is a place where you can share your experiences of the 2008 presidential election.

You can share part of what you wrote in your journal reflection or you can discuss the notes you took as you watched President-Elect Obama's victory speech from Grant Park.

As always, please be respectful when responding to the comments of others. Sign your post using your first name, Humanities teacher, and class period.