Overview: The ability of citizens to participate actively in their government is a distinguishing feature of our democracy. In order to participate actively, you must understand the structure and function of our government. You also must be aware and concerned about events and developments in our nation and the world. To develop this awareness, you must be an eager and critical consumer of the news. This assignment is intended to help you make connections between what we are learning in class and the real world. To complete this assignment successfully, you will need to listen, watch, read the news on a regular basis but more importantly, you will need to think critically about how this news relates to the issues and questions we examine in class.

Requirements: This is a semester long project with regular due dates at the end of each unit. You are required to keep a connections journal on your laptop, online (blog or wiki page) or in a binder/notebook. Please choose ONE format and stick with it throughout the semester. Your journal should include clearly labeled entries. Each entry should focus on one media story/event that you have connected to issues and questions examined in each unit. Each entry should include the media story/event or a link to the appropriate content. You may choose a news article, a political cartoon, a Daily Show clip, a photograph, a magazine article and/or another form of media. Each entry should also include a well organized and analytical paragraph explaining the connection you are making between the content and the course. This is where your critical thinking skills will be challenged. Consider the guiding questions for each unit, the themes presented in Living Democracy and the issues debated in class. Check out some sample entries linked below.

Here’s the nitty gritty:

• You are required to complete 4 connections assignments per unit or a total of 16 for the semester.
• Connections assignments are due on the day of the Unit Test and/or the final day of the unit. Check the course calendar.
• Each connections assignment MUST include a proper heading: name, date, class, and title.
• Each connections assignment MUST include the article (and/or other media) or a LINK to the article.
• Each connections assignment MUST include an analytical paragraph. You MAY use first person when writing these paragraphs.
• Each connections assignment MUST strive to use effective GUM and reflect your effort to EDIT your work.

Resources

• Take a look at the links on this page–there is RSS feed coming from the New York Times, The Washington Post, and CNN. There are also links to many news organizations and other sites that have political news. If you find a great source, let me know and I’ll post it.

Assessment

• Each connections entry is worth 10 points: that’s 160 pts. total.
• Late entries (entries turned in after 5:00 p.m. on the day they are due) will be docked a half letter grade each day.

Our CONNECTIONS

• Ms. T’s Blog: http://ctsconnections.edublogs.org/
• Megan’s Blog: http://meganm1544.edublogs.org/
• Eleanor’s Wiki Page: http://classof2009honors.wikispaces.com/eleanoro
• Carolyn’s Blog: http://chbaker.learnerblogs.org

Blog Site: http://learnerblogs.org/wp-signup.php — use your home email to set this up. McGehee email blocks emails from learnblogs. I can give you all a quick how to on Wednesday at break if you need it.