Marching on to War

As more talk about an impending election seems to be surfacing in the media and on Twitter, perhaps it is time to do some soul searching. Perhaps it is time to see past the rhetoric and the attack ads.

With this is mind, what is the most important issue to you? What is the most crucial challenge facing Canada and why?

Is Nudity Criminal?

Now that I have your attention…

Listen to the segment from The Current based on a Charter case on public nudity. Here’s the link:

http://www.cbc.ca/thecurrent/episode/2011/01/25/nudity-challenge/

Based on the Criminal Code and the Charter, what are some other examples of things in the Criminal Code that really don’t make any sense being there? What is the difference between public nuisance and harm? Also, think about some of the themes we have been discussing of late, namely mental illness and youth criminal justice.

The Invisible Teacher

Inquiry-Based Learning: The Invisible Teacher & Students’ Work as a Measure of Excellence in Teaching?

Have a look at the two videos in the post and the questions, or big ideas, that I have posed. Hopefully these will guide our conversation on Monday.

The “Big Ideas”
1. What is the ratio between my voice and my students’ voices being heard in my class? Whose class is it?

2. What am I preparing these kids for?

3. Can our schools become sweatshops for real-world solutions, or are they merely institutions for passing on culture?

The first film is potentially a glimpse into the “excellence of teaching” from the perspective of a teacher. The second film, a student project, might also exemplify “excellence in teaching”.

Tea Party – Then and Now

Based on what we know of revolutionary America, propaganda, and the Tea Party of 2011, how are the principles of Sam Adams and his crew the same and/or different than those of the Tea Party today? Read the article from Atlantic Monthly to help guide your response.

What does the Tea Party popularity say about the media and the electorate?