The Montreal Gazette Newspaper published an article on November 11, entitled, "The Need for Remembrance Day Endures." This article recognizes the importance of veterans and their memories they bring from experiencing historical events in history. Ultimately, individuals who fought in World War I, World War 2, and the Korean War, lay the foundation of Remembrance Day ceremonies across the country. The fascinating stories of veterans' lives serve as the purest form of experience as it provides invaluable insight to historical events. While there is an array of documentation of veterans' experiences, it is more meaningful and engaging to have them orally share their stores. Although many will no longer be able to share their experiences with us, it becomes essential for parents and educators to continue honouring the individuals who sacrificed their lives for our country. A poppy can serve as a simple testament of respect as well as the desire for peace. As we continue to fight the war on terrorism, the desire for power and resources raise the possibilities for greater global violence and turmoil. By paying tribute to our war veterans, it becomes essential to teach students the importance of reflection by promoting peace and community within the classroom environment.

On October 31st, the Toronto Star posted an interesting article entitled, "Dropout rates rise with immigrant child's age of arrival." This article discusses the two diverse perspectives of young brothers who immigrated to Canada from the Philippines. While it was an easy transition for the eight year old boy to integrate into his grade two class it became a difficult adjustment for the sixteen year old boy. Recently reunited with their mother Lorna Rivera, who came to Canada as a live-in caregiver in 2006, unveiled her concerns regarding her eldest child's integration into the school environment. "My younger one is learning so quickly, but the older one doesn't even want to go to school and is having a difficult time fitting in. I am worried that he will not graduate high school." According to the 2006 data derived from Statistics Canada, 15% males and 11% females who arrive to Canada before the age of nine withdraw from high school, compared to 10.3% and 6.3% respectively. Therefore, the statistics reveal the percentage of immigrant children dropping out of secondary school rises the older they arrive.

Nicholas Keung, the Immigration Reporter from the Toronto star, attributes the patterns of success are higher for younger children as they can learn new information quicker than an older child who may be more familiarized with their native language. In addition, older immigrant children may have more emotional and developmental issues that can make integration difficult to achieve. Rivera reveals to the Star, "for my younger son, everything was new, interesting and exciting. But it's much harder for my older son to make friends because others had already been friends. He's bullied here and he misses his good friends, grandmother, and everything else in the Philippines." Therefore, every family who arrives to Canada can be at different stages within the acculturation process. In reference to Rivera's sons, the youngest was able to recover from the cultural shock faster than his older brother. Ultimately, it becomes the responsibility of the teacher to create a safe, welcoming, and nurturing environment for the child. Therefore, on-going communication and support between the student, family members, other class mates, and ESL teacher, is essential to attain.

Please refer to link below for the article:
http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1079030--dropout-rates-rise-with-immigrant-child-s-age-of-arrival

In the San Francisco Chronicle, "TeachWithMovies.com, Inc. Announces New Curriculum Materials to Teach Historical Fiction in Social Studies Classes" was published on October 31, 2011. This internet site has developed an innovative approach to assist social studies instructors by providing a list of films in education that suit specific expectations of the Ontario curriculum. The promotion of historical fiction films can provide enrichment to a classroom experience as it enables students to watch a combination of fact and fiction . If educators provide the tools to analyze historical fiction, students will be able to extract elements of historical accuracy from the film. Therefore, students can compare the film with the information taught from the text to establish their own ideas or beliefs. Ultimately, this allows the student to establish a deeper and meaningful connection to the content studied. This analysis of historical information is heavily entrenched in the Language Curriculum as well. Through the development of worksheets and lesson plans available on the website, instructors can choose from a list of films to engage their students in analyzing historical fiction. Discussion questions, project ideas, and links to further resources are also provided. This article highlights an alternative educational experience students can engage in to further develop their understanding of the material relayed in their textbooks.

On October 2, 2011, journalist Tim Alamenciak posted an intriguing article to readers of the Toronto Star regarding the environmental changes occurring within our world. This article is tremendously intriguing as it increases individual's awareness on the detrimental and harmful effects happening to our environment. According to a study published in the Nature, in the beginning of the year, the loss of the ozone over the Arctic has reached unprecedented levels never seen before in the northern hemisphere. Three researchers from Environmental Canada and one from University of Toronto commented on this occurrence by stating an unusually long period of low temperatures and powerful wind patterns played a tremendous factor in damaging the ozone layer. Ultimately, persistent cold weather created the perfect conditions to destroy ozone levels. Sitting fifteen to thirty-five kilometres above the Earth's surface, the Stratospheric ozone layer acts like a giant shield that blocks harmful ultraviolent rays that cause skin cancer to humans as well as damages all plant and animal life. Therefore, when the ozone layer gradually begins to deplete, this will have a devastating effect on our world. Man-made chemicals known as Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are gases used in the manufacturing of aerosols and refrigerators. Scientists have regarded these chemicals as key identifiers for destroying the ozone in the stratosphere. Individuals must become more cognisant of how these harmful chemicals negatively impact our world. By fostering responsibility, community service, and nurturing at a young age, children can apply these values and employ them for future action.

Marking the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, this account displays the struggles that pitted Canadian, Indian, and British forces against American expansion. Although Americans had fought against the British, Canadian colonists, and native nations, for two and a half years, in the United States and Britain very little about the war lives on today. However, this event was a war worth remembering for Canadians as it gave colonies a sense of identity and paved the route to Confederation. Therefore, studying history reveals the active role of individuals and groups in shaping our cultures and nations, illuminating ideals and disagreements between powerful continents. Although the war was largely a U.S. failure, some benefits did arise after this event. It convinced the Americans that they needed a full professional army to build up their strength and power. They also gained a sense of unity, complete with a new national symbol of "Uncle Sam." In addition, Laura Second, a name most familiar in candy stores but in actuality was the Canadian who walked a far stretch to bare news of the impending American attack. Therefore, the film displays how many glories had come out of this war that has been imprinted in our culture and history. Seemingly, for some, it is interesting to examine how failures became quickly forgotten and truths about what actually occurred are ignored. When studying history it is important to be cognisant of these complexities in order to gain greater perspective when dissecting world events. Please see: www.thestar.com article entitled, "The War of 1812" by Kenneth Kidd on the Saturday October 8, 2011 issue.

The institution of the Africentric School within the Toronto District School Board made its mark in 2009. This week, I wanted to gain more insight into the intentions of the Africentric Alternative School program as well as how this establishment had emerged. Emphasizing Africentric epistemologies in the teachings of youth, it ultimately moves away from the dominant Eurocentric views that have been the framework of study. According to the school website, there are three distinct objectives the educators have for its students: high academic achievement, high self-pride, and a high motivation to succeed. By infusing the history of African descent with the Ontario curriculum, it can provide these students with a greater understanding of their heritage based on sources and experiences, while providing them with the emotional support as needed. Therefore, the purpose of this school seeks to empower a specific student body by providing them with a safe environment to learn. Although a positive and encouraging school experience is promoted, the school faces great criticisms.

This plan was first initialized in 2007 as community meetings began to engage in discussion regarding various approaches that would need to be enacted in order to ensure academic success for all students, including those racially marginalized. Many community members strongly believed these individuals were often segregated in the public system and often disengaged from their learning. In 2008, strong support from the Toronto African community prepared a report which highlighted Improving Success for Black Students. When presented to the Board of Trustees, they decided to institute a pilot program to be carried out in three schools, which involved integrating history, culture, experiences, and contributions of the people of African descent and other racial groups into the curriculum and the school environment in general. Ultimately, the Board responded to these declarations and acted in a way they believed were responsive to the needs of the entire community. By analyzing the divided reactions to the decision by the TDSB to open an Africentric school, re-emphasizes the importance of community. Regardless of the different types of schooling that may emerge, all students can gain a better understanding of the world through multiple experiences, perspectives and interactions of different people. This awareness of diversity offers a basis for learning as well as provides the foundation in developing a positive relationship between students, adults, and the community as a whole.

Please refer to: http://www.tdsb.on.ca/SchoolWeb/_site/viewitem.asp?siteid=10423&pageid=19951&menuid=23019

A new textbook produced by Nelson Education and Martin Aboriginal Educational Initiative has emerged within high-school entrepreneurship classes. Based on the Ontario Senior Business Studies Curriculum, Tara Perkins discusses in the Globe and Mail the emergence of this new workbook specifically intended for aboriginal students. The images of aboriginals on the cover stress the importance to native students that business is a subject applicable to them. This initiative highlights the beginning of a new era in education as business courses for indigenous people written by indigenous people lay the foundation for a greater involvement within the business/administrative sector. According to Statistics Canada, in 2008-2009, the average employment rate fell faster for off-reserve Aboriginal people than for non-Aboriginal people. Additionally, the gap between these two groups significantly widened as employment rates increased from 3.5% to 4.8%. These statistics highlight the importance of how practical skills need to be easily accessible to native communities in order to provide them with equal opportunity to financially succeed within Canadian economy. In correlation to the ideas of equality within education, D'ary Levesque also discusses in the Globe and Mail, the importance of aboriginal education and its potential impact on the country's economy. Although Aboriginal Canadians are one of the youngest and fastest growing populations, lower educational trends continue to preside. Levesque expands on this idea based on reports from the Ottawa-based Centre for the Study of Living Standards which estimates more than $170 billion could be added to the economy by 2026 if natives achieved the same education levels as other Canadians. Ultimately, Levesque examines the importance of corporations to lend a supporting role alongside the Federal government to assist First Nation communities in advancing their education. Refer to: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opin

Title for Discussion: "The effects of computer games on primary school students' achievements and motivation in geography learning." This article interestingly investigates the effects of the game environment on students' achievements and motivation to learn. A study conducted by a University in Turkey highlights how there is a direct correlation between student's engagement with educational games on the computer and its positive impact on the student's ability to actively engage in their studies. This three-week experiment with Grades 4 and 5 students involves their participation in an educational computer game which focuses on learning about the global continents and countries. In contrast to the traditionalistic lecture approach, this constructivist method of teaching focuses on a technological-based style of learning. Therefore, the gradual shift towards a new pedagogy is explicitly apparent as the studies conducted from student interviews illustrate their enthusiasm and engagement to learn about world geography. In particular, the student's enjoy the opportunity to utilize the "chat tool" as it allows for student interaction as well as collaboration. This alternative method for teaching serves as an important tool to support student learning and future development. The overwhelming consensus of student support further highlights how educational computer games can offer a positive learning experience as it enhances their abilities to engage and participate within a virtual realm. However, it is important to note that using technology does not replace human experience and interaction. Therefore, computer gaming is simply one effective teaching aid that can be adapted in various ways to engage students in their learning.

As the tenth anniversary of 9/11 nears, stories regarding this indescribable occurrence have flooded various media outlets including newspapers articles and television programs. This weekend of remembrance for America's great city does not just entail how the twin towers of the World Trade Center quickly collapsed before the world's eyes, but the lessons individuals have gained after this devastating attack. In particular, Mitch Potter, writer in the Toronto Star, published an article today entitled, "New Yorkers shrug off anxieties as 9/11 milestone approaches." Preparations are underway for Sunday's ceremony at ground zero as victims affected by the attack gather together to remember the one's they lost.

For additional information on the memorial, Michelle Shephard's article in the Toronto star is another useful resource as she attempts to understand how world events can "puncture our own bubble of security." Her book entitled, Decade of Fear, tracks terrorists, victims, and spies, around the world as she attempts to define terrorism and understand its roots. By visiting different places around the world and interviewing various people she uncovers that each region views the world in a different perspective. Therefore, it is important for students to recognize these differences in order to obtain a greater perspective on the complexity of the world.

Class discussion of current events when teaching or learning about social studies is pivotal in engaging the students to learn. Being able to draw resources from events or experiences is an essential part to learning about the complex history of our world. Referring to the Professor's previous post: critical thinking in social studies is imperative in order to "create a critical thinking culture in the classroom." Therefore, awareness of global issues is essential in order for students to make connections and draw conclusions. Reading the daily newspaper or watching the news is an extremely useful tool for students to gain a greater perspective of what is happening in our world.

Please refer to link below for the article of reference :
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1051868--new-yorkers-shrug-off-anxieties-as-9-11-milestone-approaches?bn=1