Emma was asked to write an example essay, much like the one she is expected to write for her AP exam, on the content of The Crucible. The essay topic was this: "Based on your observations from The Crucible, decide whether or not individuals are more inclined to follow the crowd or stand up for what they believe. Use specific evidence from the text to support your ideas." Emma has gotten very good at writing these types of essays, and she supported her viewpoints well on this assignment.
Emma and I discussed some things that she was confused about during her reading of The Crucible, Act One. We clarified some details (who is with whom, who is being accused of what, why) and then we watched the theatrical rendition of the play by a theatre group in Massachusetts. They took a different spin on the presentation of the play, which Emma found to be interesting but very eccentric.
Emma and I discussed many aspects of WWI today including: factors and events that led to war (imperialism, nationalism, and the alliances), how WWI was deadlier than any other conflict (new warfare tactics and weapons), American neutrality (Wilson's policy), how we entered the conflict (ethnic loyalties, supplying Allies, the Lusitania), and the Russian Revolution.
Today Emma and her schoolmates took a field trip to the Traveling Vietnam War Memorial. Through this educational trip Emma learned about many aspects of the war including military history, the structure and function of the military, combat, chemicals used in warfare, military vehicles and equipment, the controversy surrounding the war, the soldiers' plights in combat and back at home, the plight of civilians and refugees, geography and terminology of the war, among many other topics and issues. During our trip we spoke to a two-star general who served in four wars, as well as a former soldier who was shot down over Vietnam and was a prisoner of war.
Today Emma and I discussed the following: Organized Labor versus Big Business and how the government supported one or both, the establishment of the National Parks System as a response to the Conservation movement, consumer protection, Upton Sinclair's The Jungle, Taft's presidency and policies, and the election and early presidency of Woodrow Wilson.
Emma and I discussed the following issues and topics during our session: William McKinley, the Spanish American War, the Maine and Cuba, McKinley as the 3rd President assassinated in 36 years, the concept of an embargo, western hemisphere geography, the rise of colonialism, the role of colonialization in altering customs, language, and culture in occupied countries, the election of Theodore Roosevelt, the Bull Moose Party, the parties and how they supported federal regulations, reform, and social services, and language as a tool in politics.
