Announcements/Reminders:

Expectations: As we continue for the rest of the semester, please be reminded of the following:

Tardy – If you are tardy, sign in at the front left table when you arrive. Consequences will happen!

Food – Food is not permitted during class. Drinks, with a lid, are acceptable. Clean up your space!

Technology – Cell phones should be stored during class. Avoid charging your phone during class.

Assessments – Missed quizzes and tests, due to excused absences, must be made up within 3 days

Assignments –Late assignments, up to the unit test, for a maximum grade of a 50 (academic only).

Growth Mindset: Consider your challenges, feedback, effort and mistakes from the first quarter.

JHS Speaker Series – Sponsored by the Social Studies Department and generous community support, the JHS Distinguished Speaker Series brings four dynamic speakers to our school. Those students taking the class for “academic” credit are required to attend one additional event, while the students taking the class for “honors” credit are required to attend two additional events. The remaining events may earn extra credit.

February 19 – Dr. Martin Smith, Duke University (Front Lobby)

“​Contexualizing Kaepernick: What America Doesn't Want You to Know"

March 4 – Dr. Mary Jo Festle, Elon University (Front Lobby)

"Playing Nice: What Women's Sports Teaches Us about Gender & Social Change in the 20th Century"

April 8 – Mary D. Williams, Gospel Singer and Historian (Auditorium)

“Songs of Protest and Promise”

Book Project – Our second and final book project will allow us an opportunity to explore poverty through another lens. Students taking the class for academic credit will be reading Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America by Barbara Ehrenreich. She “attempts to eke out a living while working as a waitress, hotel maid, house cleaner, nursing-home aide, and Wal-Mart association. Students taking the class for honors credit will be reading Savage Inequalities: Children in America’s Schools. Guided Reading questions on the class website.

UNIT OVERVIEW/PLAN
The next two units focus on the contemporary issues of poverty in this country. Research demonstrates a clear connection between educational attainment and income. As a result, our first exploration will allow us to investigate schooling and wages. During this unit, we will watch the documentary Waiting for Super-man. During Unit 6, we will examine healthcare, hunger, and habeas corpus (criminal justice) and watch the documentary Sicko.

Thursday, January 23

Discussion:	Debrief Speaker Series/Current Events, Unit Overview, Book Distribution
Revisit “Privilege on a Plate” and “Equity vs. Equality”

Homework:	Nickel & Dimed – Getting Ready; Savage Inequalities – Intro

Monday, January 27

Discussion:	Education and Poverty: 11 Facts (Unpacking the data)

TED Talk – How Does Income Affect…Brain Development; Economic Case for Pre-School

Homework:	Nickel & Dimed – Getting Ready; Savage Inequalities – Chapter 1

Wednesday, January 29

Discussion:	Current Events/JHS Scheduling

Article: What the numbers really tell us about America’s Public Schools

Homework:	Nickel & Dimed – Chapter 1; Savage Inequalities – Chapter 1

Friday, January 31

Discussion:	TED Talk: The Opportunity Gap in US Public Education and How to Close It

TED Talk: How America’s Public School’s Keep Kids in Poverty

Homework:	Nickel & Dimed – Chapter 1
Savage Inequalities – Chapter 1

Tuesday, February 4

Discussion:	Film – Waiting for Superman
Homework:	Nickel & Dimed – Chapter 1
Savage Inequalities – Chapter 2

Thursday, February 6

Discussion:	Film – Waiting for Superman
Homework:	Nickel & Dimed – Chapter 1

Savage Inequalities – Chapter 2

NOTE: Schedule modified as a result of early dismissal (Feb 6) and closure (Feb 7)

Tuesday, February 11

Discussion:	Public Schools vs. Charter Schools, Part I

Waiting for Superman Discussion Questions

Articles: Long Lasting Effectives, Cycle of Failure, 7 Ways

Evaluation of Jordan High School

Homework:	Nickel & Dimed – Chapter 2

Savage Inequalities – Chapter 3

Thursday, February 13

Discussion:	Public Schools vs. Charter Schools, Part 2

Book Discussion Groups

Homework:	Nickel & Dimed – Chapter 2

Savage Inequalities – Chapter 3

Monday, February 17

Discussion:	History of the Minimum Wage & Gender Pay Gap

Pro-Con: Raising the Minimum Wage

Homework:	Nickel & Dimed – Chapter 2 (due next class)
Savage Inequalities – Chapter 3 (due next class)

Wednesday, February 19

Discussion:	Living on the Minimum Wage: 30 Days Video and Discussion; Playspent Revisited
Homework:	Finish Playspent Activity/Reflection; Study for test

Friday, February 21

Discussion:	Review for test

Homework:	Study for test

Tuesday, February 25

TEST: CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN POVERTY, PART I