POLITICS Last week brought two passionate and dramatic popular votes for independence, in Iraqi Kurdistan and in Catalonia, Spain. Everyone, even those who dismissed both votes as illegal and meaningless, called them national “referendums.” (New York Review of Books) What is a nation? Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Text Set. Discussion Ideas The author of the great … Continue reading What Is a Referendum? Who Decides?
POLITICS The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that North Carolina’s legislature unlawfully relied on race when drawing two of the state’s congressional districts. (SCOTUSblog) Use this great lesson plan on redistricting and gerrymandering from the good folks at KQED. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas The Supreme Court just decided a case concerning redistricting in … Continue reading What is Gerrymandering?
Here’s an advance look at a some of the “This Day in Geographic History” (TDIGH) events coming up this week. For each date, we’ve matched it with a map or visual, background information, and a classroom activity so you can plan ahead. Monday, October 31 TDIGH: Day of 7 Billion In 2011 the UN recognized that the worldwide population had reached 7 billion; it is … Continue reading This Week in Geographic History, October 31 – November 6
HISTORY Last week, Hillary Clinton made history by becoming the first woman in the United States to receive a presidential nomination from a major party. (Al Jazeera) We look back on a few highlights of women’s political progress in the US. Use our resources to learn about woman suffrage, suffragette Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and the first three waves of feminism. Teachers, scroll down for a … Continue reading Highlights from History: American Women in Politics
POLITICS In a historic referendum held on June 23, 2016, the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union. People in Britain, Europe, and the world are bound to be affected, but only time will tell exactly how. (BBC) Wait, let’s back up: What is Brexit again? See our first Current Event Connection on Brexit. Let’s back up even more: What is the EU? Educators, scroll down … Continue reading What does the Brexit vote mean, and what happens now?
