Freedom of Speech Day One

Today we brainstormed the meaning and purpose of having a "Freedom of Speech". We then started to read the principles of the First Amendment and its limitations. Read and annotate the first three pages of the linked document for our next class period.

Blogging Inspiration

Today we're going to continue to work with our blogs, exploring the web to find sources from which to get inspired for "issues oriented" blog posts. At this point, you should already have two posts, an introductory one and a post about the story on the confederate battle flag at the Virginia High School. For your next post this week, you are welcome to continue to explore issues raised by that article or find another issue to post about. There are many different sources that may inspire you to post. Please explore the following and find at least one other article or film that you would like to respond to for your final post for this week's assignment.
"Mainstream" News Sources
CNN
Fox
Chicago Tribune
NY Times

Sometimes however, better (more provocative and interesting) sources come from other blogs. Some interesting ones that I've found are:
The Huffington Post
Slate
Salon
Drudge
Politico

Magazines are also good sources
The Atlantic
National Review
Rolling Stone

Documentaries can be provocative as well.
Frontline

Once you have read your article (or watched your documentary) write a post on what you read or saw. Then take a look at the list below.  When you are finished with your post, read the blogs of your partners (follow them by email if they've set up that gadget) and then post a comment to something that they wrote in any of their posts except their intro.
Period One

1. Evan/Ashley/Elena
2. Claude/Brittany/Josh
3. Lizzie/Becca Horwitz/Becca Hyland
4. Nick/Isaac/Will Kepler
5. Sara/Billy/Rachel
6. Annie/Emily/Morgan
7. Dillon/David/Jamie
8. Dylan/Kyle/Ben/Bijan
9. Andrew/Jake/Noah/Hillary

Period Six

1. Lindsey/Jovan/Nathan
2. Jared/Rosie/Justin
3. Tommy/Kyle/Alexis
4. Carly/Ryan/Max
5. Marnie/Sophia/Isabel
6. Elizabeth/MacKenzie/Alex
7. David/Will/Noah
8. Caroline/Riley/Michael/George
9. Nick/Britney/Ricky/Lucy

Let's Blog

Today you will all become part of what has become known as the blogosphere, a modern day adaptation of the public square where intense debates about the issues of the day happen.  In a tradition that has its roots in early American society, the public comes together to explore interesting and provocative ideas.  In 2015, that universe has expanded to allow anyone's ideas to be put into the marketplace for the world to see or hear.  Today, you will set up a blog that will allow you to do just that.

What does a blog look like?  Explore the following sites to search for blogs and get a sense for what they look like and what issues and topics they cover.  As you'll see, they can be about almost anything. 

• Top 15 most popular blogs 2015
• Blog Awards
• Best of the Web Blogs
• Daily Tekk's Best Blogs of 2015

So, let’s make a blog! (Note-make sure that you are signed in with your school gmail account).  We are going to use Google's Blogger platform to create our blogs.  Find it in your Google Apps or you can click here.  Note-it may ask you to create a Google+ profile which you may (although this takes longer) or you can continue with a limited blogger profile (I would start here and then upgrade to Google+ later if you wish) Then:

1. Click the button to create a new blog. 
2. Decide on a catchy title for your blog.
3. Identify an available URL for your blog.
4. Choose a template to begin (don't worry, you can customize this later)
5. Then click "Create Blog" 

Some things to consider as you begin to blog

• Choosing a design-many different templates and ways to customize  Click on the Template link on the left side to choose.
• The layout tab allows you to change the layout of your blog and add gadgets-gadgets allow  you to post links, add pages, have newsfeeds, etc.
• Click on the settings tab and then language and formatting to change to Central Time Zone.
• Warnings before going too far
  • Audience
  • Privacy - no full names, personal information
  • Expectations - tone, respect, acceptable topic

Blogging-so now that your blog has been created, you are ready to post.  You can create a new post from your blogger dashboard or from your blog itself (as long as you are signed in).  Remember, anyone can see and comment on your post so consider your audience.  You can also incorporate images, videos, and links in your posts.  As we continue to blog this year, I will show you how to do this.

Need help?     

·         http://www.google.com/support/blogger/

So, here are your ultimate tasks for today (and the weekend if you don't finish in class):

1.  Create a blog!
2.  Think of a catchy title.  Make sure you add a description of what you want your blog to be or to express.
3.  E-mail Mr. Kramer with the name of your blog and its URL address.  He will create a link to it on the class blog.
4. Write a post that introduces yourself and your ideas to your readers.  The first can be about virtually anything-current events, a good movie you recently saw, the first day of school, etc.  Spend some time with this.  It will be the first time for your followers to get to know you and your ideas thus you want them to have a good sense of your voice.
5. Next, write another post that addresses the issues raised by the article you read for today.  What issues seem to be simmering for you?  What concerns or questions do you still have?  Be sure to include details from the article to support what you say.

Welcome!

Greetings Issues Scholars!

Welcome to the blog for Mr. Kramer's Issues in Modern America classes. Here you will find information about the class, as well as helpful resources and links to your own blogs. It's also where you may find conversations begun or continued about the wide variety of topics and issues we will discuss in class. In essence, this is the clearinghouse for our "marketplace of ideas". Both in class and out, I look forward to helping you to continue your journey towards responsible citizenship.  Your first assignment is to find and read two articles from credible news sources about significant issues currently facing the United States.  Please print out the articles, read, and annotate them for class tomorrow.

Sincerely,

Mr. Kramer