Monday, March 28, 2011

ELECTION ON! Try Vote Compass


Many Social Studies students will remember trying politicalcompass.org to find out where they were on the "political spectrum" -- but were often left with questions about what it meant and how it related to Canadian politics. As you may know, Canadian voters are heading to an election on May 2. CBC News has made their own spectrum quiz -- http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadavotes2011/votecompass/. Try it and leave a comment if you like -- I'm interested to know if you are surprised by the results or not (e.g. did you end up matched up with a party you probably wouldn't vote for?). Also, why do you think people might vote for a party that doesn't match up with their beliefs?

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

Source: The Big Picture, an amazing series of photo essays on world culture, politics, and environment

News sites to follow the disaster:
BBC overview http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/asia_pacific/ or recent story here on BBC

CBC overview http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2011/03/11/f-japan-earthquake-topix.html or recent story here on CBC

What's you reaction to this natural disaster, or what questions do you have?

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Unrest in Middle East and North Africa


Source: The Big Picture, an amazing series of photo essays on world culture, politics, and environment (like, Social Studies!)

Also, check out the interactive map on the unrest in the region from CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.