Aspect of US Citizenship

Last week we discussed Citizenship so for their Bell Ringer on Friday I asked them what is the most important aspect of being a US Citizen?  Here are the top responses:

1. Voting

 

It is our duty as a US Citizen to vote!  There are people all around the world who would love to choose there political leaders.  Plus Women and Minorities have fought so hard for the right to vote.  We definitely take it for granted!  Here is a great movie about Women's fight to vote!

 



 



2. Paying Your Taxes and Following The Law

 

 

That is how a government makes money - taxes!  Even though we all would love to not pay taxes we have to!  Our taxes pay for services and defense.

 

 

3. Giving Back To Your Community

 

 

 

I love that almost every student said this!  It warms my heart!  One student said it best by explaining he wants a society that helps each other instead of everyone being selfish!  I always say if you are blessed in your life - you need to share your blessing!  Give Back - Volunteer!

 

4.  Know Your Rights And Government - Participate!

 

Angelina Jolie believes so much that you need to know your rights - she tattooed it on her neck!

 

 

To become a US Citizen you have to take a test!  You have to know about our government.  It is things everyone should know!

 





Persecution of Citizens

This week in US Government we talked about Citizenship.  I always like to start with a lesson on citizenship.  That is a big part of US Government.  I want my students to become informed and active citizens in their country and government. 

When I first started teaching I was not excited to teach US Government, but it has become my favorite class to teach.  Students should know and understand how our government works.  It plays a huge role in our lives and impacts our lives every day.  There are always real world examples to talk about in class to illustrate our lessons.  Which is always great!

One aspect we discuss about Citizenship is persecution.  Sadly sometimes a government will persecute their citizens.  Which goes against everything a government stands for!  A government should take care of their citizens not persecute them.  Unfortunately this country has persecuted their citizens through out our history.  I wish we hadn't, and it is always hard to hear about.  I always end it with it is our responsibility as citizens to make sure our government does not persecute.

If they can persecute one group they can persecute another.  That is why we should want every American to be protected.  If they are protected so are we.  So we talked about groups that have been persecuted by our government.

One group we discussed was Japanese Americans during World War 2.  After Pearl Harbor America became very suspicious and paranoid about Japanese Americans.  The fear was they were spying for the Japanese Government.  They were not because they were Americans!  So the government decided to round up Japanese Americans and make them live in interment camps for the duration of the war.  They took them from their homes and businesses, and when the war was over the government gave everyone $20 to start their lives over and said sorry.  FDR later said this was the most embarrassing action as president.

A student last week told me about a song on this subject.  This rapper's family went through this ordeal, and he wrote a song about it.  It is beautiful and brilliant.  I think I will play it every year! 

Why I've Been Away...

I wanted to let everyone know that on Friday I woke up with the flu.  I had a temperature, and was sick all weekend.  I finally feel better!  So I'll be at school this week.  I just haven't had the energy to post anything! 

I am also SO SAD that I was not able to go to Winter Formal!  It was the first one I've missed in 8 years, and have been looking forward to it!

Sgt. Reckless

I got this in an email, and was blown away!  Incredible story!

Reckless, the Hero Mare

This horse was a pack horse during the Korean war, and she carried recoil-less rifles, ammunition and supplies to Marines. Nothing too unusual about that, lots of animals got pressed into doing pack chores in many wars.

But this horse did something more. During the battle for a location called Outpost Vegas, this mare made 51 trips up and down the hill, on the way up she carried ammunition, and on the way down she carried wounded soldiers.  What was so amazing? Well, she made every one of those trips without anyone leading her.

One can imagine a horse carrying a wounded soldier, being smacked on the rump at the top of the hill, and heading back to the "safety" of the rear. But to imagine the same horse, loaded  with ammunition, and trudging back to the battle where artillery is going off, without anyone leading her is unbelievable. To know that she would make 50 of those trips is unheard of. How many horses would even make it back to the barn once, let alone return to the soldiers in the field even a single time?

Here is a clip of her story and photos to prove where she was and what she did.

Reckless was retired at the Marine Corps Base in Camp Pendleton where a General issued the following order:  "She was never to carry any more weight on her back except her own blankets." She died in 1968 at the age of 20.

P.S.

How bad was the battle for Outpost Vegas? Artillery rounds fell at the rate of 500 per hour, and only two men

made it out alive without wounds. Just two. And also a horse, and she was wounded twice.

Binder Announcement

Students from last semester - Binders are ready to be picked up!  I finished grading them today!  You have one week to pick them up, and then I will dispose of them.  Hope you guys have a GREAT semester!

Love Ms. Haughey

Happy New Year!