Happy Thanksgiving!
How does your family celebrate today? Do you have any unique traditions?
Visit the Arts and Culture Message Board at newmoon.com to discuss what people and things you’re thankful for in your life!
Stop Violence Against Women Day
November 26, 2008 By
Today is Stop Violence Against Women Day. Worldwide, 1 in 3 women will experience some sort of abuse in her lifetime. Abuse, physical or emotional, often comes from someone the victim already knows.
The International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA) is an effort by the US to decrease abuse against women worldwide. You can watch an informative video clip about violence against woman below, produced by Amnesty International.
Read more about the International Violence Against Women Act at the Amnesty International Website, or check out the “Safe Schools: Every Girls’ Right” comic. You can also visit the Stop Violence Against Women Day Spotlight feature at NewMoonGirls.com.
Stereotyped costumes?
November 25, 2008 By
With Thanksgiving only a couple of days away, you may be learning about the history behind this annual holiday in your classroom. However, the holiday has sparked some controversy in the California city of Claremont.
A LA Times article today discusses the current divide in opinion present in one school district over a yearly tradition in Kindergarten classrooms. Each year, kids have created and dressed up in costumes depicting Pilgrims and Indians, and gotten together to reenact the first Thanksgiving. Some residents of the city have expressed outrage about the costumes, viewing them as a racist stereotype of Native American heritage.
What do you think? Should the school district allow the children to wear the costumes? Should the stereotypes that the costumes represent be discussed with the children? Do you think that it’s possible for the children to dress up as Native Americans without being stereotypical or offensive?
Discuss this issue over at The Great Debate discussion board at NewMoonGirls.com.
Volunteering
November 24, 2008 By
It’s Thanks and Remembrance Week at NewMoonGirls.com! There are many different ways to give thanks this week. Giving back to your community is just one way to show your appreciation and help out those in need.
Some organizations require that you be 18 years or older to volunteer, but there are many places that welcome help from younger people and families. You can search out volunteer opportunities in your neighborhood and pick a cause or organization that interests you. Some good places to look are your local library, a soup kitchen, and nursing homes.
Do you already volunteer in your community? If so, what do you do and how did you become involved? What ideas do you have for giving back? Talk about it on the Changing the World discussion board at NewMoonGirls.com (sign-in required).
Your Internet Use
November 21, 2008 By
You’ve heard about the possible negative consequences of spending too much time watching TV, but what about all of those hours spent in front of a computer?
According to a New York Times article, the time that adolescents spend socializing on the computer and using new media may actually be time well spent. By interacting online and learning how to use new technologies, you are learning skills which are likely to be valuable down the road and help you to succeed.
How much time do you spend online each day? How involved are you in new media, such as watching or making your own videos and blogging? Do you think that there’s a point when Internet usage could become problematic? Discuss the impact that new media has on society over at the Arts and Culture discussion board at newmoon.com!
