I shared several books. We discussed the idea of this class since October about a framework rather than facts. Then we did a bit with the world map.

Several students presented current events. We discussed Anthony Swofford's visit. We went to the computer lab and continued researching topics.

We had Anthony Swofford speak to us about his book, his Marine experiences, his life, his opinions. I think most of us thoroughly appreciated what we learned.

I introduced a new research project. I gave 60-70 options. We spent the rest of the period in the computer lab.

We had a discussion of several items including Wednesday's assembly.

We had a long rambling discussion about many issues, punctuated by important tangents and non-tangents. Among the topics: advertising, our lives, happiness, moneylaundering, Anthony Swofford, current events, assignments, bells.

We watched the first segment of PBS's "The Ad and the Ego", an excellent documentary about the effects of advertising on our culture and psyches.

Assignment: find a current event article, post, videoclip, etc. that relates to something we've learned in class this year. Be prepared to present it to class. (due Friday)
Assignment: write a "review" of "Three Kings" that incorporates what we learned from "Faces of the Enemy", distance and killing, "What War Looks Like" (Zinn article), Killing Fields, etc.

We finished watching "Three Kings".

I passed out a "review" of "Three Kings" from yesterday's New York Times. We watched another segment of "Three Kings."

Assignment: read the review of the movie and be prepared to discuss it when we finish the film on Thursday.
Assignment: (due no later than noon this Friday) write "what I learned" this quarter, give yourself the grade you think you deserve based upon your learning, justify that grade, evaluate my (Matt's) teaching this quarter.

We listened to a brief segment from last weeks "This American Life",an NPR show with Anthony Swofford sharing his reactions to TV coverage of the current Gulf War.

We watched the first segment of "Three Kings" which takes place just "after" the first Gulf War. Tomorrow I'll hand out a review from yesterday's New York Times which each person will read.

Assignment: write a review of "Three Kings" incorporating what we have learned about war from On Killing, the Zinn article, "Faces of the Enemy", etc.

I read A Fine, Fine School to the class, which is a wonderful childrens book related to previous discussions we've had about schooling and learning.

We watched the last part of "Faces of the Enemy" and discussed it briefly.

Remember, next Thursday is the last day of the quarter.

We went to the computer lab and continued working on what we started on Tuesday. I also gave another assignment:

Assignment: go to matthewpliesusdiscuss.blogspot.com and follow the instructions posted Monday.
Assignment: find 4-10 web news sources that you trust and turn the list in to me, preferably by email: matthewplies@hotmail.com