Our world is changing. Today, we rely on mathematics and science in ways we could not imagine thirty years ago. Innovations in technology help us communicate across the globe with ease through satellites, the internet, and cell phones. They also help us every day to work better and even pay our bills on-line. Advances in medicine and science improve our health and help us to understand the world around us. From balancing a household budget to preparing your taxes to following a recipe, mathematics and science touch every part of our lives.

Think ahead to what the world will be like when you are an adult. What skills will you need to succeed in life and work in our changing world? A strong background in mathematics and science will prepare you for college or work after graduation and open doors to higher paying jobs and greater opportunity over a lifetime.

Aloha and Welcome to our Blog!

I know that good communication between school and home is vital to the success of each student so, please feel free to e-mail me with your questions, comments, or concerns by clicking on the convenient “comments” link right underneath this message.

The students enjoy being haumana here at Kamehameha and as we learn and grow together we know we will be able to…

“Ho`olale i ka`ai a ka u`i!”
Show what youth can do!

Imua e na pua a Pauahi!

Mahalo nui for visiting,

Andrew Chung & Beth Ann Burgess

What are your thoughts about American history after watching Roots?

What do you think of America’s slave past?

Do you have any comments in general?

In a recent survey, fifth-graders in Minnesota spent slightly more than four hours a week on homework–significantly less than the six hours in Sendai, Japan and a vastly smaller amount of time than the thirteen hours in Taipei.

Research in the last decade has begun to focus on the relationship between homework and student achievement and has greatly strengthened the case for homework. Although there are mixed findings about whether homework actually increases students’ academic achievement, many teachers and parents agree that homework develops students’ initiative and responsibility and fulfills the expectations of students, parents, and the public. Studies generally have found homework assignments to be most helpful if they are carefully planned by the teachers and have direct meaning to students.

But, according to Sara Bennett and Nancy Kalish, there is almost no evidence that homework helps elementary school students achieve academic success and that it helps older students. The nightly burden is taking a serious toll on America’s families. It robs children of the sleep, play, and exercise time they need for proper physical, emotional, and neurological development. And it is a hidden cause of the childhood obesity epidemic, creating a nation of “homework potatoes.”

What do you think? I would also like to know what the parents think as well. There are no right or wrong answers.

This week was your first week of class as a 5th grader.

*How was your week?

*What were your thoughts and impressions?

*What do you expect from this school year?

Any comments, questions, or feedback.

On January 16, 1893, four boatloads of United States Marines armed with Gatling guns and hundreds of rounds of ammunition came ashore in Honolulu, capital of the independent Kingdom of Hawai’i. The Queen of Hawaii, Lili’uokalani looked down from her balcony as the troop took up their positions. The following day, Lili’uokalani surrendered-at gun point-yielding her throne to the United States. A provisional government led by wealthy white sugar growers assumed control of Hawai’i and petitioned the US for annexation.

What do you think of the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom? To answer this question well, use what you learned in social studies thus far this year.

If you were Lili’uokalani, what would you have done during this time?

What qualities in Lili’uokalani made her a great leader?

Open House

It was a sincere pleasure meeting all of you at Open House. Your concern and love for your child touched my heart and reinforced my desire to do my best for the students.

While driving to school today, I was thinking of how much I love my job. I look forward to stepping into my classroom every morning, and during the day I never watch the clock to see if it is time to go home. In fact, I wish the day was longer. No matter how carefully I plan, I never know what to expect at the start of each day which makes my job very exciting.

I look forward to another fun week of learning. Personally, I get to relearn all the subjects that I daydreamed through when I was a student.

For parents who would like to more about my thoughts on education, please click on the Andy Chung’s Soapbox page on the right.

How did watching this video change your paradigm about “stuff?”

Why is it difficult to stop this process of “stuff?”

What can you do personally to help this situation?

Creating Sustainable Communities captures the mind through imagining the world that could be if we all make sustainable choices. We are introduced to the abstract concept of sustainability through the eyes of The Lorax by Dr. Suess. The Lorax teaches students the importance of revisiting children’s literature, which often holds deeper, more complex meaning as one grows older. The fable is about how the destructive “Onceler” ignored the warnings of the Lorax and destroyed the truffala trees to manufacture “thneeds.” When all the natural resources were used up, the Lorax gives this message: “Unless someone like you cares an awful lot, nothing is going to get better.”

Humans and animals are dependent upon plant life for things such as food, clean air, water, etc., and that it is important to replace what we take from the environment when possible. We must learn about the harmful effects that man’s greed and carelessness has on our precious environment. Unless we take responsibility and care for the environment, it will not always be around.

Discuss how resources will eventually run out if they are constantly abused.

How do we as guardians and leaders of our ‘aina create a sustainable future?

TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from those three worlds. Since then its scope has become ever broader.

The annual conference now brings together the world’s most fascinating thinkers and doers, who are challenged to give the talk of their lives (in 18 minutes).

Mission of TED: Spreading ideas.
We believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and ultimately, the world. So we’re building here a clearinghouse that offers free knowledge and inspiration from the world’s most inspired thinkers, and also a community of curious souls to engage with ideas and each other.

Today, TED is therefore best thought of as a global community. It’s a community welcoming people from every discipline and culture who have just two things in common: they seek a deeper understanding of the world, and they hope to turn that understanding into a better future for us all.

*Summarize the video that you watched.
(Remember, the reader has no background knowledge of the video)

*What are the points the speaker is trying to get across.

*Give your opinion of the video. (Make connections with prior knowledge, your life, other subjects, etc.)

*Would you recommend this video to your class?

*What things did you learn from Trustee Thompson’s presentation that left a lasting impression?

*After listening to Trustee Thompson’s presentation, what do you think our kuleana as Hawaiians is?

*What do you think is your personal kuleana now and in your future?

*Do you have any questions? (optional)

*What things did you learn from Mr. Hannah’s presentation that left a lasting impression?

*After listening to Mr. Hannahs’s presentation, what do you think our kuleana as Hawaiians is?

*What do you think is your personal kuleana now and in your future?

*Do you have any questions? (optional)

On Thursday, we went to the colonial exhibit. We saw and experienced many artifacts that made life easier for the early White Americans. Would you consider some of these items technology today? Why or why not? What is technology? What do you think are the 2 most influential inventions in human history and why?

Most children your age have some idea of what they want to be when they grow up. In colonial times, a 10-year-old had to make decisions about what he would do for the rest of his life. If you were a 10-year-old living during those times, what do you think you would want to be when you grew up?

On Tuesday, Mr. Chung showed a 2 minute video on the Chinese space program. In the video, a Chinese government official proudly mentioned that China sent a man into space, fully conscious and without shackles. The news clip goes on to discuss how China was using political prisoners for their space program. One reporter said, “China’s first manned mission occurred when political prisoner Yang Li-Wei was knocked unconscious in his cell and awoke to find himself in orbit.”

After a heated class discussion on the pros and cons of this space policy and whether the United States should themselves adopt this strategy, Mr. Chung dropped a bombshell. He mentioned that the news report was a parody and it was not true.

What were you thinking when Mr. Chung was showing the video and giving the lesson? Did you think it was a good thing that the Chinese government was doing with their prisoners?

How did you feel when you found out the news story was fake?

Why do you think Mr. Chung gave this fake lesson? What did you learn from this?

*What things did you learn from Kumu Umi’s presentation that left a lasting impression?

*After listening to Kumu Umi’s presentation, what do you think our kuleana as Hawaiians is?

*What do you think is your personal kuleana now and in your future?

*Do you have any questions? (optional)

How do you feel after hearing Attila’s presentation (anything you find interesting, unusual, or inspiring? Did you make any connections? Did you wonder about anything that he said?

How did this presentation “change” you?

How could this presentation affect your future?

For many years people thought of wetlands as yucky, soggy, useless land. It would be much better if this land was drained so crops could be grown, or filled so people could build on it. It even seemed a great spot to use as a garbage dump because then you could both dump and fill.

Now people are trying to save and protect wetlands because we understand why they are important.

Many animals depend on wetlands for some part of their life cycle, like fish, frogs and mosquitoes.
Wetland plants are very productive and support a rich web of life, from simple molds to mammals.
Wetlands provide shelter and food for fish.
Wetlands provide flood control by soaking up the water that falls as rain. Wetlands also slow the spring snow-melt run-off.
Wetlands make the water clearer and filter out things that make the water impure, like chemical pollution.
Wetlands are a wonderful place to visit, look, and listen, learn and experience life.
What will be the impact if wetlands were destroyed?

Does it really matter if the wetlands are not protected?

What can you do individually to help save the wetlands in
Hawaii?

Jared Diamond was born of Polish-Jewish heritage to a physician father and a teacher/musician/linguist mother. After attending the Roxbury Latin School, he earned an A.B. degree from Harvard College in 1958 and his Ph.D. in physiology and membrane biophysics from Cambridge University in 1961.

In Diamond’s best-known work, the Pulitzer Prize-winning Guns, Germs, and Steel (1998), Diamond’s quest is to explain why Eurasian civilizations, as a whole, have survived and conquered other peoples. He identifies the introduction and proliferation (spread) of agriculture and technology as important developments in creating powerful states. Diamond argues that the gaps in power and technology between human societies do not reflect cultural or racial differences, but rather originate in environmental and geographical differences such as the most productive crops and farm animals.

What did you learn from studying Guns, Germs, and Steel that you did not know before?

Do you agree with Jared Diamond’s arguments? Why or why not? Make connections with your previous knowledge of our world.

Do you think it is a good or bad idea that a President of the United States addresses the children. Why or why not?

What are two things that President Obama said that stood out for you. Why? Make connections with your own thoughts and life experiences.

Do you think it was a good speech? Why or why not?

Janell Cannon is a published author and an illustrator of children’s books. Self-taught artist and writer Janell Cannon has always admired animals, especially creatures that have been misunderstood or neglected. Her love of bats, spiders, Komodo dragons, and snakes inspired her work at a public library, where she developed award-winning summer reading programs about these unusual animals.

Listening to Janelle Cannon, what type of person do you think she is?

What makes her a good author?

What did you learn today that could help you in your future?

Around AD 500, Hawai‘i was settled by the Polynesians and around AD 1000 Aotearoa (New Zealand) was settled as well. The migration of the Polynesians is impressive considering that the islands settled by them are spread out over great distances—the Pacific Ocean covers nearly a half of the Earth’s surface area.

Today, Dr. Kepa discussed many interesting topics with our classes, focusing on knowledge systems of the Pacific Islands. What stood out for you in his talk? (For example, Capt. Cook, Tahitian wayfinders, mo‘olelo, Polynesian voyaging, etc.)

How will learning what you did today influence your thoughts about legends and traditional knowledge? How can you apply this knowledge to your life?

Students, after watching Shift Happens, please write a response to the the information that you heard/saw.
Parents, after watching Shift Happens, what are the thoughts that you would like to share with your child on being a student in the 21st century?

If you would like to see Shift Happens again, please click on the site under Articles for Parents on the right.

In your own words, what can you tell me about these pyramids?

How could understanding about these models of learning help you in your future?

WAILELE

Kapalama Campus Fifth Grade

Aloha and Welcome to our Blog!

I know that good communication between school and home is vital to the success of each student so, please feel free to e-mail me with your questions, comments, or concerns by clicking on the convenient “comments” link right underneath this message.

The students enjoy being haumana here at Kamehameha and as we learn and grow together we know we will be able to…

“Ho`olale i ka`ai a ka u`i!”
Show what youth can do!

Imua e na pua a Pauahi!

Mahalo nui for visiting,

Andrew Chung

Mahalo nui loa for the blog you created for me. It was the best gift I could ever ask for as a teacher. I was touched by the comments.

I really love being a teacher. Every morning during the school year, I couldn’t wait to get to my classroom in the morning. Everyday was different and I never knew what awaited me each day. It was a memorable year because of an extraordinary class, the Wailele class of 2015.

If you would like to see the blog, just click on Who is Mr. Chung under the Cool Links category on the right of this page.

Today I went to a beautiful ceremony of cleansing in preparation for the construction for the Ka‘iwakïloumoku, the new Hawaiian cultural center. The complex will be situated east of the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Memorial Chapel and Heritage Center.

At the ceremony, the vision of a Hawaiian cultural center was first articulated by former Kamehameha Schools trustee Myron “Pinky” Thompson in 1992. It was his vision to create a place where Hawaiians could come together to learn, celebrate and perpetuate their rich ancestral culture.

Randie Fong, who has kept this dream alive, has said, “This center will be a physical
symbol of Kamehameha’s commitment to the place of Hawaiian culture in the lives of
21st century Hawaiians. It will be a beacon that reflects our mission, a front and center, prominent and vibrant hub of activity.”

I personally believe the use of the new Hawaiian Cultural Center should reflect what type of Hawaiian leaders we want to cultivate as well as the realities of our global world.

With a rich history and deep knowledge, Hawaiians have much to teach the world about values towards others and the environment. Hawaiians managed to live in a sustainable way before Western contact using the ahupua‘a land management system. Natural resources were conserved while the ecosystem was protected. From the wisdom of their kupuna, I would like our keiki to learn the true meaning of malama i ka ‘äina at our new cultural center, to become leaders not only in the Hawai‘i, but globally as well.

We are developing students who can move past their history and into their imaginations. But the type of person who will succeed in our brave new world is someone who can also transcend race and build relationships—someone with a spirit of cooperation who is tolerant of others. It will require people who think before they react and who understand the consequences of their actions. It calls for self-respecting people who feel good about where they came from and don’t apologize for who they are, and it calls for people who will continue to grow and develop and who will bring value to themselves and those they represent.

I foresee Hawai‘i as a center for teaching the world about sustainability, marine science, alternative energy sources, and even race relations. With the world gone wrong in so many ways, we feel a different perspective will be needed to solve problems in the world.

I believe this new cultural center can become an integral part in creating Hawaiian leaders who can be an inspiration to the world.

Thanks for listening, and I would like to hear your comments as well!

This is how Kamalani and Taylor have fun over the summer.

the-geeks.mov

The year is almost finished and you will soon be “big” 6th graders!  The sad thing is that you will never be a 5th grader ever again in your life!

How has your paradigm shifted from the beginning of the year to now?     Give specific examples.

What do you consider the highlights of this year?

If you look back at 5th grade one day, what would like to remember?

Unlike many people who believe that this is a terrible time to live because of the Global Warming crisis, I, on the other hand, believe this is an exciting time to be alive. We are in a period of time when we have a great opportunity to change and redesign the world in a loving and sustainable way. I would like future generations to look back on us now and say we were the finest and noblest of all generations—the generation that made this world an extraordinary place to live and thrive.

We have the technology to be able to cut our impact on our Earth by 90% quickly and efficiently creating an environment that is more sustainable to living things. What is stopping us from doing this?

A man in the video mentions that “things are thieves of time?” What do you think this means? Explain.

What can indigenous peoples of the world teach our world concerning our interactions with the environment and with each other?

How can we use our understanding of science and technology along with our understanding of culture and how culture changes to create a society that will interact with science and the world around us in a sustainable fashion?

What new jobs and opportunities do you think will be created in the future to create a sustainable and just world?

Humankind’s 11th hour is here: the last moment when we can change course and stop our rush toward global ecological collapse. This is the theme of the documentary we watched today. We watched astonishing images of floods, fires, hurricanes, collapsing ice cliffs and growing mountains of waste.

What were your thoughts and feelings watching 11th hour?

Do you think the near future will be mankind’s darkest hour or will it be mankind’s finest?

What can the world do to create a sustainable future for humankind?

What can you do personally to affect positive change for our planet?

Do you think Kamehameha Schools benefits the Hawaiian community? Why or why not?

How do you think Kamehameha Schools could better serve the Hawaiian community?

Do you believe Kamehameha Schools should become a “tribal school?” Why or why not?

If you’ve traveled around this world of ours – in continental Europe, in South America, in many parts of Asia – you have noticed that many of the world’s citizens speak two languages, and some speak three or more. In fact, there are more multilingual people in the world than monolingual.

Monolingual Americans – and if you are American you are likely monolingual – invariably feel a twinge of shame about this. In Germany or Singapore, Moscow or Rio, folks switch from their language to ours because it’s understood us backward Americans can’t switch from ours to theirs.

Rationale for learning another language.

Development of a global attitude-During their elementary school years, children are open to ideas of global understanding. Study of a foreign language and culture can serve as an important vehicle by which to expand their intercultural views.

Enhancement of cognitive skills-Cognitive development takes place when a child is faced with an idea or experience that does not fit his or her realm of understanding. The cognitive conflict becomes the catalyst for new thinking. Children who learn a foreign language are more flexible and creative, and they reach high levels of cognitive development at an earlier age than their monolingual peers.

Enhancement of communication skills-The study of foreign languages has also been shown to have positive effects on memory and listening skills.

Personal Benefits-Individuals who study foreign languages and cultures help themselves toward international and intercultural communication. They expose themselves to a global perspective, and enhance their career potential in the ever growing arena of international trade and cross-cultural professional exchange.

Why do you think it is important and beneficial to learn another language?

What language do you want to learn and why?

La‘au Point on Moloka‘i is an area historically used by native residents for subsistence—gathering and hunting. Moloka‘i Properties intended to build 200 homes over 800 acres on La ‘au Point. In return, Moloka‘i Properties has offered to put 55,000 acres into a community land trust. Water is scarce on the land, and Moloka‘i Properties already owns a resort on the dry west side that they have let fall into neglect.

Development (jobs) versus Hawaiian identity?

Did the people of Moloka’i make the right choice protesting against development?

What would you do if you were a leader of the Moloka’i community?

kia ora!!
my name is Raniiria.
im from aotearoa,
mr.chung asked me to give you guys
some of our slang words!!
some are,
ush, for cool
hardty,for you are hard!!
well il be back with more soon!!
bye for now,
rangiiria

On my trip to Aotearoa, I learned there are many similarities between the Maoris and the Hawai’ians. I also met many young students who want to communicate and make friends with Hawai’ian students. Please write and have fun making friends with our cousins from Aotearoa.

How do different groups of people view land and how do their views shape their leadership and society?

How is the control of land essential/important to people?

How is knowledge of history important for making and guiding future decisions regarding land use?

TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from those three worlds. Since then its scope has become ever broader.

The annual conference now brings together the world’s most fascinating thinkers and doers, who are challenged to give the talk of their lives (in 18 minutes).

Mission of TED: Spreading ideas.
We believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and ultimately, the world. So we’re building here a clearinghouse that offers free knowledge and inspiration from the world’s most inspired thinkers, and also a community of curious souls to engage with ideas and each other.

Today, TED is therefore best thought of as a global community. It’s a community welcoming people from every discipline and culture who have just two things in common: they seek a deeper understanding of the world, and they hope to turn that understanding into a better future for us all.

Assignment over break:

*Pick at least 2 videos that interest you.
*Summarize the video that you watch.

{Remember, the reader has no background knowledge of the

video)

*What is the essential question the speaker is trying to get across.

*Give your opinion of the video. (Make connections with prior

knowledge, your life, other subjects, etc.)

*Would you recommend this video to your class?

Consequentialism refers to those moral theories which hold that the consequences of a particular action form the basis for any valid moral judgment about that action. Thus, on a consequentialist account, a morally right action is an action that produces good consequences. In other words, the ends justify the means. Basically, the idea that any evil is OK if there is a good outcome. Anything is acceptable if it leads to a successful result. A supporter of this philosphy is Niccolo Machiavelli, a Florentine statesman, who wrote The Prince in the early sixteenth century. He believed a ruler had the right to stay in power, including trickery and dishonesty.

What does “The end justifies the means” mean to you?

Do you think what one is able to accomplish in the end, makes all of their actions along the way acceptable? Cite examples in history or in current events to support your argument.

In your life, when does “the end justifies the mean” apply to you, if ever. If not, why not?

Out of all the issues that Mufi presented in his State of the City address, tell me which issues concern you the most and why?

What type of leader do you see yourself in the future?

What qualities are needed to be a great leader?

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do
nothing.”
–Edmund Burke

What does this quote mean to you and how does this saying relate to you?

Hi, my name is Tomomi.  I live in Tokyo, Japan, but I have many friends and family in Hawaii.  In fact, my niece, Kailee, goes to Kamehameha Schools.  She is in Ms. Knutson’s kindergarten classroom.  She is very cute so when you see her be nice to her. 

I love to eat raw fish with lots of wasabi.  I also love to cook all kinds of food.  I’m good at drawing and I will come visit you someday and draw pictures of everyone.

If you have any questions about Japan, please feel free to ask.  I will answer back with either my funny English or in Japanese which Mr. Chung will translate.

The practice of cheating on homework and examinations is probably as old as education itself. Few would deny that it is an unethical practice in most cases. But what of the dilemma of students who do not cheat on their work but know other students who do? Discuss the moral considerations they should make in deciding whether to inform the teacher. Then decide when they should and when they should not do so.

The War in Darfur (called by some, including the American Government, the Darfur Genocide) is a military conflict in the Darfur region of western Sudan. The current lines of conflict are seen to be ethnic and tribal, rather than religious.  The conflict began in February of 2003.

The deadly carnage in Darfur, Sudan, for example, which is almost always discussed in political and military terms, has roots in an ecological crisis directly arising from climate shocks.
Jeffrey Sachs, economist

Darfur provides a case study of how existing marginal situations can be exacerbated beyond the tipping point by climate-related factors. It also shows how lack of essential resources threatens not only individuals and their communities but also the region and the international community at large.
Think-Tank, CNA Corporation

Amid the diverse social and political causes, the Darfur conflict began as an ecological crisis, arising at least in part from climate change.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

What can we learn from the crisis in Darfur, Sudan occuring now?

What can we personally do about this situation?

Creating Sustainable Communities captures the mind through imagining the world that could be if we all make sustainable choices. We are introduced to the abstract concept of sustainability through the eyes of The Lorax by Dr. Suess. The Lorax teaches students the importance of revisiting children’s literature, which often holds deeper, more complex meaning as one grows older. The fable is about how the destructive “Onceler” ignored the warnings of the Lorax and destroyed the truffala trees to manufacture “thneeds.” When all the natural resources were used up, the Lorax gives this message: “Unless someone like you cares an awful lot, nothing is going to get better.”

Humans and animals are dependent upon plant life for things such as food, clean air, water, etc., and that it is important to replace what we take from the environment when possible. We must learn about the harmful effects that man’s greed and carelessness has on our precious environment. Unless we take responsibility and care for the environment, it will not always be around.

Discuss how resources will eventually run out if they are constantly abused.

How do we as guardians and leaders of our ‘aina create a sustainable future?

A fifth-grade teacher divides his class into teams to research some history topics and report to the class. Each team consists of four students. One team presents a report that is excellent in substance. However, two members of the team behave childishly while making their contributions, so the overall presentation is flawed. The teacher lowers the team’s mark a full letter grade. Since the grade recorded for each team member is identical to the team grade, each member is penalized.

What do think about this situation? Be specific in your response and cite examples. Parents are welcome to blog as well.

Ethics is the study of right and wrong conduct. Ethics often focuses on moral situations in which there is a choice of behavior involving human values.

There are many issues in which we almost have complete agreement on what we consider wrong. Some examples are running a red light in a crowded intersection or taking merchandise from a store without paying for it. In such cases, a response such as “Because those actions are wrong!” is satisfactory.

Not so in many cases, however. Should a restaurant owner be allowed to decide if smoking is allowed? Should a government make it mandatory for people to vote? Should capital punishment be abolished? To simply say it is wrong or right is not enough, for the question that leaps forth from a simple response would be “But why are they wrong?” (if indeed, they are wrong). We must examine the moral perspective that underlies them.

We have seen many times in history where people have debated different issues. Should marriage between races be allowed? Should evolution be taught in schools? Should slavery be legal?

Think about your own sense of right and wrong. How were they developed? What has influenced you the most–family, church, school, culture, peer pressure, feelings? For one to become a leader, one first needs to be a leader of oneself. Are you comfortable with your own sense of right and wrong?

If you had 15 minutes with Mufi Hanneman, the mayor of Honolulu, what issue would you like to discuss with him and why.

Propaganda is a set of messages aimed at influencing the opinions or behavior of large numbers of people. Instead of just providing information, propaganda in its most basic sense presents information in order to influence its audience. The most effective propaganda is often completely truthful, but some propaganda presents facts selectively to give loaded messages in order to produce an emotional rather than rational response to the information presented. The desired result is a change of opinion, perspective, or behavior of the target audience.

If you watch CNN and watch the BBC, you’ll see quite a different perspective in news. The US tends to keep news localized unless it affects US interests, BBC reports on interests across the world.

In our current elections, notice how the candidates vilify each other. Sometimes politicians lie just to get votes.

How can you recognize propaganda?
How can you protect yourself against propaganda?
Is propaganda ever good? Cite examples.

In a recent survey, fifth-graders in Minnesota spent slightly more than four hours a week on homework–significantly less than the six hours in Sendai, Japan and a vastly smaller amount of time than the thirteen hours in Taipei.

Research in the last decade has begun to focus on the relationship between homework and student achievement and has greatly strengthened the case for homework. Although there are mixed findings about whether homework actually increases students’ academic achievement, many teachers and parents agree that homework develops students’ initiative and responsibility and fulfills the expectations of students, parents, and the public. Studies generally have found homework assignments to be most helpful if they are carefully planned by the teachers and have direct meaning to students.

But, according to Sara Bennett and Nancy Kalish, there is almost no evidence that homework helps elementary school students achieve academic success and that it helps older students. Yet the nightly burden is taking a serious toll on America’s families. It robs children of the sleep, play, and exercise time they need for proper physical, emotional, and neurological development. And it is a hidden cause of the childhood obesity epidemic, creating a nation of “homework potatoes.”

What do you think? I would also like to know what the parents think. There are no right or wrong answers.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is an ongoing dispute between the State of Israel and the Palestinian people. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is part of the wider Arab-Israeli conflict and is essentially a dispute between two national identities with claims over the same area of land.

Who do you think has the right to the land given the history you have learned this week?

How do you think this issue can be resolved?

Cite examples or you could do your own research.

Honolulu Advertiser Headline (February 8, 2008)
Kamehameha settled at $7M

Pacific Business News (May 25, 2007)

Kamehameha should have fought, survey finds

The recent decision by Kamehameha Schools to settle the race discrimination lawsuit brought against the school by a non-Hawaiian student denied admission brought forth many opinions. PBN’s online Business Pulse Survey drew 667 responses, with a plurality saying the school shouldn’t have settled the case. Many said they were afraid the settlement would encourage more lawsuits and indeed, it was reported this week that an attorney is soliciting clients to challenge the Hawaiians-only admission policy.

Among the comments, which can be seen at pacificbusinessnews.com:

“They have now opened a can of worms (more lawsuits). I don’t see where this was a victory for Kamehameha … just wait to see what happens.”

“Kamehameha Schools was right to settle. It will allow them to move on and focus on their primary goal, to provide for Hawaiian children.”

“When it came down to it, ‘John Doe’ and the lawyers only wanted MONEY, not principles. Greedy, greedy, greedy.”

“The school would have lost the case in court and they know it.”

There are differing opinions regarding the Kamehameha vs. John Doe case. What do you think about the issue and how it was resolved?

In the pre-World War II years, the Black athlete was restricted from competition in all the professional sports. Only in the Olympics, because of its international nature, were Black athletes allowed to compete unrestricted.

After World War II, the attitude of Black people changed dramatically. For most people, Jackie Robinson has the honor of integrating professional sports by signing with baseball’s Brooklyn Dodgers.

Today, Blacks are now represented in all sports at all levels?

Why do you think Blacks were not allowed to play sports with the Whites?

Do you believe that Blacks now have an equal opportunity to play sports?

Please cite examples from the video you saw today.

Child labour is very common, and can be factory work, mining or quarrying, agriculture, helping in the parents’ business, having one’s own small business (for example selling food), or doing odd jobs. Some children work as guides for tourists, sometimes combined with bringing in business for shops and restaurants (where they may also work as waiters). Other children are forced to do tedious and repetitive jobs such as assembling boxes, polishing shoes, stocking a store’s products, or cleaning. However, rather than in factories and sweatshops, most child labor occurs in the informal sector, “selling on the street, at work in agriculture or hidden away in houses — far from the reach of official labor inspectors and from media scrutiny.”

Poor families often rely on the labors of their children for survival, and sometimes it is their only source of income.
According to the International Labour Organization, there are an estimated 218 million children aged 5 to 17 in child labor worldwide, excluding child domestic labor.

What does “childhood” mean? Are all children “children?”

How does childhood in other parts of the world compare with my own childhood?

What can I learn about myself from studying children of other cultures?

“Know and understand are not synonyms.”

(Wiggins and McTighe)

“Only a person who has questions can have knowledge.”

(Gadamker)

What do you think these quotes mean? Give good explanations and examples.

Give me an example in your own life when you were judgmental and made preconceptions.

What would you do differently?

Groundhog Day or Groundhog’s Day is a holiday celebrated in New York and Pennsylvania on February 2. In weather lore, if a groundhog, also known as a woodchuck, marmot or ground squirrel, emerges from its burrow on this day and fails to see its shadow because the weather is cloudy, winter will soon end. If the groundhog sees its shadow, it will return into its burrow, and the winter will continue for 6 more weeks.

What would YOU do if everyday was the same?

How did Phil learn from his mistakes? Was it hard for him to change his ways?

A long article in the British newspaper the Independent says “Groundhog Day” is “hailed by religious leaders as the most spiritual film of all time.” What is the lesson of this movie?

Belgium is located in Western Europe, bordered by the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, France, and the North Sea. Geographically and culturally, Belgium is at a crossroads of Europe, and during the past 2,000 years has witnessed a constant ebb and flow of different races and cultures. Consequently, Belgium is one of Europe’s true melting pots with Celtic, Roman, Germanic, French, Dutch, Spanish, and Austrian cultures having made an imprint.

Belgium is divided ethnically into the Dutch-speaking Flemings and French-speaking Walloons, the 70,000 residents of the eastern German cantons, and the bilingual capital of Brussels. The population density is the second highest in Europe, after the Netherlands.

If you have any questions, please address them to my good friend Andree. I first met her when we were in Taipei, Taiwan when we were students. Since then, Andree has been working for the Belgian foreign service living around the world. She is especially knowledgeable about Africa.

The Wailele and Wailani class of 2015 are excited to communicate with Andree.

What were MLK’s main ideas?

How did MLK change the world today?

What techniques did MLK use to persuade the world that his ideas were important?

The American Civil Rights Movement (1955-1968) refers to the reform movements in the United States aimed at abolishing racial discrimination of African Americans.

Martin Luther King and Malcolm X were black men who had a dream, but never lived to see it fulfilled. One was a man who spoke out to all humanity, but the world was not yet ready for his peaceful words. “I have a dream, a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed… that all men are created equal.” (Martin Luther King) The other, a man who spoke of a violent revolution, which would bring about radical change for the black race. “Anything you can think of that you want to change right now, the only way you can do it is with a ballot or a bullet. And if you’re not ready to get involved with either one of those, you are satisfied with the status quo. That means we’ll have to change you.” (Malcom X) While Martin Luther King promoted non-violence, civil rights, and the end to racial segregation, a man of the name of Malcom X dreamed of a separate nation.

Do you feel breaking the law is justifiable in some cases?

What type of laws do you feel justifiable to break? Give examples of past laws?

How would you break the law if you felt there was a need for change? Do you agree with how Martin Luther King wanted change or Malcolm X?

Conservatism is a term used to describe political philosophies that favor tradition and gradual change, where tradition refers to religious, cultural, or nationally defined beliefs and customs. The term is derived from the Latin, com servare, to preserve; “to protect from loss or harm”. Since different cultures have different established values, conservatives in different cultures have differing goals. Some conservatives seek to preserve the status quo or to reform society slowly, while others seek to return to the values of an earlier time, the status quo ante.

Some aspects of being liberal are:

• Favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs.
• Favorable to or in accord with concepts of maximum individual freedom possible, especially as guaranteed by law and secured by governmental protection of civil liberties.
• Favoring or permitting freedom of action, especially with respect to matters of personal belief or expression: a liberal policy toward dissident artists and writers.
• Free from prejudice or bigotry; tolerant: a liberal attitude toward foreigners.

Please give specific examples why you think you are conservative, liberal, or both.

For many years people thought of wetlands as yucky, soggy, useless land. It would be much better if this land was drained so crops could be grown, or filled so people could build on it. It even seemed a great spot to use as a garbage dump because then you could both dump and fill.

Now people are trying to save and protect wetlands because we understand why they are important.

• Many animals depend on wetlands for some part of their life cycle, like fish, frogs and mosquitoes.
• Wetland plants are very productive and support a rich web of life, from simple molds to mammals.
• Wetlands provide shelter and food for fish.
• Wetlands provide flood control by soaking up the water that falls as rain. Wetlands also slow the spring snow-melt run-off.
• Wetlands make the water clearer and filter out things that make the water impure, like chemical pollution.
• Wetlands are a wonderful place to visit, look, and listen, learn and experience life.

What will be the impact if wetlands were destroyed?

Does it really matter if the wetlands are not protected?

What can you do individually to help save the wetlands in
Hawaii?

On January 14th, we will have the opportunity to listen to Immaculee Ilibagiza speak at the Bishop Memorial Chapel.

She was a 22-year-old college student, home for Easter. She and her family were Tutsi. At the urging of her parents, she fled to the home of a local Episcopal priest–a Hutu–and hid with seven other women in his 3’x4’ bathroom for three months.

When they emerged 91 days later, it was to discover that almost all their friends and relatives had been murdered, hacked to pieces by the machetes of their Hutu friends and neighbors. Ilibagiza lost her parents, grandparents, and three brothers.

But instead of letting rage, grief, and a desire for revenge take over her life, Ilibagiza reached inside herself and found only forgiveness. She is nominated as Most Inspiring Person of the Year for forgiving the unforgivable–the murder of her family, friends, and fellow countrymen.

Why do you think it is also important to learn about the terrible events of history as well as the inspiring aspects?

What type of paradigm would cause a genocide to happen?

What can you do individually to prevent a tragedy like this from happening again?

Welcome! Please press “Comment” to write! We would love to hear from you!

Next week, we will be visiting Pearl Harbor, a site that signifies the beginning of World War II for the United States. As we learned in class, the world was already at war, while the United States held an isolationist position up to the attack on Oahu.

Questions I would like you to respond to are:

What do you think are some of the causes of World War II?

Could a war such as World War II occur again? How and why?

How would you feel if you were a child living in Europe or Asia during World War II?

How would you feel if you were a child living in the United States?

We will be graduating from D.A.R.E. this coming Tuesday. Please comment on what you learned from this program. Do you think D.A.R.E. is enough or should this type of education be ongoing?

I know that many of you want me to blog with the rest of all of you, but I am having a great time just reading your thoughts and opinions. One reason I am reluctant to blog is I do not want to influence your thoughts too much. I want the students to develop the ability to think on their own. Another reason is my personal thoughts might be controversial and I am in a position of responsibility at Kamehameha Schools.

I love working at Kamehameha Schools because I sincerely believe I am teaching the future leaders of the Hawaiian community. When I started two years ago, one thing that impressed me was the intelligence and motivation of the students and parents. Any kid at Kamehameha has just as much potential as any child I met in my travels around the world.

Even though I appreciate that the Hawaiians as a people had a “bad deal” in their history, I have never felt that the Hawaiians were disadvantaged. With a rich history of deep knowledge, the Hawaiians have much to teach the world about values towards others and the environment. I can see Hawaii as a center for teaching the world about sustainability, marine science, alternative energy sources, and even race relations. With the world gone wrong in so many ways, I feel a different perspective will be needed to solve problems in the world.

The Hawaiian culture must thrive, not just for Hawaiians but for the world. The world would be very lonely without Hawaiians. You see, I am not teaching the future leaders of Hawaii, but the world.

Mr. Chung’s thoughts: I love hearing all of your comments. I suppose one can never underestimate the idealism and enthusiasm of youth. Please remember that Al Gore’s presentation is only one interpretation of what is happening to the world. There are some people who don’t believe it is happening and there are some people who do not believe it is occurring at the magnitude Al Gore says it is. What is important is for us to do our own research (we will do much of this in our future classes). We live in an information society. What is important is not believing everything people tell you, but finding out information on your own. You will need to learn to evaluate what is valid, what a good source is, primary vs. secondary sources, etc.

I sincerely hope Al Gore is wrong. I don’t want to see this world turned upside down by global warming. But, the one thing I don’t want to bet on is Earth’s future. I just don’t believe there is not enough “malama” going around, with each other and towards our environment.

In a recent survel, 52% said the U.S. should spend more.

“NASA has paid for itself many times over by leading to the development of things likd GPS and weather satellites. It’s such a good investment that its budget should be increased.”—-Craig Chrisco, Petaluma, Calif.

“U.S. leadership in space is critical. China, Russia and others will launch weapons into space that are aimed at the earth. Funding NASA is needed to protect our country.”–S.H., League City, Tex.

41% said the U.S. should spend less.

“NASA funds could be put to better use for things on earth, like health care and education. We have no need to go to the moon again or other planets.”–J.D., Blue Springs, Missouri

“NASA should concentrate on robot missions, which have been successful in the past. Space station programs should be moved to the commercial sector; this would cut costs and promote competition.”–R.N., Baltimore, Md.

7% said the current U.S. spending is fine.

What do you think?

Recently, Mr. Chung has been keeping students in recess for misbehavior during class. Do you think this is fair?

People often ask me why I study philosophy. What can you do with philosophy besides teach?” My answer to that question is “You can think.” Part of philosophy is critical thinking which is the ability to question your (or anyone else’s) assumptions, discover and hopefully articulate good reasons for your position, no matter what your position is. Everyone has a position on every issue, even if it is, “I don’t know.” One can then ask this person, “Why do you not know? Should you have a view on this issue?” Even if your view is that some issue does not matter, you must defend that view against the person who does think that that issue matters. And defending your view requires the ability to use your reason (which of course is thinking) in order to discover what good or bad reasons are and the best support for your position.
Philosophy can be used to help convince people that you are right, and (sometimes, when it’s done correctly, and depending on your opponent’s view) that they are wrong.
As just one of its many specializations, philosophy contains the study of ethics, which is the study of happiness and how best to attain it (or indeed if and how that is possible). The main questions of ethics are “What is happiness?” and “How should I live?” There are, as you might guess, many and varied answers to these questions. I would guess that every single person is, and should be, interested in whether we can be happy, what happiness is, and how we can act so as to obtain happiness (assuming it exists).

A famous French philospher Rene Descartes once said:

Je pense, donc je suis. (French)
Cogito Ergo Sum (Latin)
I think therefore I am. (English)

For anyone who wants a challenge, what do you think this means? (There is no right or wrong answer).

This is Ms. Bacon’s blog. She is a 5th grade teacher from Kamehameha Elementary School who is currently serving in the Middle East. She would love to hear from all of you.

This is an update from Mara who e-mailed us via Ms. Rachel Lee (October 15th, 2007)

Hi All,

Yes, I’m extremely busy and just wanted to drop a quick message to let you folks know that I’m okay! In fact, I haven’t even been keeping up with my emails because if I read ‘em, I know I’ll get more frustrated because I don’t have time to respond. I’m still commuting back and forth between two FOBs (Forward Operating Base) and my living situation is up in the air.

They finally gave us rooms at the 2nd location but we can’t move in yet. I promise to write and explain everything soon. It’s just a big mess and I’m still not happy about it, but should be grateful because I’m not in Iraq.

I will write soon, I promise. Daily I’m getting ’slammed’ with things to do and re-do because of changes in policies. Without getting into it too much, my job has moved me into the “heart” of the Theater Gateway, which is basically what we’re called. Literally, and I’m not exaggerating here, 100s if not 1000s of Soldiers come through my FOB DAILY. These are Soldiers coming in on their way to (staying in) Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan (and sometimes Africa locations as well, like Djibouti). Then there are the Soldiers that are going home for R & R leave (vacation time either at home or anywhere in the world they chose, who then have to come back through on their way back), R & R Pass (4 days in Qatar, there and back), or just Re-deploying (going home for good). Make sense? In other words, practically EVERYONE serving in Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan come through here. Our goal is to get them in and out within 24 hours, but there are always obstacles. They need a place to put their stuff, get a meal, shower/shave/shampoo, rest (sometimes for a few days if there are delays), make flight arrangements, complete tons of paperwork, ’shake down’

Their personal items (inspect duffles/bags/boxes for contraband), etc. I know people like to tease us Admin Personnel, but if it wasn’t for us, operations like this couldn’t happen. And I know there isn’t a Soldier out there who wouldn’t want to go home or on a little vacation at some point!

Well, my section wants to head back. It’s quitting time and I usually drive the HMWWWV. We’re trying to make it back in time to check out the free camel rides at VA. If I can’t actually get on one, I’ll at least take some pictures.

Love to you all and hopefully will find the time to correspond soon.

Aloha,
MLB =)

Most children your age have some idea of what they want to be when they grow up. In colonial times, a 10-year-old had to make decisions about what he would do for the rest of his life. If you were a 10-year-old living during those times, what do you think you would want to be when you grew up?

What are manners? What are some manners children are supposed to have today? What were colonial children’s manners supposed to be like? Do they surprise you, why? How do they compare to your manners today? Why do you think they differed?

How do we travel in the 21st century? When and why would we use these types of transportation? How do you think people in the 18th century traveled? How would their different from ours? How would it be similar? How long did traveling take in the 18th century? What would it be like to travel a long distance back then.

These questions are due on Monday, October 15th, 2007

Today, we went to the colonial exhibit. We saw and experienced many artifacts that made life easier for the early White Americans. Would you consider some of these items technology? What is technology? What do you think are the 2 most influential inventions in human history and why?

Will being “fair” help students to succeed? Lowering of standards would help all students succeed and pass on to the next grade level. What do you think?