Secondary – March 25

“I think people remember pictures not dialogue. That’s why I like pictures.” -David Lean, born on this date in 1908. Using examples from your own memories, argue whether Lean was correct.

Secondary – March 24

“We have an unknown distance yet to run, an unknown river to explore. What falls there are, we know not; what rocks beset the channel, we know not; what walls ride over the river, we know not. Ah, well! we may conjecture many things.” -John Wesley Powell, the first white person to navigate the Grand Canyon and explorer of much of what now typifies the American southwest, born on this date in 1834....

Secondary – March 23

On this date in 1942, Japanese-Americans on the west coast of the USA were forcibly moved from their homes to internment camps. Explain why you think World War II justified or did not justify that action.

Secondary – March 22

Billy Collins, who was the US poet laureate from 2001-2003, was born on this date in 1941. Compose a poem about the transition from winter to spring.

Secondary – March 21

Modest Mussorgsky, who composed the 10-movement suite Pictures at an Exhibition, was born on this date in 1839. Describe the qualities that make your favorite work of art mean so much to you.

Secondary – March 20

Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin was published for the first time on this date in 1852. President Lincoln famously referred to her as the author of the Civil War because of the impact her book had on society. If you could write a story that would have a similar effect, what story would you choose to tell?

Secondary – March 19

William Jennings Bryan was born on this date in 1860. Explain why you are suspicious or admiring of people with extraordinary skills of verbal persuasion.

Secondary – March 18

Neville Chamberlain, a British prime minister now most remembered for declaring “peace for our time” shortly before the start of World War II, was born on this date in 1869. Describe a time when someone told you a lie that person believed was the truth, and explain whether that person’s belief makes a difference in the impact of the lie.