The Pianist - Period 1

The motion picture, The Pianist is the true story of Wladyslaw Szpilman who was the most accomplished piano player in all of Poland, if not Europe, in the 1930s. This film does an excellent job of explaining why it became impossible for the Jewish people living in Europe to escape the Nazis and what happened to them during the Holocaust. Post a reflective comment about the film and respond to at least one other student’s comment. Post is due at the end of the day. Mr. Gallagher

The Pianist - Period 2

The motion picture, The Pianist is the true story of Wladyslaw Szpilman who was the most accomplished piano player in all of Poland, if not Europe, in the 1930s. This film does an excellent job of explaining why it became impossible for the Jewish people living in Europe to escape the Nazis and what happened to them during the Holocaust. Post a reflective comment about the film and respond to at least one other student’s comment. Post is due at the end of the day. Mr. Gallagher

The Triumph of The Will - Period 1

Please post your thoughts about the film The Triumph of The Will. What would you consider to be the most important point or message of the film? Comment on one other student's post. Mr. Gallagher

The Triumph of The Will - Period 2

Please post your thoughts about the film The Triumph of The Will. What would you consider to be the most important point or message of the film? Comment on one other student's post. Mr. Gallagher

Milgram Experiment - Period 1

Milgram has defined obedience as “the psychological mechanism that links individual action to political purpose.” What do you think encourages obedience? Is it fear of punishment? A desire to please? A need to go along with the group? A belief in authority? As some students watched the film Obedience, some laughed. How do you account for that laughter? Is it because something was funny or was there another reason? Those who study human behavior say that laughter can be a way of relieving tension, showing embarrassment or expressing relief that someone else is “on the spot.” Which explanation is most appropriate in this case? How did the volunteers act as they administered the shocks? What did they say? What pressures were placed on them as the experiment continued? How did they decide whether to stop? Did you identify with any of the volunteers you observed in Obedience? Post your reflective comment by the end of the day on Friday, December 5th and make a comment to another student’s post on Saturday, December 6th. Mr. Gallagher

Milgram Experiment - Period 2

Milgram has defined obedience as “the psychological mechanism that links individual action to political purpose.” What do you think encourages obedience? Is it fear of punishment? A desire to please? A need to go along with the group? A belief in authority? As some students watched the film Obedience, some laughed. How do you account for that laughter? Is it because something was funny or was there another reason? Those who study human behavior say that laughter can be a way of relieving tension, showing embarrassment or expressing relief that someone else is “on the spot.” Which explanation is most appropriate in this case? How did the volunteers act as they administered the shocks? What did they say? What pressures were placed on them as the experiment continued? How did they decide whether to stop? Did you identify with any of the volunteers you observed in Obedience? Post your reflective comment by the end of the day on Friday, December 5th and make a comment to another student’s post on Saturday, December 6th. Mr. Gallagher

The Gestapo - Period 1

In the film, A Warning from History, you saw a segment on the Gestapo and an interview that was conducted with a woman who had turned in her neighbor while living in Nazi Germany. Post a reflective comment on what you learned from this particular segment as well as what you thought was the most important point(s)made during this segment on the Gestapo. Post your reflective comment by the end of the day - Tuesday, December 2nd. Again, if you do not see your post - after a couple of hours - let me know. Mr. Gallagher

The Gestapo - Period 2

In the film, A Warning from History, you saw a segment on the Gestapo and an interview that was conducted with a woman who had turned in her neighbor while living in Nazi Germany. Post a reflective comment on what you learned from this particular segment as well as what you thought was the most important point(s)made during this segment on the Gestapo. Post your reflective comment by the end of the day - Tuesday, December 2nd. Again, if you do not see your post - after a couple of hours - let me know. Mr. Gallagher

The Rise of the Nazis-Period 2

In the film A Warning from History you saw how the Nazis, only twelve weeks after Hitler became Chancellor of Germany in 1933, began to arrest their political opposition. The communists and socialists were the first to be arrested and the Jewish people became immediate targets of the storm troopers. At the same time, the Nazis began to spend more and more money on the military and the economy in general. If you were living in Germany during the years from 1933 to 1938 what would you have thought of the job that Hitler was doing? What would you have thought of Hitler if you didn't fit the picture of the perfect German? If you didn't like what was happening in Germany at the time, what could you have done about it? Make one reflective comment and one responsive comment. Post will close the end of the day on Wednesday, November 26th. Mr. Gallagher

The Rise of the Nazis-Period 1

In the film A Warning from History you saw how the Nazis, only twelve weeks after Hitler became Chancellor of Germany in 1933, began to arrest their political opposition. The communists and socialists were the first to be arrested and Jewish people became immediate targets of the storm troopers. At the same time, the Nazis began to spend more and more money on the military and the economy in general. If you were living in Germany during the years from 1933 to 1938 what would you have thought of the job that Hitler was doing? What would you have thought of Hitler if you didn't fit the picture of the perfect German? If you didn't like what was happening in Germany at the time, what could you have done about it? Make one reflective comment and one responsive comment. Post will close the end of the day on Wednesday, November 26th. Mr. Gallagher

Period 2: Warning from History

The film, A Warning from History, asks the question, “How could a cultured nation in the center of Europe ever allow Hitler and the Nazis to come to power in Germany?” Given the information from the film and from facts you’ve learned thus far in the course, answer the question with specific details. The post will close at 9:00pm today. If you don’t see your comment, please send me an email with the comment in the email. Mr. Gallagher

Period 1: Warning from History

The film, A Warning from History, asks the question, “How could a cultured nation in the center of Europe ever allow Hitler and the Nazis to come to power in Germany?” Given the information from the film and from facts you’ve learned thus far in the course, answer the question with specific details. The post will close at 9:00pm today. If you don’t see your comment, please send me an email with the comment in the email. Mr. Gallagher

Propaganda - Period 2

Propagandists have long known that “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Therefore Hitler was determined that all works of art would reflect the ideals of National Socialism. He began by imprisoning or exiling what he called “degenerate” artists. Then he enlisted a corps of “obedient artists” willing to immortalize on canvas the fantasy world he described in his speeches and writings. Is “a picture worth a thousand words?” What can pictures do that words cannot do? Which makes a stronger impression on you? The word degenerate means “evil” or “corrupt”; the word decadent, “decaying” or “rotting.” Why do you think Hitler used these adjectives to describe art he considered “unGerman”? Keep in mind that art is never objective: art is always subjective. It forces a viewer to adjust his or her perception in order to make a decision about the value and meaning of a particular work of art. After World War II, the nations that defeated Germany had to decide what to do with art that glorified the Nazis. What would you have done with the art and why? Post your reflective comment and response to one other student by the end of the day Friday, November 21st. Mr. Gallagher

Propaganda - Period 1

Propagandists have long known that “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Therefore Hitler was determined that all works of art would reflect the ideals of National Socialism. He began by imprisoning or exiling what he called “degenerate” artists. Then he enlisted a corps of “obedient artists” willing to immortalize on canvas the fantasy world he described in his speeches and writings. Is “a picture worth a thousand words?” What can pictures do that words cannot do? Which makes a stronger impression on you? The word degenerate means “evil” or “corrupt”; the word decadent, “decaying” or “rotting.” Why do you think Hitler used these adjectives to describe art he considered “unGerman”? Keep in mind that art is never objective: art is always subjective. It forces a viewer to adjust his or her perception in order to make a decision about the value and meaning of a particular work of art. After World War II, the nations that defeated Germany had to decide what to do with art that glorified the Nazis. What would you have done with the art and why? Post your reflective comment and response to one other student by the end of the day Friday, November 21st. Mr. Gallagher

Period 2: The 1920s

What did you see in the film about the 1920s that is similar to the economic problems we are facing today? What do you think the government should be doing to ensure that we don't end up in an economic depression? Make one reflective comment and after everyone has commented, then respond to at least one other student's opinion. The Post will close at the end of the period. Mr. Gallagher

Period 1: The 1920s

What did you see in the film about the 1920s that is similar to the economic problems we are facing today? What do you think the government should be doing to ensure that we don't end up in an economic depression? Make one reflective comment and after everyone has commented, then respond to at least one other student's opinion. The Post will close at the end of the period. Mr. Gallagher

Per.3 Freedom Writers Question

Before answering this post, read the post on the Red Suit and Pearls. Today, you saw the teacher ask her students if they were aware of the Holocaust after she saw an ugly picture being passed around the class. Why do you think she asked her students if they had ever discussed the Holocaust? Did you think it was important for her to have asked her students that question? In the beginning of the film, you saw Ms. Gruwell's department head suggest that she not to wear her pearls to class. We noticed today that she's still wearing them. Is it important and if so - why? You will make a reflective comment to these questions and then make a comment on at least one other student's comment. Remember only to use your first name and the initial of your last name. You have until 9:00pm today to register your comments. Mr. Gallagher

Freedom Writers

In the first part of the film The Freedom Writers, through the classroom fight scene, what was the most important point the movie made to you? What was the significance of the pearls and why do you think the Department Chair asked the teacher, Erin Gruwell, not to wear them the next day? Why do you think she wore them anyway? Comments will close at 10:00pm on November 5th. Mr. Gallagher

The Longest Hatred

Recently you watched a film called The Longest Hatred and listened to a lecture by Rabbi Michael Swarttz. Please post a brief reflection on the film and the lecture and make a comment on at least one other student's post. Comments ended on November 4th. Mr. Gallagher