High School Dropouts and Race

http://www.gatesfoundation.org/united-states/Documents/TheSilentEpidemic3-06FINAL.pdf

Read "An Open Letter to the American People."

Go to Boostup.org, Click on "The Facts" and then "National Dropout Rates" and also "Why Students Drop Out."

Read through some of the facts and go through the charts.

On a piece of paper, answer the questions below:

1. Why do you think Blacks, Hispanics and Native Americans are dropping out of school at a rate higher than Whites or Asians?

2. Think about stereotypes people have of some ethnic groups. Do you think expectations are different based on what ethnic group you are? Give examples to support your answer.

3. Give some example of stereotypes when it comes to ethnic groups and academics/school.

4. Do you think if you're a minority, you are more likely to get in trouble at school? Why or why not?

5. Think about Esperanza in House on Mango Street, or Junior in Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. What factors in their life might influence them to drop out?

6. How does poverty/being poor affect a student's education?

7. How does somebody's race/ethnic background affect a student's education?

Octopus Hunt by a Diver

Hello. Today I want you to read about a 19-year-old from around here who hunted a live Octopus off Alki Beach. He got in all sorts of trouble for it.

Here is the first story you should read:

Octopus Kill Sparks Outrage

Then read this story:

Diver surprised by reaction to his Octopus hunt

After you've read both stories, on a blank piece of paper:

1) Summarize what happened in a CSE (Claim, Support, Evidence) or TEC (Topic Sentence, Evidence, Commentary).

2) Please be sure to offer your commentary or opinion on what Dylan Mayer did.

Turn your summary into the sub before you leave class today.