End of the Year Review - Part 1

Since I was without a computer for a week at the end of the year I didn't get a chance to report on a few events.

Right before winter break Star Wars Son and a partner completed a graduation requirement!  It's called the CBA (Classroom Based Assessment).  They did it in their Senior History class and the subject they chose was Religious Intolerance.  Their presentation was 25 minutes long and very detailed, especially regarding the history of religion.

The presentation was judged by a panel of 3; teacher, and 2 alumni.  They were very nervous before, especially SWS's partner!

They had no reason to be nervous, they were well prepared and did a fantastic job.  The requirement of the presentation was to cover three areas, the conflict, the share holders and a resolution.  The share holders were what they considered the major players in religious intolerance, Christianity, Judaism, Islam and the non-religious.

They spoke of the similarities between the three religions;  they all have a single God, a Messiah, and stories of miracles.  The Atheists don't believe in a God of any kind, they are driven by proof or scientific evidence, something solid they can see or experience.  The Agnostics are somewhere in the middle, they acknowledge there might be the existence of a God.

They covered how the wars throughout history have mostly been over religion.  They made a great point about how even though the killing of millions of Jewish people happened during the holocaust the Jewish religion is still going strong today.  War does not stop a religion, it just kills innocent people without killing the religion.

Their resolution was about how if each religion took some time to see how similar they are and how if people would just accept other religions, not agree or even understand them, just be tolerant of all different beliefs  war might be avoided.  They even suggested that maybe, since there are many similarities in the three main religions, maybe all those different paths lead to the same God.  Maybe all the religions are right?

They wrapped up by talking about how studying and preparing for this presentation changed them.  Halfway through the research they came to realize one was a Christian the other an Atheist.  SWS's partner explained to him about how most people have to believe in something, how having faith gives them security and keeps them going.  SWS explained how he's more secure in knowledge and proof than faith.  They both left this experience more tolerant than when they started.  I was so proud of both them.

A quick parenting note... This presentation took place on a Thursday evening at the school.  There were about 30 kids presenting, 3 different presentations to a room.  Besides SWS we watched a presentation on the US budget for war and one on the war in Afghanistan.  We were the only parents there.  SWS said there were a couple parents who were on panels, but there were no other parents to watch or support their kids.  I find that very disturbing.

Here is a group picture taken in the school library:

To see the photo of the day go here.

Comments

[The Incredible Woody]

Congrats to SWS!!

And people wonder where they went wrong with their children. Hello! Get involved in your child's life!!

[Liz C.]

Frankly, I feel better about our country's future already! What great kids and what a great son you have.

In our town, almost all the parents attend every school event, almost as if it were a social function. But, people here care far more about social functions than a kid's education. That always got me. Hooray for you all for going & being the only parents there!

I used to be a judge for the high school debates in drama and in economics and loved every minute of it. I might have to start doing that again.

I really enjoyed this post, Tammy. Thank you.

[Mental P Mama]

That is wonderful! SWS is going places!!

[phd in yogurtry]

Such great preparation. I don't think I did anything like this until I defended my thesis in graduate school (and later my dissertation). I like the topic very much. I'd like to see more kids / adults involved in this type of forward thinking discussion. And I agree. I wish more parents were there to support their kids. That no other parents were there is perplexing.

[Tracey of These Nine Acres]

Wow! No other parents?? What is wrong with that picture. That is why we have so many issues with today's youth. The parents check out way too soon. Bravo to him for his outstanding work and to you for being there.

[Lisa]

Kudos to SWS and his partner. That's a pretty major issue to tackle -- and one many adults still don't have much of a handle on or understanding of.

Yeah, the whole parenting thing is weird. When my girls were in school, we made an effort to go to anything and everything, much like it sounds like you're doing with yours. Now, working for the children's literacy center, I'm appalled at the lack of participation on the part of the parents -- and then they wonder why their kids can't read well. It's a demographic of primarily low-income kids, but when I complained to my daughter about it -- and she's a teacher at a private RICH KID school -- she said she sees the very same thing with the kids from rich families, so it has nothing to do with income level. Sad, sad, sad. But YOU are doing the right thing -- and the success of your kids shows it!!

[noble pig]

That sucks that the parents did not attend. I'm sure they did wonderful!!! Happy New Year.

[Jenn @ Juggling Life]

What a great topic they chose.

Our school does this with a Senior Project. The panels all have at least one teacher, one parent, and one Junior. The school is full to bursting with parents--and it takes place during the school day.

You can really tell the well-prepared kids from the ones that throw it together--it is a valuable experience for sure.

[Robin from Israel]

What a great project, you must be really proud of them both. I'm really saddened though that none of the other parents were there to support their kids.

[Dangerous Driving]

I can not leave without my laptop for one day. Because of it is so useful and important for me. I really like the presentation of these guys.