Surfnetkids.com
Surfing the Net with Kids FREE Newsletter
#1. October 12, 2011
Dear Reader,
AAAARGH! Am I the last person on the Internet to learn that modern typography calls for just one space after a sentence, not two? In my defense, yes, I did learn to type on a manual typewriter, which had a monospaced (fixed-width) Courier font. On the other hand, I have been writing and publishing on the Internet for more than (hmmmm) sixteen years!
Do you use a single or double space after a period? Click here to vote in the poll, and for links to two articles explaining why the double space after a period has been abandoned.
Meanwhile, last week’s poll and discussion about evolution and creationism is fascinating! See the results here: Do You Teach Evolution or Creationism?
See ya on the Net,
Barbara J. Feldman
"Surfing the Net with Kids"
https://www.surfnetkids.com
#2. Columbus: Hero or Villain?
by Barbara J. Feldman
https://www.surfnetkids.com/columbus_hero_or_villain.htm
Columbus: Hero or Villain? Printable (** for premium members only)
https://www.surfnetkids.com/printables/files/printables-club/columbus_hero_or_villain.pdf
In recent years, a variety of groups have argued that Christopher Columbus was responsible for genocide against Native Americans, and semantically, didn’t “discover” anything at all! Check out the following websites for arguments both for and against the celebration of Columbus Day, and then ask yourself the question, “Was Columbus a hero or a villain?”
Ayn Rand Center: The Christopher Columbus Controversy
This letter-to-the-editor, by Dr. Michael Berliner of the Ayn Rand Center for Individual Rights, has been published in a variety of newspapers. In it he argues that honoring Christopher Columbus is akin to honoring Western civilization. “It was Columbus’ discovery for Western Europe that led to the influx of ideas and people on which this nation was founded ? and on which it still rests. The opening of America brought the ideas and achievements of Aristotle, Galileo, Newton, and the thousands of thinkers, writers, and inventors who followed.”
Bio: Christopher Columbus Biography
This two-page Columbus biography includes a section (on page two) about his status as a hero. “Columbus’ legacy is a mixed one. He has been credited for opening up the Americas to European colonization as well as blamed for the destruction of the native peoples of the islands he explored.” The transfer of ideas, people, plants and diseases between the New and Old World had both benefits and downfalls. The European horse allowed Native Americans to switch from a nomadic lifestyle to a hunting model, but Old World small pox killed millions of Native Americans.
Debate.org: Columbus Day
In this online debate, Contender won against Instigator (by a vote of 49 to 44) with his defense of the celebration of Columbus Day as a national holiday. You can follow their debate rounds, which include links to articles and YouTube videos, but the debate is over, and voting is no longer allowed. In response to Instigator’s charge of genocide, Contender replied, “My opponent again must prove malicious intent in celebrating Columbus Day. Even if a hundred genocides occurred, if he cannot prove harmful intent in celebrating the holiday, then he cannot win the round.”
… Click to continue Columbus: Hero or Villain? .
#3. Printables Club Members Also Get …
Surfnetkids Printables Club Members also get the following printables to use in the classroom, the computer lab, the school library, or to send home with students:
Columbus: Hero or Villain? Printable
Columbus Day Wikipedia Printable
Christopher Columbus Printable
*** Are you curious? Get your own ten-day trial membership:
https://www.surfnetkids.com/printables-club.htm
#4. Related Games
Spanish Explorers Coloring Pages
https://www.surfnetkids.com/coloring/explorers/spanish_explorers/
Christopher Columbus Quiz
https://www.surfnetkids.com/games/christopher_columbus_quiz.htm
Christopher Columbus Word Search
https://www.surfnetkids.com/games/columbus-ws.htm
#5. Surfing the Calendar
National Metric Week
Oct 9-15, 2011
Fire Prevention Week
Oct 9-15, 2011
World Rainforest Week
Oct 10-16, 2011
Pledge of Allegiance created to celebrate
400 Years Since Columbus’ Arrival
Oct 12, 1892
Anniversary of Columbus Arrival in the New World
Oct 12, 1492
World Population Reaches 6 Billion
Oct 12, 1999
Martin Luther King Receives Nobel Prize
Oct 14, 1964
Winnie-the-Pooh Published
Oct 14, 1926
Statue of Liberty Designated a National Monument
Oct 15, 1924
National Chemistry Week
Oct 15-20, 2011
Noah Webster’s Birthday, Celebrated Annually as Dictionary Day
Oct 16, 1758
Marie Antoinette Beheaded
Oct 16, 1793
Teen Read Week
Oct 16-22, 2011
National Teen Driver Safety Week
Oct 16-22, 2011
U.S. Population Reaches 300 Million
Oct 17, 2006
Transfer of Alaska From Russia to U.S., Celebrated as Alaska Day
Oct 18, 1867
#6. Quote of the Week
“Knowledge rests on knowledge; what is new is meaningful because it departs slightly from what was known before.” ~~ Robert Oppenheimer ~~ (April 22, 1904 – February 18, 1967) American theoretical physicist, father of the atomic bomb. Click here for more knowledge quotes.
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