Bully, the movie (Extra Credit)

The link here is to a New York Times article and blog about the soon-to-be-released documentary BULLY being given an R rating.  I encourage you to go to the link and write something there, but I also ask that you cut-and-paste your thoughts into our blog so that it's shared locally, in case others don't want to read through the whole New York Times blog.

This link is to a page from National Public Radio, including interviews with Johnny Depp and a segment of All Things Considered with the movie's director.

This link is about the trial of a bullied, gay student who killed himself.

This link is to the movie's website.

Right Before the Civil War

EXTRA CREDIT:  Here's an interview with an historian who wrote a book about life in everyday America, just before the Civil War started.  Please listen to the interview and react to it and/or discuss the context it gives to Beat! Beat! Drums! or Paul Revere's Ride, both of which have to do with the same topic. 

Our Place in the Universe

EXTRA CREDIT:  Watch the video I've linked HERE and write about your connections to it and /or between it and OUR TOWN. 

Our "gilded" America - Extra Credit

I can't put my finger on an example at the moment, but I know that writers have been comparing modern America to the late 1800s, especially with regards to our economy and its effects on different groups of people.  See if you can find an article, reference or direct comparison.   Tell us about its thesis and supporting evidence.  If possible, please provide a link to the source itself.