Day 32: Does it Feel Good or Does it Do Good?

If the video above does not work, click here to watch outside this site.

Assignment:  identify one example of a social or political effort to feel good rather than to actually do good (that is not identified in this video).  What actions or policies would bring about real good (good results) rather than just good feelings? 

Day 31: Political Correctness/Pressure and Scientific truth

If video above does not work, click here to watch on external site.

Science is often positioned as a purely objective search for truth through systematic means.  Unfortunately science has been a tool of politicians and those in power for centuries.  Many amazing and intelligent scientists have been persecuted or killed because the ruling elite did not like what they were discovering or teaching (Socrates, Galileo, Tyndale, Lavoisier and the thousands killed by Mao, Stalin and/or Hitler).  Science is often used as a tool of control, intimidation or propaganda by governments.  In our day, the rhetoric employed by the government on the topic of global warming or climate science has some ominous overtures.

Assignment:  watch the video and share one thing you learned that science, the media and/or your school has not told you.

Day 30: Visual Arts

Take your iTouch, iPhone or other electronic device (or your old fashioned camera) outside and take some pictures.  Try and find something unique or take your picture from an unusual perspective.  Consider flowers, clouds, close ups, unique colors, irony, contrasts, etc.  Upload or email (thwicke@gmail.com) a few of your best shots.  Pick one of your pictures and give it a name.  Write a paragraph describing it.  Give it a story (commentary or creative writing). 

A few ideas of my own art below:

Day 29: Feminism

If the above video does not play, click here for an external link to the video.

With the nomination of Hillary Clinton, the first woman to be nominated as a candidate for president of a major national party, many are focused on the question of women's rights, women's achievements and feminism.  There are some who are feeling a pressure to vote for Mrs. Clinton simply because she is a woman.  This is similar to the accusation of racism levied against those who oppose President Barak Obama (including those who did not vote for him).  Just because one does not vote for or agree with Mr. Obama does not, IN ANY WAY, make them a racist.  Similarly, just because one does not vote for or agree with Mrs. Clinton IN NO WAY makes them a close minded, women-hating, ignorant Neanderthal.  As Martin Luther King, Jr. advocated, it is possible and even commendable to judge according to the content of character and not by the color of skin or one's chromosomes.  The video above discusses fundamental tenets of feminism.

Assignment:  create a comment and share what you learned from this video.

Day 28: Reading and Writing

Elementary students: complete these two worksheets

Middle School (and Elementary students beyond 2nd grade) students:
  Write a letter to your future self (imagine yourself at age 25 as you write to yourself). Talk about hopes and expectations, what you would like to accomplish between now and your 25th year.  Tell yourself about one of the most exciting and/or fun things you did this year.  Put the letter in and envelope and mail it to:
Dad's Academy
Attn: Thomas Wicke
8670 Zircon Way
Arvada, CO 80007
I will mail it back to you on your 25th birthday (put the date and year of your 25th birthday on the back of the envelope).

High School students: 
Read Chapter 3 of Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography (click here for free online text) and make a comment about what most impressed you about this episode in Mr. Franklin's life.

Day 27: What Makes America Different?

If the video above does not work, follow this link to watch:  https://youtu.be/TiJIYdgkF9M

Assignment:  find someone who has or does live in another country (think about uncles/aunts, friends, neighbors, etc.) and ask them what they like about America that is different than the country they lived in.  Write a comment on this site about the reasons they gave.