A Founding Father of the United States, Thomas Jefferson once wrote that a free press is important to a functioning democracy. In other words, without critical and reliable press, a society and government cannot be held to account. This engaging title takes a probing look at what press freedom and censorship means, as well as where people find information, who owns and controls the press in a “free world,” and what makes good, reliable journalism.
In this age of fast-paced social media, news and views are shared throughout the world in seconds. This timely title critically examines the elements of journalism, truth and perspective, sources of news, as well as bias and objectivity to help readers make informed choices about the accuracy of news and information. Readers will gain an understanding of what journalism is and how the medium can shape the message being presented.
Go ahead, buy it. You know you want it.…How susceptible are you to tactics of subtle encouragement or even outright manipulation used by media and advertising? Power and Persuasion in Media and Advertising is a critical introduction to how marketing and advertising works to convince consumers to buy products or believe in certain ideas. Readers will learn about persuasion, credible marketing, and how their tastes and opinions are targeted and shaped from an early age.
In the 19th Century, railroads were a form of transportation that changed the world. Transcontinental Railroads looks at the sweeping changes made to society and the challenges created by the building and running of these railroads in North America. Readers will be encouraged to critically analyze source material on why the railroads were built, who built them, and how they changed the movement of people and products. Topics include settlement and nation-building, as well as who gained through railroad building—and who lost.
This engaging title helps readers build essential research and information sourcing skills for self-directed learning. Accessible text and authentic examples model effective research strategies and support readers as they learn to critically evaluate sources for accuracy and credibility, organize and connect ideas, and credit and curate sources using a variety of digital tools.
My Bed and Other Furniture explores the problems faced by people around the world who produce and assemble furniture, and environmental problems, such as deforestation, associated with the harvesting of materials used in furniture-making. Case studies show how fair trade projects are helping people achieve better working conditions and a fair price for their products, and how using renewable materials is helping to save the world's precious resources.
From email and twitter to blogs and wikis, readers are encouraged to be safe, positive, and mindful contributors in the digital environment. Readers will learn how to choose the appropriate digital tools to communicate for various purposes.
Do you see people who look and talk like you in media? Are the people who have the most influence on you your age, gender, ethnicity, or even body type? How do we understand ourselves if we don’t see ourselves represented in the world? Representation in Media takes a careful look at how point of view is crafted to represent the views and ideologies of just a portion of the population, and why lack of diversity in media should matter to us all.
This interesting book examines the events and people who were involved in the War of 1812 between the United States and what would later become Canada. Unusal for a war, the conflict ended with friendly relations established and no major loss of territory for either country. However, an examination of primary and secondary source materials reveals the War of 1812 is remembered differently in each country, as well as by the Indigenous peoples whose territory and dreams of an independent nation east of the Mississippi River vanished.
My Chocolate Bar & Other Foods explores the problems faced by farmers and people around the world who produce food, and the environmental problems associated with growing certain products. Case studies show how fair trade projects are helping people achieve better working conditions and a fair price for growing chocolate and other products such as bananas, tea, peanuts, sugar, and honey.
Using speeches, photos, and paintings of the time, as well as material that addresses historical context, The Civil War guides readers in critically examining primary and secondary source materials. Discussions include how emerging technologies such as photography and the telegraph affected the messages being conveyed, and how ideologies of the era shaped what was seen, as well as whose voices were heard—and whose were not. Readers will gain an understanding of the sad and brutal aspects of a war whose echo continues to have an impact even today.
My Smartphone and Other Digital Accessories explores the problems faced by the people who build and mine the materials for the world's cell phones and other digital accessories, and environmental problems associated with the making and disposing of electronic devices. Case studies show how fair trade projects are helping people achieve safer working conditions and a fair wage for building smartphones and other digital products such as laptop computers, cameras, ipods, and game consoles.
My T-Shirt and Other Clothing explores the problems faced by the people around the world who produce clothing, and environmental problems associated with the making of clothing. Case studies show how fair trade projects are helping people achieve better working conditions and a fair price for producing T-shirts and other products such as denim jeans, flip-flops, sweaters, and sneakers.
This informative title emphasizes the benefits of collaboration to learning, using digital technologies. Connecting with others of different backgrounds, culture, or expertise allows readers to share their knowledge and perspective, broaden their understanding, and find the best solutions possible. Readers will learn how to be positive contributors working as part of a team toward a common goal. Inspiring, mini-bios highlight young people collaborating to create positive social change.
This fascinating book takes readers through the life story of influential English archaeologist and traveler Gertrude Bell. Bell explored what is now the Middle East and played a significant role in the creation of modern Iraq. Historical facts, images, and high-interest information are presented in a tabloid-style to engage readers in an accessible way. Topics include Bell’s work in archaeology, her mountain summits, and her role in World War One.
This timely title discusses the creation of the atom bomb and the post-World War II nuclear arms race that shaped the consciousness of generations. Primary and secondary source materials such as contemporary photos, speeches, letters, and newspaper accounts are examined, offering readers insight into a world reeling from years of conflict, and the competing political and social ideologies of the former Soviet Union and the United States and its allies. Topics covered include the Manhattan Project, the dropping of the first atomic bombs, and the escalation of the arms race, as well as nuclear treaties and the relevance to today’s nuclear threats.
Politically and socially, the decade from 1947 to 1956 marked an era of repression and fear. McCarthyism was a practice named for the blustery U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy. Known for his reckless and unsubstantiated accusations, he led a campaign to root out real and imagined “subversives” in American society. Packed with enlightening primary and secondary source material, McCarthyism and the Red Scare examines topical issues to help readers think critically about such concepts as freedom, Constitutional rights, blacklisting, and personal and state ideology.
This comprehensive title is a thought-provoking examination of how early gold rushes shaped settlement and industry in North America. Using material from the 1848 California Gold Rush, the 1896 Klondike Gold Rush, and other rushes in Georgia, Montana, and British Columbia, primary and secondary sources about these rushes are examined with respect to race and ethnicity, the displacement of Indigenous peoples, and different perspectives on law and order in the emerging West. Readers will be encouraged to think critically about labor and environmental practices, and the relationships between settlers and Indigenous people both in the past and today.
From robots cleaning houses to clothes that can correct posture, technology is constantly introducing ways to improve our lives. Tech Living explores many of these current and soon-to-be appearing innovations through dynamic photographs and engaging text. Young readers are encouraged to consider both the benefits and drawbacks of many of the technological advancements that are changing the ways humans live at an astonishing rate.
Environmental scientists look at their natural surroundings and think about future generations. They want to understand how the human activities of today are affecting the health of the environment, what that means for the future, and what can be done about it. This title aims to create meaningful connections between the scientific concepts readers learn in the classroom and how they are applied in the real world by environmental scientists searching for answers.
From lighting our homes to helping us travel, we depend on energy every day. This enlightening title introduces readers to the innovative entrepreneurs who are powering forward with new ways to use or create energy. Detailed case studies of successful entrepreneurs and a hands-on project help readers understand the principles of entrepreneurship.
Gratitude is the quality of being thankful and appreciative. People who are grateful are aware of and thankful for the opportunities that they have. This helpful book provides ideas, practical tips, and inspiring stories about how you can make expressing gratitude a regular habit. Discover how showing your appreciation and returning kindness to others is a rewarding experience that will enrich your life.
A person can be part of one or many different communities, or even one big world community. This books explains to young readers that being part of a community allows us to make friendships and work together to solve problems at home, at school, and in our cultures.
All people are part of a global community that has a responsibility to care for planet Earth. This important title introduces environmental stewardship to young readers. Relatable examples show readers how to care for the environment in their own communities, and how even small changes can help address issues in the global community.
What makes a choice a good one? Usually, the choices we make show the things we think are important. These are our values. Children will learn how to make positive choices by thinking about different outcomes and respecting themselves and others.
