www.upfrontmagazine.com ISSUE DATES 09.02.13 09.16.13

10.07.13

Teacher’s Guide

10.28.13

ISSN 15251292 • Vol. 146, No. 1

11.18.13

12.09.13

01.13.14

02.03.14 02.24.14

03.17.14

03.31.14

04.21.14

05.12.14

This issue in focus Dear Teachers, We hope you had a terrific summer. As the Upfront staff prepared our fall kickoff issue, we happily faced a dilemma: which of three outstanding articles to put on the cover. “10 Things You Need to Know About Washington” boils the tempestuous politics in the nation’s capital down to 10 basic questions your students can really get their heads around. “The High Price of Cheap Fashion” will have them debating whether the cheap clothes they buy at places like H&M and Gap keep unsafe sweatshops running in countries like Bangladesh and Vietnam. And “Watching You” takes a hard look at government surveillance in the post-9/11 era. We opted for the surveillance story, much in the news following revelations that the National Security Agency has been secretly collecting data about Americans’ phone calls to head off more terrorist attacks. We hope all three articles get your students talking—and thinking critically—about the world! IAn Zack, Executive Editor

Key Articles

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cover story 6 Watching You How much government surveillance should Americans accept to keep the nation safe from more terrorist attacks?

video: Leakers: Saints or Villains?

national 8 10 Things You Need to Know About Washington (Part 1) It can be hard to follow the political debate in the nation’s capital. Here are the basics, from David E. Sanger, the chief Washington correspondent for The New York Times.

Video: Covering Congress

international 12 The High Price of Cheap Fashion What does your wardrobe have to do with a factory collapse in Bangladesh?

video: Fast Fashion

times past 16 1963: the march on washington Fifty years ago, more than 250,000 people marched on Washington, D.C., demanding an end to racial segregation.

video: M.L.K.: Daring to Dream

upfront q&a 20 life after afghanistan A young veteran talks about the war and going from soldier to student.

audio: Interview With Logan Stark

Get the

upfront English/Language Arts Common Core Skills Pages at www.upfrontmagazine.com A SUPPLEMENT TO THE NEW YORK TIMES UPFRONT

cover story

Lesson Plan 1

Watching You critical thinking

Why has the

Debate

Americans have grown accustomed to more surveillance since the 9/11 attacks. But revelations that the government is collecting data about domestic phone calls and Web activity abroad have raised questions about an erosion of privacy rights. What kinds of security measures have you seen in cities, stores, and airports? Do you think that phone and Internet surveillance are comparable to these measures? Explain.

government stepped up surveillance since 2001? In your opinion, how big is the threat of terrorism against Americans today? Why do you think a former N.S.A. contractor risked arrest to leak details of the phone and Web surveillance programs?

Take a stand: Should the U.S. government be allowed to have access to Americans’ telephone records?

writing prompt Write an essay exploring Americans’ right to privacy. Under what circumstances, if any, do you think that privacy rights should be limited?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS What is the purpose of the two N.S.A. surveillance programs described in the article? Do you think they’ve helped keep the nation safer? Have they violated Americans’ privacy rights? What does President Obama mean when he says, “You can’t have

100 percent security and also then have 100 percent privacy and zero inconvenience”? Do you agree? Why or why not? How do you think the Framers who wrote the Bill of Rights would feel about the security measures put

in place since 9/11? Explain.

fast factS With an estimated 500,000 cameras mounted on storefronts and traffic lights, London has more video surveillance than any other city.

•

Curriculum Standards*

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Subject/NCSS

Common Core

Current events, civics

reading informational text:

The video “Leakers: Saints or Villains?” looks at how whistleblowers like Edward Snowden and Daniel Ellsberg have been viewed by the public.

• Civic Ideals & Practices • Power, Authority & Governance

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10

literacy in history/social studies: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10

national

Lesson Plan 2

10 Things You Need to Know About Washington (Part 1) critical thinking

Do you think the

From the limited power of presidents to the complicated process by which only some bills become law, the goings-on in Washington can be difficult to follow from afar. How does the actual role of the president compare with Americans’ perception of the job? Why do you think the political parties are more polarized today than in the past? What effects has this polarization had?

system of checks and balances works the way the Framers intended? Explain.

to get Congressional approval before launching a drone strike on a suspected terrorist?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS writing prompt Write a conversation that might take place between a Republican and a Democratic lawmaker about the size of the federal government. Use facts and details from the article.

Does the president have more autonomy in foreign or domestic affairs? Why is this so? Why has the size of the federal government grown over time? In your view, has it become too big? Explain.

Debate Defend your view: Should the president be required

What is meant by gridlock? What do you

think causes gridlock in Washington?

recent years? Should this practice be allowed?

Does it surprise you that so few of the bills introduced in the 112th Congress became law? Why or why not?

fast fact

What has led to an increase in the number of recess appointments in

This fall, the Supreme Court is slated to review the constitutionality of three of President Obama’s recess appointments. All three were to the National Labor Relations Board.

•

Curriculum Standards

2 •

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Subject/NCSS

Common Core

U.S. History

reading informational text:

Watch the video “Covering Congress” to learn more about the legislative branch and the role of the press in Washington.

• Power, Authority & Governance • Civic Ideals & Practices

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

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literacy in history/social studies: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10

*for a full list of the standards, go to Upfrontmagazine.com.

international

Lesson Plan 3

The High Price of Cheap Fashion critical thinking Americans are used to buying trendy clothes at low prices. But last spring’s factory collapse in Bangladesh has prompted a closer look at where and how garments are made. What factors do you consider when shopping for clothes? Do you think about where, and by whom, they were made? Explain. Why do some call today’s clothing market “fast fashion”? Do you think the comparison to fast food is apt? What have been the benefits and drawbacks

of the shift to third-world manufacturing? Who has benefited most? Least?

workers who manufacture their garments?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS writing prompt Imagine that your favorite brand of jeans is made in Bangladesh for an American company. What actions, if any, should the company take in response to the recent factory disaster? Write a letter to company executives to argue your point of view.

Debate Do U.S. clothing companies have a responsibility to ensure the well-being of foreign

Why do so many people in Bangladesh and other third-world countries risk their lives to work in sweatshops? What is the Bangladeshi government’s view of the scrutiny of its nation’s factories? Do you agree with its position? How have Americans’ clothes-shopping habits changed in recent decades? Do you think people would shop

differently if they were aware of the conditions in garment factories? Would you be willing to spend more on clothes if it meant safer and fairer conditions in overseas factories? Explain. Why do some compare the 2013 factory collapse

with the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire? Do you think the Bangladeshi tragedy will lead to change, as the Triangle fire did?

fast fact U.S. teens spend more than $211 billion a year, with about 40 percent of that on clothes.

•

Curriculum Standards

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Subject/NCSS

Common Core

global studies, economics

reading informational text:

Pair this article with the video “Fast Fashion.”

• Culture • Production, Distribution & Consumption

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10

literacy in history/social studies: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10

times past

Lesson Plan 4

The March on Washington critical thinking Fifty years ago, a quarter of a million Americans gathered in the nation’s capital for the largest civil rights march in U.S. history. What do you think motivated so many people to attend the March on Washington? Why do you think the march—and its famous keynote speech delivered by Martin Luther King Jr.—are considered milestones in the civil rights movement? What was the full name of the March on Washington? What does

this tell you about the era and the march’s goals?

writing prompt Did the March on Washington achieve its aims? Write an essay describing the aims and outcomes of the event, using evidence from the article to support your response.

Debate Has racial equality been achieved in the U.S.?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Describe the Jim Crow laws that governed life in parts of the South in

the early 1960s. How do you think such conditions affected young AfricanAmericans like Robert Avery and his friends? What were some examples of the kinds of peaceful protests advocated by Martin Luther King Jr.? Why do you think he chose these means to fight segregation and inequality? Do you think they were effective?

Why do you think many consider Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech one of the most powerful speeches in the nation’s history? Do you agree?

How did the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 change the U.S.?

What do you think the election of Barack Obama, the first black president, says about the

state of race relations today in the U.S.?

fast factS A. Phillip Randolph first proposed a March on Washington in 1941 to protest employment discrimination against African-Americans.

•

Curriculum Standards

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Subject/NCSS

Common Core

U.S. History, social studies

reading informational text:

Check out our video biography “M.L.K.: Daring to Dream.”

• Time, Continuity & Change • Civic Ideals & Practices

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

literacy in history/social studies: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10

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graph   international

Cheap Labor

This graph shows the minimum wages earned by garment factory workers in the 10 countries that make the most clothing sold in the U.S.

A

tragic factory collapse in Bangladesh last April has raised awareness of the grim working conditions faced by garment workers who produce much of the clothing worn in the U.S. and other developed nations (see article, p. 12). Laboring in hot, cramped, and sometimes unsafe factories, these workers often toil for little pay. Although factory jobs have helped millions put food on the table in places like Bangladesh and India, some companies are vowing to do more to ensure better pay and safer environments in the factories that make their products.

HONDURAS EL SALVADOR CHINA

COUNTRY

MEXICO PAKISTAN

source: U.S. Department of state

CAMBODIA INDONESIA VIETNAM INDIA BANGLADESH

$0

$20

$40

$60

$80

$100

$120

$140

$160

$180

$200

$220

$240

MINIMUM MONTHLY WAGE FOR GARMENT WORKERS (IN U.S. DOLLARS)

analyze the graph 1 About how much

2 Full-time U.S.

more is a garment worker’s minimum monthly wage in Honduras than in Bangladesh? a b c d

$86 $128 $194 $232

workers making the national minimum wage earn about $1,250 per month. That is ____ the minimum monthly wage earned by garment workers in China. a b c d

almost double about 3 times about 5 times about 9 times

3 In how many of

4

the countries on the graph does a minimum-wage garment worker earn at least $1,200 in a year? a b c d

two three four five

In Sri Lanka, the minimum wage for garment workers is about $61 per month. If Sri Lanka were added to this graph, it would correctly be placed directly above ____. a b c d

Indonesia Bangladesh India Vietnam

5 Many are pushing

for a wage increase in Bangladesh. The most recent increase, in 2010, raised the monthly minimum wage by 80 percent. Another 80 percent increase would raise it to ____. a b c d

about $68 about $85 about $103 about $176

discussion questions 1 In Bangladesh, the minimum wage for garment workers is higher than it is for workers in other industries. Why do you think that is

the case? What role do you think garment factories play in that nation’s economy? 2 What factors do you think affect a garment worker’s ability to survive on the minimum monthly wage? To what extent do these

factors vary by country? 3 Besides low wages, what difficult conditions do garment factory workers face in many developing nations? What do you think it will

take to improve these conditions? 4 Some have argued for the establishment of an international minimum wage. Do you think this is an idea worth pursuing? Explain.

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quiz 1   cover story

Watching You (p. 6) 1 Details of the government’s secret telephone

in-depth questions 4 The N.S.A.’s Prism program includes

and Internet surveillance programs a b c d

were announced by President Obama in May. were leaked by a former N.S.A. contractor. emerged during Supreme Court testimony. have been denied by Congress.

a b c d

 onitoring foreigners’ Internet activity overseas. m collecting logs of domestic telephone calls. the use of body scanners at airports. stepped-up interrogations at border crossings.

2 What has led to increased surveillance in the

is rooted in the Constitution’s

U.S. in recent years? s ecurity concerns after the 9/11 attacks improvements in technology both a & b neither a nor b

do the benefits of surveillance outweigh privacy concerns? 2  According to

5 The idea that Americans have a right to privacy

a b c d

1  In your view,

a b c d

 reamble. P First Amendment. Fourth Amendment. Fifth Amendment.

President Obama, what role have the legislative and judicial branches played in the federal government’s surveillance programs?

6 The prohibition against “unreasonable searches 3 The Obama administration has been sued by

and seizures” means, for example, that

____ for conducting telephone surveillance. a a b c d

a suspected Al Qaeda operative both Google and Microsoft a suspect in the Boston Marathon bombings the American Civil Liberties Union

b c d

owners of stores and other buildings cannot install video surveillance cameras. police need a warrant to search someone’s home. airports cannot conduct body scans. all of the above

think the Boston Marathon bombing investigation affected Americans’ views on surveillance? Why?

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quiz 2   national

10 Things You Need to Know About Washington (p. 8) 1

3  How do you

in-depth questions 1  What does the

The U.S. Constitution does NOT grant the president the power to

4 The War Powers Resolution of 1973 states that

a b c d

command the military. appoint federal judges. pass a federal budget. appoint Justices to the Supreme Court.

a b

2 

According to the article, which two presidents did the most to expand the role of the federal government in the 20th century?

d

can declare war to lend support to U.S. allies. cannot order drone strikes without a Congressional vote. must get Congressional approval within 90 days of committing troops to a conflict. all of the above

5

What is a recess appointment?

a b c d

John F. Kennedy and Dwight D. Eisenhower Franklin D. Roosevelt and Lyndon B. Johnson Harry S. Truman and George W. Bush Gerald Ford and Theodore Roosevelt

a

3

About what percentage of bills became law during the 112th Congress (2011-12)?

c

a b c d

2 percent 18 percent 35 percent 60 percent

d

 n appointment made by the president while a the Senate is unavailable to confirm the nominee a high-paying government post with no official job description an appointment made by the president, in which the nominee belongs to a different political party the period of time when Congress is not in session and lawmakers return to their districts to meet voters and raise money for re-election

the president

c

b

author mean when he writes that “Lots of bills are introduced just to make a statement”? 2  How have today’s

social and news media affected the work of congressional lawmakers? What are the pros and cons of these developments? 3  Based on what

you have learned about the workings of Washington so far, what grade would you give the federal government for its recent performance? Why?

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quiz 3   international

The High Price of Cheap Fashion (p. 12) 1

a b c d

2 

a b c d

 hat trends has the U.S. clothing market seen W since the early 1990s?

4

In response to the recent factory collapse, the government of Bangladesh has

Consumption and prices have both risen dramatically. Consumption and prices have both decreased. Consumption has increased while prices have decreased. Consumption has decreased while prices have increased.

a b

launched new factory inspections. announced that it will increase the minimum wage in that country. both a & b neither a nor b

 hich nation is currently the world’s biggest W clothing exporter?  angladesh B United States Mexico China

c d 5

in-depth questions 1  How have

Americans’ views on clothing and fashion changed in the past century? Do you see this change as positive, negative, or neither? Explain.

In which year did the Triangle factory fire occur, prompting safety reforms in the U.S.?

a b c d

1 880 1911 1934 1979

6

More than 30 major clothing retailers recently signed a pact to

2  Why are

Bangladeshi officials asking retailers not to make drastic changes to production after the factory collapse? 3  What is meant

3 What effect have plentiful factory jobs had

a b c d

in China?

a

t he growth of the middle class the disappearance of the middle class an increase in the poverty rate the elimination of unsafe working conditions

b c d

by the term "fair trade certified"? Is it something you think about? Why or why not?

 ay the U.S. minimum wage of $7.25 per hour to p factory workers worldwide. monitor safety in Bangladesh’s factories. stop manufacturing garments in Bangladesh. stop manufacturing garments in developing countries.

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quiz 4   times past

1963: The March on Washington (p. 16) 1

a b c d

The primary goals of the 1963 March on Washington were to call for civil rights legislation and to

4 Almost a year after the March on Washington,

register Washington’s African-Americans to vote. demand an end to legalized school segregation. mourn the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. bring attention to economic hardships facing African-Americans.

a b c d

Dwight D. Eisenhower. Lyndon B. Johnson. John F. Kennedy. Harry S. Truman.

5

 hat did the Civil Rights Act of 1964 W accomplish?

a

It barred segregation in education, employment, and public places. It desegregated the U.S. military. It outlawed literacy tests, poll taxes, and other obstacles put in place to stop AfricanAmericans from voting. all of the above

the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed into law by President

2 

Civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was a

a b c d

Birmingham, Alabama, city councilman. Baptist minister. labor union organizer. all of the above

b c

3

King gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech

d

a b c d

on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. in the White House Rose Garden. on the floor of the U.S. Congress. at the base of the Washington Monument.

in-depth questions 1  What incident in

Alabama a few months before the March on Washington helped increase public support for civil rights? Why? 2  In his famous

speech, King said he had a dream that “one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed.” What is this creed? Where is it found? 3  Why was President

Play iq News ctive r new intera ou

Kennedy initially concerned about the march? Were his fears realized?

. Game Show

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cartoon Analysis

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analyze the political cartoon 1  What do the figures

in the cartoon represent? Why are they different sizes? 2  What point do you

think the cartoonist is trying to make? Do you agree? 3  Can you describe a few

situations in which privacy might “come up against” security? In each case, which cause do you think should win out? 4 Is privacy a

right? Explain. 5  Why do you think Go to

online cartoon of the week

JOHN DARKOW • COLUMBIA DAILY TRIBUNE (MISSOURI) • CAGLE CARTOONS

Photo Analysis

the balance between privacy and security causes such heated debate?

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analyze the photo (See p. 16 in magazine.) 1  What can you learn

about the March on Washington from this iconic photo? 2  Why did so many

people attend the march? 3  Do you believe there

is an issue or cause in the U.S. today that would inspire a demonstration on this scale?

AFP/Getty Images

Essay It has been 50 years since Martin Luther King Jr. shared his dream for America. If he were alive today, what might he say about that dream?

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