Journal Question #4

Halloween is coming, and many people - not only children - will dress up, some in masks.  America and Europe are not alone in having a celebration or holiday that includes costumes: every culture has rituals that include costumes of some kind.  Pictured above, for instance, is a Native American mask.  Why do humans wear costumes and/or masks?  Do you like to dress up and pretend you are someone - or something - else?  Do you plan to wear a costume or a mask for Halloween?  Why or why not?

Question #3 - 2015-2016

Monday, October 12th is Columbus Day, an American holiday that celebrates the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus, an Italian sailor who sailed for Spain.  Of course, Columbus didn't discover America - there were lots of people there already, whom he called "Indians" because he believed he had discovered a quick way to India.  Some people think Columbus' arrival in North America (or Central America) was a disaster for native Americans: in the following centuries, Europeans enslaved, killed, drove away, and, in general, brutalized them.  What's your view?  Is Columbus a hero or a villain (bad guy)?  Was his "discovery" a good event in world history?