Upcoming Themes for COBBLESTONE

2008 - 2009 School Year
July/August	Office of the President In this exciting election year, the July/August issue of COBBLESTONE focuses on the powers and responsibilities that come with being president of the United States. See what it takes to run for this office, marvel at the juggling act by presidents as they trying to handle the variety of jobs that come with the territory, explore life in the White House, and meet the many people who help the president keep the country running smoothly. Along the way, we introduce you to specific U.S. presidents who helped shape the executive office over the years and see how ex-presidents continue to make a difference. Also included are activities that test your knowledge of famous presidential speeches and trivia about those who have held this position of power. For example, can you guess which president employed sheep to keep the White House lawn trimmed and why he did that? Or, do you know which president's face appears on the $20? (Pick up this month's issue to find out the answers to these and other fun teasers!) Of course, Ebenezer and the Colonel offer their special taste of humor in the Cartoon Connection, and we also managed to score an interview with former president Jimmy Carter.
September	Jefferson vs. Hamilton and the Rise of Political Parties It has been an exciting election year, but wait until you see this month""'s issue! Even though nearly all of the Founding Fathers were suspicious of political parties and considered them dangerous, it didn""'t take long for them to become a permanent part of the election process. In the September issue, we take a look at the rise of political parties, which basically rose through the differences of opinion between Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson. We see how party loyalties almost destroyed a valued friendship between two great Americans. We trace the roots of our two major parties today, and we describe the rise and fall -- and role -- of third parties in our political process. The experts chime in on the pros and cons of political parties. There""'s a crossword puzzle and a fun cartoon contest -- we provide the art, you provide the caption. Plus Dr. D""'s got a great mystery hero, and Ebenezer and the Colonel have big plans in the forest.
October	Abraham Lincoln Next February 2009 will mark 200 years since the birth of Abraham Lincoln. A modest man, Lincoln might be embarrassed about the planned celebrations to mark this event. In our October issue, we explore the life and times of Lincoln, from his childhood on the frontier, to his early legal and political profession in Illinois, to his years as the president of the Civil War. His famous debates with rival Stephen A. Douglas come to life. We take a close look at his most renowned speech, the Gettysburg Address, and we examine what was perhaps his most pivotal and controversial action, the Emancipation Proclamation. You also can meet his family and dog, Fido. Committed to preserving the Union, Lincoln led the nation through four years of war, but you might be surprised to read his thoughts about after the war and the restoration of the Union (he was for it) and how to punish the South (he was against it). We""'ve also included a selection of famous photographs, paintings, and sculptures that attempt to capture Lincoln""'s place in history. After reading this month""'s issue of COBBLESTONE, maybe you can spread the word about why February 2009 includes a date worth remembering.
Nov/Dec	Peace Protests / Dissent Nearly every war in which the United States has been involved has provoked both strong supporters and equally vocal opponents. And while the right to protest is protected under the Constitution, the issue of expressing a different opinion and of being critical of the government during wartime is controversial. In the November issue, we take a look at some of the major conflicts in U.S. history that have sparked peace protests. See how Quakers have tried to balance patriotism to country with religious beliefs that embrace peace and oppose war. From the Civil War to the Cold War to the Iraq War, meet both famous individuals and average citizens who have joined together to publicly speak out against military conflicts. Visit Lafayette Park, where protesting is permitted ""- right across the street from the White House! The issue is not just about protesting for peace, though. We also introduce you to a few people and organizations that support a message of peace: check out the short article on the Nobel Peace Prize and enjoy our interview with Michael Shoenfelt, who describes his experience as a member of a peace camp in Egypt. If you are inspired to spread peaceful winds, try your hand at making a pinwheel for peace.
January	Civil War in the West
February	World's Columbian Exposition
March	Suffragist Movement
April	Robert E. Peary and the North Pole
May/June	Mark Twain
July/August	Great Inventors

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Updated: 8/20/08 01:09 pm
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