Three Cups of Tea Project

Overview: After reading the book, Three Cups of Tea [Official Website], reflect upon Greg Mortenson's statement, "If we try to resolve terrorism with military might and nothing else, then we will be no safer than we were before 9/11. If we truly want a legacy of peace for our children, we need to understand that this is a war that will ultimately be won with books, not with bombs." Considering this thought, what is the best way to defend our country? In this project, you will research and attempt to answer this essential question. Use the links provided and other sources you may find to write a persuasive letter to someone who can make a difference.

Your Role: A concerned citizen of the United States (You)

Audience Possibilities:

Government Officials:
President Barack Obama
Senator Jack Reed
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse
Representative James Langevin
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
World Bank
Other? (Approve with teacher)

Philanthropists:
Alan Shawn Feinstein
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Oprah
Other? (Approve with teacher)

Research: Graphic Organizer [Word Version]

Sources: You MUST have at least 4 sources to back up your argument (1 MUST be from a book.).

Format: Persuasive Letter [Graphic Organizer]

Rubric: ELA Persuasive Writing Rubric [Word Version]

Helpful Links

Organizations:
CARE: Afghanistan
Central Asia Institute
Help Afghan School Children
Help the Afghan Children
International Rescue Committee (Asia)
Kashmir Family Aid
National Geographic Society: Afghan Children's Fund
Pennies for Peace
Save the Children (Afghanistan)
The United Nations Girls' Education Initiative
The U.S. Agency for International Development: Afghanistan    Pakistan
World Bank - Building Better Schools in Pakistan

News on Greg Mortenson's Efforts:
Greg Mortenson Interview on NPR (Audio)

General Information:
CIA World Factbook: Afghanistan    Pakistan
Kids in Afghanistan (Scholastic News)
Nation Master: Afghanistan    Pakistan

General News on Afghanistan/Pakistan:
BBC: Afghanistan's Future
The Guardian: Afghanistan News    Pakistan News

Education:
Female Teachers Help Rebuild Education System (UNICEF)
Afghanistan's Ministry of Education
Pakistan's Ministry of Education

Military Spending:
Growth in U.S. Defense Spending of the Last Decade (Center for Arms Control & Non-Proliferation)
World Military Expenditures (Global Issues)
World Wide Military Expenditures - Country List (Global Security)

Women's Rights/Plight:
Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission on Women's Rights
Plight of the Afghan Woman (Afghanistan Online)
Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA)
Afghan Women Slowly Gaining Protection (New York Times)

The Velocity Team - Alan Shawn Feinstein Middle School of Coventry