Thursday, December 17, 2015

ARE PEOPLE BORN EVIL?


The issue of whether we are born good or evil is one of the fundamental questions that determine the way we judge events or people. What is the answer to this dilemma; are we born good or evil? Do your research and determine your point of view . Then, write an argumentative essay
Refer to my second blog, The Essay Archive, for sample essays: https://theessayarchive.blogspot.com.tr/  
Familiarize yourself with the issue
·         Are people born good? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phwHEE-Zz_A
Reading material to make notes on
·         Are humans born evil? http://www.debate.org/opinions/are-humans-born-evil
·         Ten reasons humans are naturally evil   http://listverse.com/2013/05/23/10-reasons-humans-are-naturally-evil/
Videos to watch and make notes on
·                  *         The empathy gene: are we born good or evil? https://vimeo.com/7801546
Documentary

·         Are you good or evil? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2aorOAY8o8

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

THE TRAGEDY OF ROBERT JONES; RESPONSE (REACTION) ESSAY


Read the story of the incredible miscarriage of justice involving Robert Jones and watch the videos. Then write a reaction (response) essay.  
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-5ad914e1-afed-4e0d-b7ab-754bf3d0b1e6

Monday, December 7, 2015

AN IDEAL SCHOOL; DEFINITION ESSAY


A good education is a prequisite of getting ahead in the modern world, which makes parents eager to enroll their children in the best educational establishments possible. No stone is left unturned in the search for the school best placed to prepare their kids for life in every sense of the word. This being the case, an ideal school in the modern world needs to excel academically as well as in terms of opportunities for personal growth

First developmental paragraph: the quality of the education provided
·         In terms of teaching staff (well trained, competent)
·         Teaching methods (up to date, modern technology, examples)
·         Syllabus and material

Second developmental paragraph: opportunities for personal growth
·         Team sports and individual sports (the qualities they foster)
·         Active clubs (which clubs, what qualities do they foster)

In conclusion, schools in the modern world are expected to raise young people who have had the opportunity to reach their full potential both academically and personally. They are expected to help young people discover different avenues in life pinpoint what they excel at and what makes them happy. They are also expected furnish young people with the skills that will help them in the modern world. In short, schools are not just about books and teachers.


AN IDEAL HOLIDAY; DEFINITION ESSAY


The popular piece of folk wisdom “All work and no play make Jack a very dull boy” is a very wise piece of advice. Life can be compared to a playground where there is a lot of activity; sometimes people just want to stop playing for a little while and watch from the side lines. A vacation is very much like taking a break from your routine activities to regroup, recuperate or just chill for a while. This being the case, everyone needs a holiday yet people’s expectations of such a break from everyday life can vary: while for some an ideal holiday means an adrenaline rush for others it means peace and quiet.
First developmental paragraph: the adrenaline rush
Who: sports junkies, people who lead sedentary lives through no choice of their own
What kind of holiday: bungee jumping, mountain climbing, trekking, diving, surfing and the like
Purpose: to get their hearts racing
Why: their regular life is routine, dull or dreary
Conclusion: they wish to come alive on holiday
Second developmental paragraph: peace and quiet
Who: anyone who gets seriously tired and works long hours, manual workers, computer techs, businessmen and the like
What kind of holiday: a beach holiday with books and IPods, evening strolls, a comfortable hotel,  and the like
Purpose: to rest physically and mentally
Why: their regular routine is exhausting
Conclusion: they wish to wind down
To sum up, there are all sorts of holiday makers but one thing they have in common is that they all want a change from their daily routines, whatever they are. There is nothing like monotony to destroy the spirit and let’s face it, most of us have dug ourselves into a rut for one reason or another. Denying ourselves the chance of a change would be most unwise on all sorts of levels.


Thursday, December 3, 2015

CAN DOCTORS AND HOSPITALS REFUSE TREATMENT?


The NHS and similar state run health services are often loath to treat terminal patients when valuable resources can be better employed treating patients who have some hope of recovery. Are they right or should money and effort  not be a concern? Determine where you stand and defend your position.
Refer to my second blog, The Essay Archive, for sample essays: https://theessayarchive.blogspot.com.tr/  
Reading material to make notes on
·         How much would you pay to live an extra year? http://blog.practicalethics.ox.ac.uk/2015/11/how-much-would-you-pay-to-live-an-extra-year/
·         Funding expensive treatments for some on the NHS means less money for everyone else
·         How much would you pay to live an extra year? http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20151201-how-much-would-you-pay-to-live-for-an-extra-year
·         Pressure grows on Roche to lower drug price  https://www.nice.org.uk/news/article/pressure-grows-on-roche-to-lower-breast-cancer-drug-price
·         What doctors and patients want at the end of life http://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-doctors-patients-want-at-end-of-life/  Watch the video and read the text


Tuesday, December 1, 2015

THE DIFFERENT LIVES OF SIX TEENAGERS; COMPARISON AND CONTRAST


Go to the link below, read the text, watch the videos and make notes. When you are ready, compare and contrast the lives of these teenagers. Here is the link:
What does it mean to be a good girl?
Here is a selection of topic sentences with which to start your paragraph; which is more appropriate?
·         The lives of the six teenagers in the study are very different
·         There are vast differences between the lifestyles and the future expectations of the teenagers in the text.
·         People in different parts of the world lead very different lives
      Thanks are due to my dear friend and colleague Semra Esmer for this activity



Wednesday, November 25, 2015

WHAT MAKES HAYAO MIYAZAKI SPECIAL?


There is still the lingering opinion that animation is for kids but nothing could be further from the truth in the case of manga, and in particular the works of Hayao Miyazaki. Do your research and discuss Miyazaki and his art clearly indicating what makes him special.
Refer to my second blog, The Essay Archive, for sample essays: https://theessayarchive.blogspot.com.tr/  
Familiarize yourself with the issue
Quotes to read and think about
·         Hayao Miyazaki quotes https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/4263.Hayao_Miyazaki
Video to watch
·         Hayao Miyazaki and the essence of humanity in animation http://www.theatlantic.com/video/index/416703/hayao-miyazaki/ 
Reading material to make notes on

·                           Miyazaki on Miya http://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/hayao-miyazaki/zaki    

THE PROBLEM OF HOMELESSNESS


Homelessness is a lingering problem in both developed and developing countries. The fact that people are living on the streets all the year round without access to basic services is a situation that cannot be allowed to continue in the civilized world. Do your research and discuss both the causes and the solutions.
Familiarize yourself with the problem
·         Homelessness solutions presentation https://prezi.com/eznqi2z_wsmi/homelessness-solutions-presentation/
Watch the following video on the causes of homelessness
·         Causes of homelessness  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rTtGZk14Yg
Watch the following videos on the solutions
Reading material to make notes on
·    
·         Homelessness both occasional and chronic http://www.useful-community-development.org/homelessness.html
·         Getting to the root causes of homelessness https://cmtysolutions.org/update/getting-root-causes-homelessness
·         Colorado coalition for the homeless http://www.coloradocoalition.org/what_we_do/what_we_do_overview.aspx
Videos to watch and make notes on
The unexpected face of homelessness https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w18ZuellVts

Refer to my second blog, The Essay Archive, for sample essays: https://theessayarchive.blogspot.com.tr/  


Tuesday, November 24, 2015

TELL THE STORY OF HOW THE SUN WILL DIE


Our life on Earth is inextricably linked with that of the Sun, which is a star with a fixed life span. Do your research and tell the story of the Sun and how its demise will affect life on Earth.

Reading material and accompanying videos to make notes on
·         How Will Our Solar System (and our planet) Die? http://futurism.com/death-from-the-skies-how-our-solar-system-will-die/  

·         The sun won't die for 5 billion years, so why do humans have only 1 billion years left on Earth?

·         The Sun Will Eventually Engulf Earth—Maybe http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-sun-will-eventually-engulf-earth-maybe/
Documentary to watch
·         Death of the Sun https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lURsrtdNy4 


TELL THE STORY OF THE INTERNMENT OF THE JAPANESE


The current events and reactions to them cannot but remind us of another period of “moral panic” when “a certain race or ethnicity” was held accountable for the crimes committed by the few. The period in question is that between 1942 and 1945 when Japanese Americans were placed in camps for the duration of the war. Do your research and tell the story. While doing so, make sure to highlight the reasons, the immediate effects and the long term consequences.
Familiarize yourself with the issue
·         Japanese internment camps https://prezi.com/gcvi7nh9cjva/japanese-internment-camps/
·         Japanese internment  https://prezi.com/y3na4dvxs3iw/japanese-internment/
Photos to look at and study
Reading material to make notes on
·         Japanese American relocation http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/japanese-american-relocation  
·         Internment history http://www.pbs.org/childofcamp/history/camps.html
·         The Internment of Japanese Americans as reported by Seattle Area Weekly Newspapers Seattle Ethnic Press Report  http://depts.washington.edu/civilr/news_colasurdo.htm
Videos to watch and make notes on
·         Japanese American Internment During WWII | 1942 | Internment Camps in the USA | Japanese Relocation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgkNaK6fviA
Japanese Internment during WW 2  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mr97qyKA2s

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

SHOULD REFUGEES BE TURNED AWAY OR WELCOMED?


Thousands have been making their way from their war torn homelands to Europe where they hope to find a better life. The compassionate and moral response would be to help these people and give them a home yet what is right is not always practical. There are economic and political concerns muddying the waters and the very real danger of undesirables sneaking in. Do your research and decide what the response to the refugee crisis should be. Then write an essay in which you support your view while refuting counter arguments.
Refer to my second blog, The Essay Archive, for sample essays: https://theessayarchive.blogspot.com.tr/  
Reading material to make notes on
·         Turning Away Refugees Won’t Fight Terrorism, and Might Make It Worse
·         Why my state won't turn refugees away http://edition.cnn.com/2015/11/17/opinions/markell-us-accept-refugees/
·         Stop wasting money on aid, and start letting in more refugees http://new.spectator.co.uk/2014/11/the-shameful-truth-britain-lets-in-far-too-few-refugees/  
·         Is the EU turning into “Fortress Europe” for migrants? http://www.debatingeurope.eu/2014/10/03/is-the-eu-turning-into-fortress-europe-for-migrants/#.Vkwiz9LhC1s
Videos to watch and make notes on
·         The long term impacts of the attack on Paris http://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2015-11-16/the-long-term-impact-of-the-attacks-in-paris
·         Queen Rania: Refugee crisis is a global problem http://edition.cnn.com/videos/tv/2015/09/10/jordan-queen-rania-on-refugee-crisis.cnn
·         CARE CEO on Syrian refugee crisis http://edition.cnn.com/videos/tv/2015/09/04/exp-nunn-care-refugees.cnn
·         Damon on migrants: we are their only voice http://edition.cnn.com/videos/tv/2015/09/13/rs-0913-arwa-damon.cnn



PEOPLE DON’T ACTUALLY WANT EQUALITY


They want fairness
By: Paul Bloom
Level of difficulty: ***
Note to the student: the focus of the following questions is summary skills, paraphrasing and drawing conclusions
BEFORE YOU READ
Watch the following short video of an experiment which is also described in the text you are going to read and think about it
  • What happen when you give one monkey cucumbers but grapes for another monkey
LISTEN TO THE PANEL DISCUSSION
Now, watch the panel discussion on equality and fairness and make some notes

·         What's wrong with equality?

QUESTIONS
1.       Read the first three paragraphs and fill in the blanks: People are wrong to think that ………………………….is a source of concern to them. What they are really concerned about is…………...........and…………………………………
2.       What is the topic sentence of paragraph 4? What is the concluding statement? What do they tell you about the organization of argumentative writing?
3.       The case of Louis C.K’S five year old proves that ……………………………
4.       It is implied in the text that Robin Hood is still popular because he tried to restore……
5.       Read the experiment conducted by Shaw and Olson and circle the answers that don’t fit. The children were happy to go along with unequal distribution so long as it was merited/ indefensible /deserved / warranted/ unjustified
6.       The widespread tendency to favor number one both among primates and humans proves that……………………………………………………….
7.       The case of small groups doesn’t contradict what has been stated thus far about inequality because what is really happening in small groups is that………………………………………
8.       The weak are at more of a disadvantage in large groups because in such groups………………………………….This means that they are stuck with a despot for example.
9.       We understand from Ariely and Norton’s study that have preconceived notions / misconceptions / prejudicial views / misguided notions about the current distribution of wealth in American society.
10.   The writer concludes by warning us that we should focus more on ………………………….
WRITING TASK
Write an essay in which you you discuss which is more important: social equality or fairness?
PEOPLE DON’T ACTUALLY WANT EQUALITY KEY AND TEACHER’S NOTES
The questions written for this fascinating text focus on summary skills, paraphrasing and the ability to draw conclusions due largely to the way the text has been written. The students will need to read closely and carefully.
  1. Economic inequality; unjust causes of economic inequality; the potential consequences of economic inequality
  2. The first sentence; the last sentence; argumentative paragraphs or essays have a sort of circular structure where you end up where you started – the point you were trying to prove.
  3. Focus on equality maybe mistaken
  4. Economic equality
  5. Indefensible, unjustified
  6. Humans and other species don’t naturally value equality for its own sake
  7. Everyone is struggling to ensure that nobody gets too much power over him. OR nobody wants to get screwed
  8. Interactions are no longer face to face and the powerful have guns
  9. Misconceptions
  10. Fairness and above all the suffering of the poor


Monday, November 9, 2015

THE PROHIBITION ERA: A FAILED SOCIAL EXPERIMENT


The consumption of alcohol has always been a matter of concern and one country, the USA, decided to take drastic action back in the ‘20’s. Do your research and discover what was done. Then write an essay where you discuss the causes and effects.
Refer to my second blog, The Essay Archive, for sample essays: https://theessayarchive.blogspot.com.tr/  

Familiarize yourself with the issue
·         The Prohibition Era https://prezi.com/xym4ssfywup_/the-prohibition-era/
Prohibition timeline:
Reading material and accompanying videos
·         Prohibition http://www.history.com/topics/prohibition
·         Prohibition: unintended consequences http://www.pbs.org/kenburns/prohibition/unintended-consequences/   
TV Series to watch

·         Boardwalk Empire

Thursday, November 5, 2015

THE PLIGHT OF CHILD SOLDIERS


The words “child” and “soldier” or “war” should never come together; the fact that they do is a moral outrage and a humanitarian disaster. Do your research and discuss the reasons why children are recruited, what they suffer and how to deal with the problem.
Refer to my second blog, The Essay Archive, for sample essays: https://theessayarchive.blogspot.com.tr/  

Familiarize yourself with the issue, watch the videos:
·         Child Soldier: When Boys and Girls Are Used in War - http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-34713853?ocid=global_bbccom_email_04112015_top+video
·         Child Soldier' author shares hard truths with young readers
Some examples:
·         Voices compassion education http://voiceseducation.org/content/resources-plight-child-soldiers
·         Child Soldiers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPKzP6TQ0WI
Reading material to make notes on:
·         Child soldiers http://www.humanium.org/en/child-soldier/
·         Children in conflict  http://www.child-soldier.org/ There are links from this article to others on the site; access and read them
Documentary to watch
·         Invisible Children http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/invisible-children/  

·         Soldier Child http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/soldier-child/  

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

STRESS AND THE BODY


TEXT 1: HOW STRESS MAKES YOU SICK
“Feeling overwhelmed affects everything from digestion to stroke risk”
By: Olga Khazan
Level of difficulty: **
BEFORE YOU READ
·         Watch the video from TED Ed, written by the Emory University professor of medicine Sharon Bergquist and make some notes: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-stress-affects-your-body-sharon-horesh-bergquist
QUESTIONS
1.       Why do people tend to ignore suggestions like “Stop worrying! Stress is bad for you”?
2.       Read the remainder of the text. Which sentence best summarizes what is expressed?
·         The physical effects of stress should not be ignored
·         Chronic stress has terrible consequences for the body
·         Stress affects every organ and system in the body
·         Stress damages every organ and system in the body
HOW STRESS MAKES YOU SICK KEY AND TEACHER’S NOTES
This text is an introduction to the major reading task, text2. It focuses on the physical effects of stress.
1.       Because it isn’t immediately clear how it will make them healthier
2.       Stress damages every organ and system in the body
TEXT 2: HOW BEING POOR MAKES YOU SICK
“Some patients are being prescribed bicycles and groceries as doctors attempt to treat the lifestyle consequences of poverty, in addition to its medical consequences”
By: Olga Khazan
Level of Difficulty: **
BEFORE YOU READ

·         Viewers sound off on the effects of 'toxic stress' from poverty

QUESTIONS
  1. What unusual remedy does Meyer’s suggest to some of his patients?
  2. It is implied in the text commuting by bike is both practical / problematic / tiring and good for you / physical / sedentary
  3. Poor people are unable to exercise due to: tick those that fit
  • Time concerns
  • Health concerns
  • Lack of amenities
  • Security concerns
  • Financial concerns
  1. What is one possible reason why poorer people are less healthy?
  2. Poor people tend to have higher blood pressure, stress hormones and body mass index because the life they lead ………………………………………….To sum up, poverty changes………………………….
  3. Anxiety disorder and similar problems are closely linked to toxic stress in childhood because….
  4. The research done for Science last year proved that the greater the ……………………the greater the problems with………………………………..
  5. Scan the text as far as a “Patchwork of programs” and list the negative effects of poverty on the physical and psychological makeup of the brain. There are five.
  6. Society has made the serious mistake of not considering poverty ………………………………
  7. Why has Health Leads got the right approach to the problem discussed thus far in the text? Use your own words
  8. As a result of sessions with the biofeedback specialist ……………………….is bolstered, which helps the kids deal with toxic stress
  9. There are two major problems those who try to provide services like those listed above have to tackle and they are………………………………………….
13     Money is a problem because………………………….and doctors are a problem because they don’t……..
14     According to Perrin, if poverty combating legislation is passed, people will be a lot ……………
TEXT 2: HOW BEING POOR MAKES YOU SICK KEY AND TEACHER’S NOTES
This simple and beautifully organized text delineates the link between poverty and major mental health issues, mood disorders and cognitive skills. It also provides solutions in the last part. This wealth of information should lead to a wonderful writing task where all students have learnt can be brought together
  1. A year-long membership to Hubway (Boston’s bike sharing program)
  2. Practical, good for you
  3. Time concerns, lack of amenities, security concerns
  4. A healthy diet costs 1.5 dollars more per day than an unhealthy one.
  5. Certain genes to be turned on or off; gene expression
  6. These adverse childhood experiences jab at the brain at critical moments of its development and changing the architecture of key brain structures
  7. Physical scarcity; long term planning
  8. Long term anxiety and mood control issues, problems with long term planning, mental health issues (anxiety and depression), depleted self control, bad habits
  9. A serious medical problem
  10. Possible Answer: it is trying to address the problems that will have long term effects on their psychological and physical health
  11. The prefrontal cortex circuit
  12. Payment and culture obstacles
  13. Medicaid and other insurance don’t cover many of these services; screen for toxic stress and other poverty indicators
  14. Healthier




Tuesday, November 3, 2015

WHAT IS SOCIAL ANXIETY?


“In the age of the digital hermit, a psychologist explains what it means to avoid other people – and what to do about it”
By: Olga Khazan
Level of difficulty: **
NOW WATCH THE FOLLOWING:

·          Social Anxiety Disorder: A Devastating Look inside the Minds of Social Anxiety Disorder Sufferers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgo6kwaAXSc

·         Social Anxiety Disorder: How the brain works on anxiety and stress

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uWIKl00JSI

 

DOCUMENTARY

·         Social anxiety disorder: afraid of people https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=438AeHsvrGk

QUESTIONS

1.       We can draw the conclusion from paragraph one that people have become more…………

2.       Both the need for acceptance and the…………………………………trigger social anxiety

3.       We understand from the text that a moderate amount of social anxiety is……………….(Your own words)

4.       The three most prevalent anxiety disorders are: ……………………………………

5.       What causes problems in terms diagnosis is the fact that…………………………………..

6.       The key to determining whether your social anxiety is a problem is whether the said anxiety leads ……………………………………………….

7.       Isolation is not the answer in the case of social anxiety because such people………….

8.       Western cultures report higher instances of social anxiety whereas countries like Japan and China report less because while the former is ……………………..,the latter is………………………

9.       Read Hofmann’s description of how people with social anxiety feel and circle the adjective that does not describe the sufferer’s mood: pessimistic, fatalistic, unrealistic, accident prone, out of control.

10.   Why is rumination so detrimental?

11.   The cognitive behavioral therapy that is used to treat social anxiety involves a two step process: ………………………………………..and……………………………………………..

12.   The purpose of both social mishap exercises and inconveniencing people is to encourage sufferers of social anxiety to

·         Face their worst fears

·         Become freaks

·         Alter their mindset

·         Become more engaging

·         Become more shocking

WRITING TASK

Use all the information you have gathered to write an essay where you discuss social anxiety disorder. Remember to discuss what the disease entails and how to deal with it.

WHAT IS SOCIAL ANXIETY? KEY AND TEACHER’S NOTES
This text focuses on a very common problem: social anxiety. It is very well organized despite being in the form of an interview: the disorder is discussed and then the solutions are presented. This should also guide the students in their writing.
  1. Reclusive
  2. The possibility that we will not be accepted by our peers
  3. Normal
  4. Depression, substance abuse and social anxiety disorder
  5. Almost all anxiety disorders are highly overlapping with each other
  6. You to want to get help OR to significant distress
  7. Would like to be social / are not loners
  8. An individualistic culture; a collectivist culture
  9. Accident prone
  10. Because it establishes a cycle (and the next time…)
  11. Identifying what drives the anxiety and exposure practices (or challenging these …)
  12. Alter their mindset