SPAIN’S CURSED VILLAGE OF WITCHES

“This tiny village has been excommunicated and cursed with a spell so powerful that only the Pope can lift it”

By: Inka Piegsa-Quischotte

Published: 27 April 2016, BBC http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20160418-spains-cursed-village-of-witches

Level of Difficulty: *

WATCH AND LISTEN

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyJSvnSq-jU

QUESTIONS

1.       Why is the situation of the Spanish village surprising? Because….

2.       What is the name of the village in question?

3.       What makes the village special?

4.       Ruiz was a typical witch/ wasn’t a typical witch because she was/wasn’t dressed like one and she had/ didn’t have the usual stuff witches have with her.

5.       Circle the answer(s) that fit(s) : The story of witchcraft was a trick/ a cover-up/ a fabrication/a hoax.

6.       What was going on at the castle was a business venture / a criminal activity. How do you know?

7.       What political advantage did Trasmoz have?

8.       What practical advantage did Trasmoz have that helped the locals in their activities?

9.       The whole of Trasmoz was excommunicated because they were practicing witchcraft. True or False? How do you know?

10.   The monastery started diverting water from Trasmoz because the excommunication hadn’t worked. True or False?

11.   What does “the defeat” refer to in the phrase “the Church never forgave the defeat”?

12.   Why is it necessary for the Pope to lift the curse?

13.   Circle the correct answer: After the curse, Trasmoz flourished/ was deserted / was ruined/ was neglected.

14.   Read the story of La Tia Casca and decide which of the following fits best:

·         Casca was blamed for the epidemic because she was a witch

·         Casca was blamed for the epidemic because they couldn’t find any treatment

·         Casca was blamed for the epidemic because of her personality

15.   The festival organized in Trasmoz every year proves that……………………………………..

16.   Is Ruiz telling the truth when she says she can’t cast a spell?

17.   Why did the writer throw rice and salt over her shoulder?

SPAIN’S CURSED VILLAGE OF WITCHES KEY AND TEACHER’S NOTES

This exciting and interesting yet simple text should go with a bang in class given the title. The structure of the text has given me the opportunity to pose some serious comprehension questions which will, I hope, come more easily thanks to the subject matter.

1.       Because it was excommunicated in its entirety and cursed with a spell so strong that only the Pope can lift it

2.       Trasmoz

3.       It has centuries of witchcraft history

4.       Wasn’t atypical witch because she wasn’t dressed like one and she didn’t have…

5.       They are all true

6.       A criminal activity; They were forging fake coins

7.       It was a lay territory

8.       It had rich iron and silver mines

9.       False: the Church was angry because they weren’t paying taxes to the Church. The witchcraft was an excuse

10.   True

11.   King Ferdinand’s decision that Trazmos’ actions were justified

12.   Because/ since a pope sanctioned the curse

13.   Was ruined

14.   The second one

15.   The tradition of witchcraft seems to be alive and well

16.   Personal answer

17.   To ward off evil spirits

DOES SUFFERING MAKE US STRONGER AND LEAD TO SUCCESS?

Life isn’t a bed of roses and there is often a good amount of suffering thrown in as well. Some claim suffering is necessary to come out of bad spells in their life more resilient and successful; others  claim that such experiences can destroy one. Who is right? Do your research and write an argumentative essay.

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

Here is one:

Sample essay

·  http://michellehsiehliteratureblog.blogspot.com.tr/2015/03/tnyt-editorial-contest-does-suffering.htm

Power point:

· https://prezi.com/1--bs4xpaj2q/does-suffering-makes-us-stronger-and-lead-to-success/  

 Reading material to make notes on

·Can suffering make us stronger? https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/out-the-darkness/201111/can-suffering-make-us-stronger

·Can Suffering lead to success 

http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/can_suffering_lead_to_success

*  What doesn’t kill you doesn’t necessarily make you stronger

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/what-doesnt-kill-you-doesnt-necessarily

make-you-stronger/2015/01/02/939f250e-8f7e-11e4-ba53-a477d66580ed_story.html

·  Losing is good for you http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/25/opinion/losing-is-good-for-you.html?_r=0

Videos to watch and make notes on

· How the worst moments in our lives make us who we are https://www.ted.com/talks/andrew_solomon_how_the_worst_moments_in_our_lives_make_us_who_we_are?language=en

·  The surprising link between suffering and success https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQeZr_-4tuI

BEING A MULTIPOTENTIALITE

Social norms dictate that we determine one interest in life and focus on it to the detriment of everything else. People need to find their vocation and pursue a career path. What if certain individuals are not wired that way? Do your research and find out who they are and the advantages of being the way they are. Then write about them.

Note to the student: this essay task is not your run of the mill advantages and disadvantages essay; in keeping with the title, it is a combination of more than one task. Your essay should clarify what kind of person a multipotentialite is and the advantages of being so.

Thanks are due to another multipotentialite, Essie (http://essiespeaks.blogspot.com), for this interesting activity

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

Familiarize yourself with the issue:

·        On being a multipotentialite | Anthony Rahayel | TEDxLAU

h           ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6G3QcpoJd4&t=4s 

Reading material to make notes on

·         Putty-like http://puttylike.com/terminology/ Scroll down: on the right of the screen you will see many more articles linked to the topic; read them and make notes

·         Multipotentiality http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/unwrapping_the_gifted/2010/08/multipotentiality.html

Videos to watch and make notes on

·         Why some of us don’t have one true calling? https://www.ted.com/talks/emilie_wapnick_why_some_of_us_don_t_have_one_true_calling?language=en#t-158795

On being a multipotentialite https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6G3QcpoJd4

OCEAN GARBAGE

A serious problem that does not come up as much as it should in the modern world is what we are doing to our oceans and marine life with all the plastic we dump in them. Do your research and write about the current situation, the reasons that things got so bad and the possible solutions.

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

Familiarize yourself with the issue:

• Pacific Ocean: great ocean garbage patch https://prezi.com/p_bu7f-nlyra/pacific-ocean-great-garbage-patch/  

·         NASA reveals how 35 years of garbage turned into ocean garbage patches http://www.takepart.com/video/2015/08/31/nasa-video-reveals-35-years-trash-turned-ocean-garbage-patches

Reading material to make notes on: The Problem

·         How bad is ocean garbage really? http://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2016/04/ocean-garbage-marine-debris/476481/ 

·         Ocean trash5.25 Trillion Pieces and Counting, but Big Questions Remain

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2015/01/150109-oceans-plastic-sea-trash-science-marine-debris/ 

·         The great Pacific garbage patch http://education.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/great-pacific-garbage-patch/ 

Reading material to make notes on: Solutions

·         The ocean clean up http://www.theoceancleanup.com/ 

·         To clean up ocean plastics, focus on coasts… http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/newsandeventspggrp/imperialcollege/newssummary/news_18-1-2016-15-59-52   

·         Could we clean up the greatest Pacific garbage patch?  http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/clean-up-garbage-patch.htm

Videos to watch and make notes on:

·         Solution to the great Pacific garbage patch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljrbtYlku-k

·         Great Pacific garbage patch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXKpqHtkmHw

·         Tales from the ocean’s garbage patch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEvXUp44DDI

·         The clean oceans project https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRTA0QSdFd4

WHY ARE WE SO READY TO BELIEVE RUMORS?

Gossip, rumors and misinformation are often all too readily believed and spread like wild fire. Are we gullible, naïve, plain stupid or is there some other process at work? Do your research and find out. Then write an essay discussing the causes.

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

Familiarize yourself with the issue:

·         Truth about rumors https://prezi.com/8efmrgzcuq_d/the-truth-about-rumours/  

Reading material to make notes on

·         The psychology of factoids http://theunboundedspirit.com/the-psychology-of-factoids-why-we-believe-in-rumors-gossip-and-urban-legends/  

·         The 8 ½ laws of rumor spread https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200811/the-8-laws-rumor-spread

·         Gossip and rumors: different types http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/friends/rumors/article3.html

Click “Why do People do it?” “Why it Hurts; why it is Wrong”  “Breaking the Chain”, “When the Rumor is about you” and “From the Mentors”

·         Internet gossip, rumor and misinformation http://www.ibtimes.com/internet-rumors-gossip-and-misinformation-people-only-want-read-what-they-already-believe-693614

·         Why are people so incredibly gullible?

http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20160323-why-are-people-so-incredibly-gullible?ocid=global_future_rss&ocid=global_bbccom_email_25032016_future

Listen to the podcast

·         A webinar: Dispelling rumors and misinformation during crises https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EsfUtdMbQM

IS YOUR BOSS A FEAR MONGER?

“He watches your every move. She’s got you afraid to even breathe too close. Here’s how to get the upper hand over a boss who rules with an iron fist”

By: Rhea Wessel

Published: 3 March 2016, http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20160302-is-your-boss-a-fear-monger

Level of Difficulty: **

WATCH AND MAKE NOTES

·         Autocratic leadership style https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uB-GKyK7Hc

·         The authoritarian or autocratic leader http://study.com/academy/lesson/the-authoritarian-or-autocratic-leader.html

·         Dealing with an autocratic leader https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eANCjtGAIEE  

QUESTIONS

1.       The three bosses mentioned in the text are examples of leaders who believe…………………………………………………..is the best way to get a job done.

2.       Why do these three bosses act as they do? Two reasons

3.       An atmosphere of threats and intimidation creates ……………….. in the staff.

4.       The importance we attach to public perception means that we become…………

5.       If you stop worrying about public perception you can

·         Get results

·         Be concerned for looking good

·         Commit  to the job

·         Ask questions

·         Forget about the survival instinct

·         Follow the crowd

·         Look uncertain

6.       What surprising discovery does Anne tucker reveal in the text?

7.       The reason for the fear generated by some bosses is that

·         They don’t explain their motives clearly

·         They don’t try and clear up misconceptions

·         They let misunderstandings slide

·         All of the above

·         None of the above (Please specify)

8.       What is the best way to document problems with management style?

9.       We get the impression from the example of the European law firm that business suffered / work was slowed down/ HR was badly managed. Mark as many as necessary.

10.   Read the case of the hedge fund manager. Why didn’t the tactic the boss employ not work?

11.   Read the example of the woman in the aerospace industry. She dealt with her boss by………………….

WRITING TASK

Use the information you have gleaned from the videos you have watched and the text you have read to describe authoritarian leadership, discuss its negative impact and suggest solutions.

 IS YOUR BOSS A FEAR MONGER? KEY AND TEACHERS’ NOTES

Authoritarianism is very common in some companies where managers believe cracking the whip is the only way to get results despite all the research. This straightforward business text should appeal to young people in the private sector.

1.       Spreading fear

2.       Because fear is the most primitive emotion we have; Because they are highly focused on achieving results and meeting targets

3.       angst about how they are perceived

4.       Susceptible to manipulation and tolerant of slights and injustices

5.       Commit to the job

6.       That many bosses don’t realize they are spreading angst

7.       All of the above

8.       Doing it at home in a notebook

9.       Two and three

10.   Because if people suss out that the leader is displeased with a certain person, then people will say what they think the leader wants them to say

11.   Laughing it off or reflecting the behavior back on the boss

THE ENORMOUS POWER OF THE UNCONSCIOUS BRAIN

“A lot of things we do in everyday life don’t need to involve our conscious mind. In many cases, the more we use it, the less effective we become”

By: Chris Baranuik

Published: 16 March, 2016, http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20160315-the-enormous-power-of-the-unconscious-brain

Level of Difficulty: **

WATCH , LISTEN AND TAKE NOTES

·         Watch and make notes on the video of the experiment involving stacking cups

·         David Eagleman: Powers of the Subconscious https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9R9nNBxPfv4

·         David Eagleman: Brain over Mind https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWBtT-Gl4vQ

QUESTIONS

1.       The reason why Eagleman did so badly in the cup stacking challenge is the fact that…..

2.       The fact that Eagleman had never done something like cup stacking before meant that the activity ………………………………………………………………………

3.       The reason why Naber’s brain reflected absolute calm during the experiment was the fact that the activity

4.       The automization of any activity or skill is closely linked to the amount of……………………..

5.       What misunderstanding does Eagleman point out in the text?

6.       Why do many sports need the skills of the player to be automised? Because of …… (Use your own words)

7.       What would happen if LeBron James, for example, paid conscious attention to every move he made while playing?

8.       Why is the efficacy of consciousness being debated?

·         Because the non conscious mind is capable of forming opinions

·         Because the non conscious mind is capable of doing sums

·         Because consciousness is not necessary for forming opinions

·         Because consciousness is not necessary for doing sums

·         All of the above

·         None of the above (provide your own answer)

9.       A certain amount of mind control is possible with ………………….

10.   Which of the following would Eagleman agree with: mind control could be used for the good of mankind by (select as many as necessary)

·         Helping people achieve better control of their addictions

·         Helping people achieve better control of their cravings

·         Helping people achieve better control of their bad habits

11.   Which sentence best summarizes the last paragraph of the text ?

DOCUMENTARIES TO WATCH AND MAKE NOTES ON TO EXTEND YOUR UNDERSTANDING

WATCH THE TELEVISION SERIES RECENTLY AIRED ON BBC 4

·         The brain with David Eagleman: what is reality? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MSw2irv0-A

·         The brain with David Eagleman 2: what makes me  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Hb7w6-jcTU

·         The brain with David Eagleman 4 : how do I decide? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsyGZdDVdb8

·         The brain with David Eagleman 5: what does the brain need? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZolBc9XcK8

·         The brain with David Eagleman: what will I be? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LP1JBtecsX0  

WRITING TASK

After completing the series the links to which have been provided, write an essay in which you compare and contrast the role the non-conscious and the conscious mind play in our lives.

 THE ENORMOUS POWER OF THE UNCONSCIOUS BRAIN KEY AND TEACHERS’ NOTES

We strike out down a completely new path in this activity by linking an extended listening activity to the writing task and thus making it more challenging.  If the activity is to be done in class, the documentaries and the writing task could be set as homerwork.

1.       It was his first time cup stacking

2.        Was all conscious

3.       Had been automized

4.       Practice

5.       That our unconscious mind does not play a very deep role in our everyday decisions and relationships

6.       Because of the speed / The pace

7.       He would slow down

8.       Possible answer: Because the unconscious mind is capable of doing so much

9.       The use of subtle cues /tricks

10.   One and two: there is no fundamental difference between an addiction and a craving; bad habits is too general

11.   Consciousness is like a broom closet in the mansion of the brain