Blog Assignment - The Environment

Hey guys,

We hope you are enjoying the Inconvenient Truth. Use what you have learned in the movie so far to complete your first blog assignment.

Assignment: Write a well-organized paragraph that answers the following questions: What is the one thing you think people should do to help the environment? In your opinion, why is this one activity so important? Why did you choose this one thing?

Go green!
Rachelle and Hilary

Welcome to TIEP - Level 140

Welcome to 140

This is the blog for our class, where I will put class instructions, conversation topics, and listening activities. I will also post links to the blogs that you create in class.

I hope that you have a wonderful semester. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Chris

140 Class Party Pictures

Listening and Journal

Yesterday, in class, we discussed the You Tube Presidential Debates. (http://www.youtube.com/debates)

For your weekend listening assignment and next week's journal, I have embedded a few of the questions below. I would like you to watch at least 3 of them and remark on which ones you think are the best. You should also check out the website (http://www.youtube.com/debates) to see the responses.

After you have done this, you should write your own question for the U.S. presidential candidates.

What do you think of this format for presidential debates?



Opening to the debates




The role of democracy




Should African Americans be given reparations for slavery?




Would a woman president be taken seriously by an Arab state?




Gun Control - Are Our Babies Safe?

Journal Topic - Due: Friday, July 27

First, for listening practice, you need to watch this video from the 1976 movie, Network. Then read and respond to the questions below.



Then, you can read the transcript of the speech here:

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/MovieSpeeches/moviespeechnetwork3.html


Now, you need to think about what message Howard Beale (the speaker) is trying to tell. It's fairly obvious. What message did you take away from this?

Is this message more or less relevant today than 30 years ago when this movie came out?

Is this a message for American audiences only, or is it a message that could be spread in your home country? Why or why not?

Does this make you want to see the movie, or does it just sound like a boring old man trying to tell everyone how to live their life?

Alacridad

Today, you were introduced to the Alacridad project and told you how YOU can help. What are your thoughts & feelings about participating in this project?


Check out these links:
The United Way

Volunteer Match

What opportunities on these sites interest you?

Journal Topic - Due July 20

1. Summarize the Simpsons episode.



2. Which is more important in human development of personality and intellegence: genes or environment?

Journal Topic: Due Friday, July 13

This week, you need to not only write the answer to the journal questions, but start a dialogue with other students (in both classes) by responding to their responses.

- What does it mean to be polite in your culture?
- What is considered rude in your culture?
- Is there anything in US culture that is considered rude that may not be considered rude in your culture?

Wikipedia Link

Even though you CAN'T use this as a source for your research papers, look up anything you want in (nearly) any language here!

Did you know that Austin, TX is the live music capital of the world??

Live Shows in Austin

Wednesday is a HOLIDAY!

4th of July in Austin

Journal Topic - Due Friday, July 6

First, find the answers to these questions: What is the name of the galaxy we live in? How many galaxies are there? How many stars are in our galaxy? Which star is closest to Earth?

Now, what do you think about life on other planets? Do you think it exists? Why or why not? Do you think humans have ever or will ever make contact with life from another planet? What could that life be like?

Writing on the Austin Businesses Field Trip

On your blog, write out what happened to you on Thursday. Choose TWO of the businesses that you visited and tell the story.
Example: "It was a rainy Thursday afternoon. John, Mary and I walked into ......"
TELL THE STORY! Describe the person you interviewed. Describe the store's environment, things you SAW and SMELLED and HEARD and FELT. Then, use your notes to retell the conversation.
Example: "I first asked about the work environment. The employee said that he enjoyed working here because ....." Tell EVERYTHING until you left the store. You will do this TWO TIMES (because you are writing about TWO DIFFERENT BUSINESSES).

Also, search for that business's official website. If they have one (they all should), post a link on your blog.

Journal Topic - Due Friday, June 29

How important are brand names to you when you buy a product? Consider the following items: toothpaste, clothes, cars, electronics (stereo, TV, etc.), food, medicine. How do you choose them? Does the brand that someone buys tell you something about that person? If so, why?

Journal Topic - Due Friday June 22

If you wanted to tell somebody about yourself by sending a package, what three things would be in it? Please explain your reasons.

1st Week's Journal Topic

Here's this week's journal topic:

What does it mean to be rich? How does one become rich?