Feb 1 2017 BLOG TOPIC

Please watch the entire video by clicking http://www.bbc.com/news/business-35631265

It is about 4 and a half minutes and is about food.

Also, please think about these questions.

1) What do you know about 3D printing? Is there a place that you can 3D print in your home city?
2) Do you think 3D printing and food go together? Why or why not?
3) Do you think this technology will reduce the number of chef jobs?
4) What other profession is technology entering these days?
5) Do you enjoy gourmet food or do you think it is a waste of money?
6) Would you eat this 3D printed food? Would you pay more for it? Why?

7) Do you want a 3D printer? What would you print with it?

Also, if you're interested, have a look at this list of the coolest 3D printed objects.

Jan 25, 2017 Blog Post!

Please watch the video for about 3 to 5 minutes. That will be enough to understand the main idea. Please watch this video more than one time and you may, of course, put on subtitles. I hope you use the English subtitles.

Many medicines have severe side effect. One example is diet pills. This speaker talks about how trying to achieve the perfect body causes side effects in life. Examples include eating disorders. and exercising too much.

Enjoy the presenter and I'll see you in class! Don't forget to look over the discussion questions too.

An Epiemic of Beauty Sickness

Renee Engeln

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63XsokRPV_Y

1) Which do you think is more important, health, or appearance?

2) Would you take medicine to cure an appearance problem (for example, acne or serious pimples) even though it might negatively affect your health?

3) Do you think our culture is too worried about appearance?

4) If someone dies because they were taking a prescribed drug, whose fault is it? The company that makes the drug, the government for allowing the drug to me prescribed, the doctor for prescribing the drug, or the patient for choosing to take the drug?

5) Who puts more pressure on girls to be beautiful? Men or Women?

Wed, Jan 19/17 Blog Topic!

The future is here! Do any of you remember watching The Terminator? I do. The technology presented in  the video I have posted really reminds me of this movie.

Please click the link and watch the video. Make sure you understand the vocabulary. Then, look at the questions posted below and plan an opinion for each. You do not have to write down anything, just plan a little in your head.

Also, click some of the links to discover some new stuff!

http://www.businessinsider.com/pentagon-perdix-mini-drones-attack-enemy-swarm-bees-mit-tech-military-defense-2017-1

1. What is your first thoughts about these drones? Do they make you feel safe or uncomfortable?
2. What other things do you think this collective thinking technology could be used for? Can you think of good and bad uses?
3. In the future, do you think humans will fight wars or will only machines fight? Which scenario do you think is better?
4. Would you watch a sport played only by robots?
5. What new robots are being used in your country? These could be personal or business types of robots.
6. Do you think artificial intelligence will solve the human problems of pollution, space travel, war, famine, etc.?

For all of the questions above, make sure to you can also explain your opinion

Thanks!
Matthew

Jan 11/17 Blog Topic. We are back!

Perhaps this topic is not perfect for this type of weather, but let's pretend it's warm out.

As usual, please click on the link below to find the article we will be discussion. When you do, please read the article or watch the video more than one time. The first time, do not stop to check your dictionary. The second time, use your dictionary. The third time, you may read through or use your dictionary. Thanks!

Also, please consider the questions below. You do not need to write answers. You do, however, need to think about the answers and be ready to discuss the topic in class.

Thanks again!

Matthew

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/well-you-gotta-have-a-home-inside-the-private-lives-of-van-dwellers-1.3613398

1)   Could you live in van? For a short time? For a long time? What do you think the benefits and drawbacks would be?

2)   Do you trust people who live in their vehicles?

3)   Is this a common situation in Korea/Japan?

4)   Should cities allow vans to park for free in certain areas of the city?

5)   Housing prices are getting very high in many parts of Canada. Do you think the government should get involved?

6)   Do you consider yourself and adventurous or cautious person?

7)   What is something adventurous that you dream of doing? Remember, ‘dream’ mean you might never do that thing.

8)   What changes are happening in Korean/Japanese culture?

Dec 28, 2016 Blog Post

Remember, this article is for Dec 28th/16, NOT for Dec 21/16.

Please read the article below and then read the questions too. Remember to read the article more than one time. The first time, do not use a dictionary or worry about unknown words. The second time, it is a good idea to look up the unknown words.
When you read the questions, please make sure you understand their meaning and are ready to discuss them on Wednesday.

Thank you!

Matthew

His and Her Diary from the Same Day

Her Diary:

Tonight, I thought my husband was acting weird. We had made plans to meet at a nice restaurant for dinner. I was shopping with my friends all day long, so I thought he was upset at the fact that I was a bit late, but he made no comment on it. Conversation wasn't flowing, so I suggested that we go somewhere quiet so we could talk. He agreed, but he didn't say much. I asked him what was wrong; He said, 'Nothing.' I asked him if it was my fault that he was upset. He said he wasn't upset, that it had nothing to do with me, and not to worry about it. On the way home, I told him that I loved him. He smiled slightly, and kept driving. I can't explain his behavior I don't know why he didn't say, 'I love you, too.' When we got home, I felt as if I had lost him completely, as if he wanted nothing to do with me anymore. He just sat there quietly, and watched TV. He continued to seem distant and absent. Finally, with silence all around us, I decided to go to bed. About 15 minutes later, he came to bed. But I still felt that he was distracted, and his thoughts were somewhere else. He fell asleep - I cried. I don't know what to do. I'm almost sure that his thoughts are with someone else. My life is a disaster.

His Diary:

Motorcycle won’t start…can't figure out why.

http://imgur.com/6icZ3

Discussion questions

1.    Do you think this was posted by a man or a woman? Why? What point do you think that he or she was trying to make?

2.    Who do you sympathize with most, him or her?

3.    Have you had similar misunderstandings with your significant other?

4.    Why are men and women so different?

5.    Is it possible for a men and women to really understand how the other thinks?

6.    Would you like to be able to think like a member of the opposite sex? Might there be any advantages in being able to do so?

7.    What does your significant other do that really infuriates you? What are the most frustrating habits that men/women have?

8.    Do you have any advice on how to understand and get along with the opposite sex better?

9.    Imagine you could switch gender for one day? Would you like to try it? What would you do? What would you like to find out?

Wed, Dec 21 2016 Blog Topic

This one is all about physical activity and fitness. Please read the article and make sure to have an opinion ready to share in class.

See you soon!

Matthew

http://www.thestar.com/yourtoronto/education/2016/04/11/phys-ed-experts-alarmed-by-program-cuts.html

1) Is it important to students/children to be physically active?
2) Do you think physical education class is more important or equally as important as some other subjects? Which ones? No? Why?
3) Does exercising or just taking a walk help you to study better?
4) How much TV or internet do you watch each day?
5) Which is more important, physical health or high academic achievement (good grades)?
6) How many hours of physical activity each day do students in your country get? Is it enough? How many hours do you think they should get?