Feb 7, 2018 Blog Topic

Hello all,

Please watch this video and make sure you understand the vocabulary in the questions so that we can have a good discussion in class.

Thanks!

https://vimeo.com/253334732

1) Do you take many pictures when you travel? What kind of pictures do you take? Why or why not?

2) Do you look at vacation pictures after the fact? Do you think others do?

3) When I see many people taking pictures, I often think that they are missing the real moment. What do you think?

4) Are there any original pictures anymore?

5) Why do you think people post pictures on sites like Instagram?

6) Do you recognize any of the places in the video?

7) Are you comfortable with the fact the pictures can never really be removed from the internet? Why or why not? Do you have any regrets?

Jan 31 2018 blog topic

Howdy,

Sorry that this is late. There have been technical issues. Here is the topic. Enjoy!

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/the-accent-effect-toronto-4-1.4407769

1) Do you think it is important to reduce your accent?

2) Have you had any bad experiences because of your accent? Have you judged someone else?

3) Do you think accent reduction is even possible?

4) In class we do pronunciation, do you think that is accent reduction? What's the difference?

5) Have you been judged or judged someone for something cultural and hard or impossible to change? eg. food preferences, hair, skin colour, voice tone, etc.

Jan 24, 2017 Blog Topic - Let's grow meat!

I think you might be amazed by this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gXq1ml6B1E

It is about 9 minutes long. Please watch all of it. It has pictures and visuals, so this will help you understand.

You can try watching it one more time too, if you have trouble understanding it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gXq1ml6B1E

See you in class!

If you missed the link or need to watch it a third time, that is okay!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gXq1ml6B1E

See you in class!

Matthew

Jan 17, 2018 Blog Topic

Before you watch the video below, please think about these questions.

1) What dangerous things did you do when you were a kid?
2) What activities did your parents allow you to do when you were a kid?
3) Does doing dangerous, but fun, activities help children become better adults?
4) Is today's world worrying too much about children's safety?

Now please watch the video

http://www.ted.com/talks/gever_tulley_on_5_dangerous_things_for_kids#t-543649

5) Do you agree with this presenter?

6) Would you want your children to attend his camp?

7) Which activities do you really disagree with and think would be too dangerous?

See you in class!

Matthew

Blog Activity Jan 10/18

Hello all!

Here is the link to the new video that we will discuss.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1K5SycZjGhI

Please watch it before Wednesday. 

I look forward to discussing this topic with you!

Matthew

Jan 2, 2018 Blog Post

Welcome back from holidays and I hope you had a great time either relaxing or exploring!

Maybe you made some new discoveries. The topic today is about a young guy who made a new discovery.

Please click the link and watch the video. Please be prepared to discuss the topic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9B0PaSznWJE

See you in class!
Matthew

Wed, Dec 20, 2017 Blog Topic

Howdy all! Here is the 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?

December 13, 2017 Blog Post

Today’s blog is about pets in Canada. Please click the link, read the article, and watch the video. Thanks!

http://www.cbc.ca/news/opinion/declawing-ban-1.4438082

1.     How do you feel about de-clawing cats? Is it unethical?

2.     Are cats de-clawed in your home country?

3.     Would you de-claw your cat for any reason? Why do you think some people de-claw cats?

4.     Last week, we talked about animal rights. Do you think de-clawing goes against animal rights?

5.     Some dogs have been de-barked. Please think about this and consider the same questions above (1, 2, 3, 4).

6.     What are other things pet owners do to their pets? eg. a strange haircut

7.     Do you think any of these things make pets unhappy? Do you think they care?

8.     Should the government ban things like de-clawing and de-barking? Why?

It's the December 6th blog post!

Please watch about the first 4 or 5 minutes of this video. You can get to it by clicking the link below. This is a topic that is getting more and more serious, I think.

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?

6) Would you rather be fat or be hit by a truck?

7) In this modern time, do men face the same pressure to look good as women do?