Friday, December 17, 2010

Let's Discuss

You know we have started writing argumentative essays, that means we argue on certain issues.Here are some topics for you to discuss. Write your opinions for and against on the following issues. I really want to learn what you think about them. Have a nice weekend.

  • Are human beings becoming too dependent on technology?

  • Are actors and professional athletes paid too much?

  • Should we do more to deal with the problem of domestic violence, or is the problem exaggerated?

  • Cheating helps students learn.

  • Lying (not telling the truth) is a natural and necessary part of good relationships.
  • Pelin's Recommendations

    My dear students,
    I am sure you have a lot to do in your free time, but still I have a few recommendations for you. Firstly, I watched the play called 'Vahşet Tanrısı' last week, and just loved it, it is one of the best plays I have ever watched, so please try to get tickets in January, the tickets are only 6 TL. You can buy the tickets online from the following link. http://www.devtiyatro.gov.tr/web/index.html
    Also, an outstanding exhibition will start at Pera Museum on December the 23rd. It includes the paintings of famous Mexican painters Frido Kahlo and Diego Rivera. If you visit the museum,you will have the chance to learn more about their unconventional lives. You can get more information about the exhibition from the following link  http://www.peramuzesi.org.tr/

    Sunday, November 28, 2010

    Good Luck Totem

    My dear students, you know you will be having your midterm exams this week. I believe in totems that bring luck (Aytac will remember from the previous semester), so I have chosen a strong one for you. Hope it works, if you like you can print and keep it with you during the exams. Good luck.

    Tuesday, November 23, 2010

    Ethical Issues

    What do you think about the following questions? Please make a few comments on some of them.

    1- Should animals be used in scientific experiments?

    2- Should humans be cloned?

    3- Does a company have the right to read its employees' emails?

    4- A. Should we consider addiction a "disease"? What does that mean in terms of the role of the alcoholic or other drug abuser?
    (1) Should we collectively pay for drug treatment?
    (2) If they enter rehab and relapse, should they be taken back? How many times?

    5- Should abortion be allowed? Is this a religious or a legal issue?

    6- What about conditions for adopting babies?
    (1) Is it okay for gay or lesbian partners to adopt a child?
    (2) What about adopting a child of a different race? Or religion?

    7- Is there a moral justification for capital punishment, also known as institutional murder?

    8- Is it O.K. to shop at a store that sells products made in countries that have bad human rights records?

    Saturday, November 6, 2010

    I Have a Problem

    The following letters are taken from a British Newspaper, two teenagers have serious problems and hope to get some useful suggestions. What do you think, can you help them?

    I am scared of all sorts of things

    Ever since I can remember, I have been scared of all sorts of things and I can't shake it off.
    I'm 18 and I know all teenagers have problems but this is eating away at me and nothing anyone says seems to make an ounce of difference.
    I am scared of swine flu, global warming, nuclear war and almost anything else. When a plane goes by, the noise makes me think that Yellowstone is erupting or it's the apocalypse.
    I have talked to my mum and she just tells me to stop worrying.
    I have a boyfriend in America. We met online and I'm terrified that he will die before I ever get a chance to see him. That's another downside to overseas relationships.
    My fears are enveloping me now. I know people will think that I'm just paranoid but I think I'm justified in worrying about those I love.
    Please help me,
    Fragile



    My brother has a secret debt- to a drug dealer

    I am starting to hate coming home because I feel invisible. Everything revolves around my big brother even though he treats my mum badly.
    I'm 19 and at college, so it's an important stage in my life. I don't get any support from my mum because she is so busy with my brother.
    He is 21. He has got into debt with a drug dealer. He has been diagnosed with depression and my mum thinks it is because he can't get any work, but I know the truth which is that he smokes a lot of weed.
    He still lives at home. He has never been able to control his money and is always asking my mum for it and this is putting her in debt.
    For as long as I can remember he has been horrible to her and on more than one occasion has made her cry.
    My mum complains to me about it because she doesn't know what to do. When I suggest she talks to my dad (they're divorced) or just lets my brother figure it out for himself because he has to learn, she brushes it aside.
    She says he won't talk to his dad because he doesn't see him as his dad. She says she is the only one my brother can turn to, but I feel this is his own fault because he doesn't see any of our family.
    I know my mum can't take much more but if I get involved at all my brother threatens me so I'm stuck.
    Whenever I need my mum she is too busy with my brother. I am not jealous but I am fed up with being ignored.
    I'm beginning to feel I can't go home sober any more as I can't cope with hearing about what my brother has done next and my mother complaining about it.
    What should I do?
    Desperate Brother

    Sunday, October 24, 2010

    Aliens


    This is the trailer of an interesting movie by Steven Spielberg.The name of the movie is ''Taken'', it is about people who are abducted by extra terrestrials.
    What do you think about aliens, do they exist or not?
    Are they friendly or hostile? Do you know any unexplainable events involving aliens?

    Crop Circles

    The picture below shows you various examples of crop circles. What do you think about them? Who made them- human beings or aliens?

    Saturday, October 16, 2010

    The New Task: Writing a Story

    Hello, my dear students hope you are enjoying your weekend. Before I inform you about the new task, I would like to thank you all for the contributions you have made so far. The conversations you wrote for the cartoon (Birds by Pixar) were great, actually they were much more creative than I expected, as I am aware of your creativity now I  feel so excited about your future comments. This week I have a new task for you, I hope you will like this one, too. By the way some of you haven't made any comments, I am expecting you to join us with this new task. Please get a gmail account and become a member of our blog as soon as possible. This week I want you to write a story for the paintings you see below. The genre is free, it can be a comedy, fairy tale, mystery, horror, romance... it is up to you. Before writing your own please click on the link below and read the example story.http://www.artofstorytelling.org/2010/01/24/vintage-festival-story-by-laura-boyd


    Actually I was planning to use just one painting for this task, but while surfing the net I saw so many adorable paintings and couldn't decide which one to put. Therefore, I chose 4 amazing paintings, you may be familiar with them as they are among the most expensive 15 paintings in the world. These painting are the masterpieces of Picasso, Renoir, Klimt and Rubens, if you are interested in them and want to learn their prices please check this website: http://stylecrave.com/2008-11-24/the-15-most-expensive-paintings-in-the-world/

     Here are the magnificent paintings, choose one of them and write a story. The deadline for the stories is October,22. Good luck...

    Monday, October 11, 2010

    Reading about Socrates

     What do you think about Socrates? Why is he considered as one of the first critical thinkers?
    Did he really make people unhappy by asking them to question their lives?
    What about you, are you a critical thinker? Do you question life?
    Before you answer the questions click here and read the text please.

    Socrates and Critical Thinking

     
    Posted by Picasa
    ''The Death Of Socrates'' by Jacques Louis David
    artgalleryartist.com

    Wednesday, October 6, 2010

    Birds by Pixar

    Please watch the video below and answer the following question.
    What do you think the birds are talking about?
    Try writing a short conversation or you can continue mine.

    ''- A nice place to spend the afternoon, all by myself.'' said the first bird.

    Tuesday, October 5, 2010

    Waiting for Your Comments

    My dear students, I am looking forward to reading your comments. I need your ideas to improve our blog. Please visit our blog as soon as possible. Thanks in advance...Pelin Yurtyapan

    Monday, October 4, 2010

    The Eruption of Mount St. Helens

    Watch the video about Mount St. Helens using the link below and make comments. Have you ever witnessed such a destructive natural disaster? What do you know about the worst natural disasters that the world has seen?
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBJ9xZws7ro

    Sunday, October 3, 2010

    Welcome to A Level

    Hopefully you had a wonderful holiday and you are ready to complete Prep. As you all know this is the final step before you go to your faculties. To achieve your goal  please think positively, work hard with dedication and energy. Hope we have a perfect semester together.
    Pelin Yurtyapan
    A-3 Reading and Writing Instructor