What Makes Marion Jones Run? This is a fabulous piece on Marion Jones' life and her return to the sporting arena. Once a decorated track star, she now has a prison sentence on her resume. But with outstanding athleticism and a desire to get back into a game, any game, Jones is now a member of the WNBA. What do you think of this profile piece? How does the author keep you engaged?
No Tackling, but a girls' sport take some hits: An interesting story on the rise of girls' varsity flag football. Why are people conflicted about this sport? Why are some pro-girls sports boosters worried this isn't a meritorious sport? Isn't staying active the #1 goal of athletics? Is there an MA hook in here?
Monday, May 17, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Year-end project
Here is the assignment.
If you have questions, just ask. This is the focus of our work for the remainder of our time together.
If you have questions, just ask. This is the focus of our work for the remainder of our time together.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
News Literacy Project
What do you think of these five questions we think teens should ask themselves about new information:
• Who said this?
• Is it verified by reliable sources?
• Does the giver have a bias, and should I look for other sources?
• Do I have a bias on this subject?
• Where can I discuss this with others or find more information to form my opinion?
We need some real-life examples of UNTRUE information (no names will be used) of what students are reading and sending. We would love some text messages, Facebook entries, emails, website pages, whatever. Just remember it must be untrue.
Have you ever read something in a text message, on Facebook, or on a Web site, e-mail, Twitter — and, even though they knew it probably wasn’t true, passed it on to others? No one’s being critical here, but we’re looking for some examples. If they have some bad information they are willing to share, please do.
• Who said this?
• Is it verified by reliable sources?
• Does the giver have a bias, and should I look for other sources?
• Do I have a bias on this subject?
• Where can I discuss this with others or find more information to form my opinion?
We need some real-life examples of UNTRUE information (no names will be used) of what students are reading and sending. We would love some text messages, Facebook entries, emails, website pages, whatever. Just remember it must be untrue.
Have you ever read something in a text message, on Facebook, or on a Web site, e-mail, Twitter — and, even though they knew it probably wasn’t true, passed it on to others? No one’s being critical here, but we’re looking for some examples. If they have some bad information they are willing to share, please do.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Week 15
Another two pieces that work well together. The target is clearly you.
1. The Tell-all Generation Learns When Not To: The trickle down effect is especially present in on-line behavior. A few years back, Facebook was for college kids and MySpace was for high schoolers. Now, Facebook is ubiquitous. Older Gen-Y folks, though, are now starting to feel the repercussions of putting everything on-line. What are your thoughts? How about your habits? What are your thoughts on privacy?
2. How Does Technology Affect Kids' Friendship: As Gen-Y pushes the technology limits -- think younger and younger people acquiring cell phones and using social networking sites to engage in relationships -- people are starting to wonder about the long-term effects of such habits. What do you think about some of the worries stated in this article? From your perspective, is there any validity to this argument?
1. The Tell-all Generation Learns When Not To: The trickle down effect is especially present in on-line behavior. A few years back, Facebook was for college kids and MySpace was for high schoolers. Now, Facebook is ubiquitous. Older Gen-Y folks, though, are now starting to feel the repercussions of putting everything on-line. What are your thoughts? How about your habits? What are your thoughts on privacy?
2. How Does Technology Affect Kids' Friendship: As Gen-Y pushes the technology limits -- think younger and younger people acquiring cell phones and using social networking sites to engage in relationships -- people are starting to wonder about the long-term effects of such habits. What do you think about some of the worries stated in this article? From your perspective, is there any validity to this argument?
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Week 14: Howdy, May
Here we are in our final month of the school year. Kind of exciting! So we'll get this month started off with two pretty different readings. I was hoping to post a piece about free throws in the NBA and the local Dipsea race, but neither story are available for free. But, if you head down to the MA library, be sure to check them out. The former is in the May 3 edition of ESPN mag; the latter, in the June 2010 Runner's World.
1. The Man the White House wakes up to: (NYT) This is the story of Politico's Mike Allen and his might political playbook. He is, for all intent and purposes, the go-to man on White House information. This piece delves into the life of a political reporter but also the life of Allen himself. What do you think about the piece? Is Allen's role in the White House the more important element of this story? Or is this a well developed profile? How does the writer manage the balance between personal history and present day influence?
2. The Texas Curriculum Controversy: (from Newsweek) An interesting read on the influence (or maybe lack therefof) Texas has on national curriculum. Texas has been in the news lately for its passionate dislike of current political policy, but this bit of dislike is more interesting than most because it has to do with educating millions of students at a very young age. What are your thoughts?
3. Braking Away: (NYT) A simple opinion piece about stopping for red lights while bicycling in New York City. Is this monumental? No. Is this exciting? Nope. But it's a great read on such a simple act. What do you think are those simple acts around MA we need to explore a bit more?
1. The Man the White House wakes up to: (NYT) This is the story of Politico's Mike Allen and his might political playbook. He is, for all intent and purposes, the go-to man on White House information. This piece delves into the life of a political reporter but also the life of Allen himself. What do you think about the piece? Is Allen's role in the White House the more important element of this story? Or is this a well developed profile? How does the writer manage the balance between personal history and present day influence?
2. The Texas Curriculum Controversy: (from Newsweek) An interesting read on the influence (or maybe lack therefof) Texas has on national curriculum. Texas has been in the news lately for its passionate dislike of current political policy, but this bit of dislike is more interesting than most because it has to do with educating millions of students at a very young age. What are your thoughts?
3. Braking Away: (NYT) A simple opinion piece about stopping for red lights while bicycling in New York City. Is this monumental? No. Is this exciting? Nope. But it's a great read on such a simple act. What do you think are those simple acts around MA we need to explore a bit more?
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