Extreme Sports

Today you are going to learn about some extreme sports and prepare a short presentation about one for the rest of the class.

1. Open the ESPN Action Sports website in another window.

2. At the top of the page you will see a list of the following categories of extreme sports. Choose an unfamiliar sport to learn about.

Skateboarding
Snowboarding
Surfing
Freeskiing
BMX
FMX
Blogs
X Games
Surfline

2. After you go to your sport page, you will see a list of "headlines" on the right side of the page. Choose one headline story to read about. Below the headlines, you will also see some interviews. You can read an interview if that is more interesting to you.

3. Take notes about the story so that you can explain it to the class. Remember to include an introduction and a conclusion.

4. Make a list of new vocabulary from the story or interview that you read. We will write these words on the board and explain them to the class.

5. Make your presentation.

Alternative Marriage Practices

In this activity, you will research an alternative marriage practice.

1. Choose one of the topics from the list, or think of your own. Next to each topic is a link to an internet resource that you can use in your research.

civil unions (Sample link)
dowry (Sample link)
mail-order & internet brides (Sample link)
matchmaking (Sample link)
polygamy (Sample link)
serial monogamy (Sample link)

2. Research the topic on the Internet. Take notes. Use the questions below to guide your research:

What is / are ________________________?
In what cultures might you find___________________________?
Would _____________________________ be legal in your culture? Why or why not?
What do you think about______________________________? Why do you feel this way?

3. Organize your information into a short presentation to share with the rest of the class. Remember to use some of the transitional phrases we talked about in Unit 8 on page 146-147.

Astrology webquest

Today you are going to learn about Astrology.

1. Discuss the following questions in groups or as a class.

What do you know about fortune telling?
What kinds of traditional fortune telling exist in your country and culture?
Do you believe that people can predict the future?

2. Your teacher will assign you a group, each group will research about a topic in astrology and report back to the class.

Group A: Read about the history of astrology here and answer the following questions: When did astrology begin? Where did it begin? When did astrology become popular among everyday people? Why?

Group B: Read about some of the mythology behind astrology here and andwer the following questions: Pick three different signs and describe the mythology behind them.

3. Now, go here and learn more about your sun sign. For example, I am a Gemini. Read a little bit about your sun sign and answer the following questions: What is your sign's element? What is your sign's quality? What is your sign's ruling planet and what are the astrological qualities of this planet? Do you think the description of your astrological sign is accurate? Why or why not?

Gattaca, Genetic Engineering, and Transhumanism

Gattaca takes on issues related to genetic engineering and “transhumanism.” Before we begin watching the movie, we’ll learn a little bit about genetic engineering and transhumanism. Your teacher will divide you up into several groups, and each group will be responsible for researching and reporting on one aspect of this topic.

1. What is biotechnology (also sometimes called "Genetic Engineering")? Give some examples of how biotechnology is used.

2. What is transhumanism? What are its aims?

3. What technologies are relevant to transhumanism? For example, genetic engineering. Why are transhumanists interested in these technologies?

4. There are many arguments against transhumanism. Summarize the "Frankenstein" argument and the "Terminator" argument.

Multiple Intelligence & Careers WebQuest

“The secret of success is making your vocation your vacation.” - Mark Twain

“Find a job you love and you will never have to work.” - Anonymous


INTRODUCTION

People are smart in many ways and your chances of having a successful career and a happy life may have a lot to do with your knowledge of the kind of Intelligence that is strongest in you. Being skilled at recognizing and using your unique talents has its advantages. Your job will be personally fulfilling if you use your innate strengths. Wouldn't you rather do something that is natural and effortless to you?

1. As we discussed in class, There are several different kinds of intelligence. They are listed below for your reference.

Kinesthetic - Body Smart (The book calls this "Physical")
Linguistic - Word Smart
Logical - Number Smart (The book calls this "Mathmatical")
Interpersonal - People Smart
Intrapersonal - Myself Smart
Musical - Music Smart
Visual/Spatial - Picture Smart
Naturalistic - Nature Smart (This category was not included in the book)
Intuitive

2. Now, take the Multiple Intelligences test at the link below.

http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks3/ict/multiple_int/index.htm

3. Now, you will interpret the results of your test.

A. Write down the the results of your intelligence test

B. Was the test accurate?

C. Give us examples to illustrate why it is accurate or why it is not. For example, if you have strong Visual/Spatial intelligence, tell us about a skill you have that uses it.

4. Describe the kind of intelligence that is least like you. For reference, here is a description of each kind of intelligence again:

http://www.ldpride.net/learningstyles.MI.htm#Multiple%20Intelligences%20Explained

Internet research: Careers (Summit II Unit 1)

Task: Use one or more of the websites listed to research job descriptions, requirements, and job outlooks for various careers.

Respond using information from the websites.

Choose three careers. Give a job description for each one. Many of you have already chosen your careers. However, choose three that are interesting to you, or related to your career options. Alternatively, you can choose some careers that seem strange or completely different from what you want to do.

What are the requirements for these careers?

What aspect(s) of these careers do you find most interesting? Are you suited to these careers? Explain your answers.

http://careerplanning.about.com/od/occupations/a/career_briefs.htm
http://www.wetfeet.com/Careers---Industries.aspx


You can also search for your own information. Try using these keywords in your search:

[Career name][Career name] description[Career name] planning

This activity is from the Summit II Companion Website.

Guinness Book of World Records Web Activity and Pictionary

I. You are going to learn about some of the stranger world records in the Guinness Book of World Records. Your teacher will assign you one of the following categories:

Human Body
Amazing Feats
Natural World
Science & Technology
Arts & Media
Modern Society
Travel & Transport
Sports & Games

II. Under each category, you will find several subcategories. Choose at least 1 world record from each subcategory. You will choose 10 world records in all. Some of you may need to choose more than 1 from each subcategory.

Your teacher will give you some cards. Use one card for each world record and write the following:

1. On the front of the card, write the name of the record. For example, "The Largest Monkey" or "Tallest Ridable Motorcycle"

2. On the back of the card, write any relevant information about the record. For example, if I were filling in information about "The Largest Monkey," I'd write something like: "Male Mandrill. Lives in West Africa. Average size 25 kg but can be up to 56 kg." etc.

III. After we finish our research, we will use these cards in a Pictionary game. We'll divide up into teams, and the goal will be to draw a picture that helps your team mates guess the world record correctly.

2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing Webquest

This web activity will help you learn about the sports competitions at the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing. In addition, you'll learn about the participating countries and find some information about traveling in Beijing.

This web activity has three parts.

I. Below is a list of Olympic sports. Pick one sport you know very little about and one sport you know something about. For each sport, describe:

1. The origin of the sport.
2. The Olympic history of the sport.
3. Equipment used.
4. Anything else you think is interesting.

Archery
Athletics (this is another name for "track and field")
Badminton
Baseball
Basketball
Beach Volleyball
Boxing
Canoe/Kayak Flatwater
Canoe/Kayak Slalom
Cycling BMX
Cycling Mountain Bike
Cycling Road
Cycling Track

Diving
Equestrian
Fencing
Football
Gymnastics Artistic
Gymnastics Rhythmic
Trampoline
Handball
Hockey
Judo
Modern Pentathlon
Rowing
Sailing

Shooting
Softball
Swimming
Synchronized Swimming
Table Tennis
Taekwondo
Tennis
Triathlon
Volleyball
Water Polo
Weightlifting
Wrestling

II. Go to the Athletes and Teams section of the official Olympic website. On the right side of the page, you will see a box that says "Search NOC." This box allows you to search for atheltes and teams by country. Pick two countries--one country that you know something about and one country that you know almost nothing about. For each country, note anything of general interest.

III. Go to the Beijing section of the Lonely Planet website and read about Beijing. Your teacher will assign you one of the following categories to research.

1. When to go
2. Activities
3. Events (pick two or three months and describe the events)
4. Sights (search by keyword and pick two or three types of sights to describe)
5. Shopping (search by keyword and pick two or three kinds of items to focus your search)
6. Entertainment (pick two or three places to describe)
7. History (focus on modern history, but be sure to read some about ancient history, too)

Food History and Regional Cooking in the United States of America

This web quest is designed to help you learn more about food history and regional cooking in the United States of America.

When you think about food in the USA, what foods do you think of? Many people immediately think of hamburgers. It's true that this is an important food, but there are other foods such as corn on the cob that are also eaten in the United States.

I. Go to the Key Ingredients website to learn about specific historical periods in US food history. Your teacher will assign one of the following periods for you to research.

1500 - Traditions
1600 - Colonization
1700 - A New Country
1800 - Expansion
1900 - Modernization
1950 - Recent Trends
2000 - The Future of Food

As you research your period in US food history, note the following:

1. What were some of the important US foods at that time?
2. How were these foods obtained? For example, did people buy them? Did they grow them...?
3. Were there any important food traditions? (Holidays, etc)
4. What role did cultural traditions play?

II. Now you are going to learn about the regional food cultures of the United States from the Key Ingredients website. Your teacher will assign one of the following regions for you to research:

Northeast
Southeast
Midwest
Northwest
Southwest

As you research this region, keep in mind the following:

1. What foods are important to this region?
2. What are the cultural and ethnic influences?
3. Are there any important holidays and festivals associated with this region?

III. Finally, you are going to research specific regional foods on the What's Cooking America Website. Your teacher will again assign you one specific region to research. You can find links to each specific region below:

Deep South: Alabama - Florida - Georgia – Mississippi

Far West: California - Hawaii - Nevada

Great Lakes: Illinois - Indiana - Michigan - Minnesota - Ohio – Wisconsin

New England: Connecticut - Maine - Massachusetts - New Hampshire - Rhode Island – Vermont

Mid-Atlantic: Delaware - Maryland - New Jersey - New York - Pennsylvania - District of Columbia (Washington D.C.)

Midwest/Plains: Arkansas - Iowa - Kansas - Missouri - Nebraska - North Dakota - Oklahoma - South Dakota

Pacific Northwest: Alaska - Oregon - Washington - Idaho – Montana

Southeast: Kentucky - North Carolina - South Carolina - Tennessee - Virginia -West Virginia

Southwest: Arizona - New Mexico - Texas - Utah

South Central: Louisiana

1. Choose two recipes from your assigned region and take notes on them.
2. Be sure to note the history of the food, its relationship to cultural and ethnic history, and any holidays it is associated with.
3. Be sure to note when it is typically eaten (i.e. for breakfast, lunch, dinner, etc).
4. Does this food appeal to you? Why or why not?
5. Is this food similar to a food you eat in your home country? If so, tell us about it.