Bookr

We'll use this webtool today.

OH, THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!

“You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself

Any direction you choose.

You’re on your own. And

you know what you know.

And YOU are the guy who’ll

decide where to go.”

“You’ll get mixed up,

of course, as you already know.

You’ll get mixed up with

many strange birds as you go.

So be sure when you step.

Step with care and great

tact and remember that

Life’s A Great Balancing Act.”

“And will you succeed?

Yes! You will, indeed!

(98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.)

KID, YOU’LL MOVE

MOUNTAINS!”

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

“If we didn’t have birthdays,

you wouldn’t be you.

If you’d never been born,

well then what would you do?

If you’d never been born,

well then what would you be?

You might be a fish!

Or a toad in a tree!

You might be a doorknob!

Or three baked potatoes!

You might be a bag full of

hard green tomatoes."

“Or worse than all that…

Why, you might be a WASN’T!

A Wasn’t has no fun at all.

No, he doesn’t.

A Wasn’t just isn’t. He just

isn’t present. But you…

You ARE YOU!

And, now isn’t that pleasant!"

“Today you are you!

That is truer than true!

There is no one alive

who is you-er than you!

Shout loud, “I am lucky to be

what I am! Thank goodness

I’m not just a clam or a ham

Or a dusty old jar of sour

gooseberry jam!

I am what I am!

That’s a great thing to be!

If I say so myself, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!”

  WAITING

   Waiting for a train to go

   or a bus to come, or a plane to go

   or the mail to come, or the rain to go

   or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow

   or waiting around for a Yes or a No

   or waiting for their hair to grow.

   Everyone is just waiting.

   Waiting for the fish to bite

    or waiting for wind to fly a kite

    or waiting around for Friday night

    or waiting, perhaps, for their uncle Jake

   or a pot to boil, or a Better Break

   or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants

   or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.

   Everyone is just waiting.

~ Dr.Seuss

Where to spend the holidays?

This article describes difficulties married people face during the holidays. After reading the article, either include a summary or answer the discussion question in the comment box below.

"Do holidays present people in your country with similar marital problems?" If so how are those problems resolved. If not, why not?"

A barber for the homeless

This article describes one man's way of providing service to homeless people in the community. After reading the article, either include a summary or answer the discussion question in the comment box below.

"If you were to provide a similar community service what would you do?"

Meet the 'tutor kings and queens'

This article describes a phenomena in Asian countries of 'tutor kings and tutor queens'. After reading the article, either include a summary or answer the discussion question in the comment box below.

"If you want to be a top tutor, it definitely helps if you are young and attractive. Students look at your appearance." Do you agree or disagree with this statement?"

Namib Desert beetle inspires self-filling water bottle

This article describes how scientists are inspired by naturally occuring features of animals in their designs of scientific and technological products. After reading the article, either include a summary or answer the discussion question in the comment box below.

"Describe a feature of an animal that you think could improve a product commonly used by animals."

Night Time Light Exposure Linked to Depression

This article describes the negative health effects of artificial light. After reading the article, either include a summary or answer the discussion question in the comment box below.

"How could a person change their behaviors to avoid the negative effects of artificial light on their mental health?"

Record Numbers of Chinese Want to Be Bureaucrats

This article describes a change in the job preferences of young Chinese towards becoming government officials.  After reading the article, either include a summary or answer the discussion question in the comment box below.

"Are government jobs in your country desirable or not desirable? Give specific reasons for your opinion."

A healthy holiday

This article describes ways that people can avoid holiday weight gain. After reading the article, either include a summary or answer the discussion question in the comment box below.

"Do holidays in your country result in similar weight gain or do you have more healthy ways to celebrate."

Early Thanksgiving

Let's get an early start on celebrating being thankful, by being thankful there are no news reports this week. If you've read last week's posts and left comments, you'll receive credit towards previous weeks or for future weeks!

Have a good night! Go to sleep, so you are not so tired in my class!!

WordSift

Today we'll be introducing this Vocabulary Tool.

Tecumseh

In 1768 in the Ohio Valley, a Native American woman who had become a member of the Shawnee Indian tribe gave birth to a son. The custom for many Native Americans at that time was to name a new child after something that occurred at the time of the baby's birth. Shortly after this little Indian boy was delivered, a comet flashed across the sky. So, the boy's father named his son "Tecumseh" or "Panther Crossing the Sky." The comet was considered a sign that this small child, Tecumseh, would live to achieve great things.

As Tecumseh grew, the Shawnee tribe came into more frequent contact with whites. Many settlers began moving onto the tribe's land and taking it over. The fact that these lands belonged to the Shawnee did not seem to matter to the new settlers. They moved in and took over, as if the land was theirs. This caused great tension between the Shawnee and their new neighbors, and small battles frequently occurred between the two peoples. Tecumseh's own father was killed by white settlers in a battle which was called the Battle of Point Pleasant. Later the boy's teacher and friend was shot and killed by a white man. After his brother was also killed, Tecumseh's distrust of the white man and his ways grew. His heart grew cold towards his enemies and he wished to drive them away from Indian lands.

Tecumseh fought bravely against those who invaded the Ohio Valley lands of the Shawnee, but he realized that the Shawnee could not defeat the whites alone. He dreamed of a unified confederation of Indian tribes that would work together to rid the area of the white settlers. He wanted a group which saw themselves first as Indians and then as members of a specific tribe.

Tecumseh set off in 1811 on a journey to create his unified Indian society. He met with the leaders of dozens of tribes and told them of his idea. However, most would not listen. Many of the Indian tribes were not friendly with each other, and some were even at war. Tecumseh travelled and talked and tried to convince his Indian brothers of the need to unite, but his plan failed.

During the War of 1812, Tecumseh and his tribe fought with the British. During the war, as at other times in his life, the Indian leader did not allow his prisoners to be tortured. He spoke out against other Indians and British leaders who did use torture. On October 5, 1813, the American forces battled the British and Indian soldiers near Chatham, Ontario, and Tecumseh was slain. His body was carried from the field and secretly buried in an unmarked grave to prevent its desecration.

Tecumseh lived a great life and became a symbol for his people. Tecumseh saw the need of all Indians to unite as one. He realized that their differences, no matter how deeply rooted, were nothing compared to the threat of the new settlers to the Indian way of life. Although Tecumseh was a brave and powerful warrior, he was humane and opposed the torture and murder of the helpless. His campaign to unite the Indian nations failed, but he is still remembered for his courage and his work to aid all Native American peoples.

Honest Abe

In the history of America, no man has had more books written and published about him than Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln holds the awe and respect of Americans even more than 100 years after his death. He is remembered for his wisdom and insight, for his kindness and courage. And more than any other attribute, Abraham Lincoln is remembered for his honesty.

Lincoln was born February 12, 1809, in the state of Kentucky. He lived the first years of his life in a log cabin, as his family was quite poor. Young Abe learned to work hard; he cut down trees, sawed lumber, husked corn, and helped build the house where he and his family lived. His mother read the Bible to him, and taught him that it was important to be honest and treat people with kindness. When Abe was eight years old, his mother died. A year later, his father remarried. His stepmother, Sarah Lincoln, recalled that as a child, Abe was "the best boy I ever saw . . . He never told me a lie in his life . . . never quarreled, never dodged . . . any chastisement or other responsibility."

There is a story that as a young boy, Lincoln walked two long miles down dusty roads to the nearest store to buy something that his stepmother needed. It was a long way for a young boy to walk all alone, but his mother couldn't make the journey with the other smaller children. Several hours later, tired and dirty, he arrived back home with his purchases. Only then did he discover that the store clerk had given him too much money in change. It wasn't a lot, but the Lincolns were poor and could have used the extra money. Besides, it would have been much easier to just stay home after already making the long walk once. But Abe knew there was only one choice. He put the money in his pocket and walked the two miles back to the store.

Along with learning to be honest and responsible, as a young man Lincoln also learned the value of hard work. He remembered all his life the day he earned his first dollar because it opened up for him possibilities of how to be independent and how to succeed. When he was about eighteen, he was down by the river near his house, looking at a new wood flatboat he had made. Two men came down to the shore in carriages and unloaded their trunks. "Will you," one of them asked, "take us and our trunks out to the steamer?" Lincoln explained, "I was very glad to have the chance of earning something. I supposed that each of them would give me [some small bit of money], so I took them out to the steamboat. Each of them took from his pocket a silver half-dollar, and threw it on the floor of the boat. I could scarcely believe my eyes as I picked up the money . . . You may think it was a very little thing, but it was a most important incident in my life. I could scarcely believe that I, a poor boy, had earned a dollar in less than a day, that by honest work I had earned a dollar. The world seemed wider and fairer before me. I was a more hopeful and confident being from that time."

Lincoln's honesty and willingness to work gave him confidence and helped him to become a successful lawyer, a respected politician and most importantly, helped him serve two successful terms as President of the United States.

Cloze Exercise

This website will help you make cloze exercises to practice your grammar and reading skills.

Climate Change Could Alter Eating Habits

This article describes some researchers theories about changes that will be necessary due to climate change. After reading the article leave a short summary or an answer to the discussion question in the comment box below.

"Changes in diet change culture. Do you think these changes in what people eat would also impact the culture of a country?"

Can a Coffee Cup Pick the Next US President?

Perhaps when you are reading this the election is over and we already know the next president of the U.S. Regardless you might find this article to be interesting. It discusses other ways to predict how an election will end. After reading the article, leave a summary or an answer to the discussion question in the comment box below.

"We are always interested in data helping us make future decisions. Some people prefer to rely on their gut--or their personal feelings about the future. Is 'data' or 'feeling' more important to you in predicting the future?

Book of Mormon dispute: Mesoamerica or the Great Lakes, U.S.

This article discuss an academic discussion about the location of Book of Mormon cities. There has been some debate about if the cities of the Book of Mormon are located in central America or in modern day United States. This article discusses this debate. After reading the article, leave a summary or answer the discussion question listed below.

"Is this debate important to you? Should this debate be important to understanding the Book of Mormon?"

In pictures: Obama and Romney through the years

This photo article shows side by side comparisons of the lives of Barack Obama and Mitt Romney after viewing this photo essay leave a summary or answer the discussion question in the comment box below.

"Were you surprised by differences or similarities of these two men?"

Doctors overrun with missionary physicals

This article describes another consequence of changes to the missionary age limit. After reading the article, include a short summary or an answer to the discussion question in the comment box below.

"Why is it important that missionaries complete doctor's examinations before starting missionary service?"

Mitt Romney in 1969: Life as a BYU Cougar

This article describes several of Mitt Romney's experiences as a college student at BYU. After reading the article, include a short summary or an answer to the discussion question in the comment box below.

"Mitt Romney could have chosen any school to attend. Why do you think BYU was the best school for Romney to study at?"

Mitt Romney: Time at BYU followed a Mormon mission in France

This article describes Mitt Romney's experiences as a missionary. After reading the article, include a short summary or an answer to the discussion question in the comment box below.

"Mitt Romney served his mission at 19 years old; Imagine what would have happened if Romney had served at 18. Do you think his mission experience would have been different?"

Paris’ world of chocolate

This article describes Paris' world famous chocolate. After reading the article leave a summary or an answer to the discussion question in the comment box below.

"Food tourism is increasing in popularity. Would you travel to a country or city just to eat? What food should people travel to your country just to try and enjoy?"

Killing the market for stolen cell phones

This article describes changes made in laws related to cell phones that are intended to protect people from cell phone theft. After reading the article leave a summary or an answer to the discussion question in the comment box below.

"Is cell phone theft a big problem in your country? Would the measures described here help in your country too?"

NYC Air, Rail Services Slowly Being Restored

This article describes the recovery of New York City transportation after super storm Sandy hit early this week. After reading the article leave a summary or an answer to the discussion question in the comment box below.

"Is it possible for a city to be overly dependent on public transportation? Can over dependance on public transportation be avoided?"

'Quick Release' Bandage Peels Off Painlessly

This article describes a new improvement to giving medical treatment to children. After reading the article leave a summary or an answer to the discussion question in the comment box below.

"Medical advancements happen everyday but those that affect children like those in this news story seem to get the most attention. Why are people most concerned about the health care of children?"

BYU devotional: Dance dance dance

This article describes Tuesday's devotional that was presented by the Dance Department. After reading the article leave a summary or an answer to the discussion question in the comment box below.

"Dance is often seen as artistic but not spiritual? Can dance be a spiritual expression? What do you think?"

The Missionary Rush

This article describes the dramatic increase of missionary applications since the changes to missionary age requirements made in October. After reading the article leave a summary or an answer to the discussion question in the comment box below.

"Do you know anyone affected by the age change for missionaries? If so how have they been affected? If not, how will the age changes affect BYU?"

New outlet mall to open in Lehi

This article describes the opening of new outlet malls in Lehi between Provo and Salt Lake. After reading the article leave a summary or an answer to the discussion question in the comment box below.

"Some people believe in 'Retail Therapy'. That is Shopping when you feel bad to feel better. Do you think it's a good idea to make yourself feel good by shopping?"

Pope Gets Earth-Friendly Electric Car

After reading the article add a potential discussion question to the comment box below. Remember that your question will not immediately appear.

Debate Rises over Cost of September 11 Memorial and Museum

After reading the article add a potential discussion question to the comment box below. Remember that your question will not immediately appear.

New Treatments Grow Ears, Bone Skin and Muscle for Wounded Troops

After reading the article add a potential discussion question to the comment box below. Remember that your question will not immediately appear.

"Pop-Down' Restaurant Serves Food in Underground Mine

After reading the article add a potential discussion question to the comment box below. Remember that your question will not immediately appear.

Renoir Painting Found at West Virginia Flea Market

After reading the article add a potential discussion question to the comment box below. Remember that your question will not immediately appear.

Equal Rights is the Focus in Supreme Court's new Term

After reading the article add a potential discussion question to the comment box below. Remember that your question will not immediately appear.

Afghans Train Troops about Strange Western Ways

After reading the article add a potential discussion question to the comment box below. Remember that your question will not immediately appear.

Monet and Picasso among works stolen from Dutch museum

This article describes a recent theft from an art museum in the Netherlands. After reading the article leave a summary of the news story or a response to the discussion question below.

"This pictures are worth millions of dollars. Do you think that single pieces of art should be worth this much money? Why or why not?"

Skipping breakfast primes the brain to seek out fat

This article  describes recent research that found that if you don't eat breakfast highly fattening foods are more appealing to you. After reading the article leave a summary of the news story or a response to the discussion question below.

"How important is eating breakfast to you? Do you agree that skipping breakfast can affect someone's health?"

Spreading the love of music through song

This article describes a choir that is open to all BYU students. After reading the article leave a summary of the news story or a response to the discussion question below.

"Is participating in a choir like this something that you would like to participate in? Why or Why not?'

Male roommates’ family pictures

This article describes a slightly bizarre phenomen of some BYU roommates to take 'family' pictures together. After reading the article leave a summary of the news story or a response to the discussion question below.

"Do you feel close enough to your roommates that taking a 'family' picture together would not be strange or awkward?'

BYU table tennis players to compete in national tournament

This article describes the achievement of several BYU table tennis players who will soon compete in a national tournament. After reading the article leave a summary of the news story or a response to the discussion question below.

"Table tennis is not a widely popular sport in the United States. What are some advantages to playing a less popular sport?"

Learning to live without my family

This article is from a blog post by an international student who describes her challenge to learn to live without her family during her study abroad. After reaind the article leave a summary or an answer to the discussion question in the comment box below.

"Do you agree with the author's advice for international students learning to live independently? Would you add additional suggestions?'

Skydiver Breaks Record for Highest Jump

This article describes the achievement of a daredevil who broke several skydiving world records last week. After reading the article leave a summary of the news story or a response to the discussion question below.

"Before Baumgarten jumped he said sometimes we have to get really high to see how small we are. Describe a time when you realized how 'small' you are."

Citizen Astronomers Discover Planet with Four Suns

This article describes the discovery made by several citizen (hobby) astronomers of a planet that appears to have 4 suns. After reading the article leave a summary of the news story or a response to the discussion question below.

"This was a good example of people with hobbies that are very constructive, meaning they contribute to the community and the world. What hobby do you have that not only satisfies your interests but also contributes to the community?"

Week 6 - Lowering the Missionary Age

This article refer to President Monson's change of the age requirement for missionary service in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  Read the article and respond to this question:

How do you think this announcement will effect people you know?  What effects will this change have?

Experiencing General Conference in today’s media world

This article describes how social media has changed conference experiences for those who use technology to connect with others about their experience at LDS general conference. After reading the article, include a short summary or an answer to the discussion question below.

"How has social media changed how people in your country experience events like General Conference?"

BYU students benefit from owning motorcycles or motor scooters

This article describes benefits BYU students who own motorcycles or scooters claim their two wheeler presents. After reading the article include a summary or an answer to the discussion question in the comment box below.

"Would a scooter/motorcycle be a good form of transportation for you? Why or Why not?

This article was selected by Gladys. It describes ways that BYU students try to earn money when they can't work or only a have a little time to work. After reading the article include a summary or an answer to the discussion question in the comment box below.

"Which if any of these money making ideas would fit your interests or skills? Do you have other ideas of things you could do to make money without a job in Provo?'

Accessing E-Books

Students, as the syllabus explains, in addition to the books you buy and the ELC provides, there will be several e-books that we use for this class. To access this e-books you will first click on this link.

http://ebooks.infobasepublishing.com

The website requires the following information.

login: elcebooks
password: elctcsol

It should look like this

After logging in you will see the books

we will be using in this class. As the calendar explains the first book we will read is Discovering Careers: Film. Reading online can be a new and different experience but many schools are moving away from print materials to online reading so this will be a great opportunity.

What to wear the first day of College in the U.S.

This blog entry highlights fashion choices made by U.S. college students on their first day of school. After scanning this article and the vast number of pictures and captions summarize the main ideas and leave an answer to the discussion question in the comment box below.

"How different are the fashion choices made by the typical U.S. college student as pictured in this article and the average college student from your country?"

New Documentary Explores Chinese-American Adoptees

This article describes a new documentary movie that highlights the lives and experiences of teenagers living in America who were adopted as young children or babies from China. After reading the article, summarize the main ideas or include an answer to the discussion question in the comment box below.

"Should your country increase or decrease the amount of international adoption that occurs where people from other countries come in and adopt orphaned or abandoned children?"

Eels on Slippery Slope in East Asia

This article describes difficulty some Japanese people could have getting a particular food item that they really enjoy because of environmental restrictions. After reading the article, summarize the main ideas or include an answer to the discussion question in the comment box below.

"Some people from America would consider eating eel to be very unappetizing. What food from your country would American's find to be unappealing? What makes this food delicious to people from your country?"

Exams don’t wait for wedding bells

This article describes the unique decision some BYU students make to get married during the semester instead of waiting for a break between semesters. After reading the article, summarize the main ideas or answer the discussion question below.

"What would your parents think about students getting married in the middle of the semester? Would they support or oppose this plan?"

Optimism in a world of negativity

This article describes the message of Tuesday's devotional given by a professor in the Accounting department. He encouraged students to be optimistic and gave students five steps to be more positive. After reading the article, leave a short summary or an answer to the discussion question in the comment box below.

"Which of the five steps do you think you will need to improve the most in order to be a more positive person"?

Obtaining funding: what every entrepreneur should know

This article describes how entrepreneurs--people who start their own business--get the money they need for their business idea. After reading the article, leave  a short summary or an answer to the discussion question in the comment box below.

"Do you believe you have the right personality to be an entrepreneur? Why or why not?"

Stop, look and listen for signs of stress

This article describes the problem of stress and college students. It discusses some of the consequences for stress, and how it can be prevented after reading the article leave an answer to the discussion question below or a short summary of the article in the comment box.

"Do you believe your 'mental health' is better now than six months ago? Why or why not?"

Two years of catch-up

This article describes a situation for people returning home after their mission when they have missed a lot of pop culture and social change while they were gone for two years. After reading the article answer the discussion question or write a short summary of the article in the comment box below.

"Do you imagine that you will have a similar experience when you go back to your country after your time here is done?"

Too Cool for School

This article talks about the college experience.  Do we go to college to get a degree or learn new things? 

Read the article and leave a comment agreeing or disagreeing with the author of this article.  

How to Get Along with Others

This article is from one of my favorite sites, lifehacker.com.  This article focuses on getting along with co-workers that you don’t like.

Do you have any other advice for getting along with people you don’t like?

Peking Acrobats

This article looks at a group of performers who will perform at BYU.  The article covers how they became so good at what they do.

How can we pursue excellence in all areas of our life?

Technology and Sign Language

This article talks about new technology used to help more people understand sign language.  

How do you think technology can help resolve communication problems?

The Guilt Of Inciters

This article describes recent problems in the Middle East caused after a very negative video was uploaded to YouTube that is critical of an important religious figure in Islam. The article describes both the causes and consequences in this situation. After reading the article include a summary of the story or answer the discussion question in the comment box below.

" 'Freedom of Speech isn't Free' Describe what this statement means relative to this article."