Summary - Choice of Clothes - Autumn 2015

The choice of clothes by adolescents is important because these clothes demonstrate who they are - they are an expression of young people’s identities and they can demonstrate that they are different. Type of clothes can also affect communication as looking the same allows peers to interact easier and this will allow youths to be accepted into groups. However, there are some negative effects. Others may look down upon people who are wearing different or unusual clothing. If young people, don’t wear a particular style of clothes, they won’t be accepted into groups. Therefore, young people make focus on brand-name clothing, leading to buying things that they cannot afford.

Seeing Red (Summer 2014)

One reason for the population of red squirrels to decline is that they fell victim to the ‘squirrel pox’ virus, which was introduced into England by the non-native grey squirrel. These grey squirrels are also more powerful than the reds, so they steal the reds’ territory and food. In addition, severe weather has further killed off the already weakened red squirrels. However, the number of red squirrels is rebounding due to efforts by environmentalists, such as the Wildlife Trust with their RSNE project, to stop the spread of grey squirrels into red squirrel territory, which ensures the reds have food and don’t catch deadly viruses. Furthermore, local landowners have assisted the Wildlife Trust to make their land more “red squirrel friendly”.

Summary - Why are we shrinking? - Summer 2013

One reason that we have shrunk over the last 10,000 years is due to lifestyle changes, such as switching from hunting to agriculture. Another reason is linked to diet; cereals lacked micronutrients and vitamins. A final reason is social inequality as the ruling classes took most of the better food from the poorer classes. Our brains has also diminished in size mainly due to need to be more efficient. Scientists believe that the brain needs to conserve energy to be better able to do the different types of tasks required in modern societies. However, they also believe that smaller brains don’t make us less intelligent.

Summary - Medical experiments on animals

Medical research on animals is necessary to understand how living things work and also to test out new cures for a variety of human illnesses, thereby advancing medical science. Two notable achievements resulting from experimentation on animals are an understanding of how the body works - for example, the circulatory system and lung functioning - and cures for fatal illnesses such as cancer and organ failure. While many animals die during research, scientists try to make their existence as comfortable as possible by reducing the number of animals and experiments used and by causing minimal harm to them by using anaesthetics, painkillers and antibiotics. (104 words)

Summary - Game-based Learning - Oct/Nov 2009

Rodriguez Diaz believed that students would benefit from game-based learning in a number of ways. First, they would be more motivated and develop a better aptitude for learning. In addition, students would be more relaxed while learning and they would develop social skills. Furthermore, game-based learning would cater for all types of learners. In fact, game-based learning enabled students to advance in mathematics, to help younger students develop vocabulary, reading and creative writing skills, and to help students, particularly boys, develop more complex dialogues.

Summary - Free Diving - Oct/Nov 2009 (Core)

Free diving differs from scuba diving no breathing apparatus is needed, air bubbles aren’t released and fish aren’t scared. However, when free diving you need to ensure safety by wearing the correct weight, staying calm, diving with a ‘spotter and having experts on alert nearby. Finally, the aim of free diving is to dive for as deep and as long as possible and to continually train to be the best.

Summary - Sports stars have natural advantages

(Original article - May/June 2009 - Core)

When sporting bodies are looking for athletes, one important factor is the size, strength and endurance of people. Another is that they should be young. Other factors such as genes and mental abilities play an important role. Some sportspeople have certain physical advantages that help. For example, David Beckham’s bandy legs help him spin the ball. Michael Phelps' enormous feet propel him in the water. In addition, Liz Halliday’s extremely quick reaction times make her a better racing driver.

Summary - Jake Meyer, mountaineer - May/June 2008 (Core) V1

Not only is Jake Meyer one of the world’s quickest climbers, he is the youngest Brit to climb Everest and the youngest man to summit each continent’s highest mountain. He trains hard, relying of how he feels and young age, stops very rarely, sets higher targets and ignores pain. However, there are still dangers and on his last adventure in America he had to be careful with altitude, wild animals and road accidents.

Summary - Causes and effects of insomnia

Insomnia can be caused by surrounding factors such as an uncomfortable bed or living in a noisy neighbourhood. Our emotions, such as anxiety, anger or resentment, can also keep us awake at night. In addition, a medical condition called sleep apnoea, which interrupts breathing and consequently sleeping through a lack of oxygen. Finally, stimulants such as certain foods, coffee and fizzy drinks can keep us awake at night. Insomnia can have many debilitating effects on our lifestyles. For example, it can lead to road accidents. Furthermore, it can weaken our immune systems leading to serious diseases. It can also lead to overeating and to premature ageing.

(Original article: Success International - Pg 62)

Summary - I went down four sizes

Before Sheila lost weight she felt depressed about gaining weight but did not face the problem. She enjoyed cooking for her family and entertaining at home. The house was always stocked with tempting food. At work she ate food the patients gave her or other snacks. After work she would feel exhausted and do no exercise. Since she lost weight, she has more self-respect, more energy and more enthusiasm for life. She find the dieting plan suits her because she and her family can still eat things they enjoy, and she enjoys the fitness classes.

(Original article - Success International Pg. 59)

Summary - Fear of swimming

Children’s fear of swimming mainly results from people being naturally scared of water. In addition, children may be put off swimming by having to learn in cold and noisy pools. Moreover, learning in groups can be off-putting to many children due to fears of being splashed or ducked. However, there are ways of overcoming these fears. First, children should learn to swim in a smaller, warmer pool, taking one-on-one lesson with a parent or teacher. Furthermore, they should start learning to swim underwater as it is easier, but make sure that they use a good pair of goggles to stop water getting in their eyes.

(Original article - Success International Pg. 61)

Cycle 14 - 11/01/17 to 19/01/17

Time	Place	Content
D3-P7	ELS2	Writing summaries Check HW Quizlet - Diet and fitness 1 SB Pg 59-60 HW - WB - Pg 31 Ex 20-21
D5-P8	ELS2	Writing summaries SB Pg 60-61 Quizlet - Diet and fitness 2
D5-P8	ICT1	2nd draft of summary (boxing) Quizlet - Diet and fitness
D6-P2	ELS2	SB Pg 59-60 HW - SB P62 Ex 54 (Due Day 3)

Cycle 13 - 06/12/16 to 10/01/17

Time	Place	Content
D3-P7	ELS2	Writing summaries SB Pg 54-56 Write summary of article
D5-P8	ELS2	Writing summaries Check summary pg 52-54, provide model SB Pg 54-56 Quizlet - Boxing in schools
D5-P8	ICT1	2nd drafts of exam Quizlet - Boxing in schools
D6-P2	ELS2	WB - Pg 30/31 Ex 18-21 HW - SB P56 Ex 43 (Due Day 3)

Summary - Motivation through sport

The aim of the project is to encourage young people who have not been successful at school to improve their ability to communicate with other people and to develop their organisational skills. Participants are taught a range of skills for a variety of sports and are then expected to teach it other. From these activities, the young people learn self-discipline, cooperation and how to manage others on their team, even when they behave in a troublesome way. The participants enjoy teamwork, sharing cultures, learning new skills and discovering that they are not alone with their problems.

(Original text in Success International, P52/53)

Cycle 11 - 17/11/16 to 25/11/16

Time	Place	Content
D3-P7	ELS2	Writing summaries SB Pg 50-51 HW - WB, p26/27, ex 10-12 (HW Due: Day 6 - Period 2)
D5-P7	ELS2	Writing summaries SB Pg 52-54
D5-P8	ICT1	2nd draft - a project (put here) Quizlet - Sport and fitness 2
D6-P2	ELS2	Writing summaries Check D3 HW SB - Page 54-56 HW - Writing summary of article (HW Due: Day 3 - Period 7)

Summary: Television - Advantages and disadvantages

Here's a model summary for the advantages and disadvantages of television article. Please note the use of linking/transition words. (Click here for original.)

The television keeps us informed of world affairs. In addition, early exposure to television programs helps develop children's language skills. They can also learn to pronounce words accurately because of the standardized pronunciation in the programs. Furthermore, in families where both parents are working, television provides them an opportunity to get together at leisure times. One disadvantage of watching television programs is that we do less reading and hence our writing skills are affected. Another is that younger children may learn to speak but not write from television programs. Moreover, television programs often spare viewers, especially younger ones, from pondering upon opinion as presented before them, which will in turn handicap their ability analyze facts.

Cycle 9 - 01/11/16 to 09/11/16

Time	Place	Content
D3-P7	ELS2	Check HW - Summary Television SB - Page 37-40 HW - Rewrite letter (Ex 39) (HW Due: Day 6 - Period 2)
D5-P7	ELS2	SB - Page 37-40
D5-P8	ICT1	2nd draft - mixed or separate schools Quizlet - Words that describe home
D6-P2	ELS2	Check D3 homework HW - Letter writing (HW Due: Day 3 - Period 7)

Summary: Teenagers and Texting

Here's a summary for the "Teenagers and Texting" article (click here for original). Note the use of linking/transition words.

Texting is a simple, cheap way to stay in touch with classmates and friends. It is also less intimidating than talking. However, texting can result in many problems. For example, access to texts at night disrupts sleeping. In addition, constant texting can cause hand injuries, particularly to the thumbs. Furthermore, texting during class time causes students to lose concentration and stop listening to the teacher. Moreover, the ease of texting leads to students being unable to make their decisions, thereby making them less independent. Finally, as texting uses abbreviations, this can lead to poor development of spelling.

Cycle 6 - 29/09/16 to 06/09/16

Time	Place	Content
D3-P7	ICT2	Success International SB Pg 26-28 WB Pg 14-15, Ex 3
D5-P7	ELS2	Success International WB Pg 14-17, Ex 3-7 (Due: Day 6 - Period 2)
D5-P8	ICT1	Quizlet Describing Diana Describing Diana's family
D6-P2	ELS2	Success International WB Pg 14-17, Ex 3-7 (check) SB Pg 28 Quizlet