English Blog

Thunk 35

2012-01-14T21:07:00.000+04:00

A Thunk is a beguilingly simple-looking question about everyday things that stops you in your tracks and helps you start to look at the world in a whole new light. © Ian Gilbert

Thunk 35
If you had a billion dollars to spend on humanity, would you use it to eradicate racism or to eradicate malaria?

Most pointless work of Art?

2012-01-13T01:09:00.000+04:00

What is the most detestable, the most repellent, and the most pointless work of art you have ever seen?

In 1995, Jake and Dinos Chapman created Ubermensch, a lifelike 12ft-tall fibreglass image of Hawking in his wheelchair perched on top of a rocky pinnacle. It was clearly not a homage to Hawking's intellect or courage. Its title – meaning "Overman" or "superman", a term used in Nietzsche's philosophical writings – is plainly intended sarcastically. The work seems to suggest that Hawking, the modern superman, is a prisoner of his sick body. It stresses his carnal weakness and mocks the idea that his mind has somehow conquered matter.

It is less a work of art than a sneer. The Chapmans went on to make more interesting art. But the clumsiness of this caricature betrays their limitations.

They got it bizarrely, horribly wrong. Hawking's story really is an epic triumph of the human mind. His defiance of illness is profoundly moving, his ability to mentally explore the universe in spite of it an inspiration for our time and times to come. How many lives are so poetic? - Guardian.

So, the question is: What is the purpose of art?

Experiments

2012-01-02T23:52:00.001+04:00

There are various psychological experiments out there that have been conducted by scientists to give us an insight into human behaviour. There's the Asch Experiment, the Standford Prison Experiment, The Milgram Experiment...

Is the Little Albert Experiment ethical? (It's based on the Pavlov's Response)

Say why or why not.

Congratulations!!

2011-12-29T21:40:00.000+04:00

Congratulations to Raya Bidshahri and Teresa Francis! Their short story submissions are in the top ten shortlist at the Emirates Festival of Literature. Considering how many hundreds of stories were sent by students from all over the UAE, this is a stupendous achievement. They are truly inspirational.

Click below to read their work (Do leave a comment of commendation or appreciation)

Raya's Story
Teresa's Story

Superstitions and Occultations of the Moon

2011-12-12T19:46:00.000+04:00

On December 10, the Winchester Astronomy Club met to view the lunar eclipse through the Celestron CPC 1100 telescope. It was a memorable experience - especially as we slewed the telescope to view Venus and then Jupiter and its four moons. We also caught sight of an exceptionally bright shooting star!

It is exasperating to hear of various superstitions associated with an eclipse. Has anyone come across any superstitions concerning eclipses?

(The lunar eclipse isn’t really an eclipse. Technically speaking, it is an occultation of the moon—caused by the earth coming between the sun and the moon and casting its shadow on the moon. It should really be called a lunar eclipse if the phenomenon is being observed from the sun. Only when viewed from the sun will the moon would be *eclipsed* by the earth.)

Click here to read further: Occultation of the Moon

Grammar Nazis

2011-11-25T19:18:00.000+04:00

Watch this video about a Grammar Nazi

One word, four syllables: Hilarious!!!

Right and Wrong Language?

2011-11-24T17:59:00.004+04:00

Stephen Fry is the high priest of the English Language. He's a word wizard, a linguistic master, and a national treasure of England. He is inimitable, unmatchable, and quintessentially English. The pen falters, and the lexicon runs dry in attempting to describe the literary prowess of this polymath. His books, articles, films, documentaries, and TV shows have given me countless hours of amusement and delight.

Here’s a clip of Stephen Fry declaiming against overempahsis on grammar and inveighing against pedants of the English language.

“There is no right or wrong language, just as there are no right or wrong clothes” he says, “it all depends on context, convention, and circumstance.” How far do you agree?

Knowledge

2011-11-22T18:16:00.000+04:00

Is there any knowledge that humans should not seek to discover (because it's undesirable, immoral, too dangerous or for any other reason)?

Emirates Festival of Literature

2011-11-22T18:14:00.000+04:00

The deadline (12 December) for the Emirates festival of Literature submissions is fast approaching. Please email me a copy of your short story and poem. Also remember to upload your work on the Festival website.

Click here for more info and to submit your work: Emirates Festival of Literature

Death

2011-11-22T18:10:00.000+04:00

If doctors could read your genetic code and tell you with a fair degree of certainty when and how you would die, would you want to know? Explain your reasons.

Happiness

2011-11-22T18:07:00.000+04:00

If we could spray a happiness spray in the air and make people happy, should we do it?

Alternatively, if there was an anti-grief pill, would you take it? (If you were to discover the loss of a loved one, would it be ethical to rush to the medicine cabinet and pop an anti-grief pill?)

Where do anti-depressants come into this discussion? Millions of people take them, need them, and cannot survive without them.

JC Debate

2011-11-22T18:02:00.001+04:00

Conrgatulations to Yolany Aher and Raya Bidshahri for winning first and second place as best individual speakers in the16-and-under division at the recently concluded Jumeirah College inter-school debate. That's a phenomenal achievement! Kudos and hats off!

Leonid Meteor Shower Field Trip

2011-11-08T19:12:00.001+04:00

Online Surveys & Market Research

Mission to Mars

2011-11-07T23:13:00.001+04:00

If there was a call tomorrow by NASA to join a band of pioneers on the first manned-mission to Mars, would you drop everything you were doing and sign up? In other words, would you give up your present lifestyle and hopes and expectations to be one of the first humans to travel past the asteroid belt and step on another planet?

7 Billionth Baby

2011-10-31T14:03:00.003+04:00

Should we celebrate, mourn, or dread the symbollic birth of the world's 7 billionth baby that took place today?

Moral Dilemma 9

2011-10-20T18:01:00.000+04:00

If you had access to a magical love potion that could make a person fall in love with you, would you use it? Explain your reasons.

Multiple Intelligences

2011-10-14T20:16:00.002+04:00

Howard Gardner’s theory of Multiple Intelligences proposes that intelligence is the ability to create something of value to one’s culture. He says there are many ways of being intelligent: The ability to play sports or music, dance and paint, reflect and introspect, emote and role-play, empathise and sympathise—are all different ways of being intelligent.

Take for instance this video with the music of the marvellous composer Astor Piazolla of a couple dancing the Tango (which, along with Bossa Nova, is one of the two great musical genres to come out of South America). My thoughts as I watched the video:

The dancers in the video tell a story—a tale of love, from the exhilarating flush of limerence to the solid bond of an abiding relationship. Note the initial distance and diffidence of the couple as they stand apart. Observe the hesitance as the man walks towards the girl and she steps back, uncertain, unsure, timorous, but still romantically interested. After she grapples with her initial doubt she walks towards him—but he walks gently away, she follows him, captivated… And as they begin to dance they hold on tight—jealously clinging to each other—their arms and shoulders close—almost touching—not daring to let go. But as they dance and twirl and pirouette in perfect synch, and as the relationship develops, the woman resigns herself to the man; he literally sweeps her off her feet as he lifts her into the air. They begin to grow in confidence and trust, and reach a point where the man feels he can let go and release her—firm and assured in the knowledge that she will come back to him. The dance ends with an intimate and serene pose, almost symbolic of a deep and enduring love, perhaps even the eternal embrace of death.

So, the question is:

Is being able to dance a talent or a type of intelligence? (Or is there no distinction between the two terms?)

Winchester Astronomy Club

2011-10-13T19:10:00.001+04:00

The Winchester School is inaugurating its first ever Astronomy Club next Tuesday. We’ll meet weekly after school to watch videos and presentations and discuss the stars, the mysteries of deep space, the possibility of extra-terrestrial life, and various wonders of the cosmos. (We will definitely not be discussing horoscopes and astrology).

We’ll also be going on field trips to Dubai Astronomy Group (DAG) events and to the desert (we’ll use my Celestron CPC 1100 2800mm GPS telescope to view the rings of Saturn, the red spot of Jupiter, the polar ice caps on Mars, the Orion Nebula, the Andromeda galaxy, and various other astronomical events like meteor showers etc.) Our first field trip is to the Sharjah Planetarium on 20 Oct.

Club Presidents: Raya and Shafnaa (11G)

Lead teacher: Mr. Roberts
Website: Winchester School Astronomy Club

Points to Ponder

2011-10-13T19:02:00.001+04:00

If you knew a grown person who believed that Santa Claus was real and lived in the North Pole with his elves and went around in a flying sleigh drawn by reindeer, what would you tell the person?

Would your response be the same if it was a teenager? Or a child?

Utopia on the Map?

2011-09-29T23:29:00.000+04:00

Oscar Wilde once wrote, "A map of the world that didn't include Utopia wouldn't be worth glancing at."

[Utopia: A morally, socially, politically perfect and just state. A ficitonal island in the Atlantic Ocean."]

Do you agree or disagree with Wilde's statement?

Which is Reality?

2011-09-29T18:42:00.001+04:00

This spectacular image above of the Aurora Australis was captured by the International Space Station on 17 September.

In Greek mythology, Aurora was the Goddess of Dawn and sister of Helios, God of the Sun. She was depicted as a having rosy cheeks and opening the gates of heaven for the chariot of the sun to traverse the sky.

The Innuit people of the Northern regions believe that the aurora is the light of the torch flames that light the stairway to paradise for the spirits of their ancestors.

In Medieval Europe, people believed that an aurora was a sign of war.

Modern science tells us auroras are caused when charged particles from the sun are pushed to the north and south poles by the earth's magnetic field where they interact with oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, and carbon in the upper atmosphere and consequently glow with spectacular colours.

Which interpretation of the Aurora is "true" - which story represents "reality?"

How Rich is too Rich?

2011-09-26T19:37:00.002+04:00

Is there something wrong with the wealth distribution in our world? Is it obscene that we have multi-billionaires when thousands die of starvation every day?

In his blog, Sam Harris says, "Bill Gates and Warren Buffet, the two richest men in the United States, each have around $50 billion. Let’s put this number in perspective: They each have a thousand times the amount of money you would have if you were a movie star who had managed to save $50 million over the course of a very successful career. Think of every actor you can name or even dimly recognize, including the rare few who have banked hundreds of millions of dollars in recent years, and run this highlight reel back half a century. Gates and Buffet each have more personal wealth than all of these glamorous men and women—from Bogart and Bacall to Pitt and Jolie—combined.

"In fact, there are people who rank far below Gates and Buffet in net worth, who still make several million dollars a day, every day of the year, and have throughout the current recession."

Click here to continue reading: How Rich is too Rich?

So the question is:

"How much wealth should one person be allowed to keep? A trillion dollars? Ten trillion? (Fifty trillion is the current GDP of Earth.)"

Points to Ponder

2011-09-11T19:17:00.002+04:00

Is Mathematics discovered or invented?

To elaborate: is mathematics like the DNA molecule that was discovered by a scientist, or is it like an ipod that's invented by a technician? Were the concepts of arithmetics, calculus, trignometry, and algebra invented by some mathematician or the other, or did these concepts always exist - just waiting for someone to discover them? Did someone invent the equation that proved that the area of a circle is the number Pi times the radius squared, or did this equation always exist since the dawn of time and was just waiting for someone to discover it?

Thunk 34

2011-09-11T19:01:00.000+04:00

A Thunk is a beguilingly simple-looking question about everyday things that stops you in your tracks and helps you start to look at the world in a whole new light. © Ian Gilbert

Thunk 34

If you lived in an infinitely large cage, would it still be a cage? (Alternatively, is the Earth a prison?)

2011 IGCSE English Success!

2011-08-15T22:58:00.002+04:00

Fabulous results once again!

Out of 24 students who did the IGCSE English as a First Language Paper this June, 15 scored an A* and 8 scored an A.

In IGCSE English as a Second Language, 89% of our students scored between A*-C.

End of the World

2011-05-19T21:16:00.007+04:00

Here's another date for your calendar: the world's going to end (again) on May 21st

Click here to read

Why are people obsessed with the end of the world?

Space Exploration

2011-05-19T20:38:00.001+04:00

From 1958 to 2008, NASA's budget amounts to $471.23 billion dollars—an average of $9.06 billion per year.

Should we or should we not be spending money on space exploration?

Shakespearean Insults 2

2011-05-19T20:23:00.000+04:00

You scullion! You rampallian! You fustilarian! I'll tickle your catastrophe!

Post what you think it means in the comments section

Thunk 33

2011-05-16T18:45:00.001+04:00

A Thunk is a beguilingly simple-looking question about everyday things that stops you in your tracks and helps you start to look at the world in a whole new light. © Ian Gilbert

Thunk 33

Where does a headache go when it goes away?

Eye for an eye for an eye for an eye...?

2011-05-14T09:46:00.001+04:00

Retribution granted to woman who had acid thrown in her face by man she refused to marry.

Do you agree or disagree with the ruling?
Click here to read: The Guardian

Unspoken Truths

2011-05-12T21:34:00.000+04:00

Until cancer attacked his vocal cords, the author didn’t fully appreciate what was meant by “a writer’s voice,” or the essential link between speech and prose. As a man who loved to talk, Christopher Hitchens turns to the masters of such conversation, both in history and in his own circle.

Click here to read

Is Everything Open to Debate?

2011-05-06T01:58:00.003+04:00

If someone believed the earth was flat, would you engage with them in a debate or discussion?

See the flat earth society.

What are some ideas that are not open to debate? (If any.)

Thunk 32

2011-05-05T23:45:00.001+04:00

A Thunk is a beguilingly simple-looking question about everyday things that stops you in your tracks and helps you start to look at the world in a whole new light. © Ian Gilbert

Thunk 32

Is a hurricane evil? (An earthquake? A tsunami?)

Was this deliberate?

2011-05-05T22:13:00.001+04:00

Watch this footballer crash into a female referee. Was it on purpose or an accident? Post your comments here.

Body Modification

2011-05-05T22:07:00.001+04:00

Since time immemorial, people have been modifying their bodies, whether through make up, or piercings, or tattoos, or branding, or scarring or using neck rings, implants, lip plates, coloured lenses and so on. A few years ago, a man got his sclera (the white of the eye) tattooed. Here's a new fad: corset piercing.

What are your views on body modification? Should there be a limit or not?

Moral Dilemma 8

2011-04-29T09:03:00.000+04:00

Is it right to keep animals in zoos and cages?

Language

2011-04-28T17:01:00.000+04:00

Should English be made the official language of the world? (Is it already?)

What would it be like if everyone in the world could speak the same language - say, English or Chinese or Spanish?

Moral Dilemma 7

2011-04-08T23:40:00.000+04:00

If you had to choose between the last two tigers on the planet and a human which would you chose and why?

Points to Ponder

2011-04-08T20:46:00.000+04:00

The Importance of Words

If there was no word such as 'freedom' would we know what it meant? Alternatively, if we didn't have a word for 'Green' would it exist in our consciousness? Or, if the sound 'L' didn't appear in any language would we know to say it?

Multiple Intelligences

2011-03-19T13:09:00.002+04:00

With the growing acceptance of Howard Gardner's ideas on Multiple Intelligence, the question "How smart are you?" has changed to "How are you smart?" Here are a few questions catering to the different intelligences that revolve around the number six.

Choose a couple and post your responses in the comments section.

How would life be different if we worked in base 6 instead of base ten?
Write a poem entitled ‘6’
What’s the most important thing about 6.00am? 6.00pm?
Why do insects have six legs and not more? Or less?
How would you make someone laugh in only 6 words
Tell the story of Cinderella in only 6 words
Come up with 6 uses for a fork
You are marooned for 6 days in the Hatta wadis – what are the first 6 things you would do?
Get from the word ‘dog’ to ‘cat’ in 6 steps
Get from 6 to 666 in 6 steps
Name 6 things that make you happy.
Name 6 things you want to do before you die
Name 6 things you’d save if your house was on fire? What if it was your school on fire?
What are the 6 longest words you know?
If you typed ‘6’ into Google what do you think would be the first 6 things that would come up?
What 6 things could you do if your computer was running slow?
What are the 6 worst things you could to a friend? The 6 best?
Name the 6 most important inventions in the history of the world and say why?
You have a pen, some paper, a mobile phone, a spoon and computer connected to the internet – name 6 ways you could make money just using that equipment.

Shakespearean Insults 1

2011-03-19T00:33:00.001+04:00

Shakespearean Insults:

Thou bootless guts-griping popinjay!

Time

2011-03-18T23:31:00.001+04:00

If you are fortunate enough to live to be 75 years old, you will have lived for 900 months. Of that, 300 months would have been spent in sleep. Another 300 months would have been spent in the shower, stuck in traffic, at school or work, eating, brushing your teeth and arguing with your parents. That leaves you with 300 months. If you are 15 years old, you've already spent 180 months on this beautiful planet. That leaves you with 120 months to do something that really matters.

If there was one thing you'd like to do in the 120 months you have for your self, what would it be?

Dubai on Empty

2011-03-13T19:08:00.003+04:00

Below is an article about Dubai that appeared in Vanity Fair this week. Do you think this article portrays Dubai accurately or not? Is it a fair representation of this city?

The only way to make sense of Dubai is to never forget that it isn’t real. It’s a fable, a fairy tale, like The Arabian Nights. More correctly, it’s a cautionary tale. Dubai is the story of the three wishes, where, as every kid knows, with the third wish you demand three more wishes. And as every genie knows, more wishes lead to more greed, more misery, more bad credit, and much, much, much more bad taste.

To read on, click here.

Cyber Trolls

2011-02-26T10:31:00.000+04:00

What are your experiences with trolls on the internet?

Click here for an interesting overview of the trolling phenomenon: Trolls

Click here to read a shocking example of trolling: Tormented by Trolling

Thunk 31

2011-02-24T21:18:00.000+04:00

A Thunk is a beguilingly simple-looking question about everyday things that stops you in your tracks and helps you start to look at the world in a whole new light. © Ian Gilbert.

Thunk 31:

If you own land, do you own the earth below it and the air and sky above it as well?

Strange Atmospheric Phenomena

2011-02-19T01:45:00.000+04:00

Sun Dogs

We all know about rainbows. Sun dogs are a related phenomona fully explained by physics.

Click here for a wonderful video: Sun Dogs

Has anyone observed strange atmospheric phenomena?

2011-02-14T22:57:00.000+04:00

Valentine

by Carol Ann Duffy

Not a red rose or a satin heart.

I give you an onion.

It is a moon wrapped in brown paper.

It promises light

like the careful undressing of love.

Here.

It will blind you with tears

like a lover.

It will make your reflection

a wobbling photo of grief.

I am trying to be truthful.

Not a cute card or a kissogram.

I give you an onion.

Its fierce kiss will stay on your lips,

possessive and faithful

as we are,

for as long as we are.

Take it.

Its platinum loops shrink to a wedding-ring,
if you like.

Lethal.

Its scent will cling to your fingers,

cling to your knife.

Write your own poem in which you take an unorthodox object and make it a symbol of love. Post your stanzas in the comments section.

Animal Planets

2011-02-05T11:51:00.000+04:00

If animals were planets, what planets would they be? Explain your reasons.

e.g. Mercury could be a fire ant because it is small and red and hot. Jupiter could be a T-Rex because of its huge size and how it devours comets and asteroids and captures wandering satellites.

Now think about what animal Earth could be. What about Saturn? And Venus and Mars and Neptune and Uranus and Pluto (even though Pluto has been declassified as a planet. You could also include the Moon if you wish, even though it's a satellite and not a planet.)

Understanding a Billion

2011-02-05T11:30:00.000+04:00

A billion is difficult number for us to comprehend. If we travelled back in time to a billion seconds ago it would be 1981. The universe has about a 100 billion galaxies each with on average about a 100 billion stars. That number is so big that it is more than all the grains of sand on all the beaches of our planet.

McDonalds announced that they had sold a 100 billion burgers. Neil Tyson de Grasse puts that astonishing number into perspective in this short clip: 100 billion burgers

The question now is, is his Math correct and are his figures accurate?

Post your response in the comments section. Show how you worked it out. (Imagine a burger is about 10 cm. The circumference of the earth is about 40,000km. The distance to the moon is 384,000 km. 1 metre is a 100 centimetres. 1 kilometre is a 1000 metres.)

Thunk 30

2011-01-22T17:49:00.000+04:00

A Thunk is a beguilingly simple-looking question about everyday things that stops you in your tracks and helps you start to look at the world in a whole new light. © Ian Gilbert.

Thunk 30:

If you can't see, taste, smell, hear, imagine or experience something, then does it exist?

Season's Greetings

2010-12-25T10:34:00.001+04:00

Email vs. Facebook

2010-12-25T10:34:00.000+04:00

Click here to read the article: Is Email Dead?

What do you think about the future of email? What are the advantages and disadvantages of Email and Facebook?

I trapped my arm... so I cut it off

2010-12-15T17:18:00.000+04:00

Ralston had been climbing the narrow canyons of Utah alone when a dislodged boulder fell on to his right arm, trapping him against a rock. He was entombed in the wilderness of Bluejohn Canyon, carrying a small rucksack with just one litre of water, two burritos and a few chunks of chocolate. He had headphones and a video camera but no mobile phone – and there was no reception anyway. Most foolishly of all, he had not told anyone where he was going. He eked out his water, futilely chipping away at the 800lb rock and slowly entering a state of delirium, until he was eventually forced to cut off his trapped arm, with the small knife from his cheap multitool kit.

Click here to read the rest of the article: TheGuardian

Student Blogs

2010-12-11T11:40:00.000+04:00

The year 11 English as a First Language students are maintaining excellent student blogs. Click on the image for the links.

Crazy things people do

2010-12-11T11:36:00.000+04:00

Click on image to view video

Thunk 29

2010-12-05T17:17:00.000+04:00

A Thunk is a beguilingly simple-looking question about everyday things that stops you in your tracks and helps you start to look at the world in a whole new light. © Ian Gilbert.

Thunk 29:

Should a person be punished for a wrong they did 60 years ago?

Recommedations

2010-12-05T17:13:00.002+04:00

Click on the image to view recommended books and films

Half of Newly Qualified Teachers Quit

2010-11-16T16:48:00.009+04:00

Click below to read an account of one teacher's experience in some of the classrooms across England.

The Guardian: Why are new teachers leaving in droves?

In your opinion, why do you think some students behave poorly in some lessons?

Thunk 28

2010-11-07T16:50:00.001+04:00

A Thunk is a beguilingly simple-looking question about everyday things that stops you in your tracks and helps you start to look at the world in a whole new light. © Ian Gilbert.

Thunk 28:

Are you the same person you were ten years ago?

Chance to get Published!!

2010-11-02T19:15:00.001+04:00

Emirates Festival of Literature

Winchester Students,

We have some awesome writers in our school. Now is the perfect time to hone your skills and show off your talent.

Budding JK Rowlings and Darren Shans can sharpen their literary teeth and polish their scripting skills by entering the annual Student Writing Competition, organised by the Emirates Airlines Festival of Literature, which runs from March 8-12 next year.

The theme is “The Mystery”, and entrants are required to be as creative and clever as they can with their short stories, including using clever characters, twisty plots and – most of all – a big, fat mystery. All the lucky winners will have their stories published by Jerboa Books, and each winner will receive five copies of the book as a keepsake for their efforts.

Don’t miss this opportunity. Getting published would be truly amazing!

Click here to register: Emirates Festival of Literature

Deadline to submit: 12th November '10

Schools Kill Creativity

2010-10-28T22:28:00.001+04:00

I posted this last year, but I'm posting it again for my new students. This could be the most important video of your life. The TED conference is dedicated to “ideas worth spreading.” Here, Sir Ken makes a witty, poignant, highly entertaining and profoundly moving case for creating an education system that nurtures (rather than undermines) creativity.

He’s one of those rare speakers who is both funny and intelligent! It’s 15 min. or so long, but well worth it. Watch it and make your parents watch it as well.

Click here to view: TED

Thunk 27

2010-10-22T16:53:00.004+04:00

A Thunk is a beguilingly simple-looking question about everyday things that stops you in your tracks and helps you start to look at the world in a whole new light. © Ian Gilbert.

Thunk 27:

If science could find a way to transplant your brain into the body of someone named John, would you then be you or John?

Totally like whatever, you know...

2010-10-16T00:16:00.001+04:00

"I entreat you, I implore you, I exhort you,

I challenge you: To speak with conviction.

To say what you believe in a manner that bespeaks

the determination with which you believe it.

Because contrary to the wisdom of the bumper sticker,

it is not enough these days to simply QUESTION AUTHORITY.

You have to speak with it, too."

Click here to watch "Totally, like, whatever..." by Taylor Mali:

Click here to read the Lyrics

The The Impotence of Proofreading

2010-10-15T23:55:00.001+04:00

Hilarious performance about the importance of proofreading. Every student of English must watch this!

Click here to view: The the impotence of proofreading

New Powers!

2010-10-15T19:45:00.003+04:00

Head teachers in England will be able to discipline pupils "any time, any place, anywhere", says Education Secretary Michael Gove. Addressing the Conservative party conference, Mr Gove promised tougher powers for head teachers. They will now be able to punish pupils in public places, such as in shopping centres, said Mr Gove.

Click here to read teacher comments: TES

Do you think principals should be given the power to discipline students for their behaviour outside school?

Thunk 26

2010-10-11T19:07:00.000+04:00

A Thunk is a beguilingly simple-looking question about everyday things that stops you in your tracks and helps you start to look at the world in a whole new light. © Ian Gilbert.

Thunk 26:

If you swear at someone in a language you've just made up, does that count as swearing?

Turner Prize - Is this Art?

2010-10-11T19:03:00.001+04:00

The Turner Prize, now in its 26th year, is arguably the world’s most recognised and prestigious award for contemporary art. The exhibition presents the very best of current British visual art with the intention of stimulating a lively exchange of opinions.

The above image is an installation by Angela De la Cruz, who "uses the language of painting and sculpture to create striking works that combine formal tension with a deeper emotional presence."

Does the above quote mean anything?

In your opinion, is Angela's work (pictured above) a work of art?
What do you think constitutes art?

Should Spelling and Grammar Count in Exams?

2010-10-08T12:28:00.004+04:00

The British Education Secretary, Michael Gove, said earlier this week that he believed marks should be allocated for correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation (I believe he meant in all subjects, not just in English).

Click here to read the article: The Guardian (Also read the comments below the original article)

Michael Gove's views affect us, as we follow the National Curriculum of England and Wales. Do you agree with the Education Secretary?

Thunk 25

2010-09-30T18:17:00.000+04:00

A Thunk is a beguilingly simple-looking question about everyday things that stops you in your tracks and helps you start to look at the world in a whole new light. © Ian Gilbert.

Thunk 25:

Is saving an evil and tyrannical dictator worse than killing one?

Man Eats Goldfish!

2010-09-26T17:27:00.001+04:00

Yob arrested after he bought £1.99 goldfish and then swallowed it in pet shop.

Click here to read the story: Daily Mail

Should the man have been arrested or not? What do you think?

Thunk 24

2010-09-17T03:00:00.000+04:00

A Thunk is a beguilingly simple-looking question about everyday things that stops you in your tracks and helps you start to look at the world in a whole new light. © Ian Gilbert.

Thunk 23:

Is burning a book the same as deleting a digital version of it off your Kindle™ or your laptop?

Thunk 23

2010-09-13T17:09:00.000+04:00

A Thunk is a beguilingly simple-looking question about everyday things that stops you in your tracks and helps you start to look at the world in a whole new light. © Ian Gilbert.

Thunk 23:

If you take a toy tiger, bleach away its stripes, and sew a mane on it, will it then be a tiger or a lion?

June 2010 IGCSE Success!

2010-08-30T17:26:00.000+04:00

We had an outstanding result this year in IGCSE English as a First Language. Every single student scored either an A or A*. Out of a total of 18 students, we had 14 A* grades and 4 A grades.

In IGCSE English as a Second Language, 89% of our students scored between A* - C grade. (Out of 116 students, only 13 students scored below a C grade).

The Secret of Success

2010-06-21T20:15:00.000+04:00

What's the secret of success? - 10,000 hours.

There's one figure that everyone takes away from Malcolm Gladwell's new book, Outliers: 10,000 hours. That, he says, is the difference between success and non-success, genius and mediocrity. Anyone from the Beatles to Bill Gates who has succeeded has done so on the back of at least 10,000 hours of practice. Plus, obviously, some intelligence and talent.

Do you agree?

Click here to read the rest of the article: London Evening Standard

Why teenagers can't concentrate

2010-06-01T20:48:00.000+04:00

Why teenagers can't concentrate: too much grey matter

UK research into teenagers' brains shows their mental processes are like those of younger children

Parents who despair over their teenagers' lack of concentration in class, inability to sit still long enough to finish homework or plan ahead, should take solace. Their children are not being lazy or careless – they are hapless victims of neurobiology.

Click here to read the rest of the article: TheGuardian

Thunk - 22

2010-06-01T20:41:00.000+04:00

A Thunk is a beguilingly simple-looking question about everyday things that stops you in your tracks and helps you start to look at the world in a whole new light. © Ian Gilbert.

Thunk 22:

Can you taste colour?

How unique are you?

2010-05-29T08:24:00.000+04:00

How unique are you? Compare your characteristics with those of other people.

Click here to take the quiz: DNAi

1. Click on the "Human Origins" tab (bottom right)
2.Click on "Variation" (top right)
3. Click on "Variation activity"

Bring on the learning revolution

2010-05-29T08:10:00.000+04:00

"In this poignant, funny follow-up to his fabled 2006 talk, Sir Ken Robinson makes the case for a radical shift from standardized schools to personalized learning -- creating conditions where kids' natural talents can flourish."

Click here to view: TED

Moral Dilemma

2010-05-19T16:33:00.000+04:00

If we could programme humans to be good (either through genetic engineering or by somehow programming the brain) should we do it? Will the transformed person be exercising free will? Would we want a society where everyone is genetically engineered or mentally programmed to be good? Give reasons for your response.

Thunk 21

2010-05-09T11:16:00.000+04:00

A Thunk is a beguilingly simple-looking question about everyday things that stops you in your tracks and helps you start to look at the world in a whole new light. © Ian Gilbert.

Thunk 21:

If you don't remember a dream, then did you have it?

Teacher cleared of attempting to murder pupil

2010-05-02T12:37:00.000+04:00

A teacher who snapped and attacked a pupil who had been goading him was cleared of attempted murder and causing grievous bodily harm with intent today.

Click here to read the rest of the article: TheGuardian

Post your response to the article in the comments section.

Key Stage 4 Debate

2010-04-29T13:38:00.000+04:00

Yesterday we had the key stage 4 debate: "Should people be screened before being allowed to have children." The year 11s, who were against the motion, won. The year 10s, who were for the motion, were fighting an uphill battle and eventually lost. It was a spirited and closely-fought debate and all the debaters spoke eloquently and persuasively. Both sides had some cogent arguments and thought-provoking rebuttals.

What are your thoughts on the debate topic and the debate itself? - Should people be screened before being allowed to have children just like we screen people before allowing them to adopt?

Thunk 20

2010-03-28T19:12:00.000+04:00

A Thunk is a beguilingly simple-looking question about everyday things that stops you in your tracks and helps you start to look at the world in a whole new light. © Ian Gilbert.

Thunk 20:
If you play chess against a computer and lose, then who or what beat you?

2010-03-22T13:46:00.001+04:00

Review of IGCSE English Lessons on Prezi

Click on the grey triangular icon. Then click on "More" and choose "full screen." Click the forward icon to move slides.

Cross-curricular week

2010-03-16T16:43:00.000+04:00

Cross-curricular week

Discursive Writing - Fashion

It's cross-curricular week at school and the theme is "fashion." In coordination with the other departments, the year 7s are working on a leaflet; the year 8s are working on a poster; and the year 9s are working on an essay.

In the past, men wore wigs and women wore hats; traditional clothes were widely worn; and fabric fibres were mostly natural. All this has changed in the last fifty or so years. How do you think fashion will change in the next hundred years?

Thunk - 19

2010-03-09T18:45:00.000+04:00

A Thunk is a beguilingly simple-looking question about everyday things that stops you in your tracks and helps you start to look at the world in a whole new light. © Ian Gilbert.

Thunk 19:
Is there more future or past?

Student Poll

2010-03-09T14:07:00.001+04:00

Shakespeare 4 Kidz

2010-02-23T09:27:00.000+04:00

Shakespeare 4 Kidz, the award winning theatre group from England, are back in Dubai for a performance of Macbeth. They will be holding auditions for the son of Macduff (ten places available). This is a great opportunity to take part in a professional theatre production.

Click on the image to view a video with more details
Click here to take part: Registration

English is a Funny Language

2010-02-22T17:29:00.000+04:00

Lets face it: There is no egg in the eggplant, no ham in the hamburger and neither pine nor apple in the pineapple. English muffins were not invented in England, French fries were not invented in France. We sometimes take English for granted. But if we examine its paradoxes we find that Quicksand takes you down slowly, boxing rings are square and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig. If writers write, how come fingers don't fing. If the plural of tooth is teeth, shouldn't the plural of phone booth be phone beeth. If the teacher taught, why didn't the preacher praught. If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what the heck does a humanitarian eat!? Why do people recite at a play yet play at a recital? Park on driveways and drive on parkways. You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language where a house can burn up as it burns down and in which you fill in a form by filling it out. And a bell is only heard once it goes! English was invented by people, not computers, and it reflects the creativity of the human race (which of course isn't a race at all). That is why when the stars are out they are visible, but when the lights are out they are invisible. And why is it that when I wind up my watch it starts but when I wind up this story it ends?

Some food for thought: Do infants enjoy infancy as much as adults enjoy adultery?If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular? Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker? Why is a person who plays the piano called a pianist, but a person who drives a race car not called a racistWhy are a wise man and a wise guy opposites? Why do overlook and oversee mean opposite things? If horrific means to make horrible, does terrific mean to make terrible? Why isn't 11 pronounced onety one?

If lawyers are disbarred and clergymen defrocked, doesn't it follow that electricians can be delighted, musicians denoted, cowboys deranged, models deposed, tree surgeons debarked and dry cleaners depressed? Why is it that if someone tells you that there are 1 billion stars in the universe you will believe them, but if they tell you a wall has wet paint you will have to touch it to be sure? If you take an Oriental person and spin him around several times, does he become disoriented? If people from Poland are called "Poles," why aren't people from Holland called "Holes?"

Eng. Dept. website for parents

2010-02-20T11:19:00.000+04:00

Please inform your parents about the new English department website that will be useful if they wish to find out what's happening in Secondary School English. If there is anything they'd like to see added please leave a suggestion in the comments section of this post.

Click here to view: English Department Website

Thunk 17

2010-02-20T11:16:00.000+04:00

A Thunk is a beguilingly simple-looking question about everyday things that stops you in your tracks and helps you start to look at the world in a whole new light. © Ian Gilbert.

Thunk 17:
Can fire be considered to be alive?

How do people walk on hot coal?

2010-02-20T11:00:00.000+04:00

Ever wondered how people manage to walk on hot coal? Is it magic? Is it superhuman abilities? Watch Michael Shermer, editor of Skeptic Magazine, walk barefoot on hot coal without getting burnt and then gives his explanation of how people do it.

Click here to watch: Fire-walking

Poetry and Short Story Writing

2010-02-13T18:55:00.000+04:00

Budding writers,

Do you have dreams of seeing your work published? The English Department is organising a writing competition for students who wish to write a short story or a poem. The best ones will be selected by me, Mr. Roberts, and will be printed in two separate compilation books.

You may email your work to me: mr.robertswinchester@gmail.com

Deadline: 28th February '10

Word limit for short story: 8 pages max. (A4 size, Times Roman font 12)

Word limit for poem: 1 page max. (A4 size, Times Roman font 12)

See comments section for more information.

Interesting sites on the Net

2010-02-06T11:56:00.001+04:00

Great site with lots of fabulous documentaries on consciousness, health, global finance, environment, History, war etc.

Big Think is a global forum for connecting people and sharing ideas. Interesting interviews with over 600 experts, from hedge-fund managers to neuroscientists.

We've already watched several clips on this blog from the Technology, Entertainment, and Design conference dedicated to "ideas worth spreading" by some of the best minds on our planet.

Click on the images above to go to the respective home pages.

Thunks - 17

2010-02-03T18:44:00.000+04:00

A Thunk is a beguilingly simple-looking question about everyday things that stops you in your tracks and helps you start to look at the world in a whole new light. © Ian Gilbert.

Thunk 17:
Will Dubai ever be finished and ready?

Book Club - "1984" Book Review

2010-02-03T18:23:00.000+04:00

Book Review

In the comments section, please post your book review of 1984. Be sure to follow the instructions I gave you on how to write a book review. (word limit 200-250 words)

V for Vendetta

2010-02-03T18:01:00.000+04:00

"Voilà! In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of Fate. This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is a vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished. However, this valorous visitation of a by-gone vexation, stands vivified and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin van-guarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition.
"The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous.
"Verily, this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose, so let me simply add that it's my very good honor to meet you and you may call me V."

1) Write down the meanings of all the new words from the lines above in your vocab list.

2) In the comments section write down all the similarities you noticed between George Orwell’s 1984 and “V for Vendetta.” (Click on the image to watch the last 10 min. of the movie that we couldn’t watch in class).

Earthquake in Haiti

2010-01-22T21:20:00.001+04:00

There are some religious figures who are claiming that the earthquake in Haiti was divine retribution. Do you agree or disagree? Say why.

Thunks

2010-01-20T17:18:00.000+04:00

A Thunk is a beguilingly simple-looking question about everyday things that stops you in your tracks and helps you start to look at the world in a whole new light. © Ian Gilbert.

Thunk 16:
Why don't dogs laugh? Is it because they don't have a sense of humour?

What makes a great teacher?

2010-01-20T17:11:00.000+04:00

What makes a great teacher? Is it classroom management? Having the right degree? Good communication skills?

Click here to read an article in theGuardian