How universal are our facial expressions?

It's A Small World When It Comes To :-/

Click on the embedded link above to read the article and see photos on the NPR website.

This article is about the universality of body language. Word count: 512

Before reading:

    

General Knowledge:

• What are some of the ways that people communicate without using words?      

     
Speculate:

• Researchers analyzed video recordings of conversations with speakers of English, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese and American Sign Language. What do you think they discovered about facial expressions?

       

After reading:

     

Review and discuss:

• Write a 3-4 sentence summary of this article. Begin your summary with "This article is about…".
• In this article, researchers looked at facial expressions of speakers of English, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese and American Sign Language. Why do you think they chose these languages?
• According to Aleix Martinez, why is the "not face" more important than a "yes face"?
• Martinez doesn't think the universal "not face" is the result of globalization and technology. But how about other facial expressions or body language? Do you think that globalization will have a big impact on these in the future? Can you think of any current examples?
• What makes the Ohio State University study valuable? How might their research benefit society?
• In your opinion, what was the most interesting thing mentioned in this article? Why?

       
Reflect and evaluate:

• Consider the Ohio State University researchers' choice to use YouTube videos in their future research. Why do you think they chose this method? Are there any disadvantages to it?
• Think about the gestures, body language, or facial expressions that are common in your culture, or to speakers of your language. Pick 2 or 3 examples and try to write descriptions of them.
• Have you ever noticed an important similarity or difference in the body language of someone who speaks a different language than you? How did that affect your communication?
• Is there anything else you'd like to know about this topic? Do you have any questions that weren't answered in the article?
• What vocabulary words were new to you in this article? Make a record of what you have learned.

      
Beyond the page

• Pop quiz! How good are you at reading body language and facial expressions? Try one of these quizzes: Psychtests "Body Language Test" or Greater Good Science Center "Body Language Quiz"
• Body language plays an important role in politics, too. Watch this video as news reporters analyze the body language of some US presidential candidates: What Body Language Says about the Candidates. Or take a look at this article from the University of Alabama on candidates' body language: Debate body language: what presidential candidates are saying without words.

         

Join the conversation: add your thoughts about this article in the comments section below!

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Fighting a 'Forgotten' Disease

Click on the embedded link above to read the article, see photos, and listen to or download the audio file on the NPR website.

    

This article is about an outbreak in one country that has the potential to get much worse. Word count: 662

   

Before reading:

     

General Knowledge:

• Can you find the country of Angola on a map?
• What is an 'epidemic'? Why has this topic been trending in the news lately?

      
Speculate:

• This article discusses a disease that has not yet spread through many countries. Why might people be worried about it now?

       

After reading:

     

Review and discuss:

• Write a 3-4 sentence summary of this article. Begin your summary with "This article is about…".
• The article says: " The disease has been all but eradicated in wealthy countries but remains a serious threat in areas of Africa and South America where it still pops up". What is the relationship between a country's wealth and the spread of disease? Explain why poorer countries are more likely to struggle with certain diseases.
• Explain what Dr William Perea is implying when he says, "Yellow fever is a forgotten disease".
• What does Dr Perea mean when he says any disease is "just a plane ride away"?
• Why is it important to bring international attention to the situation in Angola? Try to list at least 3 reasons.
• In your opinion, what was the most interesting thing mentioned in this article? Why?

       
Reflect and evaluate:

• Has your country experienced an epidemic in recent years? What are some diseases that you have heard about in the news, and why are people talking about them?
• What are some things that people can do to slow or stop the spread of a disease? In other words, what can people do to prevent getting sick?
• Have you ever received a vaccination? Do people often receive vaccinations in your country?
• Is there anything else you'd like to know about this topic? Do you have any questions that weren't answered in the article?
• What vocabulary words were new to you in this article? Make a record of what you have learned.

       
Beyond the page

• Do some research to find out more about some of the major epidemics that have happened in the last century.

     

Join the conversation: add your thoughts about this article in the comments section below!

Learning at the Library

At last...I'm back!  My apologies to regular readers for taking a break from posting for a few days longer than usual- I had a cold that knocked me out over the weekend. But I've (mostly) recovered and hope to pick up my regular posting schedule again. And stay tuned for an extra post or two over the next week!

Click on the embedded link above to read the article, see photos, and listen to or download the audio file on the NPR website.

This article is about the role of libraries in lifelong learning. Word count: 484

Before reading:

   

General Knowledge:

• What is the purpose of a library? What can you do at a library besides borrow books?
• What is "lifelong learning"? What are some of the ways that adults can participate in it?

Speculate:

• This article refers to a recent study that suggests adults would rather learn in a physical classroom than online. What might be the reasons for this?

      

After reading:

     

Review and discuss:

• Write a 3-4 sentence summary of this article. Begin your summary with "This article is about…".
• Instructor Matt McEntee will "teach you how to fix anything from a clock to a broken heart". If you attended his class, what would you want to learn how to fix? If you taught this class for a day, what could you teach someone else how to fix?
• In the article, Pew researcher John Horrigan says, "Learning is still very much a place-based thing". What does he mean by this? Do you agree with him?
• Whenna Andrews says that she feels "like the library seems more credible". Why do you think she used the word "credible"? What is she implying by this?
• In your opinion, what was the most interesting thing mentioned in this article? Why?

Reflect and evaluate:

• Have you ever used the internet to help you learn something? What resources or websites did you use? What was the result?
• Compare and contrast learning online with learning in a physical classroom. What are the biggest differences? Are there any important similarities?
• Is there anything else you'd like to know about this topic? Do you have any questions that weren't answered in the article?
• What vocabulary words were new to you in this article? Make a record of what you have learned.

Beyond the page

• How do you learn best? Try one (or both!) of the following quizzes to find out more about your learning style: What's Your Learning Style? or Multiple Intelligences Self-Assessment
• Find out more about the classes and services offered at your local library. Are there any that interest you?

       

Join the conversation: add your thoughts about this article in the comments section below!

How map data saves lives

How Do You Start Mapping Unmapped Streets?

Click on the embedded link above to read the article and see photos on the NPR website.

This article is about a project aimed at gathering map data in developing countries. Word count: 785

Before reading:

  

General Knowledge:

• What is Google Street View? Have you ever used it?
• Can you find Tanzania on a map? Dar es Salaam is its largest city. Where is this city?

    

Speculate:

• In addition to helping individual people navigate, what might be the benefits of having good map data for a city? In other words, why are detailed city maps necessary?

   

After reading:

   

Review and discuss:

• Write a 3-4 sentence summary of this article. Begin your summary with "This article is about…".
• Why do you think developing countries are less likely to be mapped by Google?
• Make a list of the uses of map data mentioned in the article. Do any of these surprise you?
• The article says that over 260 people have volunteered to take pictures or video of the roads in Dar es Salaam. What do you think motivates these volunteers?
• What kinds of tools and training do you think these volunteers might need?
• In your opinion, what was the most interesting thing mentioned in this article? Why?

    

Reflect and evaluate:

• What kinds of natural disasters is your area prone to? What kinds of help do people need when they happen?
• Are there unmapped areas where you live? Why?
• How might maps created by ordinary citizens be different than maps created by big companies like Google?
• What areas of your town are growing or changing the most quickly? Why?
• Is there anything else you'd like to know about this topic? Do you have any questions that weren't answered in the article?
• What vocabulary words were new to you in this article? Make a record of what you have learned.

    

Beyond the page

• Read the blog post about the World Bank's use of Mapillary: Building Infrastructure with Mapillary in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Join the conversation: add your thoughts about this article in the comments section below.

When 'temporary' feels permanent

Click on the embedded link above to read the article, see photos, and listen to or download the audio file on the NPR website.

This article is about efforts to recover from the 2011 disasters in Japan. Word count: 846

Before reading:

 

General Knowledge:

• What happens when an earthquake hits?
• How can you prepare for an earthquake? What should you do during and after an earthquake?
• What happened in Japan on March 11, 2011?

Speculate:

• Many of the people who evacuated during the disaster five years ago are still living in temporary housing. What might be some of the obstacles to providing them with permanent housing?

After reading:

  

Review and discuss:

• Write a 3-4 sentence summary of this article. Begin your summary with "This article is about…".
• The article says that the temporary houses are "about the size of a king-size mattress". What do you think life is like in a space this small?
• What are the difficulties of living in temporary housing for so many years? Use examples from the article as well as your own ideas.
• The article says that many people are not returning to villages even after they have been deemed "safe". What are some possible reasons that they are choosing not to go back?
• In your opinion, what was the most interesting thing mentioned in this article? Why?

Reflect and evaluate:

• What helps people to rebuild their lives and communities after natural disasters strike?
• What might the disaster in Japan have taught people about disaster preparation, emergency response, and warning systems?
• Is there anything else you'd like to know about this topic? Do you have any questions that weren't answered in the article?
• What vocabulary words were new to you in this article? Make a record of what you have learned.

Beyond the page

• Do an internet search to find out more about earthquakes and earthquake-prone regions in the world.

Join the conversation: add your thoughts about this article in the comments section below!