Boy or Girl?

My Advanced CIS 1st block class has a blog, and the students are responsible for creating the daily blogs. I stole this idea from Shaquii. Thank you!



What did you think of this video? Is it a good idea, and is it even possible, to allow a child to choose his or her gender? How long will the parents be able to keep the gender of their child a secret? Do you think this will have more of a positive or negative effect on the child? Why?

Million Dollar Winner

Admit it, you probably love to play video games. Some of you would no nothing except play them if you could. Now meet Brian Kingrey. He just won one million dollars for pitching a perfect game on MLB 2K11. Check out his story. I am not surprised that he used Roy Halladay as his pitcher and that he spent five hours a day practicing. Would you have been interested in participating in this competition? Or, do you believe that video games are a waste of time? Do you have a favorite video game and if so, what is it?

Movie Time

Captain Jack Sparrow is back! Time for a new Pirates of the Caribbean movie. Let's watch the trailer. The summer movie releases seem to be popping up all over. Between Pirates of the Caribbean, Kung Fu Panda 2 and other movies, there seem to be many good choices in the theaters this summer. Which movie is your first choice to view? Is there one movie you just can't wait to see? Or, will you avoid the theaters altogether and spend your entertainment dollars elsewhere?

One Way to Avoid Bullying?!

If you were being bullied because of protruding ears, a big nose or another physical imperfection would you consider having surgery to "fix" that imperfection? As this video shows, young teens and younger children are considering that kind of surgery. After watching the video would you consider surgery to correct an imperfection? Do you think that changing a physical appearance might end the bullying of a student? Would you consider having surgery that would change your physical appearance?

Who's to Blame??????

Imagine parents being fined money when their child is tardy or absent or actually being graded by teachers. Is that hard to imagine? Well, watch the video. What do you think about what is being discussed. It seems that several states are actually doing these things or talking about doing them! What do you think of it? Is it fair to hold parents accountable for a student's performance at school? Why or why not? If parents were held accountable in some way would that change your performance in school?

Fit to Stand Trial

Remember Jared Loughner? He is the shooter, accused of killing 6 people and injuring many others during Congresswoman Giffords' rally in January. Will he make it to trial? This week a decision will be made to determine if he is mentally competent to stand trial. This video explains how that decision affects his chances of standing trial. Do you agree that a decision like this is fair to him? Is it fair to the victims? If he truly is mentally ill, what should be done for him? Should there be more or less gun control laws in this country?

About Face

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What did you think of this story? Hopefully we all agree that injecting Botox into an 8-year-old girl for the purpose of winning a beauty pageant is pretty pathetic. Do you think the story was all a hoax to make money, or do you think the mom is trying to escape being classified as an unfit mother? Do you read tabloids? If so, do you believe most of what they say to be true or false?

Save the Bride!

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Describe your reaction to the video. How would you respond if you were left at the altar because your bride or groom-to-be married someone else days earlier? In your opinion, was this a newsworthy event? Why or why not? How do you think this woman feels now that her "meltdown" has been broadcasted on national news?

Six Pack!

Would you have thought that the guy on the cover of the Men's Health magazine was a congressman? What do you think of the congressman's abs? Do you think his picture of the cover of Men's Health is appropriate? Why or why not?

Oh Arnold...

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Were you shocked to hear that Arnold Schwarzenegger fathered a secret child? WHy or why not? Girls, if you were in Maria Shriver's shoes, and after 25 years of marriage you found out your husband was unfaithful, would you leave him or try and work it out? Why? Guys, why do you think so many public figures and celebrities are finding it so hard to stay faithful? Do you think any less of Arnold Schwarzenegger?

Sneaker Controversy

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Describe your reaction to the video. Do you think those opposed to Shape-Ups for girls are over-reacting? Why or why not? If you had a daughter, would you buy her Shape-Ups?

A Rare Surgical Procedure

Imagine having surgery where a cancerous growth is removed from your leg. Your leg is amputated, the cancer is removed and the leg is reattached. Sounds simple, doesn't it? Well that is very close to what happened to Dugan Smith. But now after about 18 months, he is playing organized baseball and pitching at that! Here is his story.

Should Dugan have been allowed to continue playing organized baseball? How would you react to Dugan if he was your teammate and/or classmate? Do you think he will be as good a player as he might have been if he had not had the procedure?

Let's Go Flying!!

Would you want to fly over the Grand Canyon? Well, a Swiss adventurer has done just that using his jet propelled wings attached to his back. Flying at over 190 miles per hour, he was in the air for over eight minutes. This video will show you parts of his flight.

Would you be interested in doing something like that, or do you think it would be too dangerous? Is he brave, or crazy? Should he have been allowed to do it? Can you think of a crazier stunt?

Grandma did What???

Shoppers in the Detroit, Michigan area have been pick pocketed by a group of hat wearing grannies. "The Mad Hatters" are responsible for half a million dollars worth of stolen merchandise. Their disguise? Hats! The video explains that the hats probably distract others from identifying them.

What do you think of the Mad Hatters? Are they original? Do they remind you of your grandmother? If they are arrested, what kind of punishment should they get? Can you think of a more clever disguise?

Family Reunion

Imagine trying to get a stranger to take your family's picture while you are on vacation. Then you discover that the photographer is your half brother! Watch this story.


How would you react to finding this out? Would you be curious to know what his or her life had been like? If it turns out to be better than yours, would you be upset? Would you even want to know that you had a half brother or half sister?

Foreign Accent Syndrome

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Describe your reaction to this video. Would you be upset if you woke up from oral surgery with a foreign accent? Why or why not? If you could have any accent, what would you choose and why?

No Release of Bin Laden's Death Photos

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Do you think Osama Bin Laden's death photos should be released? Why or why not? Some are now questioning the legality of Bin Laden's killing. One international lawyer stated "It may not have been possible to take him alive, but no one should be outside the protection of the law. Even after the end of the second world war, Nazi war criminals were given a fair trial." How would you respond to those questioning whether or not Bin Laden's killing was legal?

Move Your Body!

The #1 YouTube video last week was Beyoncé's "Move Your Body" music video, even though her video had no special effects, costume changes, or celebrity guests. Beyoncé worked her magic and made Michelle Obama's fight against childhood obesity look cooler and more fashionable than ever before. The pop chart diva revamped her 2007 hit "Get Me Bodied," and dubbed the new version "Move Your Body" in support of the first lady's "Let's Move!" healthy eating campaign.

In the following behind-the-scenes clip, students discuss their struggles to make better eating choices, and Beyoncé explains her desire to help spread Michelle Obama's encouraging message. "It's all about promoting the benefits of healthy eating and exercise," she said. "But what we want to do is make it fun by doing something that we all love to do. And that's dance."



Now let's watch the video!



What did you think of Beyonce's video? Do you think Michelle Obama's fight against childhood obesity will be successful and/or make a difference? Will Beyonce's support help her campaign? Do you struggle with healthy eating and exercise? If so, does Michelle Obama's campaign and Beyonce's music video encourage you to do better? Why or why not?

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!

Sorry for being so sappy today, but I couldn't resist showing this video about a little boy named Teddy.



Everyone has a teacher that they'll always remember, and it's not always because he or she was the best teacher they ever had. Most of the time it's the teacher who took the most interest in you or the teacher who pushed you farther than you thought possible. For me, that teacher was Professor Lakatos, my college Accounting professor who made me feel like I could accomplish anything. Who has been your most inspiring teacher and why? What makes a teacher great?

US Forces Kill Osama bin Laden

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Describe your reaction to the video. Are you relieved and/or feel a sense of justification now that Osama bin Laden has been killed? Why or why not? Do you think the U.S. will suffer any repercussions as a result of killing Osama bin Laden? Why or why not?