The 5 Habits Framework

1) Evidence (How do I know what's true?)

2) Perspective (Who might think differently?)

3) Connections (What other areas of knowledge are connected?)

4) Supposition (How might it be different if..?)

5) Significance (Is this important?)

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Sony Cancels Release of "The Interview"

Sony Cancels Release of "The Interview"

This image released by Columbia Pictures shows James Franco, left, and Seth Rogen in The Interview.
 (AP Photo/Columbia Pictures, Sony, Ed Araquel)

http://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/sony-cancels-interview-release-after-theaters-drop-out-while-fox-n270281

1)  How do we know who is responsible for the hacks?  What evidence is compelling enough to make a threat credible?    

2)  Why might the family of the leader of N. Korea view this differently than Seth Rogen's family?  Why might a comedian view this differently than a politician?

3)  In what ways is this cancellation related to appeasement in war?  How is not?  How is this related to math?  

4)  What if the plot focused on a thinly veiled fictional character?  What if this was scheduled for debut during the summer?  How might it be different if it is accessible on Netflix?

5)  Who will be most affected by this news?  How might it be a significant marker in the history of pop culture?  Is this significant to national policy regarding potentially hostile nations?

Extension Activities:

1)  Students can explore the relations between the US and the Korean peninsula and write a petition to the leader of a country who might mediate talks to resolve the situation.

2)  Students can compile a list of the most controversial movies of all time and predict how they would be received today as well as compare their  reasons for controversy.  

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Most Expensive Photo of All Time

Peter Lik's 'Phantom' was sold for an unprecedented $6.5 million and is the most expensive photograph in history.
 (PRNewsFoto/LIK USA)
http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2014/12/10/worlds-most-expensive-photo-depicts-antelope-canyon/20203093/

1)  What should determine the price of a photograph?  In what ways is photography like painting?  How is dissimilar?  Why are some artists' works more vlauable than others?  Why would someone pay millions of dollars for art?  Is the photographer lucky?    

2)  How might a Native American view this story differently than a relative of Ansel Adams?  How might a poor person view this differently than a wealthy person?

3)  How is this related to mathematics?  What recent character from a book you've read would be most upset upon hearing this news?

4)  What is this was in color?  What if we found out it was photoshopped?  What if a computer program created the photo?

5)  Is art important to survival?  What's your favorite form of art?

Extension Activities:
1)  Students will research the development of photography (camera obscura, Daguerre type, etc) and predict future trends.

2)  Students will research the most expensive works of art in a variety of media and evaluate the reasons for their prices.

Friday, December 5, 2014

New Zealanders: Leave Graveyard Ship Alone

New Zealanders: Leave Graveyard Ship Alone

A diver on the wreck of the SS Ventnor. Photo / Supplied


1)  Should divers be banned form the wreckage?  What evidence might convince you otherwise?
2)  Why might a Chinese immigrant view this differently than an avid diving enthusiast?
3)  How is this connected to the Elgin marbles issue?  
4)  What if this happened in the US with different cultures represented?
5)  What can come from this?

Extension Activities:

1)  Students can research the ethics of excavation of known burial grounds?
2)  Students can write legal cases for different parties involved in this issue?