ENG2D Reading material

Thursday October 3rd.

Answer the following question:

• In one paragraph reflect on what you just heard and share your thoughts and/or feelings.

Before writing read the information below about reflective writing:

* What stood out for you? Why do you thing it stood out?
* Did you have an emotional response (a feeling) that was illicited at any point? What was it and what do you think it means in relation to the story?
* How do you feel about the subject?
* Was there a new idea that suddenly struck you? An aha moment.
* Did something suddently make sense?
* Were you unmoved by anything in the story? It was simply just another story. Why do you think this is the case?

WHAT IS REFLECTIVE WRITING AND HOW IS IT BENEFICIAL?

The purpose of reflective writing is to help you learn from a particular practical experience. It will help you to make connections between what you are taught in theory and what you need to do in practice. You reflect so that you can learn.

In reflective writing, you are trying to write down some of the thinking that you have been through while carrying out a particular practical activity, such as writing an essay, teaching a class or selling a product. Through reflection, you should be able to make sense of what you did and why and perhaps help yourself to do it better next time.

You might reflect for many reasons in many ways, for example, in a diary or personal log. But here we are interested in the kind of writing that you do for assessment. You are often asked to provide a record of what you did plus a reflection of how you did it and how you are using what you are taught in your classes and any practical experience you are gaining to do this.

Reflective writing gives you the chance think about what you are doing more deeply and to learn from your experience. You have the opportunity to discover how what you are taught in class helps you with your real-world or academic tasks. Writing your thoughts down makes it easier for you to think about them and make connections between what you are thinking, what you are being taught and what you are doing. Your written reflection will also serve as a source of reference and evidence in the future.

It is not sufficient simply to have an experience in order to learn. Without reflecting upon this experience it may quickly be forgotten, or its learning potential lost. It is from the feelings and thoughts emerging from this reflection that generalisations or concepts can be generated. And it is generalisations that allow new situations to be tackled effectively. (Gibbs, 1988, p. 9)

http://www.uefap.com/writing/genre/genrefram_reflect.htm

Thursday September 26, 2013

Critical Thinking

During our class discussion today you were asked to develop questions related to the Movie Mississippi Burning as part of the introduction to the novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Since the beginning of the grade ten academic English course I have introduced the concept of higher level thinking through: short stories, class instruction, handouts etc. Not surprisingly, you are likely thinking, critical thinking isn't something that comes naturally. To facilitate your learning I have provided a link below, and a chart outlining the critical thinking process for your assistance. 

Mini Guide to Develop Critical Thinking Skills

Wednesday September 25, 2013

What is Critical Thinking?

• Critical thinkers: distinguish between fact and opinion; ask questions; make detailed observations; uncover assumptions and define their terms; and make assertions based on sound logic and solid evidence.

Ellis, D. Becoming a Master Student, 1997

• Critical thinking is best understood as the ability of thinkers to take charge of their own thinking.  This requires that they develop sound criteria and standards for analyzing and assessing their own thinking and routinely use those criteria and standards to improve its quality.

Elder, L. and Paul, R. "Critical thinking: why we must transform our teaching." Journal of Developmental Education, Fall 1994

Attributes of a Critical Thinker

• asks pertinent questions 
• assesses statements and arguments 
• is able to admit a lack of understanding or information 
• has a sense of curiosity 
• is interested in finding new solutions 
• is able to clearly define a set of criteria for analyzing ideas
• is willing to examine beliefs, assumptions, and opinions and weigh them against facts 
• listens carefully to others and is able to give feedback 
• sees that critical thinking is a lifelong process of self-assessment 
• suspends judgment until all facts have been gathered and considered
• looks for evidence to support assumption and beliefs 
• is able to adjust opinions when new facts are found 
• looks for proof 
• examines problems closely
• is able to reject information that is incorrect or irrelevant 

Ferrett, S. Peak Performance (1997).1

1.What is Critical Thinking

Philosophy to the Reading Section

We have completed the Elements of Fiction - Short Stories - unit component of your course.  Implicitly, and explicitly the stories and assignments we have worked with have dealt with morals, and values that affect all human beings; as I stated at the beginning of your English course, one of the differences between very good writing and literature is its literature captures and mirrors back to us universal truths about human existence.

Introducing reading material such as the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights document you are presented with a value system that can be used to inform your understanding about basic human rights; particularly as we interact with the novel To Kill a Mockingbird, and the role of social justice in society.  As we proceed through the course additional reading materials will be introduced as required reading.

The introduction of new diverse ideas are intended to challenge, engage and even make you uncomfortable. The goal being, that when the friction of ideas and worldviews collide, we will be moved from our comfortable thoughts to a new and dynamic space  of authentic learning.

Enjoy the journey,

Mr. Townley

________________________________________________________________________
To view the document online follow this link: http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/

Universal Declaration of Human Rights 

Preamble 

Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,  

Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,  
Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,  
Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,  
Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,  

Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in cooperation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,  
Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,  

Now, therefore,  
The General Assembly,  

Proclaims this Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.  

Article I  
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.  

Article 2  
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.  

Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.  

Article 3  
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.  

Article 4  
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.  

Article 5  
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.  
 Article 6  
Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.  

Article 7  
All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.  

Article 8  
Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.  

Article 9  
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.  

Article 10  
Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.  

Article 11  
1. Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.  
2. No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier 
penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.  

Article 12  
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.  

Article 13  
1. Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each State.  
2. Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.  

Article 14  
1. Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.  
2. This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.  

Article 15  
1. Everyone has the right to a nationality.  
2. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.  

Article 16  
 1. Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.  
2. Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.  
3. The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.  

Article 17  
1. Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.  
2. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.  

Article 18  
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.  

Article 19  
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.  

Article 20  
1. Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.  
2. No one may be compelled to belong to an association.  

Article 21  
1. Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.  
2. Everyone has the right to equal access to public service in his country.  
3. The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.  

Article 22  
Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.  

Article 23  
1. Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.  
2. Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.  
3. Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.  
4. Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.  

Article 24  
Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.  
  
Article 25  
1. Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.  
2. Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.  

Article 26  
1. Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.  
2. Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.  
3. Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.  
Article 27  
1. Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.  
2. Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.  

Article 28  
Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.  

Article 29  
1. Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.  
2. In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.  
3. These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.  

Article 30  
Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.