PUERTO RICO DOES DO IT BETTER

When we watch, listen to or read the news, most of it is about crime, corruption, and negative aspects about our country.  I firmly believe we need to focus more on the positive things.  Puerto Rico and its people have a lot to offer.  It ticks me off when I hear people talk so negatively about the island and Puerto Ricans in general.  Sure, there are many things that could be a lot better, but sometimes people make such derogatory comments and act as if these things ONLY happen in Puerto Rico.  I just ask myself....are these people doing anything to make Puerto Rico a better place to live in or are they just complaining?

For this blog I will share some POSITIVE things about our island and will ask you to do the same.

1.    In NASA's 20th annual Great Moonbuggy Race (2013), 89 teams participated.  Both the high school division and the college division were won by Puerto Rican teams.  The high school students were from Yabucoa and the college students were from the University of Puerto Rico at Humacao.

Read the article:  http://www.space.com/20947-nasa-moonbuggy-race-winners.html

2.  Rincón will be the first town in Puerto Rico to prohibit the use of plastic bags in stores starting in January 2015.  They have studied the impact of plastic bags on the environment and have decided to take action. This has been done in other countries and has been very successful.  I just hope the whole island decides to do the same.

Read the article: 

http://www.elnuevodia.com/vientoenpopalaeliminaciondebolsasplasticasenrincon-1834021.html#comentarios

3.  Sometimes people think that bigger means better.  Universities are not the exception.  Many people have not heard about Columbia Centro Universitario, or if they have, they tend to have a negative image of it.  The Nursing program is one of the best in the area.  In fact, 98% of the students at the associate degree level and 100% at the bachelor degree level passed the board exam in December of 2013.  

Read the article:

http://www.18norte66oeste.com/index.php/sociales/415-columbia-centro-universitario-el-mejor-en-enfermeria

Task:  Read the 3 articles and then answer the questions that follow.  Copy the question.  Double space between each response.

1.  Before reading the articles, had you heard or read about any of these? If so, where?
2.  Which article did you like the most?  Why?
3.  What positive message do you think these articles say about Puerto Ricans?
4.  Do you think it's a good idea to prohibit plastic bags?  Why or why not?
5.  Do you hear more negative or more positive things about studying at Columbia?  Mention one positive thing and one negative thing you have heard about Columbia. 
6.  Now find a good news article about Puerto Rico.  Provide title, author/source, date (if available), and link.   Summarize the article in YOUR own words (3-5 sentences) and give your opinion (2-3 sentences).  

DATE DUE:  November 26, 2014

Evaluation:  25 points (20 response; 5 punctuality & following instructions)

FIELD TRIP

On Monday, October 27 was our field trip to La Fortaleza.  Those who didn't go missed out on the fun.  Those who did go, thank you for being on time and following the rules.  

You can check my Facebook page where I uploaded an album of the pictures taken.  Here are a few pictures:

Now for your blog assignment:  answer the following questions in complete sentences.  If you did NOT attend the field trip, your assignment is explained further down.

QUESTIONS for those students who went on the field trip:

1.  Did you enjoy the field trip to Old San Juan?  Why or why not?

2.  What did you like most about the field trip?

3.  What did you NOT like about the field trip?

4.  What were some of the places you visited or saw?

5.  Did you like the tour at La Fortaleza?  Why or why not?

6.  What's your opinion about the tour guide?

7.  Mention 3 things you learned about La Fortaleza.

8.  Where did you have lunch?

9.  What did you have for lunch?
10.  If we were to go again, what recommendation would you have?

Questions for the students who DID NOT attend field trip:

1. Have you ever visited La Fortaleza?
2. Which tourist attraction in Puerto Rico would you recommend others to visit? Why?
3. Which tourist attraction in Puerto Rico would you NOT recommend for others to visit? Why not?
4. Do you tour around the island frequently?
5. When was the last time you toured a part of the island? Where did you go?
6. Do you like to tour the island? Why or why not?
7. What place would you like to visit on the island that you  have NEVER visited?  Why?
8. Have you ever traveled outside of Puerto Rico?  Where?
9. What place would you like to visit in the United States?  Why?
10. What place would you like to visit that is NOT Puerto Rico or the United States?  Why?

TASK:  COPY the questions.  Answer the questions in COMPLETE SENTENCES.  Leave a space between each response (double space).

DATE DUE:  November 19, 2014

Evaluation:  25 points (20 response, 5 punctuality & following instructios)