Digital Story Telling

Follow the links below to view the digital stories created by 10-B students.

Canberk Taşkın: http://prezi.com/ur1gy1qhmrsf/yao-mings-story

Can Serkan Arat: http://prezi.com/0an2q-gjfnql/an-important-change

Çağatay Celep: http://prezi.com/dfdzqwjcgsyu/story-of-xor-extra-findings-lrims-personal-journal

Hazal Kolay: http://prezi.com/qcoxinmbq4pa/sapling-jennifer

Yağmur Taşdemiroğlu: http://prezi.com/fei8_wm6bhmy/billy-the-kid

Dilara Çerçi: http://prezi.com/u1ocmiad62k5/digital-story-telling

Yiğitcan Birim http://prezi.com/-mev-dovnyfl/king-arthur

Across the Barricades 6, 7, and 8!

(Participation in Blog Discussions will increase your oral grade)

Pick two of the characters below and describe their relationship/feelings toward the Protestant and Catholic conflict. Use evidence from these chapters to support your answer.

Brian

Kevin

Albert

Brede

Across the Barricades Chapter 8

(Participation in Blog Discussions will increase your oral grade)

1. What kind of guy is uncle Albert?

2. Chapter 8 ends in a cliffhanger (suspenseful conclusion): What do you think will
happen next?

Across the Barricades Chapter 7 Discussion

(Participation in Blog Discussions will increase your oral grade)

Kevin and Sadie have quite a day in Chapter 7, describe what happens? Does anything significant occur?

Across the Barricades Chapter 6 Discussion

Chapter 6 Discussion Questions: (Participation in Blog Discussions will increase your oral grade)

1. Describe the relationship between Kevin and Brian.

2. Why does Brian want to see Kevin in Chapter 6?

3. Describe the conflict between Kevin and Brian? Do you think it will ever
resolve? Why or why not?

Are there any cultural differences in the way people handle anger?

Reforming the Security Council for the 21st Century

Forum: Legal Committee
Question of: Reforming the Security Council for the 21st Century
Submitted by: Serbia
Co-submitted by: Greece, Haiti, Mexico, Turkey , USA, Armenia, Somalia, Nigeria, Brazil, Algeria, South Africa, Uganda, Tunisia, India, Japan, Qatar, Slovenia, Palestine, North Korea.
Affirming that the Security Council has the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, acting on their behalf, as provided for by the Charter of the United Nations,
Stressing the responsibility of the permanent members of the Security Council to uphold the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and give their full support in the actions aimed at maintaining international peace and security,
Noting with appreciation the work carried out by the Open-Ended Working Group for the question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council and other matters related to the reform,
Reaffirming its support for the future Intergovernmental Negotiations on Security Council reform,
Acknowledging the considerable steps taken by the Security Council to enhance inclusiveness and the representation of general membership,
Further acknowledging that efforts to improve the working methods of the Security Council will help to promote a comprehensive reform, including the increase in its membership, and maintaining international peace and security,
Recognizing the obvious need for further insurance of accountability, transparency, inclusiveness and representativeness of the work of the Security Council, with a view to further enhancing its legitimacy and effectiveness, as the Council has turned inefficient and almost obsolete in the recent years due to several reasons,
Realizing that it is both biased and incorrect to think that the P5 (Permanent Five)’s abilities to offer and prosecute solutions are better than other countries and thus seeks a reform also about veto rights,
1) Invites the UN (United Nations) for the following measures to be taken about the use of the veto by:
a) Implying the need of three fifths majority to veto,
b) Refraining from using a veto to block Security Council action in situations involving serious allegations of genocide, crimes against humanity and grave breaches of international humanitarian law,
c) Suggesting that P5 countries discuss and amend resolutions rather than vetoing them,


d) Asking for explanation of reasons when vetoing or declaring its intention to do so, in particular its consistency with the Charter of the UN and international law verbally and as a Security Council document to all Members of the Organization;
2) Considers changing the working methods of the Security Council in a more transparent and efficient way in order to provide the Security Council with the ability to take more democratic, acceptable and quick actions in crisis situations in a more equal, unbiased, transparent and democratic environment by:
a) Forming a committee that will inspect to see if the decisions made by the Security Council are appropriate and altruistic by: i- ensuring the committee is being followed by the Secretary General of the United Nations ii- gathering funds by the Secretariat-General;
3) Expresses its hope of reforming the structure of the Security Council to ensure the legitimacy and efficiency of the council by:
a) Making the G4 (Group of Four) countries permanent members of the Security Council without veto power as they are the most elected in the Security Council and contribute most to the UN budget,
b) Including three non- permanent members for three months related to the crisis issues if not elected into the 10 non- permanent members,
4) Further recommends the invitation of commissions such as peace building commissions that are related to the crisis issue for more constructive debating and resolving;
5) Urges the Security Council to meet in the UN headquarters in New York monthly instead of meeting when a crisis breaks out;
6) Further urges all Member States to take the following actions to increase the effectiveness of the Subsidiary Bodies Bureau Committees of the SC by:
a) Establishing a new process on how to elect chairpersons of the committee of the Subsidiary Bodies Bureau by requiring the Security Council members to elect them,
b) Increasing the transparency of their work by improving the quality and frequency of their formal reports by:


i- Giving more frequent and substantive briefings to non- members of the Council,
ii- Making summary records more widely and promptly available,
iii- Electing members annually that will construct reports;
7) Further suggests that the Security Council recaps and recalls previously recommended resolutions such as resolution A/RES/377/A ‘Uniting for Peace’;
8) Calls upon the President of the General Assembly to regularly attend Security Council sessions as an observer;
9) Requests Member States to launch a reform agenda for the SC which will make it a more reliable and democratic decision making association, and also an organization fit for facing the challenges and threats of the 21st century successfully;
10) Decides to remain pro-active about the matter.

Dilara DEMİR 11E
TIMUN 2011 / Uskudar American Academy

FORUM: Special Conference (2) Tackling corruption and miscommunication among large corporations

QUESTION OF: Tackling corruption and miscommunication among large corporations

SUBMITTED BY: JAPAN

CO-SUBMITTED BY:
Brazil, Angola, Vietnam, Libya, Cote d'lvoire, Thailand, China, Congo, Spain, Hungry, Austria, Norway, Lebanon, USA, Ghana

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,

Recalling How many resolutions have tried to remove corruption such as: 55/61 (making a effective tool against corruption), 56/186 (preventing corrupt individuals to transfer money), 2001/13 (a Convention against corruption), and 57/169 (entitled “Strengthening international cooperation in preventing and combating the transfer of funds of illicit origin, derived from acts of corruption, including the laundering of funds, and in returning such funds,”

Recognizing that according to TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL Brazil is rated badly between: 3 – 3.9 from the 10,

Alarmed that many other countries are also rated between 3.9 – and 1,

Noting with concern that in many countries, including Brazil, corruption is treated very lightly,

Fully alarmed that competing with a corrupt individual is very difficult as one has the ability to take and receive bribes,

Emphasizing that corruption is an indirect way of stealing from another, usually when the other doesn’t realize such bribing as competition looses out,

Regarding the seriousness of problems and threats by corruption that are posed on individuals, societies, and the world:

1. Asks that a law is made that makes every organization and company need to pay 1% of revenue per annum to a new fund; elaborate:
a. Each company must have a special fund that can only be accessed with the permission of the UN Corruption Division,
2. Calls for the UN Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice division to:
a. Let employees of companies and citizens who know and have proof of corruption send it via Internet and /or mail anonymously,



b. Request the Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention to give:
b.i. Technical assistance,
b.ii. Help on prioritizing the best pieces of proof and
research,
b.iii. Help on Identifying large transactions done by company
members,
b.iv. Assistance on companies that have been corrupt by:
b.iv.1. Fining them with a fine dependent on what the
UN thinks,
b.iv.2. Exposing them to the world,
c. Give the amount of money collected in 3 years from the special company fund to the whistleblower (employee or citizen),
3. Encourages the UN Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice division to check annual income and expenditure of nations which have been suffering from corruption in order to;
a. Help nations to detect corrupt activities easily,
b. Increase speed of detecting process of corruption,
c. Deter people who are willing to be a part of corrupt activities,

4. Further Encourages for that the UNCAC to ask for the increase of the amount meeting held annually by the UNODC,

5. Advises the UN Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice to set up a program that will educate people of the implications, concept, and consequences of corruption throughout the world,

6. Designates the UN crime prevention and criminal justice division to ask for universal laws that will treat corruption as stealing or murder,

7. Further asks that a law will be made to remove all individuals who have been corrupt in the past 15 years,
8. Requests that a universal law is made that commands every country to make public what investigation they have been doing on corruption with the time they spent,
9. Further requests for the countries which agree with the four laws states above to Boycott the countries that don’t agree with the four laws stated above by preventing oil, gas, money, companies, transactions, food, and water to come there,
10. Recommends that the UN crime prevention and criminal justice division to make a press conference stating the important of ending corruption and why the UN has taken such a hard stance so swiftly.

Hakan TUNÇ 11B
MUNISH / The Hague / Holland

Discussion Group: Turkey's future with Europe

Do you like Politics and Economics? Do you like to share you ideas with others? Turkey's future with Europe? PRETTY INTERESTING!

Monday, December 12 at lunch time in the pink meeting room there will be an open discussion about Turkey and it's future with Europe. This is a great opportunity for Scriptorium Writers to share your ideas and get comments.

Come and share your thoughts!

For more details, contact Ms. Joyce in the Foreign Languages Department

REMINDER!!!

Hello Everyone
Papers for the Scriptorium are due at the latest December 15. Please see Ms. Joyce or Mr. Vickers in the Foreign Languages Department if you have questions.

FORUM: GA4 – Special Political

QUESTION OF: Transparency in Governments with Regards to Public Safety

SUBMITTED BY: Japan

CO-SUBMITTED BY: Egypt, Denmark , Cuba , Russia , China, Sudan, Cote d’lvoire, Mexico, Paraguay, Taiwan, United States, Germany, United Kingdom, Peru, South Korea



THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,

Noting with deep concern that the lack of transparency of weapons brought out horrendous outcomes worldwide such as the Somali Civil War, the Gulf War, and the Yugoslav Wars, and caused terrible influence on innumerable human beings lives,

Deeply conscious that such occasions as the 9/11 World Trade Center on 11th September 2001, the London bombings in 2005, the Mumbai terror attacks in 2008 were incurred due to the poor relay of information between governmental bodies, such as the intelligence or risk management departments and the state security department,

Aware that unclear transparency of industries between countries cause doubts as to dishonesty and corruption in communication,

Noting with regret that ‘The Fukushima Disaster’, the worst radioactive related disaster since Chernobyl, which had a magnificent effect on Japanese society and had estimated to bring long term psychological effect, could have been brought about less disastrous consequences by strengthening communication between different departments,

Recognizing that since this is a relatively recent issue little has been accomplished,

Further recognizing that transparency is, one indicator of a government that is citizen-focused and service-oriented, which implies a proactive effort to make information accessible to citizens,

Viewing with appreciation some countries such as United States of America (USA), United Kingdom (UK), India for their efforts on tackling further threats,

1. Calls all nations to recognize that the setting of general guidelines is required in order to minimize the severe damage, and these guidelines shall be discussed by regional union such as but not limited to European Union (EU), North American Free Trade Act (NAFTA) Asia Pacific Economic Corporation (APEC), Associations of Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN), Africa Union (AU), The Union of South America Unions (UNASUL) The Arab Union, and different guidelines from all union, after that such guidelines have been decided for each union they shall be discussed in UN committee;

2. Encourages the creation of a Non Governmental Organization (NGO) in cooperation with the Interpol and World Trade Organization (WTO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to specifically concern itself with the transparency of nations efficiently and to be composed of:


a. different departments regarding variations of transparencies such as but not limited to:
i. transparency of armaments,
ii. transparency of industries,
iii. transparency of natural disaster,

b. management with extensive range of experts aiming to:
i. maximize the resources of information,
ii. ensure efficient prevention to all of member states under threat,
iii. contribute toward worldwide incidents,

c. representatives of each member states and this will be done voluntarily,

3. Suggests member states to research cases of damages happened due to unclearness of transparency between member states, as well as in their own countries or certain regions, also suggests such organizations like United Nations Development Program (UNDP), World Bank to corporate with Less Economical Development Countries (LEDC) with their financial problem, hoping that research can be worked fluently, and this effort will provide:

a. good records,
b. clear procedures,

4. Further Suggests that, to prevent man-made disasters, people should be encouraged to be educated well and to increase the ratio of literacy, measures must be taken such as:
a. officials must be tasked by the UN in every part of the countries to teach the people damages of the natural and man-made disasters,
b. well educated and experienced educators should be provided by UN nations:
i. teachers must be well informed about the situations,
ii. teachers salary should be paid with unlimited fund by International Money Fund,

5. Calls upon governments with the financial help of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), to take the following measures in order to prevent illegal trafficking of drugs and illegal trading of military logistic supplies which can be used as financial and military sources of militant groups by;
a. setting out checkpoints in regions and borders, where militant groups can be identified, which are controlled by national police,
b. training national police about illegal trafficking of drugs and possible sources of terrorism, cooperating with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and UN observes,
c. increasing the security of borders:

i. increasing the number of surveillance cameras along the borders,
ii. encouraging the use of more secure vehicles,
d. supporting data exchange between the national polices and the international forces,
e. increasing the cooperation between the national police forces and the opium producers by:
protecting farmers from any dangers in necessary situations, if there is a want of protection,

6. Invites governments with the financial help of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), to take the following measures in order to prevent illegal trafficking of drugs and illegal trading of military logistic supplies which can be used as financial and military sources of militant groups by;
f. setting out checkpoints in regions and borders, where militant groups can be identified, which are controlled by national police,
g. training national police about illegal trafficking of drugs and possible sources of terrorism, cooperating with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and UN observes,
h. increasing the security of borders:
i. increasing the number of surveillance cameras along the borders,
ii. encouraging the use of more secure vehicles,
i. supporting data exchange between the national polices and the international forces,
j. increasing the cooperation between the national police forces and the opium producers by:
i. protecting farmers from any dangers in necessary situations, if there is a want of protection,
7. Asks nations to address illegal drug trafficking and cooperating with United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in order to solve countries’ narcotic problems,
8. Requests that the NGO mentioned in clause 2 and its different departments share all their investigations and findings with countries who are under threat immediately, to prevent the dreadful outcomes in advance and to minimize the damage;

9. Further Asks member states to establish a domestic coordination in standard protocols to react to urgent, unexpected situations which will reported their process to the NGO stated in clause 2 every six months seeking for improvement and this is aiming to;

a. manage communication between different domestic department,
b. avert huge disaster in country,
c. prevent worldwide victims/citizens in foreign countries damaged passively from certain disaster,
d. avoid worldwide troubles between each member state,




10. Decides to remain actively sized on the matter.


TUĞÇE CENGİZ
10 E
MUNISH CONFERENCE
3 – 8 NOVEMBER The Hague / HOLLAND

Forum: Disarmament Committee

Question of: Evaluating measures to reduce the production of nuclear weapons

Main Submitter: Japan

Co-Submitters: Turkey, Germany, Israel, Holy See, Saudi Arabia, Lebanonon, Netherlands, Sweden, Chile, Greece, Mexico, Afganistan, Angola, Uganda, ILO, Interpol
Aware of the fact that there are an estimated over 30,000 nuclear weapons, of which 1,500 are ready to be launched at this very moment and that have the power to destroy the world over 100 times,
Pointing out that the Federation of Russia has about 9000 known warheads while the United States of America has about 9600, which both are far above both countries’ needs,
Congratulates the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) for its major contribution on non-proliferation, disarmament and peaceful use of nuclear energy,
Noting with deep concern the two atom bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of 1945 which caused the deaths of 220,000 civilians in total, and the Japanese people are still suffering from the terrible consequences of it,
Disturbed by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s withdraw and refusal to comply with the contacts of NPT which proves North Korea’s possible covert strategy in nuclear weapon production,
Noting further that four non-parties to the NPT are known or believed to possess nuclear weapons: India, Pakistan and North Korea have openly tested and declared that they possess nuclear weapons, while Israel has had a policy of opacity regarding its own nuclear weapons program,
Emphasizing that there are 422 Nuclear Power Plants (NPP) in operation and 65 under construction all around the world,
Concerned that the vital materials used in the production of nuclear weapons such as uranium and plutonium are also used in nuclear power plants for energy generation,
Recalling that under the supervision and the guidance of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), every state may invest in nuclear research in order to use atomic energy for peaceful purposes,
Aware of the probability that terrorist organizations such as Al-Qaeda and the Taliban may have the access to the nuclear weapons and technologies in order to use them for destructive purposes,
Welcoming all international actions and treaties against nuclear arming programs and proliferation,
1. Recommends, dismantling the stockpiled nuclear weapons from co-submitted countries and use the energy and materials that come from nuclear weapons in energy generating in power plants,
2. Urges the UN to constitute secure and transparent stockpiling in which the nuclear weapons of all the countries could be kept in a neutral area that can be decided by UN or the IAEA, and could be used in extreme cases under the supervision of the IAEA in order to,
a-)help the prevention of the threats and disasters coming from nuclear weapons,
b-)provide equality amongst all the member states,
c-)bace association between nations on honesty and amity,
d-)prevent hostile forces, such as terror acts by seizing nuclear weapons and also preventing them from;
i-)capturing any nuclear device or weapon.
ii-)placing nuclear materials on the black market,
iii-)developing their own nuclear technology and using it in their terrible acts
3. Further recommends the UN to expand the International Atomic Energy Agency’s authorization in monitoring and controlling nuclear facilities and nuclear export control capabilities by,
a-)increasing the number of safeguards,
b-)developing the global monitoring web,
c-)cooperating with local organizations during the inspection of nuclear facilities,
4. Asks the IAEA to extend its legal authority to a certain scope, without violating its members sovereignty and enfranchising them by:
a-)recognizing them and their policies,
b-)accepting Member States’ nuclear independent policies and not enforcing nuclear policies that they do not want to follow;
5. Suggests that in order to inform the people about the threats and dangers that are coming from the nuclear weapons, the UN should;
a-)raise the awareness of the citizens of both member and non-member states,
b-)try to convince the member states to allow the verification of peaceful uses of nuclear energy in energy generating instead of nuclear arming,
c-)inform countries about methods of improving the usage of nuclear energy safely with instructive forums,
6. Encourages all concerned states to cooperate against the marketing of nuclear technologies or materials from any signatory or non-signatory state of the NPT to another one.
7. Decides to remain actively seized on the matter.


SEMİH BAYRAKTAR
11 FEN A
MUNISH CONFERENCE
3 – 8 NOVEMBER The Hague / HOLLAND

FORUM: GENERAL ASSEMBLY

QUESTION OF: Establishing procedures for increased access to information especially in LEDC’s

Main Submitter: JAPAN
Co-Submıtter: USA, Greece, South Africa, Austria, Bolivia, Netherlands, Hungary, Sweden, Germany, Paraguay, Denmark, UNESCO, Chile, Portugal, ILO, Canada

Alarmed by the fact that access to information is a basic human right but especially in LEDC’s to enable people access to information

Pointing out that freedom of information, and specifically access to information held by public authorities ,is a fundamental element of the right to freedom of expression and vital to the proper functioning of a democracy,

Keeping in mind there are only four countries in Africa with access to information laws; South Africa, Uganda, Angola and recently Ethiopia,

Reminding that for many African countries in that all media was under the sole ownership and heavy control of the state,

Recognizes that citizens may not be aware of their legal right to information, or, in some cases may be reluctant to assert it, either because of fear of a repressive regime, or a prevailing culture of not questioning authority

Aware of the fact that through the use of propaganda, governments could ensure that a nation functioned to meet its goals, but could also lead to crushing an individuals' ability to shape their own lives and their own consciousness,

Reaffirming that freedom of information may also refer to the right to privacy in the context of the Internet and information technology,


1) Calls for all member states to implement laws that will ensure freedom of press by,

a. discussing appropriate laws and conditions with unions;

2) Encourages all nations ensure a strong education system by constructıng more schools especially in LEDC’s to ensure that;
a. Literacy rates are improved, in order to;
i.increase citizens’awareness of the world
ii.raise the citizens’ chance of being employed thus
allowing them to create income and eventually
purchase mean of attaining information(such as
television, computer or radio);


3) Strongly urges all countries enhance public education,

a. educate people especially in LEDC’s by,

i. hiring people who are trained in the field,
ii. bringing volunteers from NGOs to educate and traın the people of the region;

b. providing specific books about world and health issues through,

i. UNDP
ii. UNGIS

c. Urges LEDCs to set up free public libraries which would have:
a. Access to reference books and newspapers,
i. These to be ın the local language of the area/country,
b. A number of computers for guests to access,
c. The building of the library, and the books would all be funded by the UN;

4) Calls upon UNDP to provide international advertisement panels for LEDC’s;

a. advertisement panels about;
i. health and medicine(HIV/AIDS)
ii. politics
iii. technologies



5) Calls upon The World Bank to provide technological tools such as;

a. computers
b. cell phones
c. radio
d. television

6) Suggests developing international Internet safety organization supported by UN;

a. inspecting all websites,
b. composing education web sites about;
i. health,
ii. latest news around the world,
c. banning websites which are detrimental companies to the access to information,

7) Requests composing newspaper company by UNDP to abate propaganda:

a. collecting all nations daily newspaper and check by commission,
b. punishment for government who is responsible for wrong information,


8) Encourages all nations to hold a second international conference on the Right to Public information in order to:
a. Reevaluate the past three years progress/stagnancy concerning ATI in LEDC’s,
b. Focus on particular regions over three year intervals in order to provide direct aid to smaller areas;
9) Requests the creation of a the sub-branch of the UNDP to be created that specializes in ensuring ATI for LEDC’s:


a. Invites the WBI, UNDP, UNGIS, ITU, ICT to work together to create the sub-division which would be called Unıversal Access to Informatıon Union, a United Nations Organization which would:
i. Help set out the necessary plans for attaining better ATI in each LEDC,
ii. The LEDCs may then choose if they approve of the plans to work along the sides of UATIU
b. Calls upon the UATIU to work alongsıde the given LEDC in order to improve ATI;
10) Invites all member nations to support and assist the procedures for getting new information so that the right solutions will be found to improve access to information in LEDCs;
11) Encourages citizen participation in decision making on national and international level, by:
a. Distributing surveys or questionnaires with questions to the governments recent decision,
b. Holding public conferences in which everyone has the freedom to say what they think;
12) Calls upon the governments of all nations, especially those of LEDC’s, to spread awareness about the necessity and importance of all members of society having access to reliable information (the ATI). This could be done by;
a. The distribution of flyers within work places,
b. The broadcasting of television “commercials” to promote the basic human right of having access to information,
i. Holding public assemblies or meetings within small rural towns and possibly even bigger cities to educate the masses about the benefits of ATI;


13) Requests that all LEDC’s replace or upgrade the nation’s infrastructure as there it is essential for the successful implementation of working communication systems. Nations will be guided by fully developed countries towards creating a more efficient infrastructure. Taking into account that previous attempts to re-create several infrastructures failed due to various causes, the committee encourages;
a. The World Bank and the IMF to assist nations in need and support them economically to reach an acceptable level in terms of infrastructure.
b. MEDC’s to give their full co-operation and assistance to LEDC’s in terms of advice for a better infrastructure and any form of support that could be provided.




İDİL ARAT
10 D
MUNISH CONFERENCE 3 – 8 NOVEMBER

FINISH THE STORY

Dear Prep Students,
Your assignment is to complete the following story. Write your story completion in a blog post of about 100 words.

'It was a cold, dark and rainy night. I was walking alone down the street when I saw...'

Scriptorium Writers! Some food for thought!

Hello Writers!
Today, I read a very interesting article about Turkey and the E.U. I think it's very fascinating, and I recommend reading it if you're focusing on the economic aspects of Turkey's relationship with the E.U. Enjoy!

http://www.todayszaman.com/news-262444-is-turkey-a-lost-case-for-eu-by-birol-akgun*.html

European Scriptorium

Why does Turkey matter to Europe?
1-Creating articles about Turkey's relationship to EU.
2-Entering the European Scriptorium publication contest and creating a magazine.
Deadline: 12 December 2011

Writers! We need you!!

Do you like to talk about politics, sociology, and/or economics? Do you have interesting ideas about where Turkey and Europe are headed? If you do, write for the European Scriptorium! You will have the opportunity to have your article sent to the Scriptorium, so it can be published in European publications.

Here's what to do:
- Write an article!
- Submit it to Ms. Joyce and Mr. Vickers in the Writing Center
- Register your article online at http://my-europe.org/en

For more information, you can visit the website above or come to the Writing Center. We will be in the library on November 24 at lunchtime to answer any questions or help with your articles. Good luck!!

Listening and Speaking Holiday Homework

I hope you enjoyed your holiday. I'm sorry for the confusion with the blog, but please post your interviews on the Writing Center Blog. Thank you!

11 TOEFL holiday assignment

This is your other assignment for over the holiday:

Choose one of Ataturk's reforms and comment on it in an essay of at least 350 words. Please use a dictionary to look up any words regarding this topic that you do not know so you can express your opinion clearly and accurately.

As discussed in class, your assignment should be typed, double spaced, and in the upper left hand corner of the page:

Your name Number
Class
Date

Have a happy holiday

Prep Reading and Writing Holiday Homework

Dear Students

I hope you are enjoying your holidays. In class you are reading "Smile" where photography is very important for the main character Flash. As part of your holiday homework please complete the following task in 50 words or more.

Describe your most important photograph. Why is it so important to you? Use at least 5 adjectives in your response.

Dear 10th grades

You really performed well with the presentations.
I congradulate you all.

Main Course Holiday Homework

Do you think that Turkish students are active enough? Please answer in at least ONE PARAGRAPH in a comment below.

Holiday Homework

I hope everyone enjoys the long holiday.

This is where you will post your responses to the questions about digital storytelling. Follow the instructions below and then add your own post.

Visit http://www.memoryarchive.org/en/MemoryArchive and read one of the memories. Then...

1. Summarize the memory in one or two sentences.
2. Tell why you chose this memory.
3. Compare the memory you chose to one of your own. What did the memory remind you of? What are two or three sensory details about that memory?

Example:

The Napoleon Dynamite Festival, 2005

The Napoleon Dynamite festival takes place in Preston, Idaho and features activities that celebrate the things that everybody remembers from the movie--from tater-tot eating contests to permed hair. The writer talks about her experiences with the friendly "country" people and how much fun she had. I chose this memory because I love the film Napoleon Dynamite. The festival that the memory talks about reminds me of going to county fairs in the summer time. Those county fairs had silly contests that were similar to the ones the writer mentions, like the Elvis look-alike contest or the ugliest dog contest. The memory also reminded me of the food that the the county fairs are famous for--everything from classical cotton candy to deep fried pickles.

Post your responses here!

Debate Topics

Dear Students,
We hope all the TOEFL students will get involved in different debates.
Please form your groups and write the topics you would like to debate on.

DEAR 10TH GRADE STUDENTS

WELCOME TO OUR BLOG

Dear 9th grade students

Welcome to our blog

Dear TOEFL Students

What are the effects of population growth?

Blood Diamonds

Prep Listening and Speaking students, do you think it's right to buy Blood Diamonds? Research Blood Diamonds and blog your ideas. Let's start an interesting discussion.

Hi Everybody!

HONESTY...

When is it okay to lie ??? All the 9th graders we are waiting for your comments !

Writing Centre

To the attention fo all students, pls make an appointment for assistance from the writing centre.

See Ms. Amanda Joyce, or Ms Jenny Chavush

Writing Centre ıs Calling

To the attention of all students, pls make an appointment to get assistance from the writing centre. For better essays and all :)

See Ms Amanda Joyce or Ms Jenny Chavush

Prep C 2012

Hello everyone,
We're waiting for you.

Prep B 2012

Hello everyone,
We're waiting for you.

Prep A

Hello everyone,
We're waiting for you.

Welcome back !

Dear students,


Due to some problems we have had in Turkey, our blogs have been blocked. It is open again so we all can continue contributing. 


Let's continue participating.


Keep blogging ! 

Helping People

Please read the question below and write a comment about it. Give examples to support your answer.


"How can we help people and why do you think helping is important? "

Healthy and delicious

Recently we have looked at good mood foods and ways to stay healthy in our LS classes. Why don't you share your favourite recipes for delicious healthy dishes?

Photos from 2010

Ways to live forever assignment

Ways to live forever assignment
Directions: Sam likes to collect fantastic facts. Your task is to collect some Fun Facts about a topic you like, then present them on a A4 poster.
Your poster must:
•Be in colour
•Have at least 5 facts
•Be about a topic you and your teacher have agreed on.
Due Date: Friday 11th March 2011

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN TEAM SPORTS AND INDIVIDUAL SPORTS

Do you prefer tennis or volleyball? Both tennis and volleyball are very popular and fun sports, though they are different in many ways. Tennis is an individual sport and volleyball is a team sport. Personally, I would prefer volleyball which is a team sport, however I admit that both team sports and individual sports have their own advantages.

Although I like team sports, I am aware that individual sports have a lot of joys that team sports do not have. First of all, in individual sports, players can do anything when they want, and how they want. They can give quick decisions without asking anybody. On the other hand, in team sports, no one can play personally. They have a responsibility to their teammates. Moreover, team sports teach you how to struggle by yourself. For example, tennis taught me what to do when I’m alone because when you are playing no one else is on the court with you.

As I mentioned before, team sports have totally different advantages. Being alone can be a nice thing for a person, but having friends around is definitely more fun. Team sports allow people to socialize and make new friends. What is more, in a team sport players are never alone when they need help. That is why I like playing volleyball. In volleyball, my teammates always help me when I’m stuck in a bad situation. Another good thing about team sports is the opportunity to learn from others. I learned volleyball from my friends.

To conclude, I like team sports however, in my opinion, both team sports and individual sports are enjoyable. I think all people should try both types of sports because they will experience very different pleasures.

Gusef Bage
11 Science B

THE BEST VACATION

I have always liked travelling. Maybe the word “like” is not enough for my passion. Everyday, before I sleep, I dream of exotic places that I have never been to. Lately, I’ve been dreaming of a new place: India. I have a special interest for this place. Of course I have many reasons for wanting to go there; India is a very popular place for tourists, however what I feel for this place is more like an obsession. I do not want to die before I see India.

Think of a place that hasn’t got anything familiar. It would be so fun to be continuously in a learning process. This whole new culture makes India so attractive for me. First of all, the cuisine is really sophisticated. Once when I was in London, I went to an Indian restaurant. The food was really spicy but delicious. I remember I was really surprised seeing people eating with their hands, but I tried it, and it was fun. They also have traditions, such as eating with the left hand is considered to be rude. Moreover, life in India is so colourful -I mean literally colourful. Colour is a part of their culture: dresses, houses… I know I have an artist in me, so India is a treasure island for me, there are lots of things to make art from. I know exactly what I will do. I will take my backpack, sketchbook and camera, get on the train and travel all around the country. I will meet new people everyday.

Another reason I want to go to India is that I have friends living there. Last year when I was in London, I met Aalia whose family is still living in India, Agra. When we were in England she invited me to their family home which she visits every year. She promised me to take me around and show me how everything works. She also said we could meet her friends and even more, we could go to Bollywood unless it is the rainy season. I would love to see a Bollywood movie.

To conclude, India will be my first choice while deciding where to go for my summer holiday this year. It would be the adventure of my life. I am looking forward to seeing this marvellous country and I want to finish my essay with an Indian word which means ‘goodbye’. Namaste.

Gusef Bage
11Science B

ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS

“Do what I say, not what I do.” a Turkish proverb says. I have always hated those words. During all my childhood, people said that to me. The ones that I most hated were the smokers. They advised me not to smoke and denigrated cigarettes, but they continued to smoke. And I thought “then quit smoking!”. And this did not change over the years. In my opinion, people should support their ideas with their actions.

First of all, for one to understand something truly, one should experience or see it in first person rather than hearing it from another person. This is especially true for children. For children, their biggest idol is one of their parents. If parents do not encourage the child to good things by being a solid example, no one can. For example if a boy’s parents do not read in front of him, the boy will not acquire a reading habit.

Secondly, if someone wants to sound trustworthy, they should do what they say. No one would pay attention to a person who says something and just after that does the opposite. People should be consistent. For instance, if a politician does not keep the promises he made after he is elected, nobody should vote for him in the next elections. This is a matter of trust between people.

To conclude, I completely agree with the quote “Actions speak louder than words.” And I always try to apply this in my life. After all, who likes a corrupt person whose actions contradict his words? As far as I’m concerned, all people should embrace this principal to be happy in their lives.

Gusef Bage
11 Science B

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN AMERİCAN AND TURKISH FILMS

When you decide to go to the cinema on a Saturday evening, is it usually because you want to see either a Turkish film or an American film? Does it really matter? If so, what is the difference?
There are lots of fantastic American and Turkish films that give great pleasure to watch. However, they are for the most part very different from each other. There are two main differences between American and Turkish films: subjects and techniques.

Firstly, the subjects of American and Turkish films do not resemble with each other. The main reason for this is that the concerns of the two nations do not correspond. One case can intrigue all Turkish people but American people may find it shallow. In Turkish films, emotions stand in the front and signs of daily life and public issues are usually seen. Therefore, there is a possibility that an American person might not understand or be interested in our films. And vice versa, as well. For example, the film that caught the general public’s imagination, “Güneş’i Gördüm”, has a profound subject which normal people in foreign countries would not get easily. Similarly, many Hollywood productions do not even come to Turkish cinemas for this reason.

Secondly, the film techniques of American and Turkish cinema are nowhere near the same. This mainly is a matter of money. In the USA, the industry in Hollywood is fully-developed and has a magnificent budget in contrast to Turkey, where the film industry is still growing. That is why in Turkey there are not as many people working in the business and there are not as many people going to cinemas regularly as in USA. This is again due to financial circumstances. Turkish investors do not believe that they will have a considerable return. On the contrary, in the USA, cinema culture has its roots strongly attached to the ground. So American investors do not have to worry about whether they get their money back or not. What is more, they buy the newest techniques and this makes their films even more enchanting. For instance, the film “Avatar” had the latest film technology of 3D and this made it really popular all around the world. Unfortunately, Turkish cinema does not have this standard yet.

To conclude, there are both good and bad Turkish and American films. Next time when you are trying to decide on the film you are going to watch, please consider those differences between homemade and foreign films. Enjoy!


Gusef Bage
11 Science B

5 YEARS AGO

As time goes by, people change, either for good or bad. Change is always hard at first but you get used to it eventually. Time is the main cause for change. Time passes and things transform. This includes me; 5 years ago I was a different person. I now have become more mature in so many ways; I have learned to just be myself.

Everyone wants to be liked by everyone. That was my main goal 5 years ago. If people wanted me to be funny I would give them funny, if they wanted me to be nice I would give them nice. Shortly, what mattered to me didn’t matter at all. What really mattered was what my friends thought of me. I had no self control over my actions because I was being controlled by others or shall I say I wanted to be controlled by others. That was 5 years ago. Now I know that nobody else matters but myself. You can’t please everyone so please yourself. I learned that trying to be like someone else is like if everyday were Halloween. Like Oscar Wilde says; “Be yourself because everyone else is taken”.

While time passes you learn that life get tougher. This means you have to put up with all the hard parts in life. To be strong, you have to think and act more mature. You have to see thing is a different perspective. In the stage of my life now, I see that being strong and not giving up is the only way to survive. And clearly wanting to be loved by everyone was making my life harder. Now I know keeping everything simple is the key to leave in peace. 5 years ago I definitely would not have agreed with this point of view.

5 years ago I was hibernating but now I am awake, I can see the difference between right and wrong. All along the way to happiness I was just feeling satisfied with myself. If I went back to my age of 5 years from now, I would definitely criticize myself everyday. From now on my new motto is “be happy with yourself only”.


Ayşe Güneş

Turkish and American Movies

Today in the 21st century, the film productions are getting costlier each and everyday. Comparing them to the past, films are not only filled with waves of emotion but there are actually amazing special effects too. Today rather than hearing “I cried throughout the whole movie” we hear “the effects were outstanding”. Of course, you don’t usually hear this after you watch a Turkish movie: These reactions are given after you have watched an American Movie.

The American film industry spends an impressive amount of money on films. They really put in a lot of effort to make an unbelievable show for the audience. Americans have got it all down when it comes to shooting movies. On the other hand, Turks aren’t at their level yet. Of course, Turkish movies are good too but when you generally look at all of the films, they are just packed with emotions. Usually there aren’t any science-fiction movies. The reason for this is the Turkish film industry doesn’t have the budget to shoot films like that, and if you compare the number of movies Americans produce a year to the number of films Turks produce a year, you will see that Turks are very low in film production. Also there are differences “inside” the films as well. Turkish movies are more conservative when it comes to sexual scenes in movies. America films are the exact opposite. The reason for this is because of Turkish and American cultural differences. So, naturally Turkish films are more conservative compared to American films.

All in all, when you look at the two countries’ films you can see that there is a big gap between them and that economy, culture and other side effects can really be your invisible guide to how your film may turn out. But I do believe that someday Turkish films will be where American films are today.
Ayşe Güneş

Does Foreign Aid Work?

For many years, the international community has donated big amounts of money to help the poorest countries. Has it been successful? Many critics say it has not. This shows that because of foreign aid, poor countries are being encouraged to follow bad policies, and donations from rich countries are the reason for foreign aid reliance.

Countries that are suffering from poverty are many today. The problem is that they have bad economic habits. Donor countries which are helping poor countries are actually encouraging them to continue with their bad policies. It strengthens the roles of the state sector and of those who control it, who are generally unelected, incompetent and corrupt officials. These results lead to disadvantages that affect the large majority of the population, mainly the rural population. Steve Radelet, a senior fellow at the center for global development in Washington D.C. says that aid is least effective in countries such as Somalia and Haiti, where governments are especially weak.

There also is another problem which is that poor countries tend to rely on the donating countries. American University economist George Ayitey, a native of Ghana, says that foreign aid has failed especially in Africa. In African nations like Uganda, the budget is 53% aid dependent. This means that some countries are not able to use the money effectively. That is actually very unlikely to happen because poor countries don’t really know how to manage their money, because they don’t have any money to start out with and the problem leads to this; poor countries just expect more donations.

All in all, foreign aid has not really done any good to countries who are suffering from poverty. I think that foreign aid should develop more strategies in order to help poor countries. From the looks of these results just giving out a trillion dollars is not going to work.

Ayşe Güneş

Using Animals For Research

There has been a conflict between animal rights supporters and scientists about whether it is ok to use animals in experimental research. Although such research is very beneficial in finding a cure for diseases, animal rights supporters do not support this.
I believe that people and animals cannot be seen as equal, and therefore the death of an animal cannot be the same thing as the death of a person. For that reason, causing animals to die for science, for the sake of saving human lives, may be considered ethical to some if it will contribute to the advancement of science and will be to the benefit of humanity in general. Furthermore, animal rights supporters label scientists as “evil” for causing animals to die in medical experiments, while they do not oppose the people, mostly farmers, who kill animals for food.
People and animals may not be the same, but to some degree there are similarities which can at least give scientists an idea about their experiments. From this point of view, scientists are right to use animal models to provide themselves with information about what is happening at a level of detail that could not be achieved in humans. Although there might have been some incidents when animal testing did not prove to be useful and some effects of some drugs observed on animals could not be observed on people, there are also a lot of examples that show that using animals resulted in significant developments and helped to cure some serious illnesses. Besides, if we do not use guinea pigs for research, then we don’t have any chance to see if the scientific research is going to work or not.
All in all, it can be said that using animals for medical research is ethical as long as it contributes to scientific development and helps scientists find ways to improve human health. And this practice is only acceptable on the condition that necessary precautions are taken and animals are treated humanely.
Cihangir Zülfikar

Advantages and Disadvantages of Video Games

Do you believe video games are killing our time? Do you believe the cyber world is useless? It’s always discussed whether video games are just a waste of time and do not provide anything beneficial for us. I believe just like we need food and water, we also need time to have fun. Some people do sports, some people prefer dating, I prefer computer games.
Video games such as computer games or play station games help us relax. After long study hours we need some time to rest and have fun. Video games can provide these. Also, as long as the game is in English, it helps you improve your speaking and listening skills by listening to the dialogues throughout the game. Next, it has a fictional world inside which helps develop your imagination and you can get some inspiration in your daily life from these fictional characters.
Unfortunately, it has some disadvantages too. First it causes addiction and it could waste a lot of your time. Secondly, spending too much time in front of the screen could damage your eyes. Finally, video games cost money and you spend lots of money on them if you’re a shopaholic and a computer addict.
To sum up, video games are beneficial for us if we can arrange the time to study and the time to play. If we don’t become a massively addicted gamer, video games are beneficial for us.
Cihangir Zülfikar

The Pursuit Of Happiness

People can’t lead their lives without desires. If you want to be happy, surely, you have to find out the desires that provide you with a happy life. Some of these desires that help us to live our lives can be acceptance in our relationships, a good family life and strong social relations. Trying to satisfy these desires is a great way to achieve happiness for me.
To start with, however embarrassed I am about this desire of mine, I have an obsession with expecting people to accept my thoughts and manners in every situation. Yes, this is not a good characteristic and sometimes it makes me an unfriendly person but trying to be accepted by someone can give you happiness, too. Besides, if you can manage to make someone love you knowing and accepting everything about you, I think that is the absolute happiness. Furthermore, it seems to me that the family is the basic source of happiness. Certainly, I can’t always be a good guy and sometimes I make them upset but I can’t stand seeing them upset. Therefore, I try to do whatever is necessary to make them happy. Consequently, when I see happy family faces, I feel deeply happy. Thirdly, to have friends is one of the most meaningful aspects of life. I believe that one should have three very close friends at least. For example, I can’t bear loneliness and if I couldn’t share all my heart with these close friends, I believe that I could never be happy. As a consequence, if you feel like me, it will be worth improving your close relationships in order to be happy.
To conclude, humankind has a short life but we are given a lot of desires to be happy. Moreover, if one wants to discover the meaning of this short life, one should look for it in desires. Whether one finds it or not, one will taste happiness just by looking for it.
Cihangir Zülfikar

France

Most people want to go on holiday to relieve stress, to have fun, to rest, and to see all those fantastic places that you've read about. France is the place where I want to go, and I will visit France as soon as possible.
France is a popular country to visit and there a lot of people from different backgrounds who live there. The most famous city is Paris. There are many places to visit like the river Seine, the Champs-Élysées, Notre-Dame, the Eiffel tower and Disneyworld. Many of my friends have advised me to go to Paris and to have fun. The first thing that I want to see is the river Seine which is the second longest river in France. You can directly see it when you come to Paris first. You may have a tour on a boat on the river. Then I will climb the Eiffel tower, and I will see all Paris under my feet. I am curious about that. I will not leave before climbing the tower. Next, the second place I want to go to is the Champs-Élysées. It is a famous street where there are still street lamps from the time of Napoleon. People go to churches to pray to God for wishes and light some candles. Is there better place than Notre-Dame to do it? Of course not. I know the history of Notre-Dame and there are many books, songs, theatres, films, musicals about the Hunchback of Notre-Dame. I will both fulfill my desires and see the beauty of the church. For fun, Disneyland is the best place in Paris. Just go by underground, you will be in there in 30 minutes. All of us know the cartoons and the fantastic films like Peter Pan, Pirates of the Caribbean. In EuroDisney, you can have a great time on the roller coasters, trains, boats and houses. Then you can learn how cartoons, animation films, and normal films are made. Sometimes there are some shows with cars and motorbikes . To conclude, if I had just one chance to travel somewhere, I would choose France to go to. If I visited France a hundred times, I would still want to visit France again. Most people dream of going to some places, and for me it is France all the time.
Naz HOŞSES

A PRECIOUS RESOURCE

Although water covers about two-thirds of the Earth's surface, one person in five has no access to safe water. So how did this happen? Water has been the Earth’s most precious resource since the beginning of human civilization but now we are facing a global water crisis, which needs an urgent solution.

There are several reasons for the water crisis. One is the simple rise in population, and the desire for better living standards. A bathtub contains 150L water however, lots of poor people cannot obtain even 30L water just for their daily needs. Moreover, an American taking a five-minute shower uses more water than a typical person in a developing country slum uses in a whole day. Another reason is the wrong policies. For example, the Aral Sea, which is in the center of Asia was turned into a lake. In 1900 the Soviet Union cut the connections of rivers which provide water to the Aral and used that for growing cotton in desert areas of Asia. There are lots of examples of wrong policies all around the world that brought us to where we are today. Thirdly, pollution is making more of the water that is available to us unfit for use. An estimated 700 million Indians have no access to a proper toilet, and 1,000 Indian children die of diarrheal sickness every day. All in all, there are various reasons which have brought us to this situation.

Mankind has created the water crisis and therefore should find solutions to stop it. First of all, rulers should enlighten people to make them understand the urgency of this problem. Secondly, governments should provide credits to farmers for establishing a water friendly solution which is called the drop system. The drop system gives plants water drop by drop and it does not waste a single drop. Thirdly, more serious precautions are needed for population. For example punishments should be higher for a factory which has not got a waste treatment facility. I have just found three solutions however, if all people think seriously on this topic I am sure we can solve this problem.

To sum up, we have a history of meeting great challenges using imagination and our great capacity to adapt. We must use our knowledge, experience and institutions to catch up with the overwhelming progress of science and technology, and learn how to become both good neighbors for each other and good guests of the natural environment.




Elif Tahmiscioğlu
11 TMA 21

EVERY MINUTE THAT WE HAVE

Who can say: “I am who I am, time cannot change me”? Life is moving so fast. However, when we look back, we see a sequence of events which changes us. I was 12 but now I am 17, five years changed lots of things in my life.
Five years ago I was a twelve year-old girl and did not know anything about life. Of course, I cannot say I know everything about life now. However, at least I am much better than that girl who was 12. Being at the age of 12 was the most difficult year of my life. I was at the most sensitive age, the blue age. I was easily affected by everything. I was questioning who I was and why I was there. In addition to this, I had to study for high school exams and there was a great pressure on my little shoulders. I could not find time for myself and it made me more aggressive. I had tons of dreams on my mind but I did not want to work to make them real. So, I was between teenager and child because of that I thought I knew lots of things about life however, I did not know exactly who I was.
Now I am seventeen and I think I am more mature than I was at twelve. I have just one year to reach the age of discretion. I have targets and I am working very hard to reach them. I am more understanding towards my parents and friends. I am more realistic in my expectations. At least I know what I am capable of and I am closer to the real world.
Everyday is a new experience for all of us and it affects our life sooner or later. 5 years is not a long time for a 70 year old man but a very long time for a 5-year old child. We should seize every minute that we have.
Elif Tahmiscioğlu 11 TM A 21

Retirement Problems

Retirement is the point where a person stops employment completely. A person may also semi-retire by reducing work hours.
Firstly, many people choose to retire when they are eligible for private or public pension benefits, although some are forced to retire when physical conditions don't allow them to work any more -by illness or accident- or as a result of legislation concerning their position. In most countries there is an official retirement age. That age depends on the economical situation of that country, population and unemployment rate. In Turkey, the retirement age is 65.
Secondly, even though 65 is higher than some of other countries, it's better for the Turkish workers, because retirement wages are lower than the normal salary and it is paid every 3 months. But not just that, after working for years people get lost in their retirement ages. They try to fish, to find some hobbies, to spend some time with grandchildren; but it never feels the same.
In conclusion, retirement is important if governments can solve what will happen afterwards and try to find beneficial solutions. It might be better for those people and for their peace of mind .
Deniz ÖZDOĞRU

A NEW OLD COMMUNITY

How many years do you expect to live? Seventy, Eighty, Hundred ... People used to think it was impossible to live untl the age of 90. Now, we read articles about people who got married when they are over 90 years old. So, populations are aging worldwide and it brings lots of implications both positive and negative.

Some experts think this old age wave is causing lots of problems. A graying population can cause a collapse in the retirement system. It means that there will be fewer people to support the pensions. On one hand, some analysts think with immigrants this problem can be solved in developed countries. On the other hand, integration of the immigrants can be difficult. Another solution is spreading leisure time throughout life. Nevertheless, we cannot expect a 90 year old person to work on a job. Maybe increasing the quality of working conditions can lead old people to work. All in all, it has economically and politically implications which are very hard to solve.

Increasing longevity has some positive implications too. It creates lots of sectors like household things for old people, door knobs, hair dyes, plastic surgery, health care, and nursing which support the economy. For example, my grandmother is 83 and she is very healthy. However, she complains when she goes to shopping malls because she cannot find proper clothes for her age. As you see, developing things for old people will help the economy.

To sum up, we are faced with a graying population but it has both pros and cons. All we need is to be ready and prepared to meet the new old community.


ELİF TAHMİSCİOĞLU
11 TMA 21

SPAIN, WHERE I WANT TO BE

Imagine a place with sea, sun, art, sport, history, music, dance all together. Which place comes to your mind? Spain. Spain is the place where I would like to go because I want to see whether it is like what I see in the movies and learn the fascinating language.

I would like to go to Spain to see the magnificent cities which I watched in the movies and heard from my friends. I watched lots of movies about Spain like Vicky Christina Barcelona and Volver. In both of them I was affected by the sites like Sagrada Familia or Palau de la Musica Catalana which is the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Moreover, Spain is the capital of art so I want to visit the galleries and houses of the famous Spanish artists like Picasso and Salvador Dali. All in all, I am curious about these historical places and learn more about them.

I would like to learn more about the Spanish language and culture because I find it sensational. Spanish is a Romance language Many English words are also of Latin origin, and so when you learn vocabulary in Spanish you will simultaneously be expanding your English vocabulary. In addition to this, Spanish is phonetically perfect; you can look at a word and correctly guess how to pronounce it. I want to get to know people and their culture for this reason I need to know Spanish. Also, I am a big fan of Latin Music. Besides, I want to taste Spanish dishes. So, I hope one day I will visit Spain to learn about Spanish language and culture.

To sum up, Spain is a magnificent place and I would like to visit it to see the place and the culture. I want to make my dream become a reality. I hope it will happen soon.

Elif Tahmiscioğlu
11 TM-A 21

LEARNING A NEW LANGUAGE

LEARNING A NEW LANGUAGE

Do you think that learning a new language is difficult? Everyone can have problems with it. because it is not easy to understand quickly if you are a new learner.We have to work hard to learn it. I strongly believe that learning vocabulary and pronunciation are the most difficult aspects of learning a new language.
Firstly,most of the time we compare our language with the second one.We always try to think in our first language. Sometimes we use prefixes which come at the beginning of the word, and sometimes suffixes at the end. It is hard to learn,because we are not used to that situation.Once,I had an experience when I was ten.I was trying to talk with an American girl but I was not able to speak English correctly and I was trying to translate what I thought in Turkish literally. It was so hard for me and I made lots of mistakes.
Moreover, learning vocabulary is the hardest aspect of learning a new language.There are thousands of new words if we are starting learning from scratch. Some of the words can be similar to each other so we can mix them up.We should practice all the time so as not to forget them. 2 years ago, I was in an English exam and I mixed up words so I could not get full marks in the exam.
In addition to this, pronunciation is an important factor .To be effective, we should imitate very closely the real pronunciation which language we are learning new.It is hard to learn a French accent for Turkish people for example. Also all nations speak English in a different accent because of tongue movement.For instance I can never understand the Italians when they speak English.
All in all,learning a new language is very hard for everyone in many ways. We should work hard to undersand,talk and write in the second language you are learning.All languages are different from each other.Our new language and ourfirst language can be very different, and speaking can be hard and learning new vocabulary is very difficult so generally learning a new language is not easy.
Ebru Ergenç

Gender roles

In today's world, gender roles shape the way people live and interact with their society. From the day of their birth, people learn a certain way to behave depending on what sex they are.
People's sexes are determined by genetics but genders are determined by social effects. It is a well known fact that women tend to be nurturing and men tend to be providers. Due to the gender roles, each gender has special and strict rules that affect their whole life.
First of all, children are influenced by gender roles caused by the toys that they play with even by the age of three. Families have roles for children in society, define strict lines and push boys and girls in different directions. When boys start to play with dolls , everyone even their families chastises them. However, children do not know about femininity and masculinity, they just play. Children should pick the things that they enjoy in life based on what appeals to them most.
Secondly, TV is the most important part of the media and has a great impact on determining gender roles. Because of this, both men and women are stereotypically presented in TV programs. In TV women are shown as sensitive,gentle, non-competitive and dependent. However, men are shown as tough, competitive, ambitious, independent, self-confident and successful.
Finally, in male dominated societies women are assaulted by men. Males are the majority in society. There are many types of violence against women such as sexual, physical and emotional abuse and sexual harassment. The social and economic costs of violence against women have significant effects on society. As a result of this, women have lost their self-confidence ,and they are isolated from their society and are unable to work.
In conclusion, gender roles affect women and men in their lives. The media definitely has the most significant affect on people's attitudes toward the opposite sex.The world is developing and improving day by day. People should break down the idea that women are dependent, cannot earn money and cannot do what men do. It depends on who they are and what they want.
Deniz ÖZDOĞRU

Links to Inspiritional Videos

Dear 11th grade TOEFL students, please watch the following videos so we can discuss them in class.  Thank you for taking the time to do this!

www.storyofstuff.com

http://www.ted.com/speakers/hans_rosling.html
(click on the video entitled Hans Rosling's new insights on poverty)

Teens

1-Many teenagers put a very high value on exams and marks. If they pass their classes, everything is fine. In many cases, there is no one to tell them otherwise.
Can you call yourself a successful teen just by being a good student? Why? Why not?

2-If you were to create your own rules at school, what would you do? Make up your own rules/laws as a teen.

Vote for the poems!

May I ask all the PREP students to vote for the poems please ?

Poetry Competition

Hello dear students!

Below are the candidates for the Poetry Competition.  Please read through the poems and vote on one of the following poems in the vote box on the left.


STARS

Do you live in a big city

Where you cannot see the stars?

Because of the big city lights?

The stars cannot smile.

They cannot make you believe

In miracles which are around you

But if you are living in a big city

Do not forget

When it gets dark enough

You can see the stars inside you...

Dilara Naz ÖREN
9 - C


NATURE’S WOE

Feel the green in your heart

Living without the nature is hard

Look at the clouds, peer into the sky

Do not destroy the nature, soon you will cry!

Take a sip from your tea

And watch the waves of the sea

The nature is your fate

Can’t you see?

Alper AHTAM
9 - C


LOVE HURTS

When I see your face

I can’t stop myself from loving you

When you look me in the eye

I feel like I am in the sky

Flying like a G6.

You are my favourite song

When I hear your voice

I lose myself,

There’s no other noise.

Love hurts

Bites me everyday

Three words, eight letters

That’s all I want you to say...

Hazal KARATOKA
9 - C


WHY?

Why are you looking for the exception?

When your smile is an exception for me.

Why are you looking for another sun?

When it is already shining above your head.

Why are you dreaming about the one?

When one is looking inside your eyes.

Why are you wishing to hear a reason?

All I ask from you is the truth, not lies.

İdil ARAT
9 - C


GIVE ME PEACE

Give me peace

With your clean death

You can bury me,

You can burn me,*

You can run over me,

You can stiffle me,

You can do whatever,

I wouldn’t mind.

Just make me ready

For my destiny

And give me peace.

Make me scream,

Until my breath stops

Torment me, beat me up,

Turn me into despair

Make me feel all the sorrow.

Cause I know

Too much brings no tomorrow

Just don’t make me beg

For your mercy

Give me peace.

Canberk TAŞKIN
9 - C


STARS AND THE SUN

Hope is made up of stars

When it is dark enough

You can see them

When your belief is gone

Love is made up from the sun

Like the sun makes flowers bloom

Like love makes your heart beat faster

When you see the sun

Ecem KESKİN
9 - C


NATURE

Nature is mighty

Nature is strong

Nature is usually always right

Nature is rarely ever wrong

Nature is beauty

Nature is moody

Nature is smart

Nature always has the greater part

Nature is blue

Nature is green

Nature is every colour possibly seen

Nature is true

Nature is beaming

Nature is dreaming

Nature is in every place

Nature always moves with grace

Nature is you

Nature is me

NATURE will be forever FREE!

Güney ARGUN
9 – C


A FRIEND

When you are broken, you don’t need repair

When you are down, you just need is a shoulder

When you are happy, you need a smile

A friend’s smile

When you are bored, there should be someone to call

No matter what time it is

There should be someone you can knock on her door

Someone should understand you

Even if you don’t talk

Someone should tell your mistakes

Someone should tell your good ways

There should be or has to be someone to support you

You should find that person

It is more than love, anger, sadness, happiness

It’s friendship

Give all your love to her

Don’t waste it.

Just give it to someone who deserves it.

Give it to a friend.

Kiraz TOSUN
9 - C


THE SEASIDE

It had been raining for a long time

Nothing seemed so fine.

Walking slowly, not even wanting to move

Standing still, thinking about the things I’ve been through

The seaside is all I have, the only place I belong to

Everything is so far away from here, the things I will not turn to.

The only place I can hide, but surrounded by sunlight

I keep calling it day and night, but cannot find.

There is only the sound of waves, pulling me deep inside

I must find a way to get out or just be a part.

I want my memories to disappear with the sundown

That’s the only way I can see the sunlight.

I am even afraid of my own shadow

But again trying to walk away from my fate.

I see nothing has changed since I have been gone,

Everything is the same when I think about that gate.

Looking and turning around, hoping to find a miracle in the sky

But I see clouds all around the sun

Blocking away the meaning of my life

I struggle to go back to the seaside.

I am listening to the waves to pull me inside again

Starting to feel the warmth for the first time.

Behind the tears all I fear turns into sunlight

When I understand that the only place I belong to is the seaside.

Dilara IŞIK
9 - C


THE KITE

I find a kite when

I am riding my bike

I throw it into the air

The moment makes up my life.

The kite was free

Though I was not

The kite was flying

Over the rocks.

I was standing and

Watching the kite fly by

There was nothing to do

For me in my boring life.

Nights followed days, those went by

I tried hard to stand the pain

The kite was free, I wasn’t! Why?

I asked myself in vain.

Kerem ÖRNEK
9 – C


CLOUDS ARE MY FRIENDS

I am the sun

Shining and sparkling

Smiling and chuckling

In my sky.

I have a little heart

Beating and fighting

Through the struggles

Of my life.

Sena Hazal ÖKTEM
9 - C


EASY RIDE

Life is a cage

Sometimes it is a stage

Stars are our audience

Every person has their role.

You cannot hide your sadness behind your smile

Do not even try to forget

The stars are watching you

You cannot hide your heartache, yet.

Have you ever wanted to

Change your destiny?

I don’t want to have to fight

Because I wish for an easy ride.

Duygu COŞKUN
9 – C


WHY?

Why bother thinking about the world

When I have you in my arms?

Why think about other people

When I am with you?

Even if you don’t care about me

I will still be loving you.

I would do anything for you

But I know you wouldn’t.

Alper ÖZ
9 - D



NOBODY 

‘I will do everything to start over!’

No, you won’t.

‘We can be the best couple!’

No, we won’t.

‘I will love you forever!’

No, you won’t.

‘We can forget what has happened.’

No, we can’t.

In the end, it doesn’t even matter

How hard you try

How strong was your love?

How many teardrops did you cry?

In the end no one will count

The days you spent

The nights you spent

The life you spent dreaming.

In the end nobody will feel

As betrayed,

As pathetic,

As demolished as you are..

But in the beginning

Nobody could convince you

Nobody could stop you

Cause nobody was more important

Than saying ‘I love you!’ ...

Mümtaz HACIPAŞAOĞLU
10 –E


NATURE

Flowers are calling the bees

In such a calm manner

Trees are walking with the wind

In the morning breeze

The very earth I’m stepping on

Seems to be calling me

Lay on me it says

Whenever I feel the earth’s softness

I become aware of life.

Ege KESKİN
9 – B


LOVE, ADORE, FEEL

You can think that

Saying ‘I love you’

Is simple

But it has a strong

Deep meaning; adoring something.

You can think that

Adoring someone

Is something

You do

When you love someone

Yes, you adore them.

You can think

Feeling something

Is simple

But it is deeper

It is special.

İgal HAKİM
9 – B


NATURE

Peaceful, lovely nature

The house of all creatures

Water falling and birds singing

Do we know its importance?

What a lovely, peaceful place

Full of mystery like deep space

The blueness of the sky

Green trees and the singing of the birds.

Sinan EL
9 – B



DON’T SPEAK

Don’t speak

I don’t need any reminder

About the day you went away

I could have been your hero

But you destroyed our love

How could you be so heartless?

You left me all alone

There is no getting over you.

Can ÖZBALKAN
9 – B


WITH YOU

The thing which binds us is love

The thing I find is you

The thing I feel is you

There is only love.

I see myself in your eyes,

And I know how it will rise.

I seem so quiet but,

I keep fighting to get you.

Even the sun goes down

When I can’t see you.

Even the stars don’t shine

When I am not with you.

Ayşe Revna ALBULAK
9 – B


GREEN TREASURE

When I first saw you

I understood

You were the true one.

When I looked into

Those emerald eyes

It was as though

I went through

The gates of the heaven.

When I look at you

I don’t care about anyone

No matter what they say

Or will say.

Maybe, you don’t think like me

But when I see your green eyes,

They do not lie....

Deniz İNANICI
9 – B


I NEED YOU

At times

When I am with you

I remember

How I love you

How I need you

I want to say ‘Don’t go!’

But I can’t.

At times

When you go

I lose myself

I feel like I am in an empty hole

I want to

Hold your hand

Kiss your lips

When I hug you

I want to feel you still

I am waiting for you

Elifnas YALÇINKAYA
9 – B