Before you read "Designing Solutions" (SkR&W3, p20)

What we will read

We are going to read a text about two construction projects that were designed to overcome challenges, but before we read about those, Bixby and Scanlon want us to start thinking about the general topic of challenges and solutions to them. 

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Bixby and Scanlon's question

What are some solutions that humans have devised to overcome challenges in the following areas? (Bixby & Scanlon, 2013, p. 20)

• agriculture / farming 
• housing 
• transportation 

Chose and comment on just one of these areas, presenting the challenges that occur to you and your solutions to them. 

Factors to think about include, but are not limited to: 

• weather
• water
• limited space
• environmental issues
• energy efficiency
• geographical challenges 

Remember

Imagine you are writing for readers who have not seen the question you are responding to. Your answer should make sense to her if handed, for example, to a randomly chosen student from a different class. 

For this writing exercise, you have 20:00 minutes. I suggest you spend: 

• five minutes planning: choosing a topic, getting ideas and organizing those ideas
• ten minutes writing
• five minutes editing: reviewing, revising and proofreading.

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Reference

• Bixby, J. & Scanlon, J. (2013). Skillful Reading & Writing: Student's Book 3. Oxford: Macmillan Education

Getting into Unit 2 = Design (SkR&W3, p17, Discussion point)

What we read

On page 17 of Skillful, Bixby and Scanlon (2013) use a large photograph and some discussion questions to introduce the topic of unit 2, design, which is also the title of this unit. 

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Click on them to see images full size

Bixby and Scanlon's questions

Discuss these questions in a comment. 

• Look at the picture (click to enlarge it). Do you know where it is? What makes it special? 
• What do you like or dislike about the way it is designed?
   
• Think of three other famous buildings or structures from around the world that you feel are well-designed. What makes them interesting or beautiful?
   
• Choose a famous building or structure from your country (just one). What do you like about its design? What do you dislike? 

Remember 

Write for readers who have not seen the questions you are responding to. As always, you can address them in any order, writing as little or as much you need to in two or three paragraphs of response writing. 

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Reference

• Bixby, J. & Scanlon, J. (2013). Skillful Reading & Writing: Student's Book 3. Oxford: Macmillan Education 

Discuss it online & Sports Fans and Identity (SkRW3, p. 12, Developing critical thinking)

What we read

Having now read both "Discuss It Online" and "Sports Fans and Identity," the two readings for Unit 1, Bixby and Scanlon (2013, p. 12) invite us to discuss the ideas that the two texts raise.  

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Bixby and Scanlon's questions

Think about the ideas from the two readings, and then write and publish two separate comments to answer each of these questions: 

• What is your most important chosen or group identity? Why?
   
• Do you think that most people are more interested in being unique or belonging to a group? Explain why. 

You can write your two comments in any order, but write and publish a separate comment for each question. 

Remember to follow the examples of Ali K. and Paul S. by writing answers that are standalone paragraphs; that is, your responses to them should make sense to readers who have not seen the questions you are answering. 

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Reference

• Bixby, J. & Scanlon, J. (2013). Skillful Reading & Writing: Student's Book 3. Oxford: Macmillan Education