Web assignments

January 2003



ASSIGNMENT 1

Two overweight girls sue McDonald's

Scanning
Comprehension
Writing practice

Individual work

50 minutes

In the January issue of Alquin you read about two American girls who are suing McDonald's, claiming that eating at McDonald's has contributed to their weight problems. McDonald's claims that they provide plenty of information about the nutritional content of the food on their website and that people are responsible for what they eat.

The purpose of this activity is for you to decide whether or not McDonald's provides enough information about the nutritional content of their food for someone with internet access to find and to write a brief newspaper article about the case.


PART A

Go to the McDonald's homepage at:
http://www.mcdonalds.com

1. Have a look around the homepage: can you find any information about nutrition here? If so, what is it?

2. Now select the USA ('select a country') and look at the USA site. Click on 'Food' and 'Nutrition Facts' and find the answers to the following questions:

i. How many calories are there in a small classic coke?
ii. How much fat is there in a 'Sausage Biscuit with egg'?
iii. How many calories are there in nine chicken nuggets?
iv. How much sodium is there in a baked apple pie?
v. What is the difference in fat content of a 'Lowfat Apple Bran Muffin' and a 'Cheese Danish'?
vi. How many calories are there in a 'Caesar salad'?
vii. How much saturated fat is there in a 'Big Mac'?

3. Now click on the 'Nutrition card' in the left hand column. Scan through the information. Does this section advise you about the amount of fat an average American should eat per day? Does it advise you about the number of calories an average American should eat per day?

4. From what you have seen so far, do you believe that McDonald's provides sufficient information about the nutritional content of the food? How might the nutrition information section be improved even more? How might McDonald's provide this information in a more effective way? Write down at least four suggestions.


PART B

One of your assignments accompanying the magazine article was to write an opinionated 'letter to the editor' in response to the article. The purpose of the following activity is for you to write an objective, investigative newspaper article in which you describe and discuss the facts.

Remember that the purpose of this activity is not for you to decide whether or not McDonald's is good for you, but whether or not they provide enough information about the nutritional content of their food.

Start off by thinking of a catchy headline that expresses the tone of your article. Briefly summarise the case in your opening paragraph and then discuss the findings of your on-line research in following paragraphs. Finally, mention any possible improvements that could be made. Use around 200 words.





ASSIGNMENT 2

Googling for more information about Geisha girls

ICT
Research
Scanning
Comprehension
Writing practice

Individual work

50 minutes

 In the January issue of Alquin you read about the popularity of the search engine Google. You also read about Japan's 'perfect hostesses', the Geisha girls. In this activity you will use your search skills to find out lots more about the Geisha, and will use this information to write a descriptive composition about them.


PART A

The article about Google focuses on its relevance: test it by going to http://www.google.com

Use the tips you read about using Google to search for websites that provide the answers to the following questions:
  1. What does the word 'Geisha' mean?
  2. Were the first geisha men or women?
  3. What is a 'Yu-u-jyo'? Is a Yu-u-jyo the same thing as a Geisha?
  4. What is the name of the belt that is tied around the kimono?
  5. What is a 'Maiko'? Is a Maiko the same thing as a Geisha?
  6. How do you become a Geisha?
  7. Is a Geisha allowed to marry?
  8. Is it a Geisha's responsibility to prepare and serve food?
  9. Can a man have a wife and a Geisha?
  10. Is it possible for a foreigner to become a Geisha?

Write the name and address of the website where you found the information at the end of each answer.


PART B

While searching for the answers to the questions you obviously came across a lot of pictures and information about Geisha girls. Imagine that you have been asked to write a small segment about the Geisha in a book about Japan. Your assignment is to be as descriptive as possible, so that someone who has never heard about Japan's Geisha girls will have a clear idea about their duties, their role in society and the way they look. You can also select a few suitable pictures to accompany your segment. Use around 200 words.



ASSIGNMENT 3

Peter Jackson: director of The Lord of the Rings trilogy and much more

ICT
Scanning
Note taking
Writing activity
Discussion (optional)

Individual work
Group work (optional)

60-80 minutes

You read about the second part of The Lord of the Rings trilogy - the Two Towers - in the January issue of Alquin. Had you ever heard of the director before? Peter Jackson is described in the film as "the definition of a purist". The purpose of this activity is for you to find out more about the man and his work, and to write a brief biography about him.


PART A

Start off by visiting the following sites and making some notes about Peter Jackson's history, previous work and creative influences:

http://www.iofilm.co.uk/feats/interviews/p/peter_jackson.shtml
http://www.lordoftherings.net/film/filmmakers/fi_pjack.html
http://www.escapee.fsnet.co.uk/

You should also so some searching of your own, using your new and improved Googling skills. The internet is a great source of information but it is very easy to get sidetracked and waste time checking out all sorts of interesting but irrelevant links. Be economical with your time. Only take notes about the information that is relevant to your assignment. ALWAYS keep a record of the websites you visit because it can be very hard to find a specific quote or picture back if you don't know exactly where you first saw it. You will need to make a list at the end of your biography with all the sites you visited during your research.

DO NOT print out excessive pages of information and DO NOT cut and paste information directly from websites. Your teacher will recognise written work that is not your own!


PART B

Once you have finished your research you need to organise your information. Review your notes and highlight anything you want to include in the biography. Make a plan detailing the order in which you will present your information.

You can include some pictures in your biography but the most important information will come from your written text. Use around 200 words. Don't forget to include the list of websites you used for your research.


PART C

Complete this activity if you are working in class.

Now that you have discovered quite a lot about Jackson, discuss the following questions in a small group:
  1. Would you like to see some of his earlier films? Why/why not?
  2. You knew that Jackson directed the Lord of the Rings films: were you surprised to find out that he used to direct horror movies? Why/why not?
  3. You knew that the Lord of the Rings films were shot in New Zealand: were you surprised to find out that the director comes from New Zealand? Why/why not?
  4. Did you find any evidence about Jackson that supports the statement that he is "the definition of a purist"? Is so, what?
  5. Do you think that learning about the director of a film makes you watch a film in a different way? Why/why not?






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