As an English teacher and writer, I often wonder how I can use writing with my students as a vehicle for change. Each semester I try to create writing assignments that evoke interest in my students and that also serve a larger purpose. Last semester I created a writing assignment, a research paper, about the use of plastic bottles in our community. I wondered: "Why do people buy water in plastic bottles when they can get water for free? What impact does the plastic water bottle craze have on our community?" I have similar questions about the use of plastic bags. Europe has been using their own bags for over a decade, but Americans are still stuck on using the plastic bag or paper bag in stores.
Here's a link to a mockumentary video on the topic of plastic bags that effectively advocates for change:
I asked my students to research this topic and to inspire people to make
a change. The purpose of the research paper was to change the habits of
the average American consumer. This topic worked well, for some, but others were not inspired by these issues.
I need more ideas. What other research paper topics might work to inspire change in our community? Let me know what you think!
I really enjoyed reading this blog post. The plastic bag issue has always been prevelant in our society, and I think some people just don't realize how switching to reusable bags could brighten our future as an economy. I would love to have heard more about your opinion on plastic bags, do you try to always take your reusable bags? This blog is a reminder of how important not taking a plastic bag is. Go eco-friendly!
ReplyDeleteI really like the way that this post hooks in the reader. It draws them in in a very sutle yet strong way by asking a very direct question. It shows the side of a teacher that a student rarely gets to see, the point where the teacher is actually trying to create the lessons. And it allows me as a student to have imput a teacher lesson plan that I would not have otherwise.
ReplyDeleteProfessor Kelly,
ReplyDeleteThe layout of your blog and blog posts are clear and get to the point with interest to the reader. I found the topic of this blog post really interesting and wanted to learn more about this issue of plastic bottles/bags. I think your idea of engaging your students with this issue is very clever.
I think this is an inertersting topic for a research paper but i personally don't think it would inspire me. many people have different ways of changing the community. other topics could be about ridng bikes more to help people be in better shape but also not burn as many fossil fuels.
ReplyDeletethe idea of a reuseable bag is great in therory. my question is how many of those bags sit at home forgotten. i know i have a few. i think costco is being the "greenest" of all as far as bags go. they use repourposed materials form sold out products to help their customers carry their goods. what other types of repourposed materials can we use rather than creating another product.
ReplyDeleteI feel that this topic is awesome because it is a current event and is most definitely under rated. It would be nice to recognize this issue as a class and hear different opinions on the issue to see how everyone feels about it. On another note, maybe we as a class shouldn't decide. lol im jk >,< I appreciated the video, and I'm glad that they didn't get overly graphic with the animals because that would had sucked because turles are chillin (:
ReplyDeleteHello Prof. Kelly,
ReplyDeleteI like your blog. I saw the video, but since COM computers don't have speakers, I saw a muted version :-).
The layout of your blog is good. I was wondering how you did the menu bar. I tried it, but it did not work.
Use of plastic bottles and plastic bags in a community is a very nice topic for a research paper. Use of plastic bottles should be banned. Some cities have already banned the use of plastic bags, but unfortunately, they still provide bags, with a charge. I think they shoud stop it completely.
I would suggest you a topic :
Lack of convinient public transport in US.
I think the infrastructure of the highways in US is one of the best in the world. However, its not possible for any single family to go on with their daily lives without a car due to lack of good public transport. Carpooling is common in US, but so should be the use of public transport which is very inconvinient for most of the residents.
Another topic can be :
Making compost from left over food or the food waste ( fruit skins etc)
This can be used in fastfood restaurants where a lot of food is trashed. It can also be done at home on a day to day basis, irrespective of whether a family has take out or home cooked meal. I feel we take food from the earth and we need to give back something in return. This is the best way we can do it, by creating composts, which are natural fertilizers to again grow good trees.
Regards
This is a very well put together blog post. Starting with the main idea, and asking a pertinent question reels in the reader, then showing a video keeps focus on the post at a maximum. After the video you reach out for help, "I need more ideas," which gives the readers a purpose to comment and respond to the post.
ReplyDeleteThe only reason why people buy bottled water is convenience. Most people know that water can be obtained for free, but when you're in a hurry to get somewhere and don't have the opportunity, or the resources to fill up a bottle, buying a bottle of water is the easiest solution to the problem.
Prof Kelly,
ReplyDeleteI think that your blog really gets your main idea across. In concern with another topic to cover, I would like to recommend talking about the plastic bottle glass bottle controversy. Some plastic bottles are bad to reuse. They contain chemicals that will eventually leech into the water, if you continue to reuse them. This concept goes beyond the BPA problem. Maybe you could find another video about using glass bottles or specific alternatives to using plastic. This could really promote change in our community. In concern with plastic bags, did you know that there is a trash island the size of Texas floating in the ocean north of Hawaii? With all the trash not being recycled it will only get bigger. I believe that using plastic bags would greatly reduce the size of this trash landmass. Thoughts?
Sincerely, M.
Prof Kelly,
ReplyDeleteI believe the topic at hand is veru interesting and important in our community. For some reason Americans still heavily use plastic and pay for water when it comes in a tap for free. I believe maybe it is because Americans are to lazy to refill a metal or resuable bottle up everytime they want to drink water or solely because maybe buying a water bottle for 95 cents just dosnt cost that much. But in the long run it adds up. A bottle a day would equal over 350 dollars a year which is a big sum to spend on something that most people can get for free. Maybe it is because people in America believe that the bottled water is better quality then a filter can make from ones house. Who knows, but to stop the use of plastic water bottles would make a huge difference for the environemnt. The question is how?
Tyler Schacter
Pranava Levine February 21, 2013
ReplyDeleteThanks for choosing a crutial subject. The use of water bottle may slow down if pure drinking water was available in more places. The water fountains are usually just tap water and loaded with chlorine. However everyone should be responsible to carry a reusable water bottle.
The plastic bag's story was sent sometimes ago to my personal email. This short film send a clear message. However listening to the comment will add stronger information. Hopefully awarness will make you stop using plastic bags. This is not a passive but active decision. Every store will rush your shopping items in a plastic bag while you're paying. You need to have your own bag ready and tell the cashier that you do not want a plastic bag right away. I also tell the cashier that we'using too much plastic.
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ReplyDeleteI like how you asked questions and included a fact in your blog, I think those two things hooks the reader. Your blog is well organized and informative. The paper idea about plastic bottles is a good one, since it is a common day issue. Also the questions about plastic bags along with the fact about Europe, really made me think. Another idea for a paper could be about beef. Maybe the students could write about the pros and cons about eating less.
ReplyDeleteIt is very odd how americans are still stuck on using plastic bags that are pretty much useless once we get home from the grocery store. I think it has to do alot with america being extremely influenced by big corporations that make millions if not trillions of dollars a year on the products they sell. If the government were to do their job i beleive they would ban plastic bags from grocery stores or make people pay a large amount of money for one that would then encourage them to bring in their own grocery bag.
ReplyDeleteAn idea that i can suggest is how big corporations move into small towns or citys and begin to shut down the smaller local stores.
I like how your blog is laid out, nice and simple. Nothing is really hard to access and everything is straight forward. The intro could use some work so that we know about you some more but i see what you are doing with it and it is fine other wise
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ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your insights on how plastic bags and bottles are heavily used in our economy. Recycling, hybrid cars, and other sources of renewable energy has enlightened many Americans to "Go Green" and help save the environment. Now a days, it is difficult to find fresh clean water floating around and companies nationwide have taken advantage of the situation. I lived in Germany for two years and the commute to other neighboring European countries was in close proximity. In Bern, Switzerland they established running water wells that flows from the Swiss Alps to the capital providing fresh clean water for its citizens and tourists. Depending on where you live, some necessities may be easier to come by for others.
ReplyDeleteGoing green is a very important issue that effects all of human-kind, and it is my belief that we must do every thing humanly possible in order to save our planet because mother earth is the sustainer of life for everyone in the world; however, I understand the dilemma of trying to get students inspired to write about interesting topics that could possibly create a positive out-pouring of community support and unity. A possible topic students could research would be how amazing donating and transplantations of donor organs and tissue are, and what a profound effect keeping life going for one another could be on each other, and whether or not they agree or disagree with the process of donating and transplanting organs.
ReplyDeleteHey, Ingrid good morning I've choose this blogging post because it interest me how you as a teacher is willing to teach me new learning techniques with realistic topics and ideas.
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