Social Media and College Applications?

There are various factors that colleges consider in the admission decision. Some of the main factors are GPA, Class Rank, SAT and ACT test scores, recommendation letters, essays, and extra-curricular activities. Recently some colleges have been looking at students social media content from Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media sites.
Should colleges consider what is on social media? Should a student's personal life be a determining factor for college admission? Explain in detail why or why not?
Here is an interesting article: "How To Clean Up Your Social Media For College Applications"

"Making Decisions"

During the teen years students should begin to seriously think about career options and goals in life.  When making decisions concerning a career choice do you think it is important to choose one based on salary and benefits, or one that brings you happiness and enjoyment? Explain in detail your reasoning.

"It Takes a Village to Raise a Child"

African Proverb

There is a saying "It Takes a Village to Raise a Child". 

What does this saying mean to you? Do you think it is true? Why or why not?

BULLYING

October is National Bullying Prevention Month.  There is a major problem with students being bullied by their peers.  What do you consider to be bullying?  What are some things that could be done to solve the bullying issues?  

Read this article concerning a 12 year-old who was bullied.

http://nation.time.com/2013/09/12/bullied-12-year-old-florida-girl-commits-suicide/

"My Ideal School"

Education and schools are popular topics. There are issues and concerns that people discuss and debate about daily regarding education and schools. As a student you spend a majority of your time in school. Student voices should be heard regarding their education and school. Explain and describe your ideal school. What are the classes like?  What courses are offered? What are the extra-curricular activities like? This is your opportunity to explain what your educational experiences should consist of.

What are your most prized possessions?

A photographer named Gabriele Galimberti completed a project called "Toy Stories". The project consisted of children pictures from around the world with their most "prized possessions" which were their toys. 

The pictures are very interesting and unique.  When you view them think about how life must be for each of the children, and take note of the major differences that you see among the pictures. 

What do you cherish?  What are your most prized possessions?  Why are they important to you? 

Reference: Gabriele Galimberti

What's on family dinner tables around the World?

View "What the World Eats" photos and give your thoughts and opinions.  Discuss the differences that you see and the factors that might cause the different varieties of food among the families.

Whose responsibility is it to make sure children are successful in school parents or teachers?

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had a personal dream for his own children

"I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

What "dream" do you have for children?  What could be done to make your ideal world for children a reality?

Does Race Matter?

Try this "sorting people" activity
http://www.pbs.org/race/002_SortingPeople/002_01-sort.htm

Give your thoughts and opinions to the following questions:
Do you think issues concerning race affect children?
Should people be categorized by race? 

What positive or negative effects do you think technology have on students?

Read the following article "Is the Internet hurting children?" and give your thoughts and opinions.

The article notes that, "By the time they're 2 years old, more than 90% of all American children have an online history. At 5, more than 50% regularly interact with a computer or tablet device, and by 7 or 8, many kids regularly play video games. Teenagers text an average of 3,400 times a month. The fact is, by middle school, our kids today are spending more time with media than with their parents or teachers, and the challenges are vast: from the millions of young people who regret by high school what they've already posted about themselves online to the widely documented rise in cyberbullying to the hypersexualization of female characters in video games".