Animals and US...
TED Talks Media w/ Prompts
 for Daily Ten and Timed Writing Activities
  • Would a modern president be likely to relax through going hunting? Why or why not? Develop at least one idea to support your opinion.
  • Why did Roosevelt decline to shoot the bear? How is the public's perception of these events different? What accounts for these discrepancies? Be specific and detailed in your description.
  • Most people expected the teddy bear would disappear; that once people forgot the Roosevelt experience they would forget the toy but that has been far from what happened. Why has the teddy bear remained so popular? Develop at least one idea to support your opinion.  
  • Has there been an animal (real or stuffed) that you were fond of as a child? What was the animal and why were you fond of it? Be specific and detailed in your description. 
  • Mooallem said that "Our imagination has become an ecological force." What did he mean and to what extent do you agree or disagree? Use specific details and examples to develop at least one reason for your opinion.
  • Raz asks if there is any animal we are more connected to or invested in than our dogs. Do you agree or disagree that dogs are the closest of any animal for mankind? Use specific details and examples to develop at least one reason for your opinion. 
  • Describe your reaction to Dunbar's philosophy to training dogs. In what way is it similar to or different from yours? Be specific and detailed in your description. 
  • Have you ever trained a dog before? If you have, what was your experience like? Were you successful? How did you do it? Be specific and detailed in your description.  
  • According to the principles Dunbar presents how is training humans similar to training dogs? How is it different? Be specific and detailed in your description.   
  • Were you surprised by the idea of teaching the dog ESL? Have you thought that animals may not be familiar with human languages and need to be trained to understand them? Use specific details and explanations to support your answer. 
  • If your pet were to come back from the grave to deliver a message what would it say it missed? What would it say it did not miss? Use specific details and examples to develop at least one reason for your opinion.