CTQ (Critical Thinking Question) of the Day Directions 1. Write 10 lines minimum on a CTQ topic. 2. Write "CTQ" on the top line next to the red line. 3. Under CTQ write the date (never write the date to the left of the red line) 4. Begin your response below the date & do not write out the topic/question. 5. For your next CTQ entry just skip a line after the last entry and put the date. 6. Again, under the date, begin your response.
3/4/19 Given what we have learned about all the causes of WWI, and all the countries involved in the war and their various motivations to go to war, explain your opinion on which country or countries should be responsible for causing the war. What should be the consequences? Who should take the blame? Who should pay the costs? What other consequences (limits on military for example) should responsible parties face? Do you think your consequences will lead to long-term peace for Europe? Why or why not?
1/28/19 There are many different reasons for a country to go to war. Decide whether you agree or disagree with the reasons below. Be sure you explain your answer. 1.Our country finds out that another country is planning to attack us in the near future. 2.Our country is attacked by another. 3.Our country’s naval ship is sunk by a hostile power. 4.Terrorists from an unfriendly nation attack our country. 5.An unfriendly nation has successfully tested a banned nuclear weapon. 6.An unfriendly country is committing genocide (mass killing of a specific group) on their own citizens.
12/11 How much should a govt. get involved in our lives? In other words, what areas should the govt. be responsible and which areas should be left up to the people themselves to take care? For example, should the govt. been in charge of helping out the poor and elderly or should the people?
12/11 How much should a govt. get involved in our lives? In other words, what areas should the govt. be responsible and which areas should be left up to the people themselves to take care? For example, should the govt. been in charge of helping out the poor and elderly or should the people?
12/10 What are some reasons why the govt. should allow companies and businesses the freedom to make their own decisions about what they make or sell? What are the positives and negatives of a system where businesses and consumers are allowed to make their own choices about how they spend their money? Is there a system that might work better for everyone involved? How?
12/12 In a society, why might it be beneficial for there to be a middle class (middle wage earners) instead of just a poor class and a wealthy class? What problems could arise in a society with an unequal distribution of wealth? Do you know of any countries today that have a very small middle class? What problems do these countries have as a result?
12/4 Many of the things we use or buy were made by workers in a factory somewhere. Given this reality, what should be the required (legal) basic working conditions for the millions of factory workers around the world? How much should factories be controlled (regulated) by the government? Why?
12/3 What types of manual labor jobs would you be willing to do? Which ones would you not want to do? Why? What kinds of job conditions are important to you? (pay, location, hours, etc)
11/29 What are the advantages and disadvantages of shopping online vs. shopping in a regular physical store? Who benefits the most in each system?
11/28 Which do you think has made our lives better, the invention of the cell phone or the Internet? Why? What are the pros and cons of each?
Nationalism vs. Patriotism 2 What things people share in common might lead them to think of themselves as a nation? What reasons might encourage a group of people to want to become a nation? What reasons might encourage people to show their loyalty and connection to their nation?
Nationalism vs. Patriotism 1 What is a healthy level of patriotism? What beliefs does a person have that has too much patriotism?
Character "Parents can only give good advice or put their children on the right path. The final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands." —Anne Frank How is character formed? Can character be taught? What qualities can you develop that will make you a "person of character"?
11/3 Separation of Church & Govt. Why might it be important for our government to not be connected in any way to a particular religion or support any religion? Think about how laws, protection of individual rights, democratic ideas, etc… could be affected if our govt. favored or promoted one or more religions. 11/1 Rights of the Accused Which rights of the accused (right to: an attorney, to trial by jury, confront accusers, speedy trial, reasonable bail, etc.) do you think are most important and why? Which right(s) do you think was most beneficial to Brenton Butler?
10/31 Federalism Why is it better to have 2 levels of govt? (State & Federal) What are some jobs the state can do better? The federal govt?
10/29 Women’s Rights Why do you think in history women have usually had fewer rights than men? In what ways have the opportunities for women in society changed since the 1700's?
10/26 The Great Fear What do you think are the top 5 things Americans fear? And why do they fear these things the most?
10/29 Dangerous Speech How much of a role does the political speech of govt. leaders in recent months play a role in the recent extremist attacks? How do you think demonizing talk by our govt. and the media contributes to these attacks?
10/25 Wealth Inequality Based on the video about wealth inequality in America, how do you feel about this information? Why do you think wealth is so unequally distributed in the U.S.?What questions do you have about the information presented in this video? How does this issue relate to the French Revolution? 10/23 Climate Change. What do you know about climate change? What does "global warming" mean? What role do governments have in impacting our environment on a global level? How can your own actions affect the environment? Do you think you and or the govt. have a responsibility to preserve the health of the environment for future generations? How might the idea of natural rights connect with this issue?
10/22 Separation of Church & Govt. Why might it be important for our government to not be connected in any way to a particular religion or support any religion? Think about how laws, protection of individual rights, democratic ideas, etc… could be affected if our govt. favored or promoted one or more religions. 10/19 Right to Revolt What would the government have to do for you to join a revolution? In other words, what conditions or problems would cause you to want to overthrow the govt? (raise taxes without approval, massive govt. corruption, limiting or denying individual rights, forcing all men to fight a war, etc.)
10/12 3 Branches What are the jobs of the 3 branches? (President, Congress, & Supreme Court). Why is it important that the govts. power be separated? Why could it be a problem if one branch has more power than the other branches? How can the American people act to balance the branches powers?
10/11 Enlightenment Today Of all the areas that were explored during the Enlightenment, such as science, individual rights, tolerance, reason, limits on govt., etc. Which area or areas do you think is most important for our society/world to focus on or improve? Why?
10/9 The Right to be Independent Currently, a region of Spain, called Catalonia, wants to secede (become independent) from Spanish control and become an independent country. A vote was held a few days ago and a large majority of votes were in favor of independence. The Spanish govt. has threatened to take whatever power the govt. in Catalonia has if they declare independence. What if California decided to secede from the United States. Why might some people in California want to become independent? Reasons might include economic, cultural, political, etc. issues. How do think the U.S. govt. would respond? Why?
10/5 Human Nature Do you think people are essentially good or evil? Why or why not? Also, are people primarily looking out for themselves and their own needs even at the expense of other people? Explain your opinion.
10/4 Positive Vibrations How can you be a positive person? How can you help others to be positive? How can being positive improve your attitude towards life?Towards school? Offering to help someone is a way of showing a positive attitude, how does this benefit you and others?
10/2 Your Attention Please What things do you give your attention? Do you think you have total control over what things you give your attention? Why or why not? In what ways do you think media companies try to keep your attention? How could your personal freedom and autonomy (ability to decide for oneself and pursue a course of action in one's life) be under attack by these companies?
9/25 Social Media & Democracy Think about how social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, etc. can influence people who use their services. Do social media companies have a responsibility to make sure the news content they provide present both sides of the story or different viewpoints? How can these platforms impact the democratic process? 9/24 Renaissance Person Today A Renaissance person (man/woman) has abilities and talents in a variety of areas. What abilities and skills do you think are important to have and why might it be good to be a well rounded person?
9/21 Non-violent protest Why did Ghandi, Martin Luther King Jr. and John Lewis use a non-violent form of protest to make change? Why is non-violent protest better than violent protest?
9/20 Civil Rights Movement Tell me what you know about the civil rights movement of the 1950's and 60's in the United States. Who was protesting and why? What changes did Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., and others want to see happen?
9/19 Imagine you are a person living in kingdom that has been ruled by monarchs for centuries. One day the king proclaims to his subjects that he will allow people to have some rights. Think of 3-5 rights that you would ask for first and explain why for at least 3 rights.
9/17 Losing Democracy In what ways can a country lose their democracy and become a dictatorship? How could it happen here in the U.S.? What can you do to keep our democracy alive & healthy?
9/14 Indirect Democracy (a.k.a. Republic) What do you think are some problems with indirect democracy? Try to think of at least 3 or 4 problems. Think about the election system (how voting happens and where, how votes are counted, etc.) and also what happens after people are elected into office.
9/13 Direct Democracy What do you think are some problems with direct democracy? Try to think of at least 3 or 4 problems. Also, think about if we used it for every law here in San Diego and in the state of California.
9/12 Meaning of Democracy What is a democracy? What kind of things happen in a democratic country vs. a non-democratic country? What is a government like in a democracy?
9/11 What do you know about the events of Monday September 11, 2001? Who carried out the attacks and why did they do it? What details do you know of the loss of life and damage they caused? What was the response of the United States govt.? How important do you think this day is in American history? Do you know of any other similar events in history?
9/10 Character Quote "Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny." – Unknown. Do you agree that your character affects your future and what you do in life? Why or why not? Using this quote as a starting point, define what character is in your own words.
9/7 Mohammed Quote “Even as the fingers of the two hands are equal, so are human beings equal to one another. No one has any right, nor any preference to claim over another. You are brothers.” Why do you think this is important? How often do you try to put yourself in another’s shoes?
9/6 Jesus Quote “Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your servant; And whosoever will be first among you, let him be your servant”. Why does Jesus flip the idea of master & servant? What do you think of this quote?
9/5 Buddha Quote "No one saves us but ourselves, No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path. Buddhas merely teach the way. By ourselves is evil done, By ourselves we pain endure, By ourselves we cease from wrong, By ourselves we become pure." What do you think about this quote?
9/4 Socrates Quote: “Oh my friend, why do you care so much about laying up the greatest amount of money & honor & reputation, & so little about wisdom, truth & the greatest improvement of the soul?” What do you think of this quote? How often do you think about self-improvement?
9/1 In the entire history of the world, which person(s) do you feel has made a lasting impact or influence on society
8/31 Confucius Quote: Knowledge>Sincere Thoughts>Correct Hearts>Cultivated Person>Healthy Family>Country in order Why are sincere thoughts and a correct heart so important to Confucius?
8/30 Proverbs Quote: “The wise man, fearing, keeps himself from evil; but the foolish man goes on in his pride, with no thought of danger.” What do you think this means? Give at least 1 example.
8/29 3 Character Traits Three important character traits are faith/belief in self, hope for the future, and love for self and others, what are three other character traits that you feel are very important and why?