Uncle Jim and 12-year old Paul do homework
Although, at the elder age of 12, my adopted nephew, Paul, does not come over as often as his six-year-old sister for homework help, occasionally he does ask for help. Paul called after school on Friday and wanted to know if he could come over Saturday morning. We decided that he would come over at 9:00 on Saturday although he originally had suggested Sunday. My experience is if we wait until Sunday, pretty soon the commitment has moved from 9:00 a.m. to Sunday evening at 7:00 which ends up by 8:30. So here comes Paul shuffling across from the house next door.
Me: Good morning, Paul. You look like you are still sleeping.
Paul: It is too early Uncle Jim.
Me: I know. It is really tough to get up this early on Saturday. I got you bagels and cream cheese.
Paul: Thanks Uncle Jim. Can I have juice?
Me: I just squeezed the oranges and poured you a large glass.
Paul: Thanks.
Me: What is this homework assignment Paul?
Paul: This is for history. We are supposed to find an article in the newspaper about ISIS and write a report.
Me: Oh my! That sounds like an important topic Paul. How shall we find the article?
Paul: There was an article in the Friday newspaper. I have it here. Want to see it?
Me: Yes. Hand it to me please.
Paul: Here Uncle Jim. It is the one at the top of the page.
Me: (Paul has handed me the St. Petersburg edition of the Tampa Tribune for November 20, 2015 turned to page 4 of the first section. The large print headline is: Officials: IS working on chemical weapons. The article is entitled U.S., Iraqi spies fear attacks in major cities and was written by Hamza, Hendawi, Qassim Abdul-Zahra and Ken Dilanian (Associated Press). I read the article. It is basically discussing the possibility that members of “The Islamic State group is aggressively pursuing development of chemical weapons . ..” There is some disagreement about whether or not they have the capability “to develop sophisticated weapons like nerve gas… . The authors of the article assert that so far, the group has used mustard gas on the battlefield in Iraq and Syria.”)
Well, Paul, how long do you have for your report?
Paul: Ten minutes Uncle Jim.
Me: Great. What made you choose this particular article Paul?
Paul: Well, in science we have been talking about all the chemicals. Some are good and some can hurt people and plants. I am a little confused about what chemical weapons are.
Me: Well, let’s see Paul. What do you think of when you hear the word weapon?
Paul: Well, my Uncle John was talking about cleaning guns and getting ready to hunt deer. Guns are weapons right.
Me: Yes they are. How else do we hurt each other?
Paul: Well, sometimes the bullies in school hit other kids. Can fists be weapons Uncle Jim?
Me: Yes, they certainly can. What else?
Paul: Well, knifes and, oh yes, the other night we were watching a movie and someone poisoned the person they worked for. Poison would be a weapon right Uncle Jim?
Me: Yes it would. So, we have established that weapons are things such as fists, guns, knives or other ways of hurting each other. Poison also hurts people.
Paul: Or dogs. Remember when someone poisoned our neighbor’s dog and they were so sad?
Me: Yes. So someone used a chemical weapon in our neighborhood. What other chemical weapons are there?
Paul: The article says something about mustard gas. We eat mustard and it is not a gas. What is mustard gas Uncle Jim?
Me: Let’s google it. You type it in.
Paul types in mustard gas on the search engine which on the Mac is Safari.
Me: Wow! We got lots of hits. Suppose we try this one Paul on Wikipedia first Paul. Okay?
Paul: Okay.
Me: What does it say Paul?
Paul: Sulfur mustard, Chemical Compound Mustard agent, or sulfphur mustard, commonly , but e ron..
What is this word uncle Jim?
Me: Erroneously; means falsely or in accurately.
Paul: They could have said that.
Me: I agree. Keep reading.
Paul: Erroneously known as mustard gas, is a class of related cytotoxic…. What is this word Uncle Jim?
Me: Let’s break it down. We know what toxic is right Paul?
Paul: Makes you sick?
Me: Yes or something that does not mix well with something else and can sometimes kills someone or something. How about cyto Paul.
Paul: Here it is. It means cell. We have cells in our body. Plants have cells too?
Me: Yes. Very good Paul. So cytotoxic means something that hurts the cells in our body?
Paul: I think so Uncle Jim. Darn! What is the next word – ves I cant?
Me: Well, let’s look it up. This is a lot of work isn’t it? It is kinda like a treasure hunt.
Paul: Ves I cant. Here it is. “Tending to cause blistering.”
“Vesicant chemical warfare agents with the ability to form large blisters on the exposed skin and in the lungs.” Uncle Jim it says it all without the words we looked up.
Me: Yes, it does Paul. Sometimes we adults make simple things complicated don’t we?
Paul: (sighing) Yes!
Uncle Jim is tear gas a chemical weapon?
Me: Does it hurt people?
Paul: Well, I read that it burns and make it hard to breathe. The police use it right Uncle Jim? So it is a chemical weapon?
Me: Actually it is classified as a chemical weapon and cannot be used in war but can be used by police in non-war situations.
Paul: That is confusing.
Me: Yes, it is Paul.
Paul: So we know that chemicals can be weapons and if used in war they are not allowed.
Me: Very good Paul.
Paul: So do we ever use chemical weapons Uncle Jim?
Me: Well Paul, let’s goggle chemical weapons status by country.
Paul: (types in “chemical weapons by country”)
Uncle Jim there are a lot of countries listed.
Uncle Jim: Yes there are. What does it say about the United States? Do he have chemical weapons?
Paul: it says:
(Armscontrol.org gives current information as current as publicly possible on the status of chemical weapons programs, stockpiles and destruction by country. It gives the following information about chemical weapons in the United States:
· State declarations: Unilaterally gave up it biological weapons program in 1969. The destruction of all offensive BW agent occurred between 1971 and 1972. Currently conducting research as part of his biodefense program. Allegations: According to a compliance report published by the Russian government in August in 2010 the U.S. is undertaking research on Smallpox which is prohibited by the World health Organizations. The U. S. is also accused of undertaking BW research in order to improve defenses against bio-terror attacks which is “especially questionable from the standpoint of Article I of the BTWC.”
· State declarations: Declared a large chemical arsenal of 27,771 metric tons to the OPCW and the CWC came into force in 1997. Along with Russia, the United States received an extension when it was unable to complete destruction of its chemical stockpiles by 2012. As of August 2013, the United States has destroyed nearly 25,000 metric tons of chemical agents. The United States believes that destruction that destruction will be completed by 2023.)
What does unilaterally mean Uncle Jim?
Me: Here, I will help look it up. It means something is done without the agreement of everyone involved. So, if you decide you no longer want to go to school without talking to your parents or the law, you would have made a unilateral decision. You would be in a lot of trouble. If Uncle Jim decided to keep chickens in the front yard without talking to the neighbors, I would be making a decision all by myself without thinking about how it would affect all the neighbors.
Paul: Thanks. So it seems to say that we have a lot of chemical weapons and will not finish destroying them until 2023. I will be 20 then. Then it says, “Currently conducting research as part of his biodefense program.” Does this mean we are still developing chemical weapons?
Me: It sure seems to leave open that possibility. Sometime it might be interesting for you to write letters to your senator and representative and ask this question, but for now, we have to assume that.
Paul: So it seems as if the article is saying that a lot of people are worried about IS making chemical weapons but are not worried that we still have them and may be figuring out how to make more. It also sounds as if we can use things like tear gas as long as we do not call it war.
Me: That is wonderful Paul. Perhaps when giving your report you could just list some questions that the class might think about and possibly discuss. Let’s review the questions:
1. Is the IS group going to make chemical weapons?
2. Do we have to stop them?
3. Has the United states ever had chemical weapons?
4. Have we ever used them?
5. Do we use tear gas as a chemical weapon?
6. Are some chemical weapons okay?
7. Why is it okay for some people to develop chemical weapons and others not?
8. Why is it taking so long for the United States to get rid of its chemical weapons?
So, shall we go over what you want to say?
Paul: We have talked about a lot Uncle Jim and I only have ten minutes.
Me: I have an idea. Let’s use the yellow highlighter to mark the parts of the article you want to read to the class and then we can type out the questions which the article raised. How does that sound Paul?
Paul: Okay. Will you help?
Me: Yes. First, how about we make copies of the article so that we can change our mind about what parts you want to read in class. Then we can try highlighting the parts. You can read them out loud and I will time you. How is that?
Paul: Okay. Maybe we can leave out some of the big words.
Me: We could do that. We could paraphrase what the article is saying. Do you know that word Paul?
Paul: No.
Me: We take what someone else says and reword it so that it summarizes in a simple way what is being said. We have to be careful not to change the meaning. For example, the first paragraph now says:
“The Islamic State group is aggressively pursuing development of chemical weapons, setting up a branch dedicated to research and experiment with the help of scientists from Iraq, Syria, and elsewhere in the region, according to Iraqi and U. S. Intelligence officials.”
We could say:
Iraqi and U.S. spies are fearful that the IS group is exploring, developing, and making chemical weapons.
Is that clearer and accurate? Let’s check it against the original statement.
Paul: That is much easier. We have learned a lot today Uncle Jim. Shall we make copies and then prepare the report. First, can I have a snack and a glass of milk Uncle Jim?
Me: Good idea. Let’s do have a snack Paul. You have done such a terrific job. It will not take us long to finish and to practice. Thanks for letting me help. I am learning to.
Paul: You are welcome.
Written November 20, 2015
Although, at the elder age of 12, my adopted nephew, Paul, does not come over as often as his six-year-old sister for homework help, occasionally he does ask for help. Paul called after school on Friday and wanted to know if he could come over Saturday morning. We decided that he would come over at 9:00 on Saturday although he originally had suggested Sunday. My experience is if we wait until Sunday, pretty soon the commitment has moved from 9:00 a.m. to Sunday evening at 7:00 which ends up by 8:30. So here comes Paul shuffling across from the house next door.
Me: Good morning, Paul. You look like you are still sleeping.
Paul: It is too early Uncle Jim.
Me: I know. It is really tough to get up this early on Saturday. I got you bagels and cream cheese.
Paul: Thanks Uncle Jim. Can I have juice?
Me: I just squeezed the oranges and poured you a large glass.
Paul: Thanks.
Me: What is this homework assignment Paul?
Paul: This is for history. We are supposed to find an article in the newspaper about ISIS and write a report.
Me: Oh my! That sounds like an important topic Paul. How shall we find the article?
Paul: There was an article in the Friday newspaper. I have it here. Want to see it?
Me: Yes. Hand it to me please.
Paul: Here Uncle Jim. It is the one at the top of the page.
Me: (Paul has handed me the St. Petersburg edition of the Tampa Tribune for November 20, 2015 turned to page 4 of the first section. The large print headline is: Officials: IS working on chemical weapons. The article is entitled U.S., Iraqi spies fear attacks in major cities and was written by Hamza, Hendawi, Qassim Abdul-Zahra and Ken Dilanian (Associated Press). I read the article. It is basically discussing the possibility that members of “The Islamic State group is aggressively pursuing development of chemical weapons . ..” There is some disagreement about whether or not they have the capability “to develop sophisticated weapons like nerve gas… . The authors of the article assert that so far, the group has used mustard gas on the battlefield in Iraq and Syria.”)
Well, Paul, how long do you have for your report?
Paul: Ten minutes Uncle Jim.
Me: Great. What made you choose this particular article Paul?
Paul: Well, in science we have been talking about all the chemicals. Some are good and some can hurt people and plants. I am a little confused about what chemical weapons are.
Me: Well, let’s see Paul. What do you think of when you hear the word weapon?
Paul: Well, my Uncle John was talking about cleaning guns and getting ready to hunt deer. Guns are weapons right.
Me: Yes they are. How else do we hurt each other?
Paul: Well, sometimes the bullies in school hit other kids. Can fists be weapons Uncle Jim?
Me: Yes, they certainly can. What else?
Paul: Well, knifes and, oh yes, the other night we were watching a movie and someone poisoned the person they worked for. Poison would be a weapon right Uncle Jim?
Me: Yes it would. So, we have established that weapons are things such as fists, guns, knives or other ways of hurting each other. Poison also hurts people.
Paul: Or dogs. Remember when someone poisoned our neighbor’s dog and they were so sad?
Me: Yes. So someone used a chemical weapon in our neighborhood. What other chemical weapons are there?
Paul: The article says something about mustard gas. We eat mustard and it is not a gas. What is mustard gas Uncle Jim?
Me: Let’s google it. You type it in.
Paul types in mustard gas on the search engine which on the Mac is Safari.
Me: Wow! We got lots of hits. Suppose we try this one Paul on Wikipedia first Paul. Okay?
Paul: Okay.
Me: What does it say Paul?
Paul: Sulfur mustard, Chemical Compound Mustard agent, or sulfphur mustard, commonly , but e ron..
What is this word uncle Jim?
Me: Erroneously; means falsely or in accurately.
Paul: They could have said that.
Me: I agree. Keep reading.
Paul: Erroneously known as mustard gas, is a class of related cytotoxic…. What is this word Uncle Jim?
Me: Let’s break it down. We know what toxic is right Paul?
Paul: Makes you sick?
Me: Yes or something that does not mix well with something else and can sometimes kills someone or something. How about cyto Paul.
Paul: Here it is. It means cell. We have cells in our body. Plants have cells too?
Me: Yes. Very good Paul. So cytotoxic means something that hurts the cells in our body?
Paul: I think so Uncle Jim. Darn! What is the next word – ves I cant?
Me: Well, let’s look it up. This is a lot of work isn’t it? It is kinda like a treasure hunt.
Paul: Ves I cant. Here it is. “Tending to cause blistering.”
“Vesicant chemical warfare agents with the ability to form large blisters on the exposed skin and in the lungs.” Uncle Jim it says it all without the words we looked up.
Me: Yes, it does Paul. Sometimes we adults make simple things complicated don’t we?
Paul: (sighing) Yes!
Uncle Jim is tear gas a chemical weapon?
Me: Does it hurt people?
Paul: Well, I read that it burns and make it hard to breathe. The police use it right Uncle Jim? So it is a chemical weapon?
Me: Actually it is classified as a chemical weapon and cannot be used in war but can be used by police in non-war situations.
Paul: That is confusing.
Me: Yes, it is Paul.
Paul: So we know that chemicals can be weapons and if used in war they are not allowed.
Me: Very good Paul.
Paul: So do we ever use chemical weapons Uncle Jim?
Me: Well Paul, let’s goggle chemical weapons status by country.
Paul: (types in “chemical weapons by country”)
Uncle Jim there are a lot of countries listed.
Uncle Jim: Yes there are. What does it say about the United States? Do he have chemical weapons?
Paul: it says:
(Armscontrol.org gives current information as current as publicly possible on the status of chemical weapons programs, stockpiles and destruction by country. It gives the following information about chemical weapons in the United States:
· State declarations: Unilaterally gave up it biological weapons program in 1969. The destruction of all offensive BW agent occurred between 1971 and 1972. Currently conducting research as part of his biodefense program. Allegations: According to a compliance report published by the Russian government in August in 2010 the U.S. is undertaking research on Smallpox which is prohibited by the World health Organizations. The U. S. is also accused of undertaking BW research in order to improve defenses against bio-terror attacks which is “especially questionable from the standpoint of Article I of the BTWC.”
· State declarations: Declared a large chemical arsenal of 27,771 metric tons to the OPCW and the CWC came into force in 1997. Along with Russia, the United States received an extension when it was unable to complete destruction of its chemical stockpiles by 2012. As of August 2013, the United States has destroyed nearly 25,000 metric tons of chemical agents. The United States believes that destruction that destruction will be completed by 2023.)
What does unilaterally mean Uncle Jim?
Me: Here, I will help look it up. It means something is done without the agreement of everyone involved. So, if you decide you no longer want to go to school without talking to your parents or the law, you would have made a unilateral decision. You would be in a lot of trouble. If Uncle Jim decided to keep chickens in the front yard without talking to the neighbors, I would be making a decision all by myself without thinking about how it would affect all the neighbors.
Paul: Thanks. So it seems to say that we have a lot of chemical weapons and will not finish destroying them until 2023. I will be 20 then. Then it says, “Currently conducting research as part of his biodefense program.” Does this mean we are still developing chemical weapons?
Me: It sure seems to leave open that possibility. Sometime it might be interesting for you to write letters to your senator and representative and ask this question, but for now, we have to assume that.
Paul: So it seems as if the article is saying that a lot of people are worried about IS making chemical weapons but are not worried that we still have them and may be figuring out how to make more. It also sounds as if we can use things like tear gas as long as we do not call it war.
Me: That is wonderful Paul. Perhaps when giving your report you could just list some questions that the class might think about and possibly discuss. Let’s review the questions:
1. Is the IS group going to make chemical weapons?
2. Do we have to stop them?
3. Has the United states ever had chemical weapons?
4. Have we ever used them?
5. Do we use tear gas as a chemical weapon?
6. Are some chemical weapons okay?
7. Why is it okay for some people to develop chemical weapons and others not?
8. Why is it taking so long for the United States to get rid of its chemical weapons?
So, shall we go over what you want to say?
Paul: We have talked about a lot Uncle Jim and I only have ten minutes.
Me: I have an idea. Let’s use the yellow highlighter to mark the parts of the article you want to read to the class and then we can type out the questions which the article raised. How does that sound Paul?
Paul: Okay. Will you help?
Me: Yes. First, how about we make copies of the article so that we can change our mind about what parts you want to read in class. Then we can try highlighting the parts. You can read them out loud and I will time you. How is that?
Paul: Okay. Maybe we can leave out some of the big words.
Me: We could do that. We could paraphrase what the article is saying. Do you know that word Paul?
Paul: No.
Me: We take what someone else says and reword it so that it summarizes in a simple way what is being said. We have to be careful not to change the meaning. For example, the first paragraph now says:
“The Islamic State group is aggressively pursuing development of chemical weapons, setting up a branch dedicated to research and experiment with the help of scientists from Iraq, Syria, and elsewhere in the region, according to Iraqi and U. S. Intelligence officials.”
We could say:
Iraqi and U.S. spies are fearful that the IS group is exploring, developing, and making chemical weapons.
Is that clearer and accurate? Let’s check it against the original statement.
Paul: That is much easier. We have learned a lot today Uncle Jim. Shall we make copies and then prepare the report. First, can I have a snack and a glass of milk Uncle Jim?
Me: Good idea. Let’s do have a snack Paul. You have done such a terrific job. It will not take us long to finish and to practice. Thanks for letting me help. I am learning to.
Paul: You are welcome.
Written November 20, 2015
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