Sunday, May 18, 2008
PLN Presentation Reaction
Well, from the comments I received, I did much better this time around. Most of my comments didn't give me anything that I need to work on. However, I know that I still rely on my notes too much, which is the reason some people said they couldn't hear me. In the future, I will work harder to practice my presentation beforehand, as well as speak louder.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
PLN 20
Once more, I scrolled through the teacher blogs on my school website, (no, I still have not escaped from my habits of monotony) and decided to check Ms. Crosby's blog. Her most recent post, Grading Practices talks about how students don't take the time to look at specific categories to see where their learning needs improvement, which can be harmful to their overall grade. Since this is a habit I myself have formed, I decided to comment on Crosby's blog:
As a student, I will admit that often times, I focus less on the details and more on the overall grade. I don’t concern myself with looking over categories to see where I need improvement. As long as I see an A staring back at me from the computer screen, I don’t particularly care how I am in specific aspects of the class. Although this is a terrible habit that many students face, I am happy to say that when the grade is not an A, I immediately set out to find the root of the problem. I know that a lot of students do this. My friends and I often talk about how certain things affect our grade and when we focus on those, grades improve.
Honestly, it’s tedious to look through every category of every class, but your right; we need to focus on the details. Our overall grade may be excellent, but that may just be because we participate in class. Our writing skills might stink and we wouldn’t even know until we fail our final paper. Sometimes, we students don’t realize that you place things in categories for a reason, and not merely for your own enjoyment. Grades are set up the way they are so we can pinpoint the exact problem in our learning. You can’t fix a problem if you don’t know its there. Perhaps talking to students about different categories and how they affect grades would help students take more initiative in their learning.
-AvereeL
As a student, I will admit that often times, I focus less on the details and more on the overall grade. I don’t concern myself with looking over categories to see where I need improvement. As long as I see an A staring back at me from the computer screen, I don’t particularly care how I am in specific aspects of the class. Although this is a terrible habit that many students face, I am happy to say that when the grade is not an A, I immediately set out to find the root of the problem. I know that a lot of students do this. My friends and I often talk about how certain things affect our grade and when we focus on those, grades improve.
Honestly, it’s tedious to look through every category of every class, but your right; we need to focus on the details. Our overall grade may be excellent, but that may just be because we participate in class. Our writing skills might stink and we wouldn’t even know until we fail our final paper. Sometimes, we students don’t realize that you place things in categories for a reason, and not merely for your own enjoyment. Grades are set up the way they are so we can pinpoint the exact problem in our learning. You can’t fix a problem if you don’t know its there. Perhaps talking to students about different categories and how they affect grades would help students take more initiative in their learning.
-AvereeL
Sunday, May 11, 2008
PLN 19
As I scrolled through the learning network blogs on my school's website, I decided to explore a bit and try a new blog. As you have probably figured out, I have a tendency to be a little monotonous. I looked at one teacher's blog (her name is Cheryl, but it somehow feels wrong to call a teacher by their first name) and was a little shocked at what I read. On her blog, Cheryl posted about one article called “Awaiting—still—a renaissance of wonder,” . I suggest you read it for yourself on her blog: "Even in heaven they don't sing all the time" . What I read really affected me, and so I decide to add a little input of my own:
After reading what you had to say about Michael Mazenko’s post, I decided to check it out for myself. I have to say, what I read was a little upsetting. As a student, I know how hard it is to show passion in everything we do (like Mr. Mazenko seems to expect). Often times, we have other things on our minds, or the subject we are discussing hits a little too close to home for us. Silence does not mean a lack of passion, merely a lack of words to express it. We go though the monotonous and laborious schedule of school everyday. Most of us cannot express the love of knowledge that teachers like Mazenko want from us. We’re teenagers. We can’t even find the right words to ask a person out on a date, let alone go into a deep conversation Ferlinghetti’s poem right after school has started. Some times, we just don’t have the energy to be deep thinkers and functional speakers.
It was quiet discouraging to read what Mazenko thinks of teenagers. As you stated, “Just because teenagers don’t behave like kindergartners doesn’t mean that school has “killed” something in them.” We are interested; we just have difficulties saying so. Our “mundane” questions are often an escape from the realities of the world that we face every day. Sometimes, we need something simple in our lives. Your son is 16, and has already faced many hardships. Most of us have. Poems can bring up the oddest, and most painful memories for us. Simple phrases can make us worry. We give simple answers because thinking too hard about it might be too painful.
Perhaps I am just repeating everything you have already talked about, but to hear that a teacher has lost hope I his students saddens me. Do we always wonder aloud? No. However, it doesn’t mean we aren’t still wondering. We’re teenagers, we’re always questioning everything. We can’t always see the beauty in the world because we are starting to see the harsher side of it. You’re right; we know the joys of life, but we still see the dark side of it. Simple answers don’t mean simple minds. They mean that we are trying to make something in our lives just a little easier. At least for the class period.
After reading what you had to say about Michael Mazenko’s post, I decided to check it out for myself. I have to say, what I read was a little upsetting. As a student, I know how hard it is to show passion in everything we do (like Mr. Mazenko seems to expect). Often times, we have other things on our minds, or the subject we are discussing hits a little too close to home for us. Silence does not mean a lack of passion, merely a lack of words to express it. We go though the monotonous and laborious schedule of school everyday. Most of us cannot express the love of knowledge that teachers like Mazenko want from us. We’re teenagers. We can’t even find the right words to ask a person out on a date, let alone go into a deep conversation Ferlinghetti’s poem right after school has started. Some times, we just don’t have the energy to be deep thinkers and functional speakers.
It was quiet discouraging to read what Mazenko thinks of teenagers. As you stated, “Just because teenagers don’t behave like kindergartners doesn’t mean that school has “killed” something in them.” We are interested; we just have difficulties saying so. Our “mundane” questions are often an escape from the realities of the world that we face every day. Sometimes, we need something simple in our lives. Your son is 16, and has already faced many hardships. Most of us have. Poems can bring up the oddest, and most painful memories for us. Simple phrases can make us worry. We give simple answers because thinking too hard about it might be too painful.
Perhaps I am just repeating everything you have already talked about, but to hear that a teacher has lost hope I his students saddens me. Do we always wonder aloud? No. However, it doesn’t mean we aren’t still wondering. We’re teenagers, we’re always questioning everything. We can’t always see the beauty in the world because we are starting to see the harsher side of it. You’re right; we know the joys of life, but we still see the dark side of it. Simple answers don’t mean simple minds. They mean that we are trying to make something in our lives just a little easier. At least for the class period.
Friday, May 9, 2008
PLN Presentation Reaction
Well, I definitely did better this time around. The two things I really need to work on are eye contact with my audience and speaking louder. I rely a lot on my notes, which distracts from my presentation, so hopefully next week I will be a little more prepared. This week was a little more difficult for me. I caught pneumonia from one of my friends last week and I am still suffering from side affects. My voice was a little shaky because I was afraid to have a coughing fit right in front of the class. However, I know that I can't blame all of my blunders on being sick. I need to learn how to be less reliant on my note cards when I talk. I also need to speak louder so that people can actually hear me. Hopefully next week will go a little better, but I have still improved since last semester.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
PLN 18
Every student gets some form of stage fright at one point in their lives. Statistics show that more people are afraid of public speaking than they are of dying. It sounds ridiculous, but its a big problem for students and teachers. In her blog, Kristin L talked about how to deal with students who suffer from this fear. The post was titled Quiet Students and it made excellent points about how to deal with students who suffer from shyness. I suggest reading the post yourself and adding your own input, but here is what I said:
Kristin L,
I know how hard it is to be the student whose grade suffers because of shyness. I have often been the victim of it. A lot of times, and to a lot of teachers, it seems like a good idea to give a non-participate a zero for the day. Like you said, maybe it will get the message across, and the student will learn to get past the awkwardness of speaking out in a large group. However, you also said that it often seems like the student was trying to participate. Your probably right, It is hard for us shy students to speak out, especially in front of other students. There is always the fear that we will say something stupid that the class will hold over our head forever. Even if us quiet kids can get up the courage to speak up, we are often over-looked by the class. I myself have been in many situations where I had a really good point to add to the discussion, but the more verbal students spoke over me because they are so used to me just sitting there. I know this is the case for many students. We want to sit back and listen to the group. We want to absorb the knowledge and input of others. Sometimes, we get so wrapped up in what the others are saying we don’t want to interrupt. Other times, we just don’t want to distract from what the others are saying. You made a point that students who are non-factors could maybe get non-grades. I agree. Those of us who are too scared to speak shouldn’t be punished. Unless a student is completely and utterly out of it, there shouldn’t be any reason for them to receive a zero. They don’t contribute, but they don’t distract either. Perhaps the best way to handle students who have forgotten how to use their voices is to have them write a summary after the seminar, just to make sure they haven’t forgotten to use their brains as well.
-AvereeL
Kristin L,
I know how hard it is to be the student whose grade suffers because of shyness. I have often been the victim of it. A lot of times, and to a lot of teachers, it seems like a good idea to give a non-participate a zero for the day. Like you said, maybe it will get the message across, and the student will learn to get past the awkwardness of speaking out in a large group. However, you also said that it often seems like the student was trying to participate. Your probably right, It is hard for us shy students to speak out, especially in front of other students. There is always the fear that we will say something stupid that the class will hold over our head forever. Even if us quiet kids can get up the courage to speak up, we are often over-looked by the class. I myself have been in many situations where I had a really good point to add to the discussion, but the more verbal students spoke over me because they are so used to me just sitting there. I know this is the case for many students. We want to sit back and listen to the group. We want to absorb the knowledge and input of others. Sometimes, we get so wrapped up in what the others are saying we don’t want to interrupt. Other times, we just don’t want to distract from what the others are saying. You made a point that students who are non-factors could maybe get non-grades. I agree. Those of us who are too scared to speak shouldn’t be punished. Unless a student is completely and utterly out of it, there shouldn’t be any reason for them to receive a zero. They don’t contribute, but they don’t distract either. Perhaps the best way to handle students who have forgotten how to use their voices is to have them write a summary after the seminar, just to make sure they haven’t forgotten to use their brains as well.
-AvereeL
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
PLN 17
As I scrolled, once more through my Algebra teacher's blog, I found a post that interested me. student focus talks about how in his Algebra II class, Mr. Holman discovered that his students seem to do better in class when they listen to music. I was delighted to hear this, so I decided to post on his blog.
Mr. Holman,
Music is a big part of my life. As a teen, I listen to it; a lot. It’s relaxing, beautiful, and an escape from the stresses of daily life. I often listen to my music while I am doing homework, and when given the chance, I listen to it during school. I relax. The noise of the other students is wiped out, and I am in my own little world, ready to do my work without interruptions. It’s great to hear that your students take to it like I do. My sister is a psych major, and she has often told me that things like music can even help students retain what they learn. We sit during tests, and instead of remembering a jumble of words that make no sense; we remember our lesson from last week, which we put to words in our head. We hear the music, which helps us hear the words. Teachers always assume that music is a distraction, however, like you discovered, students succeed when they listen to music. It is wonderful to know that music is slowly working its way into our classrooms. Perhaps, with time, it will spread, and even more students will have the chance to use music to succeed in school.
-AvereeL
Mr. Holman,
Music is a big part of my life. As a teen, I listen to it; a lot. It’s relaxing, beautiful, and an escape from the stresses of daily life. I often listen to my music while I am doing homework, and when given the chance, I listen to it during school. I relax. The noise of the other students is wiped out, and I am in my own little world, ready to do my work without interruptions. It’s great to hear that your students take to it like I do. My sister is a psych major, and she has often told me that things like music can even help students retain what they learn. We sit during tests, and instead of remembering a jumble of words that make no sense; we remember our lesson from last week, which we put to words in our head. We hear the music, which helps us hear the words. Teachers always assume that music is a distraction, however, like you discovered, students succeed when they listen to music. It is wonderful to know that music is slowly working its way into our classrooms. Perhaps, with time, it will spread, and even more students will have the chance to use music to succeed in school.
-AvereeL
PLN 16
Today I decided to broaden my sources, so I took a look at one of the teacher's blogs on my school web page. What I found was a great post by Ms. Comp about PLNs and how she is applying them in her classes. The post was titled PLN's Again . Since I too am doing PLNs I decided to post on her blog. Here is what I said:
Jessie,
As a student who is also doing PLNs, it is exciting to hear what others are doing, and how they’re doing it. I know that I at least have learned a lot from this assignment. It’s a great way for students to get involved. So many times, we are oblivious to the world around us. All we see is school, friends, and that hot college guy down the street. PLNs are a great way for us students to broaden our thinking. Not only do we know what fellow students and other teachers are thinking, but also we see life in an all-new perspective. For students like me, who fancy blogging about the news, it is a real eye-opener to what is going on in the real world. Before I started blogging, I had no idea about what was going on. Stories on the news were just, stories. I didn’t know what they were about, and didn’t particularly care. My PLNs forced me to do both, and I can proudly say I am much more aware of what is happening in the world. Even posting on the blogs of others is helpful. We learn to see things the ways others see them. We put on our, as my U.S. History teacher likes to call them, our point of view glasses. PLNs help students in so many aspects of both their academic and social life, so it was really exciting to hear that other classes have started doing them.
-AvereeL
Jessie,
As a student who is also doing PLNs, it is exciting to hear what others are doing, and how they’re doing it. I know that I at least have learned a lot from this assignment. It’s a great way for students to get involved. So many times, we are oblivious to the world around us. All we see is school, friends, and that hot college guy down the street. PLNs are a great way for us students to broaden our thinking. Not only do we know what fellow students and other teachers are thinking, but also we see life in an all-new perspective. For students like me, who fancy blogging about the news, it is a real eye-opener to what is going on in the real world. Before I started blogging, I had no idea about what was going on. Stories on the news were just, stories. I didn’t know what they were about, and didn’t particularly care. My PLNs forced me to do both, and I can proudly say I am much more aware of what is happening in the world. Even posting on the blogs of others is helpful. We learn to see things the ways others see them. We put on our, as my U.S. History teacher likes to call them, our point of view glasses. PLNs help students in so many aspects of both their academic and social life, so it was really exciting to hear that other classes have started doing them.
-AvereeL
PLN 15
Today as I scanned through Mr. Holman's blog, I saw a post that really stuck out to me. math in life talks about how the math we learn may not be the best way to prepare us for the real world. I posted on Holman's blog and here is what I said:
Mr. Holman,
I really agree with what you talked about in this post. So many times, I myself start thinking about how pi is ever going to come up in my life. A lot of students question the importance of the things we learn in math, and your right, its time to teach what we need to learn. Most of us wont grow up and find a career where the type of math we are currently learning is useful. In our futures, we are probably going to see a lot more of taxes and bills, and a lot less of the Pythagorean theorem. Students need to be taught how to function in the real world. As you stated, we need to be taught about mortgages, interest, and other challenges that we will face during and after college. I will admit, learning about tangents and cosines makes me feel infinitely smarter, but its time to learn something that will make me truly successful in life.
-AvereeL
Mr. Holman,
I really agree with what you talked about in this post. So many times, I myself start thinking about how pi is ever going to come up in my life. A lot of students question the importance of the things we learn in math, and your right, its time to teach what we need to learn. Most of us wont grow up and find a career where the type of math we are currently learning is useful. In our futures, we are probably going to see a lot more of taxes and bills, and a lot less of the Pythagorean theorem. Students need to be taught how to function in the real world. As you stated, we need to be taught about mortgages, interest, and other challenges that we will face during and after college. I will admit, learning about tangents and cosines makes me feel infinitely smarter, but its time to learn something that will make me truly successful in life.
-AvereeL
Monday, May 5, 2008
PLN 14
Today I read through posts on The Fischbowl, I found one that truly interested me. It talked about Darren Draper, who posted on his own blog about teachers, and how they can improve their class and the students' experience. I commented on Darren's blog, Drape's Takes and here is what I said:
Darren,
Every student looks forward to the more exciting classes in their schedule. As a student, I will admit that even I sit through certain classes, waiting hopefully for the next. This can have an enormously negative affect on our learning. Students who zone out, wondering what next hour with “the fun teacher” will be like are less likely to retain what they learn. The way the teacher, well, teaches can have a big affect on this. A teacher who is not willing to learn is guaranteed to have students who will refuse to do so either. I have been the student who is bored out of their mind, waiting for the blessed ring of the bell. I know how hard it is to sit through that class. A teacher who is open to new ideas is the type of teacher who has passing students. It is no mystery that students who take drama, art, and music classes have better grades. They have more opportunities to learn, because their teachers make the classes fun and exciting. Teachers who take an active interest in their teaching have students who do the same for their learning. My English teacher often has guests in her classes, and though we students don’t necessarily see the affects of it, it helps her come up with fun, new ideas to help us learn our material. U.S. History has never been my favorite class, but the teacher seeks new, exciting way to teach the material, which makes sitting through the class immensely more enjoyable. Perhaps I am just rambling, but it was refreshing to see someone confront the challenges that so many teachers face in their classrooms.
-AvereeL
I have linked back to Darren's blog (Becoming A Better Teacher ) and suggest checking it out to see for yourself what he says.
Darren,
Every student looks forward to the more exciting classes in their schedule. As a student, I will admit that even I sit through certain classes, waiting hopefully for the next. This can have an enormously negative affect on our learning. Students who zone out, wondering what next hour with “the fun teacher” will be like are less likely to retain what they learn. The way the teacher, well, teaches can have a big affect on this. A teacher who is not willing to learn is guaranteed to have students who will refuse to do so either. I have been the student who is bored out of their mind, waiting for the blessed ring of the bell. I know how hard it is to sit through that class. A teacher who is open to new ideas is the type of teacher who has passing students. It is no mystery that students who take drama, art, and music classes have better grades. They have more opportunities to learn, because their teachers make the classes fun and exciting. Teachers who take an active interest in their teaching have students who do the same for their learning. My English teacher often has guests in her classes, and though we students don’t necessarily see the affects of it, it helps her come up with fun, new ideas to help us learn our material. U.S. History has never been my favorite class, but the teacher seeks new, exciting way to teach the material, which makes sitting through the class immensely more enjoyable. Perhaps I am just rambling, but it was refreshing to see someone confront the challenges that so many teachers face in their classrooms.
-AvereeL
I have linked back to Darren's blog (Becoming A Better Teacher ) and suggest checking it out to see for yourself what he says.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
PLN 13
Today I was reading a blog post by one of the teachers at my school. In her post Home with the kids.... she talks about how after setting up her 4 year old daughter with a bunch of favorites on their home computer, her daughter almost immediately picked up on how to use it all, and became a ".com kid". After reading her post, I commented on it. Here is what I said.
Bkitch,
I was so excited to hear about how quickly your daughter picked up using the computer. My niece is almost her age, and although she is still a tad too young to play on the computer, it was great to hear that a 4 year-old is almost as technologically literate as I am at 15 (though she seems to have picked it up a lot faster than I did).
Technology is very quickly integrating into schools, and your daughter is well on her way to passing up her teachers. I honestly don’t know why, (perhaps it’s because my English class uses computers, and I still get frustrated with them) but to hear that your daughter is getting a head start in life was really inspiring for me to try harder to become a “.com kid” (or teen) like your daughter.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
PLN 12
The Internet is very quickly slipping into our daily lives. We use it to do school and home work, organize dates, talk to friends, update on news, and now, it has even given employers a way to search for negative and even positive information on potential employees. In Will Richardson's article Making Kids “Googlable” , he talks about how schools can and perhaps should do more to make their students "Googlable" to make them ready for their futures.
This article matters to the world because Google is becoming one of the easiest ways to do background checks on potential employees. Today, even myspaces are being used to do searches. Absolutely awful things are put on personal web pages. People verbally attack others, complain about jobs, and curse like there is nothing more pleasing in this world. When employers see things like this, they are less prone to consider that person for the job. Will Richardson has set out to convince schools to create on-line portfolios for students, so as to prevent mistakes and lost job opportunities.
This post matters to me because I too use the Internet, I too have a blog, and I, like so many others, can be "googled". I know that I have to be careful about what I say on this blog, and any other personal web page I create, simply because my next boss could be reading it. I have to be respectful to myself and others, because my job could depend on it. Luckily, none of this is a problem for me, but I see less than appropriate comments on my friends blogs. They don't realize it, but what they say about a girl in their 3rd hour class may well affect the outcome of their first job interview. While I am still a little "iffy" about creating on-line portfolios for students, I do fully support teachers and administrators in educating their students on how to be positive on their myspaces, blogs, and face books. Who knows who might be reading them.
This article matters to the world because Google is becoming one of the easiest ways to do background checks on potential employees. Today, even myspaces are being used to do searches. Absolutely awful things are put on personal web pages. People verbally attack others, complain about jobs, and curse like there is nothing more pleasing in this world. When employers see things like this, they are less prone to consider that person for the job. Will Richardson has set out to convince schools to create on-line portfolios for students, so as to prevent mistakes and lost job opportunities.
This post matters to me because I too use the Internet, I too have a blog, and I, like so many others, can be "googled". I know that I have to be careful about what I say on this blog, and any other personal web page I create, simply because my next boss could be reading it. I have to be respectful to myself and others, because my job could depend on it. Luckily, none of this is a problem for me, but I see less than appropriate comments on my friends blogs. They don't realize it, but what they say about a girl in their 3rd hour class may well affect the outcome of their first job interview. While I am still a little "iffy" about creating on-line portfolios for students, I do fully support teachers and administrators in educating their students on how to be positive on their myspaces, blogs, and face books. Who knows who might be reading them.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
PLN 11
Imagine reporting that your child was hurt, and not having anyone care. Picture watching your child be attacked by another person, and not have anyone come to their rescue. Visualize being a worried parent with a missing baby, and not having anyone notice and take action. Seem unlikely? In the Denver Post's Children lost in the system, the profiles of 13 children are recovered. Every single one of them was killed, and every single one of them was reported before the death. No one listened.
This article was long, and hard to read simply because of the sadness each story unfolded for me, and I think that my explanation would hardly do any good, so for more information on the article, follow the link above. However, in brief, Children lost in the system is about 13 children who's families reported a problem to social service departments and in every case, the report was ignored.
This article matters to the world because of the problems with the system. In all of the cases, earlier reports had been made about the children. Whether it had been suspected violence on the parents/guardians side, of whether the child simply had been acting out of character, social services had prior warnings, yet took no action. There was rarely a follow-up of the complaint, and most of the families were not regularly checked up on. If 13 children can die in one year, in one county because of failing social services, what is happening in the rest of the country? In the words of Deb in NoCo (a woman who posted a comment pertaining to the article), "We protect animals better than we do these children."
This article matters to me because all of this happened in my home state, to children my niece's age, and because (as sad as this is) many of my prior PLNs have been about child abuse. These children could have gotten help. There were people who were trained, who were suppose to help them, yet didn't. Reports weren't kept up to date, and parents/guardians weren't kept under close surveillance after reports of child abuse and neglect. I have discovered that child abuse is a recurring theme in my PLNs simply because just the thought of what children like these face makes tears spring to my eyes. Most of the children talked about in this article had been sent to hospitals with serious trauma, yet no legal action was taken. We talk about saving abused animals and people starving in Africa (which don't get me wrong, are both very good causes), but we don't pay attention to the abused and starving children in our own country. How can we be so focused on complete strangers on the other side of the world when we can't help the innocent babies crying out for help right down the street. I don't mean to say that it isn't important that we help Africa too, but all of these children could have been saved. Simply because no one figured "hmm, a three year-old is suffering from vaginal bleeding, and her step-dad is a sex offender, maybe we should check this out," or "gee, this lady has been reported for two years of parental neglect and abuse, and her son is suffering from bleeding in the brain; maybe somethings wrong," children 11 years and younger were forced to suffer. I don't see how we can talk of helping the poor and hungry children in Africa when we can't even wise up and help kids going through the same thing just a little closer to home.
This article was long, and hard to read simply because of the sadness each story unfolded for me, and I think that my explanation would hardly do any good, so for more information on the article, follow the link above. However, in brief, Children lost in the system is about 13 children who's families reported a problem to social service departments and in every case, the report was ignored.
This article matters to the world because of the problems with the system. In all of the cases, earlier reports had been made about the children. Whether it had been suspected violence on the parents/guardians side, of whether the child simply had been acting out of character, social services had prior warnings, yet took no action. There was rarely a follow-up of the complaint, and most of the families were not regularly checked up on. If 13 children can die in one year, in one county because of failing social services, what is happening in the rest of the country? In the words of Deb in NoCo (a woman who posted a comment pertaining to the article), "We protect animals better than we do these children."
This article matters to me because all of this happened in my home state, to children my niece's age, and because (as sad as this is) many of my prior PLNs have been about child abuse. These children could have gotten help. There were people who were trained, who were suppose to help them, yet didn't. Reports weren't kept up to date, and parents/guardians weren't kept under close surveillance after reports of child abuse and neglect. I have discovered that child abuse is a recurring theme in my PLNs simply because just the thought of what children like these face makes tears spring to my eyes. Most of the children talked about in this article had been sent to hospitals with serious trauma, yet no legal action was taken. We talk about saving abused animals and people starving in Africa (which don't get me wrong, are both very good causes), but we don't pay attention to the abused and starving children in our own country. How can we be so focused on complete strangers on the other side of the world when we can't help the innocent babies crying out for help right down the street. I don't mean to say that it isn't important that we help Africa too, but all of these children could have been saved. Simply because no one figured "hmm, a three year-old is suffering from vaginal bleeding, and her step-dad is a sex offender, maybe we should check this out," or "gee, this lady has been reported for two years of parental neglect and abuse, and her son is suffering from bleeding in the brain; maybe somethings wrong," children 11 years and younger were forced to suffer. I don't see how we can talk of helping the poor and hungry children in Africa when we can't even wise up and help kids going through the same thing just a little closer to home.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
PLN 10
Child molesting is one of man's greatest monstrosities in many opinions. Taking a child and distorting their image of a person they trust in such a vile way is disgusting. Many lawmakers even proposed giving sex offenders the death penalty. In the Denver Post's Junction police: Wife taped man assaulting girl talks about one woman who took the law into her own hands when she suspected her husband of molesting her 6 year-old daughter. Although the article was painfully short, it explained how one woman in Grand Junction caught her husband committing "suspicious activity" with his step-daughter.
This article matters to me for two reasons. For those of you who don't go to my school, or don't read the paper, our school newspaper recently released an article talking about one student who was sexually assaulted by her father when she was 8 years-old. Also, when a close friend of mine was very young, her step-father attacked her. I won't go into specific details about my friend, but it scarred her. In both the case of the student at my school, and my friend, they were and in my friends case still are haunted by what happened, even after so many years. After reading this article, I couldn't help but sit back in my chair and wonder "what goes through these creeps minds when they attack innocent children?" Pardon me if that sounds a little harsh, but I can't imagine taking advantage of a child, especially your child like that.
This article matters to the world because of the fact that the man was set free with $25,000bail. This man, who's name is not revealed for the sake of the victim has already been charged with 11 to 12 other accounts of sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust. Even though the woman caught everything on tape, and even though the man is a repeat offender, they still let him go. He has hurt other children, traumatized, and attacked them, and yet judges are content to let him wander free? I can't imagine letting such a monster back onto the streets. I don't see how they could let him go after such clear evidence, and I suppose I will never understand what was running through the judge's mind when he released the man. All I know is that men like him are still out there, and sadly, even though a woman recorded her husband in the act, yet another predator has been released back into the ranks.
This article matters to me for two reasons. For those of you who don't go to my school, or don't read the paper, our school newspaper recently released an article talking about one student who was sexually assaulted by her father when she was 8 years-old. Also, when a close friend of mine was very young, her step-father attacked her. I won't go into specific details about my friend, but it scarred her. In both the case of the student at my school, and my friend, they were and in my friends case still are haunted by what happened, even after so many years. After reading this article, I couldn't help but sit back in my chair and wonder "what goes through these creeps minds when they attack innocent children?" Pardon me if that sounds a little harsh, but I can't imagine taking advantage of a child, especially your child like that.
This article matters to the world because of the fact that the man was set free with $25,000bail. This man, who's name is not revealed for the sake of the victim has already been charged with 11 to 12 other accounts of sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust. Even though the woman caught everything on tape, and even though the man is a repeat offender, they still let him go. He has hurt other children, traumatized, and attacked them, and yet judges are content to let him wander free? I can't imagine letting such a monster back onto the streets. I don't see how they could let him go after such clear evidence, and I suppose I will never understand what was running through the judge's mind when he released the man. All I know is that men like him are still out there, and sadly, even though a woman recorded her husband in the act, yet another predator has been released back into the ranks.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
PLN 9
Drug use has always been a problem in our society. Most have been made illegal, and yet they still find their way into the U.S. More frightening is the fact that high school and even middle school students have taken up the trend. Though these facts are all alarming, what I read in the Denver Post's Mom in baby-meth case to be in court in baby-meth case to be in court shocked me more than any of these. A woman by the name of Katriece Trujillo was charged with child abuse after giving her 3 month-old son methamphetamine in his bottle.
This article matters to they world because Trujillo has just, in a small way, introduced another drug user into society. Often, in cases like her son's, the baby grows up unhappy and difficult unless they receive what ever drug it is they were exposed to as babies. After ingesting the meth, Trujillo's son began experiencing seizures. It isn't said if he suffered from any other adverse affects, but doctors are sure the drugs racked his system.
This article matters to me because, as you all know, I have a niece who too is still a baby. I can't imagine any person wanting to hurt their child. What would possess a woman to give her baby boy such a dangerous drug is beyond my comprehension. What worries me the most is that later on in his life, this boy could suffer from all sorts of problems. Grumpiness, seizures, epilepsy, and violent mood swings are only some of the risks he might face now for the rest of his life. IT really breaks my heart to know that this boy will probably never have a normal life bcause of what his mother did. Perhaps I am just being pessimistic about this boys future. He may well live to be a functional adult. However, what was done to him was cruel, and the fact that his own mother did makes me sick.
This article matters to they world because Trujillo has just, in a small way, introduced another drug user into society. Often, in cases like her son's, the baby grows up unhappy and difficult unless they receive what ever drug it is they were exposed to as babies. After ingesting the meth, Trujillo's son began experiencing seizures. It isn't said if he suffered from any other adverse affects, but doctors are sure the drugs racked his system.
This article matters to me because, as you all know, I have a niece who too is still a baby. I can't imagine any person wanting to hurt their child. What would possess a woman to give her baby boy such a dangerous drug is beyond my comprehension. What worries me the most is that later on in his life, this boy could suffer from all sorts of problems. Grumpiness, seizures, epilepsy, and violent mood swings are only some of the risks he might face now for the rest of his life. IT really breaks my heart to know that this boy will probably never have a normal life bcause of what his mother did. Perhaps I am just being pessimistic about this boys future. He may well live to be a functional adult. However, what was done to him was cruel, and the fact that his own mother did makes me sick.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
PLN 8
Do you remember when you were little? Everyone was always telling us not to run with scissors, run down hills, jump on the bed, or sniff sharpies or expo markers. Most of us didn't understand why, but a lot of us did it anyways. (Heck, I will admit even I sniffed a sharpie or two simply because I wanted to know why I wasn't supposed to). When we were little kids, we often did things simply because we were told not to. The Denver Post published one article called Boy, 8, suspended after sniffing Sharpie marker about one 8 year-old boy named Eathan Harris who was suspended for sniffing a sharpie marker and a shirt which he had drawn a sharpie line on.
This article matters to the world simply because of the ridiculousness of it all. Yes children, I have noticed, are becoming more and more violent towards peers and teachers, and drug use in schools is a growing epidemic. However, assuming that an 8 year-old boy is huffing sharpie fumes to get high is absolutely bizarre. At Eathan's age, most boys don't even know what huffing is.
I think it is important to take initiative when a child acts out. And yes, children who hurt themselves need to be stopped, but suspending a boy because he was being, well, a boy is almost comical. It certainly makes schools look foolish. Schools need to watch their students, so I don't blame them for being concerned. Also, as an aunt, I can't honestly say that sharpies are what kids should be sticking into their noses (I almost prefer fingers.) But if schools are going to act out so severely merely because a boy was curious as to why he was being told no, then schools need to take a look at what really makes a druggie. If Eathan had been continuing this pattern, I can understand stepping in, but immediately assuming Eathan was doing this to hurt himself can make other children scared to even use sharpies, and gives kids a bad view of curiosity.
This article matters to me because I have a niece who is curious about everything. At her age, reverse-phsycology often turns into retrieving a ball from her mouth, or a sticker from her ear. Someday, she will be Eathan's age. I will have to make her cough up paper she swallowed, pens will be confiscated, jelly beans removed from all sorts of places, comb out hair after she ties it in an eternity knot, and sharpie fumes will be discovered snaking their way into her system. I will freak out when these things happen, but am I honestly going to spank her, or put her in time out because she wanted to know what was so bad about something? Probably not. I can remember doing the same exact thing Eathan did. I wasn't trying to get high, nor was I trying to potentially hurt myself. I simply wanted to know why everyone kept telling me not to sniff the markers.
Curiosity can be dangerous for little kids. Yes, I will not deny it, Eathan could have caused himself harm had he not had his marker confiscated ( I am assuming they did confiscate it before sending Eathan home..) but we all did it. I can't think of a single person I know who hasn't tried something potentially dangerous. I suppose I can understand the concern the school administrator who had Eathan suspended felt when Eathan continued to sniff the marker, but simply taking away the marker and explaining why it was bad would suffice. Shockingly, kids Eathan's age do understand when you sit down and explain it to them.
Perhaps Eathan's school's decision to suspend him was correct, but I can't honestly see how, if Eathan had tried to hurt himself, sending him home (where there are doubtless more sharpies) could possibly help. What do you, my readers think?
This article matters to the world simply because of the ridiculousness of it all. Yes children, I have noticed, are becoming more and more violent towards peers and teachers, and drug use in schools is a growing epidemic. However, assuming that an 8 year-old boy is huffing sharpie fumes to get high is absolutely bizarre. At Eathan's age, most boys don't even know what huffing is.
I think it is important to take initiative when a child acts out. And yes, children who hurt themselves need to be stopped, but suspending a boy because he was being, well, a boy is almost comical. It certainly makes schools look foolish. Schools need to watch their students, so I don't blame them for being concerned. Also, as an aunt, I can't honestly say that sharpies are what kids should be sticking into their noses (I almost prefer fingers.) But if schools are going to act out so severely merely because a boy was curious as to why he was being told no, then schools need to take a look at what really makes a druggie. If Eathan had been continuing this pattern, I can understand stepping in, but immediately assuming Eathan was doing this to hurt himself can make other children scared to even use sharpies, and gives kids a bad view of curiosity.
This article matters to me because I have a niece who is curious about everything. At her age, reverse-phsycology often turns into retrieving a ball from her mouth, or a sticker from her ear. Someday, she will be Eathan's age. I will have to make her cough up paper she swallowed, pens will be confiscated, jelly beans removed from all sorts of places, comb out hair after she ties it in an eternity knot, and sharpie fumes will be discovered snaking their way into her system. I will freak out when these things happen, but am I honestly going to spank her, or put her in time out because she wanted to know what was so bad about something? Probably not. I can remember doing the same exact thing Eathan did. I wasn't trying to get high, nor was I trying to potentially hurt myself. I simply wanted to know why everyone kept telling me not to sniff the markers.
Curiosity can be dangerous for little kids. Yes, I will not deny it, Eathan could have caused himself harm had he not had his marker confiscated ( I am assuming they did confiscate it before sending Eathan home..) but we all did it. I can't think of a single person I know who hasn't tried something potentially dangerous. I suppose I can understand the concern the school administrator who had Eathan suspended felt when Eathan continued to sniff the marker, but simply taking away the marker and explaining why it was bad would suffice. Shockingly, kids Eathan's age do understand when you sit down and explain it to them.
Perhaps Eathan's school's decision to suspend him was correct, but I can't honestly see how, if Eathan had tried to hurt himself, sending him home (where there are doubtless more sharpies) could possibly help. What do you, my readers think?
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
PLN 7
Students who come into class late often miss out on important lessons. They get detention, marked down, or some other form of punishment. Coming into class late is indeed disrespectful to the teacher and to the class, but what happens when one teacher takes wild disciplinary action against one student to the point that other classmates attacked him? Rocky Mountain News’s Teacher OK'd beating of tardy student, police say talks about one Brian Havel, who after a student walked late into his class allowed about 10 or 15 others to begin beating the teen faces charges of child abuse.
This article matters to the world because although the teen boy of about 15 or 16 years old had no injuries after the incident, he was nonetheless attacked. Students should feel safe in their classrooms. They should be able to walk into class feeling comfortable. Yes, students should be punished when they come to class late, but what Havel allowed in his classroom was appalling. Though Havel is completely in the wrong for allowing such behavior, what is even more disgusting is that other students in the class asked if they were allowed to hit the student. Havel had a rule in his class that any student who was late to class had to do a certain amount of push-ups in a given amount of time. When the student (whose names is never given) either refused or was not able to complete the exercise, his fellow classmates where given permission to hit him.
This article matters to me because they boy who was attacked was about my age. He was hurt by fellow students; by people he went to class with, ate lunch with. I was horrified when I learned that they had asked to punch another student. I guess I just don’t understand how you could do something like that to another student, and then sit by them the next day in class. I am comfortable with the people in my classes. As far as I know, none of them dislike me enough to ever ask for permission to take my punishment into their own hands, but the fact that there are teens out there like that, and there are teachers who allow it startles me.
It isn’t said whether any of the students who assailed the teen are going to be pressed with charges, but just knowing that they would feel such violence towards another student is frightening. Knowing that young people could feel such hate towards another classmate shocks me, and I can’t help but wonder, what happens to teens like that later on in life, when real challenges oppose them?
This article matters to the world because although the teen boy of about 15 or 16 years old had no injuries after the incident, he was nonetheless attacked. Students should feel safe in their classrooms. They should be able to walk into class feeling comfortable. Yes, students should be punished when they come to class late, but what Havel allowed in his classroom was appalling. Though Havel is completely in the wrong for allowing such behavior, what is even more disgusting is that other students in the class asked if they were allowed to hit the student. Havel had a rule in his class that any student who was late to class had to do a certain amount of push-ups in a given amount of time. When the student (whose names is never given) either refused or was not able to complete the exercise, his fellow classmates where given permission to hit him.
This article matters to me because they boy who was attacked was about my age. He was hurt by fellow students; by people he went to class with, ate lunch with. I was horrified when I learned that they had asked to punch another student. I guess I just don’t understand how you could do something like that to another student, and then sit by them the next day in class. I am comfortable with the people in my classes. As far as I know, none of them dislike me enough to ever ask for permission to take my punishment into their own hands, but the fact that there are teens out there like that, and there are teachers who allow it startles me.
It isn’t said whether any of the students who assailed the teen are going to be pressed with charges, but just knowing that they would feel such violence towards another student is frightening. Knowing that young people could feel such hate towards another classmate shocks me, and I can’t help but wonder, what happens to teens like that later on in life, when real challenges oppose them?
PLN 6
Many teens suffer from thoughts of suicide. I myself have several friends who have thought, or even attempted to kill themselves. It is a cold, hard reality in the world today. Harry Potter author: I considered suicide by CNN talks about one woman who suffered from depression, and out of it came the most famous series of our generation.
J.K. Rowling won the hearts of millions of children, teens, and even adults with her Harry Potter series. Now one of the richest women on Earth, no one would expect her to be like so many other women out there. No one would expect her to have started out as a poor, working, and very depressed, single mom. After separating from her first husband, Rowling was living in a cramped apartment with her baby daughter. Her apartment had only been afforded through a friend who offered to help her financially. After so long, alone and depressed, Rowling realized what her depression was doing to her, and she sought help.
This article matters to me because I know so many people who are suicidal. J.K. Rowling was depressed, but she was willing to admit it. She was willing to get help. So many of my friends had to have help thrust upon them (at which point they don't see it as help, only an invasion of privacy). I know how hard it is to live with depression (two of my sisters were diagnosed with it), and I know it is hard to seek help, to admit that there is "something wrong" with you. However, perhaps if more people had something, or someone to keep them firmly planted on the ground, maybe more people like J.K. Rowling would come out and find the help they need.
This article matters to the world because so many teens do suffer from depression. Most don't seek help for it, because they don't see anything wrong with it. Indeed, at our fragile age, we often feel low and lonely, but so often, that feeling of sadness gets out of hand. What brought Rowling back to the real world was the fact that she had a daughter to care for, and baby who needed her. Rowling had something to fight back with, something to fight of the depression.
Even though Rowling was older than my friends, and indeed many teens who have suicidal thoughts, she still sends a message. So many times, we only see the bad. Rowling saw the blessing in her life; she saw her daughter, and it helped her through her depression. If only more young people could see the blessings in their lives, perhaps less would commit suicide, and more would seek help. Although, as far as we know, Rowling never actually tried to commit suicide, she still serves as a role model for depressed teens seeking the light in their own lives.
J.K. Rowling won the hearts of millions of children, teens, and even adults with her Harry Potter series. Now one of the richest women on Earth, no one would expect her to be like so many other women out there. No one would expect her to have started out as a poor, working, and very depressed, single mom. After separating from her first husband, Rowling was living in a cramped apartment with her baby daughter. Her apartment had only been afforded through a friend who offered to help her financially. After so long, alone and depressed, Rowling realized what her depression was doing to her, and she sought help.
This article matters to me because I know so many people who are suicidal. J.K. Rowling was depressed, but she was willing to admit it. She was willing to get help. So many of my friends had to have help thrust upon them (at which point they don't see it as help, only an invasion of privacy). I know how hard it is to live with depression (two of my sisters were diagnosed with it), and I know it is hard to seek help, to admit that there is "something wrong" with you. However, perhaps if more people had something, or someone to keep them firmly planted on the ground, maybe more people like J.K. Rowling would come out and find the help they need.
This article matters to the world because so many teens do suffer from depression. Most don't seek help for it, because they don't see anything wrong with it. Indeed, at our fragile age, we often feel low and lonely, but so often, that feeling of sadness gets out of hand. What brought Rowling back to the real world was the fact that she had a daughter to care for, and baby who needed her. Rowling had something to fight back with, something to fight of the depression.
Even though Rowling was older than my friends, and indeed many teens who have suicidal thoughts, she still sends a message. So many times, we only see the bad. Rowling saw the blessing in her life; she saw her daughter, and it helped her through her depression. If only more young people could see the blessings in their lives, perhaps less would commit suicide, and more would seek help. Although, as far as we know, Rowling never actually tried to commit suicide, she still serves as a role model for depressed teens seeking the light in their own lives.
Friday, March 28, 2008
PLN 5
Every year, thousands of children go missing. Some are never found, some are found dead, but some are found alive and in the oddest of places. CNN's Toddler rescued after 27 hours in well talks about one Indian girl named Vandana who was found in a well outside of New Delhi after being trapped at the bottom of it for 27 hours.
This toddler’s story relates to the world because Vandana was reported as having been the sixth child to fall into a well or uncovered pit in the last two years in India. So many times, children go missing, and either are never found, or are found too late. Often times, these children aren’t even noticed as being missing. So often, no one even searches for lost children, because they caused problems in their families financially, and it is easier not to bother looking. It is such a relief when children are found and returned to loving families after ordeals like this.
This article matters to me because I believe Vandana’s story was a small miracle. She had been in the 45 ft deep well for 27 hours without food water, or fresh air. When She was found, Vandana was calm, and more importantly conscience, which made it much easier to help her. Though the girl probably suffered from dehydration, doctors reported her health as normal, which is a miracle in itself. Many people (myself included) would probably not be in such good shape after spending the night in a pit, with no food, water, or good, clean, oxygen.
My English class read Peace Like a River by Leif Enger. The narrator, Rueben described miracles as things that were meant to bug you. True miracles made your skin crawl; they scare you. Hearing Vandana’s story scared me. It made me realize how dangerous life is for small children in third world countries. However, I find relief in the fact that there are still so many children out there like Vandana who get help in time, and make it out, unscarred.
This toddler’s story relates to the world because Vandana was reported as having been the sixth child to fall into a well or uncovered pit in the last two years in India. So many times, children go missing, and either are never found, or are found too late. Often times, these children aren’t even noticed as being missing. So often, no one even searches for lost children, because they caused problems in their families financially, and it is easier not to bother looking. It is such a relief when children are found and returned to loving families after ordeals like this.
This article matters to me because I believe Vandana’s story was a small miracle. She had been in the 45 ft deep well for 27 hours without food water, or fresh air. When She was found, Vandana was calm, and more importantly conscience, which made it much easier to help her. Though the girl probably suffered from dehydration, doctors reported her health as normal, which is a miracle in itself. Many people (myself included) would probably not be in such good shape after spending the night in a pit, with no food, water, or good, clean, oxygen.
My English class read Peace Like a River by Leif Enger. The narrator, Rueben described miracles as things that were meant to bug you. True miracles made your skin crawl; they scare you. Hearing Vandana’s story scared me. It made me realize how dangerous life is for small children in third world countries. However, I find relief in the fact that there are still so many children out there like Vandana who get help in time, and make it out, unscarred.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
PLN 4
Every parent wants the best for their child. Even children born with disabilities deserve the best their parents can give. However, what happens when a couple's desire to make their disabled daughter happy turns into a desire to play God? In CNN's Disabled girl's parents defend growth-stunting treatment by Amy Burkholder, Ashley's sad story is told.
Ashley was born with cerebral palsy and would only ever have the brain capacity of a six-month-old. Her parents (who remain anonymous) loved and cared for her despite the severe brain damage. Things turned bad when her parents decided that her brain wouldn’t be the only thing that never matured. At age six, Ashley’s parents had Washington doctors perform a hysterectomy breast surgery, and inject high amounts of estrogen into her body to prevent her from ever growing up.
This article matters to the world because Ashley’s parents now want to make it legal for other families with children like Ashley to undergo the same operation. Many call this an outrage, perverse, and disgusting. Ashley’s parents stated, “ this would make it easier to cuddle and carry a child who can do little more than lie propped up on a pillow.” Is it fair that Ashley will never grow, never have her period, never grow breasts, never be a woman simply because her parents thought it would be easier for them to cuddle her? There are hundreds if not thousands of "pillow children" as those like Ashley are called who are just fine without this operation. It is not fair to play God with this girl's life. It is true, Ashley will never have children, nor will she get married, but does that make it right to rob her of her right as a living, breathing human being to grow up whole?
This article matters to me because of how Ashley's parents have restricted her. Having worked with disabled children last year, I know what they can be capable of if we let them try. I helped a boy with severe autism learn animals and phrases in Spanish, and even a year later, he recalls them. My fellow students helped a young girl with spinal bifidia and other mental disabilities learn how to speak quite well in sign language. Given the chance, even the most impaired are capable of great things. It is true, children like Ashley may never be great successes, may never go to the moon, write a best-selling novel, or even walk on their own, but as Anne Radar, one 43 year-old woman with cerebral palsy put it, "it's dehumanizing" to take away a child's right to even age like every other human on the planet.
"The parents are not seeing the potential of the child; they are seeing a baby," says Radar. Yes, Ashley's brain may never mature to anything older than that of a six-month-old, but is it fair to take away the chance for her body to do so?
So, my fellow bloggers, my fellow humans, what do you think?
Ashley was born with cerebral palsy and would only ever have the brain capacity of a six-month-old. Her parents (who remain anonymous) loved and cared for her despite the severe brain damage. Things turned bad when her parents decided that her brain wouldn’t be the only thing that never matured. At age six, Ashley’s parents had Washington doctors perform a hysterectomy breast surgery, and inject high amounts of estrogen into her body to prevent her from ever growing up.
This article matters to the world because Ashley’s parents now want to make it legal for other families with children like Ashley to undergo the same operation. Many call this an outrage, perverse, and disgusting. Ashley’s parents stated, “ this would make it easier to cuddle and carry a child who can do little more than lie propped up on a pillow.” Is it fair that Ashley will never grow, never have her period, never grow breasts, never be a woman simply because her parents thought it would be easier for them to cuddle her? There are hundreds if not thousands of "pillow children" as those like Ashley are called who are just fine without this operation. It is not fair to play God with this girl's life. It is true, Ashley will never have children, nor will she get married, but does that make it right to rob her of her right as a living, breathing human being to grow up whole?
This article matters to me because of how Ashley's parents have restricted her. Having worked with disabled children last year, I know what they can be capable of if we let them try. I helped a boy with severe autism learn animals and phrases in Spanish, and even a year later, he recalls them. My fellow students helped a young girl with spinal bifidia and other mental disabilities learn how to speak quite well in sign language. Given the chance, even the most impaired are capable of great things. It is true, children like Ashley may never be great successes, may never go to the moon, write a best-selling novel, or even walk on their own, but as Anne Radar, one 43 year-old woman with cerebral palsy put it, "it's dehumanizing" to take away a child's right to even age like every other human on the planet.
"The parents are not seeing the potential of the child; they are seeing a baby," says Radar. Yes, Ashley's brain may never mature to anything older than that of a six-month-old, but is it fair to take away the chance for her body to do so?
So, my fellow bloggers, my fellow humans, what do you think?
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
PLN 3
Cruelty in any case is generally frowned upon in the modern world. Apparently, one marine who was stationed in Iraq didn't get the message. Video appears to show Marine abusing puppy by CNN.com talks about how one marine, who has not been identified, was taped throwing a black and white puppy over the edge of a cliff.
This article matters to the world because of the image it sends. This man (we are assuming it was a man) was a U.S. marine. Not only has he made himself look like a monster, but he has given marines a bad name. U.S. marines are supposed to be men and women who we can look upon in times of danger. Marines are suppose to be portrayed as heroes, but now, many might see them only as monsters. After viewing the shocking You Tube video (which is not online anymore, so don't bother looking) it is a little hard to look at marines with respect anymore.
This article relates to me because this is in fact, a crime of animal abuse. Recently, our English class did a group project where we created Public Service Announcements. My group discussed animal abuse. Not only this, but as a young puppy, my own dog was abuse by her breeder. This marine threw a young dog off a cliff like it was a rotting banana. Unused, unloved, he sent it away, without a thought.
I have always had a respect for the brave men and women who fight to protect this country. I am proud to have so many people fighting for my freedom. However, the act this man committed is completely deplorable and brings shame to all marines.
This article matters to the world because of the image it sends. This man (we are assuming it was a man) was a U.S. marine. Not only has he made himself look like a monster, but he has given marines a bad name. U.S. marines are supposed to be men and women who we can look upon in times of danger. Marines are suppose to be portrayed as heroes, but now, many might see them only as monsters. After viewing the shocking You Tube video (which is not online anymore, so don't bother looking) it is a little hard to look at marines with respect anymore.
This article relates to me because this is in fact, a crime of animal abuse. Recently, our English class did a group project where we created Public Service Announcements. My group discussed animal abuse. Not only this, but as a young puppy, my own dog was abuse by her breeder. This marine threw a young dog off a cliff like it was a rotting banana. Unused, unloved, he sent it away, without a thought.
I have always had a respect for the brave men and women who fight to protect this country. I am proud to have so many people fighting for my freedom. However, the act this man committed is completely deplorable and brings shame to all marines.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
PLN 2
Though the rate of teen deaths killed in car crashes has dropped by more than a third, too many are still dying on the road. It doesn't take a genius to discover where all these deaths come from. Teen deaths in vehicular accidents are due to one main factor: not buckling up. State laws drive down teen-motorist deaths by Kieran Nicholson of the Denver Post talks about how if more teens buckled up, less would die on the road. This article also talks about how state officials have started creating more serious punishments for drivers and passengers who are not buckled up.
This article matters because it concerns the future. Though less teens are dying on the road, 43 died in Colorado alone last year. Teenagers do not realize how dangerous cars can be, and they never realize that they might die on their way home from school. If the adults of the future continue on this path, how will it look in 20 years. If teens aren't taught how to take care of themselves on the road, how can they be expected to teach their children? If they can't even buckle up themselves, where will their children learn to?
This article matters to me because as I am in highschool, most of my fellow students drive. It is frightening to know that teenagers my age die every day simply because they didn't buckle up. Our school even has a sign near the parking lot that says Buckle up-somebody out there needs you! It never regesters in a teen's mind that not buckling up might cost them their life. I will be driving soon (granted I get my permit) and I always buckled up as a child, and have no intention of changing my habits now. However, many young people my age do not take buckling up as seriously. Atleast one student who attended my school died in a car accident, hence the sign near the parking lot. I don't understand how students can see signs like ours, or hear stories like so many others, and not see how important it is to buckle up.
This article matters because it concerns the future. Though less teens are dying on the road, 43 died in Colorado alone last year. Teenagers do not realize how dangerous cars can be, and they never realize that they might die on their way home from school. If the adults of the future continue on this path, how will it look in 20 years. If teens aren't taught how to take care of themselves on the road, how can they be expected to teach their children? If they can't even buckle up themselves, where will their children learn to?
This article matters to me because as I am in highschool, most of my fellow students drive. It is frightening to know that teenagers my age die every day simply because they didn't buckle up. Our school even has a sign near the parking lot that says Buckle up-somebody out there needs you! It never regesters in a teen's mind that not buckling up might cost them their life. I will be driving soon (granted I get my permit) and I always buckled up as a child, and have no intention of changing my habits now. However, many young people my age do not take buckling up as seriously. Atleast one student who attended my school died in a car accident, hence the sign near the parking lot. I don't understand how students can see signs like ours, or hear stories like so many others, and not see how important it is to buckle up.
Friday, February 29, 2008
PLN 1 for Second Semester
Just about everyone I know, and thousands of others I don't have heard about the tragic death of actor Heath Ledger. Though many were so callous as to make jokes about his death like, "he died of a Brokeback," or, "if I had been in Brokeback Mountain, I would have killed myself too," most were heart broken to hear of the Australian actor's death. Source: Feds investigate Heath Ledger's death by CNN.com discusses the cause of Ledger's death. CNN reports that he did due to an accidental overdose of six different types of medication.
This article matters because, though his death was accidental, the fact remains that
Ledger died of a drug overdose. There are so many people out there using multiple types of drugs. Though many of these people are using them for similar reasons to that of Heath Ledger, many more are using them solely for the purpose of getting high. Heath Ledger never meant to overdose, chances are, he was just frustrated and took too many drugs at one time. It was so easy for him to take so many pills that it killed him. Heath Ledger's death was an accident, so how can people who take drugs to hurt themselves not realize what they are doing?
This article relates to me because some of my close relatives use medicated drugs. My family has a history of health problems, so it is only natural that we would take medication. Though all of my family members who use medication use it safely and for its proper purpose, reading stories like Ledger's scare me. It was so easy for him to overdose, so easy to kill himself accidentally. It frightens me to think that it is so easy for people to kill themselves without even meaning to. Heath Ledger's story really opened my eyes to the dangers of medication. Anyone in my family could accidentally overdose, and it could be there name in the headlines.
This article matters because, though his death was accidental, the fact remains that
Ledger died of a drug overdose. There are so many people out there using multiple types of drugs. Though many of these people are using them for similar reasons to that of Heath Ledger, many more are using them solely for the purpose of getting high. Heath Ledger never meant to overdose, chances are, he was just frustrated and took too many drugs at one time. It was so easy for him to take so many pills that it killed him. Heath Ledger's death was an accident, so how can people who take drugs to hurt themselves not realize what they are doing?
This article relates to me because some of my close relatives use medicated drugs. My family has a history of health problems, so it is only natural that we would take medication. Though all of my family members who use medication use it safely and for its proper purpose, reading stories like Ledger's scare me. It was so easy for him to overdose, so easy to kill himself accidentally. It frightens me to think that it is so easy for people to kill themselves without even meaning to. Heath Ledger's story really opened my eyes to the dangers of medication. Anyone in my family could accidentally overdose, and it could be there name in the headlines.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Goals for 2nd Semester
There are so many things I feel like I need to accomplish this semester. Getting a good grade, doing more work and having a better thinking process as far as my PLNs go, understanding more about my laptop. Even though I have always recieved a good grade in this class, I still feel the pressure of doing well.
I have managed to keep my grade up the entire year, but I know that I still need to work harder. My PLNs always got good grades, but I know that I still have a lot to work on. Sometimes, they just seem too short, and other times, when I read over them, there didn't seem to be any thought process, just a bunch of words. It seemed like I was just rattling about subjects I don't understand. My laptop, though somewhat less frightening, still frustrates me. There are still times when I would like to hear that satisfying *crack* as the laptop hits the bottom of the trash can.
To keep my grade up, I have to put more into my work. I have always had problems with run on sentences and creating strong conclusions as never been an easy task for me. I realize how important it is that I work on making better conclusions, and how to put my thoughts into shorter, easier to understand sentences. By the end of the semester, I plan to be able to do this without having to sit for half an hour thinking about it. Accomplishing this, I believe, will definetly help to improve my PLNs.
I can accomplsih this by writing, proofreading, and thinking more. If I can et comfortable with writinng, then I will be able to order my thoughts better, therefore, shorten my sentences. Also, if I can think clearly, then perhaps conclusions will come more easily to me.
The problems I have with my laptop will be a little more difficult. I have never had patience with technology. It is harder in a classroom, because I feel like a dork for asking for help. However, I know that all I have to do to master my laptop is to gain a little patience, and learn to ask for help.
Hopefully, by the end of the year, I will have mastered these difficulties, and I will be a more independant, and confident learner.
I have managed to keep my grade up the entire year, but I know that I still need to work harder. My PLNs always got good grades, but I know that I still have a lot to work on. Sometimes, they just seem too short, and other times, when I read over them, there didn't seem to be any thought process, just a bunch of words. It seemed like I was just rattling about subjects I don't understand. My laptop, though somewhat less frightening, still frustrates me. There are still times when I would like to hear that satisfying *crack* as the laptop hits the bottom of the trash can.
To keep my grade up, I have to put more into my work. I have always had problems with run on sentences and creating strong conclusions as never been an easy task for me. I realize how important it is that I work on making better conclusions, and how to put my thoughts into shorter, easier to understand sentences. By the end of the semester, I plan to be able to do this without having to sit for half an hour thinking about it. Accomplishing this, I believe, will definetly help to improve my PLNs.
I can accomplsih this by writing, proofreading, and thinking more. If I can et comfortable with writinng, then I will be able to order my thoughts better, therefore, shorten my sentences. Also, if I can think clearly, then perhaps conclusions will come more easily to me.
The problems I have with my laptop will be a little more difficult. I have never had patience with technology. It is harder in a classroom, because I feel like a dork for asking for help. However, I know that all I have to do to master my laptop is to gain a little patience, and learn to ask for help.
Hopefully, by the end of the year, I will have mastered these difficulties, and I will be a more independant, and confident learner.
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