30 November, 2006
Current Event Article
Summary
Australia’s Senate voted to end the country’s four-year ban on cloning human embryos for stem cell research. The Senate voted to allow therapeutic cloning, which involves removing the nucleus of an unfertilized human egg and adding DNA to make it grow in a lab dish. Scientists hope stem cell research will eventually lead to treatments or cures for diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, as well as spinal cord injuries, diabetes and arthritis. Opponents warned that the technology could be abused and lead to human cloning and the creation of animal-human hybrids. “On one hand, I want to do everything possible to help relieve suffering and to leave open the hope of cures of terrible, debilitating illnesses,” Howard said. “On the other hand, I do have concerns that this may in some areas be a step too far and I am still weighing the matter.”
To see the original Article click here.
Photograph related to article.
Location of event.
29 November, 2006
I don’t think my opinions are stupid and others do; so it is better to keep them to myself.
Dear Anne,
You say people consider your ideas to be stupid, but you think otherwise. For the most part, I find your opinions very true, in fact, there is very little, of what you write, that I disagree with.
By what you have written, I find that, most of the time, your opinions are neglected and thought of a foolish. So of this I do agree with you. I find that most of your “room-mates” are guilty of this crime. However, of what I have gathered I believe that Pim, Margot, and Peter remain innocent and have never thought of your opinions as stupid. They might have disagreed with them, but never regarded them as dim-witted. Overall, I believe you have made a good decision to keep your views to yourself.
Although some may not agree with your views, many do. It would be wrong to keep your numerous ideas and opinions from the world as everyone has a right to be heard. Several people can relate to what you are saying. Just because a few people do not agree with you, it doesn’t mean you should completely shut up. There are many differences of opinion and all are highly valued. No opinion is wrong. I feel that you can still convey your thoughts to the three of you room-mates who at least give you a chance to be heard. As you have said, you and Peter are very much the same person inside. You both share many of the same problems. I think it is a good idea to keep your talks with this friend going. Your sister, Margot, as you said, also shares many of the same troubles as yourself. It is good to have different people to talk to, maybe about different topics and that you have both a boy and a girl with whom you can confide in.
In my case, my personality is quite different to yours. I have a rather shy manner. I rarely talk unless spoken to, though I share many thoughts that run as deep as yours. So when I do provide input, it is readily accepted and almost never regarded as unwise.
I think throughout your writing, you have somewhat grown in your interests, dilemmas, etc. You are starting to discuss more adult topics and take on more grown-up interests. I think this will be good for you and after a bit more of growth in this area, you will be able to state your opinions in a more mature way and be heard by everyone.
You have great views on life and opinions that should be heard worldwide. You cannot force people to always agree with you but they cannot force you to keep your ideas to yourself. Everyone might not always agree with you but everybody will once in a way. Your mind is one of deep thoughts which should be shared. You would be depriving the world otherwise. Believe in yourself and be confident about your ideas.
I hope I have helped you in some way and that everything works out all right.
Good Luck.
Yours,
Josh
27 November, 2006
My Life in Comparison to Anne’s
In her entry on 7th November 1942, Anne expressed her feelings on her family and how she felt they treated her. Anne is quite different from me, however, I can relate to many of the situations Anne has experienced and described.
Anne said that her sister Margot was reading a book when she left and during this time Anne picked it up to have a look. Between my sister and I, this happens more or less too much. Often when I am in the middle of doing something, e.g. watching television, reading a book, using the computer, etc. and I leave the object unattended, my sister will cut in and use whatever it was I was using last. If it was the television, she would have changed the channel; if it was the computer; she would be playing her own game; if it was a book she would be reading it. Whatever it was, when I would return from wherever I went, what I was using last would be in her possession.
Anne also complained that she was judged without the accuser(s) knowing the facts. In Anne’s situation she was reading a book her sister was reading before she got up and left. Anne then picked up the book and had a look. Her parents then came in and demanded that she return the book to its rightful owner without knowing the facts of the circumstances. This has happened to me countless times. In most common situations my sister would accuse me of something and my parents would come in and scold me of the “wrong” I had done, without hearing both sides of the story.
Anne also says, “It’s obvious that Mummy would stick up for Margot; she and Margot always do back up each other.” This again is true for my mother and my sister especially. Whenever I accuse my sister of something my mother will always defend her. Similarly, when my mother is accused of some felony, my sister, without fail, backs her up.
“We are exact opposites in everything; so naturally we are bound to run up against each other.” My mother and I are two completely different people. We have entirely different interests and different personalities. As a result this often causes us to quarrel. As Anne, I too loathe fighting with either of my parents and try to swallow my feelings as much as possible.
I speculate the same question as Anne, “I wonder if anyone can ever succeed in making their children absolutely content. I believe this is impossible as there is always a difference in opinion. What’s more, parents don’t know everything you think and want and therefore cannot succeed in eternally pleasing you.
In her diary Anne said, “I have my own views, plans, and ideas, though I can’t put them into words yet. Oh, so many things bubble up inside me as I lie in bed…” I can really relate to what young miss Frank is saying her. Every night while I as I go to bed, I lie awake constantly thinking. Sometimes I have trouble drifting off to sleep for hours as I am lost in my thoughts. At times when I am dreadfully weary, I can get awfully frustrated with myself.
As you can see, though Anne and I are very much different people, we both have many of the same troubles. I believe many of the thoughts described by Anne are going on is almost every adolescents head, as they are very common topics for youths.
21 November, 2006
Memories or Dresses
In her diary, Anne Frank told us that when she and her family went into hiding, Anne’s sister, Margot, and herself were instructed to pack a small bag of their possessions without the knowledge of what they were doing or where they were going. The instructions for this assignment are further explained here. Anne personally brought old letters which she treasured as memories and had great sentimental value. In Anne’s own words she stated “But I’m sorry, memories mean more to me than dresses.”
After my essentials, a couple of shirts, T shirts, underclothes, hat, and toiletries, I myself would firstly want to bring my laptop. I would bring this because if there was an internet connection and access to electricity I could see the news and what is happening in the outside world and contact people outside of wherever I am. A laptop can also provide a lot of entertainment for anyone with music, online games, and many more features. I would also bring my mobile phone for the same reason as stated before, to contact people in the outside world.
On my packing list I would include all the money I had with me. I would bring my money because I would have no idea if we were coming back. In case there was no access to electricity, I would bring a couple of large notepads and a few pens. With these I could send notes or even play games such as bingo or hangman using a pen and paper. As Anne, I might feel like recording the events that took place in a journal. I might also do this on my laptop if again we had access to electricity. I would also bring a few of my favourite books, or others I may not have read yet.
Next, I would bring my Swiss army knife, to use as a tool in case I needed a knife, screw driver, or bottle opener, etc. for whatever reason.
I also too share Anne’s fondness for memories and things of sentimental value. For this reason I would also bring a couple of photo’s which mean a lot to me. I might also bring pack of cards as there are countless card games that may be played. I could also bring my camera to record special, memorable, moments. If I had a printer I could paste a picture along with each journal entry.
In conclusion, I would bring possessions of essentials, to entertain me, of treasured memories and equipment to keep me in contact and updated.
16 November, 2006
Deffinition of Courage
Courage is officially defined as the ability to face danger, difficultly, uncertainty, or pain without being overcome by fear or being deflected from a chosen course of action. The definition of courage generally varies from person to person. I myself believe that courage is facing your fears of performing a task in a situation that may be awkward or uncomfortable for you and that tests your limits. Courage may also be thought of as bravery. Bravery is defined as extreme courage in the face of danger or difficulty. As you can see both bravery and courage are both interlinked and have practically the same meaning. To achieve true courage you must live on the edge and do something nobody would expect of you. Overall, I believe courage is ultimately facing your fears and testing your limits to achieve a standard above your anxieties.
Lord of the Flies Journal
This journal shows my understanding of the ESLR’s using Blooms Taxonomy. In this quarter of English our main focus was on our class reading assignment, Lord of the Flies. We had three main parts to the Lord of the Flies section, reading/book, class discussion and assignments, and our quarter project.
I was being a self-directed learner by accepting responsibility for my own learning. I demonstrated this by reading the necessary chapters for homework while I was away and using post-it notes to mark important events and questions or comments that I had. I made assumptions about what would happen to the characters and where the story would take us. Compared to past reading assignments I have been doing practically the same thing. I wonder if I would have worked any better if I was in
Malaysia during this time. Overall, I have not improved in my reading and working habits, however my working habits have not worsened. I would have graded myself as average.
By editing post-it notes after I have found out more information about the questions/comments on them, I could have been a self-directed learner who monitored, adjusted, and documented work in progress. I have never done this before, but I thought it was a good idea after seeing others doing it. I wonder if it would have made a difference if I did do this, would I have understood the book any better? I did not do this at all, although it was not necessary. Never the less I would have failed this.
During the class discussions, that I was there for, the first few classes I did try to be an effective communicator demonstrating the skills of effective collaboration by participating more than I usually do by raising my hand when opinion questions are asked and asking questions about things I did not understand. I think at first I was doing this rather well although, I went back to my usual sit and listen self after returning from
Australia. I was trying to be an effective communicator at first, but as we returned with all the emotional trauma and stress I was going through I forgot I was trying to be an effective communicator. I wonder if I would have persistently been an effective communicator if I hadn’t gone to
Australia. Overall, I found I can be an effective communicator but I just need to strive harder. I believe when I was being an effective communicator I did it rather well.
I feel I was an effective communicator by collaborating with others in appropriate learning situations to achieve group goals. I feel I was working well with others and sharing my ideas more than usual during group assignments, e.g. the island simulation. I am very impressed at my development as an effective communicator compared to previous experiences where I would just sit and listen. Usually when I was in the group I would convey my ideas to the one person in the group I was most familiar with. I think I should have told everyone in the group so that they could comment and add on to my philosophy. I wonder if it would have made a difference to the group if I didn’t participate at all, as usual. Overall, I am very impressed at this improvement.
I was being an academic achiever demonstrating technological literacy and the use of technology as a tool for the efficient and creative completion of a project. I demonstrated this by receiving my homework through email. In comparison to my trip a week earlier I did the same thing, perhaps better the first time since the second time all I did was read and take the Meyer Briggs test. I wonder if I would have been an academic achiever any other way if I had not gone to
Australia. I do feel I used technology well to complete my English work.
By demonstrating competency in goal setting, time management, and organizational skills, I was a self-directed learner. Despite my extra and missed homework, by managing my time wisely I finished my project. I believe I did a good job catching up. I didn’t accomplish as much work as usual but that was because I was very tired and stressed. I wonder if I would have been able to finish all my work if I hadn’t gone to
Australia. Considering my drowsiness I feel I worked to the best of my ability to be a self-directed learner.
I was a self-directed learner by demonstrating competency in goal setting, time management, and organizational skills thus again. I received the unit project late but was still able to catch up despite the extra homework I had. Compared to previous English projects I found this the most fun and easy because it included picture editing and writing which or both I am very keen. I wonder if I had had to make the cover by hand if I would have done as good a job. I feel I worked adequately on this project.
I feel I proved to be a critical thinker by using prior knowledge in new situations. I feel by making the blurb I used the knowledge I knew on the book to make a captivating blurb. Compared to my previous writing assignments I feel my blurb is at the same standard. The limit for the blurb was 250 word, however I summed mine up in less than 100, next time I think I should try to at least meet the half-way point of the limit, e.g. 125 words. I feel I was a good critical thinker for this project.
In conclusion I showed I used all ESLR’s to complete the assignments and project of the Lord of the Flies book. Next unit I will try to improve upon what I lacked in this project and grow on what I am already doing well. I feel that I worked efficiently in the completion of this unit.
Six Traits
Ideas and Content: I narrowed my topic down to show my understanding of the ESLR’s using Bloom’s Taxonomy.
Organization: I organized my journal putting my introduction first, then in paragraphs by each topic in the order reading/book, class discussion and assignments.
Voice:
I wonder if I would have continued to be an effective communicator if I hadn’t gone to
Australia. à I wonder if I would have persistently been an effective communicator if I hadn’t gone to
Australia
Compared to my previous trip a week before I did the same thing, maybe even better the first time since the second time all I did was read and take the Meyer Briggs test. à In comparison to my trip a week earlier I did the same thing, perhaps better the first time since the second time all I did was read and take the Meyer Briggs test.
At first, I think I was doing this very well although, after I returned from my trip to
Australia I went back to my usual sit and listen self. àI think at first I was doing this rather well although, I went back to my usual sit and listen self after returning from
Australia.
I did not do this at all, although it was not necessary, but I would have failed this. àI did not do this at all although it was not necessary however, never the less I would have failed this.
I believe I showed this by managing my time wisely and finishing my project despite my extra and missed homework. àDespite my extra and missed homework, by managing my time wisely I finished my project.
Word Choice:
|
Before |
After |
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Predictions |
Assumptions |
|
Pretty much |
Practically |
|
Got worse |
Worsened |
|
Did not |
Hadn’t |
|
Very |
Rather |
|
Growth |
Development |
|
Tell |
Convey |
|
Complete |
Accomplish |
|
Try |
Strive |
|
Ideas |
Philosophy |
Sentence Fluency:
At first I was trying to be an effective communicator but as we returned with all the emotional trauma and stress I was going through I forgot I was trying to be an effective communicator. à I was trying to be an effective communicator at first, but as we returned with all the emotional trauma and stress I was going through I forgot I was trying to be an effective communicator.
I was a self-directed learner by demonstrating competency in goal setting, time management, and organizational skills thus again. àThus again I was a self-directed learner by demonstrating competency in goal setting, time management, and organizational skills.
I was a self-directed learner demonstrating competency in goal setting, time management, and organizational skills. à Demonstrating competency in goal setting, time management, and organizational skills, I was a self-directed learner.
I could have been a self-directed learner demonstrating monitor, adjust, and document work in progress by editing post-it notes after I have found out more information about the questions/comments on them. à By editing post-it notes after I have found out more information about the questions/comments on them, I could have been a self-directed learner demonstrating monitor, adjust, and document work in progress.
During group assignments, e.g. the island simulation, I feel I was working well with others and sharing my ideas more than usual. à I feel I was working well with others and sharing my ideas more than usual during group assignments, e.g. the island simulation.
7 November, 2006
Introduction to Me
This blogs shows my school work throughout my grade 8 year.
This blog will be mainly for English but later on other subjects may be introduced.
Please feel free to make comments and give some constructive critisism on my work.
–
Josh
