is awesome.
I didn't know what to expect when I first asked if we could meet Mr. Kunkle's son, but now I do not regret my asking! I didn't think that Gus would be the cutest little kid I had ever met (no offense Mr. Kunkle :) ). Not only was he adorable, but he had amazing manners as well! When he left he said, "Nice to meet you guys!" It was SO precious.
It was also hilarious when Mr. Kunkle asked Gus to hold his lunch box. Mr. Kunkle handed the lunch box to Gus and it immediately dropped to the floor, which amused all of us. Gus also had two different colored socks on, and meant to do it, which was funny all by itself.
I think we should all ask Mr. Kunkle to bring Gus in on the last day of the quarter, and ask Gus what he wanted to do for the day. It would be AWESOME :) So ASK MR. KUNKLE!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
The N-Word
I thought that this article was redundant and terribly boring. In the beginning, Bernard does a good job of setting up the scene of a black teacher (Bernard herself) in a class full of white students at a university. She discusses the issue of people using the n-word, and the feelings and thoughts behind it.
However, in the middle of the essay, I was sick of hearing about how since she's black no one wants to say that word around her. It's basically what the whole story is about. Bernard talks about being treated unequally in the street, in the college, and when talking to her husband. She is obssessed with that topic, while no one really looks at what race anyone is anymore, or at least I don't. I think that since she grew up in the South, she has a biast look on racism, and thinks that everyone is racist, and that whenever anyone looks at her, they think BLACK. But I don't do that, and I don't think a lot of other people do anymore, either.
Bernard creates this whole controversy that isn't a big deal to begin with. She talkes with EVERYONE about her class discussion, her sister, her husband, and her three or four friends within the university. I think she has a problem with thinking that everyone is against her. Why does she do everyday things, thinking she's judged? An example in the paper is when Bernard is in a restaurant and she's drunk. Bernard is thinking, "I'm a black person, and i'm drunk in a restaurant." Who really cares? No one is looking at her thinking, "she's a black person, and she's drunk. That must be what all black people are like."
My point is, she is basically stereotyping and being prejudice against herself.
However, in the middle of the essay, I was sick of hearing about how since she's black no one wants to say that word around her. It's basically what the whole story is about. Bernard talks about being treated unequally in the street, in the college, and when talking to her husband. She is obssessed with that topic, while no one really looks at what race anyone is anymore, or at least I don't. I think that since she grew up in the South, she has a biast look on racism, and thinks that everyone is racist, and that whenever anyone looks at her, they think BLACK. But I don't do that, and I don't think a lot of other people do anymore, either.
Bernard creates this whole controversy that isn't a big deal to begin with. She talkes with EVERYONE about her class discussion, her sister, her husband, and her three or four friends within the university. I think she has a problem with thinking that everyone is against her. Why does she do everyday things, thinking she's judged? An example in the paper is when Bernard is in a restaurant and she's drunk. Bernard is thinking, "I'm a black person, and i'm drunk in a restaurant." Who really cares? No one is looking at her thinking, "she's a black person, and she's drunk. That must be what all black people are like."
My point is, she is basically stereotyping and being prejudice against herself.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
What I Fear!
I fear anesthesia. I like to have control over my body and know what it is doing, so not being able to remember what happened for a period of time is quite scary to me. I haven't been put under yet, but when I get my wisdom teeth out I will have to. I'm deathly afraid that I will wake up during my surgery and I will be able to feel everything, or that I will have an allergic reaction and die. I also fear the feeling of being under. I don't know if it will feel like I am dreaming or if i'm dead and I can't feel anything...like i'm not human! I'm sure there is nothing to worry about but I have a serious fear of this and I'm really scared. I have to get my wisdom teeth out next summer! AHH! :/
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Are blackboards greener than whiteboards?
During class today, I went on Slate and read an article about the effect whiteboards and blackboards have on the environment. When I first read the article, I was surprised to see that the author hadn't researched Smart Boards at all. I do realize that not all schools can afford Smart Boards, but in the long run it will save money by reducing the waste of thrown away chalk/markers.
The issue of environmental waste starts with the chalk and markers. Nina Shen Rastogi (author) states that markers require petroleum, which is an nonrenewable source. In addition, when a marker is unusable, it is thrown away into a trash can. She also states that chalk "can theoretically be a very low-waste product." With a Smart Board, you don't need to throw anything away, and there is no residue left after erasing or writing, like chalk and dry-erase markers.
Another argument towards chalk is that is it much cheaper than dry-erase pens, and the money save could be put towards other things, like classroom amenities. Although Smart Board are quite expensive, like I stated earlier in the long run it will save you money.
I think Smart Board should advertise and give out facts and figures to the principals and school boards of surrounding areas, to make them more aware of the greener product. The one problem I can think of with Smart Board is if teachers don't know how to use the product. However, there are Smart Board seminars that teach the teachers how to use the board, and the exciting new features that come with it. I believe Smart Boards are the future and the solution to the problem of new environmentally friendly classroom aides.
The issue of environmental waste starts with the chalk and markers. Nina Shen Rastogi (author) states that markers require petroleum, which is an nonrenewable source. In addition, when a marker is unusable, it is thrown away into a trash can. She also states that chalk "can theoretically be a very low-waste product." With a Smart Board, you don't need to throw anything away, and there is no residue left after erasing or writing, like chalk and dry-erase markers.
Another argument towards chalk is that is it much cheaper than dry-erase pens, and the money save could be put towards other things, like classroom amenities. Although Smart Board are quite expensive, like I stated earlier in the long run it will save you money.
I think Smart Board should advertise and give out facts and figures to the principals and school boards of surrounding areas, to make them more aware of the greener product. The one problem I can think of with Smart Board is if teachers don't know how to use the product. However, there are Smart Board seminars that teach the teachers how to use the board, and the exciting new features that come with it. I believe Smart Boards are the future and the solution to the problem of new environmentally friendly classroom aides.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
My First Thoughts on AP Composition
This class is definitely more exciting than what I previously thought. I enjoy the extremely small class size. It is enjoyably personal and there is a family-vibe to the classroom. We are all learning new things about each other with discussions and class talk, I'm sure we could finish each other sentences by the time the quarter is over.
The essays we've had to annotate are all interesting and I find myself immersed in them. I like reading different types of essays, and the ones we are assigned come in a variety. The only part about the homework I don't like is the Critical Analysis of a Non-Fiction Book. I thought that the example of To Kill a Mockingbird could apply to my book, but I was severely wrong. Writing an analysis for a NON-fiction book proved harder than it seemed. I had a rough time coming up with an original argument, and ended up writing an opinion paper.
Although that paper was a rough spot, I am excited to see what other assignments we have coming our way!
The essays we've had to annotate are all interesting and I find myself immersed in them. I like reading different types of essays, and the ones we are assigned come in a variety. The only part about the homework I don't like is the Critical Analysis of a Non-Fiction Book. I thought that the example of To Kill a Mockingbird could apply to my book, but I was severely wrong. Writing an analysis for a NON-fiction book proved harder than it seemed. I had a rough time coming up with an original argument, and ended up writing an opinion paper.
Although that paper was a rough spot, I am excited to see what other assignments we have coming our way!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
My Writing Style
My writing style is based off of procrastination. I usually don't start my outline and/or paper until the last possible moment. Most assignments it's the night before or two days before the paper is due. Although this method has worked for me in the past, i'm sure i'll need to adopt new habits to survive college.
The hardest part for me to write in a paper is the introduction and conclusion. I can never write the perfect attention getter until i'm ready to print my final copy. The rest of the introduction is pretty simple: just follow the guidelines and i'm all set. The conclusion is where I always leave an hour for work time. My conclusions always seem to be too short, just a couple sentences long. I have no problem connecting the intoduction to the conclusion, but my work in capping the paper seems to always be below par.
I would really like to improve on my conclusions and introductions, which is one reason why I am taking AP Comp. Improving on the said two would be the one extremely important thing I would like to take away from the class.
The hardest part for me to write in a paper is the introduction and conclusion. I can never write the perfect attention getter until i'm ready to print my final copy. The rest of the introduction is pretty simple: just follow the guidelines and i'm all set. The conclusion is where I always leave an hour for work time. My conclusions always seem to be too short, just a couple sentences long. I have no problem connecting the intoduction to the conclusion, but my work in capping the paper seems to always be below par.
I would really like to improve on my conclusions and introductions, which is one reason why I am taking AP Comp. Improving on the said two would be the one extremely important thing I would like to take away from the class.
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