Hey guys! Hope all of your week's went well. This week I shall discuss the pros and cons of, that's right, capitalism.
Capitalism is defined as the organization of society in such a way that the wealth and means of production are privately owned by capitalists, commodities are produced for profit through a market mechanism, and workers are free to sell their labor to the highest bidder. There are many pros to this type of organization.
The open competition that capitalism offers allows for a individuals to gain higher incomes depending on the progress their businesses make. It also pushes individuals to work harder. Their hard work is then rewarded with more profit, a larger business, or possibly more customers. The growing competition also opens doors to a multitude of job opportunities.
Capitalism has many cons as well. Marxists see capitalism as unfair competition. Not every one benefits from capitalism. It is survival of the fittest and the weak are weeded out. Marxists see this as wrong and completely unfair to those who do not survive. Many individuals also believe that capitalism is harmful to the environment. The constant competition requires for their to be a constant depletion of environmental resources.
In my opinion I believe that capitalism is good thing and we as humans need motivation to work hard. Capitalism pushes us to exceed to the best of our abilities and rewards us for our accomplishments.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Monday, April 9, 2012
Globalization. Yes! And no!
Hey everyone! Hope you all had a great Easter. I really enjoyed spending time with God and thanking him for paying the price of death to give me the gift of salvation. My God's not dead he's surely alive. :) This week I am going to discuss the many pros and cons of the ever increasing phenomenon of globalization.
Globalization Is the idea that the development of social, cultural, and Economic relationships on a world scale has created a single social order or world system. There are many pros and cons to this theory that have been debated widely among sociologists. Some of the pros, I believe, include that globalization allows people from all over the world to feel connected in some way. Globalization also helps developing countries that are suffering. The diffusion of American companies to other countries helps provide jobs for the people in poverty. This then raises the country's economy, which further develops the country.
There are also many cons to globalization. One con is that globalization causes individual to lose their cultural identity. They adopt the customs trends that are made popular through globalization and gradually forget their individual customs that belong to their family and country.
In mu opinion I believe that globalization is a bad phenomenon. I don't like the idea of everyone becoming the same and doing the same things. I think that we all should have our own unique characteristics that add to the society as a whole.
Globalization Is the idea that the development of social, cultural, and Economic relationships on a world scale has created a single social order or world system. There are many pros and cons to this theory that have been debated widely among sociologists. Some of the pros, I believe, include that globalization allows people from all over the world to feel connected in some way. Globalization also helps developing countries that are suffering. The diffusion of American companies to other countries helps provide jobs for the people in poverty. This then raises the country's economy, which further develops the country.
There are also many cons to globalization. One con is that globalization causes individual to lose their cultural identity. They adopt the customs trends that are made popular through globalization and gradually forget their individual customs that belong to their family and country.
In mu opinion I believe that globalization is a bad phenomenon. I don't like the idea of everyone becoming the same and doing the same things. I think that we all should have our own unique characteristics that add to the society as a whole.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Interactionists are the best stalkers
Sociologists are pretty much educated stalkers in my book. They go around observing people from from far away as well as up close up. Some even are undercover while observing the people they are hanging out with. I don't know about you but to me this is just a little creepy. It puts me on the edge when I think about it. People who look and act like ordinary people could actually be sociologists watching your every move to see if you do something that interests them. They then record everything you do and add it to their pile of research. This may just be me but this makes me feel like i'm part of a museum display. My conclusion, as I said, is that sociologists are educated stalkers.
Sociologists can also take two different approaches to study the "museum exhibits" around them. There is the positivist and interactionist approaches. The approach that I believe gains a deeper knowledge of sociological issues would be the interactionist approach. This is because interactionists like to collect more qualitative data than quantitative data. Qualitative data deals directly with people's experiences, as well as their feelings about, and interpretations of, the situations they find themselves in. So sociologists who take the interactionist approach like to interview people more and interact with them. These are the real stalkers. They may work undercover or have one on one conversations with individuals. Interactionists like to get an understanding of how their clients feel about certain situations. In other words, interactionists want to know your thoughts and feelings in a deeper way than just by you filling out a multiple choice questionnaire.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Poverty is a Culture?
Salutations fellow people of the planet Earth. This week I am going to discuss the culture of poverty. Many of you are probably wondering "what, poverty is a type of culture?". Well yes in a sense those who are in poverty all share similar characteristics. These similar characteristics, over time, have developed into what some consider a culture.
This statement was first coined in 1961 by Oscar Lewis. In his studies of small Mexican communities he discovered that these poor communities all share similar characteristics. The characteristics they shared included: neglect of planning for the future, frequent violence, and a lack of a sense of history. All of Lewis's studies created the paradigm that people in poverty share a consistent and observable "culture". Much of what Lewis discovered about the culture of poverty remains the same today.
Today those individuals who are in poverty usually pass the unfortunate state onto future generations. It is possible but very hard for poverty stricken people to move up in class. There are many rags to riches stories in the united states but very few are seen in other countries. If you are born poor in a poor and developing country, your chances are very slim at rising to the top. America is one of the few countries that makes social mobility possible. That is why so many people migrate to the United States. These people come to escape the culture of poverty that has taken over their lives'.
This statement was first coined in 1961 by Oscar Lewis. In his studies of small Mexican communities he discovered that these poor communities all share similar characteristics. The characteristics they shared included: neglect of planning for the future, frequent violence, and a lack of a sense of history. All of Lewis's studies created the paradigm that people in poverty share a consistent and observable "culture". Much of what Lewis discovered about the culture of poverty remains the same today.
Today those individuals who are in poverty usually pass the unfortunate state onto future generations. It is possible but very hard for poverty stricken people to move up in class. There are many rags to riches stories in the united states but very few are seen in other countries. If you are born poor in a poor and developing country, your chances are very slim at rising to the top. America is one of the few countries that makes social mobility possible. That is why so many people migrate to the United States. These people come to escape the culture of poverty that has taken over their lives'.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Pop Culture!
Hola everyone!! Guess what? Its spring break!! Well it is for some of us in South Florida. Spring break is a great time to have fun, relax, and keep up with the latest trends and fads of today. For instance wearing the newest styles of clothing or listening to the most popular music.
What is popular culture? Well from the Marxist perspective popular culture is seen as a way to divide classes. The upper classes wear the newest styles and they can afford the latest apple products. The lower classes still strive to keep up with the newest trends but are still divided from the upper classes in many ways. The popular trends of the upper classes can also differ from those of the lower classes. Every class adopts their own popular culture that that makes them feel more connected. Over the years this gap in popular trends between classes has diminished greatly. The middle class has become more and more similar to the upper class because the mass production of popular products are now being made so that lower classes can afford them. Now many upper and middle class families have similar clothes and cars due to these company's efforts to reach out to a larger group of customers. Popular culture is a way to divide classes but also to bring the people within each class closer together.
What is popular culture? Well from the Marxist perspective popular culture is seen as a way to divide classes. The upper classes wear the newest styles and they can afford the latest apple products. The lower classes still strive to keep up with the newest trends but are still divided from the upper classes in many ways. The popular trends of the upper classes can also differ from those of the lower classes. Every class adopts their own popular culture that that makes them feel more connected. Over the years this gap in popular trends between classes has diminished greatly. The middle class has become more and more similar to the upper class because the mass production of popular products are now being made so that lower classes can afford them. Now many upper and middle class families have similar clothes and cars due to these company's efforts to reach out to a larger group of customers. Popular culture is a way to divide classes but also to bring the people within each class closer together.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
The Theory of Symbolic Interactionism
Hey everyone!! I hope you all had an awesome week. This week I shall discuss the idea of symbolic interactionism. Most people out there are probably asking themselves "what in the world is symbolic interactionism?"
So what is symbolic interactionism? Well it is the theoretical approach and sociological perspective that emphasizes motives and meaning for individuals. It focuses on the importance of symbols for people, particularly language, as the core elements of all human interaction. The founder of this approach is George Herbert Mead. Many see symbolic interaction as more of a psychological theory while it is essentially a theory of socialization. The process of becoming a human is much more complex than merely being born. This process is achieved through the interactions that are between a child and his or her elders that surround him or her. The first step in an individuals journey to becoming a human being is finding his or her own social self. This is where an individual realizes that he or she is no longer a part of his or her mother, as in the womb, but that he or she is a unique and completely separate individual. After this is achieved the individual then goes onto the stage where he or she becomes a generalized other. This is where individuals learn how to operate as a member of a wider group (society).
Symbolic interactionism is clearly a sociological theory due to the complex and social process of becoming a human being.
So what is symbolic interactionism? Well it is the theoretical approach and sociological perspective that emphasizes motives and meaning for individuals. It focuses on the importance of symbols for people, particularly language, as the core elements of all human interaction. The founder of this approach is George Herbert Mead. Many see symbolic interaction as more of a psychological theory while it is essentially a theory of socialization. The process of becoming a human is much more complex than merely being born. This process is achieved through the interactions that are between a child and his or her elders that surround him or her. The first step in an individuals journey to becoming a human being is finding his or her own social self. This is where an individual realizes that he or she is no longer a part of his or her mother, as in the womb, but that he or she is a unique and completely separate individual. After this is achieved the individual then goes onto the stage where he or she becomes a generalized other. This is where individuals learn how to operate as a member of a wider group (society).
Symbolic interactionism is clearly a sociological theory due to the complex and social process of becoming a human being.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
We each have a function.
Hello fellow people of the world! Society as we know it is changing, but one thing remains the same. The theory of functionalism is the best and will remain the best way to explain how the machine known as society works. Functionalism is where every individual has his or her own function or duty which contributes to the society as a whole.
Some individuals may be teachers others stay at home to take care of their children. The point is, is that every human being has something uniquely different that they contribute to the functioning society. Even if the roles of individuals change the idea that each person is valuable to society stays in tack. For example society needs doctors to save lives, garbage men to keep the planet clean, entertainers to bring joy to depressing situations, and Olympians to push others to achieve their highest goals. Sure their has always been a class struggle between the wealthy and the poor, but that may end in the future. The idea of a functioning society will always remain because everyone will always be doing something that contributes to society, whether in a negative or positive way, and is needed for it's survival.
Some individuals may be teachers others stay at home to take care of their children. The point is, is that every human being has something uniquely different that they contribute to the functioning society. Even if the roles of individuals change the idea that each person is valuable to society stays in tack. For example society needs doctors to save lives, garbage men to keep the planet clean, entertainers to bring joy to depressing situations, and Olympians to push others to achieve their highest goals. Sure their has always been a class struggle between the wealthy and the poor, but that may end in the future. The idea of a functioning society will always remain because everyone will always be doing something that contributes to society, whether in a negative or positive way, and is needed for it's survival.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Online classes?
Hello students of the world! Do you enjoy online classes or do
you despise them? Do you find them helpful or a waste of time? I would
say that online class have the best of both worlds.
I enjoy how online classes allow me to reciece credits for classes that cannot take in school. Virtual classes also give you the opportunity to receive grade forgiveness. This means that if a student receives an "F" or a "D" for a class taken at school, he or she has the opportunity to take that class online and receive a better grade that will replace the "F" or "D" permanently off his or her record. Online classes also allow students to take classes over the summer which is good for students who are low on high school credits. Online classes also have their downfalls. One is that they are very self motivated classes and if a student has hard time learning on his or her own then online classes my be a bad choice for that student. I also don't like how the online classes are extremely strict about finishing your course on time. I rather have it where you can work on the course on your own pace. I don't think that a student should take like two years to finish a particular class but I do think that if a student is already at school all day then he or she should be allowed to only do about one or two assignments a week instead of three or four. So I conclude that online classes are amazing yet terrible at the same time.
you despise them? Do you find them helpful or a waste of time? I would
say that online class have the best of both worlds.
I enjoy how online classes allow me to reciece credits for classes that cannot take in school. Virtual classes also give you the opportunity to receive grade forgiveness. This means that if a student receives an "F" or a "D" for a class taken at school, he or she has the opportunity to take that class online and receive a better grade that will replace the "F" or "D" permanently off his or her record. Online classes also allow students to take classes over the summer which is good for students who are low on high school credits. Online classes also have their downfalls. One is that they are very self motivated classes and if a student has hard time learning on his or her own then online classes my be a bad choice for that student. I also don't like how the online classes are extremely strict about finishing your course on time. I rather have it where you can work on the course on your own pace. I don't think that a student should take like two years to finish a particular class but I do think that if a student is already at school all day then he or she should be allowed to only do about one or two assignments a week instead of three or four. So I conclude that online classes are amazing yet terrible at the same time.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
THE PRIMARY.
So where were all of these candidates on the day of the election? Let us find out. We shall start out with the candidate Rick Santorum. Rick was actually in the state of Nevada the day of the Florida Republican Primary. Nevada was the next state to hold the Primary. So the little "sneak", Rick Santorum, was already looking ahead to the next state that was going to vote. His tactics didn't work because Mitt Romney also won the Nevada Primary as well.
The candidate Mitt Romney, who won the Florida Primary, was actually located in Tampa, Florida while the election took place. He must of been campaigning hard core, since he won for Florida. Newt Gingrich was also in Florida during the Primary. He was in Orlando during the voting. Even though he did not win for the state of Florida, Newt came in a close second place. It makes sense that the two candidates who were in Florida, the day of the election, had the most votes out of all the candidates.
The last major Republican candidate is Ron Paul who was located in the states of Nevada and Maine the day of the Florida Primary. Nevada and Maine were the next two states to hold Primaries this year. Ron Paul's sneaky planning did not benefit him in Nevada because in the end Mitt Romney triumphed in that state. The Maine Primary has not taken place yet so we shall see how that turns out soon.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
technology+school=unlimited possibilities
The use of technology in school can lead to a more organized and efficient work environment. Technology could be better utilized at my school through the use of more computer lab access or personal electronic distribution, online classes, and through the use of Google groups. If my school allowed more students to use computers during class then students would be able to get a head start on homework or to start research for a particular project. If students were given their own personal Ipads or laptops then the excuse of i don't have a computer would be eliminated. If students had their own personal computers that they could carry around with them throughout their classes they could utilize them for notes, online textbooks, and much more. As being a part of the Step Up program at my school I have the privilege of having my own personal Ipad for the year. This is very useful for my education because now I can have my notes with me at all times and keep them very organized. One more implementation of technology that would benefit the students at my school would be for every teacher to make a Google group for the student that are in his or her class. A Google group is excellent way for a teachers and students to communicate with each other. Basically the teacher and students all make email accounts through Google and then create group that allow to only communicate to everyone who is in the group.
Technology is a powerful and helpful tool for students everywhere. Like they all say, technology opens the doors to a brighter future.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Giving back
Hey guys! Today is such a beautiful day isn't it? It's a beautiful day for helping others. Well of course, everyday is a perfect opportunity to help those who are less fortunate than us. I have done some things to help and give back to my community but I plan to do much more. I have participated in water way cleanups. When I was a girl scout we did many things to keep the earth clean as well as sing at senior homes. When I was 13 and 14 I volunteered at the Holday Park Gymnastics Center. I assisted in the the summer camp for chidren's gymnastics. I got to have fun with the kidsas well as make sure that they had a really fun time. I currently do gymnastics at this gym as well as coach during summer camps and other times when I am needed. It feels good to help kids accomplish skills that they never thought that they would be able to do before. Their faces of accomplishment makes my heart leap for joy. Helping others is something that I really enjoy doing. In the future I plan to help my community a lot more through the company Hands On Broward. I really hope to feed the homeless, clean the earth, and help keep animals happy and healthy. There is a quote that I try to live by to the best of my ability. The quote is " love others as you love yourself". So let's all put a smile on our face and other faces to bring joy to the world. :)
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Jim Carrey: from rags to riches
Jim Carrey was born in Newmarket, Ontario in 1962. His mother was a homemaker and his father was a musician and accountant. Jim is also the youngest of four children. Jim was a very extroverted child and by the age of 14 he performed his first stand-up at Yuks Yuk's Canadian comedy club. Jim was rejected by the crowd but he did not give up here. Before Jim rose to fame he and his family went through some hard times. In 1977 his father lost his accountant job and the family was forced to move into a farmhouse right next to a factory. In order to reside in the farmhouse Jim's father had to work as the factory's security guard and the children had to work during the night cleaning the factory. The family eventually left the plant and were forced to live in a VW bus for a time. After this things started to look better for Jim and his family. By 1979 the family moved back to Toronto. Jim returned to the Yuks Yuk's Canadian comedy club, now 17, where he won the crowd over. Later that year, due to his comedian success in Toronto, Jim moved to Los Angeles to live out his dream. He worked as a stand-up for no pay for a while until Rodney Dangerfield found and signed him as his opening act for a season. Soon after this Hollywood took notice of the star. In 1982 Jim starred on the television show "An evening at the improv.". The next year Jim starred on "The tonight show". Jim's career only went up from here.
Throughout his acting career Jim starred in big hit movies such as "The mask" and one of my favorite "Dumb and dumber". At one point in his career Jim was considered as the highest paid actor in Hollywood. Wow, going from living in a bus to being the highest paid actor is a pretty big jump. Jim Carrey is an awesome actor who worked really hard to get where he is today. He has been in so many many movies that have won my heart and the hearts of many others. Just think, you could be just like Jim. All you need is motivation and a sense of humor to get you through those tough times in your life.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Modern American stratification system plus some poverty
Hey everyone! Hope you all had an awesome Thanksgiving. Now that were fat from turkey we should focus on the being thankfulness part of this holiday. By discussing something horrid and depressing we then will really see how thankful we should be everyday. This week I'm going to discuss the disheartening topic of the modern American social stratification system and the poverty that comes with it.
The American stratification system today consists of the upper, middle, and lower classes. Basically America is a capitalist society where everyone has equal opportunity to rise to the top, but not everyone does rise to the top. Those who have the extremely high paying occupations make up the upper class. Individuals with a reasonably high salary constitute the middle class. The lower class consists of low incomes to none at all.
A very large percentage of people in America make up the poverty stricken population. These individuals are homeless or are barley making it by in their daily lives. Adults, teenagers, and children all suffer from the deadly disease of poverty. It spreads ferociously through demotivation, debt, and Economic recession. Many children are born into this lifestyle and "genetically" attain the virus from their parents. It's very heartbreaking to witness the immense affect that this devastating epidemic has on it's victims. Although all hope seems lost, there is a cure. Like cancer a cure is not always attainable for everyone within their lifetime. Some rise above this desolate lifestyle triumphantly, while others die trying. America's social stratification makes rising above a poor and depressing life possible. All you need is a cloud of confidence hovering above and a spoonful of hope flowing through your veins. All in all I strongly believe that poverty should just fall into poverty and die.
The American stratification system today consists of the upper, middle, and lower classes. Basically America is a capitalist society where everyone has equal opportunity to rise to the top, but not everyone does rise to the top. Those who have the extremely high paying occupations make up the upper class. Individuals with a reasonably high salary constitute the middle class. The lower class consists of low incomes to none at all.
A very large percentage of people in America make up the poverty stricken population. These individuals are homeless or are barley making it by in their daily lives. Adults, teenagers, and children all suffer from the deadly disease of poverty. It spreads ferociously through demotivation, debt, and Economic recession. Many children are born into this lifestyle and "genetically" attain the virus from their parents. It's very heartbreaking to witness the immense affect that this devastating epidemic has on it's victims. Although all hope seems lost, there is a cure. Like cancer a cure is not always attainable for everyone within their lifetime. Some rise above this desolate lifestyle triumphantly, while others die trying. America's social stratification makes rising above a poor and depressing life possible. All you need is a cloud of confidence hovering above and a spoonful of hope flowing through your veins. All in all I strongly believe that poverty should just fall into poverty and die.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
What's so cool about being cool?
Good day world the earth says hello. Yup it's time for another amazing blog written by the one and only moi. The weather may be getting chillier and the air may be a little fresher, but other things are not changing. Social and school pressure among adolescents is as evident as ever.
Teens all over the world just want to "fit in". They feel a need to be liked and accepted by other teens. Some of these pressures are harmful and harmless. These pressures constantly affect how teens act on a daily basis.
Some social and school pressures include fashion choices and language use. Many teens are not seen as "cool" if they don't wear the most expensive clothes or the latest styles. These teens are cast out from the "popular" crowd and considered to be the weirdos and geeks of society. Mostly all adolescents fear being cast out by their peers. The use of vulgar language among teens has become regular activity. Teens hear, see, and speak bad language. In fact teens don't even see profanity as inappropriate anymore. They constantly curse in every situation. Whether they are happy, sad, frustrated, or angry, teens curse. Profanity's negative connotation is practically invisible among teens. I guess cursing is the new pink! Personally I despise profanity and see no need for it's use. Cursing only brings about violence and negative treatment towards others.
So to say the least teen's social and school pressures only cause the destruction of one's family morals and values. Individuality is lost and replaced by a cookie cutter teen of today. What is so cool about being cool anyway?
Teens all over the world just want to "fit in". They feel a need to be liked and accepted by other teens. Some of these pressures are harmful and harmless. These pressures constantly affect how teens act on a daily basis.
Some social and school pressures include fashion choices and language use. Many teens are not seen as "cool" if they don't wear the most expensive clothes or the latest styles. These teens are cast out from the "popular" crowd and considered to be the weirdos and geeks of society. Mostly all adolescents fear being cast out by their peers. The use of vulgar language among teens has become regular activity. Teens hear, see, and speak bad language. In fact teens don't even see profanity as inappropriate anymore. They constantly curse in every situation. Whether they are happy, sad, frustrated, or angry, teens curse. Profanity's negative connotation is practically invisible among teens. I guess cursing is the new pink! Personally I despise profanity and see no need for it's use. Cursing only brings about violence and negative treatment towards others.
So to say the least teen's social and school pressures only cause the destruction of one's family morals and values. Individuality is lost and replaced by a cookie cutter teen of today. What is so cool about being cool anyway?
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Does sleep affect teens academically?
Hey guys! Another week another blog. This week I am going to discuss how sleep affects teens academically. Most teens don't realize just how important sleep really is. Sleep is ideal for a healthy functioning body. Efficient sleep is just as important as eating and exercising. Let me begin this blog by just asking you a simple question. How much sleep do you normally get each night?
Most teens would probably answer that they get about four to six hours of sleep each night. This is not even close to the amount of sleep an average teen should be receiving. An average teen should be sleeping for about eight to nine hours each night. The more sleep a teen has the better he or she can perform academically.
Studies have shown that if an individual learns a new task and then has a good night sleep, he/she will be able to do this new skill better than when he/she first learned it. The amount of sleep a teen receives is important because every teen needs dream sleep. Dream sleep is the periods of sleep that an individual dreams. While dreaming an individual rehearses what one has learned and consolidates what one has learned. A person must be sleeping for at least four hours to then start the dreaming phase. That is why it is very important for teens to receive about eight to nine hours of sleep each night.
So the answer is yes teens sleep affects teens academically. The more sleep a teens has the better he or she will be academically.
Most teens would probably answer that they get about four to six hours of sleep each night. This is not even close to the amount of sleep an average teen should be receiving. An average teen should be sleeping for about eight to nine hours each night. The more sleep a teen has the better he or she can perform academically.
Studies have shown that if an individual learns a new task and then has a good night sleep, he/she will be able to do this new skill better than when he/she first learned it. The amount of sleep a teen receives is important because every teen needs dream sleep. Dream sleep is the periods of sleep that an individual dreams. While dreaming an individual rehearses what one has learned and consolidates what one has learned. A person must be sleeping for at least four hours to then start the dreaming phase. That is why it is very important for teens to receive about eight to nine hours of sleep each night.
So the answer is yes teens sleep affects teens academically. The more sleep a teens has the better he or she will be academically.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Hey hey hey! It's that time again! Thats right, time for another weekly blog. This week's topic is a very serious and important issue that needs to be discussed. This week I am going to discuss....wait for it......blue tape! Yes, thats what I said, blue tape. For all of you who do not what this amazing educational tool is, it is actual, physical blue tape that teachers put on their white boards to organize their daily agenda. Recently Broward County Public School teachers have been required to use blue tape on their boards.
Personally I really don't feel any more academically advantaged with blue tape. I will admit that it does make each day's shedule a little more organized. Also students are more likely to complete their warm-ups when they walk in, because they know where to look. My question is, why don't schools use red, yellow, or purple tape? Why is it important to use blue tape? I guess the color blue does create a calm and relaxing mood. So maybe the color does have an affect on classroom behavior. Perhaps students become just a little more focused in the classroom with the help of good ol' blue tape.
I believe that blue tape is really just a waste of money. The only benefit I see is that it makes the classroom look just a little more pretty and inviting. At least it's blue tape and not a poop brown colored tape. The last thing I shall say is, thank you blue tape for supposedly calming me down, keeping me more organized, and not being a putrid, disgusting color.
Personally I really don't feel any more academically advantaged with blue tape. I will admit that it does make each day's shedule a little more organized. Also students are more likely to complete their warm-ups when they walk in, because they know where to look. My question is, why don't schools use red, yellow, or purple tape? Why is it important to use blue tape? I guess the color blue does create a calm and relaxing mood. So maybe the color does have an affect on classroom behavior. Perhaps students become just a little more focused in the classroom with the help of good ol' blue tape.
I believe that blue tape is really just a waste of money. The only benefit I see is that it makes the classroom look just a little more pretty and inviting. At least it's blue tape and not a poop brown colored tape. The last thing I shall say is, thank you blue tape for supposedly calming me down, keeping me more organized, and not being a putrid, disgusting color.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
NERDS (subculture)
Hola muchachos! Bonnie here again. I've got another amazing blog for all of you to read. The awesome and fantastic topic for this week is...NERDS. Sorry to disappoint you guys but I'm not talking about the nerds candy. (sad face) Nerds are a subculture found in the United States and in many other parts of the world. Now let us begin our journey into the wonderful world of nerds.
Most people see nerds as those individuals who are super intelligent, wear braces, and have their pants pulled up past their bellybuttons. Others may think of the legendary Steve Urkel who starred on Family Matters. http://youtu.be/BTeOcVelYi0 (check out Steve Urkel in action.) Today many accused nerds are just those individuals who are super duper smart. Individuals who wear fashionable clothes, but have straight A's are considered nerds. Nerds can also be nerdy for different interests. For example, one may be a nerdy gamer who spends all their time playing video games. A nerd could also be someone who is obsessed with comic books. Typically nerds form groups with other nerds who have the same interests or nerds just remain loners.
In the past nerds were viewed as "uncool" and "ugly" individuals, but today most nerds are liked by the general population. Most teens want to be nerdy in some way. A majority of teens wear buttons that say things like, "talk nerdy to me" or "I love nerds". Today ,mostly teens, want to be nerdy because now they find it as a way to fully express their interests. Many teens want to form groups with others who have the same interests as them. One becomes a nerd once they are obsessed with a particular activity or interest.
In my opinion nerds are incredibly intelligent or talented individuals in their particular interest. Nerds are pretty interesting people because they are so devoted to their particular interest. I would call myself a nerd gymnast. I am devoted and spend pretty much all my time doing gymnastics. I also know almost everything about gymnastics and I enjoy doing this sport. Last, but not least, I just want to say that NERDS RULE.
Most people see nerds as those individuals who are super intelligent, wear braces, and have their pants pulled up past their bellybuttons. Others may think of the legendary Steve Urkel who starred on Family Matters. http://youtu.be/BTeOcVelYi0 (check out Steve Urkel in action.) Today many accused nerds are just those individuals who are super duper smart. Individuals who wear fashionable clothes, but have straight A's are considered nerds. Nerds can also be nerdy for different interests. For example, one may be a nerdy gamer who spends all their time playing video games. A nerd could also be someone who is obsessed with comic books. Typically nerds form groups with other nerds who have the same interests or nerds just remain loners.
In the past nerds were viewed as "uncool" and "ugly" individuals, but today most nerds are liked by the general population. Most teens want to be nerdy in some way. A majority of teens wear buttons that say things like, "talk nerdy to me" or "I love nerds". Today ,mostly teens, want to be nerdy because now they find it as a way to fully express their interests. Many teens want to form groups with others who have the same interests as them. One becomes a nerd once they are obsessed with a particular activity or interest.
In my opinion nerds are incredibly intelligent or talented individuals in their particular interest. Nerds are pretty interesting people because they are so devoted to their particular interest. I would call myself a nerd gymnast. I am devoted and spend pretty much all my time doing gymnastics. I also know almost everything about gymnastics and I enjoy doing this sport. Last, but not least, I just want to say that NERDS RULE.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Suicide
Hey guys and gals! This week I am going to discuss a very serious mental health issue that affects people all over the world. The topic for this week is... Suicide.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) suicide was the seventh leading cause of death for males and the fifteenth leading cause of death for females in 2007. Also in 2007, suicide was the third leading cause of death for the youth ages 15-24. In 2007, every 100,000 adults that were 65 or older about 14.3 died due to suicide. The most common methods to die by suicide are through firearms, suffocation, and poisoning. These are some scary numbers and facts that make one ask them self, why? Why would so many people in a wide variety of age groups just decide to end their lives? Many people choose to end their lives because of different risk factors that cause individuals to kill themselves.
Some risk factors that lead to suicide are depression and other mental disorders, substance-abuse disorder, and family violence, which includes physical and sexual abuse. Over 90% of people, who die by suicide, have depression and other mental disorders or substance-abuse disorder. Tons of individuals, today, are becoming addicted to drugs. Individuals believe that these drugs will relieve their stress and take away all their problems, but, in fact, these drugs just make them more depressed and stressed than before. Physical and sexual abuse cause great emotional distress which pushes people to kill themselves. Depression is a risk factor that is attained through so many ways. Individuals usually become depressed because they feel lonely. Today, most children live in a single parent home. Most children do not have the full rounded attention they need. They become lost, lonely, and irrational. They decide that it is better to end their life than keep on living this particular way.
To me the thinking about suicide, makes me feel like something is tearing my heart out and ripping it to shreds. I feel terrible knowing that young children, adults, and the elderly are going through such terrible situations that they just want to end their lives. I believe that a large percentage of suicides can prevented through hope and help from friends. If you ever see someone that looks lonely or miserable just talk to them and be the friend they need. YOU can save a life by being the hope a lost soul needs to survive.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) suicide was the seventh leading cause of death for males and the fifteenth leading cause of death for females in 2007. Also in 2007, suicide was the third leading cause of death for the youth ages 15-24. In 2007, every 100,000 adults that were 65 or older about 14.3 died due to suicide. The most common methods to die by suicide are through firearms, suffocation, and poisoning. These are some scary numbers and facts that make one ask them self, why? Why would so many people in a wide variety of age groups just decide to end their lives? Many people choose to end their lives because of different risk factors that cause individuals to kill themselves.
Some risk factors that lead to suicide are depression and other mental disorders, substance-abuse disorder, and family violence, which includes physical and sexual abuse. Over 90% of people, who die by suicide, have depression and other mental disorders or substance-abuse disorder. Tons of individuals, today, are becoming addicted to drugs. Individuals believe that these drugs will relieve their stress and take away all their problems, but, in fact, these drugs just make them more depressed and stressed than before. Physical and sexual abuse cause great emotional distress which pushes people to kill themselves. Depression is a risk factor that is attained through so many ways. Individuals usually become depressed because they feel lonely. Today, most children live in a single parent home. Most children do not have the full rounded attention they need. They become lost, lonely, and irrational. They decide that it is better to end their life than keep on living this particular way.
To me the thinking about suicide, makes me feel like something is tearing my heart out and ripping it to shreds. I feel terrible knowing that young children, adults, and the elderly are going through such terrible situations that they just want to end their lives. I believe that a large percentage of suicides can prevented through hope and help from friends. If you ever see someone that looks lonely or miserable just talk to them and be the friend they need. YOU can save a life by being the hope a lost soul needs to survive.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Troy Davis
Hi everyone! I'm going to start an amazing sociological blog that will blow all your minds. Blogging actually looks quite fascinating to me all thanks to the movie, Julie and Julia. Amy Adams is an awesome actress! Anyways, I hope I add more knowledge to your brains and make the minutes your taking to read my blog worthwhile!
This week the topic is (drum roll please)... TROY DAVIS. As most of you all know Troy Davis was a U.S. citizen who was convicted of murder and executed on September 21, 2011. He was said to have shot the off-duty policeman, Mark Macphail. The incident occurred in 1989 in Savannah, Georgia, and has been on trial ever since. Davis has faced execution, a total of, four times since 1989. There have been a total of eight witnesses that have implicated Davis as the real killer. Davis was only 42 years old when he was killed by lethal injection on September 21, 2011. (www.thenation.com)
I believe that the guilty people in this world SHOULD be punished, but that the death penalty is a "little" drastic. Loads of evidence pointed to Davis as the killer, but there was still some doubts. What if he was not guilty? What if we have killed an innocent man? Whether he was guilty or not his sentence should have been much less drastic. He could have been sent to prison for life or stuck with a strict parol.
I shall use some insight from the bible on this subject. So in John chapter eight (NKJV) the Scribes and Pharisees brought Jesus a woman who was caught in the act of adultery. They believed that the woman should be stoned to death for her sin. Jesus then said, " He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." (verse 7) Then all the Scribes and Pharisees left one by one until only Jesus and the woman were remaining. Thus, I believe that no one on Earth has the right or authority to kill another person unless he or she is without sin himself or herself. Even though Troy Davis may have killed another man, he is no less righteous then you or I who constantly cheat, lie, and steal throughout our lives.
Many also believed this was a racist ordeal. Numerous people believed that Davis was convicted because he was a black man who killed a white man. Georgia Congressman, John Lewis, declared " Race is everything in this case". (www.thenation.com) Another death of Duane Buck, a black man, was scheduled for September 15 in Texas. He actually admitted to killing two people in a drug-fueled rage. The U.S. Supreme Court decided to spare his life, for now.
I truly believe that these are not racial issues, but simply coincidences. I really think that if it was the other way around, white men who killed black men, then the verdicts would still be death. It could have been based on a racial issue, but personally I think that conclusion is highly unlikely.
MY VERDICT: TROY DAVIS SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN KILLED, BUT SENT TO PRISON FOR LIFE.
This week the topic is (drum roll please)... TROY DAVIS. As most of you all know Troy Davis was a U.S. citizen who was convicted of murder and executed on September 21, 2011. He was said to have shot the off-duty policeman, Mark Macphail. The incident occurred in 1989 in Savannah, Georgia, and has been on trial ever since. Davis has faced execution, a total of, four times since 1989. There have been a total of eight witnesses that have implicated Davis as the real killer. Davis was only 42 years old when he was killed by lethal injection on September 21, 2011. (www.thenation.com)
I believe that the guilty people in this world SHOULD be punished, but that the death penalty is a "little" drastic. Loads of evidence pointed to Davis as the killer, but there was still some doubts. What if he was not guilty? What if we have killed an innocent man? Whether he was guilty or not his sentence should have been much less drastic. He could have been sent to prison for life or stuck with a strict parol.
I shall use some insight from the bible on this subject. So in John chapter eight (NKJV) the Scribes and Pharisees brought Jesus a woman who was caught in the act of adultery. They believed that the woman should be stoned to death for her sin. Jesus then said, " He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." (verse 7) Then all the Scribes and Pharisees left one by one until only Jesus and the woman were remaining. Thus, I believe that no one on Earth has the right or authority to kill another person unless he or she is without sin himself or herself. Even though Troy Davis may have killed another man, he is no less righteous then you or I who constantly cheat, lie, and steal throughout our lives.
Many also believed this was a racist ordeal. Numerous people believed that Davis was convicted because he was a black man who killed a white man. Georgia Congressman, John Lewis, declared " Race is everything in this case". (www.thenation.com) Another death of Duane Buck, a black man, was scheduled for September 15 in Texas. He actually admitted to killing two people in a drug-fueled rage. The U.S. Supreme Court decided to spare his life, for now.
I truly believe that these are not racial issues, but simply coincidences. I really think that if it was the other way around, white men who killed black men, then the verdicts would still be death. It could have been based on a racial issue, but personally I think that conclusion is highly unlikely.
MY VERDICT: TROY DAVIS SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN KILLED, BUT SENT TO PRISON FOR LIFE.
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