Tuesday, November 15, 2011

iPods and MP3 Players at School


iPod
Do you remember having fun in school? In the common American world today, children aren't enjoying the time in class. Some people say that games and after school activities will change that. I have a different idea. I think that schools should allow Ipods and other music playing devices in school. Of course the teachers will have the say in when students will be able to listen to them, and if they should be taken away, but it would still help students greatly. It will assist them by, helping them focus, making school more like home, and will interfere with the talking that teachers have so much trouble with. If you choose to include Ipods in our standard school routine, children might start to savor their time in school.
Most people look up to Steve Jobs as an inspirational guy, as do I, but he also has doomed us. He has made a far jump in technology, so that students, children, and adults alike are aging in an electronic filled world. Children and teenagers today are looking at Ipods as normal in an every day environment. I think that allowing students to listen to music in school will make coming to school more natural and an easier place to attend. It will also encourage more improvement in our electronic filled life. Being comfortable in school is the first step to liking school, if you wish for me and others alike to enjoy school, music is the way to achieve that. Ipods in school could change the classroom, the way Steve Jobs changed the technological world.
If you ask a teacher to share a reoccurring problem, most will answer that it is hard to contain a quiet classroom. My classroom was far quieter when we were allowed to listen to music. My teacher was astonished to see my peers quietly progressing. I believe that if it has changed the way my classroom works it will affect others too. Teachers will no longer have to spend have their class time hushing a class. Now, time that no one has, can be used more effectively and controlled to the best of our ability. Instead, a teacher will be working more affectively, and students alike will be getting better grades. Lyrics have the potential to tone down the volume of a classroom.
A number of studies have shown that when teenagers are listening to music they get more assignments finished. I believe that it will show the same outcome in classes. It would not only make school far more manageable, but improve students' grades and help schools succeed. In turn it would help the school gain funding by showing its success at educating the children of today. Focus won't only improve school work, but also a student's attitude towards school. When a student is proud of his or her accomplishments they want to replicate that feeling. By listening to music and getting more assignments done, they will be able to. It is a win-win situation for everyone. Again, if kids are allowed to use music playing devices I think that they will focus far better.
Someone for the alternative of this ongoing debate might say that music will distract the students and take away the attention the teachers already struggle with. That might be true if you don't enforce the invisible rule of taking out ear buds and pausing or turning off music when assigning projects. If you enforce this, I believe that this problem will discontinue. Everyone would prefer to listen than to their own music than a teacher. That's understandable. However, if no one has thought of that solution, just think of the other problems they pose that there are solutions to. Almost all of these problems can be fixed and molded to the purpose we need. Other problems can be and, will be, fixed.
My opinion in this affliction is that students should have a choice to listen to music. If they choose to have ear buds while working it will almost always help them work more efficiently, make school more like a familiar environment, and will turn down the volume in a classroom. Children starting school have the same promising future, twelve years of teachers, papers, books, reading and homework. No one can replace the years they had in school, so make it fun for us! Let us listen to music. Teachers have a choice in the way they teach. Shouldn't students have a choice in the way they learn?

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Define Normal Book Reveiw


                Define Normal by Julie Anne Peters,is about two girls, Antonia Dillon and Jazz Luther, who find that looks may be deceiving. In the beginning, Antonia was peer counseling Jazz, very unhappily, with almost no progress. Once Jazz breaks the ice with Antonia and a friendship begins, Antonia finds that hard punker Jazz isn't all she seems.Playing piano, rich parents, a swimming pool in her kitchen, Jazz's secrets were so unpredictable. Although Jazz's life was amazing, Antonia's wasn't half as rewarding. With her mom diagnosed with clinical depression and no father figure or income in the family, her life was falling off a cliff. Once Mrs. Luther gets involved, that starts to change. However, Chuckie and Micheal, Antonia's brothers, as well as Antonia have to live with a foster family, her mother gets doctoral help and Antonia becomes a normal teenager again. After Ms. Dillon is released, the pieces fall into place and Antonia's life is the way it should be.

               One of the many themes, is that no matter how independent you are, you should ask for help. Antonia was stubborn , she didn't want help. She was the only one in the house to look after her younger brothers, and had no time for herself. Refusing to accept the truth, she always said things would be better. She needs to ask for help, just like everyone else. Independence isn't always good.

               Another of many themes is that no matter who it is you can be friends. Antonia learned that the long way. She and Jazz take a long time the find that they had a lot in common, and are easy friends. The lesson is that if you open up to other people, you might just find a good friend, or two. No one should ever have to be judged by the "group" they are in. Personalities shouldn't be barriers.

               I would recommend this book to everyone, but specifically girls with mom trouble. It would help them know that they aren't the only ones. It sure helped me. This book has a power to comfort everyone, they just need to read it.This book gives me confidence. It will for others too, Define Normal is a motivational book for everyone.

I got this picture from:http://www.bartsbookshelf.co.uk/2010/05/19/buddy-review-define-normal-by-julie-anne-peters/

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Makayla, the Best Archaeologist there Ever Was!



When I grow up I think I'd make a great archaeologist. I've always enjoyed discovering new things. One of my favorite things to do is find solutions to confusing problems, I even have some experience digging in the dirt. I'm really in love with history, I am comfortable in nature, and I enjoy discovering new things, therefore, I will be the best archaeologist that ever was!

History has always come naturally to me. There was that time when I watched history channel for 7 hours straight. I'm always reading nonfictional books about aliens and dinosaurs. Whenever I watch television, I only watch history and discovery channel. Being able to focus on history is the first step along the path to becoming an archaeologist.

Being comfortable in nature is another thing I really enjoy. It's so exciting to go places that I've never been before. When I'm in a new place I feel like a whole new person.I am to natural history, what a rainbow is to the sky. Being able to fit in a new environment for the rest of my life would be easy! 

Enjoying discovery takes a special talent. I gained a lot of experience at school, where classes were fun. I learned a lot about the joy I have when I find new facts. For example, whenever scientists learn something new, I was all over it. The time I spent having fun in school is sure to give me an advantage when it comes to becoming an archaeologist. 

The three most important ingredients required in order to become a successful archaeologist are enjoying history,  being comfortable in nature, and enjoying history, and I've got them all! I want to be the one to discover an actual alien life form. I'm never so happy as when I'm in the midst of discovery. It's like my teacher said,"Happiness is in success." When I learn, I am joyous, and that's why I'll be the best archaeologist there ever was!


This is the cite I got my picture from. http://www.thesharkguys.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/archaeologistLV.jpg