Last Journal

This year has been great!  I'll miss all the fun times we had in class.  Every day I came to class wondering what exciting activity we would do.  You engaged each student with your songs and outgoing personality.  Even if the material you introduced wasn't interesting, you made it fun.  Throughout the year, students knew they could always ask for help whether in person or email.  This is deeply appreciated because there are other teachers who are not as reliable when it comes to email.  It isn't helpful when a teacher responds to a homework question the next day when the homework is due that day.  Also, I enjoyed doing the blogs and worksheets.  The blogs allowed students to write freely and really think about the topic that was given.  They were able to express themselves and practice citing quotes without the pressure of being graded.  This is an area where I improved and can now not only cite the quote but give analysis.  When learning a new formula, worksheets were always helpful.  They were a useful tool that helped us remember and practice the formulas.  The only thing I would suggest is stapling the answers to the problems to the worksheet or put them on the board.  I sometimes felt a little unsure of myself practicing the formulas because I would doubt my answer.  In addition, I didn't favor the "pogils".  I feel that we should do them as a class or learn the material beforehand and then complete the packet.  Students seemed lost and unsure of what they were doing.  One last piece of advice is that students shouldn't be allowed to have so much freedom playing with their iPhones, iPods, or phones in class.  They become distracted and don't listen.  Not only is it affecting them negatively but also the students around them.  Overall, I enjoyed being in your class and felt that I had a great learning experience.  Being a young and "cool" teacher gives you the advantage of connecting with the students.  Thank you so much, keep up the great work, and have a fantastic summer.

Study Plan

June 4th
History: Organize papers into categories
English: Organize papers into categories
Chemistry: Organize papers into categories 
Spanish: Organize papers into categories
Honors Geometry: Organize papers into chapters


June 5th

History: Review papers

English: Review topics we studied-pick specific topic to review

Chemistry: Print out study guide-note important topics or things that need to be studied

                    -like vocab, or formula writing

Spanish: Review the vocab sheets

Honors Geometry: Start reviewing Chapters(5-11), theorems and do practices in textbook

June 6th

History: Look at main idea of second semester, did we achieve the goal, relate topics

English: Pick another topic to review

Chemistry: Go through each topic of study guide and do a topic a night

Spanish: Review vocab sheets

Honors Geometry: Keep reviewing-refresh myself of material

June 7th

History: Review packets, textbook

English: Pick another topic to review

Chemistry: Topic a night

Spanish: Review grammar

Honors Geometry: Work on review packet, make review packet of theorems

June 8th

History: Review packets, textbook

English: Pick another topic we reviewed

Chemistry: Topic a night

Spanish: Review grammar

Honors Geometry: Work on review packet, review packet for theorems(memorize)

June 9th

History: Review packets, textbook

English: Go over the topics from previous nights

Chemistry: Topic a night, quizlet

Spanish: Review material, prepare oral

Honors Geometry: Work on review packet, exercises in book

June 10th

History: Review packets, textbook

English: Know characters, messages, main ideas

Chemistry: Topic a night, quizlet

Spanish: Review material, prepare oral

Honors Geometry: Packet, exercises in book, develop questions

June 11th

History: Pick a side for the essay question, start outline intro

English: Main ideas, Prepare the writing

Chemistry: Ask questions

Spanish: Vocab, oral

Honors Geometry: Go in for extra help, packet

June 12th

History: Paragraph 1/2

English: Connect books together, make comparisons, prepare writing

                -characters, themes

Chemistry: Practice problems, formulas

Spanish: Look over packets, memorize oral

Honors Geometry: Packet, textbook, extra help

June 13th

History: Paragraph 3/conclusion

English: Review material, Ask teacher questions

Chemistry: Quizlet

Spanish: Prepare writing 

Honors Geometry: Packet, textbook, extra help

June 14th

History: Start memorizing-show teacher in school

English: Ask teacher questions, study material

Chemistry: Review everything

Spanish: Prepare writing

Honors Geometry: Packet, textbook, extra help

June 15th
English Final!!!!
History: Memorize outline (Final Monday)
Chemistry: Review everything (Final Monday)
Spanish: Memorize writing, vocab, tenses
Honors Geometry: Packet, exercises in book

Privacy Bill of Rights

          Personal information is being entered everyday on the internet and the question is where does it go?  Is the information secure and kept from other companies or is it being sold and revealed to other organizations.  The government has seen many Internet violations and want to protect the users.  The "Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights" states a set of principles for online privacy.  These rights calls on Web companies to minimize their collection of personal data, help users make informed choices about the information they reveal, and not use personal data for new purposes without the user's consent.  By passing this bill of rights it will provide safety and security for users.  They will become aware about the untruthfulness of companies and make better choices.
          However, many websites are protesting this act and are "going to the dark."  Websites have been going offline to show the frustration they feel.  Not only has Wikipedia gone dark, but nearly 7,000 other websites are planning to go offline.  A few common ones are Reddit, tech blog, Boing Boing, Mozilla, wordpress.org and etc.  They feel it is taking away their freedom and taking away their rights as a company.  They don't want to guide users to make the right decisions.  All they want is business.
          I feel that this act should be passed because of the safety and security it ensures.  People should not be taking advantage of by companies.  Companies should reveal the specific place the information is being taken and not lie to the users.  The government has a good plan by having the "Federal Trade Commission and California prosecutors have the power to crack down on companies that make misleading statements about their privacy policies."  With the Internet and technology growing users need all the protection and help they can get to make sure their information is safe.  If someone's information gets into the wrong hands many consequences could occur.  Also, I am in favor of the plan to have Web companies create a "do not track" button in browsers for Web users to block some advertisers from following their movements online.  I have never thought about this and got a little nervous.  Having advertisers follow your every move while on the web is a violation to privacy and security.   For many centuries the government has been protecting people from harm and unfairness of businesses.  By eliminating each unfair business will eventually provide a fair, safe, and equal nation.

Global Warming

             Global Warming has been a major problem that is being dealt with everyday by organizations all across the world.  People are working together to make the world cleaner and safer for the future.  The increase of greenhouse gases in the air contributes to severe impacts and disastrous changes in the climate.  If global warming is not dealt with now, natural beauties will be gone and animals will become extinct.  For example, Al Gore showed pictures of mountains before and after global warming made its mark.  Mt. Kilimanjaro is only one of many mountains that has been affected by global warming.  From 1993 to 2000, eighty percent of the snow has melted away from this mountain.  Soon there will be no more glaciers and pictures will be the only evidence of their existence.  The Polar Ice Caps is another place where the ice is slowly melting away.  This could eventually make the sea level rise, which will destroy many places around the world.  Polar bears are losing their homes and are drowning because of the long distances they have to swim.  To conserve these beauties we must all work together to rise against this problem.  Not only is global warming affecting our environment but also our health and well-being.  The U.S Global Change Research Program has proclaimed that, "the rising temperatures in cities are projected to accelerate smog formation and lead to increased incidence of respiratory distress and premature death."  These concerns can be caused by small shifts in the average temperature that can lead to serious problems for people.  

           If the Unites States unites to fight global warming, then other countries will follow.  One initiative the U.S can do is to pass a law stating one day out of the year cars are forbidden to be used except for emergency vehicles only.  This will help reduce car exhaust and save gas.  Depending on the results of this initiative, the U.S could pass this law to be followed for more than one day a year.  Another initiative the U.S. could do is to limit their dependence on fossil fuels.  The burning of fossil fuels contributes to CO2 in the air, which contributes to the greenhouse gases.  In 2012 many businesses are installing Solar Panels and using the sun for energy.  Greenwich High School has also installed them, which shows the chain affect.  Lastly, the U.S. should manufacture cars with better gas mileage.  They should make cars that are “green”, like the smart cars.  The U.S. should also build more cars that run on electricity.  In France there are parking spaces for charging cars.  These cars would have a cord that would plug into an outlet stationed on the sidewalk.  If actions like these could be performed, then that is a big step in the right direction.  

          Decreasing global warming could be approached in more simple ways and performed around your community.  For example, you could get your friends together and plant trees or go to the beach and pick up trash.  Little actions like these are ways to help prevent global warming.  There is even a recycling club in Greenwich High School.  Television commercials are using actors to state messages that we should all come together to defeat global warming.  When a famous actor or actress addresses this problem, their fans will want to follow in their footsteps.  The Environmental Protection Agency has stated that, "It is time to unlock the innovative power of this nation to solve this problem." All it starts with is one desire and action to stop global warming. Hopefully, the actions and organizations that are trying to conquer this problem will turn into a worldwide effort.  The actions we make today will shape the future and hopefully bring a better tomorrow.              

What Stereotype Does Lin Need to Overcome?

The article about Jeremy Lin was very interesting to read because it was about the stereotype he had to overcome.  I feel this stereotype that is made against him is made toward all Asian Americans.  But I agree with the fact that they shouldn't have to overcome this stereotype.  For example, the author said, "we punish Asian Americans who hew too closely to the stereotype.  Rather than rewarding students for their individual effort and achievement...".  These students should be rewarded for their intelligent ability.  It seems unfair that some colleges require higher SAT scores for Asian Americans.  Each student should have a fair and equal chance for getting into college.  To determine whether colleges are discriminating Asian Americans, research should be conducted comparing test scores of Asian and white students.  This data could be used to determine how many Asians and white students are being admitted to different colleges.  If Asian Americans score higher than a white student but are not admitted to a college, then the college could be discriminating against them.  However, colleges say they want a variety of students and claim they accept others who scored lower for diversity.  Many colleges are looking at all ethnicities and consider students who would benefit at their school.  If an Asian American receives the required grade for a college, then they should be accepted.  Jeremy Lin showed that a stereotype can be proven wrong and discrimination shouldn't stop anyone from accomplishing their dream.  Just because Asian Americans are stereotyped for being "quiet/shy, science/math oriented, and hard workers", they should be recognized for their motivation.  Working hard is a skill that benefits everyone.

Natural Gas Investment

              Natural gas is a source that has positives and negatives.  Even though it is inexpensive and better for the air, it has many problems that should be looked at.  Natural gas is risky and needs to be supervised when used.  There are five rules that need to be followed when using natural gas.  If one of these rules is not followed, then the government could pay more to fix the problems that were created than what they paid for the natural gas.  For example, Hal Harvey states, "Bad well casings allow gas to leak into the aquifer."  People's water could become contaminated if wells are not built strong and effectively.  If any water was contaminated, then the government would have to focus on purifying the water.  This risk factor could harm the environment and be costly.  Another risk is finding places to drill and using the right tools for the job.  For example, the article states, "We need to zone the natural gas development so that it is kept out of ecologically important areas, and we need strong drilling, operating..." Drilling also could be costly because heavy duty drills are needed which would be more expensive than a regular drill.  In today's world, we are trying to be green and become more cautious about hurting the environment.  Everybody is trying to pitch in to make the world cleaner.  For example, some cars run on electricity,and lights and water should be turned off when not being used.  These are some actions that are being taken to preserve energy.  However, the atmosphere is still being polluted and natural gas could contribute to the pollution.  Hal Harvey added the statistic that states, "One molecule of leaked gas contributes as much to global warming as 25 molecules of burned gas."  This could impact global warming and increase pollution.  The government is working on new technology to make the air cleaner and using the gas could destroy the hard work.  When leaks occur, money would be wasted and the world would decline in the progress it was making to make the Earth better.  So, even though it is an inexpensive source, there is a good possibility that additional money would be needed to resolve any unexpected situations.  I feel that it could possibly work but a well-thought out plan is needed first.  The government needs a thought out plan on how it won't pollute the environment before taking action.

"Amish Project" article

If I was Jack Reilly, I would probably play more sports and do outside activities.  I feel like students today sit too much and don't get enough exercise.  I would make sure to get plenty of fresh air and try to plan activities that I have never done before.  I would hang out with more of my friends and plan group activities.  I feel like it would be hard in the beginning but slowly become easier.  Jack Reilly thought of creative and fun ways to fill his time.  It was funny reading this article because I was comparing how much I use the social network.  Since I don't have a Facebook or any other social media sites and I barely use my cell phone my mom calls me a "very dysfunctional teenager."  So, I think it would be pretty hard for Jack Reilly who uses the social media constantly.

Dmitri Mendeleev Short Story

January 16, 1874
One of my lifetime goals was to become a reporter, which became a realty today.  It was not easy because many people believed I wouldn't even be able to attain a job because I am a woman. My father would say, "Elizabeth White, a reporter is a man's job."   
My first assignment with the St. Petersburg News is to interview Mr.Dmitri Mendeleev.  He is a Professor of General Chemistry at the University of St.Petersburg.  Mr. Mendeleev's latest invention is the The Periodic Table of Elements.


January 24, 1874
Today I headed over to Mr. Mendeleev's office.  I felt very confident and thought how exciting it was going to be to meet him. Mr. Mendeleev was kind enough to sit down with me and talk about his work in progress on the table.
"So, what can you tell me about your latest invention - The Periodic Table of Elements.  How is it organized?"
"Well, the table lists all the known elements according to the increase in atomic weights.  They are organized in horizontal rows, which creates a pattern.  The sixty elements are grouped together that possess similar properties."  
"Why are there blanks in the table?"  
"I have left blanks in the table, so when new discoveries are made they can be fit into the chart.  This chart helps to show the relationships between elements and how they are different to others," says Mendeleev.  
"And what do you hope to accomplish in the future?"
"I hope in the future that new elements will be discovered and added to this chart.  Here is a drawing of the periodic table."

"Thank you so much for that sneak peak of the periodic table.  I appreciate the time that you shared with us for the St. Petersburg News."

After we finished reading the original journal entries of Elizabeth White,  our science teacher, Mrs. Blackstone, showed us the finalized periodic table.  It was amazing to see how the table improved from the 1800's to now.  It is definitely more complex and has a lot more elements.  This helps us expand our learning in chemistry but also the world.