World Today: Time Magazine

Article #1:

It all started last year when American Lawyer, Rebecca Spitzmiller, and her son got so sick of graffiti covering the walls of their apartment, they went out to clean it off. They weren't aware, at the time, that their one, small action was the start of Retake Rome: an effort to rid parts of the country of graffiti. Many major tourist attractions have trouble with vandilization such as graffiti, trash, and leaflets, and Rome is no exception. In fact, Rome is a case apart: many parts of the country you cannot walk through without seeing graffiti one the walls. Paola Carra, who over looks project Retake Rome, says, "We need to maintain [Rome] ourselves. We can't wait for somebody else to do it." Hundreds of volunteers work to clear buidings, houses, and monuments of the extensive graffiti, working to preserve the beautiful country and keep it clean.

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2032022,00.html

Article #2:

When 5 young men (late teens-twenties) were arrested last december in Sargodha, Pakistan for plotting terrorist attacks, they were each given a 10 year jail sentence when they were convicted this June. But Monday the Lahore High Court accepted a petition to consider a life sentence (standar of 25 years) for the 5 five men, saying that, "Once they are out, they could be very dangeous for Pakistan." Though the men's defense lawyers claim the evidence is false, and the men are being wrongly accused, Prosecuters say the 5 Americans used the Internet to meet Pakistani militant organizations and plot terror attacks.

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2033915,00.html

World Today: Time Magazine

Article #1:

The biggest and most important holiday in the islamic religion, the festival of sacrifice, is currently being celebrated by Muslim's everywhere. This year, around 3 million people from all over the world have gone to Mecca, the holy city of Saudi Arabia, to take part in the annual hajj Pilgrimage. The hajj is a huge ceremony in which muslims symbolically express their rejection of temptation by throwing pebbles at three walls that represent Satan. The beginning of this stoning ceremony also marks the start of the "Feast of Sacrifice," a muslim holiday known as Eid al- adha during which they commemorate the near murder of Abraham's son by slaughtering a number of sheep and cattle. In the past, this bustling time of year has led to deadly crushes and pileups, but the bigger problem this year is the immense amount of traffic.

Here's a link to the article: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2031609,00.html

Article #2:

Cholera, an easily treatable desease that, when not treated, can kill by causing severe dehydration, is currently raging through Haiti. So far around 17,000 Haitians have been diagnosed with the disease, and over 1,000 have died. Many citezens feel the need to get even with whoever brought the disease to Haiti, which they are blaming on the U.N security and stabilization mission, or Minustah, for short. Riots and protests habe broken out complete with burning tires and gunfire exchanged between Haitians and the U.N soldiers. Though some Haitians are acting violently toward a group of people they dont know for sure brought the disease to Haiti, it's hard to blame them for their anger, considering the devestation of the earthquake earlier this year and the fact that Cholera cases are rising extremely rapidy everyday.

Here's a link to the full article: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2031665,00.html

Reading Bowl: What Happened To Lani Garver

1) What are the themes of the book? What ideas and/or opinions is the book exploring or discussing?

One of the main themes in "What Happened To Lani Garver" is acceptance. The fact that you shouldn't change yourself for others or let people put you in "boxes": a true companion is someone who doesn't have to categorize or change you, but is able to appreciate and admire you for who you truly are. Carol Plum-Ucci encourages readers to stray from the pack, as Claire did, and trust themselves and the ones who fully accept them. The story proves that when you leave behind the version of youself that everyone wants you to be and follow your true self, you might just discover someone or something really special, the way Claire discovered Lani.

2) Consider the main character of the book: what does he/she learn over the course of the narrative? How does he/she change? What is the final plot event that causes the character to change?

Throughout the book, Claire totally transforms. When she meets Lani she discovers things about the world and herself that she never imagined. Lani opens her eyes to philosophy and imagination, risk and angels. Claire goes from being a fly caught in the web of popularity, where she follows Macie and sticks to the status quo, to an individual: someone whose independant, yet relies on others. Someone who is unafraid to show the world who she truly is. At the end of the book, when Lani is drowned by Tony, Claire learns a valuable lesson: life is short and you have to live it to the fullest. Lani was such a remarkable person whose life ended so suddenly. I think Claire realizes she has to live and be remarkable in the time she gets, and to be remarkable is to be completely and truly yourself.

3) What are three sections/events/elements of the book that you find the most memorable or interesting?

I thought the sections about Claire's leather attraction were really interesting and unique. Almost as though the way she loved leather was what made her different from her family, classmates, and friends. At the beginning of the book, Claire hides her "secret" about the leather, but by the end she was wearing her leather jacket around Hackett. I think it's a symbol of her growing acceptance of herself.

I also really liked the parts about her razor blade music, though they were kind of creepy. It created the impression that everyone has a dark side or a scary secret that we keep hidden away. It was really interesting to witness and hear about Claire's first hand, and read her reactions about it.

But my favorite scene would have to be the one with Lani in the angel costume. Not because it seemed especially symbolic or important, but because I loved hearing Claire describe his ravishing beauty and sheer powerful. It was really welll written and it felt as though I could see Lani standing there in front of me.

4) How does the book's subject and themes connect to the rest of your junior high curriculum (what you've studied or been exposed to over the past year and a half)?

This book has a strong correlation with what we've been learning in RCG this year. In the Gender circut, we've talked about not letting media or stereotypes change your identity as a man or a women. Many characters in the book feel as though, being a male or female, they have to act or dress a certain way. When Lani comes in, he shows the residents of Hacket that thats not the only way. He steps out of the "male" stereotype and into his own, individual category.

5) Did you enjoy the book? Why? Would you recommend it for next year's Reading Bowl?

I loved this book and would definately recommend it for reading bowl next year! It's not a short read, but it's extremely engaging and really makes you think. Claire, the main character, has a really unusual and distinct voice that gives the story a whole new dimmension. The characters are all really well developed and the whole story is gripping: you never know whats going to happen next.

World Today: Times Magazine

Are whales getting sunburned as a result of global warming? Yes, it is a strange question, even amusing, but whales could be in serious trouble for the future. CFCs are increasing, meaning the ozone layer is thinning. Because of this, less UV rays are being blocked. Whales caught near the water's surface are victims of the rising amount of rays reaching the earth. A group of European scientists have recently discovered that, because of this, whales are recieveing some pretty severe skin damage. The science team did an investigation by tracking the same group of whales over the course of three years. They took skin samples and found that the whales had patterns of dead cells caused by the increasing intensity of the UV rays. For us, its easy to just wear a hat or put on sunscreen, but for whales and other sea creatures, it's not that simple.

http://newsfeed.time.com/2010/11/10/brave-new-world-thinner-ozone-layer-means-whales-are-changing-color/

I chose this article because I'm very passionate about the environment and sustaining it. I like being updated on what's going on with global warming and climate change. I find it very interesting and sad that whales are going through this and I hope that, for everyones sake, humans can find a way to fix not only the whale sunburn problem, but global warming all around.

Parent/Teacher Conferences

1) When we meet with your parents, what do you think Martha and/or I will say to them regarding how you've done thus far?

Hopefully that I'm doing well. That I chit-chat in class sometimes, but much less then I did last year. I'm keeping up with my work and participating in classes. I don't procrastinate anymore, (well, almost never...) and I turn in good quality work. So far, eighth grade has been a lot easier then seventh grade: I have a handle on work, I contribute to class, and I feels as though I'm a pretty good student. I do have trouble in grammar: it's really confuses me sometimes. But I've done well on the quizzes so I feel alright. (See my good usage of alright?) Of course I can't know exactly what Martha and Greg will say, (who knows what goes on in their minds...) But i have a feeling it will be mostly positive

2) What would you like us to tell them?

Pretty much the stuff I said above. That I love the class and so far am having a really great year. I feel more confident in my work and myself. I get along with all my classmates, including the seventh graders, and that i love love love journaling class.

3) Is there anything you don't want us to tell them?

Nope! Say what you need to say... i really don't care. Tell them anything you want.

El Universal: #2

Article #1:

Venezuela is currently on alert for seven endemic diseases that have been raging in the past months, one of which is Dengue. In recent months a record of 97,000 cases of Dengue have been reported in Venezuela. Dengue, also known as breakbone fever because of the tremendous pain it can cause, is a disease transmitted by misquitos in the tropics, and it can be life threatening. There have been almost 3,ooo more cases reported in Venezuela since Spetember 25 this year, and as of the same time last year, the number of cases of Dengue has tripled! More then 72 patients have died and even more are being "diagnosed" everyday.

http://english.eluniversal.com/2010/10/19/en_pol_art_record-of-97,000-cas_19A4626731.shtml

Article #2:

In the past 8 years, fruit and vegetable prices have increased to over 1,000 percent! In 2002 the cost of a monthly portion of tao, potatoe, arracacha, and cassava for the average Venezuelan family was 3.25 (USD.) Now it's 44.48 (USD.) Fruits and vegetables used to account for around 5% of the cost of a Venezuelan familys grocery basket, now it accounts for around 30%. Salt and sugar is up 315%, coffee rose, 420%, and dairy 332%

http://english.eluniversal.com/2010/10/18/en_eco_art_prices-of-vegetables_18A4621851.shtml

El Universal!

Newspaper Description:

El Universal, a major Mexican newspaper, was first started in Santiago de Queretaro in 1916 to report on the end of the Mexican revolution and the creation/beginning of their new constitution. This widely read newspaper, founded by Felic Palavicini and Emilio Rabasa, has over 300,000 readers. It's ranked the second most visited news site in mexico with more then 3,000,000 visitors per month! The current president of El Universal (and CEO) is Juan Francisco Ealy Ortiz, and the paper employs several renown journalists including: Katia D'artigues and Raymundo Riva Palacio.

Article #1:

(Because I haven't been able to get the Mexican edition of "El Universal" in English, this article comes from the Venezuelan version of the paper...)

VENEZUELA'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE UP TO 9.6 PERCENT IN AUGUST:

As the economy drops in Venezuela, the unemployment rate goes up. In August, the unemployment rate was measured and found to have gone up 1.6 percent since it was last measured exactly a year earlier. "Though Venezuela has been hit by the global economic crisis, the jobless rate is significantly lower then that of other countries who are also struggling through the tough economic times," says Elias Eljuri, president of the National Statistics Institute (INE)

(Visit Adriana's blog for the other two articles...)

Children Inspiring Hope!

Special Object:

For this weeks assignment, we're supposed to bring in an object that means something to us which we will later send off to Ghana. I've decided to bring in a key on a string, (to make a necklace type thing.) I chose a key because I'm a very curious person and want the key to represent opening doors and learning new things about the world and eachother. It's the key to a different world filled with new people. I've always really liked keys and i think they make really neat necklaces. I hope that by the end this project, there will be a kid on the other side of the world wearing the key I sent around her neck.

Peace Offering:

I want to take this oppurtunity that the Children Inspiring Hope organization has given us and use it not only to get to know students and teenagers like us in Ghana, but to begin practicing peace between cultures. How cool would it be for our different countries and contenents to all get along? I think the only way to find out is by taking the small steps, like this, to start. Students from Atlanta communicating with student from Ghana might not be seen as a big leap globally, but in the long run, we're setting the tone for how the world could, and should, be in the future.

8th Grade Self-Assessment

At the end of last year, the eighth graders took some time to talk to us about moving up from the seventh grade. While Greg was in the room they told us things like, "It's a lot more challenging," and, "You have to make sure your really organized." But when Greg left, warnings started to fly our way and my trepidation for the oncoming year grew. "You have to write 15 pages a week!" "When Martha says something funny you can laugh, but only if she's smiling too, and only if it's at the end of class, and don't laugh too long or you'll get in trouble." So coming into this year, it's needless to say I was scared. Fortunately, these first five weeks have been nothing like what the described. So far, the homework isn't overwhelming, the classes are engaging, and I'm enjoying the start of my eighth grade year.

This year, social life is very similar to last year. I have a group of friends, some in the class and some not, who i really enjoy being with during school and on the weekends. This includes Helen, Ellery, Mary, Hannah, Mary Emma, Sylvia, Coles, and some other girls too. No one in our class intimidates me, I actually really enjoy taking classes with the eighth graders because everyone has very different personalities and it's always interesting to be around them and you never know what's going to happen next. I already feel close to the eighth graders, this being my second year with them, but I hope we do more activities with the seventh graders and our buddies so we can get to know them better, too.

I don't think of myself as a "leader" in terms of academics, or making everyone be quiet or getting students to work together. I've never been that good at enforcing rules or always getting my work done on time, so in those ways, I've never been much of a leader. But so far this year I feel like I've been some what of a leader in engaging with our seventh graders. Last year, I, (and most of the other eighth graders,) felt like we never got to know our eighth graders as well as we wanted to. That's why, when I get the chance, I try to talk to our seventh graders during lunch or between class periods and see what they think about the seventh grade and how they like their teachers. I really like our seventh graders this year, so it's easy to talk to them and I enjoy it too!

I've always been a procrastinator, (Greg knows that...) and I've never been very organized. Those are the two main things I really want to work out this year. So far, I've gotten all my work in on time and I've been some what organized, but I know those two things are majorly taken into account in high school, so I'm determined this year to start on homework earlier and make sure to use my assignment book. Another thing is paying more attention during classes. I often find my mind wandering during classes and I begin to not pay attention. I really want to focus this year on, well, focusing.

I'm really excited for this year and hope it's as good as seventh grade!

Paths to Peace!

Last week 2 women, Amy and Mimi, came to out classroom and presented a project to us that we will be focusing on throughout the year. Basically, out seventh/eighth grade classroom will be communicating with another classroom through art, writing, and video. Doesn't seem to out of the ordinary, right? Wrong. The other classroom is actually located in Ghana! Throughout this school year we will swap ideas, thoughts, and stories with this class in the hope to increase understanding and create peace with other teens on the other side of the world.

When I think of peace I imagine everyone sharing resources, ideas, and friendship. I think of no wars, or guns or murders. I also imagine the police sitting around doing nothing, and the politicians focusing on things like healthcare and global warming; not just who to bomb next. I think the best way for the world to obtain peace is through open mindedness. yes, it sounds cheesy, but i believe its the only way. Through this project i want to work on doing just that. By keeping an open mind and learning about life half way around the world, i think it will help me be a more peaceful person all around. I want to work on listening to what others have to say and shaping my decisions not just around myself, but around other people too.

I think all of the options given to us would be great ways to get to know students in Ghana better: video, music, service - all of these would help to bridge the gap between us and teens across the globe. But the option I'm most interested in is probably art work. You can express endlessly in artwork: maybe you draw a picture of what you look like, or what your village looks like. You could draw the way you feel about war or peace or friendship. You could also simply draw for the sake of drawing! doodle to express what kind of person you are, or what your interested in. I would be so excited to receive a drawing from a student in Ghana to just give me the idea of where, how, and why they live.

I think we should try to do a mix of three different things. I think focusing on artwork, writing, and maybe even a little bit of video would give us the best opportunity to get to know the students in Ghana better. Maybe if we drew a picture of anything we wanted, something physical, or not, and then wrote a little bit about it and what it means to us, or why we find it important. Then maybe we could take a short clip of both classes and exchange them so we get to know a little more about what kind of classroom they work in, what their teachers are like, how they look, etc. (But I'm also aware video would be really difficult b/c of their lack of technology, so I understand if we can't do that..)

Another idea we were presented with that i really liked was choosing one poem and having everyone write a short amount on about how it makes them feel/how they reacted to it. I think that would teach us a lot about life outside of America.

My last idea, (we might already be doing this, I'm not sure,) is to have each person in this class paired with one other student in Ghana, so it becomes more of a really personal experience, and not so generalized. We could take time to tell out classroom about each of our "buddies" and they could do the same.

I'm very, very excited about this project and can't wait to get going on it! Thanks to Amy, Mimi, Martha, and Greg for giving us all this great opportunity!