Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Moral Education

I believe that the parents are the ones who are responsible for their child's moral education. They have seen their child grow and they have been with their child for as long as they have been born. They teach their child the most simplest things in life early in life. They teach what is right and what is wrong. One of them being that stealing is wrong. Not only that but the school is also responsible for the child's moral education. They also teach the simple basics of life in school such as murder and stealing. It is not like they don't teach it in the school.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Thank You Ma'am by Langston Hughes

This story is about Roger, a little boy, who tried to snatch an old lady's purse. The purse was so heavy that when he broke the snap of the purse, he fell down. The old lady grabbed him and told him that he shouldn't be doing things like that. She dragged him to her house and told the boy to wash his face. He washed his face. He had a chance to run away since the door was open but he decided not to. Then the lady asked him if he was going to have supper and he said no. So the lady decided to make him supper. After he ate, the lady then gave him the ten dollars to the boy so he can buy his blue suede shoes. All the boy can say is thank you and he left the house.

“The Story of an Hour” by Kate ChopinStudy Questions

1. The story says Mrs. Mallard “had loved him [her husband]–sometimes. Often she did not.” If she was “often” not in love with him, why did she marry him?
She probably didn't have a choice. During those times, women were socially obligated to get married and have children. She probably felt this way
2. What was life like for Mrs. Mallard in the home of Brently Mallard?
She probably had a life that she wishes she didn't have. She probably didn't love her husband to the full extent as she has probably dreamt when she was a little girl.
3. In the report of the train accident, Brently Mallard's name was at the top of the list of fatalities (Paragraph 2). Does this information mean that Mallard was an important citizen in his community? Does it also suggest that perhaps Louise married him, in part, because of his standing in the community?
She probably did because she probably wanted to be financially stabled and not worry about not having money for food or clothing.
4. Do you believe Brently Mallard mistreated his wife? In answering this question, keep in mind the following: (1) In Paragraph 13, Louise Mallard recalls that Brently was kind and that "he had never looked save with love upon her." (2) However, Paragraph 8 had previously informed the reader that Mrs. Mallard's face "bespoke repression," and Paragraph 14 says Brently had a "powerful will bending her."
I don't think he mistreated his wife in the fact that he hitted her but I do believe that he was probably a controlling husband and controled her every move. He made sure that his wife did everything a wife should do such as clean and cook.
5. How much of Mrs. Mallard's apparent unhappiness in her marriage was her own fault?
Not that much. I think it is Brently's fault that she is sad because I believe that she tried to keep him as happy as possible.
6. After Mrs. Mallard receives news that her husband died in a train accident, she goes to “her room.” Do these two words mean that she slept separately from her husband? Does the fact that no children are named in the story indeed indicate that she and her husband slept apart?
I don't think she had her own room. She probably shared the room but since she thought he died in the car accident, she probably named the room hers now.
7. Research the life of Kate Chopin (1851-1904). Then decide whether the death of her husband in 1882 influenced her when she wrote “The Story of an Hour,” published in 1894 in Vogue magazine.8. Did author Chopin herself face problems similar to those of Mrs. Mallard?
I dont think she faced the same problems. She probably did but I think she didn't show it that much.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Story of the Hour

What is the main idea?
The main idea of the story is about a lady who is married and they tell her that her husband died in an accident. She was in the house when her sister tells her that her husband has possibly died.

Was Ms. Mallard's grief real?
No her grief wasn't real. Her sister thought she was griefing for her husband since she locked herself in the room but in reality she was with joy.

Was Ms. Mallard happy? if not, why?
She wasn't happy because she was in joy. Maybe, it was because her husband wasn't treating her how she wanted to be treated or maybe her husband was controlling her.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Domino Effect

1.How is the "domino effect" affecting the global economy?
It is effecting our economy because it started with the lending out money to people who don't have money to pay and now they haven't paid back and we don't have any money.
2. What caused the U.S. housing crisis?
It started out by lenders giving high risk loans to people with low incomes. The people couldn't pay their loans back so the prices of the house dropped.
3. Why is the cut in consumer spending a serious pr0blem?
It is a serious problem because now the people are going to make fewer merchandise since people aren't buying.
4. How is less spending affecting local and state governments?
It is affecting the local and state governments because it has made a drop in the sales tax revenue.
5.What trend does expert Brian Sack predict for the economy?
He predicts that this economy is going to be an hard one to come out of. That also it is hard to avoid a recession.
6.What have the world's key central banks done to stop the crash?
They stopped lending to each other. Britain was forced to rescue many of its banks, spending $865 billion.

What do you think was the most important contribution of the Mosaic Templars in the U.S? Why?

The most important contribution that the Mosaic Templars achieved was offering financial protection to the fellow blacks. Not only that but they also offered burial and life insurance. I think this is the most important contribution because I believe everyone needs some sort of health insurance to be healthy. They can do their daily checkups and not worry about the expensive bill.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

BLACK FATERNAL SOCIETY

Before reading:
What I knew before reading:
I didn't know anything about the article. I just knew that it takes place in Arkansas and Bill Clinton is from that state.
What I want to find out:
I want to find out what the article is about

After Reading:
What I learned after reading the article:
I learned that it is one of the country's largest fraternal societies for blacks.
What I still want to know:
I want to know what is the largest fraternal society for spanish people.

UNCLE CEO

1. Why has the government taken over some U.S. firms?
The government is taking over the U.S. firms because there is no money left .
2. What firms has the government taken over?
The governement has taken over AIG and Chrysler Corp
3. What is a bailout?
A bailout means giving money to the companies to keep them from failing and federal officials have put new experienced leaders in place.
4.Why does David Walker have doubts about the bailout?
David Walker has doubts about the bailout because he says the government does not have the core competency to run AIG. He said it needs to focus on doing "what needs to be done" to get the economy back on track.
5. What did Daniel Mitchell say about the bailout?
He said officials are making responsible decisions about how to run the firms. He did not approve of the bailout but he said "it appears like they're doing the wrong thing in the best way possible."


1. Do you think it is a good idea for the government to take over and run some U.S. forms? Why or why not?

I think it is a good idea because it helps the government to get some money and helps boost the economy up.
2. Would you agree with Daniel Mitchell that government officials are "doing the wrong thing in the best way possible"? Why or why not?
I wouldn't agree with him because the government is doing different things to try to get the economy to flow again. Maybe this has failed but it can probably work out this

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

TXT-ing

Before:
What I knew about the topic:
I knew texting was becoming more popular by the moment. it is used more than talking on the phone. it is like instant messaging.
What do I want to know about the topic:
I want to know how this revolution started. it just came out of nowhere. if you don't text it is like you're not in with society.

After:
What I learned:
I learned that texting while doing many other things is dangerous. you should only focus on one thing at a time.
What I still want to know:
Is texting soon going to be illegal while doing other things?

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Before and After

Before
What I knew about the topic:
That the election happens every four years in order for us to select a new president.
What do I want to know about it:
How the vote system works. How they count every vote.

After
What I learned:
That the economy is one of the most important issue discussed in the both political parties. Also, that the democrat logo is a donkey and the republican logo is an elephant.
What I still want to know:
They didn't talk about how the vote system works. I am still curious how the vote system works and how they make sure every vote counts.

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

EDUC 108 on 09/30/08

















































We always have fun in Prof. Westry's Class!

MY OWN NARRATIVE

My return to Colombia was such an emotional trip. I haven't seen any one for twelve years since I last went. Once i arrived to the airport of Medellin, I was taken to a room by a flight attendant. Then I had to wait for fifteen minutes. It was a horrible feeling: anxious and impatience. Then the same flight attendant told me to follow her.
As I followed her, I was getting more eager to see my favorite aunt, Gladys, to pick me up. We entered a room and there she was, with her son David. I ran up to her and hugged her as if I never hugged her before. She then held my hand and we started to walk to the baggage claim. Her son took care of my luggage.
When we got into the car, we started heading south. First we passed a bunch of trees and bushes. The road was smooth. The we started to see huge summer houses. As we continued on the road, we started to see more suburbs. Restuarants and normal living conditions were starting to appear as we got closer to home.
We had to pass a toll. Once we passed the toll, we started to go down hill. Then there was a fork and my cousin decided to go to the right. Then there was a steeper hill, something you wouldn't see in any of the 5 bouroughs. There was still trees but later on we started malls and shopping centers. We then went straight for about 20 minutes. After that, we made a right turn and after two blocks we made another right turn. Last, we arrived to my grandmother's house.
I couldn't recognize it but I knew that it was going to be a nice, warm, loving home. My grandmother always treated me like a princess and I knew this time wasn't any different.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

How to cure a sore throat.

Does anyone know how to cure a sore throat?
respond ASAP

Comparing and contrasting essays

1. What happened when Sakamoto first began participating in Japanese conversations? Why?
She would get wierd looks from people because it was considered rude to join conversations you were not included in.

2. What does she compare a Western style conversation to?
She compares it to a game of tennis.

3. How is a Western style conversation like a game of tennis?
You hit the ball and you expect the person to hit the same ball back.

4. What does she compare a Eastern style conversation to?
She compares it to a game of bowling.

5. Explain the differences:
A. Taking turns: In Japan you don't take turns. You just wait till you get a chance to talk.
B. Approach the topic: It is rude in Japan.
C. Pausing: Everyone in Japan pauses after a comment and then start a new topic.
D. Reactions to participants: In Japan, if you aren't included in a conversation then they will look at the person as a rude person.
E. Determining the scores:

6. What is the author's thesis? Where in the essay is it stated?
The author's thesis is when she would include herself into the conversations of her husband. It is in the first paragraph.

7. In what ways does Sakamoto establish her authority to speak on this topic?
She has lived a real experience.

8. Why are "just listen" and "just relax" in quotation marks?
That is what she has to do even though she was raised another way.

9. Have you ever experienced conversing with Asians, especially Japanese? Do you agree with Sakamoto's experience? Is her analysis of Eastern style conversations accurate?
I never had this experience. It is true that our style of communication is playing a game of tennis.

10. Have you ever been in different "conversational ballgames"? What rules were you following? What rules was the person following? What happened in the conversation?
When I was younger and wanted to speak to an adult when they were speaking to another adult, I had to say excuse and ask persmission if I can speak to that adult.

11. Are the conversational rules more similar to the Western style or the Eastern style described here?
They are more similar to the Western style. When two adults are talking, they are talking back and forth. People can join the conversation if wanted to.

WEEK THREE-Comparing/Contrasting

High School and College

Even though high school and college are similar when it comes to continuing studies for a diploma, they are also different. In high school everyone had school for eight hours straight as of for college, people have classes all over the day and at different times of the day. It doesn't matter if you are a freshman or a senior. The professors in college really do not care if you are in class or not. It is basically if you want to do you work or not. In high school, they mark you cutting and get in trouble. Another thing they have in common is that there is a different person teaching different subjects.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

WEEK TWO assignment

1. Write a topic sentence for the article
It is always good to take advice from people who know better, especially if it is a life or death situation.

2. What reading strategies are you doing to understand the hurricane article?
The reading strategy I used to read this article was to discuss it with my brother. I know that if i can explain it to my brother then I understood the story.

3. What details support the story?
"All neighborhoods... and possibly entire coastal communities... will be inundated during the period of peak sotrm tide," the advisory said. "Persons not heeding evacuation orders in single family one or two sotry homes will face certain death."
Who: Residents of Houston, Morgan City and Baffin Bay
What: Hurricane Ike
When: Last Thursday
Where: Texas and Louisiana
Why: It happened because of the weather
How: Because of nature

4. State and give your reflections on the article
I believe that these people who refuse to move are being ignorant. They don't have any reson to stay and they still refuse. Al they are doing is putting thier lives in danger. It seems to me that they are just staying there to protect their houses but since the storm is big and powerful it is still going to ruin the houses.

WEEK TWO reading assignment

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/09/15/galveston.home.irpt/index.html

Write your reflections on your article
This article talked aboout how the people's homes and neighborhood has been destroyed because of Hurricane Ike. These people lived by the beachfront and all their homes were torn apart and everything they had was all over the place.
I can't say I feel their pain, because I was never in their shoes. I can feel that they have lost everything they loved because when I was younger my house was robbed. My family and I have lost things we valued and cherished. Most of it was jewelry that was passed down from generations to generations. Not only did these people lose their values but also their houses, not necessarily their homes. Their physical homes was destroyed and there was nothing that anyone can do to stop nature. They still have their family members and I believe that is the most important thing ever. They should be happy for that atleast and show strength to continue on with life. What doesn't kill them makes you stronger.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Learning Style, What interferes with my reading, and how do I prefer to read?

My learning style is visual. I like to see the topic written or drawn in order for me to see it. Another style I have is social. Many teachers just lecture and lecture and don't write nothing on the board. That is not my style. I love when teachers move around the classroom and write notes on the board and teach the lesson with their own personal experience. When the teacher is not monotone, it makes it exciting and more interesting.
The thing that mostly interferes with my reading is when the book is not appealing to me. I don't really have problems reading but when I have to read something that I do not like, I start to lose concentration. There might not be anything around me that catches my eyes but I just start to daydream about where I am going later on that afternoon or what is cooking downstairs in my kitchen.
I prefer to read in a chair with wheels. As wierd as it sounds, it is true. Whenever I read in my bed, I get sleepy. When I read in my sofa, I also get sleepy. With my computer chair I can slouch but not get sleepy. Also I like to read when there is little to no kind of noise. Lucky no one is ever home when I do homework so the house is quiet but if someone is home, I take my book and read upstairs in my room and sit on the floor. I also prefer to read when I am munching on chips or eating candy. It helps me to read more.
I believe that when I take 5 minute breaks for every hour I read, it helps me concentrate more than just cramming or pulling an all nighter to finish a book in one day. With seperating chapters and setting the amount of chapter per day also helps me to finish the book. Reading a few chapters every day is better for me than reading the whole book in one day.

Girl in Queens

Hello, my name is Stephanie. I currently live in Queens and go to school in Manhattan. It is a long commute on the train but when I sacrafice for my studies, I will see the fruits later on.