Last Week's Classes

Last week, we were given an iPad and were responsible for finding helpful applications that could benefit students. Playing on the iPads was extremely fun; basically, it was a giant iTouch. Since I'm used to the iTouch, it wasn't that hard to catch on. Not having a mouse or a regular keyboard was difficult though. I like being able to push down on the keys and type. If I'm not looking and just typing on the iPad, it's hard to tell which letters I am typing. In last week's classes, we were given a great amount of freedom. We were handed the iPad, and were just left alone. Truthfully, I don't think this was a great idea. I'm not saying we don't have responsible students, but I know that I went on facebook a couple of times to check my notifications. Imagine giving an iPad to a immature freshman or sophomore; the chances of them actually doing the task at hand is very unlikely. I love the idea that everyone getting to use iPads next year, but in reality, it will be another way for students to go on websites they shouldn't be on. If they get iPads or laptops next year, I think it's really important that teachers monitor what they are doing. I get so distracted in class as is; put a laptop in front of me with access to my email and facebook, and I know my grades will plummet. Yes, it will be easier for students to communicate with their teachers, but is it worth risking our grades to update our status's?

2010 is over

At this time last year, I was a junior in high school without a care in the world. I didn't need to worry about college and work. It shows how much my life can change in a year. 2010 was a very fun year, but I'm extremely excited for 2011. This year I graduate, get to spend my summer up in Maine, and go off to college. As the new years come, I realize how much I've grown up. The video we watched in class showed all of the things that have happened in 2010. It's crazy to think of all the tragedies that happened in this past year. But it's also amazing to think what did happen in the course of a year. There were earthquakes, and tornadoes, but there were also championships won and new women presidents elected. 2010 was a very interesting year, but I think 2011 is going to be better.

Making a change

Did you know 1 in every 3 teens is abused in a relationship? Or that dating violence is the leading cause to injury among women? When I found this out, I was so shocked. I never realized how much of a problem violence in relationships were until I googled it. Mr. Larkin wants us to join or create a movement on the internet that can inspire others. I decided to do relationship violence because I've seen movies and news reports of women that have been killed by their significant other. It sickens me to know that there are people out there that think it's okay to hurt people they "love." Many people that are being abused do not even know it. Relationship violence includes, controlling what a person does, physical and mental abuse, stalking or spying on them, and making a person feel unsafe. I know that a lot of girls have problems getting out of relationships with their boyfriends if they are being abused. The main belief they have is that their boyfriend can change. The girl stays with the boy in hopes he will stop hurting her, and it really only leads to more violence. No, I have never been in a situation like this, so I can't relate to it first hand, but I strongly believe that relationship violence is wrong. I want to raise awareness for relationship violence because I learned victims of teen violence are more likely to use drugs, have eating disorders, and even attempt suicide. This is not a problem from the past; dating violence is currently happening all around us and it really needs to stop. If you believe we can make a change for dating violence, join this facebook group Facebook against Violence
All of my information was found on Dating Facts and Relationship Violence

Helpful Tools

A helpful website I found is 50 tools students want to use. This website shows tools that are helpful to students today. The side bar shows different subjects that can be helped with on the website. It gives you tools that can be used to communicate with other students, like Whispurr and meebo. This website can be used to help with literacy and music.Kobobooks is a really helpful literacy tool that lets you read wherever you need to. These tools can help students adjust to using the internet more and I think they are very helpful

To be boring, or not to be boring? That is the question

My principal was telling us about a blog he wrote talking about his son asking why school was so boring. In elementary school, everything was repetition. Practice your multiplication tables 5 times a week and repeat, learn how to spell big words and repeat. Yes they added games to make it fun, but once middle school came into my life, things started to change. Middle school is like the awkward middle child in a family. It is trying to get students ready for high school and college. In middle school, you no longer get to play the little fun games that helped you learn things. This is a reason I think that school was so boring. In middle school, we were so focused on just learning the necessary subjects for high school, we didn't have time to have fun. Also, as sad as it is to say, math and english are seen as more important than art and music. The free time we used to have in elementary school to express ourselves through art, music, or any activity really, was taken away. In middle school we barely had recess! Our time to stretch our legs and let our minds be focused on games rather than learning was getting pulled away. Truthfully, I learn more when I'm playing a game rather than sitting in a seat listening to a teacher go on and on. I could probably sing you the planets song or the alphabet song, but not recall what I learned in my seventh grade math class. I learned these songs in kindergarten and still remember them. The fun things in elementary school are easily remembered compared to middle school things. Yes, singing to a song might be a little immature, but I will never mess up the planet order and I can even sing the alphabet backwards because of a silly song. I guess what I'm getting at is that we need to incorporate fun things into learning. I'm not saying you need to sing to high school juniors to get your point across, but relating things to their everyday life would be a start. I know I keep going on about these singing stories, but last year in chemistry, my teacher taught us chemistry songs about famous chemisists, and I actually still remember. Ask me what my first subject we learned about in math last year and I would have no clue. If schools don't want to be boring, we should be less worried about cramming everything into one year, and just focus on one thing at a time. Kids remember fun things, not boring educational lectures. Just a thought.

The blog from my principal is Boring School

COLLEGE!

I just got a letter from one of my top choices this week that really made my day. It read, Congratulations, You are accepted into Roanoke College. Even though I haven't been down to see Roanoke, I've done virtual tours, and it's gorgeous. This letter kind of got me scared though. I've been living under my parent’s roof for the last 17+ years. Next year, I'll be away from them and there is always that possibility that I could never move back home. Don't get me wrong, I'm so excited for college, but I am worried. All the "what ifs" pop into my head. What if I get sick? What if I don't know where to go? What if my grades start to slip? It's not like my parents are going to make a 17 hour drive every time I have an issue. For Pete’s sake I don't even have my own bank account how am I going to live on my own!? I know every kid worries about this, but it's not the same for me. The farthest person that's moved away from my family has been to Florida and that only lasted 2 years! All of my siblings live in Boston or Lowell. I think that I'll get homesick and chicken out of doing one of the biggest things in my life. College is going to shape my future and I don't want to go to a mediocre school around here if I can get a better education somewhere else! Another problem is that I won't know anyone. What if I can't make friends or get a weird roommate? These thoughts are going to haunt me until the day I make the decision as to which school I attend. I'm excited for the future, but am I really ready for it? It doesn't seem like it matters if I'm ready or not, my future is coming no matter what.

Curse Words

What's the trend among young kids? Swearing seems to be the fad that's taking over our future generations minds. Every time I walk by a group of kids; I am able to hear swears, even if they aren't as severe as others. Curse words are used everywhere in the world and I think it's time we really thought about them. Not only are they derogatory, but they can offend people. If someone started swearing at me, I would consider them rude. Even if they aren't yelling, young kids use them in their everyday language. I admit I have sworn before, but sometimes it just gets ridiculous. A lot of the stories I have been told by my friends include these derogatory terms. It doesn't make people look cool; it just makes them look immature. I really think kids and even adults should learn to rephrase what they say because it is offensive, and people will take it personally.