Wednesday, May 20, 2009

"Reality Check" a series from This American Life

This story is about a bull owner and a band called Ghost of Pasha. The problem in this story is that the two are being judged by society and is tricked by what is really real and what is there dream. And the solution is to establish the difference between the truth and your dream no matter how much it hurts.

Greenfield, Lauren; "Money + Kids"

This video shows a bunch of kids with money and kids without money. There was a group of kids where everything is handed to them because they ask for it. And another group of kids where they have to work hard to get something they want. Some were just plain spoiled, some had worked for what they have received, some hid the truth about there money, some were barley making it and some were just brats.

Vida, Vendela; "Girls on the Verge"

Amador, Alexander; "My Brown Eyes" from ENTERING NEW TERRITORY

Alex lives in an area where gang activity is very high and he gets involved in a gang. He doesnt always like being involved in gangs because it causes people to die. But he says they are family. His brother got arrested and now cares for his mom. Alex prays that his life will not end up like his brother's. He doesnt want to get arrested, but he looks up to his brother for taking care of his mom.

Smith, Alison; "Curve" from RED edited by Amy Goldwasser

Alison is 16 years old and the complete opposite of Amy. Its her against healthy bodies. She is not liked by other girls because she is naturally "super" skinny. And she thinks it is not fair that she is too skinny and she thinks that other girls dont understand how hard it is to be a skinny person. As much as it sound mean, she really isnt trying to be mean because she is saying that she has a hard time being skinny.

Morand, Cindy; "The Border" from RED by Amy Goldwasser

Hunt, Amy; "Sleeves" from RED edited by Amy Goldwasser

Amy is a sixteen year old teenager that is very self conscience about her body. Most of her friends are skinny, but she thinks they are only her friend because they feel bad for her. And she hears people make fun of her in the worst possible way. But she finds the need to defeat herself way before others have the chance.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Goldberg, Karen; "Social Network benefits validated"

This article talks about how social networking is good and bad. Parents give their opinions and some think that social networks are ok, some think that they are bad. And some choose no side, they think it is up to their child to have one or not. But kids need to know that they need to be careful when they are on the internet. and who they make friends with online.

Hefferman, Virginia; "Being There"

A group of kids find facebook more conforting than myspace. Even though the two are very similar but they have there differences. The article goes on to talk about status updates and how pointless it is to know everything that someone is doing at that very moment. And it also talks about what is socially acceptable and what is not accepted.

Myspace Article

This article tells us the truth about MySpace and why so many kids sucked into using it. Kids want a place that they feel is an easy place to find social comfort and MySpace is that place. MySpace is a place where these kids can choose to portray themselves in anyway they want. So if a person is not that attractive in real life they can show themselves and become more attractive looking online.

The RIGOR Article by Tony Wagner

Today's skills are what students need in to build successful skills. 21st Century Skills are survival skills in order to allow people to become productive citizens. There are 7 skills and they are critical, collaboration, agility, initiative, effective oral skills, curiosity, and imagination. One must work hard to obtaining these skills.