What Happened BN? (Before Natasha)

Before this unit in humanities, I had frequently found myself wondering what happened in the Victorian Age, in ancient Greece, and in Mesopotamia.  What was life like before the iPhone?  Before any phone at all?  l would find myself wondering what life would be like without "simple" pieces of technology, such as the refrigerator, or Google.  This unit in humanities has allowed me to learn about just that.  In the first part of this unit, we had to choose an invention that impacted society either in a more subtle way that is not thought of as an "invention," for example juries.  On the other hand, you could also choose an invention that impacted society in a louder, more obvious way, like the airplane.  The invention that I chose was democracy that gave a voice to most Athenians.  I chose this "invention," because it is not the obvious choice.  When most people think of the word "invention," what pops up in their minds first, generally lean to the idea of something physical, something tangible.  Democracy is neither of those things, but revolutionised lives all the same.  I thought that this was an interesting way of looking at the unit- to choose something that you have to dig deeper to think about.  The second part of this unit was creating a graphic novel.  Instead of making the graphic novel about democracy, I worked with a peer, Anna Clara, and chose the invention that she had written her paper about, which was the elevator.  I enjoyed this experience, because contrary to what I had predicted, creating a graphic novel was quite hard.  It had to be informative, yet funny.  The frames had to have a sufficient amount of detail, but could not go overboard.  In the end, my partner and I were able to portray what I believe was an interesting story.  

I believe that new technologies produce different outcomes in different societies because of the seed that planted them.  Famous inventors did not just think, "I'm going to invent the car and alter people's lives forever," no.  These people realised that there needed to be a change in the world.  Maybe they realised that horse and buggies were not enough to transport the growing world as they might have before.  If a society is still developing, and an invention as life-changing as the airplane comes, then the invention will thrive, due to the need of help for the society.  If an invention is made in the developed society that we live in today, it will probably not succeed, and if it does, maybe not as noticeably.

I think that technology can change the development of societies because of how big the invention is figuratively, meaning that the invention can be small to hold, but impacts a society greatly.  If a society is not very successful in terms of trade, or economics, and then they receive rifles, the civilisation can hunt animals, and then trade the meat and fur.  The society can then thrive, and invest their money in different, possibly more important things.

This unit has taught me so many different aspects about different inventions and has helped the side of me that has wondered what happened before me grow.

My Research Paper

Geometry Investigations

In math, we are learning about geometry.  This unit has honesty changed my perspective in real-life situations.  Every time that I step over a tiled floor, I think that the length of my step had been 2 by 2.  I have noticed shapes that I normally would not have.  

We have been learning about the pythagoreon therom, corresponding angles, exterior angles, adjacent angles, verticles angles, coplementary angles and right angles (among others.)

1. Which investigation will you be analyzing?

I will be investigating the Polygon Interior Angle Investigation.

2. Did the question and directions in the investigation make sense when you were doing it or did you need help clarifying what to do?  (Did you get stuck along the way, or make any mistakes that had to be corrected?)

           I understood the questions for the most part, but I got stuck on question four, which asked, “Can you write an equation that shows the relationship between the number of sides of a polygon and the total sum of interior angles?”  I was confused by this, but Mr. Hancock clarified it.  At first I had n x 180= __, but then, I got the correct answer, which is (n-2) x 180=__.

3. Explain the pattern or special relationship that you found and explain how this responds to the guiding statement: “Understanding relationships and establishing patterns will help us measure and define physical space.”

(Be clear.  Feel free to paste in images to really demonstrate what you are explaining.    This is your opportunity to explain what you understand about this topic)

I learned about the equation that shows the relationship between the number of sides of a polygon and the total sum of interior angles.  I feel like knowing this has helped my understanding of polygons, because when I see a polygon, knowing this equation, it is just something I know.  

4. Create a math problem that could be used on a test that uses the concept you are explaining in a problem solving situation.  (it could be a word problem, or a diagram with unknown angles, etc.  Try to imagine how this concept could be applied to a ‘real life’ situation, and how it could be tested on an exam.)

Por Gentileza

Nas aulas de português nós trabalhamos num projeto somativo, que tinha duas partes.  Parte um foi o parte escrita e parte dois foi para fazer uma dramatização com uma outra pessoa.  O projeto tinha que usar linguagem formal.

Após este projeto, eu aprendi como usar linguagem formal em um contexto normal, ou se eu estou falando com as minhas amigas.  Eu tambem aprendi quando voce tem que usar linguagem formal versus linguagem informal.  Além disso, eu aprendi situaçōes onde voce poderia usar subjuntivo.  

Eu acho que e muito importante a aprender essas habilidades por que e muito importante a aplicar essas coisas para vida real.  Se voce tem uma reunião para trabalho e voce so entra falando, “Eaí mano, beleza?”, não vai dar certo.  Também, vocé tem que aprender o verbo subjuntivo para não ser tão repetitivo com, por exemplo, nomes.  

Eu acho que a minha dificuldade principal foi o verbo subjuntivo.  Até agora eu tem que pensar um pouco antes que eu usar.  Para mi ajudar, eu vou continuar a estudar essas habilidades para torná-lo mais fácil.  

Eu gostei muito dessa projeto e eu espero que eu pode fazer uma coisa assim mais uma vez!

Teaching Each Other

In geography, over the past few classes, we have been learning about Contemporary European Issues, or CEIs.  We have had to research about a current event in Europe.  Due to the fact that it sounded very interesting, I chose independence movements as my topic.  Throughout the time that we have been researching our topics, we also used a website called Edmodo to send Twitter-like messages to our followers, keeping them up to date about our current event.  I have found this unit particularly interesting because I was able to gain an in depth understanding of my topic, the Welsh independence movements.  I have heard people discussing this topic, but have never taken the time to process the information and research it.  This project has not only given me the chance to gain an understanding of the topic, but I have been able to learn different points of view, for example who is in favor of Welsh Independence Movements, or who is against.
Another interesting aspect of the project was that as well as becoming an expert on independence movements, I was also able to learn about other topics, such as the Kurds, ISIS, Ebola, and even a disease on French wine grapes, called Esca!  We all took on the role of a teacher during this process, informing each other so that we could all learn new things over this time length.
The summative portion of this project was creating a presentation about your topic.  We had to explain our issue for the people who do not follow us, then give different opinions on the topic, including our own.  No two people could use the same presentation format, so at the end of this unit, we will be able to learn fourteen innovative and unique websites to present.  I am using a website called "Tackk."  I have never used the site before, but it is very simple to navigate and understand.  I look forward to seeing new presentation formats, and the applying that to my next projects.
To present, I used a website called Tackk.  It is basically an online poster that allows you to insert images, graphics, and change backgrounds.  There is a variety of both colour and fonts.  For the most part, the website was user friendly and easy to navigate.  I liked the website for this use, but I would not use it again.  I would not because I can just as easily take a poster board and do the exact same thing.
Overall, I have learned so many different, interesting things from this unit.
As stated before, my topic was Welsh Independence Movements.  The problem is that Welsh want Wales to become a more distinct country, both culturally and politically.  Through research, I found out that 3% of a sample group of Welsh people actually want independence.  This amazed me because this 3% of people have made the New York Times, BBC News, CNN, and many other well known

The Smallest Things to Me Can be The Biggest Thing to Others

In geography, we have all been given different current events in Europe.  The topic in which I was assigned to is independence movements.  The movement that I chose to research about is the Welsh Independence Movement.
Before I had been assigned to independence movements, I had no knowledge of the fact that this is happening in Europe.  I had seen flashes of it when I look at the New York Times website, and had overheard snip its of people occasionally talking about these movements, but the fact that these independence movements were changing people's lives had never dawned on me.  I chose to learn about the Welsh Independence Movement because I hear the most about it.  I figured that if I were to gain more background knowledge about the topic, then I would be able to participate on conversations about this, or at least understand what people are talking about when they say "Plaid Cymru," for example.
Throughout my researching so far, I have learned that the minority of the population is backing Welsh independence.  One the other hand, nearly 50% would like for the Welsh Assembly to have more power.  (The survey was taken  over telephone to 1,006 random samples by ICM Research.)  I think that this survey is very interesting, because even people in Wales are not supporting their independence.  This makes me wonder what the downsides to Welsh independence are, because the Welsh would not just vote against their county's independence.
In conclusion, I have found out very much about something in the past few weeks.  I had not thought of the significance of the Welsh Independence Movements.  I have looking forward to finding out even more about the movements!
  http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7a/Protest_Cymdeithas_yr_Iaith,_1972.jpg

Summing Up The Unit.. With Pictures!

My visual slide:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1VRBxXzoXPhe7rHeUI5vZqUNXaheScnO2z9bB2aagrDY/edit?usp=sharing

Why do enduring stories survive over time?
In Humanities, we have just finished our unit about the Epic of Gilgamesh, and have just started reading "The Story of My Life," by Helen Keller.
These two stories are extremely different, but do have some similarities.  For example, both stories are stories of endurance.  Early on in "The Story of My Life," we learn how desperate Helen Keller really was.  The Epic of Gilgamesh is also an endurance story because throughout the book, Gilgamesh is fighting to find immortality.  I believe that s tories of endurance last over time because they are stories that make us realize how important our life is.  For example, in "The Story of My Life," I noticed how Ms. Helen Keller's life must have been so scary.  She was both blind and deaf, and also mute.  We take for granted that we have the ability to see how beautiful our world is, hearing the noises that fill our world, and being able to share these expressions with others.  Eventually, with the help of Ms. Sullivan, Ms. Keller learned to speak.  This is a miracle and it serves as an inspiration to us all.

Why do enduring stories survive over time?
In Humanities, we have just finished our unit about the Epic of Gilgamesh, and have just started reading "The Story of My Life," by Helen Keller.
These two stories are extremely different, but do have some similarities.  For example, both stories are stories of endurance.  Early on in "The Story of My Life," we learn how desperate Helen Keller really was.  The Epic of Gilgamesh is also an endurance story because throughout the book, Gilgamesh is fighting to find immortality.  I believe that s tories of endurance last over time because they are stories that make us realize how important our life is.  For example, in "The Story of My Life," I noticed how Ms. Helen Keller's life must have been so scary.  She was both blind and deaf, and also mute.  We take for granted that we have the ability to see how beautiful our world is, hearing the noises that fill our world, and being able to share these expressions with others.  Eventually, with the help of Ms. Sullivan, Ms. Keller learned to speak.  This is a miracle and it serves as an inspiration to us all.