Redrawing the Levant

Our world is moulded by acts of governments, societies, and even the doings of single human beings.  We as human beings have come to the ultimate consensus that what is happening currently should be focused on and that we should strive to come to solutions for these issues.  Due to this, we must be aware as well as sensitive to current events. 

Unit Four of Humanities revolved around how people are changed by conflict.  The goal of the unit summative was to research about a topic.  My partner, Abigail and I chose to research about the conflict that dominated newspaper headlines, ISIS.  We decided to address this topic because, unlike past conflicts, ISIS is a significant current event.  Knowing about the history of this terrorist organisation allowed me to understand the root and interesting perspectives on the topic.  

In my eyes, people are changed by conflict because their perspectives are changed.  By way of example, the American Led Coalition has had to expand their ideas about why this has happened and what was the root of the Sunni's actions.  Additionally, the Coalition has had to understand the Shia's perspective and the Kurdish standpoint as well.  "Terrorism is nothing new. It's been with us for years," President of France, François Hollande confidently stated in the Security Council meeting.  "But it has taken on another dimension, and it wants to conquer territory now." Gradually, certain modern-day terrorist groups have pushed boundaries of our ideas of terrorism. Particularly ISIS, an organisation who has been attempting to add a legal Islamic state. Contrary to Al-Qaeda, ISIS has been slowly expanding by raiding Shia towns and cities, taking them over. In addition, the terrorist factions been executing many Western hostages whereas Al-Qaeda's terrorist acts included more large-scale attacks, including the infamous, attacks of September 11th.

Based on the research and information that I have collected over the past weeks, my predictions for this conflict include the American Led Coalition continuing to bomb ISIS territory until the group either surrenders or stops growing and being as violent. If the group began to threaten other countries, the United States or even the Gulf States may try to make a treaty with the faction. ISIS may not be open to agree to an agreement, in which case the Coalition would have to compromise and continue to bomb the territory. If the group were to get air transportation and posed even more a threat, the United States may have to send extremely experienced militias, for example the SEALS. If this were to not work, the country may even have to start a full scale draft in which all citizens would have to fight.

I could not have asked for a better experience in learning about this subject. Due to this, I was am know able to comprehend and analyse articles whilst taking into account different perspectives about the topic, in addition to be able to have the fundamental knowledge about this crisis.

A Picture Means a Thousand Words

What are the challenges of creating maintaining a democracy?

During humanities, we recently completed a cumulative slide using only pictures answering the three main questions that revolve around the our unit, The Power of Relationships.
In my eyes, the challenges of creating and maintaining a democracy mainly consist of balancing, as well as interconnected conflicts.  Correspondingly, it is equally as important as balancing challenges in general.  In my cumulative slide, I naturally tried to portray these points in the most innovative, creative way possible.  For my background, I chose a creamy or off-white color because it is an imperfect color.  It is a metaphor for democracies of the world, as none of them are near perfection.  The symbols that appear on my slide are, in clockwise order starting from the right, include a flower and a parrot, representing fauna and flora.  To the right of this is a picture of one man next to a group of three.  This symbolises favouring the majority, as well as balancing opinions.  Similarly, this is followed by the symbol of the Libra, which is the horoscope sign of a scale, which symbolises balance.  Lastly are three trees, one of Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.  This introduces the topic of vitality and chronology.  In a democracy, issues must be addressed and some issues may be interconnected.
The voices of the citizens in a country are of utmost vitality, in fact without these opinions, democracies are virtually nothing.  An idealistic democracy would take all ideas into all ideas into account as well as not have to focus on providing for the individual rights versus having to distribute for the general welfare.
In my opinion, the challenges of creating and maintaining a democracy are balancing opinions as well as interconnected conflicts.

I Know That I Have Grown as a Learner, But How?

Quarter three has challenged me in many different ways.  I have learned that I have to prioritise different subjects.  By way of example, I know that humanities is not necessarily a struggle, while math definitely is.  This is not to say that I should not apply myself as much, but just balance out my efforts.  For quarter four, I will focus on being prepared by taking in-class notes, studying off of extra resources and making sure that my knowledge of each unit is solidified.  

How have I grown as a student?

Artifact: Musical Successes

I used to think of band as a class that I was not very good in.  In quarter two, I struggled with certain SmartMusic assignments which did not exactly lift my spirits.  Now, I know that practice completely pays off.  In band, I have sincerely tried hard to become a better student in band.  I have seen my improvement reflected through the fact that I received either first or second trombone on the pieces in the second semester concert repertoire.  

What have I struggled with the past that I still need to work on?

Subject: Math

I used to think that my learning was not reflecting on certain assignments, although now I know that I just have to put even more effort into math when studying in order to improve my learning. I will put more time into math then before so that I can succeed in this class.

What am I truly proud of? Successful?

Link to Artifact: Now Would I Live in The Community?

I used to think that a seven was nearly unattainable on certain assignments and that it was a complete challenge. Now I know that I can achieve a seven on all assignments. It just requires time and effort, as well as looking over work with a (very) critical eye.

If anything, this past quarter has helped me grow as a learner.  In quick, I know now to prioritise my "challenge subjects," but, at the same time put an equal amount of effort into the subjects that I am stronger in.    

Reviewing Plays

The play that I will be rating is Thief!, written by Marian Scadden.  It is a play that only uses one word per line and is rated for grades middle or lower.  I believe that the point of this play is to make the audience laugh, and also just to exercise student’s abilities whilst acting, as it is not terribly challenging.  Last year, in Theatre 6 we performed this play and it turned out very well.  The set is fairly easy to set up albeit cues for each actor’s line did require some memorization.  Much of this play was easy to comprehend, although the setup could be confusing at times.  I enjoyed performing this play, as it was entertaining for both audience and us.    

O Que Eu Quero Ser Quando Creser

Durante as aulas passadas de portuguese, nos estavamos trabalhando no um projeto sobre carreiras.  Nós tinha que tomar um mini teste vocacional.  Em fim, eu tirei estas notas finais.  

Eu sempre queria aprender mais sobre nosso mundo, então depois de um tempinho, eu escolhi o proffesão de diplomacia.
Para completar esta projeto, eu entrevistei o Senhor Dennis Hankins que trabalha no consol, o meu avô que trabalhava no o UNDP, ou United Nations Development Programme, e meu pai, que era um filho de um diplomata. 
As perguntas que eu fiz foram assim:

# 1. Quando você era mais jovem, o que você quer fazer quando crescer?


# 2. Especificamente, o que você faz para viver?


# 3. O que você estudou na faculdade? Qual faculdade?


# 4. Você gosta de ser um diplomata? Por que motivos?


# 5. Que habilidades / qualidades que você precisa ter como um diplomata?


# 6. Você já teve dúvidas sobre sua escolha de carreira?


# 7. Seus pais eram influente em sua decisão profissional?


# 8. Qual é a sua parte favorita sobre ser um diplomata, e por quê? 

A coisa que eu acho que são interessantes sobre este carreira e o ponto de vista que voce pode ter.  Nós sempre vemos o partes mais bonitos e incríveis no um país, quando na verdade, um país sempre tem coisas ruim, como pobreza.  Eu acho que pessoas que tem uma carreira como a de diplomacia podem ver estes coisas e sabem o realidade do nosso mundo.  
Eu gostei muito dessa experiência e eu agradeço as pessoas que mi-ajudou com essa projeta

Musical Successes

Throughout quarter three, I have made it a goal to be a successful Junior Band student.  I have tried my hardest to benefit the rest of the class.  In doing so, I found that my experience as a part of this ensemble more meaningful.  In the same fashion, I have been encouraging my friends and trying my best to help others when, for example they need to know how to play a certain note.  Moreover, I have noticed that I have been getting more advanced parts, such as first and second trombone for the May concert repertoire.
In addition, I have been practicing every other day for a total of at least ninety-five minutes per week.    I realize that my dedication has paid off, because, as I stated before, I have been getting more advanced parts.  Furthermore, I have seen this reflected through the grades on my SmartMusic assignments.  I have realised that succeeding in the outside-of-class assignments has made the work in class easier.
Mr. Stange states that anyone who plays a musical instrument knows perseverance.  This is completely true.  I have noticed that with SmartMusic assignments, it is mandatory to persevere in order to succeed.  Practicing goes without saying and the result is something so enjoyable and rewarding that the cycle continues again and again.

Expressions Through Acting

Theatre is a powerful division in the arts.  It is a way to model skills, explore different roles, but in a deeper context, it is a way for people to express themselves.  

I believe that through theatre, people are able to tap into a part of themselves that does not exist or shine through without the mask of acting.  Furthermore, people have been practicing hundreds of different forms of theatre for generations upon generations.  Through my research regarding “noh” theatre, originating in 14th century Japan, I have concluded that people were able to express themselves through another character.  People were able to explore different feelings and had to (at least) try to understand what their character felt.  Moreover, I feel as though people that practice theatre are able to express themselves in a more delicate way.  Theatre allows people to convey moods.  These are talents, not real moods.  A skilled actor, however, can be one with the character.  This is how humans can express themselves through theatre.  In a delicate way of exploring and then learning for to express themselves in that way.