Merry Christmas!!!

Hotel Rwanda Blog Assignment

In the film, when the leutennant from the UN told Paul, the hotel manager that the whites would only help their own race and that they would be abandoned. That was completely necessary of him to tell Paul, because he would have been ready for the whites leaving.I found it quite horrible that the UN(who were SUPPOSED to help peace) abandoned the blacks, while the blacks deserved more than the whites to leave. The whites brought back a poodle and didnt even bother to bring at least ONE African with them. They must have been full of shame and regret to have left so many people there to be killed by the Hutu soldiers.
I completely agree with source A when it says, "The UN may save lives. But, ultimately, the future of Rwanda is in Rwandan hands." The UN have helped a bit, but when they abandoned the blacks, they made it worse than it was before. What these so-called "peace-keepers" have done is shameful.

Analyzing a political cartoon on Imperialism

When I see this picture, I notice that the continent itself is black, not green, or brown, but black. I then noticed that the footprint on the country is very strong and is white. I also noticed that it was a boot and not a foot.

The blackness of the continent symbolizes the race living there. It is also black because the white called it "The Dark Continent". The foot/boot print symbolizes the "white" settlers and what they have done to the continent. According to the political cartoon, the "white" people stamped on Africa, they made a mark. They made a mark that wont go away and has effected them greatly. The foot print is a boot which says that the foot print was made by white people because they are more likely to wear boots, unlike the native people in Africa. The dried land on the foot print could symbolize that the "white" have ruined their land, and have taken away the agriculture. This political cartoon makes a good point about what the "white" settlers have done to Africa.

I think it also has to do with the "White Man's Burden" and how the "white" people thought it was their duty to "help" the black people.

Scramble For Africa Game

In this game, there were about seven different countries trying to claim Africa. In each country group there were no less than three people. Only two countries had one person in its group.Mine was one of them and Spain was one of them. My country was Portugal.In this game I mostly aimed for getting the most natural resources I could, even though my main goal was to claim the west coast, southeast coast, and southwest coast. Sadly, some countries were quicker than me and took over all of the coastlines in Africa.

To be honest, I truly think Spain lost this game because of a few reasons. Firstly, Spain took over quite a bit of the Sahara. I found that that was pointless because there were no natural resources, there is barely ANY population, and that the climate is too hot. The climate will STILL be too hot even though there are a few oasis'. sorry spain!

When it comes to who won, I think France won (even though Britain did a really good job!). France won because they have the most natural resources. Even though they didn't take over the northeast coast(which is closer to Europe) like Great Britain, they took over the northwest coastline. It was important to take over a coastline because of all the resources and possible trading docks. I really liked this game and think we should do it again. Well done France!

The Five Themes Of Geography

To remember the five themes of geography, you should remember M.R.HE.L.P;

Movement~how people, ideas, and goods travel from one place to another
Region~how a place is organized
Human Environment interaction~How we get along with the environment
Location~answer the question 'where?' and can be absolute or relevant
Place~answers the question 'what?' what it's like

I will give an example of each from the book (Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe)

Movement-In the book, when missionaries came to the village to convert them into Christians (pg. 148 onwards)

Region-The way Ezeudu's funeral was organized (pg. 120 onward)

Human Environment Interaction-the people of Umuofia and other villages drink palm wine which relates to the environment because they got it from the Earth (pg. 147)

Location-Umuofia, in Africa (pg. 3 onwards)

Place-very dry and funerals are very different, many different wives for one man (pg.120, 71, 89)

www.unc.edu

Feedback

In this picture, I noticed that the monster in the middle had many arms or what looked like tentacles. I also noticed that the monster was labeled, "England." The bits of land it's grabbing seem to be other countries.
This political cartoon is about imperialism. About one country trying to conquer all.
The cartoonist probably think that England is a bad country, because they're trying to colonize the world. That's because the face of the monster is not exactly "nice" looking, and it seems like it's drowning the other countries it's grabbing.
The cartoonist could have made the cartoon better by making England seem more violent. The background could've been more darker to make the cartoon seem more evil.

When it comes to C.R.A.P, the cartoonist did okay. The cartoon doesn't have much repetition, except maybe the arms or tentacles. For alignment, the monster is pretty much in the middle and everything is around it. When it came to proximity, there wasn't that much. everything just surrounded England. Overall, I thought this cartoon was pretty convincing.

http://www.mrcoyle.edublogs.org/

Violence leads to more violence

The quote, "Violence leads to more violence" is completely true.

For example, a kid who has been bullied for a year decides to finally stand up the bully and ends up getting beaten up even worse than before.This is an example of the quote in action. The kid COULD HAVE handled the situation lighter and told a parent or a counselor. He could have CHOSEN to do that.

The same situation. The bully who bullies that little kid has a drug addicted dad who hits him. (IT'S JUST AN EXAMPLE) He is one of those people just "like" violence are encouraged to keep on being violent by being surrounded by it. He could stop and get help, but he chose to bully instead.

One little thing COULD start a war which just results in a lot of people dying. Let;s just say that a country's water supply is running out, because its neighboring country is using it all up. Violence DOES lead to more violence.

Happy Halloween!

Feedback!

To be a good leader, you should have these qualities;

• Listen to others' ideas
• Be a good role model
• Let ideas be heard
• Be caring
• Speak so that others can hear you
• Discuss things
• Don't be arrogant
  

There are lots of student leaders in eight grade. One group of leaders I can think of are the members of SLAMS. SLAMS takes some responsibility of the fun that the whole middle school gets. The people in SLAMS listen to others' ideas and are good role models. Two other groups I can think of are the students in Amnesty and Environmental Club. They protect the Earth and the people in it. They are good role models and they're caring. These are only a FEW groups I can think of right now.

Quarter 1

This quarter was a lot of hard work for me, and I’m quite happy with how I did.
There are two pieces in particular that involve the Industrial Revolution and Charlie Chaplin.

A piece that I was proud of was the interview with Charlie Chaplin. I found that I did a good job, because I mentioned a lot of details and answered the questions. I also thought that I used good slang. Here is the first question of the interview:

How and at what age did your acting career really start?

Once when I was five, I had to fill in for my mum when she was ill. I was fourteen, when I appeared as “Billy” the page boy in “Sherlock Holmes.” I started my career as a comedian in Vaudville. In 1910, I was offered to be a featured player in the Fred Karno Repertoire Company. I took the offer. My chums and I were a big hit with American audiences in the Fred Karno troupe. When my troupe returned to America to do a repeat tour, I was offered a motion picture contract.

The rest of my interview you can find at this link: Charlie Chaplin Interview

A piece that I found challenging was the news article that I had to write for the Industrial Revolution Museum. I found it challenging, because I really hadn't written in a news article form before and that I found it hard to write in a neutral and straight forward manner. Here is an excerpt from my news article:

Charlie Chaplin, an actor loved by all, died in his sleep on Christmas day in Vevey, Switzerland. He died in 1877.His cause of death was natural. A few months later, Charlie’s coffin (containing him) was stolen. A few days later, the Chaplin family started receiving ransoms for the return of his body. The family refused.

You can find the rest of my news article at this link: News Article

This Week's Feedback...

WOW is important, and we should leave it the way it is, instead of having a week in school. One reason why it’s important is that you learn that you CAN take care of yourself. Also, you learn that you don’t always need you parents. You’ll also know that you don’t need all of these materialistic things such as a television or a hairdryer or a “real” toilet. You’d understand how it’s like without all of these things, and that it isn’t that bad. WOW is important and is part of the learning experience. On WOW, I learned that I'm actually more capable than I give myself credit for. I can take care of myself and I know how to stay healthy. It's important to learn, because in a matter of years I'll be on my own. When I'm on my own, I'll know how to take care of myself.

image found at: www.ipgifts.com

Have I met my goals?

My two goals in the beginning of the quarter were to have all my homework done and to work very hard. The goal where I had to have all my homework done went very well, except when I forgot to print my expository piece. As for working hard, I definitely did that, especially for the Industrial Revolution Museum display.

Next quarter, I'll work on taking notes more efficiently and In My Own Words. I will also work on my writing style. I think it could use more work.


AN ORANGE!!! ^^^Image found at: blogs.gettyimages.com

Enjoy!

My museum topic is Charlie Chaplin & Movies During The 1900’s. The main person focused on is Charlie Chaplin, of course.

Charlie Chaplin was a great actor who starred and produced more than thirty-five films. He’s divorced three times, each time with a different woman. He has also had eleven children, although a few passed away very young. Chaplin took many risks by producing films that other people might have found offensive. He is considered a great legend.

Movies during the 1900’s were silent movies. People liked to call them, “Mellow Dramas”. A normal silent film was black and white, and there was no sound. When the movie was played at a cinema, there would be a pianist playing along live. Because the movies were silent, the actors wouldn’t be heard if they talked in the movie. Dialogue was usually written in words on the screen.

CHAPLIN’S BODY FOUND

Charlie Chaplin, an actor loved by all, died in his sleep on Christmas day in Vevey, Switzerland. He died in 1877.His cause of death was natural. A few months later, Charlie’s coffin (containing him) was stolen. A few days later, the Chaplin family started receiving ransoms for the return of his body. The family refused. The gang was a mix of Polish and Bulgarian. His body was found near Lake Geneva eleven weeks after the robbers were caught.

When Oona Chaplin received these ransoms, she refused to pay, but she did work with the police to catch the robbers. When demand dropped from $600,000 to $250,000, the police figured out that the calls were coming from a local pay phone. Police set traps to catch the body-snatchers. More than 100 policemen were surrounding the pay phones to catch the robbers.

The robbers were caught, and Chaplin’s body was recovered. They found Chaplin’s body near Lake Geneva. The body was found eleven weeks after the robbers were caught and the body was re-buried under two meters of concrete to stop any other attempts of grave robbery.

The Chaplin family, shaken by events, now had some peace. His widow, Oona, was glad she didn’t consider ransom. So far, there have been no more further attempts.


Image found at: news.bbc.co.uk

DIARY OF EDNA PURVIANCE (1895 – 1958)

Dear Diary,

I’m so incredibly tired! I wonder how Charlie is. I remember when I first met him at St. Francis Hotel. Mr. Chaplin asked me if I would like to act in pictures with him. I laughed at the idea, but agreed to try it. I guess he took me because I had nothing to unlearn and he could teach me in his own way. I want to tell you that I suffered untold agonies. Eyes seemed to be everywhere. I was simply frightened to death. But he had unlimited patience in directing me and teaching me. I also remember him saying that he liked my serious and sad look. Apparently, he had no idea I was still recovering from a bad romance.

I remember when I went along with one of his jokes and bet he couldn’t hypnotize me. It was hilarious! I pretended to be hypnotized, and he was very impressed. It’s amazing, looking back then and looking now. Now that I realize it, I’ve been Charlie’s leading lady for more than thirty-five films! I remember my last film with him. Was it “A Woman Of Paris”? Oh yes, that was it. That was my first leading role, hopefully helping me find a new career as a more serious actress. Sadly, that didn’t work.

Now I’m sitting here in my rocking chair, writing in my dairy. I wish my John was here. I wish he didn’t die. I visit his tombstone everyday. Always staring at the letters, “JOHN (JACK) SQUIRE BELOVED HUSBAND.” He was such a brave pilot, flying those planes, and risking so much. My years with John were the happiest years of my life. I loved going across the U.S. with him. He was the love of my life. Why did he die? Now I’m a widow, I only fear I’m nearing my end too. The doctor told me that I have cancer. I’m frightened to death. My life seems to have been one extraordinary adventure.

Always,
Edna.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0701012/bio
http://www.silentera.com/
www.stummfilmmusiktage.de

This Weeks Feedback

The stock market simulation game really did help to learn more about stocks. We started off with $80. In the beginning of the game, all of the shares cost $10. After each year, depending on what has happened to the company, the cost either dropped or jumped. I didn't do so well, because I had the fourth lowest amount of money in the whole class of 16 people. One strategy I used was that I bought low and sold high. I didn't spend ALL of my money at once, I left some in case. When it came to picking a share of a stock, I just followed my instincts and pick which ever one I thought would do well. In the end I made a profit of $79.

image found at: www.icanefile.org

Goals!

So far this year, I've been doing well at accomplishing my two goals which were to have my homework done and to work hard. I don't think I've missed a homework yet in this class and I certainly have been working very hard. I think other goals I could have are; doing well on my Industrial Revolution project and keeping up-to-date with this blog.

Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin

He was born on April 16th, 1889, in London, England. His parents were both in show business. His father was a vocalist, and his mother an actress and singer. When he was ten, his father died and his mother was getting ill. Charlie and his brother, Sydney, were on their own. Charlie quickly won popular favor as an outstanding tap dancer. As time went on he became as famous as Hitler. Later, Charlie Chaplin was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1974, and became Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin.

How and at what age did your acting career really start?
Once when I was five, I had to fill in for my mum when she was ill. I was fourteen, when I appeared as “Billy” the page boy in “Sherlock Holmes.” I started my career as a comedian in Vaudville. In 1910, I was offered to be a featured player in the Fred Karno Repertoire Company. I took the offer. My chums and I were a big hit with American audiences in the Fred Karno troupe. When my troupe returned to America to do a repeat tour, I was offered a motion picture contract.
What about your wives?
When I was twenty-nine, I wed Mildred Harris who was sixteen at the time. Mildred and I had Norman, who was born deformed and live for only three days. We divorced afterwards. When I was thirty-five I wed Lita Grey when she was sixteen. We had two children; Charles Chaplin Jr. and Sydney. Later, we had a very nasty divorce. I couldn’t write about it in one of my books. When I was forty-seven I married Paulette Goddard when she was twenty-five. Our marriage didn’t work out so we got divorced. The love of my life, Oona O’Niell and I wed after that. She was the perfect wife. We had eight children; Geraldine, Eugene, Victoria, Annette, Josephine, Michael, Jane and Christopher. I’ve had eleven children. Sadly, two of them have died.
When did you become an individual producer?
Well, in 1917, I decided to become an individual producer, because I desired more freedom and having more fun in making my own movies. In early 1918, I entered an agreement with First National Exhibitors’ Circuit. The First National Exibitors’ Circuit was basically an organization that exploited my pictures. My first film under the new deal was “A Dog’s Life”.
Why was “A Woman of Paris” (1923) a hard and courageous step for you?
After seventy films in which I’ve appeared in every scene, I had to direct this picture where I had to merely walk on as an unrecognizable extra. It was also hard, because Edna Purviance my partner for more than 35 films was getting more mature and needed to be a dramatic actress for a career. I let Edna be the star of this romantic drama to help her launch her new career.
What is your favorite type of motion picture?
A good old comedy, of course! “A day without laughter is a day wasted.”
You’ve written four books at least, have you not?
Yes, indeed I have. I’ve written My Trip Abroad, A Comedian Sees The World, My Autobiography, and My Life In Pictures. I’ve published some of my scripts too.
Thank you for taking some of your time to answer some questions.
Your welcome. Remember, “We think too much and feel too little.”

Sources:
http://www.charliechaplin.com/
http://www.brainyquote.com/
http://www.ednapurviance.org/chaplininfo/chaplinwives.html

The net effect of the Industrial Revolution

Many people say the Industrial Revolution was for the best. But do you really think so? Some good things about the Industrial Revolution are; more people had jobs, farmers didn't have to work as hard on their farms, things were safer, people didn't have to put all of their effort making things, there was more entertainment, cities started forming, Capitalism was formed, idfferent industries were formed, and there were more efficient ways for people to get around. Some bad things were; children were sent to work at factories which endangered their lives, people started relying too much on machines, people had hard times survivng with their new lives, the smoke from burning coal endangered the environment, farmers had harder times selling things fresh, artesans didn't sell many things, and people owning factories were getting too rich and bought land off farmers. Overall, I think the Industrial Revolution was good in the beginning, but the results are now endangering the environment.

image found at: commons.wikimedia.org

The Hersh

The second factory activity we did. Was different than the one we did the day before. We had to vote for the nicest, coolest toy. In the end we voted for "The Hersh", Conor’s toy. Apparently, we had to mass produce his toy in an amount of time. Afterwards, we had to rate them a five, three, or a one. Other method was to had a Assembly Line. There was a cutting station, assembling station, and coloring station. Most of the time, I was busy working at the cutting station, where I cut 2-4 sheets at a time. There was a lot of shouting, which really hurt my ears. At the end of class I think there was a total of 55 Hershs. This activity I found less fun than the other factory activity.

Factory

The factory activity I did was a lot of fun. I had to make a toy out of different shapes, but I had to use ALL the shapes. The whole class, of course, had a time limit. I made my toy in steps. First I cut all the pieces out. Then, I arranged the shapes in different ways, experimenting my different ideas. When I chose one idea that worked, I glued them all together and colored the toy. I wrote my name on the back. In the end, my toy turned out to be a brown puppy with fire-eyes. I of course, had the opinions of my friend, Arjun, to help me. I thought my toy turned out to be good.

image found at: www.thedailyplanner.com

Roller Coaster

My stomach did ten back-flips as we ascended. The smell of fresh popcorn and cotton candy left my nose as we headed skywards. I lifted my arms and touched the sky. The sun blinds me as I observe the sky. All of a sudden, with a lurch, I was crashing into the ground. I looked around and the world was a big colorful blur. Blood boiling screams deafen me. The air rushes into my lungs as I scream too. My arms cut through the air and the sweet smells of candy and popcorn fill my nose and mouth again.


Image found at: http://www.icanhascheezburger.com/

Fruit Rollup

Crinkle, crinkle, rip. Sourness explodes in my mouth and the colors dance across my tongue. I take my sticky hands and tear off another piece. The smell of faint fruit punch fills my nose as i inhale deeply. Ah. I pop another fragment in my mouth, the Rollup, not letting go till the last second. I squint my eyes and stare at the rest. Waves and splats of color meet my eyes. I tear the last bit off and the sound of faint popping fills the air around me. This time I taste something different. Sour apples and berries, sweetness. I sigh as I throw away the wrapper into the bin.

image found at: www.allconsuming.net

Necessity is the mother of invention

I think the phrase, "Necessity is the mother of invention." means that people needed things like, telephones or automobiles or electricity in the past. They were needed so much that people were searching for ways to invent these things. For example, the automobile was built by Henry Ford (Henry Ford and his first automobile below ) and he said, "I will build a car for the great multitude." in 1903. Five years later in 1908, he did. Another invention was the telephone, invented by Alexander Graham Bell. Alexander experimented with electrical signals. He invented this so that he could communicate easier. This is what I think that phrase means.


image found at: patentpending.blogs.com

Reflection

To be honest, I must say that I'm a better Kinesthetic learner than an Auditory or Visual learner. I tend to remember things if I've done an activity related to what I'm learning about. I'm also a Visual learner, but I find I'm a better Kinesthetic learner. To help me, I think there could be a few things done. We could do games related to the topic or watch a good movie (that's not boring) about the topic or we could have socratic seminars to get things figured out. Overall I'm a Kinesthetic learner.

image found at: http://www.sedonaartsalliance.org/

My Gang

My gang is consists of eight people; Sally, Elliott, Naoise, Gustav, Pepe, Alex, Arjun, and me. Sally is part of my gang, because she's like the person who always talks to anyone in my gang that isn't talking much. Elliott is part of my gang, because he always makes all our conversations more exciting. Naoise is part of my gang, because he holds the group together and always is cheerful. Gustav is always there for anyone who needs help or just isn't feeling that great. Pepe and Alex, add "randomness" to the group and always cheer us up. Finally, Arjun always makes everyone happy and keeps us entertained.

This Week's Feedback

One of my highlights from the first week of school was meeting people i didn't know yet. Another highlight was being with my friends again, which made me very happy. My first impression of Humanities was that I thought it would be O.K. My two goals for Humanities this quarter are to have all my homework done and to work very hard.