semester reflection part 1

What have you learned about the way you learn, work, and/or collaborate?

That I acquire my knowledge from in class lectures and from the books I read in class. I have learned that I am a visual learner. Once I see it I believe it. I work more diligently and I consider other ideas from fellow classmates. I tend to collaborate with friends in class. I also learn more from reading and annotating literary packets.

What project was most valuable to you, and what have you gained from it?

The slaughterhouse five project motivated me to create a mobile. I learned to manage my time more wisely. I completed my mobile two days ahead of the due date; just so that I could have time to work on something else like TPOLs. I also learned a valuable lesson and that is to anticipate any problems. I should always have a backup plan to solve the problem. I was going to create a diorama but I thought it would be difficult and time consuming. So I thought of something that was less confusing.

how they contrast with a less challenging experience.

Describe one valuable mistake you made this year.

The day when we first worked on the slaughterhouse five project. I should of been more productive. Instead of wasting valuable time working on my digital portfolio, I should of worked on my artist statement for my slaughterhouse five product. That time should of been used for writing my artist statement.

What is your greatest strength as a student in a project-based learning environment?

My greatest strength is my writing and critiquing. Over the duration of the school year, I have become a better critic and writer as well. Its because of all of the critiques we had to do in class. Also the teacher showed us examples of good critiques. I developed as a better writer by using the literary devises and the loop.

What challenges do you face as a student in a project-based learning environment?

By being the leader. I fail to take on a leadership role. This is a struggle of mine. I have always found that to be a challenge that I have yet to overcome. Its hard to keep a sharp eye on everyone and make sure they're doing their part.

Historical reflection blog

Franklin D. Roosevelt strikes me as an innovator for the future. Franklin had so many excellent characteristics instilled in him. He was certainly an articulate speaker and a great intellectual. Everyday before class he would remind us of what he once said during his presidency, "Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education."I talked to him about all of his great accomplishments after every lecture. He was an excellent economics professor at my college. After spending time in college, he moved on to do bigger and better things. He helped correct and sustain our american economy. People known him for his plans on recovering the economy in the 1940's, Franklin D Roosevelt helped reestablish the economy after the great depression by provided more suitable jobs to the public. Essentially, He changed the live hood of the citizens of America.

Literary Reflection

If you could bring one character from any one book that we have read this year with you when you go to college, who would bring? Why?

I would have to say Jay Gatsby. Gatsby seems to be in search of a peaceful life. Some places were he is free. Some places were he doesn’t have to deal with the disloyalty and betrayal. He’s probably tired of dealing with Tom's bullshit. I would help get him away from myrtle’s husband. I would help him resolve his issue with trying to win Daisy’s heart. I'd probably convince him to start a new relationship with a college girl. As charming as he is, he should have no trouble finding someone else. After all there are plenty of attractive college women. He would probably get me into a prestigious college with his network of connections. I would probably make him my roommate or college professor. I can kind of relate to him. I’m sure we all had dealt with the same things he went through.

Trial Reflection

Post Trial Reflection

1. Summarize the facts about the case, as presented by the prosecution. Include relevant witnesses and testimony.

James Madison stated he was against illegal immigration and concluded that everyone has a right to a fair trial from the constitution. The prosecution defense said several things that they thought were unconstitutional. Raul Griphialdo explained how immigration was and still is essential to the United States. After WW2, he told us that the immigrants were contracted to work for in America. John Adam’s was also called up to the stand. She told us what she was significant for. Both sides did cross examination on the witness. Based off of the prosecution’s statements and examinations really helped formulate my decision. They also asked questions that led to explaining the amendments and how those amendments were relevant to the case.

2. Summarize the facts of the cases presented by the defense. Include relevant witnesses and testimony.

The defense, however, seemed to use a lot of repetition in their line of questioning. It seemed like they didn’t have a lot of questions. The defense kept asking if someone of the witness were slave owners, the prosecution objected to the defense because they were irrelevant. Also some of the questions from the defense could have been paraphrased or clarified. There were a few questions that were a bit vague. They could have gathered more evidence to support their ideas. I had trouble trying to follow what they were getting to. It’s not that I’m bias; I just didn’t think that they would convince me to vote for the state of Arizona

3. What was the most significant piece of evidence, in your personal opinion?

The prosecution had an array of significant pieces of evidence and it seemed like they were better organized and had relevant arguments to the case. They carved deeper into their witnesses’ thoughts. The most significant pieces were when the prosecution asked James Madison to read some of the amendments.

4. What was the most significant argument made, in your opinion?

The most significant argument made in my opinion, was when Calvin asked James Madison if he was a slave owner. Madison replied yes. The prosecution was kind of confused. I think they we’re expecting James Madison to say no. James Madison’s philosophical beliefs are implemented and are in the constitution.

5. What do you personally believe the correct verdict should be? Do you agree with the jury? Why or why not?

I believe the verdict is correct because I feel that it’s not fair to be pulled over on the side of the road just because you look like an immigrant. That’s a ridiculous and unjust. This law should not be enforced. The governor of Arizona is a bias republican conservative. What she is doing is not reasonable for the people of Arizona. What if someone who has the documentation to prove that he is a legal citizen of the United States of America is sent to jail or deported. Does that mean that everyone who looks like a foreigner

WW2 Letter

I am going to be a U.S marine of a raider Battalion stationed in Okinawa off the south pacific occupied by Japanese forces. Its 1944 and I'm bandaging up the wounded and stocking up on ammunition. I'm going to talk about the last few months on Okinawa. I will be writing about the Empire of Japan and my opinions about it. my mission which is to rescue a reconnaissance team. My letter is going to have a warlike feel to it.

Letter

Draft 1

It’s been months; years it seems since I was stationed back on Pearl Harbor before the Japs demolished it. Now it’s just rubble. Now I’m thrown into the pacific war with all of the other war junkies. My jacket drenched in blood and the smell of turmoil makes me sick to my feet. I’ve seen it all from the banzi strikes to soldiers carrying dead weight. I thank god every that I’m alive. I lost a dear friend of mine. I didn’t see it coming, as a matter of fact we all didn’t see it coming. I’m fighting alongside General McArthur. We’re spending our last days on Okinawa. Nothing more than sand, trees and a small Japanese military base. I was briefed on my mission. We're being asked to rescue a reconnaissance team that left about a week ago. For all we know there already dead.

The last few months on Okinawa have taking their toll. Morale is low. Military supplies aren’t getting through. We can’t even mange to get the wounded out to safety. We’re running low on ammo. Good news is we rescued the reconnaissance team safe and sound. Pretty much everyday, we crawl through the mud and dirt while bullets whistle over our heads. Each day we carve deeper into the jungles of Okinawa, hoping that the Japanese don't slit our throats. We're making our final stand. This is the last time we put our lives on the line. The extraction point is a couple of klicks ahead. Today we're going home.

not done yet...

References

World War 2 books by Howard Zinn

WW2 Honors history

One might think of World War I and II as barbaric conflicts with much bloodshed and loss of property and life. Despite how horrific they were, many great ideas emerged. They sparked global interest in politics, technology, allegiances, and international agencies. Many aspects of these wars set the foundation of things to come in the future. After World War I, The League of Nations strove for peace but never really managed to succeed. In order to stop disputes between nations, the League of Nations sought the assistance of neighboring countries. The United Nations is a modern-day version of the League of Nations with peacekeeping forces at its disposal. After World War I, the demands of the League of Nations created resentment in Germany. In time, this resentment gave Hitler the support he needed for the Nazi Party to succeed. Hitler’s Nazi Party wanted to conquer other European nations and establish a super race.

Alliances played a crucial role during both wars. The Axis powers against the Allies. Forming alliances between several large nations enabled the Allies to win the war. Conversely, President Bush’s doctrine of going it alone during the Iraq War without the support of major super powers has hurt American foreign policy abroad. Nations other than Great Britain were against America’s invasion of Iraq. Without their solid support, achieving victory has been elusive. Having a strong coalition of nations could have resulted in trade embargos or other ways to get Iraq to cooperate without the need to go to war. Currently, the presidency of Barack Obama is trying to get support from other countries to win the war in Afghanistan. He believes that it is in everyone’s best interest to fight terrorism. In order for this to happen, America has to enforce the three doctrines. These doctrines are used to create cooperative alliances with other countries. Establishing these alliances can influence foreign governments to become more democratic.

After World War II, the Marshal plan proposed by Secretary of State George C. Marshal was implemented to provide economic aid to rebuild Europe. After winning a war against another country, the winning side is obligated to liberate the country and help it rebuild. When World War II ended, Germany had to pay reparations for all of the damage to other countries’.

The liberation of Europe towards the end of World War II by Allied forces freed Jews that had been imprisoned in Concentration Camps. Before the war ended, millions of Jews had been killed by the Nazis.

The atomic bombs that were dropped in the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were horrific enough to bring an end to World War II. Ever since, nations around the world have agreed to seek nonproliferation of atomic weapons because of the incredible destruction they can cause to mankind.

History has taught us that all war exacts a heavy price. Because of this, super powers have sought alliances that will insure their freedom from invasion. We must seek to prevent war through peaceful means and end the proliferation of nuclear weapons so that mankind will not destroy itself but live in peace.

Blog #15: WW2 technology

Technology

World War 2 introduced an array of deadly and destructive weapons. A very special weapon that was available to the modern infantry was the phosphorous grenade. In ground combat, a soldier would use a phosphorous grenade against a machine gun post during battle. Napalm was another useful and affective weapon. It was used to take out more than 1 enemy. Napalm was mostly used to burn enemies inside bunkers. There was also aerial combat in World War 2. Jet fighters carried bombs over countries and were used to destroy military bases. There was also tactical combat in which soldiers use to distract or eliminate the enemy. Soldiers would dig trenches to shield themselves from enemy gunfire. All of this stuff interests me. I’m eager to learn more about the technology.