Physics Project Reflection 1 - Debra

Recently, we have started our rollercoaster project. As a group, we decided to do a combination of a Rube Goldberg project and a rollercoaster project. We hope that our project will consist of many events, and will work. So far we thought about how we wanted our Rube Rollercoaster to look like and we decided instead of making one roller coaster we will make two that connect, so that we can have more events. We will have dominoes being knocked down and cups being dropped. So far we have only built the beginnig of the two coasters.

The beginning of our project

One frustration we had was after building our first rollercoaster on the first day, right when class
ended, the rollercoaster fell apart. Even though it fell apart, we figured out a better way for it to stay up. Next class we are hoping to get a better structure four our coaster, get some boxes, and get more equipment.

Before 

Complete Letter Draft 1 - Language Arts

To: The United Nations

My name is Debra Effiong, and recently my class has been reading about child soldiers and the horrendous things they go through. We learned that sometimes the children are forcefully recruited to join militant groups. Because they are easily manipulated, loyal, fearless, and are always available, they are taken advantage of and used as soldiers, taught violent methods, threatened, and are mentally abused. They are sometimes found roaming the streets in search for shelter or their families. Since they are found in such dire situations they easily accept the chance to have shelter. We have been asked the question "What should happen to them after the war. Should they be given amnesty?" After a while of thinking, my answer was that children should be given proper treatment into becoming normal again and be pardoned. With that answer I spent time finding which organizations helped child soldiers with demobilization the most, and the answer I got was Unicef.

UNICEF has made way for many child soldiers to be demobilized. An example of a child soldier demobilized by UNICEF is Raul, a young Congolese boy,  who was kidnapped by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and forced to commit atrocious acts. After returning to his home his aunt reports,“He is thinking too much about the past.” Raul was constantly reminded of the acts he committed, and found it hard to sleep. When asked why he didn’t refuse to kill, he answered with, “I didn’t dare refuse, because a friend of mine who refused to kill was shot himself.” The things that young Raul had to see still haunt him. “If I don’t pray before going to bed, I dream of the LRA coming to kidnap me again,” he said.

Raul, just like many children, has faced a very traumatic experience. Their childhood consist of gunshots and killing. No kid should have to go through that. Unicef and a co-ed organization have provided assistance for 1,570 children who were previously in armed forces or groups. 585 girls and 764 boys were assisted from the LRA, including Raul. After they were demobilized they received medical and psycho-social therapy. To help them further they are quartered in Unicef sponsored families and give demobilization kits with shoes, hygiene articles and civilian clothes.  “I thank UNICEF for the care that my nephew received. I know that he is intelligent and can have a bright future,” says Raul’s aunt.

Children all around the world are often forcefully recruited into militant groups and used for war. Some children are lucky enough to be helped by an organization like UNICEF and given the opportunity to get an education, a home, and a chance to be free again. All of this can’t happen if a non profit organization like UNICEF doesn’t have any funding. Some logically argue that with the budget the UN has, child soldiers shouldn’t be a priority, but one of the main things the UN does is work to protect human rights. Children have just as many rights as adults and if those rights are being stripped away from them, shouldn’t there be something done to help protect them? That is why I believe that the UN should continue to fund UNICEF. The amount of child soldiers that UNICEF helped is unbelievable, and I don’t think they can continue to help those helpless children without some type of funding.

Sincerely,

Debra

Final Draft Child Soldiers - Language Arts

To: The Luxembourg Government

My name is Debra Effiong, and recently my class has been reading about child soldiers and the horrendous things they go through. We learned that sometimes the children are forcefully recruited to join militant groups. Because they are easily manipulated, loyal, fearless, and are always available, they are taken advantage of and used as soldiers, taught violent methods, threatened, and are mentally abused. They are sometimes found roaming the streets in search for shelter or their families. Since they are found in such dire situations they easily accept the chance to have shelter. There are currently 300,000 estimated child soldiers active in conflicts all around the world. Those children are involved in conflicts in over 36 different countries. We have been asked the question "What should happen to them after the war. Should they be given amnesty?" After a while of thinking, my answer was that children should be given proper treatment into becoming normal again, and should also be pardoned. With that answer I spent time finding which organizations helped child soldiers with demobilization the most. The answer I got was Unicef.

UNICEF has made way for many child soldiers to be demobilized. An example of a child soldier demobilized by UNICEF is Raul, a young Congolese boy,  who was kidnapped by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and forced to commit atrocious acts. After returning to his home his aunt reports,“He is thinking too much about the past.” Raul was constantly reminded of the acts he committed, and found it hard to sleep. When asked why he didn’t refuse to kill, he answered with, “I didn’t dare refuse, because a friend of mine who refused to kill was shot himself.” The things that young Raul had to see still haunt him. “If I don’t pray before going to bed, I dream of the LRA coming to kidnap me again,” he said.

Raul, just like many children, has faced a very traumatic experience. Their childhood consist of gunshots and killing. No kid should have to go through that. Unicef and a cooperating organization have provided assistance for 1,570 children who were previously in armed forces or groups. 585 girls and 764 boys were assisted from the LRA, including Raul. After they were demobilized they received medical and psycho-social therapy. To help them further they were quartered in Unicef sponsored families and give demobilization kits with shoes, hygiene articles and civilian clothes.  “I thank UNICEF for the care that my nephew received. I know that he is intelligent and can have a bright future,” says Raul’s aunt.

Children all around the world are often forcefully recruited into militant groups and used for war. Some children are lucky enough to be helped by an organization like UNICEF and given the opportunity to get an education, a home, and a chance to be free again. All of this can’t happen if a non profit organization like UNICEF doesn’t have any funding. I know that Luxembourg uses its money to make the universal health care better, but UNICEF has given the demobilized child soldiers access to health care as well. If UNICEF doesn’t have any funding, those child soldiers will not have the privilege of access to health care unlike the children in Luxembourg. Children have just as many rights as adults and if those rights are being stripped away from them, shouldn’t there be something done to help protect them? That is why I believe that the government should continue to, and increase, the funding of UNICEF. The amount of child soldiers that UNICEF helped is unbelievable, and I don’t think they can continue to help those helpless children without some type of funding.

Please take my plea into consideration as the government thinks about the fiscal budget of 2018.

Sincerely,

Debra Effiong

Draft 1 - Language Arts

Intro:

To: The United Nations

Recently, my class has been reading about child soldiers and the horrendous things they go through. We have been asked the question "What should happen to them after the war." After a while of thinking, my answer was that children should be given proper treatment into becoming normal again. With that answer I spent time finding which organizations helped child soldiers with education the most, and the answer I got was Unicef.

Supporting Idea:

Raul, a young Congolese boy, was kidnapped by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and forced to commit horrendous acts. After returning to his home his aunt reports,“He is thinking too much about the past.” Raul is constantly reminded of the acts he committed, and finds it hard to sleep. When asked why he didn’t refuse he answered with, “I didn’t dare refuse, because a friend of mine who refused to kill was shot himself.” The things that young Raul had to see still haunt him. “If I don’t pray before going to bed, I dream of the LRA coming to kidnap me again,” he said.

Raul, just like many children, has faced a very traumatic experience. Their childhoods consist of gunshots and killing. No kid should have to go through that. Unicef and a co-ed organization have provided assistance for 1,570 children who were previously in armed forces or groups. 585 girls and 764 boys were assisted from LRA, including Raul. After they were demobilized they received medical and psycho-social therapy. To help them further they are quartered in Unicef sponsored families and give demobilization kits with shoes, hygiene articles and civilian clothes.  “I thank UNICEF for the care that my nephew received. I know that he is intelligent and can have a bright future,” says Raul’s aunt.

Conclusion:

Children all around the world are sometimes forcefully taken into militant groups and used for war. Some children are lucky enough to be helped by an organization like UNICEF and given the opportunity to get an education, a home, and a chance to be free again. All of this can’t happen if a non profit organization like UNICEF doesn’t have any funding. That is why I believe that the UN should continue to fund UNICEF. The amount of child soldiers that UNICEF helped is unbelievable, and I don’t think they can continue to help those helpless children without some type of funding.

Child Soldiers #2 - Language Arts

The Child Soldier on Trial in Guantanamo

- I think that the child should be given an education after the war
- Unicef provides a way for child soldiers to get an education
- Unicef provides housing for many kids and gives them therapy classes. They also provide them with shoes, clothes and hygienic suppliances.
- Send a letter to Unicef to talk about the education provided.

Intro:

Dear Unicef,
My class has been reading about child soldiers and we have been asked the question "What should happen to them after the war." My answer was that children should be given an education. With that answer I spe she nt time finding which organizations helped child soldiers with education the most, and the answer I got was Unicef.

Body Paragraph:

(Give example of a child soldier from text set)  

Child Soldiers #1 - Language Arts

She volunteered to fight. She has acted as a messenger. She has acted as a driver. She has given logistical support. She has killed.

I believe that the girl should go to back to school. Even though she volunteered to fight, she shouldn’t have been fighting. Now that the conflict is over the girl should be reunited with her family and sent back to school. Although I think she shouldn’t have fought in the war, she should get some type of acknowledgment for the bravery she showed and the help she brought on the country. Yes, she shouldn’t have fought in the war, but she should be known. I don’t think she should be put in jail because she was considered a soldier. She was working for the country, so her acts should not be considered bad. I also believe that she should be given support for the things she has seen.

To conclude, this girl should be sent to school and reunited with her parents. I don’t think any punishment should happen to her. She deserves an acknowledgment for her acts, and should be respected for her bravery.

Armed and Underage Child Soldiers Article

Imagining a child being sent into war to kill is something hard for me to think about. In my opinion it cruel. I find it amazing how when the recruiters try to make the issue logical they say, "The kids can be so easily brainwashed. They don't even have to be paid." Not only is that a horrible excuse to use children in war, but it shows how young these children must be when they are recruited for war. According to the article the youngest child was 9 years old. I think it is horrible for a child to go through this when the effects are not only short term, but long term as well. Children will have to remember the horrendous memories of war throughout their childhood and even when they are adults. I don't think any child should have to go through that.

Pro Con List

Victims	Perpetrators
- Didn’t have any family left	- Some agreed to go
- Had nowhere to go	- Most don’t argue
- Didn’t have a mature mind	- Didn’t try to leave
- Are brainwashed	- Killed people

Blog Post #8 - Media Literacy

ISTE Standards

In addition to using ISTE Standard #1 we have been dependent on ISTE Standard #4 to complete our iBook. ISTE Standard #4 is:

Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources.

In ISTE Standard #4 there are four points:

• Identify and define authentic problems and significant questions for investigation
• Plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project
• Collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions
• Use multiple processes and diverse perspectives to explore alternative decisions

We worked on those points in different ways. We worked on point one when we realized that we had no idea what the 5th graders needed to hear.

That leads us into how we worked on point two. We scheduled a meeting with Mrs. Callaway and Mr. Everett to understand the process 5th graders go through when transitioning, and what they do to help them. Once they told us those answers we got an idea about what they would need to hear, but we wanted the 5th graders to tell us.

How we worked on point three was by sending a survey out to the 5th graders to understand their point of view on middle school. We gathered information about their fears for middle school and what they are most excited about. With that information we made a structure for our iBook.

We worked on point four when we used experience from our transitions to make the iBook something that would be helpful. We used our transitions to figure out the things we wanted to hear as a 5th grader and put it in the book.

Throughout the process of making the iBook I realized how crucial it is to make everything positive for the 5th graders. If not it will make some scared to come to middle school. I enjoy working on the iBook and I hope that it will actually be useful for the upcoming middle schoolers. I am so happy that it is almost done. Even though I liked working on the iBook i'm glad that it’s over because it was very stressful to balance it with other work. Going back to the topic of ISTE Standards I know that having read them it made it easier to work on the iBook. We could see that the iBook should contain certain characteristics and it helped us make it.  Even though we finished the iBook we still need to show Mrs. Callaway the final results and get her approval. Again, I hope that the iBook is going to be useful for the 5th graders and that there transition is as smooth as possible.

Blog Post #7 - Media Literacy

Since our project started we have used the ISTE Standard to model how it should look like. There are six ISTE Standards:

• Creativity and Innovation
• Communication and Collaboration
• Research and Information Fluency
• Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
• Digital CItizenship
• Technology Operations and Concepts

In our project we demonstrated ISTE Standard #1: creativity and innovation. Creative innovation is when you demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology. We did these things when we thought of making an interactive iBook for the 5th graders to learn from.

Under ISTE Standard #1 there are four points:

• Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes
• Create original work as a means of personal or group expression
• Use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues
• Identify trends and forecast possibilities

We demonstrated the first point by figuring out something that would stress out a student and writing about it. We used the experiences we had to create topics for our iBook and help them see what we as middle schoolers go through, and what we think about those topics.

We demonstrated the second point by coming up with the idea of a helpful iBook. Everyone in our group enjoys helping others, so we thought it would be a good idea to make an iBook for those that need help.

We demonstrated the third point by talking to the counselors and asking them about what the 5th graders should hear before they enter middle school. We used that information to help structure our iBook

We demonstrated the fourth point by sending out a survey to the 5th graders asking them questions about their thoughts of middle school. With their answers we could figure out the things they want to hear and write about them.

By demonstrating these points we have begun to create an iBook that i think will be helpful for the upcoming middle schoolers. I’m happy that we could do this project, and I think it would be nice if a high schooler would do this for me. The point of the iBook is to ensure the new 6th graders that the bad things they think about middle don’t really happen. Also it is to ensure them that we won’t hate them. Even though I enjoy working on this iBook it’s stressful trying to balance working on the iBook and studying for upcoming tests in classes like Social Studies, or practicing for my debate for Language Arts. Even though I love working on the project it’s stressful having all these other things to worry about as well. And the pressure of getting it done is on my group because our iBook is going to be used soon. Through all the grievances I still thoroughly enjoy making this iBook and the skits.

Blog Post #6 - Media Literacy

iBook For You

This week we completed our first two chapters. We edited our skits and put them in our iBook. Since starting our iBook we have completed the introduction, chapter 1: homework, and chapter 2: lockers. In chapter one we talked about their expectations of homework, and gave them the reality of how homework will be. In chapter two we made a skit about how to open your lock and some expectations and realities. It will be much easier for us to complete the rest of the chapters because we can refer to the previous chapters written. We sent all our skits to Mrs. Callaway to get an approval. She ended up saying it was good, and gave us a push to put it in our iBook.

Photo: photosforclass

Next class we will work on the next two chapters. The first chapter will be about older kids in middle school. The second chapter will be about the Discover Oman options you get once you reach 7th grade.

Photo: TAISM

I’m really enjoying this project. I can’t wait to see the result of our iBook once it is shared with the fifth graders. I also enjoyed filming all the skits ad watching the bloopers. I don’t know if we are going to be able to finish the iBook by due date because we have to perfect it so that Mrs. Callaway and Mr. Everett can use it. Even though it might not get finished in time I know that all of us enjoyed the time that we spent working on it.

Blog Post #5 - Media Literacy

Our Fun Skits

Photo By: Moyan Bren

This week we started filming our skits for the iBook. We’ve filmed skits for our topics about homework, older kids, and lockers. We are yet to film about sports and Discover Oman. We also finished chapter one, all that is left is to add the skit.

Now that we are done filming those skits, next class we have to write about the other topics; sports and Discover Oman. We have to film skits for those subjects. We will also send our skits to Mrs. Callaway to check if it’s suitable for the iBook.

                                                       

When filming the skits I realized that I really enjoy the project. I like how we get to make a lot of skits, and knowing that it’s going to benefit the 5th graders. We are trying to make the skits as funny as possible without it taking away the importance of the message. Yesterday I went down to the fifth grade with my friend to get her lunch box from her brother who is in 5th grade. When she got down everyone started hugging her because she is well known in elementary. As I was awkwardly standing at the side another 5th grader came and hugged me too. More joined and started talking about how nice we are. I hope that it was a good impression on how 8th graders are.

Blog Post #4 - Media Literacy

I Promise, We Don't Hate You

This week we mostly worked on our iBook. We decided to interview a few sixth graders to get their insight on what 6th grade is like. We asked them questions like:

• Does it take you more than an hour to complete your homework?
• In the beginning of 6th grade did you get a lot of homework?
• Were you worried about the older kids in middle school?
• Did/Do you know how to open your locker on your first day?    Photo Credit: photosforclass

 http://photosforclass.com/search?text=stress

Their responses were helpful. They answered all the questions in a way that we could use for our iBook. Their responses were:

• 5/15 sixth graders said it took them more than an hour to complete homework

Most sixth graders completed it in under an hour and those that didn’t said they were taking their time.

• 15/15 sixth graders said they had little to no homework at the beginning of sixth grade

They said that none of the teachers would give them homework on their first few weeks of sixth grade. Now they still don’t get a lot of homework. 5th graders worry that the teachers will dump a load of homework on them

• 6/12 sixth graders said they were worried about the older kids in middle school

• 13/15 sixth graders said they knew how to open their lockers on their first day

Mrs. Callaway and Mr. Everett provide a transitioning opportunity for the upcoming 6th graders where they give them a lock and let them spend time practicing how to open the lock. A lot of the sixth graders used that to learn how to open their lock before they started middle school.

We noticed that the sixth graders think that the eighth graders hate them. In the iBook we want to assure the upcoming 6th graders that’s not the case.

Next we have to create funny skits for each subjects we are mentioning in the iBook. We are going to make the skits as funny as possible so it will be easier for the 5th graders to remember what we are talking about.

http://photosforclass.com/search?text=theater

Photo Credit: photosforclass

Also we are going to create an intro media that is similar to a youtube video we found. We will need to get a video of the teachers that teach classes that 5th graders haven’t experienced yet like drama, band, and health.  In the intro media we will give the 5th graders insight on how middle schoolers go through the day.

When I transitioned from elementary school to middle school I felt kind of brave because I knew I would be taller than most of them and I had a sibling there with me. I was sort of worried about what the older kids would think of me, but it didn’t make me any less excited for middle school. This project is teaching me how to make iBooks and edit videos. It is also helping me understand how the new sixth graders felt when they came to middle school, and that we as the oldest grade should help them feel welcome and at home. I am very excited about the end product of our iBook. I think it will be a fun way for the 5th graders to get a perspective on how middle school is like. I worry that we won’t finish in time though.

Blog Post #3 - Media Literacy

This week we have progressed well in our iBook. We scheduled meetings with Mrs. Callaway and Mr. Everett, and they answered valuable questions for our iBook. After sending a new and improved survey out to the 5th graders we ended up getting 39 responses that can help us tremendously with the iBook. We found out that most of them worried about homework and the older kids. A lot of them are not that worried about middle school and are excited to get here. They are excited to see the new range in sports, go on different Discover Oman options, and the new teachers they are going to have.

Photo credit: Me

Next we have to start our first chapter which will be about the homework middle schooler get compared to elementary schoolers. We also have to interview the 6th graders and ask them about what they have experienced in their first year of middle school and any advice they would give to the upcoming 6th graders.

I feel like our project is progressing really well. We have managed to get responses from 5th graders and I think that they are excited for the challenges of middle school. I feel like this project will turn out very well and will be helpful for the 5th graders.

Blog Post #2 - Media Literacy

This week we finished writing our introduction for the 5th grade guide book. We noticed that in order to start writing chapter one we would have to interview the fifth graders to get their insight on what they are most scared about in transitioning. We came up with the idea of giving them a survey that asks what they find the most scary about transitioning to middle school. We will then use that information to know what to talk about in the next chapters of our iBook.

photo credit: Me https://www.surveymonkey.com/create/?sm=7EjYPusLH6hlNMUtFCRs9k4Y2NH9EO4rTb5VDpLf81U_3D

I feel like this project is coming out really well. We have progressed since the beginning. Now I hope that we get good answers from the 5th graders so we can construct our iBook in a way that will benefit them. I can’t wait to see the results of the survey and see what they think about middle school.