Detention and In School Suspension (ISS)
This makes no sense to me. Especially the latter. Champlin Park's goal is basically for every student to strive for academic excellence, why pull the students out of class to sit in a room all day and look at a wall? They say that the kid is a disturbance, but are they?
Example- Student has nine tardies to class. They are given ISS.
Now what's the point of this? Being late to class truly isn't a disturbance. Maybe it's annoying for the teacher, they have to go back into the system and do attendance, but who cares? To pull the kid out of class for the entire day and let them fall even more behind in their classes is stupid. Excuse my language, but there is no point to it. That isn't a fair way to discipline a student. Even more low down, they get ISS on the last week of the trimester. It is the student's fault for being late, but the consequences for that don't make sense.
I only included detention because I don't really see the point in disciplining students for tardies like that. I know it isn't that big of a deal, but I don't like the principle behind it. If the student is consistently late, their grades will suffer (probably). Why not just let the kids have the responsibility of being in class on time?
I mean, maybe school officials are scared of asking too much of us dumb children.
PS - I see the point of ISS and detention for other reasons such as fighting. That truly is disturbing.
PPS - Why does the school get involved in every aspect of life? For instance, when a kid gets a minor for drinking during the summer or during the school year. That doesn't disturb anything, yet they still receive consequences...
Thursday, November 29, 2012
11:59 vs. 7:40
11:59 vs. 7:40
One of the last obstacles I have to conquer is the Written Task 2 for English. Now granted, I've known that it has been due for the past two weeks now, but like most people, I haven't done it. Tonight I have my first wrestling match, and I won't get home until 10:00 (more than likely). So how am I supposed to write my paper while being physically and mentally tired in less than two hours? Needless to say, I made a mistake...
Everybody makes mistakes, everybody has those days...
But seriously, what's the difference between making a paper due at 11:59 and 7:40? The majority of people probably do their homework at night, but for those of us who are different, we wake up and do our homework at four in the morning. With that extra sleep, I would be more focused on the paper and be able to get it done. Plus, it isn't like the teacher will be up in the middle of the night grading the papers, so why make it due at midnight?
I'm just sayin', I'm gonna be up no matter what time you make it due at.
One of the last obstacles I have to conquer is the Written Task 2 for English. Now granted, I've known that it has been due for the past two weeks now, but like most people, I haven't done it. Tonight I have my first wrestling match, and I won't get home until 10:00 (more than likely). So how am I supposed to write my paper while being physically and mentally tired in less than two hours? Needless to say, I made a mistake...
Everybody makes mistakes, everybody has those days...
But seriously, what's the difference between making a paper due at 11:59 and 7:40? The majority of people probably do their homework at night, but for those of us who are different, we wake up and do our homework at four in the morning. With that extra sleep, I would be more focused on the paper and be able to get it done. Plus, it isn't like the teacher will be up in the middle of the night grading the papers, so why make it due at midnight?
I'm just sayin', I'm gonna be up no matter what time you make it due at.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Smarts and Personality
Smarts and Personality
Some friends and I have been talking about this a little bit. Basically, to what extent does a person's level of intellect influence their personality?
Personally, I think that how smart somebody is has a lot to do with their personality. Well, maybe not necessarily personality as much as it is choices. I am kind of struggling with this question. I may change my mind.
Anyways, your opinion would be appreciated because I'm not sure what I think about this.
Some friends and I have been talking about this a little bit. Basically, to what extent does a person's level of intellect influence their personality?
Personally, I think that how smart somebody is has a lot to do with their personality. Well, maybe not necessarily personality as much as it is choices. I am kind of struggling with this question. I may change my mind.
Anyways, your opinion would be appreciated because I'm not sure what I think about this.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Childhood Obesity
Childhood Obesity
So I was exploring the internet and came across this conservative dude named Adam Kokesh. He is basically a talk radio host/political activist. Well anyways, I was watching one of his rants on Youtube and it was about childhood obesity. He basically argued that if a child is fat before age 10 (or some arbitrary number, I don't exactly remember), you are a child abuser. It is child abuse to let a kid get fat.
Well, I'm not really sure where I stand on this issue. In a sense, I agree with him. To me, it is the parent's responsibility to ensure that their child is healthy. Weight is a component of that. However, I also understand that some kids struggle with weight a lot more than others. But still, those things can be combatted, correct?
Anyways, what do you think of that viewpoint? I think I lean towards agreeing with him because for the most part, children are helpless.
So I was exploring the internet and came across this conservative dude named Adam Kokesh. He is basically a talk radio host/political activist. Well anyways, I was watching one of his rants on Youtube and it was about childhood obesity. He basically argued that if a child is fat before age 10 (or some arbitrary number, I don't exactly remember), you are a child abuser. It is child abuse to let a kid get fat.
Well, I'm not really sure where I stand on this issue. In a sense, I agree with him. To me, it is the parent's responsibility to ensure that their child is healthy. Weight is a component of that. However, I also understand that some kids struggle with weight a lot more than others. But still, those things can be combatted, correct?
Anyways, what do you think of that viewpoint? I think I lean towards agreeing with him because for the most part, children are helpless.
Time
Time
I was just looking at a calendar and thought to myself: Time is so arbitrary.
I know this seems like a DUH moment, but it kind of isn't. I guess it is kind of a knowledge issue. My example lies in the Bible (I don't intend to offend anybody).
So here's my first example: God created the Earth in seven days. Now, you could argue that it truly was seven days (by how we count a day now); however, I think it is more plausible that the Earth was created over the span of many thousands of years (days were just measured differently back then).
I'm not trying to challenge what you believe and such, but I think it is very clear that how we count time has changed. We have made other accommodations for time (a.k.a daylight savings time).
My second example: some people in the Bible lived over 500 years. Now we all know that there is no way a body could sustain itself for more than 500 years. However, it could be argued that through God, these people were able to live for a very long time. To me, it seems more likely that a year was simply measured differently.
You could not believe in Christianity and that is totally okay with me. If that is the case, you can void those two examples and make a different argument, but I'm just using something that was easy for me to think of (being a Christian, literally).
Plus, who decided that a day consists of 24 hours, an hour of 60 minutes, and a minute of 60 seconds? That's kind of rhetorical because I know the answer (I think), but I hope that you see my viewpoint.
PS - The answer to that question would be astronomers/scientists, I would assume. Correct me if I'm wrong.
I was just looking at a calendar and thought to myself: Time is so arbitrary.
I know this seems like a DUH moment, but it kind of isn't. I guess it is kind of a knowledge issue. My example lies in the Bible (I don't intend to offend anybody).
So here's my first example: God created the Earth in seven days. Now, you could argue that it truly was seven days (by how we count a day now); however, I think it is more plausible that the Earth was created over the span of many thousands of years (days were just measured differently back then).
I'm not trying to challenge what you believe and such, but I think it is very clear that how we count time has changed. We have made other accommodations for time (a.k.a daylight savings time).
My second example: some people in the Bible lived over 500 years. Now we all know that there is no way a body could sustain itself for more than 500 years. However, it could be argued that through God, these people were able to live for a very long time. To me, it seems more likely that a year was simply measured differently.
You could not believe in Christianity and that is totally okay with me. If that is the case, you can void those two examples and make a different argument, but I'm just using something that was easy for me to think of (being a Christian, literally).
Plus, who decided that a day consists of 24 hours, an hour of 60 minutes, and a minute of 60 seconds? That's kind of rhetorical because I know the answer (I think), but I hope that you see my viewpoint.
PS - The answer to that question would be astronomers/scientists, I would assume. Correct me if I'm wrong.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
I Feel Guilty
I Feel Guilty
Let me prelude this post with this - in no way am I trying to brag.
I was born five years before my sisters. As I went through school, I excelled. I was reading at an eighth/ninth grade level and doing Algebra I in fifth grade. I know that these are only minor accomplishments, but needless to say, I had no problems with school. I brought home my "A Honor Roll" report cards every quarter and made Mom and Dad proud. My sisters grew up in my footsteps, seeing how happy I made them. Well now, my sisters are in seventh grade and I'm seeing the effects of my overachievement. My sister, Faith, is struggling with middle school History and English. They were not hard at all, and I have no idea how she is having trouble with them, but she is. Well, tonight, my mom was talking to her about her grades and she runs of the kitchen crying and she yelled, "I'm sorry I'm not like Christian!"
Now this has me thinking. My sisters excel in things that I don't, like soccer, but not in things that really seem to matter (in my opinion), like school. I understand middle school grades don't really matter a whole lot, but I see that I have affected their self esteem and they're trying to live up to me. I feel guilty because of it.
I guess this isn't exactly a knowledge issue, but a blog post about something pertinent in my life.
Let me prelude this post with this - in no way am I trying to brag.
I was born five years before my sisters. As I went through school, I excelled. I was reading at an eighth/ninth grade level and doing Algebra I in fifth grade. I know that these are only minor accomplishments, but needless to say, I had no problems with school. I brought home my "A Honor Roll" report cards every quarter and made Mom and Dad proud. My sisters grew up in my footsteps, seeing how happy I made them. Well now, my sisters are in seventh grade and I'm seeing the effects of my overachievement. My sister, Faith, is struggling with middle school History and English. They were not hard at all, and I have no idea how she is having trouble with them, but she is. Well, tonight, my mom was talking to her about her grades and she runs of the kitchen crying and she yelled, "I'm sorry I'm not like Christian!"
Now this has me thinking. My sisters excel in things that I don't, like soccer, but not in things that really seem to matter (in my opinion), like school. I understand middle school grades don't really matter a whole lot, but I see that I have affected their self esteem and they're trying to live up to me. I feel guilty because of it.
I guess this isn't exactly a knowledge issue, but a blog post about something pertinent in my life.
Distractions
Distractions
I have noticed that I do better in school when I have distractions. For instance, when I play a sport, work a job, participate in activities outside of school I get higher grades than when I have more free time. I guess school isn't necessarily easier, but I do better.
Why do you think that is? Do you guys (microaggression) notice this same trend?
I'm a little worried because wrestling starts tomorrow, and this means that I have a huge time commitment. However, from my past experiences, I always turn out okay. Should I use this trend to calm myself?
Just an interesting thing I've noticed about myself.
My Plate vs. School Lunch Trays
My Plate vs. School Lunch Trays
So as many of you know, I'm in Foods I. We have been talking a lot about this new thing Michelle Obama started called My Plate to encourage healthy eating. I'll paste a picture of it for you to see-
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What happened to healthy eating? The main course (the middle "hole") takes up much more than what it should, according to My Plate.
Anyways, this could be partially where childhood obesity comes from. Our very own schools. Thoughts?
So as many of you know, I'm in Foods I. We have been talking a lot about this new thing Michelle Obama started called My Plate to encourage healthy eating. I'll paste a picture of it for you to see-
So as you can see, protein (which is generally our main course) is supposed to take up less than 25% of your plate. This got me thinking though, what about our school lunch trays? They look something like this-
Anyways, this could be partially where childhood obesity comes from. Our very own schools. Thoughts?
Marijuana
Marijuana
It was bound to come up. I'm just going to talk about the laws associated with the legalization of it.
As many of us know, the use of marijuana was legalized in a few states due to this last election. However, was it really legalized? Marijuana was legalized under state law in these states, but it is still illegal under federal law. So, which one prevails? Well, technically, federal law prevails over state law whenever they are in disagreement. Because of this, I'm curious about how these states will deal with the use of Marijuana. I guess it seems like there's a gray area.
Do gray areas belong in law? Personally, I think it should be black and white.
It was bound to come up. I'm just going to talk about the laws associated with the legalization of it.
As many of us know, the use of marijuana was legalized in a few states due to this last election. However, was it really legalized? Marijuana was legalized under state law in these states, but it is still illegal under federal law. So, which one prevails? Well, technically, federal law prevails over state law whenever they are in disagreement. Because of this, I'm curious about how these states will deal with the use of Marijuana. I guess it seems like there's a gray area.
Do gray areas belong in law? Personally, I think it should be black and white.
Water Bottles
Water Bottles
Kind of a random topic, but important.
My question is - why use reusable plastic water bottles?
It seems fairly obvious that we, as consumers, should be concerned with our waste. In this case, after buying an Ice Mountain bottle of water, we throw away the empty bottle. These bottles are not manufactured to be reused, so companies advocate for the use of a reusable water bottle. What I can't help but think about is the manufacturing of a reusable plastic water bottle. In addition, after they break, they get thrown away, just like your empty Ice Mountain water bottle did. Plus, reusable plastic water bottles can contain chemicals that could leach into the water you're drinking (A.K.A. BPA, but this is being fixed currently). To me, it seems like it's a smarter choice to buy a metal water bottle.
I guess I'm just a little curious about waste associated with reusable plastic water bottles. After all, they are still made of plastic. Also, the plastic that they are usually made of is worse for the environment when manufactured and when left in a landfill.
Also, glass water bottles are being manufactured. It doesn't have a lot of relevance, but I wonder why. They must be extremely delicate, but I think they would be stylish.
Anyways, comments?
Kind of a random topic, but important.
My question is - why use reusable plastic water bottles?
It seems fairly obvious that we, as consumers, should be concerned with our waste. In this case, after buying an Ice Mountain bottle of water, we throw away the empty bottle. These bottles are not manufactured to be reused, so companies advocate for the use of a reusable water bottle. What I can't help but think about is the manufacturing of a reusable plastic water bottle. In addition, after they break, they get thrown away, just like your empty Ice Mountain water bottle did. Plus, reusable plastic water bottles can contain chemicals that could leach into the water you're drinking (A.K.A. BPA, but this is being fixed currently). To me, it seems like it's a smarter choice to buy a metal water bottle.
I guess I'm just a little curious about waste associated with reusable plastic water bottles. After all, they are still made of plastic. Also, the plastic that they are usually made of is worse for the environment when manufactured and when left in a landfill.
Also, glass water bottles are being manufactured. It doesn't have a lot of relevance, but I wonder why. They must be extremely delicate, but I think they would be stylish.
Anyways, comments?
Friday, November 2, 2012
TOKA BLOG
TOKA BLOG
Although I hate to say it, I feel like our blogosphere is going downhill. It was a place to actually discuss stuff, but now it is more of an annoyance. Well, for me at least. Why do you think I'm getting my five blog posts in right before the start of fourth hour?
It is getting hard for me partially because I have a lot of work, but also because I don't have any ideas. I think of things throughout the week, but forget them.
I'm just curious if anybody else is noticing this, or is it just me?
Although I hate to say it, I feel like our blogosphere is going downhill. It was a place to actually discuss stuff, but now it is more of an annoyance. Well, for me at least. Why do you think I'm getting my five blog posts in right before the start of fourth hour?
It is getting hard for me partially because I have a lot of work, but also because I don't have any ideas. I think of things throughout the week, but forget them.
I'm just curious if anybody else is noticing this, or is it just me?
IB Grading
IB Grading
I forgot about how much the IB IA grading system bugged me. Basically, the teacher grades your paper, sends the scores into IB, and IB requests to see six papers. They are randomly selected and if your teacher grades one of those teachers bad, the entire class can be effected, even if they never see your paper. I'm not doing a very good job of explaining it, but they can basically assign a score lower than what the teacher gave you based on somebody else's paper. Not very likable to me.
What are your thoughts on this? Obviously IB can't grade every paper submitted... that would take too long. But your score being determined partially by other students' scores? No thanks.
I forgot about how much the IB IA grading system bugged me. Basically, the teacher grades your paper, sends the scores into IB, and IB requests to see six papers. They are randomly selected and if your teacher grades one of those teachers bad, the entire class can be effected, even if they never see your paper. I'm not doing a very good job of explaining it, but they can basically assign a score lower than what the teacher gave you based on somebody else's paper. Not very likable to me.
What are your thoughts on this? Obviously IB can't grade every paper submitted... that would take too long. But your score being determined partially by other students' scores? No thanks.
Working Out
Working Out
How much working out it too much working out? Last night I had three practices. At what point do they begin to lose their efficacy? By the third practice, I was already extremely tired from the first two and it felt kind of useless. I kind of did bare minimum work. I don't know if this applies to many people on here, but... yeah.
So anyways, I thought about this concept a little bit and it kind of applies to school. I have a ton of work to do and each class feels like another practice. I have to designate time to each, but by the last one I'm too tired and go to bed. I therefore am putting things off and that isn't good. I feel like every teacher demands their class to be number one, but I can't give each class that kind of priority. Do you guys find yourselves prioritizing classes over the other? If so, what is your order?
My order -
1. IB Spanish (probably because it's easy)
2. IB History
3. IB TOK
4. IB English
5. Foods I
How much working out it too much working out? Last night I had three practices. At what point do they begin to lose their efficacy? By the third practice, I was already extremely tired from the first two and it felt kind of useless. I kind of did bare minimum work. I don't know if this applies to many people on here, but... yeah.
So anyways, I thought about this concept a little bit and it kind of applies to school. I have a ton of work to do and each class feels like another practice. I have to designate time to each, but by the last one I'm too tired and go to bed. I therefore am putting things off and that isn't good. I feel like every teacher demands their class to be number one, but I can't give each class that kind of priority. Do you guys find yourselves prioritizing classes over the other? If so, what is your order?
My order -
1. IB Spanish (probably because it's easy)
2. IB History
3. IB TOK
4. IB English
5. Foods I
Pleasure Reading vs. Research
Pleasure Reading vs. Research
Not that I would do any pleasure reading, but I don't even have the opportunity. My reading consists of research. It's kind of sad. I didn't even get the chance to finish the Red Hot Rebel Read books. I guess this is kind of a post of me complaining about how much work I have to do. I feel like reading for pleasure is very valuable but I don't even get the chance. I'll be done now.
;(
Not that I would do any pleasure reading, but I don't even have the opportunity. My reading consists of research. It's kind of sad. I didn't even get the chance to finish the Red Hot Rebel Read books. I guess this is kind of a post of me complaining about how much work I have to do. I feel like reading for pleasure is very valuable but I don't even get the chance. I'll be done now.
;(
Easy or the Hard Way
Easy or the Hard Way
While working on my extended essay and IA, I realized something. I picked really hard topics. You wouldn't think that something about the Bay of Pigs would be very difficult, but it surprisingly is. I got thinking though... Why didn't I do something on Hitler where there are endless texts to consult and such. I did the same thing in picking a topic on South Africa for my IA. There were two books at Wilson Library, the largest in the state. I know some of you guys are struggling with this as well, but from what I've read online, an obscure topic is a good topic.
Online, people post that you should pick a topic that is unknown. That way the grader won't know anything on the topic and will have to trust you. Some people posted that they picked an obscure topic, didn't write a very good paper, but got a good grade. I just find this a little strange. I find that I'm putting more time into research and less into writing a good paper.
In this respect, I wonder if it is worth picking an obscure topic and writing a so-so paper, or picking an easy topic and writing a really good paper.
While working on my extended essay and IA, I realized something. I picked really hard topics. You wouldn't think that something about the Bay of Pigs would be very difficult, but it surprisingly is. I got thinking though... Why didn't I do something on Hitler where there are endless texts to consult and such. I did the same thing in picking a topic on South Africa for my IA. There were two books at Wilson Library, the largest in the state. I know some of you guys are struggling with this as well, but from what I've read online, an obscure topic is a good topic.
Online, people post that you should pick a topic that is unknown. That way the grader won't know anything on the topic and will have to trust you. Some people posted that they picked an obscure topic, didn't write a very good paper, but got a good grade. I just find this a little strange. I find that I'm putting more time into research and less into writing a good paper.
In this respect, I wonder if it is worth picking an obscure topic and writing a so-so paper, or picking an easy topic and writing a really good paper.
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