Post 5: Summary of Semester One (the last semester this year with Mrs. Lawson :( )

SUMMARY

Way back in August, 2009, I only knew a little about Afghanistan and Nationalism and Urbanization, I already knew about Guns, Germs, and Steel from last year, but that's besides the point. Other than Guns, Germs, and Steel, I had never even touched on the topic of Afghanistan. That whole unit of Afghanistan was rather enlightening. I have also acquired the ability to blog from this class. I don't know how I'm going to use it later on, but I guess it's a good skill; you know, maybe. This class has some of the best learning techniques I have ever encountered, puppets, group work, movies, you name it! The way you are teaching now should not be changed, it's rather successful, well, to me at least. I learned a lot (sorry, dead word) since the beginning of the year.

Merry Christmas, I'll miss you Mrs. Lawson.

P.S. Please don't cry, seriously.

Unit 4 Nationalism: From Concert to Competition

A big Nationalism sign

RECAP

Nationalism was a great big movement that began in Europe in the 19th century to the 20th century. It was a feeling of pride in one's country. It started out as people respecting other's differences as if Europe was a big orchestra, but soon it lead to a competition to see who was the better country.

REVIEW

My group did the Nationalism story of Bloody Sunday in Mother Russia. The workers are not content, so they peacefully march to the czar to see if he would make conditions better for them, but instead he told his guards to shoot them all. Not very nice if you ask me. Another group did the whole conquering scheme of Bismark in Germany, with his alliance with Austria and his conquering of France and other small European countries, and soon his betrayal of Austria. Weird, they are both bloody and someone gets betrayed, imagine that!

Bloody Sunday

REFLECT & RE-INVENT

I think that Nationalism is OK if it's not over done. Be proud in your country, but don't go dissing every other country. Keeping that whole concert idea in mind instead of competing sounds like a good idea. Nationalism is all right as long as it doesn't get out of hand.

Unit 3: Urbanization and Industrialization

Factories where everywhere

RECAP

In the 19th and 20th century, Urbanization and industrialization began to peek its head over the horizon. With factories popping up all over the place, rural farmers were being put out of jobs, so they all went to town to find jobs. This greatly increased the population, so new buildings, like a skyscraper where built to house the immense population. Therefore the cities grew.

Skyscrapers

REVISIT & REFLECT

I think New Orleans would be one of the most interesting cities to live in. I've been there once and I thought it was an awesome city full of culture and life. There are dozens of forts and lighthouses along the Mississippi River, as well as historical and artistic museums. They have a large aquarium and horse drawn carriages. Every year they hold their famous Mardi Gras parade and every ware you go, there's bound to be a street band or musicians. The only downside I can think of is the recent hurricane damage has caused the crime rate in the city to go up drastically. Other than that, I would think that New Orleans would be an awesome place to live.


A street duo

This info came from:

http://www.atneworleans.com/body/attractions.htm

http://www.atneworleans.com/body/main.htm

P.S. Sorry! I don't know whats wrong with the spacing.

Unit 2: GUNS, GERMS, and STEEL

Jared Diamond

RECAP

The whole big idea of Guns, Germs, and Steel came about when Jared Diamond, a wacky little scientist, that's him on the left, was researching birds in Papua, New Guinea when a local named Yali Asked hi this question: : "Why you white man have so much cargo and we New Guineans have so little?" This question threw Jerry off and he began the research of haves and have not's. He came up with one answer: Geography and geographical luck.

REVISIT

Currently in Africa, there are projects to end hunger and poverty. The four main reasons for hunger and poverty in Africa are the marginalization of women food farmers, poor leadership, to little investments in building the people's capacity in rural areas, and epidemics of AIDS. Due to HIV and AIDS, about 20% of Africa's children die before the age of five. Because they used up all of the nutrients in the soil for farming in the past, the land is barren, dry, and infertile. Another need for African cities, like Kenya, is safe drinking water. In Kenya, one out of every four deaths of children under age five are caused by water - borne diseases. Projects for building wells and providing safe drinking water are popping up everywhere. We need to help.

This info came from:

http://www.thp.org/where_we_work/africa?gclid=CN7jjuOHx54CFcZM5Qod3fxcrg

http://cozay.com/

http://thewaterproject.org/default.asp?Refer=Kenya&gclid=CKe49aqOx54CFYZM5QodC3GLrw

African children

REFLECT

The fact that the success of all the other nations in Europe due to geographical luck is pretty cool. The whole, "Trade from east to west works better than north to south," was actually interesting. So, if the geography helped out people in Europe, why didn't it work in Africa? Probably because of over farming. If they can over farm in Africa, can we over farm here?

Unit 1: Afghanistan

RECAP

Back in the Afghanistan unit, I chose to research the wildlife issues of Afghanistan; more specifically, the endangered species of Afghanistan. I found out that two of the main endangered species are the Snow leopard and the Markhor.

A Snow leopard

The Snow leopard lives in the highlands of Afghanistan and the Hindu Kush in coniferous forests. They used to be hunted for their furs until law prohibited it, but poachers still hunt and illegally trade their furs. Their habitat is also at risk due to deforestation, dam projects, and lack of food sources due to similar environmental issues. There are laws protecting this species, but other than that, not much is being done to help these animals.





The other endangered species is the Markhor; that funny goat looking thing. Like the Snow leopard, they live in high regions and the Hindu Kush. They are also hunted for their long fur as well as those twisty horns. Deforestation and dam projects are limiting their living space and food sources. They are also sometimes hunted by the Snow leopard, but laws protect them from poachers. Just like the Snow leopard, they are also illegally hunted and only the hunting laws protect them.

A Markhor

REVISIT

Afghanistan issued its first Wildlife Hunting Ban on June 10, 2009. It banned hunting of all endangered mammals, birds, and other creatures in the region. They have also issued protection on endangered plants and other endangered species such as the Paghman salamander. They also created their first national park, Band - e - Amir, in May 2009. The park consists of waterfalls, lakes, and naturally made dams.


This info. came from:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90171390

http://www.livescience.com/animals/etc/090610-afghanistan-issue-its-first-endangered-species-list.html

A Paghman salamander

Band - e - Amir

REFLECT

I Personally think that the fact that this country is taking steps to wildlife conservation is great, but they still have a long way to go. The endangered species list for that area is just to big, and they may have some trouble protecting all of the animals and bringing them back from the brink. I do realize, however, that there may be more important issues at hand, but they still need to revive the land that has practically been destroyed from war. I hope that they can do that, because this world is an amazing place, even if there's a barren wasteland with just a pinch of wildlife potential.