Summative DBQ Reflection

For this summative DBQ on "how barbaric were the Mongols?", I felt I did well on giving context and detail on a quote before sharing it. The past few DBQ's I never gave much information about the origin of it and didn't really introduce the context of the actual quote itself before sharing it, so having that in this DBQ really helped. However, one thing I needed to work on is going deeper into analysis of the text of the document so I can explain more of the "so what?" for sharing the text. As well as, trying to be less wordy and be more precise when it comes to the claims, introductions, and analysis. With this, I learned that I really need to thoroughly reread my work once it is done so I can make sure it is clear, and to be really careful and specific when it comes to writing my analysis on a quote and/or document.

Summative DBQ Link

Argument Essay Reflection

World Studies Final Exam Argumentative Essay

In this essay, something I believe I did well on was writing a specific claim that clearly showed what I would be discussing/arguing about in the essay: "[S]oft power is ultimately more effective than hard power as it allows a leader to maintain their position and benefit people with knowledge.". As well as, the counterclaim that I wrote had a good use of examples to prove the other perspective with the use of examples and quotes from the Lord of the Flies that showed how the last chief, Jack, could be effectice by using hard power, and how philospher Machiavelli quoted you can make others more controlled by ruling with under hard power.

What needs work on in this essay is being clearer with some of my examples and analysis. Throughout the essay, some quotes were too long, such as the quote in the first body paragraph about coercive power from the "5 Forms of Power", and other outside information would be abruptly added in that wasn't the most effective, like the Benito Mussolini reference. With that being said, some of my analysis was sometimes unclear due to the lack of clarity with the examples/evidence.

So, my goal for the DBQ on Thursday is to be specific with my analysis and be careful with quote and example choice.

Summative Assessment Blog Relection

Final Informative Essay Writing

This first unit based on sociology concepts and identity essays has been interesting. With the use of going into depth on the factors of Agents of Socialization and sociology terms has made me understand, and really learn more about our daily life in society. With learning concepts, such as the "looking glass self" by Charles Cooley, the "Act-Like-A-Man-Box", and Agents of Socialization(Henslin), that we subconsiously follow on a daily basis, it was interesting learning how it really impacts ourselves and others. With that being said, I found that throughout this unit, I have been able to grow on my skills on noticing what "reality" is and how factors impact each person in society. Which also grows on my identity with allowing myself to become a more dependable person when it comes to helping and supporting peers. One concept that I learned more in depth in this unit was how gender roles are impacted through media, but personally for me, how the "Miss Representation"(Russell) connects to my identity. "Miss Representation" is a concept and organisation on how girls and women are impacted daily through their expectations on gender stereotypes, and this really impacts me because I deal with issues with trying to fit in with the "ideal body" stereotype. I learned a lot more about how media manipulates expectations, and how every single girl and woman, including me, shouldn't believe what is portrayed because we are all just as equal to everyone else. These sociology concepts that I have learned were also really important when it came to writing my informative draft based one the main question: do I control who I am? In this essay I shared how the Agents of Socialization of family and media, as well as, the concept the "looking glass self" by Charles Cooley have had the largest impact on shaping who I am. In this writing piece, I was proud on how I really allowed myself to go in depth and give personal examples of how these factors have impacted me. Especially, because with my original draft, I had an issue with including personal examples and having "so what?"'s to each. However, one aspect that I need to work on in this writing is introducing and explaining each concept better. For example, I had a hard time trying to give the correct description and example about the "looking glass self". As well as, though I was proud of my use to adding in personal examples, I still had a hard time punctuating the importance of them and how they truley showed my norms and values. Overall, I am proud with the effort I had put in my writing because of my interest and understanding on how sociology impacts every individual.

My Independent Writing Project: Wrong Daughter

Wrong Daughter Writing and Author's Note

Final MS Band Reflection

First Band Video Blog Post

1) Looking back at your earliest days as a musician in middle school, what are you most surprised by?

I am most surprised at how I actually knew more than I thought I did in my earliest days of band.

2) Comparing your musical ability now to your musical ability then, what are you most proud of?

Over the course of the years in Middle School Band, I am most proud of my growth with the use of articulations and dynamics to emphasise and bring energy/emotion towards the music.

3) Looking back over your days in Middle School Band, what are the highlights?

A few highlights over the years in Middle School Band included playing with the Wind Ensemble this year and the close friendships you gain with your instrument group. Band class has always been fun because of all the friends we end up knowing well over the years and how close you are to your own instrument group.

4) What is your favorite Band piece of all time (here or at any other school or event)

I believe that one of my favourite band pieces that we have played over the years was Captain America.

5) What valuable lesson have you learned in Band that you will take with you into High School as both a person and a musician?

Many valuable lessons have been learned over the course of Middle School Band, but one lesson that I have learned as a musician that will be brought with me to HS is how important it is to practice the music at home because you can't always learn how to play a piece in class as it wastes other band members time, and it doesn't allow you to efficiently grow as a musician. As well as, one lesson I have learned as a person that will be brought to HS is that it is helpful to ask fellow members for help if you misunderstand anything and to stay organised.

6) Gratitude is part of every completed journey and every closed chapter.  What are you most thankful for in your Band experience?

During my Middle School Band experience, I am most thankful for the friendships I have gained that have encouraged me, and helped me grow as a musician and as a person.

DEFEATS

Detailed explanations

• Money spent
• How long the walls are
• How many people have been killed
• etc.

Expert opinions

• Site people
• Quote credible people

Facts/stats
Emotional appeal: touching the heart

• Write on the behalf of a perspective

Anecdotes
Testimony
Surveys/studies

• What people of Israel think
• Statistics can be added

Israeli Palestinian Conflict

1. Lines of Demarcation: Where should the border between Israel and Palestine be drawn?
(Where should the borders go? Do we make people move? Do we make a partition?)
Two State Solution: 
(Instead of Israel controlling Palestine, Palestine becomes its own country)
Solution 1: Palestine becomes its own state- own decisions

2. Housing Settlements: How do you propose settling the unresolved dispute over Israeli Housing Settlements into the West Bank? 

What should be done about the housing settlements that have already been built?

3. Jerusalem: Jerusalem is a Holy City to Jews, Muslims, and Christians. How do you propose to make Jerusalem available and safe to all these groups of people, worldwide?

-Israeli have taken up and control of areas of the Jews, including Jerusalem

4. Palestinian Refugees: 

As a result of the military conflicts in 1948 and again in 1967, hundreds of thousands Palestinian people fled out of the borders of Israel to the neighbouring Gaza Strip, West Bank, Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon. They are a people without a country and have not been allowed to become citizens to the countries they fled to. Sine 1967, their numbers have increased into the millions because of birthrates. (7 million)

What should their rights be? Should they be allowed to return to their homeland in the West Bank(not big enough to handle that many people)? What are some compromises that can be made between Israelis, Palestinians, and the neighbouring countries to resolve this issue?

The Right of Return- "we want to return to our homeland"

Current/ Past Issues in the Middle East
1. US Embassy in Jerusalem

• If it moves to Jerusalem, it will be rude to Palestine's and would show that US supports what the Israelis have done in the 1947 agreement. Supporting Israeli taking Jerusalem. Will become a religious issue. Intifada- a holy war

2. Caterpillar Tractors in Israel

• From the money of the aid from the US, Israeli's used Caterpillar Tractors to build borders which made the Muslim's upset. 

3. Zionist Christian Support of Israel

• Millions of dollars for Jewish support
• Religious issue