My 20% Project!

Rogate 20% Project:

Another unit in Rogate has ended, and I am very excited to start our next project, our Passion Projects - also known as our 20% project.  These projects our called "20%" projects because we take 20% of our week out each Friday to work on these presentations.  We must choose a topic we are very interested in, and then thoroughly research this idea.  Then with all of the information that we have collected, we will turn all of that research into anything that we want that we can present and teach to the class, and that we learn from ourselves.  It can be anything from a PowerPoint Presentation, to a hand-made model, to even a song.  That is my definition of our 20% project and now that you know a bit more about what they are, I will now teach you about mine.

For my Passion Project I plan on researching the topic of Horses.  Now, this may seem like too broad of a topic, but I will be researching deeper into this idea.  From Horses, I will be branching off into more specific topics.  I would like to research all about the different breeds of horses and types of horses, then I would like to research the jobs and occupations that horses are used for,and then how they participate in the Olympics.  After that, I will be researching something a little different.   I would like to research how horses help people and society.  I know that horses do help autistic children and there are horses that spend their whole lives working with these children.  I am not really sure how that works, but I definitely will be looking deeper into it. Finally, I plan on interviewing a few close people that I know that have very good experiences with horses and would love to share a bit about them.  I am not really sure what questions I will ask them, but I know it will be definitely be about their experiences with horses of their own and what they learned from it.  After I have collected all my research I plan on putting it all into a PowerPoint presentation.

Now, this may seem rather simple, but it is not.  I know for a fact that I will be running into a few roadblocks. For example, I am not exactly sure how I am going to transfer the video of the interviews

onto the computer onto PowerPoint to present it to the class.   I am also not sure when I am going to interview the people that I was planning too.  Another obstacle that I am sure I will come across is,

researching all this information and creating the PowerPoint, in time.  I am going to be researching alot of information and I like to go really deep into research and then write alot, so I am probably going to have to narrow my topics down a little more...but not too much:)

As I mentioned before I am going to run in to a few barriers as I am completing this project.  I am going to need some help or "consultants" for this project.  A few people that I am most likely going to need is:

1. My horse trainer, Elise.

2. One of my best friends Taylor Suto who has been riding nearly all her life and was the one who introduced me to horses. 

3. My sister's friend's mom who grew up on a farm with horses and rode all of the way up to college on the equestrian team. 

4. My piano teacher who also rode a huge part of her life and only stopped a few years ago because of how busy she grew.

5. Finally, my parents that I can always ask for help from too, for any simple question.

Finally, some materials that I will need is:

• Obviously a computer
• An access to the library for any books on horses that would help me
• My consultants and the people I am planning to interview (even though they are not materials,  I certainly could not do this project without them)
• A Video Camera for interviewing
• And of course, the traditional piece of paper and pencil couldn't hurt too.

Well I suppose that is about it.  I am so excited to begin working on this project and I just can't wait to get started! 

Does Advertising Influence or Reflect Teen Culture...?

Does advertising influence or reflect teen culture? As our unit in Rogate comes to a close, we have been given a final assignment to complete, and that is to write a blog post on our opinions on the question: "Does advertising influence or reflect teen culture?" Well in my opinion, I believe that advertising both reflects and influences teen culture; you couldn't really have one without the other. Ads, advertisements, commercials, and the media in general are constantly influencing the lives of millions of older children and young teens all around the world. However, the media also has to adapt to the changes in teen culture as new interests arise and the culture develops and changes. As that happens, advertising has to change too and generally reflects teen culture and the interests that there are at that time. There is an equal balance of advertising influencing and reflecting teen culture.

First, let’s talk about how advertising reflects teen culture. As I mentioned before, as new interests and likes arise in teen culture, the media and advertising has to adapt to those changes and begin to advertise and sell products associating with the new interests in society. It is true that advertising may have a huge effect on teen culture, but what you see being advertised is 95% of the time what teens are currently interested in. For example, a new pop star or band becomes popular (let us say One Direction since they are my favorite band and are extremely popular today!). Teens all over the world absolutely love this band and just can't get enough of them! Advertisements, ads, commercials, etc. change and businesses begin to advertise their products using this band and its members as role models (this is known as Ethos). For example, One Direction has recently made a Pepsi commercial and I hear many people talking about it. It has stood out to many teens simply because it had One Direction in it! Not only do businesses use this band to advertise, but manufacturing companies now begin to sell products, clothes, perfumes, jewelry, shoes, etc that have to do with this new band! As you can see by this example, advertising greatly reflects teen culture and the current interests in society.

Now, let us talk about how advertising influences teen culture. The media greatly affects teenagers all around the world, and plays a tremendous part in their lives. Before I begin, I would like to share the opinion of another individual known as James Rada:

~ Businesses use advertising to promote their products and services, while other types of organizations use it to solicit donations or promote a cause. Because so much money goes into advertising and because there are so many ways to promote your message, the results are carefully measured to determine when to advertise, what to advertise and to whom to advertise to get the best returns on your money. Teenagers are a prime target market because they are impressionable and have lots of disposable income.

~James Rada

Because advertising plays such a significant part in promoting business, so much money and time goes into it (as James Rada said) to make sure that everything is carefully planned and "measured" out, including when it will be advertised, what will be advertised, and who will be the target age group (mostly teens and children). Another thing that Mr.Rada stated that really stood out to me was when he said that "Teenagers are a prime target because they are impressionable and have lots of disposable income". I do know that teens are a prime target for most advertising because of the fact that they are so easy to draw in and persuade. Teens always want to 'fit in' and have that 'perfect model body' and to be 'beautiful and perfect, or strong and muscular'. The fact that they also have a lot of disposable income is also very helpful to businesses looking to sell more and more products.

Teenagers spend about 6.75 hours per day using the media (such as watching T.V, going on the Internet, etc) according to the Teachers Institute of Philadelphia. Because of this, in one year, children and teens watch an average of 200,000 commercials and ads a year! Due to the intense and constant advertising, teens spend about $144 billion a year on clothes, entertainment, and fast food, and still can't seem to get enough! Even when they think they are satisfied, there is always something new and exciting out there that they just have to get. Interests are constantly changing and there always is some new product out there that is the new deal. The industry newsletter selling to kids and young teens, informed its readers that in order to connect with teens and children in their own homes, they have to use advertisements that uses both teenagers' oppositional nature and their need to fit in and be part of a group. They use these advertisements to build on these ideas and thoughts, in ways that teens can connect with.

One of the biggest issues of advertisement on teens is health and unrealistic views. One study reports that at age thirteen, 53% of American girls are "unhappy with their bodies." This grows to 78% by the time girls reach seventeen. Advertising promotes extremely unrealistic views of society. This greatly affects the views of kids and teens that lack a greater experience of the world, and are more easily drawn in to the media and its advertising. These children and teens are given fake views and requirements of what is "reality", and the importance of being socially accepted. This can be deadly. In fact, tobacco and alcohol advertising targeting teens have been made illegal because of how effective they were. Advertisements such as these can also lead to dangerous diets, drugs such as steroids (especially males), etc. As I mentioned before, teens always want to have that "perfect model body" when in reality those women and men used on T.V. for advertisements have been edited with technology to delete any flaws or imperfections. Women shown in these advertisements are usually too thin and underweight. These ads and commercials are one of the deadliest because even though you might know that what you are seeing is not real or healthy, you can still be impacted by it - more than you may know.

~ The message is that teens aren’t good enough the way they are. Many kids unwittingly buy into that message, and as a result, end up being hypercritical of themselves because we don’t fit a certain “image” that they believe is necessary for their happiness. What's wrong with this picture? This generation of kids is growing up in what is perhaps the most materialistic society we have ever had. They are surrounded by images of excess and the idea that buying “things” will bring them satisfaction. They are given things easily and rarely have to delay gratification. Worst of all, many of the things that are advertised to teens do not promote healthy development.

~ Susan Carney

I hope that after you have read this essay, you now understand more about advertising, the media, teen culture, and how they are all connected; I know for one that I do, after our whole unit in Rogate. This past unit has been so interesting for me and I have learned so much more than when we first started the unit. Now, as I have mentioned in my article, teens always have that sense to want to "fit in" and "be cool, popular, and beautiful, or good-looking". Well, in my opinion, all of this can be so hard to get away from, and I know that it is very difficult to stand out, be different, and to stand up for what you believe in. I admit that it is very hard, but I can assure that it is worth it, and it is better than being someone you are not...do not be afraid of fitting in with society and meeting its expectations. Don't let the media impact you in a negative way, and be proud of who you are...

Stand out...I dare you...

 

~Marissa

Goodbye 2012, Hello 2013...

2013 has at last come around, and I myself know that I am certainly looking forward to a wonderful new year full of many new opportunities and exciting, new experiences.  Looking back upon 2012, I have realized that 2012 was a year that was full of a lot of change for me and it has been a pretty intense year.  Every single day of my life there are many people and different things such as advertisements and commercials influencing me, and last year more than ever I found myself tempted by those influences. Now more than ever I have realized just how important it is to stay true to yourself.  I have also realized that from the beginning of 2012 to the end, I am not the same person, and I have grown up a lot over the past year.  With growing up comes many new responsibilities and I have realized that I am so lucky to be able to have such a wonderful family that always give me so much support and encouragement.  I would never be who I am today without my family, especially my parents, and my friends too.  After reflecting further over 2012, I am very proud of myself for continuing to excel in school and winning more awards than I probably ever did, and I myself am very excited for a new year; I cannot wait to see what the future brings.

My New Year's Resolution would probably be to continue to work hard to stay true to myself, and not be as easily tempted by a lot of the advertisements and influences in school, on TV, etc.  Furthermore, I also want to continue to work hard on chasing after my dreams (outside of school), and to really go after something and never give up, if I really want it.  Someone once told me that you are stronger than you think you are.  Finally, in 2013, I want to remember that growing up doesn't mean changing who you are, but rather becoming an even stronger individual.  Lastly, I would like to thank my amazing family, and to never forget all that they have done for me, and all that I am sure they will do for me.
Good luck to everyone else in the New Year, and I hope that 2013 is filled with many new joyful memories and experiences!
                                             

~ Marissa

P.S. And always remember: You are stronger than you think you are. ~ Mrs.Mystrena

My Learning Style

One afternoon in Rogate, we were assigned 2 tests that we had to take: The Gardner and Gregorc tests both are designed to show you how you learn things best, and who you really are.  Not only that, but I think that these tests also were designed to try and teach you something new about yourself.  I definetly think that it does.  For the Gardner Multiple Choice Intelligence Test, I turned out to be a Logical/Mathamatical, and Musical learner.  At first, I didn't really know what to think about those results.  (If you have read my first post then you would understand this); I was surprised when I didn't turn out to be a Linguistic learner.  I absolutely love to write and just the subject of writing always has been one of my best.  I thought that I would have scored highly in that one.  However, my overall score was sadly only about 2.   But...then I thought about it some more, and some more...and just a teeny bit more...and then I realized that the test actually made sense!  I did learn best Logically/ Mathematically as well as Musically. 

Learning and being taught something always had made so much more sense with logic involved.  I really do like puzzles and logcic problems now that I think about it, maybe at times even more than writing.  I thought about writing class and about grammar, spelling, words, etc,etc, and came to the realization that it was kind of difficult to learn through words and stories.  I thought about Math and Algebra and about how I ALWAYS look forward to that class.  It is one of my favorites.  Even when there is a test or quiz, I can't help but feel a little excited.  It all is so clear to me and...simple.  There is an unknown: solve for it...there is one answer - find it.  When I was in the Gifted and Talented Program at my elementary school, for homework there would be logic worksheets with fun problems and puzzles on them that I would always save for the last bit of my homework for that night because it was always my favorite.  Each summer when my mother buys me summer workbooks for the summer, I always fly through the math and logic problems and end up either skipping or going slower on the language arts and written out responses.

The other part of the Gardner Test that I scored equally in was: Musical Learner.  I play the piano and flute, and I love both of them. Notes, rythms, beats all tie into math and logic.  It may seem after I have written 2, long paragraphs about how I am a mathematical and logical learner, that I wouldn't really be musically inclined.  However, I am.  When music is involved, many things are also much easier to understand.  To find out that I was a musical learner was also a bit of a surprise too; I really didn't expect that, but now that it has turned out that way, it does make alot of sense. 

Now, the second test that I took was the Gredroc Learning/Teaching Styles Who They Are and How They Learn.  My results for this test were really accurate I thought.  I ended up as a Concrete Sequencial and Abstract Sequential person.  Concrete Sequential basically means the same thing as a Logical and Mathematical learner, which I have thoroughly explained in the previous paragraphs.  I am ordered, structured, accurate, detailed, exact, etc.  I am associated with outlines, charts, data, labs, computers, short lectures, etc.  I obviously agree with that result.  Abstract Sequential means that I am a very logical, structured, and intellectual person.  I am a thinker, a reader and researcher, and a debater.  I like to take notes, research, read, work alone and in groups, etc.  I definitely have to say that I agree with that one too.  That style of learning really describes me.  I didn't really know that about myself until my final results.  I realized that it was all true and I had never even realized it.  That is where my writing and reading skills come into play.

Knowing all of these facts about how I learn best definitely can help me in school.  I now know that taking notes, researching information, reading more about the subject, and maybe even making a chart for all of the information for a project in school will all help me to study better. 

There are ALOT of people that I admire, but I know that I just have to pick 2 so here they are!

1. Mrs. Elizabeth Janey (My piano teacher) - My piano teacher truly is someone whom I will ALWAYS admire.  Not only for her amazing talent, but her artistic albilities, acting, and singing.  She is someone whom I can always trust no matter what, and has made me the pianist that I am today.  I would say that she definetly is a Musical Learner.  When it comes to music, she is an expert.  Music, especially piano, is the one thing that is always teaching her something new, and that she never tires of.  She says that music has truly taught her alot and she wouldn't know what to do without it; it is her life.

2. Marie Curie - Marie Curie was a French-Polish physicist and chemist.  She was the first woman scientist to earn the Nobel Peace Prize and paved the path for many new scientists to come.  She even  made the discovery of two new elements: polonium and radium!  I would definetly say that Marie Curie is a Logical/Mathematical learner.  She experimented, questioned, and calcualted in order to learn more and become an even better scientist.

3.My Grandmother: Coralia Mojena - My grandmother may not be a famous, world-wide known celeberty, but she still is to me.  She is the one of the hardest workest I have EVER seen.  When she was about my age, she cooked, cleaned, sewed, and took care of her parents when they were ill.  She still cooks amost every night for my family, and she is 83.  She goes outside to water the plants in the patio, even when we try and tell her to stay inside.  She always is helping out, and does more than me!  I would definetly say that she is an Intra-Personal learner. (Though, she doesn't meditate) She is queit and sets her own goals and sees that she accomplishes them.  However, she isn't isolated from the family.  She is very involved with all of us. 

Well, thats about it!  I hope that you now know more about which learning style is best for me, and what I have learned about myself.  Stay tuned for more posts! :)

Marissa

*(I commented on Camille's and Alanna's posts)*

My First Blog Post! A Bit About Me...

Greetings everyone!   My name is Marissa, I am 12 years old, and I am a 7th grader at Northern Burlington Regional Middle School!  At home, my family includes my mother and father, my older sister Michelle, my younger brother Matthew, my grandmother, and my 4-year old Havanese puppy! (He just recently got groomed so he looks so adorable!)

There are a couple of things that you should know about me. First of all, I LOVE to write, especially fantasy and fiction stories. I could write for hours without end. I love the feeling of being able to create my own story with my own thoughts and ideas. One of my goals is to someday be able to publish my own novel. In elementary school, every teacher I had always said that I should definitely consider writing and publishing a book, and that I have a talent.  I guess that is true because that is what everyone always says, but you never know what the publishers are going to think about it.  You always have to tell yourself that there is ALWAYS room for improvement and nothing is 100% perfect.  I guess that pretty much covers one of my favorite subjects.  Not only do I love to write, but I absolutely love to read, and I guess that's why I love to write so much.  I read the entire Harry Potter series when I was only in about 4th grade, and I have been reading chapter books since I was only in about 2nd grade. Every time I read an amazing fantasy story with a dark, twisted plot full of action, magic, and an unexpected ending, I feel a strong inspiration to create what that author did, and better. Finally, to wrap up my 5-foot novel on a couple of my favorite subjects in school, I also really enjoy Science and Algebra.  I really like Science, and Algebra has always been a favorite of mine, ever since I started learning about it! For some odd reason, doing and solving random math problems always helps to take my mind off of things.  Whenever someone is injured in my family (for example, a cut or burn) it never sickens or bothers me.  When it comes to medicine, my family always says that is what I should pursue because I am always able to stay calm during crazy situations!  I don’t get intimidated easily. 

Some of my hobbies are: I love to cook, paint and draw (paintings and other pieces of art have become my presents to my family members on birthdays and special events, and they cherish them), play the piano and flute, obviously read and write, enjoy the outdoors (especially my pool in the spring and summer), spend time with my family, listen to music, and horseback ride.  I started to take piano lessons about 3 years ago, and I have been playing ever since.  I also have been playing the flute for about 3 years too, and still enjoy playing it.  I have only recently started taking horseback riding lessons and I absolutely adore it!  If I could, I would go to the stables and ride every day.  I love it more than anything, so that must mean that I love it a lot.  I have always had an interest in horses and have always wanted to learn how to ride.  At home, I enjoy learning about my family history (where they inherited from long ago) and the country that my family is from (Cuba).  It has always been a fascinating subject.   

Finally, there are a lot of things that make me happy. Puppies (as you can see from the “Daily Puppy” on my blog below!), kittens, and horses ALWAYS make me feel happy.  Whenever I see one or the other, my entire day is perfect!  They are so soft, sweet, and adorable! (Well, puppies and kittens are, but horses have a special glow to them that I can’t describe.) My family also always makes me happy.  I am very dedicated to my family; close family union is something that has been passed down in my family for generations.  Last but not least, all of my hobbies always make me very happy, especially the piano and flute, and the outdoors!

When I grow up, I am very interested in pursuing a career in medicine.  That has always been my main goal: a doctor or maybe even a surgeon.  I would also like to continue my piano, painting, and horseback riding (hopefully)…

Well, that is enough about me!  I hope that you have enjoyed my very first post.  Stay alert for more posts!! J

Marissa