My Writing Experience

Reading and writing are two huge key parts of a child’s education. Children are introduced to reading and writing as early as the first grade. I remember writing my first “story” in grade one. Students were taught how to read and write through visualization exercises.  Most elementary school classrooms have posters of the alphabet on the walls. Which is a great way for children to start learning the alphabet. A song that children can sing to memorize the alphabet is another teaching method. These methods are a great way to teach children, but not all children can benefit from them. Helen Keller is a perfect example. Helen Keller was born in 1880, and at the age of 19 months Keller lost her eyesight and hearing due to a severe fever. (Helen Keller International, 2013)

            Helen’s education and learning exercises were very different from mine. Over time I was not only learning how to read and write in school. I was also learning by observing my surroundings. My parents were educating me each and everyday just by speaking to me. This was a disadvantage for Keller because she could only learn new words by working with her tutor, Anne Sullivan, using touch and feel methods to learn new words. (Helen Keller International, 2013)

            Learning new vocabulary was not only just about physically writing and reading for Keller, she also had to learn to understand what the word actually meant. I could not imagine what it would be like trying to link a word to something you have never physically seen. When teachers in my elementary would introduce new vocabulary, they would also show a picture to help the students understand what the word meant. Helen Keller’s first break through was in 1887. Keller and her tutor, Anne Sullivan, were sitting outside at the water pump. Sullivan would go back and forth from pouring water on Keller’s hand, and spelling the word W-A-T-E-R onto Keller’s palm with the touch of her finger. After numerous repetitions Keller finally realized the link between the mysterious liquid on her hand and the word water. (Daniels, 2013)

            It is simply amazing that an individual who was robbed of her eye site and hearing could accomplish so much. Not only did Keller learn how to read, write and speak. She learned all of these skills at the same rate as some children who did not have any type of disability. After Keller’s break through in 1887, Keller managed to learn more then 600 words over that same summer. (Daniels, 2013)

            Every individual that has ever stepped foot on earth has had their ups and downs through life. It is impossible for anyone to live a perfect life. Helen Keller was stripped of her eye site and hearing at such an early stage of her life, but she did not give up, she managed to push through it. She had the willpower to overcome her disabilities, with the help of her loving family and friends. Keller proved to thousands of people that anything is possible.

Daniels, P. (2013). Helen Keller. Both Deaf and Blind became a writer and        activist.  About.com. Retrieved on October 14, 2013 from http://history1900s.about.com/od/people/a/Helen-Keller.htm

Helen Keller International. (2013) Helen Keller’s Life. Retrieved on October 14, 2013, from

http://www.hki.org/about-helen-keller/helen-kellers-life/

Anonymity Over The Internet

The Internet has become one of the most popular resources in the modern world. The Internet allows anyone to post anything that they choose without having any consequences. For example, people can post their thoughts on religion, race, or gender completely anonymously over the web and allow thousands of people to read their post. These posts can sometimes be beneficial and educational, but they can also be very disrespectful to people who have different beliefs then the writer.

Being anonymous allows bloggers and writers to have a freedom of speech without having to worry about others knowing who they are. People can be more open about their thoughts on religion, race or gender related disputes. Being anonymous allows people to be themselves. It allows individuals to feel safe when expressing their opinions. The negative aspect of an individual only sharing their beliefs and opinions anonymously makes it hard for the “real people” in an individual’s life to know they really are and how they really feel. (Trahan, 2011)

Everyone in the world has different beliefs and opinions about certain topics. For example when two individuals are having a conversation about their thoughts on religion, they may not physically say what they are truly thinking. But as soon as they hide behind a computer screen they become a new person and write things that they would never say to anyone face to face.

           

The Internet is changing. Anonymity is starting to become harder to come across. Websites like Facebook or twitter are starting to connect them selves to every online tool there is. Making it harder for individuals to stay anonymous while roaming the Internet. A recent article stated that the Internet is transitioning into a new era where anonymity will no longer be as easy as it once was. (Manfred, 2012)

Manfred (2012) also stated that in logic, once anonymity isn’t as safe as it once was, the only people who will be racist online will be those who are openly racist in the real world and dumb teenagers.

The Internet has opened many doors for a number of people. It’s a way that people can express their feelings and opinions freely. But people should be more respectful when sharing their opinions. Everyone has the right to post what they believe, but there is no reason for anyone to criticize a religion just because they do not like what kind of clothes they wear, or what kind of food they eat. There is no need to disrespect a religion with threatening and discriminating statements. If you cannot express how you feel openly with the public, then there is no reason for you to be sharing it on the Internet.

Citations:

Manfred, T. 2012. Why is the Internet so Racist?. Business Insider. http://www.businessinsider.com/internet-racism-2012-5

Trahan, D. 2011.  The Pros and Cons of Anonymity Online. Engage Teens. http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/148008/#axzz2h60ARVmD

You Know What Really Grates My Cheese?!?!?!?

 You know what really grates my cheese? When I can hear people chewing their food. For some reason my ears pick up every little bite a person makes. I don’t care if your food is amazingly scrumptious. The sound that some people make just takes my appetite away. At least try to keep your mouth closed. When an individual chews with their mouth open. They don’t only sound like a cow. They are also chewing like one.

            There are certain foods that are more annoying to the ear than others. Carrots are by far one of the loudest foods to eat with apples in a close second, coming up in an easy third are Doritos flavored tortilla chips. First off we have carrots, an easy and accessible vegetable that makes a great snack. But the entire time you chew a single carrot, your crunching away just like bugs bunny. Secondly we have apples. Apples are one of my favorite fruits, but they are very noisy to bite into. They are the kind of food people should eat when they are alone. It’s very distracting to be sitting in a lecture hall listening to your professor and all of the sudden you here a big slurp and crunch. Lastly we have Doritos, which is one of my favorite types of chips. Doritos usually get a double whammy while being consumed. Not only are they crunchy they also make your hands filthy. Since Doritos are finger licking good, everyone knows what comes next. The ever so satisfying yet sinful act of licking the nacho cheese, right from the tips of your fingers.

            I’m not going to lie, some of the best tasting foods are quite noisy to consume. But why not try to make an effort to be quieter while chewing. Next time your eating an obnoxious sounding food, pretend you’re on a first date with someone. Do you want them to see you chewing like a cow? I’m sure your date doesn’t want to see what your eating once its already been chewed.  And I’m sure they want to have a proper conversation with you, instead of hearing food mush and crunch while they are trying to eat their own meal. Some of you may already know you chew loud and obnoxious, some may not. Next time your eating carrots in class, think about those around you who have to listen to you eat your lovely snack. You may not know it, but you’re probably going to be grating someone’s cheese…

             

             

The Greatest Sport Ever Played

Today I would like to share a story about one of the greatest sports that has ever been played on earth. This respected sport is starting to become one of the most heart dropping, breath taking, and thirst quenching sports this world has ever seen. Most of you have probably heard of it, some of you probably haven’t.  To be able to compete and win, you must be an incredible athlete. There are some physical standards you must have to be able to compete at a competitive level. First off you must have fantastic balance because you don’t want to fall over while you have possession of the ball. Secondly you must have a delicate flick of the wrist while it is your turn to shoot. If your throw isn’t smooth you may as well leave the stadium and retire. Sorry this sport is not for you. Lastly you must be able to stay focused the entire game. If you lose your concentration, say goodbye to the victory prize. All of these may seem quite easy to some of you, but there is a catch. This sport is not all about you. You also have a team member. I have seen some of the greatest teams fall to amateurs because one player did not come prepared with the right mindset to compete. You need to be prepared each and every time you step foot onto the court.

If you haven’t already figured out what the greatest game on earth is, I feel sorry for you for missing out. It is one of the most competitive social games ever played at a party. People don’t like to lose at this game, especially after they have played a couple of games. Now I want to know if any of you know which sport this is, and if so please feel free to leave me a comment below. Thank you for reading, and have a wonderful day. J