science test reflection

1.) On the recent Science test I did not do as well as I hoped.  There were 4 sections on the test; Vocabulary, Motion Graphs, Short Answer, and Calculations.  I did not study the Vocabulary that was needed for the test.  I was mistaken with what was going to be on the test, so therefore I did not study as much as I needed to. This clearly reflected on my grade, and this is the section I did the most poorly on.  The vocabulary words consisted of motion, reference point, speed, speed and velocity, instantaneous speed, average speed, acceleration, friction, momentum, graphs.  I got the majority of them right, but since they were 2 points each, it 'hurt' my grade quite a bit. 

Motion Graphs-- On the Motion Graphs in the test I got confused.  On the one question I did the worst on, I confused a position graph with  a speed vs. time graph.  I did not fully understand the difference between a position vs. time graph and a speed vs. time graph.  After going to him for help on this concept, I now fully understand the differences.

Short Answer-- On the Short Answer section of the test I did O.K. on.  There was one or two questions that I 'blanked' on, and so that is when the loss of points started to show in that section.  I did not include enough details on the short answers.  I also did not understand how a large object and small object can have the same momentum.  Although when I did my corrections, I now understand the question.  A large object and a small object can have the same momentum because of one formula.  Mass times velocity= Momentum.  Even if they both have different mass and velocities, they can still have the same momentum if when you times the mass and velocity it is the same.

Calculations-- This section was my strength.  Out of all the problems in this section my grade was a 94%.  This is what I studied mostly for so i'm not surprised it was my strength.  Although this was my best section, I did make some careless mistakes.  All of my mistakes involved missing units.

FOR FUTURE TESTS: I WILL STUDY EVERYTHING THAT WILL BE ON THE TEST. 
I will not just study one section; I will study all the material that will be on it.  I will also pay attention in class more and ask for help when I need it.  

3) Compare the test with the Marshmallow Challenge. What do these two activities tell about you as a learner?
These two activities forced me to think about my actions as a scientist.  On the test, I tried to do each problem step by step.  While in the Marshmallow project I had to learn to cooperate with others, even if I didn't want to.

Libya Report

Libya Report

By Melissa Wiggins

Recently in Benghazi, Libya there has been a terrorist attack, involving four americans; one of whom was the ambassador to Libya. Benghazi is the second largest city in Libya.  The attack took place on September 11, 2012 involving 150 Libyan militants.  Infact, the Islamic Militants did not just invade one location, but two.  The first location was at the main consulate office where the ambassador lay dead from smoke inhalation, Along with another U.S. official.  The second location was about a mile down the road, where the other two americans were evacuated and later died after they were hit by a precision mortar attack.  The second location was also set on fire.  The terrorist group also set fire to the consulate building that the ambassador, Chris Stevens, was in.  It is uncertain whether the terrorists struck the building, because of a protest against the american made movie that portrayed the prophet Muhammad unfavorably.  Another theory is that it was a planned attack to avenge the killing of an Al- Qaeda commander.  So far, the attackers' motives can only be speculated upon.  Before the attack had begun it was said that there were about 150 bearded men wearing afghanistan like tunics.   They rode up on pick up trucks that were mounted with heavy machine guns.  They also set up roadblocks according to witnesses.  The trucks had the logo of Ansar al-Shariah, a powerful local group of Islamist militants. They worked with the municipal government to manage security in Benghazi.  One of the consulate's private Libyan guards said masked militants grabbed him and beat him, one of them calling him "an infidel protecting infidels who insulted the prophet."  This was a tragic event, and what was even more heartbreaking was that another catastrophic occurrence  happened on a date that we now remember as 9/11.   As Americans remember the day of the twin towers coming down along with thousands of people, we now have another tragic event to associate with that date.  
There is only one question that still lingers in our mind about this tragic event and that is; Why did it happen?  There is no telling why it exactly happened, but we do have some theories.  Although the attack of the US consulate might be related to the american film, experts believe otherwise.  The film was  extremely discriminating to the Islamic prophet Muhammad.  The American made film talked about Islam in a hurtful way.  This film may have been the reason why this attack happened.   A lawyer passing by the scene said he saw the militants gathering around 20 youths from nearby to chant against the film. Within an hour or so, the assault began, guns blazing as the militants blasted into the compound.  Though this also may be incorrect, we have no way of knowing for sure.   Experts also believe it may have been done to avenge the killing of Al- Qaeda commander.  Al-Qaeda is also an islamic militant group.  It is believed that the militants that constructed this attack is a fairly new group called Ansar al-Sharia.  They have been blamed for many terrorists attacks through the last weeks in Eastern Libya.  They have also killed some Libyan officials... Although they are new to the terrorist world, they are making up for lost times... It is hard to say why it exactly happened, but the United States of America is trying to figure it out desperately.  
Many people’s minds are swarming with the question, why should we care? The ambassador sent out letters seeking security help in Libya by contacting the American Government.  With many opportunities to help, the government chose not to act on the problem. This makes many people think about our trust in our government policies.  The president and therefore our governments level of international security has been brought to the forefront of the present political debate.  Also, there could be more embassy attacks around the world.  Four americans are left dead in Libya, which leaves some Americans extremely angry.  This was a very tragic event and U.S. officials are trying to get to the bottom of this suspicious story.  
    Bibliography
                                             By Melissa Wiggins

Works Cited

Banerji, Robin. "Did Ansar Al-Sharia Carry out Libya Attack?" BBC News. BBC, 09 Dec. 2012. Web. 05 Nov. 2012. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19575753>.

"Libyan Witnesses Recount Organized Benghazi Attack." CBSNews. Ed. Cbsnews. CBS Interactive, 27 Oct. 2012. Web. 4 Nov. 2012. <http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-501713_162-57541737/libyan-witnesses-recount-organized-benghazi-attack/?tag=mncol;lst;2>.

London., David D. Kirkpatrick And Steven Lee Myers; David D. Kirkpatrick Reported From Cairo, And Steven Lee Myers From Washington. Reporting Was Contributed By Osama Alfitory And Suleiman Ali Zway From Benghazi, Libya; Mai Ayyad From Cairo; Eric Schmitt And Scott Shane From Washington; And Alan Cowell From. "Attack On U.S. Site in Libya Kills Envoy; A Flash Point for Obama and Romney." The New York Times. The New York Times, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 05 Nov. 2012. <http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/13/world/middleeast/us-envoy-to-libya-is-reported-killed.html?pagewanted=all>.

A new Beginning

A New Beginning

By Melissa Wiggins

We often find ourselves getting close to our a pets or other special animals in our lives. We are devoted to them, and no matter how much we love them, all good things must eventually come to an end.  Think about if everything we loved stayed exactly the same.   We may get tired of them or forget to see the beauty in that one special creature.  When you do have them in your life, appreciate it, because it may be the last moment you spend together....
It was a cool February day, and it hadn’t rained in a while so I could feel the windy dry air whipping at my pale white skin.  The brown and cherry red leaves on the trees were still buried in the ground from the many weeks before.  As I waited for my mom to pick me up at school and go to the barn I thought about the first time I had gotten my brown and white paint pony, Snickers.  It was a similar day, cold and windy, but instead it was a Saturday and not a Tuesday.  Also on my mind was on Miles, a big white Connemara pony who we had gone to see the week before.  My lease with Snickers was almost up and I had to find a new pony to lease.  This was exciting, but also meant I had to send her back to her owner... A chill ran down my spine just thinking about the idea of giving up one of my greatest friends...  Miles was a magnificent pony, but he also came at a price.  My mom had told me that he was quite expensive and that we probably couldn’t get him.  It was extremely unfortunate because I knew he was the one, but I had to keep in mind that everything happens for a reason.  When I first met him, it was like we were in a movie.  We looked at each other and everything else started to blur around the white puff ball walking towards me.  I had my hands in my pockets of my navy blue riding jacket, but before I knew it my hands were out and touching Miles’s creamy white face.  He had put his big head right where my arms were and that’s when I knew he was mine.  When we rode it felt like we had been a team for a few months.  I got my first lead change with him right after the blood red jump.  I could still remember the feeling of him switching his right leg in front of his left in the air.  
    Finally my mom had come to pick me up in her silver grey Honda van.  After she asked me how my day was, I was happy to get on the highway to the barn.  The barn is my way of relieving stress after  a long day at middle school.  Whether I’m at a horse show or the barn, I always find a way to forget about everything else. I get to concentrate on the people and animals I love most, which is extremely satisfying.  I wondered how my last few rides would go on Snickers. I hoped they would be great because I wanted as many good memories of her as I could get.  As we entered the peaceful grounds of the barn, I suddenly felt a happy sensation that started in the middle of my stomach and ended with the smile on my freckled pale face.  I hopped out of the car and went into the newly dragged ring to meet my trainer Julia.  She had just finished teaching a little girl when I strode up to her.   She seemed wildly ecstatic about something but I assumed it was just that the little girl, Charlotte,  had an amazing ride.  However, when we walked into the barn it was something entirely different, something that I was blown away about, something that made me happier than I had ever been in my whole life, and that something was Miles.
I screamed in total happiness. It was him!  Miles! I couldn’t believe it!  Again it felt like I was in a dream or a movie, but I was starting to get used to this feeling.  He seemed startled by me jumping up and down in front of him.  It wasn’t until then I noticed all the people around me, Julia, my mom, Nancy, Marianna, Margot and Emma.  After they all congratulated me I took Miles out of Snicker's  stall.  He nudged me as if to say “Hi, I’m Miles. We’re gonna be a great team one day”.   After putting him in the blue cross ties I went to go get my treats and purple brushes.  I was used to brushing a white pony, so it didn’t take me long to tack up.  It was still miraculous that at every spare moment he would try to nudge me and love on me.  As I put on his martingale, I flinched, waiting for the brown ears to go back and bite me.  Snickers would bite a lot... Especially when you were putting the saddle, martingale and bridle on.  As I walked into the ring to have a lesson I still felt like I was in a different universe.  Sooner than I hoped, my brilliant ride was over.  As we walked out of the ring, I whispered in his ear “Welcome to the barn! You are here to stay.”  After untacking and putting Miles in his new stall, I watched him as he ate his hay.  He was unlike any pony I had ever met.  He was caring but mischievous and I knew right then and there he was my best friend.  Even after walking away I could feel his soft chestnut brown eyes reflecting on my back.  His eyes were another characteristic I loved about him.  Instead of regular brown eyes, his were brown but with, what looked like, millions of dust particles swimming around in his eyes.  When I looked up I saw directly in front of me, Snickers.  As she was watching me I felt like someone was stabbing me in the heart.  I could tell she felt replaced, but I needed to move on and she needed to find another girl to teach.  She had taught me everything she could and it was time to let her go, and Miles made me realize this.  It would be selfish to keep her when someone else could learn from her.  
         I hope I touched Snickers’ life as much as she touched mine.  I will never forget her for as long as I live, but it’s time for me to move on.  There are things that we don’t want to happen but have to accept, things we don’t want to know but have to learn, and animals we can’t live without, but have to let go.  It was a new beginning and a new end, but so often we are so focused on the door that was just closed we forget to see the one that was just opened for us.

3 Essential questions

What makes the Middle East an important region historically and currently?

        The history of the Middle East has impacted the current events of today in many different ways.  For one, the wars that struck out in the past, has created conflict between the U.S.A and the Middle East.  About a month ago, there was a terrorist attack that occurred in Libya.  It involved four Americans, including the U.S. ambassador.   The terrorists struck out against them by setting the compounds on fire. Since we depend on the Middle East for our main oil source, if we have a conflict with them our oil could be restricted.  If there are more embassy attacks around the world, particularly in the Middle East, prices can go up on oil and energy.  Historically, the Middle East is quite important.  Since the 1930s the Middle East has emerged as the world’s most important source of energy and the key to the stability of global economy. When Israel was being targeted by the countries 'neighbors' U.S. made many enemies with other countries, by protecting Israel.  These are just a few of the many examples why the Middle East is an important region historically and currently.

http://www.iags.org/luft_dependence_on_middle_east_energy.pdf
and my notes:)

How has The Middle East's physical geography shaped its cultures and history?

       Throughout history, relative location of the Middle East has been a main factor to shaping the region's culture and history.  The Middle East has connected many trade routes on it’s land and seas for hundred of years. It is centrally located between Europe, Asia, and Africa and trade between nations in these regions would take place over trade routes that passed through the Middle East such as the silk route.  Since countries in different parts of the world need to trade with each other for goods they cannot produce themselves, they relied on the Middle East for their routes. This important central location in the world’s geography has shaped the region’s culture and history, as many countries would fight over access to land and trade routes.  Because of the many sea routes in the Middle East (such as Mediterranean, Red Sea, and Arabian Sea) the area is important to the world for trade. Other countries’ military and economy depends on these routes.  Also mountains in the area have a natural barrier, which divides people.  Since the mountains are  so difficult to cross, in the past they have divided empires and kept out armies. Mountains have in some cases have provided refuge for groups such as the Christians in the Lebanon mountains.  


How can I effectively research reliable facts about geography, history, and current events?

       Luckily, In Carolina Day School's databases there are articles that are reliable about current events that are right at your fingertips.  Instead of having to go to a library and search for a reliable book, you can find facts about  geography, and history online easily.  If you did not have a database within your reach, I would suggest looking at the citations on the website you are looking at and make sure they sophisticated and are accurately correct.  

Interim Report Reflection

       

   

            Overall in my Interim report my main skill was that I got all my work in to the teacher in time.  Each piece of work I worked hard to get done in a timely manner.  I was determined to finish my work in time because I knew it could just turn into a big mess that I hadn't gotten done. I would have forgotten about it and would never have done it.   This reflected on my interim report and I am happy with my results for that.

             My biggest weakness in Language Arts and Social Studies is participating in group discussions.  It takes me a while to think about what exactly I want to say, and if it makes a difference in the group discussion.  I zone out in class and sometimes can not stay concentrated on the questions we answer.  I have noticed that I am a lot better at talking about the question when it is a smaller group. Although I am a very talkative person, outside of class, I need to find a way to transfer that into the next group discussions. Through the next discussions I will try to give my input in the discussion.

             Within the next year I will give all my effort to speak up in discussions and continue to get all my work done in time.  I am not used to the homework load but I will try to still take one thing at a time. I will pretend, when in group discussions, that there is only three people in the group instead of 10.  I will also keep my mind on the question we are answering, instead of thinking about my pony...  I am excited to see what the year brings and all the knowledge that comes with it.