Monthly Nonfiction Reading Response - Arctic Meltdown by Justin Gillis

"Every summer, the sea ice in the Arctic Ocean melts as the region heats up. And every year, as fall arrives and temperatures drop, the ice begins to build up again."

This article taught me that every season the temperature changes. In the summer it gets hot and in the winter it gets cold. But in the Arctic, during the summer the ice melts and in the winter the water turns back into ice. But lately, not all of the water has frozen back. And the animals there are in danger.

"Most scientists have long believed that the climate's warming--roughly 2.5 degrees Fahrenheit over land in the past century, with most of that occurring since 1980--is caused largely by the human release of greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels."

Over the past century, temperatures have risen about 2.5°F. It might not seem like a lot, but it makes a huge difference to our climate and our planet. The Arctic isn't the only place in the world that is in trouble. But it is also one of the worst defenders. In the United States, there have been hurricanes, droughts and other violent and extreme storms and weather patterns. The warmer the planet gets, the more we have to suffer.

"Some of them (scientists) think the shrinking Arctic sea ice has already started to alter atmospheric patterns in the Northern Hemisphere, contributing more extreme weather in the United States and other countries, buy that link is not considered proved."

In addition to the temperatures rising, scientists also think that the global warming is altering atmospheric patterns in the Northern Hemisphere. Scientists also think that extreme weather will become more common as the planet warms. But there might be other changes in other parts of the world. Such as extreme weather and natural disasters. But the weather problems will become more and more frequent in the future if we don't try to make a change.

"A vast majority of scientists, however, agree that extreme weather events--everything from heat waves to blizzards--will become more common as the planet warms."

After reading this article, I have come to understand that the world is in the middle of severe global warming. It is not only harming the Arctic, but it is also hurting other parts of the world. Not just places in the cold, but also the United States and the United Kingdom. More and more violent storms and crazy weather are going to be coming our way. And if we don't try to stop it, we will be in serious trouble in the future. Every year, the average global temperature has gone up a lot. And eventually it will be too high and the whole world will be underwater. Hopefully before then, we can try to help the environment.

Works Cited:

Gillis, Justin. "Arctic Meltdown." The New York Times Upfront 19 Nov. 2012: 8-11. Web.

Blog Commenting

This week, I commented on two student's blogs.

I commented on Amelia's blog:

http://ameliabedelia13.blogspot.com/2013/01/twilight.html?showComment=1358381039487#c1834638362314111460

I also commented on Helen R.'s  blog:

http://rodriguez80.blogspot.com/

Blog Post Number Four - Respond to one of the Critical Thinking Questions for Social Action - Choice 6; How does money figure in this text?

In the book 'Catching Fire' by Suzanne Collins,

Katniss and Peeta have come back from the Hunger Games. And now they have to go on Victory Tours. But President Snow knows that Katniss and Peeta's love game was just an act. But he can't let other people know that. Or else they'll blame him and President Snow will get in a lot of trouble. So because of that, President Snow and Katniss had a "little chat" and he told her that she has to "convince" him.

When Peeta and Katniss come back from the Victory Tours, they come back to their homes in District 12. Which is THE poorest district in Panem. Many people in District 12 can't even afford to buy dinner for their families. Which is very bad for the children because they get sick easily. And that usually happens often.

Most of the Districts in Panem are poor. Only District's 1 and 2 are rich or middle-class. Because they are closer and more important to the Capitol. But the other District's have to suffer. But of course, the Capitol doesn't care about them. Only the Hunger Games.

I think that the Capitol should care more for the poor and less important Districts. Because it is much easier for District's 1 and 2 to get resources. I also think that the Capitol should give the other districts money. And help them out once in a while.

Blog Post Number Three - Respond to one of the Critical Thinking Reading Questions for Social Action - Choice 1; Is this story fair? Why or why not?

In the book 'Fallout' by Ellen Hopkins,

Kristina's kids are still living their lives without her. But when Christmas comes, she'll come back as a surprise for the kids. Hunter already knows that she's coming over. And so does Summer because, she keeps in contact with her. But of course, Autumn still doesn't know anything about Kristina.

I don't think that her kids will be excited when she comes over because thay never really met her. And she hasn't been there for them for almost all of their lives.

I think that this story can be both fair and unfair because Kristina left all three of her children but she's coming back for Christmas. But her coming back still doesn't make up for the other times she was gone and she could have came back to visit her children. I think that if she were to come back earlier and take care of her children herself, they would have a better relationship with each other. And also, each child would have a better life. And they would get to know Kristina better and find out why she did what she did.

Blog Post Number Three - Respond to one of the Critical Thinking Reading Questions for Social Action - Choice 8; What really hard things are happening in this text? Are these things happening in the world now? Where?

In the book 'Fallout' by Ellen Hopkins,

The story is told by the perspectives of Kristina's (main character from 'Crank') three children. The children Hunter, Autumn and Summer are all split up. They have no idea who each other are. But Hunter and Summer know that there are three of them in total. Autumn has no idea that she has any siblings at all.

Hunter is the oldest of the three. He also has the best life of the siblings. He has followed in his moths footsteps by taking drugs. But he refuses to take meth (monster) that way, he doesn't end up like his mother - an addict.

Autumn is the middle child. She also has OCD and panic attacks. She is the only child that doesn't know about Kristina. But she does know who her father is - Trey.

Summer is the youngest of the three. She is the only one who knows the truth about both of her parents.

I think that difficult things that are happening in this book are disowning because after Kristina had her children, she left them. And separated then from each other. I don't think that was the right choice because why wouldn't she want to see her kids ever again?

I also think that things like this happen to children everyday because Kristina had these children when she was young and she didn't know what to do after she had them. So usually people who also have these issues give their child up for adoption. But she gave one to adoption, one to her mom and the other to the child's grandfather.

Social Awareness Writing Project - Choice 4; Write a reading response on a social issue in a literary work (on independent reading book)

'Burned' by Ellen Hopkins

 

In the book 'Burned' by Ellen Hopkins, the main character Pattyn is a part of a Mormon family. But Pattyn doesn't believe in the Mormon religion anymore. She doesn't want to be forced to have numerous babies and not have any say or control in her own house when she becomes married. In other words, she doesn't want to end up like her mother. Who is always being beat by her husband (Pattyn's father) because every baby she has is a girl. Pattyn's father is so upset at her decision to not want to be Mormon anymore that he beats her just like he does to her mother. He then disowns her and sends her to live with her Aunt J. When Pattyn's there, Aunt J teaches Pattyn about the true meaning of love.

 

I think that the issue in this book is child abuse and disowning. Because during the whole time Pattyn was living with her father, he would always beat both her and her mother. Even if they didn't do anything wrong.

 

The message in this book is to find the true meaning about yourself. Because her family is Mormon and pushing Pattyn to marry a "good Mormon boy" and follow the Mormon religion, etc. But she doesn't want that for her future. But when she moves in with her Aunt J, she learns about the true meaning of love and that God won't hate her if she doesn't choose to follow the Mormon religion.

 

This book makes me think a lot about child abuse because that seems to be what Pattyn's father does a lot. I also came to the conclusion that the father believes that men control women and also that women must completely obeh\y their husbands. I think that is sexist.

Social Awareness Writing Project - Choice 3; Find a true story about someone who changes the world every day (even in a small way). Interview and write about the person.

Person who changes the world everyday: My stepfather John Morrissey; Police Officer - Sargent

Interview:

 

ME: Hello John.

 

JOHN: Hello Tatianna.

 

ME: I hear you are a police officer.

 

JOHN: Yes. I am a Sargent.

ME: Would you say that you change the world everyday?

JOHN: I guess I would.

ME: How do you change the world everyday?

JOHN: I protect people and try to make the city safer by arresting murderers and rapists, etc.

ME: I see... And how long have you been a cop for?

JOHN: 16 years.

ME: What's your favorite part of the job?

JOHN: It's something different everyday. You're not stuck in an office.

ME: Why did you want to become a cop?

JOHN: So that I could help people. And try to make a difference. Also, the pension and benefits are good.

ME: Interesting...

JOHN: Do you have any other questions?

ME: No. And thank-you for your time.

JOHN: Your welcome.