Monthly Nonfiction Reading Response - Dissection Ban

"A staggering 19 million insects and animals belonging to a variety of species will be saved every academic year when the ban on dissection in laboratories for undergraduate and postgraduate is fully implemented."

This article taught me that many elementary, middle and high schools dissect animals in science class. They don't only dissect frogs. But also cats, mice, rats, worms, dogs, rabbits, fetal pigs and fish. More than 19 million animals wind up being dissected each year. Also with more branches of life sciences, that 19 million will quickly turn into a much higher number in the upcoming years.

"More than 2.5 million undergraduate and postgraduate students of Zoology and other branches of life science in the country end up dissecting approximately 19 million animals every academic year. And with emergence of newer branches of life sciences including biophysics, biochemistry and biodiversity, and an increase in the number of educational institutions, the number of animals dissected was also expected to grow substantially in the coming years."

Every year, millions of undergraduate students dissect animals. Totals up to 19 million each year. And if we continue to dissect the harmless animals, those numbers will become sky high. They might even reach up to the billions if we don't stop soon. Also, after the students dissect the animal, they just throw them out. That is just a complete waste of a life. How would you feel if you were taken away from your home to be killed and thrown away?

"Dissection is not just cruel, it is also antiquated. Studies have shown that non-animal methods teach anatomy and complex biological processes as well as or better than do animal laboratories, and they have proved much more effective and humane."

Some dissection classes in schools don't even teach the correct way of dissecting the animals. Also, most students don't pay any attention to the teacher when he/she is demonstrating the dissection. So the students are just playing with the animal. Which is another reason why dissection should be banned. And if you make a mistake when dissecting the animal, you can't start over.

"At the same time, their use will save universities an enormous amount of money compared to the expense of purchasing animals year after year, explains B.K. Sharma, Associate Professor and head of Zoology Department at R.L Saharia Government PG College, Kaladera (Jaipur), Rajasthan. He was a member of the UGC Core Expert Committee that was set up to consider ‘Discontinuation of Dissection of Animals in Zoology/Life Science Education in Indian Universities and Colleges.'"

After reading this article, I have come to the understanding that the world is in the middle of animal abuse. But other people think that is for a good cause - education. When really, student who have no choice but to take this class have a different opinion about the dissection. I would consider dissection abuse. Because the people who obtain those animals are taking them from shelters, just to kill them. Which is extremely cruel. Also many children don't enjoy dissecting these animals. But if we stop animal dissection, then more than 19 million animals and insects will be saved each year.

Works Cited

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/dissection-ban-will-save-19-million-animals-every-year/article2704638.ece

Blog Post Number Five - 'Tilt' by Ellen Hopkins

In the book 'Tilt' by Ellen Hopkins,

There are three different characters. But they are al connected in different ways. They also have different issues. All different from one another.

One of the characters, Mikayla, is a high school senior with good grades, great looks and a perfect boyfriend. But one day, when Mikayla and Dylan (her boyfriend) start fooling around without protection, Dylan thinks that they'll be fine. But he was completely wrong! He got Mikayla knocked up. And he wants her to get an abortion. But she wants to keep the baby. So now, she has to make a decision: get an abortion, or keep the baby and lose Dylan forever.

Another character in the book is Shane. Shane is a homosexual and his father hates him for it. His mom is dealing with more important things to worry about. Because Shane's sister Shelby is only four years old and has Type 1 SMA (spinal muscular atrophy). His family is extremely lucky that she's still alive. But because Shelby has that terrible illness, Shane's father doesn't want to deal with all of the family's issues. So he is almost never home. And his mother is always tending to Shelby and that leaves Shane all alone. Until he meets Alex. But Alex has HIV. But that doesn't stop him and Shane's relationship. When Shane is with Alex, he is happier and feels less alone. But when Shelby dies, all hell breaks loose. Not only with Shane's mother, but Shane as well. Because after the funeral, he realized that he didn't get a chance to say goodbye. 

The final character in this book is Harley. She is Shane's cousin and Mikayla's sisters best friend. Harley has a hard time being noticed. For one thing, her best friend Bri gets all of the attention and Harley is also a bit overweight. It's now summer and she wants to change her appearance. So she goes on a diet. But she also has other problems. Her parents are divorced and her father is dating someone else already. And her fathers girlfriend's (Cassie) son is extremely attractive (according to Harley). And now that she has lost a lot of weight. She thinks that she might be able to get his attention. One day Harley asks Chad (Cassie's son) why he isn't interested in her. And he tells her because he thinks of her as his sister. So Harley goes to find someone else to catch her attention. And Chad's friend Lucas is very interested in Harley. But when Harley starts going out with Lucas, he makes her do things that are inappropriate and disturbing to her. And one day, he gets her so drunk and high that she is unconscious and then he takes advantage of her. But does Lucas care? Of course not! And the day after, he breaks up with her - over text. 

Monthly Nonfiction Reading Response - Hitler Youth; Growing Up In Hitler's Shadow by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

The Nonfiction book that I read was about Hitler and the Nazis. But it was also about the child soldiers who had to fight in the war. And their stories.

One of my favorite stories in this book was about a child soldier named Herbert Norkus. I enjoyed his story the most because it was told in great detail. And at the end, after he died, it talked about his military funeral. I thought that was interesting because it also showed a picture of his grave with the guards around it. Besides that, the chapter talked about his wonderful services as one of Hitler's child soldiers. I also thought it was interesting how the chapter talked about his parents. And how they didn't want their son to join Hitler Youth. But Herbert joined it anyways because even though his mother didn't want him to, his father gave him permission. And in the end, he was shot, doing his job.

The other stories in this book were just about the same. They all talked about the children in Hitler Youth. And how their parents didn't want them to join it. But they disobeyed their parents and joined anyways. And they also all passed away and were killed.

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.