Christmas - 8th Grade Expository Example Essay Example for Free

Christmas 8th Grade Expository Example Essay â€Å"City sidewalks, busy sidewalks dressed in holiday style†¦ In the air, there’s a feeling of Christmas†¦Ã¢â‚¬  My favorite holiday has always been Christmas. I love everything about it! One of the best things about Christmastime is that we get such a long time off from school. In addition to that, my family flies back home to Pennsylvania in December, so we always get to see snow. We also spend time with family and friends playing games and exchanging gifts, which is always a lot of fun. Of all the holidays, I think Christmas is the best! Towards the end of December, we all really need a break, and Christmas Break comes at just the right time, lasting just over two weeks! It’s so nice to have off from school at a time when there’s great holiday music on the radio and great sales in all the stores. Not to mention the fantastic foods filling my plate as I go to all the holiday get-togethers. I don’t like too many gatherings, though, sometimes I just like to rest. I try to spend most of my time on the long break relaxing and enjoying family. Speaking of family, I get to fly back home to Pennsylvania over Christmas Break to visit my relatives. It is always snowy in Pennsylvania in December, so that’s an exciting part our vacation for my sister and me. We go to my cousins’ house and ride four wheelers in the snow, pulling inner tubes behind them. Our parents usually get some great videos of us playing in the snow. Last year we stayed outside so long in a snowstorm, that our hair was caked with snow by the time we came in! It looked like we had white dreadlocks! It is always so fun having adventures with my cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents back home in Pennsylvania. In addition to all of our snowy adventures, we also spend lots of time indoors with famil y and friends playing games and exchanging gifts. My grandma buys tons of little gifts – mostly candy and dollar store items, but a few nice things, too – that she wraps up and uses as prizes in a game that the whole family plays. There are about twenty of us sitting around her long dining room table, and we roll dice for about two minutes. Whenever anyone rolls doubles, they get to take a present. When all the presents are gone, but there’s still time on the clock, you get to steal someone else’s present! It’s kind of hard to explain, but it’s the most fun our family has at the holidays. Spending time with all of my family over Christmas Break is a great time that is very special to me†¦and getting little gifts is an added bonus! Just like most people I know, I think Christmas is the best holiday ever! Having such a long time off from school is a much-needed break in the middle of the school year. Because the break is so long, my family can fit in time to fly back home to Pennsylvania to have some fun playing in the snow. The fun continues indoors with family games and gifts, always a highlight of the vacation. This vacation is something I look forward to all year round. Christmas brings me so much happiness†¦just like those Silver Bells. â€Å"Ring-a-ling†¦.Hear them ring†¦ Soon it will be Christmas Day.†

Gender Differences Within The Education System

Gender Differences Within The Education System The Education System consists of all school types, from pre-schools to universities all over the world. There are many different types of gender differences within the education system including: academic, social, emotional and behavioural. Academic gender differences are one of the most highly researched topics within the educational system. Within this essay I will discuss the widening gap between gender and achievement, and try to explain why these differences may be apparent, and how to change them. Research shows that academic gender differences are evident from 3years of age. Statistics from the Foundation Stage Profile Results for England for 2007-08 show that girls outperform boys in all 13 assessment scales. The main gap areas are social development (10% difference between genders) emotional development (11%) linking sounds and letters (11%) writing (18%) reading (11%) creative development (14%) (Steve Maynard, Gender differences in school, 2008) During the 70s when academic achievement was being investigated research was showing that girls where underachieving, they did less well in GCE exams, left school earlier than boys and were less likely to go to university. The main view was that gender differences were natural and unalterable, known as the Biological Deterministic approach. This may suggest why boys and girls were treated differently within the education system, as their adult roles were different I.e. men go out to work and women are home-makers, therefore not needing qualifications. However, if this is the case it is important to address why research within the past decade, evidently shows an increasing gender achievement gap with male students lagging behind females on a number of important indicators of school success. (Clark. M, Flower. K, Walton. J, Oakley. E., 2008). It could be argued that this is down to the changing views of society, along with the introduction of a compulsory national curriculum where both girls and boys where required to take foreign languages, English, sciences and maths. According to Wilkinson (1994) the Genderquake has a major part to play in the success of women within education today. He states that fundamental changes in attitudes towards female roles in society, have lead women to have a more positive attitude towards education as a means of improving their chances of success at work. A report from the Rowntree Foundation (2007) found that academic gender differences can continue up to age 16, showing that boys outnumber girls by 20% as low achievers at GCSE. Van Houtte (2004) suggests this may be due to the fact that males have a less study orientated culture that females. This would explain why achievement is higher in vocational and technical courses such as business studies, IT, geography (where more boys enter) and in separate sciences a more hands on approach to learning in males than females. Berg and Klinger (2009) found that subject performance is often associated with gender-specific stereotypes, and self-perceptions such as reading for girls and maths for boys. This may explain why one of the only academic subjects males seem to have out performed girls in is mathematics. Many studies show that mathematical achievement is a male dominated subject. A study in 2008, (Van de gaer, Pustjens, Van Damme. De Munter.) amongst Flemish students showed that boys performance in maths is linked to their participation within that subject boys participate in maths classes more than girls. Further support for the above points comes from (Kyong Hee Chee, 2005) whose analysis indicated that women are more likely to possess an academic ethic than men. They also found that women tend to have higher Grade Point Averages (GPAs). They found GPAs to be positively associated with active participation in extra-curricular groups and clubs, and GPA was negatively related to employment for men. These results pose the question in why there is such a large gap in achievement between genders? Experts say that the reason for this may be down to the difference in nature and nurturing between girls and boys. Genetic theories state that females excel in language based subjects due to their greater verbal and reasoning abilities, where as males have a high level of innate spatial ability, increasing their understanding of shape and form. As girls start to talk, read (read more often) and develop fine motor skills earlier than boys, they also progress quicker and develop more positive attitudes, they are generally better equipped for the start of formal schooling than boys. Once in school, girls tend to be more task-focused more methodical and conscientious, and far better at tackling coursework. Boys tend to be action-oriented impatient, imaginative, and inclined to take risks. They develop fine motor skills later than girls, and their learning and motivational skills are different. (Duffy, M. 2002) There have been many discussions about how to close the gap between gender and achievement. This has included changing the ways that children learn, and it has been suggested that more male teachers in primary schools could help boys within their achievement. It has been argued that women teachers talk to much causing boys to switch-off. Celia Lashlie, author of Hell Be Okay states that women teachers need to talk in lower pitches when teaching and use more non-verbal cues like males do. Male can be seen as positive role models towards education teachers can break down assumptions such as reading is for girls.(Times Educational Supplement) There are many campaigns in place to encourage boys to read, such as Welsh rugby players promoting reading within schools and libraries. Maloney (2002) states that boys like to read books that reflect themselves and who they aspire to be and appeal to their sense of humour. Interestingly,boys enjoy looking at newspapers, magazines and comic books but do not consider this reading, as these materials arent valued in school. It is therefore important that to encourage reading and literacy skills, schools need to provide enough material for boys to want to read. The most recent idea, that supports previous research findings is too change assessments to suit each of the genders needs. AQA, the UKs largest school exam board, propose developing gender-specific alternatives, that are tailor made for girls and boys, to GCSEs. It has been suggested that these new key-stage 4 qualifications in English, Maths and Science could be taught as early as 2011, with coursework options for girls and more traditional exams aimed at boys. AQAs director of curriculum and assessment, said: We could offer a route for boys that is very different to a route for girls. Girls tend to perform better with coursework while boys do better with end-of-year exams. So we are pursuing that in science to see if we could have an option in science where we might have a straightforward examination for boys but a possibility of having a coursework option for girls. (Bill Alexander 2010, TES). Even though the research within this essay often has a large sample size, and seems to have the same effect across cultures, It has been argued that, although research has shown that by the age of seven, some boys are almost two and a half years behind their brightest female class mates, gender is only a small part of academic gender gap, and factors such as poverty, ethnicity and birth season have a larger effect on a childs academic achievement. The analysis conducted in 2000, revealed that the most disadvantaged pupils are male from a poor, ethnic-minority background, born in the summer, never went to nursery and spent their primary years moving from school to school. These children were more than two years behind more socially-advantaged, winter-born, female classmates. (Birminghams Education Authority) Also, biological theories for gender differences within education, can be strongly criticised. Genetic explanation can not explain how gender differences have narrowed between mathematics and science based subjects since the 1980s. Arguably, if these differences were genetic they would be expected to remain constant. Kelly (1982) suggests that the types of toys children play with can be attributed to the differences in spatiality ability. Further support for this point comes from Sharpe (1976), who argues that childhood socialization plays a large part in masculine and feminine identity roles. This may suggest why women tended to stick to feminine subjects such as home economics, and art other than science and technology, which are seen masculine. This provides further support for the views of the Gender-quake and the changing roles of women within society, henceforth the success of females academic achievement over males. In conclusion, there are many reasons for academic gender differences within the education system, including the stereotypes and the views of gender roles within society. In order to close the gap that seems to be continuously growing, changing ways in which teaching is approached seems to be a logical solution. This includes the encouraging boys to read, as it has been suggested that due to a lack of reading boys are held back in their writing skills. changing the ways in which assessment is carried out, may be more beneficial. (Times Educational Supplement) As well as tailoring assessments to suit the needs of each gender, especially as boys seem to better in exams, especially those that are multiple choice due to their nature of risk-taking behaviour (Ramos, and Lambating, 1996) where as girls are more likely to excel in coursework . Another option is also allowing more hands on and vocational subjects onto the curriculum. In order to see if these options take effect, it is important for researchers to keep up to date with the current operations of the educational system and keep carrying out their research. Words: 1607.

Symbolism in The Glass Menagerie, by Tennessee Williams :: The Glass Menagerie Essays

In his drama, The Glass Menagerie, Tennessee Williams uses symbolism in order to develop multi-faceted characters and to display the recurring themes of the play. These various symbols appear throughout the entire piece, and they are usually disguised as objects or imagery. They allow the reader to know the characters’ personalities, and their true inside characteristics. These symbols also add to the major themes, which develop as the play gains momentum. In the drama, symbols play the most important role. One of the most recurring symbols is the glass menagerie itself. It consists of glass animals frozen in form and it is housed at the Wingfield’s apartment. The glass menagerie has a high amount of meaning for all of the characters in this play. â€Å"Ultimately, the glass menagerie is symbolic of all their shattered dreams, failing to fulfill their transcendent aspirations, the Wingfields find themselves confined to a wasteland reality, their dreams become a ‘heap of broken images’'; (Thompson 15). Just as the menagerie itself is frozen in time, the Wingfields are also. They are restricted to the one way of living that they have practiced as time had passed, so they do not know how to break free of that confinement. All the characters as a whole have tried to escape the harsh reality, but in every case they manage to fail, and in turn shatter their dreams like glass. This continuing struggle is a large part of the major theme of The Glass Menagerie. Just as the glass menagerie represents all of the characters as a whole, it also represents each character individually. â€Å"Though the glass menagerie is most directly relevant to Laura, all four characters have sublimated their animal drives into esthetics. Laura has her glass animals, Tom his movies and poems, Amanda her jonquil-filled memories distorted into hopes, and Jim his baritone cliches of progress'; (Cohn 101). Though Amanda blames her children alone for relying on false illusions, she too carries this fault. Although it is obvious that the glass menagerie represents Laura because of her frailty, Tom, Amanda, and even Jim are exemplified too. They all concentrate their powers in illusions, only in different ways. More specifically, the glass menagerie unravels the character of Laura and lets the reader into her true personality. The glass menagerie â€Å"embodies the fragility of Laura’s world, her search for beauty; it registers sensitively changes in lighting and stands in vivid contrast to the harshness of the outer world which can (and does) shatter so easily'; (Stein 110-111).

Dress Codes and School Uniforms Essay -- Education Clothing Essays

Dress Codes and School Uniforms The ringing of the alarm clock that is placed conveniently beside your bed wakes you. The sound startles your brain into getting out of your warm, cozy bed. It is time to go to school. You must wake up now in order to make it on time. If you are late again, your teacher will probably give you that nasty look of dismissal. What are you going to wear? Is this a dilemma you face each morning? Do you have trouble wanting to get out of your bed, and then you are faced with the troubling question of what cool, clean, unwrinkled outfit you should wear that day? Do you think your life would be easier if you could just throw on a uniform? This way you might not have to think so hard in the morning, right after that bellowing alarm clock frightens you into facing the world. Or do you like being able to express your individuality? This is an important question to think about. The first amendment gives each person in this nation the right to free expression. You should be able to dress as you wish and not feel pressured to dress in a uniform manner, with the rest of you student body. Right? I agree with this latter statement. "Currently 20% of the nation's school districts use uniforms, most of them voluntarily" (Portner, 2001). The states included in this percentage are: California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, New York, Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia. Long Beach, California was the first to enforce voluntary school uniform policies into their schools. There are 60 elementary schools, 15 middle schools, and one high school in Long Beach that have introduced this policy. There are over 72,000 students wearing school uniforms in Long Beach, California. Of these 72,000 students, on... ... In case you missed it: Some thoughts about school unfiroms. (26 April 2001). WWW: http://www.middleweb.com/INCASEUniforms.html Judge says school's dress code is legal. (1 September 1999). WWW: http://www.oregonlive.com/news/99/09/st090125.html Marchant, V. (13 September 1999). Time Magazine: Dress for success. WWW: http://www.time.com/magazine/articles/0,3266,30497.00.html Portner, J. (26 April 2001). Schools ratchet up the rules on student clothing. WWW: http://www.edweek.org/ew/vol-8/35teens.h18 School Uniforms: Where they are and why they work. (26 April 2001). WWW: http://www.edgov/updates/uniforms.html Seigel, L. (1 March 1996). In Congress: Point of view: School uniforms. WWW: http://www.alcu.org/congress/uniform.html Those disgusting school uniforms. (1 October 1998). WWW: http://www.optionality.net/mag/oct98a.html

Free Epic of Gilgamesh Essays: Defining Humanity in Gilgamesh :: Epic Gilgamesh essays

Defining Humanity in The Epic of Gilgamesh Fifteen Works Cited Stories do not need to inform us of anything. They do inform us of things. From The Epic of Gilgamesh, for example, we know something of the people who lived in the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in the second and third millenniums BCE. We know they celebrated a king named Gilgamesh; we know they believed in many gods; we know they were self-conscious of their own cultivation of the natural world; and we know they were literate. These things we can fix -- or establish definitely. But stories also remind us of things we cannot fix -- of what it means to be human. They reflect our will to understand what we cannot understand, and reconcile us to mortality. We read The Epic of Gilgamesh, four thousand years after it was written, in part because we are scholars, or pseudo-scholars, and wish to learn something about human history. We read it as well because we want to know the meaning of life. The meaning of life, however, is not something we can wrap up and walk away with. Discussing the philosophy of the Tao, Alan Watts explains what he believes Lao-tzu means by the line, "The five colours will blind a man's sight." "[T]he eye's sensitivity to color," Watts writes, "is impaired by the fixed idea that there are just five true colors. There is an infinite continuity of shading, and breaking it down into divisions with names distracts the attention from its subtlety" (27). Similarly, the mind's sensitivity to the meaning of life is impaired by fixed notions or perspectives on what it means to be human. There is an infinite continuity of meaning that can be comprehended only by seeing again, for ourselves. We read stories -- and reading is a kind of re-telling -- not to learn what is known but to know what cannot be known, for it is ongoing and we are in the middle of it. To see for ourselves the meaning of a story, we need, first of all, to look carefully at what happens in the story; that is, we need to look at it as if the actions and people it describes actually took place or existed. We can articulate the questions raised by a character's actions and discuss the implications of their consequences.

Argumentative Essay Topics

The Top 10 Argumentative Essay Topics There is no limit when it comes to these contemporary issues that are often ignored in many areas of mass media. Let’s start with the coveted list of hot topics. Abortion – There is no cap on how much controversy the simple word of abortion sparks. Ever since the controversial Roe vs. Wade court case, the notion of abortion have spawned many riots, picketing and of course, violence. Pro-Lifers and Pro-Choicers often collide in a venomous war of words that often leads to violence of the highest form.Animal rights and experimentation – there is one acronym that reigns supreme when it comes to the rights of animals and that is PETA. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, is a group that sparks controversy wherever their representatives are. Whether it is dumping red paint on women who wear furs or just simply picketing on the steps of Congress, PETA is definitely at the forefront of controversy. Animal rights and experimen tation is one topic that will always ignite raw feelings and a heated debate. Breast Cancer and the effects of chemicals in soaps, deodorants, etc. Where there are pink ribbons there is bound to be controversy. The Susan G. Komen Foundation is at the forefront of creating a bit of a stir when it comes to finding a cure for breast cancer, whether it is through walkathons, or charitable events, the foundation strives for proper education, and continuous research on the eradication of breast cancer as evident in their â€Å"race for the cure† events. Writing an argumentative essay on breast cancer and the possible irritants in everyday things such as soaps, laundry detergents and deodorants as being possible causes of breast cancer will undoubtedly create a bit of a stir.Border Control – With America being the land of the free and the home of the brave, there have been continuous efforts to prevent immigrant entry through closing down the borders of the country. This will always be a hot topic of conversation, arguments and debates because it seeks to answer â€Å"what is an American since this is a country of blended cultures. † The Pharmaceutical Industry – Never have three simple words sparked such explosive debates coast-to-coast and around the world. The pharmaceutical industry has been alleged to be responsible for many things.Ethnic Adoption – This is fast being a hot topic of interest for many people because it explores the notion of couples adopting non-American babies. The Death Penalty – With so many people on death row, people have much to say about how the country handles death row inmates as well as what happens when an inmate is forced to walk the green mile and their number is literally up. Genetic Cloning – There has always been a way to get a rise out of people when the topic of genetic cloning comes into play.It forces people to contemplate the idea of man take on the roles that were meant for Go d. Plastic Surgery – With the addiction and deaths attributed to a gross fixation on plastic surgery procedures, many people attribute the rise of prescription medicine addiction and deaths to plastic surgery. This is one topic that is steadily gaining momentum when it comes to argumentative essays. Human Trafficking – This is one topic where you just can’t go wrong when looking for controversy.

Multimedia

Report on Holiday Resort Introduction of Multimedia â€Å"Multimedia can be defined as the technology engaging a variety of media, including text, audio, video, graphics and animation either separately or in combination, using computer to communicate ideas or to disseminate information. † Multimedia programming or multimedia authoring is the final stage of multimedia project production.The most Important phase of multimedia project design and development because the out put of the phase will be the finally render title that will reconsideration and redesigning ends with this phase. Creatures of Jurassic period though their time frame is unimaginable, are coming alive on the sliver screen with their huge roars and fusses. The Jet fighters seen to fly right above the heads in the new CD games and professional quality music is issuing out of the serious business.Multimedia is no more a fancy, but a mandatory. Multimedia Programming VISA Multimedia Authoring Multimedia authoring r efers to that process of developing a multimedia project, using specialized packages and utilities exclusively meant for this purpose. The developing of a multimedia project title, using PVC++ or developing a graphics editing footwear package like Paint Shop Pro can be called as multimedia programming. Developing a multimedia project title using Asymmetry's â€Å"Multimedia Tool box† can be Multimedia Authoring.Multimedia software project, using any typical programming environment/ Language or tool (mostly GU') and making use of various media files and integrate them. It doesn't demand expert programming skills or knowledge for project development. Step that precede Multimedia Authoring Process The final form of story board containing all interface designs, Nava Map structures and all the details-approved by the project leader should be ready. The media contents to be used in the Initial screens or frames like the background Graphics/ Digital Audio etc†¦ Just be ready. A s the Authoring process proceeds rest of the media contents can be developed. Decisions on which authoring environment / package to use have been finalized after all considerations. Authoring Methodologies Authoring tool, package, environment or platform uses some fundamental methodology, for developing the multimedia project. Some tools, even offer the flexibility to switch over from one methodology to another whenever the need arises. Frame or Page based Authoring Tools.Data Verification. The general content sequence developed in the earlier phase of multimedia project design, must now be rearranged to suit the multimedia application development environment. This process, specifically called ‘Mapping' or ‘Navigation Mapping result in what's called a â€Å"Navigation Map' or ‘Nava Map'. Linear Structure, Hierarchal Structure, Non- Linear Structure and Composite Media Content Design and Development Audio Eclipses, Graphics, Animation and Video Eclipses developed f or a particular project, can be called as media content.Audio vs.. Graphics, Animation vs.. Graphics, Video vs.. Animation and Video vs.. Graphics. Interface Design and Development Process The multimedia information, that's available in various forms, has to be presented in a amicable manner to the user. It's only with the help of interface design, that, one producer distinguishes his title from others because the nature of media content are almost the same – a few ‘. Wave audio files, ‘. Aviva' video files and many other bitmap graphics?the way in which they are presented, does the magic.Back Drops Buttons and Icons Story Boarding Techniques Story Boarding technique for developing animations, even during the Story Boarding stage itself, he may have the opportunity to express his authoring or programming problems, if any. Sometimes, a design or display methodology that seems to be the best option, may invite some troubles in programming, and in other case, the med ia overhead may well exceed the permissible limit.Delivery Design and Development The media, in which the project is going to be delivered, also forms a part of project design. Though, in most of the cases, the choice is limited to CD-ROOMS because of the sheer volume of the project material. In some rare cases wherein the size of the reject is small – without complicated video, animation etc. Even floppy disk can be used. Concerning Project â€Å"Holiday Resort† A resort is a place used for relaxation or recreation, attracting visitors for holidays or vacations.Resorts are places, towns such as Newport, Rhode Island or Switzerland, or larger regions, like the Adirondack Mountains or the Jersey Shore. A resort is not merely a commercial establishment operated by a single company, although in the late twentieth century this sort of facility became more common. Such a self- contained resort attempts to provide for all or most of a vacationers wants while engaging on the premises, such as food, drink, lodging, sports, entertainment, and shopping.Intend of project Resort is managed by Holiday Resort, an India based company whose head office is in Gujarat. Company started its operation in March 31, 2000. Our company provides all types facilities such as Casino, Games, Health & Beauty, Swimming, Golf, Restaurant, Meeting & Conference for attracting the visitors and entertainment them. Project Classification Holiday Resort multimedia project is a project that gives entertainment to the visitor's, they can enjoy there holidays by various types of motion provide by us.