Dress Codes

How can we revise dress codes to fair and relevant to everyone? A huge problem that many students in the U.S. can relate to is unfair dress codes. If you view a public school code distinguished between male and female clothing articles, there is a huge differences. Codes can be biased toward races or cultures as well as between those established for male or female students. The dress codes should be revised to fit a fair outline. I am not requesting that we are allowed to wear revealing clothing or anything really irrational; I am requesting that they are fair between different circumstances.

RAFT blog

Defining points of the Civil Rights movement
-May 17, 1954: The U.S. Supreme Court decides that segregation in public schools is a violation of the Constitution in the Brown V. Board of Education case.

-December 1, 1955: Rosa Parks kicks off the Montgomery bus boycott by refusing to give up her seat on a public bus. Rosa was already involved in politics and was chosen to be the face of the revolution.

-September 25, 1957: Federal troops are sent to Central High School in Little Rock under order of President Eisenhower. They were sent to establish a desegregation order because the schools were not following it.

-February 1, 1960: A group of 4 black college students spark sit-in protests at a lunch counter in Greensboro.

-April 3, 1963: The protests at Birmingham start

-August 28, 1963: A crowd of 250,000 people march for freedom in Washington D.C., and MLK gives his iconic "I have a Dream" speech.

-July 2, 1964: The Civil Rights act of 1964 is signed into law by President Johnson

-August 6, 1965: The Voting Rights act is passed

-April 4, 1968: Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated

The Running Dream

The most transformational book I have ever read is called The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen. The book depicts the struggles of a 16 year old amputee with a passion for running. The Running Dream not only shows the success usually displayed in fictional books and shows like this, but also the reality of loosing a limb. This book transformed me by teaching me that in order to fulfill your dreams, you must face the challenges that have been put in front of you. The main protagonist, Jessica, displays a strong desire to run again after she looses her leg. She never expects for this to happen, but she goes along and takes care of herself until she can try to accomplish her dream again, never giving up. Her actions as a fictional character have transformed me more than any other character in books I have read.

The New Deal's Impacts

The new deal impacted many people all over America, and some of the terms are still in use today. A good example of this is how the New Deal affected the poor. It created many projects that allowed poor or unemployed people to have many opportunities. This still happens today, constantly people are working on new projects, allowing them to support themselves and their families. The people working on these projects also became happier, because they were proud to improve the US. The poor were also supplied with unemployment insurance as well as social security. This reduced poverty, but there are still many unemployed and poor people in the US. 

Another example is how the new deal affected farmers. The government supplied farmers with loans, and allowed them to hire less and less farm workers. Many farm hands lost their jobs, worsening the poverty in rural areas. In light of this, many farms got electricity, allowing people to live comfortably on their farms. 

It also affected businesses and workers. The supreme court deemed the NRA unconstitutional, saying that it had too many powers. Congress then passed the National Labor Relations Act in 1935, and it allowed workers the right to join unions and ask of improved conditions and better wages. The NLRB is meant to solve problems between workers and employers, and it still exists today to help. 

Even though most new deal programs had ended by 1939, President Roosevelt's actions after the depression affected the USA government. The president recognised the importance of helping citizens in need. 

Family First

My grandmother is my biggest inspiration in life. She is incredibly hard working and full of energy. She taught me as early as I can remember to maintain a good sense of humour even when times can be tough and her bold actions inspire everyone around her every day. She was raised with twelve other siblings, so she was never encouraged to attend college. She got married at eighteen years old, had her first child at nineteen and was a stay at home mom for fifteen years. My grandfather was in the army for a few of these years, and sent money home.
When she was thirty-five, my Grandmother made the decision to go back to work full time. Without a college education or much experience, she landed a job as a Wells Fargo teller. She wanted my uncles and my mom to have the best life they could. She worked for five years and eventually she became the vice president of her location and moved to a nicer neighborhood with her family. Though her transition from not working at all to working full time was hard on her and her family, she made the right decision that greatly benefited them financially. Her decision allowed her to support her family and provide them everything they needed to thrive and more. Her actions have wordlessly taught me to always think my decisions through. At first glance, going back to working full time must have seemed like a horrible idea to leave her family, but as she thought it through, she found what she needed to do to support her family. After working for twenty-nine years at Wells Fargo, She retired and had fulfilled everything she had ever wanted for her family; accomplished all with her dedication and hard work. Growing up with twelve siblings brought her family to her consideration when she thought about her future, and though I do not have twelve siblings, her actions inspire me to always think about my family before making large decisions.

Her decision was in the back of my mind when moving. I did not want to relocate two hours away in the middle of jr. high, but it was all worth it to see my grandparents more. My family is a huge part of my life. I could not even imagine what type of person I would be without my grandmother’s influence. I was hesitant and unhappy to move from a huge city to a small town, but I always knew that I would see my grandparents more. Sure enough, we went from seeing my grandparents only during breaks, to seeing them a few times a week. My bond with them is closer than ever, and it is the reason I was willing to move.

My Time at the Museum of Tolerance

The bright colors of Los Angeles faded as we walked in through the museum's doors. The lobby was pristine, and though I expected to see more about the holocaust, it was almost empty besides a few shelving units. Our tour guide greeted us with a solemn stare and warned us about what was going to be witnessed when we followed him to the exhibit. The spiral we ventured down represented the time between the present and World War II, and everything in-between. The spiral was a piece of architecture I had never witnessed previously, and it was decorated with photo after photo of holocaust survivors. I could not even imagine what their eyes had seen. The museum started off very subtle and informative, and then it came to incredibly intense exhibits and even buildings that were specific to the time period, including a gas chamber.

Being informed about history is very important. Teaching millennials about what truly happened can prevent racist mindsets to resurface in violent ways. We should teach them to not be weakened by wars or poverty, and to not give into figures of power promising violence toward anyone. As our tour guide said, history repeats itself, but informing can help prevent it.

Civil War RAFT

Black Union Soldier

His Children/Mother

Friendly Letter

“My Thoughts on the Civil War”

My Mother, 

The civil war has stolen my comrades lives. Their families live in suffering, though as we began to fight for our freedom we knew the consequences would be deadly. They die of sickness and of wounds. Though some wounds may be small to view, I am forced to watch The Union die during ineffective surgeries. I may wish that the war was not taking place all together, but I will fight for my freedom and my family's, and the new generations'.  The battlefield is a gruesome place, I have to fight and run around and beside bodies of fallen soldiers. A fellow black solider has been teaching me many things between battles, such as proper grammar. Though, I don't believe that I will ever have a use for it, sadly. When I fled to the South, I underestimated the horror of war. But when the battle took my brother, that was it. I was tired of the war, but I will get you freedom, even if it costs me my life. 

Love,

Your son. 

RAFT #1

Reader = Slave
Audience = American President
Format = Persuasive Letter
T = Slavery should NOT be allowed to expand West because..

Mr. President Millard Fillmore, 
Please don't allow slavery to expand West. Slavery is a plague, that spreads horrific consequences to those who comply. Slavery is a violation of my rights. Half of the country is already contaminated by the idea that slavery is somehow appropriate. Mr. President, please walk a mile in my shoes a bit. How would you feel if greedy strangers trying to begin a new country ripped you from everything you knew previously, and took you away from your family and your life. Slavery should not exist as is, and spreading it could ruin the lives of so many more  people like me. Everything you are for as a country is contradicted by the actions of slave owners. 
                    Sincerely, 
                          Me, a slave since 1850

HI. This is my myth about how the future colonies at Mars came to be. :)

Earth. The people who lived there in harmony began to become greedy. They wanted more. They wanted a new planet, with more beautiful landscapes. They relied on the idea of a new home, and began to trash their current one. The children of these destructors suffered from their parents and grandparents’ actions. An evil tyrant then planted a seed in the ground. He hoped that the seed would create a beautiful forest canopy. They all wanted more nature, but caused the deterioration of it with their carelessness. Years later, when the people were surviving on their last oxygen, a large tree rose to the sun, and stole the rest of the oxygen from the people of Earth. A giant bird thrived at the top of this tree. The bird, Mars, was the only one with air or sunlight. As he saw the people suffering below him. He flew down and instructed them to climb onto his back. He looked through their actions and found the love in his heart to rescue them.  They grasped to his feathers as he flew them to space and away from the tree. They flew through the stars and found a special territory perfect for a new planet. The bird dropped the people on a nearby star and said goodbye. They thanked mars, and he flew away. Mars spread his great wings around him and began to turn into an orange planet. Rays of light emanated from the new planet, and the humans traveled along the light to their new home.

Mars' Colonization

If mars were to be colonized, what amendments would they need to have to keep their rights even on a different planet?

Because the first Mars would be belonging to whichever country arrived first, the laws would most likely be very similar to those on Earth. In the case that the USA gets there first, the laws would resemble the amendments given to their citizens, but with the needed interplanetary adjustments.

1) Freedom of speech, press, and religion
This would stay in tact because it is not specific to Earth.

2) Right to bear arms
I don't believe that this would be changed either because as there are conflicts on Earth, there can be conflict anywhere else too. Mars' colonists would also be interested in protecting themselves and their land when they become settled.

3)The right to become involved in government decisions.
The people chosen to go to mars should be able to be as involved as they want to be in big decisions within government in Earth as well as Mars. For example, they should be able to vote for a president in an election because if the people on Earth chose a tyrant to become president, their unpredictable actions could affect supplies being sent to Mars.

4)Protection from unreasonable risk
If a colonist decides that a mission is too risky or unreasonable that could jeopardize priorities, they should be able to contact a proper jury to decide the pros and cons.

5) Protection of Life, Liberty, and Property
This amendment should definitely stay as it is for Mars' colonists. Because in the long run, there will be conflict on Mars after settling for hundreds of years.

6)Right of accused persons in criminal cases
As said in the last explanation, there will be crime developing on new settlements. It is important to keep laws that protect accused persons in tact because it can keep someone from rotting in jail. It can be related to any planet or country.

7)Right to information
Martians should have access to all information coming from their control center at Earth.

8) Excessive bail, punishments or fines
This will stay in tact, because laws defining the rights within the martians will have to be used in court and such.

9)Right to petition
If a martian has experienced a situation where a new law would be handy, they can contact officials and petition for a court hearing as well as a discussion with officials on Earth.

10) Right to court hearing
A citizen can request a court hearing if they believe that another citizen or official has been causing conflict.

To Mars

Personal Statement
Describe the world you come from — for example, your family, community, or school—and tell us how your world has shaped your dream journey to Mars. *

         I came from a very welcoming community, that always encouraged the wide variety of dreams that my peers and I shared. The schools I attended always supported the dreams that I had, and were sure to educate us as well as possible to make us more capable to fulfill these dreams. My life began Monday, November 4th, 2016. My class and I attended a lecture held by retired astronaut, Scott Kelly. He was calm and collected when he entered space, a life-threatening frontier. He is my biggest inspiration, and he has inspired me to enter space in his footsteps. Some may say that a Mars mission is a waste of money that should be used for existing civilizations, but this is the only way that Humans will become interplanetary. If the people on Earth want the best for their future children, they will support the exploration of Mars.
        I am inspired by the research found of planets already, and I would be proud to have a place in the colonization and research of Mars. The explorations in question used to be silly science fiction scenarios in my eyes, but as technology in the world increases, the possibility of space exploration is becoming a reality.

image credit: http://a.abcnews.com/images/US/GTY_Astronaut_SKelly_MEM_160301_12x5_1600.jpg



*Hey Maxinators! This is an answer to an application to 'go to Mars' for a quarter-long assignment in school.  I'm not going to space ;)

Where They're From

Hey Maxinators.
We had an assignment to write Where I'm from poems about characters in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Here are my two poems below, written about Junior Spirit and Rowdy.

Where I’m From - Junior

I’m from an idea most don’t take pride in.

From being that one person who defies my reservation’s standards,

From perseverance and from defiant actions

I’m from traditional dances and music

I’m from the stories that I can’t relate to

From the Tribal bond that can’t be broken

Where I’m from, the words of ‘wisdom’ echo from my Father’s mouth

“Those white people aren’t better than you”

But he was so wrong

Where I’m from, new ideas are frowned upon

The reservation is a stagnant environment that shows no room to grow.

I leave to grow, and they stay to stay as they are. Where I’m from they can change but they don’t try.

I’m not the brightest. I’m stupid.

“You’re not stupid.”

Wrong answer.

Where I’m from, they stay with their roots, even if it means not becoming their best self.

I’m from the saddest reservation.

I suppose the whole family is depressed.

Where I’m from, my people are caged, and their emotions are even more so.

“I don’t like to cry.” “Other kids, they beat me up when I cry.”

I’m from the most yet least safe reservation in existence.

I don't cry in fear of being beat up, yet I cry because I fear of being beat up

I’m from the words,

“You are a good kid. You deserve the world.”

I wanted to cry.

Junior makes a good leader because he is venturing out into uncharted territory. He is leading children in reservations everywhere to speak out against what they believe is wrong

Where I’m from - Rowdy

I am from no actions have consequences, but from knowledge.

Where I’m from, my answer is always to fight. Not protect.

Still, he claims I protect him.

“Rowdy protects me.”

No. I don’t.

Where I’m from, the line between right and wrong is smaller than my patience.

From words of hurt to actual hurt

I’m from lost futures and lost dreams.

I’m from passing my feelings in my actions and words

“Toughen up.”

The only words that flow straight from my ears into my mouth.

I do to people what others do to me.

I’m from pain.

I am my pain and my mistakes.

I’ll fight you. I’ll fight that. I’ll fight him.

What’s wrong with me?

“Everything!”

I’m from wanting to be a hero yet ending up as the villain

I am not a “Big goofy dreamer.”

I’m the only one who listens to Junior. He’s the only one I listen to.

I am a fighter. Where I’m from, warriors are usually praised.

But I’m not a warrior.

I’m a fighter.  

Where I’m from, revenge feels good.

Rowdy makes a good leader because he is brave and defiant. These characteristics are helpful for a leader to have because they make him appear as a strong role model.

Enjoy Maxinators!


-Maxi❤︎

Where They're From

Hey Maxinators.
We had an assignment to write Where I'm from poems about characters in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Here are my two poems below, written about Junior Spirit and Rowdy.

Where I’m From - Junior

I’m from an idea most don’t take pride in.

From being that one person who defies my reservation’s standards,

From perseverance and from defiant actions

I’m from traditional dances and music

I’m from the stories that I can’t relate to

From the Tribal bond that can’t be broken

Where I’m from, the words of ‘wisdom’ echo from my Father’s mouth

“Those white people aren’t better than you”

But he was so wrong

Where I’m from, new ideas are frowned upon

The reservation is a stagnant environment that shows no room to grow.

I leave to grow, and they stay to stay as they are. Where I’m from they can change but they don’t try.

I’m not the brightest. I’m stupid.

“You’re not stupid.”

Wrong answer.

Where I’m from, they stay with their roots, even if it means not becoming their best self.

I’m from the saddest reservation.

I suppose the whole family is depressed.

Where I’m from, my people are caged, and their emotions are even more so.

“I don’t like to cry.” “Other kids, they beat me up when I cry.”

I’m from the most yet least safe reservation in existence.

I don't cry in fear of being beat up, yet I cry because I fear of being beat up

I’m from the words,

“You are a good kid. You deserve the world.”

I wanted to cry.

Junior makes a good leader because he is venturing out into uncharted territory. He is leading children in reservations everywhere to speak out against what they believe is wrong

Where I’m from - Rowdy

I am from no actions have consequences, but from knowledge.

Where I’m from, my answer is always to fight. Not protect.

Still, he claims I protect him.

“Rowdy protects me.”

No. I don’t.

Where I’m from, the line between right and wrong is smaller than my patience.

From words of hurt to actual hurt

I’m from lost futures and lost dreams.

I’m from passing my feelings in my actions and words

“Toughen up.”

The only words that flow straight from my ears into my mouth.

I do to people what others do to me.

I’m from pain.

I am my pain and my mistakes.

I’ll fight you. I’ll fight that. I’ll fight him.

What’s wrong with me?

“Everything!”

I’m from wanting to be a hero yet ending up as the villain

I am not a “Big goofy dreamer.”

I’m the only one who listens to Junior. He’s the only one I listen to.

I am a fighter. Where I’m from, warriors are usually praised.

But I’m not a warrior.

I’m a fighter.  

Where I’m from, revenge feels good.

Rowdy makes a good leader because he is brave and defiant. These characteristics are helpful for a leader to have because they make him appear as a strong role model.

Enjoy Maxinators!


-Maxi❤︎

Declaring Independence

Hey Maxinators! In History class the lesson we are on is specific to The Declaration of Independence.  Today's blog prompt is to choose something to declare independence from. Enjoy: 

When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for me to dissolve the bands which have connected me with homework, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that I should declare the causes which impel me to the separation. I want to declare my Independence from homework. Homework takes a lot of time out of my life, and when I am not at school I can be found studying or doing something school related. Homework takes a large portion of my freedom away. For example, if I have not finished weekend homework, I am not allowed to be social at all until I finish everything that needs to be done. Being social is important to me as a teenager as well as someone who has been separated from close friends. Homework also causes many unwanted feelings such as stress, anxiety, and can cause loss of sleep. It really is not beneficial to me at all. Besides, the side effects are very disappointing. ☹

-Maxi ❤︎

Then and Now

heyy maxinators

This week in History we have been learning about colonies and the lives of people in the colonies and how they contrast to the lives of people in America now. For example, the settlers came to the US searching for religious freedom. After many generations, the freedom to practice any religion is a given, as they had to travel months to get it for themselves and their ancestors hundreds of years later.
Another difference is education. In the colonies, education was limited and little to none of the children living in the colonies had an education. Some families hired tutors or sent their older children to schools overseas. Schools were incredibly small, contrasting the large schools found in the US today. All children are required to go to school as well. There was also a belief that boys needed education more than girls. Lastly, a huge difference is leisure of the colonists. Today, leisurely activities include reading, writing, drawing, sports, as well as video games and more modern activities and various hobbies. The adult settlers enjoyed different activities such as house and barn raising,  fox hunting, card playing, bull bating and more. They also held competitions such as foot races, dancing and wrestling contests. Children played with simple things such as marbles, dolls and spinning tops.

-Maxi

IDENTITY

hi maxinators ;) here's a few words about identity and the book that I am reading in class! enjoy ❤︎

In Sherman Alexie's novel, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, the protagonist, Junior identifies with many tribes as well as the one he belongs to physically. I personally identify with 3 tribes mainly. These include, The Tribe of Good Friends, The Tribe of Artists, and the Tribe of Dancers. My friends have been a huge part of my life for as long as I remember. The Tribe of Good friends to me does not necessarily mean to me that I am a good friend, but that I know that I have amazing friends. Art has been part of my life for many years, but I have recently graduated from scribbles to portraits and still-life. Lastly, I have been dancing my whole life and I am thrilled to begin a class after many years of hoping.
Those are my 3 tribes! Comment yours ;)

-

Maxi

HI

Hey maxinators, (that's what I've decided to call my few fans ;)) Here's some facts about me.

I'm from Los Angeles
My friends are the most important things to me. 
I love animals and cold weather.
I want to go far in art.
I dread planes.
I hope that my life ends up super rad.
I need some water because it is too warm today.
I am an artist and a twin