Classroom Management Paper Research Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Classroom Management - Research Paper Example When an instructor loses control of his/her classroom, it is usually extremely difficult to get back that control. This instructor, consequently, has to adopt correct demeanour control measures if classroom administration techniques prove to be poor and inadequate. Inappropriate demeanour results in a reduced rate of academic involvement in the classroom. With regard to scholar’s viewpoints, efficient classroom administration encompasses patent communication of behavioural and educational expectations. This also includes creating a collaborative learning environment. Classroom supervision is intimately connected to matters of inspiration and discipline, as well as respect. All these techniques are issues of fervent debate among instructors. As a result, instructors’ approaches differ depending on the convictions an instructor holds with regard to educational psychology. An enormous part of conventional classroom administration encompasses behaviour alteration, though, v aried instructors see utilizing behavioural techniques alone as extremely simplistic. Varied teachers institute regulations and processes at the outset of the school year which delineate correct demeanour. These rules provide scholars with solid direction to make sure that their prospects become an actuality. These instructors, however, have to be dependable in fostering these regulations and processes. Many individuals assert that, constructive results are evident when rules are adhered to and unconstructive when rules are ignored. There are novel concepts with regard to classroom administration that try to be holistic. For instance, affirmation teaching, which tries to direct scholars toward success by assisting them see how effort is crucial in a classroom. This concept depends on developing an environment where scholars are successful as a consequence of their individual efforts. Creating this milieu is vital for scholars to perform well. This alters a classroom into a society o f well-behaved as well as self-motivated scholars (Angela, 1993). According to professionals in the field of learning, classroom administration aims at persuading and instituting scholar self-control throughout a procedure of enhancing positive scholar achievement and demeanour. Consequently, academic achievement, instructor efficiency, and instructor and scholar demeanour are directly connected with the conception of school and classroom administration. Classroom supervision emphasizes on three crucial elements. These elements are content administration, conduct administration as well as covenant administration. All these concepts are described and offered with facts in a list of evident elements in efficient teaching practices. Research indicates that a high occurrence of classroom disciplinary quandaries has a massive influence on the efficacy of teaching as well as learning. As a result, instructors who encounter such matters are usually unable to plan and develop suitable instr uctional duties. These instructors also tend to ignore diversity in lesson plans and seldom prompt scholars to confer and assess the materials that they learn. Additionally, scholar understanding or seat tasks are not scrutinized on a normal basis. However, strong and reliable supervision and organizational techniques have been described as resulting in limited classroom discipline quandaries. This implies that content administr

Racism in the African-American Community Essay Example for Free

Racism in the African-American Community Essay Abstract Racism is today perceived as a social and baseless evil that tries to undermine certain individuals based on their skin color. It is entirely evident that the U. S. still suffers from some traces of racism, but surprisingly, a big majority of these cases come from the African-American communities. While many people hold the opinion that the African-Americans are the ones that are always on the receiving end, new polls reveal that they are the ones who show more racist behavior than the whites. This paper addresses some of the reasons that lead to racism among the African-American communities and also outlines how this transition slowly came into place after the advent of the 20th century. Additionally, this paper covers the consequences of this menace and its impact on the kind of peace that is present in today’s free states. Ultimately, this text tries to draw a line on the distinctive barrier between what African-Americans call racism and how Americans perceive the same social evil. It also explains why racism by itself is baseless and bears no meaning to the parties involved. RACISM 3 Racism in the African-American Community. Racism is a social evil that came as a result of slavery that began in the United States immediately after English colonists inhabited Virginia and remained there until the Thirteenth Amendment to the constitution of the U. S. was passed in 1865. During the 90’s more African-Americans underwent oppression from the Americans as the peak of racism was evident during these years more than ever. However, recent polls from Rasmussen reveal an entirely different perspective of the current racism situation in America. The report by Rasmussen indicated that many Americans believe that blacks are indeed more racist than Caucasians. Additionally, the report stated that a huge percent of African-Americans believe that more blacks are indeed racist than whites, and this is backed up by Norton (2011). This report, however, ended up being skewered and mocked by some people as they saw it to be untrue. This calls for a serious assessment into what is the main cause of this drift into racism in the African-American community and how this will impact people’s relationship. Also, it pushes for the need to better understand how racism itself managed to stay alive through the years despite the fact that such practices were long left behind in the recent years. Reasons for Racism Clearly, the deep trail of racism in African-Americans can be coined from the fact that blacks first faced oppression from the whites and this is what led to the ill-bred feeling among African-Americans. However, there are up to three more reasons why African-Americans are turning out to be more racist than Caucasians. These happen to be the most flagrant and thus top the list when it comes to the factors that result into racism. RACISM 4 First, racism in the African-American community may merely be as a result of different stereotypes. The media is also responsible for fueling this kind of attitude towards. African-Americans since it is through televisions, radios, and the internet that most people discover the underlying menace. Ornelas et al. (2009) maintain that whenever young African-Americans are exposed to certain stereotypes, they tend to mimic most of these traits and in turn become negative towards people from other races. In fact, most of these stereotypes are surprisingly among the influential African Americans in the country. During the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King Junior’s historic speech, black activists displayed exactly this kind of behavior. This was evident through Martin Luther King III who used this opportunity to stir up racial hatred instead of honoring the work of his father. Another reason for the prevalence of racism amongst the African-American community is the unfamiliarity that is present among newborns and how they are treated in the real world. This is probably the main reason why African-Americans are slowly displaying racist behavior (Okazaki, 2009). However, this doesn’t always happen, but only after the innocent party has been brainwashed by negative stereotypes. A workaround for this is to ensure that children are exposed to people from different races at a young age so that they could get used to being around people who they deem different. This additionally helps in counterbalancing any negative and untrue stereotypes that may present themselves in the future. Selfishness, coupled with pain and anger, is also another valid reason why racism is on the rise among African-Americans (Lambert, 2009). Selfishness may have depicted itself among white people in the past, however, the case is different today. The sad truth is that this selfishness led to the creation of negative stereotypes that ultimately led to a new line of different-minded persons (Martin, 2011). Also, selfishness comes in when an African-American would feel more RACISM 5 compelled to spend more time around people of the same skin color because they he/she may have been exposed only to African-Americans during childhood age. Selfishness coupled with rage for the people who inflicted pain on their forefathers leads to hatred that is directed to white people. Why Racism among African-Americans Will Not End Soon Recently, renowned television icon Oprah Winfrey stepped up to state that racism will only end when old racists perish (Newsbusters. org, 2014). While this sounds logical from one perspective, it fails to address the fact that these stereotypes will never cease to exist any time soon. In most cases, racists will always give birth to racists and the cycle is perpetual. Therefore, despite attempts to curb racism in the African-American community, this menace is still too far from being over as new racists will always come back to replace their mothers and fathers. It is also worth noting that this doesn’t only happen among the African-Americans, but also among the whites as well. Another reason why racism among the African-Americans is far from being over is because they are seen to put so much emphasis on themselves whenever the word â€Å"racism† is mentioned. During the same interview that was conducted by BBC Friday, Winfrey’s comment â€Å"Are there places where people still get terrorized just because of the color of their black skin color? † further showed how most people only view racism in the eyes of how blacks are treated. Looking at the problem this narrowly makes it more difficult to end the menace as the racism chain won’t end if everyone simply defended their skin colors (Bonilla-Silva, 2010). In sum, it can be seen that racism in the African-American community can only be contained but certainly not dealt away with within a year. RACISM 6. How Racism Can Be Contained The fact that racism is not ending in the near future doesn’t necessarily mean that nothing can be done about it. It will certainly take years for the world to heal from this habit, but there are small but significant ways of ensuring that racism slowly fades away in the African-American communities. The first is by educating young African-Americans to reject any form of history of America that has elements of slavery in it (Shelby, 2009). By reminding the blacks about slavery may induce a feeling of resentment towards white people despite the fact that slavery ended decades ago. African Americans also bear the responsibility of desisting from using derisive words such as â€Å"nigger† or any variations associated to it (Cone, 2010). This is because when blacks utter these words, they also tend to inflict the same kind of attitude in people from other races. Additionally, African-Americans should cease supporting black-only institutions or media houses such as BET and Ebony magazine. Generally, anything that depicts the word â€Å"black† should be avoided since it strikes a line between how different Caucasians are from African-Americans, something that is not true (Boykin, 2012). Finally, African-Americans should learn to appreciate the art of decent dressing and totally avoid the use of Ebonics, an African-American slang that is widely used among black individuals. While this may seem far-fetched, it is one step away from ending racism since it shows that even African Americans are trying to fit in with the whites and simply not creating a larger barrier. Collaboration with law enforcement agencies will also be a huge step because this additionally shows that they too are concerned about the well-being of their neighbors and their security as well. RACISM 7 Consequences of Racism. Should African-American racism persist, there are a number of things that could happen. Hatred between African-Americans and whites would cause a drift between them, and this could easily spread to people from other races as well. The levels of cooperation would plummet and at the end of the day, nothing would get done (Pieterse, 2010). Other than stirred levels of cooperation, it is likely that some people might get displaced from their homes especially when lands start being claimed by the original inhabitants of a place. Discrimination also leads to poor mental health. In 2009, a Cornwell News Study conducted a study on the effects of racism and results showed that poor mental health is possible and it comes as a result of chronic exposure to discrimination (Brondolo, 2009). Ultimately, there would be total havoc if racism were to have its way for there would be zero tolerance for someone with a different skin color regardless of that person’s character. Wars could easily erupt between black individuals and white individuals, and a drift will end up crippling collaboration between people and thus resulting to a sluggish economy. In summary, there is no place for racism today. It has proved to be a social evil that discriminates individuals based on their color rather than character. Racism, however is seen to come from three main factors which include: unfamiliarity among people of different outlooks, selfishness among people of different colors who only wish for their people to benefit, and the presence of certain stereotypes that are transfixed to the racial practice. It is also mandatory to acknowledge the fact that racism is not an evil that could possibly end overnight because certain individuals have inclined it to a specific group of people and not everyone in general. As such, there will always be complaints regarding racist behavior since most individuals are readily RACISM 8 prepared to cry out for their rights without considering that other people may be facing bigger challenges than them. One way of containing racism would be to ensure that the racist stereotype is dealt away with completely or segregated from children who could easily pick up the negative racist behavior from their elders. Additionally, African-Americans also have a big role to play in ending this discrimination since they seem to be creating a drift between black individuals and white individuals when they only support their brands such as the BET channel and the popular Ebony magazine. The consequences of racism in the African-American community are also grave as they can result to a much bigger drift between whites and blacks in which it would be easy for some people to be displaced from their homes and even be denied jobs. Possibilities of wars are also very high since there would be zero tolerance to a person who doesn’t respect another person just because of their skin color. RACISM 9 Annotated Bibliography Bonilla-Silva, E. (2010). Racism Without Racists: Color-blind Racism and the Persistence of Racial Inequality in the United States;[new Chapter on the Obama Phenomenon]. Rowman Littlefield. In this book, Bonilla-Silva, E outlines how racism can persist without the presence or racists themselves. It shows the reality of racism in today’s world and explains the roots of racism and racial inequality in the United States with a lot of emphasis on U. S. president Barrack Obama and the challenges that are faced at the presidential level. Boykin, K. (2012). ONE MORE RIVER TO CROSS (BLACK AND GAY IN AMERICA). Boykin, K explains the different challenges that blacks have to face when seeking their true identity in the U.S. and what life means for them in the U. S. The book goes further to explain how gay African-Americans find it challenging to fit in a world that already has more than enough hurdles to cross and enough reasons to make the weak quit. Brondolo, E. , ver Halen, N. B. , Pencille, M. , Beatty, D. , Contrada, R. J. (2009). Coping with racism: A selective review of the literature and a theoretical and methodological critique. Journal of behavioral medicine, 32(1), 64-88. This book gives an overview on the way that African Americans try to cope with the kind of racism that they are subjected to in the U.S. It greatly focuses on the impact of this kind of discrimination on the African Americans and what this means for them. Brondolo, E also highlights key factors that cause this racism. Cone, J. H. (2010). A black theology of liberation. Orbis Books. Cone’s A black theology of liberation highlights the Christian-based perspective of oppressed blacks but mainly looks at the Cone’s own reflections on black theology. The book goes ahead to explain how racism can be ridded and it also looks at some of the roots of racism itself. Cone also relives the liberation process that led to the freedom of the blacks, but the book also highlights the hidden traces of racism that are still evident today. Lambert, S. F. , Herman, K. C. , Bynum, M. S. , Ialongo, N. S. (2009). Perceptions of racism and depressive symptoms in African American adolescents: The role of perceived academic and social control. Journal of youth and adolescence, 38(4), 519-531. This book reviews some of the underlying factors that lead to depression in African American adolescents as a result of heavy subjection to discrimination from racism. The book also briefly touches on some of the causes of racism and explains how racism develops in young people and its impact as they become older. Martin, M. J. , McCarthy, B. , Conger, R. D. , Gibbons, F. X. , Simons, R. L. , Cutrona, C. E. , Brody, G. H. (2011). The enduring significance of racism: Discrimination and delinquency among black American youth. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 21(3), 662-676. Martin, M. J. and other writers analyze the impacts of racism in the African American community and explains its significance in cultivating the kind of peace that is evident in today’s time. His main focus, however, lies in the discrimination of black American RACISM 10 youth by the whites and what this causes in the long run. He establishes how the negative stereotypes are formed as a result of the discrimination that the youths face. Newsbusters. org. (2014). Oprah: racists have to die for racism to end | newsbusters. org [online] Retrieved from: http://newsbusters. org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2013/11/15/oprah-racists-have-die-racism-end [Accessed: 8 Feb 2014]. This article outlines a transcript from an interview between Oprah Winfrey and BBC Friday regarding racism. In the article, Oprah is asked about her views on racism and various ways in which she thinks would put an end to the perpetual menace that has crippled our world today. The article also outlines an important factor that shows why racism won’t end soon, and how the African Americans are fueling the perpetuating racism act. Norton, M. I. , Sommers, S. R. (2011). Whites see racism as a zero-sum game that they are now losing. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 6(3), 215-218. Norton, M. I. , Sommers, S. R. reveal the truth behind what whites really perceive as racism today and the effects of racism in a world that has moved way ahead of racism. The two authors go further to explain why racism among the whites is baseless and bears no real truth or inner meaning other than the fact that it is a social evil that once existed in the past. Okazaki, S. (2009). Impact of racism on ethnic minority mental health. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 4(1), 103-107. Okazaki explains the effects of racism on the mental health of the minority in the state. He also outlines some of the other non-health related mishaps that come as a result of social oppression. In his book, he states what would eventually happen if racism were to go on without showing any signs of ending soon. He however focuses on the effect this would have on the ethnic minority. Ornelas, I. J. , Amell, J. , Tran, A. N. , Royster, M. , Armstrong-Brown, J. , Eng, E. (2009). Understanding African American mens perceptions of racism, male gender socialization, and social capital through photovoice. Qualitative health research, 19(4), 552-565. This book tries to understand African American men’s perceptions of racism and the new trend of some African Americans feeling more racially discriminated than people of other races. It also highlights some of the reasons that lead to the prevalence of this notion among African Americans. Ornelas also explains why racism is a social evil that cannot be expelled overnight. Pieterse, A. L. , Carter, R. T. (2010). The role of racial identity in perceived racism and psychological stress among Black American adults: Exploring traditional and alternative approaches. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 40(5), 1028-1053. Pieterse, along with Carter seek to understand how racism is perceived by African American individuals aged over 21 years. Their book also strives to find the deeper meaning as to why racism is a bigger matter than we thought of it. It also explains reasons why getting rid of racism would be a great feat. RACISM 11 Shelby, T. (2009). We who are dark: The philosophical foundations of black solidarity. Harvard University Press. We who are dark tries to relive the African American history in an attempt to unite blacks. It emphasizes on the importance of dealing away with racism and living in unity as one big family. Shelby’s book also highlights the key differences between the perceptions of both whites and blacks with regard to racism. It also shows us how history has helped in cultivating black solidarity.

Public Schools :: essays research papers

When Americans' think of education, they almost automatically think of public education. Through the years the idea home schooling is slowly changing. Many parents today are deciding to home school their children. Although most people think that a public education is better, most statistics and facts tend to show that home schooling is beneficial in more ways. It is estimated that parents are now teaching over two million children at home, rather than in public or even private schools. The idea of public education has been debated for years. Students are being faced with so much violence and crime in today's public school systems, that parents are forced to find a suitable alternative. In the past few years, home schooling has had a tremendous rise and has proved to be very successful in providing effective education. In the following paper, I intend to argue that home schooling is a successful educational reform when the child and parent work together to achieve academic excellence. Education in public schools has been on the criticized for many years. Parents now feel that their kids are in danger because of the crime, peer pressure, and violence at school. Teen pregnancies, teen sexual diseases, teen suicides, teen alcohol, drug abuse, pornography, and illiteracy rates abruptly increased 200 to 300 percent (Klicka 48). Violence is one of the main factors effecting are schools today. Rape is a growing problem among juveniles. A juvenile commits one out of every five rapes that occur in the United States. There is also a higher use of drugs and alcohol among kids in public schools. Over 80 percent of public high school students drink alcohol and 45.7 percent have used marijuana. Drugs and alcohol make most people extremely violent. That is also why our violence and crime rates are so high. Over hundreds of millions of dollars are spend on the security of our nation's public schools. In The Right Choice Home Schooling, Christopher Klicka says, "In Washington, D.C., drugs and violence were such a problem in one Elementary school, that the principal banned regular recess, and the children are only allowed to play outside in a pit enclosed by eight-foot concrete walls, or on a small section of playground monitored by the police (Klicka 51)." The disciplinary problems of children usually start even before they reach public school. In the last ten years, research shows that infants raised in daycare "are more prone to behavioral problems as young

Book: Kindergarten and Bibliographic Citation Essay

Annotated Bibliographic Citation: Blackstone, Stella. (2010) Octopus Opposites. Cambridge, MA: Barefoot Books Title: Octopus Opposites Author: Stella Blackstone Illustrator: Stephanie Bauer Year Published: 2010 Genre: Concept Brief Synopsis: This book discusses animals and their opposites. Suggested Developmental Level: This book would be appropriate for children birth to first grade based on the children’s reading levels. It will help in teaching the concept of opposites. Annotated Bibliographic Citation: Matzke Ann, H. (2011) Can you guess? Vero Beach, FL: Rourke Publishing Title: Can You Guess? Author: Ann H. Matzke Illustrator: Tara Raymo Year Published: 2011 Genre: Interaction Brief Synopsis: This book is based on the math concept of more or less. It gives young children the opportunity to test their math skills with answering the questions in the book. Suggested Developmental Level: I think this book would be appropriate for young children in grades in kindergarten to first grade. Annotated Bibliographic Citation: Lyon, George, Ella. (2010) The pirate of kindergarten. New York, NY: Antheneum Books For Young Readers Title: The Pirate of Kindergarten Author: George Ella Lyon. Illustrator: Lynne Avril Year Published: 2010 Genre: Storybook Brief Synopsis: Ginny is a kindergartner who has double vision making it harder for her to successfully participate in her class’s activities. She sees two of everything so Ginny has trouble reading, coloring, and cutting. One day, her class has participates in vision screening day where Ginny learns she has to visit and eye doctor to get glasses. Ginny’s eye doctor tells her she will be wearing a patch until her glasses come in. Once Ginny’s glasses are in, she can see everything in her classroom and this makes her very happy. Suggested Developmental Level: The appropriate age level for this book would be children in pre-school to second-grade. Annotated Bibliographic Citation: Gibbs, Edward. (2011) I spy with my little eye. Templar Books Title: I spy With My Little Eye Author: Edward Gibbs Illustrator: N/A Year Published: 2011 Genre: Interaction, Predictable Brief Synopsis: This book is a predictable I spy book. On the pages a small circle is cut out leading to what’s on the next page. Clues are read to help the children guess what animal may be on the following page. Suggested Developmental Level: This book would be appropriate for children in pre-school to first grade. Because some of the clues are colors, this book will aide in helping children learn colors as well as taking educated guesses. Annotated Bibliographic Citation: Sierra, Judy. (2012) Wild about you. NY: Alfred A. Knopf Title: Wild about You Author: Judy Sierra Illustrator: Marc Brown Year Published: 2012 Genre: Storybook Brief Synopsis: A new egg has arrived at the zoo but the zookeeper doesn’t know what animal may be inside. All of the zoo animals debate on who will hatch the egg and take care of the baby. The kangaroo decides to take care of the egg and soon to her surprise; it turns out to be a baby penguin. All of the zoo animals all help the kangaroo with the baby penguin. Soon after, a panda finds a baby kitten and soon falls in love with him just like the kangaroo and baby penguin. Suggested Developmental Level: This book would be appropriate for children in pre-school to second grade. The rhyming repetition in this book will help young children in learning new concepts of speech. Annotated Bibliographic Citation: Whybrow, Ian. (2006) What’s the time little wolf? Minneapolis, MN: Carolrhoda Books, Inc. Title: What’s the Time Little Wolf? Author: Ian Whybrow Illustrator: Tony Ross Year Published: 2006 Genre: Interactive, Storybook Brief Synopsis: The Wolf family consists of mom, dad, Little Wolf, and Smells. Little Wolf and Smells are sent out by their parents to catch dinner for the family. Throughout the story Little Wolf and Smells try to catch dinner and have no luck. Finally, they come across mice who want to play â€Å"what’s the time Little Wolf? † Little Wolf and Smells use this opportunity to their advantage and trick the mice into playing the game to capture them for dinner. Soon, Little Wolf and Smells return home with a sack full of mice for their mom and dad where they all have mice pies and rolls. Suggested Developmental Level: The appropriate age level for this book and activity would be preschoolers to first graders. Extension Activity: After reading the book, play the game, What’s the Time, Mr. Wolf? One player is Mr. Wolf. This player stands far away from the others facing away from them. The other players call out, â€Å"What’s the time, Mr. Wolf? â€Å" If Mr. Wolf answers, â€Å"Five o’ clock! † the players must take five steps toward Mr. Wolf and so on. When everyone is close, Mr. Wolf, answers, â€Å"Dinnertime! † The other players turn back to the start while Mr. Wolf chases them. Whoever is caught first is the next Mr. Wolf. But if everyone makes it back to the start, the same player must be Mr. Wolf again. Annotated Bibliographic Citation: Koelsch, Michael. (2001) Discover and explore. Penguin Putnam Inc. Title: Discover and Explore Author: Rosemary Wells Illustrator: Michael Koelsch Year Published: 2001 Genre: Storybook, Interactive Brief Synopsis: Timothy and his friends are kindergartners who learn about many different subjects throughout the school day. Timothy and his friends learn about the food pyramid, the seasons, the Earth, planting seeds, and many other subjects. Suggested Developmental Level: This book is appropriate for children ages three and up who are about to enter kindergarten. The concepts that can be learned in this book are the five senses, planting seeds, and the seasons. Annotated Bibliographic Citation: Browne, Anthony. (2011) How do you feel? Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press Title: How Do You Feel? Author: Anthony Browne Illustrator: Year Published: 2011 Genre: Concept Brief Synopsis: This book discusses different emotions that many of us sometimes feel. Suggested Developmental Level: I think the appropriate level of this book would be for preschoolers to kindergartners who are just beginning to learn and understand the different emotions we have. Annotated Bibliographic Citation: Cabrera, Jane. (2007) Old MacDonald had a farm. Great Britain: Gullane Children’s Books Title: Old MacDonald Had a Farm Author: Jane Cabrera Illustrator: Jane Cabrera Year Published: 2007 Genre: Interaction, Audiovisual (read-along), Storybook Brief Synopsis: Old MacDonald had a farm is a sing-along storybook that discusses all of the different things found on the farm like animals and Mr. MacDonald’s wife. Suggested Developmental Level: The appropriate level of this book is for young children in kindergarten who are can follow and sing along with the reader. Annotated Bibliographic Citation: Fraiser, Debra. (2010) A fabulous fair alphabet. New York, NY: Beachlane Books Title: A Fabulous Fair Alphabet Author: Debra Fraiser Illustrator: Jim Henkel Year Published: 2010 Genre: Alphabet Brief Synopsis: A Fabulous Fair Alphabet gives is about all things found at a fair that correspond with a certain letter in the alphabet. Suggested Developmental Level: The lever appropriate for this book would be preschoolers to kindergartners who are still or just learning their ABC’s. Annotated Bibliographic Citation: Adams, Diane. (2009) I can do it myself. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree Publishers Title: I Can Do It Myself Author: Diane Adams Illustrator: Nancy Hayashi Year Published: 2009 Genre: Storybook Brief Synopsis: Emily Pearl is a big girl who can do many things such as putting peanut butter on her bread or blowing her nose all by herself. Her mother always asks Emily and if she needs any help and Emily will respond, â€Å"I can do it myself. † Once it is time for bed, Emily finds herself needing her mom’s help with reading a bedtime story and finding Emily’s bear. Emily learns sometimes it’s nice to let someone else help. Suggested Developmental Level: Kindergartners through second graders will enjoy this book because it is teaching that although they can do many things on their own, sometimes they need help from someone else. Annotated Bibliographic Citation: Reiss, Mike. (2008) The boy who wouldn’t share. New York, NY: HarperCollins Children’s Books Title: The Boy Who Wouldn’t Share Author: Mike Reiss Illustrator: David Catrow Year Published: 2008 Genre: Storybook, Concept Brief Synopsis: Edward is being a selfish boy and not sharing his toys with his younger sister Claire. All day Edward keeps his toys in a huger pile away from Claire and finds himself stuck inside of the pile. When Edward and Claire’s mother comes in with a plate of fudge, she gives it all to Claire because Edward is nowhere to be found. Claire shares with her brother and teaches him that sharing is good. Edward then begins to let Claire play with his toys and they turns out fine, Suggested Developmental Level: Children who are in pre-school or kindergarten who may be new to sharing toys with other children will learn that sharing toys is the nice thing to do. It may help them to understand that sharing with result in having a better time. Annotated Bibliographic Citation: McPhail, David. (2002) The teddy bear. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company Title: The Teddy Bear Author: David McPhail Illustrator: David McPhail Year Published: 2002 Genre: Storybook, Concept Brief Synopsis: A young boy carries his teddy bear everywhere with him. One day, the boy and his parents decided to stop for lunch. The little boy’s teddy bear was accidentally left behind and thrown out into a garbage can. A homeless man found the teddy bear and soon started calling it his own. Months had passed, and the little boy had almost forgotten about the bear until one day as him and his parents walked through park. The man had left the teddy bear sitting on the bench as he looked for something. The little boy grabbed the teddy bear and went on his way when he heard the man upset, looking for his bear. The little boy decided to let the man keep the teddy bear saying that he used to have a similar one. Suggested Developmental Level: This book would be appropriate for young children in first through second grade. Annotated Bibliographic Citation: Wheeler, Cindy. (1995) Simple Signs. New York, NY: Penhuin Group Title: Simple Signs Author: Cindy Wheeler Illustrator: Cindy Wheeler Year Published: 1995 Genre: Nonfiction, Interaction, Concept Brief Synopsis: Simple Signs illustrates the signs of American Sign Language for simple words such as cat and ball. Suggested Developmental Level: This book should be read to children who are in both kindergarten and first grade. This in an interactive book that promotes the use of sign language as another form of communication. Annotated Bibliographic Citation: Brimmer, Larry. (2006) Bigger and Smaller. Chanhassen, MN: The Child’s World Title: Bigger and Smaller Author: Larry Dane Brimner Illustrator: Patrick Girouard Year Published: 2006 Genre: Storybook Brief Synopsis: A brother and sister learn the concept of bigger and smaller by taking a trip to the zoo and comparing themselves to all the different sized animals. Suggested Developmental Level: This book should be read to children birth to first grade. Annotated Bibliographic Citation: Schaefer, Lola. (2000) A Rainy Day. Mankata, MN: Capstone Press Title: A Rainy Day Author: Lola M. Schaefer Illustrator: Lola M. Schaefer Year Published: 2000 Genre: Nonfiction, Storybook Brief Synopsis: This book is about the importance of rain and offers other information about rain such as rain forms in clouds. Suggested Developmental Level: The developmental level for this book is for children birth to first grade. Annotated Bibliographic Citation: Gordan, Sharon. (2006) We follow the Rules. Tarrytown, NY: Matshall Cavendish Corporation Title: We Follow the Rules Author: Sharon Gordon.

Balancing On-line College Studies, Work, and Personal Relationships

Balancing On-line College Studies, Work, and Personal Relationships On-line college studies bring forth various challenges for a student as the concept of time may easily be disregarded or forgotten along with problems regarding distractions and the sense of presence (â€Å"Online Study Techniques†). In this sense, if a student also takes into consideration pressing issues such as those that stem from work, family, and friends, then the difficulty of successfully completing on-line college studies become even worse.However, the presence of such problems, difficulties, and challenges does not mean that every student going through on-line college studies has a myriad of excuses so as not to excel in their educational pursuit. In fact, given the right mind set and the right approach in decision making, it is most likely that a student will be able to optimally accomplish each task in his or her on-line studies while still being able to perform at work and maintain relations with family and friends.Personally, I incorporate concepts of time management and effective prioritization in order to attain efficient decision making. As mentioned, in decision making, I utilize effective prioritization in order to come up with the best possible options for a given situation. In this sense, I build up a hierarchy of considerations and events which may come up and how I should perceive each and every situation given if such situations overlap. In addition, I also develop a sense of hierarchy in relation to studies, work, friends, and family.Although it may seem that such an approach seems to be quite effective and one may bring up questions as to why even though people tend to have a similar approach but fail at decision making. The answer is quite simple, the reason for the inability to utilize prioritization as a tool for guiding decision making is not strictly followed and such individuals opt to choose the easier or more pleasurable choices instead of selecting the more important tasks.In my case though, I prioritize and decide according to which choice would bring the most positive effects. To expound upon the potential use of effective prioritization in terms of decision making, it is only proper to discuss through the use of specific examples. In this sense, a good example comes in the form of accomplishing additional tasks at work which basically translates into a bigger payout while also considering the progress through on-line studies and coursework.Considering that I already have a stable amount of funds and have a good amount of saving, then working for additional hours even though additional pay is given would not have been an efficient choice since technically my funds are already in excess. On the other hand, in relation to the on-line studies that have progressed slowly, allocating ample amounts of time and effort for such will definitely be not an excess and if I really want to attain my specialized associates' degree through dist ant learning, then I should spend more time to work on my studies.Hence, I chose to accomplish the latter option. However, sometimes one cannot simply choose an option over another especially if one or more of the possible choices are with added urgency. Since it is quite often that I am placed in a situation wherein I have to decide between different possible tasks in which time is of the essence, I have developed a way to incorporate efficient time management aside from effective prioritization into my decision making skills.To expound, efficient time management in my own perspective pertains to how the hours of the day or the days of the week are scheduled effectively in order to progress in my work and studies while still being a significant presence to my family and friends. Also, time management pertains to the reality that some decisions made or tasks accepted may be done on another day while some events cannot simply be accomplished if missed the first time around. In relati on to prioritization though, not every opportunity or task that may not reoccur on a definite time is not always the best option so time management in relation to decision making.A good example for the use of efficient time management in relation to decision making is in terms of choosing between the options of attending the birthday of my beloved niece and continuing my on-line studies. In the situation, it is quite expected that the birthday party, along with the opportunity to greet her and give her a gift in person, would only occur at a specific time and date. Considering that I am lagging behind in terms of my on-line studies, I also thought about using my free time to catch up with the remaining coursework.Of course, thinking that my studies are more important in the long run, and my niece would probably not hate me that much if I miss her birthday, my initial reaction was to just stay at home and continue my studies. Later on, I realized that if I missed the birthday then it might create an unavoidable stress between us. Taking into consideration that on-line studies are characteristically flexible in nature and progress may be made at one's own pace, then I simply went to the birthday, stayed for a while, and later on went back home to finally continue the coursework that should be completed.Hence, both tasks were accomplished. The important aspect of the decision making process in this sense, is the capability to postpone something to be done at a later time but still making sure that the postponed task is accomplished. In addition, it is also important to know which tasks should be conducted first and at the same time realize which tasks can really be set aside initially.In this sense, what works for me personally as discussed, is to utilize both time management and prioritization in deciding which tasks or events should be considered to be done first. Of course, such a method has some negative points as well. In most cases though, from a personal s tandpoint, it is definitely useful to use efficient time management and effective prioritization in relation to decision making as reflected through the stability of my personal relationships with family and friends, as well as good productivity at work and on my studies.

Poussinistes Vs. Rubenistes essays

Poussinistes Vs. Rubenistes essays The debate between Poussinistes vs. Rubenistes began in the French Academy. The debate was between the artistic ideas of Poussin and Ruben. The Poussinistes thought that drawing and the use of lines were more important than color because it appeals to the mind the most. The Rubenistes believed that color was the most important factor in paintings over line because it is more true to nature. They believed that color appeals to everyone as opposed to line, which appeals to only a selected few. A good example of a painting that the Poussinistes would have believed to be true to their beliefs would be Sir Joshua Reynolds portrait of Mrs. Siddons As the Tragic Muse. This painting really shows its sense of lines because, in the painting, Mrs. Siddons is outlined very well. There are also the hard outlines of the straight chair that she is sitting on to give her sort of a frame. The background is very dark and kind of fades out. There is, of course, color in the painting but no color that is very bright and eye catching. One is mostly focused on the object that is painted due to the actual figure represented rather than the color that is used. A good example of a painting that the Rubenistes would have believed to be true to their beliefs would be Jean- Antoine Watteaus painting of A Pilgrimage to Cyhera. This painting is a good example for on because it has a wonderful display and use of color. In this painting you can make out clearly what the artist is trying to represent, yet there are no hard lines that deeply outline any of the figures. The colors in the painting softly blend into each as if they are one color bringing on many different hues. The sky becomes the mountains, which become the trees and the lake and eventually the people. The color really draws your attention and creates an interesting sense of beauty. If I were around in the time of the French Academy I pro ...

James Buchanan †The Fifteenth President †History Essay

James Buchanan – The Fifteenth President – History Essay Free Online Research Papers James Buchanan The Fifteenth President History Essay The fifteenth president of the United States has been either one of the most ineffective presidents or one of the biggest casualties of his era. James Buchanan was president from1857 till 1861 and like the fourteenth and thirteenth presidents, Millard Fillmore and Franklin Pierce, before him he was unable to mediate the country over the issue of slavery. James Buchanan was effective during his life starting with graduating from Dickinson College. Before being elected president on the Democratic ticket in 1957, Buchanan was a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for a year. He became an accomplished lawyer before taking a seat on the United States House of Representatives from 1821 till 1831. Buchanan was a minister to Russia for two years immediately following his appointed seat. Buchanan’s life was occupied with the United States Senate from the time he stopped being a minister till the time 1845. He further held government positions of Secretary of State for four years under President Polk and Minister of England from 1953 till 1956 under President Pierce. Buchanan was elected president with one hundred seventy four votes to beat the other two candidates combined. Buchanan however staled politically as a president. The political savvy man from Pennsylvania served abroad during time of bitter domestic controversy which helped him get to the white house. AT first he thought the debate over slavery specifically the issue of whether new territories should be slave states would be over if he maintained a sectional balance with his appointments and to accept constitutional law as the Supreme Court interpreted it. The northern part of the nation did not accept constitutional law as the Supreme Court interpreted it when the Dred Scott Decision occurred. The decision decreed that Congress had no right to deprive persons of their property rights in slaves in the territories. Buchanan then tried to settle the matter just in Kansas by urging the admission of the territory as a slave state. He in doing this angered the Republicans and distance members of the Democratic Party. Kansas remained merely a territory and then the Republicans gained plurality in the House of Representatives. The plurality of Republicans in the House of Representatives effectively stalemated the Federal Government. Although this is not to the fault of Buchanan, The stale mate occurring when bills are not passed by either the House of Representatives or the southern part of the Senate did significantly stop effective government actions. Then the Democratic Party split between into northern and southern factions. The two democratic factions nominated their own candidates for office with the Republicans nominating only one. Southerners not in favor of a republican administration moved to secede. The decision came upon Buchanan and he decided that legally states could not secede but also that the federal government couldn’t stop them. One of the most effective acts as president came when Cabinet members began to resign he replaced them with northerners. It may even be argued that Abraham Lincoln a man with more failures than success in his life would not have found his glory had James Buchanan found a solution to the most pressing issue of his term. If there weren’t more northerners in the Cabinet it may not have created the same environment and power as that of the civil war era when Lincoln held office. He also sent The Star of the West to reinforce Fort Sumter. He ended his presidency within a year with the period after the Fort Sumter order being highly inactive. Research Papers on James Buchanan - The Fifteenth President - History Essay19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraQuebec and CanadaNever Been Kicked Out of a Place This NiceThe Effects of Illegal ImmigrationAppeasement Policy Towards the Outbreak of World War 2Bringing Democracy to AfricaComparison: Letter from Birmingham and CritoAssess the importance of Nationalism 1815-1850 EuropeHip-Hop is ArtThe Relationship Between Delinquency and Drug Use

The 13 Best Places to Visit in Paris

The 13 Best Places to Visit in Paris SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips You only need a glimpse to know what they are: the barest outline of the Eiffel Tower or a few flying buttresses of Notre Dame are usually enough to identify the most famous Paris attractions. Located in one of the best known and most visited cities in the world, Paris’ top sites are, in fact, so popular and so heavily visited that touring the city can sometimes feel like pushing through a sea of tourists as you each struggle to complete the same sightseeing checklist. It shouldn't feel this way! Paris is a huge city filled with diverse sights, some better known than others. It’s not difficult to step off the tourist trail and find yourself in authentic Paris, surrounded by native Parisians and visiting places that don’t have their images plastered on every dish towel and ashtray filling the tourist shops. However, a desire to see a more unique and realistic view of Paris doesn’t mean you should skip the main attractions. It would be an odd (and likely disappointing) itinerary that didn’t include the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre. The key is to find a balance between the popular attractions that define our image of Paris and the lesser-known sights that let you see another side of the city and get a better idea of what Paris is like for locals. With that in mind, I’ve compiled a list of the top 13 Paris attractions and organized them into four categories: architecture, museums, churches, and parks. Together, these categories make up much of our popular vision of Paris. For each category, the best-known sight (or sights) is listed first, followed by two lesser-known but equally enjoyable options. At the end of the guide, I’ve included a three-day itinerary you can follow on your visit to Paris, along with ways to customize it to your particular interests. This itinerary will introduce you to off-the-radar places rarely visited by tourists as well as give insider tips and guidelines for visiting some of the most popular Paris attractions. The Top 13 Places to Visit in Paris Architecture Eiffel Tower Arc de Triomphe Palais Garnier Museums Louvre Musà ©e d’Orsay Musà ©e Rodin Musà ©e du quai Branly Churches Notre Dame Cathedral Sacrà ©-Coeur Basilica St Denis Basilica Parks Luxembourg Gardens Cimetiere de Pere Lachaise Parc des Buttes-Chaumont Here's a map of 12 of the 13 locations (St. Denis is to the north). You can also view the map online. Architecture Best Known: The Eiffel Tower The worldwide symbol of Paris, the Eiffel Tower is about as â€Å"must-see† as an attraction can get. It hasn't always been so popular though. There’s a legend that famed French writer Guy de Maupassant hated the Eiffel Tower so intensely that every day he’d eat lunch under it because it was the only place in the city where he couldn’t see it. These days it’s quite easy to wander around many parts of Paris without catching a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower, so you should try to make your first sight of it memorable. One of the grandest views is at the Trocadà ©ro Metro stop. While there are stops that are closer to the tower, none can match the view of the Eiffel Tower suddenly springing into existence and filling most of the skyline as you step out of the station. The best times for viewing the Eiffel Tower are early in the morning, before most tourists and vendors have gotten up, and at night, when the tower lights up every hour, on the hour. For five minutes the Eiffel Tower is transformed into a sparkling structure that looks almost as if it has been covered with a fine piece of glittery lace. It’s also possible to go up the Eiffel Tower. Eiffel Tower tickets are very popular so, if you choose to do this, be sure to reserve your tickets at least several days ahead of time (particularly in the summer) to avoid long lines. There are three different levels you can stop at, with most people finding the middle level to offer the best photo opportunities. The Eiffel Tower also has two restaurants, Le 58 Tour Eiffel and Le Jules Verne Restaurant. If you're interested in dining at one of them, book several weeks in advance to ensure you get a spot. Arc de Triomphe Another symbol of the city, the Arc de Triomphe is located at the western end of Paris’ most famous street, the Champs-Elysà ©es. Built in honor of those who fought in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, the Arc de Triomphe also contains the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from WWI and an eternal flame in remembrance of those who died in both World Wars. While most people are content to simply take a picture of the Arc de Triomphe and continue on with their shopping (or window shopping) along the Champs-Elysà ©es, this site is in fact my pick for the best attraction in Paris to ascend to the top of. It’s much more popular to travel up the Eiffel Tower, but going to the top of the Arc de Triomphe is cheaper, far less crowded (no need for advance tickets), and, above all, it gives you a better view of Paris. This is because your view from the top of the Arc de Triomphe will include the Eiffel Tower anchoring Paris’ skyline which, as Monsieur Maupassant knew, the view from the Eiffel Tower does not. Palais Garnier Located near two of Paris’ major department stores, the Palais Garnier is a historic opera house and one of the loveliest buildings in Paris. It’s also one of the most famous opera houses in the world and was the setting for the novel and musical Phantom of the Opera. The best way to visit is during one of its evening performances (there are actually more ballet performances here than opera these days) when you can mingle with the hoi polloi of Paris. However, even people with no interest in attending a show will enjoy seeing the building’s opulent interior which is practically dripping with chandeliers and gold leaf. Highlights include the grand staircase, Grand Foyer, Salon de la Lune, and the Auditorium, with its vibrant ceiling painting by Marc Chagall. This architectural sight is a nice contrast to some of Paris’ better known buildings, such as the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame, since its interior is the main draw. The Palais Garnier can be visited daily by self-guided tours which allow access to each of the aforementioned sights as well as a small museum. Museums Best Known #1: The Louvre Not only the most visited museum in the world, the Louvre is also the largest, with over 35,000 objects on display, a thought that excites some but causes others to shudder at the idea of shuffling past miles of oil paintings. The trick to the Louvre is to use its size to your advantage; it’s collection is so vast that there’s truly something here to interest everyone. Hit the top attractions first: Mona Lisa, Winged Victory of Samothrace, and Venus de Milo are the three most popular pieces to view. Then, struggle free of the crowds and head to whichever galleries strike your fancy. It’s helpful to review a map of the museum beforehand and arrive at the Louvre museum with a game plan. There are as many paintings as you could ever want to see, and, if you’re interested in something different, there are also galleries devoted to Islamic art, recreations of Napoleon’s apartments, sculpture gardens, and more. You may find the Louvre quieter if you visit right when it opens or in the afternoons (particularly Wednesday when it’s open until 10pm), but, more often than not, there will be a line to purchase Louvre tickets and crowding around the main attractions. Particularly around the Mona Lisa, it’s best to just give in and accept the selfie sticks, then escape to a quieter part of the museum. Best Known #2: Musà ©e d’Orsay A shade less well-known than the Louvre, the Musà ©e d’Orsay is often the preferred museum of travelers who visit both. A main reason for this is because the Musà ©e d’Orsay is often seen as far less overwhelming than the Louvre: its lines are typically much shorter, its galleries less crowded, and it has roughly 4,000 works on display compared to the Louvre’s 35,000. Both museums have top-notch buildings, but people who prefer contemporary architecture may be more drawn to the Musà ©e d’Orsay’s setting in an old railway station. While the Musà ©e d’Orsay doesn’t have any pieces as famous as the Mona Lisa, it houses the largest collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist pieces in the world, including Monet’s Blue Water Lilies, Renoir’s Montmartre, and Van Gogh’s Church at Auvers. Impressionist pieces are often very popular with visitors due to their bright colors and open composition, and if you are interested in this style of art, you may want to consider visiting the Musà ©e d’Orsay in place of, or in addition to, the Louvre. Musà ©e Rodin Image source: Vincius Pinheiro/Flickr The Musà ©e Rodin is the museum for people who hate museums or are burnt out from museums. It features pieces by Auguste Rodin, one of the world’s most famous sculptures, known for the realism and emotion in his works. The majority of pieces are showcased in the attractive mansion Rodin used to live and work in, but the highlight is the adjacent sculpture garden. Here, visitors can wander through manicured gardens with some of Rodin’s most famous pieces, including The Thinker and The Gates of Hell, lining the paths and tucked into grassy alcoves. Visitors can also take a rest or read the newspaper in one of the chairs situated next to the pond at the edge of garden. Wandering through the museum gardens on a sunny day is one of the most enjoyable ways I know to get a dose of art and culture. It’s possible to visit just the gardens, and, at 4 euros, it’s also one of the best deals in Paris. Musà ©e du quai Branly Image source: Julien Texier/Flickr The Musà ©e du quai Branly is the place to visit for people interested in international art or those who can’t handle looking at one more Renaissance-era painting. Situated close to the Eiffel Tower, the first thing you’ll notice about this museum is the lush vertical gardens covering its outer walls. They’re the first sign that this museum prides itself on its individuality. Inside are art and cultural objects from Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas. This is one of Paris’ newest museums, opened in 2006, and it makes good use of technological advances and interactive displays. Cutting through the middle of the museum is a winding sculptural â€Å"river’† with interactive panels, meant to connect the different exhibits and guide visitors through the museum. Even people not normally interested in the sort of objects the Musà ©e du quai Branly displays may enjoy visiting if they need a quiet refuge from the Eiffel Tower. There are no individual rooms and few displays to read, so the museum seems airier and less intimidating than most. Musà ©e du quai Branly is also open later than almost all other museums in Paris (until either 7pm or 9pm each night), so it also makes a good option if you’re wondering what to do in Paris at night. Churches Best Known: Notre Dame Cathedral Visiting Notre Dame Cathedral, with its flying buttresses and rose stained-glass windows, is one of the top things to do in Paris, and practically everyone who visits the city makes it to this Gothic masterpiece. There is almost always a line snaking out the doors, but since admission is free and there is no checkpoint to pass, it moves quite quickly, so don’t be daunted. If you’d like to avoid the crowds anyway, try arriving early in the morning, before 10:00am. You can also visit the bell towers (for a fee), but the wait is often several hours due to the limited number of people allowed up at a time. If you’re interested in doing this, try to get in line before doors open at 10:00am to reduce waiting time. Notre Dame is located on the ÃŽle de la Cità ©, a small island in the middle of the Seine River and the historical center of Paris. In addition to Notre Dame, there are two other Medieval buildings on the island which you can visit: the Sainte-Chapelle church and the Conciergerie prison, where Marie Antoinette was held before her execution in 1793. Sacrà ©-Coeur Basilica Despite its relative youth (it was only completed in 1914), Sacrà ©-Coeur is a popular Parisian attraction, though not as highly visited as Notre Dame. Its attractive onion domes look straight out of the Byzantine, but there are a few clues that show Sacre-Coeur’s true age. Once inside, see if you can spot the anachronistic-looking painting of businessmen hidden amongst all the religious figures in the ceiling mural. They were added in recognition of some of the Basilica’s most important donors. Sacre-Coeur was built on the highest point in the city, and reaching the top (either by taking a funicular or climbing a few hundred steps) offers fantastic views of Paris. Surrounding Sacre-Coeur is Montmartre, one of Paris’ most interesting and popular neighborhoods. There are tourists here, but there are also art studios, bistros, and cobblestone streets leading to traditional walled gardens. It’s a great place to feel the bohemian vibe of a bygone Paris. St. Denis Basilica This is the church to visit for people interested in history (or royals or over-the-top tombs). Located just outside the city limits, in a northern suburb, St. Denis Basilica is an easy 20-minute ride on line 13 from the city center. While hardly noticed by tourists, it is here that 43 kings and 32 queens of France, including Marie Antoinette, are buried. The site has been used as a burial place since Roman times, and nearly every French king between the 10th and 18th centuries came to rest here. The building itself is also important. Completed in 1144, it’s often considered the world’s first Gothic church. Parks Best Known: Luxembourg Gardens The wonderful thing about the Luxembourg Gardens is that they are hugely appealing to tourists yet not at all a tourist attraction. These gardens are well-loved and well-frequented by the citizens of Paris, and many Parisians spent their childhood afternoons launching toy sailboats into the ponds or playing games on the lawn. No matter when you visit, even at the height of tourist season in July and August, you can be sure that a fair percentage of the other people enjoying the Luxembourg Gardens are native Parisians, which is not true of many of Paris’ other top attractions. After a day of rushing from one attraction to another, come to these gardens to see how Paris relaxes and join in on the (in)action. Stroll through the gardens, play a game of tennis, admire the fountains, or just pull up a chair (there always seems to be vacant ones) and let the afternoon drift by. Pà ¨re-Lachaise Cemetery Pà ¨re-Lachaise is, in fact, a cemetery rather than just a park, but it includes many walking paths as well as sitting areas within its confines. And this isn’t just any cemetery; Pà ¨re-Lachaise is the place to be buried in Paris. It’s the largest cemetery within the city, with an estimated one million people buried here. Hundreds of famous names, both Parisians and foreigners, have made this their final resting place, and demand is so high for space that plots are often purchased only for 10, 30, or 50 years, to be exhumed when the â€Å"lease† is up and moved to another area. Some of the most famous people to be buried in Pà ¨re-Lachaise include writer Oscar Wilde, singer Edith Piaf, composer Frà ©dà ©ric Chopin, and, most visited of all, American rocker Jim Morrison. Morrison’s grave is, in fact, so popular that it has been fenced off and a guard posted nearby to prevent fans from doing illicit activities near (and on) his grave. Pà ¨re-Lachaise can often feel like a maze with gravestones planted every which way, and finding a particular grave can be challenging. It helps to purchase a map at any of the shops flanking the cemetery before you plunge in. Additionally, the cemetery has been divided into different numbered sections to help you find your way, and there are signs at the main entrances that list where the most famous graves can be found. The catacombs are typically the attraction tourists visit when they want to come face-to-face with death in Paris, but I find them to often be hurried and overly touristic. As an alternative, I recommend Pà ¨re-Lachaise. There are no visible bones to gawk at, but it’s free to visit, you can wander at your own pace, and you’ll likely get a better sense of Paris’ history, the changes the city went through, and the luminaries who made this place their home. Parc des Buttes-Chaumont Image source: Ard Hesselink/Flickr For those who like their parks a little wilder (and a lot less populated), Buttes-Chaumont is the place for you. Located in the 19th arrondissement, this park contains the standard flower beds, walking paths, and areas for play. In addition to all that, Buttes-Chaumont also has a collection of waterfalls, cliffs, and grottoes. This spot was formerly a quarry, which accounts for the steep changes in height throughout the park. If you want a bit of a workout, follow the suspension bridges across the artificial lake to the rocky island situated in the middle. Here, you can travel the steep stairway to the island’s highest point, where a miniature Temple to Sybil (a copy of a famous Roman temple) is hidden among the trees. The bustle of Paris may as well be a world away. The Best 3-Day Itinerary for Paris Attractions Three days is a great amount of time to get a taste for the City of Light. Following this itinerary will ensure you hit all the major Paris attractions without getting burned out: you'll hit all of the must-see locations, but there's plenty of flexibility to customize the itinerary to your particular interests and energy level. Day 1 Start your trip on Paris’ most famous street, the Champs-Elysà ©es. At the end stands the Arc de Triomphe. Buy a ticket to climb a few hundred stairs to the top where you can survey the city you’re about to explore. After you’ve gotten glimpse of the Eiffel Tower from afar, it’s time to visit it up close. Take the Metro to the Trocadà ©ro stop where you can choose to go to the top of the tower or simply admire it from the ground. After visiting the Eiffel Tower, visit the Musà ©e du Quai Branly or the Musà ©e de Rodin. After the sun goes down, you can watch the twinkling lights of the Eiffel Tower easily from either museum. The Musà ©e de Rodin has great views of the Eiffel Tower from the gardens, while the tower is just a short walk from the Musà ©e du Quai Branly. Day 2 On day two, arrive at the Louvre about 30 minutes before doors open at 9am to reduce the chances of crowds and long lines. Once inside, you’re free to spend as much time as you’d like surveying its vast collection. In the afternoon, get some fresh air by wandering the Ile de la Cità © and Notre Dame. Ile de la Cità © and the neighboring Latin Quarter on the left bank of the Seine River are some of the most attractive and historical parts of Paris, so spend some time enjoying the sites. Afterwards, the Luxembourg Gardens are close to the Latin Quarter for a picnic dinner and relaxation, or you could stop by a museum you didn’t get to visit the first day. Day 3 For the third morning, visit either the Musà ©e D’Orsay, or, if you want a smaller and quicker attraction (or just aren’t interested in any more museums), take a self-guided tour of the Palais Garnier. Both are great examples of the beauty of Parisian architecture. Spend the afternoon around the Montmartre area of Paris and visit the Sacrà © Coeur. This is a great area to have lunch and soak in the artistic, bohemian vibe in one of the many small cafes lining the streets. You then have a couple of choices for what to do next. If you want to keep the church theme going, catch a train to the St. Denis Basilica and check out its Gothic architecture and historical tombs. Or, if you’d prefer the graves you visit to be a bit more recent, take a walk through Pà ¨re-Lachaise Cemetery. Finally, if all you’re looking to do is relax, head over to the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont and enjoy the natural setting.

To what extent, if at all, is it true to say that Derivatives are Essay

To what extent, if at all, is it true to say that Derivatives are toxic weapons of financial mass destruction - Essay Example In the context of financial market booms and busts, derivatives are often criticized for artificially (yet inevitably) creating these cycles. For this reason, it is not unreasonable to claim that ‘derivatives are toxic instruments of financial mass destruction’, although they have their utility when employed prudently. The role played by derivatives during the 2001 dotcom bubble as well as the more recent 2008 crash of global equity markets is now beyond doubt. The sovereign debt crisis in Greece and Italy are notable examples of the dangers associated with derivatives. Yet, in an atmosphere of deregulation of financial markets, traders and merchants using this controversial financial instrument are given greater incentive to take risk. In other words, the present legal and regulatory climate encourages corporate greed and irresponsible risk-taking, which can only lead to economic crisis. As the case of the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008 clearly illustrates, the unrealistic ambition of CEOs of large corporations is facilitated by derivative instruments. For example, Henry Fuld, the Lehman Brothers CEO who took his company to bankruptcy, had earned $350 million as compensation in the three years before the collapse. This figure is comparable to the money earned by Henry Ford, the founder of th e Ford Motor Company in the three years leading up to the Great Depression. The deregulated economic environment of the Coolidge years is quite similar to the right-wing economic policies implemented by the Bush Administration during its 8 year tenure. It seems remarkable that in spite of several episodes of recession in the last sixty years, the legislatures of advanced economies have not been suitably amended to mitigate future recessions and stock market collapses. To be fair to derivatives, they can perform some useful economic functions. Due to augmented activities by derivative

The California Sutter Health Approach Research Paper - 2

The California Sutter Health Approach - Research Paper Example According to the paper the United States of America healthcare system network has huge revenue collection within its patients. However, the payment system has laid down proper measures, targeting revenue collection procedures to curb problems that have affected the accounts department on the traditional ways they have been using. The main objective of this research is to identify accounting approach and practices California Sutter used in defining and solving its collection problems and giving concrete solution on the based prevailing issue. This study outlines that in the year 2006, the Sutter Health service provider committed itself in giving their staff patient financial services with an aim of improving their patient collections. It was at this point that the staff began to work towards the registration process with an aim of transferring all function within financial approach. The payment system has laid down proper measures, targeting revenue collection procedures to curb problems that have affected the accounts department on the traditional ways they have been using. This research however, it is going to analyze the reasons, meetings that were held, discussion laid down, steps and results that Sutter health engaged to provide quality services within the states of America. Sutter Health service provider is a non-profit organization found in Sacramento States, CA based on the hospital system and healthcare practices. In the line of duty, the firm faced a major problem since within the Sutter family that comprises 48 , 000 physicians, employees and volunteers, they were overwhelmed on providing services of more than 100 northern California cities and towns.  

Contemporary Issues and Policies Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Contemporary Issues and Policies - Term Paper Example Consequently it shows hot information technology influences the structure and processes of the organization and policies that impact the project. Physical therapy is a health care profession that deals with the identification and maximization of the quality of life through prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. It involves an active interaction between the therapist, patient, families, community and other health professionals/providers. It is in this field that Outpatient Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Services (OTPRS) operates. OTPRS offers both physical therapy (neck and back, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, hip, knee and ankle), and specialty programs (occupational and hand therapy, vestibular/ balance program, sports medicine, work related injuries, medical gym, chronic pain management, massage therapy, women’s health). In order to fit and remain competitive in the market, OTPRS has laid down strategies to incorporate the current issues and policies in US and the world. This is due to the realization that globalization as a modern issue demands for expansion of economic interdependence as a conscious state and organization strategy (Mastanduno, 2001). United States has modeled itself into a modern epitome of democracy with a good social, economic and political facet that is admired by many. The result has been an influx of people into US seeking employment, citizenship, health care and education. These people are from a different culture of the world. In order to incorporate this new group of potential clientele, OTPRS has embarked on an expansion project that seeks to study these new markets in line with their ethical and cultural backgrounds. However, it draws caution of the looming effect of new competition from Asian Tigers who offer cheaper therapeutic services to the market. This has prompted the organization to upscale its standard of operation to offer competent services without necessarily having to lower prices. OTPRS is a ware of an increase in the aging population in United States. There has been a constant 12.4 percentage increase in the number of persons 65 years of age and above (CDC, 2004). The population is characterized with functional limitation and a high prevalence of chronic diseases, hence, a high demand for therapeutic services. This trend has forced the company to expand its capacity in service provision though its 5 centers (Auburn, Covington, Covington Satellite, Maple Valley and Kent) and its online program. Through its online program, a patient can request for an appointment, pay their bills online, or even refer another patient to the organization. OTPRS operates in the health care industry with three major payers: government (Federal, State and local; employers and the health care consumers. Trends of consumption have shown that services that are covered with insurance and payment methods are consumed more that the ones borne by the customers. However, Medicare is now available to almost all of the American aging population. This is a positive aspect in the healthcare industry and will impact positively on players such as OTPRS. One of the regulations in the US health care industry is ‘The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) of 1996’. It is the major regulatory policy that affects organizations that provide services to consumers within the United States (NetIQ, 2005). Others include the

Nigeria - oil war Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Nigeria - oil war - Assignment Example According to Frynas (158) the pollution of the environment through the extraction of oil in Nigeria has been the leading cause of the human rights abuses and environmental abuse in the Niger Delta. In this essay it is the aim of the research to examine and analyze how the oil industry in Nigeria has been the source of various conflicts and how the oil companies in Niger Delta have devastated the environment especially of the Ogoni lands. To achieve the goal of analyzing the environmental devastation of the Ogoni lands in the Niger Delta, I have organized this paper into five sections. The first section will be looking at the background and the history of the Ogoni land and their conflicts with the oil corporations operating within the contested area. Under this first section, further sub-sections will look at the background of the environmental resource that is being examined; the human rights issues that are the center of the conflict and the history of the inhabitants of the Ogoni land; and the location of the resource that is being evaluated will be explained. ... Under the international policies, governance and legislation several factors will be put into consideration including the specific policies and that are in place to regulate the resource around the Niger Delta and how the regime in the area was formed together with the structure put in place for the policies to work. Relevant international laws and treaties will be used in order to clarify the topic at hand in relation to the conflict area. Under this section the last sub-section will be how the implementation of the international enforcements is being done and whether there are challenges that are being faced when implementing the various rights and treaties and if not if there are cases whereby the country is not honoring the treaties that have been set. The fourth section is the challenges and barriers that are in place that makes it difficult in finding a remedy and a solution to the conflicts being experienced in the Niger Delta. This section will include the identification of t he obstacles that are limits the problem solving and also whether there are theories that support these problems that hinder the remedy of the conflict. On top of the identification, an opinion concerning whether a shift in the consciousness of the public will be prudent or not will be discussed in this section. The last section which is the fifth section that the paper will analyze will be the policy recommendations that might be deemed best to help in reducing the conflict that is currently being experienced. In addition the opinions of the whether a new policy recommendation will be necessary during the implementation of the solutions to reduce the conflicts will be given in this section. After all the main sections

Critically evaluate interventions aimed at increasing physical actvity Essay

Critically evaluate interventions aimed at increasing physical actvity levels in school children aged 511 (Primary School) - Essay Example As the physical activity interventions have enough evidence that can avoid diabetes in children, it is as well important to decrease overweight and obesity in children. As obesity is due to the increase of energy intake than the energy expenditure, the physical interventions are necessary for the reasonable energy expenditure in the children. In addition to that the physical activity can help in maintenance of musculoskeletal health and can reduce the increase of fat due to sedentary life style in children. In addition to above aspects, the physical activities will help in psychological development and well being of children as they are capable of avoiding depression, stress and anxiety. As the development of social skills in children need physical activities as well as classroom activities, the physical interventions in primary school children will develop a positive self-image and self esteem thus increasing the quality of life (WHO, 2006). 1 Townsend, Tony (19980 quotes Comenius (1657) and Pestalozzi (1898) along with Froebel (1903) about the physical interventions in the form of play in early childhood education. ... All the above authors recognized play as 'work' of children and is significant in their activities. Supporting the above theory of play, recent works by Anning (1994), Berk (1994) insisted that the inclusion of play in programs can provide theoretical support. In addition to the clinical benefits, the physical activities are helpful in learning also. In addition to that the children in future can develop socially cooperative behavior by engaging themselves in physical activities. To have long term goals from the physical activities, highly skilled teachers are necessary to judge the situation, intervention and recording the events for future planning. To have long term gains, teachers in primary schools should understand the play activities as well as physical activities as tools for learning as well as health. The physical activities can make children to achieve individual and group objectives. To achieve the results of physical activities and for timely implementation of them, the parent teacher partnership is necessary for long term gains of physical activities of children. 2 Children in Playground and Recess Just before analyzing the long term and health benefits of physical activity in children, their playground and recess behavior concern is important. Pellegrini, Anthony (1994) quotes Craig Hart (1993) that emphasizes the importance of recess for children. It is the unique part of the school day and enables children to interact with each other thus paving way for their social behavior of the future. As classrooms do not have peer interaction, the recess provides that and can act as emotional ventilation making them mentally healthy. The physical activities can be termed as

Google Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Google - Essay Example For example, in the third quarter of 2007 alone, Google hired 2130 people to ensure that it had the best brains and the smartest people on board its corporate engine.(Dignan, 2007). As Dignan (2007) has pointed out, employment at Google is largely centred around work on the search engine and ad words; as a result a slow down in business, such as the current recessionary period, could affect the Company adversely. But the Company’s recruitment and HRM policies have been strongly focused on pulling in the best and smartest people into the organization, because of its recognition that innovation is the driving factor ensuring success in the IT business today. One of the reasons for Google’s spiraling success is its thrust on innovation and the belief that good ideas can, and should, come from anywhere.(Business Week, 2005). Engineers in the company are allowed a day off in a week to work on their pet projects and there is a high level of receptivity from the upper echelons of management to new and innovative ideas. By constantly staying on the cutting edge of innovation, the company has been able to sustain itself as the market leader through the development of new products and services. There is no strict hierarchical structure in place at Google and the corporate environment is characterized by informal networking, such that the CEO Eric Schmidt himself, is approachable to every employee, who is at liberty to pitch a new sales or networking/IT idea to him anytime. Google’s HRM policy is different from other organizations, characterized by the high level of informality and networking, which is a very successful business policy insofar as Google is concerned. Since the products and services in the IT business can be easily replicated by competitors who can put out their version of a product or service, the cutting edge in this business lies in the development of innovative new

Critically evaluate interventions aimed at increasing physical actvity Essay

Critically evaluate interventions aimed at increasing physical actvity levels in school children aged 511 (Primary School) - Essay Example As the physical activity interventions have enough evidence that can avoid diabetes in children, it is as well important to decrease overweight and obesity in children. As obesity is due to the increase of energy intake than the energy expenditure, the physical interventions are necessary for the reasonable energy expenditure in the children. In addition to that the physical activity can help in maintenance of musculoskeletal health and can reduce the increase of fat due to sedentary life style in children. In addition to above aspects, the physical activities will help in psychological development and well being of children as they are capable of avoiding depression, stress and anxiety. As the development of social skills in children need physical activities as well as classroom activities, the physical interventions in primary school children will develop a positive self-image and self esteem thus increasing the quality of life (WHO, 2006). 1 Townsend, Tony (19980 quotes Comenius (1657) and Pestalozzi (1898) along with Froebel (1903) about the physical interventions in the form of play in early childhood education. ... All the above authors recognized play as 'work' of children and is significant in their activities. Supporting the above theory of play, recent works by Anning (1994), Berk (1994) insisted that the inclusion of play in programs can provide theoretical support. In addition to the clinical benefits, the physical activities are helpful in learning also. In addition to that the children in future can develop socially cooperative behavior by engaging themselves in physical activities. To have long term goals from the physical activities, highly skilled teachers are necessary to judge the situation, intervention and recording the events for future planning. To have long term gains, teachers in primary schools should understand the play activities as well as physical activities as tools for learning as well as health. The physical activities can make children to achieve individual and group objectives. To achieve the results of physical activities and for timely implementation of them, the parent teacher partnership is necessary for long term gains of physical activities of children. 2 Children in Playground and Recess Just before analyzing the long term and health benefits of physical activity in children, their playground and recess behavior concern is important. Pellegrini, Anthony (1994) quotes Craig Hart (1993) that emphasizes the importance of recess for children. It is the unique part of the school day and enables children to interact with each other thus paving way for their social behavior of the future. As classrooms do not have peer interaction, the recess provides that and can act as emotional ventilation making them mentally healthy. The physical activities can be termed as

Living in Multicultural Societies Research Paper

Living in Multicultural Societies - Research Paper Example Since the developed nations of the world offer superior education, health, employment and individual as well as collective growth and development of the people, the populations belonging to the under-developed and developing countries tend to move to the developed states for brighter job and business prospects on the one side, and to lead a better, comfortable and luxurious life on the other. Situated in the Island of Hispaniola, in the southern part of Atlantic Ocean, the Dominican Republic serves as the second largest Caribbean nation existing on the face of the earth (Seelke 1). Being the poor economy, but rich with the natural resources, the country had been the target of the adventures of the European powers since the seventeenth century onward. Since the Spanish royalty had taken keen interest in keeping the country under the Spanish control, the Caribbean island had been one of the Spanish dominions for decades. By the end of eighteenth century, the country came under the sway of French authorities, though the French had to experience the revolt of the indigenous population against them. It eventually encouraged the neighboring Haitians to occupy the island for establishing their rule over it (Lancer 2002). Migration is a social phenomenon, which is equally popular among the individuals belonging to all geographical zones, different ethnic, racial and religious backgrounds, various age-groups and both the genders (Weeks 263). Identical with the rest of the world, the people belonging to the Dominican Republic also observe migration from their native country to some other regions of the globe. It is partly because of the very fact that the country had been the victim of poverty, massive corruption at national scale, bad governance, nepotism, political unrest, sociocultural chaos and economic uncertainty that force the masses to explore new dimensions for making progress in life (Morgan, Espinal, & Seligson 10-1). In addition, the country also

Minimum Wage Essay Example for Free

Minimum Wage Essay American workers will have a 1.75$ increase in their hourly wage by the end of 2015, as President Barack Obama recently called to raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 an hour $9.00 an hour. This increase in the minimum wage of American citizen aims to help people with a low annual wage: cooks, employees of the janitorial industry and many others working these necessary menial occupations are set to benefit. The white house estimates that this measure will boost the wage of approximately 15 millions low-income workers. Raising the minimum wage, according to the White House press, will have some positive effect for low-income families; however, many companies are opposed to raising the minimum wage. A higher wage will have a direct impact on the cost of business. Some economists argue that higher minimum wage will result in an increased unemployment percentage. Although minimum wage laws can fix hourly pay, they cannot guarantee jobs. Employers are not willing to pay a worker more than the value of the additional product that he produces. For example, if a worker produces 4$ worth of goods per hour and because of the minimum wage he has to be paid 5.15$. Since he cost more than what he produces it makes it hard for him to find a job. At one point in the article, the President said that one of the best ways to get the economy going again is to put money in the pockets of people who work. (Lowrey)It is true that families with low income will earn more money: it is projected that a family that is earning $20,000 to $30,000 a year will see an additional $3,500 in their income. (Lowrey) This general positive outcome of increasing the minimum wage has led many law makers to wrongly assume that increasing the minimum wage is an effective way to fight  poverty. From the point of view of an economist, raising the minimum wage may increases the probability that a poor family will escape poverty through higher wages, but it does increase the probability of another family with average income will become poor as a result of minimum wage giving rise to inflation. It also decreases the proportion of families with income near the poverty line, suggesting that it more will be more difficult to escape poverty. We all know that if the minimum wage increases then the cost of living will inevitably increase as well as a result of inflation. Economists are against minimum wage laws because they create a price floor. In this case, a price floor is not the price that products can be sold for, but what price employers can spend on their employees. For non-economists, legislating a minimum wage is commonly seen as an effective way of giving raises to low-wage workers. Unfortunately it, like any other price floor, creates a surplus. In this case, the surplus is a larger than expected number of workers more of are willing to work in minimum-wage jobs than there are employers willing to hire at that wage. Economists think that there should not be any policies concerning wages: an employee should be paid what the employer thinks he/she deserves. Minimum wage increases make unskilled workers more expensive and therefore undesirable relative to all other factors of production. (Mankiw) For example, if skilled workers make 15$/hour and unskilled workers make three dollars an hour, skilled workers are five times as expensive as the unskilled. Imposing a minimum wage of five dollars an hour makes skilled workers relatively more attractive by making them only three times as expensive as unskilled workers. Another important characteristic of the policy to increase minimum wage that was not discussing in the article is that it may also negatively impact workers by changing how they are compensated. Benefits such as paid vacation, free room and board; inexpensive insurance and subsidized childcare are an important part of the total compensation for many low wageworkers. (Mankiw) When minimum wages rise, employers can control total compensation costs by cutting benefits; such is the case for the United States today. The employer always had to follow the minimum wage in order to pay their employee. The minimum wage should not be existent nowadays; the employer should have the choice to pay their employee based on their knowledge. An employee that knows more and produces more should have an higher hourly range. Sources: Textbook Mankiw, N. Gregory. Principles of Economics. 6th. Mason, OH, USA: 2012. Print. Website: Lowrey, Annie. Raising Minimum Wage Would Ease Income Gap but Carries Political Risks. New York Times. N.p., 13-02-2013. Web. 5 Oct 2013. .

The Importance of the First Two Scenes in King Lear Essays -- King Lea

The Importance of the First Two Scenes in King Lear      Ã‚  Ã‚   "King Lear, as I see it, confronts the perplexity and mystery of human action." (Shakespeare's Middle Tragedies, 169)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As the previous quotation from the scriptures of Maynard Mack implies, King Lear is a very complex and intricate play which happens to be surrounded by a lot of debate.   "The folio of 1623, which was, as is well known, edited by two of Shakespeare's fellow actors" (Notes and Essays on Shakespeare, 242),   contains not only historical errors, but errors which pertain to certain characters speaking other characters lines.   Amidst all the controversy one fact can be settled upon by all;   King Lear is one of Shakespeare's best tragedies.   While being a great play, the bulk of the plot in King Lear comes mainly from the first two scenes where most of the key events happen.   Along with the plot there is also extensive amounts of setup that occur within the dialogue which key the audience in on the morals and values of the characters.   Marilyn French is completely accurate when she states that "Everything about the play hangs on the first two scenes not just the plot but the values as well" (Shakespeare's Division of Experience, 226).      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The opening scenes of King Lear do an immaculate job of setting up the plot and forming the basis for all the events which occur in the later scenes of the play.   "The elements of that opening scene are worth pausing over, because they seem to have been selected to bring before us precisely such an impression of unpredictable effects lying coiled and waiting in an apparently innocuous posture of affairs." (Shakespeare's Middle Tragedies, 170)   Not onl... ...ill unfold.   The first two scenes of King Lear are pivotal in influencing every aspect of the play including the plot, and the values of the characters contained within the plot.    Works Cited    Clemen, Wolfgang. The Development of Shakespeare's Imagery. New York, NY, USA: Methuen & Co. 1977.    French, Marilyn. Shakespeare's Division of Experience. New York: Summit Books. 1981.    Hales, John. Notes and Essays on Shakespeare. New York, NY, USA: AMS Press. 1973.    Lerner, Laurence. Shakespeare's Tragedies. Middlesex, England: Penguin Books Ltd. 1964.    Shakespeare, William. King Lear.   As reprinted in Elements of Literature. Toronto:   Oxford University Press.   1990.    Young, David. Shakespeare's Middle Tragedies - A Collection of Critical Essays. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, USA: Prentice-Hall, Inc. 1993.

Cervical Cancer: The Best Form of Prevention Is To Be Informed And Awar

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women and the leading cause of death among women in underdeveloped countries. In fact, 500,000 cases are diagnosed each year worldwide. This particular cancer is found mainly in middle-aged to older women; it is very rare to find it in women age fifteen and younger. The average age of women with cervical cancer is age 50-55; however, the cancer begins to appear in women in their twenties (2). It is also found in women of lower-class areas, as they are not able to see a gynecologist to be screened. African American, Hispanic, and Native American women are more prone to developing cervical cancer as well (1). The cervix is an organ in the female reproductive system; it is the entrance to the uterus. Cancer of the cervix develops in the lining of the cervix. The normal cells go through abnormal changes and become precancerous cells. These changes are called Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN). CIN is categorized as low grade and high grade. It progresses to one of two conditions: (a) Squamos Intraepithelial Lesion (SIL) which leads to invasive cervical cancer, or (b) Carcinoma in Situ which is non-invasive, or localized, cervical cancer (1). The causes of cervical cancer are unknown. However, scientists believe that there is a link between two kinds of Human Papallomavirus (HPV) and the cancer. HPV is a group of 100 different viruses. Some types of HPV cause warts and are considered "low-risk" when discussing causes of cervical cancer. However, other types of HPV cause precancerous conditions, resulting in different types of genital cancers, and is therefore considered "high-risk" (1). HPV is a sexually transmitted disease and it is extremely contagious. Recent resear... ...t like everyone else. Here is the unsettling part: Had I skipped that Pap smear during my sophomore year, I would have had invasive cervical cancer within a year and would have had to undergo chemotherapy. So once again, and I cannot stress this enough, the best form of prevention of cervical cancer is to be informed and aware. If you are a woman age 18 or older, whether you are sexually active or not, go see a gynecologist. References 1)Oncology Channel http://www.oncologychannel.com/cervicalcancer/ 2)American Cancer Society: Do We Know What Causes Cervical Cancer? http://www.cancer.org/docroot/cri/content/cri_2_4_2x_do_we_know_what_causes_cervical_cancer_8.asp?sitearea=ped 3)BestDoctor.com: Pap Smears http://www.bestdoctors.com/en/askadoctor/b/buchi/wbuchi_100300_q3.htm 4)Cervical Dysplasia Causes http://cervical-dysplasia-causes.com/