When I began composing this song, I started with a motif- the few notes of melody on which a song is based. Next, I messed around on the keyboard until elaborated the melody, added a B section, and returned to the original motif. Finally, my piano teacher helped me add the left-hand harmony. When I was choosing the title for my piece, I tried to think of something that sounded dreamy and warmly peaceful. If I had to describe this composition to a hearing impaired person, I would probably describe it as a mellow, buttery yellow, soothing and relaxed. https://soundcloud.com/user-28081890/slipping-into-sunbeams/s-yR6ue
Young Bloggers
Pitbulls: Monsters or Misunderstood?
Image by Victor Troynov via Flickr, Creative Commons License Attribution-Share Alike. There is a fallacy in logic called Hasty Generalization. As the name suggests it is a generalization made about a group of people or things with no scientific proof. For example someone saying “All women are overly emotional” is a hasty generalization about women. This generalization about women is not true and there is no scientific proof that all women are overly emotional. People in the media commit this fallacy often, especially when talking about the issue of pit bull attacks in America and Canada. Pitbulls are often portrayed as evil and unchecked, to the point where pit bulls have become banned in certain states. The media likes to paint all pitbulls as vicious and violent dogs. However, the same could be said for people. The Zodiac Killer in 1968, Jack the Ripper in 1888, and the Tylenol Killer in 1982 were all terrible people. If some people are violent and vicious serial killers aren’t all people? The answer to this question is an obvious no. Nevertheless, the media makes a hasty and harsh generalization about pitbulls that needs to be disproved. The point that the media likes to make about pitbulls the most is that they were bred to fight. Pitbulls aren’t just one breed, though. They’re four: the American Pitbull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, the Staffordshire bull terrier, and the American bully. The American Staffordshire terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, and the American bully were bred for dog show conformation. The media lumps these breeds together to form the illusion that pitbulls are predatory, flight or fight dogs. The only pitbull breed bred for fighting is the American Pitbull terrier. Although, dog’s personality is often based on their present and past owners. If a certain pitbull has an abusive past or a past in an abusive situation, for instance puppy mills or fighting rings, certain movements or actions could be perceived by this dog as malicious, much like fear triggers in people that suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder. Any breed of dog has the chance of biting someone, abusive past or not. This article isn’t meant to shame or quiet those who have been mauled by pitbulls. Some pitbulls aren’t as friendly as others. This article is meant to disprove the illusion that all pitbulls are violent and vicious. The problem usually isn’t with the pitbulls. People are usually the problem. When people get a dog they have to understand that the dog isn’t a centerpiece to show off to family and friends. A dog is a living animal and when you adopt one it is equivalent to adopting a child. You have to teach it and form it to be a good dog. You also have to adapt your family to it and understand that not all dogs are as friendly to children and other pets. Getting a grasp on a perspective dog’s personality is important. The Hawaiian Humane Society says “You want to ensure the pet is the right fit for your family. We recommend spending at least an hour on campus to allow enough time to get to know your potential new family member. We recommend bringing all members of the family, including all dogs, to meet your potential new pet – we want to make sure it’s a good fit for everyone.” Banning pitbulls wouldn’t just affect their place as family dogs. Pitbulls are working dogs. Some jobs they work as are drug detection, explosive detection, search and rescue, water safety dogs, and therapy dogs. Banning pitbulls would mean finding new dogs who are as willing and ready to fill these jobs. In conclusion, Pitbulls have been painted as vicious and violent because of bad press. The chance of being killed by any type of dog is one in 18 million. All dogs are capable of biting and being violent, not just pit bulls. Pitbulls are loyal, beautiful, amazing dogs and don’t deserve to be slandered and lied about.
Better Ways to Ace Your Test by Lucinda Chu
Many people think burning the midnight oil before a test is the most reliable way to get an A. But is it really the best way? Sure, short-term memory can help you keep several important facts in your head, like memorizing concepts before a Math test, but if you want to store this information for long-term usage, like being able to use phrases you learnt Spanish class when you transfer to a school in Brazil, you will need some more work. Luckily, I’ve got you covered. Your Way to an A+: How to Study For a Test Better 1. No, Long Study Sessions aren’t the Key Your parents probably reminded you before that ‘practice makes perfect’, but not all at once. Long and focused study sessions may seem good, but chances are you are spending most of your brainpower on trying to maintain your concentration for a long period of time. That doesn’t leave a lot of brain energy for learning. (Unless you’re practicing playing Fortnite. But would your mom really allow that?) 2. Mix Up Your Classroom The first step toward better learning, according to author Benedict Carey of “How We Learn: The Surprising Truth About When, Where, and Why It Happens” is to simply change your study environment from time to time. Let’s say, instead of revising at the library, you decide to stop by a cafe. Instead of deathly silence, you’ll hear the sound of coffee-stirring, sipping and idle chatting. To the brain, these are new, unique sounds that help you form new connections between what you’re learning and what you’re hearing. So, when you take your History test and trying to remember So-and-So, you’ll think about the smell of coffee and go, “OHHH! Now I know!” 3. Space Out No, not start daydreaming, but set several different study sessions a week. For example, if your Chemistry test is on next Friday, set aside time for study sessions every three days. Trust me, it’s better to water your lawn for 30 minutes three times a week than 90 minutes at one go. Your plants would thank you for that. 4. And This is the Perfect Excuse For a Nap Finally, you have a chance to catch up on your ‘Z’s and you’ve got a valid reason for it. And you’ve got an expert to prove it. “Sleep is the finisher on learning,” Mr. Carey said. “The brain is ready to process and categorize and solidify what you’ve been studying. Once you get tired, your brain is saying it’s had enough.” But wait! Different subjects need a different sleep schedule! This is what Mr. Carey (my new favorite Science reporter) said: (Blogger’s explanation in parentheses) The first half of the sleep cycle helps with retaining facts; the second half is important for math skills. So a student with a foreign language test should go to bed early to get the most retention from sleep (remember facts better), and then review in the morning. For math students, the second half of the sleep cycle is most important — better to review before going to bed and then sleep in to let the brain process the information (remember how to apply concepts in different questions). So you’ve got the secrets of Test Success. Now go get that A+! (Reference: Article ‘Better Ways To Learn’ in the New York Times)
