The idea of "virtual schools", is a modern phenomenon which takes the technology of the 21st century into the traditional way of learning; sitting in class, in front of the blackboard. The "virtual classes" takes(gr.) place in(ww.) the internet, where students virtually learn as much as(מיותר) subjects (as) they can learn in school. This way of learning is not widely popular, but without a doubt, it is much more
Where is the rest? I'm very disapointed.
(30)
Daphna
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
A High Price to Pay...
........................................................................................................................ 7 Herzel St.
........................................................................................................................ Holon
........................................................................................................................ February 17, 2010
Ms. Gilat Simon
Principal
Kugel High School
1 Motta Gur St.
Holon
Dear Madam,
I am writing this letter to you because I think the price of the annual journey to Poland from our school is too high. This is a voyage which is very significant to Israelis, Jews and people in general, and I think everyone should join this trip if they can. Every year, a large number of students want to take part in this significant journey, but most of them don't go, eventually. Some of these students don't fly to Poland since their families have financial problems, and they can't afford a trip to Poland. In my opinion, this fact is not a reason for these kids to miss this trip… but that's barely their fault.
The problem is simple – the school's teachers encourage us to go to Poland and they say it's very important. They're absolutely right, but they unconsciously oppose the school's hidden ideology - who cant pay, can't fly. I know Kugel High School wants more students to join the trip, but it is almost impossible considering the high price, and this trip is too important to miss just because of financial causes. In my point of view, there is no trip more important than this significant, life-changing journey. Many of my classmates couldn't afford joining the trip, though they deeply wanted too, just because the price was too high. Is that reasonable? I am sorry, but I don't think so.
Kugel High should do much more to subsidize the trip for the students. It is possible. Youth movements like HaNoar HaOved VeHaLomed, in which I am active, and others like HaShomer HaTsah'ir, take much less money for the trip, and their trip is not so different from our planned trip. Speak to key people in the government and the municipality, and ask for their help. I am sure that they will be more than happy to help. If they won't, well, I think that reflects something very depressing about the education in our country.
Sincerely yours,
Omer.
........................................................................................................................ Holon
........................................................................................................................ February 17, 2010
Ms. Gilat Simon
Principal
Kugel High School
1 Motta Gur St.
Holon
Dear Madam,
I am writing this letter to you because I think the price of the annual journey to Poland from our school is too high. This is a voyage which is very significant to Israelis, Jews and people in general, and I think everyone should join this trip if they can. Every year, a large number of students want to take part in this significant journey, but most of them don't go, eventually. Some of these students don't fly to Poland since their families have financial problems, and they can't afford a trip to Poland. In my opinion, this fact is not a reason for these kids to miss this trip… but that's barely their fault.
The problem is simple – the school's teachers encourage us to go to Poland and they say it's very important. They're absolutely right, but they unconsciously oppose the school's hidden ideology - who cant pay, can't fly. I know Kugel High School wants more students to join the trip, but it is almost impossible considering the high price, and this trip is too important to miss just because of financial causes. In my point of view, there is no trip more important than this significant, life-changing journey. Many of my classmates couldn't afford joining the trip, though they deeply wanted too, just because the price was too high. Is that reasonable? I am sorry, but I don't think so.
Kugel High should do much more to subsidize the trip for the students. It is possible. Youth movements like HaNoar HaOved VeHaLomed, in which I am active, and others like HaShomer HaTsah'ir, take much less money for the trip, and their trip is not so different from our planned trip. Speak to key people in the government and the municipality, and ask for their help. I am sure that they will be more than happy to help. If they won't, well, I think that reflects something very depressing about the education in our country.
Sincerely yours,
Omer.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
"Tell me that you'll open your eyes..." – the story of George Stoyonovich.
George Stoyonovich is the main character in Bernard Malamud's short story "A Summer's Reading". George is a 20-year-old young man who lives in a poor neighborhood of immigrants. Along the story, George tries to find something to do with his life, on the one hand but he also shows amazing laziness and idleness, on the other hand. I identified with George, because I can understand what he's feeling - I can be very lazy too, and I can sometimes feel just like George, that I need something "real" to do with my life.
George is very skinny and he is a descendant of a Polish family who immigrated to Bronx, New York City – growing up in a neighborhood of many immigrants, where everybody knew everybody. He quit school at the age of sixteen, most likely because he was uninstitutional and couldn't handle the teachers' demands. George always cared about what his environment thought of him and always wanted to be liked. Still, he didn't really have any friends or acquaintances, and the only three people in his life – after his mother's death – was(gr. - were) his father, whom we don't know much about, his sister Sophie, who's never at home because she finances the family, and last – but not least – Mr. Cattanzara, George's "change maker", the person who led George to educate himself and find his happy ending.
George does the same thing every day - he has a daily routine which is lazy. He doesn't seem to enjoy it very much, because he is always looking for something to do with himself. He becomes sick of anything he tries to do with his life, and he does nothing. But finally, George learns his lesson thanks to one important person; Mr. Cattanzara. Mr. Cattanzara is George's neighbor, whose life story greatly resembles George's life story. Mr. C is very smart and intelligent, and still – he couldn't manage to educate himself like he should have done. Mr. C directs George to do the right thing, and tells him not to "do the mistake he did". Mr. C is the only person who knows how to help George, based on his own sad experiment.
In my idea, George is the excellent example to show what happens when you're just too lazy. I think George is smart but intelligent, but he just couldn't educate himself within an institution like regular school or evening courses. That's completely fine but it's also a waste. When I was reading about George's daily routine and lifestyle I felt sorry for his blindness – he just couldn't see that he was wasting his life on… nothing. So at the end, when he counted off 100 books and started to read them, I felt serene and happy – because for the first time in his life, George was able to open his eyes.
Excellent work! I'm so proud of you.
(100)
Daphna
George is very skinny and he is a descendant of a Polish family who immigrated to Bronx, New York City – growing up in a neighborhood of many immigrants, where everybody knew everybody. He quit school at the age of sixteen, most likely because he was uninstitutional and couldn't handle the teachers' demands. George always cared about what his environment thought of him and always wanted to be liked. Still, he didn't really have any friends or acquaintances, and the only three people in his life – after his mother's death – was(gr. - were) his father, whom we don't know much about, his sister Sophie, who's never at home because she finances the family, and last – but not least – Mr. Cattanzara, George's "change maker", the person who led George to educate himself and find his happy ending.
George does the same thing every day - he has a daily routine which is lazy. He doesn't seem to enjoy it very much, because he is always looking for something to do with himself. He becomes sick of anything he tries to do with his life, and he does nothing. But finally, George learns his lesson thanks to one important person; Mr. Cattanzara. Mr. Cattanzara is George's neighbor, whose life story greatly resembles George's life story. Mr. C is very smart and intelligent, and still – he couldn't manage to educate himself like he should have done. Mr. C directs George to do the right thing, and tells him not to "do the mistake he did". Mr. C is the only person who knows how to help George, based on his own sad experiment.
In my idea, George is the excellent example to show what happens when you're just too lazy. I think George is smart but intelligent, but he just couldn't educate himself within an institution like regular school or evening courses. That's completely fine but it's also a waste. When I was reading about George's daily routine and lifestyle I felt sorry for his blindness – he just couldn't see that he was wasting his life on… nothing. So at the end, when he counted off 100 books and started to read them, I felt serene and happy – because for the first time in his life, George was able to open his eyes.
Excellent work! I'm so proud of you.
(100)
Daphna
Thursday, October 22, 2009
She knows why the caged bird sings
"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" is a dramatic coming-of-age, autobiographical book by Maya Angelou. It revolves around the lives of the African-American community in Southern USA of the 1930s. This book is really good, and it helps the reader to learn the history of the blacks in the United States.
The story is written by Angelou about her childhood and young adulthood. It is mainly set in California and Arkansas. The young aged Maya Angelou experiences racism anyplace she goes, and sometimes it's even harder than it sounds. Her personal story emphasizes how hard it was to live in such a racist world.
Angelou also shows the other, brighter side – she managed to find her place in life with a group of multicultural teenagers near San Francisco, which gave her the feelings of relevance. Angelou tries to convey a message; we are all equal, and if we all learn that skin color means literally nothing, the world would be a much better place to live in.
To sum up, I recommend you to read this fascinating, interesting book. Even if you don't feel interested in the subject of discrimination, you can enjoy the writer's thrilling adventures and listen to her different and personal stories she have chosen to tell to the world.
The story is written by Angelou about her childhood and young adulthood. It is mainly set in California and Arkansas. The young aged Maya Angelou experiences racism anyplace she goes, and sometimes it's even harder than it sounds. Her personal story emphasizes how hard it was to live in such a racist world.
Angelou also shows the other, brighter side – she managed to find her place in life with a group of multicultural teenagers near San Francisco, which gave her the feelings of relevance. Angelou tries to convey a message; we are all equal, and if we all learn that skin color means literally nothing, the world would be a much better place to live in.
To sum up, I recommend you to read this fascinating, interesting book. Even if you don't feel interested in the subject of discrimination, you can enjoy the writer's thrilling adventures and listen to her different and personal stories she have chosen to tell to the world.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Eating Our Hearts Out
Nowadays, many food companies produce unhealthy food. Sadly, these food companies are very popular among consumers around the world. Nutritionist Alice Brown says that people need to be more responsible for what they eat. Who's in charge of keeping our body healthy?
In my opinion, the consumer is the only one responsible for his own health. I think it's a pity that there are not many fast food restaurants of healthy food, but still, the company that makes the unhealthy food shouldn't worry about their consumer's health and weight - the consumer is the one to worry about himself, without a doubt.
Moreover, I also think it's the parents' fault. Young parents should educate their children to eat healthy food. Many parents are just too lazy to do that, and buy their kids meals from McDonalds or Burger King for lunch. This is wrong, and gives the children a legitimization to eat these unhealthy products.
To conclude, I think the individual is responsible for what he eats, but also his parents, who educate him to eat it. We shouldn't blame the fast food companies, who are just doing their job, and don't force anyone to eat their products.
Excellent
(100)
Daphna
In my opinion, the consumer is the only one responsible for his own health. I think it's a pity that there are not many fast food restaurants of healthy food, but still, the company that makes the unhealthy food shouldn't worry about their consumer's health and weight - the consumer is the one to worry about himself, without a doubt.
Moreover, I also think it's the parents' fault. Young parents should educate their children to eat healthy food. Many parents are just too lazy to do that, and buy their kids meals from McDonalds or Burger King for lunch. This is wrong, and gives the children a legitimization to eat these unhealthy products.
To conclude, I think the individual is responsible for what he eats, but also his parents, who educate him to eat it. We shouldn't blame the fast food companies, who are just doing their job, and don't force anyone to eat their products.
Excellent
(100)
Daphna
Thursday, September 17, 2009
"You're gonna get what you deserve..."
19 Ha'hail Street
Holon, Israel
September 23, 2009
Jan Helin
the editor of Atdonbladet,
Stockholm, Sweden.
Dear Mr. Helin,
Concerning the article "Israeli Soldiers Stole Organs", I would like to express my concern and wrath for the article's writer, Donald Bostorm. You may think I'm not very objective since I'm Israeli, but I have no doubt that this article is completely false and unfounded.
I think Bostorm's publication of this article will hurt his journalistic career. How can an authorized, well-known writer publish such a controversial article just because some Palestinian women told him a false story? Even if the story is true, he should first check the details and confirm them, and then publish the article.
Plus, I have no doubt that the story is false. I find it foolish and in a way, pathetic. It is true that sometimes we treat our "neighbors" with disrespect (most of the times, for the right reasons), but blaming our nation's elite, our protecting soldiers, with such a blood libel? Stealing organs for no good reason? That wouldn't even be believed in a fictive book. This is ridiculous and sad at the same time, and is very surprising to find an article like this coming from an enlightened state like Sweden.
I think the Swedish president is not the one to apologize for the horrible article, you are the one to be apologizing. The Aftonbaldet is not just an insignificant periodical; it is the leading newspaper in Sweden, which features an anti-Israeli article, which is just unnatural!
Me, and the entire state of Israel, expect your sincere apology, Mr. Helin!
Sincerely yours,
Omer Cohen.
Very inspiring Omer!
(95)
Daphna
Sunday, September 13, 2009
The sky fell twice
Today is September 13th. This day I was planning to update the blog with my article about Dudu Topaz, but a terrible incident happened this afternoon, and I just felt a big commitment to relate to that subject.
Asaf Ramon, the son of the late astronaut Ilan Ramon, was killed today in a terrible plane crash above the Hebron Mountain. The plane was an F-16, one of the Israeli Air Force's most advanced planes. Asaf stated more than once, that he wishes(gr.) to follow in his father's steps, be in the air force and eventually, become an astronaut. Who could guess they would have such a similar path?
I was watching the television and I was watching Oded Ben Ami, a former army man and a well-known news anchor, literally crying. He just couldn't believe what happened; I can't believe what just happened. Who possibly can?
I was listening to the radio and I was hearing the song "Niga El Hachalom", which goes; "we'll meet, we'll see each other… it is now past, it is now over", and just couldn't not relate these specific lines to the tragic losses of the Ramon family. I've seen how the media was terribly worried, shocked and tragic.
Can a lightning really hit the same place, TWICE?
Asaf Ramon and Ilan Ramon, R.I.P
Excellent
(100)
Daphna
Asaf Ramon, the son of the late astronaut Ilan Ramon, was killed today in a terrible plane crash above the Hebron Mountain. The plane was an F-16, one of the Israeli Air Force's most advanced planes. Asaf stated more than once, that he wishes(gr.) to follow in his father's steps, be in the air force and eventually, become an astronaut. Who could guess they would have such a similar path?
I was watching the television and I was watching Oded Ben Ami, a former army man and a well-known news anchor, literally crying. He just couldn't believe what happened; I can't believe what just happened. Who possibly can?
I was listening to the radio and I was hearing the song "Niga El Hachalom", which goes; "we'll meet, we'll see each other… it is now past, it is now over", and just couldn't not relate these specific lines to the tragic losses of the Ramon family. I've seen how the media was terribly worried, shocked and tragic.
Can a lightning really hit the same place, TWICE?
Asaf Ramon and Ilan Ramon, R.I.P
Excellent
(100)
Daphna
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
A modern blood libel
My article is based on these articles:
http://www.ynet.co.il/english/articles/0,7340,L-3763958,00.html
http://www.ynet.co.il/english/articles/0,7340,L-3765235,00.html
A daily newspaper in Sweden, called the Aftonbladet, recently published an anti-Israeli article, claiming that soldiers from the Israeli Defense Forces killed Palestinian citizens, so they can take their organs and sell them. The journalist that wrote that article, Donald Bostrom, already stated that he is(gr.) not anti-Semitic, and that he is(gr.) just telling the story as it is(gr.).
However, the Israeli media is nowadays furious and denies this article. News anchor Yonit Levy expressed that the story is "ridiculous and untrue", and some politicians, like Yuval Steinitz, even said that the article was "modern blood libel". Israeli citizens even started a consumer's excommunication against Swedish trademarks, like IKEA. Our Prime Minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, already said that Israel is not excepting an apology from the Swedish government, but a denunciation.
In my opinion, this story is totally untrue and very foolish. Bostrom didn't even give proof that the story is right, and he wrote the whole false article based on eye witnessing of Palestinian women that can easily just lie – they have their cause. In our days of the Israeli-Palestinian struggle, extreme haters from both sides can tell total made-up stories to make the other side seem evil and not humane.
As for what the Swedish government should do, I'm not completely sure. Clearly, the Swedish president is not the one to apologize for the horrible article, but the Aftonbladet editor. I'm not also(מיותר) sure if the Swedish government should denunciate the article. On the one hand, Sweden is a democratic country that supports the freedom of speech, as many countries (including Israel). On the other hand, the Aftonbaldet is not just an insignificant periodical; it is the leading newspaper in Sweden, which features an anti-Israeli article, which is just unnatural!
To conclude, I think the article is completely false and foolish, and I think we all should expect a sincere apology from the editor of the newspaper, Aftonbladet.
Very Good.
(95)
Daphna
http://www.ynet.co.il/english/articles/0,7340,L-3763958,00.html
http://www.ynet.co.il/english/articles/0,7340,L-3765235,00.html
A daily newspaper in Sweden, called the Aftonbladet, recently published an anti-Israeli article, claiming that soldiers from the Israeli Defense Forces killed Palestinian citizens, so they can take their organs and sell them. The journalist that wrote that article, Donald Bostrom, already stated that he is(gr.) not anti-Semitic, and that he is(gr.) just telling the story as it is(gr.).
However, the Israeli media is nowadays furious and denies this article. News anchor Yonit Levy expressed that the story is "ridiculous and untrue", and some politicians, like Yuval Steinitz, even said that the article was "modern blood libel". Israeli citizens even started a consumer's excommunication against Swedish trademarks, like IKEA. Our Prime Minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, already said that Israel is not excepting an apology from the Swedish government, but a denunciation.
In my opinion, this story is totally untrue and very foolish. Bostrom didn't even give proof that the story is right, and he wrote the whole false article based on eye witnessing of Palestinian women that can easily just lie – they have their cause. In our days of the Israeli-Palestinian struggle, extreme haters from both sides can tell total made-up stories to make the other side seem evil and not humane.
As for what the Swedish government should do, I'm not completely sure. Clearly, the Swedish president is not the one to apologize for the horrible article, but the Aftonbladet editor. I'm not also(מיותר) sure if the Swedish government should denunciate the article. On the one hand, Sweden is a democratic country that supports the freedom of speech, as many countries (including Israel). On the other hand, the Aftonbaldet is not just an insignificant periodical; it is the leading newspaper in Sweden, which features an anti-Israeli article, which is just unnatural!
To conclude, I think the article is completely false and foolish, and I think we all should expect a sincere apology from the editor of the newspaper, Aftonbladet.
Very Good.
(95)
Daphna
Friday, April 24, 2009
Uniforms
The school uniform is very common in most schools. It often comes as a combination of pants and suits for boys or skirts and suits for girls. The colour is usually the school's official colours, which are colours chosen by a school to represent it on uniforms and other items of identification. The debate about school uniform's necessity is a much known one in many schools around the world, and there are many opinions supported by many advantages and disadvantages.
.
One main advantage of the school uniform is the fact that it makes everyone equal. With the school uniform, you can't show off with fancy and expensive clothes and it prevents unnecessary competition between students over their clothing. Another advantage is a financial one. If there were no school uniforms, students would have needed more regular clothes to wear in(ww. - to) school. This kind of expense is something not all families can afford themselves(מיותר).
.
But, school uniforms also have some disadvantages. The school uniform takes away individuality from students. Everybody looks the same and that is very problematic because every student is another person(ww. - differeny/unique) with other(ww. - different) preferences. This leads me to the second disadvantage – the school uniform takes away the freedom of choice. The students are forced to wear clothes they would not like for sure.
.
To conclude, I really think there is no definitive answer whether the school uniform is necessary or not because it depends entirely upon one person's preferences and beliefs. This is why it is the topic of big discussions in many places around the world. It has a lot of advantages but also some disadvantages. Personally, I think (the) school uniform is necessary, but not in the European method, when students were full uniforms, including pants. In my school, students are allowed to pick the colour of their shirt and they can wear any pants they want - but the shirt must be a T-shirt with the sign of school(phr. - "..with the school symbol..") on it. I think that's the perfect method, because it doesn't hurt the freedom of choice and it still makes everyone equal.
*Daphna,
I've seen what you wrote about me not giving an opinion on this issue, and you said I can't do that because that was an "opinion essay". In our website you never mentioned this was an opinion essay, you said "In assignment no. 12 you are asked to present arguments for and against the issue of.......school uniform". That's it. In the Word file dedicated to the essay you even wrote "conclude your essay and add your opinion, if you have one."So I logically assumed that if I don't have an opinion, I can just say I don't have an opinion, because – again, you never mentioned this was an opinion essay. If you wanted me to state my opinion no matter what, you should've said that in the Word file/our website.
Anyway, I did changed the ending.
Fine, I understand. However, I still can't find your 13th assignment, no matter how many times I visit your blog....was I not clear enough about that too...?
Daphna.
.
One main advantage of the school uniform is the fact that it makes everyone equal. With the school uniform, you can't show off with fancy and expensive clothes and it prevents unnecessary competition between students over their clothing. Another advantage is a financial one. If there were no school uniforms, students would have needed more regular clothes to wear in(ww. - to) school. This kind of expense is something not all families can afford themselves(מיותר).
.
But, school uniforms also have some disadvantages. The school uniform takes away individuality from students. Everybody looks the same and that is very problematic because every student is another person(ww. - differeny/unique) with other(ww. - different) preferences. This leads me to the second disadvantage – the school uniform takes away the freedom of choice. The students are forced to wear clothes they would not like for sure.
.
To conclude, I really think there is no definitive answer whether the school uniform is necessary or not because it depends entirely upon one person's preferences and beliefs. This is why it is the topic of big discussions in many places around the world. It has a lot of advantages but also some disadvantages. Personally, I think (the) school uniform is necessary, but not in the European method, when students were full uniforms, including pants. In my school, students are allowed to pick the colour of their shirt and they can wear any pants they want - but the shirt must be a T-shirt with the sign of school(phr. - "..with the school symbol..") on it. I think that's the perfect method, because it doesn't hurt the freedom of choice and it still makes everyone equal.
Omer, where has the division into paragraphs gone??? I had to reorganize you whole essay. Still, on the whole, it's a very good essay. (92)
Daphna.
*Daphna,
I've seen what you wrote about me not giving an opinion on this issue, and you said I can't do that because that was an "opinion essay". In our website you never mentioned this was an opinion essay, you said "In assignment no. 12 you are asked to present arguments for and against the issue of.......school uniform". That's it. In the Word file dedicated to the essay you even wrote "conclude your essay and add your opinion, if you have one."So I logically assumed that if I don't have an opinion, I can just say I don't have an opinion, because – again, you never mentioned this was an opinion essay. If you wanted me to state my opinion no matter what, you should've said that in the Word file/our website.
Anyway, I did changed the ending.
Fine, I understand. However, I still can't find your 13th assignment, no matter how many times I visit your blog....was I not clear enough about that too...?
Daphna.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
The McCalls
Burge and Venita McCall are(gr.) a special couple. Burge, a grumpy, short unattractive man met Venita at a picnic, after a row of unsuccessful marriages. Although Burge was obviously not a lady-killer, he was sure he was a womanizer. Venita McCall, originally from Peppersauce Bottom, simply looks(gr.) like Burge's antithesis - she was tall and skinny and had a(מיותר) smooth black hair.
The relationship between the McCalls wasn't an ideal one. Burge always spent all the money he earned about(ww.) himself and other women, but never on Venita. He was always looking for some action - always looking for fights and struggles. He called his wife names but Venita was always extremely apathetic because she knew that the silence would be the most annoying response. But, one day Burge went to(sp.) far and slapped her. This time Venita wasn't so apathetic as before, and she told him that he's(gr.) a big rat, and that he's(gr.) going to regret what he have(gr.) done.
Venita had the perfect plan how to end Burge's violence - she told her brother-in-law, the druggist Sled Sather, to tell Burge she have(gr.) bought a pound of rat poison to poison a big rat. When Burge heard about this total lie, he seriously freaked out. He was desperately searching for the rat poison but never found it, because it never existed. He took meals downtown instead at home, what reviled(sp.) Venita, who hated cooking. Finally, the frightened Burge decided to change his attitude through(ww.) Venita. He started speaking nicely and gave her very expensive presents. They kept living this way until Burge's sudden death in 1935, which was actually very hard for Venita.
Like I stated before, Burge and Venita McCall are(gr.) sure(ly) a special couple. In their position you would except divorce and total loathing, but Venita was smart enough to make things right by a simple maneuver. Although I'm glad about how Burge and Venita finally ended up, I am not sure Venita have(gr.) done the right thing. In my opinion, a good marriage should come from real love and not from maneuvers.
Very good work, Omer. I enjoyed that.
(90)
Daphna
The relationship between the McCalls wasn't an ideal one. Burge always spent all the money he earned about(ww.) himself and other women, but never on Venita. He was always looking for some action - always looking for fights and struggles. He called his wife names but Venita was always extremely apathetic because she knew that the silence would be the most annoying response. But, one day Burge went to(sp.) far and slapped her. This time Venita wasn't so apathetic as before, and she told him that he's(gr.) a big rat, and that he's(gr.) going to regret what he have(gr.) done.
Venita had the perfect plan how to end Burge's violence - she told her brother-in-law, the druggist Sled Sather, to tell Burge she have(gr.) bought a pound of rat poison to poison a big rat. When Burge heard about this total lie, he seriously freaked out. He was desperately searching for the rat poison but never found it, because it never existed. He took meals downtown instead at home, what reviled(sp.) Venita, who hated cooking. Finally, the frightened Burge decided to change his attitude through(ww.) Venita. He started speaking nicely and gave her very expensive presents. They kept living this way until Burge's sudden death in 1935, which was actually very hard for Venita.
Like I stated before, Burge and Venita McCall are(gr.) sure(ly) a special couple. In their position you would except divorce and total loathing, but Venita was smart enough to make things right by a simple maneuver. Although I'm glad about how Burge and Venita finally ended up, I am not sure Venita have(gr.) done the right thing. In my opinion, a good marriage should come from real love and not from maneuvers.
Very good work, Omer. I enjoyed that.
(90)
Daphna
Do We Really Need Homework?
To some students, "homework" is a word that is synonymous to "disaster". Generations of students experienced this "wonderful" experience of sitting at home, solving questions and writing essays instead of doing something more fun. But deep in their minds, most students know that although homework is irritating and nerve-racking, it is a neccessary component of learning.
I believe that homework is necessary and important. Ben Berrafato, a young fifth grader from the United States who is now getting public attention due to his arguements that homework is simply unnecessary. He even compares homework to slavery. Berrafato is sure making some serious and interesting arguments, but I still can't agree with him. I don't agree because although I think homework is irritating, I just can't ignore the fact that it's great practice, especially in the practical fields of mathematics, English, physics et cetera. I fully support the saying that "practice makes perfect". I don't think students can learn better without homework, because without homework, only the morning lessons are left and sometimes they are just not enough. Moreover, Ben is saying that homework can actually hurt our studying. I don't agree with that. I think homework can only be helpful, and I don't think it can actually hurt the studying procedure.
Saying homework is slavery is quite a foolish statement. We all know that homework isn't fun, but there's a lot of difference between "not fun" and "slavery". At the end, our teachers give us homework because we need them for practicing and understanding, not because they see us as their slaves...
To conclude, I think homework is nessecary for our learning and our education. I think that Ben Berrafato is very smart, but he can't understand the fundamental difference between "not fun" to "not important". Anyway, I can understand the hype around him - it's not that common to hear about a fifth grader that expresses himself with such confidence and knowledge.
I believe that homework is necessary and important. Ben Berrafato, a young fifth grader from the United States who is now getting public attention due to his arguements that homework is simply unnecessary. He even compares homework to slavery. Berrafato is sure making some serious and interesting arguments, but I still can't agree with him. I don't agree because although I think homework is irritating, I just can't ignore the fact that it's great practice, especially in the practical fields of mathematics, English, physics et cetera. I fully support the saying that "practice makes perfect". I don't think students can learn better without homework, because without homework, only the morning lessons are left and sometimes they are just not enough. Moreover, Ben is saying that homework can actually hurt our studying. I don't agree with that. I think homework can only be helpful, and I don't think it can actually hurt the studying procedure.
Saying homework is slavery is quite a foolish statement. We all know that homework isn't fun, but there's a lot of difference between "not fun" and "slavery". At the end, our teachers give us homework because we need them for practicing and understanding, not because they see us as their slaves...
To conclude, I think homework is nessecary for our learning and our education. I think that Ben Berrafato is very smart, but he can't understand the fundamental difference between "not fun" to "not important". Anyway, I can understand the hype around him - it's not that common to hear about a fifth grader that expresses himself with such confidence and knowledge.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Do We Really Need Space Exploration?
Space exploration started back in 1957, when the Russian satellite Sputnik was launched to space. Since then, many countries have been sending representatives to space – even Israel had sent the late Ilan Ramon to space in 2003, but that ended tragically when the shuttle crashed near Texas in a horrible accident. A lot of money and resources are spent on space exploration, and many people think it isn't worth it, but also, the thrill of discovery and big curiosity leads people to think space exploration is actually an excellent idea.
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One opinion is that space exploration is just needless nowadays. A reasonable explanation to that might be the fact that an enormous amount of money is spent on these flights to space. Many people think that "the purpose doesn't justify the means", and that instead of researching our galaxy, we should spend this money on defeating and overthrowing eminent problems like poverty, terror and pollution.
Others believe that space exploration is needed. Many people think that since Earth's condition is getting worse each and every year, we should find another planet to live on – instead of these "aimless actions" of fixing ours, and they think that justifies the money. Another assumption is that the wonderful experience of discovering new things about our endless universe worths(gr. - is worth) the money, and some people also think that a discovery that will prove we're not alone in this universe could be fascinating.
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In conclusion, space exploration, like any other task, has many opinions(phr. - space exploration cannot "have" an opinion), pros and cons. And now, I can finally answer the question that I asked in the first place – do we really need space exploration? My answer is that currently, it is needless. We have enough problems here on our little planet, and I think we should fix them before we start creating problems in the unknown reality out there.
This is better.Good work! (100)
Daphna
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One opinion is that space exploration is just needless nowadays. A reasonable explanation to that might be the fact that an enormous amount of money is spent on these flights to space. Many people think that "the purpose doesn't justify the means", and that instead of researching our galaxy, we should spend this money on defeating and overthrowing eminent problems like poverty, terror and pollution.
Others believe that space exploration is needed. Many people think that since Earth's condition is getting worse each and every year, we should find another planet to live on – instead of these "aimless actions" of fixing ours, and they think that justifies the money. Another assumption is that the wonderful experience of discovering new things about our endless universe worths(gr. - is worth) the money, and some people also think that a discovery that will prove we're not alone in this universe could be fascinating.
.
In conclusion, space exploration, like any other task, has many opinions(phr. - space exploration cannot "have" an opinion), pros and cons. And now, I can finally answer the question that I asked in the first place – do we really need space exploration? My answer is that currently, it is needless. We have enough problems here on our little planet, and I think we should fix them before we start creating problems in the unknown reality out there.
This is better.Good work! (100)
Daphna
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Come on, read my essay, you won't regret it...
Peer pressure is one of the worst social experiences in life. The problem is people actually give in to peer pressure, mostly because they want to seem cool and beloved. That is one of the many problems of peer pressure – it makes you forget your ethics and values, just to be accepted.
Personally, I think peer pressure is a bad phenomenon. It makes gentle and naïve children, teenagers and adults become people with wrong habits and principles, and that happens only because they want to be liked. Some people are asked to do horrible things that can badly affect them. If they don't do these things that they're asked to do, they are banished and considered "not cool". My advice to those people is to find new friends, because if their current friends abandon them just because they want to be good and not mess with bad activities, they are simply not friends. Plus, I do not believe in the phrase of "good peer pressure". In my opinion, there is no good peer pressure, because a person needs to judge everything by himself and by his principles, and not fall for brainwash and peer pressure even if the cause is good.
To conclude, peer pressure is surely a bad phenomenon and I think it should be overthrown from our world, because at the end, it only causes problems to everyone involved. Everybody should just do what their heart tells them to do and listen to no one - but themselves...
(90)
Daphna.
Personally, I think peer pressure is a bad phenomenon. It makes gentle and naïve children, teenagers and adults become people with wrong habits and principles, and that happens only because they want to be liked. Some people are asked to do horrible things that can badly affect them. If they don't do these things that they're asked to do, they are banished and considered "not cool". My advice to those people is to find new friends, because if their current friends abandon them just because they want to be good and not mess with bad activities, they are simply not friends. Plus, I do not believe in the phrase of "good peer pressure". In my opinion, there is no good peer pressure, because a person needs to judge everything by himself and by his principles, and not fall for brainwash and peer pressure even if the cause is good.
To conclude, peer pressure is surely a bad phenomenon and I think it should be overthrown from our world, because at the end, it only causes problems to everyone involved. Everybody should just do what their heart tells them to do and listen to no one - but themselves...
(90)
Daphna.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
An Advice to Janet
January 15th, 2009
Dear Janet,
I heard what you said on the radio program. You said that you're quite popoular and you have a lot of friends, but they always make you cheat and help them during tests. I must say, your problem is an easy one. In my opinion, things are obvious and there should be no dilemma.
I think that if these "friends" of yours are only friends with you to get help in tests, they're not real friends. This is abuse, Janet. They are using your aspiration of being popular, your devotion and intelligence to get good marks, and eventually, that affects your own marks badly. They aren't worth it. Moreover, it is not loyal to cheat on a test. I suggest you rethink these friendships.
Anyhow, if you still think these people are real friends and that I'm wrong, I suggest you talk to them about that. Tell them you can't help them in tests anymore for the reasons I mentioned. Watch their reaction - if they choose not to be friends with you anymore, it is just an appropriate proof of what I've said.
I really hope things will work out for you – and for the best. You deserve peacefulness! Remember that friendships are not built on help in cheating, but fairness. Work it out.
I heard what you said on the radio program. You said that you're quite popoular and you have a lot of friends, but they always make you cheat and help them during tests. I must say, your problem is an easy one. In my opinion, things are obvious and there should be no dilemma.
I think that if these "friends" of yours are only friends with you to get help in tests, they're not real friends. This is abuse, Janet. They are using your aspiration of being popular, your devotion and intelligence to get good marks, and eventually, that affects your own marks badly. They aren't worth it. Moreover, it is not loyal to cheat on a test. I suggest you rethink these friendships.
Anyhow, if you still think these people are real friends and that I'm wrong, I suggest you talk to them about that. Tell them you can't help them in tests anymore for the reasons I mentioned. Watch their reaction - if they choose not to be friends with you anymore, it is just an appropriate proof of what I've said.
I really hope things will work out for you – and for the best. You deserve peacefulness! Remember that friendships are not built on help in cheating, but fairness. Work it out.
Yours,
Omer.
Omer.
Great advice, Omer, and very well put.You have a few grammatical errors, however, that I'd like you to correct. (95)
Daphna.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
My opinion on the Israeli war against Hamas
I'm fifteen, and I live in the central Israeli city Holon and I live a normal life. But not so far from here, a bit southern, in the Israeli cities Ashkelon, S'derot, Beersheba, and unfortunately, many else, the reality is totally different. Helpless citizens are daily bombed by the Hamas' missiles and they are hardly able to go out of their bomb shelters. Nobody should live this way – that is why I support the Israeli war against Hamas. I fully support the operation's leaders and the Israeli Defense Forces.
I want peace. I want peace so much, and the Israeli government wants peace too. But these helpless people have done nothing wrong, and they are living in a constant fear.
I hate this situation of war and I know how bad it is for both sides. But do we really have a choice?
I want peace. I want peace so much, and the Israeli government wants peace too. But these helpless people have done nothing wrong, and they are living in a constant fear.
I hate this situation of war and I know how bad it is for both sides. But do we really have a choice?
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