CIA Scavenger Hunt Review

          Today in class, we reviewed the CIA Factbook Scavenger Hunt assignment. We also discussed the process of being drafted to war for a long time. Mr. Schick told us how people would hurt themselves to fail the health exams, thus sending them back home. People would do things like cut off one of their toes or swallow cotton balls so it looked like they had tumors. Everyone thought it would be better than to die in war.

CIA Scavenger Hunt

          Today in class, we did a CIA Scavenger Hunt on CIA Factbook. Here is what we found.


     1.  What is the population of the United States?
           316,668,567.

2. What are the five largest countries in the world, by population?

           China, India, United States, Indonesia & Brazil.

3. What is the population of Pakistan?

           193,238,868.

4. What kind of government does the United States have?

           Democracy.

5. What is the unemployment rate in Zimbabwe?

           14%

6. What is the largest country in the world by area?

           Russia.

7. What country has the third greatest number of airports?

           Mexico.

8. What country has the greatest number of exports?

           China.

9. What country exports more oil than any other?

           Saudi Arabia.

10. What country imports more oil than any other?

            United States.

11. What country has the second largest proved reserves of crude oil in the world?

           Venezuelan.

12. Can women serve in combat roles in China’s military?

           Yes.

13. What is GDP?

           All goods and services produced in a year.

14. What country has the highest GDP per capita in the world, and how much is it?

           Qatar.

15. Is the US in the top ten for GDP per capita?

           No.

16. Most of the countries with the highest birth rates can be found in what continent?

           Africa.

17. 11 of the top 12 countries with the highest number of deaths from HIV/AIDS can be found

in which continent? Africa.

18. What other country is in the top ten?

           India.

19. Where does the US rank in HIV/AIDS deaths?

           18.

20. Is the US #1 in number of cellular phones?

           No.

21. What percentage of the US is Roman Catholic?

           23.9%

22. What percentage of Mexico is Roman Catholic?

           82.7%

23. What is Net Migration Rate?

           The difference between people leaving and coming to a country each year.

24. Does the US have the highest Net Migration Rate in the world?

           No.

25. According to the Factbook, what is the current population of the entire planet? 7,095,217,980

Population and Mirgation Power Point

          Today in class, we looked at a power point on population and migration. We also talked about immigrants working in the U.S. for a while. Good points were brought up. If, for example, Mexican people come to work in the U.S. and do a better job than people who were born in the U.S., employers are going to take the Mexican's over the American's. This is completely appropriate. Why would you pay someone the same amount of money to do less work than people who would do more work? It shouldn't matter if you were born in the U.S. or not. It should only depend on if you are legally a citizen and are doing work. People should stop saying immigrants are taking jobs away from U.S. citizens when most of the U.S. citizens don't care for work. Some do, and deserve the job. Overall, it was a very interactive class today.

Population and Migration Definitions

          Today in class, we started a new lesson called Population and Migration. Here are the definitions we will be needing for this lesson.

life expectancy- the expected number of years left in a persons life at any given age.

crude birth rate (CBR)- number of births in a population each year.

crude death rate (CDR)- number of deaths in a population each year.

developing nations- a nation with an overall low standard of living.

developed nation- a nation that has a high standard of living.

rate of natural increase (RNI)- the crude birth rate minus the crude death rate of a population.

net migration rate (NMR)- the difference of immigrants and emigrants of an area in a period of time.

immigration- the movement of other people into a nation of which they are not native to.

emigration- the movement of other people into a nation of which they are not native to, but intend to settle there permanently.

push forces- factors that make people want to leave a nation.

pull forces- factors that make people want to live in another nation.

total fertility rate (TFR)- average number of children that would have been born to a woman over her lifetime.

Fire Drill During Test

          Today in class, we had a test in human Geo. It was a pretty good test. While taking it, we had a fire drill. It set us back a little, but we'll have extra time to finish tomorrow.

Film Sinking In

          Today in class, we talked about the Behind the Swoosh film we watched yesterday. We also asked ourselves if Nike did anything about their sweatshops. Now, Nike isn't the only company that has sweatshops to make it's products. It sticks out so much because they are the only one who has tried to change the way the make their products. They have tried to lessen sweatshops and make the conditions in factories better. This progress has made Nike an even better company.

Behind the Swoosh

          Today in class, we watched a film called Behind the Swoosh. The film was about Nike sweatshops in Indonesia. The film was about a man named Jim Keady who was a big endorser for Nike. When he heard about the sweatshops and the awful conditions the workers lived in, he started to protest and bring it to America's attention. He received a letter from the head coach where he worked saying, "Wear Nike and drop the issue or resign." He did not drop the issue and was fired. People kept telling him how the workers were happy and didn't mind the bad conditions and low pay. He decided to visit one of the sweatshops to get the truth. Jim traveled to Tangerang, Indonesia, a big factory town, with Leslie Kretzu. Jim and Leslie and both Co. Directors and Founders of Education for Justice. While there, they lived on just $1.25 in a crowded, polluted area, just like the workers. The factory managers would harass the workers to extreme levels. Sometimes, workers would receive death threats. Jim decided to meet with Nike's CEO, Phil Knight. Jim asked for Phil to visit Tangerang, Indonesia to see the horrible condition his workers lived in. He declined and told Jim to leave him alone. Still, Jim and Leslie did not give up. They continued to protest against Nike's sweatshops. They believe that everyone is equal. Everyone is a human being and deserves the right treatment.

Globalozation Project

          Today in class, we got into groups for a project. Out project was about the pros and cons of Globalization. How it helps some countries build upon technology and culture, but leaves others behind.

Globalization

          Today in class, we discussed globalization. Globalization is the connection between lifestyles, cultures, and religions across the world. Globalization is usually associated with Americanization because we are the best at it. Take McDonalds for example. McDonald's are everywhere around the world. Each one has a menu that is adapted to the culture. It also has an architecture similar to the buildings around it. A McDonalds in China would have that 'palace' kind of look to it. Globalization has a big impact everywhere. American fast food restaurants brought over a big selection of soft drinks to China, making things unhealthy for them. China brought flavored waters and teas to the U.S., making us healthier. The sales of soft drinks in America has gone down a lot because people are drinking healthier. Religion is also a big part of Globalization. Different kinds of religious groups are set up everywhere around the world. Globalization is a really great thing!

Google Documents

*Was excused from class due to Chorus practice for 50th Anniversary Mass*

          Today in class, we learned how to use Google Documents. This will help us work together with class projects during the year.

Did You Know/Shift Happens

          Today in class, we watched a slide show that talked about how fast paced the world is becoming. The slide show, Did You Know/Shift Happens, started out in a tiny classroom in 2006. There were a lot of interesting and shocking facts in the video. Here are 3 that really stuck out in my mind. The top 10 in demand jobs in 2010 didn't exist in 2004, there are over 800million registered users on Facebook (If it was a country, it would be the 3rd largest in the world), and there are 12billion searches performed on Google every month. I was shocked when I heard this information. These changes are in my personal life because they are a big part of everyday life. New jobs are going to be offered by the time I start working. We all had a Facebook back when it didn't suck. We use Google for information and entertainment everyday. Technology plays a big part in my life. It's hard to live in these time without it. It's how people communicate, do their work, get entertainment, etc. The way things are changing, it's going to become impossible to live without technology.

The Death of Socrates

          Today in class, we discussed the life of Socrates in depth. What his trial was like. What he might have said that got him voted guilty. Most people think he was cocky. That he told the government the city was stupid and he was the one keeping it functioning. Just being sassy in general. His punishment was to drink a cup of hemlock. The painting, The Death of Socrates, depicts what it might have been like to be there when he drank the hemlock. The painting makes Socrates look like a superhero due to his courageous choice to just drink the poison without hesitation. He also stood by what he believed in and was never sorry for it. So many people admired Socrates. Because of this, the painting also has people in distress all around him. Socrates is known as one of the greatest philosophers because of his teachings, admiration from others, and his noble death.

Ancient Greek Definition Review

          Today in class, we reviewed the Ancient Greek definitions we had for homework. We talked about the Greeks and their way of life a little bit. How they were about voicing your opinion. They were the first people to have democracy. It wasn't perfect though. Only men were allowed to voice their opinion and vote at town meetings. Women and slaves still had no rights. War was a big worry to the Ancient Greeks. They didn't receive any help from the Spartans. The Spartans were all about taking care of their own people. War was a worry for Greeks because, if defeated, they would most likely loose their way of life. We also talked a lot about Socrates and his death. He was given 2 choices, to be exile from the city, or to drink a cup of poison. He chose the poison because he believed philosophers weren't afraid of death. He was always considered a hero for his choice.