WWI Trenches Video Response

I just watched a video about trench warfare.  Before watching this video, I knew very little about trench warfare.  I knew that it was very bloody, but I never realized how close to a stalemate trench warfare was.  After a massive battle, both sides lost numerous amounts of people.  In a single battle, tens of thousands of people could be killed.  However, no side was able to gain a significant amount of territory.  Sides would comete to try to gain yards because it was next to impossible to gain much more than that.  The video basically reiterates how hopeless trench warfare really was.

Language in the Public Schools

When I was in high school, I made it all the way to Spanish III, which was an honors class.  You would think that by the time I was finished with the class, I would be able to compose complex sentences in Spanish.  That is not the case.  After three years of Spanish, I was only on the same level of Spanish as an elementary schooler.  I understand that the Spanish-speaking elementary schooler has many more years of experience under his or her belt.  However, when you think about all the young children in other countries that can understand their native langurage and another language, you start to feel a little discouraged when you compare our students to their students.  American students are way behind when it comes to lerning a foreign language.  While other countries start teaching foreign languages at a young age, we wait until our students are in high school to teach them foreign languages.  Why do we do this?  Studies have shown that the later you learn a language, the harder it is to retain it. There are now people that are proposing that we start teaching foreign language at a younger age. I think that this is a wonderful idea. Learning a foreign languages opens so many doors for students. First, it helps them learn more about their own language by comparing the grammar of their language with the grammar of the foreign language. Second, with the way world is globalizing, having a background in another language could provide several job opportunities. Third, learning another language reminds kids that there are many perspectives on life. It helps us to become citizens of the world.

Canada

Canada is located to the north of the United States.  People there can speak either French or English.  Apparently, French Canada has been trying to break away from the English speaking part of Canada.  I don't really care much about that, though.  I am not very good with the French language, and I have been desperately wanting to visit Canada.  I have really been wanting to go to Nova Scotia.  It's literal translation is New Scotland.  They have festivals at certain times of the year in which people celebrate their Scottish heritage with dancing and Scottish music.  I have also heard from various Canadians that public schools in Nova Scotia have been wanting to teach their students how to speak Gaelic. 

Marching Band

I have been involved in marching band since the sixth grade.  For those that do not understand the nuts and bolts of marching, it may seem a lot easier than it looks.  Marching band requires a lot of skill.  First off, you have to learn the basics of marching.  You have to learn how to transition from moving forward to backward while still staying in step.  Next you have to be coordinated enough to march and play.  Then, you have to be able to read the drill chart, which shows the forms that need to be created.  Then you have to learn how to create those forms that are on the drill chart.  Then you have to be able to play while trying to make the form.  The only way that you can do that is to watch the other band members with your periperal vision and then try to adjust to the form that they are making.  Lastly, you have to build up enough endurance to march the entire show and maintain your sound.  Marching band probably sounds a lot more difficult to you now, but when you get the hang of it, it is definitely a rewarding activity.