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UPDATED: HTML5 bouncing ball example

Posted by Chris Alfano in Computer Science Engineering - Advanced - Alfano on

This new version of the example features better comments explaining each line of code.

It also includes the changes we made in class today to create a variable (radius or r) that holds the ball's radius and is used to make the ball bounce before any of its edges goes off any side of the canvas. (notice in the previous example that the ball doesn't bounce until its center reaches an edge)

Language AutoBiography

Posted by Jessica Maiorano in English 2 - Block on
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Jessica Mairoano

 

Introduction: I think that people knowing and learning different languages are important and it’s something that I wanted to write about. My language autobiography is about some of my experiences with learning a different language also authors experiences and that they wrote about.

Reflection: This project was very difficult for me at first because I had no idea what I wanted to write about. I never really paid attention to what other people had to say about language so it was interesting to read about other people’s opinions. My strengths with this project were writing my own experiences because it was so easy to talk about. My weaknesses were trying to stay on topic since it had to be almost a thousand words I thought I was going to get off topic.
 

Paper:
In school you are required to take a second language for at least two years, but why? Why can’t I just know English? What if I don’t want to learn another language? We are all taught Standard English and that is the right way to speak so why would they teach us something different? The school district thinks it will benefit us in our future but what if we don’t think it will? Then why do we need to know two languages?

The day has come the day I get my first quarter report card for sophomore year. I walk into the tiny room with my advisers and my mother. I look down at my narratives. I had an amazing report card but unfortunately Spanish is the first subject on the list. My mom looks at my report card disappointed because of my Spanish grade “D?” she says with a frown on her face. I was not happy with her face at all. I went on and on about how my grade could be better and most importantly how I got that grade. First, I said, “I do not understand Spanish it’s just not my subject. I don’t want to take it next year if I am going to keep struggling.” My mom stopped me right there and said “Isn’t it much better if she knows two languages?” Mr. Kay my advisor said “Yes its much better” At that point I realized that I should make the decision if I want to learn a language or not.        

“Language, a place of struggle” says bell hooks. Those five words mean a lot because language is a place of struggle. In my opinion language is important because not only do you need to know English to communicate with people but also if someone speaks a different language you need to know how to speak it to, that’s not always easy. Spanish for example is totally different from English and to expect someone to learn it and be able to speak it fluently is much harder then you think. I feel as though if you don’t understand the language and don’t want to learn it then that’s your choice. But again, if you think about that line “ Language, a place of struggle” you know its going to be hard and you can work through it.

Sometimes you need to do certain things to exceed in the subject you are learning. In the story “I just want to be average” by Mike rose, mike rose talks about some of his experiences in the classroom. He was placed in the Vocational track, which are mostly classes for students who are not doing well in school. Mike thought he had to be like everyone else and be good at every subject. When people learn languages or just any subject in school everyone is at a different level that is okay. Mike Rose did not understand that.

My first day of Spanish 1, one of the scariest days of my life. I have my binder and pencil out and the first thing I write in the corner of my new shiny loose-leaf paper is “Ahorita,” which means do the activity on the board right now. I didn’t no what to expect, I didn’t think I was going to do well in this class. As the days of the school year go by and I am just passing with a B when I know I can do better. I thought that since this was my first year ever learning a different language, which me not understanding it is okay but then the next school year came. I was dreading the day I had to step foot in the Spanish classroom, like always I put Ahorita at the top of my paper the first day. I knew that coming into Spanish 2 was going to be a little rough for me because I had difficulties the previous year. It turns out I was right. When I received my first test back it wasn’t what I wanted it to be. I went straight to my teacher to seek for help. He explained to me that it is fine that I am having difficulties. It will get better if I just keep studying. I realized everyone is at a different pace. I am normal I just need to work harder.

Yes, it may take a lot of work and you may struggle and at times it might not make sense but language helps you accomplish greater things. Language helps you work harder to achieve your goals. People might think now why do I need to talk Standard English or even learn a different language but in the long run it will pay off.  

 

 

Lobbying Post #4 - Curfews/Flashmobs

Posted by Shelby Harcher in American Government - Laufenberg on
​As I have mentioned in previous blog posts, Philadelphia has had a problem with flashmobs and the solution the city has come up with is setting a curfew for those under the age of 18. City council has recently come up with a new curfew law for the city which fines those who don't obey. I've had many thoughts and feelings about this law because it effects me directly because I am a minor. I don't agree with the law that has been made. The law not only effects the teens who don't listen to the curfew but always the parents of those minors. 

Curtis Jones Jr., is my representative for my district. He voted upon the new curfew law for the city. Because we have two different opinions on what needs to be done, I thought it would be a good idea to contact him and let him know how I feel. Writing a letter seemed to be the easiest way to contact my representative, so I did just that. In my letter, I talked about how millions of dollars are going to be spent for more policemen to be on duty to enforce the new law. I also questioned whether or not they believe this law will be enforced properly and if not, what do they plan on doing? I expressed how punishing parents isn't fair nor is it the best thing to do and not every minor who is out during the those restricted hours are out to start trouble. 

I believe that contacting your representative when you don't agree with something that's going on in the city is the best way to handle the situation. Your representative is there to represent you, so you are entitled to give them our opinion. 

Jermel Langley Language Autobiography / response video

Posted by Jermel Langley in English 2 - Block on
​l. My Language autobiography is showing how Code switching is a major part of my life. Word are the real power people have you just have to know how to use them. I just wanted to show everyone who reads my paper how my use of code switching can help out. Everyone code switches because it's like a instincts you have when you know how to talk. 

ll. 

Code Switching In Language

This was one of my regular Friday’s when I was suppose to get my cut. I walking to my room and my cousins comes over my house. So my mom calls me down stair to get my hair done. I walk to the kitchen and wait i know you may think hold up I’m getting my hair cut in the kitchen but we have been doing this for the pass 3 years so it’s cool and they make me clean it after anyways. So back to the story. My cousin Boo was staying in the kitchen, he has a full Beard, my skin completion, and very husky.

“Wassup! cousin boo ” He turn around and give me a hand shake. When he give me hand Shakes it feel like he trying to break my hand.
“Wassup kid, i see you getting a lil husky over there but you see i been in the gym 2” As he said this he flexed his muscles. like if I like seeing them or something. really I don’t be caring but I don’t say anything. so he could feel better about his self.
“Yeah im not even husky tho haha” I know i’m husky he don’t have to tell me.
“yeah ard, but you ready to be pretty for the city?”
“ Swag you already know, ima sit down”
“ all right then, you about to pull all the bittes.”
“ Yeah you already know cousin boo you know”
“ It’s in our blood Mel G’s”
“ Mel G’s “
Boo: “ these ladies don't know they talking to Mel G over here”
This is a conversation that me and my cousin have all the time, but this is a conversation that only be and my cousin can have. I use slang for the fun in the way I talk. I feel as tho it gives me freedom. But at the same time I can code switch very well and if you don’t know what code switching mean it when you change the way you speak to present your self a certain way to certain people. Like if you curse and talk with slang around your friends and never even think about talking that way around your parents. Plus if you did you know your parent will be like I’m not your friend, so talk to me the right way. I do this all the time.
Late August, We were having a Award Ceremony for my Advance Engineering Design program. As soon as we walked in Naval Commanders came to me and my group and began talking to us. I was nervous but I just started talking very proper.

“Goodmorning, what’s your name” This man was a tall and white with a naval suit on and a white hat. “My name is jermel sir and how is your morning going?”  

Right here is where you can see i code switched for one respect and two it’s in my personally. Code switching is a major part of language because you need to know how to approach certain people in certain ways. if you don't know how you can get laughed at and never get token seriously, you can never get a job, or you won’t fit in where ever you go.

With both events, I showed you that happened in my life and overall conflicts wit language. With these 2 events I summed up Code switching in language. Slang is a friendly way of talking to people your around everyday, which is a shortcut for the way anyone talk. And talking proper is just a professional way to speak to someone. With Code switching you will learn that you will always do this wit everyone you talk to in your life. Everyone have a different way you talk to them. Code switching is just a name of how you live your everyday life...