Anxiety and Me

There is a feeling out there that can really change the way we think. Sometimes it’s really good to be stressed out over certain things. If you have four papers due the next day you need that sense of urgency to get it done. When this stress becomes a constant, it is called anxiety. You can be anxious over the simple things like school, friends, family, and just stressful times. Anxiety isn’t all bad though because it can save you from bad situations.

When it’s Good it Helps



Figure 1

Anxiety in small amounts can really help you when things could be bad. Right before a test, anxiety helps you focus on your notes and helps you zone out distractions. On the football field, it can help you find the tacklers and avoid them with hyperfocus (Figure 1). It also alerts you when things just seem a bit weird. Anxiety was meant to be a good thing for us to utilize to protect ourselves. Our bodies have natural triggers and filters to protect us from too much of it. These natural reactions that give us anxiety happen more often than you think. It can happen when you see big bugs, walk by yourself, or even right before you read a book. Anxiety helps in a lot of everyday activities, we just don’t feel anxious because of the natural walls. A little bit of anxiety helps us get through our challenges throughout a long day.

Too Much Can Hurt

Figure 2

Anxiety has its natural borders that we talked about already. These borders can be broken by a terrible thing called disorders. These disorders come in a huge variety and effect you in a billion different ways. These disorders have huge effects on not just your mind but sometimes your body too. When the body does to much of anything it tends to be bad. This is an extreme case, when anxiety is overflowing it can be really bad for you. It can cloud the way you think about basic stuff. Instead of laser sharp focus your thoughts are all over the place. The person in the picture has tons of thoughts and he can’t seem to focus (Figure 2). I know of a disorder called a phobia that means you’re really afraid of one thing. Arachnophobia would be the fear of spiders and Claustrophobia would be the fear of tight spaces. These are examples of your body having anxiety over something that you should be worried of but just too worried. Some other disorders involve social anxiety. This disorder is very special, it makes you think a lot about people around you. The people in your head can be all good or all bad depending on your mood, this can lead to some problems when you’re making new friends and going out for jobs. Anxiety can really hurt people and is a very under talked about topic amongst our kids.

Try to Help!

Some kids have enormous troubles trying to get around their own anxieties. Whether they have a disorder or not, we should really try to help out people who are having a lot of stress. Anxiety isn’t something you can just ignore. It gets really deep under you skin, and can come out with a lot of problems. Friends, family, and just talking about it can help you get over a lot of the struggles that come with anxiety (Figure 3). If you have a disorder, you can go to your doctor and he will help you get past your problems. Anxiety isn’t meant to be a bad thing and you can easily overcome anything it throws at you!

Figure 3

CalmClinic. (n.d.). The Origination of Anxiety. Retrieved from http://www.calmclinic.co m/anxiety/is-it-all-in-your-head

University of Michigan Department of Psychiatry. (n.d.). Anxiety. Retrieved from http://www.psych.med.umich.edu/mental_health/anxiety.asp

NATO Geography

There are a lot of countries out there in our world. Believe it or not, there are actually 194(1)! NATO. This group helps keeps people safe in North America, Europe, the Middle East and even some parts of Africa! Our world really is big and full of a lot of people( Figure 1). Sometimes these people have the same ideas and want to keep each other safe, so they join groups to do so. One of these groups is the North Atlantic Trade Alliance, but most people call them NATO. NATO has 28 of the 194 countries part of it, and today you're going to learn which of those countries they are!

Figure 1 Our Big World

The Original Countries

When your grandparents were little, this organization was made 70 years ago! There were 12 countries that wanted to keep themselves safe from these mean people called the Soviet Union, so they made NATO to do so. These 12 were important countries in Europe and North America, and would eventually add even more countries to their organization. These first twelve were the United States, the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, Iceland, Italy, Denmark, Portugal, and Canada(2). Together, these countries would help protect each other from the Soviet Union, and try to keep each other from going to war.

Newer Countries

 

Figure 2 This is what Europe looks like

So over time people in Europe liked the idea of NATO, and wanted to join it so they could keep their friends safe too. Through these past 70 years, 16 countries have joined the organization. These countries are all over Europe, and some were even brand new countries that became free after the Soviet Union broke apart. The first two that joined were Greece and Turkey. Turkey isn't the kind you eat for Thanksgiving though, it's the funny looking country sticking out to the right of Greece. The last 14 then were Germany, Spain, Poland, Hungary, the Czech (pronounced check) Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, and Croatia(2). That's a lot of names, and can get pretty confusing, so you can see where all of them are on the map to the right(Figure 2)!

People Who Want to Join

Some people out there really want to join NATO so they can be safe from mean people around the world like ISIS and pirates. Some of these countries are Cyprus, Georgia, and Macedonia. Right now though, NATO isn't letting them join though. Why is that? Well NATO has certain rules a country has to follow so that they can join. These rules are in what's called a MAP, or a Membership  Action Plan. Pretty much, a country has to be nice to everyone else, especially the ones in NATO right now, they have to be able to make the group money, they have to give an army to NATO if needed, and they in general have to be able to help them in the long run(3). For most of these countries, they have problems with who they're friends and not friends with. Cyprus and Turkey don't like each other, and neither do Greece and Macedonia. Georgia probably would be in NATO, but Russia doesn't like them, and the group doesn't want to fight Russia.

NATO Today

NATO today is helping to keep us safe from mean people all over the world. When people in the Ukraine were being attacked last year, they stepped in to protect them and are still there today. They fought in the Middle East in Afghanistan against terrorists who attacked the United States. In Africa they're getting rid of pirates out there who steal stuff from nice people. Overall, NATO just wants to keep us safe and keep our world secure for a long time.

 References

Children's Map of Europe [Photograph] (n.d.) Retrieved  from http://sisap.newenglandwm.com/docs/simple-map-of-europe-for-kids

Deluxe Earth With Edited Clouds [Photograph] (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.shadedrelief.com/natural3/pages/textures.html

(2)NATO. (n.d.).A short history of NATO. Retrieved from NATO’s website: http://www.nato.int/history/nato-history.html

(3)Tomiuc, Eugen. (2002, March 7). NATO: What does it take to join? Retrieved from http://www.rferl.org/content/article/1099020.html

(1)World Atlas. (2015, August 13). How many countries are in the world? Retrieved from http://www.worldatlas.com/nations.htm

Types of Homeschooling

Figure 1- Your new teacher!

Imagine this... you wake up every day in your cozy, warm bed and walk downstairs to your kitchen. Waiting for you is your mom with a big plate of pancakes, a cold glass of orange juice, and a stack of workbooks (Figure 1). Now, why would she have a stack of your workbooks? Because you are home schooled! Homeschooling is when your parent teaches you everything you would typically learn in a regular school, however, you are not taught by a teacher; you are taught by your mom or dad in the comfort of your own home (1)! 1,700,000 children just like you are being home schooled throughout the country (2).  All 1,700,000 children are being home schooled in different ways. There are many different strategies and ways that parents can choose to home school you. Let's take a look at the four main types of homeschooling.



Figure 2- Goal Chart for the Formal Approach

The Formal Approach

The formal approach is the first strategy (3). If you are being home schooled through the formal approach you will have many goals set for you to achieve (3)! Your mom or dad will do everything that they can to make sure you achieve those goals (3). Figure 2 shows a sample goal chart that you and your parents can use to set your goals. If one of the goals is for you to know all of your times tables by the next month, your mom and dad will place a lot of focus on those times tables. Everything you do will be directed so that you know those times tables in and out! However, the things you enjoy doing and your interests do not really have an effect on what you learn at home. Your parents want to put your education first, before your interests, to make sure you reach every goal (3).

The Demonstrative Approach

The demonstrative approach is the next homeschooling strategy (3). Unlike the formal approach, the demonstrative approach uses your own fun experiences to help you learn (3). You have to get involved and get active with the demonstrative approach (3). Arts and crafts are often used in this creative way of homeschooling! Playing educational board games or puzzles with your mom or dad can play a part in your school day. Visual learners tend to enjoy this technique because they are able to see what they are learning, rather than hear it. So be ready to get up and get involved when using the demonstrative approach!

The Facilitative Approach

The facilitative approach is when your mom and dad give you more freedom (3). Your parents will guide you through your education, but they will not hold your hand the whole way through. Your mom and dad will support you in the decisions that you make, but they will not tell you what to do (3). Sounds great, huh? Think again! Everything you learn is geared so you that you know to make the right decisions! So, if you see someone being bullied at the park, you think back to the day that your parents taught you to go get an adult if you see someone in trouble! The facilitative approach helped you do the right thing, as your parents guided you along the way.

The Delegative Approach

The delegative approach is similar to the facilitative approach. However, the delegative approach has even less guidance from your parents (3)! You are in charge of teaching yourself. This involves you reading a lot of textbooks and doing worksheet after worksheet by yourself. If you have a question, your parents will be there to answer it, but they will not be there every step of the way (3). This way of homeschooling is the least popular because your mom and dad want to be involved as much as they can in your education (3).

Throughout the four types of homeschooling, there is not one way that is stronger than the other. It all lies in the hands of your parents!

References

1. Lyman, I. (1998). What's behind the growth in homeschooling?. USA Today Magazine, 127(2640),64

2. Smith, M. (2013, September 3). U.S. Department of Education: Homeschooling   continues to grow! HSLDA. Retrieved from https://www.hslda.org/

3. McKeon, C. (2007, May 1). A mixed methods nested analysis of homeschooling styles, instructional practices, and reading methodologies. Online Submission.

Hello my name is mom [Photograph]. (2015). Retrieved from http://nationalautismnetwork.com/uploads/blog-0622304001405097807.jpg

My goal chart [Photograph]. (2015). Retrieved from http://theschoolgardenllc.com/onlineshopping/images/851000.jpg

FRANKEN FOOD!!!!

Figure 1: Frankenfood [Web Image] .(2012,July 31).

Frankenstein (a scientist) who put together random body parts found in a cemetery, wanted to make a perfect human. Now imagine that's how your food has been created, not in the same way as Frankenstein had done, but parts of your food called genes have been placed in a lot of the food your eating to either make it last longer or to make it taste better.

Figure 2:Top names in the processed food industry [Web image] (2012)

This is called a genetically modified organism, a GMO(genetically modified organism) is a organism whose genes has been changed by genetic engineering. I bet your wondering do we need GMO's? Well, since the beginning of genetic engineering scientists and farmers have been working to help boost productivity in important crops. The reason why we have GMO's, is to make the food stay fresher, taste better and to help protect food from bugs! Roughly 10 to 15 percent of the world's cropland is growing GMO's today! The top five major foods that have GMO's in them are: corn, soybeans, cotton, canola(oil), and sugar beets. But don't forget, theses aren't the only food's that have GMO's in them. Fruit loops, Doritos, even fruits such as strawberries and papayas have been changed.(See figure 2) Also meats like bacon and chicken have GMO's in them too! If you think about it, most of our food has been genetically changed in some way. Even animals have been genetically modified!

Figure 3:  AquaAdvantage salmon [Web Image] (2013,July,25)

 Franken Animals

Surprisingly animals have been genetically modified too! Only certain animals that we get food from, have been changed to help make more food for us. Animals like cows, pigs, chickens, and salmon are examples of genetically modified organisms. GE-Salmon being the biggest thing to hit the market, has been changed to be even bigger then the natural salmon. The salmon was said to be safe to eat and as nutritious as the non-gmo salmon. So what's the deal with GMO's are they good or evil? Ill let you be the judge.

Figure 3: A GMO-A Go-A GO [Web Image] (2013)

                

       Is It Safe?
Just like Frankenstein's creation, there are some characteristics of this creation that have you thinking, is it safe? Scientists say yes, there safe but critics disagree. Twenty years ago Hawaiian farmers were in trouble. Ringspot virus, a infection caused by bugs was destroying all the papayas! Farmers tried everything to stop this virus, but nothing worked until a scientist made a great discovery. He gave the idea to put a gene called the coat protein in the papaya. After they put this new gene in the crop, they realized that they saved the papaya crop from being completely destroyed! Critics say even though GMO's helped crops survive, there are unknown risks to think about. Some say that food with GMO's have chemicals in them that can make someone sick, or if you have allergies the GMO's can cause a allergic reaction.

Figure 4: Mutato Head [Web image] (2009,May,28)

There are even unknown chemicals in our food that were eating, that can potentially cause us harm. Unfortunately the CEO's who own the company,who puts GMO's in our food, does not want to label the food that has GMO's. The reasons why they don't want to, is because their scared no one would buy their products once they find out they've been genetically modified. If the companies would simply label their products, they could possibly save someone from getting sick. But sadly they only care about the money they could make off their products.

Figure 5:  Hungry-Man FrankenFood [Web Image] (1999,Jan,27)

 Unlike the scientists, Frankenstein had no idea that his creation would become a monster! So whose to say the GMO's that scientist had created isn't? Scientists have the power to create something good or bad, but its up to you whether you believe GMO's are used for good or evil!

To find more information about GMO's click Here!

Figure 6: Banana Comic [Web Image] (2003,May,3)

                          References:
Gurian-Sherman, D. (2013, November 25). Blog The Equation. November 29, 2015, from http://blog.ucsusa.org/doug-gurian-sherman/do-we-need-gmos-322 Hari, V. (2014, October 10).

CONFIRMED! Lab tests show over 30 popular food products contain GMOs. Are you eating them? Retrieved November 29, 2015, from http://foodbabe.com/2014/10/10/confirmed-lab-tests-show-over-30-popular-food-products-contain-gmos-are-you-eating-them/

Saletan, W. (2015, July 15). The Misleading War on GMOs: The Food Is Safe. The Rhetoric Is Dangerous. November 29, 2015 http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2015/07/are_gmos_safe_yes_the_case_against_them_is_full_of_fraud_lies_and_errors.html

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2012, April 8). November 29, 2015, http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm473249.htm

Valuing Our Forests

Valuing our Forests

Figure 1 - Roger the Ranger

                

 When school lets out for the summer, kids like you often have a lot of fun time to spend with friends and family. When talking about fun trips with family and friends, one common choice of interest are outdoor vacations. However, forests are more than just a vacationing spot. So before you're ready to visit the outdoors, you should understand the many ways we as humans value the forests and rely on them for every day life.  Imagine being out with your family on a nice vacation on the Appalachian Mountains. It’s a cool windy afternoon, and everyone is ready for a campfire to cook food and keep warm. As soon as you start the fire, Roger the Park Ranger spots you and your family with his binoculars from the distance! As he walks over to meet you and your family, your mother asks Roger why he became a park ranger. "You see miss, the forests have so much to offer us as humans. Without forests, our entire way of life would never be the same! Before I go, I want to share some of the reasons we value forests and a little bit about what I do," says Roger the Ranger. 

 

The Air We Breathe

Figure 2 - Photosynthesis Diagram

"Don't you just love the fresh air out here?" says Roger. Forests work like natural air factories to give us the oxygen we breathe. Using a process called photosynthesis, trees take in the carbon dioxide that we exhale and use that to create oxygen in the air for us to live! You can see how the process works looking at Figure 2. "In fact, just one adult tree can make as much oxygen in one season that it would take 10 people to inhale in a year!", says Roger the Ranger (1). Not only to trees create air for us to breathe, they can also filter the air we already have. Trees catch a variety of air pollutants that can mix into the oxygen we breathe, making the air safer for our lungs. 

Animals and Habitat

                                                                               The animals in the forest rely on the trees for homes and protection, much like the way we rely on our houses to shelter and keep us safe from harm. "The animals that live in the forest feed on the nuts and berries that trees grow, and in turn we as humans need the animals so that we can eat and become strong," says Roger. It turns out that nearly half of all known animals live in the forests together in a habitat (1). "A habitat is when different animals and plants live together in the same area", Roger notes. If there were no forests, the animals that live there wouldn't manage and we would have a hard time getting food on the dinner table. Amazingly enough, around 300 million people live in forests around the world, about 60 million of those people are tribal and rely entirely on the habitat of the forest (1)! Without forests, people or animals just wouldn't be as 
 happy as we are today.

Figure 3 - Animal Habitat

Just look at how happy Mrs. Doe is to live in such a plentiful forest (Figure 3)! 






Clean Drinking Water

 Along with filtering our air as mentioned above, trees also clean most of the water that comes back to earth. Two-thirds of clean water in the United States comes from rain that is filtered through forests (2). "Forests are like giant sponges",

Figure 4 - Water filtering through forests

Roger says, "They catch a lot of the toxins that get added to the water naturally by drinking it using their roots". However, trees cant absorb all of it. The water that gets past their roots flow down into things called aquifers underground. An aquifer is an area in the ground that holds water in the gaps between rock, sand, or gravel (3). Without the roots of the forest to lead the extra water, it wouldn't be filtered properly in the soil. The water underneath the soil leads out to the rivers and oceans, almost like an underwater stream as you can see in Figure 5. This water provides drinking water for people all over the world! 

Figure 5 - Aquifer Diagram

The Role of a Park Ranger

 Being a park ranger such as myself can be a tough job, but its also a rewarding one, says Roger the Ranger. Part of my job is making sure all visitors are safe and happy by giving knowledge about forestry and going over park rules (4). "The other role that I play is to keep the forests in check and to make sure all the trails are cleared," says Roger. As a park ranger, Roger knows the forest like the back of his hand! Therefore, any problems you see such as a blocked trail, a forest fire, or an over flowing river should be reported to a park ranger. Doing your part and letting a park ranger know of dangers can save an entire forest, and thanks to Roger the Ranger, we now know why

Figure 6 - Roger the Ranger!

forests are so important to us! Like many other park rangers, Roger will be on the look out. He and other park rangers are constantly ready to serve the forests, and to protect and inform all of its visitors! 

References

1) McLendon, R. (2014, March 20). 21 Reasons Why Forests Are Important. Retrieved from http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/wilderness-resources/blogs/21-reasons-why-forests-are-important  

2) The Role of Forests in Water Purification. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.seesouthernforests.org/case-studies/role-forests-water-purification  

3) Southwest Florida Water Management District. Glossary. Retrieved from https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/education/kids/glossary/aquifer/

4) Forestry Degree. Job Duties and Responsibilities of a Park Ranger. Retrieved from forestrydegree.net/job-duties-and-responsibilities-of-a-park-ranger/

5) Park Ranger Binoculars [Photograph] (2014) Retrieved from http://beatnikhiway.com/2015/07/07/highway-america-actual-questions-asked-of-national-park-rangers/

6) Photosynthesis Graph [Photograph] Retrieved from
http://www.microbiologyonline.org.uk/about-microbiology/microbes-and-the-outdoors/carbon-cycle

7) Deer in Forest [Photograph] Retrieved from http://giphy.com/gifs/forest-deer-ys8zByv0Muaxa

8) Forest with flowing water [Photograph] Retrieved from http://giphy.com/gifs/jerology-green-waterfall-rain-forest-aTdynm9cfgWwE

9) Aquifer [Photograph] (2014) Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTmioUWYMuQ

10) Park Ranger Lookout [Photograph] (2014) Retrieved from http://beatnikhiway.com/2015/07/07/highway-america-actual-questions-asked-of-national-park-rangers/