Week 5 Student Blog Post Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Week 5 Student Blog Post - Assignment Example Her neighbor represents the male gender and he is a popular football quarterback in the video (Taylor). According to the video, despite the girl being smart and talented, she has managed to acquire high academic achievements but not happy for her joy depends on earning the boy’s love. This is evident in the way she constantly tries to capture the boy’s attention but he does not seem to notice her. Just as Karloff said, cultural images enforce the notion that women depend on romance for happiness. In the minds of the youthful viewers, the will then learn from the video that the only way to be happy is to get involved in a heterosexual relationship (Boosalis, & Golombisky 25). This videos tends to bring out the perception than men are powerful and women whereas the female gender inferior. In addition, the cultural images of the video portray that women are subordinate to men in the society since Swift in the video relies on the relationship between her and the boy for happiness (Boosalis, & Golombisky 23). The consumers of these images who mostly may be adolescents and most especially girls need guidance and should be critical when deciding how they conduct their normal life experiences with cultural representation from the video images

Tragic or Comedy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Tragic or Comedy - Essay Example It can be affected by factors such as attitudes, beliefs, religion, family tradition and custom as well as the environment. Comedy on the other hand also has the same factors, but the difference is, the story is told in a â€Å"lighter† sense. Even if there are sad scenes still, the â€Å"lightness† of the plot and its mood is stronger and apparent. The second one of looking at the novel is through the reader’s point of view. Overall reader’s perception of the story will somehow determine whether a novel is a tragedy or a comedy, without knowledge of technical writing styles. A reader’s perception is also dependent on his or her experiences, culture and beliefs. Personal views on novel cannot be entirely labeled as something that is incorrect because, to read is like taking a journey. However way you take the journey is up to you and wherever the story leads you is something that is personal in nature; except of course, if one is completely mislead because of lack of understanding of the terms used and confusion of the events in the story. Life stories all have its ups and downs, happiness and sadness and whether one believes it or not tragedies can also have its â€Å"comedic instances†. Such is brought about by people’s behavior, attitude, age, beliefs and the environment. As I lay Dying is a novel about death in the family and although there are funny scenes in the novel, it has brought me more into the â€Å"serious† side of it. When Vardaman said that his mother is a fish, this seems funny, especially when spoken by a child, but the words have deeper meaning. Yes, we could laugh at it for awhile but something slowly sinks into us - a sad feeling. We pity the child for saying it because it can be perceived as a denial on the child’s part. Losing a mother is indeed very difficult especially for young children, and this is how Vardaman coped up with the

Explain How Christian Charities and Communities Essay Example for Free

Explain How Christian Charities and Communities Essay May put these Ideas into Practice Christian charities and communities put these ideas into action by devoting time to those who are less fortunate than themselves. They may work abroad as a doctor or nurse, or as an aid worker in a refugee camp. They may also provide help from their own homes by not being wasteful and donating old clothes and books and other objects that could be of use. There are certain organisations set up for Christians to help those less fortunate. These include organisations such as Voluntary Service Overseas which offers service to people with the will to help and it helps set them up with some work to do abroad. Other people will make donations to charities or even set aside some of their monthly income to make sure that they give something each month to help thise less fortunate than themselves. Christians are obligated to work towards helping those less fortunate than themselves. Charities such as Oxfam, Save the Children Fund and Comic Relief are all based to eliminate world poverty. However, they are not based on any religious beliefs. Christian charities include the Salvation Army, Christian Aid, Tear Fund and CAFOD. Christian Aid was organised just after the Second World War as many people had lost all their possesions and loved ones, including their home and family. Many people were left with nothing. That is when Christian Reconstruction in Europe was set up, which raised a massive one million pounds! This helped people start to build up their lives again. Once the citizens in Europe started to become more settled, the attention was drawn to other countries where there was still a huge problem with poverty and injustice, such as Africa. The name of the organisation was then changed to Christian Aid and has been known as that ever since. Christian Aid has helped those in natural disasters (such as the war in Lebanon, the famine in Sudan and East Pakistan and others), by sending over money, doctors and medicines, clothes and food. The money sent over is used to build hospitals, education centres and wells for clean water. Most recently Christian Aid has campaigned for fair trade and for an end to Third World dept. Christian Aid works in more than 70 countries, and on more than 700 local projects. There are four main areas to Christian Aid, the first of which is fund-raising. Christian Aid Week started in 1957 and is a major nationwide event. Churches are given a number of towns to manage between them, of which all houses in them have an envelope posted through. In this envelope are the aims of Christian Aid, along with the explaination of the work and asks for a donation. In 1995 à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½8,600,000 was raised. Christian Aid provides emergency aid to deal with natural disasters and refugees- this takes priority over long-term projects due to the extreme nature of the situations. This type of aid involves sending food and medicine as well as providing shelter for those affected. About 10-15% of its funds are spent on emergency aid each year. Long-term projects such as in Bangladesh where a basic drugs factory has been funded have the aim to continue helping the country in the future. This is the main area of Christian Aids work, which encourages people in LEDCs to work themselves out of poverty, so that they will not need aid in the future. The final area of Christian Aids work is education (in the UK mainly), where 5% of the budget is spent. Christian Aid News, a quarterly newspaper gives information on their developments as well as explaining the need for world development and ways in which Christians can help those in LEDCs. Christianity tries to make people in the west aware of the conditions in the Third World. They do this by running advertising campaigns and educatory packs for schools. They believe that increased awareness will mean that Christians and others will be more prepared to give to Third World charities. The Salvation Army began in 1865 when William Booth, and his wife Catherine, realised that the poor were not being treated equally to the richer and they were not even allowed into churches. He believed the church needed to go to the people, rather than the people coming to the church, to be touched by the Christian message. By 1900 the Army had spread around the world to 36 countries.The aim of The Salvation Army is the advancement of the Christian religionof education, the relief of poverty, and other charitable objects beneficial to society or the community of mankind as a whole. The Salvation Army are also aiming to reach out to others, in order to encourage them to do the same. The community outreach team aims at doing just that, making people aware of the hundreds of people who are homeless in London alone! Caritas is a world-wide Roman Catholic organisation which believes that it is not enough to give people in need material help. It believes in providing the solidarity needed to nourish that hope which alone will enable our less fortunate brothers and sisters to take personal charge of their own lives and destiny and thus achieving that liberty which is their inalienable right as children of God. In England and Wales, Caritas is represented by CAFOD (Catholic Agency for Overseas Development). CAFOD is considered one of the United Kingdoms leading development and relief organisations, and funds over a thousand projects in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America, the Caribbean and Eastern Europe. Not only does CAFOD help those less fortunate but they also work within parishes, schools and community organisations to help teach others about poverty and its causes. They also run many fund raising projects through schools and otherwise, such as sponsored sports events to raise money. CAFOD aims to get rid of poverty in the Developing World, and aims to bring about justice and fair shares for everyone. CAFOD also does a lot of emergency work when it is needed. When there is a natural disaster incident, such as a flood, hurricane, or earthquake they provide food and then help with rebuilding. Some Christians donate one tenth of their earnings as their duty towards helping the poor. Christians faith teaches that the wealth is by no means bad but they must learn the right purposes for earning it and using it, and would argue that they should give money to charity rather than spending it all on luxuries. This is illustarating the Eye of the Needle; it is easier for a camel to go through a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God as in the story of The Rich Man If the world were like it should be according to Christian teaching then the world would probably be a better place. The problem is that God gave men and women free will. If all of the worlds wealth was divided up equally between each person then not before very long the rich would be rich once again and the poor would be back where they were.

Motor Neurone Disease Health And Social Care Essay

Motor Neurone Disease Health And Social Care Essay sensory neuron and motor neuron. Sensory neuron brings the signal from the target organ to brain in the form of electrical impulses and motor neuron has just the opposite function i.e. it brings the impulses from brain to target organ to respond against the particular stimulus. In MND these motor neurons are get affected that control voluntary muscle including speaking, walking, breathing, sawalloing and general movement of body. Skeletal muscle are innervated by a group of neurons (lower motor neuron) located in the ventral horn of spinal cord which projectout the ventral roots to the muscle cells. These nerve are innervated by corticospinal tract or upper motor neuron that project from motor cortex of brain. In microscopic pathology there is degeneration of ventral horn of spinal cord as well as atrophy of ventral roots. Introduction: Motor neuron disease (MND) are the group of neurological disorder. It affects the motor neurons. Motor neurons have main function in bringing the signal in form of impulses from brain to the effectors organs (target organ) and in this way control the voluntary activity like walking, speaking, swallowing and other general movements. A French neurologist, Jean Martin Charcot, first suggested club together all conditions that affect the lateral horn of spinal cord in 1869. The other common name for MND are- ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), primary lateral sclerosis (PLS), progressive muscular atrophy (PLS). The cause of MND is sporadic. Genetic factor and environmental factor are responsible for it up to some extent. The motor system mainly consist of four parts: pyramidal system, basal ganglia, cerebellum and neuromuscular system. The lesion in any of them can lead to neurodegenerative disease. There may be several reason associated with lesion like intracellular hemorrhage, stroke etc. There is not much scope available for treatment of this disease permanently. Medical science still does not have any effective and permanent cure. Here I am trying to use stem cell technology approach for the treatment of this disease. As stem cells are the master cells of human body and can have capacity to derive all kind of cells. Because of its versatile nature, these cell can generate the motor neuron cells which get degenerated in MND. Here some stem cells cell approach is being consider and technique involved for its treatment are neural stem cell approach, the delivery of stem cells into multiple site and affected area, induced pluripotent cells approach, glial restricted precursor approach, cell therapy approach etc. The motor system: The motor system consist of: Pyramidal system (upper motor neuron) The basal ganglia (extrapyramidal system) The cerebellum Neuromuscular system The normal motor pathway contain upper motor neuron that synapse in the brainstem and spinal cord with lower motor neuron. The nerve cell bodies of of upper motor neuron (UMNs) lie in the precentral gyrus of the cerebral cortex and in several brainstem nuclei, their axon synapse with motor nuclei in brainstem (cranial nerve nuclei) and the spinal cord (peripheral nerve). Lower motor neuron (LMNs) have their cell bodies in the anterior horn (AHC); their axon transmit impulse through their anterior root into peripheral nerve terminating at neuromascular [junction Rosa-Eva Huettl et al, Feb 2011]. Skeletal cells which are voluntary in nature are innervated by group of neurons (LMNs) which are located in the ventral horn of spinal cord and these nerve cells are innervated by corticospinal tract(UMN) which project from motor cortex of brain. Three kinds of motor pathways impringe on the anterior horn cells ; the corticospinal tract, the basal ganglia system, and the cerebellar system. These are additional pathway originating in brainstem that mediate flexor and extensor tone in limb movement and posture most notable in coma. All these higher motor pathways affect movement through the LMNs- so called the final common pathway. C:UsersGUDDU-SUDDUDesktoppari2.gif Fig 1: representation of motor cortex and internal capsule. The principal motor pathway (pyramidal tract) is depicated. The movement whether initiated voluntarily in the cortex, automatically in the basal ganglia or reflexly in the sensory receptors, must ultimately be translated into action via anterior horn cells. A lesion in any of the above mentioned area will affect movement or reflex activity. The three principal motor pathway are: The corticospinal (pyramidal) tract: the cortiocospinal (pyramidal) tracts mediate voluntary movement and integrate skilled, complicated, or delicate movement of selected muscular actions and inhibit others. They also carry impulses that inhibit tone, hence, their lesion results in hypertonia. The corticospinal fibres originate in the cerebral cortex (precentral mortex cortex) pass through corona radiata and condense in the internal capsule, pass through its posterior limb and travel own through mid brain, pons and comes down into lower medulla, where they form an anatomical structure resembling a pyramid. There most of the fibres cross to the opposite or contralateral side of the medualla, pass downwards and synapse with the anterior horn cells or with internuncial neurons. Tracts synapsing in the brainstem with motor nuclei of the cranial nerves are termed corticobullar fibres (tract). The basal ganglia system: it included motor pathways between the cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, brain stem and spinal cord. It controls tone, posture and body movement especially gross automatic movement such as walking. The cerebellum: it receives both sensory and motor inputs and controls the co-ordinates the motor activity, maintains equilibrium and control posture. Body part representation in motor cortex and internal capsule: The body part are represented in contraleteral hemisphere in a characteristic fashion i.e. lower limb occupies upper position, face occupied lower most, arm and trunk occupy a large area. Similarly, the parts of the body capable of performing delicate movements have largest cortical representation. In internal capsule, the representation of the part is reserved. The upper limbs, trunk and lower limbs occupy upper middle and lower parts of posterior limb of the internal capsule. Change in the posture and alteration in the tone of many muscles requires for the movement of body. Some quite distant from the part being moved. The motor system consist of hierarchy of control mechanism that maintain body posture, baseline, muscle tone upon which a specific movement is superimposed. The lowest order of the hierarchy lies in the gray matter of spinal cord which control the muscle tone in response to stretch and the reflex withdrawl to noxious stimuli. Above the spinal cord, circuits between basal ganglia and motor cortex constitute the extrapyramidal system which control background muscle tone and body posture and gate the initiation of movement. Cause of MND and symptoms associated with it: Almost 90% of MND cases are sporadic [Leyanx Xu et al, April 2009] i.e. the patient have not family record of this disease. Genetic factors and environmental factor is important in determing individuals sucettibility. Some genes linked to ALS are: Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase SOD1, ALS2, NEFH, SETX and vesicle associated with protein B (VAPB). SOD1 mutation is responsible for about 20% of the MND case among in a family. The main product of SOD1 gene is superoxide dismutase enzyme. It act as a free radical scavenger and function as to reduce the oxidative stress of cells throughout body [Gurney ME et al, April 1997] . Till now about more than 100 different kinds of mutation in SOD1 gene have been found, which account for development of MND and its some other forms as well (ALSOD database). AV4 is the most commonly mutation occurring in North America and occur in up to 50% of SOD1 cases. In such a way different region and countries have different mutation which directly or indirectly affect SOD1 gene. For instance, in Japan the most common mutation is H46R. D90A mutation is associated with the slow progression of ALS is found in the people of Scandinavian [Gurney ME et al, April 1997]. As SOD1 gene is involved in the reduction of oxidative stress so its mutation confers a gain in toxic and affect the nerve cells. Rather than this aspect lesion in various parts of the motor system produce distructive pattern of motor deficit. These can induce negative symptoms of weakness, lack of coordination, lack of stability and stiffness or positive symptoms such as tremor, dystonia, chorea, athetosis, hemiballism, tics and myoclonus. When the lower limbs are affected, characteristic pattern of gait disorder may result. Lower motor neuron lesion: It consist of anterior horn cells, nerve roots, peripheral nerves and myoneural junctions. Groups of muscle fibres innervated by single anterior horn cells (LMN) from a motor unit, hence, it will cause loss of function of these motor unit and muscle fibres innervated by them result into weakness, flaccid, paralysis, atrophy and wasting the muscles and these muscle fibres depolorise spontaneously producing fibrillation. Sign and symptoms of lower neuron lesion: Weakness or loss of movement. Decrease tone (hypotonia-flaccid paralysis). Loss of tendon and superficial reflexes. Wasting of muscle leading to atrophy. Fasciculation. Trophic change in skin and nail in neutropathies. Contractures of muscle. Upper motor neuron lesions: The corticospinal tract (UMM) extended from the cortex to spinal cord, when damaged or destroyed, its function are reduced or lost below the level of lesion. When UMNs are damaged above the crossover of tract in medulla, motor impairment develops on opposite or contralateral side. In damage below the crossover, motor impairment occur on same or ipsilateral side of body. A UMN lesion manifests clinically: Weakness of limb or limbs. Brisk tendon stretch reflexes and loss of superficial reflexs. Hypertonia i.e. spastic increase in tone greater in the extensors of lower limb and flexors of upper limb which is a characteristic pattern of hemiplegia. Extensor plantar responses. The weakness is more pronounced in extensors of upper limbs and flexors of lower limb. Little or no wasting of muscles. Extrapyramidal lesions: Disease of basal ganglia or extrapyramidal system does not cause paralysis but produce an increase in tone, disturbance in posture and gait, a slowness or lack of spontaneous and automatic movement termed bradykinesia, and a variety of involuntary movements. Cerebellar lesions: it leads to: Lack of coordination on the same side of body. The initial part of movement is normal but as target is approached and accuracy of movement deteriorates resulting in intention termor. Impairment of gait, equilibrium and postures. Lesions involving the cerebellar hemisphere lead to ataxic gait; while involvement of central vermis leads to truncal ataxia (patient has difficulty in sitting up, or standing). Decrease in muscle tone due to involvement of red nucleus. Paralysis is not a feature of cerebellar disease. Except all these stroke is also one of the commonest cause for motor neuron disorder. Diagnosis: Clinical diagnosis established by neurologist on the basis of neurological examination. Investigation such as blood test, EMG (electromyography), MRI (magnetic resonance image) and sometime genetic testing to diagnose the disease. The other way to diagnose the disease is by concentrating on symptoms and body condition. Treatment: Riluzole is the only drug that affect the course of disease [Theiss RD, et al, mar 2011]. This drug function by blocking the effect of neurotransmitter glutamine and is extend the life spain of an an ALS patient by only few months. Still there is no total cure of MND. The other treatment is being used are acute stroke management, as stroke is one of commonest cause of development of this disease. Stem cell approach for treatment of motor neuron disease: As mention above the main cause of this disease is degeneration of motor neurons. So application of stem cell technology in the generation of motor neuron can be very useful technique to treat this disease. Stem cells are the master cells of the human body. Because of versatile nature, stem cells have potential to repair or replace the degenerated cells. There are many issue which are important to be consider if we translate the current knowledge of stem cell into the treatment of neurodegenerative disease. First of all the clinically competitive and risk to the patient acceptable is necessary to be define. One of the important issue is that the proliferation and differentiation are difficult to control. Animal model may not fully predict their toxicity and risk involve for development of tumor formation after implantation [ Olle lindvall et al,4 jan 2010]. The disease pathology has to be determine that which cell be generating from stem cells. Different cells will be needed for different disease in replacement therapy. Prior to the clinical application, it must be demonstrated in animal model that stem cell based approach induce substantial improvement of function deficits that resemble the debilitating symptoms in patient. It is also important to determine biological mechanism involved the observed effect of stem cell treatment in animal model. Motor neuron cell has been developed invitro from different stem cells sources including mouse and human stem cells [Roy et al, year 2005]. Neural stem cells (NSCs) has been derived from fetal rat spinal cord [Lee H, et al. year 2007] and human forebrain and some other cells like iPS cells. These stem cell derived motor neuron precursors and neuroblast inviro. The motor neuron have extended axon to ventral roots. After transplanting into spinal cord of adult rabbit having the motor degeneration problem, form the neuromascular junction and it give rise to partial recovery from paralysis. after transplantation into the affected area of adult mice and maturation, the stem cells derived motor neuron and attend muscular atrophy. C:UsersGUDDU-SUDDUDesktoppari.jpeg Fig 2 : stem cell based therapeutic approach for motor neuron disease (ALS). ALS leads to degeneration of motor neuron in the cerebral cortex, brainstem, and spinal cord. The stem cell based approach can be induce neuroprotector or dampen detrimental inflammation by implanting stem releasing growth hormone. Finally stem cells derived spinal motor neuron precursor or neuroblast could be transplanted into damaged area to replace damaged or dead neurons. [ Olle lindvall et al,4 jan 2010] Still this approach has not been successful totally to cure MND in case of human. There a several experiment hurdle which must have to overcome so that the cell replacement therapy to become successful. To achieve this goal we must know the specificity of the cell target, homing and special markers. The stem cell must be delivered at multiple site along the spinal cord . the upper motor neuron formed must be innervates to the lower motor neurons the other important aspect is that differential of spinal motor neurons can be directed to the correct cervical, thoracis or lumber phenotype and finally cell project at axial or limb muscles . The central motor neuron like corticospinal neuron also can be replaced which gate degenerated in motor neuron disease. The life Spain of new motor neuron generated should be appropriate. It should also be determine weather the environment in the spinal cord of patient with ALS, which hostile to motor neuron, can be altered [ Olle lindvall et al,4 jan 2010]. The genetical factor is one of the important factor to be consider. The person having ALS carrying genetic mutation in the glial cell so modification of the microglial cell or astrocyte for long term survival of transplanted motor neuron. Stem cell transplantation to counteract motor neuron loss by releasing neurotrophic molecules or modifying the inflammatory environment, play a major role in disease progression. It is more near term clinical goal for ALS [ Olle lindvall et al,4 jan 2010]. Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells approach: Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell as indicated above in the previous section, can be one of the important approach to treat motor neuron disease. These iPS cells are derived from epigenetic reprogramming of somatic cells through the exogenous expression of transcription factor. These iPS cells are also having the characteristic property like to that of embryonic stem cells and hence can have the major impact on disease like neurodegenerative disorder and regenerative medicine. These iPS cells are also self renew and retain potential to be differentiated into all cell type of body [Evangelos kiskins et al]. The another approach to treat MND is directed differentiation of human induced pluripotent (iPS) cell to functional neural phenotype is unknown. Human embryonic stem cells, specified to neural lineage, this cell could be differentiated to form motor neuron with similar efficiency [S karumbayaram et al, July 2010]. Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is also one of the common type of neurological disorder leading to infant mortality. This cause selective loss of lower motor neurons which finally result into muscle weakness, paralysis and often death. In this iPS cells were used. iPS cells were taken from skin fibroblast from the child with SMA. These cells expanded robustly in culture, maintained the disease genotype and generate motor neuron that showed selective deficits compared to those derived from childs unaffected mother. This was very essential in many other aspects like it can be used to model the specific pathology seen in a genetically inherited disease, study disease mechanism, screen drug compounds and develop new therapies [Allison D Elbert et al, 15 jan 2009]. Recently human neural stem cells (NSC) graft ameliorate MND in SOD1 transgenic model [Leyan Xu et al, April 2009]. One of the important stem cell approach for treatment of MND is that stem cells derived motor neuron may not survive when exposed to the harsh microenvironment in spinal cord of ALS. Rather than this stem cell may be used for studying glia- mediated toxic mechanism and other therapies in ALS [Jason R Thonhoff et al, June 2008]. Cell therapy may be a promising new treatment for MND. Recently it has been shown a single low dose (106 cells) of mononuclear human umbical cord blood cells administrating intravenously to mice delayed symptoms progression and modestly prolong life span [Svitana Garbuzova Davis et al, 17 June 2010]. Conclusion: Motor neuron disease is due to degeneration of motor neurons. The reason associated with it may be several like genetic factor, environmental factor etc. lesion in the parts of motor system is also one of the important cause of motor neuron disease. Although still there is no permanent cure of this disease. Medical science is concentrating on controlling the factors which are responsible for account of this disease to cure this disease like stroke is one of the common cause for MND so medical science is concentrating to overcome this stroke. Except this, medical science is also concentrating on lesion cure this disease. The main problem with medical science is that it is unable to activate the degenerated cell. Once the cell is dead or degenerate is impossible to make active. The only possible way is replacement of those degenerative and dead cells. Studies are being done to replicate the function of the neuron in term of MEMS (microelectromechanicalsystem) which can be used to replicate the degenerated neurons with these MEMS based microdevices. Apart from all these aspect according to me, stem cell technology approach is the best way to cure this disease. Because the cell which gets degenerated are being replaced here by the new cells produced by stem cells. So the biological environment is being maintained and the normal physiology can be retained by development of same cells which gets degenerated. Still this approach is not being successful because of the experimental hurdle. There is need of more study specially in specificity of the cell target, homing and special markers so that the transplantation is appropriate and it produce the degenerated cells. The various clinical trials are in progress in USA and hopefully as in other animal models it will be also work on human.

Children with Disabilities in the Classroom :: Education School Essays

Children with Disabilities in the Classroom "A recent feature of elementary schools is the more frequent inclusion of children with disabilities. Regular classrooms now include children whose physical and mental disabilities would at one time have relegated them to special classrooms" (Cooper & Ryan 1998, pp. 98). There are numerous issues that arise when it comes to educating exceptional students. Since, science is an important school subject we need to have special adaptations to meet all of the student’s needs. "Students with exceptional educational needs are best served in regular classrooms in their neighborhood schools" (Koch 1999, p. 16). While we interviewed Mark Bertram, a kindergarten teacher at Homer Elementary school, Janie Hughes, Special Education Teacher’s Aide in Mark Bertram’s classroom, we asked them the question: "What does inclusion mean to you and how does it affect your classroom?" They stated that having inclusion in the classroom from the beginning of schooling allows children to co me into contact with students unlike themselves and become comfortable with their differences. We also asked teachers, "How do the students respond to having a child with special needs in the classroom?" They stated that the children respond in a positive manner by being very caring and helpful to the students. In one of the classrooms there is a child with Cerebal Palsy. She enjoys reading books and the children are always excited to help her by holding the books, reading slowly and loudly with her. In the other classroom there is a student with Autism. When she has an episode during a lesson instead of a teacher taking out the time to calm her down, a student will rock with her until she relaxes while they are still following along with the lesson. In 1975, Public Law 94-142 was passed which means all children who have been identified as having a disability are guaranteed the right to a free and appropriate education in the least restrictive environment (LRE) (Biklen, et al 1987). We saw examples of this in the classroom when exceptional students were participating in normal classroom activities with average students. For example, one of the classrooms created an ABC picture book by forming their bodies around the special needs child to create the letters of the alphabet. "Teachers will create developmentally appropriate lessons for all students which are grounded in mathematics and science and which can be applied in the design activities of technology" (NY State Education Department 2000).

Chushingura :: essays research papers

In the play Chushingura, retainers have the highest respect for their masters. Retainers in this play will fight to the death to honor their masters. Loyalty is expected of each retainer even if the samurai must disturb public order to honor their master’s name. Enya’s retainers stay loyal to him even after his death. Forty-seven men swore to revenge their master’s death, risking their lives and disturbing public order. Even when a retainer fails his duty, he will seppuku so to die honorable for his failure. For example, Kampei believes he has shot his father in law because of the bag of gold the mistress described that Yoichibei was carrying. In reality Kamei shot Yoichibei’s killer, but ironically Kampei believes he has shot Yoichibei himself. Kampei seppuku’s for a horrible crime that he unknowingly didn’t commit because it was so dishonorable to him. Suicide was his only way to die with any honor. Kampei portrayed so much loyalty for his family that when he believes he has failed, he commits suicide. Kampei is allowed to join the attack on Moronao after the retainers see his loyalty to his family. Enya, on his deathbed, tells Yuranosuke to avenge his death. Now it is Yuranosuke’s duty to ful fill his master’s request. Enya’s loyal retainers form a group of forty-seven men and conspire to kill Moronao to honor their master. The retainers wear black and white coats that symbolize unfailing loyalty when they invade Moronao’s compound and behead him. Samurai’s have a duty to be loyal and fulfill the request of his master. Justice is a theme that the play implies about the samurai. Throughout the play Moronao insulted people, so in the ending, Enya’s retainers serve justice. For example, Moronao insults Wakasanosuke because lady Kaoyo turns him down. Wakasanosuke plans to kill him and is ready to

Stefan’s Diaries: Origins Chapter 17

September 8, 1864 She is not who she seems. Should I be surprised? Terrified? Hurt? It's as if everything I know, everything I've been taught, everything I've believed in my past seventeen years is wrong. I can still feel where she kissed me, where her fingers grasped my hands. I still yearn for her, and yet the voice of reason is screaming in my ears: You cannot love a vampire! If I had one of her daisies, I could pluck the leaves and let the flower choose for me. I love her †¦ I love her not †¦ I †¦ I love her. I do. No matter the consequences. Is this what following your heart is? I wish there was a map or a compass to help me find my way. But she has my heart, and that above all else is my North Star †¦ and that will have to be enough. After I slipped away from the carriage house back to my own chambers, I somehow managed to sleep for a few hours. When I awoke, I wondered if everything was all a dream. But then I shifted my head on the pillow and saw a neat puddle of dried, crimson blood and touched my fingers to my throat. I felt a wound there, and though it didn't hurt, it brought back the very real incidents of the previous evening. I felt exhausted and confused and exalted all at once. My limbs were enervated, my brain abuzz. It was as if I had a fever, but inside I felt a sort of calm I'd never felt before. I dressed for the day, taking extra care to wash the wound with a damp cloth and bandage it, then buttoned my linen shirt as high as it would go. I glanced at my reflection in the mirror. I tried to see if there was anything different, if there was some glint in my eye that acknowledged my newfound worldliness. But my face looked just as it had yesterday. I crept down the back stairs toward the study. Father's schedule was like clockwork, and he always spent the mornings surveying and visiting the fields with Robert. Once I closed myself in the cool, dark room, I ran my fingers along the leather-bound spines on each shelf, feeling comforted by their smoothness. I just hoped that somewhere, in the stacks and shelves of books on every subject, there would be a volume that would answer some of my questions. I remembered Katherine reading The Mysteries of Mystic Falls and noticed the volume was no longer in the study, or at least not in plain view. I walked aimlessly from shelf to shelf, for the first time feeling overwhelmed by the number of books in Father's study. Where could I possibly find information on vampires? Father had volumes of plays, fiction, atlases, and two full shelves of Bibles, some in English, some in Italian, and some in Latin. I traced my hands against the gilt- lettered, leather spines of each book, hoping that somehow I'd find something. Finally, my fingertips landed on a thin, tattered volume with Demonios written in flaking silver on the spine. Demonio †¦ demon †¦ This was what I was looking for. I opened the book, but it was written in an ancient Italian dialect that I couldn't make heads nor tails of, despite my extensive tutoring in Latin and Italian. Still, I carried the book with me to the club chair and settled in. Trying to decipher the book was an action I could understand, something easier than trying to eat breakfast while pretending everything was normal. I ran my fingers along the words, reading out loud as if I were a schoolboy, making sure I didn't miss a mention of the word vampiro. Finally, I found it, but the sentences surrounding it were nothing but gibberish to me. I sighed in frustration. Just then, the door to the study creaked open. â€Å"Who's there?† I called loudly. â€Å"Stefan!† My father's ruddy face registered surprise. â€Å"I was looking for you.† â€Å"Oh?† I asked, my hand flying to my neck, as if Father could see the bandage beneath the fabric. But all I felt was the smooth linen of my shirt. My secret was safe. Father looked at me strangely. He walked toward me, taking the book off my lap. â€Å"Y and I ou think alike,† he said, a strange smile curving onto his face. â€Å"We do?† My heart fluttered in my chest like a hummingbird's wings, and I was sure Father could hear my breath catching in short, shallow gasps in my throat. I felt sure he could read my thoughts, sure he knew about Katherine and me. And if he knew about Katherine, he'd kill her and †¦ I couldn't bear to think of the rest. Father smiled again. â€Å"We do. I know you took our conversation about vampires to heart, and I appreciate you taking this scourge seriously. Of course, I know you have your own motivations in avenging the death of your young Rosalyn,† Father said, making the sign of the cross over his chest. I stared at a thin spot on the Oriental rug, where the fabric was so faded, I could see the stained wooden floor below. I couldn't look up at Father and let my face betray my secret, betray Katherine's secret. â€Å"Be assured, son, that Rosalyn did not die in vain. She died for Mystic Falls, and she will be remembered as we rid our town of this curse. And you, of course, will be an integral part of the plan.† Father gestured toward the book I still held. â€Å"Unlike your good-for-nothing brother. What good is all his new military knowledge if he can't put it to use to defend his family, his land?† Father asked rhetorically. â€Å"Just today he went off on a ride with some of his soldier friends. Even after I told him I expected him here this morning to accompany us to our meeting at Jonathan's house.† But I wasn't paying attention anymore. All I cared about was that he didn't know about Katherine. My breathing slowed. â€Å"There wasn't very much information that I could understand in this book. I don't think it's very useful,† I said, as if all I'd been doing this morning was indulging in a scholarly interest in vampires. â€Å"That's just as well,† Father said dismissively, as he carelessly placed the book back on the shelf. â€Å"I feel that together we have a good store of knowledge.† â€Å"Together?† I parroted. Father waved his hand impatiently. â€Å"Y and I ou Father waved his hand impatiently. â€Å"Y and I ou and the Founders. We've set up a council to deal with this. We're heading to a meeting right now. Y ou're coming.† â€Å"I am?† I asked. Father glanced at me in annoyance. I knew I sounded like a simpleton, but there was simply too much information swimming in my mind to even begin to understand it all. â€Å"Y And I'm taking Cordelia as well. She has es. a good knowledge of herbs and demons. The meeting is at Jonathan Gilbert's house.† Father nodded, as if the subject was closed. I nodded as well, even though I was surprised. Jonathan Gilbert was a university teacher and sometimes inventor who Father not so privately called a crackpot. But now Father said his name with reverence. For the thousandth time that day, I realized this truly was a different world. â€Å"Alfred is hitching up the carriage, but I will drive it. Do not tell anyone where we're going. I've already sworn Cordelia to secrecy,† Father said as he strode out of the room. After a second, I followed him, but not before I slipped Demonios into my back pocket. I sat next to Father in the front seat of the carriage, while Cordelia sat in the back, hidden from sight lest she arouse suspicion. It was strange to be out in the morning, especially without a footman to drive us, and I caught the curious stares of Mr. Vickery as we passed by the Blue Ridge Estate next door. I waved, until I felt Father's hand on my arm, a subtle warning not to attract attention to ourselves. Father began talking once we entered the barren stretch of dirt road that separated the plantation road from town. â€Å"I don't understand your brother. Do you? What man doesn't respect his father? If I didn't know better, I'd think he was consorting with one of them,† Father said, spitting on the dirt road. â€Å"Why would you think that?† I asked uncomfortably, a trickle of sweat running down my spine. I ran my finger beneath my collar, recoiling when I felt the gauze bandage of my neck. It was damp, but from sweat or blood I could not tell. My thoughts were a tangle. Was I betraying Katherine by attending this meeting? Was I betraying Father by keeping Katherine's secret? Who was evil or good? Nothing seemed clear. â€Å"I think that because they have that kind of power,† Father said, using the whip on Blaze as if to prove the point. Blaze whinnied before shifting into a fast trot. I looked back at Cordelia, but she was impassively staring straight ahead. â€Å"They can take over a mind before a man realizes anything is amiss. They compel them to submit fully to their charms and whims. Just a glance can make a man do whatever a vampire desires. And by the time a man does know he's being controlled, it's too late.† â€Å"Really?† I asked skeptically. I thought back to last night. Had Katherine done that to me? But no. Even when I was frightened, I'd been myself. And all my feelings had been mine. Maybe vampires could do that, but Katherine certainly hadn't done it to me. Father chuckled. â€Å"Well, not all the time. One hopes that a man is strong enough to withstand that type of influence. And I certainly have raised my sons to be strong. Still, I wonder what could possibly have gotten into Damon's head.† â€Å"I'm sure he's fine,† I said, suddenly very nervous at the idea that Damon might have figured out Katherine's secret. â€Å"I think he's simply not sure what he wants.† â€Å"I don't care what he wants,† Father said. â€Å"What he needs to remember is that he's my son and I will not be disobeyed. These are dangerous times, much more so than Damon realizes. And he needs to understand that if he is not with us, people might construe that his sympathies lie elsewhere.† â€Å"I think he just doesn't believe in vampires,† I said, a sick feeling forming in the pit of my stomach. â€Å"Shhh!† Father whispered, waving his hand toward me to quiet me down. The horses were clip-clopping into town, just past the saloon, where Jeremiah Black was already nearly passed out by the door, a half bottle of whiskey at his feet. Somehow, I didn't think Jeremiah Black was listening or even seeing what was going on, but I nodded, pleased that the silence gave me a chance to sort through my thoughts. I glanced over to my right, where Pearl and her daughter were sitting on the iron bench outside the apothecary, fanning themselves. I waved to them, but, seeing Father's warning glance, thought better about calling out to say hello. I closed my mouth and sat silently until we reached the other end of town, where Jonathan Gilbert lived in an ill-kept mansion that had once belonged to his father. Father often made fun of the fact that the house was falling apart, but today he said nothing as Alfred opened the door of the carriage. â€Å"Cordelia,† Father called tersely, allowing her to walk up the rickety steps of the Gilbert mansion first as we followed suit. Before we could ring the bell, Jonathan himself opened the door. â€Å"Good to see you, Giuseppe, Stefan. And you must be Cordelia. I've heard much about your knowledge of native herbs,† he said, offering his hand to her. Jonathan led us through the labyrinthine hallways and toward a tiny door next to the grand staircase. Jonathan opened it and gestured for us to head inside. We took turns ducking down to enter a tunnel that was about ten feet long, with a flimsy ladder at the other end. Wordlessly we climbed the ladder and emerged into a tiny, windowless space that immediately made me feel claustrophobic. Two candles burned in tarnished candleholders on a water-stained table, and as my eyes adjusted to the dim light, I could make out Honoria Fells sitting gingerly on a rocker in the corner. Mayor Lockwood and Sheriff Forbes shared an old wooden bench. â€Å"Gentlemen,† Honoria said, standing up and welcoming us as if we were just stopping in for tea. â€Å"And I'm afraid I haven't made your acquaintance, Mrs†¦.† Honoria glanced suspiciously at Cordelia. â€Å"Cordelia,† Cordelia murmured, glancing from one face to another, as if this was the last place she wanted to be. My father coughed uncomfortably. â€Å"She treated Stefan during his spells after his †¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"After his fiancï ¿ ½e got her throat ripped out?† Mayor Lockwood said gruffly. â€Å"Mayor!† Honoria said, clapping her hand to her mouth. As Jonathan ducked back out into the hall, I settled on a straight-backed chair as far away from the group as possible. I felt out of place, though probably not as out of place as Cordelia, who was now awkwardly sitting on a wooden chair next to Honoria's rocker. â€Å"Now, then!† Jonathan Gilbert said, coming back to the room, his arms laden with tools and papers and objects I couldn't even begin to identify. He sat on a moth-eaten velvet armchair at the head of the table and looked around. â€Å"Let's begin.† â€Å"Fire,† Father said simply. A shiver of fear ran up my spine. Fire was how Katherine's parents had perished. Was that because they were vampires, too? Had Katherine been the only one to escape? â€Å"Fire?† Mayor Lockwood repeated. â€Å"It's been recorded, many times in Italy, that fire kills them, as does beheading or a stake in the heart. And, of course, there are herbs that can protect us.† Father nodded to Cordelia. â€Å"Vervain,† Cordelia confirmed. â€Å"Vervain,† Honoria said dreamily. â€Å"How pretty.† Cordelia snorted. â€Å"It ain't nothing but a herb. But if you wear it, then you have protection from the devil. Some say it can also work a bit to nurse those who've been around them back to health. But it's poison to them devils you call vampires.† â€Å"I want some!† Honoria said greedily, holding out her hand eagerly. â€Å"I don't have any with me,† Cordelia said. â€Å"Y don't?† Father looked at her sharply. ou â€Å"It's all gone from the garden. I used it for Mr. Stefan's remedies; then when I went to pick it this morning, it was all gone. Was probably the children who took it,† Cordelia said indignantly, but she glanced straight at me. I looked away, reassuring myself that if she had known about Katherine's true nature, she would have told my father by now. â€Å"Well, then, where do I get some?† Honoria asked. â€Å"It's probably right under your nose,† Cordelia said. â€Å"What?† asked Honoria sharply, as if she'd been insulted. â€Å"It grows everywhere. Except our garden,† Cordelia said darkly. â€Å"Well,† Father said, glancing at the two women, anxious to diffuse the situation. â€Å"After this meeting, Cordelia may escort Miss Honoria to her garden to find vervain.† â€Å"Now, wait just a damn minute,† Mayor Lockwood said, pounding his beefy fist on the table. â€Å"Y lost me at the woman talk. Y mean to ou ou tell me that if I wear a lilac sprig, then the demons will leave me alone?† He snorted. â€Å"Vervain, not lilac,† Cordelia explained. â€Å"It keeps evil away.† â€Å"Y es,† Father said sagely. â€Å"And everyone in town must wear it. See to it, Mayor Lockwood. That way, not only will our citizens be protected, but anyone who does not wear it will be exposed as a vampire and can then be burned,† Father said, his voice so smooth and matter-of-fact that it took every ounce of self-control for me not to stand up, rush down the shaky ladder, find Katherine, and run away with her. But if I did that, and if Katherine was as dangerous as the Founders thought †¦ I felt like a trapped animal, unable to find any escape. Was I trapped with the enemy right now, or was the enemy back at Veritas? I knew that, beneath my shirt collar, the wound on my neck was beginning to ooze specks of blood, and it would only be a matter of time before they soaked through the fabric and stood out as a visible reminder of my betrayal. Mayor Lockwood shifted uneasily, causing the chair to creak. I jumped. â€Å"Now, if the herb works, that's one thing. But we're in the middle of a war. We've got a lot of Confederate government officials passing through Mystic Falls on their way to Richmond, and if word gets out that instead of aiding the cause we're fighting storybook creatures with flowers †¦Ã¢â‚¬  He shook his head. â€Å"We cannot issue an edict that everyone wear vervain.† â€Å"Oh, really? Then how do we know you're not a vampire?† Father demanded. â€Å"Father!† I interjected. Someone had to bring a voice of reason into the discussion. â€Å"Mayor Lockwood is right. We need to think calmly. Rationally.† â€Å"Y son has a good head on his shoulders,† our Mayor Lockwood said grudgingly. â€Å"A better head than yours,† Father mumbled. â€Å"Well †¦ we can discuss vervain later. Honoria, you'll be in charge of making sure that we have a ready supply, and we can strongly encourage those we love to wear it. But for now, I want to discuss other ways we can find the vampires that walk among us,† Jonathan Gilbert said excitedly, unfolding large sheets of paper onto the table. Mayor Lockwood put his bifocals on his nose and peered at the papers, which had complicated mechanical drawings on them. â€Å"This here looks like a compass,† Mayor Lockwood said finally, pointing to a complicated drawing. â€Å"It is! But instead of finding north, it finds vampires,† Jonathan said, barely containing his excitement. â€Å"I'm working on the prototype. It just needs a bit more fine-tuning. It's able to detect blood. The blood of others,† he said meaningfully. â€Å"Can I see that, Mr. Jonathan?† Cordelia asked. Jonathan looked up, surprised, but handed her the papers. She shook her head. â€Å"No,† she said. â€Å"The prototype.† â€Å"Oh, ah, well, it's very rough,† Jonathan said as he fumbled in his back pocket and pulled out a shiny metal object that looked more like a child's trinket than a tool for finding victims. Cordelia turned the compass slowly in her hands. â€Å"It works?† â€Å"Well †¦Ã¢â‚¬ Ã¢â‚¬â€œJonathan shrugged–â€Å"it will work.† â€Å"Here's what I propose,† Father said, leaning back on his chair. â€Å"We arm ourselves with vervain. We work day and night to get the compass to work. And we make a plan. We set up a siege, and by month's end our town will be clear.† Father crossed his arms in satisfaction. One by one, every member of the group, including Cordelia, nodded their heads. I shifted on the wooden chair, holding my hand against my neck. The attic was hot and sticky, and flies were buzzing in the rafters, as if it were the middle of July rather than the middle of September. I desperately needed a glass of water, and I felt like the room was going to collapse in on me. I needed to see Katherine again, to remind myself that she wasn't a monster. My breathing became shallow, and I felt that if I stayed here, I would say something I didn't mean. â€Å"I think I'm feeling faint,† I heard myself say, even though the words rang false even to my ears. Father looked at me sharply. I could tell he didn't believe me, but Honoria clucked out sympathetic noises. Father cleared his throat. â€Å"I'll see my boy out,† he announced to the room before following me down the rickety ladder. â€Å"Stefan,† Father said, grabbing my shoulder just as I opened the door that would lead back to a world I understood. â€Å"What?† I gasped. â€Å"Remember. Not a word of this to anyone. Even Damon. Not until he comes to his senses. Except I think his senses may be taken with our Katherine,† Father muttered, half to himself as he let go of my arm. I stiffened at the mention of Katherine's name, but when I turned around, Father's back was toward me as he headed into the house. I walked back through town, wishing I'd ridden Mezzanotte instead of coming in the carriage. Now I had no choice but to walk home. I turned to my left, deciding to cut through the forest. I simply couldn't interact with any more humans today.