9A

Think Outside Box

http://austhink.com/critical/pages/teaching.html

Think outside the box is something a teacher always told us since we were at a young age. All the time we were told to dig deeper and explore our ideas to make them better. The proper term is called critical thinking. Our generation is so lazy that everyone just looks everything up on the internet to get their answers. Even other people's critical thinking. Critical is just taking that extra step.

One way to start of an analysis of something is to just expand your ideas and make your sub points more specific. Someone who is a deep thinker or critical thinker remembers what they learned a lot easier. I think that they can break down things a lot faster so it's easier for them to comprehend.

With that said at Southern we are required to take to critical thinking courses during the first semester. Inquiry really requires us to be critical thinkers. We always have readings and take notes on them. Most people probably take basic notes for them to summarize what the reading was about so they can refresh their memories.While others ask questions to ask the teacher in class, analyze what the speaker is saying, and breaks it down. These are the real thinkers. The ones who take that extra step to excel in what they do.

Media also involves us to think critically because of the Aristotle terms that we use. You have to be a critical thinker to comprehend the proofs and persuasive terms he created to execute them the right way. Logos, ethos, and pathos sound very easy until you actually get into the details.

Critical thinking is a necessary skill to have in college. There's no way around it. With practice it gets better. But every teacher will require you to answer something with this skill at some time.

9V

Look It Up

1.critical thinking

disciplined thinking that is clear, rational, open-minded, and informed by evidence

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/critical+thinking?s=t

Critical thinking is inevitable. We all want the easy answer to things when sometimes we really have to think. Coming up with a good answer requires thinking outside the box. At southern we have classes dedicated to critical thinking. Inquiry is a critical thinking class. The professors always want you to do that extra step and go beyond what you think you can do. By learning how to think hard instead of finding the answer the easy way everything becomes easier for you. Thinking critically is not that hard of a task you just can't be lazy.

1.atlatl

1. a stick used by Eskimos and early American Indians to propel a spear or dart.

   
   

   2. Corptile

    is the waste product of the human digestive system including bacteria.

   
   

   These two words I learned in Archaeology this week. They're basically more complex words for a simple term. I guess this is where critical thinking comes in. These terms were on my exam and werent that hard to remember.

9B

The Stress Is Over!

http://sp00kyuniversity.blogspot.com/2013/10/surviving-midterms.html

In high school you're used to having a lot of time to prepare and learn your material until midterms. They're usually in December but not in college. We have midterms in October. October is also a busy month for a college student. You're just getting used to the college student life and adjusting. All of a sudden comes the madness. 

Study is the most stressful thing. Staying up all night, cramming different dates and facts into your head, group studying, or flash cards gets tiring. Even though studying is a must for midterms it gets overwhelming. Especially if you have them back to back or in the same day.

My midterms grades for the season were okay. They could've been better. For finals I plan to make a studying plan. I studied to a certain extent. I know for a fact a could've done so much better. Although I accomplished two of my goals I know I could've done better.

My goal in my Algebra class was to get a 75 or better on the midterm. I actually got an 84. I didn't really study for it because I figure it's either I know how to do the math or I don't. I looked over my notes at least once just to refresh my memory but I don't really study for math. Archaeology surprised me I expected a 70 or better. I ended up getting an 80. I was so excited. I could've studied more and got a better grade. I can't be satisfied with a ' just getting by' grade.

My COM midterm was my worst. I'm disappointed in myself for not doing the reading. That's what the midterm was based on. Even though my grade was excellent in that class the exam bought it down a letter grade. Next time I'm just going to read a little every day so I can get it done and take notes on it for the final. That's my favorite class and I know I can get an A.

For the second half of the semester I want to study a lot more. Every Friday and Wednesday I want to recap what I've learned just to know the material I'm learning. Since Im finally getting use to my schedule I know I can do so much better this next half.

9I

Justice Anyone?

http://lagente.org

This week Justice Sonia Sotomayor came to speak to my university. It was a great opportunity for the freshman class and the public to see. I personally know a lot of people who didn't attend which is shame. After thinking about it I realized we will never get the opportunity like that again. 

Justice Sotomayor was very professional and answered ever question. She gave advice like, "Don't just become an educated person become an interesting person." This stuck with me because it's true. Someone can be the most intelligent person in the world but people won't like you because you have no personality. Personality is a great quality to have especially when you have to deal with people.

INQ Midterm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tEe_Q39RHk

8V

http://www.askkatheperez.com/?p=276

mas·ter·y

ˈmast(ə)rē/

noun

1. 1.

   comprehensive knowledge or skill in a subject or accomplishment.

   
   

   au·to·crat·ic

   ˌôtəˈkratik/

   adjective

   1. 1.

      of or relating to a ruler who has absolute power

      
      

      mi·to·sis

      mīˈtōsəs/

      noun

      BIOLOGY

1.

a type of cell division that results in two daughter cells each having the same number and kind of chromosomes as the parent nucleus, typical of ordinary tissue growth.

This week's vocabulary word is mastery. To me mastery means to practice something correctly over and over until there is no thought when you do whatever you practiced. This word reminds me of the movie Karate Kid. Mr. Miyagi forced Jaden Smith to practice the art over and over without him even knowing. When Jaden was finally fed up with the practice Mr. Miyagi finally showed how the fundamentals showed him how to fight.

The other two words I learned this week were mitosis and autocratic. I helped my teammate with her biology homework earlier this week and he to refresh my mind a little bit. Now I will never forget the definition of Mitosis. Also I learned the definition of autocratic. In COM we learned about different types of leaders and their styles. Never knew leaders had different ways of approaching their audiences until I focused on how they presented themselves to their followers.

8A

The Rest is Still Unwritten..http://stepphhr7.blogspot.com

ON THE PATH TO SUCCESShttp://stepphhr7.blogspot.com

Im certain that everyone was very unconfident in the beginning of the semester about blogging. No one really wanted to give that much effort until we found out that they were 60% of our grade. A lot of the blogs are examples of "just going through the motions". But two blogs stuck out to me as A+ blogs. 

These blogs go beyond the requirements of what we are asked to do. They excel 300 words and include multiple pictures. Their thoughts are always organized and in depth. They are also easy to comprehend. Both shared a lot of examples or scenarios and real life situations.

Kelly's blog has a lot of nice colors and catches the viewers attention which makes them want to read her blog. Once you start reading you're basically invested. Her writing style keeps your attention and leaves you wanting more. Also in every blog she switches up her fonts so nothing ever seems the same. When you read her blog you get to know she's a creative and outgoing person who strives to succeed.

The Rest Is Still Unwritten. I'm really sure who's blog this is but they're more of a logical thinker. Their page isn't as colorful as Kelly's but once you start reading you can't stop. Her blogs are well thought out before she writes them. You can tell she cares about what she writing. Even though Kelly's blog uses different fonts this one stays the same which means she's consistent with what she does. Readers will know she's not going anywhere. They will expect a new blog each week and know she's coming back.

Some blogs are done just to get the grade such as, a B or C+. The two blogs I have chosen deserve A+'s. They are consistent each week and never type anything you wouldn't want to read.