Project 2: Featurecast from the Past

Project Purpose:
To understand the difference between Cause/Effect Relationships and Correlations. To understand how and why major events in history are connected and intertwined (think yarn activity!). To research a major event from U.S. history in order to understand why it is significant and how it relates to other major events. To understand features of a feature article and podcast and to be able to create a feature article or podcast about your major event in history.

Project Requirements:
To present the 5Ws of your major event to the class. To write/peer edit/revise a feature article or podcast. To have at least three drafts in your Writing Portfolio. To present a polished version of your feature article or podcast on Media Night, as well as posting it online to our Team Featurecast from the Past web page (made by James).

Specific Concepts Learned:

Concept 1: Josef Stalin
For me, I researched the Cold War, and more specifically, researched the Russian Leader Josef Stalin. Josef Stalin was the Communist Leader of Russia, who wanted to control Eastern Europe after WWII. This was because he believed his country was weak, and needed protection. Afraid Josef would spread communism all over Eastern Europe, the US, and Britain had disagreed with his plan. Unfortunately, Josef refused to listen and continued his plan. The two other countries still tried to convince him, and sent supplies to those countries in need. One day, Josef got fed up and decided to build the Berlin Wall, which separated west Berlin from East.

Concept 2: The Aftermath of the Cold War
The Cold war resulted in a non-nuclear war, and Krustchev, the new Russian leader, removed his bombs from Cuba, and the US, Britain, and Russia solved their problems in peace. Also, the Berlin Wall was torn down, and people were free to go from west to east Berlin. Lastly, the countries run by Russia were basically free from communism.

Challenges:
One of the I had during this project was finding a periodical that was about the Cold War. I looked mostly in magazines, and on the internet, but there was nothing. I asked Ms. Staff to help me find one, and even when we did, it didn't have much on it about the Cold War. I had already had a lot of information, though, so it didn't really matter.

Real World Significance:
Out of this project, I have learned a lot. First, I learned what the Cold War was about and how it was connected to other events in time. I think this could help me later on if I wanted to become a historian or teach a history class. Also, I learned how to use garage band for my interviewing. This could help later on because if I go to a High school where we use a lot of media (like all of the High Tech High schools) then I would know that. Lastly, learning about the past can help our choices for the future.

Project 1: My Querencia

In Sacramento, everything you do is worry-free, well at least for me. I go there every year to visit my grandparents, and when I do, I feel like a whole different person. The sweet smell of pine, the glistening lake, and the taste of roasted vegetables fresh from the garden could be the reasons why I love the place so much. I also feel as if all of the stress inside my body is just melting, slowly becoming into sheer happiness. The reason for this is simple… Sacramento is the place I like to call my Querencia.
Even though I only visit my grandparents in Sacramento once or maybe twice a year, I still think it’s home. This is because I never really have to work, maybe a few dishes but I don’t call that work, and I can never get bored. There are so many things to do: like go golfing, go down to the river, or just hanging around the house.
I LOVE golf, even though I don’t have much skill. It’s just so much fun swatting at a tiny ball, and hoping it goes into a tiny gopher hole. As I play, I hold the club firmly in my hands, and look at the course, noticing how to play it. There’s group of trees, and a small hill off to the right. I think I’ll just hit it and see where it goes from there. Whack!!! The ball flies through the air, whistling as it goes. OOPS!! Out of bounds. Oh well, maybe I get it next time. I drive the cart to my ball. I also love driving, but I’m not good at that either, or at least that’s what my grandpa says. “Slow down… Use the breaks… Watch where you’re going… UGHHHHHH!!!” After the golf course, I feel sweaty, and the heat is beating down on me so hard, I feel like I’m right next to the sun. It’s time to cool off.
Just being in the car knowing that we’re going to the river cools me off. The water is so refreshing, and cold, but not too cold. As soon as we would get there, I would just run, drop my towel, and keep running into the water until I’m deep enough to where I can’t touch the ground. Another thing great about the river are the blackberry bushes. The succulent blackberries just melt in your mouth, and the taste is so sweet, that it can’t be described. There is also this little island in the middle where we can just lie on.
Golfing, and going down to the river is a lot of fun, but what I like most about Sacramento would be my grandparents house. There are so many things to do!!!!! For starters, when I just want to relax, and play a few games, I go to the camper. The camper is a sort of “mini-home” that my brothers and I like to use as a place to hang out. We have a mini fridge in there and a TV set. I would call that the whole package. Also, I like running around in the backyard. It’s huge!!! First, there’s the deck; a small platform where we can put a mattress and sleep under the starry sky. Then we have the hammock, where I can hang as the sweet smell of pine lingers on my nose. Also, we have a wooden post where we like to use it as a target for our beebee guns. If we hit the cowbells on the top, it makes a little dingle noise. Lastly, there’s the dinner table. My grandpa has a garden, and when veggies, and fruits are ripe, he harvests them, and puts them into the dinner. Whether it’s roasted squash, fried zucchini, or eggplant, it’s always fresh, and very, very, tasty.
Dinner will always finish off the day nicely, and after that, a sleep under the stars sounds good, and maybe a pleasant dream… who knows?