Current Events Activity 2.2

1. An overheating shredder or an "intentionally set" burn pile are the two possible causes of the Hidden Pine Fires in Bastrop. Yesterday at 10:30 am, officials allowed residents who liv in the burn area to return to their properties. No cost estimates were yet released but Pape said "it would be in the hundreds of millions of dollars.". Reading about how the fire affected these people added pathos to the story and their emotion really helped me understand how severe the fire was. It also helps a reader realize that even though the flames may be out, the problem has not ended. This is important because many people just say "oh a fire happened here" and then move on thinking that's it, it's all over. 

2. Math and social studies textbooks are all digital for students this year and the print copies remain in the class. The digital textbooks provide teachers with more options for classroom instruction and have helped school districts cope with the loss of millions of state dollars for textbook purchases. The Robertson family said the online textbook was hard to work with because they couldn't flip back and forth between the pages. They resolved the problem by buying a print copy for $75 dollars instead. Teacher Melissa Prepster believes the digital textbooks are a versatile tool that provide students with a lot more contact such as videos and activities where one can interact. Unlike other school districts, the Eanes district does not make a laptop or tablet available for each student and has spent the least amount of money in that effort. At the beginning of the year I was surprised to find out our textbooks were digital. So far they have been beneficial. I haven't had to worry about forgetting my textbook because I can access it through any device. Carry heavy textbooks back and forth is a pain and most of the time we don't use the textbooks. The Shield  could include this story to help kids realize the benefits these digital textbooks provide us with. 

3. 

Observation Assignment

 There are little kids running around everywhere as their parents converse with one another. Every once in a while a new guest shows up and is greeted by the mother of the six year old. Some guests hand over a colorful bag while others just smile and then join the rest of the people. The rest of the kids have made their way down the dusty green hill to the slides and monkey bars. There the floor is covered in light sand to protect the children who trip and fall. This sand has turned their shoes a light brown, but none of them seem to care since they are too busy jumping with energy and laughing with one another. Up here there is a blue table full of different chips and foods. Next to the table sits a small red and white cooler full of ice, sodas, water bottles, and juice. This section is surrounded by bees that are buzzing for anything sweet. When people first see the bees they naturally jump away. Eventually people seem to realize they wont get stung if they don't annoy them. The mother of the sixth year old tells everyone to gather around the table. It takes a while to get all the kids to come up the hill and settle. Everyone is now surrounding the special sixth year old. Some parents take out their phones and get ready to record. The mother who is hosting this event begins to put blue candles on the cake. The cake is medium sized, rectangular and covered in green frosting. Once all six candles have been placed they are lit with an orange lighter. And then, everyone begins to sing a very well known song: "Happy Birthday". The special boy appears shy next to his cake and almost hides a smile. As the song comes to an end he closes his eyes and mutters something that cannot be heard. When he opens his eyes he quickly blows out the bright flames and everyone cheers. The mother takes off the candles and begins to cut the cake into small squares. Everyone else forms a line while they hold their empty blue paper plate. One by one people receive their portion of what they now know is chocolate flavored cake. Some people help distribute cake to those who aren't in line while others dig their white forks into their piece. A couple of kids go back down to the playground and continue to play, taking advantage of this warm weather. White bags full of candy are brought out for those who will soon leave. My family and I take three bags from the box and head toward the special family. We thank the mother and congratulate the boy once more. Finally, we make our way to the car leaving behind the magical scene.

Observation Practice

The sun is out and shining on the concrete floor. There are teens coming from left and right. Many of them are with another person, most of them are alone. Some are carrying lunch while others are looking at their phones. Everyone is going in different directions to different places.