Classroom Workshop

I thought the classroom workshop was a great idea because after reading the three essays and everyone disscussing them helped me to think of ways to better my essay. I thought it was great for the writers as well because they recieved a lot of advice on ways to make their essay stronger! I have never done a workshop before but being apart of one for the first time was beneficial!

The Message

The video first caught my attention because of the intense beat of the background music. I thought the students concept was to get their message across and they did it in a interesting way and different way. Instead of talking out loud and discussing their messages they wrote them down. Following from one message to another kept my attention because I wanted to read what the students had to say because I could relate to some of them and wanted to know what the next had to say. I think if the students would’ve took a different approach on getting their message across by doing the usual talking, it would’ve lost my attention because it wouldn’t of been as effective. The following of written messages and how they either related to one another or differed was interesting to me because they got straight to the point and talked about real things that happen with students and classes and even life.

Binta & tbe Great Idea Viewing Guide & Questions

1. I didn’t really expect the great idea to be what it was because the film focused more on the importance of children going to school. However, the great idea was not a surprise because the basic idea was to better the country and its people and that’s what the idea was about.

2. Binta's father's great idea is to adopt a child from Tubab to better the county and help them grow. I think its a great idea because its mixing two different countries and their customs to learn and better not only their own, but eachothers.

3. Soda's father doesn’t want her to go to school because he feels that women need only to get married, clean and cook. I think his fear is that tradition will be lost if women start going to school, especially his daughter Soda. I don’t know anyone quite like him, thank goodness. Soda wants to go to school because she wants to learn, read and make something of herself. Her mother supports her because she understands her daughter and wants her to go far in life.

4. The customs and ways of life may be lost and they would be changing the countries ways and traditions.

5. Western people might learn that Binta's society is driven and self made. Their traditions are real and inviting and the Western people might take well to that because it can be inspiring.

6. I think that an educational system would establish national identity because the people make up the national identity and an effective educational system is what makes the people intelligent, capable and strong. I think that competitive value system is between women and their role in education because the women are expected to be wives, cook and clean. They are not really encouraged to have an education, but the educational system changes that.

7. The film made me think about how fortunate we really are and how we really need to open our eyes and appreciate the lifestyle we live and the education we have. We also need to pay attention to other countries and what it is like for them. I feel that everyone, no matter what race, religion or where you live deserves the same education and the necessities and materials to help advance learning. This film was really interesting and touching on how life really is in other countries. I think that education is very important and we are very fortunate.

WHO AM I?

Who am I? I remeber when I had to constantly ask my self that during my junior high and early high school years. However I knew who I wasn't, and from that I developed my own answer on who I am. I am an intelligent, honest and respectful young woman. I am very outspoken, blunt and down to earth. I have gone through so much in my 18 years; perhaps more than a person will go through in a lifetime. I am determined to be all I can be and so much more. I strive to do my very best and achieve beyond that if possible. I am the one people turn to for comfort, advice and to talk to about anything. My highschool experience established my way with people and taught me how to handle situations. Also, it made me strong enough not to care what others thought of me. I am not taking this class because it is required; I am taking it because I love writing. I have always had an interest in English and writing about what was interesting to me. College is expected of me, but it was my choice and I decided to go. This decision has made my parents very proud of me because I am doing something productive with my life. College is the key to success and will help me find the career that is best for me. Also, I am very family orientated and last summer I lost my mother. It took the worst thing that could ever happen to wake me up and realize the right and wrong in my life. When I lost my mother, it made me more focused on my school work than I have ever been. My life choices and decisions are now smarter and without regret. Ill be everything she taught me and want her to know I am alright. My schooling has made me who I am today through experience. The classes I took,the people I have met and what I have learned all helped me become who I am today, a better person. It truly was a worthy experience and a bumpy ride, but I got through it. No matter what happens in life, the situations and experience builds your character. Challenges are what makes life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful. I am only human and I can only be me. However, I am someone you will never forget, I promise you that.