1. How well were you able to meet these two standards through this assessment and what evidence is there in your assessment that you met the standards? Be specific about evidence.

   When looking back to the previous assessment, I believe that I was able to meet these standards very well. The data that I collected was specific to the question that I decided to pursue for my experiment. After completing the procedure for completing the experiment, I documented the step-by-step process accurately. In addition, to better organize the data, I used tables to record the data points found from my experiment. With all this completed, I drew valid conclusions based on the data that I collected. There is evidence that supports this in the template that all students were required to use for the experimental design. The template provides some good guides to meeting all of the standards of significant learning.

2. Since this assessment, have you shown further growth toward meeting these standards? If so, where do you feel this is demonstrated? If not, what might have helped you move further along towards meeting these standards?

   I believe that since this assessment, before that, and beyond, I have shown constant growth towards meeting all of the standards of significant learning. I feel that this is demonstrated in all of the laboratory work that I do, especially because we are provided with a template that guides us through the process of successful lab write-ups. There are many things other than the template that could help me towards meeting the standards; they include subtle things such as practicing the process repeatedly, and more considerable things such as reviewing lab work and adding as much accurate and organized information as possible before considering it to be complete.

3. As you prepare for your final assessment task in SI Physics (which is also lab-based and will also focus on these two SSLs), what strategies can you think of that might allow you to continue to grow in your ability to successfully address these SSLs?

   As mentioned repeatedly before, I believe that the template provides a very apparent and easy-to-use guide that can make anyone that uses it successful in following all the standards for significant learning. However, if this template was not provided, or even in addition to the template, continuous practice of meeting all the standards could assist in keeping all the work higher in level of ability. In addition, making the effort to keeping all the information put in the laboratory write-ups as accurate and ethical as possible will help in meeting the standards as well. I believe that if a student defeats his or herself, they will be able to provide an accurate, efficient result.

The narrative of the life of Frederick Douglas tells a story about a slave from Maryland in the 1800s. His life was a lot better than other slaves’. He was given the opportunity to be educated and learn how to read. Later, as a fugitive, he ran away up north to start his own family. When married, he changed his last name to mask his identity and continued to promote himself as an educated black.

However, before his life became better, he had to suffer through what almost every other slave has to survive. Similar to other slaves, Douglass did not know who he really was, why he was working for his named master, and what he could potentially do with his life. He obviously didn’t realize what was being done to him, and he didn’t realize what he could make of himself. He may have heard stories about other slaves attempting to escape from this prison, but instead losing their lives. He heard stories about things around him, but couldn’t comprehend them.

He received abuse, but he didn’t realize that he didn’t deserve it: “I did not, when a slave, understand the deep meaning of those rude and apparently incoherent songs. I was myself within the circle; so that I neither saw nor heard as those without might see and hear.” He felt as if everyone around him was equal, including his white master. He felt accepted, and that’s all that truly mattered to him in his heart.

Upon discovering the true reason that the slaves were there, things changed. Douglass finally concluded that he didn’t belong there: “In coming to a fixed determination to run away, we did more than Patrick Henry, when he resolved upon liberty or death.” Finally, he realized that the true meaning of living life was to be free and one one’s own with no white master controlling their every movement.

In Emerson’s “Self-Reliance,” three major topics about individualism are covered: the importance of self-reliance, the role of self-reliance as an individual, and the contribution of self-reliance to the society. Together they form an overall impression of independence and nonconformity.

To begin, an example that was given that was a model of self-reliance was children. Because they are so young, they are not able to be questioning to the theories of life. They believe what they think, and they are not hesitant to do what they wish to do at whatever time they want. When compared to adults, children accomplish a lot more because they are less cautious; they do not delay their decisions of what they believe is the right thing to do.

Moving on, being self-reliant as an individual includes following your instincts. Emerson writes that spontaneity is what drives us to success: “The inquiry leads us to that source, at once the essence of genius, of virtue, and of life, which we call Spontaneity or Instinct. We denote this primary wisdom as Intuition, whilst all later teachings are tuitions.” Secondary thoughts detract from our powerful instinctual ability, which would result in poorer choices being made in the future. When people are self-reliant, they believe in themselves to choose what is right from their soul; although wisdom is a factor, it would not alter the final outcome dramatically or significantly.

Finally, Emerson discusses the role self-reliance has in the society. He states that all fortunes are unnecessary. One must feel ashamed of having property instead of feeling more powerful than others. In an amplified view, if one acquired riches in a way that is not honest, he or she must feel guiltier. When life becomes a fight for the amount of property one has, corruption occurs and the true meaning of working in the community gets degraded. Instead, people should live with the bare minimums, obtaining only what they need to survive. The only necessary fortune: “The secret of fortune is joy in our hands.”

In summary, the suggestions of Emerson’s “Self-Reliance” provide the members of the society a better and more beneficial way to live by relying on one’s self over depending on others to do things for them.

You turn on the television to watch your favorite late-night television show when you’re instantly blinded by… a fuzzy screen? You look more closely at the television screen when you realize that you don’t need to renew your eyeglass prescription. Instead the television broadcasting company has chosen to censor what it is that they’re showing. Do we want portions of our television shows to be cut out? Research shows that 83% of cable programs not specifically meant for children had some form of sexual content in them. However, how much of this, if any, needs to be filtered from the viewers?

The government has come along and monitored what the citizens of the United States have been watching on television. The government has decided what is good and what is bad. The government has chosen what words we are allowed to hear and what words we cannot. The government has chosen what we can see and what we cannot. How much longer will this madness go on? Is the entire population of the United States so stupid that they cannot monitor their own television watching?

It is true that some children cannot control themselves from watching inappropriate material on television. However, most children have responsible parents for a reason. Some people are old enough to see this material and not get offended by it, but for the benefit of the children, the entertainment of their program gets degraded. If the parents become true parents, they will take enough caution to prevent their children from learning anything that the society shuns. And if the children do happen to see this inappropriate material on television, they learned something new; they were going to learn it eventually, so they might as well learn it now.

So, not only is the government depriving adults of full entertainment, but they are potentially depriving children from their full education. What the kids could learn from television is possibly being filtered by the government. Of course, the government can’t be that idiotic. They would never censor out something that would be beneficial for the children. But who likes Barney these days? Children need a better form of modern education. They need to learn more about the real world. What they learn from educational kids programs doesn’t happen in the real world anymore! It has become a violent community, with over half a million people murdered in only one year.

Of course, this concept is not foreign to anybody that is truly alive today. Everyone has experienced a time when the program they were watching has been filtered by some sort of higher power. It isn’t the government, you say? The government doesn’t directly sift through the programs, but the television broadcasting corporations does. If millions of people see something they shouldn’t, the broadcasting corporation experiences millions of dollars of losses. This frustration that both television viewers and providers experience is unbearable. Is this ever going to stop?

In one way, it is the society’s fault that censorship happens in the first place. The censorship is bringing down the society; however, it is the society that’s causing the censorship. If nobody considered any part of the English language offensive, they would not have to be censored out. If these words replaced by short beeps were not considered offensive, they would not have to be censored out. If we did not consider portions of our own form of communication offensive, nothing would have to be censored out.

So simply, a solution would be to change our own language. This is easier said than done, however. The English language has evolved throughout the centuries that the language has been around. The language is constantly being “modernized,” with new words and phrases added to it all the time. Slang is being constructed as we speak, with new insults being created by the minute. Do we really have the power to stop this?

Together we can change the way the government views the United States population as a whole. Little by little, we can make changes of the aspects the government considers when censoring our material. When we prove that we are mature enough, the censoring may stop. But until then, don’t expect the fuzzy screens to go away.

The comforts of life and their necessities are questioned. Is it true that humans can live with no luxuries in their habitats? With support from Emerson’s “Self-Reliance” and Melville’s “Bartleby,” it can be concluded that tangible object are not needed for life’s happiness. Instead, it is what a human feels within them that is important. Individualism brings out the true inner self of all the humans. It allows the humans to see what is truly vital in their lives and what is something that just exists for comfort.

However, upon further investigation, differences can be found even between Emerson and Melville. Their individualistic points of views contrast in numerous ways, and their views on necessities are not the same. As one person’s definition of individualism is different from another’s, these two documents contradict in specific details of true individualism. However, both define individualism as the best way to live life.

In Emerson’s “Self-Reliance,” three major topics about individualism are covered: the importance of self-reliance, the role of self-reliance as an individual, and the contribution of self-reliance to the society. Together they form an overall impression of independence and nonconformity.

The importance of self-reliance comes when someone is faced with a tough decision to make. Many adults that are well educated may contradict their own thoughts and think them over multiple times before they ever choose to follow them. However, when children make decisions, they do not know enough to question their thoughts and do what their instinct tells them to. According to Emerson, this instinct or gut feeling is the best way that someone could make a choice. This way, he ensures that a person will be lead to success in all aspects.

When looking at Melville’s “Bartleby,” the overall idea of the story is seen as being selfish towards others in a considerate way. Bartleby refuses to do anything for other people, giving the excuse of “I prefer not to.” Although it is a polite and undemanding way of responding, the effects are firm and powerful. Instead of disrespecting others in the society, he declines others’ requests of favors in a passive way. Instead of giving into other people’s requests, he follows by his own, individualistic decision.

Turning back to Emerson’s “Self-Reliance,” it states that one should feel ashamed of owning lots of property instead of feeling better than others. He believes that having lots of property or lots of luxuries in one’s life gives birth to corruption and dishonesty towards other people. In addition, people may attempt to defeat other people’s statuses by gaining this property or wealth in dishonesty ways. In this case, Emerson believes that one should feel guilt for all the property that they own due to the possibility that they could have cheated systems or broken laws to be able to get the property.

Comparing to Emerson’s point of view of feeling ashamed of having lots of property, Melville greatly contrasts. Bartleby shows no signs of being ashamed for anything that he does; instead, his views towards society only reflect that he does not care about others. There is no mention at all about how much property he owns, or how much this status makes him more socially advanced than others.

Instead of worrying about how much property he owns, Bartleby goes about his own business, not minding about his luxuries or anything that is self-comforting. He purchases what he needs to be able to live his life without any troubles. However, he does not embellish himself with technologies that may induce his laziness. He limits himself and his comforts to what is necessary and a little bit more. Although he is contributing to society when he purchases these products from retailers, he does not think very significantly of it. He uses his money when it is necessary to improve his individualistic lifestyle. He only contributes to society when it is necessary for himself. When others request for his additional contribution to the society, he politely says “I prefer not to,” and declines their request.

The American Revolution, causing the American split, is best described by the American belief that the British provided an intolerable dominance over all Americans, giving themselves rights that no other American had. The overall cause of the American Revolution can be generally summarized by the envious nature of the Americans from their certainty that they were being treated unequally by the British, when in essence the British were not that bad.

When finding the source of this chaos, one can conclude that the Rights of Englishmen changed the way the Americans thought about the English. The beliefs they held were affected greatly by a few simple privileges the English had that Americans were denied. By the statements abiding to protect one’s property, numerous liberties are spawned.

Firstly, inheritance laws protect any property from ancestors that may have died. This way, no property is lost and cannot be given to higher officers without the owners’ family’s consent. These inheritance laws are provided that the husband is still alive, however. A female widow cannot maintain all of the beneficiates; however, she receives her portion of the inheritance. Furthermore, the widow cannot live in her previous housing: “she may remain in the house of her husband for forty days after his death, within which time her dower shall be assigned to her .” Furthermore, if a widow wishes to live by her own, she will not be forced to remarry under some circumstances: “so long as she prefers to live without a husband; provided always that she gives security not to marry without our consent …”

There shall be no taxation without counsel: “no scutage nor aid shall be imposed on our kingdom, unless by common counsel of our kingdom .” The British does not wish for others to assist them in any of their businesses without the acceptance of the British first. The only aid freely accepted is those from the city of London in a reasonable manner.

There shall be regular discussion among the higher classes of the kingdom regarding the aid or scutage provided to the British. When the discussion has been planned, it will be assembled as soon as possible: “… when the summons has thus been made, the business shall proceed on the day appointed, according to the counsel of such as are present …” The discussion will go on regardless of the presence of necessary people.

No unnecessary punishment will be given to anyone whatsoever. All punishments must fit the crime committed; the intensity of the crime will decide any further punishments. When the punishment is being determined, one has the right to trial by jury . During the selection of the jury, a fair selection with peers will be determined. Over excessive punishment will not be permitted: “and for a grave offense he shall be amerced in accordance with the gravity of the offense, yet saving always his ‘contentment .’”

When a person dies, his will becomes the determining factor of who receives his earnings. If a will is not written, the inheritance goes to the nearest kin: “if any freeman shall die… his chattels shall be distributed by the hands of his nearest kinsfolk and friends, under supervision of the church …” If debts exist, they will be paid to the king.

Upon unsatisfactory behavior by the British government, the citizens are given a right to rebel: “… and if we shall not have corrected the transgression … within forty days … those five-and-twenty barons shall, together with the community of the whole land, distrain and distress us in all possible ways … seizing our castles, lands, possessions …”

Finally, one of the final rights of the Englishmen is security in one’s home from unlawful entry. The home is a place of peace and tranquility, and one must feel protected. This right forbids any outside people from entering the property of an Englishman under penalties determined by a jury when taken to trial .

The origination of the Rights of Englishmen came from English history throughout many centuries in time. In the beginning, there were some privileges that only the king and queen was permitted to have. Later on, these rights were spread throughout the land, giving citizens equal opportunities at this luxury. Only Americans under the kingdom were permitted to have liabilities: “the founders of America began their lives as loyal subjects of the British Crown, proud to enjoy the rights of Englishmen .”

Americans felt discriminated against due to the fact that they were not permitted to have equal rights as the British. When the Americans were kept in captivity, they were not treated equally from the British. They were used as experiments for war. Children that disobey British officers were taken away, restrained, and beaten with a whip. Any supporters of the punished child are punished themselves .

Furthermore, Americans were brutally punished and used for inhumane experiments by the British. A movie portrayed two American men being used for testing the skills of the British. The American men were given a dummy that represented George Washington and were told to run. Behind them a giant herd of dogs and some men on horses chased. These repetitive inhumane actions caused the Americans to lose their trust and reliability in the British throughout time .

No assistance may be given to the kingdom without the permission of the king and many other high-classed followers and administrators below him. No loans may be made to the king against his will: “… such loans were against reason and the franchise of the land …” However, beyond this point, people are required to allow the king to use their money: “… and required to lend certain sums of money unto your Majesty …” Upon denial, punishment could include being jailed, confined, or molested. As seen, the British did claim some unfair power over the Americans.

The Bill of Rights was created to provide a greater, more equal living condition to both Americans and the British. Many new specifics were created, and were promoted to help the entire population.

To prevent anything from changing immediately, the Bill of Rights states firstly that no laws can be suspended or executed without the proper authority, consent, and discussion that must come beforehand. From this being outlawed, anyone who wishes to alter a law will have a higher difficulty doing so. From this law spawns a different circumstance where people will pretend to be in a position of authority to change the laws. This was stated in the bill: “pretended power of dispensing with the laws, or the execution of law by regal authority, as it hath been assumed and exercised of late, is illegal .”

The right of petitioning is given, and permission is given to petition the king. People who disagree with this are in essence committing a crime: “… all commitments and prosecutions for such petitioning are illegal .” This new law provides a possible more friendly connection between the king and his followers.

Some of the new laws provide a more open and secure environment for the citizens. To reduce their fear of being attacked by the government, no military troops may be contained within the kingdom: “… the raising or keeping a standing army within the kingdom in time of peace, unless it be with consent of parliament, is against law .” This provides a lower chance for citizens to be harmed under an unplanned attack by the government for the sole purpose of a mass killing of its people.

Furthermore, any other previous laws could not be impeached; there was no way that a citizen could attempt to end a law already made in the past when at court. The only way this could be done was in compliance of the parliament.

The best attempt to reduce any unnecessary punishment was made. As stated previously, the punishment must fit the crime. As an extension, it was said that “excessive bail ought not to be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted .” This maintains a humane way of living together with other people, not worrying about excessive, unnecessary pain when only committing a small crime.

To promote fairness, it was made that any outside influences of the jurors were outlawed. To maintain an equal decision, “all grants and promises of fines and forfeitures of particular persons before conviction are illegal and void .” In the past there have been many outside possibilities that could have affected a juror’s decision. External payments in one’s favor could be one of the possibilities. With that reduced, fairness is maintained.

Finally, to improve the laws, discussion was necessary and must be done on a regular basis: “… for the amending, strengthening, and preserving of the laws, parliament ought to be held frequently .” Many previous laws forbid the changing of laws by many people. In this case, when a necessary and required change is found, proper action can be taken without breaking any former rules and laws made.

The power held by the British was the original source of the American Revolution, due to their envy. Political power is described as the “… power which every man, having in the state of nature, has given up into the hands of the society, and therein to the governors whom the society hath set over itself …” Without the followers, this power is deemed useless: “… and this power has its original only from compact, and agreement, and the mutual consent of those who make up the community .” When the powerful bodies have nobody or nothing to control, their power becomes insignificant.

Men wish and attempt to gain power for a variety of reasons, one of them being capable of protecting their property. Because of this, power is limited and controlled within the population: “… to limit the power and moderate the dominion of every part and member of the society.”