Author Archives: Eloina B.

Annotated Bibliography (Eloina, Ivan, Gildaira)

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http://www.education.com/reference/article/classroom-environment/

This source explains many different topics on what impacts a student’s focus on their academics. It begins with the classroom environment and continues with other aspects of the school to focus on such as the physical environment. The physical environment such as overcrowded areas (classes, studying facilities) increase stress level.This source has many other aspects of what affects a student’s learning such as the classroom climate, the psychological environment, the teachers, and so on.

http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/student_performance/

This source explains how physical performance has a lot to do with a student’s academic performance. A clean and positive environment can have a lot to do with a student’s focus in school. The physical performance can also increase the staff and teachers output and retention as said in this source.

http://edsource.org/today/2013/positive-school-climate-boosts-test-scores-study-says/31043#.Uo2CZMRtggs

This source introduces the way schools (mainly high schools) should be surrounded by a climate that promotes a very effective way to study, and increase student’s grades. Although it targets the happiness of high school students many strategies can be used for college students as well. There is a graph that records of the student’s success throughout high school. Many teachers love to teach there. Due to the way the climate and how the school have been transformed to a more suitable place to learn effectively.
http://www.psychology.org.au/publications/inpsych/2011/april/green
This source is very important it indicates how positive psychology can affect a whole school environment. “Positive schools have been defined as ones in which students experience predominantly high levels of subjective well-being in the form of positive emotions and positive attitudes towards school (Huebner et al., 2009). It is suggested here that the combination of positive psychology and coaching psychology can be utilized to enhance wellbeing and optimal functioning and hence support the creation of positive schools. Which means that there has to be something that contribute to this positive psychology. The environment, and how the school looks has a huge impact on the student performance in their academic classes.

My happiest place

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The only place I can think of as being that place i’m most happiest in is my neighborhood, Fordham Road in the Bronx. I’ve been living here since I was a newborn so I basically been in this area my whole life. The thought of ever moving never really crossed mine or my family’s mind, we have too many memories around here. It would all seem weird to start all over again in a new area. I went to Pre-k, Elementary, Middle & High school near by, I’m used to having certain shops or places near by. I’m also used to having family members close by as well. My cousin also lives near by, she always did, as a children we would go to the park across the street from where I live every summer back then.There’s just a lot of memories and good vibes around where I live that I notice every day. I can’t think of any other happiest place for me but the place I call home.

Experiences at City tech

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For someone who wanted to take a year off of school after high school, I didn’t think I’d be going to college this year but I am. When I had finished the process of officially being in City Tech, I was very nervous. Before arriving to or even beginning college, teachers and staff in my high school would tell me and others that the professors in college won’t care about you, your excuses to why you’re late or didn’t do your homework. That is partially correct but what I found incorrect was the “not caring” part. I feel my professors care about me enough to help me get to where I want to be by making the classes interesting and that’s good enough for me. Other then the professors at City Tech, the students here are polite. Although I do wish my old high school friends were going to the same college with me but things can’t always be the way you would like them to be. Making friends seems to be the least of my worries but I should try to be a little more social here and there at least to meet new people. Overall City Tech is a good school, the only issue I have is the elevators. I’m not used to doing extra leg work by going up those flights of stairs to class so that automatically leaves waiting for the elevator my only option. So far my experience in City Tech has been a good one it could be better but only time will tell.

Happiness apps and big data

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Somerville is working together with an organization in order to work on an app for happiness. The app can find out the happiness of the user. This app begins with the user taking a survey and based on those results the app will suggest activities, organizations etc. in order to improve or increase their happiness. I doubt this app will do much to increase someone’s happiness but based on how much technology is now used now a days a person never knows.

As for Brian Merchant, he used twitter to do his research on the happiest and saddest places in New York City. Times square seems to be the happiest place in NYC and that is believed to be true due to the beautiful sightings and places to shop or eat in. Maspeth Creek would be the saddest place in New York City due to the oil spill it had years back, it is the most polluted water body. Beautiful areas such as parks are known to be the happiest places and transportation areas to be the saddest ones based on the research. All of this information in this article is accurate because it is based on the tweets tweeted on twitter by the citizens of New York.

Eloina’s 10 Commandments

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1. Always believe in myself
2. Don’t hold any grudges
3. Manage my time better/Plan ahead
4. Procrastinate less
5. Create a bright future for myself
6. Surround myself with positive vibes
7. Keep an open mind at all times
8. Give respect in order to recieve it
9. Remain with a positive attitude
10. Make my loved ones proud of me

The Happiness Project

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“The Happiness Project” by Gretchen Rubin points out on the ways she made herself happier by creating and using her own happiness project. The book mainly is how Rubin viewed her life before and after the use of the project. In the beginning, she explains how she’s not depressed and that she just doesn’t feel appreciative of what she has and not only wants to improve herself but also be content with the way she lives. She then comes up with these resolutions, Twelve Commandments and the Secrets of Adulthood. These resolutions were ones she began to live by in order for her happiness to shift off. Towards the end she begins to realize that they weren’t working but she still decides to follow through with the resolutions and soon enough she achieves a stage of happiness in her life.

Although there are slight similarities in this book to Bryne’s book the big difference was that this book was an experience all throughout the chapters. What I found interesting about this book is that each chapter was a part of her life she wanted and was going to improve. This wasn’t just something that had to do with science or the mind, this was an actual experience. Rubin not only writes this book for people to try out the project but to also let people know that it’ll work for everyone in different ways.

“The Secret”

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“The Secret” was written by Rhonda Byrne focuses on the fact that the “Law of Attraction” is the so called “Secret”. This law of attraction can give you anything you want whether it’s wealth, power or just happiness. The law of attraction is the concept in which your positive or even negative thoughts become reality due to the fact that you’re always think of certain thoughts repeatedly throughout the day. It is a law we all possess whether we know it or not. The things that happen to you or don’t depends all on you, you are what attracts those things in your life. You basically can control your own life with this law and you only do it with your own thoughts and feelings also have a lot to do with this law because that is the type of life you want for yourself whether its a positive one or a negative one. What you want in life may not happen in the blink of an eye but it will happen eventually. The secret assures you that if you remain positive throughout your thoughts, you may live a happier life compared to someone whose thoughts are just negative ones.

Revision of NYC mayoral speeches

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Bill De Blasio’s speech took place in Gowanus, Brooklyn. When De Blasio makes his appearance he first begins by thanking his family and those who have supported him throughout the campaign. He then mentions the tragedy that occurred 12 years ago (9/11) and how united people were that day by helping one another. De Blasio also elaborates on how New York City is a “Tale of Two Cities” between the wealthy and the people in poverty and the changes he wishes to make starting with a child’s education. Bill De Blasio wants to better New York City and make it a place people are happy with.

 

De Blasio’s speech seemed very convincing to me because he had such great ideas on how he wishes to make these changes. He was sure of where to begin with these changes and how.The fact that he brought up what he calls the “Tale of Two Cities” between the rich and the poor is what made people sure he is the Mayor they are looking for and want since that is something he wishes to improve. He also points out the dreams of a parent which is their child’s education. In my opinion, De Blasio is someone New York City needs as a Mayor.

 

As for Joe Lhota, his speech was given in Midtown, manhattan. His speech also began by him thanking his family and supporters as well. He then continues by sharing his families struggles and how that made him the man he is today. He elaborates on the “Tale of two cities” and says that it is nothing but a class warfare and “he will campaign to unify the city” (6:20). Lhota stated that he wants to make education possible for many children, cut taxes, and stop crime by supporting the NYPD and letting the “stop and frisk” continue. Torwards the end he makes it clear that he will be a man of his word and won’t just speak of what he will do for the city.

 

Joe Lhotas speech got straight to the point in the beginning. He not only wants to unite our city but also wants to make it safer by letting the “Stop and frisk” continue that on which i agree yet disagree. Although there were a few things i agreed on that he spoke of he didn’t seem so convincing.

 

In my opinion, Bill De Blasio would be the Mayor i’d prefer because his speech seems more passionate of what he will soon be doing for the people of New York and he knows where to begin from. Joe Lhota on the other hand, his ideas are somewhat all over the place he brings up good ideas but he doesn’t make it clear enough where he wants to begin from. Lhota’s speech isn’t as strong compared to De Blasio since De Blasio seems to be more concerned with the people’s well being while he barely is.

Mayoral Victory Speeches

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Summary:

 Bill De Blasio

Candidate De Blasio’s Speech began with his daughter speaking of how great & hardworking her father is and how thankful she is for the people who support her father. After De Blasio makes his appearance he first begins by thanking his family and those who have supported him throughout the campaign. He then mentions the tragedy that occurred 12 years ago (9/11) and how united people were that day by helping one another. De Blasio also elaborates on how New York City is a “Tale of Two Cities” between the wealthy and the people in poverty and the changes he wishes to make starting with a child’s education. Bill De Blasio wants to better New York City and make it a place people are happy with.

Joe Lhota

Joe Lhota’s speech was based on the unification of the republican party as well as bettering the future for New York City. He began by taking the time to thank his family, colleagues and those who support him. Other then mentioning the changes he wishes to make regarding education, he didn’t really elaborate much on the rest of the changes he wishes to make for New York City.

Analysis

Be Blasio’s speech seemed very convincing to me because he had such great ideas on how he wishes to make these changes. He was sure of where to begin with these changes and how.The fact that he brought up what he calls the “Tale of Two Cities” between the rich and the poor is what made people sure he is the Mayor they are looking for and want since that is something he wishes to improve. He also points out the dreams of a parent which is their child’s education. In my opinion, De Blasio is someone New York City needs as a Mayor.

As for Lhota’s Speech he took most of his time thanking people rather than elaborating on his ideas. Although he did mention the a few things he wants to change as Mayor, he didn’t really speak like one. He was more concerned about the party he wishes to Unite in which he thinks it will also be a help to better the city. But in reality, he made me unsure of what the ideas he had since he only mentions the important topics but doesn’t really say much of them.

 

Comparison

Both speeches were good but I’d say that Bill De Blasio’s was more clear and convincing. Comparing both speeches I feel more people agree with Bill than Joe because I certainly do. He seemed sure of what he was doing since he had a main concern which was helping those in poverty. As for Joe, he did mention important topics that needed to be improved but didn’t specify on how he wanted to improve them. In my opinion, Bill already knows from where to begin as for Joe he is unsure.

“How Happy Are You? A Census Wants to Know”

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The article by John Tierney : “How Happy Are You? A Census Wants to know”  is based on how happy the people of Somerville, Mass. are with their community. The officials feel the need for this survey in order for them to know what  to do for the people to be happy with where they live. When the survey was given out, more than 7,500 people in Somerville sent back the survey and responded with their reasons to why they’re happy or unhappy. The reason for this survey would be to help improve the well-being of people in the community by not only figuring out the solution to people’s unhappiness but also by improving the neighborhood in which they live in.