Bellringer
9-5-13
What
are your expectations when you
enter this room?
Write
a sentence about your weekend
plans using chronological
order/sequence.
Paragraph 1 _____________________________________
In the fall of 2001, Apple launched its first iPod and forever changed the
way we listen to music. A 5GB iPod would set you back a cool $399 in
2001.In July, 2002, just nine months after the debut of the original iPod,
Apple gave birth to an updated iPod with more room for music. Next, the
third-generation iPod, released in early 2003, was completely
redesigned with different touch sensitive buttons. Soon thereafter, Apple
released a miniaturized iPod model, appropriately called the iPod Mini.
The device was teeny and sported a click wheel. When Apple
introduced the iPod Photo a year later, most determined that photos
shown on a teeny screen weren’t worth the $500 price. Next, many
versions of the iPod shuffle hit the scene, making themselves attractive
to those looking for a cheap machine but whom didn’t mind loosing the
screen. Following were the very colorful iPod minis, then replaced by
the super-slip iPod Nano. Most recently, new, miniature versions of the
iPod shuffle have hit the $50 dollar and under mark. Lastly, the iPhone
and iPod touch have users pleased and excited about what Apple will
come up with next.
Paragraph 2 _____________________________________
The Zune music player boasts a much bigger screen, but in
contrast, iPod will store a much larger music library. Zune
allows you to pay one price per month and download all of
the music you want. However, iPod’s simply ask you to pay
per song. Zune allows a user to use the FM radio, while an
iPod does not have radio capabilities. If movies and TV
shows are important to you, then the iPod allows many more
choices. There are, despite the differences, some similarities.
Both have battery lives of approximately 14 hrs., and each
weighs less than half a pound. Although the iPod is more
popular at present, the Zune is the only of the two
machines that allows sharing and sending between users
wirelessly.
Paragraph 3 ______________________________________
Even though the iPod Touch is expensive, there are many
reasons for purchasing one. One reason is that the IPod
touch allows a person to be mobile and search the web
without the annoyance of carrying around a laptop. A second
reason is the list of applications and
games is endless; you can choose to play a game of scrabble
or allow a machine to help you choose a restaurant for dinner
tonight. A third reason the iPod is adored is that it is so
portable and easy to carry. It holds literally thousands of
songs and photos, and has twice the space as any phone.
You can download and watch your favorite shows from your
computer; this makes boring plane and car rides much more
bearable.
Paragraph 4 ______________________________________
iPods are definitely growing in popularity. They have arrived,
however, with many negative effects that aren’t so
welcomed. More and more young people are being
diagnosed with the types of hearing loss typically found in
older adults; this is thought to be caused by “earbud” type
headphones and long battery life in the devices. Some are
too busy shaking their groove thing and bobbing their head
like a caffeinated monkey to pay attention to where they're
walking. Consequently, this ends in an unfortunate “face
smash” into telephone poles, stop signs, or other such street
objects. Another result of increased iPod popularity has been
a rise in school discipline problems, as students text in class
or use their device to cheat on exams. Because they are so
popular, and do cost a pretty penny, some jealous iPod fans
resort to theft or violence to obtain the device.
Paragraph 5 ______________________________________
A recent and troubling study found that iPods have a
significant effect on a driver’s
performance. Using an iPod while driving causes problems
that greatly disrupts driving ability. Drivers tend to reduce their
speed while searching for songs on their iPods. Watching
videos on an iPod also is a threat because it negatively affects
a driver’s ability to follow other cars at appropriate speeds and
distances. Using an iPod while driving also distracts the driver
from being aware of traffic signs and traffic lights, which
increases the chances of having an accident. There is hope,
however. These problems can be solved by not using iPods
while driving. For drivers who find iPods to be too tempting, it
may be helpful to place their iPod in
a bag or in the glove compartment. Experts agree that the best
solution is for the iPod is “out of sight and out of mind” so
drivers will be less distracted while driving.
Paragraph 6 ______________________________________
Drug abusers often start in upper elementary school. They
experiment with a parent’s beer and hard liquor, and they
enjoy the buzz they receive. They keep doing this and it starts
taking more and more of the alcohol to get the same level of
buzz. As a result, the child turns to other forms of stimulation
including marijuana. These initial steps can cause more
hardcore drug use, such as Angel Dust (PCP), heroin, and
crack cocaine. Marijuana and alcohol are known as “gateway
drugs.” Because of their addictive nature, these gateway drugs
lead many youngsters who use them to the world of hardcore
drugs.
Paragraph 7_____________________________________________
The term “carrying capacity” of a habitat refers to the amount
of plant and animal life its resources can hold. For example, if
there are only 80 pounds of food available, and there are
animals that need more than 80 pounds of food to survive, one
or more animals will die – the habitat can’t “carry” them.
Humans have threatened many habitats’ carrying capacity
through housing development, road construction, dams,
pollution, fires, and acid rain. This poses a problem for the
environment. To solve the threatening of habitats, Congress
has introduced legislation that protects endangered habitats
from human development or impact. As a result, these areas
now have high carrying capacities and an abundance of plant
and
animal life.
Paragraph 8
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Middle school gives students more independence
than elementary school. Although students are asked
to be responsible for their learning in both levels,
middle school students have more pressure to follow
through on assignments on their own, rather than rely
on adults. In addition, narrative texts, like stories, are
used to teach most reading skills in elementary
school. On the other hand, informational writing, like
textbooks, is the way most information is given in
middle school.
Paragraph 9
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Astronomy came a long way in the 1500s and 1600s. In
1531, Halley’s Comet appeared and caused great panic. Just
twelve years later, however, Copernicus realized that
the sun was the center of the solar system, not the Earth,
and astronomy became a way to understand the natural
world, not something to fear. In the early part of the next
century, Galileo made the first observations with a new
instrument – the telescope. A generation later,
Sir Isaac Newton invented the reflecting telescope, a close
cousin to what we use today. Then, Halley’s Comet returned
in 1682 and it was treated as a scientific wonder, studied by
Edmund Halley.
Paragraph 10
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My brother and I had a great vacation at the beach.
For example, we didn’t have to get up early in the
morning but we often did. One reason we chose to
awaken early is that we enjoyed swimming in the
ocean before the sun became too hot. Our hotel had
a pool too, but that was nowhere near as inviting as
the ocean. Another reason our vacation was great
was that some nights we stayed up really late and
watched scary movies. Those nights it was hard
to get to sleep, but it was still fun. I love vacations
and hate it when they end!
Paragraph 11 _____________________________________
The first people known to enjoy chocolate were
the Aztec Indians in Mexico. Aztec
people, especially the kings, enjoyed a drink
they called “chocolati,” the original hot
chocolate. After visiting Mexico in 1519, the
Spanish explorer Hernando Cortez brought
chocolate back to Spain for the Spanish royal
families to enjoy. Hundreds of years later,
chocolate was made and sold in stores in
Europe. Today the sweet, rich, treat is enjoyed
around the world.
Paragraph 12
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Studies show that many Americans are not getting
the correct amount of sleep. Many
people do not receive enough sleep because they
try to do too many things during the day.
Lack of sleep makes people feel tired and cranky
during the day, but it can also be
dangerous. Not getting enough sleep can lead to
dizziness, accidents, overeating, and poor
performance in school and work.
Paragraph 13
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In our state, dams have been built on many
rivers. These dams are used to produce the
electricity we need, but they also create
problems for fish and other wildlife near the
rivers. Therefore, we should not build any
more dams. Instead, we should use solar
energy, or energy from the sun, to produce
electricity. This will help us protect our wildlife
and enjoy the natural beauty around us.
Paragraph 14 ____________________________________
Old maps are alike and different from maps made today.
As the world keeps changing, our maps change too.
One 4000-year-old map is made of clay in different
colors. It has symbols that stand for rivers, mountains
and city gates. Another old map from 1866 shows the
United States. Hawaii and Alaska are not on it. The map
was made before they became states. Long ago, people
made maps as they walked. They drew each tiny bend
along the
path. Now, pictures from space satellites give a clear
view of the land and water. Infrared maps from satellites
use color to show hills and valleys on Mars. Maps show
us where we have been and how far we have come.
Paragraph 15
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The eye is made up of many parts. For
example, the white part of the eye is called the
sclera, the colored part is called the iris, and
the covering of the iris is called the cornea.
The sclera is smooth and extremely durable.
The iris comes in many colors, including
brown, blue, green, and hazel. The iris is
covered by the cornea, which is clear and
round.