Between Constructivist Learning and Direct Instruction Essay

Between Constructivist Learning and Direct Instruction - Essay Example Direct instruction proponents dispute the latest trend in education strategies which encourages learners to construct their own learning via minimal guidance even without prior knowledge of underlying concepts, principles, and processes (Baumann, 1982). They say that this method goes against the human cognitive architecture, that is, learners can only churn out, via long term memory, what was previously inputted to them. Constructivist Learning Constructivist learning, in whatever form it may be, is rooted from the works of Piaget and Vygotsky (Gallagher & Reid, 2002; Kirschner, Sweller, & Clark, 2006; Hmelo-Silver, Duncan, & Chinn, 2007). Constructivists propose that learning occurs when knowledge is constructed by the learner through personal experiences, interaction with the environment, and scaffolding guidance of an adult or more experienced person. In response to Kirschner et al’s (2006) position that minimally guided instruction is less effective that direct instruction , Hmelo-Silver, et al (2007) pointed out that a number of constructivist strategies, specifically problem-based and inquiry learning, utilize more than just minimal guidance during scaffolding. They say that scaffolding takes place at a high rate in problem-based and inquiry learning, thus refuting Kirschner, et al’s position. Moreover, Hmelo-Silver (2007) produced a long list of studies and researches which attested to the effectiveness of problem-based and inquiry learning. Another notable point that constructivists try to emphasize is that positive effects of employing constructivist approaches may not be immediately observed from standardized tests (Hiebert, Stigler, & Jacobs, 2005; Hmelo-Silver, Duncan, & Chinn,... So much debate has been going on to pinpoint exactly which mode of instruction would produce the best results for a learner. While it may be disappointing to think that no one has found the secret formula to learning yet, the on-going debate is a welcome clash of ideas because it means that educators still have not rested on the age-old established â€Å"facts† about learning and are still very much in the quest for the improvement of the ease and effectiveness of the teaching and learning process. Maybe no one has found the secret formula yet because there may be no secret formula at all. Perhaps the only reliable â€Å"fact† about learning is that each learner is unique; what might work for one may not work for another. The best that we can hope for is that at the end of the day, teachers/educators/facilitators have done their best in trying to create an appropriate and effective learning environment for the child.

Information Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Information Management - Essay Example As the paper declares safety of the patient has become paramount, and it has become very necessary for hospitals to streamline the volume of health information regarding a patient so as to present it in a manner that is efficient for the doctor to carry out an effective diagnosis. To develop an ideal information management, health software would require the integration of data’s ranging from blood reports, CT scans, surgical reports, inputs from nurses, social workers, medicine companies, insurance companies and other administrative data. Improving the information management and its flow from so many different sources would also lead to considerable increase in efficiency for the health care sector and also effectively help in controlling costs and minimize errors. According to the research findings while the IT industry with its portability and efficiency has made rapid entry into other sectors like airline, finance and banking, its foray into the health care sector has been comparatively limited. Part of the reason is that health care organizations are a bit reluctant to invest money in technology to streamline information. An ideal information management should successfully integrate project management, IT management and change management. Electronic patient record as the name suggests is a complete record of a patient’s medical history, the treatments undergone, medications taken, specific kind of allergies if any, details of immunization and other laboratory reports.

The Triangle Fire Essay Example for Free

The Triangle Fire Essay On November 22rd, 1909 Clara Lemlich of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union provokes, through her words, a general strike of Women Garment workers1. Within two days of her speech, 20,000 shirtwaist makers had walked off their jobs. By February of 1910 most of the companies recognize and grant the demands of the union. All except the owners of The Triangle Shirtwaist Company, Max Blanck and Issac Harris, while they agreed to shorter hours and higher wages, they refused to recognize the union, and their concessions did not equal those of the other business owners2. Then, on March 25th, 1911 the most tragic event of New York City’s twentieth century occurred; a fire broke out in the Triangle Waist Company. This horrific loss of life was observed by many onlookers and resulted in the tragic demise of 146 workers, mostly young woman immigrants who either burned to death, or chose to die by jumping from the eighth, ninth and tenth floors of the Asch building3. This fire and the public observance of lives lost was the greatest tragedy of the time, it had a direct impact on society, it led to political reform and most importantly, changes in legislation that ensured the reform of the work place across our entire nation. This observed tragedy united a society that until then was divided by cultural and economical differences. On April Sixth, 1911 over 350,000 people participated in the funeral march for the seven unidentified victims of the fire. Mrs. Raymond Robins the head of the National Trade Union League traveled from Chicago to take part in the processional. There was representation from  the suffragists, and the Socialists, the poor and the rich. In the pouring rain, people from all cultures, races and religions gathered to pay respect for all the lives lost4. These people and people across the nation, having seen or read about this tragedy came together and united to ensure nothing  like this would ever happen again. The public outcry following the fire stirred the politics and the politicians of this time. No one wanted to take responsibility for the tragedy. The governor of New York blamed the city, the mayor refused to even visit the site, political cartoons bashed the current leadership and controversy prevailed5. The city government had in the past worked together with the police to protect the Triangle Shirt Company and it’s owners. The party of Tammany Hall quickly realized they would need to change their position, and focused on a new stance of reform6. These leaders who historically supported boss politics, were collectively responsible for this tragedy and be it through guilt, or public demand they led the change and were themselves, changed by the tragic fire. The public outcry and demand for reformation of the workplace was finally being heard and acted upon. Pushed by the already publically developed and supported Committee of Safety, the party of Tammany established The Factory Investigating Commission (FIC), which led the legislation and laws related to workplace reform. The commission mandated workplace health and safety by establishing workplace laws and regulations related to fire prevention and safety, woman and children, sanitary conditions, work hours, injury  prevention, compensation, and the construction and use of buildings; the commission implemented and was responsible for the changes that the people had demanded. The young workers that perished in The Triangle Fire were among those who initially fought for the reform, they unwillingly gave their lives for the cause. It was however, this loss that led society to demand safer working conditions. Because of these 146 souls work became a safer, fairer place for all people. The laws and legislation still govern businesses and corporations. The Triangle Fire was and still is, a tragically ironic  humanity-altering event. 1. Jo Ann E. Argersinger, The Triangle Fire (Boston, Bedford/St. Martins, 2009), 13. 2. Jo Ann E. Argersinger, The Triangle Fire (Boston, Bedford/St. Martins, 2009), 16. 3. Jo Ann E. Argersinger, The Triangle Fire (Boston, Bedford/St. Martins, 2009), 16. 4. Jo Ann E. Argersinger, The Triangle Fire (Boston, Bedford/St. Martins, 2009), 89. 5. Jo Ann E. Argersinger, The Triangle Fire (Boston, Bedford/St. Martins, 2009), 26. 6. Jo Ann E. Argersinger, The Triangle Fire (Boston, Bedford/St. Martins, 2009), 102. 4

Impact of Teratogens Affecting the Prenatal Child

Impact of Teratogens Affecting the Prenatal Child Tracy Morrissey The aim of this discussion is to explore the impact of teratogens affecting the prenatal child and the interventions available to assist in preventing teratogens. For the purpose of this discussion three particular and prominent teratogens are highlighted including malnutrition, drugs which include alcohol/cigarettes and lastly exploring sexually transmitted diseases. These teratogens are highlighted because of the effects of the recession on Irish society today. A report by The Economic and Social Research Institute (ERSI) tells us that 22% of people living in households are unemployed, double the average within Europe. (ERSI 2012). The effects of this crisis includes further poverty which can lead to malnutrition and often a reliance on substances for comfort in these difficult times. ‘’Knowing, is not enough, we must apply, willing is not enough, we must do. ‘’ (J.W. Von Goethe). A teratogen, a Greek word, meaning monster is anything that creates a birth defect. (Santrock 2005). Teratology is the study of such teratogens. Teratogens can include environmental toxins, alcohol, drugs, incompatible blood types, diseases, inadequate nutrition, stress and advanced paternal and maternal age. (Santrock 2004). Exposure to potentially hazardous agents throughout pregnancy is common. Many exposures are unavoidable, as pregnancy is often unplanned or unnoticeable for a period after conception. (Queenan et al 2010). Abnormalities in prenatal development can be an outcome from exposure to teratogens. Each organ structure is at its most vulnerable to harm when it is developing at its quickest, during the first eight weeks of pregnancy, carrying the greatest risk of exposure to teratogens during this critical period. If a teratogen interferes during a critical period, a certain body structure will not form correctly. (Boyd and Bee 2012). The first twelve weeks of foetal life is a time of remarkable cellular configuration and development that is not fully understood, even to this day. By the completion of this time, the main anomalies that can affect the foetus are already in place and the sooner they occur, the more extreme the damage. There are pregnant women with the belief that everything they do has an effect on the unborn child and there are others who assume that nothing, or little, affects the unborn child. In fact, the truth is, it lies somewhere in the middle of both of these extremes. (Santrock 2005). A substantial number of already pregnant women are compromised or at risk symptomatic of things such as inappropriate nutrition, smoking, consumption of drugs and alcohol, medications, genitourinary infections, inadequate dental health and anaemia (WHO 2002). The most important factor in development of the foetus is the mother’s diet. (Carlson et al 2004). Maternal malnutrition during gestation can cause foetal growth limitations. Changes in foetal nutrition can result in developmental variations that can permanently alter the physiology and structure of the unborn child, predisposing people to endocrine, pulmonary and cardiovascular illnesses in adult life. (Lee 2011). Under normal conditions, the prenatal environment supplies the foetus with ample nutrients, this is the foetus’s single source of nutrition. An insufficient diet alone can be a factor in abnormal occurrences in the developing foetus. (Carlson et al 2004). The growing foetus relies completely on its mother for the nutrients it requires. The nutrients are released from the mother’s blood. (Santrock 2004). The reproductive system and its hormonal control structures are mainly formed in foetal life. There is an arising concern if this prenatal compromise t ranslates into any major functional deficit in reproductive functioning in adulthood. Epigenetic and possible intergenerational effects signify an exciting section of interdisciplinary research for the development of novel nutritional methods during pre and postnatal stages ensuring reproductive well-being in adult life. Maternal malnutrition can have substantial results on the developing foetal lung, this goes through rapid cellular differentiation and multiplication just before birth. (Lee 2011). Foetal growth is affected by the amount and the quality of maternal nutrition and the ability of the mother to aptly absorb and dispense maternal cardiorespiratory function, digested micronutrients, uterine blood flow, placental blood flow, placental transfer and suitable delivery and treatment of oxygen and nutrients by the foetus. (Queenan et al 2011). Studies from Holland and Leningrad during World War II imply that when maternal calorie intake fell to 800 kcal per day, birth weight was reduced to 535g in Leningrad and 250g in Holland. In modern day, the urban war creates comparable stress through domestic violence, lack of social supports and drugs. In 2011, the same as 1944-5, the connection between pregnancy and maternal nutrition status relies on a moderate weak proxy for women’s nutritional status, BMI (Body Mass Index). (Queenan et al 2011). A malnourished woman during pregnancy has a larger chance of delivering a low birth weight infant who could have intellectual problems in childhood and can be an important risk factor for mental illness as an adult. (Bee and Boyd 2012). Children who are born to malnourished mothers are more prone to having malformed offspring. (Santrock 2004). The largest impact of malnutrition appears to be on the developing nervous system. Some studies have shown severe prenatal malnutrition can even cause death in the foetus or new-born. (Bee and Boyd 2012). Folic acid (a B-complex vitamin) is very important for normal prenatal development, insufficient folic acid can be associated with neural tube defects in the unborn child, such as spina bifida. It is advisable to consume a minimum of 400 micrograms per day. It is also advisable to take a multi vitamin prior to pregnancy. (Santrock 2004). It is important for the pregnant woman to take adequate calories and protein to prevent malnutrition. (Bee and Boyd 2012). Maternal medical conditions during pregnancy can have a vast effect on foetal development, this can be compounded by drugs, smoking and alcohol use in pregnancy. Parents using opiates or misusing alcohol may also have additional difficulties, predisposing them to their lifestyle of choice, which can include a range of mental health and neurodevelopmental health problems. Mothers abusing drugs and alcohol often do not look after themselves during pregnancy, and their chaotic lifestyles do not permit optimum health. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term for outcomes in pregnancy in relation to alcohol, including Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), partial FAS and Alcohol related Neurodevelopmental Disorder. (Pacey 2010). Alcohol during pregnancy signifies the typical form of behavioural teratogenesis which can cause not only bodily malformations but also interference with development of the brain, attention control, substantial impairments in behaviour and language development. There is also an increased risk of behaviour difficulties throughout life. (Preece and Riley 2011). Studies have shown that alcohol can adversely affect the ovum before ovulation or whilst on its journey down the fallopian tube into the uterus. A zygote can also be affected by alcohol even before implantation in the uterine lining. (Bee and Boyd 2012). Up to 50% of women in the UK continue to drink alcohol in pregnancy in spite of many advisory bodies recommending avoidance of alcohol use. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists state that binge drinking in early pregnancy may be of particular harm. The larger the consumption of alcohol, the greater risk. There is double the increase in small for gestational age (SGA) when the mother consumes more than 52g of alcohol per day and a 23% increase in premature birth with more than 36g of alcohol per day. A particular study of alcohol and the effects on pregnancy which included the UK, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia showed that in Ireland and the UK 65-80% of the participants consumed alcohol in pregnancy in comparison to 38% in New Zealand and Australia. (McCarthy et al 2013). Mothers who drink heavily, or alcoholics, are at a much greater risk of delivering infants with FAS. These children are usually smaller than average, having smaller brains. They often have heart defects and loss of hearing. Their faces are characterised by a rather flat nose and a long space between the nose and the mouth. Their intelligence scores when older indicate mild mental retardation. They often have behaviour and learning difficulties that sometimes continue into adolescence and adulthood. (Boyd and Bee 2012). The estimated incidence of FAS in Europe is 0.4 per 1000 births. (Mullally et al 2011). According to the British Medical Association (BMA) in 2007 FAS is the primary known source of non-genetic intellectual disability in the western world. The BMA recommends nurses make formal diagnoses of FAS in order for early intervention and programmes for treatment. Early interventions from midwives, nurses, better education from the teaching professions and more support for the families will improve life and opportunities of young people, especially moving into adulthood. (Callanan 2013). Doctors have not identified safe levels of alcohol consumption, but experts do know that FAS is preventable by not drinking any alcohol during pregnancy. It is also advisable to refrain from drinking alcohol if trying to conceive and if there is an alcohol problem, to address this before conceiving. (Mayo Clinic 2011). According to the U.S. Surgeon General, it is recommended that no alcohol is consumed during pregnancy. (Santrock 2004). There is an association between smoking throughout pregnancy and low birth weight in infants. (Boyd and Bee 2012). The main problem with smoking is nicotine, it constricts the blood vessels, reduces nutrition and blood flow to the placenta. (Boyd and Bee 2004). The infants of mothers who smoke are on average about half a pound smaller than infants of non-smokers, the same can be said of marijuana users. (Boyd and Bee 2012). The older the smoking mother is, the higher chance of lower birth weight. (Boyd and Bee 2004). The exposure to tobacco can also have long term effects on a child’s development, with larger rates of learning difficulties and behaviour problems. Moreover, there is a likelihood to be diagnosed with an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Infants of marijuana users seem to have little interest in their surroundings for approximately two weeks after birth. At age six, these children are smaller in height than six year olds who were not exposed to marijuana. (Boyd and Bee 2012). Research shows the amount of nicotine and the severity of consequences for the unborn child. If a pregnant woman cannot quit smoking, she should at least cut back. (Boyd and Bee 2004). Some helpful ways to quit include, setting a quit date, use clove oil, this will reduce the need for a cigarette, rub a few drops onto the throat, the back of the neck or on fingertips and suck on a whole clove in order to lower cravings. The homeopathic remedy Nux vomica helps with irritability associated with the withdrawal from nicotine. (Kane 2009). Intervention programs devised to assist pregnant women discontinue smoking can help to reduce the negative effects of smoking, particularly in order to raise birth weight. (Santrock 2004). Cessation advice by health care providers, one to one, group and telephone counselling can all assist in the cessation of smoking. (Malarcher et al 2011). Use of cocaine All too often rubella and cervical cytology status is unidentified. Prenatal care and promotion is of significant importance. (WHO 2002). http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0013/131521/E79235.pdf 1

Physical Development of Children in Middle Childhood Essays -- Child D

This topic considers what the physical development of children in ‘middle childhood (6-10)’ is, and how their physical needs in the learning environment can be accommodated. The key elements taken into consideration would be the development of motor skills for the selected age group and the influences of the specified group. The benefits of physical activity and the consequences of prolonged inactivity, how a student’s development can be facilitated or restricted through development in other areas with the use of physical activity and issues of health and well being in the learning environment to accommodate or support the physical needs and development of the students in the specified age group. Accounts and ideas by specialists in the field of physical development and the specified group have been documented to show how these factors can work together. These elements are necessary to understand how a child’s environment and developmental levels enable them to learn effectively The fine motor skills development in students’ within the middle childhood age range gradually improves throughout their learning period. Throughout their ‘middle childhood’ students’ writing becomes smaller, neater and more consistent with fewer spelling and grammatical errors and drawings contain more detail and are â€Å"supported by physiological maturation and cognitive advances† (McDevitt & Ormond, 2010, Pg 161). Their ability to try and succeed at fine motor skills such; arts and crafts, knitting and beading projects increase. It is imperative to increase children’s writing tasks from shapes, letters and numbers to words, sentences and sums to improve both fine motor skills and cognitive abilities. Physical development can affect other area... ...reat Britain: Oneworld Publicatons Lucas, R.W. (2005). People Strategies for Trainers. 176 Tips and Techniques for dealing with DIFFICULT Classroom Situations. USA: AMACOM American Management Association McDevitt, T.M & Ormrod, J.E. (2010). Child Development and Education. USA: S4 Carlisle Publishing Services McInerney, D.M. & McInerney, V. (2002). Educational Psychology Constructing Learning. Frenchs Forest, NSW: Catherine Godfrey Shilton, T. & Naughton, G. National Physical Activity Program Committee, National Heart Foundation of Australia. Physical activity and children A Statement of Importance and Call to Action from the Heart Foundation. (2001). Retrieved from http://fulltext.ausport.gov.au/fulltext/2001/nhf/call_to_action.asp Early Childhood Education (2012). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_childhood_education Physical Development of Children in Middle Childhood Essays -- Child D This topic considers what the physical development of children in ‘middle childhood (6-10)’ is, and how their physical needs in the learning environment can be accommodated. The key elements taken into consideration would be the development of motor skills for the selected age group and the influences of the specified group. The benefits of physical activity and the consequences of prolonged inactivity, how a student’s development can be facilitated or restricted through development in other areas with the use of physical activity and issues of health and well being in the learning environment to accommodate or support the physical needs and development of the students in the specified age group. Accounts and ideas by specialists in the field of physical development and the specified group have been documented to show how these factors can work together. These elements are necessary to understand how a child’s environment and developmental levels enable them to learn effectively The fine motor skills development in students’ within the middle childhood age range gradually improves throughout their learning period. Throughout their ‘middle childhood’ students’ writing becomes smaller, neater and more consistent with fewer spelling and grammatical errors and drawings contain more detail and are â€Å"supported by physiological maturation and cognitive advances† (McDevitt & Ormond, 2010, Pg 161). Their ability to try and succeed at fine motor skills such; arts and crafts, knitting and beading projects increase. It is imperative to increase children’s writing tasks from shapes, letters and numbers to words, sentences and sums to improve both fine motor skills and cognitive abilities. Physical development can affect other area... ...reat Britain: Oneworld Publicatons Lucas, R.W. (2005). People Strategies for Trainers. 176 Tips and Techniques for dealing with DIFFICULT Classroom Situations. USA: AMACOM American Management Association McDevitt, T.M & Ormrod, J.E. (2010). Child Development and Education. USA: S4 Carlisle Publishing Services McInerney, D.M. & McInerney, V. (2002). Educational Psychology Constructing Learning. Frenchs Forest, NSW: Catherine Godfrey Shilton, T. & Naughton, G. National Physical Activity Program Committee, National Heart Foundation of Australia. Physical activity and children A Statement of Importance and Call to Action from the Heart Foundation. (2001). Retrieved from http://fulltext.ausport.gov.au/fulltext/2001/nhf/call_to_action.asp Early Childhood Education (2012). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_childhood_education

Chloroplast Lab :: essays research papers

Determining Rates of Photosynthesis Through Chloroplasts   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Introduction:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  1)Background=   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  2) Purpose= measure the rate of photosynthesis in chloroplasts.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  3) The chloroplast will be subjected to two experimental conditions- light, and the absence of light, using a spectrophotometer to determine the amount of DPIP reduced at specific time intervals under each condition.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  4) I predict the amount of DPIP reduced will vary for each condition and increase over the time intervals. I hypothesize under the light condition the amount of DPIP will drastically be reduced within each five minute time interval. However, under the dark condition the DPIP will not be reduced due to the fact that light is required for photosynthesis.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  5) The rates of photosynthesis in each of these reactions will be measured by the amount of light reaching the photocell in the spectrophotometer. This data will be a percentage that represents the amount of DPIP reduced.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Methods   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  DPIP will be used to determine the rate at which the cholorplasts are being reduced. The spectrophotometer will establish the wavelength of light that penitrats the chloroplast solution in turn determining the amount of electrons reduced. In the dark reactions, the spectrophotometer will measure the amount of light passing through a darker solution of DPIP and chloroplasts. In the light reactions, the lighter solution, caused by reduction of the chloroplasts, will allow a larger amount of light to pass through to the photocell of the spectrophotometer. Thus, the spectrophotometer will prove wheter the light or dark reactions affect the rate of photosynthesis in chloroplasts. We will also be using a reference solution made of water, phosphate buffer, and active chloroplasts. The purpose of this solution will be used to set the transmittance level for the experiment. The control solution, which is different than the reference solution, is compris ed of water, phosphate buffer, and DPIP. It will be used to prove that the three element of the solution do affect the results- it is strictly the chloroplasts that are subjected to the light/dark conditions. Requirements for Test Tube Set Up Data Collected During Time Intervals Photosynthetic Rate for Light Reactions 0  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  5  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  10  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  15  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  20   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Time Intervals  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Photosynthetic Rate for Dark Reactions 0  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  5  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  10  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  15  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  20   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Time Intervals  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Results: The results for the various conditions differed dramatically. As seen in the table, â€Å"Data Collected During Time Interval† the reference test tube remained at a trasmittance level of 100% for all five experimental tests. The control solution remained fairly constant for all five tests, but did vary slightly after the five minute time interval.

One-pager

Washington was raised by a single mother and is the youngest of eight children. All of her older siblings and her mother were teen parents. Growing up, she learned what kind of person she wanted to be – pretty much nothing like her siblings. She was determined to break the stereotype of being a young Hispanic woman who came from a family where teenage pregnancy was the norm. Many of her siblings did not graduate high school and none of them had attended college.As a student who loved school, Gabby as In the top five percent of her graduating class. So when she decided to pretend she was pregnant for six months for her final senior research project, most of her slings were disappointed that she had â€Å"ruined her life. † Cabby's mother, her boyfriend Jorge, her sister Sonny, and her best friend Salad knew about her project, along with a couple of school administrators and experts who gave her advice on how to have a believable pregnancy.She writes, â€Å"My mall goal was to make my peers take teen pregnancy seriously – if it could happen to me, it could happen to them – and encourage them to make responsible decisions about their bodies and sexuality. † I agree with that statement because it could happen to anyone if they don't know how to take responsible decisions of themselves. â€Å"Every single one of you has the power to go to college and graduate, and I challenge each of you to take this as an example. You have to fight for what you want in life. You can't live your life under a stereotype. This quote basically explains the picture I drew in the front. I drew a girl that is a pregnant because Gabby Rodriguez faked a pregnant for her Enron project to teach others not to stereotype others Just by a mistake they have done, and just because that person made one mistake doesn't mean that person wont continue to fight for what they want in life and achieve their goals they have set lust cause of a mistake, which everyone do ne plenty of times, so don't judge or stereotype others if you haven't been in their shoes.My personal statement about this book is it was actually a really good book. It taught me not to Judge others in any circumstance and also to be bless of what I have in my life because others have it reader and might not have the things I have so I shouldn't take it for granted. Also it taught me to believe in myself and don't let anything in the way of what I'm trying to succeed In life. One-pager By denial 113 was in the top five percent of her graduating class.So when she decided to pretend siblings were disappointed that she had â€Å"ruined her life. † Gabby mother, her boyfriend Jorge, her sister Sonny, and her best friend Said knew about her project, to have a believable pregnancy. She writes, â€Å"My main goal was to make my peers take Greer with that statement because it could happen to anyone if they don't know how this as an example. You have to fight for what you want in l ife.You can't live your life done, and Just because that person made one mistake doesn't mean that person won't continue to fight for what they want in life and achieve their goals they have set just cause of a mistake, which everyone done plenty of times, so don't Judge or stereotype others if you haven't been in their shoes. My personal statement about harder and might not have the things I have so I shouldn't take it for granted. Also it succeed in life.