What Was The Cold War - 1726 Words

â€Å"What was the Cold War?† HIS 122-DS11. December 9, 2014. Katrina Dillow What was the Cold War? When did it happen? Who was involved? What happened during the Cold War? The main focus of this paper is to open the realization that the Cold War was not what most people believe it to be, a short period of time when no conflicts actually took place. In reality, the Cold War took place over a period of more than 30 years and involved considerable death and destruction. What was the Cold War? This question is commonly answered, as the name implies, as a war where no fighting took place. Most people believe that the Cold War took place after the Vietnam War and ended a couple of years later and that nothing happened during that time†¦show more content†¦Kennan, who was stationed at the U.S. embassy in Moscow, was needed. After a deep analysis, Kennan stated that the Soviet Union should be dealt with patience and persistence and that the Soviet expansion should be â€Å"contained†. This advice of â€Å"containment† of the Soviet Union was to remain vague throughout the Cold War, and thus, possibly causing many unneeded conflicts. All over the world Communism spread its rule. Whether the United States was wrong in trying to stamp out the fires, is up for debate. One thing is clear, the United States did not have the power to stamp out all of the fires that had been spread. When did the Cold War Happen? The common-held belief of the Cold War starting after the end of the Vietnam War and lasting only a few years is incorrect. The Cold War really started from the end of World War II and did not end until the fall of the Soviet Union. As mentioned before, relations with the Soviet Union had been uneasy for some time, but the United States was preoccupied with World War II. When the end of World War II came, a power vacuum created by the defeat of Germany and Japan was created. With the friction between the U.S. and Soviets already present and the appearance of this power vacuum, a full on conflict emerged. This conflict would

Depletion Of Groundwater And The Rise Of Population

The air we breathe is essential to keep us alive, the same also apply for the water. From every forms of life, the production of as little as a paper clip to as big as an airplane, everything needs water. Water covers 70 percent of the earth’s surface with 96.5 percent found in seas and ocean, known as saltwater or seawater. The rest 3.5 percent is known as freshwater which the primary source of water needed to support our life, found in groundwater and in glaciers and the ice caps of Antarctica and Greenland. Nonetheless, â€Å"of that small number, less than 1 percent is easily accessible for human use; most of the rest is locked up in polar ice caps or buried deep in underground aquifers that catch and hold groundwater† (Haugen and Musser†¦show more content†¦There are two major problem regarding groundwater. First, groundwater contamination which also caused by surface water contamination. Pollutants from surface water, such as fish kills, discoloration and odor, is brought downward by water travelling through soil which cause the groundwater contamination (Kenski 3). Because groundwater is less visible compare to surface water, it is hardly noticed and cleaned. Consequently, groundwater quality becomes poor and needs another long procedure to revert it back to usable freshwater. Groundwater contaminations happen around the world that contribute to world’s water shortage. Nonetheless, the main concern of groundwater is the overuse of groundwater without fast natural restore which leads to groundwater depletion. Actually, groundwater is not fairly distributed all over the world in the first place, but the whole world mostly depends on groundwater as prime source of freshwater. As the most accessible source of freshwater, we use groundwater as supplier of drinking water for half of the U.S. population and nearly 100 percent of rural population. Furthermore, more than half of agricultural sector depends on groundwater as source of irrigation. Not to mention all other use of underground, we can tell that we have been overusing groundwater. Thus, if

Midsummer Nights Dream Act5 Scene1 Free Essays

Midsummer Night’s Dream: To what extent does ACT5 Scene1 present a harmonious â€Å"New World†? Act 5 Scene 1 is considered to be a harmonious â€Å"New World†, not forgetting that we have just left the â€Å"Green world† with all the mischief and fairies all around. This would make us question is the green world really gone? And is the new world really all that â€Å"Harmonious†? Act 5 Scene1 is the resolution of the entire play. At the start of It is obvious that the harmonious â€Å"New world† is present, with all the arguments and lovers falling out with one another and falling in love with someone else, all that has been left behind. We will write a custom essay sample on Midsummer Nights Dream Act5 Scene1 or any similar topic only for you Order Now Usually, characters who return from the Green world back into the new world discover that all their problems have been resolved and any past mistakes they have made, they will learn from. Lysander and Hermia and Demetrius and Helena all marry, this would be interesting because in a â€Å"New World† multiple marriages suggest that there is social harmony. On the other hand none of these marriages are shown on stage in front of the audience and just reading the play we only hear about the marriage taking place and are taken straight to the celebrations of the evening. This would allow us to think that if all the marriages taking place are legitimate and doesn’t really portray a harmonious feel,its just leaves us confused on the reason â€Å"why†. All shown above supports Frays theory on the â€Å"New World†, but how true is this love between the Athenians in the â€Å"New World†? Demetrius is still under the Love Juices influence that was placed on his eyes during Act3 Scene1, and is under the impression that he is in love with Helena, so much so, that he has married her. Now we are left with the nagging thought of: if the â€Å"green world† i. the fairies didn’t interfere with Demetrius’ inner feelings and mind, would he still be â€Å"in love† with Hermia? And would Act5 Scene1 be really that â€Å"Harmonious† taking into consideration that it was the help of the â€Å"Green World† that allowed this â€Å"new world† to happen but its interference is still present. So ho w far has the problems from the â€Å"Green World† been resolved? Because surely if everything had been resolved Demetrius would’ve naturally fallen in love with her without the interference of Puck and Oberon. At the start of Act5 Scene1 Hippolyta notes to Theseus that the young Athenian lovers story is strange but Theseus seems to dismiss this idea with â€Å"More Strange Than True†. Theseus makes the connection between the wild imaginations of the lovers, lunatics and poets, all of which fit in nicely with the idea of fantasies. With the lunatics imagination in play turning heaven into hell, thinking they can see devils everywhere. Lovers’ being just as crazy seem to think that shaping Helena’s face in the â€Å"brow of Egypt† makes her beautiful. The poet on the other hand creates entire worlds from â€Å"airy nothing† of imagination. This could be considered god like, meaning we have no real control over what happens. The formality of Theseus’ words changes. From being a man with the voice of reason, logic and law throughout the play. He uses words/phrases such as â€Å"lunatic lovers and the poet† and â€Å"imagination† all this short phrases and words you’d expect to find in the â€Å"green world† which plays around with the idea of lunatic behaviour and a great deal of imagination. Along with the change of formality in the way he speaks, he also begins to talk about animals and how the human eye can be misleading, â€Å"how easy a bush supposed a bear†. Theses opinion of the lovers, makes us really think are things in the â€Å"new world† always as they seem? And is the love they feel for their dear ones really true or in fact just an illusion which has been made that â€Å"form things unknown†. Is this really how a â€Å"new world† is supposed to be? With the easy misleading of the human eye, which could taint the ideas of true love and marriage. The mechanics play brings dancing and festive behaviour towards the end of the scene; this would support the ideas of a â€Å"New world†. The mechanics produce a â€Å"play within a play† this would highlight the illusion and reality shown throughout out the play. The character Bottom who plays Pyramus talks in rhythm and rhyme. Between lines 260-275 in the play this flowing and overwhelming of the rhythm and rhyme, would be supported in act4 scene 1 where bottom refers to himself in large amounts as â€Å"me thinks† this would demonstrate repetition and rhyme and lack of organisation within the mechanicals play. This would contradict the ideas of the â€Å"New World†, as the â€Å"new world† is supposed to be considered where all things are to be organised and shouldn’t consist of repetition of things because those would’ve been left behind in the green world. Bottom playing Pyramus is a lover who kills himself at the end of the play, this play is performed in the â€Å"new world†. Now we know that the play ends with the lovers getting married, but in this celebration death is being presented alongside it with the mechanics play. Would this play fit into the â€Å"new world† idea? Or could it be considered a sort of sign or representation that the new world isn’t always going to be filled with harmonious happiness and in fact that there will always be a harsh reality out there? Act5 Scene1 begins with the high social class of the Athenians and then it ends with the Fairies: Puck, Oberon and Titania. It is evident that the â€Å"New world† is in place because the problems that were once occurring between Titania and Oberon have now been resolved and they have now learnt from their mistakes. At the end of this act Oberon blesses the Athenians and his blessing suggests that new ideas and solutions are going to take place. The importance of children is also important because it signifies a â€Å"new world†. However there is a darker side to Oberon’s blessings. In a part of Oberon’s blessing it says â€Å"Never mole, hare-lip, nor mark prodigious, such as are, despised in nativity†. The fact that this play is supposed to end with a â€Å"happy† and â€Å"harmonious† marriage is contradicted by the short sentence in Oberon’s blessing. It shows that there is that darker side of marriage which involves children and how they should be perfect and that they should be cast aside if they have any de-formation. It could possibly be Shake spears way of telling the audience that there is no such thing as a harmonious new world and that there will always be that dark side that cannot be controlled. Marriage is supposed to be a binding before god, would the gods approve of this blessing? How to cite Midsummer Nights Dream Act5 Scene1, Essay examples

Personality and Emotional Development

Personal development of every child is as important as acquisition of scientific facts and learning of the basic laws of the universe. Ability of a person to apply social-emotional skills in adulthood can be considered as a positive contribution of the system of education to it. Positive social development in a wider range of social roles and responsibilities of an individual can be reached through such personal skills and capabilities as leadership, respect to others, non-abusive behavior, and ability to negotiate.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Personality and Emotional Development specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More An individual should respect others, be able to negotiate over certain issues, avoid verbal and physical abuse to persuade a person or display his/her emotions or ideas, and try to succeed in all activities he/she participates in. as such, all abovementioned skills can be analyzed in complex with reg ard to their close connection to each other. Family environment can be as encouraging as discouraging in terms of development of social-emotional skills of children. As such, the best qualities of the family environment that can positively contribute to the development of social-emotional skills in children include the following: Encouragement of initiatives and leadership skills in children can make them be more independent and active in their activities; Respect for decisions of children as well as other adults in the family is the key quality to developing of respect and non-abusive behavior in children; Discussion of problems openly is aimed at making children not afraid of having their own ideas and making decisions in accordance with the viewpoints of other members of the family. If parents notice some changes in the behavior of their children, they should be ready to discuss it openly within the family and with the teacher. At the same time, family environment can have nega tive effect on development of social-emotional skills. In this respect, the qualities that can inhibit the child’s development for a range of roles and responsibilities in society include lack of respect in the family to the opinion of other members. This can be seen through prohibitions and denial of a child’s own will when parents tend to decide what is ‘better’ for their children. Existence of this quality in the family may prevent a child from obtaining such social –emotional skills as leadership and ability to negotiate because he/she is taught at home to have no personal viewpoints. On the other hand, such quality as verbal or physical abuse can prevent a child from respective adults in general and those who can resemble the one who makes the child suffer from abusing. Moreover, a child can treat abusing as a norm of behavior and use it as an argument when he/she can see no chance for peaceful negotiation. In addition, physical and verbal abus e can be the reason for a number of other problems in a child’s development. Classroom environment can be really encouraging for students in terms of development of their social-emotional skills that can be further applied to a wider range of roles and responsibilities. For instance, a teacher can introduce group activities so that children could practice their leadership skills and show respect in reaching an agreement while working on the assignments.Advertising Looking for essay on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More As suggested by Slaving et al. (2003), â€Å"cooperative learning activities can be planned with groups of children at different levels who can help each other learn† (cited in Slavin, 2009, p. 46). Besides, a teacher can â€Å"create rules in the classroom that recognize positive behavior, such as co-operation, caring, helping, encouragement and support† (Elias, 2003, p. 8). At the same time, another positive quality of the classroom environment that can contribute to development of social-emotional skills is relationship between students and attitude of the teacher toward interest groups and encouraging students to make friends. Classroom environment can become the reason for problems a child encounters in terms of social-emotional development. For instance, if a teacher does not care about the relationship between classmates, children can behave in a negative manner affecting others and preventing each other from making progress. Besides, a teacher can negatively affect children in case he/she show disrespect for one of student or another teacher thus showing a vivid example. Probably, students would follow such an example and disrespecting people with no reason and abusing them verbally or physically to show them superiority would become a norm. Such theorists as Erik Erickson and Maurice Elias have contributed greatly to understanding the necessity of dev eloping social-emotional skills of children. For instance, Erik Erickson introduced a number of virtues that can be developed in a specific age; as such, competence is one of the virtues that can be developed in the age of 6-11 years and a teacher should make sure that no child feels inferior when comparing himself/herself to other children in class. At the same time, Maurice Elias presented explanation of emotional intelligence, a concept that can be seen when people try to respect each other and negotiate to reach and agreement. References Elias, M. J. (2003). Academic and social learning. Brussels, Belgium: International Academy of Education. Web.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Personality and Emotional Development specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Slavin, R. E. (2009). Educational psychology theory and practice (9th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. This essay on Personality and Emotional Development was written and submitted by user Christian J. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

My Favorite Band Essays

My Favorite Band Essays My Favorite Band Essay My Favorite Band Essay Task 1 Read the texts below. Match choices A-H to 1-5. There are three choices you do not need to use. It’s not Me, It’s My Hormones! 1 __________________ When you feel like you can’t even crack a smile, force yourself to do something fun. Hook up with a funny friend or watch a comedy movie or TV show and laugh till you cry! It might an act at first, but you’ll soon be giggling for real! 2 _________________ There’s nothing wrong with crying! If you feel yourself welling up and you’re in a quiet and private place, go for it! You’ll feel so much better. Just make sure you’ve got some tissues close by! 3 _________________ It really is true! Certain foods are great for making you happy. When you’re feeling low, reach for some good mood food – nuts, beans, fish, fruit will all put a smile on your face! 4 ________________ Get creative! Having a project to work on can take your mind off the stresses of growing up. You could work on a painting or drawing, take some cool photos or even make some clothes or customize the ones you’ve got! The feelings of pride and success you’ll get when you finish your project will be unbeatable! ________________ Keeping a diary or channeling your thoughts and feelings into a story, poem or article can really help get thoughts into perspective. You could even keep a blog – just be sure not to give any personal information away, like your name, age or address. Years from now, you can take a look at what you’ve written and remember, you can get through anything ! ALet it out! BYou Are What You Eat CLaugh DWrite Down Your Feelings ECommunicate and Relax FEat Something Tasty! GMake Something HExercise Every Day! Task 2 Read the text. For questions 6-10 choose the correct answer A, B. C or D. 16-year-old Australian Begins Her Solo Adventure A 16-year-old Australian girl sailed her yacht out of Sydney harbor today, beginning an attempt to become the youngest person to single-handedly navigate the globe unassisted, despite concerns over her age and expertise. If all goes to plan, Jessica Watson will spend the next eight months alone on board her 10-metre vessel, navigating 28. 000 miles through some of the world’s most dangerous seas. Around 100 boats gathered under grey skies in the harbor to see her off. Watson did not speak to reporters before she left, but her mother Julie, posted an update on the solo sailor’s blog. â€Å"I know you are all anxious to hear from Jess, but she is a little preoccupied on her first day, so she asked me to post a quick note to let everyone know that the departure went well this morning,† she wrote. While Watson’s family insists the teenager is a sufficiently skilled and experienced sailor, with expertise in navigation, electronics and maritime safety, her plan has sparked a debate in Australia about whether someone so young is ready for such a challenge. There was further worry after Watson’s yacht collided with a Chinese cargo ship last month. Some of Australia’s most experienced sailors, and the government of Watson’s home state, Queensland, have urged her not to go ahead with the voyage. Watson will be in contact with her family and support team via radio and email, as well as updating her blog. â€Å"I think a lot of Australians are nervous for Jessica. I’m nervous for her,† the country’s deputy Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, told Nine Network TV. â€Å"Since she’s determined to go, I wish her the best of luck and urge her to keep safe. A British 17-year-old, Mike Perham, became the youngest solo round-the-world sailor in August following a nine-month voyage, although a stop for repairs ‘en route’ meant his trip did not count as unassisted. The youngest sailor to complete the voyage unassisted is another Australian, Jesse Martin, who was 18 when he completed it in 199 9. 6In paragraph 1 the author states that Jessica ___________. Ais the world record holder in solo sailing Bhas started on a risky round-the-world voyage Cplans to spend half a year in the open sea Dlacks the experience for a round-the-world trip According to the text, what happened the day of Jessica’s departure? AA lot of ships followed Jessica’a yacht. BJessica refused to talk to the journalists. CThe weather changed for the worse. DJulie informed the public of Jessica’s voyage. 8All of the following are mentioned in paragraph 3 EXCEPT ___________. AJessica’s parents are sure she has received enough training BJessica’s age has been a major concern for the public CJessica’s yacht has expensive equipment on board DJessica’s vessel has recently been hit in an accident 9Which of the following is TRUE according to paragraph 4? AJessica can get professional advice during her voyage. BThe state’s authorities assist in Jessica’s solo trip. CThe people of Australia are proud of their young heroine. DJessica’s voyage is covered on her parents’ webpage. 10The expression ‘en route’ in line 27 is closest in meaning to ___________ Awhile sailing Bwhile relaxing Cwhile daparting Dwhile training Task 3 Read the texts below. Match choices A-H to 11-16. There are two choices you do not need to use. 1112 Jack of the Wood 95 Patton Ave. A cozy cafe-restaurant. Features the best acoustic music and dancing in the evening. The menu includes international cuisine, vegetarian fare and barbecue. Coffee and cakes in the afternoon from 15. 00-17. 00 Whisky Tavern 81 Broadway St. The best new place to hang out in downtown Ashville. Come by and have national food, good spirits and a fun time. Live jazz every Monday and Tuesday nights. Open nightly year round or for lunch Saturday and Sunday during football season. 1314 Prir Frakkar Specialities: French seafood and Whale meat Open daily for lunch and dinner except Sat/Sun. for dinner only Reservation tel. 552 3939 Baldursgata 14 Welcome to Sjanghe Restaurant At our Chinese restaurant you will find not only fresh seafood and meat but we are also the only restaurant in Iceland with expert chefs from China. Our species are flown in directly from Asia. Wine and locally brewed beer available. We offer you various menus to choose from. 1516 VEGETERIAN A totally vegetarian restaurant specializing in international cuisine that features fresh local produce with mostly organic ingredients. Daily specials, fast food and take out. Tel. 552 2028 Open: 11. 30-21. 00 weekdays 16. 00-21. 00 Sat. /Sun/ HOTEL LOFTLEIDIDIR At our two restaurants we serve the freshest and tastiest veal and lamb you’ll find anywhere. Our chefs’ culinary skills, combined with the finest available ingredients, guarantee you a meal of the highest quality. We also offer an international selection of beers and wines. Open: Mon. -Thur. 9. 30-21. 00Fri. , Sat. , Sun. 10. 00-22. 00Tel. 5050 925 At this restaurant ______. Aoriental food and local beer are served Bthey mainly serve seafood Cunique and delicious meat courses are offered Dyou can make on-line reservations Eyou can enjoy live music twice a week Ftraditional cuisine and music are offered Gyou can eat in or take away Hmeat as well as vegetarian dishes is available Task 4 Read the text below and choose from A-H the one which best fits each space 17-22. There are two choices you do not need to use. Amazon Parrots Amazon parrots are native to the New World. Indeed, (17) ___________ that he brought back to Europe after his first voyage here. There are 27 species of Amazon parrots. Most parrot species are bred successfully in captivity and several types of Amazons are available from breeders and pet stores here in Canada. Prices generally range, depending on the species, from $800 to $1600, (18)____________________________. Amazon parrots are very good at talking and imitating sounds. One test subject, Alex – a parrot, can name about 40 objects, identify seven different colours, and say whether the two objects are same or different; and indisputably, (19) ____________________. Studies put the intelligence of these feathered chatterboxes on the same level as three-year-old humans, dolphins and monkeys. Amazons are actually very similar in personality to monkeys. Parrots are very energetic, playful, social creatures that crave lots of interaction with their human owners. The best pet birds are hand-raised and have bonded early with human companions. More than other parrot species, (20) ________________. They can be, at different times, loud, quiet, stubborn, silly, playfully aggressive of irritable. They will play and fight with their toys for hours on end (21) _________________________. Sometimes, an Amazon may temporarily become quite aggressive. Careless owners have had fingers or ears bitten. You really have to understand your bird’s mood and behaviours (22) ___________________. Amazon parrots are definitely not for all pet owners, they need much more love and attention than most people would expect. Owning an Amazon is very similar to owning a dog with wings. Awith a premium paid for the breeds that are considered to be better â€Å"talkers† Beven rolling over on their backs to juggle a ball or play with some string Cthe research has clearly shown that it is very intelligent and will speak in context Das the trickier aspect of owning an Amazon parrot Eand talking ability will vary from species to species and from bird to bird FChristopher Columbus himself apparently gave the name â€Å"Amazon† to the green. Short winged parrots Gthey also love being around people, and they are particularly good at speaking HAmazons are well known for their strong or often moody characters Task 5 Read the text below. For questions 23-32 choose the correct answer (A, B, C or D). Advertising Whether it is in print or on television, radio, or billboards, advertising profoundly (23) __________ our life. The ads we see, hear, and smell (in the case of open-and-sniff perfume inserts in magazines) (24) _____________ how we feel and what we think about a wide range of products. Companies pay a lot of money to persuade us that their products are the best. Advertising has a long history in North America. As early as the 1600s, ads were used to (25) _____________ English settlers to the Colonies. According to historian Daniel Boorstin, these brochures (26) _______ â€Å"hopeful overstatements, half-truths, and downright lies†¦Ã¢â‚¬  In the 1700s famous (27) ____ were involved in the advertising business, (28) _____ them Benjamin Franklin, who ran ads in his publications. And with the boom in mass-circulation magazines, the advertising became the powerful force it is today. Television arrived in the 1940s and (29) _______ a new, action-packed advertising medium. Creating a good ad isn’t as (30) __________ as it might seem. One key is to find the right spokes person. An effective approach is to have the company president speak. Still another option is to create (31) __________ characters, such as Speedy Alka-Seltzer fellow, or an animated parrot (Gillette). A memorable slogan is helpful as well: â€Å"I can’t (32) _________ I ate the whole thing†; â€Å"Where’s the beef? †; â€Å"You deserve a break today†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 23| A| influences| B| inherits| C| installs| D| introduces| 24| A| accept| B| infect| C| affect| D| protest| 25| A| win| B| attract| C| invade| D| involve| 26| A| contained| B| consisted| C| located| D| contributed| 27| A| numbers| B| members| C| peoples| D| figures| 28| A| along| B| among| C| between| D| through| 9| A| stayed| B| remained| C| created| D| resulted| 30| A| slight| B| easy| C| light| D| heavy| 31| A| undesirable| B| unforgivable| C| uninviting| D| unforgettable| 32| A| suppose| B| consider| C| hope| D| believe| Task 6 Read the text below. For questions 33-42 choose the correct answer (A, B, C or D). Planting the seeds of change The Green Wave projec t aims to help meet the goals of the United Nations Convention (33) ______ Biological Diversity by (34) __________ young people on the importance of biodiversity. In an ambitious program, students from schools all across the world (35) ____________ to mark the International Day for Biodiversity each year by planting a single tree of an inborn of locally important species. On May, 22, (36) ______ student groups will each plant their tree – uniting to send a ‘green wave’ from east to west around the planet. Promoting research and learning about nature, encouraging team-work and partnership across countries and continents, The Green Wave (37) _______ a positive step toward maintaining biodiversity all over the world. 33| A| about| B| on| C| for| D| of| 4| A| educate| B| educated| C| educating| D| educates| 35| A| have been invited| B| have been inviting| C| invite| D| have invited| 36| A| this| B| those| C| that| D| these| 37| A| take| B| is taking| C| taking| D| taken| A Skiing City Break in Austria Postcard-pretty Innsbruck is the ideal destination for everyone who wants (38) ______ a skiing holiday with a city break. The ca pital of the Habsburg Empire in the late middle ages, it has a charming old town with many ornate medieval buildings, together with natural baroque additions, (39) _________ the cathedral. The city is home to a wealth (40) ________________ museums, galleries, bars and restaurants, and (41) ______________ twice played host to the Winter Olympics, so it has plenty of winter-sports facilities, and – just a short train ride out of town – ski tracks to challenge the most (42) _____________ of skiers. 38. Do not write your own name, any dates, addresses or other personal information.

Identify Types of Fir Trees in America

Identify Types of Fir Trees in America True firs are in the genus Abies and there are between 45-55 species of these evergreen conifers worldwide. The trees are found through much of North and Central America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, occurring in higher elevations and mountains over most of the range. The Douglas or Doug fir is also a fir tree but in the genus Pseudotsuga and is only native to western North American forests. All firs are in the pine family called Pinaceae. Firs can be distinguished from other members of the pine family by their needle-like leaves. Identification of the North American Firs Fir needles are typically short and mostly soft with blunt tips. The cones are cylindrical and upright and the shape of a fir is very narrow with rigid, upright, or horizontal branching as opposed to drooping branches on some spruce trees. Unlike a spruce tree, fir needles are attached to twigs mostly in an arrangement that is in two rows. The needles grow outward and curving up from the twig and form a flattish spray. There is also a distinct lack of needles on the bottom side of its twig, unlike spruces that carry needles in a whirl all around the twig. In true firs, the base of each needle is attached to a twig by something that looks like a suction cup. That attachment is much different than spruce needles that are attached with a peg-like petiole. The cones of fir trees are very different when comparing Abies to Pseudotsuga.  The true fir cones are rarely seen up close as they grow toward the top of the tree. They are an elongated oval, disintegrate on the limb (almost never dropping to the ground intact), perch upright, and often ooze resin. Douglas fir cones stay intact and are generally abundant in and under the tree. This unique cone has a three-pointed bract (snake tongue) between each scale. The Common North American Firs Balsam firPacific silver firCalifornia red firNoble fir Christmas tree farm. CaseyHillPhoto / Getty Images Grand firWhite firFraser firDouglas fir More on the True Firs The balsam fir is North Americas northern-most fir, with an extensive range in Canada, and primarily grows in the northeastern United States. Western firs are the Pacific silver fir, California red fir, Noble fir, grand fir, and white fir. Fraser fir is rare in its natural Appalachian range but extensively planted and grown for Christmas trees. Firs have absolutely no insect or decay resistance when exposed to the outside environment. Therefore, the wood is generally recommended for indoor housing use for sheltered support framing and in furniture for cheaper structural construction. So, the wood of most firs is considered unsuitable for general timber and lumber use and is often used as pulp or for the manufacture of interior plywood support and rough timber. This wood left outside cannot be expected to last more than 12 to 18 months, depending on the type of climate it is exposed to. It is commonly referred to by several different names in the timber trade including North American timber, SPF (spruce, pine, fir), and whitewood. Noble fir, Fraser fir, and Balsam fir are very popular Christmas trees, generally considered to be the best trees for this purpose, with aromatic foliage that does not shed many needles on drying out. Many are also very decorative garden trees.

Child Development Theories in Focus Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Child Development Theories in Focus - Essay Example Focus will be on Brofenbrenner’s Ecological Model which links development to the child’s various factors in the environment that influence the child’s experiences, learning and growth. The selected developmental stage to be discussed in this paper is the early childhood stage (age 2-6 years). In order to have a clearer picture of early child development, other theoretical frameworks by Piaget, Erikson, Freud, Maslow, Vygotsky and Bowlby shall also be referred to in conjunction with Brofenbrenner’s model as the theoretical framework of this paper. If applicable, the significance of the theory to early childhood children shall be discussed especially if the theory describes certain developmental stages. Brofenbrenner’s Ecological Model (1979) explains that the behaviour and development of an individual is an interplay of the individual’s biological and personality factors, his environment and the society and culture he was born into. Brofenbren ner also claims that effects of interactions between the individual and his environment are two-directional or characterized by reciprocity. This means that while a child’s development is influenced and moulded by his family, school and peers, he likewise influences and moulds the behaviour of others. The growing child moves through five systems that inter-relate and affect his development, namely, the microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem and chronosystem. The most basic ecological level is the microsystem, where direct contacts between the child and his immediate surroundings result in behaviours such as dependence or independence and cooperation or competition. An example of this is the home base of the child and his relationship with his family. The pure culture of the society the family lives in greatly influences how the family lives and how the child imbibes the culture as he expresses it in his developing personality. The microsystem is usually where the chi ld first develops attachments to his significant others like his parents. John Bowlby’s (1982) Attachment theory posit that attachment provides children with a sense of security, promotes communication and the expression of feelings and becomes a secure base for children to discover their world and eventually learn self-regulation and self-control. It is a devise that contributes to children’s developing sense of self. Research done by Rudolph Schaffer (1977) and Jerome Bruner (1977) yielded the concept of ‘joint involvement episodes’ (JIE’s) which may be related to the quality of attachment a child and his or her mother or significant other has. The researchers observed mothers’ and their babies’ behaviour while focused on a potential learning episode. While jointly involved in play, for instance, they fall into a turn-taking pattern of behaviour and such cooperation teaches the child about the rules of their play within a safe and se cure environment with a familiar adult. This gives him more courage to explore his world knowing he has a safe base to return to. The next level of Brofenbrenner’s Ecological model is the mesosystem, which comprises the linkages and processes that take place between two or more settings with the child in common. A perfect example is how learning in school is supported by follow up lessons in the home. At this level, the child gets to understand associations between people and things.