A TRULY INTERESTING PIECE OF NONFICTION

The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman

When Germany invaded Poland, Stuka bombers devastated Warsaw—and the city's zoo along with it. With most of their animals dead, zookeepers Jan and Antonina Zabinski began smuggling Jews into empty cages. Another dozen "guests" hid inside the Zabinskis' villa, emerging after dark for dinner, socializing, and, during rare moments of calm, piano concerts. Jan, active in the Polish resistance, kept ammunition buried in the elephant enclosure and stashed explosives in the animal hospital. Meanwhile, Antonina kept her unusual household afloat, caring for both its human and its animal inhabitants—otters, a badger, hyena pups, lynxes.





With her exuberant prose and exquisite sensitivity to the natural world, Diane Ackerman engages us viscerally in the lives of the zoo animals, their keepers, and their hidden visitors. She shows us how Antonina refused to give in to the penetrating fear of discovery, keeping alive an atmosphere of play and innocence even as Europe crumbled around her.(less)

Freedom of Choice

Their are a ton of pros and cons to having freedom. For me well my parents have always let me basically have my freedom under their roof. As long as my choices are reasonable and if I make the wrong choice they step in but I can honestly say the only time they have stepped in on my decision is when I want to go to my friends house and I still have homework so they say no.  But this also opens some opportunities for you if you have never had your freedom. For example say you go off to college you get to choose your classes that you want to take and you can either pick easy classes or classes that are going to get you somewhere .  But then again it can make something's easier and some harder. For instance you can maybe hang out with friends more often so that becomes easier but then you have to manage your time so you can fit I'm study time and homework time. Also it's easier to decide if your going to school that day or not because the teachers don't care if you through your life away . Now the harder part you have to be the one who reminds yourself about homework and waking up on time or leaving a friends at the right time and if you sleep in no body cares so you have to be the  one that motivates your self to do things . Over all I prefer making my own choices. My parents have raised me and my siblings this way and I have learned already so it won't be such a surprise to me when I go off too college. And that's my honest opinion .

NO CHILD LEFT UNTABLETED

Most comments from Mr. Kein and Mr. Rotella reflect the connection  between technology, learning process and the workforce. Mr. Britt describes teachers as facilitators (they just distribute work). Mr. Rotella  states that they are kind of like architects of the environment. Some professionals are shifting to become facilitators of self-learning and self-expression. Many consider the new way of learning or more so teaching a disruptive form yet still like the idea after it was presented to the staff.

Vocabulary List #5

adroit- skillful in the use of hands or mind.
amicable- friendly
averse- having a strong dislike to something
belligerent- hostile or aggressive
benevolent- well meaning and kindly
cursory- not thorough or detailed
duplicity- deceitfulness
extol- praise enthusiastically
feasible- possible to do easily, conveniently
grimace- twisted expression showing pain, disgust or wry amusement.
holocaust- destruction on a mass scale, caused by fire or nuclear war.
impervious- impenetrable
impetus- the force or energy with which a body moves
jeopardy- danger of harm, loss, or failure.
meticulous- showing great attention to detail.
nostalgia- a sentimental longing for the past.
quintessence- the perfect example.
retrogress- to go back to a earlier state, usually a worse one.
scrutinize- examine or inspect closely
tepid- lukewarm

Vocabulary List #4

accede- agree to demand, request, or treaty
The authorities didn't accede to the strikers' demands.
brandish- wave or flourish as a threat or in anger or excitement

comprise- consist of; be made up of
The country comprises twenty states.
deft- neatly skillful and quick in one's movements
The deft piece of footwork was one to be admired.
destitute- without the basic necessities of life
Every charity will care about destitute children.
explicit- stated clearly and in detail, leaving no room for confusion or doubt
The speaker's intentions were not made explicit.
extirpate- root out and destroy completely
The use of every legal measure to extirpate this horrible evil from the land.
inopportune- occurring at an inconvenient or inappropriate time
A storm blew up at an inopportune moment.
ironic- happening in the opposite way to what is expected
It was ironic that now that everyone had plenty of money for food they wouldn't go buy it.
musty- having a stale, moldy, or damp smell
A dark musty library was filled with old books.
officious- assertive of authority in an annoyingly domineering way
A policemen came to move them on, an officious, spiteful man.
ominous- giving the impression that something had or unpleasant is going to happen
There were omnious dark clouds gathering this morning.
pinnacle- the most successful point; the culmination
The man had reached the pinnacle of his career.
premeditated- think out or plan beforehand
The criminal had premeditated the robbery.
rampant- of something unwelcome or unpleasant
Political violence was rampant in the US.
solace- comfort or consolation in a time of distress or sadness
She sought solace in her religion.
stately- having a dignified, unhurried, and grand manner
The man has a tall and stately wife.
supple- bending and moving easily and gracefully; flexible
She has very supple fingers.
suppress- forcibly put an end to
The uprising was savagely suppressed.
venal- showing or motivated by susceptibility or bribery
Why should these venal politicians care how they are related?

Declaration of learning independence

 I Johna Emerick declare that I will put all my effort into my classes to be able to accomplish what I need to attend Fresno State, UcDavis, and  Colorado State. I dedicate my self to the school before my self.

Vocabulary List #3

Accomplice-a person who knowingly helps another in a crime or wrongdoing
The robber had an accomplice to complete the bank robbery successfully.

Annihilate- to utterly destroy
The Twin Towers were annihilated on September 11, 2001.

Arbitrary- based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system:
 We made an arbitrary decision to go out to dinner before the game.

Brazen- shameless or impudent

Catalyst- a person or thing that quickly causes change
The dropping of the bomb was a major catalyst during the war.

Exodus- a going out, a departure
We went on a foreign exodus during the summer.

Facilitate- to make easier or less difficult
 My mom helps facilitate my problems.

Incorrigible-bad beyond correction or reform
The car was incorrigible after the accident.

Latent-present but not visible, hidden, concealed
The spirit around the campus has been latent for too many years.

Militant-vigorously active and aggressive
The employees militantly protested in front of the company.

Morose-gloomily or sullenly ill-humored
They morosely looked at all of the assignments they had to accomplish.

Opaque-not transparent or translucent
 She wouldn't drink the water because it was nearly opaque.  

Paramount-above others in rank or authority, very important
 It is paramount to remember all of these vocabulary words.

Prattle- talk in a foolish or simple-minded way
 I don't like associating with those who prattle.

Rebut- claim or prove that (evidence or an accusation) is false
The reckless driver tried to rebut the ticket he received.

Reprimand-severe reproof or rebuke
My parents will reprimand me if I get caught doing something I shouldn't be doing.

Servitude-slavery or bondage of any kind
 All forms or servitude in America are illegal.

Slapdash-hurriedly and carelessly
It was noticeable that student was very slapdash with his work.

Stagnant- not flowing or running
The riverbed is dry because the river is stagnant.

Succumb-to give way to superior force
 She was trying to lose weight, but she would always succumb to sweets and soda.