Masterpiece Academy Question & Archive

• Have you grown/changed through this process?  How?  Have you improved your reading/writing/thinking skills?  How?

I have grown so much throughout the two years I took Dr. Preston's Open Source Learning class. They were both different English classes but the same in the way they were taught. The class was taught in such a way that you truly did feel you had a voice. I got the chance to collaborate with my fellow classmates and Dr. Preston and was able to get very far. 

I am very grateful I had the opportunity to have gotten the chance to take the class once again as a senior. The class benefit my future and I a lot. I wasn't a part of a class that was creating a scrapbook and wasting  their time. I was able to get all my goals straight as were others in my class. I'm not going to lie, when I first stepped into this class i panicked. I didn't think i would be able to make it through. In the end i'm proud of all that was accomplished.

During the first semester we were assigned to write a ten page research paper on racism. I learned so much. I realized there's more racism surrounding us than we ever take the time to realize. Everywhere we look, racism is being demonstrated and nobody is doing anything about it. 

I've improved my thinking skills by a lot. Teachers would never allow students to really think for themselves. They never put faith in us. They always assumed we were just teenagers incapable of doing great things. Only if they could see us now. We've all succeeded in one way or another. Some are booking coaches, writers, chefs, music producers, or in my case majoring in the Ag department. We all want to become successful and with the help of Dr. Preston have gotten very far. 

I haven't quite completed my journey yet, but will start working towards it even more during the summer while I am on vacation. Then I will commence school, figure out what exactly I want to do in the Ag department, and hopefully pursue my career after a few years. 

I am very proud of what everyone has achieved in Preston's class. Their masterpieces were one of a kind. We were all able to tell how passionate each student was on their masterpiece. Senior year in this class has been memorable and a lot more was accomplished than expected.

An example of what was seen in the presentations given the last few weeks would be Paige Logan's passion for crafts. She loved being creative. She made a few vintage frames to hold some of her captured senior memories. Elizabeth and Billy collaborated and made a Prezi showing a few clips of them interviewing experts and practicing their coaching skills. Jacob cooked food for the class which was so good! After his internship he was able to get a job at the Far Western Tavern. I could keep going, but you just had to be there and be a part of all the great projects. 

The Ag Life

By:

Alicia Ramirez

&

Johna Emerick

Smart/ Intelligence Notes

*Being bullied/ called names
*Lack of thinking flow
*Never a bad thing to be smart
*Everyone is smart in a different way
*7 different types of intelligence
*Knowledge of facts
*Make the system work for you
*Alfred Binet:where I.Q comes from
    -Don't use to measure intelligence
    -Don't use to compare group of people
*Eugenics: created by Francis Galtin
*Critical thinking
*Collaboration

The Crossroads Between Should and Must Notes

*Medium: channel of communication
*"The medium is the message"
*Media: Buffet of channels
*Medium is single for media
*Pictures help creativity/hand crafted (personal)
    -All that has to do with feedback tone
*Tone: personal ;human
*Appealing to two things:
   -Simple proposition
   -Expected different things as a kid
*"Our job= our career= our calling" (personal touch)
*If MUST is so great, why not choose it?

*Transmitter<--noise, channel (medium), message--> Receiver.

Preview of Coming Attractions

My group and I thought of some ideas we thought would be interesting to include in the final presentations to make them a little more entertaining and keep peoples attention. The following list includes some of our ideas:

• Having bloopers throughout the video to keep peoples attention.
• Provide a draft listing your preparation of your masterpiece.
• Name, or include, a few experts from your masterpiece.
• Explain your progress.
• Overall, make it unique and have FUN!

THE CROSSROADS BETWEEN SHOULD AND MUST

Where am I in relation to the crossroads? Well that is a tough question. I would have to say that I am still stuck in between listing all the pros and cons of each path. Without hesitation on a regular day I would most likely select the 'should' path just because it is always the safest. It is time I learn to take risks and try and explore the path of 'must'. I do not want to look back in life and reminisce all the times filled with disappointment because I was always afraid to try something new.

I must always do what I know is right and not just let it pass by and wait for a second opportunity to pass by. I want to say I see myself headed down the 'must' path because I am doing  anything possible to fulfill my dreams and pursue my career in agribusiness. It is difficult at times because it is once again the time of year when I become very busy with the animals I raise to take to fair, but I try my hardest to stay on track.

Agribusiness Resources

　

http://hdoa.hawaii.gov/agricultural-resources/

　

http://www.ncagr.gov/markets/agribiz/

　

http://www.epa.gov/sectors/sectorinfo/sectorprofiles/agribusiness.html

　

http://www.educationindex.com/ag/

　

http://www.canr.msu.edu/majors/agribusiness_management

Is there an expert in the house?

Dale Hampton from the Hampton Farming Company, Inc. is the expert I've decided to introduce to my blog. He's a great friend of the family and has been great help throughout the years in guidance with what i want to do. The following link shares a little information on him and his company.

• Hampton Farming Company, Inc.

This IS ONLY a test

For my test i thought it would be nice to stick to the basics. Some people may not know to much about agriculture so i thought it'd be a good idea to review the basics and why agriculture is very important. Below are a few examples of basic questions:

• How important is agriculture to farmers?
• How is does a drought affect jobs in the agriculture industry?
• How are crop price correlated with water shortage?
• What is the economic/global affect if there is a crop shortage?

My Vocabulary #2

• Biotechnology: The use of genetically engineered crops in agriculture and DNA manipulation in livestock in order to increase product.
• Capital-intensive agriculture: Form of agriculture that uses mechanical good such as  machinery, tools, vehicles, and facilities to produce large amounts of agricultural goods.
• Chaff: Husks of grain separated from the seed by threshing.
• Commercial Agriculture: Agriculture undertaken primarily to generate products for sale off the farm.
• Crop Rotation: The process of rotating use of different fields from crop to crop each year, to avoid exhausting the soil.
• Desertification: Degradation of land, especially in semiarid areas, primarily because of human actions like excessive crop planting, animal grazing, and tree cutting.
• Extensive Agriculture: An agricultural system characterized by low inputs of labor per unit land area. 
• Green Revolution: Rapid diffusion of new agriculture technology, especially new high-yield seeds and fertilizers. 
• Hull: The outer covering of a seed.
• Intensive Cultivation: Any kind of agricultural activity that involves effective and efficient use of labor on small plots of land to maximize crop yield. 
• Labor-intensive Agriculture: Type of agriculture that requires large levels of manual labor to be successful.
• Luxury Crops: Crops not grown for sustenance to include tea, coffee, cacao, and tobacco.
• Vegetative Planting: Reproduction of plants by direct cloning from existing plants.
• Plantation Agriculture: When cash crops are grown on large estates. 
• Furrow: A long narrow trench made in the ground by a plow, especially for planting seeds or for irrigation.
• Mulch: A material (such as decaying leaves, bark, or compost) spread around or over a plant to enrich or insulate the soil. 
• Metallurgy: The technique of separating metals from their ores.

Vocabulary: Spring List 4

1. Accolade: an award or privilege granted as a special honor or as an acknowledgement of merit.
2. Acerbity: Sharp and forthright
3. Attrition: The action or process of gradually reducing the strength or effectiveness of someone or something through sustained attack or pressure.
4. Bromide: A trite and unoriginal idea or remark typically intended to soothe or placate.
5. Chauvinist: A person displaying aggressive or exaggerated patriotism.
6. Chronic: Persisting for a long time or constantly recurring.
7. Expound: Present and explain (a theory or idea) systematically and in detail.
8. Factionalism: The splitting of a group into factions; conflict between factors.
9. Immaculate: Of a person or their clothes perfectly clean, neat, or tidy.
10. Imprecation: A spoken curse.
11. Ineluctable: Unable to be resisted or avoided; inescapable.
12. Mercurial: Subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind.
13. Palliate: Make less severe or unpleasant without removing the cause.
14. Protocol: The official procedure or system of rules governing affairs of state or diplomatic occasions.
15. Resplendent: Attractive and impressive through being richly colorful or sumptuous.
16. Stigmatize: Describe or regard as worthy of disgrace or great disapproval.
17. Sub Rosa: Happening or done in secret.
18. Vainglory: Inordinate pride in oneself or ones achievements; excessive vanity.
19. Vestige: A trace of something that is disappearing or no longer exists.
20. Volition: The faculty or power of using one's will.

Vocabulary: Spring List 3

1. Apostate: A person who renounces a religious or political belief or principle.
2. Effusive: Expressing feelings of gratitude, pleasure, or approval in an unrestrained or heartfelt manner.
3. Impasse: A situation in which no progress is possible, because of disagreement.
4. Euphoria: A feeling or state of intense excitement and happiness.
5. Lugubrious: Looking or sounding sad and dismal.
6. Bravado: A bold manner or a show of boldness intended to impress or intimidate.
7. Consensus: General agreement.
8. Dichotomy: A division or contrast between two things that are or are represented as being opposed or entirely different.
9. Gothic: Of or in the style of an architecture prevalent in western Europe in the 12th-16th centuries, characterized by pointed arches, rib vaults, and flying buttresses, together with large windows and elaborate tracery.
10. Constrict: Make narrower
11. Punctilio: A fine or pretty point of conduct or procedure.
12. Metamorphosis: Process of transformation from an immature to an adult for two or more distinct phases.
13. Raconteur: A person who tells anecdotes in a skillful and amusing way.
14. Sine qua non: A thing that is absolutely necessary.
15. Quixotic: Exceedingly idealistic.
16. Vendetta: A blood feud in which the family of a murdered person seeks vengeance on the murderer or the murderer's family.
17. Non sequitur: A conclusion or statement that does not logically follow the previous conclusion or statement.
18. Mystique: A fascinating aura of mystery, awe, and power surrounding someone or something.
19. Quagmire: A soft boggy area of land that gives way underfoot.
20. Parlous: Full of danger or uncertainty.

I, Senior Project/ First Draft

Dr. Preston discussed three questions in class with us to strongly consider and provide answers for. The following questions are:

• What do you want know/do?
• How can you use the tools/processes from the Fall?
• What will you need to do so (Awesome/ no regrets) in June?

1. I want to major in Ag. Business
2. I can research Ag. Business and see the many things I can do in the field and if I'm certain I want to pursue that career.
3. I'm not positive in everything I can do but it will include a lot of research and communication with experts to inform me and answer the questions I may have throughout the semester.

Life After...

After I graduate high school, i plan to attend Allan Hancock College for two years. Following that I plan on transferring to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. I really want to major in Ag Business and hope I am able to fulfill my dream. I have been an active member of ASB at Righetti which has helped me quite a bit in being involved and public speaking/ activities.  Outside of school I've been a member of the Los Alamos Jr. Grange and show animals at the Santa Barbara County Fair. Once I graduate high school and am attending college I plan too try and get a part time job that is in the agriculture field. I want to be gaining experience while I am in school studying for a better position. Staying busy and involved while in school is a must because I don't want to slack off and fail. It's my future on the line and I don't want to mess that up. I want to make my family proud and give as much back to them as I can once I've gotten a great job because they've given so much to me.

Profile in Courage

Courage to me means to have the strength to do something you're scared of. Facing your fears! Having courage helps you a lot because you can experience so many awesome things through it. We should all have the courage to be different and not care what others think all the time. It helps people because you won't be so stressed about situations your in throughout your life. Becoming courageous may be harder then it looks, but remember it will all be worth it in the end. You don't have to face your biggest fear all at once, but step by step. Never be afraid!

Vocabulary: Spring list 2

1. Accoutrements: An additional item of dress or equipment.
2. Apogee: The highest pint in the development of something; a climax or culmination.
3. Apropos: Very appropriate to a particular situation.
4. Bicker: Argue about pretty and trivial matters.
5. Coalesce: Come together to form one mass or whole.
6. Contretemps: A minor dispute or disagreement; unexpected and unfortunate occurrence.
7. Convolution: Coil or twist; complex and difficult to follow.
8. Cull: Reduce population by selective slaughter.
9. Disparate: Essentially different in kind; not able to be compared.
10. Dogmatic: Inclined to lay down principles as undeniably true.
11. Licentious: Promiscuous and unprincipled in sexual matters.
12. Mete:Dispense of allot justice, a punishment, or harsh treatment.
13. Noxious: Harmful, poisonous or very unpleasant.
14. Polemic: A strong verbal or written attack on someone or something.
15. Populous: Having a large population; densely populated.
16. Probity: The quality of having strong moral principles; honesty and decency.
17. Repartee: Conversation or speech characterized by quick, witty comments or replies.
18. Supervene: Occur as an interruption or change to an existing situation.
19. Truncate: Ending abruptly as if cut off across the base or tip.
20. Unimpeachable: Not able to be doubted, questioned or criticized; entirely trustworthy. 

Vocab: Spring 1

1. Adumbrate: Report or to represent in outline.
2. Apotheosis: The highest point in the development of something; culmination or climax.
3. Ascetic: A person who dedicates his or her life to a pursuit of contemplative ideals and practices extreme self-denial or self mortification for religious reason.
4. Bauble: A small, showy trinket or decoration.
5. Beguile: Charm or enchant (someone), sometimes in a deceptive way.
6. Burgeon: Begin to grow or increase rapidly; flourish.
7. Complement: A thing that completes or brings to perfection.
8. Contumacious: Stubbornly or willfully disobedient to authority.
9. Curmudgeon: A bad tempered or surly person.
10. Didactic: Intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive.

Hacking My Education

Hacking:

Things have to change this semester. Last semester we focused on how to use all the tools provided on the internet. Why not put all those tools into good use. It's time to make them help me in the long run and not just for the English class.

• Make the blog more personal. Each post should somehow connect with the field I want to major in after high school. This shouldn't just be a blog answering the homework my English teacher assigned me anymore for credit. This should be a blog that helps me in some way to succeed. 
• Be more creative in any opportunity I get with projects/assignments assigned in class this semester.

This semester my classmates and I want to focus on turning this course into something that we want to do, speaking out our ideas and putting what we know to work.

3 Must-Haves:

• Dr. Preston
• Public
• Experts

There's people willing to help us succeed as long as we're willing to look for them. Whenever we have questions we may always start by asking Dr. Preston. If he is unable to answer our question we may always ask the public for their thoughts.

My Vocabulary #1

• Depreciate: to lessen the value.
• Ergonomics: Human engineering
• Soil Analysis: Test of a soil sample to determine nutrient and contaminated content, composition, and other characteristics such as acidity or pH level.
• Soil Biota, Soil Fauna: collective term for all the organisms living within the soil.
• Crop Emergence: Defined as a function of the effective daily temperature sum since sowing date. It is based on the thermal time accumulated between a base temperature and a maximum temperature.
• Furrow: A narrow groove made in the ground, especially by a plow.
• Forage Crops: Plant material (mainly plant leaves and stems) eaten by grazing livestock.
• Calcareous Grassland: (Alkaline Grassland) an ecosystem associated with thin basic soil, such as that on chalk and limestone down-land.
• Agricultural Yield: Refers to both the measure of the yield of a crop per unit are of land cultivation, and the seed generation of the plant itself.
• Farmstead: Term referring to a farm, including its land and buildings.
• Loam: Soil composed of sand, silt, and clay in relatively even proportions.
• Agriculture: The science or practice of farming, including cultivation of the soil for the growing of crops and the rearing of animals to provide food, wool, and other products. 
• Aquaculture: The rearing of aquatic animals or the cultivation of aquatic plants for food.
• Fluctuation: An irregular rising and falling in number or amount; a variation.
• Greenhouse: A glass building in which plants are grown that need protection from cold weather.
• Horticulture: The art or practice of garden cultivation and management.
• Livestock: Farm animals regarding as an asset.
• Agribusiness: Commercial agriculture combined with characterized by integration of different steps in the food-processing industry, usually through ownership by large corporations. 
• Agricultural Origin: Agricultural health.
• Animal Husbandry: An agricultural activity associated with the raising of domesticated animals, such as cattle, horses, sheep, and goats.