You can choice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

You can choice - Essay Example Agricultural bio-systems and structures are among the most promising solutions that can be applied on the problem. There is increased need to address the issue of global warming especially considering that global population is increasing by the day. More importantly, urbanization and industrialization is increasing the rate of global warming. Therefore, more focus on measures to control the rate of global warming to ensure that the future ecosystem is sustainable. However, agricultural biosystems seems to be one of the ways in which the issue of global warming can be addressed. By articulating different aspects of agricultural biosystems, it is possible to realize long-term benefits in the efforts of controlling global warming. It is important to consider that global warming has largely been caused by human activities. Therefore, it will take human efforts to reverse the effects and control the present rate. Otherwise, it will be increasingly difficult for the future generations to survive in this world if meaningful efforts are not applied at the

Critical Thinking at Work Essay Example for Free

Critical Thinking at Work Essay The aforementioned â€Å"Rational Model† actually entails following 4 processes including: First of all is to pinpoint or identify the problem; second is to bring into being diverse alternatives/answers to the problem that has just been identified; third is to choose or pick a solution from the second stage or process; and last but not least is to implement the chosen solution before finally assessing it (Decision Making, n. d. ). The description provided will be further understood in the following example taken from my personal experience at the William Smith Sr. Tri-County Early Head Start. Example from My Personal Experience at William Smith Sr. Tri-County Early Head Start Keith A. , a student of the William Smith Sr. Tri-County Early Head Start has often been exhibiting temper tantrums. There are times when he would throw objects at other kids, slap them, lash out at them, etc. He does not seem to know how to calm down. The same thing happened during one of the weekly field trips. All of a sudden, he pushed his seatmate in the bus, yelled at her, and then eventually hit her. Following that incident, a school official seated behind him stood up and sat next to him. I thought she was just going to speak to the child, remind him that what he did was an unacceptable behavior, and oblige him to apologize to his seatmate, etc. But instead of doing so, he held the boy’s hands tightly and angrily told him to behave. When the young boy yelled at the school official, he held Keith’s cheek tightly, said â€Å"you better show some respect young man†. Keith spit at the school official as a response and so he was slapped in return. I did not protect the child. I did not have the courage to tell the school official that he should not treat the young boy that way even if what he did was wrong. Later that day, I was torn between telling the truth and just letting the occurrence pass. I knew in my heart that what the school official did was wrong. It clearly defies the philosophy/vision/mission, as well as, goals of the programs offered in William Smith Sr. Tri-County Early Head Start (William Smith, Sr. , Tri-County Child Development Council, Inc. , n. d. ). I would like to tell the head of the school about what I saw so that the school official who did that to Keith would be subjected to disciplinary action/s and so that such an untoward incident would never happen again because if it did so many students will probably be traumatized if that is how they will be treated if they misbehaved. It is quite difficult on my part to go to the head of the school though and relay what I had just witnessed earlier that day because I am only an ordinary â€Å"rank-and-file employee†. It would be my word as an ordinary employee against the high and mighty school official. It could mean loss of a job on my part. Importance/Benefits of Critical Thinking in the Decision-making Process I utilized the â€Å"Rational Model† here. First, I have identified the problem, which is whether or not to report the untoward incident that I witnessed. Second, I have realized the choices: a) I will tell the head about it to prevent such occurrence in the future; or b) I will just keep it to myself so as to keep my job as well. Third is to pick choice â€Å"a† because it is the right thing to do. Finally, carry it out. Critical thinking played a large role in the decision-making process that I had engaged in since I was able to balance/weigh everything before I moved. Without the â€Å"Rational Model† and without the process of critical thinking, I would not be able to decide objectively and probably arrived at the wrong/unethical decision. References Decision Making. (n. d. ). Retrieved January 17, 2008 from http://72. 14. 253. 104/search? q=cache:ycQOog9jFygJ:www. unf. edu/~gbaker/Man6204/Decision. PDF+decision-making+modelshl=tlct=clnkcd=2gl=phclient=firefox-a William Smith, Sr. , Tri-County Child Development Council, Inc. (n. d. ). About Us. Retrieved January 17, 2008 from http://www. wsstricounty. org/About. html

The Characters of Hamlet and Holden Essay -- compare, contrast, compari

To some, this argument may seem the most blatant form of mistruth, horrendous, even, in its lack of taste, a kind of literary sacrilege, in fact. Surely we have reached the end, one might say, when one can considerer comparing the immortal Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, with the adolescent protagonist of Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye. Salinger’s hero has been compared to many literary figures, from Huckleberry Finn to David Copperfield. So many different attitudes have been taken toward him. Let’s stop talking about him and write something else. Isn’t the subject getting boring? Perhaps so, but Holden will not go away. He continues to pester the mind, and while reading A.C. Bradley’s analysis of Hamlet’s character, it was hard to resist the idea that much of what Bradley was saying about Hamlet applied to Holden as well. Perhaps the comparison is not as absurd as it first appears. Of course, there is no similarity between the events of the play and those of the novel. The fascinating thing while reading Bradley was how perfectly his analysis of Hamlet’s character applied to Holden’s, how deeply, in fact, he was going into Holden’s character as well, revealing, among other things, its potentially tragic nature. After demolishing the theories of other critics, Bradley concluded that the essence of Hamlet’s character is contained in a three-fold analysis of it. First, that rather than being melancholy by temperament, in the usual sense of â€Å"profoundly sad,† he is a person of unusual nervous instability, one liable to extreme and profound alterations of mood, a potential manic-depressive type. Romantic, we might say. Second, this Hamlet is also a person of â€Å"exquisite moral sensibility, â€Å" hypersensitive to goodness, a m... ...dy view holden as symbolizing the plight of the idealist in the modern world. Most importantly, however, it suggests why Holden Caulfied will not go away, he continues to remain so potent an influence on the now aging younger generation that he first spoke to, and why he continues to brand himself anew on the young. In fact, in this age of atrophy, in this thought-tormented, thought-tormenting time in which we live, perhaps it is not going too far to say that, for many of us, at least, our Hamlet is Holden.  Works Cited Bradley, A.C. â€Å"Hamlet.† Shakespearean Tragedy. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1981. 89-174. Sanders, Wlibur, and Howard Jacobson. â€Å"Hamlet’s Sanity.† Shakespeare’s Magnanimity: Four Tragic Heroes, Their Friends and Families. New York: Oxford University Press, 1978. 22-56. Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. New York: Washington Square Press, 1992.

Butler Lumber Company Analysis Essay

Based on the information and corresponding financial statements provided, we concluded that: Bulter Lumber Company has to collect money from outside resources to compensate its funding gap of 383,000 USD. From the perspective of banker, we won’t approve Mr.Butler ‘s loan request From the perspective of firm’s financial advisor, it is better to finance from new shareholders than to borrow from bank. II. Analysis i. Funding gap There are three main reasons why Butler Lumber Company has to finance itself through outside resources. Firstly, It was mentioned in the document that Butler is offered a trade discount by suppliers, which is 2/10 with 30 days span of due. However, Mr. Bulter had never been able to use such a discount because of the shortage of funds. Purchase of Stark’s shares and expansion of current business both contribute to the lack of cash. The inability to take advantage of trade discount directly lead to the increase in COGS and further lower down the company’s profitability despite the fact that sales is increasing (statistics shown in table 10). therefore, it would be a wise choice for Mr. Butler to fully utilize the discount to ease his pressure on liquidity and further lower costs to increase profitability. Secondly, the situation of operating efficiency in Butler Lumber Company is worrisome. As showed in table 6, past three years have seen a rise up in days of accounts receivable, from 36.7 to 40.2 days, indicating that for every one receivable dollar , the company needs 40.2 days to collect from customers. Consequentially, the same increase applies to days of accounts payable which is rising sharply from 37 to 47.9 days. It means that for every payable dollar, the company needs 47.9 days to pay back. This combine contributes to the inefficiency of operating turnover which is of vital importance for a trade company. Therefore, in order to avoid illiquidity resulted from suddenly change of macroeconomic and support company’s continuous growth, Mr. Butler has to increase cash to buffer itself. Thirdly, We also noticed that notes payable should reach a higher level (382,000 USD) if the assumed sales volume (3,600,000 USD)of 1991 is to be achieved. We use statistics of 1990 as basis and calculate the proportion of some accounts to net sales. then we apply these proportion to forecast the income statement and balance sheet for 1991(the calculation process is shown in Table 3 ).since the amount of notes payable in 1990 should be paid back by the end of 1991, so the ending number of note payable in 1991 should be the amount of newly borrowed money from bank .In other words, to realize the sales goal, another 382,000 USD should be financed. Therefore, we disagreed with previously estimated amount of 465,000 USD by Butler and Dodge and we recommend a lower amount of 382,000 USD is enough to sustain the daily operations of the company for the whole year. ii. Prospective from banker Based on the grades of credit, capacity and collateral, we perceive the risks for lending money overwhelm the benefits and decide to veto Butler’s application for the loan. We evaluate Butler Lumber Company’s application for loan through grading the credit, capacity and collateral with three levels: poor, normal, and great. (1) Credit For small businesses, the character of the entrepreneur is very essential. Our customary investigation found out Butler is an energetic man totally dedicated to his business. Barker Company, one of Butler’s large suppliers, reckoned he possesses sound judgment and a willingness to devote into his work and keeps close eye on his own credit. Moreover, there is no evidence evincing Butler involving any delinquent event. Generally, we believe Butler is a reliable business man. However, the financial data of Butler Lumber Company is not that palatable. The company is mired by the debt (table 9). As of 1990, the current liability is 535,000, equivalent to 19.86% of net sale. In fact, leverage ratio is worsening during last three years. The ratio of debt and equity surges from 1.2 in 1988 to 1.68 in 1990. What’s more, the operation efficiency (table 6)still has room to elevate. Average account receivable days are too long. Account payable keeps ascending. To sum up, we give Bu tler a grade of â€Å"Normal†. (2) Capacity With regard to the capacity for repay the loan, we mainly consider the company’s profitability 〠coverage ratios and liquidity ratios In this aspect, the company’s performance is somewhat disappointing (table 10). The net sale reached 2,694,000 dollar in 1990 with a strategy mixed price competition and control of operating expenses and costs. Yet net profit margin experienced a downward trend during last three year. In addition, the liquidity is worsening (table 8). Both the ratio of EBIT/Interest expense and the current ratio slumped from 3.85 to 2.61 and from 1.8 to 1.45 respectively during last three years. Hence, our conclusion is Butler’s company is quite risky deserved a grade of â€Å"Poor†. (3) Collateral Until the end of 1990, the net property of the company is worth approximately 157,000 dollars. Butler held jointly with his wife equity in their house, which had cost 72,000 dollar in 1979, yet was mortgaged for 38000 dollar. These entire assets together amounts 190,000 dollars. If we lend 465,000 dollar to Butler and collect all his asset as collateral, the ratio of loan to value(LTV) is 40.86%, which is unacceptable. Thus, when it comes to collateral, we have to render a â€Å"Poor† to Butler. iii. Prospective from financial advisor As Mr. Butler’s financial advisors, instead of encouraging Mr. Butler to go ahead with debt financing, we recommend that it is more favorable to financing through new shareholders for the following reasons. Firstly, as the analysis showed above, we understand it is not that easy for the company to borrow money from banks. Even we successfully reach the agreement with bankers, we may subject to very severe debenture, which may form obstacles for company’s further development. Secondly, indictors of operating return, such as ROE and ROIC, both show a steady increase during the past three years. ROE increased from 11.48% to 12.64%, a 10% gain. ROIC jumped from 12.90% to 19.01%, an increase of 47.4%. These two ratios indicate that the company has earned on its past investments and it is able to find investment opportunities that are very profitable. These ratios may be attractive to introduce new shareholders. Hence, we suggested that it is better for the company to finance by equity than by debt. Moreover, the joint of new shareholders in the management team can help to improve the management and operation of the company, especially in the aspect of inventory and credit policy. III. Appendix Table 1 – Income Statement Table 2 – Common Size Income Statement Table 3 – Balance Sheet Table 4 – Common Size Balance Sheet Table 5 – Free Cash Flow to Firm Table 6 – Operating Efficiency Table 7 – Operating Returns Table 8 – Liquidity Ratio Table 9 – Leverage Ratio Table 10 – Profitability Ratio

Nursing Theory

Question 1 A). Describe in your own words what you believe nursing is? -Nursing is responsible to look after sick and injured people . It is a duty of care to assess, planned ,help what their needs to keep them healthy ,comfortable and happy. A nurse must have ability to ensure their knowledge , skills ,and experience and confident to ensure their profession. B). Provide an overview of each Nursing Theory. -Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory (Orem) Dorothy Orem’s self care deficit theory, general theory of nursing is one of the host widely used model in nursing today. In 1914,Orem was born in Baltimore ,Maryland. She received her nursing diploma in the early 1930’s from Providence Hospital School of Nursing ,Washington D. C. In addition to earning a BSN Ed. (1939) and MSN Ed. (1945), She has received three honorary doctorates and an Alumni Achievement Award For Nursing Theory in 1980 from Catholic University of America. (Hartweg,1995). In 1978, Orem (citied in Faucett, 2005) connected that the task required in dentification of the domain and boundaries of nursing as a science and an art . After reflecting upon her own nursing experience, Orem says then answer . come to her as a flash of in sight an understanding that the reason why individuals could benefit from anything was the existence of self care limitations. -Interpersonal relations Model (Peplau) In 1952 Hildegard Peplau made an attempt to analyse nursing action using an interpersonal Page1 Theoretical framework. Her theory focuses on the relationship formed by people as they progress through each development stage. She viewed the goal of nursing as developing a relationship between the nurse and client whereby the nurse acts as resource person, counselor, teacher and surrogate. -Complementary-Supplementary model (Henderson) In 1964 Virginia Henderson described the goal of nursing as helping the client to gain independence as rapidly as possible and defined nursing as assisting the individual sick or well ,in the performance of those activities contributing to health, is recovery promoting quality of life or to a peaceful death that the client would perform unaided if he or she had the necessary strength, will or knowledge. Henderson identified 14 basic needs that provide a framework for nursing care. These are breathe normally, eat and drink adequately, eliminate by all avenues of elimination, move and maintain a desirable position, sleep and rest, select suitable clothing, dress, and undress, maintain body temperature within normal range, keep the clean and well groomed, avoid dangers in the environment, communicate with others, workship according to faith, work at something that provides a sense of accomplishment, play or participate in various forms of recreation, learn, discover or satisfy the curiosity that leads to normal development and health. hrough each development stage. She viewed the goal of nursing as developing a relationship between Nursing theory The patient in this case has a condition that puts him at risk for illness and injury. uk/nursing-scientific-management-and-frederick-taylor/">A nursing theory is a conceptualization of some aspects of nursing communicated for the purpose of describing, explaining, predicting and or prescribing nursing care (Jacqueline, 2001). Imogene king’s theory focuses more specifically on the events and the phenomena of the discipline and is specific enough to contribute on a sound basis for achieving an effective behavioral outcome in this case study. Applications of these theories in practice depend on the awareness, understanding and research on their interrelationships (Patricia A Potter, 2005). The American Nurses Association (ANA) is a full-service professional organization representing the nation's entire registered nurse population. The ANA represents the interests of the nation's 2.7 million registered nurses through its 54 constituent state and territorial associations and over 150,000 members. It is dedicated to ensuring that an adequate supply of highly skilled and well-educated nurses is available in USA. ANA is also committed to meeting the needs of nurses as well as health care consumers (http://www.nursingworld.org). Imogene King (Jacqueline, 2001) formulated a goal attainment theory which focuses on three dynamic interacting systems namely, personal, interpersonal and social systems.   According to this theory, a personal relationship occurs between the client and the nurse, and this nurse-client relationship is the vehicle for the delivery of nursing care, which is defined as a dynamic interpersonal process (Jacqueline, 2001).   This theory emphasizes on the fact that the nurse and the client are affected by each other’s behavior and it is duty of the nurse to maintain this interpersonal process. King's Goal Attainment Theory involves a process where the nurse and the patient mutually communicate information, establish goals, and take action to obtain the common goals. This theory is about the interpersonal process where two people, usually strangers come together in a health care organization to obtain their health goals. This goal attainment theory is based on personal and interpersonal systems, which includes interaction, communication, transaction, role, stress, growth and development, time and space. Goal attainment in this model is achieved through a goal-oriented nursing record, which is composed of five major elements namely, a database, a problem list, a goal list, a plan and progress notes. Active participation of the client in the process of goal setting and goal achievement are the major strengths of this model. This model framework is useful for nurses in social interactions with clients. This theory is based on the principle that each individual (client) brings to an interaction a different set of values, ideas, attitudes, perceptions to exchange  and the other person (nurse) receives this information and processes it. Thus, these two individuals mutually identify goals and the means to achieve them. In this interaction process they reach an agreement about how to attain these goals and then set about to realize them (Jacqueline, 2001). According to King’s theory, Patient participation with the elements of communication, expression, interaction with the nurse is the most important factor, which keeps alive the interpersonal process of personal relationship. This brings the nurse and the patient to a common goal and both of them strive to achieve this common goal. This is supported by the strategies, the nurse record of the outcomes and the statistical analysis of the data. CONCLUSION Thus today Nursing is a profession rather than a vocation. Nursing as a profession accounts for its conscientious, knowledgeable and responsible actions.   The profession has extended education avenues, a body of knowledge leading to defined skills, an ability to provide specific service, professional autonomy to make decisions governed by a code of ethics (Patricia A Potter, 2005). The theoretical models have served as frameworks for nursing curriculum and practice by increasing the scientific basis of nursing practice and in USA, ANA has been continuing its efforts to expand the scientific and research base for nursing practice, for the collective bargaining rights and workplace advocacy for all nurses, to gain better compensation and better working conditions for nurses, and to implement new ways in which nursing services can be delivered to respond to current and future demands for cost-effective, quality health care ( http://www.nursingworld.org ).It Strives to shape the future of healthcare through excellence in nursing education using education, science and technology to improve health. REFERENCE Jacqueline, â€Å"The Nurse Theorists-21st century updates†, Nursing science quarterly, Volume 14, 4; 311, 2001. Patricia A Potter, Anne Griffin Perry, Fundamentals of Nursing, 6th edition, Mosby, 2005. Ruth L.E. Murray, Marjorie Baier, ‘King's conceptual framework applied to a transitional living program’, Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, Vol. 32, 1996. http://www.nursingworld.org/about/mission.htm Nursing Theory Question 1 A). Describe in your own words what you believe nursing is? -Nursing is responsible to look after sick and injured people . It is a duty of care to assess, planned ,help what their needs to keep them healthy ,comfortable and happy. A nurse must have ability to ensure their knowledge , skills ,and experience and confident to ensure their profession. B). Provide an overview of each Nursing Theory. -Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory (Orem) Dorothy Orem’s self care deficit theory, general theory of nursing is one of the host widely used model in nursing today. In 1914,Orem was born in Baltimore ,Maryland. She received her nursing diploma in the early 1930’s from Providence Hospital School of Nursing ,Washington D. C. In addition to earning a BSN Ed. (1939) and MSN Ed. (1945), She has received three honorary doctorates and an Alumni Achievement Award For Nursing Theory in 1980 from Catholic University of America. (Hartweg,1995). In 1978, Orem (citied in Faucett, 2005) connected that the task required in dentification of the domain and boundaries of nursing as a science and an art . After reflecting upon her own nursing experience, Orem says then answer . come to her as a flash of in sight an understanding that the reason why individuals could benefit from anything was the existence of self care limitations. -Interpersonal relations Model (Peplau) In 1952 Hildegard Peplau made an attempt to analyse nursing action using an interpersonal Page1 Theoretical framework. Her theory focuses on the relationship formed by people as they progress through each development stage. She viewed the goal of nursing as developing a relationship between the nurse and client whereby the nurse acts as resource person, counselor, teacher and surrogate. -Complementary-Supplementary model (Henderson) In 1964 Virginia Henderson described the goal of nursing as helping the client to gain independence as rapidly as possible and defined nursing as assisting the individual sick or well ,in the performance of those activities contributing to health, is recovery promoting quality of life or to a peaceful death that the client would perform unaided if he or she had the necessary strength, will or knowledge. Henderson identified 14 basic needs that provide a framework for nursing care. These are breathe normally, eat and drink adequately, eliminate by all avenues of elimination, move and maintain a desirable position, sleep and rest, select suitable clothing, dress, and undress, maintain body temperature within normal range, keep the clean and well groomed, avoid dangers in the environment, communicate with others, workship according to faith, work at something that provides a sense of accomplishment, play or participate in various forms of recreation, learn, discover or satisfy the curiosity that leads to normal development and health. hrough each development stage. She viewed the goal of nursing as developing a relationship between Nursing Theory Question 1 A). Describe in your own words what you believe nursing is? -Nursing is responsible to look after sick and injured people . It is a duty of care to assess, planned ,help what their needs to keep them healthy ,comfortable and happy. A nurse must have ability to ensure their knowledge , skills ,and experience and confident to ensure their profession. B). Provide an overview of each Nursing Theory. -Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory (Orem) Dorothy Orem’s self care deficit theory, general theory of nursing is one of the host widely used model in nursing today. In 1914,Orem was born in Baltimore ,Maryland. She received her nursing diploma in the early 1930’s from Providence Hospital School of Nursing ,Washington D. C. In addition to earning a BSN Ed. (1939) and MSN Ed. (1945), She has received three honorary doctorates and an Alumni Achievement Award For Nursing Theory in 1980 from Catholic University of America. (Hartweg,1995). In 1978, Orem (citied in Faucett, 2005) connected that the task required in dentification of the domain and boundaries of nursing as a science and an art . After reflecting upon her own nursing experience, Orem says then answer . come to her as a flash of in sight an understanding that the reason why individuals could benefit from anything was the existence of self care limitations. -Interpersonal relations Model (Peplau) In 1952 Hildegard Peplau made an attempt to analyse nursing action using an interpersonal Page1 Theoretical framework. Her theory focuses on the relationship formed by people as they progress through each development stage. She viewed the goal of nursing as developing a relationship between the nurse and client whereby the nurse acts as resource person, counselor, teacher and surrogate. -Complementary-Supplementary model (Henderson) In 1964 Virginia Henderson described the goal of nursing as helping the client to gain independence as rapidly as possible and defined nursing as assisting the individual sick or well ,in the performance of those activities contributing to health, is recovery promoting quality of life or to a peaceful death that the client would perform unaided if he or she had the necessary strength, will or knowledge. Henderson identified 14 basic needs that provide a framework for nursing care. These are breathe normally, eat and drink adequately, eliminate by all avenues of elimination, move and maintain a desirable position, sleep and rest, select suitable clothing, dress, and undress, maintain body temperature within normal range, keep the clean and well groomed, avoid dangers in the environment, communicate with others, workship according to faith, work at something that provides a sense of accomplishment, play or participate in various forms of recreation, learn, discover or satisfy the curiosity that leads to normal development and health. hrough each development stage. She viewed the goal of nursing as developing a relationship between

Harry Potter Controversy About Banning the Books

Harry Potter Controversy About Banning the Books The Harry Potter controversy has gone on, in one form or another, for years, particularly before the series ended. On one side of the Harry Potter controversy are those who say that J.K. Rowlings Harry Potter books are wonderful fantasy novels with powerful messages for kids and the ability to make even reluctant readers eager readers. On the opposing end are those who say that the Harry Potter books are evil books designed to promote an interest in the occult, since Harry Potter, the hero of the series, is a wizard. In a number of states, there have been attempts, some successful and some unsuccessful, to have the Harry Potter books banned in classrooms, and banned or under severe restrictions in school libraries. For example, in Gwinnett County, Georgia, a parent challenged the Harry Potter books on the grounds that they promoted witchcraft. When school officials ruled against her, she went to the State Board of Education. When the BOE confirmed the right of local school officials to make such decisions, she took her battle against the books to court. Although the judge ruled against her, she indicated she might continue her fight against the series. As a result of all the attempts to ban the Harry Potter books, those in favor of the series also began speaking out. kidSPEAK Speaks Out American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, the Association of American Publishers, the Association of Booksellers for Children, the Childrens Book Council, the Freedom to Read Foundation, the National Coalition Against Censorship, the National Council of Teachers of English, the PEN American Center, and the People for the American Way Foundation. What do these groups have in common? They were all sponsors of kidSPEAK!, which was initially called Muggles for Harry Potter (because in the Harry Potter series, a Muggle is a non-magical person). The organization was dedicated to helping kids with their First Amendment rights. The group was most active in the early 2000s when the Harry Potter controversy was at its height. Challenges and Support for the Harry Potter Series There have been challenges in more than a dozen states.  The Harry Potter books were number seven on the American Library Associations list of the 100 most frequently challenged books of 1990-2000, and they were number one on the ALAs Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009. The End of the Series Generates New Views With the publication of the seventh and final book in the series, some people began to look back over the entire series and wonder if it might not be a Christian allegory. In his three-part article, Harry Potter: Christian Allegory or Occultist Children’s Books?  reviewer Aaron Mead suggests that Christian parents should enjoy the Harry Potter stories but focus on their theological symbolism and message. Whether or not you share the view that it is wrong to censor the Harry Potter books, they have value by giving parents and teachers the opportunity offered by the series to increase their childrens interest in reading and writing and use the books to promote family discussions about issues that might otherwise not be discussed. Reading all the books in the series will allow you to make an informed decision about the Harry Potter books for your children. Participate in Banned Books Week activities, educate yourself about your communitys and school districts policies, and speak out as needed. More About Book Banning and Censorship All About Book Banning and Childrens BooksKids Book Censorship: The Who and WhyFrequently Challenged Books of the 21st Century

Introduction to New England Colonial Architecture

Introduction to New England Colonial Architecture When the British landed on the shores of the New World, they not only brought place names from England (e.g., Portsmouth, Salisbury, Manchester), but the colonists also carried the knowledge of building traditions and architectural styles. The religious separatists we call Pilgrims arrived in 1620, quickly followed by a group of Puritans in 1630, who settled in what became the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Using whatever materials they could find, the immigrants constructed timber-framed houses with steep roofs. Other settlers from Great Britain spread throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, building rustic dwellings like the ones they had known in their homeland. They colonized land that became New England. The earliest dwellings were likely hastily-constructed sheds and cabins - the recreation of the Plymouth Colony shows us this. Then, shoring up against the cold New England winters, colonists built single-story Cape Cod houses with massive chimneys placed at the center. As families grew, some colonists built larger two-story homes, still to be seen in communities like  Strawbery Banke on the New Hampshire coast. Colonists expanded their living space and protected their property with sloping saltbox roof additions, named after the shape of boxes used to store salt. The Daggett Farmhouse, built in Connecticut around 1750, is a good example of the saltbox roof style. Wood was plentiful in the northeastern forests of the New World. The English people who colonized New England grew up with architecture from late medieval and Elizabethan England. The British colonists were not far removed from the reign of Queen Elizabeth I and medieval timber-framed houses, and they continued these building practices through the 1600s and well into the 1700s. The 1683 Parson Capen House in Topsfield, Massachusetts is a good example of Elizabethan architecture in New England. Since these simple homes were made of wood, many burned down. Only a few have survived intact, and fewer still have not been remodeled and expanded. New England Colonial Types Styles Architecture in Colonial New England went through many phases and can be known by various names. The style is sometimes called post-medieval, late medieval, or first period English. A New England Colonial home with a sloping, shed-like roof is often called a Saltbox Colonial. The term Garrison Colonial describes a New England Colonial home with a second story that juts out over the lower level. The historic 1720 Stanley-Whitman House in Farmington, Connecticut is described as a post-medieval style, because of its second-story overhang, but a later lean-to addition transformed the  Garrison Colonial into one with a saltbox-style roof. It did not take long for colonial styles of architecture to combine to form new designs. Modern Colonials Builders often imitate historic styles. You may have heard words like New England Colonial, Garrison Colonial, or Saltbox Colonial used to describe modern-day homes. Technically, a house built after the American Revolution - after communities were no longer colonies of England - is not colonial. More correctly, these homes of the 19th and 20th centuries are Colonial Revival or Neocolonial. Northern versus Southern Colonial Houses Early New England colonial houses were usually located mostly along the shores of Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Remember that Vermont and Maine were not part of the 13 original colonies, although much of the architecture is similar, modified by French influences from the north. Northern colonial homes were wood framed construction, usually the plentiful white pine, with clapboard or shingle siding. Early homes were one story, but as more family arrived from Britain these starter homes became two-stories, often with steep roofs, narrow eaves, and side gables. A large, center fireplace and chimney would heat upstairs and downstairs. Some homes added the luxury of saltbox-shaped lean-to additions, used to keep wood and supplies dry. New England architecture was inspired by the beliefs of the inhabitants, and the Puritans tolerated little exterior ornamentation. The most decorative were the post-medieval styles, where the second story slightly protruded ove r the lower floor and the small casement windows would have diamond-shaped panes. This was the extent of decorative design. Beginning with the Jamestown Colony in 1607, New England, Middle, and Southern Colonies were established up and down the eastern coastline of what would become the United States. Settlers in southern regions such as Pennsylvania, Georgia, Maryland, the Carolinas, and Virginia also constructed uncomplicated, rectangular homes. However, a Southern Colonial home is often made with brick. Clay was plentiful in many southern regions, which made brick a natural building material for southern colonial homes. Also, homes in the southern colonies often had two chimneys - one on each side - instead of a single massive chimney in the center. Tour New England Colonial Homesteads The New England Colonial home of Rebecca Nurse was built in the 17th century, making this giant red house a true Colonial. Rebecca, her husband, and her children moved here to  Danvers, Massachusetts around 1678. With two rooms on the first floor and two rooms on the second, a large chimney runs through the center of the main house. A kitchen lean-to addition with its own chimney was built in about 1720. Another addition was constructed in 1850. The Rebecca Nurse house has its original floors, walls, and beams. However, like most homes from this period, the house has been extensively restored. The lead restoration architect was Joseph Everett Chandler, who also oversaw the historic restorations at the Paul Revere House in Boston and the House of Seven Gables in Salem. Rebecca West is an interesting figure in American history for being a victim of the Salem Witch Trials- in 1692 she was accused, tried, and executed for practicing witchcraft. Like many historic homes throughout New England, the Rebecca Nurse Homestead is open to the public for tours. Many of New Englands finest colonial homes are open to the public. The Hoxie House in Sandwich, Massachusetts was built in 1675 and is said to be the oldest house still standing on Cape Cod. The Jethro Coffin House, built in 1686, is the oldest house on Nantucket.  The home of author Louisa May Alcott, Orchard House in Concord, Massachusetts, is a good example of farmhouses built between 1690 and 1720. The town of Salem, Massachusetts is a museum itself, with the House of Seven Gables (1668) and the Jonathan Corwin House (1642), also known as the Witch House, being two popular tourist attractions.  A Boston home built in 1680 and once owned by American patriot Paul Revere is a popular post-medieval style to view. Lastly, Plimoth Plantation is the Disney-equivalent of 17th century New England living, as the visitor can experience an entire village of the primitive huts that started it all. Once you get a taste of Colonial American house styles, youll know some of what has made Ame rica strong. COPYRIGHT: The articles you see on these pages are copyrighted. You may link to them, but do not copy them in a blog, web page, or print publication without permission. Sources Architecture of New England and the Southern Colonies by Valerie Ann Polino, http://teachersinstitute.yale.edu/curriculum/units/1978/4/78.04.03.x.html [accessed July 27, 2017]English Colonial Domestic Architecture of New England by Christine G. H. Franck, https://christinefranck.wordpress.com/2011/05/13/english-colonial-domestic-architecture-of-new-england/ [accessed July 27, 2017]Architectural Style Guide, Historic New England, https://www.historicnewengland.org/preservation/for-homeowners-communities/your-old-or-historic-home/architectural-style-guide/#first-period-post-medieval [accessed July 27, 2017]Virginia and Lee McAlester. A Field Guide to American Houses, 1984Lester Walker. American Shelter: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Home, 1998John Milnes Baker, AIA. American House Styles: A Concise Guide, Norton, 1994Architectural Style Guide, Boston Preservation Alliance, bostonpreservation.org/advocacy/architectural-style-guide.html [accessed July 27, 2017]