Welcome

Welcome to Room 184In order to provide my students with an opportunity to have their voices heard beyond the four walls of their classrooms and introduce them to another form of communicating, I have created a blog for my students’ work. Room 184 will display some of the work of my juniors and seniors. Because I think a little paranoia is a good thing, especially when dealing with students and the internet, my profile has been left incomplete and only students’ initials will appear on their postings.

Purpose of Room 184

• Provide my students with an opportunity to use technology to communicate their thoughts and ideas
• Provide my students an opportunity to receive feedback from individuals who may or may not be a part of their peer group, a teacher, or a member of their local community
• Encourage my students to put more time and effort into their writing
• Expose my students to the wonderful world of blogging
• Provide my students with an opportunity to brag that their work is on the internet
• Experiment with various Web 2.0 tools
  

Commenting Rules

I encourage you to make comments on any or all of my students’ postings. When you do comment, please follow these few simple rules.

• If you recognize or think you recognize me, the student’s initials or writing, do not use the student’s name.
• All comments must be appropriate in language and tone.
  

Let the Blogging Begin Room 184 - http://room184.blogspot.com/

P.S.: You may want to check out some of my other blogs on education. Teacher Leaders - http://foster-teacherleader.blogspot.com/ Webucation 2.0 - http://webucation20.blogspot.com/~

Student M

Dear Mr. President
I would first like to wish you luck in your term in office, you have a lot of faith from the entire world including myself. I would also like to express my concern with these economic plans of action. I greatly show concern towards these stimulus packages and bailout plans. I understand how they may be used to keep things in balance and buy more time, but I fear they are starting to become abused, driving us further and further into the dark waters of debt. I only ask you take caution with your economic actions, I wish for the best for you Mr. President.


Sincerely yours,

Student M

I am a senior at James Madison High school. I would like to congratulate you on your Historic victory. I voted for McCain but I really hope you do well taking care of our country. Being in scouts has taught me to be ready to defend my country and I have always been ready to do so.

I plan on joining the military after college because I believe it’s every able bodied man’s duty to serve at least one term. But I am concerned about the war in Iraq. What are we fighting for? I do not believe were fight against terrorist or for oil. If we are fighting against terrorist I do not believe we can achieve victory. I like to study military history as a hobby. All through history we have seen guerilla warfare which is a type of war we are fighting in Iraq. My observation in studying military history is that no organized military has ever defeated the military style of guerilla warfare. Guerilla warfare was made so that a smaller military force could stop or slow down organized military. I believe we should change the fighting style of the military. I believe you could utilize the S.W.A.T. team’s around the nation to train the military for urban warfare. You could also use S.W.A.T. to help police the city streets and also train the local police force.

I hope you ponder my ideas and hopefully the war will end sooner rather than later. Again congratulations on your historical victory. I believe you will do the best you can. I believe you have a long tough road ahead of you good luck with your presidency.

Sincerely,

Student A

I am gravely concerned about our current economic crisis in the United States. It saddens me that so many people in the United States are now out of work and that mega corporations that have been around since before I was born are now going out of business. I am also worried that this recession could get even worse than it already is, and that it could even become worse than the Great Depression. I have seen that is extremely hard for former or new workers to find good jobs at all. My older brother has been looking everywhere in Vienna for months to find a new job, but because of the recession there are no jobs he can take. I have seen prices of every conceivable commercial item or service in my town rise with no good end in sight.

I know that there is nothing anyone could do to end this crisis immediately or within a few years, but I dearly hope that you of all people can ease it slightly, Mr. President. I want to see some workers in my community able to keep their jobs, and corporations able to endure for more than a few weeks. I want to see my older brother and others able to find good-paying jobs without having other workers being laid off as a consequence. I want to be able to buy something at the supermarket without having to pay a superfluous amount of money for it.

It would be selfish of me to think that all of my requests would be attainable within a small amount of time, Mr. President. It would also be selfish of my to not to believe that this recession will get worse before it will get better. However I do want to see some kind of improvement of our economy over time. I hope that this recession does not become worse that the Great Depression. I have faith that our economic problems are surmountable and will eventually be overcome. I have faith that life in the United States will become better than ever before. I have faith that you, Mr. President, will be able to help us to overcome this crisis.

Student M

I would first like to take this opportunity to full heartedly congratulate you for your recent induction into the historically rich White House. I am currently a senior at James Madison High school. During your recent campaign I was a very active supporter and volunteer. I would also like to reinstate some ideas on how I would tackle the current economic crisis.
As a high school student I am introduced to multitudes of different people and different situations, and one of those situations is discrimination against homosexuals. In my 18 years I have been privileged enough to grow up in a very tolerant family which has sculpted me into what I believe is a reasonable, logical, and fair young adult. On that note, I have unfortunately witnessed major discrimination and intolerance among adults, teens, and even our own government against the unity of individuals of the same sex. Thought I would not normally concern myself of such government issues I find it a complete disregard for human rights that our government which was founded and conceived on natural rights would go as far as to ban gay marriage. I believe that such opposition stems from both religious objections and ignorance in our society. I am aware that the legislative process for this argument is currently at the state level but I believe that national government should step up and reinforce the theories in which it was created.
I believe that this mass segregation goes beyond individual rights. It is a national issue which effects millions of people. I am not making light of the current economic crisis our world faces but as a nation we must stand together in the immortal words of Abraham Lincoln," A house divided against itself cannot stand." Thought the speech was in context to slavery its wisdom is timeless. Mr. President today the segregation may be different but the outstanding principles are the same. Now I ask you Mr. President will you honor a man that fought for your rights as an American will you honor that age old wisdom? I hope and believe that you will consider the ideals of the many great Americans before you that fought to end segregation however it manifests and end the battle and rebuild that house.

Sincerely,

Student M

Congratulations on winning the election. I am a senior at James Madison High School. I am looking forward to seeing this great country millions call home start to move towards the better path of life over the next four years. In this letter I would like to write you on the issue of immigration.

Over the past few years I have begun to notice that out of all the immigrants I have met, roughly half of them know no more than a few English words. One thing about the immigration issue that just irks me is that there are people that call this country home and do not even spend the time to try and learn English. People always asking me what language I am learning in school, I have taken two years of Spanish and I can read and comprehend other languages such as Romanian and some Turkish. I can understand some of the immigrants do not have the time, but I still think that they should at least know some English upon entering the United States. My proposal is an English literacy test at the border.

This English test would be on grammar, vocabulary, and oratory skills. I am not asking for I gigantic exam upon entering but something like a simple questionnaire. I truly think that a short questionnaire could drastically improve this nation’s literacy rates and stop much of the frustration on the immigration issue. My biggest frustration with this entire issue is there are many younger Americans that can not find a job because there are immigrants in those jobs that know no English what so ever. This is just upsetting to me because people call this the “great” United States of America. Sometimes I am tempted to ask myself, “is it?”


Sincerely,

Student J.

Dear President Obama,
Congratulations on becoming President! How is living in the White House going for your family? You had my vote. I understand that you are a very busy man but I just have some suggestions. I believe we both understand that we (meaning the entire country) have numerous issues that have to be addressed. But the one issue that I am going to address is the environment. Why? Because I have chosen to dedicate my life to saving Mother Nature’s preservation.

As you might know, many forests are being destroyed for the advancement of civilization. Now, I understand that we need lumber and other wood materials and that we are a growing population so I am not saying that we should simply stop cutting down trees. I am suggesting that we expand our use of the “smart wood” method and try and conserve as much wood as possible and try to limit the amount of wood we take down. We should also encourage more people to recycle. Another thing is that we are harming the precious ozone layer with many of our aerosol products and we use so many things that emit carbon dioxide. If we do not do something to control these products, our children and our children’s children may be forced to live in a world where snow almost does not exist and many animals that depend on the snow for their homes (like polar bear’s and penguin’s) will become extinct.

Now, as I am sure no one wants that sort of thing to happen, I have excellent ideas to make sure the ozone is not destroyed without having to make too many adjustments. We can make safer alternatives to aerosol and convince car companies to make more electric cars. Some alternatives for aerosol cans that hold things like bug spray have been invented and are currently in use are pumps and sticks. Another great advantage to electric cars is that people will not have to stop at the gas station so much. There are of course drawbacks to electric cars, one being that they are incapable of going 60 km/h but if we were able to fix that, I am sure we can get more people to drive them and save the ozone layer.

I really hope you consider what I have said and good luck with your job! It is a tough one but I know you are up to it!

Sincerely,

Student M

Dear Mr. President,
I would like to first off congratulate you on being elected. I’m a senior attending James Madison High School. I turned 18 this September, but did not however, manage to vote. I suppose it doesn’t really matter though, since the right man won. I am a teenager, so I like to voice my opinion quite frequently, and now that I have the chance to write you-of all people, I would surely love to voice my opinion to you. I am not too informed on the economic situation, as I am sure you are, but I am aware that we are in recession, and that times are tough. I am however happy to inform you that economically speaking, I personally believe we will be okay. Which isn’t really saying much, considering I’m just an 18 year old, who plays no role in changing this economy. I believe however, that what goes down must come up, and when looking at the stock market there’s not too much up happening. I know it will take time, and an inordinate amount of money, but the stock market will rise again. I also am looking forward to the senate passing the stimulus package, because I believe that will hold great changes for America. Perhaps I’m ignorant, and just hoping for the best, but with all honesty I have much hope for this country, and believe that with you as president, changes will abound.

I for one I am appalled at one certain issue, that I have been wanting to change for a while, and I would like to take it up with you, and that is the prohibition of marijuana. I have heavily researched marijuana, and found that no one human has ever died from the inhalation of marijuana, nor is it possible to overdose on THC. It is however, the number one “drug” that places millions of American teenagers in rehabilitation centers, and or jail. To think of the money we spend sending a teen boy, who was found guilty of possession of marijuana, to jail, we could be using that same money to send that young boy to college, and all of his other friends who are charged with possession, or distribution, sending them to rehab? Marijuana is not an addictive substance, with no withdrawls beyond being tired, and hungry. It is an outrage, that marijuana is illegal and there must be something done. More people die every day frobm alcohol, and cigarettes, then anyone will ever die from marijuana in a million years, and that is because marijuana, does not kill. Why is it illegal then? I believe it is only illegal because our government does not want to tax it. I also believe something that may be far fetched, but that within making marijuana legal we would find a brighter, happier, more relaxed future, not to mention the money our government would make! Thank Mr. President for your time.

Student B

Dear President Obama
I’m in the 12th grade and I go to James Madison High School. Congratulations on winning the election. I hope you have a good first year as president. I think you will be a grate president of the United states. I want to tell about what I think of gay rights. I think they should get marred and adopted baby’s. Gust because gay men like other guys docent mean there bad people. There people out in the world that are far more worst. I know this gay couples that want to get marred but can’t do it because there state doesn’t allow it. They should do anything they want to gust like straight people. Gay’s can adopted baby’s I don’t think the baby’s will turn out gay. That’s all I wanted to say hope you have a grate year President Obama

Student J

Dear Mr. President:
Congratulations on being elected president. I am a 12th grader student at Madison High School. The biggest problem is the economy. I have been hearing about the financial crisis for a while. It would be nice if you can fix this economy. With so many businesses that are in trouble, it is only a matter of time before another business goes bankrupt. I know it is tough right now in dealing with the stimulus bill.

I was really surprised at the astronomical amount of jobless benefits. It seems to be growing each day. In my opinion, unemployment might not stop rising unless. I know that the bill is still out there, but this recession is not bottoming out anytime soon. The foreclosures in various states are skyrocketing. Without any intervention, it will just continue to get worse unless something is done. Although Republicans do not like the stimulus package, something has to be done. Delaying it would make people lose jobs because companies are having profit losses. I heard that Caterpillar Inc. is going to cut 2,110 workers. There might be more than that at this rate. With big companies having no choice but to layoff workers is signaling that the economy is going in a downward spiral.

I know that the stimulus is in debate. However, if we slow down that bill, we are only making the whole thing worse. This economic crisis is not just only in this country. Other countries have trade with us as well. In Iceland, their financial crisis is getting worse. Japan is also facing a crisis as well. We must take the lead in fixing this economy so that it does not get worse for other countries. We can not let Congress inhibit stimulus packages because then it would get worse before another bill gets put on the table. In my opinion, I think it is better to do something now than not do anything at all. The sooner this bill gets signed, the better the chance we can get slowly get out of it. Of course, we will not get out of there instantly, but at least it can start getting us out of this economy.


I am aware of what the bill is supposed to contain. Nevertheless, we can’t let party lines impede what we can do. Presidents back then had the same thing. Even if this stimulus package does not automatically help, it might take a while to get it set. As some economists said, it might not be until 2014 until we finally get out of the mess. If we delay it, it might be longer than that. So I think that you should not let partisan politics get in the way. Although Republicans do not like this bill, we can not wait it for too long. Jobs and education are what keeps this economy going.
Sincerely,

Student K

Dear President Obama:
I am a seven-teen year old African American male in my senior year of James Madison high school, and it makes me feel so great inside that our great country finally has a man of color in the White House. First of all, I would like to tell you congratulations on a great campaign and a great race. I have watched as my mom would go out every weekend to help out with your campaign and I have so many of your stickers, key-chains, newspapers, shirts, hats, you name it, its in my house.

But honestly I am not sure why colleges have to charge graduated high schoolers to attend college. If a child goes through their whole life going to school then why would they randomly need to pay for it. To me it makes no sense. And I really hope that with the U.S. having a black president, I wont be stopped on the streets just for being black.

Racism is a very important topic to me, not because I am racist but because I hate being targeted because I am black. I don’t see why people in this world would put so much effort into hating a race, if anything we should be mad at them for taking us from our homelands anyway. But thankfully, hate is not how your supposed to get things done and you are a perfect example that.

Every picture, every speech, even at your inauguration there is always a smile on your face and it makes me happy to know that such a well rounded some what inspirational man like yourself is the head of the country I am living in. The only thing I expect to accomplish from this letter is that you just read it, that’s all, you don’t have to take anything I am saying into consideration or think about anything thing I am saying if you don’t want to because you’re the president and I am sure you have a lot more important things to do then read all of these letters that I am sure you just keep getting. I really cant wait to see how much you help this country because god knows its time for a change.


So my best wishes to you and your lovely first women and your adorable children, and I hope the size of the White House isn’t getting to you because that place is ridiculous. Well other then the topics I have already talked to you about nothing else really concerns me. I have a roof to live under, I have an ok job and I am looking for a better one, my grades and social life in school are becoming a lot better since you were inaugurated, and everything for the most part is going very smoothly for me.

I would like to know how you are doing in the White House even though I am not really a political person but I am still curious as to what my president is doing. So if you actually do find time to read this letter, if its not to much to ask, I would like to here back from you but if not then I will probably see you on the news tonight. Well I wish you the best and I hope everything goes as smoothly as it is for me.
Sincerely,