Christmas as a Federal Holiday Essay -- Religion Holidays

The most collectively celebrated holiday of the year is undeniably December 25th, Christmas. Most people acknowledge that the â€Å"Christ† in Christmas is representative of Jesus Christ, Son of God, and for Christians, the day is set aside as a celebration of his birth. Many people in the United States (and world) however, either do not believe in the Christian view of Christmas, have different non-Christian religious beliefs or celebrate for other reasons, if at all. Because of the multi-cultural differences that incorporate our country, Christmas should be declared by Congress as simply a Federal Holiday. This would be achieved if the dominant â€Å"Christ† aspect from â€Å"Christ†-mas was removed by renaming the holiday to The Winter Holiday, which is more inclusive to all cultures. The United States is comprised of a very diverse group of people with different beliefs and celebrations in winter including Hanukkah celebrated by Jews, Ramadan celebrated by Islam’s, Kwanzaa celebrating African culture, Bodhi Day celebrated by Buddhists, Diwali celebrated by Hindu’s, and Christmas celebrated by Christians. Also, there are the secular celebrations of Christmas, those traditions not specifically or overtly religious, celebrated by atheists, many other non-religious people as well as incorporated into most Christian celebrations. According to the Pew Forum, 4.7% of the population is a religion other than Christian and 16.1% claim â€Å"unaffiliated† (U.S. Religious Landscape). Between the 1990’s and 2008, the number of Christians dropped from 86.2% to 76% and the number of non-theists almost doubled in the same time frame (American Religious Identification). In most ways, Christmas is no longer a â€Å"religious† holiday and sh ould reflect all ... ...ous beliefs: peace on earth, goodwill toward all. Works Cited American Religious Identification Survey. N.p., Mar. 2009. Web. 28 Nov. 2010. . Mount, Steve. â€Å"Jefferson’s Wall of Separation Letter.† US Constitution Online. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Nov. 2010. . â€Å"Thomas Jefferson: Life; Liberty: Our Sacred Honor.† Ken Burns American Stories. PBS. KQED, n.p., 28 Oct. 2002. Television. U.S. Religious Landscape Survey. N.p.: n.p., n.d. N. pag. The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. Web. 28 Nov. 2010. . The White House. N.p., 6 Apr. 2009. Web. 30 Nov. 2010. .

Self Reliance Rhetorical Analysis

â€Å"Self-Reliance† is a series of loosely related thoughts and extracts from lectures and journals that Ralph Wald Emerson has written in the past. Through the use of the classical argument, imagery, and many other rhetorical devices, Emerson makes such a convincing case that a person from almost any background would find it difficult to disagree with him. Emerson wrote this essay is to teach a lesson. He argues to the reader to trust themselves and to not conform to the standards of others. Emerson tells his audience, â€Å"Absolve you to yourself, and you shall have the suffrage of the world.This means that you must first have approval and support of yourself, and then you will gain approval of the world. The purpose of this essay, pertaining to any audience, is to show that a person needs to find his own truth, and have confidence or â€Å"self-reliance† in themselves. The author adds pathos to his essay by evoking the personal prejudices and biases of the audienc e. Pathos stands out most in his essay, as it contains a lot of emotional conflicts that we all face at some point or other in our lives. â€Å"Self- Reliance† is sprinkled with memorable sayings known as aphorisms.These are brief statements that express a general principle or truth about life. â€Å"A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of the little minds† is a very popular aphorism Emerson uses in his essay. He adds logos, or reason, to his essay by giving examples of arguments that people face with themselves and others, and rationally explaining how we should deal with these struggles. Emerson adds ethos to his essay by referencing to well known people in history. He states that Luther, Socrates, Galileo, Newton, Pythagoras, Copernicus, andJesus were all great minds that were misunderstood. By referencing to these people, he established credibility, as his audience is most likely familiar with the struggles and triumphs of a few or more of these people in history . Emerson uses a unique style of diction in this essay. He uses words such as â€Å"thyself†, â€Å"bestowed†, and â€Å"arduous†. To us his word choice seems to be very formal. We may even call it archaic, or out dated. But we must keep in mind that he was a 1 9th century writer, and this choice of words was probably ore common at the time he wrote this essay.Emerson uses a multitude of tropes in his essay. For example, he uses the metaphors â€Å"envy is ignorance† and â€Å"imitation is suicide† to explain what every man feels at some point in his life. As stated earlier, Emerson uses multiple aphorisms in this essay. His aphorisms proclaim his radical ideas in clear, concise sentences. His idea about consistency, for example, is distilled into one easy-to-remember aphorism, and is thereby amortized. In his essay, the author also says that, For nonconformity the world whips you with its displeasure. This is personification. What Emerson is tryin g to say is that there is common belief that if you are a nonconformist, meaning you do not follow generally accepted beliefs, then everyone in the world will think badly of you. Emerson does not believe this to be so. Emerson uses symbols and imagery of nature to support his claim of individuality. The â€Å"over soul† is one key element that Emerson illustrates in his essay, meaning that a person should look deep inside his heart and find his own truth.

Working with Exceptional Children

The importance for an Educational Assistance in getting more general information about children with exceptionalities is needed because more schools across Canada are integrating more exceptional children into regular classrooms settings . According to a study that was done and revealed that in the mid 60’s there was about 1000 children with learning disabilities within the public school system, almost 20 years later, the numbers sky rocketed to be around 197,000 these numbers were mentioned in the EADP course. These numbers are still growing and the concept of inclusion was first implemented in the mid 1980’s. Many institutions were shut down and many of the children were either sent back home into their communities and in other cases where this wasn’t an option they were sent into group homes. In the classroom it change to where some student were sent to experience educational integration. The children would have the joy of the experience some of the school structure and activities which includes gym, arts, home economics and other program to suit their needs. With the process of mainstreaming the class sizes are increasing, therefore the teacher’s responsibilities are greater. This impacts educational assistants by having to upgrade their knowledge. The teacher’s responsibilities towards all students is to make them feel safe in the school environment. They are also responsible for planning a curriculum that will meet every students needs, to the child who are considered normal and to the children who are considered exceptional. In the teacher’s curriculum adaptation is needed so each child receives the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to progress in their abilities. With the help of an educational assistant who has received general information about children with exceptionalities the teacher’s work load is alleviated. Knowledge helps the educational assistant effectiveness in interacting with children who are exceptional. The educational assistant will have a better understanding of the teacher’s needs and the needs of children with exceptionalities. There is a broad range of different exceptionalities so the educational assistant need to be flexible and learn how to deal basis. The educational assistant will know how to carry out the program that was adapted for the child without any long explanations from the teacher. The educational assistant, will facilitate the task and give the teacher more time to give one on one time to every individual student. Also knowing how to carry out the program will help to facilitate the integration of the child to the regular classes. The knowledge and importance of knowing how to take proper written documentation will ensure accurate and helpful data on the child progress. It will record on daily a basis which will help the teacher and the team to make adaptations in their intervention plan so that the child will be able to reach their long and short term goals. As a team player the educational assistant will have the knowledge and help play an important role with the teacher in implementing techniques of behaviour management which will increase effectiveness in the classroom. With time, peoples view and acceptance have changed making children with exceptionalities easier to integrate in the classroom . The demands of educational assistant have also changed with time . The task of an educational assistant has become more complex and they are now playing a bigger role and assuming more responsibilities. Having more general knowledge about exceptional children is essential. Well trained educational assistants are a key resource for teachers, children and the whole school system as they all work together as a team for the child.

history of middle america essays

history of middle america essays Central America is a land bridge that connects North America to South America. Today, this area of the world is under major reconstruction. Its recent history is filled with civil wars, military dictatorships, and native uprisings. Though the recent economy has turned toward the better, the history of the economy in Central America has not been a fortunate. Poverty, disease, and discontent were common among the people living in this region. Many of the problems faced by these nations date back to the Spanish Colonization of the area. Before the Spanish arrived, this region contained a civilization with a rich written history, sophisticated agricultural systems, and amazing cities. Civilized society in Central America can be traced back thousands of years to around 2,000 B.C. It is believed that around this time the native people began to plant crops instead of hunting animals. Pottery, which was discovered in the Parita Bay region of Panama, is believed to made around 2,130 B.C. and it reflects some South American cultural influences. After 1,000B.C. organized, sedentary farming communities began to sprout, and communication and commerce developed among them. After 500 B.C. an advanced civilization, the Mayas, emerged in the present-day lands of Guatemala and El Salvador. Kaminaljuyà º was on of the earlier Mayan cities, and was located in the highlands near present-day Guatemala City. Other Mayan cities arose southeastward, towards Nicaragua (a map of Mayan cities is located at the back of the paper). It is clear that the early Mayan people inhabited the higher terrain in Central America because of the suitable climate, but as the civilization grew, the lowland cities became centers for a higher civilization. In the Mayan cities they developed an advanced system of writing, and with their hieroglyphs on stone monuments, they were able to record their history. Many achievements by the Mayan people exceeded those of the same era European...

Tips to Give Your Texts a Perfect Polishing!

Tips to Give Your Texts a Perfect Polishing! Fifteen Great Tips for Proofreading When it comes to proofreading, the fifteen tips below have proven effective in all sorts of discipline from arts subjects through to medicine and science papers. As well as devising your own techniques, why not try these and choose the ones that work well for you? NB:If a tutor or publisher gives specific instructions on proofreading, adhere to them.Be mentally prepared: Proofreading is an art that requires you to be patient, focused, and willing to give a sufficient amount of your time. Make sure, therefore, that you are not distracted, in a hurry, or over-tired. Gather up all the tools you will need: Firstly, this means printing out proofs. Even if you have chosen to or are required to electronically mark a document, work first with a printed version. Mistakes that are sometimes not obvious on screen can often be evident on a paper version. As well as an original or edited copy of the document and their publishers or tutors instructions (e.g. a guide to editing marks), proofreaders usually need spare paper, a ruler, and some colored pens. Look at the bigger picture: Begin by comparing your printed proof to the first or original text, or to an edited copy where applicable. Make sure every element is present. Think about every detail: The next step is proofreading every part of the text, including any illustrations, tables and reference lists. Look for any spelling and/or punctuation errors, as well as any errors in illustrations and tables. Additionally, depending on your instructions, check for errors in notations, symbols, numbers and generally any type of error. Leave nothing to trust or chance: Every word, sentence and paragraph should be read thoroughly and slowly. Nothing should be assumed. Put your ruler beneath each line as you read or cover all text except the sentence you are reading with a piece of paper. Concentrate on small details: Highlight or mark symbols and punctuation marks so that you can concentrate on them. Look for mistakes in smaller words e.g. in articles, conjunctions, and so on. Look hard at illustrations and tables: Are these in the right place and right order? Are there any errors in captions and titles? Is all cross-referenced text accurate? All numbers, scientific symbols and notations should be double-checked: Be extra careful when examining notations and numbers, in both text and tables. Is everything numbered in sequential order and shown correctly on printed proofs? Corrections should be noted with two proofreading marks: Use in-text marks (e.g. carets, lines, and so on) as well as the associated margin marks (e.g., notations or symbols). Thoroughly check that all marks are in the correct place. NB: Refer to a guide or manual on Proofreading Marks if necessary. Margin marks should be separated: A slash mark / should be used for separating marginal marks on the one line. For example, to note similar corrections on one line, a slash should be added for each individual correction (e.g., the word caps and three slashes (/ / /) indicates three instances where capital letters are needed). Instructions should be circled: Place a circle around any margin mark that is an instruction, even short forms e.g. caps for capital letters, ital for italics, and lc for lower case letters. Distinguishing instructions from words that should be entered into a text eliminates confusion. Make sure margin marks correspond correctly: It is essential to work from the left margin to the right, making sure that all margin marks are an exact match with the in-text marks. One proofreading is not sufficient: A lot of mistakes are often found in the second or even third reading. Be clear about what you are looking for each time. For instance, look for spelling mistakes first time, then mistakes in symbols and numbers and next something else. Use different techniques: Use a variety of tips, techniques and methods when proofreading. Read aloud, get another person to read your text aloud, or swap proofreading projects with other people. Look for a method that works well for you. Have frequent rests/breaks: Work out break times in advance, but take a break earlier if you feel tired or start rushing. After one full proofreading, break for longer one day if you can before embarking on the next round.

Reading Response Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 18

Reading Response - Essay Example The reading was also in accordance with some of my thoughts regarding some things I encounter in daily. People seem to assume that those living with disabilities have to be helped with everything and in everything they do. Helping them in their tasks can make them feel fewer humans or useless. As a result, I only offer help when it is necessary or when asked to do so. The reading reinforced my experience with deaf persons. For the few deaf people I have met in life, I hardly make any meaningful communication apart from greetings. Communicating with the deaf is problematic because I lack the knowledge and understanding of the sign language. The information presented about mobility impairment relates well with some things I have encountered in life. When I was young, my neighbor had a son who had impaired legs. The boy could not walk and his time at home. In fact, he never got a chance to move out of their home even when he got ill. His parents restricted him to his wheelchair and always spent his time in the house. When my mother would send me to take cards or other valuables to their home, I ensured that I met the boy and checked how he was doing. His parents, however, did not like people near him. Immediately after greetings, they would tell me that is enough and that Mike did not want disturbance. I would, however, see Mike’s need for friends in his eyes. His parents thought it was their mistake for having Mike. They thought having a child with a disability was a taboo and would be laughed at by the community.

The Open Source Challenge Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The Open Source Challenge - Essay Example American elite intelligent team uses OSINT as among the disciplines to combat security threats both at home and outside the country (FBI, 2014). For military officials to manage perfect air strikes and eliminate terrorism, they must have used intelligent Satellites to determine the terrorists’ locations. The intelligent team must have also used direct information from local residents. There is likelihood that the team used internet to acquire the correct photos and information of the targets. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). (2010). IN Tellingence: Open Source Intelligence. Retrieved September 15, 2014 from https://www.cia.gov/news-information/featured-story-archive/2010-featured-story-archive/open-source-intelligence.html The Federal Bureau of Investigation. (FBI). (2014). Directorate of Intelligence: Intelligence Collection Disciplines (INTs). Retrieved September 15, 2014 from