How do primary schools meet the emotional, psychological and Essay

How do primary schools meet the emotional, psychological and behavioural needs of pupils - Essay Example In the past, children were just considered as miniature adults and less attention was paid to their development, especially in the field of cognition, language and physical growth. However, the beginning of the 20th century saw growing interest in the field of child development. This enormous interest led to many theories proposed by researchers. It is important to understand these theories to understand child development properly. The child development theories can be classified into psychoanalytic, cognitive, behavioural and social child development theories. The main proponents of psychoanalytic theories are Sigmund Freud and Erik Erikson. Freud described child development as a series of psychosexual stages (Carver, & Scheir, 2000). The first stage is also known as oral stage. In this stage, the primary source of interaction to the infant is through mouth. Thus sucking and rooting reflexes are important and the infant derives pleasure from activities involving oral stimulation lik e tasting and sucking. Even trust and comfort to the infant is derived from oral stimulation. The primary conflict in this stage is weaning. Fixation in this stage leads to problems with eating and drinking and indulging in smoking and nail biting. The second stage is the anal stage. Gratification in this stage is gained by bladder and bowel movements. The major conflict in this stage is toilet training and how this conflict affects the child is dependent on the way parents approach toilet training. Training using rewards and praises leads to positive experiences and serves as a basis for the child to become productive, creative and competent adults. Parents who take a lenient approach to toilet training can lead to anal-expulsive personality wherein the individuals are destructive, messy and wasteful. On the other hand, strict toilet training leads to rigid, stringent, orderly and obsessive personality as the child grows into an adult. The

Flatlands Questions Essay Example for Free

Flatlands Questions Essay 1) Which did you like better the movie or the book, and why? I liked the movie better. I personally did not really like the ending of the book. A. Square got to see the 3rd dimension, something no one except the council knew about. I thought there was going to be a big revelation at the end of the book, but instead he gets thrown into jail and basically forgotten. It was like nothing happened. Not even his grandson found out. 2) Provide 3 major differences between the movie and the book? In the book, all women were lines. However, the women could be squares, hexagons, or even circles. There was a monument given to Flatland that no one was allowed to be around in the movie, but there was no such thing in the book. Also, A. Square actually had people thinking and rebelling against the circles because of his trial in the movie. In the book he was locked up and forgotten. In the book, A. Square’s grandson later said that what he had said about other dimensions foolish, while in the movie, A. Square’s granddaughter went to go find out about the 3rd dimension herself and was thrown into space. 3) What outstanding questions exist from the movie? If there are the 4th, 5th, 6th, etc. dimensions, what would the new direction added be? What kind of important information has a higher authority hid from us commoners? What facts that we definitely consider true are actually false?

AMOREPACIFIC International Business Strategy

AMOREPACIFIC International Business Strategy 1. Introduction 1.1. Industry overview Cosmetics With low-barriers to entry, the competitive business environment of the cosmetics industry requires companies to secure stable sales channels, and make great marketing efforts to differentiate its products. However, the cosmetics industry is closely related to the fashion industry which is constantly changing and offer potential growth opportunities. Consequently, cosmetic products typically have short product life-cycles because which require mass-customization capabilities and production agility. Personal Care On the other hand, personal care products business is a relatively a mature industry. Also with a low-barrier to entry, the domestic market is currently saturated with competition. In addition, the emergence of large-scale discount stores and new sales networks has called for rapidly changing marketing and distribution channels. Consequently, the domestic personal care products industry is focusing on developing niche markets by differentiating its product as offering higher quality and value. 1.2. Overview of AMOREPACIFIC AMOREPACIFIC Corporation (â€Å"AMOREPACIFIC† or â€Å"the Company†) aims to become a global beauty company with its core businesses in cosmetics and personal care and health products. Founded in 1945 as a Pacific Chemical Company, AMOREPACIFIC Corporation has been involved in beauty products. With the corporate vision of â€Å"The World will know us as the ‘Asian Beauty Creator,† AMOREPACIFIC seeks to push the boundaries of traditional beauty with innovative solutions drawn from its rich Asian heritage.The Company also stresses the five values: Openness, Innovation, Proximity, Sincerity, and Challenge to openly communicate with its customers and employees, pursue innovative ideas and new concepts, maintain physically and psychologically close to customers, fulfill obligations to society, and be passionate about overcoming challenges. The Company first began its export sales via OEM and also began to sell cosmetics products under its own brand â€Å"AMORE† in 1964. In 1990, the Company turned to international markets by establishing its first overseas subsidiary in France, followed by establishing its Shanghai and Chartres plants in 2002 and 2004, respectively. In 2010, AMOREPACIFICs sales reached KRW 2 trillion, with operating profit of KRW 340 billion and net earnings of KRW 285 billion. The Company maintains its number one player in the domestic market with a 34.9% cosmetics market share in 2010. In terms of its overseas operations, the Company has enhanced its sales in 2010 by approximately 11% to KRW 335.8 billion. With its strong domestic position, the Company is targeting sales and operating profit growth of 10% in 2011 by creation of growth markets. For each business segment, the Companys Cosmetics Division is focusing on securing competitiveness in the Asian markets through reinforcement of RD activities to provide differentiated products and services. For the personal care products business or â€Å"Mass Cosmetics Sulloc Division,† the Company is intent on strengthening domestic market competency by expansion into high-functional products in major personal care categories. 2. International Business Strategy of AMOREPACIFICs Cosmetic Products AMOREPACIFIC aims to be a Global Top 10 cosmetics company. While tapping on matured and developed markets such as North America and Western Europe, AMOREPACIFIC is more focusing on developing countries such as China and other Southeast Asian countries. To overcome the limitations of the market size and increasing level of competition in the domestic market and accomplish economies of scale through market expansion with its own line of competitive products, AMOREPACIFIC, utilizing its number one position in the domestic market, has been looking to develop overseas market with in its efforts to gain presence and become a successful international player in a very competitive global cosmetics industry environment. While the domestic market has been steadily growing due to an increase in the number of professional business women who have brought about buying power of female customers, developing market conditions for high-function cosmetic products from the middle-class aging population, as well as an increasing demand from men for cosmetics products, AMOREPACIFIC has been facing increasing competition from the domestic competitors and market penetration from global cosmetics companies. Nevertheless, AMOREPACIFIC has potential to be successful in overseas market taking into account following advantageous factors: The quality and diversity of products of AMOREPACIFIC has reached the level to be competitive against global brands in most product lines. Experiences of highly competitive market in Korea enriched the Company with various competitive marketing strategies. Koreas cultural wave has created friendly demands of Korean beauty products among customers, especially in Asian market. Globalization strategy of AMOREPACIFIC is primarily based on a multi-domestic approach where international strategies take on differentiated approaches for each regional market as divergent demands for cosmetics products exist due to different levels of industrial and economic development for each country/region. In addition, benefits from standardization are less significant due to segmented nature of cosmetics market even within the country/region and price functions differently for each customer segment and it is not usually the major factor for determining purchase. Finally, since demand in overseas market for cosmetics are highly divergent and the Company possesses the capability and resources to leverage with to meet those divergent demand, multi domestic strategy would be suitable for AMOREPACIFIC. Based on such multi-domestic strategy, AMOREPACIFICs globalization strategy takes on differentiated approaches for developed and developing countries. For emerging countries, AMOREPACIFIC aims for an early market penetration, while, raising image by focusing on the prestige brand lines in developed markets. Two representative countries of AMOREPACIFIC (France and China) have been analyzed below to evaluate its international strategy in each country contrasting AMOREPACIFICs strategies in each respective country. 2.1. Expansion into the France Market 2.1.1.Market Penetration with Lolita Lempicka France has long been renowned as the capital of cosmetic industry and fashion. AMOREPACIFIC began to penetrate the France Market with the Lolita Lempicka Perfume from 1997. In 1997, the Lolita Lempicka Perfume won all the top awards at the French FIFI Award for best womens fragrance, best mens fragrance, and perfume design. AMOREPACIFIC released Lolita Lempicka L in 2006 and released Si Lolita Lempicka in 2009. With the success in France, Lolita Lempicka products are now available for sale in over 100 countries worldwide 2.1.2.Rationale France is considered one of the biggest markets of cosmetics products and trend leader of fashion and beauty goods and the arena of competition for global cosmetics manufacturing companies. Experiences and reputation in France market can lead to an expansion in developed markets including the U.S. where the AMOREPACIFIC would consider as major market for growth. 2.1.3. Entry Mode Selection Notwithstanding the high risk of failure, AMOREPACIFIC decided to penetrate the France market via direct ownership to establish strategic position as a flagship business in the developed market. With such high level of commitment and resourcing from the headquarters, the Company hired local management with entrepreneurial spirits to experiment with new brand and new strategy. AMOREPACIFIC perceived that its entry mode into the France Market was necessary in order to deploy local talents which would enable expansion into adjacent high-end European markets once strategic position is established. 2.1.4. Marketing and HR Strategy in France Abandoning nationality and company title to overcome the stereotype against Asian cosmetic brands, AMOREPACIFIC teamed up with local marketing agents, manufacturers and vendors. As a newcomer to the market, AMOREPACIFIC differentiated its approach by naming its brand after young local designer to target customers following up-to-date trends of unisex mode and strong fragrance. Also limited direct distribution channels have been utilized for distribution and advertisement is delivered through only high-end fashion magazines targeting customers in their twenties and thirties as well as models and designers. As is important to the cosmetics products to be recognized by word-of-mouth, promotion activities are focused in providing samples to celebrities and influential group of people. Through hiring entrepreneurial local experts in marketing of cosmetics, AMOREPACIFIC could upgrade its marketing expertise in luxury/premium market one notch above. 2.1.5. Evaluation of the International Strategy in France Global Configuration The Companys entrance to the France Market was not driven by cost differences or economies of scale, but it rather served the purpose to make a case for experiments in the leading market. With the successful launch of the Lolita Lempicka brand in France by leveraging the local talent and blinding nationality and company name, other high-end brand can be entered into the market utilizing the distribution channels secured through perfume business. In addition, AMOREPACIFIC may consider introducing other more competitive premium brands in the market through large scale international cosmetics franchise stores such as Sephora. Global Coordination Learning the effects from highly autonomous management of local subsidiaries and transfer of such knowledge to other developed market strategy (e.g., U.S.) is expected to benefit the company through global networking. Although it is inevitable to tap on developed market to notch up brand recognition level, considering the Companys ultimate goal of globalization to expand its market, targeting developed countries would result in limited volume growth at least in the mid-term as we could see from the financial results of France market which was out of red first time in 2010 since its launch in 1997. 2.2. China Market Expansion 2.2.1. China Market Analysis The volume of cosmetics sales in China is still explosive and has high potential to growth (Yearly cosmetics consumption of $13 per person compared to $50 in global average). China Market is well stratified according to product lines which are in line with development stages of different areas (eastern seaside and western inland). They comprise of all four major segmentation including top luxury market, premium market, middle market and mass market. In China, the cosmetics market is not dominated by single or a few major manufacturers yet and accordingly, market penetration is relatively easy. Compared to use of make-up products, the skin care products are dominant in market, and as Koreans have similar skin type as Chinese customers, the Company can hold strong competitive position against the multinational competitors. With increased level of earnings, demand for premium brands is also expected to grow significantly. 2.2.2.Rationale With Korean market being saturated, the high growth potential China market appears to be the next logical choice for AMOREPACIFIC. The Company is able to fully leverage the beneficial impact of Korean cultural wave in China. Although the Company has entered other Asian countries in tandem with China market, the growth and experiences in China market can provide the Company with boosting power to expand further into other Asian countries. Also, the proximity to Korean market and similar cultural background can give the Company competitive edge against other multinational manufacturers. 2.2.3. Entry mode selection The Company entered into China market through direct investment since 2002. The decision to enter into China in a form of direct investment was primarily due to the potential threats other global and local companies possibly gaining foothold in China. The Company needed to stay in competitive position by internalizing technical advantage and products quality while local brands are growing in fast pace. As competition is already intensified in China market, high level of commitment of resources from head office is necessary for sustainable growth in China market. 2.2.4.Marketing and HR strategy in China As the Company owns line-ups of products for all segmented markets, success in one market segmentation can lead to relatively easier launching of other product lines under more competitive conditions. The major product line marketed in China is the Laneige Brand, which is premium brand of AMOREPACIFIC which targets the middle-class. As brand recognition is gained from Laneige through skin-care products, it is considered a good strategic move for AMOREPACIFIC to promote other lines of products under same brand including make-up and products with specific functions including anti-aging and whitening. As Korean wave is huge in China market, AMOREPACIFIC leverages the benefit to its maximum by using famous Korean celebrities as models for its flagship brand (Laneige) and sponsoring Korean television dramas aired in China and concert events. However, As Chinese people are known to be not reliant on advertisement on media and cosmetics products are characterized that information on the products tends to be delivered by word-of-mouth through experiences of family or friends, AMOREPACIFIC set up free booths that provide make-up service, free tutorials and samples. 2.2.5.Evaluation of the International Strategy in China Global Configuration The main drive for entrance into China market is the market expansion. As China market will surely bring larger volume to accomplish economy of scale and its spillover effect to other territories in Asia region will give further boost to AMOREPACIFICs effort in those countries. Although AMOREPACIFIC started with premium brand to make a case in China market, the biggest portion of the market segment is the mass market with vast demands for lower end products. As AMOREPACIFIC has a line-up of products to cope with all those demands, with success from premium brand, it can expand its efforts to market expansion into more casual younger-customer targeted brands. However, in the course of bringing products in other segment, AMOREPACIFIC carefully needs to consider the possibility of casual brands adversely affecting the premium brand image to the customers. In this regard, AMOREPACIFIC may need to deploy differentiated marketing approach, such as blinding the company name not to be recognized as same companys brand and targeted promotion to specific group of customers (younger generation or lower income customers). Also, distribution channels other than department stores should be sought for differentiation. The brand shops that offer variety of brands of cosmetics can be fully utilized. Global Coordination Proximity to Korea can serve as an advantage for effective and efficient coordination with local operation. However, major cities located all over the vast land will bring about new challenges to AMOREPACIFIC which have focused on markets in smaller in size. For this instance, AMOREPACIFIC needs to bring in local expertise in logistics and tries to establish firm distribution channels. During the launches of its first premium brand, the close monitoring and control by head office and local subsidiaries must have been inevitable. However, to expand into other segment (mass market and luxury market), it is necessary, to fine tune its strategy, to leverage the experienced local management by delegating more power for more autonomous operation. 3. Recommendation for New Potential Market Strategy: India Based on the analyses and evaluations of AMOREPACIFCs international business strategy, India may be considered as the next potential target market for its international reach. The recommendations for entry mode and marketing strategies for AMOREPACIFICs entry into India are based on key success factors derived from the following market assessment and SWOT analysis. 3.1. Market Assessment The Indian cosmetics market grew by 9.5% in 2009 to reach a value of $141.6 million. In 2014, the Indian cosmetics market is expected to grow to $198.7 million, which is a 40.3% increase from 2009. Indias Cosmetics market volume: million units, 2005-09(e) Despite the growth of the Indian cosmetics market, the extent of poverty in the country implies that sales would come from only a small consumer base. In this regard, the target market may need to focus on female professionals living in urban areas who are brand-conscious. As seen in the graph below, the cosmetics market in India is already dominated by the top 3 global brands which account for 68% of the total market share. Indias Cosmetics Market Share: % Share by Value, 2009(e) Another interesting observation is the market segmentation of the cosmetics type. As seen in the below chart, lip make-up is the largest segment of the cosmetics market in India, accounting for 51.2% of the total market value Indias Cosmetics Market Segmentation: % share, by value, 2009(e) Also, Indian market has shown significant growth in the whitening products of 20% every year, making up 55% of total cream products. 3.2. SWOT Analysis Based on the above market assessment of India, AMOREPACIFICs SWOT analysis can be performed as follows: Strength AMOREPACIFICs strong management initiatives for globalization would offer a sound strategic decision process. As already proven in earlier efforts for globalization, the Company retains competitiveness of its line of products. In addition, the lack of infrastructure of the India in terms of distribution and sales channels would prove to be favorable for AMOREPACIFIC, since the Company retains a unique sales distribution of direct-sales approach, where salespersons personally visit door-to-door for marketing and sales. Weakness AMOREPACIFICs relatively small presence in a limited number of countries, as well as its weak brand image compared to global players would create challenge for the Company in terms of building its brand. Also, the lack of expertise in cosmetic products for dark complexions could be considered a weakness, considering the Indian population. Opportunities Considering that the cosmetics industry typically has low-barriers to entry, AMOREPACIFIC has opportunities to readily enter into the Indian market. In addition, the market growth potential of India considering its population size and economic growth would offer AMOREPACIFC to enhance its presence in the global market. Threats Considering the different culture and religious background of Indian people, the need for decentralized management could warrant potential management issues with the Headquarters in Korea for potential misalignment in AMOREPACIFICs globalization strategy. 3.3. Entry Mode Recommendation: High Local Responsiveness Approach In case of AMOREPACIFIC, its entry mode to the Indian market should consider the uniqueness of the culture. India has a unique religion and also has a strong history in their stratification system named Indian Cast system. In order to cope with such unique culture and history, AMOREPACIFIC would need to be highly responsive on the local culture. Observations could be made for other instances where attempts to penetrate into India cosmetics market with high degree of localization had been better off succeeding in the India market. Hyundai Motors and LG Electronics are some of examples that were successful cases where localization had been a key success factor in entering the market. On the contrary, Samsung Electronics strategy to seek global efficiency has been enjoying relatively smaller success in India. Considering that AMOREPACIFIC had no prior experience in India, the Company should set up their entry mode as be highly responsive on the local needs. Hiring local managers and staffs who understand the Indian culture would also be very important for the operation of AMOREPACIFIC in India. Joint-venture strategy may also prove to be a viable alternative for AMOREPACIFIC considering its less expertise for customers with darker skin tones. In addition, AMOREPACIFIC may utilize the friendly impression that Hyundai Motors and LG Electronics are making on the minds of Indian people. 3.4. Marketing Strategy Recommendation: Positioning, Distribution Channel Brand positioning and distribution channel would be a very important decision point for entering a market. To be successfully positioned in the India market, AMOREPACIFIC should consider two factors. First, AMOREPACIFIC should position its products to compete with other globally renowned brands to cope with the increasing brand-conscious consumers in India. Second, the Company may need to consider tighter margins to maintain cost competitiveness and capture market share against already established brands. Consequently, AMOREPACIFIC should use a high-end luxury brand strategy distributed in department stores and duty free shops. This would enable AMOREPACIFIC build up a brand image of high-end quality cosmetics. And at the same time, the Company could utilize secondary affordable mass-market brands to meet the average income consumers in India. An interesting distribution channel that AMOREPACIFIC could additionally set up in India is where they had been successful in Korea, which is direct, face-to-face-sales approach. As the transportation in India is underdeveloped, being able to visit consumers directly and provide quality services should be a great opportunity in entering the market. 3.5.Conclusion Since its foundation in 1945, AMOREPACIFIC has been one of the dominant players in the domestic cosmetics industry, with quality product lines ranging from anti-aging solutions and make-up products to personal care products such as shampoos, body cleansers, and toothpastes. With increasingly competitive domestic environment, AMOREPACIFIC has turned its eyes to the global arena. With its vision that â€Å"The World will know us as the ‘Asian Beauty Creator,† AMOREPACIFIC has successfully proven its potential in France with its line of perfume products. Furthermore, AMOREPACIFIC took favorable opportunity of the ‘Korean Wave to sell its products in China considering its cultural similarities and has established a strong brand name. As AMOREPACIFIC has ambitiously declared its goal to become a Global Top 10 cosmetics company, it needs to continuously seek opportunities abroad where it could utilize its core competencies to establish and strengthen its brand image while maintaining a clear focus on the target market and customers.

Current State Laws on Human Cloning :: Argumentative Persuasive Topics

Current State Laws on Human Cloning California Cal. Health & Safety Code,  §Ã‚ §24185 to 24189. Bans efforts to create a human being by utilizing somatic cell nuclear transfer "for the purpose of, or to implant, the resulting product to initiate a pregnancy that could result in the birth of a human being." Ban is to expire January 1, 2003 unless extended by legislature. Louisiana La. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 40  §Ã‚ §1299.36 to 1299.36.6. Forbids any person to "clone or attempt to clone a human being," and forbids a health facility or agency to "allow any individual to clone or attempt to clone a human being in a facility owned or operated by the health facility or agency." "Clone" is defined as in California law, to involve an intent to initiate a pregnancy. However, a separate state law prohibits intentionally destroying a viable fertilized ovum, and requires that "[n]o in vitro fertilized human ovum will be farmed or cultured solely for research purposes or any other purposes." La. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 9,  §Ã‚ § 129, 122. Whether this prohibits use of cloned embryos for research depends on how courts will interpret the phrase "fertilized human ovum." Michigan Mich. Comp. Laws  §Ã‚ §333.16274, 333.16275, 750.430a. Forbids any individual to "engage in or attempt to engage in human cloning," applying civil penalties (up to a $10 million fine) and criminal penalties ($10 million fine and up to ten years in prison). "Human cloning" means "the use of human somatic cell nuclear transfer technology to produce a human embryo."  §333.16274(5). This law clearly forbids creating a cloned human embryo for any purpose, including research. A separate state law also forbids using a live human embryo "for nontherapeutic research if... the research substantially jeopardizes the life or health of the embryo..." Performing such research is a felony.  §Ã‚ §333.2685 (1), 333.2691. Rhode Island R.I. Gen. Laws  §23-16.4-2 to 23-16.4-4. Bans use of somatic cell nuclear transfer "for the purpose of initiating or attempting to initiate a human pregnancy," as well as the creation of "genetically identical human beings" by "dividing a blastocyst, zygote, or embryo." The law seems to ban cloning by nuclear transfer only if done to initiate a pregnancy. However, a separate law prohibits the use of "any live human fetus, whether before or after expulsion from its mother's womb, for scientific, laboratory research, or other kind of experimentation.

Constructivist approach to drama in the classroom

How does constructivist approach underpins what happen In drama? What is Drama? Drama is the act of using the imagination to become someone or something other than yourself. It can be done at any place to any period of time. According to Richard Courtney, a professional in the area of drama in education defines drama as, â€Å"The human process whereby imaginative thought becomes action, drama is based on internal empathy and identification, and leads to external Impersonation†. Courtney believes also that â€Å"life Is a drama. † Humans are always acting and improvising. When e meet someone for the first time, we Improvise our conversation.Life has no script written for us, however, we can use role-play to practice the anticipated situation What is constructivism? The term refers to the idea that learners construct knowledge for themselves; each learner individually (and socially) constructs meaning, as he or she learns. Constructing meaning is learning. The dramatic c onsequences of this view are two fold; we have to focus on the learner in thinking about learning (not on the subject/ lesson to be taught) There is no knowledge Independent of the meaning attributed to experience constructed) by the learner, or community of learners.As quoted by Ben]amyl Frankly, â€Å"Tell me, and I'll forget. Show me, and I may not remember. Involve me, and I'll understand†. This is indeed a fact for students to remember and understand what is taught, when drama is included. Drama is highly regarded as an effective and valuable teaching strategy because of its unique ability to engage reflective, constructivist and active learning in the classroom as well as enhancing oral skills development. Teachers should definitely incorporate drama in here classroom as this motivate the students that we teach and appeal too range of learning styles.Betty Jane Wagner, an Internationally recognized authority on composition Instruction and the educational uses of drama b elieves that â€Å"Drama Is powerful because Its unique balance of thought and feeling makes learning excellent, challenging relevant to real-life concerns, and enjoyable†. As educators, if we are not providing a fun and jobs. Research indicates that using drama in the classroom as a means of teaching helps students learn academically, socially, and developmentally. â€Å"When drama is employed in the classroom.It can reach students who otherwise couldn't be reached, and challenge students who have already grasped the concepts. Drama provides a fun means of learning. It brings the affective back into the classroom, an institute where emotions and learning are categorically divided. Recent brain research by D. O. Webb, university professor of psychology, proves that emotions are linked with learning. When we connect to the concept emotionally, we will have a better understanding of it. When we teach using the arts we are linking prior experiences with new stimuli. Teaching us ing drama brings emotion and learning together.According to Wagner, when drama is used in the classroom to teach it gets students involved and gives them the power to have a key role in their education. â€Å"Through drama, students became a part of the learning process rather than mere observers or inactive receptacles of the rich experience of learning; in this way, their learning becomes more sustained, and infinitely more complex† Drama is a natural, innate form of learning for children. As young as toddlers, children play house and pretend to be doctors, teachers, or some other career, which assassinates them. These children are using drama to practice for or imitate life. Playing is one of the most powerful ways for a child to learn. He looks at the world around him and plays what he sees such as; going to the office, driving a bus, make- believe stores or parties and on and on. Children also tries different ways of acting, assumes various roles and challenges himself w ith all sorts of problems† (Wagner). Dramatic play helps children prepare for life and cope with growing up. It allows children to explore and make sense of the complexities of life without experiencing allure. Since dramatic play is so innate in children, it should be carried on into the classroom.It is something that children are very good at and love to do. Wagner also argue that, â€Å"Children bring with them to the classroom the universal human ability to play, to behave, â€Å"as if† ; many children spontaneously engage in such dramatic play from as young an age as ten months†. It is very natural for a child to use his or her imagination to transform him or herself even as young as infantry. They are experts in the field†. Psychologist, Sigmund Freud ought surely to kook in the child for the first traces of imaginative activity. The child's best loved and most absorbing occupation is play.Children at play behaves like an imaginative writer, in that h e creates a world of his own or, more truly he rearranges the things of his world and orders it in a new way that pleases him better†(Wagner). When children gets the chance to transform themselves their imagination is set free. They are then able to make connections between what they already know and the unknown. This connection helps children learn and have a better understanding of Incorporating drama in the Classroom In using drama in the classroom, the main goal is to teach the core curricular areas using drama.Betty Jane Wagner, states, â€Å"role playing is improvisational, not scripted and memorized to present a performance for an audience. The emphasis is on drama as an intentional teaching strategy to enhance learning in a particular curricular area†. There are many ways in which drama can be integrated into the classroom. Drama can be a way to teach all subject areas, which includes Language arts, social studies, and science are subject areas, and will definit ely foster a higher bevel of understanding with our students â€Å"It is particularly effective in making a historical event come alive for students,† (Wagner).Act out the Dialogue One of the easiest ways to incorporate drama in the classroom is to have students act out the dialogue from their textbooks. Simply pair them up, have them choose roles, then work together to act out the dialogue, figuring out for themselves the â€Å"blocking,† or stage movements. This is effective for a beginning activity of incorporating drama in the classroom. Perform Reader's Theater Another good beginning exercise is to do Reader's Theater. Hand out copies of a short or one-act play, have students choose roles, and then read the play from their seats without acting it out.However, do encourage them to read dramatically, modeling as necessary. Act out the Story If students are reading a short story such as â€Å"The Chaser,† about the man who buys a â€Å"love potion† for his unrequited love, have students act out the story or part of the story, working in groups and assigning roles and determining the blocking. This is particularly effective with short stories, one-scene stories with limited characters. Write the Dialogue for a Scene Watch a brief clip of a movie without the sound on. Have students write the dialogue for it and act it out. Emotion Give students an emotion, such as â€Å"anger† or â€Å"fear†.Have students, either singly or in groups, first act out that emotion then put words to the emotion. Give Voice† to an Inanimate Object What would a stapler say if it could talk? Or an apple? Have students write monologues with inanimate objects as the character. A monologue is a short scene with Just one character talking, either addressing the audience, God, or himself or herself. Psychologists have viewed drama as a way of learning. While studying the growth of humans cognitively, psychologists have found that drama provid es a sound foundation for development. Level Viscosity and Jerome Burner both see cognitive growth as dependent upon interactive play and upon children imagining themselves acting in worlds that are developmentally a bit above their actual physical and intellectual level. Both provide a solid foundation for using drama in the classroom as a way that deepens and enlarges understanding† (Wagner). Drama is a form of â€Å"learning by doing. Dewey a known psychologist spoke on the importance of imagination, and stated that meanings are derived from past participant's use of imagination. The curriculum should integrate the imagination with the cognitive world of the student.Wagner stated that â€Å"John Dew's, ‘learning by doing theory shaped the progressive era in education†. It is also important to know that drama is beneficial because of how much the participants engage with each other. This helps to develop valuable social skills in young children. In order for ch ildren to be able to learn, they have to feel safe and comfortable. The engagement with each other in drama builds trust and strong relationship. Brain Research It is also important to know how humans learn, this will foster our understanding on the importance of drama.Juliann Sexton, who is the co-chair of drama in education conference, explains that recent brain research shows how drama can plays a part in how students lean. Each person learns best a little differently. Some learn best by visualizing, some by audible, and some by kinesthesia. However, not every person falls into one of these categories. I am sure that many people would confess that they member something best by using a combination of all three types of learning. This is why teachers must utilize all methods of teaching in the classroom.Using drama can be of benefit to all types of learning. James R. Lawson, author of the article, â€Å"Brain-Based Learning,† describes the process of how our brain work Xx wh en drama is incorporated. He states that, the brain undergoes an electrochemical process in which information is transferred from one neuron to the next. The brain is made up of billions of these nerve cells called neurons. â€Å"Neuron connections are flexible, webbed, overlapping, and redundant. Internal and external stimuli collaborate in the formation of pathways and patterns of excited neurons.The more frequently pathways or patterns of neurons are used the stronger the pathways and patterns become† (Lawson). It is important that these pathways and patterns become stronger because as they do it becomes more probable that they will be created again. â€Å"Simultaneous excitation of multiple pathways and patterns create growth of new neuron connections, thus increasing the potential of the brain to learn. It is important when teaching to connect the new eternal with student's past experiences because it is this â€Å"simultaneous excitation† that helps us learn.Dra ma is also a means of problem solving. When students work together in drama, they may run into problems where, for example, they do not agree on a solution or action the rest of their group is taking. Wagner states, â€Å"Participants in drama must negotiate their roles. Unless they can agree and cooperate, the game is over†. Like all group work, students must problem solve how they will handle this conflict of interest. This will help students to become life long learners. Most definitely as adults e all face problems in our social lives.Whether problems occur at home, school, or education calls for more group work, so students obtain the crucial skills needed throughout life. It is quite evident that the frontal cortex part of the brain is very much triggered using drama. Conclusion Drama gives educators the opportunity to teach their students in a way, which would create a love for learning. It provides valuable problem solving, social, and creative skills. Drama embraces the child's imagination and emotions, which in many classrooms are shunned. Students will be able to engage in activities and immersed n the roles, which they assume.We are naturally equipped with the ability to use drama in our lives. It can be said that drama is a way of life. Drama activates the whole brain and also engages many different kinds of intelligences. It reaches students who need a challenge, as well as students who are not reached through traditional teaching methods. If educators want to reach their students and teach them in the most effective possible way, then they will integrate drama and the arts into their classroom. The impact that this kind of authentic learning can make on a child is priceless.

Film Review 12 Years a Slave Essay

Based on a true story, 12 Years a Slave depicts the journey of a free black man in the 1840s that is kidnapped and sold into southern slavery. Aside from the captivating story and tremendous acting, the historical accuracy of slavery during this time is gut retching. The director, Steve McQueen, does a remarkable job executing the transition of Solomon Northup’s autobiography into a live action film, but what makes this movie so captivating? What about the film makes the audience establish a new perspective on America’s dark past? The following analysis will provide some insight to the film and the story and explore why this movie will not only leave you in tears, but cause you to have a new found respect for people that endured a life of slavery. Before I jump into the meat of the discussion and share my thoughts it is important to begin with a clear understanding of the film’s story. In the opening scene we are introduced to Solomon Northup as a slave. The film continues with a series of flashbacks between his present slave life and his previous life as a free man. For the sake of clarity I will summarize the film in historical order. Solomon Northup, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, grew up as a freeman in upstate New York. His skills consisted of reading and writing, and he was also a very talented violinist. Solomon was a well-respected man among his community and was just like another other family man. Wife to Anne Hampton and father of two, Margaret and Alonzo; Solomon had the life most slaves would never experience. One day Solomon runs into two men who offer him a job opportunity to which he accepts. He tells his family goodbye and believes he is on the road to his new job. Instead they drug Solomon, and sell him to the slave trade. Confused and shocked, Solomon is thrust into the horrors and cruelty of the slave trade. Claiming he was a freeman was not enough to spare his freedom. From the moment he was captured to the scene where he was sold, the film captures the cruel reality of the slave trade and the treatment of people of color. Aside from his journey the film does a great service to exposing the harsh selling methods showing how families were separated; they were put on  display, nude, for a potential buyer to see. The whole process is quite disgusting. Solomon is purchased by Master Ford of a sugar cane planation. Solomon was highly advised against relieving his knowledge and literacy to the white men, but went against this when he revealed himself to his master. Ford was kind hearted and became fond of Solomon, making Ford’s other white overseers angry. They set out to kill Solomon after a few heated encounters, which lead to a good 2-3 minute scene of Solomon dangling from a noose with his toes scraping touching the ground. Close to death, other slaves go about their day in the background as he struggles to breathe. Master Ford saves Solomon just in time but has to sell him off because he has caused him too much trouble and had to settle his debt. Solomon is sold to Master Epps of a cotton plantation. Here is where Solomon endures the most cruelty and sees how devastating life as a slave truly is. He meets Patsey, a young black woman who is admired by Master Epps. His infatuation with her becomes dangerous when Epps’ wife becomes suspicious. Patsey, not wanting anything to do with Epps, plays along to keep her life. Her rape and whip scene are honestly one of the hardest thing to watch. After years of hell on the plantation, a Canadian contractor is hired to work on the planation. Solomon finds trust in the man and seeks help through him. Not long after the contactor leaves, help finds its way to Solomon in the form of an old friend, Mr. Parker, who proves he is a freedman and rescues Solomon from slavery and returns him home to his family after 12 years. Now with a general idea of the plot we can dive deeper into the material. The reason why this film will strike you different from most is because it is all true. It is a harsh reality that most people in society do not like to face. Most Americans have a preconceived idea about slavery because of intermediate and high school history classes. Yes, we have all heard the lecture that slavery was disgusting and a dark time in America’s history, but no matter how in depth your instructor was no one could prepare you for  physically seeing those disgusting events. The film not only captured the struggle that was this man’s life, but also demonstrated what other slaves suffered through as well. Seeing the treatment of these human beings really rallies you up, makes you really hate the society of that time. Seeing people being treated as dogs, no, worse than dogs, objects, boils my blood. Actually seeing everything take place makes it that much more real. People did not realize that pain and suffering slavery caused in our nation, at least not until this film. The acting portrayed by Chiwetel Ejiofor and Lupita Nyong as Patsey, was outstanding. I truly believed their emotion and character. Ejiofor’s best scene is when he is finally reunited with his family. You can see the buildup of overwhelming relief and happiness in his eyes and face. It was pure emotion. That emotion is what really helps captivate the audience. It gets the viewers to feel along with the characters, establishing a bond between the audience and the character. When you create such a deep bond with your viewers, you create compassion and self-awareness. This provokes those preconceived notions of the ideas of slavery and causes viwers to be more respectful to those who have suffered and for people who are still being oppressed today.