Class review: C.I. class 9/12


Hi everyone in C.I. class!  

Last class on 9/12 was amazing; I was very glad to hear everyone's voices.  

In the beginning of the class, we all had the chance to introduce ourselves to each other.  It was nice to learn more about each of you during our introductions. 
Jeff introduced us to an excellent poem, "The Raven," written by Edgar Allan Poe in 1845.  I was so pleased to hear that C.I.class has inspired Jeff to study such a cool poem, and I think he inspired all of us!  

Jeff kindly shared two links with me that I think you all will enjoy; in the first you can hear the poem "The Raven" read by Christopher Walken, and in the second you can see John Astin (dressed like Edgar Allan Poe!) reciting the poem.  Both are excellent performances, and even if you don't understand every word of the poem, you can get a taste for the exciting rhythm of the poem by listening to it. 

If you want to read along with the poem as it's being recited, go to the Poetry Foundation here:http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/178713
Then Jerry, Lydia, and May shared their own first-hand experiences in Oceania, while Julie and Fay shared their research into Oceania-related topics that they are interested in, and Marian shared her thoughts on a few Oceania-related ideas. We all learned a lot from each talk!   
Julie introduced termites and the termite mounds of Australia.  She reminded us that termites have an important job to do in the ecosystem and explained why compass (or magnet) termites build the distinctive and huge mounds that all face the same direction.  Ever since termites ate up some of my favorite books, I've had a bad feeling about them, but Julie's talk helped me look at termites in a new light!  Here are the google images for compass termite mounds in Australia:  https://www.google.com/search?q=termite+mounds+australia&biw=1366&bih=635&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=1eY-UrikG8H5kgXFvIAI&sqi=2&ved=0CCgQsAQ#q=compass+termite+mounds+australia&tbm=isch

Jerry told us the story of a motorcycle accident that occurred during a trip he took on the South Island of New Zealand.  Jerry was impressed with the charity organization the Order of St. John, which quickly arrived on the scene with first responder care, and then moved the victim on a stretcher to a helicopter, and then to a hospital.  St. John is a charity made up of volunteer workers and paid workers, and they didn't charge the Taiwanese accident victim anything for their services. Jerry and the others on the trip were really by the generosity and professionalism of St. John, and so were we.  See the St John website at:  http://www.stjohn.org.nz/

Lydia shared her first-hand experiences on Fraser Island, a World Heritage Site off the eastern coast of Australia and the world's largest sand island, where there are over 100 freshwater lakes, and no restaurants and no asphalt roads.  Lydia introduced some of Fraser Island's famous points, including Lake McKenzie, the dingoes or wild dogs, and the wreck of the ship Maheno.  It sounded like an amazing place, and I was especially intrigued by the dingoes.  Check out the google images of Fraser Island:   https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1366&bih=635&q=fraser+island&oq=fraser+island&gs_l=img.3..0l10.2560.5087.0.5330.13.8.0.5.5.0.160.896.1j7.8.0....0...1ac.

Marian shared her thoughts about some of the maps and videos she saw in preparation for class, and told us about China and continents, and about the jellyfish video.  And she promised us another presentation about another island in Oceania next time!  I liked how Marian felt free to share her thoughts with us, and hope she inspired all of you to feel brave enough to share your thoughts too!  

Fay told us that she dreams of visiting Jellyfish Lake in Pelau one day, and she shared what she's learned about both the jellyfish and the lake they live in on the island of Eil Malk.  We learned that the jellyfish are not poisonous, and that people can swim with them, but they are 90% water, so they are very fragile.  The jellyfish can photosynthesize, so they don't need to catch food!  Here's another, short (42 sec.), and very beautiful video of the golden jellyfish in Jellyfish Lake, Pelau:  http://vimeo.com/71621338   I was really happy to learn more about the amazing creatures in that special place.  

May brought a fairy penguin and kiwi bird to class!  The fairy penguin, found in South Australia, New Zealand, and Chile, is the smallest species of penguin, while the kiwi bird, found only in New Zealand, is as big as a chicken.  May gave us a vivid description of all the fairy penguins lining up to march home after a day at sea, and explained that the babies and parents find each other by scent.  And she gave us the chance to hear the call of the kiwi bird, the official bird of New Zealand.  May's use of props was really fun.  Check out the google images of these birds:  



Thanks to everyone who presented and to everyone who came last time; it was great to have so much participation!  

I can't wait for more presentations this week!  

Your topic can be something you've learned from experience or research or just from thinking... and there are many ways to present!  Find the way that works for you, and let us hear your voice!  :)  

See you all on 9/26 for more about Oceania (including Australia!)!   

Sincerely, Abbie

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