Teaching Empathy for Others Through Young Adult Literature

Literature can let a reader grow in empathy by learning about a character’s experiences and cultures. Teaching literature with diverse characters to young people can help combat bias and hatred towards people who are perceived as different. This project uses Rudine Sims Bishop’s metaphor of mirrors, windows, and doors, Gloria Ladson Billings’ Culturally Relevant Pedagogy, and Gholdy Muhammad’s Culturally Responsive Pedagogy as foundation for creating activities for diverse literature. These activities are for the texts Ms. Marvel: No Normal, The Poet X, and The Marrow Thieves, all texts that are academically enriching with diverse characters that would be engaging for teenagers. These activities encourage the students to reflect on their own identity and cultures and to learn about and respect others’ cultures

An investigation as to the uses of the topographic map and improvements desired by the general public

The demand for topographic maps from hunters, fishermen, vacationers, professional engineers etc, has been increasing with each passing year. In 1940 people bought some 700,000 copies of topographic maps. In 1946 sales had jumped to well over 2,000,000 copies. Civilian use of these maps by veterans has contributed substantially to the tremendous expansion of demand for maps since World War II. In recent years, the quality of topographic maps has been greatly improved by refinements in methods and by the use of aerial photography in map compilation. This advancement, and an ever-increasing demand from engineers, geologists, and many others for more detailed maps, has resulted in the current practice of issuing new topographic maps covering 7 1/2 minute quadrangle area at a scale of 1:31680 or 1:24000. To meet this ever-increasing demand for topographic maps the United States Geological Survey has set up a twenty year program to complete mapping of the United States and its possessions with modern topographic maps. Of this total area only one-quarter has been completed. This leaves some 2,700,000 square miles with out adequate modern topographic map coverage. In view of this tremendous mapping program a nation wide survey of a representative group of topographic map users was in order. This survey consists of a investigation by questionnaire as to the uses of the topographic map, and improvements desired by the general public. It is an established fact that you can not please all the people all the time, however, the problems which this paper attempts to answer are: 1. Does the topographic map actually meet the requirements of the majority of its users or does it meet the needs of just a few select types? 2. What are the many uses the public has for the topographic map? 3. What improvements, if any, does the general public desire in the present day topographic map. The author feels that if but one minor improvement is made in topographic maps as a result of this survey it will be well worth the time and effort spent in its compilation. Over a period of years even a minor improvement can represent thousands of dollars in savings to the map user --Introduction, pages 1-2

Effects of Recent Developments on the TELCO/CATV Cross-Ownership Prohibitions, The

Because of the players\u27 financial stake and the public\u27s interest in cable television, decisions affecting the cross-ownership restrictions probably will be made in one or more forums. This Comment analyzes the cable television market and the effects of telco entry on the CATV industry. It attempts to aid the various forums in considering the effectiveness and necessity of the laws on this crucial issue. First, however, it is important to understand the origins of the cross-ownership prohibitions, current developments in the forums hearing the arguments, and the status of the cable and telecommunications markets

A Seamless Garment of Eco-Justice: Green Sisters in Kansas

Catholic sisters fuse long-standing, creation-oriented theology, the new story presented by science, and Catholic social justice teachings into a seamless garment of social justice and solid activism. Sisters shaped the landscape of the United States through the creation of a vast network of schools, hospitals, and orphanages. While not as visible as the black-robed nuns of the past, sisters are still at the forefront of social change, standing up for the `least of all people,' and filling the needs of society. As the global ecological crisis worsens, Catholic sisters heed the call to expand social justice to include all of creation. Convents across the country are converting grounds into organic gardens, adopting land ethics, and establishing earth-centered ministries. This thesis will focus particularly on one group of Catholic sisters in small-town Kansas who extend an ethic of non-violence to all of creation and who strive to treat all - including the earth - as "Dear Neighbor." The development of the ecological awareness of these women emerged as a result of complex social movements, dedicated networks, and faith in an ever-changing church. To present the process clearly, I will provide a brief characterization of women religious in the United States, the development of the environmental movement, the activism of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, and finally the environmental activism of the Sisters of St. Joseph at the Nazareth Convent and Academy in Concordia, Kansas. Narrative accounts of the journey toward ecological awareness fill out this idealistic framework into a well-rounded, realistic approach to eco-justice in the Heartland

Characterizing zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) condition, populations, and community effects in Oklahoma habitats

Scope and Method of Study: Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) are one of the most widely recognized aquatic invasive species in North America. Their negative effects on native species, ecosystems, and industry have been widely documented within the scientific literature, yet their ultimate distribution is still widely debated. As Oklahoma was initially considered their southern distributional limits due to warm summer water temperatures, an evaluation of their population characteristics, growth and physiological condition within Oklahoma's reservoirs may provide insight into the potential for infestations further south. This study sought to characterize D. polymorpha density and reproduction in several Oklahoma reservoirs, assess their physiological condition on a seasonal scale, and determine if they have had a negative effect on native mussel communities in the Verdigris River.Findings and Conclusions: An 8-year study at Oologah Lake, OK revealed peak zebra mussel densities near 150,000/m2 within 2 years of discovery, however during 2006 a dieoff associated with 30degreeC water temperatures and flooding events in subsequent years reduced these densities significantly. Native mussel surveys within the Verdigris River suggested there had been no significant decline in richness or abundance of native species since introduction of the zebra mussel, however reductions may still occur in the future particularly if zebra mussel densities remain high for several consecutive years. Similar zebra mussel densities were observed in Sooner Lake, OK, during a 4-year study despite an altered thermal regime in that system. Summer dieoffs of reproductively mature zebra mussels were recorded, however the population was able to recover in each subsequent year driven by young of the year mussels, perhaps better able to tolerate warm summer water temperatures. Multiple condition indices revealed D. polymorpha are in poorest physiological condition during July and August and are in best condition in May and June. Thermal tolerance bioassays indicated zebra mussels in Oklahoma have not developed any enhanced upper thermal tolerance and exhibit similar oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion ratios as compared with mussels from more northern populations