Using Visible Thinking Routines to Teach about the Impact of Colonialism on Race Within the Language Arts Classroom

Particularly within Language Arts, the curriculum has historically been based around the classics of Literature, which are heavily dominated by wealthy white men. Finding suitable materials to teach from, whilst still providing the background knowledge of the traditional canon, is a challenge to effective teaching about diversity. I am aware that I come from a culture of whiteness, and this makes me wary of my own biases when teaching about cultural diversity. When approaching this topic I have drawn upon a variety of resources, and this paper will use a mixture of academic research, teaching materials, and self study to describe how I have used visible thinking routines to teach about racial diversity within my school

Influence of Diet and Genetic Strain on Desirable Flavors in Farm-Raised Catfish.

This farm-raised catfish quality study measured desirable flavor attributes, Chickeny, Nutty, Fat Complex, Corn, Sweet, with the objective to determine effects of feed ingredients, time-on-diet and genetic strain. Overall flavor impact differences were tested by triangle tests. The diets were Casein-base reference feed by itself or partially substituted with: 10% catfish meal, 10% meat and bone meal, 10% rice bran, or 3% menhaden oil and commercial feed formulation. Fish were grown indoors to minimize environmental flavors for 70, 160, 210 and 318 days. The genetic strains evaluated were channel, albino channel, blue, hybrid channel x blue, and black bullhead catfish. These fish were stocked and fed commercial fingerling feed for no less than 14 days. Blended individual fish samples were prepared for trained descriptive (n = 9) and triangle test panels (n = 18). The descriptive analyses showed no significant differences due to feed, time on-diet, or genetic strain. Differences found were not greater than the minimum detectable differences set by a preliminary power analysis. Triangle tests revealed black bullheads to be different from all other genetic strains, as was expected. Commercial reference catfish were found to be different possibly because of a slight off-flavor that was a cue to panelists. Inconsistent overall impact in descriptive and triangle evaluations indicates small differences exist that would likely be at the same intensity or masked by common flavors from pond influences. Fillet fat content was consistent with other reports, and the lack of flavor differences with increasing time-on-diet suggested that longer growing time to develop flavor is not warranted. This study supports producer practices of least-cost formulation. Odor analysis by gas chromatography-olfactometry was performed on selected treatments to explore patterns of impact odorants from catfish oil extracts. An intensity method was performed by four panelists. Twenty compounds were found that met the criteria that at least one panelist rated a moderate intensity or higher. All compounds have been found in animal and vegetative products. The three most consistent stimuli perceived were green grassy, mushroom and mothballs. Canonical correlation of the reliability of odor compound data to predict flavor-by-mouth characteristics did not find any significant relationships

Does Involvement in Religion Help Prisoners Adjust to Prison? (FOCUS)

Research conducted by the National Council on Crime and Delinquency has uncovered an abundant variety of religious responses to incarceration. First, religious participation can help an inmate overcome the depression, guilt, and self-contempt that so often accompanies the prison sentence. Second, inmates may seek a way to avoid the constant threats faced in prison. In many ways, the prisoner's desire for religion is not very different from that of the free-world citizen in that he or she seeks religion to make life more livable

Women of Talent: Gender and Government Appointments in Massachusetts, 2002–2007

Despite the high educational and occupational attainment—and considerable talent—of women in Massachusetts, the state ranks just 22nd in the nation on women\u27s overall share of top executive, legislative, and judicial posts, compared to their share of the population. The goals of this study were to (1) calculate the percentage of women holding senior-level positions in state government at these four points in time; (2) analyze the distribution of appointments by type of position and executive office; (3) provide possible explanations for the status of women’s representation in these positions; and (4) offer recommendations that will serve to promote the appointment of more talented women into positions of leadership in the Commonwealth