When the topic was assigned to us in November, I wasn’t quite surprised, because that was only understanding I was interested in out of all 10 topics. I was always interested with the negative impacts human can cause in the Environment, so I was actually content that I got a topic I was fascinated in. When the topic was fist assigned, I had the urge to learn more about these negative impacts and how youth can somehow make an affective difference. Although communication with my other group members was difficult in the beginning, we conquered that and expressing our ideas was much easier. The topic “Environment” seems to be less complex and understandable than the other understandings. Since the environment is surrounding us, it wasn’t complicated to understand the concepts. The subtopics in our topic aren’t difficult to understand and it was simple to research online. In the beginning of the first few months, we had to absorb a lot into our brain, to enable us to finish the film and the other concepts that are involved. The TIG members have guided us through every process of the film production, with out their expert advice, completing the film wouldn’t be possible. Our artwork didn’t turn out really well because none of us had much drawing skills.

In the between these 6 months, the members gave us suggestion to how to improve the films. Giving us fascinating facts about our topics and suggesting sites that would aid us during this process. We make business cards, invitations, brochures, business letters, artwork, and other important parts on the project. The logo was a combination of the design Kristin and I made. With the business letters Anson sent our we received a package containing colourful books with the Environmental issues in Africa. There were statistics and quotes that were used in our film. I have learnt that the newspaper has a lot of fundamental information that is useful. People writing that particular article is also expressing their ideas but in another form of media. Numerous pages of research were done and images were found to suit the text. Lettering was made by Kristin and I, we were hoping our letters would be very artistic, so we added leaves and vines to it. This could also represent our “Envrionment” topic. During this process all of us learnt a lot, from oral and visual communication to flash. Although our tasks were spread among all three of us, each part is a major of the completion of this yearlong project.

When the film festival was weeks ahead, we viewed our film at least twenty times. To make sure each transition was perfect. Also, the text has to come up at the same precise time as all the other text, the music changes must be at the exact time. We made sure all the quotes could be read at the right time before changing to another image. We edited and reedited until the film was flawless. Our film was mostly flash making the viewers inspired to what they are watching. Mrs. McDonald photocopied more than a hundred brochures and numerous business cards were printer. They were all to be handed out on the day of the film festival. The vine and leaves lettering were put up and there was an environmental background with butterflies, ladybugs and flowers. The night of the actual festival was fabulous, with newspaper reporters and scientists from the science centre asking us questions. I was nervous, I am sure my other members were too. We viewed the films about twice that day, and practiced for the speech. Now all the hard work has finally paid off, the parents and the other guests has viewed our films. They were intrigued with our abilities to create those, I guess this is the moment all of us has been looking forward to…

We have been working with TakingItGlobal since the beginning of the year. The TIG members have educated us with skills. Our group of three are responsible for creating a short documentary film on the global issue Environment. In our group I am responsible for researching and looking for statistics. Anson is the technician and does most of the computer work and Kristin is the artist. This designs all our build boards and art. Our message when we’re making the film is to tell people that our issue is being affected by human activities. Humans interact with the environment and everyone has a right to make sure we live in a health environment. On May 20, 2004 at 7 p.m there would be a film festival called Globalize This. All 10 groups would be hosting their own boost. People attending the festival would be watching our films and giving comments. During the month before the festival, we are suppose to accomplish our goal and send out our message, which is “Create a better world, For a better future”. This week we’re suppose to wrap up our film, and perfect it. We have been working extreme hard to complete the film, finding music, pictures, statistics and doing artwork. In the last few months, our group only received 2 packages from other organizations we send to. I am very unfortunate to get two rejection letters. I am looking forward to be involved in the film festival and educate people with this serious global issue.

TIG is coming to Macklin Public School today, to educate us with the skills to use movie maker, flash and photo shop. Our class is divided into groups of three. Our group is responsible for creating a short documentary film on the “Environment”. During the past few day, we have taken still pictures of places and objects that represents the environment. We also took the scenary and the “atmosphere” outside of our classroom. In the beginning of our documentary flm, we decided to use flash intros and interviews.

Stereotyping happens when people have certain beliefs and the can't accept the odd things they see. Children start to stereotype when they're young or just a baby. Older siblings, parents, or grandparents influence them. They usually say, "candy is bad for your teeth" or "never talk to strangers.” When you become older, you would start to break these beliefs by eating candy or just by meeting other people. Not all strangers are dangerous, people you meet when you were young were once strangers, but time can make a difference. People you have first met were once strangers, but after a period of time, that stranger might become your best friend. When you first look at someone by their appearance, you would automatically assume that they are very strange or dangerous. You cannot determine someone just by their look because "looks can be deceiving.” The personality of a person can change your consideration about them. I do not think stereotyping is right because everyone has their own beliefs and their own peculiar lifestyle. Although I am stereotypical, sometimes I would determine other peers or adults just by the way they dress, talk, and their body language. Others have probable been stereotypical to me, but that’s the way they think and I can’t do anything to stop them from thinking from that perspective. Those people presumably don’t understand me, but time could make a HUGE difference. I still think that it wrong to judge people by their looks and their first impressions. Not everyone has time to explore the inner personalities of every stranger. Being stereotypical can hurt other’s feeling and their self-esteem. People would try to change their outer looks, just so other people would like them. Their self-esteem could be put down when others make comments about them. If everyone in this world looks or acts the same way, our world would be full of boredom and with no excitement. Although one person can stop being stereotypical, it does make difference.

Hey, my name is Carmen. People call me CK or Carms for short. My life is the same as every other 13 year old around Canada...school...homework...staying at home...and watching TV. I have a little brother that I have to share my room with and it's not good when you know that he snores. I think I'm the type of person that could get distracted very easily. Although I study the whole day, my marks are sort of...
During my free time I like to read books such as mysteries, fantasy and some romance. I like in an apartment, so people could go downstairs to swim, play Ping-Pong, badminton, squash, aerobics and do weights. Only adults (older than 18) could do weights. I wish that children 12 and older could go, although we're not muscular or strong doesn’t mean we can't do anything adults could do. Children are capable of doing things adults could never imagine. Children could make a difference in our generation.
My parents keep a collection of ceramics at home that we place in a shelf. The first thing you see when you come into our house is the site of a gigantic cupboard full of little ceramic figurines. We keep coins that we’re collected from all over the world in different boxes. Every box is labeled with a sticker that tells you the country the money belongs to. I like to collect different shapes and sizes of pillows. When I go to bed, I seem to kick them around all over the place. I have stuffed animals and pictures of different cartoon character all over my room. I put them on my bed and some on top of my closets. My room might not be clean or beautiful, but I think it really tells people my personality and my lifestyle. Animals aren't allowed inside the house, but I would always love to own a pet that I could take care of and won't bother me. Taking care of a pet takes a lot of responsibility and I don't think I'm ready for it yet. My favourite animals are kittens and puppies.
This year is the last year of Elementary school and I’m not sure what it's going to be like in the future in high school. School is just a major part of my day...studying on the other hand isn't what I'm exactly good at. Our grade 8 class (8M) is called the "Pilot class", we get the opportunity to be involved with the TakingItGlobal program. About every other month the members of the takingitglobal group would visit our class. They would introduce the new updates they made on TIG. Our class would give them suggestions on how to make their site better and easier to go on to. There are many different groups in our school. Some people that have friends and the people that don't. If there are new students in the school, the other students should do something to make them feel welcome. They could introduce the new students to others in the school or just by playing with them. I thin no one should make rumors about other people. Once you tell one person, the truth would be stretched until it just becomes a lie. Friends should trust each other and they shouldn’t cheat on them. Friends are what help you enjoy your life. It doesn’t matter what race or what language you speak because everyone is distinct in one way or another.
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