Europe Day at Smith Middle

Europe Day at Smith Middle

Sunday, September 27

Miniature Earth en francais

http://www.miniature-earth.com/me_french.htm (Copy and paste this link in your browser)
The video in English is on the right, but I would like you to also watch it in French - it only takes a few moments.

Go to the link above and read the text in French...answer the following:

What does reducing the world to a community of 100 people show you?

What were the most surprising facts for you?

What would you like to change? How would you/we change that?

92 comments:

Anonymous said...

bonjour je m'apelle rosa d. morrow

i think that decreasing would be kinda good because we would have less population and because of global warming, but then i thinkn it wou;dn't be good because some people already don't have anywhere to live so that would make it even worse on them

Hugh said...

Hugh K. Smith Middle

Every one would have equel rights and everyone would live in higher quality then some do now.

Anonymous said...

Cruz N Smith Middle

Reducing the population of the worl to 100 people would show everybody how many people are in need but we don't note it becuase we are around people who have all these things. It brings everyone closer and you notice things you thought were only so little in this world but you find that the poverty and malnourishment has more people than you with you advancements.

Anonymous said...

I would change the world by helping ones who are in need by building shelters food drives and building wells!

Hugh K. Smith Middle

Anonymous said...

I Think that the miniture earth thing is cool, but i didnt really get the point because it was in french and i dont really know french yet but it was cool.

Virginia Crisp
Smith Middle School
:)

Anonymous said...

I think that shows alot of how the world is not in a good place right now. I wold do alot to change that if i could. The suprising facts for me were..... How many people could not read. How many people have homes, beds, and other much need resources. We are very fortunet to have everything that we have, including school and things of that sort.

BriAnna T
-Smith

Pete (SMS) said...

it shows the percentages in a way that are easier to understand, istead of saying an abract percentage, you can fully grasp the value of a certain amount of people out of 100. It surprised me the most that 53 people lived on less than $2.oo a day.There should be a more equal distribution of wealth in the world.I think that the top percents should donate more, and we should also try to educate more, and eliminate corruption along aid routes to make it aid the most effective.

Anonymous said...

This video really put into perspective just how lucky we all are. I hadn't realized how little most of the world has.
-Maddie S, Smith

Joshua Hennen said...

1. It shows me how fortunate I am
2. The most surprising facts to me was that 6 out of 100 people own 59% of the world
3.I would like to change that alot of the people in the world live of less than two american dollars a day. I would change it by donating money.

antoine sieredzki said...

1.) it shows me how many people are poor or have no house, it says that if you have a house than you are more rich than 75% of the world.
2.) the most suprising fact was that if there was 100 people in the world than there would be only 1 austrailian
3.) I would like to change it so everyone would have a house and have food to eat. I would also change it by helping people who need help

Anonymous said...

Reducing the world to a community of 100 people shows me that there are many more people that are poor in the world and many more people that are rich than we would have thought.

some facts that surprised me were that 43 people would live without basic sanitation,13 are malnourished, and that a viliage would spend more than 1.12 trillion dollars on military expenditures.

I would like to change the way that money is seperated throughout the world so that everyone had a good amount of money at least enogh to live off of.

Treasa M Smith Middle

Anonymous said...

it shows me that our community is lowering. I was suprised of how muh peple r getting 1 or 2$ per day in one month.I would like to chage the poor peple's life. By doing some projects in africa to bring some food and enough money to help support them.
Mansour S.
Smith

lizzy j. said...

lizzy
The video in English is on the right, but I would like you to also watch it in French - it only takes a few moments.



Go to the link above and read the text in French...answer the following:


What does reducing the world to a community of 100 people show you?
That even though people in the usa have a lot of money, people in the rest if they world have almost nothing

What were the most surprising facts for you?
that if you have a bed, a coset, a refregerater and a roof over your head then you are richer than 75 pecent of the world

What would you like to change? How would you/we change that?
i would like to change that world is so uneven. give everyone a chance to make the moneythat we make

lizzy j.

lizzy j. said...

lizzy
The video in English is on the right, but I would like you to also watch it in French - it only takes a few moments.



Go to the link above and read the text in French...answer the following:


What does reducing the world to a community of 100 people show you?
That even though people in the usa have a lot of money, people in the rest if they world have almost nothing

What were the most surprising facts for you?
that if you have a bed, a coset, a refregerater and a roof over your head then you are richer than 75 pecent of the world

What would you like to change? How would you/we change that?
i would like to change that world is so uneven. give everyone a chance to make the moneythat we make

lizzy j.

Elise Matera - Smith said...

What does reducing the world to a community of 100 people show you?

it shows how many people don't have what we take for granted



What were the most surprising facts for you?

that people who have a bank account are one of the 30 richest people in the world



What would you like to change? How would you/we change that?

that 16 are hungry. we could donate to food banks

Anonymous said...

Reducing the world to a community of 100 people shows me that there are many more people that are poor in the world than we thought and many more rich people in the world.

some facts that surprised me were that 43 people would live without basic sanitation,13 are malnourished, and that a viliage would spend more than 1.12 trillion on military expenditures.

something that i would like to chnage is the way that money is spread out in the world. i would like to have it so everyone had enough money to live off of.

Treasa M Smith Middle

Anonymous said...

I think that it was cool because if you think about it we are all really lucky that we have a house and stuff so it makes you appreciate what you have.

Virginia Crisp
Smith Middle School
:)

Anonymous said...

Hallie G.
Smith Middle School
What does reducing the world to a community of 100 show you?
It shows me that many people even out a small number struggle every day.
What were the most suprising facts for you? I didnt know that so many people only have $1-2 to feed themselves and their family.
What would you like to change? i would like to keep people from being hungry.
How would you/we cahange that?
Ask the rich people for money.

Anonymous said...

Caroline S.
Smith Middle School

What does reducing the world to a community of a 100 people show?

I think it shows you that you have less resourses like technology and money.

What were the most suprising facts for you?

I was suprised to see that some people only live on $1-2 a day.

What would you like to change?

I would like to change this by creating a safe enviorment for people all over.

How could you change that?

We could change that by having fund raisers and asking for donations.

Anonymous said...

Hye K.
Smith Middle
What does reducing the world to a community of 100 people show you?

I suppose it say many people waste money and it gives effect to the poor people.

What were the most surprising facts for you?

Nothing that suprising...

What would you like to change? How would you/we change that?

Give money to poor people

Anonymous said...

wow.the video that you posted open my eyes to see that everyone doesnt live like us.. the things that really surpirsed me was that some people on live on 1 US dallor. it just made me realilze that we some much and we all take it for granted. and that 75 percent of the worlds population doesnt have a refrigarator with food in it, a closet with clothes, a bed, and a home. i thought it was mamazing how we dont have to worry about those things its just breath taking just knowing that.

Alliyah B. smith middle

Anonymous said...

This was a very surprising video for me. It really showed the reality. Reducing the world to a town of 100 people makes every person 1% of the population. There are about 6 billion people in the world. So they're saying that if one person has a disease, that's 1% of population: 60,000,000 (60 million) people have that disease. I was shocked that 9% are handicaps. That's 540 million people, more than half a billion! Then, 43%
ALMOST 3 BILLION PEOPLE
live in unsanitary conditions! That's just scary. And 6% of the people have 59% of the money. Talk about uneven distribution! This really shows the truth about this world, and maybe now that we are in the know we can improve it. However, if everybody had an equal amount of money, everyone would live of course, but everyone would be poor by our standards. Not starving poor, but poor. We can still do things like donating money to those in need, and being kind and charitable may be the only solution to our problem.

Rohan R.
Smith Middle School

Anonymous said...

1. Reducing the total number of people makes it easier to connect to the amount of people who suffer -- ex. 18 people struggle to live on $1.00 a day.
2. I'd say the most surprising facts fro me would be that 53 people struggle to live on $2.00 a day -- it's horrible! The pople don't even have enough money to buy a nice meal!
3. I would really like to change the facts about human suffering. I think we should stop wasting food- because the bread crusts that you leave of could be a feast for a person on the other side of the world.
-- Katya K., Smith Middle School

Ashleigh W said...

It shows me that having only 100 people in the world would be terrible because the world would be covered in poverty.
What supried me is that if you live in a house with everyday furniture you are considered one of the richest.
Something i would change about myself is to be more thankful for the many things that I have.
I would chang the hungry people and the non-educated people.

Anonymous said...

it was very sad and seemed tough for the poor people in the video.
one of the most suprising facts to me was that if you live in a house have a refrigirator, a closet, a bed and can afford things like that, you would be richer than 75% of all of the poor people. and also they can only live off usualy one to two american dollars per day.
well, people do give money to poor people sometimes if they are in need of it or they just sell things to try to make some money. so i guess we could increase the amount of homless shelters in the u.s.

Diego Mireles said...

1.)The world with 100 people is very sad and almost everybody lives in a bad place where water is not treated and don't have houses.

2.)The most suprising facts were

- If you have a refridgerator,a closet, a bed, and a house you're richer then 75% of the entire world population - Wow.. that means only 15 people are rich....

-18 struggle to live in 1.00 a day or less and 53 struggle to live in 2.00 a day or less! - That's.. horrible! how can that be possible I could not live like that my self.

3.)I would like to change how much people waste money a day to do that I could start a donation thing and give money to the poor! (I hope the rich people don't mind helping..)

Anonymous said...

Martina R.
Some of the surprising facts that i saw were that if you have one bank account you are one of the wealthiest people in the world. Only 6people own 59% of the whole wealth community.
I would like to increase the ammount of people that get get educated, we could change that by decreasing the cost of schools.

Anonymous said...

Reducing the world's population to only 100 people shows the realism of the facts to a level that you can understand and it's depressing. The most surprising facts to me were that 53 of the people try to survive on 2 us dollars a day, and some people try to with only 1 us dollar. I would try to change how many people had clean water to drink and how people live with 1 to 2 us dollars a day. We could do that by having a fund raiser and raising 100 to 200 dollars to give to an organization that goes over their to help them regularly.

Somer S - Smith Middle

Anonymous said...

It was very surprising for me because i never thought that if we reduce are whole wide world just into 100 people would affect some certain type of people in a bad way.
Chiara R.
Smith Middle

Anonymous said...

I loved the video...I learned that you've got to appriciate what you have and you have to do your best for a better world and for a better future.

Erika B.

Anonymous said...

I always complained about my life. Everything was always hard for me. But as I watched the video, I realized that I was richer than 75% of even more people in the world.

Anonymous said...

Reducing the world to 100 people show how bad things are and how we should be happy to have a room, and a house.
One of the most supriseing facts for me is that five people would have 59% of the wealth.
I would like to donate money to charities that help with these sort of things. Or i would volenteer for things such as the homless shelter.

Daniel L. said...

That a lot of people are poor, and therefore, it results to either malnourishment, illiteracy, and many other bad things! The most surprising facts were that a total of 71 people live on under only $2 a day! I would like to change the number of malnourished, poor and illiterate people.

Daniel L.
Smith Middle School

Leigha J said...

What does reducing the world to a community of 100 people show you?

It shows me how much of the earth there really is in poverty. It's amazing, and really sad. I'm richer than 75% then the rest of the world.

What were the most surprising facts for you?

That im richer than 75% of the world, and some people live on less than $1.00 a day.

What would you like to change? How would you/we change that?

We could donate any left over food we have, like a food drive to countries living in poverty. sending cans, and a can opener can really make a diffrence to someone without food.

Anonymous said...

It shows how few people have homes, money, and basic needs. I thought it was really surprising that pretty much half of the world struggles to survive on $2 a day. I would like to change the fact that so many people are in poverty, but I have no idea how to change this.

~~Matthew W. 3rd period
Smith Middle

Anonymous said...

dilay u.

Answer1- it is not good for us and the enviroment. That is because we depend on each other, and enviroement depends on us also.

Answer2-The most surprising facts were that many, many people do not have homes, and the people who do should respect that.

Answer3- I would like to change the way people live(the without homes),We can change that by sending items they need to live. For example soaps, to wash them selves when they take a shower. Stuff thst they need.

Anonymous said...

Reducing the world to 100 people shows me that since there are less people that owning some of the simplest things like a bed, a refridgerator and things like that would make you one of the wealtheist people. The most suprising facts for me was how small it would make the world be and how less of an education everyone would have. I would want to change the fact that some people are struggling to live everyday and what we could do is give them food donations.


Melissa T- Smith Middle School

Anonymous said...

I realized that so many people (75%) were poor. I appreciate that I am not one of those people. We can change this by donating more money to those people.

Anonymous said...

1)It shows me that not that many people are as fortunate as I am and I should be more thankful.

2)The most surprising part to me was that only 12 people would have a computer. I know alot of people who have computers.

3)I think people should help the poor people more. I would do that by donating money to the poor people.

-Vatsal P.

Anonymous said...

Reducing the world down to 100 people showed me that there are lots of people in the world that are less fortunate than I am. I thought the most interesting fact was than if you have a bed, closet, refrigarator and a home you are richer than 75 percent of the world. I would like to change the fact that so many people are starving and don't have a home when I get to go shopping almost once every two months. I can change that by donating to charities that help others who don't have the privlages that I have.

-Lydia C.
Smith MIddle School

Anonymous said...

After watching this video, I felt really sad. Reducing the world to a community of 100 people means that this planet is very diverse in 100 people. A surprising fact I saw was that only 12 people have a computer and only 3 have internet connection! Also, if you have a house, your richer than 75% of the people! I really liked this video but it was really sad.

Bryan-Smith Middle School

Anonymous said...

Tyler R. Smith Middle

1 - It shows us that even with a reduced population, most of us are disabled, have no money, homes, or even at starvation, and those who do are the wealthiest, even if that number is just 30, that;s still not alot.

2 - Only 12 people had a computer, and 3 had connection to the internet, 50 people were at a time where they were living off merely 2 dollars.

3 - Mostly everyone take things for granted, and focus on wealth and food for their family, but they don't think of the others who aren't lucky enough to have what you own. I'd like for everyone to see this video, to show that not everyone in the world has the same life as you, and maybe you could help them out, provide the homeless with warmth and comfort, lunch and dinner, it'd make a difference.

Anonymous said...

Reducing the world to 100 people shows me that a big percentage of the world is starving and lives on about 2.00 a day. One of the most suprising fact was that in a world with 100 people if you had a bed, a refrigerator, and a closet your are richer than 75% of the population. A good way to change this is by giving kids around the wolrd a better education. If the government spent more money on education i think the world would have less poverty-stricken families.

Sarah M.- Smith Middle

Anonymous said...

reducing the population to a hundred show me that there are so many people tht do not eat slep or study properly. Th most suprising fact was that African's are not able to eat or study or even have a shelter to sleep. I would like to change the fact that children who can not eat should have the money to get food and proper homes to live because thay can get dieases and get sick. And I think that each country who have more taxes can provide them these environment.
Courtney.C
Smith Middle School 3rd period.

Anonymous said...

1. This shows that we should appreciate the luxuries of our lives, both negative and positive, for if the population of the world was 100, life would be harder for everyone. Never take anything for granted.

2. I'm surprised that there would only be 8 North Americans and 1 Oceanian in 100 people.

3. We should change the issue of poverty by giving more resources to the unfortunate that have fallen on hard times. We could do this because then the people would thrive, and there is enough resources for everybody to go around.

Anonymous said...

What does reducing the world to a community of 100 people show you?

Reducing the world shows me that not many people have what i get. And that i live a nice life and i keep wanting more when other people dont even have half of what i have.

What were the most surprising facts for you?
The most surprising facts for me was that if you have a bed a closet and a roof over your head your 75% richer than entire world population.

What would you like to change? How would you/we change that?

I would like to change me wanting more things and think about other people so they can have more than what they have now. I could change that by not asking for things anymore and give money to places that need it.
- Audrey

Anonymous said...

Roo Gedney 3rd period-
That was... sad and now I'm surprised nowing that I'm one of the 30 richest people in the world now. Also that of those 100 one adult has HIV/AIDS is kind of scary knowing that there's that many people with diseases like that in the world. It is very very sad and scary that lots of people live off of $2.00 dollars AND less a day! I'm now very happy with what I have, also going to help others in need.

Anonymous said...

Reducing the world's population to 100 showed me that the world is much pooper than I thought and that I take things for granted so much. After watching this video, I was very surprised that I might be wealthier than 75% of the world's population. I would like to change that by maybe doing food-drives or community survise once in a while.

-Hannah S.
Smith Middle School - French 1A

Anonymous said...

reduceing the world to 100 people shows me how much people are using or making or buying things they dont need and how much that is an impact on the earth. people with 2 people in thair familly sometimes have 3 cars, you dont need that, also people make lots of trash if they dont recycle. for example: my family is a family of 6 and and there is a one person family nextdoor, every week we recycle and we dont even fill one big trash can, the person next door at the end of the week has 3, full big trash cans. seh dosent recycle, and i think she uses paper plates. i thought it was surprising that there would be only 1 oceania that wouldnt really be fair to the last of your people.
caitlin

Anonymous said...

Haviland S, Smith middle school

What does reducing the world to a community of 100 people show you?
1. It showed me how lucky I am out of most people in the world. It also showed me what most people in the world are...(Religion, race, etc.)

What were the most surprising facts?
2. The most suprising facts to me, is that a lot of people in the world are unfortunate, and I wouldn't have thought that was the case. On questions where the answer explained wealth, health, or living conditions, i was very shocked to see that the percents were different than what i expected,

What would you like to change? How would you/we change that?
Donate money, food and things to the less fortunate.

Anonymous said...

Reducing the world to 100 people helps you recognize what little some people have because when you have almost 7 billion people in the world and you hear that only some million people have running
water it sounds like alot but compared to the entire population its really not.One of the most surprising facts was that only 3 people have internet connection.One of the ways i think we can help this is just sharing with the people that aren't as fourtunate as us.
-Miranda y

Anonymous said...

1.it sets a really good example of how lucky we are compared to others, and how much we have, even though we may not realize it.
2. if the world was reduced to only 100 people, there would be 13 people who wouldn't be able to read.
3. i would like to reduce the amount of homeless people in the world. we cuold do that by raising money or food for the homeless shelters. Maia B. Smith Middle

Anonymous said...

q1.it shows 100%
q2.none
q3.sperd the welth.?.

seb h.

Anonymous said...

It shows that there would be more Asians than Europeans, more Europeans than North Americans, more North Americans than Sotuh Americans(and the Carribean). Also there will be more Africans than Oceania's. The most suprising facts to me were that "if you have a refrigerator, a bed to sleep in, and a roof over your head, and a closet to put your clothes in, that you are richer than 79% of the world population. 18 struggle to live on US$ 1.00, and that 59 struggle to live on US$ 2.00 a day or less.
Lauren McCrae

Marc said...

i think that the video was verry sad. I could understand most of the video.

Anonymous said...

I think we can definitly help all those people that are out there, hungry, by donating foods to them. And to the people that have HIVs, we can send the cards saying supportive things to them. Maybe, we can tell the government to spending alot of money just on the military. There are many things we can do to help those people.


5th period, Zoe.

Anonymous said...

justus heizer smith middle

I think that that was very interesting to know that the world is 75% poor and that 25% of the world is rich. it makes you think. To change this i would donate money and time to help people in need.

marc said...

I understood most of the video. Its really sad seeing people that are starving like that and without a home when families like mine have food and a home.

Anonymous said...

Kevin Mateer,
1. That the world isent just you and the people you know there are lots of other people out their.
2. That 75% of the world doesnt have the things that we take for grantet every day of our lives.
3. Bring the number of people living in povorty down by raising money at this school to send food to africa and other places of povorty.

Anonymous said...

Kendall C. Smith Middle
I think that we are taking advantage of our resources, and that we have alternate resources but refuse to use them. We can't repair the ozone but we can stop it from disapearing forever.

Anonymous said...

nicolas kelly
it amazing yet sad that their are children in the world that are living on less that a dollar a day. i wish i could help but i dont know how.

Anonymous said...

Rachel S. Smith Middle School

I think this video tells you that you need to appreciate what you have and not complain about little things when some people don't have anything!

Sam C. said...

1. That we can live together even with different races, cultures, what class you are, your religion or what kind of education you have.
2. I was surprised by the fact that 43 of the people live without basic sanitation.
3. I would change the amount of religions. Many were christians but their were very few other religions.

Anonymous said...

The video was easy to understand, even in another language. It was solemn and truthful.

What does reducing the world to a community of 100 people show you?

-It shows you in a very accurate way, how the world lives compared to a person who gets the opportunity to sit in front of a computer. It shows how small we, who are lucky enough to live so comfortably are, and how large the ammount of people who don't even live in clean conditions is.


What were the most surprising facts for you?

-Although i've seen this video before, it supprises me ever time that if you are watching the video, you are one of the ratio, 3/100, who are able to access over the internet. We spend millions and millions and millions on violent warfare, and yet some people live on less than $2 a day.


What would you like to change? How would you/we change that?
-We can take such money that is used on trivial and ridiculous matters, such as war, and turn that money into a step into a better future for people who do not have the same opportunities as us.

~Emma V.

Carly Smith said...

CArly smith,
When i watched it in french i didn't exactly understand it. I knew it was was dividing people by the race or gender or religion into 100 people. Once i watched it in english i realized it was saying how much money we would have, who would be wealthy, who would have HIV or AIDS or who would be starving and living off of 1.00$ a day.
If we seperated the world and only had 100 people living, i think it would be terrible and hard. The video is basically teaching you to care about what we have and cherish every minute of it. Because we are very lucky.

Anonymous said...

Lyndsey Fisher smith middle school

IT shows me e hoe diverse the world is and how and what we can do to change it. that 61 peoople are aisna and that some only live off 2 to 1 dollar a day and 14 cant read. I would love to change this we could help them by buying school suppilies and donationg money.

Anonymous said...

Shelby Casabura Smith Middle.

It shows me how much bad we have in our world and how much you really don't know is going on outside america.
What surpise me if you have a fridge and closet and a bed youn are richer the 75% of the people.
I would like to change the people who need food. We could change by having a food drive.

Georgia said...

It is truely amazing what taking the worlds statistics and breaking it down to a smaller scale can prove. our world seems so complex when really it is extreamly simple. 100 people 75% of them dont have a refrigerator for thier food, a closet for their clothes, a bed for rest, or a roof over thier head. Its shocking to think of all I have compared to the world. My oportunities in life are huge and others wont even makes it to age 15. I think for us to actualy make a change thier needs to be help from everyone, not just a few. Its so true that people are greedy and dont even apriciate half the things they have. if everyone in the world gave a dollar for a poor person think how much of a differecne that could make. what about 5 dollars? these numbers are huge. making a difference doesn't have to be hard it is the small things that make a difference.

Anonymous said...

1. It shows how much better we've got it than a ton of other people and it also shows how terrible their lives are.

2. That 1 person with a normal room and a roof over their head is already richer than 75% of the rest of the people out of the 100. Also out of the 100, 53 would struggle to live with only 2 US dollars each day.

3. I would like to change the poverty and the poorness around the world, By using the money we WASTE on the wars and everything else like that.
Jack H.

Anonymous said...

It let me undertsand some world problems better since it was on a smaller scale

All of the problems and the people they affect.

The amount of povery that would be charity.

isaacc

Anonymous said...

Sarah Gamcsik
Reducing the world to a community of 100 people shows me that I am richer than 75 percent of the worlds population.

The most surprising facts were that 53 out of 100 sturggle to live on only $2 dollars a day, and 43 out of 100 live without basic sanitaion.

I would like to change the fact that 6 people own 59% of then entire wealth of the community. If the six people reach out to the other 41% of the communtity, they could donate to the malnourished and the ones who cant read, and ones with disease.

Anonymous said...

It shows me that there would be a lot of people from different countries with different religons.
The most suprising facts to me was that if you have a refridgerator to store food, a closet to put your clothes in, a bed to sleep in, and a roof sheltering you, you are richer than 75% of the entire world population.
I would like to change the fact that some people live on a dollar each day.We can donate things or raise money or something.
Crescentia C. Smith Middle

Anonymous said...

Readucing the world to a community of 100 people really shows you how lucky you are to have things like food to eat and a house to sleep in.

The most surprising facts in the video were that 53% of the world lives on two dollars a day or less and that only 6 percent of the world has 59% of the wealth.

Something that I would like to change is the fact that 13% of the world is malnourished. I would change that by teaching people that are malnourished how to farm, hunt, and fish so that they can get their food by themselves.

-Owen O.

Anonymous said...

This video was really sad, especially the kids they showed that were malnourished.The most impacting fact for me was that if you have food clothes and a roof over your head you're already richer than 75% of the population.I would like to change how people don't have enough money to eat every day.I think this video would really help appreciate what they have.

sofia p said...

I was suprised that only one adult would have HIV. I would like to change the precent of people that the average chapel hill kid is richer than.

Anonymous said...

One of the shocking fact was that if we have a refrigerator to put your food in , a closet to put your clothes in, a bed to sleep in and a roof over your head, your are richer than 75% of the entire world population. Also that only 12 have a computer in their community and and only three have a internet conection. All this fact are very surprising and really bring you down to earth that what we have here, most people dont. I bet that a lot of people don't know how lucky we are to have all this luxuries. We should appreciate what we have and not take anything for granted.
Ginna M. Smith Middle School

Annie Lo said...

1. Quand on pense le monde comme une ville, on 'realizes' comment injuste le distribution de les materials et l'argent, et acces a la technologie est dans le monde.
2. Que seulement 25% des personnes ont un maison! C'est terrible.
3. Je voudrais tout de les resources etre distribuer a tout le monde. C'est impossible, mais il n'est pas mal essai!
Annie Lo
Smith Middle

Anonymous said...

1. je pense que le video montre que nous a un vie plus mieux qui autre personnes mais nous ne sommes pas reconnaissants.
2. que quelques des personnes vivre de un dollar un jour.
3. nous pouvoir aide cette personnes par elever argent et d'envoi a ils.
Smith middle school
-Erika Franco Quiroz

Anonymous said...

CONNOR SMITH
1. It shows me how many unfortunate and under-priveleged people there are in the world, and how much people take for granted.
2. It was crazy that if you have a bank account you are one of the 30 richest people in the world.
3. I would change the fact that 6 people own 59% of the entire communities wealth. People could donate more money to the poor.

Anonymous said...

Paul Zuo

Le Petite Monde est un tres interessant video de different culturelles. Dans le Video, il y a different personnes, avec different traditionnes. la vidéo a eu beaucoup d'exemples des cultures du chrétien aux musulmans etla vidéo a décrit les vies de différents enfants autour du monde.
Je suis rendu que pas a la qualité vivante que nous avons et nous devrions l'apprécier.

Jaime B. said...

Jaime B
1. Le video sa montre moi le grande difference de la personnes au monde.
2. Il y a treize personnes que practique autres religions.
3. Je voudrais changer le grande quantite de les personnes pauvre et donne-eux l'argent de les tres riche personnes.

Anonymous said...

Je pense que parce que il a cent personnes dans la video, on peut veut que pauvre le monde est. Mon plus grand surprise est que si quelqu'un a un lit, un place pour la nouritture, et un maison, il est plus riche que 75% de la population du monde. Je veux pour change le nombre de personnes que vivre en pauvre

Avishai Halev

Rachael G said...

Le petit monde shows you that there are beacoup de personnes that don't have things that we take for granted. You should appreciate what you have.

If you have a fridgerator for your food, a closet for your clothes, un lit to sleep in and a roof over your head, you are richer than 75% percent of the population dans le monde.

I would like to change that only 14 personnes can read. We could help by donating money and school supplies to les pays pauvre.

Anonymous said...

Rania Choukaili,
A mon avis je panse qui cette video est tres importante parce qui il dis le mode est tres petit.Et sais vres. Je suis reconnaissant qui j'ai un lit et beacoup des tuc qui les autre a pas. Le video dis il ya 18 musliman et 33 christian, 14hindu 16 il a pas un religion,6buddist 13 autre ca cest importante parce que il dis on est different est tous important et il dis on est diverse.

Anonymous said...

Jack P. smith middle
Je pansse the the most shocking thing in la video is all the starving poor people in la monde. La monde est grand enough for everyone I think. I was very surprise that 75% of our population le dose pas avior the resourses and the things that we need every day. I think that it just triste. To help maybe people can do what I did a cook for the homeless shelter or some other thing to that nature.

Anonymous said...

Paul z.

1.Le petite Monde est un video interresant parce que c'est un video about le monde et different culturelles et personnes.Je pends le video et un bon video parce que
it made moi pends about how our society est plus fortunate, et nous should sommes appreciate.

Anonymous said...

karl hill

je pense-que il y a plus personnes du monde et le monde n'a pas le resources pour les personnes. il plus difficile avoir les objects ce nous utilise dans la jour. nous aidons le personnes dans poverty avec donner le charite.

Evan Fantozzi said...

1. C'est ridicule que on peux avoir plus que 75% de la monde. Ils ont besoin d'avoir plus d'argent vivre bien.

2. Il y a neuf personnes qui sont handicapes et le nombre de personnes qui n'ont pas d'un ordinateur.

3. On peux demander pour argent aider les personnes n'avec pas de nourriture.

Anonymous said...

1) Le petit monde est interestant et triste. Il dit nous le porportions au personnes liv avec difficultes


2)Je pense ce est tres triste il y a petit enfants ont tres faim et soif, mais ils n'ont pas nourriture et eau


3) Je voudrais changer de ces enfants n'ont pas nourriture et eau. Aussi, je voudrais changer ces enfants n'ont pas une education

-Kelley Scroggs

Anonymous said...

Ce video est tres triste pour beacoup de raisons. Le raison plus triste pour moi est le fait que je sera un de le trente plus riche. Est tres difficile comprendre tout le informacion que le vidéo te donnez.

1) 100 personnes m'aide voir les choses estupides de le monde. 1.12 TRILLION dollars pour acheter des bombes et pistoles?
2) Je suis tres (surprised) que seulement 12 personnes (would have) un ordinateur et 3 avez un connection du internet.
3) Je aimerais changer le monde pour volair en avion a un pais en afrique que besoin d'aide et faire de nourriture pour les familles que ne sont pas tres riche.

Diego L.
Smith Middle School

Courtney SMS said...

Wow this is really cool. I didn't know a lot of this! Espically the percentages.

Anonymous said...

Hello ! I'm Manon Dessart of Saint-Benoit Saint-Servais.
My friends and I changed class, but we go to us found all together to leave in America, we are delighted to see again you, your pupils miss us a lot. Partous us two days in Washington. Mister Merveille tries to arrange so that they can visit the white home and cross a small instant with Barack Obama. Kisses of Belgium. Yours sincerely.
Manon D.

Emer's reflection following the European Exchange Experience

“Tonight for dinner food is…..” Oh great, I thought. Where’s my dictionary? So, what was it again? Ah yes, a word beginning with “c”. I’m not even going to attempt asking the spelling, so I’ll just browse the “c” section for a meat of some sort. Ok, so it’s not there, I’ll guess. Lamb? No. Beef, YES!!! Ok, but isn’t beef- boeuf? Well at least I have some idea of what I’m eating…some. Oh, the joys of living with a family in a different language. Sure, it’s hard and darn confusing, but isn’t that the point? It’s meant to be a challenge, you know? It’s meant to make you take a step back, and think before you say something, which will most likely be the wrong thing. Sometimes, I wish things would stay like that. Not knowing much of each others language and constantly learning. I got such a thrill from hearing them I never wanted to stop listening and talking. Mistakes? Always, but never a problem. One night, I told the brother I went to bed at 6 (pm) instead of I slept for 6 hours. Oops! It’s inevitable, but they come and go like clouds, and you just laugh and move on. It puts half the fun in conversing. One of the main lessons I learnt on this trip is to take life slowly. We can’t always, speak, or type, or do things as fast as we (Americans) do. You’re learning a new culture, and if you go too fast, you’ll miss the small things that matter along the way, like the first time you think in French. Man, that’s amusing! March 25th, my host family drove me to the train station. Let me tell you, in that car ride, I found a new meaning to “Never say goodbye”. All I could say was “PLEASE visit me in America, you’re always welcome” and “I’ll miss you a lot!!!” of course there was a ton of Franglais in there. Well, it’s the thought that counts! As the train pulled out of the station, me, Helena and like half of the American and Belgian students started crying- like sobbing crying. When that happens, you know that bonds have been made, and connections tied up. These are people- friends that we would never ever forget. We came across the big pond to learn about Europe, oh but we learnt and gained so much more. I for one will never look at the word “Together” or “Ensemble” again the same way, because it means something bigger than the dictionary could ever say. Dictionary definition: into or in one gathering, company, mass, place, or body: to call the people together. My definition: united- when you and another person are doing something ~ you’re united in what you’re doing, with all differences forgotten, because, essentially, you’re the same, and being ~ or doing something ~ brings out that equality. The world is ~ and always will be, it just takes people who know that to show the rest of the world. United in diversity- aren’t we all? Diversity! Bingo!!! That’s what we are. The American and Belgian students, we’re diverse to the limits, and best of friends. An adventure and friendship of a lifetime for me began with conversation. Sunday afternoon, doing homework and a window popped up on the computer screen. “Emer” “Yes?” “It’s Flore, your pen pal” “…OMG, HI!!!!” “I mean, Salut!!!” Flore and I, our friendship began with conversation and I hope it always stays that way. I mean, the European Union was all about removing boundaries and borders, well, we’re about removing language barriers and not letting physical boundaries stop friendships from flourishing. Conversation is one of a couple ways to get rid of language barriers- for once I can be proud of my inability to not stop talking! What bad could happen from talking? Practice makes perfect and I truly believe that the more we practice talking to each other in each other’s language we will come to understand each other. And that- that would just be…a dream come true.

We DID video conference with students at Smith on March 23 10-12pm

Thank you to Federal Express for offering their teleconferencing facility in Brussels so that our traveling students could share their learning with students back at Smith. Go FedEX!!!! This event was an incredible real-time learning experience! Thank you to UNC and the efforts of Bjorn Hennings, manager of the Carolina Center for Educational Excellence. We appreciate all you did to make the connection. Thank you to Rebekah Cole and Monica Liverman for making arrangements for Smith students.

Journey with us.... will try to send pictures along the way

March 17 - Leave for Paris March 18 - Arrive Paris, rest and explore the city! March 19- Explore Paris March 20- Paris: museums, shopping and Eiffel Tower March 21 - Head for Brussels; meet our pen pals in the "Grand Place"; visit the European Parliament together; head to Liege to spend the night in host families March 22 - Spend the day at Saint-Benoit Saint-Servais- attend classes; my students will love English class; tour Liege, socratic seminar on the EU; spend evening with families March 23 - Early train to Brussels for visitation at European Commission - spend day in Brussels; return to host families March 24- Tour Maastricht and WWII cemetery with families Souper-spectacle that night...what fun! March 25 - Bid adieu to our host families and new friends; on to Brussels to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Signing of the Treaty of Rome March 26- Going home!

Meeting my Fate and Justine ....by Angela

There were just seventeen days left until I would meet my fate. At least that was how I interpreted it. People have praised me, saying that I would be fine there, and that all of my years spent studying French would now finally pay off. And I guess that my three years of middle school French would make me a lot better off than those who had not even studied a year. Perhaps the most nerve-racking part of all was thinking about how I could completely forget all the French I’d learned while I was in Belgium. It would definitely be very different from speaking French in class—I wouldn’t be as comfortable speaking French to complete strangers (and trying not to make any mistakes at all with my limited vocabulary) as speaking French to my friends or my teachers (and knowing that they would understand if I did make a mistake). And then again, I wasn’t the most optimistic person in my class. But I can try to be optimistic about my fate. After all, it would be a great experience—and I could improve my speaking skills as well. And the best part of all would be becoming great friends with Justine Marchal, whose family will be my host family for a week. I have also learned plenty in preparation for our seminars about the European Union, and in preparation for everything else that we will be doing there. I might even be able to say that I have learned more in these two or three months than I have ever in my life. There has also been plenty of excitement in my life during these few months. Anxiety as well, of course. Who couldn’t be both excited and anxious about going to Belgium and living in a host family? And this my excitement and anxiety may well be beyond those of others—this is my first time traveling to Europe, my first time living in a host family, my first time traveling to a country where the official language isn’t English or Chinese. And this excitement and anxiety increases as I count down the days left until I am riding the train from Paris to Brussels. It will continue to increase as we near the train station at Brussels, as I glance around for the face of Justine Marchal and her family, which I have seen only in pictures, as I spot them and try to find a comprehensible sentence or two that I could say to them... And trust me—it’s not like I haven’t had nightmares about this. This is also the first time that I have stopped to ponder about how I will truly miss them when I am forced to board the plane back to Chapel Hill, back to North Carolina, and back to the United States. But that does not mean that all hope is lost for Justine and I to stay friends, even though it will be much more difficult to do so from such far away places. But we will keep in touch. We will try to meet each other—face to face—every year, if possible. We will remain friends, bonded together by a type of friendship that can only truly arise from being unable to see each other whenever we want to. And as for the long-term goals—they are countless. I will have something extra to include in my college resume. I will be able to consider a future abroad, to see if it really fits into my future. I will have a chance to find out if French is really for me. If I had asked one of my Belgian friends what “E.U.” stood for, they would have probably immediately answered, “les États-Unis.” Of course, these three words are French. Translated into English, they mean “the United States,” or rather “the States United.” But here in America, if I had asked perhaps twenty people in Chapel Hill, or rather, anywhere in the United States, what “E.U.” stood for, none of them would have answered “les États-Unis.” And that is because here in the United States of America, “E.U.” is an abbreviation for the European Union. And of those twenty Americans, perhaps only one or two of them would have known that. And it is our duty—that is, the duty of the UNION*—to increase that number by as much as possible. And to help us accomplish this goal, we have all attended the “Euro Club,” which meets every Tuesday after school and every Thursday during lunch, and we have all prepared an “EU journal” with notes from those club meetings. So what exactly is the European Union? It is a family of twenty-seven democratic countries in Europe. They have shared values of democracy, freedom, and social justice. Their mission is to provide peace, prosperity, and stability for its peoples; overcome the divisions on the continent, ensure that its people can live in safety; promote balanced economic and social development; meet the challenges of globalization and preserve the diversity of the peoples of Europe; and uphold the values that Europeans share. But that is simply a basic outline of the goals of the European Union. It does so much more, and deserves so much more credit for doing what it does. The European Union has funded our trip to France and Belgium. And now it is your job to learn more about the EU and to help others learn more about it. Spread the word! *The UNION is made up of the students who will be traveling to Paris, France, and Brussels and Liège, Belgium in March 2007.

Emer's dream

Smith Middle School. It was the 3rd school I’d seen that day and I knew it wouldn’t be the last. The teachers there seemed so friendly, but what really intrigued me was the French Department. Apparently, they were making a trip to Belgium. My friends Olivia had previously told me that her school in England were going to Belgium, but I had never imagined a school in America would go. The name America had gotten as the land of oppertunities was suddenly maing so much more sense! It was from that moment on, I had told myself, if they go to Belgium, and I am taking French, I will be on that trip. Since I found out there was a trip happening it had more meaning to me. It had the meaning of a goal to achieve- a dream.

Another cool design for our T-shirts

Another cool design for our T-shirts
Created by Angela

I know more about the EU than you....Nathalie

I’m so excited! Can you guess why? I didn’t think so. I’m excited because I know more about the EU than you. I have studied really hard, and I have learned that there are many differences between the EU and America. Just to clarify, the EU is the European Union. You will be surprised on how many differences there are between the EU and America. Lucky for you, I will not name them all. But I am going to tell you about some of the main differences. One of the big differences is space. In America people like their personal space and our houses are huge! Well, that’s different in Europe. People live small and close to each other. Their houses are sometimes even connected. In America with our big lawns and big houses, we also have a lot of junk in our houses. Most of it is unnecessary too. In the EU people have what they need. Every day they go to the market to get food. They sometimes skip the bread in the market and go to a bakery to get food. Here in America we go to the grocery store once a week and buy a week’s supply of food. That is also because we have to drive everywhere to get what we want. In Europe they walk or bike to the store and back. That makes it easier for them to go every day. I hope that you have learned from what I have just told you. And if you don’t believe me, just go to one of the countries of the European Union, and you’ll see that everything I’ve said is true. Oh…time really flies by when you’re writing. The bell is about to ring; I have to go! Bye, bye. Nathalie

Thinking About Her Sister's Trip 3 Years ago..Abby's Reflections

Four years ago my sister was given the experience of a lifetime, and ever since then I’ve wanted that experience too. Ms.McMahon has finally given me that opportunity. Before I could wrap my head around it, I would be on a plane heading to my dream destination, France. Though I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time, I’ve never been more nervous and afraid at the same time. Nervous about the plane ride, and afraid of forgetting simple things that I’m going to need to know like “where is the bathroom?” and “what time is it?” I have taken three years to learn this language, all for this experience and if I get all the way to France and forget everything I’ve worked so hard to know it won’t be a pretty sight. I’ve maintained a solid “A” all year long in French, but writing French and speaking French are two completely different things. I am a better writer than a speaker, especially in front of people who grew up speaking French as their first language. I’m sure that this trip is going to be amazing, and an experience of a lifetime but I just can’t be excited when all I can think about is how I’m going to attempt to have a conversation with someone and just draw blanks. When my sister went to France she had the most amazing time, and when she came back she couldn’t stop talking about how she wanted to go back. I wish I could have that, I wish I could be excited and not scared, but I can’t. Seeing my sister in videos of her in France, talking so easily and seeing how she couldn’t stop smiling and laughing, it all just made me want it more. I know that this was going to be an amazing experience after I adjusted to the language and the culture, but until then I stick to being scared out of my mind.

.......from Jenny's heart

I’m either more worried than I should be, or less worried than what’s expected of me in situations like these. No, I’m not talking about a hostage situation or an emergency situation. This situation is traveling to Belgium in only near two weeks, and being thrust into a whole new culture that speaks a complete different language than from what I’m used to in the United States. Just thinking about it gets me a little nervous, a little worried, mostly excited, and just a tiny bit scared. I know that it’s going to be a wonderful experience, touring Paris and speaking French to native speakers. I’m also so excited that I’ll get to see my pen pal, Adrienne, and stay at her family’s home in Liège, Belgium. I always look forward to the emails I send back and forth with my Belgian pen pal, Adrienne. We’ve been communicating together since the beginning of seventh grade in 2005, and I’ve learned a lot about the modern culture and daily routines of kids who are my age who attend school and do activities just like me. Adrienne has always expressed a great hope of seeing the United States in her own eyes sometime, and she states that she would love to see the country she’s heard so much about. I only wish that after I’ve seen her country, I am able to take her to see mine! There are so many differences between the Belgians and the Americans, besides the obvious. I’d like to see how the school system and curriculum in Belgium differs from our North Carolina Standard Course of Study, what games the Belgians do for fun, and what extracurricular activities are offered. When I first signed up to take French as a language in sixth grade, I never dreamed that it would lead to this opportunity to learn more about another culture and broaden my global understanding. But yet, here I am, panicking over how many pairs of socks I’ll need in Belgium and wondering if I’ll make a taboo mistake when I’m talking in French. Another aspect of the trip I’m excited about is going to the headquarters of the EU (the European Union) and learning much more about the EU from European residents under the law of the EU. I’ve learned so, so much since I started my quest for knowledge a few months ago, and I only want to keep expanding this knowledge and put it to good use for the future. Who knows the day when the EU will surpass the United States in power? From the view today, it’s very likely that that will happen. Until March 17th, then!

It's all about being "united in diversity"... Mme McMahon

On the surface it looks like just another funding opportunity for yet another school program. Let it sink in however, $67,000 and it has deep implications as well as benefits of equity and advocacy for students in our school district. In January of this year, the European Union awarded Smith Middle School 51,000 euros (roughly $67,000) for its “Getting to Know Europe” , a proposal I submitted after attending last summer’s EU workshop hosted by UNC’s EU Center of Excellence and World View. These dynamic international organizations invited teachers from around the state to explore and create lesson plans on the EU while sharing this grant opportunity and encouraging teachers to apply. Why has the European Union funded a public school? There are lots of reasons, but the clearest one to me lies in its name: Union. Union means bringing together, sharing knowledge, power, ideas and resources. Union means making choices for the common good. The EU has invited our American students to learn more about their institutions, their system of values that are also shared by our nation, and their being “united in diversity”- a richness of cultures brought together in one body. Nations around the world are drawing lines in the sand – demarcation lines that promote a we versus they mentality- opportunities such as this grant provides, breaks those barriers as students learn how to respect each other’s opinions, value multiple perspectives and honor international relationships while bridging the gap to understanding through language. The cover story for the December 10th issue of Time Magazine emphasizes the need for schools to enter the 21st century by teaching more about our world. Students need to learn how to be “global trade literate, sensitive to foreign cultures and conversant in different languages”. I can teach this from the front of the room, or I can take my students to host families in Belgium where they will experience European life up close and personal. Thanks to the EU grant, many students who used to “watch from the window” as their more affluent classmates boarded the plane to Europe are able to join us on this voyage of self-discovery and new cultures. Six teachers will be traveling from grant funds and are excited about bringing back new lessons for the classroom. How has our “journey of learning” progressed since we received this award? Traveling students have been meeting once a week after school or during lunches to learn not only about the European Union and its institutions but also about how life for a teen in a Europe is similar or different from life in America. With guidance from high school students who speak French well, my students can discuss many topics of EU life in French including: capital punishment, free market system and travel -friendly legislation with the introduction of the Euro. A university professor and local French speakers have visited my classroom to add depth to the studies. We have studied Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream speech” in French so that they can discuss his dream for human rights in America with their Belgian pen pals and compare it to the EU’s mission as well as their own personal dreams. In a few weeks Belgian and American teens will be discussing “shared values” and hopes for the future, not only for their respective countries but also for the world. My students asked, “How do we publicize what we have learned?” After discussions with my Belgian colleague and his students, “Union” came out the front runner for our T-shirts explaining that Union is the same word in English and French and shows that there is strength in unity. My students agreed, two student artists created the logos and all of us will be wearing T-shirts honoring this international friendship. The physical journey begins March 17 as twenty-nine students (26 middle school students and 4 high school students) as well as 6 teachers board the plane for Europe. At least fifteen of the travelers were fully or partially funded by the grant. One student cannot stop smiling as he whispers daily “I am going to see the Eiffel Tower” –one of several economically disadvantaged student travelers who thought that this trip was only for those who could afford it- never dreaming that the EU would pay for this experience of a lifetime. The plane lands in Paris first where we will spend three nights. We will meet our Belgian pen pals at the “Grand Place” in Brussels on the 4th day. This first meeting when the students exchange “la bise” and begin to communicate face to face is one of the most memorable days of my life. They have been corresponding by email or MSN for a few months, but actually witnessing their excitement at seeing each other makes the time and effort for this trip pale in comparison to the joy of watching these young people connect. I can feel myself saying, “ Yes, I can do this again.” With our Belgian hosts we will visit the European Parliament and return to Liege to spend four days with our international families. My students will attend classes at Saint-Benoit Saint-Servais school in Liege, participate in a “rally” of the town, visit Maastricht and the American WWII cemetery and be entertained by the Belgian students for a host-family/American “souper-spectacle” on Saturday night. The American students will return to Brussels on Friday to visit the European Commission, and we will leave Liege to spend one night in a hotel in Brussels on Sunday, March 25th, an important date in EU history because it is the fiftieth anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome. Thanks to the European Union, a journey of learning about international affairs, friendship and self-discovery has begun. My deepest gratitude goes to UNC’s EU Center of Excellence, to World View for all their encouragement and support and to M. Labeye, my Belgian colleague who has worked with me for ten years on this creating successful Exchange Experiences. Robin McMahon French Teacher Smith Middle School Chapel Hill, North Carolina


Willing to go the Distance...by Sarah

A boring bus ride and maybe a stay over night, this is what comes to mind when you think of a 8th grade field trip. Ms. McMahon put a whole new definition in my head of the meaning of what an educational trip can be. Eight hours over seas and a ten night stay in Paris, Belgium, Brussels and many other places. This is a child hood dream that has been granted. This amazing opportunity has become open to the students taking French in Smith Middle School. There is no doubt that this trip will be full of new experiences and life long memories but it scares me out of my mind every time I think about having to talk and stay in a home with a Belgium family. No books, no teacher only what I had learned in class. I am scared that the culture shock will cause me to forget all I have learned or how to say that I DO NOT eat sea food. This only means that I have to work very hard to get the work done. I also have to dedicate lots of time to all my other classes to keep good grades so I am eligible to go. I am willing to go the distance and I am positive that it will all be worth it.