Ryan Farias Blog

Solar energy is one of the many kinds of renewable energies that are gaining major popularity in the United States. Its collector systems are one of the more simple ones to set up, as they are rows of solar panels laid out in an open area (I love wind turbines to death, but they look like a pain to build), and it is clean, and does not require anything that will pollute the air. There are many other benefits for solar energy. However, there are also some issues. Since solar farms require an open area, setting them up may require clearing that space, which often requires the removal of trees. This angers some people, especially those who live in my town, Rochester, Massachusetts. There have been three solar farms installed already, and there are at least seven more are being proposed to the planning board. The town is in an uproar. I, myself, am not impressed either. Don’t get me wrong, I support solar energy as a renewable energy source, and would take it over fossil fuels any day. However, I also support keeping the trees where they are and limiting solar farms in Rochester for the sake of the wildlife, the environment and the property values. Therefore, I’m proposing a complete restructure of Rochester’s solar farm by-laws, using Rhode Island’s laws as a model.

Rochester is a picturesque, rural town. It is known for the natural feel it gives, with its wooded areas, great nature trails, ponds and cranberry bogs. Wildlife is abundant, with turkeys, deer, fox and raccoons which are very common in the area that I live in. The major “commercial zone” of Rochester is Plumb Corner which contains a small convenience store, hair salon and daycare across from the town hall. The people who live in Rochester, especially those who have lived here for most of their lives, have grown accustomed to this small town feeling, and enjoy it immensely. With the continuing proposals for solar farms, however, there is a lot of concern about how the nature of Rochester will change. The main reason that people are angry is that the installment of these solar farms will require acres of trees removed, which would ruin the view and landscape. Rochester wouldn’t feel as natural with a vast array of solar panels.  As Ward Benner, a resident of Mendell Road, said to the Sippican Week, “Keeping the trees would be more fitting with the character of Rochester” (Ray).

The installment of solar panels could also have a negative effect on the property values of houses in Rochester. People looking to move to Rochester, with the expectations of a very rural town, will be disappointed at what they would see. According to Ruth Thetonia, the broker/owner of Brook Realty, “Especially in rural areas, people are willing to pay a premium for the view and atmosphere – nature, trees, fields, wildlife. That goes away once a solar farm is built near a residential area.  People are not willing to pay a premium for a view of a solar farms and or dirt berms, fencing…” Conversely, having healthy trees can increase property value—larger specimen trees can add ten percent to property value (USDA Forest Service). According to Ms.Thetonia, solar farms are already starting to cause a decrease in property values to current owners trying to sell across from them or adjacent to them.  It’s also possible that if these proposals for more solar farms move forward, it would result in less people moving into town. Dale Bindas, a vocal townsperson, predicts that if solar farms continue to be installed, there will see more people moving out of Rochester (Ray).  As Rochester planning board member Ben Bailey said, “people don’t move to Rochester so they could look out their window and see a bunch of steel and glass” (Perry).

Wildlife is a major factor to keep in mind, as well. Forests and wooded areas in Rochester provide habitats for many “critters”, such as birds, chipmunks, deer, and squirrels. Removing the trees, or deforestation, to make room for solar farms, would be evicting them from their homes. In general, eighty percent of animals live in forests, and many of them are unable to live through deforestation (National Geographic). The solar panels themselves can be a threat to animals – birds, specifically. Thousands of them are killed every year by large-scale solar farms. The problem is called the “lake effect”, in which birds, and their prey, such as insects, mistake a solar facility for a body of water, hone in on it, and get fatally burnt on the panels (Upton). Rochester has some beautiful birds, like swans, herons, geese, and ducks. It would be heart-wrenching to know that they are getting themselves fried when they think they’re about to take a leisurely dip or have a tasty bite.

The only amendment proposed thus far was to “include a three-hundred foot buffer from any public way, which is three-hundred feet farther than the current zero foot in place now” (Perry). At this time it has not been passed, not that it’s adequate. Massachusetts is a very pro-solar state, currently offering many grants and incentives, up until the year of 2020. However, I propose that Massachusetts should follow Rhode Island’s bill H8141, “which discourages siting solar arrays on large wooded areas by prohibiting state financial incentives for the projects” (Faulkner). The bill was made to create “a balance between a desire to reduce our carbon footprint by spurring renewable energy and still protect our natural resources” (Faulkner). As much as I love solar energy, and what it has done for the United States, I still think that this bill is the right way to go.  It would prevent trees from being removed, so that rural towns can retain their natural character, animals can still have their habitats and remain safe, and property values will not go down. I believe that following in Rhode Island’s footsteps would not only appeal to those who oppose the solar farms in place of trees, but it would also save the town a great deal of money. Best of all, the town of Rochester can remain the beautiful, natural and comfortable place it has always been.

 

Local Land Trust nature trail and wildlife viewing area with adjacent solar farm hidden by stockade fencing. (4 photos)

   

    

 

Entry to local outdoor club with adjacent solar farm abutting the property. (2 photos)

   

 

Proposed site for new solar farm requiring removal of acres of trees and installation of solar panels and dirt berms to block view from the road and solar company’s plan for the site.(2 photos)

   

 

Rural residence with solar farm directly behind back yard hidden by installed stockade fencing.(1 photo)

 

Works Cited

 

“Deforestation and Its Effect on the Planet.” National Geographic, 25 July 2017, www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/deforestation/.

Faulkner, Tim. “Solar Power: ‘Clear and Present Danger’ to R.I.’s Forests.” EcoRI News, 13 May 2018, www.ecori.org/government/2018/5/12/bill-protects-trees-and-farms-from-solar-energy.

 

Perry, Jean. “Board Wants Stricter Solar Bylaw.” The Wanderer, 26 Apr. 2018.

 

Ray, Andrea. “Residents: Solar Farms Will Affect Town’s Character.” Sippican Week, 27 June 2017.

 

Thetonia, Ruth. Personal Interview.  7 July 2018.

 

United States, Congress, “Trees Pay Us Back.” Trees Pay Us Back, USDA Forest Service, Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry, 2005.

 

Upton, John. “Solar Farms Threaten Birds.” Scientific American, Climate Central, 27 Aug. 2014, www.scientificamerican.com/article/solar-farms-threaten-birds/.

 

Revision Reflection:

When I revised my piece on the issue of solar farms in Rochester, the first change that I made, based on the comments, was the format of my citation for the personal interview that I conducted with Ruth Thetonia. I looked on the Purdue OWL website to find this format. At first, I made the citation on Easybib, which is why it looked the way it did. I actually found it was easier to make the citation for the interview in the format that Purdue OWL gave me. I also changed the drop in quote from Dale Bindas to a paraphrase. I then added my stand on the 300 ft. buffer, saying that it wasn’t adequate. I got rid of the sentence that says there is almost always sunlight, considering that’s not true for all regions. Finally, I added some information about the effect that deforestation has on animals from National Geographic.

When reconsidering the draft on my own, I figured that I should make it clear that I’m not completely opposed to solar energy, in general. I believe that it is very beneficial to the environment, because it is a clean source of energy, and can also provide many job opportunities. As a matter of fact, I am looking to become a technician in wind energy, but if all else fails, I plan on falling back to solar. I went ahead and added a sentence saying that I support solar energy as a renewable energy source in the first paragraph, so that it doesn’t look like I am condemning solar energy, and want it to be abolished. I also edited for wordiness, taking out a “that” or two and a few “this is why”.

I also read an article on revision called MAKING MEANING CLEAR: THE LOGIC OF REVISION, by Donald M. Murray. One of the categories he evaluates on when revising a piece is form, and a question that he asks himself is “is the title on point?” I realized that I didn’t even have a title at the top of my page, so I spent some time, thinking of a good title for this piece, and came up with, “Solar Farms vs. Rochester”.

 

 

Has the writer clearly established a problem and posed a solution (if so, what are they?), or what suggestion does he/she offer to improve the community? Is the thesis clear and appropriately placed in the essay?

You have clearly established problems in Dartmouth and posed a solution for most. You have stated that there is a lack of food that is familiar to internationals, which you suggested that there be an international dedicated grocery section, and international based restaurants be built into the city. You stated that there is a lack of apartment building complexes, but what specific solution do you have for that? You stated that there is a lack of lakes and recreational activities, and suggested that Dartmouth makes artificial lakes, and build recreational facilities. The thesis is clear, and is appropriately placed at the end of the first paragraph.

Does the writer give reasons for how or why this will improve the community? Are these reasons presently in unified, focused, and coherent paragraphs? If not, indicate where and how the writer might improve the structure of the argument? Can you suggest additional reasons the writer might have included?

You give good reasons for why your solutions will improve the community. These reasons are in unified, focused, and coherent paragraphs.

 

Is the evidence used persuasive and credible? Does it follow the guidelines given in assignment? Can you suggest other types of evidence or places the writer might have found evidence that would strengthen the argument?

The evidence used is not all that persuasive to me. Perhaps using direct quotes from your sources, with specific information that supports your argument will help me understand more. The sources themselves seem credible. When you talk about your sources, maybe include the title of the article you used, instead of the URL to the website in general.

Does the proposal follow MLA 8 guidelines for citation, both use of in-text citations and format for Works Cited section?

The proposal follows MLA 8 guidelines for in-text citations perfectly. One of the citations in Works Cited Section, however, does not follow MLA 8 guidelines, and is just a URL. I would suggest trying putting that URL through Easybib, or another citation writer. The Works Cited entries must also be alphabetized, by the very first letter of each entry.

Solar energy is one of the many kinds of renewable energies that is gaining major popularity in the United States. It is one of the most abundant sources, since there is almost always sunlight, and its collector systems are one of the more simple ones to set up, as they are rows of solar panels laid out in an open area (I love wind turbines to death, but they look like a pain to build). Best of all, it is clean, and does not require anything that will pollute the air. There are many benefits for solar energy. However, there are some issues that come with it. Since solar farms require an open area, setting them up may require clearing that space. That may require the removal of trees. This angers some people, especially those who live in my town, Rochester, Massachusetts. There have been three solar farms installed already, and there are at least seven more are being proposed to the planning board. This has the town in an uproar. I, myself, am not impressed either. I support keeping the trees where they are and limiting solar farms for the sake of the wildlife in the town, the environment and the property values. Therefore, I’m proposing a complete restructure of Rochester’s solar farm by-laws, using Rhode Island’s laws as a model.

Rochester is a picturesque, rural town. It is known for the natural feel it gives, with its wooded areas,  great nature trails, ponds and cranberry bogs. Wildlife is abundant, with turkeys, deer,fox and raccoons which are very common in the area that I live in. The major “commercial zone” of Rochester is Plumb Corner which contains a small convenience store, hair salon and daycare across from the town hall. The people who live in Rochester, especially those who have lived here for most of their lives, have grown accustomed to this small town feeling, and enjoy it immensely. With the continuing proposals for solar farms, however, there is a lot of concern about how the nature of Rochester will change. The main reason that people are angry about this is that the installment of these solar farms will require that acres of trees be removed, which would ruin the view and landscape. Rochester wouldn’t feel as natural with a vast array of solar panels.  As Ward Benner, a resident of Mendell Road, said to the Sippican Week, “Keeping the trees would be more fitting with the character of Rochester” (Ray).

The installment of solar panels could also have an effect on the property values of houses in Rochester. People looking to move to Rochester, with the expectations of a very rural town, will be disappointed at what they would see.  According to Ruth Thetonia, the broker/owner of Brook Realty, “Especially in rural areas, people are willing to pay a premium for the view and atmosphere – nature, trees, fields, wildlife. That goes away once a solar farm is built near a residential area.  People are not willing to pay a premium for a view of a solar farms and or dirt berms, fencing…” Conversely, having healthy trees can increase property value—larger specimen trees can add ten percent to property value (USDA Forest Service). According to Ms.Thetonia, solar farms are already starting to cause a decrease in property values to current owners trying to sell across from them or adjacent to them.  It’s also possible that if these proposals for more solar farms move forward, it would result in less people moving into town. “Dale Bindas [vocal townsperson] wasn’t convinced at the town’s inability to regulate the solar farms. ‘You have some input,’ he said, to which Johnson hesitantly agreed. ‘If solar farms keep moving in, you’ll see people begin to move out'” (Ray). As Rochester planning board member Ben Bailey said, “people don’t move to Rochester so they could look out their window and see a bunch of steel and glass” (Perry).

Wildlife is a major factor to keep in mind, as well. Forests and wooded areas in Rochester provide habitats for many “critters”, such as birds, chipmunks, deer, and squirrels. Removing the trees, to make room for solar farms, would be evicting them from their homes. The solar panels themselves can be a threat to animals – birds, specifically. Thousands of them are killed every year by large-scale solar farms. The problem is called the “lake effect”, in which birds, and their prey, such as insects, mistake a solar facility for a body of water, hone in on it, and get fatally burnt on the panels (Upton). Rochester has some beautiful birds, like swans, herons, geese, and ducks. It would be heart-wrenching to know that they are getting themselves fried when they think their about to take a leisurely dip or have a tasty bite.

The only amendment proposed thus far was to “include a three-hundred foot buffer from any public way, which is three-hundred feet farther than the current zero foot in place now” (Perry). At this time it has not been passed. Massachusetts is a very pro-solar state, currently offering many grants and incentives, up until the year of 2020. However, I propose that Massachusetts should follow Rhode Island’s bill H8141, “which discourages siting solar arrays on large wooded areas by prohibiting state financial incentives for the projects” (Faulkner). The bill was made to create “a balance between a desire to reduce our carbon footprint by spurring renewable energy and still protect our natural resources” (Faulkner). It would prevent trees from being removed, so that rural towns can retain their natural character, animals can still have their habitats and remain safe, and property values will not go down. I believe that following in Rhode Island’s footsteps would not only appeal to those who oppose the solar farms, but it would also save the town a great deal of money. Best of all, the town of Rochester can remain the beautiful, natural and comfortable place it has always been.

Local Land Trust nature trail and wildlife viewing area with adjacent solar farm hidden by stockade fencing.

   

   

Entry to local outdoor club with adjacent solar farm abutting the property.

     

Proposed site for new solar farm requiring removal of acres of trees and installation of solar panels and dirt berms to block view from the road & solar company plan.

   

Rural residence with solar farm directly behind back yard hidden by installed stockade fencing.

Works Cited

Farias, Ryan, and Ruth Thetonia. “Solar Farms and Real Estate-Ruth Thetonia, Broker/Owner, Brook Realty.” 7 July 2018.

Faulkner, Tim. “Solar Power: ‘Clear and Present Danger’ to R.I.’s Forests.” EcoRI News, 13 May 2018, www.ecori.org/government/2018/5/12/bill-protects-trees-and-farms-from-solar-energy.

Perry, Jean. “Board Wants Stricter Solar Bylaw.” The Wanderer, 26 Apr. 2018.

Ray, Andrea. “Residents: Solar Farms Will Affect Town’s Character.” Sippican Week, 27 June 2017.

United States, Congress, “Trees Pay Us Back.” Trees Pay Us Back, USDA Forest Service, Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry, 2005.

Upton, John. “Solar Farms Threaten Birds.” Scientific American, Climate Central, 27 Aug. 2014, www.scientificamerican.com/article/solar-farms-threaten-birds/.

Note: First citation is an interview that I conducted personally with Ruth Thetonia. The Sippican Week and the Wanderer are published every week in hard copy.

Final: The Importance of the Playground in Child Development

With this new generation of personal devices and video games, there are increasingly more children that are staying inside. “According to research, children ages 2 to 5 spend close to 25 hours of TV time each week” (Adams, et al. 5). These children are missing out on not just the fun of being outside, but also the opportunity to improve themselves physically, mentally, and socially.  Playing outside is encouraged by professionals who want to see a decrease in using personal devices. So, “What is a simple thing to do that encourages child development? Go to the local playground!!”(Hollman)

Playgrounds are everywhere. You see them at schools, on streets, near beaches, they’re easy to find. Sadly, they are more deserted than ever before. One still may see teenagers shooting hoops with their friends or kindergarteners on the swing set, with their parents pushing them. Hopefully, one might catch a glimpse of a kid on his or her own, using the slide. It used to be a regular part of childhood. It’s just a place where kids go to play; a way for a child to go outside, run around, and have some fun. However, when one does a little research, it becomes clear that it is actually a crucial part of child development. Playground play needs to be encouraged and preserved.

There is a ton of research out there about what playgrounds do for children. Just going outside to play, in itself, is something that children greatly benefit from. “Research shows us that many of the fundamental tasks that children must achieve, such as, exploring, risk-taking, fine and gross motor development and the absorption of vast amounts of basic knowledge, can be most effectively learned through outdoor play” (Adams, et al. 4). The interest in physical and/or exercise play in an average child shows itself early in life.  Kids start to engage in exercise play during the second year of life and it occupies around 20% of children’s behavior by the age of four to five years. Evidence suggests that this type of play is related to children’s developing whole body and hand-eye co-ordination, and is important in building strength and endurance (Whitehead, 18). Playground activities like running, swinging and climbing are consistent with exercise play. It is extremely important for schools and communities to have and maintain good outdoor playgrounds, with fields, toys, and equipment to support kids’ play for physical development. For example, “…there is the climbing equipment such as the jungle gym that challenges the child to pull himself upwards coordinating hands and feet with his body strength”(Hollman).  But are playgrounds only meant to increase gross motor and physical skills?

In Dr. Whitehead’s study titled the Importance of Play, the team makes a number of points and one that is central is that playground play isn’t just for physical benefit. “While the health benefits of physical play are generally well understood, both within and beyond educational settings, the emotional and cognitive benefits of play are not nearly so well recognised, either by parents and the general community, or by educational and other policy makers. Given the crucial significance of playful activities for children’s emotional well-being, their language development and their development of metacognitive and self-regulatory abilities (underpinning academic achievement, creativity and problem-solving), this enhanced understanding is vitally important” (Whitehead, et al. 22).

Clearly, playground play can help the psychological and social emotional development in children.  In fact, in a study of preschoolers on the playground, it was found that physical play was the most positively related to social competence, or the ability to start and maintain a positive social interaction (Veiga, et al. 2, 12).   The playground makes a great place for children to socialize. They build social skills, especially when they make up games to play. “Children learn to negotiate, compromise, work together, and also to control themselves and tolerate their frustrations in a social setting because without abiding by the invented ‘rules’ the child cannot continue to play successfully with their peers”(Duerr Evaluation Resources 3). Not only do children have fun, but they have fun with potential friends they meet. In an age where social emotional weakness is a huge topic in schools, this point can’t be overstated.  The playground allows for social values to be learned like sharing, following rules, taking turns, valuing the choices of others, accepting losing, persevering until the activity is finished. This leads to open minds, good socialization, tolerance and resilience (Whitehead, et al. 23).

Playgrounds cannot become a thing of the past!! They play a vital role in the physical and social-emotional development of children. The present generation should not be deprived of these opportunities simply due to the presence of technology. Playground play must be encouraged and supported by families, schools and communities.

 

Works Cited

Adams, Christy, et al. The Importance of Outdoor Play and Its Impact on Brain Development In Children. 2016, pp. 1–24, The Importance of Outdoor Play and Its Impact on Brain Development In Children.

This college report talks about the benefits of playing outside on the development of the brain of children of different age groups. It also gives ideas for outdoor play at home for these age groups. This source is credible because it was published by the University of Missouri–Kansas City.

 

Duerr Evaluation Resources. “The-Benefits-of-Playgrounds-for-Children-Aged-0-5.Pdf.” 27 May 2003.

This research paper talks about the importance of outside play, physical, and mental, for children age 5 or below. It also talks about how playgrounds help with physical and mental development for these children. This source is credible because it was written published by Duerr Evaluation Resources.

 

Hollman, Ph.D. Laurie. “How Outdoor Playgrounds Affect Child Development.” The Huffington Post, TheHuffingtonPost.com, 7 Dec. 2017,

This online article talks about children playing on specific playground structures, such as the sandbox, or the swing set. It also talks about how each structure helps with child development. This source is credible because it was written by a Ph.D Infant-Parent and Child Psychoanalyst.

 

Solomon, Susan G. The Science of Play: How to Build Playgrounds That Enhance Children’s Development. University Press of New England, 2014.

The book The Science of Play: How to Build Playgrounds That Enhance Children’s Development provides an argument by the author of the problems with today’s playgrounds, specifically those that interfere with the psychological development of children. The book also gives solutions to these problems. This source is credible because it is published by the University Press of New England.

 

Veiga, Guida, et al. “Social Competence at the Playground: Preschoolers during Recess.”  Infant & Child Development, vol. 26, no. 1, Jan/Feb2017. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1002/icd.1957.

This journal entry refers to a study of preschool students during their recess time. The goal of this study was to find a specific kind of play that significantly affects social competence. This source is credible because it was published by Infant & Child Development.

 

Whitebread, David, et al.  “The Importance of Play: A report on the value of children’s play with a series of policy recommendations,” University of Cambridge,  April 2012.

This report reviews the archaeological history of play.  Then it goes over the five types of play and how they help children develop in different areas like physical, social, psychological, etc.  The bulk of the report then explains how increase and incorporate play throughout educational, community and home settings.  It spends a great deal of time on playgrounds and types of equipment and how the role of play shouldn’t be dismissed.  It is credible because it was created by Dr. David Whitehead the Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Education at the University of Cambridge, England.

 

Reflections on Revision:

I looked over the comments carefully and completely revamped paragraph one by using part of paragraph three and then adding to it.  It’s more powerful now. My original paragraph one was changed and clarified to become paragraph two.  I tweaked several sentences and improved the ending sentence on that paragraph. I also reviewed my sources to get more expert facts into my remaining paragraphs. I added more about the social emotional impact of playgrounds, too.  Social-emotional learning is a hot topic in the tri-town where I live. I also used another source I had found but not quoted from to enhance my factual supports.

I also read the Seton Hill selection on integrating quotes.  I tried to incorporate what I read about by improving my use of quotes and paraphrasing in the piece as a whole.  I tried to do less of the “according to” and the “this supports my idea that…”   

I also fixed the alphabetization of my works cited!!

Brainstorming Ideas for Rochester, MA

#1

I think I will be writing about a complete restructuring of Solar Farm By-Laws because that is the “big” issue in my town right now.  We are this small, rural right to farm community but that means we have a lot of undeveloped land and the 2 solar farms that are in have got the town in an uproar and there’s supposedly 7-9 more being pitched to the planning board.  People are ANGRY!!

——————————————————————————————–

In brainstorming, though, I did think of a few more things.

#2 Recreation Center with playground, basketball courts and pool. We have no beaches and no ponds that you are allowed to legally swim in. The playground is only usable outside of school hours- so it’s not great for young families.

#3 Street Lights – We have almost NONE!  It’s a little difficult driving in Rochester at night, and then if it’s bad weather- forget it!!

#4 Sidewalks in the town center – We have a small town center area with the Rochester Town Hall, Plumb Library, Rochester Post Office, and the Plumb Corner Market.  It would be great to be able to walk there a little more safely with our dogs or even just ourselves, or again young families with strollers, etc.

1. Comment on the quality of sources used and the usefulness of the annotations given.                                                                                                                The sources you used in this essay appear to be credible, and related to your topic. The annotations you gave for each source gave me a great overall idea of the information that could be found, and why the sources you chose are credible.
2. Are the Works Cited entries done according to MLA 8 guidelines? If not, specify problems.                                                                                                                 The Works Cited entries are almost done according to MLA 8 guidelines. For some of your sources, there is a URL for the source, but no title. Other than that, the Works Cited entries are great.
3. Are paragraphs unified, focused, and coherent? If not, identify problems.                                                                                                                        Every paragraph in this essay is coherent. Every paragraph, except for the first one, is unified and focused. The first paragraph is an introduction, with the thesis statement, combined with talking about some of the benefits of play. I would recommend splitting this paragraph, from the line “Independent play fosters imagination and problem-solving skills”, on.
4. Comment on depth and clarity of information provided. (Is information given that the audience would not likely already know?)                                  The information used in this essay is in depth, and very clear. The audience would not likely already know the information given.
5. Are in-text citations used properly? If not, explain the issue(s).                           In-text citations are used properly in this essay. They are put in parentheses, with the name of the author of the source.

Ryan Farias           Why Playgrounds Are Important for Child Development

Playgrounds are everywhere. You see them at schools, on streets, near beaches, they’re easy to find. The majority of the time, you see children of all different ages on these playgrounds.  There could be teenagers shooting hoops with their friends. You could see kindergarteners on the swing set, with their parents pushing them. You might catch a glimpse of a kid on his or her own, using the slide. Normally, it’s a little part of childhood. It’s just a place where kids go to play; a way for a child to go outside, run around, and have some fun. When you stop to think about it, and do a little research, you’ll find that it is a crucial part of child development.

There is a ton of research out there about what playgrounds do for children. Just going outside to play, in itself, is something that children greatly benefit from. “Research shows us that many of the fundamental tasks that children must achieve, such as, exploring, risk-taking, fine and gross motor development and the absorption of vast amounts of basic knowledge, can be most effectively learned through outdoor play” (Adams, et al. 4). This goes to show that playing outside can help the psychological development in children.  Playing outside also helps children physically develop, especially with playground equipment. For example, “…there is the climbing equipment such as the jungle gym that challenges the child to pull himself upwards coordinating hands and feet with his body strength”(Hollman, Ph.D). In fact, in a study of preschoolers on the playground, it was found that physical play was the most positively related to social competence, or the ability to start and maintain a positive social interaction (Veiga, et al. 2, 12). This supports the fact that the playground makes a great place for children to socialize. They build social skills, especially when they make up games to play. “Children learn to negotiate, compromise, work together, and also to control themselves and tolerate their frustrations in a social setting because without abiding by the invented ‘rules’ the child cannot continue to play successfully with their peers”(Duerr Evaluation Resources 3). Not only do children have fun with themselves, but they have fun with potential friends they meet.

With this new generation of personal devices and video games, though, there are increasingly more children that are staying inside. “According to research, children ages 2 to 5 spend close to 25 hours of TV time each week” (Adams, et al. 5). These children are missing out on not just the fun of being outside, but also the opportunity to improve themselves physically, mentally, and socially. Plus, playing outside is more encouraged by professionals than using personal devices, anyway. So, “What is a simple thing to do that encourages child development? Go to the local playground!!”(Hollman, Ph.D)

Works Cited

Solomon, Susan G. The Science of Play: How to Build Playgrounds That Enhance Children’s Development. University Press of New England, 2014.

The book The Science of Play: How to Build Playgrounds That Enhance Children’s Development provides an argument by the author of the problems with today’s playgrounds, specifically those that interfere with the psychological development of children. The book also gives solutions to these problems. This source is credible because it is published by the University Press of New England.

 

Veiga, Guida, et al. “Social Competence at the Playground: Preschoolers during Recess.“ Infant & Child Development, vol. 26, no. 1, Jan/Feb2017. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1002/icd.1957.

This journal entry refers to a study of preschool students during their recess time. The goal of this study was to find a specific kind of play that significantly affects social competence. This source is credible because it was published by Infant & Child Development.

 

Hollman, Ph.D. Laurie. “How Outdoor Playgrounds Affect Child Development.” The Huffington Post, TheHuffingtonPost.com, 7 Dec. 2017,

This online article talks about children playing on specific playground structures, such as the sandbox, or the swing set. It also talks about how each structure helps with child development. This source is credible because it was written by a Ph.D Infant-Parent and Child Psychoanalyst.

 

Adams, Christy, et al. The Importance of Outdoor Play and Its Impact on Brain Development In Children. 2016, pp. 1–24, The Importance of Outdoor Play and Its Impact on Brain Development In Children.

This college report talks about the benefits of playing outside on the development of the brain of children of different age groups. It also gives ideas for outdoor play at home for these age groups. This source is credible because it was published by the University of Missouri–Kansas City.

 

Duerr Evaluation Resources . “The-Benefits-of-Playgrounds-for-Children-Aged-0-5.Pdf.” 27 May 2003.

This research paper talks about the importance of outside play, physical, and mental, for children age 5 or below. It also talks about how playgrounds help with physical and mental development for these children. This source is credible because it was written published by Duerr Evaluation Resources.

Lowe’s – A Shopping Study                                                            Ryan Farias

I recently read a rather fascinating article by Malcolm Gladwell called The Science of Shopping. It talks about the research of an anthropologist by the name of Paco Underhill, on how the American shopper functions in particular retailers. Now, I, myself, had to go out to a store of my choice and make some observations of my own. The store I chose was Lowe’s in Wareham, Massachusetts. Lowe’s is a large style hardware store handling building materials, tools, home improvement items, electrical, plumbing, lawn/garden, and seasonal items. It seemed kind of weird at first, going to a store, just taking notes on the customers, staff members, and items. I was scared I would look like a stalker of some sort. However, after walking around the store for a while, snapping photos, and jotting some things down on my clipboard I grew comfortable in the role and it wasn’t that bad. Plus, my family and I love going to Lowe’s, so it is always fun to go there. During the multiple visits and observations at the store I saw that the Lowe’s location appears to be inconsistent in terms of following Paco Underhill’s theories and recommendations.

As the article states, “The best stores all have an image—or what retailers like to call ‘point of view’” (Gladwell). This refers to the atmosphere that a store creates for its customers. Lowe’s tends to create an atmosphere similar to that of a home improvement warehouse crossed with bazaar or market.  Upon entry the store appears to cry out to the shopper “come on in we have all the big building stuff you need to be your own contractor” but it also lets you know that it is going to tantalize you with the shiny items. It has extremely high ceilings, tall metal shelves for storage and standard displays to make items available for evaluation and purchase. The bazaar/marketplace feel comes from the kiosk type counters placed throughout the store. These staffed, little counters have items to pick up and touch along with workers with who to chat. It’s a treat to stop and check out the paint counter, the flooring counter, the window treatments counter or the flooring kiosk.  Along with these counters there are forklifts roaming around with pallets of lumber and large items. It also has a lot of well lit, colorful and attractive displays, and what you could call “learning center” areas where shoppers are able examine the more stylish aspects of home improvement – flooring, carpeting, kitchen cabinetry, doors, etc. I guess you could say it is a warehouse you could buy products directly from. To my family and me, Lowe’s seems to have a distinct scent to it. I believe that it is a combination of cleaning products, metal and wood, with a hint of oil. One part of the atmosphere that may be unintentional would be the birds!  There are always birds flying in from the garden section and they can be seen and heard all around the store.

Paco Underhill calls the area inside the door; about five to fifteen steps in, the Decompression Zone, and warns retail clients to never put anything valuable in that area (Gladwell). Well, Lowe’s didn’t seem to heed that warning, as they cut right to the chase of displaying a lot of valuable items before you could even get into the store. They put seasonal items not only in the Decompression Zone area (which also happens to be the area where the shopping carts are), but even outside the entry doors. I saw not just lawn chairs, plants, tiki torches and mulch but also Weber gas grills and large lawn tractors – fairly big ticket, expensive items. Clearly this is equipment meant for summertime and perhaps the idea is to make it clear to shoppers that they can buy all they need for fun in the sun without needing to enter the store.

Upon entry, on the left side, immediately is customer service, along with standard year round items. At the very front and at left of the store are all of the checkout registers, the tool section, the paint  station, and aisles with hardware and house electronics (middle), and building materials, such as roofing, drywall, lumber, etc. (far left). About three quarters of the way in, or what Paco calls Zone 4 (Gladwell), is the appliance area for kitchens and laundry rooms, along with doors, and flooring. Zone 4 at Lowe’s does not have the “destination items – staples, things that people know you have and buy a lot of” (Gladwell 73). In fact, everything more commonly used by your average person that needs to be replenished like nails, screws, light bulbs, batteries, paint brushes, insect repellent, etc. are all in Zone 1. In addition, the far right corner of the store, next to appliances, is the plumbing and electrical section. So, the majority of Lowe’s is set up on the left of the entry doors.

Paco Underhill has a theory known as the Invariant Right, stating that shoppers instinctively turn right (Gladwell).  The majority of shoppers that I saw walk through the door seemed to contradict this theory. I stood by the entrance for a period of time and observed the customers coming into Lowe’s and did some math.  More than half (60%) of the shoppers I observed turned left upon entering the store and clearing the Decompression Zone. The other 40% of shoppers went straight (13%) through toward the back of the store or turned right or diagonally right (27%).  I believe that the reason for the predominant left turns is that, with the outside lawn and garden area taken out of the equation, the majority of the store (lumber, building materials, electrical, hardware, tools) is setup to the left of the main entry which forces shoppers to turn left or go straight if they are interested in anything other than lawn and garden or seasonal items.  That said, Lowe’s does appear to take the Invariant Right theory to heart by setting up big ticket seasonal items (more lawn tractors, Weber grills, patio gazebos and furniture) diagonally to the right upon entry. Directly behind big ticket seasonal items are expensive outdoor power tools – generators, chainsaws, weed whackers, leaf blowers, and power washers – all the engines you could possibly desire.  Anybody with a penchant for power tools (many of the guys and gals into the “do it yourself” scene) and who was wandering in without a strong desire to go immediately for an item they wanted could find themselves in the midst of “engine heaven” if they strayed a little to the right.

During my observations of entering customers, I saw that their attire could give a big clue as to which way they were going.  Men or women dressed in denim or Dickies and t-shirts – perhaps with work boots – were almost always a sure bet to head left.  When following some of them they invariably ended up in the lumber/building materials section or sometimes electrical. This appeared to stand solidly during my weekday observations.  These folks were heading for the more “no nonsense” area where the lumber is piled high on racks, rolls of cabling are on spools, sheetrock pieces are stacked, and bags of concrete are lined up.  The majority of the flatbeds, hand trucks, and forklifts hang out here. It is louder and dustier. It is made for the people who are really getting their hands dirty. Somebody coming in wearing shorts, sandals, t-shirt or golf shirt was far more likely to go straight in (appliance land – refrigerators, washers, dryers, ranges) or venture off to the right diagonal or far right for lawn and garden shopping. One older lady went directly to the paint section – still to the left, not the invariant right!!

At some of the aisles on the left/main side of the store, you find interactive demos of some house electronics. For example, I noticed a little boy, about age six or seven, at the demo for Nest products, such as their learning thermostat, and their security camera. The products themselves were displayed at the front of the aisle, and below it, was a touchscreen. The kid played around with the screen, and pulled up an information video on the security system. He stood, mesmerized, by the video playing. He probably learned a thing or two from his Lowe’s trip, that day. Moments later his mom dragged him away.  “No, we don’t need one,” she said.

I took some time to observe the staff at Lowe’s. All of them had blue and red vests over their shirts, similar to one that construction workers wear. They looked happy based on the smiles on their faces and were definitely courteous when approached. In really paying attention, I noticed they ranged in age from teenager to senior citizen.  There are definitely male workers who look as old as my grandfather and he’s seventy.  Some of the staff fits the “you can be your own contractor” atmosphere of Lowe’s.  From my observations, these would be the older, more experienced sales staff who can answer specific, sophisticated builder/trade related questions. One wonders if they are retired contractors and/or builders. The younger employees, while helpful and good-natured, seem to be on cash registers, stocking shelves and working the customer service desk. Luckily when I went to make my first observations, my dad had two empty propane tanks to exchange so I would see some live staff interaction. We went in, took the immediate left, and went to customer service. “How do we do the propane tank exchange?” he asked.

“We can get that set and paid for right here, no problem,” the young girl behind the counter answered cheerfully. She proceeded to process the order, hand us our receipt and direct us to the outside area to wait for the tank exchange. “Just head to the exit and right to the right of the door is the tank cage.  Someone will meet you there in a minute.” And she was right, within a minute or so another staff member came out to unlock the metal tank cabinet to make the exchange. To me he looked about 25, he quietly switched out the tanks for us and bid us “good day.” That went well, I thought to myself and jotted notes down quickly.

The following day I returned to my retail anthropologist position hoping to collect more data. I followed a couple that looked to be in their mid-40’s to the appliance section. They had their teenage son with them; he seemed to be my age. The wife had a print out in her hand and was talking to her husband in a firm voice.  “I already did the research, and this is the best one,” she said, pointing to the paper in her hand. “It’s a Frigidaire, its black like the stove and it will fit in the space we have. It even has an ice maker option.” He just looked at it and then looked at her. As they arrived at the refrigerator section, she looked at her partner and said, “Okay, we’re here. Go get the guy.”

The man in his tan pants and white t-shirt just stopped and looked at her.  “What? You did all the research, you go get him and tell him which one you want.”

“Um, no, I really don’t want to. That’s your department. I’m just going to go see if I can find it in here. Go ahead. Go get him, we’ll be over here.” And then she just rushed off with her son into the heap of refrigerators. The funny part is that her husband shrugged did a little laugh and went get the guy. I didn’t want to follow too closely but a bit later the family and the Lowe’s “guy”, as she called him, emerged from the refrigerator row and went to a register to pay for the appliance.  The mom was happy with a big smile on her face and as I walked away I heard her say, “Oh, wow that’s great…free delivery and free take away. I love Lowe’s.” She clearly illustrates Gladwell’s idea that “Women are still the shoppers in America, and the real money is to be made by making retail styles more female-friendly, not less” (Gladwell).

Overall, I think my observations prove that Lowe’s does not necessarily follow Underhill’s ideal store set up.  It clearly has an unmistakable Lowe’s atmosphere and its employees fit well within that. Even though Lowe’s may not heed the Decompression Zone rules and make full use of the Invariant Right theory, it is a great place to shop and I enjoy it!!

Works Cited

Gladwell, Malcolm. “The Science of Shopping.” The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 1996, pp. 66–75.

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Revising my Lowe’s Essay Reflection

In revising my Lowe’s piece, I tried to address the points raised in my peer and teacher review first since they are “live” feedback.  I went back and tried to explain the “bazaar” feeling that I mentioned in my rough draft. I added details to support the image better. I was also able to expand on my Zone 4 commentary and use another quote from the Gladwell article. A third large revision was adding in more specific staff observations. In the past, I’ve had other teachers who made us change font color to show “actual” revision sections so I did that for you in the final draft that I emailed.  I also requested feedback from my mom (teacher) and my brother-in-law who has an English degree from Bridgewater State College (now University.)

Next, I moved on to the style article you directed me to.  I focused on trying to fix wordiness.  I found several spots where I could get to my point more accurately.  I made about 10 revisions for this.  I took out unneeded “so’s” and spots where I used “some” unnecessarily. I also changed a few verb tenses and combined sentences.  I shortened sentences that just had unneeded words! These are not in red because there were too many!

Solomon, Susan G. The Science of Play: How to Build Playgrounds That Enhance Children’s Development. University Press of New England, 2014.

The book The Science of Play: How to Build Playgrounds That Enhance Children’s Development provides an argument by the author of the problems with today’s playgrounds, specifically those that interfere with the psychological development of children. The book also gives solutions to these problems. This source is credible because it is published by the University Press of New England.

 

Veiga, Guida, et al. “Social Competence at the Playground: Preschoolers during Recess.“ Infant & Child Development, vol. 26, no. 1, Jan/Feb2017. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1002/icd.1957.

This journal entry refers to a study of preschool students during their recess time. The goal of this study was to find a specific kind of play that significantly affects social competence. This source is credible because it was published by Infant & Child Development.

 

Hollman, Ph.D. Laurie. “How Outdoor Playgrounds Affect Child Development.” The Huffington Post, TheHuffingtonPost.com, 7 Dec. 2017,

This online article talks about children playing on specific playground structures, such as the sandbox, or the swing set. It also talks about how each structure helps with child development. This source is credible because it was written by a Ph.D Infant-Parent and Child Psychoanalyst.

 

Adams, Christy, et al. The Importance of Outdoor Play and Its Impact on Brain Development In Children. 2016, pp. 1–24, The Importance of Outdoor Play and Its Impact on Brain Development In Children.

This college report talks about the benefits of playing outside on the development of the brain of children of different age groups. It also gives ideas for outdoor play at home for these age groups. This source is credible because it was published by the University of Missouri–Kansas City.

 

Duerr Evaluation Resources . “The-Benefits-of-Playgrounds-for-Children-Aged-0-5.Pdf.” 27 May 2003.

This research paper talks about the importance of outside play, physical, and mental, for children age 5 or below. It also talks about how playgrounds help with physical and mental development for these children. This source is credible because it was written published by Duerr Evaluation Resources.

The Science of Play: How to Build Playgrounds That Enhance Children’s Development

 

Social Competence at the Playground: Preschoolers During Recess.

 

Research Paper: The Benefit of Playgrounds for Children Aged 0-5

 

How Outdoor Playgrounds Affect Child Development

 

The Importance of Outdoor Play and Its Impact on Brain Development In Children