Student Reading 2.3: Diversity within the Community and Ohio
Samantha sat down at the kitchen table with a big sigh. Her dad looked at her face, and knew she was feeling down. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
“It’s this assignment!” Samantha answered. “I don’t know anything about this, and I can’t do it!”
“What’s the assignment?” asked Dad.
“I’m supposed to find out about the diversity of industry in Cincinnati. I don’t even know what that means!” grumbled Samantha.
“Samantha!” said Dad, “You know how to use a dictionary and the computer! Look it up!”
Together, Samantha and her dad looked up the word diversity. “Oh. Diversity just means variety. That isn’t so hard,” said Samantha. Then she looked up industry. “Industry just means business. Well, that doesn’t seem so bad.”
“What are you supposed to find out about this?” asked Dad.
Samantha read the assignment out loud. “I get it now!” she said. “I’m supposed to find out about all the different kinds of businesses we have in Cincinnati.
Samantha used the computer and searched for businesses in Cincinnati. She was amazed to find that Cincinnati has many different kinds of industry.
“Listen to this, Dad,” said Samantha. She read a list of different products that are made in the area.
“We make cereal, soap, shampoo, diapers, laundry detergent, paper towels, jet engines, playing cards, umbrellas, shoes, garage doors, bread, ice cream, cookies, clocks, and bells! And there are more! Wow!”
“That’s a lot of variety!” said Dad. “I’ve lived here all my life, and I didn’t know some of those.”
“And look at this! In the whole state, we make and grow all kinds of products! People make organs, furniture, jelly, greeting cards, dishes, paint, frozen dinners, and grow tomatoes…I can’t believe all these!”
“Well, you know, Ohio has a variety of natural resources, so we can make lots of different things,” said Dad.
“What are natural resources?” asked Samantha.
“Natural resources are things we can use from nature. Think about how all those products have to be made in factories, grown on farms, and moved from place to place. That takes energy. Coal, oil, gas, and water are resources we have right here in Ohio. I know farms in Ohio grow tomatoes, corn, wheat, soy beans, and there are lots of fruit farms, like the one we go to when we get apples and pumpkins in the fall,” Dad told her.
“So, that means there are lots of different kinds of jobs, too, doesn’t it?” asked Samantha.
“Of course! Imagine how many different people it takes to plant and care for those apples. Then someone has to pick them. Some of those apples are sold to eat, of course, but others are sent to be made into other things.” Dad said.
“Yes! Like pie, and apple butter, and apple juice. I love those!” Samantha giggled.
“People have to make them, package them, and move them from the factories to stores, so we can buy them. There is a lot involved in getting the things we want and need each day,” Dad added.
“Oh, I see. I never really thought about it. The city of Cincinnati is full of diversity! So is Ohio. This is great! I bet we found out things my teacher doesn’t even know!
Thank you for helping me, Dad. This really was an interesting assignment!” said Samantha.