comments week 24

DJ

Savannah- Anticipating our next book 

Anticipating Our Next Book

If you are in a position of power you are happy- This statement stood out to me because I at first I was like no, you usually are not happy. But then I began to think about it more and decided that there is not a black or white answer to this statement. I would agree and disagree. I think that the process of power strongly plays a role in the happinness factor. Usually when someone wins a postion of power they are thrilled, but as the process gies on harships can pop up and the happiness can subside. I also think that the person plays a major role in whether or not they will be happy. I know that for me, because I am pretty shy, I don't usually like being in a postion of power. Someone who is very outgoing may feel otherwise. Many different situations have different feelings for the person who is in power and all different types of facotrs go into decided if that person will be happy.

Ambition is a positive, desirable trait in a person- I would agree with this statement. Yes, there are a few situations in which the ambition could be bad if it was overpowering or too much. But, for the most part ambition is a great trait. Ambition is what gets people out of bed in the morning and brings them to try their best in things whuch may not be very exciting. I know that without my ambition I would probably not want to sudy and try as hard as I do. I also like seeing ambition in my friends and my peers. I like to people who are strongly passionate and motivated in the things which they do. This ambition inspires others and it usually brings good outcomes.

Hits and Misses

           I feel like overall I have been successful this year in english. I would definately say that I had an easier experience with a few things, and a more challenging one with a couple others. My favorite peice of writing this year was my "The Stained Wedding Dress" peice which I wrote as my quarter personal narrative. Although this may not be the best in terms of conventional parts I feel like my voice was very strong and I was submerged in the true feelings which come out in this peice. I also learned a lot from writing this. I now know that I like writing about real situations and personal topics which I can put a lot of meaning into. This year I also got a experiment with other types of writing such as the personal narrative. This was challening at first and I had no idea what I was doing. But in the end  I feel like it turned out to be good and I was proud of myself for being successful with something new.

        Writing has always been something that I have enjoyed and this year the blog posts have beneffited me in many ways. To be honest, every week when the time comes around to write the posts I am reluctant to get started. But once I start writing I have a completely positive reaction. Depending on the topic, for the most part blog posts are more of an escape rather than homework. I can be free with my writing and I enjoy writing about all different things. I don't really have anything this year that I completely didn't get anything out of. I would say that a few of the really long processes like the research paper and all of the peices that went with that were stressful. But overall I have learned a lot from my wiritng and I have had happy results from all challenges.

comments week 23

Savannah- New York Times Prompt 

Laura- NY times 

Purple Hibiscus

Purple Hibiscus is a challenging book to read on a few different aspects. First of all, there is a lot that we can discuss and a lot that needs some thinking on to really determine how it came into place or how it contributes to the story in an important way. Another challennging aspect of the book is the emotional impact that it leaves on the reader. There are some very hard parts to read; parts where you want to jump in the story and save the characters. But, there are ways to read which help me navigate these challenges. 

When I read, I annotate and these annotations help me think about what im reading and comment on it a beneficial and important way. I also sometimes stop to think about what it going on so I can succesfully understand and move on with my reading. I have found that marking my questions and then having them answered in class has been the most helpful way to really undertstand and go deeper into the reading. I have really enjoyed reading Purple Hibiscus and I think that the reading strategies that I have been using will be beneificial to me not only with this book but with reading in the future. 

What Makes Me Happy; responding to NY times prompt

Happiness; a word which I seem to look up to, I seek to be happy. My instagram bio is even "choose happiness". But the real question is What makes me happy? Well, there is not just one answer to that broad question. A lot of things make me happy, a few of which I will tell you about. I am happy when I am with my friends and we play a song which we can all get into. The loud music and the sounds of our voices singing along to the song makes me feel free and in the moment. I am happy when I see a new issue of W magazine in my mailbox and I sit down on my bed and can appreiate the beauty of fashion and design. Then, there's the gushy things, like when someone gives me a hug, or when someone says "I love you." Theres also the things which can not be seen, like laughter, my music, and the voices of my favorite people. I am happy when I am taking a hike in the mountains and I look down to the brilliant colors of wild flowers. And I am happy when I see other people being happy. Happiness is contagious and it's a wonderfull thing.

Of course, we can't all be happy all the time. But we can choose to see the beauty in the small things and to appreciate the things which bring a smile to our faces. Happiness is such an abstract theme and evreryone has different interpretations of what makes them happy and what it means to them. I like to "choose happiness" whenever I can and even when I am not happy I like to think about the things that make me feel good. By doing this I know that happiness is always around the corner.

comments week 22

Makenzie- What is Intelligence?

Megan- Dark Abyss

Why the Women’s March may be the start of a serious social movement

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2017/01/30/why-the-womens-march-may-be-the-start-of-a-serious-social-movement/?utm_term=.4949b664b740

As I was searching through current political articles and trying to filter through the things in which I was interested in, I though of an event which happened a few months ago. Although the women's march is a tradition in which women stand up for equality and justice, I feel like this year so much more came through and made an impact on all aspects of human understanding and equality. I read the article "Why the Women's March may be the start of a serious social movement" by Emily Kalah Gade. The purpose of this article is to look into the issues which the march targeted and to see if they actually moved into political action and movement. Gade explains how the march "drew support from many different corners of society," and how this insured that people fighting for all different causes had more power to protest. This article suggests that although it is hard for an event which included so many focuses to really pass these injustices into movements, this event provided unity and patriotism and the opportunity of the voices of the discriminated to be heard. In conclusion Gade states that "All this suggests not a one-time eruption, but a movement that's about to dig in." Gade's article touched on the key elements that made the Women's march so powerful this year and also the elements which have potential to continue to make a difference with the issues that matter.


I feel like the Women's March provides proof to the aftermath of the topic of my research paper. Mary Wollstonecraft was one of first feminists and she stood up for what she believed in. The march shows us that people continue to fight for issues which affect them. Although these issues have not completely resolved, we unite together and let out voices be heard. Personally, I believe in being open minded and accepting of all people no matter who they are or what they believe in. All people are created as equals and not one person is worth more than the other. This does not mean we hold are differences, some in which everyone may not agree with. But too much divison is a cry for help, a cry in which it is crucial to stand up for. I believe that the Women's march is not only for those who are being mistreated, but also for the ones who beleive that change is benefficial and that uniting together makes the world a better place.

comments week 21

Gautam- Learning Reflection 

John H- The Year is Almost Over 

Learning Reflection

This school year has gone by in a flash and I cannot believe that it is already the fourth quarter. I have learned so much about myself this school year in all different areas. As a person, I have learned that I am so much stronger than I could ever imagine and I know that if I am a friend to myself I will always be able to make it through hard things. As a student I have learned that I can do anything I put my mind to and that I am capable of doing great work. As a reader and a writer I feel like I have improved. I have become more confident with my work and I have become a stronger reader and writer.

I plan to bring these new discoveries and growths into fourth quarter. I also hope to continue to grow in all fields. I want to bring my good habits over and lose any bad ones. Working hard and getting my work done at the first opportunity will be benefical to me. I will also make sure to take advantage of the great learning tools that are offered to me. This school year has brought so many challanges my way, all which have helped me grow as a person. I have a good feeling about the last stride of freshman year and I know that I will be proud of myself when it is over.

Shooting Stars

Every once in while I will look up at the sky and I will see a a bright light pass by me in the blink of an eye, AKA, a shooting star. Or I will travel to places like the Grand Canyon and Chile and I will see the the unreal landcapes which give me a reason to let go of all of the small worries which crowd my mind. Because compared to these infinite miracles I am just another petal mixed in with the millions of others. Or I will just sit still and feel my body rise and fall with each breathe. I will look around and see what eyesight brings me. And a smile will come over my face.

Although I feel like this theme comes up throughout my blogs, I just cannot seem to say it enough. We as people get so caught up in our own tiny lives that we forget to notice the magic and mindblowing things around us. In reality, it would be a shame to go through life just going about our own lives. There is so much more out there, it just takes noticing and appreciation. Life really is a miracle, one that will blow my mind forever. Just like the rare shooting star flying across the expanding nighttime sky.

comments week 20

Sarah- Free post- poem 
Sydney- Free post 

2 free poems

Waves:

Everchanging and never changing

always moving 

always there 

such a beautiful thing 

giving life 

changing lives 

for there is the ocean 

always there 

expanding over the earth 

everchanging and never changing 

bringing waves of life 

I look up at the nightime sky 

I wonder if you see it too 

the stars which are there for me 

are also there for you 

so far 

but so close 

connected by the universe

the same nightime sky

offering a moment

Analyzing a song

Float On- Modest Mouse
lyric video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opDB5bY3YCg
lyrics:
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/modestmouse/floaton.html

The song Float On by modest mouse is one of my all time favorite songs and now that i'm looking back at the lyrics they include more poetry advices than I realized. Along with end rhyme and repitition there are other devices used to make the song poetic. For instance; "I ran my mouth off a bit too much" is an example of an hyperbole. Assonance  and alliteration are also included, for example, "alright already we'll all float on alright already." There are probably many more poetry devices that I didn;t pick up on that are included in this song, but the ons that I listed all make the song special in certain ways.

I love this son because of the simplicity and repitition of the phrase "we'll all float on," because that is the true meaning of the song and modest mouse has no trouble making it very clear that this is the theme of the song. The song includes a positive feeling and shows the listener that even though rough spots may come your way that we will all be alright.

Comments week 19

Sarah C- Poem

Savannah- Tick Tock

Poem

Changes come

Changes go

good, bad, and somewhere in between 

happy, hopeful, and hurtful 

just like everything 

I find myself changing.

like the autumn leaves 

color comes color goes 

I am happy 

then sad 

but this is life

always changing.

for the good and the bad

bringing a new day.

Alliteration, Consonance, Simile 

Using Vocab.com Words

It doesn't matter where or when; the beach is always perfect and always a place where I can let go of all of my worries and just relax. I love the water as it is always moving and changing, offering redemption with every new wave. Many of the beauties that this world has to offer come through at the beach. I wade through the water and feel the sea water crawl up higher and higher on my body. Then I lay back and allow myself to float. I am carried by the natural movement of the water and the sun shines perfectly on me. All of my worries go away and I am there in the moment. 

Every time that I go to the beach I feel relaxed. No matter what I am doing I am always having fun. The days may pass and the suntans may not last but the ever long remedy of the hot sand and ocean waves stays with me throughout the year. I make my way towards summer craving the beach even more.  

comments week 18

Mary Francis- research

Sophia- Reading Response through page 101

Research

This is the first time that I have ever really written a serious research paper and there is a lot more to it then one can see on the surface. I always knew that citations were important but in reality, citations are the bulk of your research paper. Either by finding information and paraphrasing or by quoting it is customary to cite your source. In-text citations are important because they show the reader exactly where that small section of information comes from. I also learned that relating every piece of your paper to your research question is extremely beneficial to pulling everything together, but this is also complex and hard sometimes. 

For the most part, I have had a smooth transition from the outline to writing the paper. I feel like I had strong notecards and those really helped me organize and put together my paragraphs. I would like to learn more about how to really organize the paper and how to move from the rough draft to a polished final draft. 

Reading Response

So far I have read 160 pages of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian and every time I read it I do not want to put it down. I enjoy reading about Junior AKA Arnold's adventures at Rearden and I think that the book holds a lot of important life lessons. As an example, Arnold is afraid to tell his new friends that he is poor, but when they eventually found out they didn't care and they wanted to support and help him in any way that they could.

 I think that acceptance and kindness are something that most people have and that it is important to share with the people that we care about because most likely they will want to help us and will not judge us for the truth. Arnold has a hard life at home and he does not exactly have the "perfect" life. But he does have people who love and care about him. 

comments week 17

John H- Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

John N- The Real Worst Day of the Week 

15 going on 16

My birthday is in May and I will be 16 years old. Ever since I can remember 16 has been my favorite number. I remember being younger and thinking about the age 16. It seemed so old to me and I couldn't wait until one day I could be that cool big kid who had freedom and held a totally awesome sweet 16. Now, that one day is almost here and I'm not sure how to feel about it.

 For me, my first few teenage years have been pretty similar. I mean yeah, I now have my drivers permit, and I can travel by myself,  I make plans for myself and stay up as late as I want. I never really stop to think about how I have grown up. It is crazy to me how fast days and months and years go by.  As every second goes by we are older than the second before. I am excited for what 16 brings to me. I think the best way to start off will be having the amazing sweet 16 with my best friends which I have been looking forward to for years.

Reading Response

I'll start off by saying that The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is different from anything that I have read. But it is different in a good way. So far I have really enjoyed the book and have found the author to have a very good sense of humor and he also makes the characters and storyline seem very realistic. 

My favorite part so far is has been when Junior punches Roger in the face and Roger just walks away. I think that this was an important teaching moment not only for Junior but also for kids in the real world. Sometimes walking away is the best way to fight back. This was so different from what Junior was used to and he was confused when Rowdy did not fight him back. I think that his adventures at Rearden will hold many other important moments that will help shape Junior.

Comments week 16

Kolin- Nelson Mandela 

Kaelyn- Last Semester 

Mary Wollstonecraft

My research topic is on Mary Wollstonecraft, one of the earliest feminists. My research question is; What main influences inspired Mary Wollstonecraft, and what impacts did she leave on western society and American feminism? Mary Wollstonecraft developed a love for writing at a very young age and was influenced by her peers, her friends and the way that the world was at the time. During the eighteenth century, the French Revolution led women to speak up for rights. Wollstonecraft became one of these influential leaders and fought for eduaction, respect and equality. Wollstonecraft inspired many others and advocated for women in ways that have led to the rights that women have today.

This topic is very important because it was not very long ago that women had very few rights. Women were basically owned by their husbands and their ideas were rejected because of the fact that they were women. Now, women have to right to a great education, and for the most part can get any job that they work for. For the most part, women are individuals and are respected. Mary Wollstonecraft was one of the early feminists who clear a pathway and inspired other women to fight for what they believe in. The fight still stands, and women continue to fight against prejudice. Without these early pioneers, women may not have had the place in society that they do today and the ability to speak up maybe wouldn't be as easy.

Learning about Myself

Last semester was a crazy one, starting out with the flood ruining my house and the start of high school. On top of that, my best friend moved to California. At the beginning of the first semester, I was not as excited for a new school year as I usually am. To be honest, my life felt like a big puddle of murky water that just kept getting bigger and bigger. But then the sun began to appear and the puddle began to clear up. I realized that I had so much to look forward to this year and that there were people around me that were there for me. I developed a relationship with myself and I now know that if I believe in myself and look at the bright side of things I can get through any rough patch and I can accomplish anything that I put my mind to.

This discovery will help me this semester in my school work and my personal life. I know that there will be challenges that come my way, but I now know that I can get through anything. I will have big tests and big projects, like this research paper, but I know that if I work hard the outcome will be a good one. Being positive and realizing that I can push through anything will not only help me this semester but will help me for the rest of my life.

comments week 15

Savannah- Winter Break

Sophia- MLK Day Service 

Bengal Spice & Spotify

I stare up and look at the fan twirling on my ceiling. My ideas start spinning like the fan and I fall back onto my cool pillow. In the background, my favorite playlist on Spotify blares from my new speaker that I got for Christmas. I take a break from all of the homework and craziness of life. I take a sip of my Bengal Spice tea and I am 100 percent happy. 

Sometimes it is good to take a break. I think that sometimes we get taken in by everything and everyone and we never really stop to smell the roses. Take a moment to relax and play your favorite song. Take a walk and close your eyes. Get taken away into yourself for a minute and realize that there is more to life than our daily routines and responsibilities. Live in the moment, even if it really is just for one moment. I sit back up and take another sip of my tea. I am in love with every moment as the hot tea flows down my throat leaving me with a sweet aftertaste. 

Research Update

I never realized how much work was put into a research project and now that we are actually in the midst of the process I am beginning to understand how complex it is. My research so far has been good for the most part. It was hard to find 10 sources that didn't all have the same information, and then finding six of those sources to annotate was challenging. I think that I did well on the annotations and I am starting the notecard process now.

 Finding a research question to answer was both exciting and risky. I love being able to go in any direction that I want with my research but now that I have conducted my question I am having trouble connecting all of the information that I find worthy. I think I just need to narrow my thoughts and once I figure out the notecards this will be a lot easier. I'm looking forward to the rest of the process and the end product.