To Kill A Mockingbird Final Thoughts

After reading To Kill A Mockingbird, I felt like a different person. The themes in this book made me realize things that I've never noticed before. I look at everything differently now. I am completely obsessed with Scout and Atticus, Scout reminds me of me when I was her age and Atticus reminds me of my dad surprisingly. This book was just amazing.

I especially love the way it was written. After our class discussions, I realized writing this book must have taken so much though and time. It was worth it however, Harper Lee created a masterpiece. There was so much symbolism and foreshadowing, it must have been so complicated to write. I wonder how she thought of this story. Her writing style makes me want to read the second book.

I think my most favorite thing in the book is when Scout sees things from Boo's pint of view. The whole "standing in someone else's shoes" theme is a great life lesson. It literally puts things into perspective. However, I just how that part was written. I could picture all of the events happening from his porch. It made me sad, when I knew I was about to finish this book, it felt like I was losing a friend. Like I said I am in love with this book.

  

       

  

To Kill A Mockingbird Character Relationships

Aunt Alexandra and Atticus are polar opposites. Atticus is understanding, caring, thoughtful, brave, and so much more. Aunt Alexandra is proper, traditional, slightly stuck up, and hard headed. They both affect Scout in positive and negative ways. 

Atticus and Aunt Alexandra are very different. The only similarity between them is that they are both part of the Finch family. Aunt Alexandra is obsessed with tradition and the family name. She pushes everyone to make the family look good, she cares very deeply about it. Atticus is very different from the family. He got an education, he thought for himself, he looked at things differently from others. He is very intelligent. Aunt Alexandra is very stubborn and blends in with the family. Their differences could go on and on. 

Atticus is Scout's father, even though she calls him Atticus instead of dad. I think they do this to show respect towards their father. Aunt Alexandra is obviously Scout's aunt. She calls,her Aunty which could be showing some disrespect towards her. Atticus is very devoted to Scout, he loves and cares for her more than anyone (except Jem). He treats her with respect as well as Scout does. Atticus has an extremely positive effect on Scout. Aunt Alexandra on the other hand, pushes Scout to be feminine and be like every other lady in Maycomb. She doesn't like her ways of thinking towards colored people, she thinks it looks bad. Scout and Aunt Alexandra have an interesting relationship, they love and hate each other at the same time. Over all I think Aunt Alexandra has a negative effect on Scout.

                         

                         

To Kill A Mockingbird Theme

I think there are two main themes in To Kill A Mockingbird. The first theme is definitely racism. The second theme is destroying of innocence. These themes are demonstrated through characters, the plot, conflicts and symbolism. These themes could be the reason the book is a classic, they all still happen today. 

Racism plays a huge roll in To Kill A Mockingbird. Racism isn't only shown throughout Tom Robinson's trial, it is show throughout the entire book. There is constant use of racial slurs and prejudice. Maycomb's disease is racism, all or most of the adults are complete racists and hypocrites. An example of racism in the book is when the people of Maycomb don't really react to Tom's death because it was, "Typical of a nigger to cut and run. Typical of a nigger's mentality to have no plan, no thought for the future, just run blind first chance he saw." This shows how people stereotyped African Americans. People still do this today. That's why this theme is so important, it is still currently happening.

Destroying of innocence is the one of the main themes in this book. It is shown through characters such as Boo Radley, Tom Robinson, Jem, Dill, Mr. Raymond, etc. They have all been hurt or destroyed by immoral behavior. This theme is everywhere in the book. Even in the title, to kill a mockingbird literally symbolizes destroying innocence. I know this because a phrase that is used in different ways throughout the book is, "It is a sin to kill a mockingbird." The book is full of foreshadowing events that relate to this theme, even the title is foreshadowing something. This is a major theme in the book.

        

TKAM Setting

  

       

        This picture of the Main Street in Greensboro, Alabama, taken in 1941, could represent what Maycomb could look like based off the description. This appears to be a small town based on the amount of people in the photo. The buildings look old and run down. There is old looking cars. The people also look poor in the photo. The cars and the buildings also help with showing the time period. It sounds much like Maycomb.

This image relates to the description in the book because Maycomb was an old town, it was rundown, and poor. I know this because in the book on page 5 it says, "Maycomb was an old town, but it was a tired old town when I first knew it...the court house sagged in the square...People moved slowly then. They ambled across the square, shuffled in and out of the stores around it...There was no hurry, for there was nowhere to go, nothing to buy and no money to buy it with..." This quote shows it was old, rundown, and poor. It explains how the buildings sagged and the people were slow. No had money to buy anything and no one went anywhere because there was nowhere to go. The town was old and tired, the picture shows it. The building look old and the people look poor. The sun is shining down and it almost looks hot. The only thing different about the picture is that it looks a little more crowded than I picture when I think of Maycomb. Otherwise I feel this picture really resembles it.

1st Quarter Reflections

In this first quarter I have already learned a lot. I definitely still have stuff to work on. However, this quarter set me back on track. I am about four books in on my 40 book challenge (counting the ones for the summer reading project). My blogs on them are okay but I think I can do better. I just need to find the right format again. 

Some strategies that benefited me this quarter were time management and focusing on my work. Of course I still need to work on things like procrastinating and other things like that. However, I think time management helped me get things done. I should also put a little more effort into my work, the procrastinating side of me doesn't help with that unfortunately. I know what goals I need to set for the next quarter.

I feel this quarter I have learned a fair amount of information about the world. I learned about the refugees in Syria and places like that. I learned about their struggles and how no one should have to go through all that. I learned some moral lessons from Of Beetles and Angels. I learned to treat everyone with kindness no matter what they look like. I have a better sense of what is going on in the world now.

After this quarter I definitely think that my research skills have improved. I think this because I found a lot of good resources and information for my banned books project. That project helped get back on track. While we were reading "The Cask of Amontillado" I looked up every word I didn't know, I wouldn't have done that at all last year. I can also annotate better because of our AOWs and other things we've done. 

Overall, this quarter was very productive. I am organized and ready for the rest of the school year. I'm improved in my research skills and have more knowledge about the world. Of course I still need to work on things such as procrastination. The quarter was a good set off into the rest of the school year. 

 

Blog for the week of 10/14/15

Prompt: List the personality characteristics of the main character (feelings, interests, behaviors, etc.)

Melinda Sordino has an interesting personality, she has gone through a traumatic experience, because of this she is quiet and depressed. Her experience is always in the back of her mind, she is constantly reminded of it where ever she goes. She is mute, she never speaks if she doesn't absolutely has to. Melinda doesn't have any interests except for maybe art. Other than that she would much just rather be in bed. 

           Melinda is very smart but her confusing feelings put an interesting point of view on the other characters. The author doesn't really describe how Melinda acted before her incident. However, I feel that her experience affected her point of view very deeply. I feel like this because she talks about her group of friends before the trauma happened. She seemed like a normal girl, she seemed to be happy with that life. After the misfortune she lost her friends, and basically everyone in school hates her now. Even though what happened was entirely not her fault.

             During Malinda's traumatic experience she was basically muted, she couldn't speak, she was completely speechless. She was stunned and panicked, which caused her to do something that everyone hated her for. Malinda's lack of being able to speak with ease causes her to release through biting her lips until they bleed and picking at her skin anxiously. Sometimes her lips cause people to give weird looks which causes her to do it even more. She was stuck in an awful cycle she created for herself because of her silence. 

         

        

The Hero and Angels

Haileab Asegedom found himself 

transformed in a monstrous black beetle

It hurt to see our parents struggle 

People always mistreated the Angels 

Because the Angels never looked liked Angels 

He said we should always treat them kindly because the are sent by God

Because the most unsightly beetles are sent from heaven 

He said a heart that sees Angels, a lifelong inspiration

We wanted to help them someday

He said a small act of kindness can become tomorrow's whirlwind of human progress

He might still be a hero

Tragic and flawed he might be

We have often thought of you

We look towards the heavens, your true home

Because you are but a visiter here 

Mawi Blog

    

      The individuals in OBAA, Mawi's parents, and my AOW, the author's father and grandmother who were refugees in World War II, are similar. I think they are similar because Mawi's parents were refugees and they both went through their own hardships and still survived. I think the author's family members are similar because they have their own refugee story, but it's from World War II. I think this because in the text it says,"My father and grandmother had survived only because strangers had helped them..." This is showing the author's relatives were going through rough times, but strangers had helped them. Strangers also helped Mawi's parents. 

       The event in my article that was similar to OBAA include war, world war II and the war between Ethiopia and Eritrea. The title of my article states, "...My Father's World War II Refugee Story" which right away shows that it is related to war. In OBAA it states,"He fled our war-ravaged home a year earlier, driven away by the advancing Ethiopian army." This shows that there was also war going on in the story. Both of these are major events in everyone's story.

        The idea in OBAA and my AOW are basically the same thing. The idea is being kind to anyone, it doesn't matter what they look like or if you know them or not, being kind can change someone's life forever. I think this because in OBAA it states, "I had watched him see angels in the least likely places, and wanted nothing more than to be like him." This is showing Mawi admiring tewolde about being kind and respecting towards everyone, and wishing everyone was like that. In my AOW it states,"My father and grandmother had survived only because strangers had helped them..." This shows the author's relatives survived only off the kindess of absolute strangers helping them. 

         War affects induviduals and societies in very negative ways. War affects society by corrupting everyone in that society. They would have to live through such torture and stress and things that no one should have to go through. It makes everything miserable. War can also change induviduals. It can sometimes change people in a positive way but sometimes in a negative way. People can change in positive ways like Mawi and his family by seeing the angel in everyone. It could change people in negative ways by people not being able to trust anyone or make them traumatized by all the horrible things they've seen. War's affect on anything really is mostly negative because it is such an awful thing no deserves to go through.

       

Summer Reading #4

I'll Give You the Sun

By Jandy Nelson Pages #240-371

Prompt: Draw 4 objects that represent your reading. Write a sentence for each, telling what each item says about what you’ve been reading.

      The first image I chose was a cliff. I chose this to represent Jude during her wild stage. She went cliff diving, surfing, went to parties, etc. This stage of Jude was when she was thirteen. The second image is of paint brushes. I chose this to represent Noah at age thirteen and Jude at sixteen to show that they were very artistic. 

       The third image is a picture of asteroids. This symbolizes Noah and Brian's relationship. Brian was crazy about space. He would take Noah out to look for asteroid pieces in the woods. He also had a suitcase with him that was full of asteroid rocks that he found. This made them very close. Noah felt best when he was with Brian. 

       The final image is an orange. This represents Jude and Oscar's relationship. Jude's grandmother always said that if a boy gives you an orange, your love for him will multiply. At this time she was sixteen and on her "boycott". She stayed away from them. Oscar tried to give her an orange and Jude refused. This turned into a little game, Oscar would give her an orange and Jude would put it somewhere like a jacket pocket. This was important to jude in their relationship. 

Summer Reading #3

I'll Give You the Sun

By Jandy Nelson Pages #1-239

Prompt: List the personality characteristics of the main character (feelings, interests,

behaviors, etc.)

      The book starts off with the main characters at age thirteen. Noah tells the story at thirteen. Jude tells the story at sixteen. Noah at thirteen is super artistic. He draws and paints and does everything related to art. He is shy and bullied by Zephyr and Fry. He desperately wants a best friend. Then a new boy moves into the neighborhood. They become friends instantly. Brian ( his new friend) is obsessed with space. They hang out a go to the woods together. Noah almost loves Brian but feels unsure about it.

      Jude at thirteen is wild and fears nothing. She goes surfing and cliff diving and hangs out with the hornets. The hornets are basically the group of popular surfer girls. Only Noah calls them the hornets. Just has long blonde hair, Noah describes her as Rapunzel. She goes to parties and is just wild. Her mother always talked to her telling her not to be that girl.

     At sixteen, both of them completely changed. Noah completely stopped being artistic. He became "normal", he became an athlete and hung with his own group of friends. Jude cut her hair a turned away from every boy, going on a "boycott". She went to a fancy art school and became quiet. She followed her Grandmother's "bible". They switched lives basically. They used to be super close. Now they hate each other. 

Summer Reading #2

We Were Liars

By E. Lockhart Pages #136-225

Prompt: 

Do you like what you’re reading? Why or why not?

(Spoilers)

        I liked what I read, but the ending I thought was just awful. I like the beginning because it doesn't start off too slow or too fast. There was a map of the island and a family tree of the Sinclair family. It was very interesting from the start. The author did a good job of pulling me into the story. The beginning made me think and question if she would ever figure out what would happen. 

        The middle was good because it seemed she was so close to figuring it all out and one thing lead to another and the plot shifted. However it still revolved around her figuring out her amnesia and what happened Summer fifteen. The middle seemed to be more about her and Gat. She figured out she loved him. Even though being with him or any of the Liars didn't feel the same since that last summer.

        The ending was just so surprising and in your face it makes you question the entire book. Personally, I didn't like how (spoiler) the Liars were just visions or weird ghosts the entire summer she was trying to figure everything out. I just didn't like the fact that they died and the whole time they weren't actually there. However, now that I think about it, it was kind of obvious. The ending just made me so frustrated because they seemed so real. Other than the ending I did like the book. The just ruined it for me.

Summer Reading

We Were Liars

By E. Lockhart pages #3-135

Prompt: 

Select a quote from your reading that you liked. What made you pick it? How does it make you pause and think?

     The first quote I chose is, "My head and shoulders melted first, followed by my hips and knees. Before long I was a puddle, soaking into the pretty cotton prints. I drenched the quilt she never finished, rusted the metal parts of her sewing machine." This shows how the main character Cadence reacted to her grandmother's death. Obviously she didn't actually melt, but this is an example of  the author figurative language. This made me pause and think because it show how hard her grandmother's death affected her. 

      The second quote I chose is, "In Europe … I lay prone on the bathroom floors of several museums, feeling the cold tile underneath my cheek as my brain liquefied and seeped out my ear, bubbling. Migraines left my blood spreading across unfamiliar hotel sheets, dripping on the floors, oozing into carpets, soaking through leftover croissants and Italian lace cookies." This is much like the first quote I chose, it has the same form of figurative language and imagery of melting from pain. This quote is describing her migraines while she was away from Beechwood during the summer for the first time. This quote made me stop and think because it shows how much her head injury affected her life in such a negative way.

      The final quote I chose is, "Welcome to the beautiful Sinclair family. No one is a criminal. No one is an addict. No one is a failure." This is the first paragraph of the book. However, when you finish the book you understand the beginning even more. Cadence begins the book by lying. I would explain how she is lying but I would just spoil everything. This quote if very important to the book it ties everything together. The first time I read it I didn't stop to think about it. Once I finished the book I thought about it and I realized the beginning almost gave away the ending.

     

Paradox Blog

"Paradox and Dream"

      "We are able to believe that our government is weak, stupid, overbearing, dishonest, and inefficient, and at the same time we are deeply convinced that is the best government in the world, and we would like to impose it upon everyone else."

     This means that we think our government is awful and overbearing, but when brought up with another system we are able to rub it in their faces, convinced that it is the best system in the world. For example, two Americans talking about their government would complain about it. However, if the one of them was from a different country the American would just go on and on about how great it is. This, however, isn't entirely true for all Americans, just some. However, it does show that we are not necessarily happy, and we are willing to fake it to make ourselves look better. This paradox really opened my eyes.

     I chose this paradox because I have seen this happen. I've seen it happen on TV, with my own family, and from others as well. I never really thought about it until I read it on paper. The moment I read it, I felt like I understood everything. Everything just made sense. It made me realize that most of us are not happy with our government, but still think it is better than everyone else's. Which is somewhat true for Americans, but not all. However, I don't it should be that way.

     "Americans are remarkably kind and hospitable and open with both guests and strangers; and yet they will make a wide circle around the man dying on the pavement. Fortunes are spent getting cats out of trees and dogs out of sewer pipes; but a girl screaming for help in the street draws only for slammed doors, closed windows, and silence."

      This paradox means that we say we are open to everyone and willing to save animals over people who really need help. It is about how we say that being a bystander is not good, but we still do it anyway. It shows that we will call a fire truck to get a cat down from a tree, but if a girl is screaming for help, we'll lock our doors and pretend nothing has happened. Another example could be that we'll help out at a soup kitchen, but if a person gets jumped in the alley, we might call the cops, but most would probably just ignore it. Like the other paradox this isn't covering all Americans, but I say it does cover most of them. 

      I also chose this paradox because I've seen on TV, on the internet, and in real life. Like the other paradox I didn't realise I already knew this. However, this is more deeper than the first one. It is a very ugly truth. Like the other it really opened up my eyes. I've seen videos and news of things like this. For example, there was this video of a girl in China who got ran over by a car. It was so crowded that the other people behind that car just slowed down and continued to run over her. This also shows that bystanding is an international thing. The only thing I question about this is, why don't we help and still say we do?

     

       

End of the Year Reflection

End of the Year Reflection

1- What are the three most important things you learned this year?

     The first most important thing I learned this year was how to manage my time. Time management in this class is everything. Its how I manage to get EVERYTHING done, even with my busy schedule. I also learned the specifics of writing paragraphs, and now writing takes less time and feels easier. I also learned how to stay on top of things because of absences. This ties in with time management as well.

2- What is something we did this year that you think you will remember for the rest of your life?

     I think I will remember doing the AOWS the most. I think this because they took up a lot of my time. However, over the year I have become really efficient in writing things like AOWs. They taught me it is important to keep up with current news. They also helped with my time management. In the end, they mostly helped with my writing skills and responsibility. As much as I disliked them, they actually helped me.

3- What was the nicest thing someone in our class did for you this year?

4- What is something you taught your teacher or classmates this year?

    
I think the nicest thing that someone did for me was when I was absent for a while and came back somewhat unpreprepared, then Diana airdropped the work. When she did that she explained what was going on. She also caught me up with the AOW and the blog. There were probably other nice things done for me, I just can't remember. The only thing I remember teaching Mrs. Larson is about the Montgomery, Alabama March. I went to the anniversary march this year and I told her some details about it.

5- In what area do you feel you made your biggest improvements? What is something you accomplished this year that you are proud of?

     I feel my biggest improvement I made this year was, again, my time management. With all of this work, I developed a cycle that works. That cycle has really helped me get through the year. I have really improved in my responsibility. Something I'm proud of is my argumentative essay. I worked really hard on it. I spent a lot of time researching and revising. I also spent a lot of time or most of it looking for synonyms. It was a lot of hard work, but it was worth it.

6- What was the most challenging part of this year for you?

     I think the most challenging part of this year were the AOWs. There were a lot of them of this year. They took up most of my time. I really had to think about the questions for the articles. Annotation took a while as well as answering the questions. Sometimes I even had to redo them because I didn't fully understand the article or the question. However, they got me used to writing a lot. Now I can do an AOW pretty fast.

7- What was the best piece of writing that you did this year? Why do you think it is your best?

I again think the best piece of writing I did this year was the argumentative essay. I think it was my absolute best because I worked extremley hard on it. It took me forever to finish it and revize it. I also spent a lot of time looking for websites and sources. I read and reread and edited and did the best I could. However, now that I look back at it, I could have done it in a completely different and somewhat better way.


8- Of the books you read this year, which was your favorite? Why?

    My favorite book this year was Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli. I think this because that book gave me a different perspective on things and other people. It showed me two things. It showed me that figuring out who you are takes a very long time, and you will change. If you thought you were something, that could mean you might be something else. The book also taught me that you always have that one person you need to protect, and someone will always protect you. Even if they have changed or aren't actually there, they will always be with you.

9- What advice would you give students who will be in this class next year?

     For this class you have to be able to manage your time. You need to do this because it is really the only way to go your work done on time. This class is pretty hard, but after awhile you get used to all of the work. AOWs are not that hard, they just take time. Same goes for blogs, they seem hard in the beginning, then after awhile they're okay. You have to pay attention, because there is a 99% chance if you are not Mrs. Larson will call on you. So just behave like it is a regular class. And finally, COPY DOWN THE VOCAB WORDS! It is the easiest assignment ever, and not doing it could add up. Trust me I know. Otherwise, this is just a pretty normal class. You will get through it, don't worry. :)

Of Mice and Men blog

Of Mice and Men: Symbolism

    

    I brought in my pointe shoes to symbolise me. My pointe shoes don't only symbolise the fact that I love dance. They symbolise my dreams and passions. They symbolise all of my hard work, and determination. They symbolise how I can change character and have the capability to be anyone I want. The fact that they are worn out show that there were struggles along the way, but I got through them. They're somewhat like the dream farm in Of Mice and Men. All in all they symbolise passion, determination, and dreams.

I commented on Jared's blog, Mia's blog, Bianey's blog, Devin's blog, and Rebecca's blog.

5/13/15

Of Mice and Men: The Movie

Prompt: 

1.  In the film, the director shows us “the incident in Weed” differently from how we find out in the book. What’s different? Why do you think he chose to do it that way? How does it change the story?
2. The book begins with the “stage” set by the pond. In the film, we see George on a train first. Why would the director do this? What is the director telling us about George’s life?
3. What do you think of the director’s choice of Sharilynn Fenn to play Curley’s wife? Does she look the way you imagined her in the book? Whom would you have chosen?
4. What are your general thoughts, feelings, reactions of Of Mice and Men? What had the most profound impact on you or your understanding of the novella? Who would you recommend this  book to and why?

      The beginning in the book starts off with George and Lennie in the brush. In the movie it starts off with the "incident in in Weed". I think the director chose to do it that way because it was easier to start off with the actual scene than to make it a flashback. I also think he did it because it was easier for viewers who haven't read the book to understand what happened. It changes the story by making the incident in Weed look like a bigger part of the plot than it actually was.

      I think the director made the beginning with George on a train because it just worked better in film. I think he thought it flowed better. He might have also done it because it gives viewers a better understanding of the situation George and Lennie are in. It tells that George has a rough life. I know this because sneaking onto a train to travel gives a hint that they have a hard life. 

      I think the director's choice of Sharilynn Fenn was a pretty good choice. She played the character very well. However, she looked nothing like I pictured her in the book. I pictured her with red hair that was very curly, and I pictured her with a lot more makeup, and wearing different types of clothing than in the movie. I think deborah ann woll could have also played Curley's wife. I think this because of her red hair, which is what I pictured.

     My overall feeling about the book is that it is somewhat eye opening. My main understanding of this novella is that everyone experiences loneliness and isolation in different ways. It showed me that everyone is going through something, everyone has their own different struggles. I would recommend this book to anyone twelve and up. I think this because you need to be a little older to actually understand the themes and messages in the book.

     

AOW Impression Blog

AOW Impressions

    I learned a lot from last weeks articles. Even though most (including mine) were about the Nepal Earthquake or the riots in Baltimore. The Nepal articles showed how news is constantly changing. It showed me because the number of deaths by the earthquake were constantly changing. Some people had 3,000 people or 5,000 dead. I just recently checked the number and they have risen to 7,500 and are still rising.

   I also learned what caused the Baltimore riots. The cause of them was a man named Freddy Gray, who died while he was riding in the back of a police van, his head slammed into the van and caused a severe head/spine injury killing him. This also relates to the Furgason riots. People are looting, burning police cars, throwing things at officers, etc.

   Some other news someone had was about child abuse. They said 1,593 children in 2011 died due to child abuse and most of them were under the age of 2 years old. Someone else had something on terrorism. Which is something I haven't really seen in a while. The article was about how terrorists are targeting Christians because they aren't their religion. Someone had something on endangered animals, google, and space. All in all, this gallery walk showed me how rapid news can change, and how different people can interpret
the news.

   

Dream Poem

"Dreams Give us a Reason"

By Lilly M.

Dreams give us a reason,

a reason to wake up in the morning,

to go to school,

and to get us through hard times

Dreams give us a reason to be determined,

they give a reason to keep going,

to be happier

knowing or hoping the future will be better

It doesn’t matter what it is

or why you want it

Its how much you want it

that counts

Dreams give us a reason to live

to keep going

to be happy

and to aspire.

4/29/15

Of Mice and Men 

By John Steinbeck Pages #56-76

Prompt: From your brainstorming session, choose at least two conflicts to explore more in depth in this blog. Be sure to include textual evidence and support and also identify the effect that the conflict has had on the plot so far. 

    The first conflict I chose is Lennie and Curley fighting. The type of conflict is a Man vs Man conflict because it was two people fighting each other. The effect it had was very negative. It left Lennie scared and terribly sorry for Curley. It also left Curley with a demolished hand. I know this because ing the text it says, "'I didn't wanta, ' Lennie cried I didn't wanta hurt him.'...'Lennie was jus' scairt, ' he explained." This shows that Lennie was scared and sorry for hurting Curley. This conflict has had some effect on the plot so far. I think it will become even bigger however we are still reading on what is happening on the same night as the fight. 

    The next conflict I chose was Candy's dog dying. This type of conflict is Man vs Self because Candy's guilt for letting a stranger shoot his dog is making him have an inner battle with himself. The effect of this leads him overhearing and wanting to join in on the dream ranch. Also, his feeling of uselessness makes him want to contribute and join in on the dream ranch. I know this because in the text it says, "He said miserably, 'You seen what they done to my dog tonight? They says he wasn't no good to himself nor nobody else. When they can me here I wisht somebody'd shoot me. But they won't do nothing like that. I won't have no place to go, an' I cant get no more jobs. I'll have thirty dollars more comin', time you guys ready to quit.'"This shows Candy is using his guilt to get in on the dream ranch. This conflict doesn't have that much big of an effect other than already getting more than half of the money they need.

     The final conflict I chose was Crooks being isolated from the other guys. The type of conflict is Man vs society because it is Crooks against the other guys at the ranch. The effect this had left Crooks depressed, lonely, grouchy, and needy. I know this because in the text it says, "' 'Long as you won't get out and leave me alone, you might as well set down.' His tone was a little more friendly...'A guy goes nuts if he ain't got nobody. Don't make no difference who the guy is, long's he's with you. I tell ya, ' he cried, 'I tell ya a guy gets too lonely an' he gets sick.' " This shows that crooks is lonely and likes talking to even Lennie because he is so alone and depressed. This doesn't have much effect on the plot, though it might in the future.

4/22/15 Blog

Of Mice and Men 

By John Steinbeck Pages #1-39

Prompt: Describe the atmosphere of the ranch and bunkhouse. Be sure to include characteristics of different characters that were formally or informally introduced to us in this chapter. Support your choice with textual evidence and interpretation. Why doesn't Curley's wife have a name?   What message, if anything, is John Steinbeck  trying to send by not giving her a first name?  Support your choice with textual evidence and interpretation.

  The atmosphere in the ranch and the bunkhouse is tense. Every man fends for himself there. I think this because in the text it says, "'Say, what the hell you doin' listenin'?' ...'I wasn't listenin'. I was jus' standin' in the shade a minute scratchin' my dog. I jus' now finished swampin' out the wash house.' 'You was pokin your big ears into our business, ' George said. 'I don't like nobody to get nosey.'" This shows the atmosphere is hostile and tense because they were arguing with each other because George thought someone was listening to their conversation. There are serval dialogues like this. It shows the guys here get mad pretty easily.

   Some characters easily get more mad than others. Such as the boss, Curley, and sometimes George. The boss and his son both mainly affect the negative atmosphere because they both have a short fuse. I think this because in the text it says, "'Let the big guy talk.' Lennie twisted with embarrassment. George said, 'S'pose he don't want to talk?' Curley lashed his body around. 'By Christ, he's gotta talk when he's spoke to. What the hell are you gettin' into it for?' 'We travel together, ' George said coldly. 'Oh so it's that way.' George was tense and motionless." This shows the tone is tense between the two men. Therefore the atmosphere is mostly negative energy.

     I think Curley's wife doesn't have a name because she is irrelevant to main parts of the story. I think this because the boss doesn't have a name and he might only be important in the first few chapters. Curley's wife might not also have a name because she isn't deserving of one. I think this because in the book they call her a "...tramp..." and that could be a reason Steinbeck didn't think she deserved a name. The message he might be trying to send is you have to be a good enough person to earn a good name. I think this because it seems like Curley's wife isn't such a good person, so that could be why because she doesn't have a name.

    

  

4/15/15

The Birchbark House 

By Louise Erdrich Pages #27-177

Prompt: List five major events in order from which happened first to last.

(Spoilers)

   The first major event in this book is when Omakayas found the bears. This is important because even though the mother saw Omakayas with her cubs she didn't hurt her. This event leads on to finding that she might be special to the spirits. The second major event in the book was when Omamkayas and her sister were keeping the crows away from the corn. This is important because one of the hurt crows was taken in and kept as a pet. They named him Andeg and he becomes important later on in the story. 

      The third major event in this book was when they were setting up their cabin for winter. This is very important because they have to survive the winter. They spend most of the year drying hides and meats and berries for the winter. Winters in their location are freezing and dangerous if you are not prepared. It is important they spend so much time on the cabin and their supplies so they can last as long as possible. The fourth major event was when the visitor came. The visitor was a white trader, and after he visited he died of smallpox. After he came everyone had to be very careful, smallpox was incurable. 

      The final major event so far was when Omakayas family started catching smallpox. It started with her sister, then her mom, then her brothers, and then her dad, and finally herself. She lost her baby brother and everyone was very weak for a long after the sickness. Everyone was hungry for their sickness wasted all of their food. This in my opinion was the most major event so far because it was so impactful.

Poetry Reflection

Poetry Reflection

  Poetry is important in my life because it has a different way of describing things. It describes things like feelings, and memories, and simple things in a different way than regular literature. Its more personal in a way. It shows things like feelings in a more confusing yet understandable way. (By this I mean you have to read it most likely more than one time to understand it.) However, poetry isn't the most important piece of literature in my life. I think this because sometimes it can be way too confusing. For example "Jabberwocky" was so confusing when I first read it. Then I reread it and listened to it and it finally made sense. Poetry is still pretty important in my life, even though it is sometimes confusing. However, I have to be in the mood to read poetry (because sometimes I don't feel up to read something over and over).

   I don't think poetry belongs to everyone. I think this because, like I said, its confusing. Some people don't feel like reading something over and over. Others may not understand it even if they read it multiple times. Or they might just not relate or get the connection to it. This happens to me sometimes as well. Another reason poetry may not be for everyone is because they might think its boring. I think this because I know a lot of people who think it is boring. The reason I think they think its boring goes back to not understanding it.

  A poet's life greatly affects his/her writing. For example if they have had a hard time in their life, they have a different perspective than someone who hasn't. A person's life affects their perspective, thoughts, style, diction, and what they write about. Poets with difficult lives would most likely write about how more negative feelings and things. Poets with better lives would most likely write about positive things. I think this because Edgar Allan Poe had a really hard life, and he wrote lots of spooky and negatively connotated poems. This made me realize that most poets seemed to have difficult lives, or had a difficult time at least.

Poems:
Extended metaphor poem
Bio poem
Where I'm From poem
Two Voice poem
Spine poem
Found poem
Nonsense poem
  

  

Nonsense Poem

"The Forest"

By Lilly M.

Found Poem

"She Found Herself"

      This poem shows is about a girl who is nervous about something. That something is a boy. She is over thinking, I show this when the poem says, "too many words". She thinks that she has to act more cold hearted to proctect her feelings. The girl thinks she has to do that to protect herself from a broken heart. At the end of the poem it shows that she doesn't have to do that. It is like someone is telling her "He's shy. He likes you."

     

Spine Poem

Spine Poem

This poem is about boredom. I picture someone looking out a window waiting for something. The "A room with a view" part makes me picture looking out the window. The "Waiting for the Rain" part shows the waiting. The last parts show the person's thoughts. I think this because our thoughts are the truth and they can often become "Out of Control" and chaotic.

Thinglink Interactive

Two Voice Poem

Two Voice Poem

Characters from An Abundance OF Katherines

3rd Quarter Reflections

3rd Quarter Reflections

   

      I think this quarter I really improved on my blogs and AOWs. I have more details and longer paragraphs. My word choice has definitely improved as well. I really think about the questions for my AOW. I used to just answer them, but now I really think about the questions. The most challenging part of the third quarter has been finding time to get my blogs and AOWs done. I don't really have a lot of time during the week. I get my work done by finding time in between practice and other homework. I usually have to do my assignments in 20 minute segments. However I remarkably get everything done.

     I think I have read about 10 books so far for my 40 book challenge. Most of the books I've been reading are longer or they are difficult to read. I feel like I've read more but maybe because the books I read are so long it makes me feel like I read a lot. However the only genres I have read are realistic fiction and some poetry. I really need to work on reading nonfiction and other genres.

    This quarter I have learned a lot about the world. Seeing the videos made by our Swedish penpals made me realise that kids in other countries are basically just like us. I learned they dress the same act the same. I also learned a lot about ISIS and the wars and controversy in the middle east. I've learned about this stuff from the AOWs. 

    I have learned a lot this quarter. I thought this quarter would feel a lot longer but it just flew by. Last year third quarter seemed to have lasted forever! I have also learned how to manage time a lot better this quarter as well. However, this quarter was definitely a lot more harder than the others. In conclusion, this quarter was pretty good I learned a lot. It has really made me excited for the last quarter, I can't believe it is almost the end of the year!

Extended Metaphor Poem

Homework Procrastination

Inspired by "A Road Not Taken"

I had two options:

Procrastinate or just do my homework

I was feeling really tired and uninterested

Actually doing my homework sounded like so much work

I’ll just not do it

However not doing it will make it look like I’m a slacker

If I don’t do it

I would have to rush and be pressured the next morning into doing it

Or I would get in trouble because I probably would not have finished it

What’s the big deal anyway if I don’t do it?

I’ll just not do it

It’s only one little assignment right?

However if I did do my homework

I would have to do all of this boring work

About stuff I don’t even care about

Then again, I wouldn’t get in trouble

I would have a better grade

And I would feel completely stress free

I finally decided to do my homework

I didn’t get in trouble

My grade was better

And it felt like the weight was lifted off my shoulders                         

Now I have to study

But maybe I’ll just watch TV instead