Final Reflection

Final Reflection - Please incorporate these nine questions into your final reflective blog for the school year. Keep in mind these questions should be focused on your time in Mrs. Larson's Accelerated English Language Arts classes.:)

1- What are the three most important things you learned this year?
2- What is something we did this year that you think you will remember for the rest of your life?
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?
5- In what area do you feel you made your biggest improvements? What is something you accomplished this year that you are proud of?
6- What was the most challenging part of this year for you?
7- What was the best piece of writing that you did this year? Why do you think it is your best?
8- Of the books you read this year, which was your favorite? Why?
9- What advice would you give students who will be in this class next year?

The three most important things I've learned this year is the importance of knowing what's going on in the world. With the aow's we've been having, I've realized that there are so many things that we as people don't know about. Many of these things also happen to affect us and the world, and we don't really take that into consideration, which is why it is crucial that we are informed of what's going on. Another important thing I've learned is that a paragraph is NOT just 5- 6 sentences. A paragraph is a complete thought focused on a certain topic that develops a central idea. The third major thing I've learned is TIQUA. I found this organizational skill to be very helpful when writing papers, and formatting it the right way. In fact, I'm pretty sure I will use this again in high school.

Something we did this year that I think I'll remember the rest of my life is, "Tuesdays with Morrie". That book just had a massive impact on me, and how I now view life. I think it's filled with many great life lessons and aphorisms that will forever be ingrained in my mind. Plus I think I just related it in certain ways that many people wouldn't understand. For example, I think that in some circumstances as well I've connected with the character Mitch.

I can't really remember a certain nice thing that someone in our class has done for me this year. I'm not saying that there wasn't anyone that hasn't done anything nice, I'm just saying that there are a lot of things that people in our class have done something that have impacted me in a way. However, I usually find it pleasant when someone asks how I am, make me laugh, or just compliment a simple thing like my hair or something (even though my hair looks bad most of the time :D). 

I'm not really sure what I've taught my teacher or classmates this year, but a few times I would try to tell my friends not to stress so much. I know that a lot of my friends and classmates have gone through a hard time, and I just like to be there to reassure them that everything will be okay. Time will pass, and soon enough the problem would disappear if you know how to handle it right. 

I feel like I've made a big improvement in my presentation skills. For example, I'm really proud of my 8th grade speech. I just felt really confident, and I wasn't exactly nervous at all. Not to mention that I also got a lot of great feedback from it, and it was just a significant moment for me. 

Now, the most challenging part for me this year was getting my work done on time. This year I've just felt like there was a lot of going on. With everything going on at home and issues involving myself, I've found it really hard to get anything done really. I've made it a constant problem where I would do everything last minute. In fact, I'm probably doing it now. But overall, I've learned that I need to do what I got to do, and I have to do this myself. It's my choice to turn in things late, therefore it's me who has to deal with the consequences. 

I think the best piece of writing I did this year is the "To Kill A Mockingbird" essay. I think it's my best because I just loved the book so much, and there were just many themes in the story that were easy to understand. Not only that but in a way, I enjoyed writing that essay. The characters in the book were phenomenal and it was interesting to put them in a certain position where they would support the theme of the story. 

Of the books I've read this year, I think my favorite would have to be "45 pounds". It was a very inspirational story for me, and I actually connected to the main character a lot. In fact, even more than I expected. Reading the experiences of the character and what's she's been through, it's made me come into realization of what I need to do to become a better version of myself. Just like the character, who was on her journey to finally be a healthy and better person.

Some advice I would like to give to the students that will be in this class next year is that it will honestly be one of the best classes they would ever have. Despite the work that you have to do, it will be a fun experience. There will be great laughs, and memories that you can expect. You will also have a good relationship with your classmates since you will probably see them often. Overall, you will have to put more effort into things, and participate in things but just enjoy everything. Remember, Ms. Larson teaches you certain things for a reason! In fact it might come in handy one day in the future so pay attention!

I can't believe this might be my last blog..... Everything is happening so fast! :(

Aphorism project

Aphorism: "Sometimes you can't believe what you see; you have to believe what you feel." p. 61

Morrie, during one of the flashbacks to when Mitch was a student of Morrie's, he recalls this specific class in which Morrie had the students participate in "trust falls". The students stood with their backs to their classmates and tried to fall backwards relaying on the others to catch them. Most of the students were unable to fall backwards and trust that the student would catch them. One girl closed her eyes and fell backward as her partner caught her. Morrie explains that she was able to trust her partner because she closed her eyes. Morrie stated that we cannot always believe what we see but we can believe what we feel. Many of the other students who were looking around the room were unable to trust their partners because of what they saw. Morrie feels that if we ever want others to trust us, we must show that we trust them in return. The trust that is shared between two people can sometimes be risky, but it is a risk we must take if we ever want to be trusted or we ever want to trust others; this risk is to be taken by an instinctive feeling and not by rational thinking as the other students had done who could not complete the fall. (p.61)

Our eyes play tricks on us. In many situations under many guises, our eyes deceive us. For example In Tracy Chevalier's novel, Girl with a Pearl Earring, which I read not long ago, Vermeer (the painter) tells Griet to look at the sky and tell him what colors she sees. Upon further examination she realizes that she sees many colors that are then mixed by her eye to form other colors. A trick. When we see something out of the corner of our eye, our mind tries to identify it, quickly flipping through the known images to find a match. Upon second glance, we realize it is merely a piece of paper or some other object mistaken for something else. Using that premise, you must be careful in believing what you see.

Trusting your gut instinct however, rarely proves us wrong. We are built with an "inherent freeze, flight, or fight response." When we are in a situation that makes us feel uneasy in the bottom of our gut, or makes the hair on the back of our neck stand up, there is a reason. The inner protector is "picking up on subliminal, often times unnoticed things, in order to protect us. "Which then explains the quote, "Sometimes you can't believe what you see; you have to believe what you feel". We have to believe our instincts.

Reading the aphorism, I think I would have to agree with it. Our eyes play tricks on us. Sometimes we can't believe what we see therefore, we have to believe what we feel. Every time someone does the trust fall I also have a hard time trusting my partner . Just like in the book, many of the students had their eyes closed, and in my case I probably would have too. When you take that risk of falling and giving your full trust to your partner, and you finally feel yourself let go you can finally feel the reassurance. You feel the trust you had gave to your person, when they catch you. It becomes real to you, and you come into realization of everything. At least that's how I would perceive it. Throughout the years, I've done some trusting exercises, and I can just relate to the certain event that happened in "Tuesdays with Morrie". 

An aphorism I like to follow by (hopefully it doesn't exist yet) is "At times you just have to be there for yourself"

Tuesdays with Morrie: Week of 4/27/15

Based on the 6 Tuesdays you have read about in Tuesdays with Morrie, choose which topic (The World, Feeling Sorry For Yourself, Regrets, Death, Family, or Emotions) that has had the most impact on you or inspired you. On your blog discuss the importance of this topic with your own opinions, including textual evidence (direct quotes) from the book.

Pages Read: 115-192

In my opinion, the fifth Tuesday where they talked about family impacted me the most. Although, all the other topics were inspiring, I just felt like family was more dear to me. Family to me is what keeps us all together. People are always going to lose friends and such, but in the end we all know that our family will still be there. I've always argued and have held grudges against other people, but when it comes to my family, it seems kind of impossible to do that without forgiving them. Even though they might make the biggest mistakes and may annoy you, you can't help but love them still. 

A quote I find inspiring from that certain Tuesday is when Morrie states, "This is part of what a family is about, not just love but letting others know there's someone who is watching out for them." In my opinion, I found that to be very true. No one is going to watch for you like your family does. No matter what, they are always going to be there for you, whether you like it or not. This quote can also be clearly shown with Mitch and his brother. When cancer struck his little brother, everything changed. His brother did not want him around, nor anyone in the family. Mitch had tried so hard to keep contact with him by calling, and leaving messages but yet there was never an answer. He cared about him, and although his brother hasn't talked to him, Mitch was watching out for him. Which leads to the quote, "This is part of what a family is about, not just love but letting others know there's someone who is watching out for them."

I think this is an important topic because I think family has a deep meaning to everyone. Although our family may differ from others in many ways, I think that we all share something similar. We all seem to care about each other deeply. I think we also kind of share the same relationship with a parent. For example, like Morrie and his mother. He had a great relationship with her, and it seemed like she'd do anything for him. Morrie also admired her greatly. Then even though she had passed away, the feeling never changed. 

Tuesdays with Morrie: Week of 4/20/15

What are your initial reactions to what you have read in Tuesdays with Morrie thus far? One of the main themes developing in Tuesdays with Morrie is not to take your life for granted. Based on this premise, what is on your Bucketlist? You can write a paragraph leading up to a bulleted list of what you would like to do/accomplish in your life.

When I first got the book Tuesdays with Morrie I honestly thought that it was going to be quite boring. I thought this way because I was never used to reading stories like this. I've always been used to reading fiction, or fantasy. Therefore, when I continued to read Tuesdays with Morrie I was surprised that I was actually enjoying it. It seemed as though I couldn't put the book down. Every word I read seemed inspiring and surprisingly true. It was as if when Mitch was learning something from Morrie I was too. Then when Mitch was describing his experiences and his life it couldn't have been more realistic. Mitch had changed a lot from before, and that happens a lot to people. Not many individuals chase their dreams anymore. They go for things that will help them get money. After reading about Mitch's life, and Morrie's perspective, it got me thinking a lot about my own life. 

Thinking about my own life, there are many things that I would like to do before I pass. I want to fulfill my life and be able to look back at it and just smile and laugh. Therefore, I've created a bucket list of things that I would like to do or accomplish before my last breath. 

(in no particular order)

-go to la carnival in Brazil

-go to Italy and dance around listening to Frank Sinatra

-go to California in my convertible listening to "California Love" by Tupac with sunglasses on (I've always dreamt about this happening, and it makes me laugh)

-visit a castle

-go to a floating lantern festival

-visit Egypt and the pyramids

-visit Greece

-go on a camping trip with my friends

-be in the front row of a concert

-be the only one in the movie theater

-go on a segway

-send a message in a bottle

-make Niall Horan laugh

-feature in the "Ew" skit with Jimmy Fallon (this would be amazing)

-have a lip sync battle with Jennifer Lawrence

-learn how to dance salsa

-go to comic con

-host a game night

-go to a Drive- In- Movie

-be in the musical "Grease"

-go on an online shopping spree

-write a letter and send it 

-go to college

-major in the fine arts

-pass my driver's test

-share a dorm with one of my friends

-get a degree

Life is Beautiful: Week of 4/16/15

Prompt: Based on the Holocaust literature and poetry we have read, what connections can be made between Life is Beautiful and our reading?  What events, scenes, or situations are similar or different? What is similar or different about the mood or tone of the pieces?

How is life shown as beautiful throughout the film. Pull out at least two examples from different parts of the film and explain your rationale.

After watching the film Life is Beautiful, I have noticed some things that are similar and different from the poems and the story, Night by Elie Weasel. It was also evident that the mood and tone of the pieces were very distinct from one another. This can be because of certain scenes, events, or the relationship between the characters in both pieces. 

One of the things I find similar between Life is Beautiful and Night is the bond between the father and son. In fact, that character relationship played a major role in both the film and the story. However, it differs because the relationship between the father and son in the two works are not alike. It's as if they have their own special bond. For example, Elie and his father didn't exactly get along in the beginning, from what I interpreted. But in the film, Life is Beautiful Guido and his son had a great relationship. They were always together, and Guido did everything to protect his son. Also, towards the end of the book and the film, both of the fathers passed away. Although they were very sad and tragic, I think their deaths played a big part in the characters. It also effected the tone.

For example, towards the end of the film when Guido dies it's sad for a brief moment but then it changes into a cheerful tone when the camp is liberated and Joshua finally gets to be in a tank, thinking he won "the game".  The music changes into more happy and celebratory than sappy and depressing. Then in the end it shows Joshua being reunited with his mother, and them hugging showing a more happy ending than in Night by Elie Weasel. In the story, Elie cries when his father dies, and the depressing tone lasts a little longer than in the film. Then again, Elie was well aware of everything, and he was much older than Joshua. Elie had gone through so much with his father and I think it had a different effect on him when his father deceased. Joshua didn't go through the same experiences. He still had his innocence, and wasn't fully aware of his surroundings.

Another similarity I've noticed is how the characters in both the film and the story were almost free. They were almost close to being free at an earlier time. For example, in Night Elie and his father could've been home already if they had stayed at the hospital a little longer. However, since that wasn't the case they weren't liberated and were still held captive, later on leading to Elie's father's death. Then in Life is Beautiful, Guido could've been set free with his son and the others. However, he wanted to leave as soon as possible and took action which led to his death. Then the next day the camp was liberated. It was as if these two characters both had their chances, but in the end it didn't work out for them.

Life was beautiful in the sense that it provided something that everyone in one or another shape or form needs -- Hope. The movie showed the cruelty of life like the Holocaust and yet managed to shed some light and insight into the beauty of love and life in general by Guido's personality and his relationship between him and his family. 

Night: Week of 3/30/15

In Elie Wiesel s novel Night, the main character Elizer goes through a series of changes. Elizer, Elie , is born in a town in Transylvania Hungary by the name of Sighet in 1928. Elie lives in a very highly orthodox Jewish family, and this shows in many of his personality traits and interest as a young man. Early on, Elie likes to study many Jewish texts. 

After Elie and his family were taken away to a concentration camp it was Elie s struggle to survive as a teenager in a camp that changed his emotional maturity, his relationship with his father, and his faith in God and religion. Because of the struggles Elie goes through, Elie loses his innocence and gains an incredible level of emotional maturity. Elie starts out as an innocent young boy full of interest, curiosity, and the potential for incredible success. He lives at first a seemingly nice and normal life with loving parents. Elie s innocence can be seen when he is with his father after he has been separated from the rest of his family and he witnesses the cremation of babies and adults. He says, "Not far from us flames were leaping up from a ditch, gigantic flames Babies! Yes, I saw it with my own eyes I pinched my face. Was I still alive? Was I awake? I could not believe it. How could it be possible for them to burn people, children, and the world to keep silent? No, none of this could be true. It was a nightmare." (pg. 30) This quote illustrates the naivety Elie has about the true cruelty and inhumanity that exist not only in some people but especially behind the Nazi forces under Hitler s rule. 

The events are such an opposite extreme from what Elie knows to be the world he cannot believe what his own eyes are showing him. Later on, because of the things Elie has witnessed, he grows up seemingly cold hearted and he himself seems to have lost some of his humanity. This new emotional state Elie is in can be seen when Elie awakes and sees that his father has been taken away to the crematory. He says, I awoke January 29th at dawn they must have taken [my father] away before dawn and carried him to the crematory. He may still have been breathing I did not weep, and it pained me that I could not weep. But I had no more tears. (Pg. 106) This quote that shows Elie does not have the tears to cry for his father, who he had cared for and looked after through the most trying trials in his life, shows the incredible effect his journey has had on him.

A person that looked on in horror and disbelief when he witnessed nameless children being burned has been through so much he seems emotionless that his own blood is suffering the same fate. His emotions have matured beyond the childlike naivety he once had. Not only does Elie s plight change his emotional maturity, but also it changes the relationship he has with his father. As Elie continues on his struggle through his adolescent life, his a deep bond and understanding illustrated when Elie looks for his father during Rosh Hashanah. Elie says, I ran off to look for my father He was standing near the wall, bowed down, his shoulders sagging as though beneath a heavy burden. I went up to him, took his hand and kissed it. A tear fell upon it. Whose was devotion to his father weakens and Elie begins to see him as a burden. Elie starts out with a good relationship with his father. As a respected leader, his father conveys a sense of tradition and pride that exist in Elie before going to the death camp. When he and his father are separated from the rest of the family, their blood at first stays strong and Elie does not disrespect his father. The two develop a deep bond and understanding illustrated when Elie looks for his father during Rosh Hashanah. Elie says, "I ran off to look for my father He was standing near the wall, bowed down, his shoulders sagging as though beneath a heavy burden. I went up to him, took his hand and kissed it. A tear fell upon it."

Throughout the story it's clear that Elie had changed a lot. In the beginning he seemed to be very religious but when certain events start to happen he starts to lose himself and his faith. He in a way started to go insane. HIs father guided him back, and it was only towards the end where you got to see Elie and his father unite.

I commented on: Gianna, Jenna, Isabella P.

"Tears" by Alena Synkova

I commented  on: Bella, Diego, Marisa