Week 8 comments

Kaelyn: https://ksenglish1.blogspot.com/2016/12/how-have-your-priorities-changed-from.html?showComment=1481836719207#c4080642829140646

Sophia: https://sophia-english1.blogspot.com/2016/12/how-have-your-priorities-changed-from.html?showComment=1481847195945#c707249672171572792

Student Prompts

My prompt was chosen.

Writing Center

My writing fellow and I worked on my literary analysis draft. He made me read my paper out loud to check for any fluency or grammatical errors. He also helped me write my conclusion. The two of us changed any overused words as well. He helped me to see and fix my paper in a new way.


I found it helpful when my writing fellow made me read my paper out loud. It also helped when he gave me suggestions on what to change after hearing my paper out loud. Going to the writing center greatly improved my literary analysis. It also changed the way I will edit my final draft. If you are struggling with your paper or need some helpful advice on how to improve your literary analysis, I suggest going see a writing fellow

Week 7 comments

Lathan: https://jamaicanenglish1.blogspot.com/2016/12/soccer.html?showComment=1481131081565#c7159028069863500660

Caroline: http://caroline-english1.blogspot.com/2016/12/free-post.html

What I Love about Christmas

Christmas is my favorite time of year. One thing I love about Christmas is the music and movies. Another is hot chocolate, candy canes, and peppermint bark! I also love decorating the house with my family. Decorating brings the Christmas joy alive and keeps me in the spirit of Christmas.

Other things I love about Christmas are, of course, the presents! Not receiving presents, but giving them and seeing the excited smiles across my loved one’s faces. Something else I love about Christmas is the way it bonds my family. The birth of Jesus and the cool air makes me happy.

Literary Analysis Process

Turning my outline into a draft has been a more challenging process than I thought. Writing my conclusion was a bit difficult for me. Also, I had some trouble turning my supporting points into fluent paragraphs. Using my book for specific evidence has helped me. Reading examples from previous classmates has also helped.

Of all the things I have struggled with, I have used many resources to help me. These include canvas, Lord of the Flies, and How to Write Anything. Also, meeting with a writing fellow has greatly improved my literary analysis. For others who are struggling, I would suggest using the resources that I have and going to the writing center. I would also suggest seeking help from a peer or trusted adult.

comments week 6

Sophia: https://sophia-english1.blogspot.com/2016/11/symbolism.html?showComment=1480392482958#c7255881836798712391

Kaelyn: http://ksenglish1.blogspot.com/2016/11/symbolism.html#comment-form

Symbolism

It was a cold winter night. I had nothing. I was freezing and starving. I had been out on the streets for 3 weeks now. I was in a plane crash and the only survivor. Now, I was in the middle of nowhere. No cars had passed by, but I knew tonight would be different. I could feel it. After many hours, I woke up to the sound of a horn. It was a car! I jumped up and waved my arms and screamed. It was a lady and she rolled her window down and asked if I was okay. I told her my story. She was going to let me stay a night at her house and bring me to a shelter the next day. I got in her car and instantly felt comforted by the smell of her car freshener. It smelled like Christmas trees. It was Christmas! My first one without my family. We we got to her house I saw the Christmas tree. It was lit up and decorated with beautiful ornaments. The lady told me her name was Marie and her husband was named Joe. They told me I could sleep in their guest room and I fell asleep immediately. I woke up the next morning and had my first meal in 3 weeks. It was so good. Then, Marie took me to the shelter. When we got there, the lady at the front desk told us the shelter was full, so Marie took me back to her house. I was very grateful. I stayed here for another two weeks. I was really starting to bond with this family and it was 10 days before Christmas.

Marie woke me up the next morning. She told me the shelter had more space. She left the room and I packed me stuff. I began to weep. I loved this family and it was my last hope. I got to the shelter and was put in a room with other children my age. I slept on the floor that night. I sometimes played with the other children my age, but I didn't make any new friends. The day's continued to be long and boring until it became Christmas Eve. I could feel the excitement. We even got to have cookies that night. The next morning, I woke up and followed the other kids. There were presents, but not enough for all of us. I decided to let the younger kids get the presents and I would get the leftover ones. Then, I got called into the office. I thought I had done something wrong because they told me to sit down. It was silent until some people walked into the door. It was Marie and Joe! The shelter workers explained to me that they were going to adopt me! I was so happy I cried for an hour straight. I smelled the Christmas tree scented car freshener and felt confronted once again. This time I knew for sure I would always feel this way. We got back to their house and I saw that they had decorated a room for me and they even got me presents! Whenever I decorate the Christmas tree every year with my family, I remember my story and how blessed I am to be loved and to have a home to call my own.

The tree and the smell of the tree are a symbol of comfort and love.
Marie and Joe are a symbol of God, my savior, who protects and loves me.

How to be Thankful

You are blessed with many things to be grateful for in your life. Thanksgiving is a day created to honor these things, though you should be thankful for all that God has given you every day of your life. It does not take much to be thankful for and appreciate what you have. First, you must take a step back and stop taking things for granted. You are lucky to have a clean supply of water and easy access to food every day. You are lucky to have a bed to sleep in every night and home to call your own. In order to be thankful, you must stop taking these things for granted.

To be thankful, you must also realize what you have that others don’t. Once you stop taking things for granted, you will realize that some people lack the necessities of life that you have easy access to every day. Not everybody has a home to call their own or even knows where their next meal will come from. Another aspect of being thankful includes giving, not receiving. For example, you might give back to those who have less, such as volunteering at a homeless shelter or even get your parents a gift and thank them for all they do. This is the last part of being thankful, saying thank you and seeing everything that others do for you. Simply saying thank you to your parents or somebody who holds the door for you will help you to be thankful.

Now that you know how to be thankful, have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

comments week 5

Caroline: https://caroline-english1.blogspot.com/2016/11/critical-scene-from-lotf.html?showComment=1479224402837

Sutter:https://sutterenglish1.blogspot.com/2016/11/free-post.html?showComment=1479224639735#c940780392718738894

Critical LOTF scene-Piggy's death

“The rock stuck Piggy a glancing blow from chin to knee; the conch exploded into a thousand white fragments and ceased to exist.” (181)

This quote above is important to the novel as a whole because it shows how the boys and their organization has changed on the island. The conch is a sign of leadership and organization because it was used to call meetings and allow people to be respected when speaking. It being shattered signifies the “death” of organization. Piggy is a sign of human-intellect and civilization because he is a perfectionist who wishes to keep everything organized. His death signifies the end of civilization and an organized society on the island.

 Readers should notice the tone of this quote: “Piggy, saying nothing, with no time for even a grunt, traveled through the air sideways from the rock, turning over as he went. Piggy fell 40 feet and landed on his back across the square red rock in the sea. His head opened and stuff came out and turned red. Piggy's arms and legs twitched a bit, like a pigs after it has been killed"(181).

This is the scene where Piggy dies. The tone of this quote shows no concern or care whatsoever for Piggy. Readers should also notice that even though Piggy has been with us for most of the book, his death occurs in just one short, careless paragraph. Readers might ask why this occurs. This is because William Golding is trying to show how the hunters have lost all compassion and now only care about killing. It should also be considered by readers that these two significant moments in the book occur in a quick paragraph and why Golding did this.

Gratitude

I am thankful for everything and everybody involved in my life. I appreciate each and every new day when I wake up in the morning. I am thankful for food on my plate and 3 meals a day. I am thankful for the clothing I am wearing and the bed I sleep soundly in every night. I am appreciative of all of these things and I realize that not everybody is as fortunate as I am.

Some people do not have all of the things that I do. Not everybody has access to a good education. Some people do not have a house to call their own. Some people don’t even know where their next meal will come from or if they will have one at all. Realizing all of these things, I think that on Thanksgiving Day and every day, we should all appreciate what we have and pray for those who do not share these luxuries.

comments week 4

Ian: https://english1danny.blogspot.com/2016/10/human-nature.html?showComment=1477492886685#c3821529718203938466 

Sophia: https://sophia-english1.blogspot.com/2016/11/write-about-your-experience-with-high.html?showComment=1478704895069#c5370871447179857221

How have your priorities changed from middle school to high school?

How have your priorities changed from middle school to high school?

When I was a middle schooler, I found that I was involved in all things social. I was always caught up in my plans for the weekend because I just wanted to fit in. I was always worried about what others thought of me. I was also constantly worrying about what everybody else was doing. I figured, if everybody else was worried about all of this too, why shouldn’t I be?

As a high schooler, I feel that I have matured greatly from my middle school days. I have more focus towards things that matter and directly impact me. These things are my close friends, family, and school work. I have also learned that what people do and think of me is none of my business. I hope other middle schoolers who think like I used to will see that one day, none of the drama and tears that come with it will matter.

LOTF response

(Ralph): “The fire’s the most important thing. Without the fire we can’t be rescued. I’d like to put on war-paint and be a savage. But we must keep the fire burning. The fire’s the most important thing on the island, because, because---“

He paused again and the silence became full of doubt and wonder. (142)

This passage is significant because it shows the differences between Ralph and Jack. This paragraph explains why the boys split into two different groups and why Jack and Ralph’s friendship came to an end. In this passage, Ralph is saying that while he’d like to have fun like Jack and play around, there are more important things that he should focus on such as getting off of the island. He would like to live like Jack, but his brain tells him otherwise. In the final sentence of the passage, it can be inferred that Ralph is becoming a bit envious of Jack’s fun and is questioning what he really wants to do. 

While Ralph is indeed accomplishing more important things such as building the fire and maintaining it, Jack is having a ball. Jack is living as a savage and wearing war paint, all the things Ralph would like to do. I feel as if Jack represent a character similar to the snake in the Adam and Eve story. The snake tempts Adam and Eve with sensational fruit, but listening to him is against God’s wishes and not the right thing to do. Jack tempts Ralph with all of the fun things he does, but being like him will not help to get them off of the island and is therefore not the right or smart thing to do.

Blog comments week 2

Danny: https://english1danny.blogspot.com/2016/10/human-nature.html?showComment=1477492886685#c3821529718203938466


DJ: https://djsbloge1.blogspot.com/2016/10/human-nature.html?showComment=1477493052792#c4511123517998765296

The Elite

In the Elite, the palace has now been attacked three times during the Selection, twice by the northerners and once by the southerners. The northerner’s attacks are fairly mild compared to the deadly southerner’s attacks. The real question is what do these attackers want? What are these attacks doing for the attackers?

These attacks are so frightening to everybody because the attackers are commoners. The northerners and southerners look the same also, so it can be scaring not knowing who is attacking until after the attack is over. These attacks caused many of the girls to leave in the beginning by choice and by elimination from Maxon after seeing their reactions to the attack. I wonder what the palace will do to further prevent these attacks.

Human Nature

I believe that humans are fundamentally full of possibility. Every individual human is different, yet similar to other humans. For example, all humans have similar bone and internal structures, but on the outside, everybody is different. Also, every human has a brain that looks the same, but each brain thinks many different thoughts. This is why humans are full of possibility. Human brains act similarly, though no two will think exactly the same.

I believe that humans are fundamentally full of possibility because of past experiences traveling to places. I have met a variety of people in a variety of places. I have seen that everybody is unique in their own way. Everybody acts differently. This is why you may never know what people will do, say, or think because they are full of possibility.

Q2 Week 1 comments

DJ:https://djsbloge1.blogspot.com/2016/10/my-ok-fall-break.html?showComment=1476796992190#c1124036900540589082


Sophia:https://sophia-english1.blogspot.com/2016/10/q2-week-1-reading-response.html?showComment=1476797367996#c9122549096553031446

Fall Break

I have been at Episcopal since kindergarten and I have had many fall breaks. My favorite fall break was in 7th grade. My mom, my sister, my aunt, my cousin, and me all went to Paris. It was a short trip from Wednesday to Sunday, though we couldn’t have had more fun! We went to many great restaurants, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and many more exciting places.

My favorite thing we did in Paris was the bike tour. On our last night, we went on a bike tour all around the city. We got to see every part of the city lit up by street lights and stars. After our bike tour, we went on a boat ride around the city on the Singe river. This night was one of my favorites because I got to experience the highlights of Paris under the stars with my family.

The Elite

Maxon is the prince of Illea. He is caring, loving, and kind. Maxon is a good person. Though you would think, Maxon does not get everything he wants. Any object he wishes for is his, but some laws and ways of the world now and people are something he cannot change, even if he wants. Maxon wants to make everything fair in Illea, almost as much as he wants America to be his wife.

Maxon loves America. He wants to give her the world and more. Maxon does everything in his power to make America happy. America loves Maxon as well, but she also loves Aspen. Therefore, even though he is a prince and you would think he could have anything he wants, he cannot change America’s feelings for Aspen.

comments week 7

Kaelyn: http://ksenglish1.blogspot.com/2016/10/reading-response.html#comment-form


Ricky: http://rickyenglish1.blogspot.com/2016/10/should-we-abandon-louisiana-in-some.html#comment-form

Procrastination: Is Your Future Self Getting a Bad Deal?

I am a procrastinator. For example, I stay in bed too long sometimes, leaving myself with little time to take care of the things I need to do in the morning, like eating breakfast and getting dressed. The longer I stay in bed, the more my time to do all of this shortens. The reason for my procrastination in this situation is that I am still tired and have no desire to get up and get ready, though I must. Another reason is that I do not realize the impact of staying in bed longer on my future self. Staying in bed longer could cause my future self to be late or rushed and possibly forget things at home.

I believe that most of my procrastination is caused by being naïve. I do not always realize how staying in bed longer or putting things off will impact my future self. Something that will help me to prevent procrastination is having empathy for my future self. If I attempt to envision myself in a future situation of the effect of me putting something off, perhaps I will begin doing it sooner. Procrastination can be overcome with thought of future effects and empathy for these thoughts.

Comments week 6

Sophia: Free Response week 6 http://sophia-english1.blogspot.com/2016/10/free-response-week-6.html#comment-form



Lathan: Reading Response week 6 http://jamaicanenglish1.blogspot.com/2016/10/reading-response-weeek-6.html#comment-form

The Elite

In The Elite, the sequel to the Selection, America has changed as a person versus when she began the selection. America started off as stubborn, simple, and only let those she loved in her life. Through the selection, she has become more personable and caring. She has allowed more people into her life. 

America used to not want the life of royalty either. Though now, she can see herself as a queen through her love of Maxon. America is also still in love with Aspen, her first love. She must debate now between the life of poverty with her first love or the life of royalty with another one of her loves.

Free post

I could see the small white dots falling to the earth. I could taste them. I could reach out and touch their coolness, melting onto my finger. I could I could even hear the sound of it all flying behind me as I went even farther down the mountain.

My skis take a sharp turn. My body jolts to the side. I can see the end and a lodge nearby. I take one final turn to stop my self and unload every piece of gear off my body. I enter the lodge, and can already taste the warm hot chocolate through my nose.

Comments week 2

Sophia: https://sophia-english1.blogspot.com/2016/09/we-were-liars-by-e-lockhart-9616-post.html?showComment=1475195508476#c5723603076829317280


Danny:http://english1danny.blogspot.com/2016/09/this-weekend.html#comment-form

Comments week 1

Savannah: https://savannahenglish1.blogspot.com/2016/08/life-is-short-by-jennifer-arnold-and.html?showComment=1475195164491#c3532923408070083908


Kolin: https://kolin-english1.blogspot.com/2016/08/the-book-i-read-for-my-summer-reading.html?showComment=1475195358123#c2981618749744956822

comments week 5

Caroline: 13 Reasons Why Reading Response 3  http://caroline-english1.blogspot.com/2016/09/13-reasons-why-reading-response-3.html

Kaelyn: Harrison Bergeron  http://ksenglish1.blogspot.com/2016/09/harrison-bergron.html

Harrison Bergeron

The author of Harrison Bergeron tries to show us a possibility of the future to the extreme. This possibility is that people are constantly trying to keep everything and everyone equal. In the life that Harrison Bergeron lives in, the government tries to make everybody equal by making everybody average. Smarter people must put a buzzer in their ear which beeps every 20 seconds to erase their train of thought. Harrison Bergeron is a genius. He is seen as a threat to the government because of his brain, and therefore is locked up. He does not want to be dumbed down. He escapes prison and tries to take over the world on the news channel. Though, his plan was not very thought out because he shows up and forces musicians to play so he can dance. He then asks for an empress and a ballerina who was performing volunteers. The two dance and float around. They kiss the ceiling and each other until government officials come and kill them and their dreams.

Flash story

The cool air swirls around me as I shut the door. I can taste all the different flavors through my nose. I take a big whiff of it all. The hundreds of styles all sit in their chilled buckets, ready to be scooped up and meet my taste buds. I observe the many different textures and colors of the cold treat, wondering which one will be mine. I decide on a classic white and creamy dessert. I ask the lady behind the counter to scoop me up some and put it in a cone. As the sprinkles shine on top, I open my mouth and taste the cold, delicious sensation.

The Selection-America's personality

Kiera Cass, the author of The Selection, portrays America Singer, the main character, as a very down to earth person. America has been chosen as one of the 35 girls to be in The Selection. Though, she is the only girl in the competition who doesn’t appreciate living in a palace. America is a simple girl who doesn’t need or even want much. All she wants is to be surrounded by her loved ones, music, and some food. America is also extremely intelligent. She does not want to stay in the palace to be one of Prince Maxon’s many girlfriends, but she knows that her family needs the money. Her family’s caste is a 5 which is fairly low. They are always struggling for money. To stay without being Maxon’s toy, she makes a deal with Maxon to find out who really wants to be here for him and report to him who should stay and go. Because of her brain, America now stays for a long time without being property and choses which girls stay and go.

Dear 13-year-old

Dear 13-year-old, be yourself. Middle school is hard. There is tremendous pressure to change yourself just to fit in. Find the right friends that accept you for who you are. Stay strong together. Also, don't go crazy on the makeup. You are beautiful the way you are. Focus on schoolwork and making exciting memories with those who love you. Also, remember that just because you are 13 does not make you too cool for your family. It is definitely exciting to be in middle school with some freedoms and new friends, but don’t forget the people who have been there all along. Your parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, and everybody else will always be there. Don’t let the excitement of being a teenager hide your priorites.

comments week 3

Kaelyn-9/11 http://ksenglish1.blogspot.com/2016/09/911.html Sophia-Hurricane Katrina https://sophia-english1.blogspot.com/2016/09/hurricane-katrina.html?showComment=1473948951033#c3473466523334403540

9/11

September 11th, 2001 was a memorable day in American history. It impacted the lives of many as well as their loved ones. In the poem List of "Don't Forgets" and "Remembers", Randy Forbes writes about when he was eight. He says that before September 11th, he would wake up and remember not to forget daily things such as brushing his teeth and doing his homework. He would go to school with his friends and have no worries. Then one day, everything changed.

After September 11th, 2001, Randy Forbes would now wake up and remember to do things like thanking his parents for their hard work, honoring those who keep us safe, and to value every day. Forbes now appreciates what he has and is thankful for everyday on Earth.

List of “Don’t Forgets” and “Remembers”

The Selection

In The Selection by Kiera Cass, the main character is named America Singer. America is shown as a brave girl who cares deeply about her family and boyfriend, Aspen. America has a younger sister and brother along with an older sister and older brother, too. It is her job to aide her mom in cooking, cleaning, and other house chores. Her family's caste is a five, meaning that they are average performers who have money, but not much. 

Aspen and America are truly in love. Aspen's family's caste is a six. This means that he and his family are low-class workers with little money. Aspen loves America and would do anything for her. She always tries to shower him with gifts and things he cannot have which infuriates him because he cannot give the same to her. The both have been planning getting married for a long time, though Aspen ends their relationship because he does not want America to suffer in the life that he has. 

Summer Story

We could all hear the roar of the boat's engine as it went even faster. All of us were tightly gripping the handles of the tube with big smiles on our faces. Me and three of my other friends were at tubing at one of the friend's lake house. Her dad drove the boat that was pulling all of us. The sounds of laughter echoed and the sun shined brightly. We had all found a way to have fun in the summer heat.

Slap. The sound of my life jacket hitting the water as the boat makes its lap, so I can climb back on. We make more laps, the boat making its sharp turns and endless circles in attempt to throw us off. We did this for three days until we couldn't hold on anymore. This experience has taught me to have fun no matter what.

A Totally Awkward Love Story

A Totally Awkward Love Story is a book involving comedy, drama, romance, and adventure. This book stands out to me because of its switching point of view. Readers get to experience the thoughts and actions of both main characters, Hannah and Sam. Whether the two are both involved in a situation or they are on their own, readers get to hear both sides of the story and live it through both characters.

In A Totally Awkward Love Story, the authors try to show us the importance of believing in yourself. In the beginning the story, both Hannah and Sam doubt themselves and tell readers how they don't have everything that their friends do. They announce how they are both average in comparison to their friends. Though, they then meet each other. Both end up finding themselves in each other, resulting in self-acceptance of both of them.

Summer reading choice- If I was your Girl

If I was your Girl is a book about strength, self-confidence, and honesty. The author wants to show us the main character struggling with pretending to be normal and not his true self. This is important because many people today hide their real selves from the rest of the world. When the main character finally changes to her true self and moves away to start a new beginning, even she finds that you can't run away from your problems. The author tries to show readers to not care what others think through this. The main point of the story that the author, Meredith Russo, tries to express is to always be yourself no matter what others think.

What I liked most was that when everyone found out who Amanda really was, her friends still stood by her side. When everybody found out her secret at Prom, she ran out of the room because she didn't know what to do. Her friends followed her and protected her when she was attacked on the way back home. Even though they knew like everyone else, they stood by her no matter what.

Free post-Aunt's birthday

My aunt's birthday is August 26. To celebrate, this weekend we went to Destin, Florida. It was a short trip, but it was very fun. We left Saturday morning and arrived that afternoon. We stayed at the beach the rest of the afternoon then later that night went to dinner. 

Sunday morning we all woke up early to spend as much time as we could at the beach. We stayed there for a couple of hours. Sadly, around 1 we had to pack up and leave. Even though we were in the car the same amount of time as we were at the beach, everyone had a great weekend.