Final Blog Post

Final Blog Post

            English 10 overall has been a great course; I enjoyed it greatly. I am definitely going to miss this class because it was different and really taught you more than just the course. English 10 this year was a great course academically and mentally.               

Self-Regulation:

            My attendance this year has been fairly well, the only times I have not been here is because of leadership events. I have attended almost every class this year, and am usually on time as well. If I am ever late, I have a valid reason although I was rarely late. If I miss work and make sure I to figure out what I am missing before, and I will complete it either way. I make sure that I know what the assignment is and if I have questions since I missed the work, I make sure to ask. I always take responsibility of missed class and work. I am prepared for class; I always bring my iPod with a fully charged battery. Just incase, I always bring a charger if my iPod dies. I would use my device efficiently and stay on task most of the time. I would try to finish as much work as I could in class and try to complete it to my best ability. Sometimes I would get distracted if someone messaged me, but I would turn on do not disturb to stop notifications from popping up. This would help a lot more because nothing would pop up and I would just focus on my work. I sat with people who weren’t distracting, but actually let me work well. I was able to work well with my group because we would tell each other we are working and let each other focus, and if one of us needed something we would simply ask each other. We worked a long well, individually and together as a group. I was able to get quite a bit of work done while sitting with my group. I used class time pretty well to complete my work. I would complete quite a bit of it while in class, and I would try to finish as much work as I could in class so I would have less homework! The peer discussions we had usually focused on work, tasks we were given, or helping each other out.  In general we all didn’t talk too much unless we were talking about work. Sometimes but rarely we would talk about something random and then get back to work. Most of my assignments have been completed on time; the only thing is I have forgotten to submit them. Most times if an assignment is late it is because I forget to submit, and leave it on my blog! My assignments are usually completed to the given time though, but it’s just the submitting that puts it off. I was respectful to my peers in class, or even on Edmodo. I listened to others patiently and respectfully when they talked and waited for my turn to talk. I stated my opinion politely and without being rude. Even in comments, I would state my opinion and what I had to say respectfully and nicely. I would take everyone into consideration and then say something. I read the entire novel by myself; I didn’t tell someone to explain what happened. I read the entire book and made sure that I understood it completely and read with my full ability. I made sure that my peers and I behaved well. For myself I would turn on disturb and put in music so I wouldn’t get distracted and would focus on my work. If one of my peers were not doing their work, I would tell them to get on task and start working. Sometimes while others were talking, a peer would be on their phone and occasionally if they wouldn’t stop I would take their phone politely and tell them to stop. I would also tell someone to take out his or her headphones if someone was talking. This class has taught me a lot about class time and using time wisely. Overall I think I deserve a 29% in this category.

Quality of Communication Skills:

                                                                                                                                                           

Thinking (Oral Language) A8  speak and listen to make personal responses to texts, by – making connections with prior knowledge and experiences – relating reactions and emotions to understanding of the text – generating thoughtful questions – making inferences – explaining opinions using reasons and evidence

            I make personal connections in a lot of the assignments we were given. I use emotion and understanding towards the text and often use my own experiences in my writing.   One example I used was in the summative essay I used my personal experience and explained how I realized what walking in someone else’s shoes is like. I also explain my opinions using reason and evidence, in my essays I gave reason and essay especially in, who murdered wellington essay.

            I often use context in my writing, and make sure that I am trying to get to the point. I use structure in my writing along with punctuation. I make sure to know the difference between formal and informal writing. I use formal writing in essays making sure to make it more concise and straightforward. I use citation properly and remember to give credit to the source where I have gotten my information.

                                                                                                                                                                                    B12 recognize and explain how structures and features of text shape readers’ and viewers’ construction of meaning, including

·       –  form and genre

·       –  functions of text

·       –  literary elements

·       –  literary devices

·       –  use of language

·       –  non-fiction elements

·       –  visual/artistic devices

            I remember my poetry/literary terms to a fairly well level considering the fact that they are used from grades 8-12. I can usually identify them in poetry or any text. Overall I think I have improved in my writing skills along with speaking. I think I deserve 30% in third category for the efforts I have made.

Contribution to the Learning Environment:

             

            In this class I have contributed to the learning environment to a great level. I have made comments on my peer’s assignments and given them suggestions or tips on what to improve. I also comment things on Edmodo, and share my opinions with the class. I always engaged in conversation and listened to others thoughts and ideas because this helps with your own ideas and helps you express more. I would often help my peers if they did not understand an assignment or were stuck in a certain situation. While helping others you don’t only teach them something, you learn something as well. You can improve from their mistakes as well as yours. I also improve my work by editing my work according to comments. Often people will comment on my assignments and therefore I will improve something’s. You can learn from your mistakes and editing it makes you improve something, which reminds you the next time you write. I will usually read on a regular basis since I love reading books especially mystery books, or a series of books. I always bring a positive attitude to class along with a smile, and am always ready to learn and help others. Overall I think I deserve 30% in this category.

            The final mark I believe I deserve is 90% 9thnkas for the extra 1%!) for the efforts I have made this year. This was a great class, and I will truly miss the wonderful memories made in this class.

Short Story

It all started that cold December night, when mom and dad left for dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Everything was completely fine; it was a normal evening at 7:15 pm.

            Being home alone, I decided I should just relax and watch some TV; I had the weekend to do my work. A sudden trailing thought came in my mind as to whether I had turned on the alarm or not, so I got up and headed downstairs. The alarm was definitely on, and the lights were switched on too. I felt safe inside the warm secure home. As I walked back upstairs a sudden sick feeling came to me, like something was wrong. I decided I was probably just hungry, so I grabbed some food along the way and headed back upstairs again. Being a fourteen-year-old girl and home alone, it was sort of scary, but I had done this before many times so I was okay. Mom and dad were best friends with Roy and Mary Smith; they had been friends for many years. They decided to go out for dinner tonight because it was Mary’s birthday, and they wanted to celebrate. Obviously an awkward fourteen-year-old girl would not appear to be there.

            I turned off the TV because I got bored, and decided to go on my laptop instead. I went to twitter and started reading poems and deep quotes. Along with that I started to listen to some calming music and it felt well, a nice calm evening to myself.

            All of a sudden I heard a creaking sound, something more than just a creak. I started to get this horrible feeling inside of me; a feeling of not fear, but of unanswered questions. What if I die? Who was there? What if I never see my parents again? What if someone takes me far away? I didn’t have a choice; I had to get up. The sickness became worse, I felt as if I would explode, but I held on and grabbed the glass vase on my dresser. I didn’t know what I would do; but I had to do something. I grabbed my cell-phone as well, in case I needed to call 911.

            I opened my room door, slowly and gently. I stepped out of my room, looking down the stairs and around the hallways. The stairs curved into a circular shape, so it was a little hard to see. Nothing appeared to be there, but something was there; I could sense it. I looked around again moving closer to the stairs. There was nothing, no movement, and no sounds. I stepped down the first step, and then it came. I heard the creak, gentle but forceful. The sound was still there so I moved closer to the railing and looked down, there was still no appearance of anything or anyone. My heartbeat rose faster and faster, it was the only thing I could hear. I could feel my breathing becoming harder, and the sickness was rising into my chest. It hurt, I felt like I was going to explode like a bomb, in little pieces.

            I slowly stepped down a couple more stairs, being quiet and faint. I looked around me, noticing every little thing. I couldn’t see anything different; everything was almost the same. I was halfway down the stairs when I saw it. Clear, in front of my eyes, my heartbeat stopped. The door way was in front of me, and I could see the doorknob moving. The creaking was still there, gentle and faint. I stepped back up the stairs, this time faster. My heartbeat was faster than ever, and I felt like I was suffocating. I didn’t know what to do, but I had to get out, I had to leave. I reached up the stairs and went to my room, slowly closing the door enough to still be able to peek through. The doorknob was still turning, and then I heard the click. I shut my door and locked it, without looking. I was dying. My heart was exploding, I couldn’t breathe. The suffocation inside me was drowning me, and I couldn’t. I moved to my bed and grabbed the water, I drank some; I had to help myself. I could hear the steps, slowly walking around the house; tip, tap, tip, tap.

            I grabbed my phone and called 911, there was no way I could do this alone. A woman picked up, “911, how may I help you?” I spoke on the phone, I explained how there was someone in my house, they were messing with the doorknob, and how I ran up the stairs and locked myself in my room. I was crying, I was scared; I wanted to be with my parents. “Okay, listen just calm down, you’ll be fine; we have sent a dispatch, they will be reaching there very soon,” the woman spoke. The woman told me to stay as quiet as I can and stay on the phone.

            I heard steps up the stairs; they were coming here. I stopped myself from screaming and hid under the bed. “Listen, hey; they will be there in two minutes, you will be fine, please remain calm,” she spoke. I was panicking the steps got louder and louder and so did my heartbeat. I heard my doorknob turn, they were trying to get in. I heard banging; they were banging on my door. I was going to die, and no one could save me. I heard the woman say “hello,” last and then it went black.

            “Christina, Christina!” I heard a voice. It was faint at first and then became louder. “Hello, wake up dear!” It was my mom. “Hmm, what?” I spoke. I woke up to see my laptop on my lap, twitter open and my music still playing. “Mom, MOM!” I was so happy, I gave my mom the biggest hug; I was safe. “I had the worst dream ever, it was horrible mom; it was horrible.” She looked me in the eyes and said, “it’s okay honey; I’m here.” I decided I would never stay home alone again. Everyone was going to sleep, so I decided I would too. It was silent, calm; the way it was supposed to be.

Man From The South

1) plot: 
-introduction: The introduction is a man/boy who is in Jamaica on vacation, buys a beer and relaxes on the pool deck. 
-conflict: The conflict is man vs man considering the fact that two people are betting each other. This can also be man vs himself because the boy is choosing between a car and his finger, and a man is dealing with a creepy issue he has with chopping fingers and losing expensive vehicles. 
-rising action: We talked about this in class as well, but it is when the boy is sitting there thinking about the offer.  "He was sitting there very still, and it was obvious that a small tension was beginning to build up inside him."
-climax: When everyone is in the hotel room, counting down the amount of times the lighter will light. 
"Three!"
"Four!"
"Five!"
"Six!""Seven!" "Obviously it was one of those lighters that worked. The fling gave a big spark and the wick was the right length. I watched the thumb snapping the top down onto the flame. Then a pause. Then the thumb raising the top once more. This was an all-thumb operation. The thumb did everything. I took a breath, ready to say eight. The thumb flicked the wheel. The flint sparked. The little flame appeared."
-falling action: The woman walks in, stops the man from continuing with bet and apologizes to the boy. 
-denouement
2) Character
- protagonist (main character): The American sailor who is agreeing with the bet. He is the one who is against the opposing force during the bet. 
- antagonist (force opposing the main character): The little man Carlos who creates the bet.  
-static (remains the same): The British girl, because during the whole story she doesn't agree with the bet and finds it absolutely ridiculous.  
-round (complex with many characteristics) 
- flat (single or simple characteristics): The simplest character in this story would have to be the first person who was introduced; the man who buys the beer and relaxes on the pool deck.  
- stock character (stereotype): This is probably less likely, but I felt perhaps the sailor because he seems like a normal 20 year old who would be interested in betting over a car and would think hard don this decision, perhaps even the whole trying to impress the girl. 
- dynamic (changes throughout): This would have to be the little man Carlos. He states that he is rich with his white suit and 'Panama" hat, but in reality he doesn't have any cars and all the ones he has are from the bets he made.
3) Setting: This story takes place in Jamaica on a fine evening. 
-time: "It was getting on toward six o'clock" 
- place:  "They are all evenings fine here in Jamaica."
4) Theme: The theme would probably be suspense because the story is quite eery, and also builds up a lot of stress and tension about what is going to happen. 
5) Point of View: 
-first person: The man who was first introduced in this story, narrates the story in first person. He tells the entire story from his perspective and what he has seen. 
-third person (omniscient, limited omniscient, objective/limited): I don't believe there was third person but it would probably limited if there was.  
6) Foreshadowing: We also talked about this is in class, but it was when the first man introduced, talked about the little mans intentions. 
"The man paused and examined his cigar, and I must say I didn't much like the way he was behaving. It seemed he was already trying to make something out of this, and to embarrass the boy, and at the same time I had the feeling he was relishing a private little secret all his own."    

Walking A Mile In Someone Else's Shoes (Summative Essay)

Walking A Mile In Someone Else’s Shoes

            Often times, as a person we can be inconsiderate of another’s opinion or thoughts. We often judge something without knowing much about it, rather it be a book or a person. As a human we will judge something by what we have heard or seen about it; we don’t use our own observation. If you try to walk in someone else’s shoes, often your opinion about them will change, but even the way you feel and view yourself can change.

            In Romeo and Juliet, there are two families that strongly hate each other. There are the Capulet’s and the Montague’s. Through out this entire play, the hatred between both families is shown as a negative effect on many things. Romeo and Juliet, children of these two families, fall in love and completely forget that both families do not get along at all.  They forget the hatred and contrasting qualities that has been created by both families between these two lovers. Both these characters hated each other’s families; they were rivalries. Romeo and Juliet walk a mile in each other’s shoes because they realize they love each other so much, yet how difficult the hatred between both families has made their love.  In Act II, Scene II, Juliet says:

““Tis but thy name that is my enemy;

Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.

What's Montague? it is nor hand, nor foot,

Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part

Belonging to a man. O, be some other name!

What's in a name? that which we call a rose

By any other name would smell as sweet;

So Romeo would, were he not Romeo call'd,”

Here Juliet states that there is nothing in a name, Montague is just a name; the person itself is very sweet. She compares Romeo to a rose, and says that it does not matter what we call the rose; the rose will still smell as sweet. At this point Juliet realizes that Montague is just a name, and the family itself is not rude or hateful; both lovers view each other’s families differently.

            In the book “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time,” there are also situations where someone is walking in another’s shoes. Mr. and Mrs. Boone separate in the book, which leaves Mr. Boone to take care of their autistic son Christopher. Christopher is not easy to handle because he views things differently, and acts differently in regular situations. For example, most people will start their day without expecting anything; Christopher bases his day on how many red cars go by in the morning, or how many yellow cars go by in the morning. He maps out places he has never been to before, while others will go to an unknown place, finish their job and come back home. Christopher is not easy to handle, and Mr. Boone has quite a hard time handling him. Mrs. Boone walks a mile in Mr. Boone’s shoes when Christopher comes to London to live with her. His father frightens Christopher because he killed a dog, and Christopher does not trust his father anymore. This results in Christopher deciding to go to London to his mother. Mrs. Boone has not talked to Christopher for two years, and while she left it was Mr. Boone taking care of him. Mrs. Boone then realizes how hard it is to take care of Christopher and that how much effort and patience it takes. In the book Mrs. Boone says to Christopher "Christopher, I am just about holding this together. But I am this close to losing it, all right? So just give me some --." Here you can see that Mrs. Boone is having a hard time taking care of Christopher, and that she is trying to hold everything together, but she is very close to falling apart. You can see the frustration and exhaustion in her tone of voice, while dealing with Christopher. Another moment where Mrs. Boone is frustrated is when she is taking Christopher back to Swindon and she says "Jesus, Half an hour, Christopher. I need you to be quiet for half an hour." Here you can see Mrs. Boone is frustrated and tired of Christopher’s questions and just wants a break. While taking care of Christopher, Mrs. Boone realizes how hard it was for Mr. Boone to do this alone for two years.

Through personal experiences one may learn that walking a mile in someone else’s shoes is fairly difficult, and can change your opinion on someone else or yourself. A personal experience that has shown me what it is like to walk in someone else’s shoes is when I met a girl who was very rude. Anything you would say to her would fire back at you, regardless of what it was. Later on, after getting to know her and understand her I realized that she went through a lot in her life, which made her that person. This girl had been through a lot in her past and I realized that it has affected the person she is in the present. After realizing that this is the reason she is the person she is, I thought of her different. Every time I look at someone now, I don’t judge him or her, I try to actually get to know him or her. This experience taught me that what we see is not what is actually there, and sometimes what is actually there, we do not see.

When you walk in someone else’s shoes, you learn beyond what you see. When you actually get to know someone, it changes the way you look at him or her, or talk to him or her. You should never make a judgment by what someone has said, or what someone has done. Until you do not talk to the actual person, you cannot assume anything. Walking in someone else’s shoes can change the way you think of another person or even yourself.