Some valuable lessons/ memories I have from 8th grade are the book clubs from the beginning of the year which I enjoyed. The book my group read was The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. I never read it before then and I really enjoyed it. I also enjoyed the Social Awareness project we did. I enjoyed writing about different social issues. The other project I really enjoyed was the children's book. It was fun to write a book and read it to kids.
My goals for reading after I graduate are to be more interested in different types of books. Also being able to read longer and get into different genres. My goals for writing are to write more detailed stories. Also to learn how to format paragraphs better. Another goal for writing is to write different genres like fantasy.
Summer Bookshelf
West Side Story: screenplay paperback by Ernest Lehman
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Looking for Alaska by John Green
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Essay
Many people think about things in different ways. People see the world differently. Reading a story and hearing how different people feel about the same thing is very interesting. Especially books like The Fault In Our Stars by John Green, which deals with something as serious as cancer. It shows how difficult it is not only for kids with cancer but their parents too. In the book there are many different points of views. It shows different views of the world. There are many groups who's opinions aren't always shown or talked about. In this book you hear about some of them.
One point of view, shown throughout the text is Hazel's mom. She has a lot to deal with making sure Hazel's healthy and okay. There's a lot of tough things that her mom has to handle. One example, is when Hazel really wanted to go to Amsterdam, "'Hazel, I love you, and you know I'd do anything for you, but we don't- we don't have the money for international travel...'" Hazel really wanted to go to Amsterdam. Her mom felt really bad about it "I couldn't handle her I-can't-make-my-daughter's-dreams-come-true sad face." That shows how bad she feels. This shows the point of views of these parents they want their kids to experience everything they want to do. It's heart breaking when they can't. Another example of how you see this point of view is throughout the entire book she always stays around Hazel to make sure she's safe. "Mom was also in the food court, alone, sitting in a corner where she thought I couldn't see her... reading through some papers..The paperwork was endless." (42) This shows that she never leaves Hazel alone. It's sad to think that these parents is scared to leave them alone for 10 minutes. Hazel also feels as if her mom never does anything else. She's to busy making sure Hazel's okay. The last way her point of view is shown is when Hazel was seemingly about to die and she said "'Are you ready sweetie?'" It shows a different point of view because most parents don't have to say things like that or even think that.
That's one group who's opinions aren't always shown.
Another point of view shown throughout the text is Hazel's. Hazel was interesting because I've never read a book about a girl with cancer. It was very interesting to get an idea about how cancer kids think. "Cancer is a side effect of dying." She said in the beginning of the book. I've never heard anyone say something like that and odd to hear that that's how they think about their disease. Many people also tend to feel bad for them. "'I don't want your pity'" Hazel says. It's interesting to hear how they think about something that people normally do without a second thought. Before Hazel left she told her lungs to keep it together for another week. That's another way her point of view is different compared to other people, nobody else would think like that normally. One last thing is when Gus gets really sick. Her parents were very upset that she's never home anymore and she says to them, "I'm going to be home every freaking day." She's referring to the fact that Gus is dying and is really really sick. At another point she says "'He asked me to write him a eulogy." It's a different point of view because nobody would ever really ask someone to write them a eulogy. It's even more interesting that when he asked she didn't seem confused or anything. It's showing that their sort of used to thinking about death all the time. There are many different ways her view is shown. The point of view of someone with cancer is not shown all the time and very interesting. That's another group who's story isn't told completely often.
This text makes me realize what it's like for kids who have cancer in their everyday life. I've never met someone with cancer so it's very interesting to read about and learn about. This is a great book to teach people about different groups of people and their stories. There are many new points of views shown throughout this text, is shows how different groups of people see the world differently.
One point of view, shown throughout the text is Hazel's mom. She has a lot to deal with making sure Hazel's healthy and okay. There's a lot of tough things that her mom has to handle. One example, is when Hazel really wanted to go to Amsterdam, "'Hazel, I love you, and you know I'd do anything for you, but we don't- we don't have the money for international travel...'" Hazel really wanted to go to Amsterdam. Her mom felt really bad about it "I couldn't handle her I-can't-make-my-daughter's-dreams-come-true sad face." That shows how bad she feels. This shows the point of views of these parents they want their kids to experience everything they want to do. It's heart breaking when they can't. Another example of how you see this point of view is throughout the entire book she always stays around Hazel to make sure she's safe. "Mom was also in the food court, alone, sitting in a corner where she thought I couldn't see her... reading through some papers..The paperwork was endless." (42) This shows that she never leaves Hazel alone. It's sad to think that these parents is scared to leave them alone for 10 minutes. Hazel also feels as if her mom never does anything else. She's to busy making sure Hazel's okay. The last way her point of view is shown is when Hazel was seemingly about to die and she said "'Are you ready sweetie?'" It shows a different point of view because most parents don't have to say things like that or even think that.
That's one group who's opinions aren't always shown.
Another point of view shown throughout the text is Hazel's. Hazel was interesting because I've never read a book about a girl with cancer. It was very interesting to get an idea about how cancer kids think. "Cancer is a side effect of dying." She said in the beginning of the book. I've never heard anyone say something like that and odd to hear that that's how they think about their disease. Many people also tend to feel bad for them. "'I don't want your pity'" Hazel says. It's interesting to hear how they think about something that people normally do without a second thought. Before Hazel left she told her lungs to keep it together for another week. That's another way her point of view is different compared to other people, nobody else would think like that normally. One last thing is when Gus gets really sick. Her parents were very upset that she's never home anymore and she says to them, "I'm going to be home every freaking day." She's referring to the fact that Gus is dying and is really really sick. At another point she says "'He asked me to write him a eulogy." It's a different point of view because nobody would ever really ask someone to write them a eulogy. It's even more interesting that when he asked she didn't seem confused or anything. It's showing that their sort of used to thinking about death all the time. There are many different ways her view is shown. The point of view of someone with cancer is not shown all the time and very interesting. That's another group who's story isn't told completely often.
This text makes me realize what it's like for kids who have cancer in their everyday life. I've never met someone with cancer so it's very interesting to read about and learn about. This is a great book to teach people about different groups of people and their stories. There are many new points of views shown throughout this text, is shows how different groups of people see the world differently.
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Authors Note
Authors Note:
Bullying is a major problem that happens everywhere. Kids of all ages in school have either been bullied or have witnessed it. Kids are bullied for many different reasons. For looks, personality, nationality, and religion. Bullying is something that many principals are trying to prevent it as much as possible, but it's very hard when there's so many students and social media. That's a new way for kids to get bullied further even when their at home.
I remember seeing people get bullied several times in school. Even in Elementary school, that's not a good way for kids to be growing into adults. Another form of bullying that people tend to forget is, exclusion. Many kids try to fit in but feel like they don't because of other kids leaving them out. Kids don't want to feel like they have no one they can talk to during lunch. Also knowing that when there's a group project it will be hard to find a partner, or be stuck with whoever's left over. Verbal bullying is another form in which kids say hurtful things to other kids trying to make them feel bad about themselves. Another more common form, physical bullying, is when they will throw the other person around or punch them or always want to fight. It will make kids feel unsafe in school. Another affect of bullying is suicide. The article "Bullying and Suicide" it says, "Over 14 percent of high school students have considered suicide, and almost 7 percent have attempted it." That shows how bad it is. Kids shouldn't want to kill themselves because of school. The article "Bullying in Schools" says, "Students who engage in bullying behaviors seem to have a need to feel powerful and in control." If beating people up and throwing them around or just trying to make them feel bad about themselves is what makes you feel like you have power is really bad. People, especially kids shouldn't feel that way. That is dangerous for everyone else and the one doing the bullying. Reading these two articles gave me a better knowledge on how many people this really does happens to and how it affects them.
I chose the topic of bullying because I think it's a major problem that happens everywhere and is very relatable for kids. It's something that is very terrible for the victim. No bullying is ok no matter what. It's a terrible way to hurt someone's feelings and makes school terrible for kids all the time. You have to go to school five times a week and you feel nervous everyday and hate going. That's something you should never make someone feel. My hope is that one day kids will learn to be nicer to one another and try to make friends without hurting other people.
Works Cited:
"Bullying in Schools"
http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Bullying_Schools/
"Bullying and Suicide"
http://www.bullyingstatistics.org/content/bullying-and-suicide.html
Bullying is a major problem that happens everywhere. Kids of all ages in school have either been bullied or have witnessed it. Kids are bullied for many different reasons. For looks, personality, nationality, and religion. Bullying is something that many principals are trying to prevent it as much as possible, but it's very hard when there's so many students and social media. That's a new way for kids to get bullied further even when their at home.
I remember seeing people get bullied several times in school. Even in Elementary school, that's not a good way for kids to be growing into adults. Another form of bullying that people tend to forget is, exclusion. Many kids try to fit in but feel like they don't because of other kids leaving them out. Kids don't want to feel like they have no one they can talk to during lunch. Also knowing that when there's a group project it will be hard to find a partner, or be stuck with whoever's left over. Verbal bullying is another form in which kids say hurtful things to other kids trying to make them feel bad about themselves. Another more common form, physical bullying, is when they will throw the other person around or punch them or always want to fight. It will make kids feel unsafe in school. Another affect of bullying is suicide. The article "Bullying and Suicide" it says, "Over 14 percent of high school students have considered suicide, and almost 7 percent have attempted it." That shows how bad it is. Kids shouldn't want to kill themselves because of school. The article "Bullying in Schools" says, "Students who engage in bullying behaviors seem to have a need to feel powerful and in control." If beating people up and throwing them around or just trying to make them feel bad about themselves is what makes you feel like you have power is really bad. People, especially kids shouldn't feel that way. That is dangerous for everyone else and the one doing the bullying. Reading these two articles gave me a better knowledge on how many people this really does happens to and how it affects them.
I chose the topic of bullying because I think it's a major problem that happens everywhere and is very relatable for kids. It's something that is very terrible for the victim. No bullying is ok no matter what. It's a terrible way to hurt someone's feelings and makes school terrible for kids all the time. You have to go to school five times a week and you feel nervous everyday and hate going. That's something you should never make someone feel. My hope is that one day kids will learn to be nicer to one another and try to make friends without hurting other people.
Works Cited:
"Bullying in Schools"
http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Bullying_Schools/
"Bullying and Suicide"
http://www.bullyingstatistics.org/content/bullying-and-suicide.html
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Synthesis Page
Title: The Fault In Our Stars
Author: John Green
Focus: What really hard things are happening throughout this text? Are they still happening? Where?
Cancer: This is something hard that happens throughout the text. This is hard because many people have it, or know someone who has it. It's a terrible disease that doesn't really have a cure. Throughout the book there are many characters who are battling cancer. I think writing the book in the perspective of a teenage girl who has cancer is a good way to teach people about what it's like to have cancer, also relatable for people who do. When Hazel was talking about how bad cancer is she said, [the only thing worse then] "biting it from cancer when you're sixteen, and that's having a kid who bites it from cancer." (8) This shows how hard it is to deal with this. This connects to the world because it's something that happens everywhere. This shows me what it's like for people, I never read anything about it before. I think the author wrote this to teach people about cancer.
Death: Death is something bad that happens everywhere. It's really hard thing for anyone. This is significant to the text because throughout the book the main characters talk about death frequently. "Excellent. Also if it's not too much trouble. please prepare a eulogy." (254) This shows that even while they're still alive there thinking about death, how, and when there going to die. This relates to the world because many people die everyday. The purpose of putting death in the story in my opinion is to make it more true to life. There's not always a happy ending. "I want to attend my own funeral." (257) This is something that normal healthy people would never even think about doing.
Feeling betrayed: This happens in the book at times. This connects to the world by love, friendship, and other similar things. The purpose of this in the book was to show how Hazel felt towards Peter Van Houten. "You are a side effect." (192) He said to her referring to her disease. She's wanted to meet him so she could ask him questions about her favorite book that he wrote. She felt betrayled because he wouldn't answer and then insulted her.
There are many hard things throughout the book many dealing with death and cancer. I think the author wrote this book to teach readers. It can teach you a lot about life and make you think about things you wouldn't normally think about and really feel what it's like for other people.
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Argument Essay
More than 460 books have been challenged in just 2012. Many people ban books for different reasons. One reason why is because many parents find some books inappropriate for their children. Instead of just preventing their kid from reading it, they ban it so no one can. One book that is frequently challenged is The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. Some reasons why parents ban these books is because of cursing, sexual content, violence, and racism. Even though The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie has sexual content, and cursing it still teaches an important message about how bad racism is.
There are several examples of sexual content, violence, and cursing throughout the book. These things will give middle-schoolers the wrong message. One example of sexual content in the book is when the main character, Junior says he's the "King of masturbation." Some kids might not know what that is and find it inappropriate and don't want to read about it. Also, parents don't want their kids to know about that stuff or read about it anyway. Another example is, throughout the book curses such as retard, and faggot are used. Parents don't want their kids cursing and think that making them unable to read it will prevent them from doing it. They also find that it's a bad influence. In the article "Librarians Lead Fight Against Banned Books" by Karoline Kallweit, it says, "Some local parents felt it violated the community's values because of its rough language and sexual depictions." That is one example of when the book was banned. In the article "Banned Books" by Christopher Finan and Joan Bertin it says, "Sherman Alexie, author of 'The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian' which had been one of the most frequently challenged books of several years." That shows that many parents and people think it's inappropriate.
Eventhough many parents don't like kids reading stuff like this, it's going to come up one day. Although Junior saying he's the "King of masturbation is inappropriate. Most kids have already heard about it or will. Kids will always find out about stuff like this, whether parents like it or not. Also the curses such as retard, and faggot are heard all the time in school and on TV. Some are even heard at home or said by the kid themselves. In the article "Banned Books" by Christopher Finan and Joan Bertin it says, "Sherman Alexie, author of 'The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian‘.. also responded 'I write for teenagers because I vividly remember what it felt like to be a teen facing everyday and epic dangers. That shows that the book is meant for teenagers in the first place. The article also says, "Two school board members.. who had voted to ban 'The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian' reversed their vote after reading the book, returning it to the classroom." This shows that many people don't even bother to read the book before judging it.
Although some parents don’t want their kids reading this, they need to watch their kids instead of taking away the book from everyone. Banning books has been considered "unconstitutional." This book alone teaches a very important message about how bad racism is. It also teaches that you don't have to do what society tells you to do. "From Sept. 30- Oct. 6, libraries, schools, and bookstores… battle censorship and celebrate the freedom to read during Banned Books Week, an annual event highlighting the importance of the 1st amendment." says the article, "Celebrating the Power of Literature and Read a Banned Book." by the ALA news. That's a great way for people to be able to read what they want. "460 book challenges were reported to the ALA." Said the article, "Librarians Lead Fight Against Banned Books" by Karoline Kallweit. That is an insane amount of books that are waiting to be removed. It is not fair to other people or kids.
In conclusion, many books are being banned everywhere for various reasons. Some of these books have important messages. Parents should never vote to ban a book without reading it first. It takes away the opportunity for other kids to read it. If you don’t want your kid to read something it don’t mean that no one else can read it. Some books teach important messages, you won't know that they do it you don’t bother to read it. Don’t judge a book by its cover!
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Social Awareness Project
Write a reading response on a social issue
I read the book "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie. There are several times throughout the book when racism comes up. Racism is a big problem that comes up all the time. I think it's time people start to realize that not everyone looks the same, and its not really their choice. So you shouldn't judge someone based on that. A lot of people have problems with all kinds of people.
This book makes me think that people shouldn't think that they belong in a certain school based on their race. School is just one of the places were people focus on that. If you can go to a school that's available. You shouldn't go and feel unwanted because of your color or anything similar. There are plenty different type of people and if you can't except that, it's going to be hard to be in places, because everyone is different. No one is the same, whether or not they have the same color skin or anything else. There's always something different that makes you, you. In the book the main character, Junior decides he's going to school generally for "white" kids. That makes me think that only some people are brave enough to go and fight for what they want/believe in. People need to learn how to except one another for who they really are.
Observe your surroundings
1.) Bullying
2.) Depression
3.) Drugs
Bullying is something that I always see/hear. I don't understand why so many kids especially kids in middle and high school do it. Although there are some schools like MS 51 that bullying is limited, there's still bullying. Bullying is wrong because you're making others feel bad about themselves. Nobody is the same, everyone is different. So you shouldn't make something you don't like effect them. Just because you don't like it doesn't mean that no one else can. People should be able to be themselves,and love it. Not have to act how people want them to act.
I find it crazy that people get bullied for something simple like clothing, knowing about someone/something, or even because someone feels the need to hurt someone. Bullying doesn't always happen in actions. You can use words to bully someone to. For some people the words effect them more. Some people don't understand that just because you might think somethings a joke or is funny, doesn't mean everybody else agrees. People need to learn that you should treat others the way you want to be treated, and if you don't have nothing nice to say, don't say nothing at all.
Write an original poem
I wish for a happier life
better then this one
I can't win
Unless the war inside me is won
I scream and cry when I'm alone
So no one knows what I have done
It's just a scrape,
nothing else
it's okay, is another excuse,
just another lie
it's always just one more
until I die
I chose the issue self-harm because many people around my age do it. Self-harm is usually a sign of depression, which is a bigger issue. Many people cry every night and they hate their life. Some are hidden. No one knows what they do. While writing this poem I thought about different things that the person might think. There are many different reasons why someone might be so depressed with their life. Some people feel that this is their only option. I've heard people say that they do it for attention. If you want to get attention you will do something else, not cry in your room with a razor blade and blood dripping down your arm. People need to realize that people who do this do it for a reason. People shouldn't take things like this lightly, it's a big thing if someone hates their life to a point where they want to just end it.
Work cited
-"The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Non-Fiction Reading Response
The article "Please Stop Misspelling Our Name!" from the Upfront Magazine is about how many people are spelling Colombia "Columbia." It's unfair to Colombians that people are misspelling their name. Colombians are now fighting back. "It's Colombia, NOT Columbia" is a campaign made to shame people who use the misspelling. The author wants the reader to know that misspelling the name of a country is bad and unfair to countries.
Throughout the article it talks about how many people use the misspelling. Even famous people such as Paris Hilton, Richard Nixon, and Justin Bieber, have misspelled it on social media. The article even says that after the misspelling was tweeted within minutes dozens of people tweeted back, "It's Colombia, NOT Columbia." People should care to correctly spell names of countries. If not your disrespecting the country and all the people in it. Especially if your always using the misspelling. When famous people tweet something many people read it and they might think that's how you spell it. It could get even more people to use the misspelling.
The article also mentions that part of the reason why many people misspell Colombia is because people don't really care about the country. The article also says, "To many Colombians, the error isn't just a typo, it shows that people aren't paying attention to Colombia beyond it's reputation for poverty and drug cartels." I think it's unfair for people to judge a country based on poverty. Even if you do judge them on that, it doesn't you mean you should misspell the name of the country. If you really knew something about the country you would know how to spell their name.
In conclusion, people shouldn't judge countries based on reputation. Also small countries that aren't talked about often. If you want to mention a country in a tweet or any other social media websites, check the spelling! Otherwise your disrespecting Colombians and other countries.
Throughout the article it talks about how many people use the misspelling. Even famous people such as Paris Hilton, Richard Nixon, and Justin Bieber, have misspelled it on social media. The article even says that after the misspelling was tweeted within minutes dozens of people tweeted back, "It's Colombia, NOT Columbia." People should care to correctly spell names of countries. If not your disrespecting the country and all the people in it. Especially if your always using the misspelling. When famous people tweet something many people read it and they might think that's how you spell it. It could get even more people to use the misspelling.
The article also mentions that part of the reason why many people misspell Colombia is because people don't really care about the country. The article also says, "To many Colombians, the error isn't just a typo, it shows that people aren't paying attention to Colombia beyond it's reputation for poverty and drug cartels." I think it's unfair for people to judge a country based on poverty. Even if you do judge them on that, it doesn't you mean you should misspell the name of the country. If you really knew something about the country you would know how to spell their name.
In conclusion, people shouldn't judge countries based on reputation. Also small countries that aren't talked about often. If you want to mention a country in a tweet or any other social media websites, check the spelling! Otherwise your disrespecting Colombians and other countries.
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