Blog comments 12/15

Sophias blog
Priorites from middle to high school

MP's blog
cookie currency

Writing Center Reflection

My writing fellow was Emma Scott Singletery. We spent a long time reading over my literary analysis. She helped me find stronger vocabulary, develop a stronger conclusion, and strengthened my body paragraphs. Emma Scott complemented the best parts of my essay and made suggestions on the parts I could work on. We removed useles sentences and replaced them with longer, well built sentences.  The last thing Emma did was read my essay out loud. This helped us figure ot what needed to be changed. I think this helped my literay analysis a lot. I will probably go to the writing center for future papers because it helped me so much.

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

My priorities have changed alot from middle school to high school. High school requires alot of responsibility and hard work. You have to try your best because it is your last four years until college. Grades become alot more important and participation in athletics becomes harder. Your grades and participation shape your future.
As a middle schooler, your grades and involvement in sports matter less. You are not being judged as criticly as a high schooler would be.  You also have less stress because you do not have that much on your plate. The older you become, the more work and responsibility you will get.

Comments 12/8

Anna Blog
December

Hudson's blog
Christmas Eve

Free Post 12/5

My family has two dogs named Cooper and Lucca. They are both labor doodles. Cooper is from Maine and is a creme color. Lucca is black with white paws and is from Tennessee. We love our dogs, but they are a handful. They always want attention and like waking up at 5:30am. We never thought we would get another dog until my aunt's friend called and asked if we would be interested in taking a dog. He was a poodle and stayed with us during the flood because he was in a house that flooded. We fell in love him and were sad to see him leave. I was really glad that we could get another dog. My parents said yes and now we have a third dog!

Literary Analysis Process

I think that this essay is the hardest one yet. I am struggling to create an introduction and a conclusion. It is hard to think of how I want to start my writing. It is also hard to make a thesis arguable. I am trying  not repeat what I say in the introduction in the conclusion.
I started reading some of the examples in our english textbook to create a good introduction. The examples helped but I still do not think it is good enough.

Comments 12/1

Bea's blog
How to

Hudson's blog
How to make a Thanksgiving cake

Symbolism 11/28

Every year since I can remember, we have always eaten the same things for Thanksgiving. I grew up eating turkey, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, rolls, mashed potatoes, rice, and lots of other casseroles. I always look forward to Thanksgiving, and I am grateful for the food I have to eat, although it is the same every year.

Symbolism- food listed= family traditions 

How to decorate a Christmas tree 11/28

Since the Christmas tree is the centerpiece of your holiday decorations, it has to be done right. Decorating a Christmas tree can be time consuming. Here a few steps to make decorating a the tree easier.
Step 1: You will need to gather lights, garland, and ornaments. The amount of decorations will depend on the size of your tree. You would need more of each if your tree is bigger. Step 2: Lights are the first decoration that goes on the tree. The lights are wrapped around ever branch. After stringing all of them on, turn them on to make sure they work. Step 3: Then you can add garland. Some use garland to add color to their tree. Step 4: Lastly the ornaments go on. The bigger ornaments go in bigger gaps, or the bottom. The smaller ones can go anywhere. After all the decorations are on the tree, you are done!

Blog comments 11/17

Hayley's blog
Thanksgiving

MP's blog
The Holidays

LOTF 11/14

Lord of the Flies had many important scenes. One of the most critical scenes is from chapter 12. Ralph is now alone and has no one. Samneric try to warn him that Jack has sharpened both ends of a stick. Ralph does not understand what this means, but as a reader, we know jack is out to kill Ralph. In this scene, Ralph is scared for his life because of Jack's determination to hurt Ralph. We see Ralph hiding in the thickets as the hunters are feet away from him. This scene is critical because it shows how the island has fallen apart. The boys are killing each other for fun, burning the island down, and have lost all civilization. The significance is how humans can change drastically in such a small amount of time.

free post 11/13

Thanksgiving is an important holiday for my family. My Dad, Mom, brothers, sister and I all go to my grandmother's house for dinner. My cousins and family friends are also there. We all visit while dinner is cooking. My grandmother always cooks a turkey and many sides such as mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and other vegetables. Last year, it was cold outside so we lit a fire. I hope it will be cold again this year.
Once the food is ready, we all pray before fixing ur plates. The food is always really good. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays.

Blog Comments 11/10

Hudson's Blog

Have You Ever Had a Pet That Affected Your Life In a Significant Way?


MP's Blog
How a sport or hobby has changed you life?

LOTF response 11/7

The world, that understandable and lawful world, was slipping away.  Once there was this and that; and now--and the ship had gone. [... Jack refusing to give Piggy the floor when he has the conch...]
"The rules!" shouted Ralph.  "You're breaking the rules!"
"Who cares?"
Ralph summoned his wits.
"Because the rules are the only thing we've got!"
But Jack was shouting against him.
"Bollocks to the rules!  We're strong--we hunt!  If there's a beast, we'll hunt it down!  We'll close in and beat and beat and beat--!" (91)

The short passage above shows a lot about the dynamic characters in "The Lord of the Flies." Ralph, the leader is trying to keep everyone together and organized. He feels that the only way to get rescued is that everyone needs to listen to him and obey the rules. Ralph is adult- like in a disciplined way. Jack, on the other hand, is the polar opposite. He thinks he is a natural leader because of his choir experience. He speaks his opinions and tries to take control most of the time. Jack wants to have fun and take advantage of the no adult life. He thinks they will get rescued without Ralph's rules. Also, Jack is all about hunting. Both Ralph and Jack have different personalities and strategies.

Have you ever wondered how one decision could change your life? 11/7

     One decision could change your life. Choosing to do or not do something could  impact the rest of your life. One big make or break decision is choosing a high school. Choosing one school over another could place you with new friendships that you would have never had if you had not chosen that school. Another decision that may change your path is a career. Careers will lead to different lifestyles. In one career, you may  have to move to another place whereas another job may require you to stay. Recruitments will lead you into a new environment and surroundings.
     Decisions make up all of our lives. They can be good or bad. It is all your opinions and others. If you are someone who is dependant on other's thoughts then you could never make your own decisions. Self-consciences may limit your decisions in life.

Comments 10/28

Mary Francis's Blog
Reading Response 10/24


Laura's blog
Reading Response 10/24

Reading Response 10/24

I have been reading the novel, "The Lord of the Flies." A plane full of school boys crashed on a remote island. So far I have been introduced to four main characters, Jack, Ralph, Simon, and Piggy. I can infer from my understanding that the boys thought it would be lots of fun to be on an island with no adults. They have come to find out life is not that easy. From this book, I have picked up an eye for descriptive words and details. Sometimes, I find there is a deeper meaning beneath the words.
     The book is written in  third person omniscient, but the narrator has a unique way of explaining the story. The narrator started the story with an selective way of sharing information.

Human Nature 10/24

      Humans are born as the person they were meant to be. They have natural talents, gifts, and pet peeves. Everyone has their own way of expressing oneself. No one is flawed. Someone may be said to be flawed, but it is a matter of opinion. We as humans differ between what is right and wrong. When a person does something one way, and someone else does something another, it does not mean either one of them is doing it wrong. The judgement is based on what you think is right. This matter can also relate to what is good and bad. Some say Robin Hood is a good man while others disagree.

       My opinion on human nature is primarily based on religion. I believe that humans were made to be different from each other. Although it can cause conflicts, I think it lets humans share opinions and express themselves. Human nature is a complex subject.

Blog Comments 10/17

Sophia's Blog:

Q2 Week 1 Fall Break Free Post

Hudson's blog:

Fall Break

Fall Break 10/17

My fall break this year was super fun! I went to Perdido Key, Florida. This was an unusual beach spot for me since I am used to going to Seaside Florida. My family and another family are big into diving. Primarily, we wanted to dive in Perdido Key to kill lionfish. The first few days were great. The weather was great, not to cold or to hot. The next day the sun was hidden in the clouds and the wind began to pick up. That day was supposed to be our dive day, but the conditions were too dangerous. It never rained but the waters got rough. We spent hours in the ocean diving all the waves.  We had lots of fun in the end because we got to relax and rest at the beach!

Reading Response 10/17

I have been reading "We Were Liars" for a while now. In class, I will begin reading and forget what happened before. I will then have to go back and reread a few pages. This book is very different from other books I have read. It includes strange wording and very short chapters. It has some intense scenes. I feel as if I am only in the beginning of the book because the narrator likes to explain her family relationships with details and emotions. Overall, I am still enjoying this book and hope I can recall past events in the book.

Comments 10/13

MP's blog-
Procrastination



Laura's blog
Response

Procrastination: Is your future self getting a bad deal?

    Procrastination is relatable to everyone. In the article, Procrastination: Is your future self-getting a bad deal? Timothy A Pychyl explains what procrastination is. He says, "In a sense, we're passing the buck to our future self." When you procrastinate, you are avoiding doing something until it will be done in the future. Pychyl found from studies that when you procrastinate, it shows that you have a lack of self-concern.

      I have to admit I can be a procrastinator. In school, I usually avoid procrastinating until the due date. I like to get assignments done early, but that is not always the case. Sometimes I can be lazy and wait until I have to do it. I also can procrastinate on doing things my parents ask. If my mom asked me to do something I don't want to do, I will probably wait as long as I can before I have to do it. Being a procrastinator shows I have no self-concern.

Blog comments 10/6

Hudson 's Blog
Thanksgiving



Anna's Blog

City of Bones

Free Post 10/3

I love traveling. I have only been to ten states. During the next four years of high school, I hope to at least go to ten more. I have also been to Italy. Over a course of two weeks, I visited eleven places in Italy. I made so many memories with my family. We saw the most beautiful artwork, buildings, and landscapes. One of my favorite parts was going to Vatican. Sadly the Pope left just that day. It was  disappointing, but I saw a gorgeous building, the Sistine Chapel. Traveling is a big part of my life. It is a way for my family to get together.

Reading response 10/3

        A&P was a good but weird short story. I wondered what the story was going to be about when I read the title, "A&P." I think the story had a good message. I thought is was going to be cheesy but it actually made a lot of sense. I noticed how the mood changed as the character's conflicts arose. The setting also played a huge role in the story. The "A&P" physical settings added detail.

Blog Post Comments 9/27

Bea's blog:

"Short Story"

Laura's blog:

"Flash Fiction"

Seasons Change

    I love the transition from Summer to Fall. It slowly become cooler, as drinks become warmer. Orange and red is all you see. Trees dropping their leaves and pumpkins on doorsteps. Stores are stocking up with Halloween decorations. The isles are full with treats. Everyone is planning parties and making costumes. You can finally wear your favorite sweatshirt that has been buried in your closet. As the summer sun fades, the sky is filled with stars. You can watch while your wrapped in blankets around a burning fire. Your mouth is filled with goey s'mores.
    Morning brings such joy. Walking into school, you smell everyones hot chocolate and coffee. The classrooms smell of pumpkin spice. I love the transition from Summer to Fall.

Reading Response 9/26

      "Harrison Bergeron" was a very confusing story. When I started to read the short story,I was lost in the first paragraphs. I did not understand what was happening. It struck me as a weird beginning. I asked myself lots of questions like, "why was this happening or what caused this?" I recognized similarities from other reads and realized that this must be a dystopian story. "Harrison Bergeron" included characters that reminded me of those from Divergent. Both had a a dystopian plot with a character that tried to be a hero or save the day. This story led me to think about what equality means. I learned that equality can be interpreted in many ways. I probably would not read this short story again. Although it was written well, I think it takes a dystopian reader to enjoy  this story. 

Blog Comments- 9/20

Hudson's Blog-

Dear 13 Year Old

Laura's Blog- 

Dear 10 Year Old

Dear a 12-year old

        Dear a 12-year old, enjoy the easy life. Spend you last years as middle schooler happy. Make lots of friends and create long-lasting memories. Spend you homework free nights wisely. You will soon realize how young you really were.
        You have been on the world for twelve years. Don't get me wrong, that is a long time but know you do not have everything figured out. You probably think you are cool, popular or the exact opposite. It doesn't matter which you think you are because you can be whatever you want to be. Being nice is a small thing that can get you through the next school years.

Signed a 14-year old

Reflecting on Personal Narrative

My personal narrative is about skiing. I explained where my journey first began, including vivid memories and details. It was hard to remember something that happened five years ago but  as I began writing it all came back to me. I tried to create long, descriptives to help explain my feelings and what I saw.

Remembering Hurricane Katrina

     In 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit one of Louisiana's most historic towns, New Orleans. Since I was only about three years old when it happened I have heard only stories throughout my life. Katrina brought many tragedies to the New Orleans area. It is an event that will never be forgotten. Many were devastated by the lose of loved ones. The city was demolished. People lost everything due to this category five hurricane.
     There was an estimate of about one hundred billion dollars in damage. It is hard to wrap you head around how much was actually ruined. Along with all of the physical items lost, loved ones were also affected. About 1,577 deaths occurred from Louisiana alone. This event has impacted so many lives it will never be forgotten. Those who passed in the hurricane are honored during the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.


http://www.nytimes.com/topic/subject/hurricane-katrina

We Were Liars

     We Were Liars written by E. Lockhart is a confusing novel. I have only read about seven chapters because of my slow reading, but I have gotten a glimpse of what this book is about. When i was reading I noticed the very short chapters and a couple short sentences. The book is written in the point of view of the main character Cadence Sinclair. I think as I continue to read this novel I will like it even more than I do now.

Comments for week 2

Bea- school stress
http://beassblogg.blogspot.com/2016/09/school-stress.html


Hudson- Panic! At The Disco
https://huds0ngenglish.blogspot.com/2016/09/panic-at-disco-meet-and-greet.html?showComment=1473303579493#c1924690704880579980

     Over the summer, I became a certified scuba diver. It took six hours in a classroom and two days at the pool to be able to almost complete my certification. The last step was to actually dive in the ocean. It was hard to think that I would be under water and breathing! Once it was time to complete the last step of my divers certification I was very nervous. It felt like everything was going wrong that day! It all started when I had to wake up at 4:00 am and drive to Florida! I was so tired that day. I got to Vortex Springs (dive site) and started to set up my gear and some of it was broken! This made me even more nervous. I calmed down once I got into the water. The water was freezing! It gave me chills and I shivered the whole dive! During the dive all you could hear was your own breath. It is a whole different world underwater!
     

     Over the summer, I read a book called And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie. This novel is so mysterious and exciting.The story begins with a mystery or uncertainty. The author describes the characters with much detail. It is a story that leaves you wondering how the author could have written this. You can also tell how much detail and thought was put into the book. I loved this book because it was like nothing I had read before. It had great suspense throughout and kept you on the edge of your seat.

About Me

     This is my first blog! I hope as the year progresses I become a better writer and blogger. My goals for this year in English are too create writing that I am proud of and read a lot more!

      I come from a family of six. My siblings are all in college so it’s just me at home. I have two labor doodles.Traveling is something I absolutely love! My favorite places to go are Steamboat, CO, Florence, Italy, and the beach. I recently became a certified scuba diver, and I have been skiing for four years. 

     I want to make the next four years of high school amazing! I hope I will make memories and new friends. After high school, I would like to go to Dental school. My expectations are high but reachable.

       

13 Reasons Why

     One of my choice summer reading books was 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher. Although this book was sad, it was a good read. Hannah Baker is a high school student who struggles with friendships and trust. She regrets trusting the ones who were closest to her. As time goes on Hannah commits suicide. She leaves behind a set of cassette tapes. The tapes tell stories that explain why she committed suicide. Reading about everyone who received the tapes was chilling. This novel is filled with suspense and never becomes boring. 13 Reasons Why is now one of my favorite novels. This sad story is written so well. Jay Asher did such a good job explaining the story and capturing the characters emotions. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good, suspenseful,  realistic book.