Q4 Comments #5

Mak- https://maksbleach.blogspot.com/2017/04/failure.html?showComment=1493211730756#c3928272207774420428

Trevor- https://20trevorh.blogspot.com/2017/04/hits-and-misses.html?showComment=1493211837113#c7045069709896500365

Hits and Misses

I think some of best writing has been done this year for this class. For example, I really liked my research paper and literary analysis. On both of those, the writing was not as much of a burden as it had been in the past. It came much more smoothly than it ever had before. Also, my blogs especially have become much easier for me to produce than ever before. In the first semester it was a struggle to find enough to write about, now it comes so easily. Throughout the year my writing has improved tremendously.

Although my writing got better, some pieces were harder than others. Especially the Personal Narrative first semester. I did not fully grasp the idea of vivid detail until after I had the essay. Another piece that was troublesome for me was the political response blog. First of all, it took me quite a while to find an article to write about. Then the writing itself was difficult; I could not get the ideas to form in my head.

Anticipating Our Next Book

2. If you are in a position of power, you are happy.

People in authority do not always want to be in control. Some people are placed into positions of power because they inherited it. Also, being in control is stressful. Lots of responsibility is given to people in authority. One example of someone in the authority that did not want to be in power was Louis XVI of France. He was more concerned with tinkering than his kingship. He listened to most everything his advisers said and did whatever he was first told to do.

1. Ambition is a positive, desirable trait in a person.

I agree with this statement but only to a certain extent. There are some cases where a person's ambition was to do something wrong. Do not get me wrong ambition is a great thing for someone to have, but someone can be ambitious towards something awful. One terrible example of this scenario is Adolf Hitler. He was an ambitious person who attempted to conquer the world. Also, he killed many Jews in his conquest of the world.

Q4 Comments #4

James- https://jamescblogpost.blogspot.com/2017/04/prompts_7.html?showComment=1491849862017#c610590051411405831

Madisyn Paige- https://english1mpblog.blogspot.com/2017/04/what-were-your-favorite-characters.html?showComment=1491850445438#c6341496425822202806

Purple Hibiscus

One of the strategies I use to read Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is to write my reactions, thoughts, and questions on the page. This helps me to comprehend the book because it makes me think about what I am thinking about by writing it on the page. Another strategy I use is to reread a portion of the book if I did not understand. For some this is obvious, but it helps tremendously.
One challenge I have faced while reading this book is not being able to understand the Igbo. In some parts of the book, Kambili will tell the reader what it means but not always. One possible solution to this problem would be to put it the Igbo into an Igbo to English translator. I think able to understand Igbo would help in understanding the book.

What have you learned in your teens?

One huge thing I have learned in my teens is to not beat myself up for making a mistake. When I was younger, I would always think I was a terrible person if I messed up. That was not the best way to live my early teenage years. I made lots of mistakes, and every time I beat myself because I messed up. Now I know to not make the same mistake twice, and to just fix my mistakes whenever I make one.
Another thing I have learned in my teens is to get my priorities out of the way before I do what I want to do. For me personally, I have to exercise this mostly on the weekends. If I do not finish my homework before I play video games, watch TV, or whatever, I will only be thinking about what else I could be doing instead of my homework which makes it take forever. To fix this, I do my homework before I play video games, watch TV, or whatever.

Q4 Comments #3

Bea- https://beassblogg.blogspot.com/2017/03/article-response.html?showComment=1490801022646#c6528933590774255665

Jack T- https://graysonallenftw.blogspot.com/2017/03/political-article.html?showComment=1490801164043

News Article

In her article, Katie Rogers explains "How the Health Care Vote Fell Apart, Step by Step." First, she says that Republicans took their bill out of the House before it was voted on because they thought it would not get the required amount of votes to pass. The people who decided to pull it where President Donald Trump and Speaker of the House Paul Ryan. Both of them said that the other advised to remove it; this shows the blame that is going around for this failure. Secondly, Rogers talks about why it was pulled. She says that "most conservatives of the House didn't think that the American Health Care Act would go far enough to eradicate Obamacare." Thirdly, Rogers reveals President Trump's reaction, which is simple: he blamed the Democrats. Trump said that none of them supported it. Later she explains what will happen next, which is that the Affordable Care Act will stay in place. Also, she says that they got there from Trump's campaign promises to replace the Affordable Care Act, the Republican's first attempt at making a new health care plan, and Trump's statement telling Republicans to either vote to replace the Affordable Health Care Act or to let it remain.
I honestly agree with everything Rogers says in this article. I understand that the purpose of this article was to tell facts not to display an opinion, but I still agree. The way that she explains the events and the words she uses makes the article quite easy to follow. Before writing this blog, I read a couple different articles all talking about this situation, but this is the only one I could understand. This is the reason I chose this article.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/24/us/politics/guide-to-how-the-health-care-vote-fell-apart.html?action=click&contentCollection=Politics&module=RelatedCoverage&region=Marginalia&pgtype=article

Q4 Comments #2

Trevor-https://20trevorh.blogspot.com/2017/03/learning-reflection.html?showComment=1490200562769#c3928325929407511979

John N- https://thegoat2323.blogspot.com/2017/03/free-post-march-madness.html?showComment=1490203219796#c2915110686214177550

Reading Response

Recently I have started reading "Lone Survivor" by Marcus Luttrell with Patrick Robinson. Currently, I am not very far into the book, but I already love it. It is books like this that make me want to join the military. I have previously read "American Sniper" by Chris Kyle; this was the book that first sparked my desire to serve my country. Both of these books talk about what it means to serve your country, but they specifically speak about what it's like to be a Navy SEAL.
Ever since I read "American Sniper," I have thought about joining the military when I am old enough. Chris Kyle and Marcus Lutrell both served their country, and it makes me wonder who will continue to serve after them. Another thought came from this, why not me? I am just as capable of being a frogman as they were. To be clear, frogmen is another name for Navy SEALs. I have time until I decide whether I am going to try to be a SEAL or not. On the other hand, I fell a call to serve in one way or another.

The Year is Almost Over

Throughout this year I have learned that I just have to sit down and do my work. I am easily distracted when it comes to working on school work, but as the year has progressed, I have gotten better. I have also noticed during the year that I have become a much better reader. I can read faster and find more hidden meanings in texts that I read. In addition to becoming a better reader, I believe my writing is becoming better. This can be seen through my grades on my papers that I have written during the year. My first quarter paper was a B+, and my third quarter paper was an A-.
I will use this information of my progression to motivate me to become an even better student, reader, and writer. In the last quarter of the year, I will try to eliminate all distractions from my homework that I possibly can. Another goal I have for the fourth quarter is to become and even faster reader and to continue to better my understanding of hidden meanings in texts. Lastly, I want to continue my progression of paper grades throughout the year. My best effort will be put forth to make my fourth quarter paper grade to be higher than my third quarter paper grade.

Q4 Comments #1

Alex H- https://blogsgotjokes.blogspot.com/2017/02/absolutely-true-diary-of-part-time.html?showComment=1489583538420#c5147634496429458641

Bea- https://beassblogg.blogspot.com/2017/03/free-post-makeup-work-130.html?showComment=1489583671777#c8097335416131922335

Q3 Comments Week #5

Trevor- https://20trevorh.blogspot.com/2017/03/free-post-about-mardi-gras-break.html?showComment=1488996219435#c7450337837219493293

Merrit- https://mernaaaaa.blogspot.com/2017/03/mardi-gras-break.html?showComment=1488996418342

Stress

Stress is difficult to deal with. Different people deal with it different ways. I deal with it quite differently than most. I have found that running helps me tremendously. It gets rid of most of my stress.

When I go run either at practice or just on my own, I let it all out; all of the stress that has built up inside of me. Every ounce of emotion is let out onto the course, track, or wherever I am running. I always feel way better afterward. Running allows me to cope with stress by allowing me to let all emotion out into the physical activity that it entails. 

Analysis of a Song

In Rihanna's "Umbrella" (http://www.metrolyrics.com/umbrella-lyrics-rihanna.html), internal, slant, and end rhymes are used to make euphony. Using these three techniques, the song sounds quite fluid. This fluidity is what gives the song euphony. The euphony that the song has makes the listener feel pleasant and not mad or upset in any way. The euphony also illustrates the kind feelings Rihanna has toward who she is talking to.

Towards the end of the song, Rihanna repeats some phrases. This repetition is used to stress her point. This stress shows how she cares for the person she is talking to. She wants them to be okay and not rained on. Together the rhyming and repetition in "Umbrella" by Rihanna shows how she cares for the person she is talking to.

Q3 Comments #6

Merrit- https://mernaaaaa.blogspot.com/2017/02/the-things-i-havent-shared-poem.html?showComment=1487780397515

Trevor- https://20trevorh.blogspot.com/2017/02/vocab-post.html?showComment=1487780533289#c5747884351547983126

Poem

Perry picked a plump berry.
It was a very hairy berry;
Larry wanted Perry's berry.
He tried to take it,
The berry plopped on the floor.
Perry was very mad at Larry.
Larry apologized for ruining the berry.
Perry accepted the apology.
Larry and Perry continued to be friends,
And they all lived happily ever after.

Tools or Techniques: Assonance, Alliteration, and End-Stopped Line

Vocab Words Post

Words: oratory, inception, and express.

Winston Churchill has delivered many oratories in his career. Some of which are quite famous. One, in particular, is fascinating. It is found to be interesting because of what it caused. Churchill's "Sinews of Peace" speech was an inception of the Cold War. It was not the only cause, but it was one of the leading factors of the war.
In his speech, Churchill expresses the need to stop Joseph Stalin and the need for the permanent prevention of war. At the time, Stalin was capturing lands that had been ravaged by World War II. Stalin saw this disapproval of his actions as warmongering. From this, Stalin started the Cold War with America. A reason why Stalin did not start a war with Great Britain was that Harry S. Truman, United States President at the time, created the speech and asked Churchill to deliver it. Overall, through a speech in which Churchill declared the need of the permanent prevention of war he, ironically, started another war.

Q3 Comments #5

Mak- https://maksbleach.blogspot.com/2017/02/skillsz-i-have-learned-surfing-inter.html?showComment=1486562915287#c1138505439044566815
Caroline- https://caroline-english1.blogspot.com/2017/02/research.html?showComment=1486563058273

Research

One thing I have learned through doing research is how it seems like so much but is not as bad as you would think. Sure, it does take up lots of time, but if you are consistent and just keep working it will get done. Also, once you get the hang of it and start getting on a roll, it starts to go by surprisingly fast. 

Another thing I have learned is that I do not mind this paper and project combination. I find my topic to be quite interesting. I am having a good time learning about Winston Churchill. I enjoy learning about the ups and downs of his career. I find it especially intriguing how not many people know about his roles in World War I and the Cold War.  

Absolute True Diary of a Part Time Indian (II)

So far the Absolute True Diary of a Part Time Indian is a remarkably intriguing book. It succeeds in telling the hard truths of what is to be an Indian on a reservation. On the other hand, it also succeeds in being funny and amusing. The author does an exceptional job of balancing these two sides of the book.
One thing that interested me the most about this book is how quickly Junior's parents allowing him to go to Reardan. I can understand that his parents wanting him to go there, but that is a big decision to make. I just do not know how they made it that fast. Also, Junior and his family do not have that much money. How can they afford for him to go to Reardan? If it is a public school and I just missed that, someone, please let me know.

Q3 Comments #4

Jett- https://1025jett.blogspot.com/2017/01/soccer-season.html?showComment=1485966918120#c5938446038080273029

Mak- https://maksbleach.blogspot.com/2017/01/to-be-honest-adt-pti-was-quick-read.html?showComment=1485967065300#c4338551165272621812

Free Post

Last week I found something that I might want to do when I am older. That thing is autonomy. Google's definition of it is "freedom from external control or influence; independence." Specifically, I want to go into autonomous machines. Most people know this as artificial intelligence or AI.
Throughout my life, I have wanted to help people. I believe I can help many people by making autonomous machines. Particularly in a military way. I want to build machines that can do what you tell it to, and it can learn how to do that and become smarter as it does it. I think that these machines will take men off of the battlefield and therefore save lives.

Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is a funny and informative book. Its main character is very entertaining. Although, his life is not a breeze. The main character lives on an Indian reservation and does not have a good childhood. He is picked on and beat up regularly. On the other hand, he does make the best of it.
Through this book, the author shows us how to make the best of our lives. The main character has it rough but still is happy. He was born with water on the brain. This gave him brain damage. From this brain damage, he has seizures. Although, he never complains, about anything. He just keeps going and does not give up hope like the other people on the rez have.

Q3 Comments #2

Merrit- https://mernaaaaa.blogspot.com/2017/01/my-topic.html?showComment=1485373169377

Jack T- https://graysonallenftw.blogspot.com/2017/01/my-research-topic.html?showComment=1485373336530

Looking back

Last semester I learned that High School is not all homework and studying. Sometimes it is hanging out with your friends when you are having a bad day. A big part of High School is balancing those two out, which is not easy. It is hard to tell when to lay back or when to put the pedal to the metal. I also think that this is why High School is so hard.
I also learned to do some homework ahead on the weekend, so I am not so stressed during the week. Since I do not have much time after school to do homework, getting some of it done is a life saver. Sure my weekends are not as good but my weekdays are loads better. I suggest to anyone and everyone that has a hard time keeping up with homework during the week to do some of it during the weekend. Spreading homework out between Saturday and Sunday also helps this.

Winston Churchill

The topic for my research paper is Winston Churchill and his great impact on the world. My interest in him started in the summer before Eighth Grade. I was in London with my family, and I saw many statues of him around the city. Since then I have wondered who he was and what he did that made him so famous in Great Britain.
In his day, Churchill was many different things. He held many positions and earned many titles. One of his first notable offices and titles was the first lord of the Admiralty during World War I or in a clearer sense the commander of the Royal Navy. In this post, he led a campaign that failed terribly and cost the allies many ships and men. Later in his life, he became for what the world knows him for. He became the Prime Minister of Great Britain during World War II. He led the British people to victory. Another thing he is known for is his "Sinews of Peace" speech; in this speech, Churchill talked of the "Iron Curtain" that was spreading across Europe. The reason that this so important is because this speech started the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Q3 Comments #1

Alex H- https://harambememelover.blogspot.com/2017/01/research-project.html?showComment=1484793079100#c2935324540742021896

Caroline G- https://caroline-english1.blogspot.com/2017/01/research-update.html?showComment=1484793245163

Free Post

Yesterday I finished The House of Hades, which is the second to last book in The Heroes of Olympus series. I absolutely love this series. The suspense, action, and comedy are all top quality. However, the best part of this series and all of Rick Riordan's mythology series is how he seamlessly takes the mythical world with gods and monsters and intertwines it with the modern world.
I would recommend these books to anyone who likes a book you just cannot put down. If you have not already read the Percy Jackson series, go read that one first, so these books will make sense. That series is also beautifully done by Rick Riordan. The Percy Jackson and The Heroes of Olympus books are ones that I would recommend to anyone.

Research Update

My research has been going well lately. The Annotated Bibliography that I turned in on Thursday, I thought went well, aside from the fact that I did most of it the two nights before it was due. After procrastinating on the bibliography and seeing how stressful that was, I am going to try to finish most of my notecards early. At first, the notecards seemed a bit daunting, but now that I think about them they're not that bad.
I believe that once I get the hang of doing notecards, I will fly right through them. I already have the topics that I will use to categorize my notecards. I also have excellent sources that will provide me lots of information for my paper. I think I am ready to tackle the thirty-five notecards that I must complete.