Aurelie's Blog

A Filmmaker's Reflection

2009-06-08T11:43:00.000-07:00

This unit is one of the important units in my class this year because students have the opportunities to make documentaries on issue they want to see and change in the future. I have learned how to care about issues that I thought were not part of my life, but actually have impact on my life. Teen suicide and depression is something dear in my life because it is destroying the future of most teenagers in the world specially in this country. Before I did research from my documentary, I didn't know that this issue was so huge. In my mind only few people think about that and others don't even recognize what impact is played in our life. The good thing is that my school helps us to do something we never did before. Choose something we care about and actually present that to the whole world who could actually take action for each subject. This technology make us proud and believe that everything could be possible. Our hope is that people are actually understanding the fear and the message we try to communicate with the world and help to make this foot mark bigger than no one could never imagine.

We could not do anything by ourselves. We need support, trust and victory for all those issues. We want people to realize that even though we're kids, we actually understand some important things in life that we passionate about and want to make some change. There are a proverb that says, "one for all, all for one". We have to be together, hand to hand with understanding. We, adults of future, are full of energy and pride because we want to build a future better than today. All this encouragement and entainterment because you support us each day in our life and believe that one day we would change the world. "Yes, We Can," Barack Obama.

My Social Issue: Teen Suicide and Dpression

2009-05-18T07:15:00.000-07:00

My opening shot would be images or logos of different schools and the commentary would be my voice talking about how teen are different, are indifferent school, however have the same issue. After that, I would show a graph showing how teen suicide and depression have increase over years with a song from Enya (Maybe). And then Students working on the streets.

My Social Issue: Teen Suicide and Depression

2009-05-12T08:41:00.000-07:00

In my point of view, this issue is an important issue because according to media.www.theloquitur.com, each year, approximately 5,000 college students die by suicide according to the National Mental Health Association. This means if this among of students die each year, it means that our future is dying with them. Also, according to www.news-releases.uiowa.edu, nearly 13.6 percent of those suicides were committed by people under the age of 25. Moreover, suicide accounted for 13 percent of all deaths for people between the ages of 15 and 24. This is a huge percentage, and how could we bring that down. One of the strong reason to keep more mental health services for students is that more than half of 26,000 students across 70 colleges and universities who completed a survey on suicidal experiences reported having at least one episode of suicidal thinking at some point in their lives, according to psychcentral.com.

This is a story I found on www.sprc.org website, " Marty was a student at a very large East Coast university-the type of place where it was easy for someone to get lost. Attendance was never taken, and no one noticed if a student stopped showing up in a class of 200 or 300 students. The residence assistants in Marty's dorms were graduate students. They cared about their students but had no systematic way of checking up on everyone. Marty started drifting from his friends. He was uncommunicative and withdrawn. He slept late and rarely left his room. When he did appear in the cafeteria or on the street, he looked more than a little frightened and unkempt. Everyone found it easier to avoid him than to confront him. Late one night, Marty tried to kill himself." This kind of situation happen every single day life. Sometimes we avoid people because we think that they're bizarre and we keep away from them. We have to be careful about how we act with everyone. Show a little compassion and avoid that situation. When I read this story is hurt me so deep and abstrusely because sometimes we could make someone ends his or her life without knowing what we're doing.

We're hurting people feelings without knowing instead to approach this person and ask this person if he or she is fine. Thus, we need more mental health services for teenage to avoid this situation. Maybe that this would never happen if Marty's mental health services did a good job in his college. They have to improve their services in schools.

My Social Issue: Teen Suicide and Depression

2009-05-08T06:26:00.000-07:00

My documentary would be about teen suicide and depression. What is the cause of this issue? Teen Suicide is the second leading way of death in college that teenage used in the United States mostly because they're far away from home, being lonely, depressed and others. My point to make this documentary is to find ways through what teenage get in this situation and how they could get out of this same situation. The rate of suicide in college has increased 15% over years and how could we get through that issue. One day I would go to college and maybe could be in the same situation like them. So how could I get through this. Are colleges provide enough help to students?

Social Issue: Teen Depression

2009-05-05T09:28:00.000-07:00

My issue is about depressing teenage. The point is to show what is the cause of the depression (trouble in the family, school...) and how they deal with that everyday. I think that some students have trouble to face obstacles. Some get someone to talk about their issues. Is that help them to deal and face their trouble or it's not really helpful at all? Are there are some of them who get out in that kind of situation.

Social Issue: Teenage Pregnancy

2009-05-01T06:38:00.000-07:00

http://www.responsibilityproject.com/blog/post/teen-pregnancy-pact-the-perfect-storm/?src=keyword_s=ggl_K=TeenagePregnancy_C=Parenting_G=GloucesterTeens_Teenage_M=Broad

If this is true or not about those 17 girls at Gloucester High, I think that it's the case, it should not be considered as an issue of teenage pregnancy because they wanted to be pregnant. This story is about a group of girls who wanted to support each other and take step together. 17 girls is a lot, however, I wonder if they think about the responsibilities they would weight on their shoulders to take care of those babies. I don't think that was a smart decision to take in group because they only would be behind of the school, also you would take care of a baby if the family of the mother could not. I don't think that all them would be a great mother. Moreover some of them could not be good to look over two babies at the same time.

I think that I could use this for my project to show how a pact could have some good impact to people.

Reflection on Types of Media

2009-04-28T09:14:00.000-07:00

Internet News is unique about this type of media because it's more using by more and more young people. Over years, the percent of people reading internet online have increasing. In my own opinion, I think that internet news is the most important type of media today because most of people have internet at home. Moreover, it's cheaper because we pay each end of month.

Introducing Documentaries

2009-04-27T07:12:00.000-07:00

Storm

I think that they had to be inspired by a socking story to make this documentary. They had to make up their characters to make the story alive because in their kind of documentary. it's really difficult to show the real people. In the documentary, most of the video, the image was black and white because of the bully. However at the end the image was in color like killing himself felt relive for him.

I think that the only think I would do differently in this documentary is how billy people felt when the victim killed himself because in some point, this act would affect their life.

This video is more connect to young people because it's what is happened in most of school in this country. I strongly was connected with this story because it's young kids whom played the same role that other kids like them are doing in the real life.

Book Club's Summary, The Color Purple

2009-04-23T07:07:00.000-07:00

The Color Purple is a book about two sisters who try to find the way together through the atrocity men abuse toward women. Celie and Nettie have been separated by a man they thought after years was their father. After abusing Celie and had two kids with her, he send her in a marriage she didn't want to. Nettie was force to go to Africa with a missionary family because she had no where to go after being try to be abuse by Celie's husband, Mr. _____. Celie had learned to stay alive by doing everything people around her talk her what to do. Nettie always told her that she had to fight Mr.____ and his children back. Luckily, after everything Celie and Nettie had to confront each day, Nettie found herself with Celie's daughter and son. Over years, Celie finally learned how to stand up for herself. This courage came from the hiding letters of Nettie. Mr.____ had hided those and left Celie believed that her beloved sister died. She raised her voice for the first time and walk away with her head high. She and her sister inherited their house and store from their mother. Their stepfather never told them that the house and the store were for them. I guess he wanted to send them away and took all their will. Celie and Nettie finally lived together with her kids and Nettie's husband surrounding with close family. When I was reading the book , the story of Celie is a little bit connecting with Rihanna 's situation now. Because if the gossip it corrects, it was not the first time Rihanna was beat by Chris Brown. Rihanna stayed with him because maybe she doesn't want to create a scandal and has a choice. However, Celie thought that she didn't have no choice and she didn't have no one to turn to. No shoulder to cry on until she met Shug.

"Even though you have the trees with you. The whole earth. The stars. But look at you. When Shug left, happiness desert." This is a quote from the book. It is really sorrowful that no one loves you and with you anymore. Not because they don't care about you anymore, but because they're not near to you to touch and listen to you. That hurts so much when the ones you love are so far away from you. And don't have anyone to share what you feel. That's how I feel sometimes, because I don't have my beloved cousin to share what I really want to let out. However I'm not that lonely like Celie. I really think that Shug uses her for company because when she found someone she left Celie by herself. I don't think that was the way a close friend should behave to a friend who believe in her and trust her for everything she did.

I strongly recommend this book because even though the situation is afflicted it teaches us so much about the life. Like a proverb that my friend, Maria, like to say, "What go around, come around." That is one of the big theme of this book. No matter what you try to do to destroy a happiness, your happiness should also be destroy because you're not deceive no mercy from anyone. This story tells the life time of two little girls who didn't have no one but each other, but at the end have a lot of friends who love them back surround them. People that actually care about them such as they love and care about them back.

Reader Reponse Journal #18

2009-04-20T11:49:00.000-07:00

I Wrote On All Four Walls
By teens speak out violence

Page 39, "..., when you you're younger, there's so much pressure on you to become something, but you already are something then." This passage of the book kept my attention when I was reading the book. This is a situation most young teenage are confronting every single day. I could connect my life with this passage even though the storyteller, Don, has a different life style than me. Everyday, young people try to do their best. I agree with Don when he said that you already are something then. Each of us is someone. We have potential. We just have to explore them more to be more someone in the future.

Character Change

2009-04-02T07:55:00.000-07:00

The issues my characters face in particularly women are abuse, inferiority in the society, deception, and games of life. All those issues are still in our society even now. However, it is now women who are the only victims, also men. Women are more strong than before as Sofia in the book.
There is a lot of discrimination and racism. The characters have to find a way to live without annoy any of the white people. Make the own style life.

Reader Response Journal #17

2009-03-31T16:54:00.000-07:00

November Blues
By Sharon M. Draper

November is a valiant girl who tries to face the consequences of her mistake. She had a excellent opportunity to give up her baby and had a scholarship to go to Cornell, but she didn't accept by the way because it was the parents of his dead boyfriend who was trying to take her baby away so they could remember their son.
I love this book because it is a mixing issue of youth and grow ups to. In this book, the story about a pregnant young girl who the parents of her dead boyfriend try to take the baby away from her pretending to try to get her in college. This really touches me because I understand the feeling of each person, boyfriend's parent and November. The boyfriend's parent just want someone to remember them their only son. They are so desperate to make their son alive that they took decision even without see the point of view of November, the pregnant girl and the one who has to face the abstruse moment of some students in her school. They don't even want understand her feelings. All they want it just the baby she carries. However, they are not so strong as I thought because the baby born premature and they don't want the baby anymore. The reason is that the baby may have some mental or physical problem in the future. This part of the story hurts me so hard because they left behind the baby they were dying to have just because she may not be normal. What could their son think of them where he is?
In the other hands, November is ready to take care of her baby no matter what. Even though this means that she would work or miss some school day. She doesn't want to give up in despite she doesn't get the idea to be a mom yet. Her mother is a big support for her without forget her friends. I think that November deserves to be with her baby because she would give her all the love a mother could give to her baby.

The Color Purple Evaluation

2009-03-31T08:24:00.000-07:00

This book is really a book who could be related to many women life story in the 1900's and even today. The story is so deep and each woman could see a point that could connect with their life because in the story we have different kind of woman, valiant, timorous, decent and delicate women. Any woman could actually connect with the story because it is not only the story of a desperate woman. Every women are abused, but they have different way to confront this problem. Some face men and get as strong as they could. Some run away. Some are just puppet of men. All this to stay alive and off of men abuse. I could feel them when I read and that make me related about the women right because some fight for women and some were just scared to fight. Over the years, women didn't have any right. Life was abstruse for them. I could not connect when them, but I could use their experiences to build mine in the future.

Book Club Author Voice

2009-03-30T07:05:00.000-07:00

The voice in my book is sound concerning, low self-esteem and fatigued.
A celebrity whose voice would be most ideal for this novel is Maya Angelou because she is so deep when she read her poems. She has a voice that touches you so deep in your heart and in that instant you could feel what she feels.

My Short Story Intro

2009-03-25T17:07:00.000-07:00

Standing in the middle of a warm and the same time cold room, Ben has not comprehended yet which direction his life has been pivoted to. Over three weeks now and what they have been petrified just take place. He tried to see the dark room through the curtain of tears covering his face. What is happening? He thought mutely in the dark and laid on the bed near to him. Thousand of images defiled in front of him as he could just touch it and take his time to analyze the thoughts of everyone in the scene in particularly his mother, brothers and sister.

January 2sd. Ben always thought that this day is a very special and precious day to cherish in family. He knew that since he was born. However, this year has taught him the opposite of things. An Obscure day he would like to never remember in his life, but still he would live with this abstruse day until he leaves this world and go to meet him again to a world there are not gloomy but sunshine shining everyday. Even on his twelve years on this world, this event never ever grazed his mind even for a second. A day that his father would just evaporate in the nature without say bye and never come back. Of course he saw him again for the last time before he went to sleep forever in a bed not as usual. His father was just laid there, white as snowman and never said anything even open his eyes to see people he was there for him. Ben wondered why his father was in that state and also wondered why his cheeks were wet.

The Color Purple Resder Response Journal #4

2009-03-24T08:13:00.000-07:00

I have intuition that "The Color Purple" is a book that is connected to thousand of black people living in Georgia to 1910 through 1940. This period was a period that black people didn't have not right and were sometimes ashamed of where they were and what white folks were doing to them. They had lived in a despair life of maltreats of people that thought they were qualified to be the higher race over all the races. This period was a difficult time for the African-American, however, those people had pride to vanquish all the abstruseness put on their way.

Sometimes I think that the author, The Color Purple, had been so hash to men when she wrote this book. However, I could understand what she felt when she was writing this book. Because time has changed back then and back then most of women, black or white, had suffered the matrimonial abuses and ferocity of men. Most of women didn't have the gift to stand up for themselves as Celie. And the consequences have been several to women that they began the puppet.

Celie is a brave girl. I hope she would keep this up. However, she has to stand up for herself. Fight for her rights not only as woman, but also as human being. Her father and her husband don't any right, any responsibility to treat women that way. I would like to read the day she would give some hot coffee to drink.

The Color Purple Resder Response Journal #3

2009-03-19T07:49:00.000-07:00

Celie has to fight back against the unacceptable way her husband and his children is made her live. Kate, her sister's husband, and Nettie, her sister, always say the same time, "You have to fight them back". I intensely agree with both of them because she is an obeisance and decent girl. Moreover, she didn't even deserve that pervert called her husband. She has to fight back. Say that enough is enough. How come an magnificent girl like her has to go through and live with abstruse monster every time even when she is so hospitality girl.

The Color Purple Reader Response Journal #2

2009-03-17T09:56:00.000-07:00

Celie is very a strong girl because even though she is the same situation as her sister, she wants to protect her as good as she could. She is more over energy of hope because she writes the dairy by starting by "Dear God". I feel depress for her because she is been rapped by her own father. The first day I read that, it made me so irritated that I could not believe what she was telling. Celie doesn't have a good education, however, she has a intense envy to learn. I almost cry when the woman who wanted to help her and her sister to learn came over her house and just walk away because of her physical appearance. There are a proverb that say, "Don't judge people by their appearance". And that what the woman did without even try to know the girl better. Instead of the educated woman she is, she should not behave like that because she is looking same as someone who never see words in her life.

However, I am ecstatic so Celie because she finally see her girl. And she really likes her even though she is the fruit of a nightmare.

The Color Purple Reader Response Journal

2009-03-13T07:05:00.000-07:00

The Color Purple
By Alice Walker

Based on the summary in this book, I could say that this book is about two girls who feel connected because of the same life experience. The image on the cover show two little girls playing together. I could infer that the two girls are very closed friends.

Alice Walker Poetic Style

2009-03-03T09:07:00.000-08:00

Alice Walker started to read poems in 1952 through 2005. Three historical events she had been lived through are the Civil right Movement, the Independence Day, and Vietnam War.

Walker has a plenty poetic style. She wrote short poem contain few words but it is actually really deep and reveal the life of anyone in this earth. When you read through her poem, I can picture what she means with each word she wrote down. I think that she is very good in this poetic style because she lived through difficult obstacles. Her eyes problems and the war in her life is the cause of her deep and depressive poems because perhaps she never knew and witnessed so many violence.

Even though her poetic style is short, her words are very depth and relating in this world.

What lips my lips have kissed, and where, and why (Sonnet XLIII) By Edna St. Vinncent Millay

2009-02-26T07:13:00.000-08:00

The theme of this poem is depression of love and loneliness because the poet says, "And in my heart there stirs a quiet pain For unremembered lads that not again ... Nor knows what birds have vanished one by one..."

This message is connected to me when I think to my beloved ones who had done of this world. Specially when she says, "Nor knows what birds vanished one by one." because birds are sign of happiness and if birds vanished what would give you this happiness.

Paramore

2009-02-26T06:27:00.000-08:00

Paramore is a pop-punk group. They have been together over three years now. The group is composed of four people, one girl and three boys. The girl, Hayley, 18 years old, is the vocals, Jeremy plays the bass, Josh plays the guitar, and Zac plays the drum.

The group charms the fans with the first album, “ALL WE KNOW IS FALLING,” in the summer of 2005. Everyone in the group has his own jobs and I think that they are doing their jobs so well. Anyhow, my favorite is the girl because she moves so well on stage and has a sweet voice.

This is one of their sons I love. Paramore - That's What You Get

Lyric

No sir, well I don't wanna be the blame, not anymore.
It's your turn, so take a seat we're settling the final score.
And why do we like to hurt, so much?

I can't decide
You have made it harder just to go on
And why, all the possibilities where I was wrong

That's what you get when you let your heart win, whoa.
That's what you get when you let your heart win, whoa.
I drowned out all my sense with the sound of its beating.
And that's what you get when you let your heart win, whoa.

I wonder, how am I supposed to feel when you're not here.
'Cause I burned every bridge I ever built when you were here.
I still try holding onto silly things, I never learn.
Oh why, all the possibilities I'm sure you've heard.

That's what you get when you let your heart win, whoa.
That's what you get when you let your heart win, whoa.
I drowned out all my sense with the sound of its beating. (beating)
And that's what you get when you let your heart win, whoa.

Pain make your way to me, to me.
And I'll always be just so inviting.
If I ever start to think straight,
This heart will start a riot in me,
Let's start, start, hey!

Why do we like to hurt so much?
Oh why do we like to hurt so much?

That's what you get when you let your heart win!
Whoa.

That's what you get when you let your heart win, whoa.
That's what you get when you let your heart win, whoa.

Now I can't trust myself with anything but this,
And that's what you get when you let your heart win, whoa.

2009-02-24T09:16:00.000-08:00

Let Me Live My Life

They always say that I am a bad leaf but they don't know me

Trying to follow what I say and don't say but they never satisfied

Saying abstruse words to me, look at me up and down

like I am some kind of beast

Then they would tell me what to do and not do in this world

I know that everyone in this world has his or her own life

to live, feel and understand

So who the hell are they following me as if I am an iron

and they are magnet

Why are they pretending to be the only green leaves on the tree

who don't have yellow mark on them

So to hell and let me live my life

I really don't care and mind about them

because I have my own story to share to the world

They may think that everything is not working clearly with me

but I am wealthy and strong as a mountain with cold snow at the peak

Why should they complain about me and try to show what is good

Whatever they do make me in an abysmal mood

Their foot step leaves dark mark every time they pass by

Their reflect is stinky food with a penetrable smell

that odor fortifies me, not make me fell

Just let me rest for a short spell

So to hell and let me live my life

Don't tell me what to be

I am not a part of you

And don't wish to

Don't tell me what to say

Let me find my way

being ready for my fray

So to hell and let me live my life

Explanation:

This poem is about people who think that they are perfect than other. Trying to show the good example when you even know what example he or she could be for you. So, I think the best they could do is to shut their mouth and let the ones who are supposed to educate you doing their jobs. Just stay back from your life and let you life your life the way your family teach you. No one is perfect in this world. They should get off of your back and try to fix their own business, not the business of others.
Sometimes you have to feel free to find your own way through life. Not just copy others, but make all you have leaned from your beloved ones and feel life.

Mother to Son By Langston Hughes

2009-02-24T09:05:00.000-08:00

The poem is about a mother giving advances to his son about life. The theme is to be perseverance even though there are not light in your life. Don't give up and try to look forward. Life is unfair and anyone knows that. But there are so many to overcome to that sitting one the step would not help on any way.

The poet uses metaphor to emphasize their advance. To show how much is better to fight in life than stay there and cross hands on chest and doing nothing at all. The mother uses her own experience as an example to his son. Thus, the son will see the truth about her advances.

Still I Rise by Maya Angelou

2009-02-24T08:50:00.000-08:00

The theme is this poem is never still persevered even though people make your life harsh than ever. Don't look don't, but up and straight no matter what you will find in your way. No matter what people would say and do to do. Don't loose your pride and be determined and perseverance in your life.

This message is very similar to me when I am depressed about something. So a short time I think that I am not good for anything. But after, I really hold myself together and I remind myself that life is easier like doing peanut-butter sandwich. I try to make that experience to do better the next time.

I connect this theme to other poem as Don't Go Gentle Through The Night, Mother to Son, and I, too, Sing America. All those poem is about perseverance, be determined, and don't let anyone puts you down.

Challenge Hyperbole Poem

2009-02-12T07:26:00.000-08:00

Concord Hymn
by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Some of example of hyperbole of this poem are "by the rude bridge that arched the flood", "And fired the shot heard round the world", and " Their flag to April's breeze unfurled,".

I think that "by the rude bridge that arched the flood" is exaggerated to show critical situation they were confronted to face. Also "And fired the shot heard round the world" means there were short of fire everywhere. "Their flag to April's breeze unfurled" shows how cold it was.

Poetry Response Journal

2009-02-11T09:21:00.000-08:00

Hyperbole Of My Dog
by Autumn Jones

Some example of hyperbole in this poem are "Little girl is my dog", "She sleeps like a log", "she has a huge mouth" and "hers eyes start to spin".

I think that "Little girl is my dog" means that she is a cherish person. And "She sleeps like a log" means that she sleeps peacefully and heavily. "she has a huge mouth" means she likes to eat. "hers eyes start to spin" means that the eyes shinny with excitement.

I think that this poet used those hyperbole to show ecstatic and excitement her little girl is.

Aurelie

2009-02-09T18:19:00.000-08:00

A is for Alive, feel great in your skin
U is for Union, peace everywhere
R is for Reasonable, understand other
E is for Exertion, careful with the steps
L is for Liberty, feel free
I is for Ideal, be someone
E is for Equality, we are the same

Poetry Response

2009-02-09T07:15:00.000-08:00

Negro
By Langston Hughes

This poem is a proud poem because the poet list all the things that white people insulted them with. Only the title "Negro" could show what the poet feels. He doesn't care about you calling Negro. He knows that he is Negro. A Negro who builds and fights your country. A Negro who is proud of where he came from. A Negro who is not afraid of you calling him of what he already is. A Negro with pride and maybe stronger than you.

A Woman with an angel Voice: Enya

2009-02-09T05:37:00.000-08:00

Enya is an Irish singer. She is one of my best pretty voice in the world. Her song sometimes depressing, sometimes peaceful. Every time I am depressed or bore, I just put her music and listen to that firm voice of hers. You may not know her so you should listen to one of her song some day when you go on YouTube. Just YouTube her, and listen to just one of her song. One of her best song is "Angeles". While listen, you would forget all your trouble. If you get the change to listen to her, Give me a feedback.

Reader Response Journal #16

2009-02-09T05:32:00.000-08:00

The Greatest Muhammad Ali
By Walter Dean Myers

Muhammad Ali is a very perseverance person. Known as Cassius Clay in the 1900's, Ali has been a great boxer of all the time. He has been a strong and courage person. in time a segregation, he was known by all race even over the sea. I think that Ali is a model for young people because he has shown that you could be someone no matter your background. The time in that period was difficult I know, however, when I read this book I feel like he didn't care at all about what people say about him. What kept him up is the belief he has. I would like to be like him. Doing good stuff without care about other might say.

He was actually banned from boxing during the prime because he refused to fight in Vietnam. I didn't believe that when I first read that. So I google it and is confirmed that fact. I think he is a decent person because he refused to fight for people who were not trying to have harmony in another than fight each other. He is very similar to Martin Luther King Jr. because as him want violence.

Poetry Response Journal Bronx Masquerade

2009-02-06T06:33:00.001-08:00

Chankara Troupe

Chankara seems to be a determined and responsible girl who doesn't want to do the same mistake as her sister. She wants to have an education because she loves English. I think that Wesley and she are both similar because they badly want to do something brilliant and passive with their life. Not doing the same mistake as her sister and hope that tomorrow would be better. However, I think that her sister has all those beating problems because maybe she drops out of school or doesn't have money to take care of herself.

Chankara has also a good thing about her. She doesn't care about what people think about her. You say something bad about her, she would show you clearly the thing you are talking about so you could talk more. I think she is a brave girl because if I was her, I would not go school with a bruise on my cheek.

Her poem is deep. The angry feeling about her sister makes her more stronger than ever because she wants to be someone tomorrow, not just a girl her boyfriend would hit her every time he feels like. She wants change in her life. Doing something special with her life. And feel ecstatic everyday.

Poetry Response Journal Bronx Masquerade

2009-02-05T06:59:00.000-08:00

I think that Wesley and Tyrone are very difference.

Wesley is more concerning about his education because he went in front of his class and actually read his poem even though that no one would listen to his poem. He is a good reporter too because he related newspaper events in his poem. Wesley is really concern about those violence in the black neighborhood. The way is written his poem is a little bit with hatred, but it likes these violence don't make less strong about his dream. She feels more strong because he marks Dream Deferred as a strong impact in his life to some day being someone.

In the other hands, Tyrone is a boy who is hurt by his own experience and what is happened around him. The abysmal impact of his life is the death of his father. He really doesn't care about education and I understand. As 2pac, he was a rapper who some of his musics were sing with so much hatred to white people. However, he always hoped that one day everything would be different. However, in Tyrone's case is not the same. I think that he think going to school and listen to white teacher who verbalize him is more wrong. Even his poem shows that. He said what he has in his heart despite it could hurt the feeling of people is talking about. Moreover, Tyrone thinks that have an education is to be as white people. And that is not a good example for him because it is white people who have destroyed his life by stalking his beloved father away from him.

Poetry Response

2009-02-03T09:12:00.000-08:00

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
by Robert Frost (1874-1963)

This poem has a tired mood because the man and the horse are tired, but they try to persevere to go until their destination.

This poem has so many poetic devices as the woods are lovely, dark and deep. This sentence uses two poetic devices which are personification and alliteration. The poem is to the form of AABA rhyme poem. Forst repeats the sentence, and miles to go before I sleep, to remember himself that he didn't finish yet and had to do many thing before take a break.

I can infer that the speaker id tired because every time he describes some thing, he describes that like he was tired to see the same thing over and over.
It can be similarly when it is my turn to wash dishes at home. Every time I look at the plates we are eating in, I can keep myself to to count how much there are on the table.

Poetry Response

2009-02-02T07:12:00.000-08:00

I know Why the Caged Bird Sings
By Maya Angelou

I can infer this poem about people who have difficult life. Depressing people who cross difficult situation and don't what to do rather than cry for help. Because they pass all the time cry for help it becomes like a song they know by heart and it became an usual song.

The caged bird sings with a fearful trill mean the feeling of the poet because it describes in what situation the person is so desperate.

The meaning of this poem is very sad because the bird, the poet, tries to be free of the abstruse situation they are living through. The poet wants to be free not being in a cage.

Poem Response

2009-01-29T07:15:00.000-08:00

Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night
by Dylan Thomas

The message of this poem is being perseverance and brave in front of death. No matter what kind of person who are because the poet says, "Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright... Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight...Gave men, near death, who see with blinding sight..." All those specific description who sympathy and advance.

The poet uses repetition to make clear and emphatic message. And also to show that he is concerned about this issue.

Reader Response Journal #15

2009-01-26T11:48:00.000-08:00

The Diary of A.N
by Julius Horwitz
pg 24-32

I think A.N. is a smart girl. She determines to get out of welfare life. I don't know why A.N.'s mother pretends not to see Edward's father, A.N. little brother. Her mother is not a good example for her child. I know that she is dong her best to help her family to have something to eat and a better place to live. However, I think that if the government give her more money to live, she would give all the money to Edward's father.

Welfare life is a difficult life for every children. The ways that the investigators address to them it is like they don't have not life. The landlord are the evil in this situation. But I could understand them because if the spent money to arrange the broken things in the building, the renters would break that.

Is it weird?

2009-01-26T06:33:00.000-08:00

We're all remembered the beating, insults, hatred
About nobody working in the fields.
Not sitting at the same table
With the ones who felt they were invincible.
Even though when that un-civilization was over,
Park was Sitting
King was speeching
Malcolm was the shield
Kennedy was signing
But none of that success at the time.
There was still Black and White
Still N and C words

And now it is a slave at the table.
Eating the same food They use to eat
Laughing with them with open hands
Believing in Change and Hope
To flower the heart of people with three words
"Yes, We Can"

Is it weird?

Inaugural Poem Response

2009-01-23T06:43:00.002-08:00

"Praise Song for the Day"
By Elizabeth Alexander

I think that Elizabeth Alexander means that thank with all our heart for everyday life that make hope in our heart, and also thank for everyone who helps us to be where we are or who we are today by "Praise Song for the Day". Praise song for struggle, praise song for the day. Praise song for every hand-lettered sign, the figuring-it-out at kitchen tables. Moreover, believe.

This tittle really fit the America of today. The America of hope and change no matter what you are. The America who keeps the attention of people all over the sea. The America who is a good example of transparency. For example, those lines from the poem, Love beyond marital, filial, national, love that casts a widening pool of light, love with no need to pre-empt grievance.

When we were reading this poem, I could feel that nothing is impossible in this world. So helpful to believe in me and thank anyone who could help me be what I want to be. Seeing high over my limits I fix in my life. Believing in "Hope and Change" just like Barack Obama. The stanza which make my hope more stronger for a moment when I was reading is:
"In today’s sharp sparkle, this winter air,
any thing can be made, any sentence begun.
On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp,"

This poem is related a lot about our new President Obama because no one would one day think about this compromise. His ancestors had fought for his right to be strong, to be hopeful. And he follow their step to finish what they started long time ago and believe that anything is possible.

Reader Response Journal #13

2009-01-13T10:10:00.000-08:00

Someone To Love Me
By Anne Schraff

The story of this book relates of the story of so many people in life. The use of drug, the violent boyfriends, and popularity in high school. The main idea in this book is the circle of trouble. For example, Cindy went out of boy who went out with her best friend Jamee. And she knew that he was not a good boy, however she did because the boy just told her that he was a change.

Who could fall for that? Words don't mean anything to people behavior. You could say thing to people, but it doesn't mean it. Words could be a lie or don't come straight for your heart. She should be very careful at first when his boyfriend started to go to some dangerous place with her. True, she thought about that, but she didn't react as I thought she would react. If it was me, I would ask him why are we in that dangerous place if you are a change person. Because that is the evidence, you are a change person, you say that, but prove me that you have change and stop going to place where is drug everywhere.

The same thing happened to Cindy's mother. Because she thought to much about getting marry, she had forgotten what to see and learn the guy, a drug dealer, she wanted to marry.

I think that mother and daughter have found something they have been both victims and I guess that the next, they would be there for each other as Cindy's bestfriend, Jamee, did.

Reader Response Journal #12

2009-01-13T08:22:00.000-08:00

Breaking Dawn
By Meyer Stephenie

Bella has finally what she wants, being a vampire. Early in the story, Bella proves to me that her head doesn't function perfectly. She's actually caring a baby who could take her life away. She has so much self-esteem that make me sometimes worried about her situations. If I were on her place, I would kill the baby before anyone proposes an idea to me because the baby is half vampire and half human which is not a usual baby as others.

However, the baby, Renesmee, is a very beautiful and intelligent baby. I think that she solves the problem between Edward and Jacob because they don't have to fight over Bella anymore. Some time it is so weird how legend could be. How could a man primes a newborn? I don't get it! This werewolves legend doesn't work with me because I think that a newborn should grow naturally like other without knowing which one she or he would spend her whole life with. Also, and if she likes another person instead of the one who primes her or him.
Breaking Dawn has a good end, but it is like something is missing. What about Charlie, Bella's father, who doesn't know anything at all about her own daughter. And her mother. Thus, how could she explain that she doesn't get old and Renesmee who grows faster to her parents? I bet that is not the end of Twilight.

Reader Response Journal #11

2009-01-12T06:42:00.000-08:00

Eclipse
By Stephenie Meyer

Werewolves and vampires? What is the different? They are both supernatural creatures. However, there are a difference. Werewolves are in this world to kill vampires they call "bloodsuckers". It is because of the existence of vampires that werewolves were created. Jacob is werewolf, and he is very difficult to him to have a best friend who loves a vampire. It is not only that, Jacob loves Bella and wishes that Bella would like him like he doesn't. Because of those inconveniences, the relationship with Edward and Jacob is more worse.

But I think it could be possible because Edward and Seth, one of the werewolves pact, are best friend and understand each other very perfectly.

Test Prep RAFT

2009-01-05T11:56:00.000-08:00

Wynton Marsalis's musical accomplishments are considered extraordinary because he was the first person to play classic and jazz together. For example, I won two Grammy Awards and then won again more Grammy Awards. Also, he has a big passion for education that he teaches people of all age about things he knows by giving them some advice over the phone or meeting. In addition, he believes in practice which he did at three years old by doing three hours of practice everyday.

To Kill A Mocking Bird Movie and Book

2009-01-02T16:25:00.000-08:00

To kill a Mockind Bird book is so different to To Kill A Mocking Bird movie because the movie doesn't use some funny and interesting details that I thought would useful to understand the personality of the characters in the movie. The movie version just take the huge main idea of the book: "Racism and belief".

I like the book the most because when we were reading that in class I could feel and understand the traits of the characters better. Someone like Atticus's brother should be in the movie because I think that he has some strong relationship with Scout and Jem. Also, his low self-esteem to be a father one day. Moreover, I think that the role of Alexandra in the book is very important because her role shows that she really doesn't like what Atticus is doing for Tom Robinson, the black man accused of rap a white girl. I think that is a big issue problem for a family which doesn't support each other for what they believe.

Even though the book and movie is a little bit different, the end of this story hurts me deeply. Atticus tried his best to show all the evidences he has. Everyone knew that Tom Robinson didn't do anything, however, all those evidences didn't overcome the big issue of the story: "RACISM".

Reader Resonse Journal # 10

2009-01-02T16:02:00.000-08:00

New Moon

By Stephenis Meyer

Wow. This vampire story would not stop turning in surprise. I don't understand Edward problem. Why could he break up with Bella after everything she did for him. Yes, I know that she has a head which doesn't function perfect because she is crazy to go out with a vampire. Anyway, she does not deserve what Edward did to her. She was really happy to live such a good life. In the other hands, I understand Edward. It is hurting when you make the one your love in danger that sometime you do stupid things to protect them without thinking about what the one you love really want. I think that Edward didn't concert with Bella because she is very strange girl and she would not agree with him. Edward tried to save her life and her family too. Stay with her or go away from her are both the same thing because it is hurting their feelings.

Jacob, the one who help Bella to find herself after Edward broke up with her, is very a good friend. I do not believe that he is a werewolf. It makes wonder if all talents or stories tell about old people are always true.

Reader Resonse Journal #9

2009-01-02T15:24:00.000-08:00

Twilight

By Stephenie Meyer

This is one of the interesting books I like. Bella, the main character in this book, is a very courageous character. She sure has what a very interesting story that most of girls would like to have. The version in this book about vampires really surprises me because I also watch movie or read book about vampires who sleep in coffin and could not go out side in daytime like Buffin and the Vampires. This is a version about story vampires that I could not even imagine to read that one day.

Bella wanted to be a vampire. I am really respect that, however I do not think it is a good idea because she really doesn't know how it is to be a vampire. And what about her family, she could leave them alone just because she wants to be a vampire. Is she really think that what is good for her or is it because Edward, the boy she likes is one?

The bizarre thing is that after being chasing by vampires, she still wants to be one and moreover being the girlfriend of a vampire.

Themes in To Kill a Mockingbird

2008-12-22T07:28:00.000-08:00

To kill a Mockingbird is a book about the injustice it was happened in the South of the United in 1930-1935. Some major themes in this book are:
- Inequality of race.
- Sticking to what you believe.
- Having a pride.
- What most people like is not always the good decision.
- Never give up even though people are against you.
- Having a self-control in front of a difficult situation.
- Having a self-esteem.

The author reveal those themes by showing the obstacle each people have to affront. For example, Scout doesn't have a self-control when her cousin, Francie, called her "nigger love". Atticus, Scout's father, is a person very decent because he doesn't show any fear in front of the difficult trial which wanting for him in summer. However, he has a lower self-esteem because he is so sure to loose the trial.

The lesson the characters learn is what most people like is not always the good decision because in Maycomb, people accused Tom Robinson unfair without hearing what he has to say. All that because he is a black man. For example, Scout asks her father how he was defending a man who most people don't like him and find him guilty.

I think that Harper Lee wants us to learn how abstruse condition black people and everyone who defends black people have so much to overcome.

Test Prep Action Plan

2008-12-15T06:35:00.000-08:00

My goals for the test prep are to learn deeply about vocabularies and figurative language (idioms and puns). For now, I am reading a lot and I hope that it will improve my vocabulary when I will stay the test. Also, I study the vocabulary books and write some word in the index card.

The types of questions are on the 8th Grade ELA are inference question, nonfiction article, main idea, conclude, graphic organized and short and long essay. To improve the questions/passages, I should read more and do a lot of practice at home. Get more help at advisory and after school.

To My Parent: What I've Learned so far in ELA

2008-12-11T06:34:00.000-08:00

Dear Grandpa,

Salut, Grandpa! How are you doing? This year, I learn so much that I am sure you will be proud of me like I am proud of myself. You will not imagine how many pages in English I could read by myself without any help. Of course, I use dictionary as you advance me. I am not good in vocabulary yet, but I am doing my best for learning so fast I could. You know how I feel about ELA.

However, this year, ELA is so fun because we are using computer in class. Did you read my essay I send to you about Barack Obama and Abraham Lincoln. I love that essay. For me it is the prove that I do understand politic now. I have a good interest about politic this year because we did study a lot about the Election Presidential 2008. One of the best election in United States.

Now we are studied, To Kill a Mockingbird. The cool thing is that we have a web side called ning.com, where we pretend to be a character in the book and write journal about what we read each day to school. I am Atticus, the father of the main character. He is a lawyer and he is defending a black man in 1930's. I am very happy to be him because he is the one who make a big different in the book. I strongly recommend this book to you so we could do a book club about it. The web side is very super, you should read what the students post. It is very surprising and funny how the students include me understand a 10th grade book. Our teachers are proud of us.

Take care of yourself and Grandma too. I miss you so much. Don't eat to much meat. You know how it is bad for your health. lollllllll

love and kissssssssssssssssssss

sincerely,
Your Love.

Child Labor or Povery?

2008-12-04T05:50:00.000-08:00

Originally post on the "339 Hardline.com"
Child Labor or Poverty?

Child Labor or Poverty? We don't ever ask that question. Education is a luxury that many families can't afford. In Zambia, for example, in Southern Africa, 80% of the population live in abysmal despair and abject poverty. Most parents cannot afford to educate their children, and consequently, they put them to work to have one fewer mouth to feed. The International Labor Organisation (ILO) puts the number of children working in the world at 350 million. Some are exploited by unscrupulous bosses, while others help their parents in the fields. Even though child labor is illegal, it is common in Zambia.

According to a German NGO (nongovernmental organization) that defends children, "Many children are working in the fields. All the major farms are fenced and guarded and behind those fences there live families with children working in the fields. The entrance is more like an to a prison than a farm-the prison of poverty. The children working there will never get out. Getting no education, they'll be condemned to a life of non-qualified work." Those farms are sort of work camps, but the families aren't separated. They can spend the little tiny time they have together, however, all the children work in the fields and don't go to school. They won't get in there.

In a depot of cotton, among the workers are lots of teenagers. Instead of being in class, they're carrying on their back 50 pound sacks. Schools complain about truancy (students who don't go to school) but parents need the money. Farmers even come to pick the kids up. They're happy to be fed, and don't realize that missing school means a change of one day having a qualified job. 8 out of 10 Zambians live or survive because of the land (ILO).

In a farm, a group of chidren of 5 to 10 years old are heading for a spot where clay bricks are drying in the sun. Their job is to transport the bricks, which are being used to build a storehouse. On a weekday which kids should be in school, they are providing cheap labor. For pay they are given a little food.

On TV5.org, a French website, a teacher names Emmanuel Kapichila said, "It's obvious. Whenever a pupil is absent, I know that he or she is working somewhere. Even if they tell me some story when they came back, I know that he or she was working on a farm." However he knows why they're working rather than coming to school. Three quarters of his students don't get enough to eat. One quarter are more or less getting enough to eat, but the other three quarters really don't get enough. Poverty forces the parents to put their children to work. Kilida, a 13 years old girl, said, "I work so I can buy soap." She has to work days for a bar of soap. Two days laboring in a field for soap. The kids work 6 or 7 days a week, and, in the harvest time 10 to 14 hours a day.

All children have his dream job - taxi driver, teacher, doctor, pilot... - serious dream and they are also intelligent. However, without education, they will remain poor.

Reader Reponse Journal #8

2008-12-03T05:13:00.000-08:00

Someone To Love Me
by Anne Schraff

Cindy is a freshman at Bluford High School. She has a low self-esteem because Raffie, her mother's boyfriend, and other people like to say that she is ugly. The relation between her and her mother is more and more worst because her mother passes all her night her new boyfriend. Cindy feels really lonely. I think that loneliness would make her do something very grief she would regret all her life because she starts to hanging out with Bobby Wallace, a ex-boyfriend of a friend of hers, Jamee. They are not together anymore because he used to beat Jamee so badly that she had to go to Cindy's place to clear herself up before going home.
I think that Cindy is acting very naive by going out with Bobby because he says sweet words or words she wants to hear. I could never go out with a boy I know he use to beat my best friend. However, I could not blame her because she needs company and she thinks that Bobby could be that friend. And also never in her life a boy has never look at her like Bobby does. This mistake would remember her that sometimes boys don't mean what they say.

Reader Response Journal #7

2008-12-01T05:10:00.000-08:00

To Kill A Mockingbird
By Harper Lee

This book is very dramatic by the way the author saying things. I really don't know what would happen in that book for certain because everything is not confusing, but it is difficult to predict what would happen next. Scout is a very intelligent little girl and I think that she would be very helpful to her father in some point. Maybe by the fact that Atticus, her father, would defend a black man.
I think that the tittle of this book is also relating by that the accusation of that black man. To kill a Mockingbird for me mean to kill those who are not good for nothing, however, make people talking. However we are not so far in this book for us to understand the tittle.

Reader Response Journal #6

2008-11-24T11:44:00.000-08:00

Encyclopedia and the Case of the Sleeping Dog
by Donald J. Sobol

The end of this book is very funny because you have all the clues in front of you to solve a case of code and when you are torturing your mind to know the person and you can't. In the end, the way they coded the code on the paper sheet was very easy, however, you need to pay attention because all words or names you hear are very hopeful to solve the case. I think that the author gave Encyclopedia nickname to Leroy to show how smart he is and how a little boy could help his father solve a case he could not solve in his own. I also think that Encyclopedia is a special children because he is a good detective and could think very harder and smarter than a kid of his age.

Listening Passage: Mona Lisa

2008-11-24T07:32:00.000-08:00

One possible identity of Mona Lisa is that he could be Leonardo Da Vinci himself because according to one theory they match perfectly. For example, according to the study of Dr. Swatch, a scientist, the self-portrait of Leonardo Da Vince and Mona Lisa match and found out that they have the same shades and match perfectly.

Character Unit Intro

2008-11-17T11:32:00.000-08:00

I think that people sometimes change and sometimes not because some people do believe that what they do is right even though most of people disagree with them, however, some people do change when others do reproach them about their negative acts. For example, in Monster, the main character does change in the end because he knew that he was changed for could affect his life and he become aware of his acts. Also, in A Tree Growing in Brooklyn, Francie changes more mature when her dad died and she needs to work to help her mother takes care of the family. In the other hands, some people don't change like my brother who needs to learn to be patient. Also the AKA group who didn't change their mind about racism.

Election Reflection

2008-11-05T08:51:00.001-08:00

This election was one of the interesting election in the history of the United States of America. The especial interesting about this election is the fact that American people didn't care about the race of the candidates, but for what they believe and would accomplish for America. However, the most attractive point in this election is that a African-American won the election who would change so many for kids in this country. He is the good example for all especially for young people because he make them have a interesting for politic and moreover young people believe in him by voting so many than precedents Election Presidential. Obama open a door for young people in politic that we hope would never close. He shows that everyone could dream higher and make a change in this country. By following his steps, everything seem easier, but we have a lot to work out.

"Ghost Story: Haunted Street"

2008-10-31T06:17:00.000-07:00

In a small town far far away from the modernisation. There was a street forbidding by the habitants long long time ago. According to them, when you're walking on that street, you could hear voice behind you and moreover don't you ever look behind. Some people say that if you look behind, a wrinkle face like black eyes appear just in front of your face and screams, "COME WITH MEEEEE!!!!!" The street has mysterious kind of spider webs, rats, owls and especial strange voice come from a house.

The house belongs to a death old man who never liked anything in his life. All his family died and he was the only one who was in life. People say that he killed his two children and his wife and drank their blood because they mysteriously disappeared one day. When he was in life, he liked staring at people and said that he would come in the night to your house and drank your blood. One day, when the cat of one of his neighbors missed. After a long day of searching everywhere, his neighbor found his cat hung in his veranda. Because he was so mean, when he dead no one knew and his body stayed for years in his house.

He sought revenge and haunted everyone who pass by his street because no one was there when he died. He said that no one we would live in peace again in that street and his house who use to be hims. Since that time, no one walked on that street and people who did never come back home.

Reader Reponse Journal #5

2008-10-21T09:55:00.000-07:00

"The Pact"
By Drs. Sampson Davis, George Jenkins, and Rameck Hunt
pg 87 - 96

When Rameck said to his friends one day that he was thinking about going to college, they started laughing at him. Now, he is to college and he should be proud of himself because he proved to them that he could do better than what they thought of him. Rameck, George and Sam made it to college. They are each the first person to graduate to college in their family. In my point of view, I think that they are good example for young people, in particularly Rameck's friends because when RameckRameck is someone who is not believing in himself. he doesn't have a good self-esteem just like me. Also like Rameck, I want to have a good future but I am sometime scared about what I have to strive to have it. For example, to choose a high school, you want to choose a good high school to have challenges that would unveil your true self. However, I think that he should not destroy hid life by thinking like that because if he made to college, he could do better.

George is someone optimist like Francie in A Tree Growing in Brooklyn. They are both living in a poor situation but never give up to accomplish their dreams. George is someone very straight even for himself despite he lives in a bad neighborhood. He found a way to stay out of trouble by hanging out with young person in his neighborhood and in school by hanging out who students who like school but in the same time fun. By hanging out with people like that he was not like most of young residents in his neighborhood. George sounds sometimes like my English teacher when he gives advices to his friends because he believes that his friends could do better and also believes that everything is possible just like my English teacher.

Reader Reponse Journal #4

2008-10-17T06:50:00.000-07:00

"The Pact"
By Drs. Sampson Davis, George Jenkins, and Rameck Hunt
pg 87 - 96

Sam is a very confusing person who knows what is wrong but still doing not because he is afraid of his friends but because he scares about what his friends would think about if he declines the offers to go robbing. I am something like that, I don't want to tell that truth about how I feel to my brothers because they would think that I am a mommy baby Which I am not, so I get to lie sometime to look tough in front of them about my family. However, I know I am making a mistake because they will not worry about me and that what I really need. This book is similar to "Speak", Melinda didn't want to show her feelings to anyone even her parents and days pass and she realized that she could not live anymore better in this situation.

Now I begin to understand the book better. Indeed, the book is about three young boys who live in the same situation and they make a pact (where the tittle of this book comes from) that they would do anything to make their life better in the right way. The names of the authors begin with Drs., this must mean that they overcame the difficult obstacles of their life and became doctors. For me it is making a little sense now, they can count to they family because all their family get it is a little piece of advices, but all three young boys together it would make a sense because they have the same age, the same life, the same experience, and the same way to think. It should be not easy for them to still of their pact but they can take care to each other better than their family because they are almost similar.

I think that this pact should be helpful for young people who live in the same situation like them to get out of trouble in their neighborhood. I predict that Sam would find his way out of his confusion because he has two good and determined friends.

Reader Reponse Journal #3

2008-10-16T06:07:00.000-07:00

The Pact
by Drs. sampson Davis, George Jenkins, Rameck Hunt
pg 75-86

Rameck is a smart boy, but who does not the value he has. However, I think the way he behaves is almost normal because when you live in a ghetto, you want to be and look cool which make you doing some mistakes that you will regret one day if you not really think about your life. This is Rameck's case, he and his friends (boys like he says) jumped a man almost dying at a schoolyard. I really don't know why Rameck took off the knife and menaced the man. However, I think that he was trying to have more respect in front his boys. The consequence of his action was three days in juvenile-detention, but he and his boys got lucky that the victim didn't show up to the court three times and the jury threw the case.

I wonder why his boys wanted him to say that he was him who had the knife. They are boys, right? I thought that boys were supposing hold each other hands and go together no matter what. That remember me my sister. When she and I did something together which turned bad later, she is always putting the blame on me when my mom reprimands us. The same thing happen to everyone, someone have to betray you, but you need to look up to see the ball coming so you can kick it back. Like my English teacher always says, "We learn more in our worse experience so we could do better the next time." I think that she is right because Rameck realizes that his boys are not really some kind of friends, but they are trouble makers.

I hope that Rameck will be more friend with Sam and George because they are both in the same situation like him, but they realized that the trouble makers' life they used to be is not a life for them. I predict that Rameck will take in consideration his Grandmother advices more seriously. Why does Rameck's mother continue to take drug if she wants to show a good example for his son?

"Reading Response: Questioning"

2008-10-15T09:08:00.000-07:00

"Policy before Politics" Scholastic News

3 Skinny Questions:
- What the first question was about?

- Where the second presidential debate took place?

- What is the Obama's plan for health care?

3 Fat Questions:
- Why does the author describe the second presidential debate as a dark and stormy night?

- What does the author mean when he says, "The wind and rain didn't dampen the spirits of the two main contenders for President as they outlined their policy differences before an audience of undecided voters gathered at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee." ?

- Why does Brokaw try to rush the candidates along to get to the last topic of the night–foreign policy?

I think that Brokaw tried to rush the candidates along to get to the last topic of the night-foreign policy because every time one candidate was answer a question, he tries to provoke the other candidate by something he said before. For example, the candidates found it tough to keep within the agreed two-minute time limit. Also, each candidate would to be clearly about what they will do if they are President. Moreover, there was not so much time left for the debate.

'RAFT: This Land Is Your Land'

2008-10-15T08:44:00.000-07:00

Question:

How does the information in the box "A Day in the Life (of me)" help the reader understand the article?

The information in the box "A Day in the Life (of me)" help the reader understand the article by showing the same routine she gets to do to occupy her days all day long. For example, she listed all what she does and gives hours and activities she does. Also, the list is so naturally by the way she put some hours in two possibilities that could mean that she really doesn't know the exact hour some time. Moreover, the list is to 6:30 in the morning through 10:00 in the night which equivalent to a one whole day.

Reader Reponse Journal #2

2008-10-08T08:57:00.000-07:00

Out Of Bounds
By Beverley Naidoo
Pg 16 - 41

Beverley would have in a few days his tenth birthday, but no one really stays in consideration because they have to move because of the apartheid, and they have so much more to care about than his birthday. Beverly and his family or in particularly black people in South Africa are victims of the beginning of apartheid. I know a lot about apartheid that make me really anxious and mad every time I think about it because I find that unacceptable that some people left their land to another people's land and take over their country and moreover their life. I like the way the author writes in their natal language because it shows the black people culture living in South Africa and give a little hope that those pervert white people could not take that away from them.

Beverley's mom is almost like my mom (mother way) because I remember that some time I couldn't play with my friends because I need to stay look over my sister while she was doing some works and it is the case with Beverley. I know what you feel when you did your plans of the day and someone just blows your day. However, Richard, Beverley's uncle, is someone I really admire and appreciate to have in my book because he is perseverance person. He says and fight for something is not favorable for all. The author describes Richard like a very special person because he wants to show the admiration and what good example Richard was for him. Beverley's story is similar story with the slavery except that the white people took over a country that was not for them.

Apartheid remember me about the first essay of the week in my class in the beginning of the school. We studied Nelson Mandela the leader of the anti-apartheid. I think that Richard would have trouble because like Mandela, he wants the equality of race. But something really bother me, if he wants the equality of race, why is he making the difference about mix people and black people? I think that a kind of a little discrimination. We should be equal no matter the skin color.

This book is related to "Anne Frank's Diary" because their both memoir and show how the discrimination affects some people. Why Beverley's mom does not want to do the costumer of cowboy for her son if she does that for whites kids? I don't like that fact that you could do something for the others but not not for your family. She should do one for her son because her son wants one and it makes him very jealous to see her do the costumer for the other kids. I little kind of agree with her because she needs money to take care of the family.

I think that Beverley would join his uncle on his action with his friends because hi life is changed more worse than before because the government says that they get to leave Jonesburg, the city he really loves, for white people and go to a town that only Colored people live there. I find that so unfair because the government should not tell you where you should live. The author starts the book about the story of Veronica, a little white girl. I think that he tries to show the life of the apartheid in both races because it is not all white people who like apartheid. Maybe he wants to show the fight of some white people who help them during that nasty period.

Reader Reponse Journal #1

2008-10-07T09:22:00.000-07:00

The 7 habits of High Effective Teens
By Sean Covey
Pg 20 - 29

Sean Covey is an author who make me really think about my life. His short stories make me realize about what I did wrong before and how I could make up with that. The brilliant story I read today was about two brothers fighting in the same company in France. One of the brother asked permission to go bring his brother's body back to the side. The officer said to him it is not necessary to risk his life for someone who is dead. When the officer gave his permission, the brother went and brought the body of his brother and said, "My brother before dying said to me he knew I was coming for him. You see, I didn't risk my life for nothing."

This story reflects to life even though we are not in the same situation. Almost every day in my life, I am taking some risks to do something. For example, I could get an accident this morning while I was coming to school. What I mean is that in some way, I am taking the risk to have a education. I think this story is concerning everyone no matter who you are. We take risks every days and we can live without taking some risk if we would to succeed in our life.