ELA Semester Review

What did you do this semester in ELA that was most meaningful to you, and why was it meaningful?
I had a wonderful time reading MAUS and learning about the Jewish comunity during that time period.

What was the most challenging thing about ELA this semester, and why?
The most challenging thing for me this talking during seminar because I am a very quite person.

What would you like to change about ELA, and why? 

I would like to have the chance to write more than the same type of writing mmore than two times because I would like to experiment more with my wiritng in the writing of choice.

What would you like to stay the same in ELA, and why?
Reading interesting books, and guest lecturer because the more interesting the book the better the responce, and Dr. Quillon's lecture was very good I hope to hear more.

If you have any further comments about the class, please include them. 

N/A 

The Odyssey 22-24

Analyze the purpose of all of the violence in books 22-24. Do you think that this is necessary for Odysseus' successful nostos? Why or why not?

I think the violence in books 22-24 wasn't necessary. He could have just put the suitors in jail instead of killing them. And killing the maids, really Odysseus, really? Being at war in Troy wasn't enough for you to learn that killing a bunch of people doesn't always satisfy your thrust for blood and justice. I can see how he's super mad at those people trying to kill his son, and marry his wife while he was away, and his nostos getting interrupted by all these people trying to take over your family and life. I get that, I'd be pretty mad if someone came to my house and plotted to kill my dad, and marry my mom. Although I wouldn't use that as a motivation to give those people a taste of their own medicine, unlike Odysseus. Therefore Odysseus' actions was not justified, uncalled for, and down right wrong, I understand his situation but I don't think it was right for him to do murder all those people.

Tea Set Collection

My tea set collection has grown so much over the years. I've been collecting since I was about five maybe six. They mean the world to me, if my house was on fire the first thing I would grab is my tea set collection. I have an American Girl tea set, a rainbow one, a pink one, aTiffany one, and a lot more, I love them.

MAUS

Do you think the use of illustration as opposed to just written text is an effective way of delivering this story? Why or why not? 

When I first saw the book I thought to myself "Why are there mice on the cover? Is this a children's book?", but as I started reading I found that the book was more mature and serious than I thought. MAUS is one of those books that suck you in while reading while at the sametime they inform you about previous important hisorical events. Even though the author of MAUS uses illustrations he still gets the importance of World War Two.

Something New

This year is the first time I have ever joined a club, unless Girl Scouts count. I have joined the following: Film, Psychology, Primitive Weapons, and Creative Writing, I joined all these clubs so I could learn more about these fields of interest and learn more about the other students that are in those clubs. 

The Alchemist #4

Throughout Santiago's quest I found it very interesting how every time he was about to give up, he thought about the king. Melchizedek had inspired him so much that he never gave up on his dream, on page 63 Santiago picks up his jacket and the Urim and Thummim fell out of the pocket, and made him think of the old king. On page 65 Santiago had gotten betrayed and robbed right? Well he was thinking of Melchizedek he was upset because he only got told about dreams and not about reality. Out of all those times Santiago got tested he still pulled through by following his heart and listening to a leader.

The Alchemist #3

1. What is the purpose of omens in The Alchemist? Use examples from the text as evidence for your claims. 

In The Alchemist omens are used as a symbol or a sign of good or evil on one page the boy asked the crystal merchant what a certain  item was he said it was a good omen . I think omens are just things the characters use to escape the real world., because they reference them all the time.

The Alchemist #2

1. On page 24, the king of Salem tells Santiago, "When you want something, all the universe conspires to help you achieve it." Do you believe that this is true? Why or why not? 

No, I do not believe that the universe will just give you want/need because we have to work for what we want to have or for what we need. It's just how the real world works, live, work, earn, give, repeat, that's just how life works..........

The Alchemist

I think the sheep symbolize humans before technology, in the past we had to hunt, fight, we had to figure things out, we had to learn how to make things, use raw material, survive in wild. We had instinct, if someone of todays time had to live in the wilderness for a month without any kind of people I doubt they would make it. Because we are so used to everything being modern we have no way to leave it. I think the sheep (humans) would be lost without their shepherd (technology). 

What do you hope to get out of English Language Arts this year?

What do you hope to get out of English Language Arts this year? 
  I hope to learn new things, become a better writer,  and discover new books to read.