End of the Year Reflection

7th Grade Reflections

Throughout the year, a plethora of different events had occurred in my 7th Grade Accelerated Language Arts Class. To reading and analyzing iconic novellas to connecting current world events to our personal experiences, we have come an incredibly long way in our ability to understand literature and proper utilization of different tools in the English language. But have we always been as knowledgable as we are today of these topics as we were five months ago? Absolutely not. This is because of our vast improvement since that time. In this blog, I am going to answer different questions and inquiries that many others might have about the Accelerated Language Arts Class. These answers will be based off of recent reflections I have made pertaining to these inquiries.

What are the three most important things you learned this year?

Much like the majority of students currently attending this class, I have learned a monumental amount of knowledge pertaining to different writing formats, annotation methods, and punctuation  and spelling strategies that it would be difficult to nitpick merely three lessons. But there are most definitely at least three crucial lessons that I know will forever benefit my reading/writing ethic. The first I must list is proper punctuation while writing. Ask almost anyone who spends a majority of their time writing and creating different professional papers, essays, and documents will tell you that proper punctuation is without a doubt essential in writing a successful document, and this class seems to strongly reinforce this idea. After learning this lesson in ELA, I am much more aware of my punctuation and how to correct it if it happens to be incorrect.

The second lesson that was discussed in this class was how to make connections to literature and personal experiences. Before actually thinking about this topic, I had been reading books and subconsciously refusing to think past the book's text and the book's meanings. Due to this, I found it difficult to truly understand a majority of the book. But after guiding myself to make personal connections to different scenarios occurring in the book in this class, I can now relate more easily to the character's thoughts and emotions.

The last lesson I would like to address in this blog that I believe was very crucial in successfully creating a presentation/essay is annotating right after reading. Before utilizing this skill, I often forgot about the different key details that indicate character traits and personalities. But after learning about annotating further, I can now easily access early thoughts and opinions on the book's content and messages.

What is something we did this year that you think you will remember for the rest of your life?

Even though there have been many ELA occurrences that will be hard to forget in the future, there is one that I know is going to be undeniably remembered. That is our Socratic Seminars that we have had. These events may seem forgettable to others, but I believe that the Seminars will be recurring in different other classes and the first ones I had in this class will influence the thinking and participation for future Socratic Seminars.

What was the nicest thing someone in our class did for you this year?

I believe that advisory and criticism from others on your works is crucial to succeeding in different classes, and I believe that the criticism from students in Accelerated English Language Arts was absolutely practical, helpful, and clear. This advisory and guidance from other more experienced students really helped me exceed in this class.

What is something you taught your teacher or classmates this year?

Even though I have been in this current ELA class for a short period of time, I have still been able to educate or make clear to others on different terms and definitions. One of these occurrences was when others were confused on different character traits of characters in the novel "First They Killed My Father". Because of the clarification I had given to others in my literature circle on these topics and topics pertaining to them, we were able to work more efficiently as a group.

In what area do you feel you made your biggest improvements?What is something you accomplished this year that you are proud of?

There have been many areas in which I have improved my work and effort, but one that was quite notable was in my annotating. When I was first starting to annotate, I had made very bland and bare observations towards the passages and words. But after gaining more experience in this area, I now am able to create a much more original and clear observation towards the text.

What was the most challenging part of this year for you?

Even though I have had to overcome a few more minor obstacles during the coarse of this year, but one that was guide major and life-altering challenge I had to face was arriving to this class. Unlike many of the other students currently attending this class, I relocated to this classroom midyear. Because of the lack of knowledge I had on the way of work in this class, I felt bemused and worried and apprehensive of how efficient I will be in future classes. But despite my worries, I had pushed through and overcame a large majorities of my downfalls caused by my new arrival.

What was the best piece of writing that you did this year? Why do you think it is your best?

Although I have encountered many flawed pieces of work I have produced, I can recall one that I am thoroughly pleased with. This one is the Article of the Week Poem I had created detailing the causes and effects of the Uber Shooting. I am particularly proud of this poem because I believe I had done a good job at incorporating both actual facts about the event, while simultaneously incorporating both personal and popular emotions and opinions on the entire situation.

Of the books you read this year, which was your favorite? Why?

One of the books I had read over the course of this entire class that I had really enjoyed was the book "First They Killed My Father". I had found this book intriguing because it isn't very often in which you can hear the thoughts of a young child during such serious issues, such as war, murder, and rape, and this book was told in entirely that perspective. The book had also touched on the feelings, both emotional and physical, that many people had faced during times of war and poverty, which is particularly fascinating issue in my opinion.

What advice would you give students who will be in this class next year?

Don't focus on how others are doing in the class and compare yourself to them. You are an individual. You should be focused on your own works and how you can improve them. You should also make sure that you are listening to the criticism other give you. You do not always have to apply the criticism, especially if it is given solely out of spite or hatred, but you should always listen and consider.

OMAM Movie Blog Continuation 5/19

Of Mice and Men Movie Thoughts and Analysis:

Section IV Continuation

After viewing "Of Mice and Men", both the book and the movie, I have developed many personal thoughts and opinions about it. This blog is dedicated to sharing my opinion about "Of Mice and Men" as a whole and who I feel would enjoy reading this.

Before officially viewing "Of Mice and Men", I had neither high or low expectations. On one hand, many have recommended me this story, but on the other, many had felt as if I would not enjoy it. These mixed reactions towards it made me excited to view this story, and after seeing both the book and the movie, I feel as if it is one of the most heartwarming and relatable plots I have ever seen. 

"Of Mice and Men" had made me rethink how easily an inspirational message can be hidden in many types of literature. This plot is a perfect example. It get the message of sacrifice and

friendship across to the audience, but it was never directly presented. Instead, it used different objects, places, animals, etc. to demonstrate this plot.

I would recommend "Of Mice and Men" to almost anyone who is mature enough to understand and accept the themes of the book/movie. Many pieces of literature tend to be quite limiting, but I believe that this book can be universally understood by almost everyone. It also is a book that features a variety of different themes that can appeal to different people.

In conclusion, "Of Mice and Men" is an iconic piece of literature that provides an entertaining story of friendship, love, and sacrifice while simultaneously getting different messages across to the audience. 

OMAM Movie Blog 5/19

   Of Mice and Men Movie Thoughts and Analysis


In the movie, there were multiple scenes where dialogue was exchanged between George and Curley's Wife. These are two examples:

1)  In one scene, George was working inside the barn with the horses, when almost out of nowhere, Curley's Wife walks into the barn and she starts to talk to George. Her questions were quite unusual for a married woman to be asking to another person, asking him questions such as "Do you have a sweetheart back at home?". The persistent George is constantly responding to these questions with "No" with an upset facial expression. This conversation is eventually broken up when the suspicious Curley comes in a directs his wife outside.

2) The second scene takes place outside in the fields after the incident with Curley's hand. George and Lennie are working in the fields, and much like the previously mentioned scene, Curley's Wife appears to them out of nowhere. She tries to create conversation, but George and Lennie refuse to respond. She them becomes frustrated and starts to inquire about Curley's hand. George lies about the incident. Curley's Wife then becomes skeptical of George's claim and asks the same question to Lennie, but he also lies about the incident. After trying to generate even more unrelated conversation and being ignored or given negative attitude from the two, she runs back to the house, threatening to abandon everyone on the ranch and leave.

I believe these scenes were added into the movie to give the audience an idea of her loneliness. I believe this is because of her constant uninvited appearances to characters such as George and Lennie, that it details that she is lonely and in need of someone to talk to. But if these scenes were not added into the plot, we, the audience, would not know much about her feelings and desires.

Of Mice and Men Conflicts                      Continued

1. One of the conflicts in the book that has progressed in this book was the racial discrimination against Crooks in "Of Mice and Men". This is shown by quotes such as "They won't let me play because I'm black." as well as the use of racial slurs directed towards him. Because of this conflict, Crooks tends to feel unimportant and he will tend to be extremely submissive to threats, slurs, etc.

2.Another recurring conflict in "Of Mice and Men" is that Curley does not give his wife very much attention. Because of this, Curley's wife tends to seek attention from other men on the ranch, as exhibited by quotes such as "I can't blame you for lookin'" said by Curley's Wife.

OMAM 5/10 Conflict Blog

Of Mice and Men Conflicts

"It Keeps Me Going" by Melanie Albanese

"It Keeps Me Going" By Melanie Albanese

As I am seated on my bed,

I start to sprint in a race in my head.

Unpleasant thoughts rush over me like ocean waves,

wondering whether not my existence is what others crave.

But suddenly my brain turns to soft, putty-like, mesh,

when i think of my goals of future glory and success.

My heart starts to beat at 1 million miles per hour,

like a sweaty racer that desperately needs a 36 day shower.

This feeling of excitement keeps my brain afloat,

and it shields me from my inner cold like a new winter coat.

My hopes and ambitions are as valid as can be,

and they come very easily, without a fee.

5/3 OMAM Blog

                             
        Of Mice and Men Chapter 1 and 2 Blog

             
      While reading Of Mice and Men's first and seconds chapters, I had noticed multiple things about the characters personalities, setting(s), and dialogue. The following blog will detail what I imagine these traits appear to be in my own mind and why they are as such.

 The very first setting to be introduced inside the second chapter of the novella was the bunkhouse. When first reading about the bunkhouse,  I pictured the image of a summer camp room. This is because statements in the novella such as "Against the wall were eight bunks, five of which were made up of blankets and the other three showing with their burlap ticking."seem to describe similar characteristics to summer camp bedrooms.

Another image I had painted in my head before reading onward was that this bunkhouse was made to accommodate people. I believe the statement to support this best was "And these shelves were loaded with little articles, soap, and talcum powder, razors, and those Western magazines ranch men love to read and scoff at and secretly believe." because it describes how the bunkhouse was loaded with different amenities that are often used to assist people with certain needs.


I believe the reason Curley's wife did not have a name was because of the objectification of women in the 1930's. In this time period, like many people know, women were not considered equal to men, and many of women were simply seen as an item. I believe that Curley's wife does not have a name because John Steinbeck, the author of the book, tried to convey the message that Curley's wife is no more than an object. A pleasure item. Even in the book, the main reason why attention was brought to her was because of her attractiveness, as portrayed in dialogue such as "Hi, good lookin.'" directed towards Curley's wife from other characters.