For our "Coming of Age" unit, I've been reading The Giver by Lois Lowry. It's really good, I have to say. Not knowing what I was getting into, I decided to pick this book for this unit. There are many things that say a lot about coming of age in this book so far. For example, the whole idea of age and how big of a role it plays in their community. Or the idea of "Assignments." It's all very eye-opening.
In this book so far, age is a really important factor. In The Giver, age is kept until the age of twelve. Each year leading up to it, you gain new benefits and responsibilities, while you lose others. At the age of twelve, you are given your Assignment. That's basically your job until you get too old, in which case you go to the House of the Old. You stay there until you "get released." The fact that age is held in such high regard, and so strictly as well, is amazing. I'm not exactly sure if I like it or not though. There are certain aspects of it that seem rewarding, yeah, but others just seem very... restricting. The fact that you gradually gain the benefits of getting older as you go along is cool, I guess. But the added fact that things also get taken away is slightly depressing. I personally think that you should be allowed to grow out of certain things instead of being forced to. It's kind of harsh to just make a kid stop doing or using whatever they're accustomed to. And the children don't get any leeway, either. It's pretty hardcore.
Another thing that I'm not sure about is this whole "Assignment" business. I don't see why the Committee of Elders thinks it's a good idea to assign everyone a job for the majority of their lives. Let them pick their own occupation. At this point, kids who have just turned twelve are assigned their job that they will then train for so they can eventually do it until they turn old and frail. Everyone in the community is chosen for a specific thing that they will do based on how they act from ages 1 through 11. And even though most children are pleased with what they are chosen to do, I still think it's unreasonable to choose someone's job for them. What if that kid didn't like his "Assignment"? Just the name irritates me to an extent. Assignment. Like it's something they have to do for classwork to make the teacher happy.
Alright, so a lot of things have come up so far in this book. And I can say that age plays an enourmous role in this book. Why is the Committee of Elders in charge? Does age play that big of a role? Everything that happens in this book is determined by how ol you are. The responsibilities, the benefits, the drawbacks, everything. Change is good. However, there's no room for change when it's the same people in control all the time.
Variety is the spice of life.
So in conclusion, so far the book relies heavily on age. I like the book, but it's very eye-opening, as I said before. Lois Lowry is truly an amazing author. She's extremely descriptive, and gives the feel that you're actually apart of the alternate universe she writes about. Kudos to her for writing such an amazing story. I haven't finished the book yet, but I'm looking forward to what's going to come next. I haven't been this interested in a book in a very long time. Thank you Lois, for making reading fun again.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011
The Secrets Behind My Wardrobe (My ArtiFACTS)
As you all are are probably fully aware, I take numerous amounts of pride in my wardrobe. Whether it be through my self-proclaiming t-shirts or my school renowned Jimi Hendrix hoodie that's on the virge of death, I flaunt my clothing where ever I go. I find clothing to be a simple and subtle representation of who you are and how you wear your personality, pun fully intended. For me, that consists of shirts that scream to the world just how amazing I am to myself, and how I'd like to be known to everyone around me. I'm also widely known around the school for my color-wheel smiley-face trifecta t-shirt. That is my all time favorite t-shirt. I love the simplicity of just 7 or so colors just smiling at you. I honestly wear that shirt whenever I want good luck. It always makes me feel good.
Now, as for the Hendrix Hoodie. I'll give you the history of me and that thing. I originally got it as a gift from my mom, a birthday present I think.
I hated it.
You'll never believe that looking at me now, but it's true. I thought it looked stupid and tacky, and not something I would want to be seen in public with. I tried to stuff it deep into my closet just so that we could all forget about it and move on. But my mom would have none of that. With no sweater to wear and the colder days of fall fast approaching, my mother literally forced the thing onto me. I was so scared to even get within a block radius of 51 with it on. So I walked into the school praying nobody would notice me. Which was an impossible dream, being a 5"7 7th grader with a huge a$$ afro. The first comment I get is from Celina Santin, probably the loudest girl in our class at the time. She sees my sweater and goes, "Woah, where'd you get that?" I responded with "Target", which is apparently a bad thing to say, seeing as the last time I told Alberta I bought a shirt from Walmart she laughed, so. But anyway, the sweater actually went over great. I was surprised to say the least. When my mom got home from work, she asked how the sweater went over at school. Not wanting to give my mom the satisfaction of being right, I shrugged. I had become in love with it. Inseperable, I went all of 7th grade wearing it in school. Over time though, it's become apparent that I need a new sweater. The sleeves are a victim of the wear and tear of playing football on a daily basis, the string actually got ripped from the hood earlier this year, and the other day my mom said it smelled terrible.
So, quick recap, shirts are fun, and the hoodie is on its deathbed. I get friends asking me, "Why do you have all these 'awesome' shirts?" Why do you think I have those "awesome" shirts? Because I'm awesome. You'd think it'd be self-explanatory. I don't see why people think that shirts are only supposed to be some design. I'd rather have a shirt that calls me something pleasant than some random pattern. It's so much more exciting than stripes across my shirt.
Uniqueness. Pass it on.
Now, as for the Hendrix Hoodie. I'll give you the history of me and that thing. I originally got it as a gift from my mom, a birthday present I think.
I hated it.
You'll never believe that looking at me now, but it's true. I thought it looked stupid and tacky, and not something I would want to be seen in public with. I tried to stuff it deep into my closet just so that we could all forget about it and move on. But my mom would have none of that. With no sweater to wear and the colder days of fall fast approaching, my mother literally forced the thing onto me. I was so scared to even get within a block radius of 51 with it on. So I walked into the school praying nobody would notice me. Which was an impossible dream, being a 5"7 7th grader with a huge a$$ afro. The first comment I get is from Celina Santin, probably the loudest girl in our class at the time. She sees my sweater and goes, "Woah, where'd you get that?" I responded with "Target", which is apparently a bad thing to say, seeing as the last time I told Alberta I bought a shirt from Walmart she laughed, so. But anyway, the sweater actually went over great. I was surprised to say the least. When my mom got home from work, she asked how the sweater went over at school. Not wanting to give my mom the satisfaction of being right, I shrugged. I had become in love with it. Inseperable, I went all of 7th grade wearing it in school. Over time though, it's become apparent that I need a new sweater. The sleeves are a victim of the wear and tear of playing football on a daily basis, the string actually got ripped from the hood earlier this year, and the other day my mom said it smelled terrible.
So, quick recap, shirts are fun, and the hoodie is on its deathbed. I get friends asking me, "Why do you have all these 'awesome' shirts?" Why do you think I have those "awesome" shirts? Because I'm awesome. You'd think it'd be self-explanatory. I don't see why people think that shirts are only supposed to be some design. I'd rather have a shirt that calls me something pleasant than some random pattern. It's so much more exciting than stripes across my shirt.
Uniqueness. Pass it on.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Reading Response Revision: Final
"Mother to Son", written by Langston Hughes, is a very down to earth poem. It says and explains how things are, straight up. It doesn't attempt to try to put something of a veil over the truth. It tells the truth, no matter how graphic or emotional it is. The mother doesn't hold back anything, which I think is saying a lot about how she feels about her son: mature and responsible.
It is written from the point of view of a mother. The whole poem is her speaking to her son, relating life to a staircase. It is an amazing speech about how although life may get hard, you have to keep going, and eventually you will find success.
I think this a really good poem. I like how the mother is talking to her son about this, and using this metaphor. It talks about how life is hard, and some things affect you forever. I also noticed that the mother says that she's still climbing her own staircase, and that she doesn't plan on stopping. It really says a lot about what a perserverer she is.
You can only wonder how the son feel about this. He has no dialogue in the poem, so it's completely up to the reader to interpret this. I think although he may be a little confused, he has a newfound respect for his mom. That's how I would feel.
I mean, just imagine if your own mother came up to you at the age of 7 or 8 (I'm guessing) and started telling you about a staircase. Honestly, I'd just assume that my mom was high or something. But I think the more you grow up, or the more "grown up" you are, you begin to understand more and more just how deep that metaphor your mother had told you is, and how truthful she's being. It is an absolutely astounding analogy, and I believe that this poem should be read to all people just to give them inspiration.
Songs of the Day:
Do the ___________!
A song from one of the best movies ever :)
It is written from the point of view of a mother. The whole poem is her speaking to her son, relating life to a staircase. It is an amazing speech about how although life may get hard, you have to keep going, and eventually you will find success.
I think this a really good poem. I like how the mother is talking to her son about this, and using this metaphor. It talks about how life is hard, and some things affect you forever. I also noticed that the mother says that she's still climbing her own staircase, and that she doesn't plan on stopping. It really says a lot about what a perserverer she is.
You can only wonder how the son feel about this. He has no dialogue in the poem, so it's completely up to the reader to interpret this. I think although he may be a little confused, he has a newfound respect for his mom. That's how I would feel.
I mean, just imagine if your own mother came up to you at the age of 7 or 8 (I'm guessing) and started telling you about a staircase. Honestly, I'd just assume that my mom was high or something. But I think the more you grow up, or the more "grown up" you are, you begin to understand more and more just how deep that metaphor your mother had told you is, and how truthful she's being. It is an absolutely astounding analogy, and I believe that this poem should be read to all people just to give them inspiration.
Songs of the Day:
Do the ___________!
A song from one of the best movies ever :)
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Final Revision of "Response to "Mother to Son""
"Mother to Son", written by Langston Hughes, is a very down to earth poem in my opinion. It says and explains how things are, straight up. It doesn't attempt to try to put something of a veil over the truth. It tells the truth, no matter how graphic or emotional it is. The mother doesn't hold back anything, which I think is saying a lot about how she feels about her son: mature and responsible.
It is written from the point of view of a mother. The whole poem is her speaking to her son, relating life to a staircase. It is an amazing speech about how although life may get hard, you have to keep going, and eventually you will find success.
I think this a really good poem. I like how the mother is talking to her son about this, and using this metaphor. It talks about how life is hard, and some things affect you forever. I also noticed that the mother says that she's still climbing her own staircase, and that she doesn't plan on stopping. It really says a lot about what a perserverer she is.
You can only wonder how the son feel about this. He has no dialogue in the poem, so it's completely up to the reader to interpret this. I think although he may be a little confused, he has a newfound
respect for his mom. That's how I would feel.
Songs of the Day:
Do the ___________!
A song from one of the best movies ever :)
It is written from the point of view of a mother. The whole poem is her speaking to her son, relating life to a staircase. It is an amazing speech about how although life may get hard, you have to keep going, and eventually you will find success.
I think this a really good poem. I like how the mother is talking to her son about this, and using this metaphor. It talks about how life is hard, and some things affect you forever. I also noticed that the mother says that she's still climbing her own staircase, and that she doesn't plan on stopping. It really says a lot about what a perserverer she is.
You can only wonder how the son feel about this. He has no dialogue in the poem, so it's completely up to the reader to interpret this. I think although he may be a little confused, he has a newfound
respect for his mom. That's how I would feel.
Songs of the Day:
Do the ___________!
A song from one of the best movies ever :)
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Revised Reading Response - Mother to Son
"Mother to Son" written by Langston Hughes is a very down to earth poem in my opinion. It says and explains how things are straight up. It doesn't attempt to try to put something of a veil over the truth. It tells the truth, no matter how graphic or emotional it is. The mother doesn't hold back anything, which I think is saying a lot about how she feels about her son: mature and responsible.
It is written from the point of view from a mother. The whole poem is her speaking to her son, relating life to a staircase. It is an amazing speech about how although life may get hard, you have to keep going, and eventually you will find success.
I think this a really good poem. I like how the mother is talking to her son about this, and using this metaphor. It talks about how life is hard, and some things affect you forever. I also noticed that the mother says that she's still climbing her own staircase, and that she doesn't plan on stopping. It really says a lot about what a perserverer she is.
You can only wonder how the son feel about this. He has no dialogue in the poem, so it's completely up to the reader to interpret this. I think although he may be a little confused, he has a newfound
respect for his mom. Th's how I would feel.
Songs of the Day:
Do the ___________!
A song from one of the best movies ever :)
It is written from the point of view from a mother. The whole poem is her speaking to her son, relating life to a staircase. It is an amazing speech about how although life may get hard, you have to keep going, and eventually you will find success.
I think this a really good poem. I like how the mother is talking to her son about this, and using this metaphor. It talks about how life is hard, and some things affect you forever. I also noticed that the mother says that she's still climbing her own staircase, and that she doesn't plan on stopping. It really says a lot about what a perserverer she is.
You can only wonder how the son feel about this. He has no dialogue in the poem, so it's completely up to the reader to interpret this. I think although he may be a little confused, he has a newfound
respect for his mom. Th's how I would feel.
Songs of the Day:
Do the ___________!
A song from one of the best movies ever :)
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Quest For An Independent Reading Book & Interesting Metaphors
O.K., so recently I've been in a slump. I have not been able to find an independent reading book. It's driving me crazy! For days I've been trying to find a good book, but I've had no success. I actually had to go to my last resort:
Going to the Brooklyn Public Library.
Shocking, I know. For people who don't know, I hate the library. I'll put it in simple terms for you.
Me + Library = Never
While I did put some good books on hold, I don't think it should have been needed. I hate to say this, but Ms. Galang, your library is the Hurricane Katrina of libraries at the moment. You're in serious need of some new books. You need to start a donation box or something, because the citizens of room 105 need help. I can't imagine what it's like for your homeroom. Your classes are like marriages: we need a little bit of freedom, and a little bit of support.
Hope this blog gets to someone.
Sincerely,
A concerned student
P.S. Aaron, Charlie, and Tomin - KCkcKKccKCckcCKCcKCkCCk. (Inside joke)
Going to the Brooklyn Public Library.
Shocking, I know. For people who don't know, I hate the library. I'll put it in simple terms for you.
Me + Library = Never
While I did put some good books on hold, I don't think it should have been needed. I hate to say this, but Ms. Galang, your library is the Hurricane Katrina of libraries at the moment. You're in serious need of some new books. You need to start a donation box or something, because the citizens of room 105 need help. I can't imagine what it's like for your homeroom. Your classes are like marriages: we need a little bit of freedom, and a little bit of support.
Hope this blog gets to someone.
Sincerely,
A concerned student
P.S. Aaron, Charlie, and Tomin - KCkcKKccKCckcCKCcKCkCCk. (Inside joke)
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
The Best Reading Responses. Ever.
Aaron Straker
My boy Aaron is always layin' it down, but his response to Please Don't Take My Air Jordans was just downright astounding. I like his opinions on the main character. You can easily tell that he put a lot of thought into the poem. He covers everything that has to do with the poem, from the rhyme scheme to relating it to the real world, for both himself (personal connection) and just in general. Nice job, big boy. P.S. Get on my "Bless You" level. GAMH
Anna Duke
Anna's response to My Papa's Waltz was really good. She was able to really read into the poem. I like how she tells the reader about her personal experience with the poem, and the whole story about how her opinion of the poem itself changed over time. That's something I can't do very well, so kudos to her for being able to do that consistently in all of her posts.
Tomin Pereachamblee
Before I start, I'd just like to say I spelled Tomin's last name without looking. That's an accomplishment.
Anyway, Tomin is just an overall amazing writer, both in and outside of the blogs. His vocabulary seems infinite, and his ideas and opinions are almost never able to be argued. It was hard picking just one of his responses, but I decided on his Please Don't Take My Air Jordans response. He really, really read into this. Unlike many other people, he expressed his dislike for the poem. I found this to be really unique. Not many people do this very often. He talked about all the aspects of the poem, and didn't miss anything. Nice job, Tomin.
My boy Aaron is always layin' it down, but his response to Please Don't Take My Air Jordans was just downright astounding. I like his opinions on the main character. You can easily tell that he put a lot of thought into the poem. He covers everything that has to do with the poem, from the rhyme scheme to relating it to the real world, for both himself (personal connection) and just in general. Nice job, big boy. P.S. Get on my "Bless You" level. GAMH
Anna Duke
Anna's response to My Papa's Waltz was really good. She was able to really read into the poem. I like how she tells the reader about her personal experience with the poem, and the whole story about how her opinion of the poem itself changed over time. That's something I can't do very well, so kudos to her for being able to do that consistently in all of her posts.
Tomin Pereachamblee
Before I start, I'd just like to say I spelled Tomin's last name without looking. That's an accomplishment.
Anyway, Tomin is just an overall amazing writer, both in and outside of the blogs. His vocabulary seems infinite, and his ideas and opinions are almost never able to be argued. It was hard picking just one of his responses, but I decided on his Please Don't Take My Air Jordans response. He really, really read into this. Unlike many other people, he expressed his dislike for the poem. I found this to be really unique. Not many people do this very often. He talked about all the aspects of the poem, and didn't miss anything. Nice job, Tomin.
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