My Poem

The First day in class that we started browsing poems a while ago, I felt extremely overwhelmed with all the different and interesting choices. I was having a hard time feeling a poem that felt said "Molly." I wanted a poem that I could somehow connect with on a mental level. A day or two later, I looked through some on the list but couldn’t find the right one, so I went upstairs to find my little sister at the TV frustrated because she didn’t know how to start the movie she wanted to watch. To my wonderful surprise I saw she wanted to watch Alice in Wonderland. The very worn VCR case was clutched in her hand. Later, when I went back to sitting and staring at a bunch of poems in the list again, I clicked on one labeled "A Boat Beneath a Sunny Sky." After reading through it once I knew my poem had been found.

"A Boat Beneath a Sunny Sky" was written by Lewis Carroll! This is the same genius who wrote Alice in wonderland. It tells of three children on a sunny summer day listening to the tales of Alice. This relates to my life in a big way because I am the oldest of two other siblings, Adam is 12 and Lucy is 7. As I read through line by line into this poem it made me think of lazy summer days lying in the grass and guessing what the clouds looked like. This often ended with the bossy older sister saying only her ideas were right (yet that can be told in another story). I feel like this poem was written just for me, so in other words it says "Molly."

When I recite the poem I will try to put as muc life into it as posible to convey to the listeners the images I see in my head when I say it. My expression will be used to bring them back with me to those sunny summer days where being lazy is the work to be done, and imaginary animals can be seen when you close your eyes while listening to a story. I will also try to send a nostalgic feel, as if looking back makes them feel really happy and longing for those days. My gestures and facial expression will be limited but through them I will try to embellish the emotion I am trying to create even more.

Part one: website cruising.
1. Memory As a Hearing Aid by Tony Hoagland
2. To Fashion by Elizabeth Moody
3. Weighing In by Rhina P. Espaillat 
4. The Obligation to be Happy by Linda Pastan, A Boat Beneath a Sunny Sky by Lewis Carrol

Part Two: What do you think?
Of these poems I enjoyed The Obligation to be Happy and A Boat Beneath a Sunny Sky most because of the message portrayed through the "storytelling" like description. The tone was also quite upbeat and cheerful. The poem I did not like as much was Weighing In because the subject was depressing in tone and had a sad underlying story. I would be most excited about memorizing A Boat Beneath a Sunny Sky because of the whimsical feel and the personal connection to me.  The poem makes me think of of summer, which is my favorite season, and I have 2 siblings just as it mentions in the poem. I also have always been a fan of the tales of Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol who is also the author of this poem.

Part 3: Scoring Criteria.
For me I believe I will score highest in the voice and articulation and dramatic appropriateness category because I have been told I am awfully dramatic myself and I will be able to easily convey that to others. I will need to focus however in the evidence of understanding area because I often have difficulty understanding poem's messages and I do not fully understand every line in the poem.

Part Four: Videos.
Madison NiermeyerI Am Waiting
by Lawrence Ferlinghetti
This poem was successful because of the way she was very enthusiastic and told a story through her phrasing and hand gestures. Though it was a lengthy poem that repeated itself it never got to a dull moment throughout the repetitions.
William FarleyDanse Russe
by William Carlos Williams
This poem was well executed well even though there was a solemn tone. The speaker brought life to a poem that could be read quite dully. He also showed a good understanding of this confusing meaning that was portrayed fully in his performance.

Part Five: Summary
I think I have been introduced to some very great poems in using this site of poetryoutloud.  The website at first was rather overwhelming but after browsing for awhile it proved informative. The website made me feel quite excited for the in class competition and I look forward to hearing other students reciting their poems as well as performing mine. I think I will use A Boat Beneath a Sunny Sky because it makes me remember my younger childhood and leaves me with a sense of happiness. 



 
 

One quarter done, 15 more to go...(extra credit blog)

Wow! One fourth of the year is gone. Those days have gone by so quickly.
Looking back to the first day in September I realize this english class was my first impression of high school. There has been a great deal of lessons, units, and assignments. As I sit here thinking about the units of which I could write this blog on, I feel that there are so many important ones to choose from. My favorite assignment thus far has been making a movie for Pride and Prejudice because I enjoyed acting very much. Yet, I think the most important lesson has been learning to correctly write a thesis statement. The ability to summarize a paper, poem, essay, lab write up, thank you note, etc. no matter what the length is very important. Before, when I would write a paper I would spend maybe a minute creating one. Now I know the thesis is the base of the paper and must be spot on perfect. This is a skill that will no go away. It will be used not only in english class, but in every class for the rest of my years in education. It is thrilling to know I am improving in this area, and I am very thankful for being taught this unit so early in my high school years.

Lobsters are in a glass tank. Am I?

Before our class started discussing poetry, whenever the word poem came up, in my mind I would think of ether little children’s rhyming poems or some very long piece of writing that contained a very deep meaning and was often times extremely boring. At a first glance this is how the poem "Lobsters" by Howard Nemerov appeared to me. "It’s a poem about lobsters...great." I thought in a quite sarcastic tone. Yet after fully analyzing the true meaning under the surface of this poem, and reading through it a good amount of times my initial assumption was wrong. For me the question most eye opening was brought up about how we are like lobsters in a tank at "Super Duper"; we as people are out of place and awaiting the known fact of death. This is so true. Lobsters are brought in from the ocean and put in a tank for people to bring home and eat.

This poem made me look at my life and the poem through a new perspective. "Why are we peopling here?" "Is death really coming for me?" Life is so short, and I guess the true meaning behind the poem is we as people are only really lobsters. We are waiting to be "thrown into the pot" and boiled. I could die tomorrow, so could you, or maybe I’ll live to 100. I know death will come, but this poem made me realize I may not know when.

Before, I was wrong. There can be an understandable idea in poems. The reader just has to look hard enough to find it.  

5 part paragraph critique

After listening to many 5 part paragraphs I think I have heard almost every single view of the book To Kill a Mockingbird. Some papers were very interesting to listen to and other not so much. All of the main critique that were repeatedly mentioned all related to the quotes chosen. If the concrete details are not perfect and completely supportive of the topic sentence then the paper will not be as good as it could be. I think that if some papers had this change they would be much more exciting.

My paper personally took a lot of time and I feel I put my best effort into it. However there are some areas in which I could improve.  One of my critiques was to bring up a topic to the topic sentence that was in the concluding sentence. If I had added this sentence I would have had a much more thorough paper and a complete thought of the theme I had chosen.

Diction? I aint heard that word b'fore!

Well, I had a pretty boring week, nuthin much to report 'cept about a play I auditioned for. This play heres name is Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and I guess it went pretty darn good, 'cause I got the part of a Tiger Lily, what ever that is. At the call backs, I hadsta to read for noggin' bogglin' amount of characterized; whiles during this time, little kids the size of dwarfs were a runnin' around like scared sheep on a farm. The little chidlin'  were mighty cute reading' their lines and such. I was hoping they'd get cast in the play too.

Now back to me being a Tiger Lily, 'cause thats what this all 'bout. I was told it was a perdy flower, but I guess all flowers are perdy. This flower is a pretty special flower, my gosh it can talk! Gee wiz, when did you last hear 'bout flowers a talkin'? I sure haven't heard somethin' so head-scratchin' in all my life! My special flower, is super snooty; always stickin' its nose in the air like its better than everyone else. But I know it ain't. A flowers a flower, there's nothin' special 'bout 'em. Sure, they smell good, but that don't give 'em a reason to be snooty.

I guess this part is good for me in the way that I ain't that snooty. And I defiantly aint a flower! Atleast I hope not.

Picture books, little kids, and the theater

I have forever loved picture books. My favorite books were always the ones in which the reader (mainly my dad) would create exciting voices. I always knew that no matter what that a voice for a character would always be the same whenever the book was read. I find myself now when reading to my 7 year old sister impersonating the same voices.

Well that’s exciting...yawn...is what you may be thinking. This does relate I promise. One of my all time favorite picture books when I was little was Tops and Bottoms.   for those of you who sadly have yet to hear of this tale, it is a charming story of a rabbit who tricks a bear into giving him the best part of the vegetables that have been grown his garden. I can still hear the voice my dad created of Bear snoring and the Hair laughing.

I am a big fan of the theater. Every summer since 1st grade I have been in a theater camp called Creative Theater Experience (CTE). This past summer I joined a program for CTE in the mornings before camp starts, this program, called tyros, was created to help teenagers become ready to be a counselor for CTE in the future. Part of the counselors’ job is to write and direct a short play for little kids between the ages of 5 and10. For practice of this big responsibility, those in the tyros program had to write a play based off of a childrens book. When I got home that evening I searched for a book that would be allot of fun and lo and behold I found, yup you guessed it, Tops and Bottoms.  After much time of giving characters lines and making sure there were equal parts for about 10 kids, I was done. I was so proud of my final draft. That next day I had the chance to share it with others and I got to direct my fellow cast members to be bunnies, a bear, a tortoise etc. I probably had so much fun with this writing assignment because it involved so much imagination and included so many of the things I love.

Pride and Prejudice

So far, through all the old English and lack of action, this book has been extremely boring for me to read. Most of what has happened up to this point has been character introduction. There has been very little plot or conflict happening in the story. I was very excited however to read about the ball. It seems as if it would be so much fun to watch, and see all the pretty gowns, and listen to the music while watching others dance. I know I would share in the Bennet sisters’ excitement as they go to a very upper class party.

The characters have definitely created such a big part of the story. Elizabeth Bennet has been shown as the main character, and is who out of all the characters I see the most resemblance to myself. She is very strong willed, and independent. Lizzy (her family nickname) is the second oldest in a family of five girls. Elizabeth I think has been trying to be seen differently than her older sister Jane. When Mr. Bingly a wealthy man moves in a few miles away, Jane has fallen hard in love. Elizabeth however has been looked upon fondly by Mr. Darcy, yet unlike her sister, Elizabeth is much more complex and difficult to figure out by him. Mrs. Bennet has seemed to show a dislike to Elizabeth, which makes me pull for Elizabeth’s side even more.

Usually I am not the kind of person to go for a love story, romantic novel. I am more impulsive to read a book full of action that I can not put down, but Pride and Prejudice   is seeming to me like a classic love story which makes me relate it to when I read Romeo and Juliet last year. Both narrate and have dialogue in very proper English. There has seemed to be a similar mood of happiness and romantic conversations, but in Pride and Prejudice, unlike Romeo and Juliet I think that the heroine Elizabeth is a much more exciting character to read about. So far the ideas of my project include making a movie, or painting a picture of some sort.

Similar lives

     While reading through To Kill a Mockingbird it amazed me how much Atticus reminds me of my parents. Having grown up with both my mom and dad as attorneys, I definitely think I relate to Scout. I'm used to my parents comming home and talking about their trials, witnesses, or people on juries that were, quote from my mom: "easily swayed by emotion over fact." Reading about the trial in the story brought me back to the orange carpet and not so comfortable benches at the county courthouse that I have known for so long. Unlike Scout, I was never as interested in what was happening during the trial. I was preoccupied with coloring a picture or playing with a doll that I had brought along.
     When I was around 11 I remember going with my dad to take your daughter to work day, and we toured the Juvenile Detention center. I rememberof telling myself that I would never ever go there.  It wasn't so much my fear of getting in trouble as much as having to wear the hidoeus orange jumpsuit. Like Scout had described,  I didnt understand how my parents could be fiercely trying to win a trial against the defense one miniute and speaking casually with them at recess the next.
     Of all my memories of having attorneys for parents I think why the book connected with me so much was that my parents like Atticus are wise and always wanting to do the right thing no matter what. Atticus in his work as an attorney models the behaviors he expects from Scout and Jem, such as taking responsiblity for their own actions.  Atticus expects his children to do the right thing.  I believe my parents show the same morals at work as they do at home, which is makes me feel proud as a daughter much like Scout.

Two Worlds

In my childhood I felt as if there were two worlds. A world where kids interacted with each other while playing, laughing and having fun. In my kid world kids would say the wrong thing, cry, and get ink from markers all over them while everybody thought this was normal. Then there was almost a completely different dimension in my mind, the world of older people. Every adult was perfect and glamorous. Adults didn't do anything wrong, and there were no conflicts. Nothing was ever difficult for older people. I wanted to be one.

I'm not an adult now, and I won’t be for a while but now I see their true reality. When you get older you still don't get along with everyone and you still mess up (a lot). The only difference now is my size, years of life, and more awareness to keep my mouth shut and just not talk sometimes. My "Boo Radley" was not understanding that when people are older there still human and troubles still arise.

Awhile ago I thought I had to be a certain way because I was growing up. Now I know I'm not perfect nor will I ever be, and the truth is neither will anyone else. As I look at pictures of a little girl with a bob haircut and glasses, I think to my self first, was I ever really that young?  Secondly I do not feel any different. I'm still the same silly goofy Molly I was then but now I don’t see two worlds. Now I see one big world for me to experience, live in, and explore for the rest of my life. Those marker and grass stains may not be there everyday anymore, but will be a part of the memory of some of my first adventures that will bring many more to come.

First assignment!

Your first assignment is to write an introduction to your blog. Write about yourself as a reader and writer. What type of English student are you? What will someone who follows your blog expect to see? How will you enlighten the on-line world with your reaction to the literature studied in class? Remember, English is reading, writing, and communication. Attempt to answer the question: what is the meaning of English class? Why is English a four-year requirement for college bound students? How will excelling in English help you become a successful person, both personally and academically?

Address the above questions, some or all, in several paragraphs in a way that introduces your blog your audience: your teacher and your classmates.

English. This seven letter word embodies the subjects of so many things I do in my life. Every day I do something that relates to what is being taught in english class, whether its school work, texting, reading about an atom's structure or simply talking about a movie with my friends. Those who are following my blog should know that I do not see myself as a very creative writer, but I enjoy writing about specific interesting topics. I think it will be quite fun to be completing assignments online for others to see our opinions and thoughts on the topics we will be descussing in class.

English class is the base, the solid foundation, of all education. Every grade, every class, every job anywhere requires some form of reading, writing and comunication. It is very important for one to be able to write about any topic for many reasons.  These reasons could include a resume for an interview, loan applications, love letters, the draftng of contracts, answering the telephone and many more. English is not something that one can run away from, for it surrounds a person throughought all of their life.  The purpose of english class is to prepare one for life beyond high school.  That is why english is a four year requirement for college.

Though english may not be my favorite subject in school, it will inevitably be a huge part of the rest of my life. I feel I will become a much better creative writer after this year which will help with future classes and most likely whatever career I end up choosing.  Good english skills will not only pertain to school and work but also personal aspects of my life such as writing a letter using correct spelling and grammar rules. All things considered I will enjoy being in an honor english class this year and I am excited to see what it will bring to my life and writing later on.