Social Awareness Assignment #2 (NO Child Left Behind)

   The NO Child Left Behind Act was passed in 2001. Much like the book Freedom Summer by DeborAH Wiles, the issue in this book is not as important now as it was a few years, or maybe even a few decades ago. As I read these articles(Why I Changed My Mind About School Reform, and No Child Faces Its Own Test) I noticed that after this was passed, teachers started caring more about test scores than the children's education. It was as if they would just prepare children for state tests and nothing else would matter. In an article I read they mentioned the word "failing", which leads me to believe that this act is not very beneficial for a child's education, but somewhat of a pressure that might altar the learning process.

Research Writing Assignment #1(Cyber Bullying)

   Although most peoples' personal opinion is negative, the article A Right for Students to Be Cruel Online? says that cyber bullies are aren't responsible for the effects of their free speech. A student at a Beverly Hills school, was harassed by fellow students who had posted a video publicly badmouthing her. Fake myspace profiles, that were shields of anonymous protection for some, were discovered and deleted. I can't help but think that the fact that this happens so often, morphs the perception of adults' view of teenagers. If we are given freedom and we abuse it, we are less likely to be given that same freedom in the future.
    Another article,To Teach Students the Value of Free Speech, Sometimes We Must Restrict It, says that students should be punished. Although, throughout the article it mentions that students are protected by thier first ammendment right, it also said that free speech should be limited.

Social Awareness Assignment #6

Treat me as an equal

Because I am the same

as you

Because I hurt like you

Because I face the same hardships

I fight the same battles
I crave attention just like you
don't judge me because I'm different,
learn from me
I love me,
even if you don't
and I won't ever stop

Social Awareness Assignment #4

     In the book I'm reading House Rules by Jodi Picoult, there is an autistic child, named Jacob Hunt. He was accused for murder, and because he is autistic, the authorities are contemplating on how to handle the situation and how to accomadate the needs of an autistic being. His mother is in complete distress because it never entered her mind, that her son could be a killer. Although it is difficult for detectives and interrogators to determine whether Jacob is guilty of not.
     I think that maybe this could symbolize equality. In the book, the detectives and prosecutors keep displaying the the fact that despite Jacob's disablities, he should be held accountable for  the same things someone without disabilities is. Therefore, he also deserves the same rights.

Writing Assignment #1

As I recorded certain issues on the news, I realized that they were all pretty similar. Not in subject content , but in the way that most of them are economic, or somehow relate to that. It is often that a social issue would relate to money, becuse it is important. I mean, most of the time, problems start because someone is missing something. Sometimes, it is not even money, but difficulties pronounce themselves because we don't have something, we look at, as valuable.

Mother to Son Response (Entry #8)

This poem by Langston Hughes really highlights the hardships that we all face. The "crystal stair" in the poem, I believe represents, the good life. As the poem goes on, it becomes a more happy poem. In the beginning, the mother talks about how she struggled through her life, but in conclusion, she states that her son should never stop going and climbing the "stairs".
I think that the reason this poem was in a women's perspective, although the author was a man, is because women are typically looked at as more delicate than men. And while she talks, you might get a sense of strength in her written words.
My response poem:
I won't stop climbing the stairs,
I can't,
but when do i reach my destination,
why am i still climbing.

I'm tired,
but i have places to go,
stairs to climb.

As I climb,
the staircases seem to get shorter,
I seem to get stronger
and before I know it,
The stairs are finally finished,
Ihave arrived.

Appreciation of A Wrinkle In Time by Madeline L'Engle Draft (Opposition: Harsh Ways vs. Comfort and Care)

  Note: Page number and specific dialogue are not yet included. They are still being looked for, as I search through the book in a determined matter. :)


In A Wrinkle In Time, I noticed there were many contradicting elements included in the book. There's good and evil, scientific and emotional, but the the one that really stuck out to me was harshness and comfort. The somewhat "cut throat" carelessness, shown by characters in the book is well balanced with the comfort and strength shown by others. This would pose itself as a difficult task to some, but to Madeline L'Engle it is shown to be extremely achievable.
   The contradictions in this book, I believe to symbolizing optimism, or seeing the good through the bad. Meg is deprived of a father for most of the book and it shows that it really does affect her and her family. Although she is judged because of the absence of her father, she finds the comfort of her little brother and a boy named Calvin.
   When I first read the book, I was just starting the sixth grade. I was still attending the same school, but every grade comes with a new set of butterflies and worries. I think I was somewhat comforted by the book because Meg found her way through a confusing path, and I was certain I could find my way, as well.
My second time reading the book, was such a deeper experience than the first. Not only did I learn new things and notice new details, but I associated this book with childhood memories.
    I guess, besides the space travel, it was easy for me to relate to Meg's story. She felt like an outcast and nobbody understood her problems. I guess we all feel that way from time to time, but most importantly this book shows that even if you don't know it all the time, there are people that love, care and accept you for who you are.
    While reading a book told in third person, you are able to see all details without a bias, without worrying about what's going to happen next. While, in real life, we sometimes seem to think the worst of things, when things work themselves out. Maybe sometimes we all have to look at our lives in third person, and realize we are the authors, and we all have to be patient and await our happy ending.

Is It Age Appropriate? (Entry #7)

  As I read A Wrinkle In Time by Madeline L'Engle, I did realize that there were several more morals in the book, than I had realized during my first time reading it. As we grow up, things become clearer to us, such as books, movies, and other things in everyday life. I thought that this book was very educational and taught a lesson of friendship and trust. But reviews and other information say that it was more than just the complex scientific themes, that were too mature for young minds.
   For example, although the book is filled with fantasy and children as the main characters, there are dark themes that are said to be age inappropriate. The Open Critic is a website, that "aims to be a forum for the literate discussion of popular literary culture", did a review of A Wrinkle In Time, and under subtitle, A Wrinkle in Time, Whatsit, Who, Which, it says that these characters (Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs.Who, and Mrs. Which) might be witches. In the book they are looked at to be guides, or angels, to the main characters. But in the review, it states that "It’s been banned for … Including witchcraft, crystal balls, and all the other hocus-pocus that makes a classic fantasy novel." So I would think that this book is looked at by others as a book for older readers.
    While accepting her Newbury Award in 1963, Madeline L'Engle stated in her speech "A writer of fantasy, fairly tale, or myth must inevitably discover that he is not writing out of his own knowledge or experience, but out of something both deeper and wider." This statement leads me to believe that these themes of witchcraft and crystal balls, are not meant to be mature, but to expand the reader's imagination and put more emphasis on the fact that the genre of this book was somewhat fantasy, and the witchcraft should be looked at as magic and make-believe.

Deeper Meaning (Entry #6)

page 44: "No, Meg, but people are more than just the way they look. Charles Wallace's difference isn't physical. It's in essence."
I wrote: The characters are looking deeper.
   As I came across this line in the book, it occurred to me that A Wrinkle in Time is more than just a science fiction book. But it's a story that describes personality and mentality. Sometimes when reading this book, it's hard to remember that there are morales here. It is possible to connect with this book personally.
    I honestly think that the science mentioned in this book, also has to do with the lessons taught. Since every formula or theory is dissected through dialogue of pictures, the lessons have to be just as explanatory. I think that the book had a perfect balance of science themes and real world knowledge and concepts.

Charlotte's Web is beautiful.

   What I really admire about Charlotte's Web by  E.B. White, is the descriptions that the author uses. There is poetic language, that paints a picture in the reader's mind, better explaining the story. The metaphors and symbolism represent something deeper than just a story of friendship, but of life itself.
   I notice that a big theme that uses description, is transition. You can tell when the season changes, or the mood changes because of the author's descriptions.
        page 113: The crickets sang in the grasses. They sang the song of summer's ending, a sad, monotonous song.
I find that words like sad and monotonous represent somewhat of an end. But not only does it show change of the season and mood, but foreshadow a sad event or series of events. In this book I find that the descriptions set the mood, that lays out how the events in the book, will go.
   I love the way that you can always feel how the characters are feeling and understand their thoughts. It seems as if E.B White captures all the animals' actions at once.
        page 33: The sheep lay motionless. Even the goose was quiet. Overhead, on the main floor, nothing stirred: the cows were resting, the horses dozed. Templeton had quit work and gone off somewhere on an errand.
Although they are in separate sentences, it ties together perfectly, as if showing a picture. They all are resting, but separated by different descriptions, as if each one is unique.
   Another thing that really brings out the admirable quality of the descriptions, are the similes. The comparisons made, not only describe the scene, but create a beautiful image.
        page 77:The grass looked like a magic carpet, The asparagus patch looked like a silver forest.
It creates a somewhat magical image. Taking something as simple as grass, and turning it into a magic component that ties in with the rest of the magic of Charlotte's Web.
     I think that the descriptions are what makes Charlotte's Web so enjoyable to read. They help support the plot, themes, and setting. They explain characters and tell us the moods and atmosphere. I believe it makes the book more interesting.