To Kill A Mockingbird Blog

12/17/15

Book: To Kill A Mockingbird

Prompt: 1.) Select a quote from your reading that you liked. 2.) What made you pick it? 3.) How

does it make you pause and think?

          The quote I picked from To Kill A Mockingbird was, "...Whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash..." This quote shows that even if a white man is superior it is wrong to treat them that way. No matter of their skin color, race, or origin. It is wrong.

          I picked this quote because it shows that treating another person in a different, negative manner is wrong. This shows that whoever thinks that they are superior based on the family they come from, how rich they are, or who he is no man should be able to treat another man like that because if their color. No man has the right to do that. Even during the late 1800's and the mid 1900''s where racism was at its strongest we now reflect on what we did wrong and how we treated African-Americans.

          This makes me think in a very different way, although I already knew that racism was bad, it showed me that I shouldn't feel more powerful or superior over other people even if I live in a better place, have more money, or because of my skin color. This made me pause and think in a way I have never thought before towards this topic. The realization hit me hard but not hard enough to make me tremble in fear, but hard enough for me to know that any person that sterotypes, discriminates, excludes, or is racist is wrong and should learn their errors to become a better person. This is how I think towards this topic.

TKAM-Character Relationships Blogs

Nicolas Fuentes

12/3/15

Prompt: Think about the two characters in each pair below.  Note at least two ways they are alike and two ways they are different. From there, decide what relationship each has with Scout and what effect they have on her. You only need to choose one pair to blog about.

5- Aunt Alexandra and Atticus

Format:
a. Similarities to each other

b. Differences from each other
c. Relationship to Scout

d. Effect on Scout.

          One similarity between Atticus and Aunt Alexandra is they both have strong opinions on how Scout should be raised. They both think they should be educated, prosperous people when they grow up. I know this becuase in the book Atticus says that Scout doesn't mind him much, but only when she has to she does. Aunt Alexandra is worried about Scout not being lady-like enough to succeed in society. Although they have different opinions on how Scout should be raised, they both have the same goal for her. This is just one way that Atticus and Aunt Alexandra are similar.

          One difference between them is Atticus is more laid back with his children and is honest with them, as where is more a strict mother figure and does not tell them everything. I know this because in the book Atticus told Uncle Jack that he should tell children everything when they ask. On the other hand Aunt Alexandra hides things from them like when she didn't want to talk about when Cousin Joshua tried to shoot the president.

          The relationship that Atticus and Aunt Alexandra have with Scout is that they are related. Atticus has watched Scout age and grow up her entire life and understands her better while Aunt Alexandra has only seen her for a couple weeks and does not know the full depth of how and why she acts the way she does. While Atticus may be Scouts's dad he has not forced her to become someone he wants her to be. Aunt Alexandra forces Scout to be someone she does not want to be. 

          Atticus and Aunt Alexandra have had a great impact on Scout throughout this book. The effect that Atticus has on Scout is being her father and showing concern for her problems. Although he is starting to change, due to Aunt Alexandra's coming, Atticus is still not completely changed so he still fights for Scout's rights and her actions. Aunt Alexandra has also a impact upon Scout but it has not really been for Scout. It is more for the Finch's name and their tradition. Aunt Alexandra impact on Scout is trying to turn her into a more feminine figure in the book. This is the effect that Atticus and Aunt Alexandra has on Scout.  

           

"To Kill A Mockingbird"

11/24/15

Book: "To Kill A Mockingbird"

Prompt: You will be selecting a photograph that represents your idea of Maycomb, AL based on Harper Lee’s description. Incorporating the different criteria from the Visual Literacy Guide, write a thoughtful, thorough, and well constructed response relating the photograph to Maycomb, AL. Make sure to include: The image of the photograph you have selected for analysis (make sure to cite your photograph.) Your written analysis.

          Based on my observations of this picture, it seems that this could describe the setting of the novel, "To Kill A Mockingbird." In the novel the setting is decribed like this, "...People moved slowly then. They ambled across the square, shuffled in and out of the stores around it, took their time about everything. A day was twenty-four hours long but seemed longer..." This quote explains the setting of the book. 

 

The picture is similar to the setting because it seems that the people in the picture shown above are not waiting for anything they are just hanging around that place. It also seems like everything is going by slow. This relates to the quote above because my observation states that everything seems to be going by slow just as the quote states.

Theme Blog

Nicolas Fuentes 

11/19/15

Prompt: "Determine and analyze a theme development throughout the novel by looking closely at the characters actions, the setting, plot events, and and/or conflict."   

          The universal theme that I have infered from "The Maze Runner Series: The Death Cure" is courage. I think this because throughout the books in the  "Maze Runner" series the character's actions are always for the greater good of the group they have. For example, when Thomas, the main character, decides to kill his best friend becasue he has been infected with a disease that has no cure and when the subject is infected the virus drives them crazy. Newt, Thomas' best friend, implores Thomas to kill him and he does it. If he didn't do this, then everybody in the Right Arm, which is an organazation dedicated to taking down WICKED, would have suffered a major loss. This action shows bravery.

          The setting of this story is a world where 98% of the human population is infected with the flare. This disease was caused by solar flares. This makes a huge impact on the theme development throughout the story because every decision a character makes could potentially affect the whole population. For instance, every subject that WICKED has tested hates WICKED and disagrees with their ways. So, therefore they do not comply in finding a cure for the human population. 

          The plot events that have happened throughout the story are very important. In the falling action of the story the main character is left with a huge decision to go and comply with WICKED, but take the risk of actually complying with them before "The Right Arm" can sabotage WICKED. This decision affected him a lot because he was actually showing and telling how he was scared for the first time in the "Maze Runner Series." This is how I think the theme is developed throughout the book. 

1st Quarter Reflection

Nicolas Fuentes

10/28/15

Prompts: 1.) Where are you with your forty book challenge?

2.) How have your blogs been progressing since August? 

3.) How did writing a memoir help you realize what work there needs to write a memoir?

4.) How has your organization improved since August?

5.) Has reading other genres, than what you normally would read, helped you in any way.?

          So far, I have read, and finished, three books. I am also hoping to finish a book I am reading right now called Roll of Thinder, Hear My Cry. I have finished Paper Towns, The Maze Runner Series: The Death Cure, and Beyonders: Chasing The Prophecy. I really enjoyed these books because they really go into depth and are interesting. 

          I personally think I have really made some progress with my blogs since August. I have improved my vocabulary drastically. This helps me add more detail to my blogs, therefore a better judgment. I always try to add more detail to my blogs. 

          Writing a memoir narritave helps me improve on my vocabulary, organization, and punctuation. I think writing a memoir pushed me in order to become a better writer. I had to learn that revising is key in every paper you write. I had to learn to use active verbs instead of past tense verbs. I had to learn to show and not tell people how I feel. Writing a narritave really helped me into becoming a better writer.

          My organization has stayed the same throughout the course of this first quarter. I haven't become worse, I haven't become better. My goal is to, obviously, to become better in organization. One thing I have also learned throughout the first quarter is that organization is everything. If you are organized then your one step closer to being a better person. 

          I think reading other genres has helped me in many ways and branch out into books I wouldn't normally read. One, for instance, is Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. This books is less appealing to most but has caught my interest here and there. I was forced to read Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, that doesn't make it any less interesting. This helped me unfold and try to appreciate new books.

          

             

The Maze Runner Series: The Death Cure

Book: The Maze Runner Series: The Death Cure

Author: James Dashner 

Prompts: 1.) What is your favorite character? Why?

2.) What do you think will happen next?

3.) What is the mood of what you're reading(happy, sad, funny, serious, etc.)? Defend your idea.

         My favorite character, during the whole series, is Thomas. He is favorite character because he preserves and finds answers. He never settles for maybe, he always gets answers that he knows are 100% correct. I know this because the text states that, "Thomas shook his head. He was tired of puzzling everything out." This shows that Thomas doesn't like to piece thing together, he likes a direct answer. This is why he is my favorite character. 

          What I think will happen next, based on the actions of the characters, is the main characters are going to get captured after escaping their jail cell. I think this because every turn they take, there are no guards or anything to protect their weapons or defenses. I feel suspicious because of this. I know this because the text states, "I have to be honest - something definitely feels off. I bet this is another one of their bloody tests!" This shows that the main characters have their suspicions. This is what I think will happen next.

          The mood displayed throughout this book has been serious and melancholy. If you read the book you can see that the main characters are dead serious and are willing to take extreme measures for their freedom. But, in this book, freedom costs lives. I know this because the text presents, "Thomas didn't hesitate. He swung his elbow backward into the face of the guard behind him just as he kicked the knee of the one in front. Both fell to the floor, stunned, but recovered quickly. Out of the corner of his eye Thomas saw Newt tackle a guard to the ground; Minho was punching another. But the fifth - a woman - hadn't been touched, and she was raising her launcher." This shows that the characters in this book will do anything for freedom. This is why this is the mood displayed during the book.

Life Lines Poem: Mawi

"A New, Struggling Life."  

Next stop

Athens. 

Then

America

And there

A new life.

Heading to America

Are you?

They say 

America 

Seems sweet on top

Like fresh honey 

Straight from the comb.

Money flows through streets

Of glimmering gold.

Everyone lives

Long

Easy lives.

But

What's sweet on the surface

Is often rotten underneath.

So 

Beware.

I 

Remember asking myself

How 

Can something this 

Beautiful 

Be stolen by someone else's 

Recklessness?

If that's what life was like 

Then 

What are we striving for,

Anyway

But 

Along the way

I 

Have found 

Greater values 

In other

Dreams

Of the gifts 

We

Can give

The greatest 

Is to see 

The beauty in each other

In essence 

To give 

Beauty 

To 

Each other  

Comparing "Of Beetles and Angels" and AOW

9/24/15

Prompt: First two paragraphs have to be about individuals, events, or ideas. The last will focus on the main question, "How does war affect individuals and societies?"

          The book "Of Beetles and Angels"  and the Aow, "Refugees face tear gas, water cannons as they cut new paths through Europe" have many similarities. We are going to discuss the similarities that many individuals have that have been presented throughout the book and the article. The article states that, " Just steps from Hungary, thousands of people spent the night in wet grass on the Sebrian side of the border. Hours later, hundreds tried to punch through the cordon of razor wire and riot police massed near the Serbian border town of Horgos." This shows that there are many refugees that are seeking a better life. This relates to Mawi because the book explains that, "Millions of my people had become refugees during the thirty-year bloodbath between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Most had fled to Sudan. Seeing their plight, World Relief had mediated an agreement between the United States and Sudan to resettle some of the refugees." This shows that just like the European refugees, Mawi's people had become refugees in search for a new life.

          There are many ideas that are presented during the book, "Of Beatles and Angels" and the 

AOW ,"Refugees face tear gas, water cannons as they cut new paths through Europe." One idea that was presented in the book was determination. I know this because the book explains that," I almost abandoned my dreams of becoming a top student and earning a scholarship. But I loved my family to much to give up. And I knew my brother Tewolde never would have given up." This shows Mawi's determination by not giving up. It also shows persistence. In the article it states that, " We hit a stone and we flow around it." This shows being determined and flexible. These two quotes show how hard refugees work for a new and better life.

          There are many ways in which war affects and corrupts individuals and societies. One way war affects individuals and societies is by turning them inside out. In a society there are many people from many races. If two or more different races are at war and those races exist in that country friends could be turned into enemies. The way it affects you as an individual is by turning you into a different person. It morphs them into another person like if you were always happy and your country is at war you would turned into th complete opposite. These are one of the many reasons that war affects individuals and societies.

          

          

"Beyonders: Chasing the Prophecy" Summer Project 4

8/21/15
Prompt: "What ideas do you have about what is going to happen? What clues have you read to give you those ideas?"



          The place from where I left off the main character was on a quest to find a learn the archives of a powerful man that is long dead. But, there's one problem, there is a protector guarding the entrance that has never been killed even by the most powerful people in the present day. I predict that they are going to defeat him, but with difficulty. These are the clues that I have spotted that this what I have is going to happen. This is what I think will happen.

          Another prediction that I have is that the main characters are going to raise an army to overthrow the corrupted empire. But, I also have a feeling that they are leading themselves into a trap. The clues leading me to this conclusion are that the leader of this empire has managed to enter the dreams of one of the main characters and has told her that they are going to kill themselves. Another clue that I have found is that there is a ship called an interceptor that is going to intercept the path of the main character. That ship was sent by the empire.

           And finally, the last prediction that I have is that they will be able to overthrow the empire even if there are a billion paths to defeat and one to success. I think this because everything they have got themselves into they have been able to escape. Like, escape from the nations top jail. Also, defeat a dream in a sword battle. They have gotten themselves in many sticky situations but have always been able to survive. These are the clues that have been provided throughout the book and the conclusions I have.



       

"Beyonders: Chasing the Prophecy" Summer Project 3

8/20/15
Prompt: "List three problems the character faced? Which was the most life changing? Explain."


           One problem the character faced is that another character tried to murder her in cold blood. I think this problem was the most life changing. Especially, because that character was a friend of hers.
But, that character was poisoned by the antagonist. The antagonist, his name is Maldor, and the character, her name is Rachel, are enemies. Rachel is part of a rebellion against Maldor.

           Another problem Rachel faced is she has to go a major city in the book and convince them to join the rebellion. I don't really think this was the most life changing event out of all the three problems but its in the list. I think this because: one, she has had near certain-death experiences. Two: she has learned a language that allows you to manipulate objects around you. And, three: she hasn't seen her parents for a year now. That has a lot more value referring to life changing experiences.

          And finally, the last problem that Rachel faces during the book is to control her power she has gained throughout the story. I think this the second life changing experience that has happened to her in the story. I think this because during the story I have seen many problems but only chose to present these three. The reason for this action is because I thought these were the most important problems in the book. I chose the most life changing events.

Summer Reading Project 2nd Blog

8/5/15
Book: "Beyonders: Seeds of Rebellion."
Prompt: "If you could talk to the author, what questions would you ask? Why?"

          If I could ask the author a question, I would ask him why you chose to make the protagonist a person from another world. I would ask him this because I would never think to make the protagonist a random person from another world. I guess this makes the book unique in many ways. This also makes the book more interesting than a book with a character from the same world.

          Another question I would ask the author is why he chose to use a time that is aged. I would ask him this because he chose to take a person from the future and place him in the past. The times he uses are very different. The past represents Medieval Times and the future represents the 2000's.This makes the book even more unique and interesting because of the time difference.

          And finally, I would ask the author where did he base all of his ideas from. I would ask him this because I've never read a book where everything makes no sense and at the same time it makes sense. I liked the variety this book had because it mixed a lot of things.
This book always had you in suspense and I never wanted to put it down. It was a really great book and I enjoyed it.

"Beyonders: Seeds of Rebellion Summer Project"

6/4/15
Book: "Beyonders: Seeds of Rebellion"
Prompt: Analyze the relationship between Jason and Rachel. Connect their relationship to Galloran and Maldor.

          The relationship between Jason and Rachel is solid. They both come from the United States, have been transported to another world, and lastly, have joined the fight against the antagonist, Maldor. They are similar in many ways but at the same time different. Jason can wield a sword but Rachel can't. Rachel can speak a language called Edomic but Jason can't. As you can see their similarities and differences let them have a strong friendship.

          The connection between Galloran and Maldor is full of hate and frustration. Galloran hates Maldor because he tortured him. Maldor despises Galloran because he leads a rebellion against Maldor. Maldor also gouged out Galloran's eyes. He is always trying to cease him by apprehending Galloran while he is traveling, but his plans never succeed.

          The connection between Jason, Rachel, Galloran, and Maldor is Maldor opposes anyone who dares to threaten him. So Rachel, Jason, and Galloran all oppose Maldor. So basically, Rachel and Jason have the same relationship as Galloran and Maldor. They all have hate and frustration towards Maldor. Overall, Maldor hates everybody that stands in his way of succeeding.

   

"Paradox and Dream"

5/21/15
1.) "Americans overindulge their children and do not like them; the children in turn are overly dependent and full of hate for their parents."

Reflection
          This paradox basically means that parents buy everything that their children desire and they don't like their children. The other part means children are too dependent on their parents, but hate them for everything that's good and bad. The parents dislike their children because they've turned bratty. The children hate their parents because they don't like them getting in their business. There are many other reasons in which parents dislike their children and children hate their parents, but these were just a few.

          I have made many connections for this paradox. One connection that I made is through one of my friends. He begs his parents for technology and they give it to him but, he strongly dislikes his parents. He hates them for the bad qualities and hates them for the good qualities. On the other hand his parents try to keep him in line and make him a better person but in the end they, I can see through their actions, think he is disobedient and they don't like him.


2.) "We scramble and scrabble up the stony path toward the pot of gold we have taken to mean security. We trample friends, relatives, and strangers who get in the way of our achieving it; and once we get it we shower it on psychoanalysts to find out why we are unhappy, and finally-if we have enough of the gold-we contribute it back to the nation in form of foundations and charities."

          This quote means that somebody that will try to succeed or achieve something will not stop even if a family member is in deep distress. They will do anything do achieve it. But, after they succeed, they feel depressed because the don't know what to do with their money and their life is boring. Then, they go see a psychoanalysts to see why they are unhappy. Finally, they return all that money to the country through charities and donations to churches.

          How I can relate to this is through my grandpa. He wanted my dad to become a professional tennis player and pushed him so hard. He didn't stop and wasted most of his money on trainers. My grandpa kept pushing and pushing. My dad fractured his knee from playing to hard and that is where the story ends. It relates to half of the paradox but I think my grandpa would of, if he could of, kept going until my dad became a professional tennis player, but then again my dad picked education over tennis. 

End of the Year Reflection

1.)What are the three most important things you learned this year?
2.)What is something we did this year that you think you will remember for the rest of your life?
3.)What was the nicest thing someone in our class did for you this year?

4.)What is something you taught your teacher or classmates this year?
5.)In what area do you feel you made your biggest improvements? What is something you accomplished this year that you are proud of? What was the most challenging part of this year for you?

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

 Of the books you read this year, which was your favorite? Why? 
7.)What advice would you give students who will be in this class next year?

         
          I learned many things in the one quarter I've been in Mrs. Larson. One of the many things I have learned is how to write poetry. There are many things you have to learn to write poetry, like onomatopoeia, similes, and metaphors. I did not know this before I came into this class. Sure, I would of learned it in the regular classes but here they went into depth and explained the concept thoroughly. Another thing I learned through this class is annotating a piece of writing. It's not just highlighting a piece of text it's about writing down your thoughts and asking questions. And finally, the last thing I learned/improved is my vocabulary. I use words that have a sense of thought and feeling. 


 An event I will remember for the rest of my life is watching the Bugsy Malone Jr. play. Many of my

classmates participated in this play that is why I will remember it for the rest of my life. I couldn't take most of my classmates serious. They were either to short for their role or dressed up amusingly like a bunny suit. Other than that, they did a great job preforming and acting.

   
The nicest thing somebody has ever done for me in this class is explaining concepts that I did not comprehend when I was new to the class. Like explaining blogs and AoW's to me. Explaining the normal things and the schedule in the class. There were many nice things that people did for me. I really appreciate all of them.

 Something I taught my classmates this year is that it doesn't take perfection for it to be perfect. Like when we were doing the project where we had to see what the farm symbolizes for the character that we were assigned for Of Mice and Men. We didn't do the best job but it didn't turn out horrible. We just went with and explained why it relates to the character. We did our best and explained it.

The area in which I think I vastly improved on is my vocabulary or my choice of words. I now use words that express me more like instead of saying big I say vast. Something that I accomplished that I am proud of is getting into all accelerated classes. I am proud of this because this will impact my life in a positive way later in my life. The most challenging part of the year for me was entering Ms. Larson's class and not knowing what to do. I just watched her explain what to do while I sat there clueless but I caught on eventually.


My best piece of writing that I wrote throughout this year is a story I wrote based on the characters I created. I think it is my best because I used all the methods in writing a story like adding a protagonist and an antagonist. I included dynamic, rounded, flat, and static characters. The best book I read was Of Mice and Men. It was the best book I read because it had suspense, romance, action, and friendship.


The advice I would give to students that will be in Ms. Laron's class in the future is good luck. Also, do your homework and have good manners. Do your AoW's, blog, and vocabulary. Use please and thank you. Always get things done and turned in before the due date because you will have more time to do other things.

Something That Symbolizes Me

5/13/15
Prompt: Why does this object represent you?
Nicolas F

          What I think represents me is a tennis ball. I think this because once a tennis ball gets hit by a tennis racket it bounces back on the other side. The other side becomes the good side until it comes time to go back to the other. I'm flexible like that, I can do one thing and remember about the other thing and still get there in time. Another thing that the tennis ball represents about me is being able to bounce back. I think I'm resilient because I can take a blow from someone physically or mentally and still bounce back. It's like it came through one ear and out the other.







Commented on: Mia C., John Z.,  Jared A., Siari R., James F.

Of Mice and Men

5/12/15

There are several scenes added to the movie in which Curley's wife talks to George. These scenes are not in the book, or they appear differently in the book 

Briefly describe two of these scenes.

How do these new scenes change or add to your opinion of Curley's wife? What do they show the audience  about her? Why do you think the director (or screenwriter) chose to add those scenes? 

 What are your general thoughts, feelings, reactions Of Mice and Men? What had the most profound impact on you or your understanding of the novella? Who would you recommend this book to and why? 
     

          One scene that is not in the book is presented in the movie is the scene where Slim tells George to go put a mule away while they are working and he goes to put the mule away in the barn. He encounters Curley's wife and he is alone with her. She starts to ask him questions. Another scene that we see in the movie that is not presented through the book is when George and Lennie are working together and to load up the wagon when Curley's wife comes along. She tries to talk to them but they ignore her. Then she notices the bruises on Lennie's face and connects that to Curley's broken hand.

          These new scenes add more of the loneliness factor that I have noticed throughout the book and the movie. I think they show the audience how desperate and lonely she is to talk to someone. The director added these new scenes to show how women were sort of desperate and alone even if they are married during these times.

          I had mixed emotions throughout the book and movie. I had many emotions towards Lennie. One was that Lennie was useless in the beginning of the book and movie. But, my understanding changed and then I noticed that Lennie was very useful to George and the whole ranch. Another mixed emotion that I had was towards George. I thought he was just bossing around Lennie and trying to make fun of him like when he told Lennie to jump in a river, he jumps and forgets after George saves him. But, then he I saw that George killed Lennie out of love so he won't suffer anymore. I would recommend this book to my sister when she is older because the genres she is interested in is futuristic books. This book is more when there was no technology but there there is a huge contrast of both genres. That is why I would recommend it to her, so she can be more open-minded. 

AOW Impressions Blog

Nicolas F.
5/05/15

     Today, I learned about Child Abuse and Neglect,  Baltimore Riots, Earthquakes in Nepal, and Iranian forces seize American commercial ship. This is one out one-thousand compared to the other stuff happening in the world. There are a lot more problems in the world than the media can keep up.

     One thing that interested me the most was the child abuse that I learned through Mia. Mia provided many facts and opinions and that is what interested me. Some parents do not take their children to the doctor due to their religion. They believe God is going to heal their children naturally.
Although we can't do anything do change their religion we can help them realize that what they are doing is wrong.

     Another article that interested me was the Baltimore riots that was presented through Devin and Diana. I learned that the Baltimore riots started because of a man named Freddy Gray died. He was in

good health at the time he was arrested but then went into a coma due to his neck and spinal injuries. He died the next day. There were gatherings to peacefully protest. We can do something like provide more money for the government or the police station to train the police better.

Dreams Poem

5/1/15
Prompt: Based on your brainstorming via Edmodo, write a short poem elaborating on your dream and/or why dreams or visions are an impotent part of life.

"Dreams"

Oh dreams. 

What a wonderful part of life.

They inspire and create a new life.

Without them you don't have a life to live.

They are as beautiful as a rainbow. 

Dreams don't appear by themselves. 

You must seek them out.

But in time they will appear.

But the choice is yours to accept or decline.

Oh dreams. 

What a wonderful part of life.

They inspire and create a new life.

Without them you don't have a life to live.

They are as beautiful as a rainbow. 

Commented on the following blogs: Omar R., Sam T., Evelia C.

OMAM Conflict

4/28/15
Of Mice and Men



     There are many conflicts in the book of Mice and Men. Some conflicts that are presented through the actions of the characters is Man vs. Man,  Man vs. Self,  Man vs. Nature, and Man vs. society. This is important to the book because without conflicts then the story would be a bland story. Conflicts play a huge rule in stories and are later resolved throughout the story.

     One conflict in the book, "Of Mice and Men" is the tension between Curley and Lennie. This conflict is called Man vs. Man. This type of conflict is called this because the characters in the book have a conflict between each other and they are both human. I know this because the book says that, "Lennie took his hands away from his face and looked about for George, and Curley slashed at his eyes. The big face was covered with blood. George yelled again, "I said get him." Curley's fist was
swinging the next when Lennie reached for it. The next minute Curley was flopping like a fish on a line, and his closed fist was lost in Lennie's big hand." This shows that there is tension between Curley and Lennie.

     Another conflict that this book has is Man vs. Self. The character that has this conflict with himself is Crooks. He doesn't like himself because he is black. He is usually excluded from every activity because of his race. That is why he keeps his distance and advises other to keep their distance. You can tell because the book says that, "He kept his distance and demanded that other people keep theirs." This shows that he has isolated from everyone else and didn't want anybody bothering him. This also shows that he has a problem with himself because he keeps himself from other people.

Commented on the following blogs: Yareli H., John Z., and Saul G.

"Of Mice and Men" Blog.

Prompt: Describe the atmosphere of the ranch and bunkhouse. Be sure to include characteristics of different characters that were formally or informally introduced to us in this chapter. Support your choice with textual evidence and interpretation. 

Why doesn't Curley's wife have a name? What message, if anything, is John Steinbeck trying to send by not giving her a first name? Support your choice with textual evidence and interpretation





4/22/15

     The atmosphere of the bunk house is edgy. This is because there is a lot of fighting or negative actions going on. There is cursing and threatening going on in the bunkhouse. This is due to the fact that most characters in the book are independent and have nothing to worry about if they curse or threaten somebody. You can see when George and Curley verbally fought there were some curse words but not a lot. I know this because in the book it says, "You seen a girl around here?" he demanded angrily. George said coldly, " 'Bout half an hour ago." "What the hell was she doin'?"  This shows that there is a lot of tension between Curley and George and they don't care what they say about each other.

     Curley was introduced informally, but the author showed what kind of person he is through his actions. "You the new guys the old man was waiting' for?" "We just come in," said George. "Let the big guy talk." Lennie twisted with embarrassment. George said, "S'pose he don't want to talk?" Curley lashed his body around, "By Christ he's gotta talk when he's spoke to. What the hell you gettin' in for." This shows that Curley was introduced informally but you can see what kind of character he is.

     The message that John Steinbeck is trying to show is that women in the 1930's were treated like men's properties. You can see in the book that Curley treats her bad behind her back. He doesn't even use her real name when talking about her. I know this because the text states that, "What the hell was she doin'?" This text shows Curley talking bad things about her like asking where she was in a bad way.


Commented on Saul's, James, Omar's Blogs 
'

Beyonder blog

WARNING MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS!!!

"Beyonders: A World Without Heroes."
Prompt: What event could have happened in real life? What would be similar in real

life? What would be different in real life?
Pages: 0-250.

     There are many events that could happened in real life. One of the events that could of happened is that the main character was hit with a baseball in the head. Many kids in real life have been hit with a baseball, wether they play baseball or not. I know that the main character got hit with a baseball because the text states that,"Jason glanced back at his friends, grinning. Shifting his gaze, he noticed that April was watching her sister enter the fast pitch softball cage. When he turned to face forward, a ball was streaking toward him. Jason twisted his head just in time to prevent if from striking his face, but the hard sphere thumped against the side of his helmet, knocking it off his head and sending him sprawling." As  you can see the main character did hit himself in the head with a baseball. 

     There are many events that world be similar in real life but is more fake than real. The event is that the main character got swallowed by a hippo but was transported to another world. This is similar to real life because it is possible to get eaten by a hippopotamus but it is impossible to get transported to another world. There is no known way to get to another world. But getting swallowed by a hippo, now thats a different story.

     A event that would be different is there being a word that is able to destroy anyone if you just speak the special word. This is physically impossible. There is no word in real life that can destroy anyone on contact. But there are words that can hurt somebody emotionally. As you know there is no word that can destroy anybody.  
     
commented on Joseph's, Michael's, and Omar's.

Poetry Reflection.

     Poetry plays a very important role in everybody's life even if you hate poetry. Poetry plays a role in my life at school. It's importance in my life is writing them and reading them. I like most poems but not all of them (I'm not saying I hate the other poems.) I especially liked the spine poem. It was interesting because you don't have any idea of what you are going to happen and what your poem is going to be about.  It's like life, you don't know whats going to happen.

     I, personally think that poetry does belong to everyone. I think this because, at one point in your life your are going to have to see a poem that does apply to you in some specific way. Maybe at school, at your job, at your house, with your peers, with your friends etc. Eventually, you are going to see some sort of poem or write a poem that applies to you. Poetry is definitely in a poets life but what about your average Joe. They may not even see their special poem until they are 80 years old. Or, they see it while they are in middle school or high school, even college. Its your choice to find your poem. You can either seek it out or, wait until it comes to you. So, I think poetry is involved in everybody's life, no matter what, even if you tried to avoid it

     The life and experiences of a poet affect the poem he/she creates because it gives them ideas or inspiration to write poems on different topics. If they had a boring life and wrote about something through a poem that they have experienced it would most likely be boring. But if they had an exciting life and tried new things, their poems would be interesting. They would have adventure, humor, plot,  rhyme, similes, metaphors, onomatopoeia, patterns, tones. They would have more ideas and would write more poems than a person with a boring life.  More people would read their poems, more people would like their poems. Therefore, a person with a more interesting life will be a better poet than oppose to a poet who has a boring life.

Where I'm From
Two Voice Poem
Spine Poem
Found Poem
Nonsense Poem

"A World Without Hero's"-Nonsense Poem.

Divergent, Found Poem.

"Divergent" By: Nicolas Fuentes

These are the words to my found poem. "An interlude when came to understand each other. First time was willing to admit interdependence, that cold afternoon. Always remember that. Faraway music, wispy threads of sounds straining over the dark showed clean and sharp but saw a distant frown." I chose these words to show no one is alike. Everybody is unique. "Willing to admit interdependence." Interdependence means the difference between two things. So the blue represents a random person and the purple also represents a random person. Even though you don't know them they are still unlike. "Clean and sharp but saw a distinct look." This also shows that two people are never similar because one person sees a clean and sharp face while the other sees a frown. Overall, the theme is "No two fingerprints are the same."

Life is not one sided.

I wanted to create this poem to show that life isn't only one sided. There will be bad times and good times in life. This poem shows both. The good and bad. For example, "The Dead of Night" is a negative phrase. Showing that there will be bad times in life. But the phrase "Out of The Dark" overpowers the negative phrase with positivity. This is showing that you should try to find a positive side if something bad happens. All in all, the theme is life is not one sided.

Thinglink Poetry

Two Voice Poem

Minho                                                                                                      Thomas

                                                                                                                                          

I been in this maze for longer than I can count.

                                                                                                                    I am just an amateur. 

We never give up.

I know this maze inside-out.

    I don't know anything about a maze.

We trust each other.

I was kidnapped and put in here

against my own will.

I came here because it was my choice.

I am a keeper of peace and order

I frighten people by accident.

We try our best to keep peace.

I run when there is no hope

but help when there is hope.

                                                                  I try to find the tiniest sliver of hope 

and hold onto it.

We fight together

I have one of the biggest jobs in the maze.

I have no job to stick to.

We do our job to keep order.

I leave people to die 

when I know they are already dead.

I save peoples lives 

even if they try to commit suicide.

We protect and fight.

I can't even solve a puzzle.

I can solve the most complex maze.

We try our best.

I don't try to be social.

I try to get know each person.

We have friends.

I have a lot of power and control.

I don't even know what power is.

I punish people for wrong-doing

I let things slide 

when they are not serious.

We forbid chaos.

I am sarcastic in the most 

deathly situations.

I am serious 

in the most deathly situations

We try to keep everybody calm

I am not the best leader 

but people look up to me.

I am one of the best leaders 

but people despise me.

We are both leaders.

I have honor

and respect.

People try to kill me

and dishonor me.

We both have honor.

About Me.

The things I like to do are extraordinary. For one, I like school and over achieving in my education. I like to try my hardest in school no matter the challenge I face. I have one favorite subject, (I'm not saying I hate the other subjects) math. I like math because it will help you in your life. If you don'y know math you won't succeed in life because math is used everyday like school, job, and friends(To prove them wrong.) I like to read and write. If you read, you can write in a more professional way. If you write, you can read in a more professional way. It's like and endless loop.

I also have sports I like and play. One of the sports I like to participate in is swimming. Recently, my relay team (Made up of James Furbeck, Nadrian Fiesta, Danny Valdez and me) made it to state in 6th place in Chicago. We will go compete in Indiana on March 21. I also like to play tennis. My dad used to play tennis so I try to live up to the dream of becoming one of the best tennis players there are. On my free time, when it's not cold, I like to go to the park with some friends and just wander around or tag across the whole park.