Aubrey’s English Blog

 prompt: A tradition in my family is that we always wait to light the Christmas tree when all the family is gathered around, even if the rest of the decorations are up. We've been doing this since I was a child and it symbolizes the value of wanting the family to be together. Even though all the other decorations are up, we wait for the most important part (turning on tree lights) to be done when everyone is gathered to treat it like a ceremony.  summary: finished watching half of the color purple and completed half 3/4 worksheet to my best abilities reflection: learned to compare and contrast medias  merry christmas

 prompt: The holidays have changed me as a person as i've learned how to value my connection with family. During the year I don't see my family in New York as often, and the holidays is the only way I can connect with them in person and have enough time to spend time with them without the stress of school work or having school the next day in general. During my childhood when I actually lived within walking distance to my whole family, the holidays were just another day, as spending time with family was a regular thing. I would say now that i'm older, I see the holidays as something extremely precious, even though just spending Christmas with my mom for some years is just as meaningful to me.  summary: started watching movie and doing comparison of novel portrayal and film portrayal. reflection: learned how to analyze the difference in impact between portrayal of scenes. 

 prompt: I have been forgiving of a persons behavior that has wronged me before. Particularly with a friend I had, they were constantly doing things that broke a personal boundary I had, but after a conversation we were able to talk it out and come to a mutual agreement for behaviors to change. And overall, I had forgive the person and gave them another chance, and that made me feel more mature. The novel helps me understand the nuance to certain dynamics within families and romantic relationships. It shows how not everyone is perfect with the way they act, and behind every family and relationship lies imperfections and second chances, like with Celie and Albert, Shug, or even the distance that existed between Celie and Nettie.  Summary: Worked on literature circle assignment and collaborated with group. reflection: learned how to collaborate with ideas about a text, and apply it to come with summaries and main ideas

 Prompt: A song that brings back a specific memory is Creep by TLC. This song immediately reminds me of Saturday mornings when my mom would play music and start cleaning the house early in the morning. As soon as the song plays I get reminded of those times and taken back to my childhood bedroom, knowing i’d have to get up soon and help with chores. summary: answered reflective questions about letters after reading them in class. reflection: developed skills with applying analysis to questions 

 prompt: The best gift I've ever received was when I was a little girl and I was gifted a huge Barbie dreamhouse. As a kid this was the one toy I wanted very badly, and my parents told me over and over I wasn’t going to receive it. Though in the end it was there and I was probably the happiest I’ve ever been over a gift. If toys were still socially acceptable to have as a teenager, I would’ve kept my dreamhouse.  summary: read a few more chapters and worked on questions  reflection: learned how to apply chapters read to analytical questions 

 prompt: A moment I realized something in my life wasn’t what it was made out to be was in fifth grade when I found out the Georgia Milestones were more of an evaluation of the school rather than the student. Now obviously I knew I needed to pass that test to advance to the next grade, but I found out that all standardized test scores are used to see how the school is performing. Once I realized how standardized test scores were used, I stopped viewing them as such a stressful event, and it helped me perform better on state mandated tests. summary: worked on found poem and read a few chapters  reflection: learned how to turn pre-existing writing into a new creative piece.

 prompt: If I was Celine and I discovered Albert has been hiding Nettie’s letters for such a long time I would feel just as angry as she did. The circumstances she was under being in a loveless marriage, and then finding out the one person that loves you, your sister, was being blocked by Albert would infuriate anyone. What I would do is pretend I didn’t know to not raise any suspicions from Albert, and find a way to secretly write back to Nettie, maybe asking Shug to mail letters for me. I wouldn’t be able to see Albert the same, I would feel betrayed and see him as corrupt.  summary: read and worked on quiz  reflection: learned how to better apply reading to thematic questions 

 prompt: A relationship that changed over time for me was my dad. At first I used to think he was really cold and the only thing he did was work, but as I got older I realized that he was doing a lot to provide for me and my mom and didn't have time to show off all the other sides he had. What changed for me was one time on my birthday when he had flew to Georgia and spent three days with me to celebrate. It really let me see all the hard work he put in and also appreciate him more as a person and not just a dad.  summary: read up to letter 60  reflection: learned how internalize what I read and analyze broader themes and commentary

 Prompt: Something memorable that happened to me over the break was visiting my family in New York. I love to travel so it was very fun and enjoyable to be in the city and be around my family that I don't get to see often. Besides dinner, my favorite part of the break was being able to tour the college that I plan to attend in the city. It was very interesting and made me feel thankful of all the hard work my parents have put in to get me to this point, and also grateful to myself for surviving through high school and getting into college. Summary: read chapters 46-50 of The color purple and answered reflective questions Reflection: learned how to take a piece of text and analyze the development of characters and conflicts.