Rory's English Blog

 Prompt: A conversation that changed me is when a talk I had with my old coach. He kept everything honest and told me exactly what I needed to do if I want to play college ball. It was really eye opening because nobody had really talked to me like that before. I find it as a very important conversation that I needed to have to realize all the work I need to put in to make it to that level. I am very appreciative that he felt that it was necessary to talk me in that sense and keep everything very upfront and honest. Summary: Today we did a worksheet creating our own claims and opposing claims. We also supported them with evidence and explained it. Reflection: I learned how to pull evidence from a text and connect it to my claim effectively.

 Prompt: As a kid I used to think cracks in the sidewalk were dangerous. My parents joked that stepping on them could break my mom’s back and I believed it. Every walk home from school felt like a challenge I couldn’t mess up. I would jump, stretch my steps, and change my path just to avoid touching a single line. By the time I reached the front door, it felt like I had saved her all over again. It would always be such a relief for me. My parents eventually told me that it wasn't true and I felt very lied to. Summary: Today we watched some commercials and analyzed them and did a new vocabulary assignment. Reflection: I learned about how politicians can use Ethos, Pathos, and Logos in their ads to try and convince voters to vote for them.

 Prompt: A fear I have overcome is my fear of the dark. I used to keep a light on in my room every night because I was convinced the shadows were hiding something scary. One night, the power went out and I was forced to face complete darkness for the first time. I realized the noises I heard were harmless and the shadows were just ordinary objects. From then on, I grew braver, and now I can sleep peacefully without a light. Summary: Today we did a worksheet about claims and opposing claims. Reflection: I learned how to find claims in a text and find opposing claims.

 Prompt: One topic I think that I'll have to stand up and debate is politics. Just based on what I see in the news and other stuff it seems that will be a major topic later in life. I already see some of my family members argue about it sometimes. It is a topic I think nobody will avoid in life unless they are the most neutral person there is. I also think that it will further be a topic because of the growing divide between the two political parties. Summary: We took more notes and did an activity. Reflection: I learned the different ways to create a claim.

 Prompt: A truth I was afraid to accept was the fact that all people will die one day. I realized this when my grandma died when I was a kid. It was something I am glad I learned young, but was very afraid to accept it. I think that for some people it will take them a long time to learn this truth. I would like to think that they would also be afraid to accept that truth.  Summary: We took notes about arguments. Reflection: I learned about different parts of an arugmentative essay.

 Prompt: One time I felt judged was when I had to give a presentation in front of my class. As soon as I started speaking, I noticed a few people whispering and laughing which made me think they were criticizing me. Even though I had prepared a lot, their faces made me feel nervous and unsure of myself. Later, I realized they might not have even been talking about me but in the moment it felt like all eyes were focused on my mistakes. That experience taught me how powerful judgment could be. Summary: We did a commonlit in class. Reflection: I learned the different ways you could view fear.

 Prompt: I would really curious to see how it all originated. Between the food they originally grew in that area and how they blended it all together. Also I would like to find out what relgions that they have there. That would help me understand their traditions a lot better. I also would like to try all of the foods they have because I enjoy all that I have had already and would like to enjoy more. Summary: Today we took notes on how to write different thesis statements. Reflection: I learned that thesis statements can be easy to write if you have a good strategy.

 Prompt: I enjoyed seeing all of the different creative aspects of everyone. It was interesting to see how everyone thinks and the ideas they come up with. All of the pictures were really cool to look at. Also hearing everyones poetry voice was really cool to see. My personal favorite was Grady's because it felt like he was writing from the heart.  Summary: Today we presented our poem posters and rated them. Reflection: I learned how to present my poster effectively. 

 Prompt: A time I felt like an interloper was going to my first college football. I went with a group of people who went to every game and it was my first time. It sorta felt like I was a shadow in the background of everyone else. It made me sort of disconnect from them as friends almost. It was a weird experience for me and kind of ruined our relationship. It doesn't make the most sense to me, but that is just how it ended up. Summary: We did a common lit about the interlopers. Reflection: I learned about the story the interlopers.

 Prompt: I think I will use aesthetic, affinity, and affluence the most out of all of these words. I picked aesthetic because it seems that it could very easily describe many things and make a lot of sense when doing so. I picked affinity because many people know what it means and I personally already use this word when speaking and writing. This just makes affinity seem like one of the words I will use the most. I picked affluence because it can be a good word for description and I feel like I could easily incorporate it into my daily speaking and writing. Summary: Today we made sentences and did exercises about our 15 new vocabulary words. Reflection: Today I learned 15 new vocabulary words through the definitions and practice.

 Prompt: I really like how supportive the Lakeside community is. It seems that whenever you need help with something, someone is always there to help out. I show off my school spirit by always wearing my Lakeside merch. I also participate in the spirit weeks and do the themes for all of the football games. My favorite homecoming tradition is the football game. I think that game means more to everyone than any other game. More people show up for those games and it is just a great environment. Summary: Today we took a test on the poem from earlier in the week. Reflection: I learned how to use an annotated poem to answer questions about it.

 Prompt: I enjoy hands-on activities the most. I think I learn better when I am doing something that requires me to use multiple parts of my brain and almost critical thinking skills. I find that the information sticks with me better. It allows my brain to have a cue for each topic to go back and remember. It is a situation where I think and then think back to that activity and remember the information. This works better than all of the other methods listed. Summary: Today we made our poetry posters. Reflection: I learned how to analyze a poem I made myself. 

 Prompt: The aspect of creating a poem I enjoyed the most was the creativity aspect. I found out that I had a whole different aspect of my mind that I could think through. It was really eye opening for me and I enjoyed it. It feels like I'm making my own and fake reality that my characters could almost live in. Even though for this poem I was the character in real life, it allowed me to think about different characters and realities that I would've never thought of.  Summary: Today we made our own poems. Reflection: I learned the difficulty of creating a poem. 

 Prompt: My most absurd personal experience is when I was walking my dog one night. We got approached by a wild fox in the middle of the night. I was trying to remain calm and not startle it at all. It didn't seem to be afraid and was sort of friendly. I personally thought it was just curious, but then my dog started to lunge at it and I had to get involved. Looking back, I made the bad decision to let go of my dog's leash and start to try and chase the fox away. Somehow it worked, but I can see now how bad it could've gone. Summary: Today we read and annotated a new poem. Reflection: I learned how to better annotate a poem.

 Prompt: A different rap song that fits my life right now could be Good Life by Kanye West. It’s upbeat, celebratory, and full of confidence, reflecting my joy. The playful words and smooth flow mirror how I learn information fast, precise, and with a little swag. Its message of appreciating the moment aligns with my constant engagement in each conversation, finding meaning in the exchange itself. Overall, it’s a fun song that captures curiosity, energy, and a sense of “enjoying the ride” through knowledge. Summary: Today we took our Emily Dickinson assessment. Reflection: I learned how to analyze poems at a quick pace to answer questions with that information.

 Prompt: I would fall under the sports topic and my overall life message would be about accepting failure. I feel like it is important to understand that you will fail sometimes. It is how you respond and learn from it. It can show growth and adaptation from someone. I personally would like everyone to know that and not be as upset with failing. I feel like doing sports as an idea would help convey the message in an effective way. Summary: We read 2 more poems and made our soundtrack. Reflection: I learned even more skills on analyzing poems.

 Prompt: The class has been going very well for me. I have been learning everything pretty smoothly and it comes easy to me. I feel like I am being taught well and effectively. If the rest of the year goes like how this first 4.5 weeks have gone, then it should be an easy year. The material and assignments make a lot of sense to me. I hope it stays this way for the rest of the year. Summary: Today we read and analyzed the poem, "Because I could not stop for Death." Reflection: I learned that I shouldn't fear death and should live life to the fullest.