End of year reflection

     Three new things I learned this year was, signposts, argumentative writing, and TIQA. Sign post helped understand a text at a deeper level. While argumentative writing help me make and persuade an audience better. TIQA will always apply to the way I write. My teacher had showed me how effective and important it is to incorporate in my writing. I will remember the TIQA for the rest of my life.

     What was the nicest thing someone in our class did for me this year? I think the nicest thing someone did this year was to help me gain my confidence for public speaking. They were probably more things that others did to me, but I currently don't remember.

     What is something you taught my teacher or class this year? I don’t think I taught anyone in my class something different or unique.

     I feel like the most challenging part for me this year was Vocab. At the beginning of the year I felt like I was complete garbage of it. However, as the year progressed, I saw my vocab grade improving little. Until quarter 4, I been getting none wrong. I felt proud every time I saw I got none wrong. Except for one though. But I still received a 3 on it.

     The Gun violence argument was the best piece in my opinion. I felt like I made a strong argument on that and showed how important this issue is to everyone. If you haven’t read it, check it out on my blog.

     Of the books you read this year's which was your favorite? Why? The Watson go to Birmingham is my favorite book currently. It has humor and it good life lessons in my opinion. I also could relate to one of the characters in the book to be honest.

     What advice would you give students who will be in this class next year? I have bit to advice to give. For starters, give it your all. Don't do work to minimum, requirements, or barebones. Give it your all. You will be able to impress your peers, teachers, and your parents when your report card comes rolling in. Also participate as much you can, so the class can be more interesting and fun. Always have your homework turned in, or else you'll be placed into working lunch. Don't take it as a punishment, take it as a opportunity, to do your work. One more piece of advice for the class of 2017 - 2018…… Just have fun!

Music

                                                                       Music

                                                                By: Erik Lopez





As a little kid, my radio became my brother. When I hear the groove, I always, no matter where I am, move with the rhythm of the beat. It can be the same for others too. Music inspires us to keep going, depends on what you listen to. Therefore, I believe in music.


I was at the age of 8, I was on my way to my house from school. As I got out of the garage, I saw two boxes. I was kind of disappointed, because the boxes were small. I opened them anyway, I was discombobulated. It was a radio and a portable CD player. I was curious how it worked. My grandma came out of the bushes like if she was a predator hunting on a prey, she scared the poop out of me (Not literally). She turned the magic switch on the radio and I felt like I entered into a whole new world. I completely ignored the portable CD player. Music became my brother that day. I wasn't a huge fan of it, but I realized there were so many options to choose from.


    I eventually started to use the CD player more because I won't have any interruptions with the CD’s compare to the radio. It had a huge impact on me. It lifted me up when I was feeling down. It helped me keep going no matter what. I cherished the CD player for a few years. Until, it broke. Nowadays, I used a portable speaker and my Spotify with my phone. Due to tech evolving quickly.
I will continue to use this In future when I'm feeling anything else besides happy.

Music inspires us to keep going, depend on what you listen to. Therefore, I believe in music. I also encourage you do also

Literature Circle/Non-Fiction Article blog

     My essential question for my article was how does the racism impact the child’s point of view and behavior. This ties into my book because it was similar to the essential question I had for the book; how does Birmingham change the Watson as a whole. The Watson goes Birmingham, Alabama to visit their grandmother and to have small vocation. While they're in Birmingham, they find the truth and see segregation.

     The book ties into an article called Racism Harms Children's Health, survey finds. The article states, Anderson tracked answers to this question, and compared them to the prevalence of various health issues that children were reported as having, including obesity and ADHD....She also found that children who had been exposed to racism were also more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression (Paragraph 5-6). This quote shows kids feel closed minded and dehumanized in society. Which can eventually lead to mental disorder and behavior issues. This could explain why Byron had terrible behavior. African- Americans faced the struggle at all ages. Even kids.

     Kenny finds this out through out the book. According to the book, “Watsons Go To Birmingham”, it prints, “We'd seen the pictures of a bunch of really mad white people with twisted-up faces screaming and giving dirty finger signs to some little Negro kids who were trying to go to school. I'd seen the pictures but I didn't really know how these white people could hate some kids so much (Curtis 122-23)" While Kenny hears this, he observed the other African-Americans kids and he notice they soaked it in and believed they were meant to be treatbed like that. Which was totally off. This could lead up to the kids devolving mental issues.

MLA:

     Jackson, Reginald André., and Christopher Paul. Curtis. The Watsons go to Birminghan--1963. Woodstock, IL: Dramatic Publishing, 2011. Print.

     Panko, Ben. "Racism Harms Children’s Health, Survey Finds." Smithsonian.com. Smithsonian Institution, 05 May 2017. Web. 12 May 2017.

Book blog.

So far the book is about introducing the watsons. And how they're preparing their way to Birmingham. They also are introducing each and everyone of the characters.

    Do I think the characters are realistic? Yes I do. The author gives each of the character a unique, funny, and interesting characteristic. Byron, is the troublemaker and the one that tries to act “Mr. Cool Daddy” according to the book. Which I see that he acts like that. He behaves so terribly that he got his head shaved and became Balón. Which is balled. However he isn't always cool, like the little things makes him seem like a little child again.

    If you could talk to the author, what questions would you ask? And why? I would ask him how could he live to having a brother like Byron day to day. The reason why I'm asking him that is because he gives Kenny a very hard time. He picks on Kenny, and allows other kids at the school to pick on him also. I would also ask if their relationship is still the same?