"Dreams" by Langston Hughs poem poster (re-uploaded)
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As the first semester comes to an end, take time to reflect on your learning and growth in this course. In a well-developed response, explain what you enjoyed most about the class, identify the project or assignment you found most engaging, and discuss which aspect of the course you connected with the most (such as poetry, fiction, writing, or discussion). Finally, reflect on one area where you feel you need additional support or improvement as we move into the spring semester.
Prompt Response: One thing that I have enjoyed the most was bettering connections with my friends. This has allowed me to have a closer-knit group of people in this class and also insight on who I can rely on. One of my favorite topics that we have done in that class, and the thing that I have connected the most with was poetry. I have found it so fascinating on how these authors have described their perspective of the world, with such precise description and vocabulary. Summary: Today I have my 7th period final. Reflection: Today I learned that I should study more for the subjects I am not the strongest in.
Many holidays center around traditions. Describe one tradition that is important to you or your family and explain why it still matters (or why it no longer does).
Prompt Response: One thing that is a tradition in my family is coming together during the holidays. This is important because it brings my whole family together. This is important because family is one of the most important things in life, in my opinion, and it is important that we stay close by gathering during the holidays. Summary: Today we had a rest day before finals. Reflection: Today I learned that I should act quicker to get a better outcome.
How have the holidays changed as you have grown older? Compare your experiences of the holidays during childhood with how you experience them now, focusing on shifts in perspective, responsibilities, or emotional meaning.
Prompt Response: I feel that the holidays are less magical than I remember them being. They don't have the same Whimsy that they did when I was younger. I think when I was younger, I was more gullible and had more to believe in and look forward to, but now that I am older I only have things to expect. Summary: Today we did vocab. Reflection: Today I learned new vocabulary words.
Write about something you’ve outgrown but still miss.
Prompt Response: Something that I have outgrown that I miss is being creative. I feel that as I've gotten older, I have gotten less and less creative. Maybe this is because I am so focussed on school, or maybe I feel I don't have time to think to myself as much. Summary: Today we got a preview of our project. Reflection: Today I learned that I have all the time I want to think about whatever I want.
Write about something that you can't stop thinking about.
Prompt Response: Something I cannot stop thinking about is my concert. This has been plaguing me because I am hoping to do a good job. I am also concerned that I do not know my pieces that well. Summary: Today we did an elaborate activity. Reflection: Today I learned that you should not be stressed about small things.
Write about the best gift you have received.
Prompt Response: The best gift I have ever received was the gift of friendship between me and my best friend Stella. We have been friends with each other for 8 years now, and she had been with me through thick and thin. Before she moved away to College, we would have sleepovers almost every single weekend, and hang out just about every afternoon. I miss her when she's away, but I'm excited for when she comes back this Thursday. Summary: Today we learned some new vocabulary. Reflection: Today I learned many new vocab words.
In “I, Too,” the speaker expresses pride in his identity and his rightful place in America. Reflect on your own life: What aspect of your cultural identity are you most proud of, and why?
Prompt Response: I think out of everything in my identity, I am proud to be a woman. Over centuries, women have been through similar struggles and also have been able to open up to one another and share how they are and even how they can overcome them. I think it is so beautiful to be a woman, because it allows for a close-knit community of similar people with similar thoughts, ideas, and even pains. Summary: Today we read and annotated the poem "I, too" Reflection: Today I learned what it means to be an American.
In “We Real Cool,” the speakers make choices that seem exciting, bold, and rebellious, even though those choices lead to consequences. Write about a moment in your own life when you followed what looked cool or fun, only to realize afterwards that it wasn’t the smart or responsible path. What influenced your decision, and how did your perspective change later?
Prompt Response: When I was in elementary school, there were two high school kids who would come to our playground and hang out during our play time after school. The school had a program for kids to stay after school until their parents came to pick them up and take them home. I would often find myself talking to them or trying to hang out with them to seem cool. They would always spin this diamond shaped mechanism that you could sit on, and the teens always tried to outdo each other on how fast they could spin it. One day, they brought a rope to the playground to get the ultimate spin. They had tied the rope along the bottom of the diamond spinning device so they could pull one end and begin spinning it with much greater ease and speed. However, as they started spinning it, my leg had gotten caught in the rope and as they pulled one end, the rope tightened more and more until I was screaming in pain because it had wrapped around my leg so tight. I then decided to ne...
Discuss something meaningful or memorable you experienced over the break, or reflect on what you felt most thankful for during that time.
Prompt Response: Something that I did over break that was very meaningful to me was ice skating with my boyfriend. We had already ice skated together with some friends a bit prior to us ice skating together, but it was a very fun experience. I am a pretty skilled skater myself, while he is not exactly the most talented when it comes to ice skating. It meant a lot to me that he decided to join me because in the days prior, he had gotten a terrible blister from the skates on his foot, so seeing him skate through his discomfort meant a lot to me. Summary: Today in class we started some new vocabulary. Reflection: Today I learned the definitions to some new words.
After watching the short film Identity, write a blog post reflecting on how the masks in the film represent the pressure to fit in and the struggle to discover who you really are. Choose one moment from the film that stood out to you and explain why. Then, connect the film’s message to Langston Hughes’ poem “I, Too” and to the mask you are creating in class. What part of your identity do you want your mask to reveal?
Prompt Response: After watching the short film "Identity", I have observed that everyone in that film is wearing a mask. The masks are used as a metaphor of fitting in with the crowd, by covering up who you truly are to present another version of yourself that could be seen as more appealing to others. A moment that stood out to me in the short film was when a teen switched from one mask to another. This example of changing a mask around different groups of people demonstrates how we change ourselves to appeal and fit in with others. The part of my identity that I would want my mask to show is how friendly I am and how adaptable I can be. Summary: Today in class we continued our masks. Reflection: Today I learned how almost everyone changes their identity to fit in with others.