, cOmm3n+ mAh j@wnsz !

Violence, whether it be physical, sexual, or verbal is a major issue that we are all exposed to when being a part of the Philadelphia school community. If you haven’t been a victim you have been a witness and any one who says other wise is either in denial or a lucky 1 in a million. I believe this article only pointed out the obvious for students attending Philadelphia schools and teachers and staff employed at these schools or working for the school district. The title was catchy, I’ll give them that but it didn’t give me unheard of information or really any insight or solution to the problems at hand.

I must say I’m sick of magnet schools being praised for their “lack of violence” and charter and catholic schools receiving similar praising, as they were in this article. I attend a “magnet” school and I know for a fact that half of  the violent acts go either unnoticed, unpunished, and unreported. School leaders worry so much about their reputation, they take little to no action in punishing these violent kids, everything is in a way hushed. With little to no consequence where is the students opportunity to progress or learn from their mistakes? On the other hand we have charter schools with zero tolerance acts, a kid commits a violent act and is kicked out and sent to a public school. The public school is now responsible for yet another “violent” kid. Kicking a kid out will not help the situation, seeing as they didn’t care about the consequences when acting violently, the chances of them caring about getting kicked out are slim to none. And then we have catholic schools who also practice acts of zero tolerance, little about physical violence is heard of from these schools. But yet  lately they are seen on every news channel in the country with reports of molestation and other forms of sexual abuse against its pupils. Parents believe sending their children to these private academies will keep them away from the violent “delinquents” in the public school systems. Whether they realize it or not they have chosen between their child being assaulted in a public school or sexually abused in this new “zero tolerance” public school.

Another thing that stood out to me was how Akerman ridiculed teachers ways of handling the violent situations that occur in their classrooms. Call me crazy but if twenty kids ran into my classroom and began fighting, as a teacher I would feel helpless and wouldn’t know what to do. It is up to the teacher to TEACH the kids not play baby sitter and security guard. Then when a teacher does try and defend another kid or even herself against a mob of kids she is accused of assaulting a minor.The situation is a lose, lose for the teachers. It is up to Akerman to provide more security or for the rules relating to a teacher’s defense to change so the teacher doesn’t have to hesitate in helping a student out in fear of loosing their job. Akerman needs to take responsibility seeing as she is the one who appoints security and teachers, not make up excuses and ridiculing the people she once chose to teach “her” students.

I believe an increase in security guards, camera installations, and the building of more schools would help decrease the violence. The more guards there are means more guards in more places. Chances are they will be near when an incident happens and can break up an argument before it escalates to a fight or any acts of violence. It shouldn’t take a riot for cameras to be installed in a school. Every school should have cameras ensuring a more efficient way of surveying the school. Also if a crime does occur the school doesn’t have to resort to listening to heresy and putting pressure on other students to “tattle” on their peers. Building more schools simply would ensure a less populated environment. So many of Philadelphia’s schools are over populated. It causes so much stress  and it is extremely hard for teachers to teach efficiently to classes with 30+ kids.

No Philadelphia school will ever be perfect but standing around just talking about the problems will get nothing done. Some progress is better than no progress. The school districts need to make some drastic changes if they wish to see positive happenings in Philadelphia schools. Next year is my last year of high school so I doubt anything will really change from here to now but knowing that things could be different and more positive for our future primary and secondary scholars would be nice to know.

The first quote that stood out to me and gave me a greater understanding of this book is “When the evening is over they’ll both remark on how intelligent the young man seems, so dignified,with the measured gestures, the graceful draping of one leg over another-and how about that accent! but would they let their daughter marry one?” Obama here describes how great a man his father appears to his mothers parents, yet he still is doubtful as to whether or not he will be accepted. Also when he doesn’t refer to his father as a man in the last sentence but almost as an object “marry one”. This to me shows that he is aware of the fact that his father is different from anything his mothers parents would usually accept, almost as if he falls into another category of human.

Later on in this novel as I was reading I stumbled upon this quote “You best talk to your daughter, Mr. Dunham white girls don’t play with coloreds in this town.”. Obama’s grand parents tried so hard to be accepting to other races, they even called to complain about other kids bullying the colored, and that was the response they got. you would think they were oblivious to the whole white’s and colored seperation “rule.” This makes me wonder if they were really oblivious or in denial because it seems as if even Obama himself understood the racism so why couldn’t they see it? This quote helps me understand both the ignorance of the white racists and the white’s who thought themselves not to be racist.

Lastly during my reading of this book this particular quote helped me to understand  the book better “Better to be strong. If you can’t be strong be clever and make peace with someone who’s strong. but always better to be strong. Always.” This was a quote from the first father like figure Obama ever had, this explains certain parts of Obama’s upbringing and almost gives excuses as to why he did some of the things he did. This piece of advice from his step father most likely contributed to how Obama turned out as an adult, a strong leader.

Month of the book:December
Title of the book:The Lovely Bones
Author of the book:Alice Sebold

- What do you think was the author’s purpose in writing this book? To entertain readers.
- Who do you think is the intended audience for this book? Teenagers , and people who enjoy ghost like storys and suspense.
Rate the book from 1-10 ( 90

MY CHOSEN QUESTION :

- Describe the character/person who changed the most from beginning of the book to the end of the book. Explain the change and what caused it. ( I feel as though Susie, the main character changed the most from the begining to the end of the book. She went from an immature girl who couldnt  let go of the past , afraid of what might happen if she let go of what used to be her life on earth. Towards the end of the book she realized letting go was better for her and the people she loved on earth. In heaven she can now be content and on earth her family and friends can rest easier since she finally let go.

Month of the book- December
Title of the book-Vanishing Acts
Author of the book- Jodi Picoult

- What do you think was the author’s purpose in writing this book? To entertain readers and to teach a lesson, sometimes people break laws because they feel that it is neccassary.
- Who do you think is the intended audience for this book? Teenage girls and older.
- Rate the book from 1-10 (10)

CHOSEN QUESTION:

- Evaluate the ending of the book. Considering how the book unfolded, is it an effective ending? Why or why not? ( I felt the end of the book was very unexpected and different. It wasnt exactly thehappy ending that people may have predicted before they finished reading. Although Delia’s fiance helps keep her father out of jail she sticks to her morals and leaves him because she doesnt want his drinking problem to ruin her family)

Month of the book*
Title of the book*
Author of the book*

What do you think was the author’s purpose in writing this book?To entertain and show everyday struggles that kids are faced with and the outcomes when they stand up for themselves.
Who do you think is the intended audience for this book? Teenagers and older. Everyone who enjoyed the movie.
Rate the book from 1-10 (9)

CHOSEN QUESTION:

If this book had gone one more chapter, what would have happened? Explain. ( In the end of this story Anna ironically dies. All her life she has saved her sister with donations from her body to help fight her sisters leukimia. In the end when justice is finally served and anna now has a choice in whether or not she wants to donate she tragically dies and her sister who was on her death bed lives. If the story was to go oon for another chapter I think it would be an epilogue of what happens to kate because they already tell alittle about her later life)

1. Morrison personifies winter when using it to describe certain attributes that Mr.MacTeer posseses. For example in the text she describes his face saying  “his skin takes on a pale, cheerless yellow of winter sun” . she also uses the metaphor ” his high forehead is the frozen sweep of the erie, hiding currents of gelid thoughts that eddy in the darkness”. his forehead isnt really frozen or the erie for that matter but it compares  to it.

2.pecola is cornered and ridiculed by the group of boys. she crys and does not stand up for herself, she feels helpless. This happens a lot in common bullying, people are called names and are too afraid to fight back/stand up for them selves.

3. Maureen is everything the girls feel they arent and has everything they lack. She is upper class compared to the other kids and its obvious she has money.She also has confidence.Lots of the kids AND grownups look up to her. Maureen started out trying to be friendly with Pecola but soon changed her approach and began asking questions leading to what she was really curious about, pecola’s father.

4.Claudia and Freida were always content with themselves. Until they met “perfect” maureen. Then they begin questioning their self worth. They always felt so good about themselves but they notice how people treat maureen and they wonder if they are good enough.

5. When the MacTeer sisters meet the prostitues they stay away and avoid going near them. This shows that they listen to everything that their mother told them about the ladies.

6.Geraldine is the mother of junior. One of the boys that bothered Pecola. She values her cat above everyone including her son.She is percieved by others to be a perfect person. She rarely loves anything so to love the cat the way she does means she finds something speacial aboout it.

7.She gives junior everything he needs without showing affection towards him.  Her son realizes that the cat gets treated better and begins to hate it. Expressing his hatred for it. The way Geraldine treats junior may be the reason why he is mean and cold towards pecola. He takes out his anger on others because he does not feel loved.

8. Junior previously in the book ridiculed pecola, later her acts like he wants to be friends with her so he can trick her into going into his house.Juniors mother treats pecola like shes trash. yelling at her and calling her names. Like in so many other situations pecola doesnt stick up for herself. and this only leaves her worse off.

http://storycorps.org/listen/stories/kioni-popcorn-marshall-and-her-father-minister-beau-harris/

This interview type story was about a father asking his daughter her feelings towards the fact that he entered her life when she was five years old. he also acts how she feels about the fact that her mother never even suggested her meeting him until she was five.

i like how it feels so real. the girl is so young yet she knows what she wants to say and doesnt back down from saying it.

i choose this story because in a way it relates to me. i always lived with both parents but my father recently began living some where else. for the first fifteen years of my life i wouldnt exactly say we had a good relationship. now that he doesnt live with me he tries to make it up to me, some times i feel like i forgive him and other times i just wish he would stay away.

Month of the book: October
Title of the book: The Bell Jar
Author of the book:Sylvia Plath

What do you think was the author’s purpose in writing this book? – For enjoyment purposes, not only that but to show a girls struggle through a mid life crisis and how she got through it. She thought people could relate or learn from Esters experience.
Who do you think is the intended audience for this book? – Any school kids, mainly high school and college kids. Although the characters were in college its about growing up and discovering yourself. This process usually happens to teens and up.
Rate the book from 1-10*

ONE QUESTION :

Describe a minor character/person in the book who had major importance. Explain. – Buddy Willard was brought up in the book a few times, usually during flash backs or just things that reminded Ester of him. Buddy Willard was what Ester thought was her first love. she had always looked at him from a distance and ends up in what he thinks is a serious relationship. She came to find out he was a hypocrite and changed her views on many things in life, mostly about men.

Month of the book: November
Title of the book: A walk to Remember
Author of the book:Nicholas Sparks

What do you think was the author’s purpose in writing this book? – to entertain people , its one of those books that you can’t stop reading and reading keeps you occupied.
Who do you think is the intended audience for this book?- young girls , or anyone interested in romance.

Rate the book from 1-10- 9 , first book to ever make me cry lol

ONE QUESTION:

Describe the character/person who changed the most from beginning of the book to the end of the book. Explain the change and what caused it. – I would have to say Landon changes the most from the beggining to the end of this book. In the beggining of the book he was all about fitting in with his friends and didnt care much for others feelings. towards the end he starts to show a more emotional / compassionate side and even reaches out to his father(who he dislikes) for help.

1. Why does Morocco fear Portia will reject him at the

-his skin is dark
2. What is Bassanio’s reservation about Gratiano accompanying him to Belmont?

-He says Gratiano may come but he has to be on his best behavior, his normal everyday behavior is horrible.
3. What is Jessica’s dilemma concerning her father, Shylock?

-She wants to marry a Christian, her father will dissapprove because he’s a Jew.
4. How does Lorenzo plan to disguise Jessica in order for her to escape from her father?

- She is to dresss as a boy

5. Before going to dine with Antonio and Bassanio, what advice does Shylock give his daughter?

-”Do as I told you. Shut the doors after you. As the saying goes, lock things up, and you’ll get to keep them.” lock all the doors and ignore the party.

6. Why does Jessica not want Lorenzo to see her when he arrives at Shylock’s house?

-because shes embarressed about how she looks  being dressed as a boy.

7. What is Morocco’s rationale for choosing the gold casket?

“He who chooses me will get what many men want.” he thinks this means many men want and seek Portia, so its “obviously” this onee.

8. What news has Salerio heard, making him anxious?

-A ship crashed in England and he’s worried that it belongs to Antonio.

9. How does Solanio interpret Antonio’s sadness at Bassanio’s departure?

- He says that he thinks Antonio is only happy with Bassonio,

10. Which casket does Aragon choose, and why?

-he who chooses me gets what they deserve, sliver. he assumed he deserved the best.

October 19th, 2010 —

” The Lady and Her Dog” is a story about and older man and younger woman who fall in love when meeting on vacation. They are both married, and unsatisfied with their marriages. They begin an affair but are afraid of what people will say if they see each other publicly. So the relationship is nothing but stressful and bitter sweet.

When reading this story all I could think of is how selfish and child like the characters act. They deserve the stress and hardships of trying to continue their sinful relationship. All they do is complain about their spouses, yet from what i read they are the only ones doing wrong.

Anna’s husband is both giving and tries to be compassionate but Anna pushes him away. She lives a luxurious life and we don’t see her complaining about that. She knew when getting married what vows she was taking. By cheating on her husband it only makes her look ungrateful and inconsiderate and inhumane.

Gurov’s wife is the average stay at home mother, she raises three children and still does house hold chores. Gurov is selfish and only thinks about his self . Once you are married and have children your life style can no longer be the same as a young party hard college boy. You have to take responsibility, if Gurov doesn’t want the marrige now then there is a big chance he didn’t want to marry to begin with .Therefore he should have never married if he wanted to lay around.  For all the readers know Gurov’s opinion of his wife is completely off due to the fact that his thoughts towards woman are all degrading.

Once one marries they know what they are in for. No one should be as selfish as these two characters to run around with each other. This could ruin the lives of his kids and scar them forever if people find out because people may ridicule them. Hurting the innocent kids that only want to be loved. Gurov should have never approached Anna and him and her being in love would be outta question. But he did and now the consequences they most both pay.

Questions

1. I much better prefered Chekov’s story , the point of retelling the story is to show both points of vies from each main character.

4. She is so unhappy once the affair starts because she knows she can never truly be Gurovs, they will always have to be kept a secret. She begings to be suicidal because she wants Gurov but knows it can’t be so this depresses her to the point pof suicide.

7. The quote ” What triumph to love like this in any room,anywhere, risking even the craziest of accidents” shows that Anna no longer is stressed with the situation, she now embraces it and is TRULY happy. This shows that she has a low character. She is very selfish and doesnt think of consequenses.

9. In the end of the story I don’t think Anna is repeating herself, in the beggining of the affair Anna was depressed and unsure. Now she has developed new feelings and she is content and comfortable with the situation.

” What it means to form a bond”

To enter a bond with another person is to find yourself comfortable around another. You enjoy the time spent with them. They become significant  to you and you risk stuff in order to see them happy.

In the story Anna & Gurov enter a sinful bond. Although they know its wrong they spend endless hours together because they enjoy each others company. They risk things like their family because their connection with each other is so strong.

I am from Juniata

Identical houses

Don’t pay attention end up at the wrong home

People drinking and smoking

Irresponsible parents leave their kids all alone

Giving respect, don’t get it in return

Promiscuous teenage girls out late at night

seeking attention that they yearn.

Coming from ” don’t complains”

Money don’t grow on trees

Mess up your clothes deal with the stains

Schools the most important priority

Rush home do my work

Inside five out of seven days

Do it for your self, “no ones gonna fave your way”‘s

Holidays mean less and less

When I was younger it was exciting

Rapping shiny colored paper

No more of that once you’re a teenager

Parents learn slowly that giving money as a gift is much safer

Where I grew up way too fast

Thought I knew it all

Get let down

Things change but the memories still last

So, I decided to make a post non-school related to start off. Just my opinion about this website. Well for starters I don’t like the fact that there isn’t a spell check. I’m a poor speller. I’m really confused as to how I edit anything on I guess what you call my profile. If  i’ m not feeling too lazy after this post I will ” google ” it because I find my profile a little bit boring. BTW(by the way) just a random thought I am going to have horrible spelling and punctuation due to the fact that  I facebook too much & take short cuts with words . I already had to go back & re-spell words to make this look more intelligent…