Marissa Rodriguez
5-13-11
3/4
8th Grade Essay Portfolio:
Response to Literature: Tell Tale Heart
“Would a madman have been so wise as this?” I think yes! As stated in the quote, a murderer can be wise, cunning, and crazy all at the same time. Proof of this lies within the pages of Edgar Allen Poe’s Tell Tale Heart, The sinister story of a mentally insane perpetrator, sends spine-tingling chills down your body as you read of his plot to kill an old man all because of his “Evil Eye.” He spends eight nights stocking the man as he slept and then finally moves in for the kill. This is certainly not your average hit-and-run murderer. “I dragged him to the floor, and pulled a heavy bed over him.” the murderer states on page 628. “I then took up three planks from the flooring of the chamber, and deposited all between the scantlings. I then replaced the boards so cleverly, so cunningly, that no human eye-not even his- could have detected anything wrong.”(Pg.628) By suffocating the poor old man with his own bed, the madman had committed his crime without a spot of blood or a hint of evidence. But, Poe puts a twist in his story. “I admit the deed!” cries the killer, “-tear up the planks- here, here it is, the beating of his hideous heart!”(Pg.630) At the end of Tell Tale Heart, the menacing killer’s insanity fuses with his guilt and makes the man go crazy and tell authorities of his ghastly quest. This eerie tale is a thrilling masterpiece that has a riveting plot, mind-blowing imagery, and an ominous mood that might scare you, but will keep readers at the edge of their seat!
Edgar Allen Poe’s terrifying and exhilarating book has a mysterious plot that keeps your eyes on the pages, always wanting more. “I made up my mind to take the life of the old man.”(Pg.625) This quote is a significant part of the plot because it’s the first time you hear what the story is about. I thought it was interesting how the character in Poe’s story was so straightforward and the quotation was written so there was not a hint of doubt in his voice. “I think it was his eye! Yes, it was this!”(Pg.625) The eye is the reason that the horrid man wants to kill his victim. This quote clearly shows that the plot line of the story is both frightening and a little strange. The idiosyncratic way the killer in the story deals with his problems is what makes the plot so intriguing.
The way Edgar Allen Poe uses imagery is fantastic! It’s as if he is opening a portal to the book, so you can see with your own eyes. “He had the eye of a vulture- a pale blue eye, with a film over it.”(pg.625) The vivid descriptions make it seem as if the eye was right in front of you. The way the eye vexes the man would not be as clear without the fabulous use of imagery that described it. “There came to my ears a low, dull, quick sound, such as a watch makes when enveloped in cotton.”(pg.630) This quote is not only a brilliant example of great description but also explains how the killer in the story is a madman. The sound he portrays is the beating of a dead man’s heart, which only further proves that this man is crazy. It also deposits the sound he is hearing into your own ears.
As the killer explains in detail his nights spying on the old man, there is a spine-chilling mood that gives the sensation of eccentricity. “He was stone dead. His eye would trouble me no more.”(pg.629) The image Edgar Allen Poe sets in your mind with this one sentence can change your mood and the tone throughout the rest of the story. With this quote, your mood would probably be sympathy or a bit of sadness. “I admit the deed! –tear up the planks”(Pg.630) I find this sentence to be the most excellent example of a mood and tone setting in the whole book. It gives the reader that “WOAH!” factor and make the story a much more attention grabbing.
For anyone thinking about reading this book, I would highly recommend it! The plot line is mesmerizing and will keep you hooked. You will feel like you’re experiencing what’s going on inside the book. Lastly, the tale will make sure the reader’s mood is always changing. Edgar Allen Poe is an exquisite author!
1.) Did I enjoy this essay? Yes, I enjoyed writing this very much. The book really captured my attention and it was fun to write about a scary story because I could use interesting words.
2.) Was the topic interesting to me? Yes, The Tell Tale Heart was one of the most intriguing books I had read in a while and it was a very interesting thing to write about.
3.) What is something I am proud of in this essay? I’m proud of how I wrote the reading response because my goal was to turn a piece of writing that usually wouldn’t be interesting to read into something that grasped a reader’s attention and I think I accomplished that goal.
4.) What is something I need to improve in my essay? I think it’s a little choppy, especially in the first paragraph. I could’ve used a few more sentences in between certain parts so it wouldn’t skip around so much.
5.) How did this essay help me in my growth as a writer? I don’t think I had ever written a reading response before this so it definitely helped me to learn new styles of writing and if I ever wanted to become a movie or a book critic this was a good way to learn.
One in a Million!
Dreams may not always come true, but that might mean a better path has been taken. Kevin Michael Desmond’s life is a brilliant example of this. Born March 16, 1964 to Jackie and Les Desmond, Kevin grew up as a frivolous and athletic kid in Santee, California. Although he had many achievements, Mr. Desmond’s most capacious, would most likely be the major league baseball draft of 1982.
As a child, Kevin spent a lot of his time playing baseball. He and his friends would play from morning until dinnertime, almost everyday. “My childhood was a lot like the movie The Sandlot.” Which is essentially about small-town boys who amour the game and play no-matter what the weather or time of day, of course, there is a voluminous adventure thrown in between. Unlike most young boys, Kevin found his calling and knew what he wanted to do with the rest of his life at about the age of ten. “I had been in little league for two years and I really liked it.” Most people would say that all 10-year-old boys want to be baseball players when they grow up, but how many have actually pursued that dream? From that moment on, Kevin worked exorbitantly hard and practiced almost everyday. “I was not a natural at all, I had to work really hard to be good.” Kevin stated when asked if he was always recherché at baseball. Finally, all of his hard work was about to pay off.
“I was 17 years old, 1982.” The Boston Red Sox were picking a few felicitous young men to play for their minor league team and eventually, if efficacious, the majors. The time was now, after over 9 years of little league, high school teams, and hours of daily practice, Kevin would finally know if his efforts were expedient. Then it was announced, 100’s of thousands of people across the nation competing against him, and he was a chosen one! “I was excited! All of my hard work was paying off!” Kevin had done it! He had followed his dreams and triumphed in the end.
After the perplexing day, Mr. Desmond spent all of his time practicing and working rigorously. However, two weeks later, this strenuous endeavor proved too much for him. “During a championship tournament, I did a headfirst dive on a base and dislocated my shoulder.” He was in great pain and knew something was wrong. “I felt disappointed, and I was worried that my career could be over.” Long months and many surgeries later, Kevin’s shoulder was healed but not completely. He was no longer able to play on the Red Sox minor league team. There was no guarantee that he would’ve played for the major league team, but he wishes that he could have had a chance. Although, he says he is happy with the way his life turned out and wouldn’t change it.
In conclusion, Kevin Desmond’s life was filled with adventure! Even though it didn’t go exactly the way he planned, this man has had a fulfilling life and has learned a lot. “The major league baseball draft of 1982 was an achievement, but not my biggest, or the one I’m most proud of.” Born March 16, 1964 to Jackie and Les Desmond, this Santee boy became a wonderful man who influences and inspires everyone around him.
1.) Did I enjoy this essay? I enjoyed this essay very much because it was fun to write about an amazing thing that happened in one of my family member’s life. It was also very easy because I was inspired!
2.) Was the topic interesting to me? It was super interesting to write about someone I’m close to. Especially since he did such an amazing and unique thing. It was extremely fun and easy to write about.
3.) What is something I am proud of in this essay? I am proud of how I worded the essay and I tried to widen the vocabulary and I think I did that pretty well.
4.) What is something I need to improve in my essay? It was kind of short and I skipped through a lot of things I could’ve used. I should’ve put in more detail and transitions to make it flow better.
5.) How did this essay help me in my growth as a writer? It taught me how to write a story about someone else and make it interesting. I have always been more of a fiction writer and this essay helped me learn how to write a non-fiction story and have fun with it.
The Imagator
A good artist makes drawings come to life on the paper, but what if all drawings could automatically appear right before your eyes? What if at any moment, if you needed something, all you had to do was draw? If I could create a new form of technology to make the classroom a better place, it would be a new type of drawing pad. However, my drawing template would be electronic; it could be used in classrooms for many diverse reasons, and would help students and teachers in various ways.
The electronic drawing pad, or Imagator (image-creator), would be similar to an iPad. However, my model would be strictly for pictures and artwork. The Imagator would also have the power to generate a fully developed and usable version of anything that was drawn on the screen. The screen would be the size of a normal 8x11” piece of paper and be extremely thin. I imagine it to come in various colors and have a full set of plastic pencils and paintbrushes with an eraser to make it less difficult to make details. Although, these utensils would not have bristles or graphite on the ends, they would simply be used as a decoy to make the artist feel more comfortable. Yet, what if the artist just wants a picture, not an object? There would be settings where you could just print a normal 2D paper with your drawing, a paper with your drawing in 3D, or make your drawing an actual usable object. For example, if you drew a car that car would then construct into a completely functional life-size car in a matter of minutes. This technology could also be exceedingly useful in a classroom.
In class, students and teachers are expected to have all of their papers and learning utensils with them every day. Nevertheless, there’s always moments when you’re rushing out the door and forget to grab your homework or book that you need that day. Using The Imagator, a student could draw their book or worksheet and it would appear hastily and be in the teacher’s hands right away. This also works for pencils, lunches, and anything else a student could possibly think of. Another time The Imagator would be useful is during lessons. If a teacher is having trouble describing something or trying to get the students interested, he or she could easily draw the item whether it is a living thing or inanimate object. This ability to create anything would get children focused and grasp their attention. The Imagator would also have the ability to scan. When placing a picture onto the screen the device would copy it onto the drawing pad. Once the picture is on the drawing pad you could copy it, make it bigger, or add things to it. This would be helpful for teachers because unlike normal scanners and copy machines, the copies could come out as objects. If a lesson involved a certain type of utensil that the teacher did not have, they could copy as many of the utensils as they needed. All of these uses help both the teachers and students individually.
The Imagator is helpful in numerous ways! Having the comfort of knowing that if something is forgotten it can be easily replaced or retrieved, leaves teachers and students less strained. Teachers are less frazzled because they don’t have to worry about tracking down that book or worksheet. Students benefit because then they don’t worry about a dropping grade or a teacher hounding them all day. The Imagator also helps students and teachers because there’s never a moment when they don’t have the materials they need. For example, if a lesson requires that each student needs a beaker, test tube, and certain liquids, a teacher could easily print a picture of each, scan it, and make as many of them as needed. This also decreases the amount of money teachers and schools spend on supplies. Having superfluous money would dispose of budget cuts on schools. As you can see, the Imagator has many features that would facilitate students, teachers, and schools in countless ways.
The Imagator could be one of the world’s most innovative technologies. It’s electronic and lightweight structure could help teachers and students and be useful in classrooms in copious ways. The Imagator will help the educational world by making supplies easier to receive and money less of an issue. Our schools need technology to move forward, they need technology to advance!
1.) Did I enjoy this essay?
I loved writing this essay. It didn’t take long and I liked how I got to invent something and explain how it would work and be used.
2.) Was the topic interesting to me?
I invented it. Of course it was interesting!
3.) What is something I am proud of in this essay?
I am proud of the fact that this entire essay was made up by me, even the topic! Everything was my brainpower and mine only.
4.) What is something I need to improve in my essay?
I could’ve used more figurative language and wrote it so it was more interesting to read.
5.) How did this essay help me in my growth as a writer?
It helped me learn to be inventive and serious at the same time. It also won an award so it showed me what I should do in future essays.
Shoot for the Moon!
“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”-Les Brown. When Neil Armstrong was born on August 5th, 1930 to Stephen Koenig Armstrong and Viola Louise Engel in Wapakoneta, Ohio they probably had no idea that their little infant boy would one day become a visionary and a symbol of courage and progress to the United States. Neil Alden Armstrong became a legend when he was the first person to set foot on the moon on July 20,1969. Ever since he was a young man, Armstrong’s life had been leading up to his world-changing attainment. With those first steps on the moon, Neil made an impact not just on the U.S, but the entire world!
“Gliders, sail planes, they're wonderful flying machines. It's the closest you can come to being a bird.”-Neil Armstrong (http://www.brainyquote.com) Armstrong moved around the state of Ohio for most of his childhood along with his two brothers, June and Dean Armstrong. When his family finally settled back in Wapakoneta in 1944, Neil had many jobs. However, his favorite was at the local airport. Neil’s fascinations with aviation lead him to begin flying lessons at the age of 15. On his 16th birthday, Armstrong was awarded his pilots license before receiving his driver’s license. Naturally, he decided to pursue a degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Purdue University under the Holloway Plan. Neil was called to Pensacola Naval Air Station in Florida in 1949 before he could complete his degree. When he was 20 years old, Armstrong earned his title as the youngest pilot in his squadron. He was a naval aviator until 1942 when he became a test pilot. While serving as a test pilot, Neil was chosen to be a member of the astronaut corps. "Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed."-Neil Armstrong. (http://space.about.com) His first space flight occurred in 1966 aboard Gemini 8. During this flight, he and fellow astronaut David Scott successfully performed the first docking in space between two vehicles. While this was an amazing achievement, Armstrong would soon do something that would be one for the history books for the rest of time.
On July 20,1969 Neil Alden Armstrong was the first person in history to set foot on the moon when he stated, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."-Neil Armstrong (http://thinkexist.com) He and fellow astronaut Edwin Aldrin explored the Moon's surface for 2.5 hours. The astronauts set up various scientific instruments on the surface and left behind a plaque reading, "Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the Moon. We came in peace for all mankind."-Neil Armstrong and Edwin Alden. (http://www.notablebiographies.com) They returned to the Eagle and launched themselves back to Michael Collins, who had been orbiting in the Columbia spacecraft. On July 24 Columbia returned to earth. Armstrong was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in recognition of his accomplishments and his contributions to the space program. Although Apollo 11 was his last space mission, Armstrong would continue to inspire the world with his teachings.
“I believe every human has a finite number of heartbeats. I don't intend to waste any of mine.”-Neil Armstrong. (http://thinkexist.com) After his amazing adventure, Neil left NASA and began teaching at the University of Cincinnati. There, he was a professor of aerospace engineering until 1979. In 1985 Armstrong served on the National Commission on space. He was then appointed as vice chairman of the presidential commission that investigated the Challenger explosion in 1986. Armstrong has worked for several corporations since his astronaut days, including a position as chairman of AIL Systems, Inc., an aerospace electronics manufacturer. “Mystery creates wonder and wonder is the basis of man's desire to understand.”-Neil Armstrong (http://thinkexist.com) In 1999 he was honored at a ceremony at the National Air and Space Museum at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. There, he received the Langley Medal in honor of the thirtieth anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission. Today, Neil Armstrong is married and has two children. Although Neil currently lives quietly in Ohio, he still makes occasional public appearances at the Neil Armstrong Air & Space Museum in his hometown of Wapakoneta. Since he laid foot on the surface of what once was and still is one of the most mysterious places known to man, Neil Armstrong has been impacting the world with his amazing ideas and unique knowledge.
“I guess we all like to be recognized not for one piece of fireworks, but for the ledger of our daily work.”-Neil Armstrong (http://www.brainyquote.com) Humans often ponder the unknown and want to understand the world around us. When Neil Armstrong went to the moon, he brought back first hand knowledge and proved that no matter how many people say something is impossible, anything can be achieved if you believe it can. “I was elated, ecstatic and extremely surprised that we were successful.”-Neil Armstrong (http://www.brainyquote.com) In 1969, he impacted the United States by doing the impossible and creating a pathway to higher technology. Today, Armstrong’s journey has brought us so much farther into space and shown the world what’s beyond our tiny planet. Without those footprints on the moon, the U.S might not have progressed like it did. Neil Alden is truly a visionary and a role model for people of all ages.
It started with a young boy with a passion, was achieved with a lot of hard work, and ended with the first person to successfully land on the moon. Neil Alden Armstrong worked his whole life to achieve what he did. Aside from being one of the very few people to be in space and touch another celestial object, Armstrong has much to be proud of. Including the fact that he is an inspiration to the world and will never be forgotten.
1.) Did I enjoy this essay? I learned a lot about someone that I didn’t really take a lot of interest in before. I liked writing this because even though I had always known what an extraordinary thing Neil Armstrong had done, I never had the appreciation for it that I do now.
2.) Was the topic interesting to me? Neil Armstrong did something amazing and extremely courageous! It was very interesting to write about an event that changed history and the world forever.
3.) What is something I am proud of in this essay? I am proud of how I took a man who did so much in his life and condensed the story a lot because that was hard for me.
4.) What is something I need to improve in my essay? I think I could’ve put in transition words and made the story tie together better. I also could’ve found a way to make it more interesting.
5.) How did this essay help me in my growth as a writer? It informed me about an influential person in America and taught me how to write a historical biography and make it interesting.
How to Make a Peanut-Butter & Jelly Sandwich:
Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are a very popular and delicious part of America, but where did the PB&J come from? In 1901, Julia Davis Chandler published the peanut butter and jelly sandwich title. The sandwich immediately became a hit and is still very popular in the United States. The peanut butter and jelly sandwich is a yummy treat with nutritional value, too. It has jelly made from healthy fruit, peanuts that give you protein, and bread, which is a good source of fiber and grains. We will now be teaching you how to create this delicious food.
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Materials:
1.) 2 Slices of Bread (your choice: white, wheat, potato, etc.)
2.) 1 Plate
3.) 1 Jar of Peanut Butter: 1-2+ Tbs. (chunky or smooth depending on your preference)
4.) 1 Jar of Jelly: 1+ Tbs. (any flavor of your choice)
5.) 1-2 Knives
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Steps:
1.) Wash your hands with warm water and soap in the sink. Turn on the water, put your hands underneath the faucet, put soap on them, and scrub vigorously for at least 20 sec.
2.) Take out a plate, two slices of bread, and a knife.
3.) Set the slices on the plate perpendicular (side by side) to each other.
4.) Take out a jar of peanut butter and a jar of jelly.
5.) Unscrew lid of peanut butter jar (counter clockwise) and set it on the counter.
6.) Pick up knife carefully by non-sharp side and dip the sharp end of the knife into the jar of peanut butter and use it to scoop the peanut butter out. The amount of peanut butter varies on your preference. However, the recommended amount would 1-2 Tbs.
7.) *Note: The more peanut butter you use the stickier and harder and to chew the sandwich will be.
8.) Take knife (now covered in peanut butter) and place peanut butter side on bread and spread peanut butter on one slice of the bread. If you need more peanut butter, repeat step 6 and add another layer.
9.) If you wish to have a clean knife for your jelly, you can either get a new knife or rinse off the knife you’re using.
10.) Unscrew lid off jelly (counter clockwise) and place it on the counter.
11.) Repeat what you did with the peanut butter, but with jelly on the other slice of bread.
12.) Take the two slices of bread (one with peanut butter, one with jelly) and match them up and stick them together with the peanut butter and jelly on the inside to create the sandwich.
13.) (Optional) You may take the knife and cut the sandwich diagonally, horizontally, or vertically through the middle depending on your preference.
14.) Put materials away and clean up by: Screwing the peanut butter lid back on the jar (clockwise). Do the same with the Jelly. Put them both back in the refrigerator. Wash the knife/knives and put it/them back where you found it/them. (Probably a drawer.) Wipe up any spilled peanut butter or jelly from off of the counter using a wet paper towel. Afterwards, use a dry paper towel to finish cleaning the counter. Throw the used paper towels in the trashcan.
Í15.) Yum! Yum! Maybe get a glass of cold milk and eat it up!
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Warnings/Hazards:
1.) DO NOT make this sandwich if you have a peanut, bread, or fruit allergy. However, if you know which fruit you are allergic to you may pick a different type of jelly and proceed enjoying your sandwich.
2.) Be sure to hold knife very carefully. Always hold by non-sharp side and spread ingredients cautiously.
3.) To avoid serious injury or even death, keep knives out of reach of small children.
4.) Children under the age of 6 yrs old should not be attempting to make this sandwich.
5.) We are not responsible for any injuries/fatalities that occur while making this sandwich. Thank you and enjoy!
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We have taught you how to create the oh-so-yummy peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Now you can go home and make yourself this simple yet delicious snack. This sandwich is important because millions of people consume 1, 500 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches by the time they graduate high school. As you can see, the peanut butter sandwich is a very important part of today’s society.
1.) Did I enjoy this essay? This essay was super fun! I got to write it with my friends and it was very simple to write. Although we are professionals, making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich is very easy and interesting to write about.
2.) Was the topic interesting to me? The topic was very interesting because it was about peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, which I love!
3.) What is something I am proud of in this essay? I am proud of how well we explained, step by step, how to do such a simple task in great detail.
4.) What is something I need to improve in my essay? We could’ve had pictures and diagrams and been more detailed.
5.) How did this essay help me in my growth as a writer? I have never written a “how-to” before and it opened my mind to a new type of writing that needs to be very specific.
Homework, we don’t need it!
Homework is a widespread disease in the learning industry. Giving almost no improvement in scholastic achievements, researchers have found that homework is unnecessary except for the opinion that a school that is tougher on students and gives more work is supposedly better and more adequate. “It’s not about learning, it’s about winning!”-Alfie Kohn, the author of The Homework Myth. (www.divinecaroline.com). Should students have homework after over six hours a day of school? Research has shown that middle school students should not be spending more than 90 minutes a day on homework. However, any jr. high kid will tell you that the 90 minutes eventually gets doubled, tripled, and even quadrupled! Homework not only stresses the student, but it gets in the way of family time, stops children from going outside and getting exercise, and takes away the vital social time that teens need to be successful in life. Also, a lot of teachers say they give homework because of parental involvement. The truth is, a lot of parents would say, “…homework, in my opinion, can be counterproductive.” – Alison Waddles, a parent of a middle school student. (ulocal.wmur.com). Another reason for homework is that there is not enough time to cover lessons and do work in class. A few ways to keep parents content and have time for lessons and worksheets are: having frequent open houses and parent teacher conferences to keep parents updated, and extending school time to give supplementary time for class work. Overall, there are ways to get around the homework epidemic and the schools should work to impede it! If children were meant to spend their lives doing homework, they wouldn’t need to have a home; they could just stay at school!
Therefore, there is unreservedly no need for homework in school! Mary Jane Cera proves this as the academic administrator for the Kino School in Tucson, AZ. The Kino School is a private k-12th grade school that gives no homework for all grades. Cera says, “A lot of what we see kids doing is continuing to write in journals, practicing music with their friends, and taking home experiments to show their parents.” (www.divinecaroline.com). Schoolwork goes a lot farther in the Kino School than it does in many others. As Mary Jane stated, if there is no pressure that the lessons will be extended after school, there is a superior chance children will take pleasure in learning it and applying what they discover to their work. While in schools with homework, the first thing on a student’s mind is, is this lesson short? And I’ll just get it done as fast as I can. Many people say that we don’t always get what we want in life and that homework teaches organization, self-discipline, managing time frames, and other non-academic life skills. Alfie Kohn, author of The Homework Myth, argues that, “If kids have no choice in the matter of homework, they’re not really exercising judgment, and are instead losing their sense of autonomy.” (www.divinecaroline.com). It makes sense that if kids are always told what to and how to do it, they will eventually cease making decisions for themselves. In school, homework must be done how the teacher wants it, in the time frame the teacher decides. Later in life, this conventional routine will follow students to their careers and none will have the audacity to strive for what they want. Whether it’s a raise, an extension, or a promotion. The boss or “teacher” decides it all. This is a serious issue because homework takes away social time, which is critical for social skills. It also takes playtime, which increases exercise. Along with family time, this is concise and valuable time that we can’t get back, and can divest a person of the ability to go after what they want and be an advocate for what they believe in. Many parents believe that their kids obtain homework because teachers do not have enough time to give study periods in class. When asked, 17% of teachers said that is the reason why they assign homework. It is also in the attempt to augment test scores and make schools look better. This might be a superb idea, if studies said that homework made a difference. On the contrary, most researchers would say that homework makes very little or no difference in test scores and student improvement. If homework were eliminated, there would be many benefits. Children would most likely prosper more if there were time for things like family and non-academic activities. As for the timeframe dilemma, there are ways to solve that problem.
For example, most kids would agree to an additional hour of the school day if it meant no homework. “I believe that we’re stressing children out,” says a teacher in San Francisco. (http://greatschools.org). One of the reasons homework is so stressful is those moments when students come across problems they can’t answer. Not only does it stress the student, but also their parents. They do all they can to help but by the time a student is in seventh or eighth grade, parents don’t know how to help anymore. Teachers argue that there are many accommodating websites online, however when doing math, majority of students say that there is no help to be found! Other reason students have so much trouble, is when friends and family want to go somewhere and have fun, but the kids can’t because they have too much homework! This not only aggravates the student, it makes them off task or pushes the child to the point where they just don’t care anymore. If the school day had an hour of pure study and worksheet time, students could get assistance from teachers on questions they do not know how to answer and have complete free time to spend with friends and family afterwards. Alastair Endersby, a debate coach at the Cambridge Union says, “Homework is a vital and valuable part of education. There are only a few hours in each school day- not enough time to cover properly all the subjects children need to study. Setting homework extends study beyond school hours, allowing a wider and deeper education. It also makes the best use of teachers, who can spend lesson time teaching rather than just supervising individual work that could be done at home. Tasks such as reading, writing essays, researching, doing math problems, etc. are best done at home, away from distractions of other students.” (http://www.idebate.org) An additional hour of school addresses all of these arguments. Teachers can still spend the same amount of time teaching lessons as they always did and with teacher supervision, students could get their work done quietly and distraction free. This suggestion affixes a lot to the learning itself. The idea not only just replaces homework; it allows children to get help when they need it. One on one attention with the teacher, rather than just a class lesson would be more beneficial to both the students who need help and those who do not. No one will be falling behind and the students, who understand, will not be bored nor have their time wasted. Just one hour a day of a teacher and a classroom’s time could relieve students of four hours of stress and let families and friends be together as they should be.
Parental involvement is very important to teachers, so how could not having homework work in favor of the parents? Many teachers would agree that homework is the easiest way to show parents what their kids are learning. “Most parents tell me that they get worried if their child has no homework- they do not know what their child is doing in school and whether or not he can do the work the teacher has set.” -Dr. Patricia Porter, an expert author who wrote Leading to Learning: Discover Your Child’s Path to Success. (http://www.leading2learning.com) Parents of kids of all ages like to know what’s going on in the classroom. It makes them feel involved and gives them confidence that they can help if their child is besieged. “It shows children that school is important to their parents too.” says Carol Wilson, principal at Beachland Elementary. (http://www.tcpalm.com) So it is comprehensible that teachers use homework to fill that need. However, is it fair to pile pages of homework on students if the only purpose is to show parents the curriculum? Instead, teachers could systematize an open house or more recurrent parent teacher conferences that show the parents, who want to know, what their student has been doing. This idea satisfies both parent and student, and can benefit the teacher to talk to parents more often and showcase the work they’ve been doing with students. Solutions can be found to solve any problem someone could come up with to keep homework. All it will take is adjustments by teachers, the school district and students, but, it can be done!
There is entirely no need to have almost 6 hours of school and then hours more of homework! One simple solution to this problem is escalating school time. This solution makes sure students get their work for the day done without interrupting the teacher’s lessons, makes it easier for students to get help when they don’t understand a problem, and completely diminishes the need for homework! Give the students of today a chance to relax and be stress free! Let your kids, just be kids!
1.) Did I enjoy this essay? Yes, I enjoyed this essay but not as much as others that I have written. It was fun to write something that persuades people but I’ve always liked having freedom in my writing and this was more of research and statistics put into essay form.
2.) Was the topic interesting to me? The topic definitely interested me because not having homework would benefit me greatly and make in a change in my life as well as others.
3.) What is something I am proud of in this essay? It was difficult for me to create good transitions so that my essay would flow and I think I made it so the story wasn’t choppy.
4.) What is something I need to improve in my essay? It’s a little too long. I think I could’ve shortened it and that probably would’ve made it more interesting.
5.) How did this essay help me in my growth as a writer? I think I was very persuasive and it taught me how to incorporate statistics and true facts into an essay and still make it sound like a story.
8th Grade Writing Reflection:
a.) What satisfied you about your 3 top pieces of writing?
I liked that they weren’t lengthy because an essay becomes uninteresting if it is too long and nobody wants to read more than the first couple of paragraphs. I also like how, in my opinion, they were exciting and fun to read.
b.) After looking at these pieces, explain how you have grown as a writer this year.
My eighth grade year has definitely been one of the most important years in life and I have learned so many methods of writing that I didn’t even know about before. I used new styles of writing and learned how to make am essay both interesting and factual.
c.) How will growing as a writer help you succeed in school and in life?
It will definitely help me in school and later in life because even if I don’t continue to write things like books and stories, I’m always going to need to know how to write research papers and it will help me a lot at school or at a job if I know how to write important papers in an intriguing way.
d.) How has our use of technology helped or hurt your growth as a writer?
Using technology has both helped and hurt me as a writer. It has helped because it’s easier to get information and write a paper about it at school then at home because there are less distractions. However, our computers are so slow and unresponsive a lot of the time and it makes it more frustrating and harder to write.
e.) What is a quote about writing that you truly relate to?
“There's nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and open a vein.” ~Walter Wellesley "Red" Smith
f.) What does that quote mean to you as a writer?
I love writing! You can put our own experiences and thoughts into the piece but no one would ever know. It’s like telling the world your biggest secrets, but to them, it’s just another made up story. When you write it really is like opening up a vein and sharing your feelings, in a sneaky way.
Social Studies Portfolio:
1.) What Social Studies Topic was most interesting to you?
The Civil War was the most interesting topic we studied this year. I think it wasn’t just the war itself that was appealing. It was probably all of the parts that went with it. In 1861 a war broke out between the northern and southern parts of the United States. In the north, slavery had been abolished and African-Americans were no longer thought of as property, they were treated as people in society. The south, or confederates, wanted slavery to expand beyond the states it was already in. These disagreements lead to the beginning of the Civil War and eventually the end of slavery.
The fact that a country would divide itself because of racial issues was strange and very intriguing. I liked how the war was the first step in ending slavery for good and taught our country a lot about equality. The Civil War was a turning point in history and that is what made it so interesting.
2.) Of the people we studied this year, who was the most interesting to you?
I would have to say that Abraham Lincoln was the most interesting person we learned about this year. He impacted the United States in a huge way! Without Lincoln there to stop slavery the U.S. as we know it would probably be much different. Not everyone would be equal and only certain would get certain rights. This has impacted me because without Abraham Lincoln I could not have the same opportunities that I have today and neither could the rest of the United States.
3.) Find a quote about the importance of knowing history.
“If you want to understand today, you have to search yesterday.” ~Pearl Buck. The author of this quote truly understood the importance of knowing history. Without history we would have no idea about how our society came to be. People in history have changed the world and it’s important that we learn about our past and credit the people who fought for our freedom. I can connect with this quote because before learning about the Civil War, slave trade, and how people who were different didn’t have the same rights, I didn’t appreciate how we live today or respect the people who changed it all. I now have a new outlook on society and to take our freedom for granted.
4.) Explain the importance of knowing U.S. history. How will it help you in life?
It’s very important that we know history. Without social studies no one would have ever known about people like George Washington or Abraham Lincoln, which are two very important parts of what shaped our society. If we didn’t know about our past we would have no idea about The Declaration of Independence or Civil War. Our states could still have slaves and we wouldn’t have the rights that we do today. It helps in life to know history because if we didn’t then the way we live and think today could be very different.
1.) Discuss some characteristics (personal and educational) that show you are ready to move on to high school. Explain why these characteristics are important.
I believe maturity, organization, and friendliness are definitely good qualities that show you are ready for high school. Maturity is important because it shows that you have grown up and are ready to take on the responsibility of being in high school. Organization is a good characteristic to have because in high school you will have many different classes with many different assignments and without an organized system you could get behind. Friendliness is one of the most important characteristics you need to be ready for high school. You’re going to meet so many new people and those people could become your life-long friends, but you would never know if you weren’t friendly.
2.) When working collaboratively, what are some effective qualities you bring to the group?
Leadership and thoughtfulness and great qualities to have when working with a group. If you have leadership you can make sure everything stays organized and take some of the pressure off the rest of the group. With thoughtfulness, you are always taking consideration of the rest of the group and making sure everyone has a chance to share ideas and the work. These qualities are very effective to have when working with a group.
3.) Imagine you were able to go back and redo the past 3 years of middle school, what would you do differently and why?
I wouldn’t change very much because I think my years of middle school have taught me a lot. However, I would probably try to use my time wisely and not procrastinate as much.
4.) What advice would you give to incoming 6th graders so they can be successful in middle school? Defend your advice.
I would say to just enjoy your time here and have fun because those three years go by really fast. Also, be organized and use your time wisely because it gets tougher every year and you get more assignments at one time than you’ve ever had and lastly, get on the teacher’s good side because it really benefits you when you want to get a grade up or are missing an assignment. (;
5.) How do you plan on being truly involved in your high school experience?
I have currently started cheer at Steele Canyon High School and I plan to be involved in as many clubs as I can.
6.) Imagine you could have a crystal ball that would let you see your future. What will you see in four years as you are getting ready for your high school graduation? Who are you as a person? What plans will you have? I ‘m hoping I’ll be graduating with honors. I think I will be a much more mature and smarter version of myself. My plans will probably be to go to college and eventually become a marine life veterinarian.
7.) If you could create a challenge project for yourself that you would work on in the next four years, what would it be? How would you do it? How would it change you, your community, your country, and your world?
I would try to start a school wide club that could help the people of less fortunate parts of the World. For example, the club would send care packages with medication, blankets, and other necessities to places like Africa and Haiti. It would change me because it would probably teach me a lot and help me to understand how fortunate I am. It would change my community because they could all get involved and open their hearts to the suffering parts of the globe. It would change the world because no matter how many different organizations and schools do the same thing there is always going to be that one group of people who didn’t have enough supplies and I want to change that.
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