Foreward:
Melinda is a 13 year old girl who went through a tragic experience during an end-of-the-summer party, and to top the end of her reputation, ended up losing all of her friends after a phone call to the cops. After this party, she goes into her first year of high school, her freshman year of 9th grade. She doesn't speak. Not to her teacher, classmates, or parents about what happened to her. Onstead she stays inside of her own little world, quiet, as the outcast of the school.
In the book, Melinda goes to an end-of-the-summer party, the party of the year, which is where her reputation is officially ruined after she makes a phone call to the cops. At the party Melinda (who is 13) gets drunk, and wanders into the forest (not far, just outside of the barn, REMINDER: the party is in the barn), when a senior starts to flirt with her. They start to dance, when he started to kiss her, then asked 'Do you want to?'. She didn't give a n answer, she didn't know. Next thing she knew they were on the ground, and she was trying to say no, but her tounge was thick with beer, so nothing came out. Next thing she knew wham! shirt up, shorts down and he hurt her. Next thing she could remember was stumbling into the kitchen for a phone. She dialed 911, as an officer asked her what was her emergency. She couldn't say anything, but the police tracked down the phone, she was crying hard, until someone grabbed the phone and shouted THE COPS!!! Everyone was mad, someone even slapped her, but she crawled out of the room, and walked home where her mom and dad weren't.
But, at the end of the book, Melinda learns that when you open up, and express yourself, or at least start to speak, you can benifit from the outcome.
Reading Response:
In the book Speak there is alot of talk about having a loss of friends. The main character, Melinda, struggles with mixed emotions about the loss of her friends, the loss of her chance of making any friends (no one liking her/accepting her for who she is), and how she feels that if she speaks about what happened, it would only make matters worse for her. But, when going through the book, and experiencing what is happening to her, you learn that not everything can be solved if you just stay quiet. If you don't say what you have to say, if you don't speak, you won't be able to go on in life as a person, but as a shadow.
In the begining of the book, Melinda only spoke when needed (talking to teachers). She never would open up or just have some small talk with someone. She also had two sides of her. One that wanbted to stay as safe as possible, never staying some where for too long, and always on the lookout for a predator, while the other side was ready to be a teenager, have fun, let lose, and party. These two sides always fought which would confuse, annoy and make Melinda wonder what would happen if they would both just disappear.
But, towards the end of the book Melinda started to talk. She found ways to make herself feel good, to spread positive energy, and to make the people around a little more confident each day. She started planting, and got into art. By planting, she showed her father and mother that she was capable of making their backyard into something that they will cherish and that the neighbors will envy. In art, Melinda made friends with an old freind who she found out, wasn't that bad of a person. This benefited her because she had someone who she could hang out with, relate too, and talk too.
With the change that Melinda made, it benifited her because she wasn't scared anymore. She conquered her fear and defeted it without any disappoitnment to herself. This helped her alot because she knew that something ahd to be done, and she done it. She helped everyone in her society but mostly herself. And this all happened because she finally realized that without speaking up, nothing will be done, and you will never be heard.
In conclusion, Melinda has made it through adolesence with a risk at hand. But, she finally conquered her fears and defeted them at the same time. She has mad herself and confident young lady and has benefited life for her in the future.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Reading Prompt
11. How do people come of age in different parts of the world? How do surroundings and upbringings influence this?
In (some) Spanish parts of the world, girls (or boys, usually girls) that are 14 going on 15 usually (if they want to or because of the tradition) have a Quincenera, or a coming-of-age party. This party symbolizes the transition of a girl (or boy) becoming a woman (or man). During the party (for girls), for this transition to 'happen', during the first half of the party, the girl would wear flats, and in the middle of the party, she would change into heels, symbolizing the change from girl to women.
In (some) Spanish parts of the world, girls (or boys, usually girls) that are 14 going on 15 usually (if they want to or because of the tradition) have a Quincenera, or a coming-of-age party. This party symbolizes the transition of a girl (or boy) becoming a woman (or man). During the party (for girls), for this transition to 'happen', during the first half of the party, the girl would wear flats, and in the middle of the party, she would change into heels, symbolizing the change from girl to women.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Reading Response to Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
In the book Speak there is alot of talk about having a loss of friends. The main character, Melinda, struggles with mixed emotions about the loss of her friends, the loss of her chance of making any friends (no one liking her/accepting her for who she is), and how she feels that if she speaks about what happened, it would only make matters worse for her.
In the book, Melinda goes to an end-of-the-summer party, the party of the year, which is where her reputation is officially ruined after she makes a phone call to the cops. At the party Melinda (who is 13) gets drunk, and wanders into the forest (not far, just outside of the barn, REMINDER: the party is in the barn), when a senior starts to flirt with her. They start to dance, when he started to kiss her, then asked 'Do you want to?'. She didn't give a n answer, she didn't know. Next thing she knew they were on the ground, and she was trying to say no, but her tounge was thick with beer, so nothing came out. Next thing she knew wham! shirt up, shorts down and he hurt her. Next thing she could remember was stumbling into the kitchen for a phone. She dialed 911, as an officer asked her what was her emergency. She couldn't say anything, but the police tracked down the phone, she was crying hard, until someone grabbed the phone and shouted THE COPS!!! Everyone was mad, someone even slapped her, but she crawled out of the room, and walked home where her mom and dad weren't.
Ever since this happened, there has always been two sides of Melinda, one that was always safe, and ready to run, and another that was ready to have fun and explore. Throughout the book, Melinda has alot of conversations in the head (Melinda 1, and Melinda 2) in which she argue's with herself. For example, there is one time where a boy called David invites Melinda to a pizza party at his house after one of there schools basketball games (their school actually won the game!) but Melinda says no because she is scared of what could happen, and argue's with herself on her way home:
'I think it's some kind of psychiatric disorder when you have more than one
personality in your head. That's what it feels like when i walk home. The two
Melindas fight every step of the way. Melinda One is pissed that she couldn't
go to the party.
Melinda One: "Get a life. It was just pizza. He wasn't going to try anything.
His parents were going to be there! You worry too much. You're never
going to let us have any fun, are you? You're going to turn into one of those
weird old ladies who has a hundred cats and calls the cops when kids cut
across her backyard. I can't stand you."
Melinda Two waits for One to finish her tnatrum. Two carefully watches the
bushes along the sidewalk for any lurking bogeyman or worse.
Melinda Two: "The world is a dangerous place. You don't know what would
have happened. What if he was just saying his parents were gonna be there?
He could have been lying. You can never tell when people are lying. Assume
the worst. Plan for disaster. Now hurry up and get us home. I don't like it out
here. It's too dark."
If I kick both of them out of my head, who would be left?'
With all that Melinda went through (some which she might need some therapy), she uses silence as a keyto prevent stuff from happening, because she doesn't want to tell who won't believe her. For example, when Melinda has a meeting in the Pricipals office with her Mom, her Dad, and the Guidence counselor. (The meeting is about slipping grades, cutting classes, and absences). During the whole meeting, Melinda doesn't speak, instead sits in her chair and listens to the bickering.The whole timeshe sits there, she is constanly provoked to speak, but it doesn't crack her. Instead in her head, she stays wondering if her own parents would believe anything that she would have to say. Onstead, she chose to stay quiet. She wonders:
'Do they choose to be so dense? Were they born that way?
I have no friends. I have nothing. I say nothing. I am nothing.
I wonder how long it takes to ride a bus to Arizona.'
In conclusion, I thought that the book was sad because people dont know what actually happened, and no one thought of actually taking the time to talk to Melinda, or at least be a friend. It wasn't even that big of a deal that she called thecops, its not like there are not going to be any other parties in their lives'. No one understood that for Melinda, it was an instinct for her to call the cops after what happened to her, something that she felt that she needed to do.
In the book, Melinda goes to an end-of-the-summer party, the party of the year, which is where her reputation is officially ruined after she makes a phone call to the cops. At the party Melinda (who is 13) gets drunk, and wanders into the forest (not far, just outside of the barn, REMINDER: the party is in the barn), when a senior starts to flirt with her. They start to dance, when he started to kiss her, then asked 'Do you want to?'. She didn't give a n answer, she didn't know. Next thing she knew they were on the ground, and she was trying to say no, but her tounge was thick with beer, so nothing came out. Next thing she knew wham! shirt up, shorts down and he hurt her. Next thing she could remember was stumbling into the kitchen for a phone. She dialed 911, as an officer asked her what was her emergency. She couldn't say anything, but the police tracked down the phone, she was crying hard, until someone grabbed the phone and shouted THE COPS!!! Everyone was mad, someone even slapped her, but she crawled out of the room, and walked home where her mom and dad weren't.
Ever since this happened, there has always been two sides of Melinda, one that was always safe, and ready to run, and another that was ready to have fun and explore. Throughout the book, Melinda has alot of conversations in the head (Melinda 1, and Melinda 2) in which she argue's with herself. For example, there is one time where a boy called David invites Melinda to a pizza party at his house after one of there schools basketball games (their school actually won the game!) but Melinda says no because she is scared of what could happen, and argue's with herself on her way home:
'I think it's some kind of psychiatric disorder when you have more than one
personality in your head. That's what it feels like when i walk home. The two
Melindas fight every step of the way. Melinda One is pissed that she couldn't
go to the party.
Melinda One: "Get a life. It was just pizza. He wasn't going to try anything.
His parents were going to be there! You worry too much. You're never
going to let us have any fun, are you? You're going to turn into one of those
weird old ladies who has a hundred cats and calls the cops when kids cut
across her backyard. I can't stand you."
Melinda Two waits for One to finish her tnatrum. Two carefully watches the
bushes along the sidewalk for any lurking bogeyman or worse.
Melinda Two: "The world is a dangerous place. You don't know what would
have happened. What if he was just saying his parents were gonna be there?
He could have been lying. You can never tell when people are lying. Assume
the worst. Plan for disaster. Now hurry up and get us home. I don't like it out
here. It's too dark."
If I kick both of them out of my head, who would be left?'
With all that Melinda went through (some which she might need some therapy), she uses silence as a keyto prevent stuff from happening, because she doesn't want to tell who won't believe her. For example, when Melinda has a meeting in the Pricipals office with her Mom, her Dad, and the Guidence counselor. (The meeting is about slipping grades, cutting classes, and absences). During the whole meeting, Melinda doesn't speak, instead sits in her chair and listens to the bickering.The whole timeshe sits there, she is constanly provoked to speak, but it doesn't crack her. Instead in her head, she stays wondering if her own parents would believe anything that she would have to say. Onstead, she chose to stay quiet. She wonders:
'Do they choose to be so dense? Were they born that way?
I have no friends. I have nothing. I say nothing. I am nothing.
I wonder how long it takes to ride a bus to Arizona.'
In conclusion, I thought that the book was sad because people dont know what actually happened, and no one thought of actually taking the time to talk to Melinda, or at least be a friend. It wasn't even that big of a deal that she called thecops, its not like there are not going to be any other parties in their lives'. No one understood that for Melinda, it was an instinct for her to call the cops after what happened to her, something that she felt that she needed to do.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Reading Prompts
7. What are the main similarities and differences between childhood and adulthood?
A difference between childhood and adulthood is school. School is different because the work is harder, and the schedule for classes gets more difficult (TEACHERS ALSO). The work is alot harder now than before (like when your little brother or sister asks for help, and you look at them like they are type stupid because their homework is a little TOO easy). It can just be hard, but it can also be harder when a teacher gives you an assignment, but doesn't explain how to do it, (or you get bored and dont pay attention) and you get a 65, barely passing or learning anything new from the whole process. A similarity (so far) are the friends that you've had from pre-k, and still hang out with now.
8. What inner and external conflicts arise in the transition from childhood to adulthood?
A conflict that may arise between me and my mom is when i ask for something. I might ask for something or want something but might not be able to get it because i 'have to earn it'. It is different from when i was younger because when i was a child i used to get whatever i wanted whenever i asked for it, not have to 'earn' it.
A difference between childhood and adulthood is school. School is different because the work is harder, and the schedule for classes gets more difficult (TEACHERS ALSO). The work is alot harder now than before (like when your little brother or sister asks for help, and you look at them like they are type stupid because their homework is a little TOO easy). It can just be hard, but it can also be harder when a teacher gives you an assignment, but doesn't explain how to do it, (or you get bored and dont pay attention) and you get a 65, barely passing or learning anything new from the whole process. A similarity (so far) are the friends that you've had from pre-k, and still hang out with now.
8. What inner and external conflicts arise in the transition from childhood to adulthood?
A conflict that may arise between me and my mom is when i ask for something. I might ask for something or want something but might not be able to get it because i 'have to earn it'. It is different from when i was younger because when i was a child i used to get whatever i wanted whenever i asked for it, not have to 'earn' it.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Reading Response: The Lovely Bones
The Lovely Bones is a great book. I like how Alice Sebold puts detail into all of the commotion in the book. She is a great writer, and has artistic skill, because it is like when reading the book, you can almost visualize it as a movie, while reading it. I like the Lovely Bones because it is a mixture of genres. It is a mixture of suspense, horror, (has a poetic touch), romance, etc. This book expresses how one life, can affect everyone around something, that used to be.
When reading the book The Lovely Bones, just from the first page you can feel the suspense come in as the beginning sentences state, “My name was Salmon, like the fish; first name Susie. I was fourteen when I was murdered on December 6th, 1973” I like how the author structured this because she just came right out with the point, instead of the reader having to wait for what the topic of the book was.
This book is very descriptive on the feelings of all of the characters. On how the mother cracks and leave’s her kids on their own, how Buckley, once a cheerful little boy who hid to become a rock, hard as stone and Susie’s father who hangs on to her, as if she is still there, knowing, deep down that she is gone. In the book I think that the strongest connection that Susie has to earth is with her father. This is because when she is alone with him, or she is standing there, he says things out loud because he can sense her, and he talks to her (the most out of some of the other characters in the book).
When reading the book, you begin to notice that everyone has a connection with Susie. Ruth and Ray are old school friends, Ray who became Susie’s first love, and Ruth who Susie’s never really talked to, but became an impact on Ruth. These two people became Susie’s almost imaginary friends, both talking to Susie. But, they hadn’t known that Susie’s was listening, and was trying to speak back, but since she wasn’t alive, wasn’t real anymore, she couldn’t.
The Lovely Bones also has a mood of mystery throughout the whole book, since Susie’s death has affected everybody, her father being most affected by it. The mystery lingers with every page wondering when Mr. Harvey will be caught, how her mother’s love will turn into rage, when her father will come to realization that she is gone, and nothing can bring her back, when Buckley will crack, when Len Fernerman will solve the gruesome murder, and when Susie will give up on hoping to be alive once again.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Final Draft of Reading Response
The Lovely Bones is a great book. I like how Alice Sebold puts detail into all of the commotion in the book. She is a great writer, and has artistic skill, because it is like when reading the book, you can almost visualize it as a movie, while reading it. I like the Lovely Bones because it is a mixture of genres. It is a mixture of suspense, horror, (has a poetic touch), romance, etc. This book expresses how one life, can affect everyone around something, that used to be.
When reading the book The Lovely Bones, just from the first page you can feel the suspense come in as the beginning sentences state, “My name was Salmon, like the fish; first name Susie. I was fourteen when I was murdered on December 6th, 1973” I like how the author structured this because she just came right out with the point, instead of the reader having to wait for what the topic of the book was.
This book is very descriptive on the feelings of all of the characters. On how the mother cracks and leave’s her kids on their own, how Buckley, once a cheerful little boy who hid to become a rock, hard as stone and Susie’s father who hangs on to her, as if she is still there, knowing, deep down that she is gone. In the book I think that the strongest connection that Susie has to earth is with her father. This is because when she is alone with him, or she is standing there, he says things out loud because he can sense her, and he talks to her (the most out of some of the other characters in the book).
The Lovely Bones also has a mood of mystery throughout the whole book, since Susie’s death has affected everybody, her father being most affected by it. The mystery lingers with every page wondering when Mr. Harvey will be caught, how her mother’s love will turn into rage, when her father will come to realization that she is gone, and nothing can bring her back, when Buckley will crack, when Len Fernerman will solve the gruesome murder, and when Susie will give up on hoping to be alive once again.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Shakespeare Extra Credit
The play that I went to see (with the classes) was As You Like It. This play is about a girl named Rosland. Rosland father was banished form the land by his evil brother Duke Fedrerick. Duke Fedreick was an evil man or cared about being king. Later in the play, Rosland falls in love with a man named Oliver. (Oliver won a wrestling match, and Rosland witnessed his strengh and devotion to win). Rosland gave Oliver her necklace, to show her appreciation, of courage.
Then Rosland is banished from the land (just like her dad), by Duke Fedrerick, who daughter Celia, beggs to keep Rosland with her, and claims that they are im-seperable. But, Duke Fedrerick doesn't change his mind, and tells Rosland that if she does not leave the next day, she will be killed. Soon, Rosland and Celia make a plan to leave, into the woods as different people, in new identities (Rosland turn into Gurtimude ???, and Celia turned into Aileen). They set off their journey into the woods where sparks are flying everywhere. A sheperdist named Audrey falls in love with Touchstone. Aileen (Celia) falls in love with Oliver's brother. And a man is in love with Fibi who is in love with Gurtimude (Rosland), who is in love with Oliver, who is in love with Rosland.
In the woods, Oliver posts love notes all over the trunks of tree's for Rosland, hoping that he will soon find her. Rosland soon finds one of these letters and swears that her heart is swooning with love for Oliver. Soon Oliver meets Gurtimude (Rosland), and tells him (her) about his love and devotion for Rosaland. Gurtimude tells him that he should not worry, Rosland will be ready tommorrow to get married with Oliver, and along will be Fibi and (????forgot the name), Audrey and Touchstone, and Aileen and Oliver's brother.
At the wedding, Fibi waits to be married with Gurtimude (Rosland) who soon shows up with a surprise for everyone. He is a WOMAN!!! This woman turned out to be Rosland, Oliver's one true love. After Rosland is unmasked, everyone gets married, and Federick, ( Duke Fedrerick's borther) iz given back his crown. (Happily Ever After). The End.
When i went to go see this play (with the classes) i was kind of shocked with the actor's becausde they took things very literally. They acted as if they were these people in real life, and did things that disgusted me, and are shocking to do to another person (spit in another person's face.......). But i liked it because it showed (almost) like the actors had true emotion. Each of the actor's showed that they were enjoying what they did too.
I also liked this play because it shows the story of love in a different way (besides the Hapilly Ever After part). It shows that for love, you would do things that you would have never thought of doing before, and never regret a thing.
Then Rosland is banished from the land (just like her dad), by Duke Fedrerick, who daughter Celia, beggs to keep Rosland with her, and claims that they are im-seperable. But, Duke Fedrerick doesn't change his mind, and tells Rosland that if she does not leave the next day, she will be killed. Soon, Rosland and Celia make a plan to leave, into the woods as different people, in new identities (Rosland turn into Gurtimude ???, and Celia turned into Aileen). They set off their journey into the woods where sparks are flying everywhere. A sheperdist named Audrey falls in love with Touchstone. Aileen (Celia) falls in love with Oliver's brother. And a man is in love with Fibi who is in love with Gurtimude (Rosland), who is in love with Oliver, who is in love with Rosland.
In the woods, Oliver posts love notes all over the trunks of tree's for Rosland, hoping that he will soon find her. Rosland soon finds one of these letters and swears that her heart is swooning with love for Oliver. Soon Oliver meets Gurtimude (Rosland), and tells him (her) about his love and devotion for Rosaland. Gurtimude tells him that he should not worry, Rosland will be ready tommorrow to get married with Oliver, and along will be Fibi and (????forgot the name), Audrey and Touchstone, and Aileen and Oliver's brother.
At the wedding, Fibi waits to be married with Gurtimude (Rosland) who soon shows up with a surprise for everyone. He is a WOMAN!!! This woman turned out to be Rosland, Oliver's one true love. After Rosland is unmasked, everyone gets married, and Federick, ( Duke Fedrerick's borther) iz given back his crown. (Happily Ever After). The End.
When i went to go see this play (with the classes) i was kind of shocked with the actor's becausde they took things very literally. They acted as if they were these people in real life, and did things that disgusted me, and are shocking to do to another person (spit in another person's face.......). But i liked it because it showed (almost) like the actors had true emotion. Each of the actor's showed that they were enjoying what they did too.
I also liked this play because it shows the story of love in a different way (besides the Hapilly Ever After part). It shows that for love, you would do things that you would have never thought of doing before, and never regret a thing.
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