Response to Stuff?

   So we've been learning about short stories, and what traits are within them. We've also been reading a few, and for the most part, either they've made sense or they've confused me. There isn't really an in between. They all have one main thing in common, they are set on one topic, and they manage to tell it in a conformed way. All of the short stories also have a plot with rising action, climax, falling action and more. So the story may be shorter, but it still manages to have a structure to it, that makes it an interesting read. A majority of the stories we've read I've been able to comprehend them pretty well, but the main one that threw me off was the one with the angel coming to the family? The whole story was just a blur to my brain. I couldn't comprehend it at all, whereas with the Da-Duh story and the Harrison B. one, I understood those pretty well. In terms of writing a short story, from the things I've seen in some of these mentor texts, I think I get the idea as to what I need to do.


Fangirl -Rainbow Rowell
45- 105: 120 minutes. 

What I'm Thinking. (Character's Mind)

    Today went by so slow, especially Algebra class- DID I DO THAT HOMEWORK?! Oh yup I did.
I really liked that song I heard on the way home.. about that girl cutting her teeth on wedding rings. That Latin quiz tomorrow will be the death of my brain but then again I studied a lot for it. How did my room get this messy? I cleaned it about two hours ago. Oh, yup. I can definitely feel those sprints from practice now. This ugly doll is making me paranoid. I should really go to sleep now, but my mind won't be quiet. Ever since I got home it's been raining. Oh yeah, I have to remember to get the check from mom or dad in the morning for club dues. I really want some Oreos right now. Oh wow, my bed is really comfy. Forget that, this blanket is suffocating me. Well let me just be weird and have a thumb war with myself. Yeah, I agree, it's definitely time for me to go to bed.

Reading Response (5)

   So I've actually started a new book called Fangirl. I stumbled upon it the other day when I was in Barnes and Noble. It's always been a habit of mine to wander through the teen fiction section, and judge all the books by their covers. So when I saw Fangirl, despite the cover, I grabbed the book and read the description immediately. To say it seemed like a book that was sent to me by god would be an understatement. In the story, the main character, Cath is obsessed with a series of books about a teenager who gets sent to a school for magicians (kind of like Harry Potter). She's also a freshmen in college.. and is still obsessed. Oh! and she writes fan-fictions on this website where other people read them. Considering I read fan-fictions sometimes, on the same type of website, I found it kind of funny. So in the book, where I am, Cath is getting used to college life, and is trying to get to know her roommate as best as possible.

   On the other hand, with the literacy narrative e-book, I have the job of dealing with the media. I actually wanted a job where I could add life to the papers, in order to catch someone's eye. I guess I'll be dealing with all types of media, pictures, videos, audio, or anything of that nature. I'm not complaining considering the task of finding media is bearable.


Literacy Narrative
9/17/13 - Editing a few things: 15 minutes

Fangirl - Rainbow Rowell
9/16/13 - Pg. 1-20: 25 minutes
9/17/13 - Pg. 20 - 35: 25 minutes
9/17/13 - (Harrison B.) - 15 minutes
9/18/13 - Pg. 35 - 45: 15 minutes
9/19/13 - (Da-Duh): 15 minutes

Literacy Narrative.

   With my paper, I wouldn't say that other people reading it would really bother me. The only concerns I have about it might be my ability to add vivid detail to it. That was one of my main struggles while writing. For a graphic aid, I might be able to make a Wordle with words describing my paper. Another option I'm considering is maybe making a photo-bucket presentation of all of the books mentioned in my paper, plus some of my favorites from when I was younger. In terms of proof reading my paper, I don't think that another round would hurt. I actually think that it'd give me an advantage to get one more round of editing in before others read it. I think that the main thing the reader should know is that I am mainly focusing in on reading in my paper, not really writing at all, considering it's not one of my favorite things to do. Other types of media to bring my paper to life? With my paper I could probably find some of the movie versions of the books, and make a compilation of some of them. For instance in Arthur, find my favorite episode, and take my favorite scene from it.

Reading Response (4)

Reading Log
Class time Peer review (Thursday) - 45 minutes
Alphas (Lisi Harrison) - Pg. 115- 165: 40 minutes
Alphas (Lisi Harrison) - Pg. 165 - 190: 35 minutes

   So in class this week we've been working on our literacy narrative. In class we did tons of peer editing, after getting some personal suggestions from Dr. D. Personally, being able to have someone read my paper and make suggestions, that is a humungous help. Towards the beginning of the week we started with small groups (mine was four people) and we each read our story aloud. At first it was kind of awkward, but it got better as we started to get used to it. Reading it out loud allowed me to hear how at some points in my paper it may sound weird, or where I may have had a typo. On Thursday, we did a huge in class swap. I got three different papers and read them. I read a lot of different types of stories, and as I read I had to add any edits that I think were needed. When I got my paper back and went over some of the edits, they actually helped me. After applying some of them, my paper was actually improved.

   With the book I'm reading, it's still pretty good. But, it's getting a little more intense as more girls are getting cut from the academy, and the main characters begin to secretly meet up with Shira's sons. Overall, I'm liking it, and was happy to find out that there was a second book.. and a third.

Dialogue.

"Hey there! How are you?"
"I'm good, thanks."
"Isn't it a pretty day today?"
"Indeed it is."
"Does that cloud look like a kangaroo to you?"
"Umm.. Not really."
"Oh... well I like kangaroos, don't you?"
"I have mixed feelings about kangaroos."
"Oh. Well what's your favorite animal?"
"Non- existent."
"Well that's quite boring. Do you like scary movies?"
"No.. they scare me entirely too much."
"Chicke- I mean well everyone has limits. How about comedies?"
"They make me chuckle."
"Same here. What's your favorite ice cream flavor?"
"Funky nut blast."
"Oh my.. well I like vanilla.. do you enjoy reality tv?"
"Yup, some are really good, some repulse me."
"Well that's umm normal? Uhh how about- never mind I'll talk to you later?"
"Yeah, sure, okay, bye."

Reading Response (3)

   So I've completed The Secrets of My Hollywood Life, and I'm now reading a book called Alphas. I mainly came across it considering the author of it wrote the Clique series which I was obsessed with for a while. In the book, it's about a boarding school in a way, that is on this high tech island. Girls from all across the world come, and they are basically chosen for being the best at what they do. For example, one of the main characters Skye, was the best dancer in her hometown so she was invited to go the Alpha academy. There was a twist that surprised me though, if you mess up, this results in you getting sent home. Skye has roommates as well, and they are all different in what they are good at. Another twist I forgot to mention, it's an all girl school, so this means no guys except for Shira's (head of everything) sons. Their names are Darwin, Taz, Sydney, Melbourne, and Dingo. Shira has basically forbidden any of the girls from dating her sons, which seems kind of difficult considering they're like regular students on the island. So far, this book has been really good in my opinion.


Alphas - Lisi Harrison
9/5/13 - Pg. 1- 30: 30 minutes
9/6/13 - Pg. 30- 60: 30 minutes
9/7/13 - Pg. 60 - 95: 35 minutes
9/8/13 - Pg. 95 - 115: 25 minutes

Free Response.

   Recently in class, we were discussing an article that was published shortly after the Trayvon Martin trial. The article was basically saying how, when Zimmerman pursued Trayvon, it was based on his assumptions of what he thought was going on, rather than what was actually going on. What I mainly took from the article after reading and discussing it, was not to stereotype. It's kind of something that we do without even realizing we're doing it. Basically, just because you may know something that is common among a race, religion, etc. that doesn't mean that it may apply to everyone who may fall under that categorization. That is basically a human being, just like you, and they have their own personality that make them who they are. When we stereotype, we don't look at that person themselves, we look at them with basically a closed mind. I can see now how that may not be a good thing to do in life. The article mentioned how it can lead to disasters, and I totally agree, it can cause trouble when you begin to make assumptions about a person. This is mainly what I'd say I gained from that article, after reading it.

Reading Response - Outside Reading (2)

   I am still currently reading Secrets of My Hollywood Life. The main thing that I can say about it, is that it's just a great novel in my opinion. Where I am in the story line, Kaitlin, the main character, has basically gone in disguise (kind of under cover) into a normal high school. Well you may think that's just drab, but the twist is she's a humungous Hollywood star. In other words it'd be like Selena Gomez, going undercover, and coming into our school without us knowing. Anyways, so far it's been a great read. Currently in the book, I got to meet the antagonist, Lori. I picture her as being Regina George in Mean Girls, because she's just that typical "mean girl who runs the school like a god". She made her character obvious to me the second I saw her mentioned within the book. As for Kaitlin, well her double life is getting a bit more complicated with more pressures coming down on her, but so far nothing to drastic has happened.

   If I were to give a prediction on what might happen, I'd say that her facade will be found out. Also, I think something major within her career will be taking place. She's already gotten an offer from this big producer asking her to be in his new movie that he will be working on. This led me to assume that she'll probably get the part.

Secrets of My Hollywood Life - Jen Calonita
8/25/13 - Pg. 100 - 120: 20 minutes
8/26/13 - Pg. 120 - 146 : 25 minutes
8/27/13 - Pg. 146 - 170: 30 minutes
8/28/13 - Pg. 170 - 185 : 20 minutes
8/29/13 - Pg. 185 - 202: 15 minutes