A. I felt most engaged when I was reading the essays of my classmates. It's great to hear others' ideas and thoughts on something that you, yourself, has a strong opinion on. It is a great way to gain an open mind to other's opinions.
B. I don't mind having my work posted somewhere where it is open for other's reading. I wrote it for a reason, and there is someone that is meant to see it. I never have been one to hold back when I believe in something. I am open to other's opinions as well. I like hearing what people have to say.
C. I liked being able to read other people's thoughts on my writing. It was reassuring.
D. I can't recall a time when I was confused or puzzled by someone else's actions.
E. I remember reading Poe when I was a younger student, and not liking it. However, this time when I read his writing, I was able to understand it and it did not seem as torturous as I had imagined. :)
F. When writing my essay, I thought about how spoiled we Americans are, compared to others. It made me remind myself that no matter what I am going through, there is always someone somewhere else that is dealing with something worse. It makes me want to continue to help people however I am able.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Response to Committee's Essays
Anthony: I liked how geography was portrayed in your essay. I also liked how you worded that failure was encouraged, just as long that someone was trying is all that matters. I enjoyed the positivity on succeeding with no limits.
Alexa: You are a great writer and I enjoyed reading your essay. I especially liked the background information on "Chewy", I think that's awesome!
Charlie: I couldn't agree more about the money and happiness. I'm friends with many starving musicians and I believe I'll be one before long too. :) You had great humor in your essay. The comparisons you made were a great way for someone to relate to America.
Sha: I really liked your intro paragraph; it was really catchy. You gave lots of thorough information throughout the entire essay.
Alexa: You are a great writer and I enjoyed reading your essay. I especially liked the background information on "Chewy", I think that's awesome!
Charlie: I couldn't agree more about the money and happiness. I'm friends with many starving musicians and I believe I'll be one before long too. :) You had great humor in your essay. The comparisons you made were a great way for someone to relate to America.
Sha: I really liked your intro paragraph; it was really catchy. You gave lots of thorough information throughout the entire essay.
Monday, January 24, 2011
~Learning Reflections~
A. I felt most engaged in this course when I was writing my own "What Is an American?" I was able to write about how I viewed something. I felt most engaged because it seemed like I was able to state my opinion and not be told I was wrong and it wouldn't be judged in a way that was defeating. I also enjoyed listening to the mp3 of "Battle Hymn of the Republic". I was and still am a band geek, so I appreciate this kind of music.
B. I can not think of a specific moment ,or any moment at all, where I felt distant from the class.
C. I appreciate how the teacher encourages us to communicate with questions. I also like how the students seem to be on each other's level, meaning we are open to each other's comments and individual opinions.
D. There was not an action from the teacher or students that puzzled or confused me.
E. I was surprised to have a teacher that encourages us to also listen to the music from the time period we are studying. I really like that!
B. I can not think of a specific moment ,or any moment at all, where I felt distant from the class.
C. I appreciate how the teacher encourages us to communicate with questions. I also like how the students seem to be on each other's level, meaning we are open to each other's comments and individual opinions.
D. There was not an action from the teacher or students that puzzled or confused me.
E. I was surprised to have a teacher that encourages us to also listen to the music from the time period we are studying. I really like that!
"What Is An American?"
Dear Want To Be American,
I'm writing to tell you about the reality of the country we live in. What brings you to want to live here? The opportunities? A new start of life? The technologies? The benefits? Ah...the benefits. That's what gets a lot of people. Or are you coming here to work hard like the original Americans?
America began with hardwork and leadership. I would say we still have the hardwork going for us. Are you willing to come here and REALLY work? Or are you coming here for a "free ride"? If you're coming here to work and do something for yourself, you'll be greatly admired and appreciated. If you're coming here hoping life is going to be a "free ride", don't worry, we'll compensate you. However, you'll have a hard time making friends. Also, if you are fluent in another language, we'd love for you to learn ours, however, if not, we'll pay for someone to learn yours.
America has great opportunities...jobs. Not really, we're somewhat losing those. If you can start a business, you might be better off. That way, you're your own boss. Everyone is so focused on money, who wouldn't be? You need it to live...to eat, to raise a family, for entertainment, transportation, water, etc. America is the place where college is basically a necessity in order to have a "good" job, yet, no one can afford to go to a "good" school. Education is extremely important for our children, but we lower our standards every day. America has the freedom of religion, but you can't mention God in the schools. Creativity is encouraged, but funding for music and art is being taken out of the school systems.
We're also pretty selfish. Haiti doesn't even have water to drink, at all! Yet, we're worried about when Aquafina is going on sale. Most people love going out to eat, yet others don't even have food. Teen girls worry about having every color and style Ugg boots, when other children don't even have shoes. We all want new things, when others would be thrilled to have used things, just because they need them to survive.
Our society focuses on being thin and beautiful or muscular and handsome. Everyone here is concerned about the latest trends, the hottest new kicks, and the highest hair do's. Other people are battling terminal illnesses where they're lucky to have hair at all. But they have the biggest hearts and the strongest faith. They're the beautiful ones.
America isn't terrible. It's just different. We are diverse. That part is pretty amazing. The poor and rich can be seen in the same places. The blacks and whites can be anywhere together. The straight can support the gay. The Baptists can love the Catholics. Women and children aren't completely belittled. We have a medicine that can cure anything and then another medicine that can cure the side effects of that first medicine. We're pretty safe for the most part, just don't talk to people in the grocery store and always hold your children's hands while at the park or mall.
We are a strong America. If one of us is taken down, we'll fight you for years to gain back our pride. I like America. We'll welcome you, however we aren't meant for everyone. If you're from the Congo, please, please come. If you're from China, I'd stay there, you make everything we have anyways...
Dave Matthews says it perfectly:
"Funny the way it is, if you think about it
Somebody's going hungry and someone else is eating out
Funny the way it is, not right or wrong
Somebody's heart is broken and it becomes your favorite song...
Funny the way it is, if you think about it
One kid walks 10 miles to school, another's dropping out
Funny the way it is, not right or wrong
On a soldier's last breath his baby's being born"
Sincerely,
An Honest American
I'm writing to tell you about the reality of the country we live in. What brings you to want to live here? The opportunities? A new start of life? The technologies? The benefits? Ah...the benefits. That's what gets a lot of people. Or are you coming here to work hard like the original Americans?
America began with hardwork and leadership. I would say we still have the hardwork going for us. Are you willing to come here and REALLY work? Or are you coming here for a "free ride"? If you're coming here to work and do something for yourself, you'll be greatly admired and appreciated. If you're coming here hoping life is going to be a "free ride", don't worry, we'll compensate you. However, you'll have a hard time making friends. Also, if you are fluent in another language, we'd love for you to learn ours, however, if not, we'll pay for someone to learn yours.
America has great opportunities...jobs. Not really, we're somewhat losing those. If you can start a business, you might be better off. That way, you're your own boss. Everyone is so focused on money, who wouldn't be? You need it to live...to eat, to raise a family, for entertainment, transportation, water, etc. America is the place where college is basically a necessity in order to have a "good" job, yet, no one can afford to go to a "good" school. Education is extremely important for our children, but we lower our standards every day. America has the freedom of religion, but you can't mention God in the schools. Creativity is encouraged, but funding for music and art is being taken out of the school systems.
We're also pretty selfish. Haiti doesn't even have water to drink, at all! Yet, we're worried about when Aquafina is going on sale. Most people love going out to eat, yet others don't even have food. Teen girls worry about having every color and style Ugg boots, when other children don't even have shoes. We all want new things, when others would be thrilled to have used things, just because they need them to survive.
Our society focuses on being thin and beautiful or muscular and handsome. Everyone here is concerned about the latest trends, the hottest new kicks, and the highest hair do's. Other people are battling terminal illnesses where they're lucky to have hair at all. But they have the biggest hearts and the strongest faith. They're the beautiful ones.
America isn't terrible. It's just different. We are diverse. That part is pretty amazing. The poor and rich can be seen in the same places. The blacks and whites can be anywhere together. The straight can support the gay. The Baptists can love the Catholics. Women and children aren't completely belittled. We have a medicine that can cure anything and then another medicine that can cure the side effects of that first medicine. We're pretty safe for the most part, just don't talk to people in the grocery store and always hold your children's hands while at the park or mall.
We are a strong America. If one of us is taken down, we'll fight you for years to gain back our pride. I like America. We'll welcome you, however we aren't meant for everyone. If you're from the Congo, please, please come. If you're from China, I'd stay there, you make everything we have anyways...
Dave Matthews says it perfectly:
"Funny the way it is, if you think about it
Somebody's going hungry and someone else is eating out
Funny the way it is, not right or wrong
Somebody's heart is broken and it becomes your favorite song...
Funny the way it is, if you think about it
One kid walks 10 miles to school, another's dropping out
Funny the way it is, not right or wrong
On a soldier's last breath his baby's being born"
Sincerely,
An Honest American
Sunday, January 23, 2011
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