Last Reflection

1-What are the three most important things you learned this year?

      Being in Mrs.Larsons class has helped me learn multiple things that have helped me learn and grow. One thing that I learned was better grammar. In 6th grade, my grammar was HORRIBLE and although it's not amazing, it is a lot better. I also learned a lot more about the world and what goes on around the world. And lastly, I learned how to peer review. From helping people with their speeches to helping them write papers, I am now able t assist peers about their work.

2- What is something we did this year that you think you will remember for the rest of your life?

     One thing that I will remember,  hopefully, for the rest of my life is learning about Sea World and Orca whales. Although a lot of people don't care for the subject, I couldn't believe that Orcas were being treated so horribly. Learning about the history of whales in SeaWorld and how they are affected and how they affected people really drew me into the subject and hope to do something about it in the  future.

3- What was the nicest thing someone in our class did for you this year?

     The nicest thing that someone in our class did for me this year was when Isabella gave me a witty valentines day card. She ran up to me and just said happy valentines day, gave me a hilarious smile, and then  ran away to give one to Gianna. I remember laughing because she was just so weird and I wasn't expecting the horrible pun that was on the card.

4- What is something you taught your teacher or classmates this year?
     One thing that I think I taught my classmates is the importance of having fun. My friends are always saying that i'm always laughing and smiling and just enjoying myself. A lot of times, my friends may be upset or somber and I feel like when they are with me , they possibly become happier and for a little while, forget what was upsetting them and that they carry that on for the rest of the day.

5- In what area do you feel you made your biggest improvements? What is something you accomplished this year that you are proud of?

     Like I said before,  the biggest improvement I made was on my grammar. My grammar has improved extensively and if it wasn't for Mrs.Larson class, I would still have the grammar of a 6th grader. One thing that I accomplished this year was getting MVP in intramural volleyball. That was one thing that I was ecstatic about. I love volleyball and getting MVP just boosted my confidence even more.

6- What was the most challenging part of this year for you?

     The most challenging thing this year was, honestly, turning assignments in on time. I have a problem with having procrastination. I always wait to the last minute to do things (like this blog.) However, I have become better in
turning in assignments. I also had a hard time finding time to turn in my assignments. I may have stayed up until 12 and up multiple times but it was worth it so I can turn in my assignments on time.

7- What was the best piece of writing that you did this year? Why do you think it is your best?

     

     The best piece of writing I did this year was my paper on Orca whales because, like I said, it was a subject that I was passionate about. Although there were flaws in my paper, I think it was my best piece. I put a lot of paper in that paper and enjoyed writing it. Also, I feel like this was my best paper was because I got a lot of peer reviews on my paper so I had the best possible paper.

8- Of the books you read this year, which was your favorite? Why?

      The best book I read this year was The Girl With No Name. I t was based on a true story and the story itself was outrageous and it was a real page turner for me. With every chapter, I learned a part or a true and scary story of a 6 year old left in a jungle by herself to live with monkeys. My favorite book used to me Th1rteen R3asons why. Both stories are raw and amazing stories that just make you waiting for more. 

9- What advice would you give students who will be in this class next year?

Some advice for next yeas class is to PAY ATTENTION IN CLASS. A lot of people think that they can waltz through middle school barely paying attention in class and then wonder why they are failing or getting horrible grades. The teachers make a lot of their tests straight from what they teach and worksheets they do. They sometimes just copy and paste worksheets into a packet and call it a test. If you don't do the work, you wont pass. By actually paying attention in class and participating, I can guarantee that if you pay attention or actually do the work, you will get good grade. 

“The culture we have does not make people feel good about themselves. And you have to be strong enough to say if the culture doesn’t work, don’t buy it.”

3-     Evaluate the aphorism by explaining why you agree/disagree with it. Give specific reasons for your position and specific evidence from the text to support your position.

1-    Explain the aphorism in detail. what was Morrie's main message?

2-     Relate the aphorism to a movie, song, historical event, current event, personal experience, etc. and explain in detail how the example you have chosen relates to the aphorism.

“The culture we have does not make people feel good about themselves. And you have to be strong enough to say if the culture doesn’t work, don’t buy it.” I feel like through this aphorism, Morrie was trying to say something that most people are scared to admit. Our culture and society make people feel bad about themselves. More and more people are losing their self-confidence. From television commercials to clothing to movies, people are thinking less of themselves and a lot of people don’t notice it. He saying that so many people get stuck into everything thats popular and are all mainstream. They don’t make a change or do anything different. Only the people that are truly strong and know the difference between being yourself and being what other people want you to be are able to get out of the mainstream flow and start making a change. 

Like how I mentioned before, people are losing their self-confidence to our culture like books, movies, and videos. I feel like one influence of this is the idea of being a “tumblr-girl.” Pretty much, tumblr girls are girls from the ages of around 13 and up who are usually really pretty, photogenic, skinny, and usually have something unique to them. Whether it’s their hair or clothes or eyes. Of Facebook, I always see girls posting pictures of them asking if they could be a “tumblr-girl” and then getting nasty comments about their looks. The worst thing is that the girls then end up believing it and thinking that they are not skinny enough or pretty enough or just useless. However, there are also those girls who comment, "your beautiful", or "Don't listen to them, who cares if your not pencil thin, your still beautiful." Those are the people who don't follow all the people commenting rude and hurtful things. The aphorisms talks about how you have to be strong to not follow the culture and that is exactly what these girls are doing. Saying they are beautiful no matter what instead of following those who want to put people down.

Talking about Death

Prompt:Based on the 6 Tuesdays you have read about in Tuesdays with Morrie, choose which topic (The World, Feeling Sorry For Yourself, Regrets, Death, Family, or Emotions) that has had the most impact on you or inspired you. On your blog discuss the importance of this topic with your own opinions, including textual evidence (direct quotes) from the book. 

  
    The one tuesday that has the biggest impact on me is the tuesday Morrie and Mitch talk about death and the tuesday they talk about the fear of aging. From a young age, I had always been really scared of dying. The fact that one day I will never walk, talk, think, breathe terrified me. From like the age of 8, I would sometimes cry over the fact of death and the fact that I will never be as young. That one day, I will have a family and not a child anymore. Although I am not excited to grow up, then, I despised it and wanted to be young forever. 

     The Tuesday about Death really impacted my view on death. When Morrie said, " Everyone knows they're going to die but nobody believes it. If we dod, we would do things differently." I took this that people live their lives knowing that they are going to die but they don't think it will really happen because a lot of people waste time doing things that in the long run won't make them believe they had a good life. It made me realize that I spend so much time watching Tv or on the computer when I could be out making memories and having fun.

      The tuesday about the fear of aging also really impacted me because like I said, I used to get really emotional at the fact that I am going to get old and not be able to do so many things. However, after when Morrie said that he is every single age because he was each age once, there is no reason to wish to be young again because we were an still are 5 or 8.