Transcendentalism

Hello!

Today in class we disscused and read about transcendentalism. What did you guys obtain from this discussion? What were some of your favorite parts?

My favorite quote obtained from the discussion was: things do not change, we change!

I just found this quote extremely relatable when it comes to my life. I start to notice things that changed drastically throughout the years in my life, especially in highschool, but then this quote opened my eyes: all this time it was not the "things" that actually changed, it was us.

I just thought I'd share this, have a good night guys!

The Subject of English

Hey everyone! I want to know how everyone feels about the subject of English. This is personally my WORST subject because I am someone who prefers to apply the knowledge of a concept rather than to explain it. Let me give an example. In math, I am applying the steps I know to get the right answer, where as in English, I have the hardest time expressing my thoughts into words because there is a plethora of ways to say what is in my mind and yet, there is only one way to say it to satisfy teachers. (Not that teachers are jerks of coarse, but speaking formally helps us with job interviews or other activities) What are your thoughts on English classes?

Hey guys as you can see I'm barely replying to your guys' post and trying to post. I need your guys' opinion on something very important.. I recently started working, and I love by job, and I love school as well. but here's the twist to things; I did ask for a part time job and the schedule is very flexible and I know I can do both school and work(which I have been doing for almost a month now) but I'm feeling like I get out late from work, and have to be up this late doing homework. I mean it's fine with me because theres times where I get out of work and I'm not tired, so id stay up doing homework, but theres days where I am super sleepy and have to still sustain myself to be up.. what do you guys think about this? Should I consider what many say; long days and nights but it's all worth it at the end? or should I completely stop working and only focus on school? opinions?

In sat, act prep Mrs. schlaerth has mentioned once or twice that her and Mr.Schlaerth try and learn a couple of new vocabulary words everyday, I have so picked up on this awesome idea. I learned about 15 new words so far. Does anyone else do this or just learn as they go. I feel like this helps my writing and makes me sound more of a professional, educated student in and out of school.

School Tips

Okay so for me in the past, I have concluded that my bad test grades came from bad study habits. As I grew older I started to develop more habits that soon began to work for me.
In Nathalie's post about procrastinating, I answered with honest study tricks that work for me.
So here are my questions.

What is a good study habit to you?
Tips on how to maintain good grades?
Organization method?

To answer the last question, I consider myself an organized person! I know some of my peers only have two binders, but for me, I just can't. I have to have a binder for each class with dividers in them or else I will go crazy with my papers all over the place!

I would love to hear your guy's input on this! Maybe you guys a useful study habit that may help all of us in the end run!

Beginning

The story starts with this verse of Genesis and how Rachel is unable to give birth to Jacob's children, the quote is like:

"Yo, Jacob, I am infertile, we need new eggs, lets hit up my maid, Bilhah, but just don't catch feelings okay, she's just the side."
-Tamara Gutierrez
(And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die. And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, Am I in God's stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb? And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her.) -Genesis 30:1-3
Why did you think Margret Atwood picked this specific passage?

Definition: Frivolity

fri·vol·i·ty

frəˈvälədē

noun

1. lack of seriousness; lightheartedness.

   synonyms:    lightheartedness, levity, joking, fun, frivolousness, silliness, foolishness
2. 
   
3. This word is another word for fun or foolishness that can easily take your writing up a notch.
4. 1. One could say: . 
   The president has no time for frivolities.
   My older sister was becoming furious with my sister due to their frivolities behavior.
   She treats school with frivolity.

ok guys, so here's the thing. It has nothing to do with the course, but it does have to do with me. I tend to procrastinate a lot, and I try my very best to push myself to not do so, so I can accomplish things. Do you guys have any skills that can help me surpass this? So I can use for use now and in the future. I'd appreciate it guys, thx!

The Jungle

During the jungle, we see Jurgis and Onya face many challenges in America. We see the effects of winter on the family and the work injury Jurgis gets. The family is barely surviving in America with all the family and a new baby. Do you think if we finished the book the story would be more graphic and melancholy or do you think the end will be a little bit hopeful like in The Grapes of Wrath?

Portrayal of Hell

In my last post, I asked about your portrayal of Hell. I find it so interesting that many of you have the same idea and perspective of Hell. Many of which includes fire, torture and burning. Why do you think so many perceive Hell that way?

Rose of Sharon

Hi guys,

I noticed that during our discussion, Mrs.Ross brought up the point that may have had some sort of feeling that her baby was going to be still born because her motherly intuition might have kicked in. In my opinion if she had that mindset, maybe that's why during her giving birth she didn't react as dramatically as we thought she would have. What are your thoughts?

Discussion

What are your opinions on Trump being elected president and how he runs his presidency? I just believe that America lost all it´s prestige and honor by electing this thing to office. What are your thoughts?

Question Regarding Grapes of Wrath

If John Steinbeck were alive today, what group of people would he target and bring awareness to? I believe either the refugees and immigrants, but there has to be other groups.

The Handmaid's Tale By: Margret Atwood

I am currently reading the book The Handmaid's Tale. The story is about a woman who was taken and made a "sex-slave" for the wealthy tycoons that have infertile spouses. The main character Offred who was taken from her family and made one a Martha's(sex slave). The Martha's are looked down upon by the spouse's due to the fact that they can not conceive a child, but they are told constantly that they are doing an important job for society.In the story, you can see her constantly doubting the society and the rules and often thinks about running. Offred is constantly speaking to herself in her mind about how she is living and the people she is surrounded with.In the story, we see the main character Offred suffer and talk to herself. Will it lead to any mental disease like schizophrenia in the novel as it continues?

Connecting Ideas

Hello, guys!

Today we discussed a lot of ideas from the Grapes of Wrath to the "president." What was your favorite part of the discussion? Do you have any additional ideas to connect the text to the real world?

My favorite part of the discussion was talking about Ma and her character. I feel like many of us can connect to her characterization not only in being strong or at least trying to be, but also keeping the family together. By family, I mean us students working together to get that 5 on the exam and working together as family to achieve it! If we separate and go our own ways, who knows what would become of us! I feel like her character was well developed and Steinbeck did a wonderful job with her character!

Please comment any ideas, questions, or input you had about today's discussion! :)

  So, the book that I chose was Lolita. Lolita starts as a 12 year old girl that thinks shes in love with this man. My question is do you think Lolita knows what she is doing at such a young age? Does she think what shes doing is normal? Any opinions?

Quesion

In the play, No Exit by Jean-Paul Sartre, we are introduced to Garcin in the opening. Garcin has died and is in Hell. The setting is in a room with three different colored couches. In the center was a bronze ornament. That's it. No bathrooms, no mirrors, no beds. We learn that there are no torture devices. Nor are there people to physically torture him. His first question was about a bathroom and a toothbrush because he was so accustomed to the mortal world and was anxious about cleaning. My question is what would your portrayal of Hell be? Also, would you have reacted the same way as Garcin?

Question

Hello guys!

I have a question regarding reading.

Sometimes I find it hard to understand books, well right now Lolita. I was wondering if you guys have any advice for further understanding books. I wonder how you guys connect in a profound manner with literature, instead of just understanding the basics! Thanks!

Sympathy

Earlier in class, we discussed about how the Joad Family in "The Grapes of Wrath" was very sympathetic. Is your family sympathetic? Mine sure is. When there is someone who needs help, my parents would provide more than enough support that is needed to the point where it hurts their funds. Also, what would your parents do if a friend of yours wants to move with you to another state because he/she has nowhere else to go, similarly with Jim Casy? I highly doubt my parents would let anyone else besides the family to come unless if my friend can prove him or herself worthy. What are your thoughts?

Characters

Hello, everyone!

I was wondering how the author of your novel decided to introduce you to the characters. What first impressions do you have of them? Any questions about your characters?

For example, in my book, Lolita, the narrator starts off by introducing her in various manners. We get to know about his background and his past; moreover, he describes Lolita and how they met. A question that I want to know the answer to is: why is Lolita with an older man? She is just a little girl. Anyways, the narrator seems a little unreliable to me and I dislike him a little. I feel like he is desperate to be with someone, but in order to find out the entire story, I need to read more. So far, the introduction of Lolita is not so bad!

Please feel free to express your opinions about your novel's characters or any other interesting things!

AP Course

What are you guys looking forward to and dreading?

I am looking forward to the various types of literature we will read and learning how to quickly write meaningful essays. On the other hand, I am fearful of the timed essays as i suck with time management, but hopefully by the end of the year, I will improve on it.

Independent Reading

What influenced you guys to select the book you chose? I myself was influenced by Mrs.Ross as she gave the overall concept of the book and it sounded very captivating.

Structure of Journal

As most of us have already chosen an independent book, I was just wondering how you guys planned to structure your journals such as Summary, Themes, and Side Notes or perhaps something else? Want to hear other ideas as it might influence other people to write about more topics to get a better understanding.