"It Ain't About the Record"
By John Branch
April 14, 2012
"It Ain't About the Record" Article
Essay question: What was the purpose of this article and why was it important?
The article, "It Ain't About the Record" by John Branch is important because it talks about a troubled girls basketball team of survivors. When reading the article, you see all the troubles that these teenagers go through and how rough their lives are. The main goal that Judge Larry Logan of Carroll County Juvenile Court tries to get through to them is "if you get knocked down, get back up."
There are many problems with the nine girls on the Lady Jaguars. Many of them don't live with both of their parent's and there is also a huge drug use problem. One of the players even smokes marijuana with their mother and father. Some of the players have even lived in houses with no water, heat, or electricity and only a few of their parents have steady jobs. Some of the girls even have disorders like ADD, bipolar, and/or depression. Many of these troubles have caused these teenagers to be reckless and carefree about their actions.
With the bad influence of their parent's, their actions affect their children a lot. One example of bad influence from one of the player's family, Destiny, is that her mother "recently gave birth to her fourth child from the three men she had married, at least one whom beat Destiny." This example of bad parenting is why Judge Larry Logan wants to make the nine basketball players survivors. He wants them to thrive in life and not have this influence rub off on the teenagers. These bad influences lead to wrong choices in life; many choices that they will soon regret when they grow up.
From this article I learned that sometimes the biggest obstacles in the road are what make you stronger as a human being. These tricky situations that knock you down allow you to get back up and try harder. Like many of the players, Destiny has gone through many troubles and she has come out a survivor from the things she experienced. The troubled basketball girls are able to build themselves up and prepare themselves for more troubles to come so that they can survive through the difficulties in life.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Yikes. Don't Plagiarize!
What did the student do wrong? What could he/she have done to include the source correctly?
The student plagiarized and used somebody's piece of work as their work. All they did was copy and pasted the work of the author without having any acknowledgement that it was somebody's work. The student literally copied the work word for word, which is how you know that they copy and pasted their work. They could have included the source correctly by doing the block quotation thing or just putting the text in quotations. They also could have just paraphrased the text in their own words.
Write a sentence sing the original source correctly; use a quotation or paraphrase. Also, make sure to cite correctly.
"There is a peaceful essence flowing from the structures. Perhaps the cool dark colors and the fiery windows spark memories of our own warm childhood years filled with imagination of what exists in the night and dark starry skies. The center point of the town is the tall steeple of the church, reigning largely over the smaller buildings. This steeple casts down a sense of stability onto the town, and also creates a sense of size and seclusion.To the left of the painting there is a massive dark structure that develops an even greater sense of size and isolation." (A Breif Understanding of the Starry Night Paintings, unknown author). If the student cited the source like this, they would've gotten full credit.
What are at least three ways to avoid plagiarizing?
1. Paraphrasing the information in your own words.
2. Putting the text away so that you aren't tempted to copy the text word for word.
3. Including quotations and correct citation when you are going to copy something word for word.
The student plagiarized and used somebody's piece of work as their work. All they did was copy and pasted the work of the author without having any acknowledgement that it was somebody's work. The student literally copied the work word for word, which is how you know that they copy and pasted their work. They could have included the source correctly by doing the block quotation thing or just putting the text in quotations. They also could have just paraphrased the text in their own words.
Write a sentence sing the original source correctly; use a quotation or paraphrase. Also, make sure to cite correctly.
"There is a peaceful essence flowing from the structures. Perhaps the cool dark colors and the fiery windows spark memories of our own warm childhood years filled with imagination of what exists in the night and dark starry skies. The center point of the town is the tall steeple of the church, reigning largely over the smaller buildings. This steeple casts down a sense of stability onto the town, and also creates a sense of size and seclusion.To the left of the painting there is a massive dark structure that develops an even greater sense of size and isolation." (A Breif Understanding of the Starry Night Paintings, unknown author). If the student cited the source like this, they would've gotten full credit.
What are at least three ways to avoid plagiarizing?
1. Paraphrasing the information in your own words.
2. Putting the text away so that you aren't tempted to copy the text word for word.
3. Including quotations and correct citation when you are going to copy something word for word.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Two Student Blog Entries
Two of the blog entries that I enjoyed reading were Joyce's blog post on The Hunger Games and Eliza's blog entry on Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire. Both entries captured a good jist of what both books were about. Joyce and Eliza both allowed themselves to connect with their readers and the books as well. All in all, both entries were very well written and easy to comprehend.
Two of the things that I liked about Joyce's post is how she provides her inner thoughts and how she feels about two of the main characters in the book. Joyce also did a great job on keeping things concise and understandable. Since I've read The Hunger Games myself, I found it fairly easy to connect to her thoughts on Peeta and Gale. I like how her descriptions on both Gale and Peeta are so simple, but the simplicity isn't boring. If anything, the simplicity of her thoughts allows her readers to understand her thoughts. All in all, she did a great job elaborating on her thoughts and keeping things concise.
On the other hand, Eliza has done many things that I liked as well. She has made her blog post easy to connect with and the format of her response was well organized. Her post was easy to connect with because in her concluding paragraph she added in questions like "But what do you say, reader? Do you think it is possible to weigh misfortune?" This makes the readers think. Her introduction was written in a way where it made you think as well. The formatting of Eliza's response is well organized because she does a great job on having four strong body paragraphs. The thing that I liked most about her body paragraphs is how she did this whole compare and contrast thing between Ron and Harry Potter. It reminds me of a venn diagram, which is some what relevant.
Joyce and Eliza have both inspired me to change up the way I write. Their responses have allowed me to see what I can improve on to become a better book blogger. One thing that I will try to improve on is having concise paragraphs. Sometimes I feel like I have the urge to write more even when it is unnecessary, so that is one of the many things that I can improve on. Another thing that I can improve on is having my responses be more connectable to my audience. Sometimes I don't express my thoughts and it feels like my response to lacking an interesting factor.
Their posts can be found here:
Eliza's reading response
Joyce's reading response
Two of the things that I liked about Joyce's post is how she provides her inner thoughts and how she feels about two of the main characters in the book. Joyce also did a great job on keeping things concise and understandable. Since I've read The Hunger Games myself, I found it fairly easy to connect to her thoughts on Peeta and Gale. I like how her descriptions on both Gale and Peeta are so simple, but the simplicity isn't boring. If anything, the simplicity of her thoughts allows her readers to understand her thoughts. All in all, she did a great job elaborating on her thoughts and keeping things concise.
On the other hand, Eliza has done many things that I liked as well. She has made her blog post easy to connect with and the format of her response was well organized. Her post was easy to connect with because in her concluding paragraph she added in questions like "But what do you say, reader? Do you think it is possible to weigh misfortune?" This makes the readers think. Her introduction was written in a way where it made you think as well. The formatting of Eliza's response is well organized because she does a great job on having four strong body paragraphs. The thing that I liked most about her body paragraphs is how she did this whole compare and contrast thing between Ron and Harry Potter. It reminds me of a venn diagram, which is some what relevant.
Joyce and Eliza have both inspired me to change up the way I write. Their responses have allowed me to see what I can improve on to become a better book blogger. One thing that I will try to improve on is having concise paragraphs. Sometimes I feel like I have the urge to write more even when it is unnecessary, so that is one of the many things that I can improve on. Another thing that I can improve on is having my responses be more connectable to my audience. Sometimes I don't express my thoughts and it feels like my response to lacking an interesting factor.
Their posts can be found here:
Eliza's reading response
Joyce's reading response
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Much Ado About Nothing Review
Dear Friend,
This week I went to see Much Ado About Nothing, the play. This play was very interesting and very enjoyable. The props, actors/actresses, and etc. were all very appropriate. This play was nothing that I expected it to be.
The thing that was most interesting for me was the setting. The stage that the actors and actresses performed on was circular. It wasn't the typical stage that we're all use to seeing. It was a different vibe for me. Everything was seen a lot more clearly that way. The props were also very simple. The tables were the main prop, but the actors and actresses were very interactive with the tables. For example Beatrice would hide under the table when Hero and her friends were talking about how Benedict was in love with Beatrice. The same with Benedict, but he hid behind a piano and was interactive with the audience.
The actors in this play were all very enthusiastic. Whenever one of them said their lives, there was a lot of emotion and feelings. The actors all did a great job emoting how they felt with gestures and not one of them was boring. Whenever the spotlight was on one actor, all the other actors would interact with each other. Not one of them stopped what they were doing. All of the actors stayed in character, which was also another good feature.
I enjoyed seeing this production and it was very enjoyable to watch. My favorite part was the shadowing part of what happened in Hero's room. It was very original and unlike many plays I've seen. If I saw this production again, I would understand a lot more and I would enjoy it a lot more as well.
This week I went to see Much Ado About Nothing, the play. This play was very interesting and very enjoyable. The props, actors/actresses, and etc. were all very appropriate. This play was nothing that I expected it to be.
The thing that was most interesting for me was the setting. The stage that the actors and actresses performed on was circular. It wasn't the typical stage that we're all use to seeing. It was a different vibe for me. Everything was seen a lot more clearly that way. The props were also very simple. The tables were the main prop, but the actors and actresses were very interactive with the tables. For example Beatrice would hide under the table when Hero and her friends were talking about how Benedict was in love with Beatrice. The same with Benedict, but he hid behind a piano and was interactive with the audience.
The actors in this play were all very enthusiastic. Whenever one of them said their lives, there was a lot of emotion and feelings. The actors all did a great job emoting how they felt with gestures and not one of them was boring. Whenever the spotlight was on one actor, all the other actors would interact with each other. Not one of them stopped what they were doing. All of the actors stayed in character, which was also another good feature.
I enjoyed seeing this production and it was very enjoyable to watch. My favorite part was the shadowing part of what happened in Hero's room. It was very original and unlike many plays I've seen. If I saw this production again, I would understand a lot more and I would enjoy it a lot more as well.
The Hunger Games
I admit it! I gave into reading The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. At first, I didn't understand the whole hype about The Hunger Games, but now I see why this book is a favorite of many people.The Districts that are in the book are very similar to a dystopia society, where the society you live in is characterized. Although I haven't finished the book, the characters in this book are very unique and different. I have grown to like many of them.
My first impression of Katniss Everdeen was that she was a very independent young mature teenager. Katniss still lives up to this impression. All the aspects of Katniss makes her seem so realistic and real. The fact that Katniss doesn't have a father to guide her and gently push her along the way is one of the reasons why she is so independent. I admire her a lot. Her strength and thrive to keep her family alive is what I admire most. "You can't clock out and leave Prim on her own. There's no me now to keep you both alive. It doesn't matter what happens (35)." Katniss gives her mom a pep talk about how her mother has to support herself and Prim. This part really made me wonder about how Prim and her mom would do on their own. Without Katniss, I think they would have a hard time coping with the things that Katniss did like hunting.
The second character I got the chance of meeting was Gale. Let me just say, Gale is genuinely a kind boy. He's almost like Katniss's safety blanket because they both have a hunting friendly relationship together. I do feel like there is something more than a friendly relationship, but for now I can only assume that. Gale is the male figure in Katniss's life, even though Gale is slightly older than Katniss. Their friendship is so valuable and real. Gale seems very humble and adventurous. I can't really say much, but when Katniss is saying her goodbyes with Gale at the Justice Building, I can see that Gale really cares about her.
Lastly, there is Peeta Mellark. From what I've seen so far, Peeta is the kindest boy I've ever met. Although him and Katniss have to "fake" a friendship, I believe that they both care about each other secretly. Since Katniss is some what poor, Peeta once helped Katniss out. "In his arms, he carried two large loaves of bread that must have fallen into the fire because the crusts were scorched black (30)." Peeta was willing to give Katniss bread when she was at the lowest point in her life. It was also mentioned in the book that Peeta was hit for doing such an act because his mother didn't like it when people picked through their trash for food. I find Peeta an amazing guy so far.
I'm afraid that if I read the book too quickly that I would miss all the details. I truly do love this book so far. Its got me on my toes! I can already sense some kind of love triangle going on later on in the book/series. Ahhh let the games begin!
My first impression of Katniss Everdeen was that she was a very independent young mature teenager. Katniss still lives up to this impression. All the aspects of Katniss makes her seem so realistic and real. The fact that Katniss doesn't have a father to guide her and gently push her along the way is one of the reasons why she is so independent. I admire her a lot. Her strength and thrive to keep her family alive is what I admire most. "You can't clock out and leave Prim on her own. There's no me now to keep you both alive. It doesn't matter what happens (35)." Katniss gives her mom a pep talk about how her mother has to support herself and Prim. This part really made me wonder about how Prim and her mom would do on their own. Without Katniss, I think they would have a hard time coping with the things that Katniss did like hunting.
The second character I got the chance of meeting was Gale. Let me just say, Gale is genuinely a kind boy. He's almost like Katniss's safety blanket because they both have a hunting friendly relationship together. I do feel like there is something more than a friendly relationship, but for now I can only assume that. Gale is the male figure in Katniss's life, even though Gale is slightly older than Katniss. Their friendship is so valuable and real. Gale seems very humble and adventurous. I can't really say much, but when Katniss is saying her goodbyes with Gale at the Justice Building, I can see that Gale really cares about her.
Lastly, there is Peeta Mellark. From what I've seen so far, Peeta is the kindest boy I've ever met. Although him and Katniss have to "fake" a friendship, I believe that they both care about each other secretly. Since Katniss is some what poor, Peeta once helped Katniss out. "In his arms, he carried two large loaves of bread that must have fallen into the fire because the crusts were scorched black (30)." Peeta was willing to give Katniss bread when she was at the lowest point in her life. It was also mentioned in the book that Peeta was hit for doing such an act because his mother didn't like it when people picked through their trash for food. I find Peeta an amazing guy so far.
I'm afraid that if I read the book too quickly that I would miss all the details. I truly do love this book so far. Its got me on my toes! I can already sense some kind of love triangle going on later on in the book/series. Ahhh let the games begin!
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Letter About Romeo and Juliet
Dear beloved friend,
I have recently just started reading Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. This is such a well known book and I'm really enjoying the first 20 or so pages that I've read! The puns and word play included in the book are humorous and makes the book even more enjoyable to read.
I've noticed so far that the Montagues and the Capulets don't enjoy each others company very much. It confuses me because I don't know why they are holding grudges/are mad at each other. The two families keep fighting and Shakespeare leaves you hanging until you find out why they are really fighting. The quarrel between the two families, to me, is completely ridiculous and silly. Why aren't they able to solve their problems with each other? Anyway, Sampson, a servingman for the Capulets, grosses me out a little. I mean come on now. This just makes me wonder if they ever got punished for thinking these nasty thoughts, but then again, men are men.
The text itself is a little harder to understand. There is a lot of old time English incorporated in the text which makes it harder to understand, but it makes you think. I'm so happy that there are translations on the left side of the page because it makes reading the book a lot more helpful and its easier to understand. If there weren't translations, I would be flipping through the dictionary every few seconds or so.
This book is already so interesting, but Shakespeare leaves me more engaged on what is going to happen next! I still have many questions like why do the Montagues and Capulets hate each other? How did Romeo and Juliet start their romantic and hard suffering love journey together? These questions shall be answered as I read further into the book!
Until next time,
Michelle Wong :)
I have recently just started reading Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. This is such a well known book and I'm really enjoying the first 20 or so pages that I've read! The puns and word play included in the book are humorous and makes the book even more enjoyable to read.
I've noticed so far that the Montagues and the Capulets don't enjoy each others company very much. It confuses me because I don't know why they are holding grudges/are mad at each other. The two families keep fighting and Shakespeare leaves you hanging until you find out why they are really fighting. The quarrel between the two families, to me, is completely ridiculous and silly. Why aren't they able to solve their problems with each other? Anyway, Sampson, a servingman for the Capulets, grosses me out a little. I mean come on now. This just makes me wonder if they ever got punished for thinking these nasty thoughts, but then again, men are men.
The text itself is a little harder to understand. There is a lot of old time English incorporated in the text which makes it harder to understand, but it makes you think. I'm so happy that there are translations on the left side of the page because it makes reading the book a lot more helpful and its easier to understand. If there weren't translations, I would be flipping through the dictionary every few seconds or so.
This book is already so interesting, but Shakespeare leaves me more engaged on what is going to happen next! I still have many questions like why do the Montagues and Capulets hate each other? How did Romeo and Juliet start their romantic and hard suffering love journey together? These questions shall be answered as I read further into the book!
Until next time,
Michelle Wong :)
Friday, February 24, 2012
The Seeker (My Sonnet)
I look upon the world with open eyes,
Days past and for time seems so far yet close.
An erudite maiden sends her goodbyes.
They say I’ve got it, enough for a dose.
I adore this sphere, as do I love her.
The children lose their open want for air.
The time is ticking; it all turns to blur.
A tender promise shown with little care.
The seeking of thou is lost and hiding.
I want to see it all before I go.
A gift that values the sight of seeing,
Oh she blooms and learns, I watch as she grows.
To the world I’ll never leave, I thank you.
Spiritually I gaze from this calm view.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)