Final Writing Assignment

Rachel Gruenenfelder

English II

Allam

May 20, 2011

Final Writing Assignment

                To go above and beyond you have to go the extra mile and do more than what is asked of you, I believe I’ve accomplished that this year.  Throughout this entire year, as a class, we’ve been challenged to expand our knowledge and think in different ways than we were used to. My academic gain can clearly been seen with the use of the 3 P’s (participation, progress, and performance). And there is no question that I am an “Above and beyond” kind of student.

                Although some would think I deserve a B or less because they feel like I don’t give the extra effort, they would be wrong. I am constantly trying to improve myself in every way, whether that be in my writing, comprehension, participation, vocabulary, etc. I am always trying to push myself to new limits, to try hard, and overall go the extra mile.

                I deserve an A because of my participation in this class. Any time we have a gallery walk I try to find the symbolism in the painting, I carefully analyze what I see, and whenever we deliberate to discuss our ideas, I am usually always the first to start our discussion. This clearly shows my participation by starting the conversation. It also proves that I’m involved because I’m analyzing the painting and thinking of different ideas, while some students just stand ideally by waiting to go sit down again, I’m actively involved. Another way I show my participation is by posting all of my blogs. I’ve posted every blog on time, and I’ve put a lot of thought into all my posts, showing my dedication to participation. It also shows my involvement because I visit other people’s blogs and comment/read what they’ve written, showing that I’m both an actively involved student both in and outside of the classroom.

                `My hard work in this class can also be seen through my progress. Throughout the entire year I have made numerous academic advances in this class, one of my major accomplishments has been in my persuasive writing skills. At the start of the year my writing skills were rather weak, but I was extremely lacking in my persuasive writing. I now am able to write a strong paper with many details and examples supporting my ideas, whereas before I wasn’t able to. I’ve also progressed in writing because I’m able to see all the elements of a persuasive essay that make it strong. Another way I’ve progressed this year is in my participation. At the beginning of the year I kept to myself and didn’t really ever speak up, now on a daily basis I’m engaging in class discussion and speaking out in conversations. This is a clear example of my progress; I went from being a very introverted person in this class, to extroverted. Not only is this progress in the classroom, it’s also helped me become more open in other classes and activities outside of school, which obviously shows a great improvement.

                I also deserve an A in this class because of my performance. Like I said before, I give my 100% best effort in everything that I do.  My performance is A quality because of the time and thought I put into my work. For example, this paper only requires 2 sub points, but I’ve written and extra sub point just to get my point across. Proving, my dedication to the work I do. It also shows me going “above and beyond” in performance. Another example of my performance being A quality, is because of my blog posts. I’ve been awarded blogger of the week before; being awarded that is a clear way to see I do good work in this class. It also shows that I excel and am one of the best students (not to sound full of myself). It’s very easy to see that I’ve given my best effort and work in this class and deserve an A for participation

                As Buzz Lightyear would say “To infinity and beyond”, which can be said about the grade I deserve. There’s no doubt I’ve done nothing but the best I can do, and have gone above what the average student would do. I’ve proven myself in numerous ways with the help of the 3 P’s, showing that I’m an A quality student.

               

                

Photo Story: Bound

Villanelle

I want what everyone is looking for
The one thing everybody is wanting
Love is all I want I cannot ignore

Somebody to love me down to my core
someone who's here to be my everything
I want what everyone is looking for

A person who doesn't have love is poor
Without it the world turns into nothing
Love is all I want I cannot ignore

Material things would  not please me more
Happiness is found in people caring
I want what everyone is looking for

This person isreal they are my amour
When they're found thy'll be what I was hoping
Love is all I want I cannot ignore

I will wait, when they're found I'll adore
Until they are found I will stay waiting
I want what everybody is looking for
Love is all I want I cannot ignore

Sonnet

My cleats on the field, the smell of grass
With my friends, my family, my teammates,
Here, I can escape the pressures of class
Chasing after the feeling it creates

The bat cacks and I run fast to the base
The ball is soaring and I'm rounding third
I could have been out, but that's not the case
My ball flew over the fence like a bird

Unfortunatley, nothing lasts forever
The game must end and I'm alone again
I just want to play, I'm like a craver
I'm already ready for our next win

For now, all I think about is softball
And I will, until the ump calls "Play Ball!"

Outside reading: Bound

I realized when I was reading the story that it's actually a retelling of Cinderella. My book is about a girl who lives in China with her step mother and step sister, her step mother has bound her step sister's feet so that she will be married, while the main character must work and serve her family. Throughout the story so far it describes her as very pretty, but because her step mother doesn't like her she must work and clean all the time, which sounds a lot like Cinderella to me. And also there is supposed to be a huge party comming up in honor of the new emporer so I think I have an idea of what's going to happen.

I have began to wonder why Xing Xing's (main character) step mother doesn't like her. I'm not sure if it's because she's prettier than Wei Ping (Xing Xing's step sister) and is jealous, or if it's because of something  Xing Xing has done in the past. But I don't really understand why she would hate her so much because Xing Xing is very obediant and does everything that her step mother asks of her.

I'm surprised with my book because Wei Ping has become ill, and Xing Xing's step mother has sent her off to find a doctor in the city. Which is surprising because this whole time I've been thinking it's a retelling of Cinderella . But in Cinderella she wouldn't have let Cinderella leave at all. So I'm surprised that this isn't exactly the same because throughout most of the book it's been the same. Now I'm begining to doubt my hypothesis that this is a Chinese retelling of Cinderella.

Acrostic Poem

R- Real
A- Artistic
C- Calm
H- Happy
E- Enjoyable
L- Loving

Concerte poem: The Moon

The darkness of the night peirced by an ivory light. The beam shines down on the darkened face of the Earth like a spot light. Like the mother of Earth she watches her child sleep. The moon casts her ghostly glow around the world. She is the symbol of mystery, horror, and romance. Always admired from a far, she shares her beauty with all.

Riddle Poem

I am made up of everything,
But people know little about me
Nobody knows how I came to be,
or hardly anything aobut the things I contain inside me

I am dangerous and beautiful
I've puzzled mankind for centuries,
Like a well kept secret, I am unknown
I am ever changing

I am so vast, I have no end
I cannot be destroyed
I am everything
Undoubtabley, I am the world's greatest mystery

Parent Letter

Dear Mom and Dad:

Do you ever get sick of me having to take the car to go places or of having me ask you for rides? Well I have the perfect solution to that problem, a car for me. Having a car is no longer just a want; it is needed for me as well as the rest of the family. I should have a car becase it'll teach me responsibility and it can help everybody out.

I already know what you're thinking "This is out of the question, a car is too expensive and it's just not the right time for it". On the contrary, although cars can be expensive, they aren't always. I'm not asking for a Ferrari, Porsche, or anything like that, we just need a decent car that works. Now is the perfect time because with everybody's different schedules it's going to become nearly impossible to negotiate rides. Having this car will relieve a huge amount of stress off the entire family. We can accomplish this just by buying a simple used car and makign small payments each month. You can see that this is not an unreasonable request.

The first reason why I should get a car is because it'll give me more resonsibility. Aren't you both always saying you're willing to help those who can help themselves? Well I am willing to help myself, I've gotten a job, I'm doing well in school, I'm able to spend time with my friends, and I'm also playing softball, which proves I'm already responsible. Having a car won't be an obstacle for me, it'll only help me because I'll be able to become more focused on these things because I'll be able to leave to go out and do things related to these activities. I also know that you guys want me to become more grown up and take more responsibility, having this car will teach me practical life skills like: saving money and taking car of my car, which is an obvious need I'll need to learn.

The next reason why I should have a car isbecause not having an extra car causes stress on the family. Everyone in our family lives very different lives, and with that we all have very different and busy schedules to follow. For the time being it's been fine, but in the near future Angela and Tim will be moving out so that'll be 2 cars gone, and dad works in Arkansas during the week so that's another car gone, leaving mom and me 1 car to share. And whenever mom has to work and I need a car or vise versa, it will cause conflict. So as you can see with one extra car, it will help the entire family.

Obviously, I'm not asking for a lot. A car is not just a want, it has become a need. The car doesn't have to be some brand new sports car or anything like that, just a decent one that runs well. With the car it'll show me practical life skills and bring more freedom to everybody in our family.

Love,

Rachel

Glog

Caesar's Letter

Rachel Gruenenfelder

English II

Mr. Allam

March 10, 2011

Caesar’s letter

What is Friendship? Friendship is defined as is the cooperative and supportive relationship between people, or animals. After the events that have taken place and by being backstabbed (literally) by the people I thought I was closest to, I have learned one of the greatest lessons of all. I’ve learned what true friendship is, it is: loyalty and being supportive

Others who don’t know what real friendship is might say it’s being kind and compatible, but they would be mistaken. Friendship isn’t just about being kind and compatible because just because you get along with somebody doesn’t mean that they’re really concerned about you. People can get along, but to be a friend to someone you must also be loyal and supportive.

To be a true friend you must be loyal to that person.  Brutus had told me that he was loyal to me and that we were friends. But he disagrees when he says, “Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.”(III.ii.21) In other words, Brutus believes that he killed me because he was more loyal to Rome than myself. In making this comment, Brutus urges us to believe that he was a friend to me, but that he was more loyal to Rome, which is true. By killing me he proves that you must show a person loyalty, to truly be a friend. Brutus obviously is more of a friend to Rome, than myself. He is no friend of mine because of this. Antony on the other hand,  had confronted the conspirators after my murder and said “I shall not fine myself so apt to die; No place will please me so, no mean of death, As here by Caesar” (III.i.160) Antony’s point is that he is so loyal to me, he is willing to die by my side than any other place. Antony who begs my murders for my body and asks for me to be properly buried, he is obviously loyal to me. He, unlike Brutus and my other “fellow Romans” is a true friend.

                To be a True friend, you must also be supportive. People I had called my friends, planned and plotted against me, because they were not supportive of the respect and virtue I had gained from the people of Rome. Out of jealousy they had slain me. Brutus states “I do fear the people choose Caesar for their king.”(I.ii.78). In other words, Brutus is worried about me becoming king. By being unsupportive and jealous of the power I had gained, he decided the best way to deal with the situation was to murder me in a brutal manner. Which is something a friend should never do. Even in my death Antony still supports me, Antony states “Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood.”(III.ii.258) Basically, Antony is saying that there will be revenge for my death, which shows that even though I am dead his still views me as a friend. And even in death he is still there for me. This again proves real friendship.

`           Real friends are hard to come by, those who I can actually count as friends in life, were loyal and supportive of me. Murders that I once had considered friends acted false to me, they deceived me by acting kind and agreeable to me. I now can clearly see the error of my judgment, but now I’m able to pass the information I have learned about real friendship.

POW #4

Dear Portia,

Sometimes I honestly can't believe how inconsiderate my husband can be. The other night I had the worst nightmere about my dear Caesar dying.I expressed my concern about this horrific dream to him, and for my sake, I begged him to stay home with me instead of going out into town. At first he just laughed and thought it was silly, but then he finally realized how worried I was, and being the sweet husband I know, he agreed to stay home. But then all of a sudden his friend walks in, hears the dream and tells Caesar that the dream meant something completely differernt then what I said it had originally meant (And I'm the one who dreamed it!!). He also told him that he should to go to town anyways. So then of course Caesar doesn't want to look like he's whipped in front of his buddy, so he says my dream is stupid and went to town anyways. I can't believe he could be so cold hearted, I mean I'm worried because I care about him and it couldn't hurt to just stay home for one day. I don't understand why men have to act to macho and tough all the time. Do you and Brutus have these problems? What should I do?

Sincerly,
Calpurnia

P.S
He's sleeping on the couch tonight.


__________________________________________________________________________________
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Dear Calpurina,

I'm so glad you sent me this letter, because I was going to send you one about Brutus and I!! So Lately Brutus has been acting so strange, it almost seems like he's hiding something from me. When I asked him what was wrong he didn't tell me, but you know there's no way I believed that. So, basically I told him that whatever he's hiding from me he can tell me becaue we're married and that's what I'm here for. When I said this to him he listened and once again acted like nothing was wrong still. I'm so hurt that Brutus would keep something from me. Isn't the whole point of marriage s to always be there for somebody you care about and to love them no matter what happens? How can I do this for him if he is always pushing me away? I agree with you, I have no idea why men try to act so tough and act like they can handle everything on their own all the time. I guess the best thing we can do as wives is to keep an open heart and let them know how much we really care for them, even if they do act like jerks sometimes. We also need to remind them that they are married to us and it is their duty to honor and respect us. Hope to hear from you soon, and good luck.

Sincerly,
Portia

P.S
Brutus will also be sleeping on the couch tonight...








>>>>>>>>>>I didn't know if we were supposed to write in present tense or not.

POW#3 No Added School

Who wants to make up 2 extra days of school? There is some debate about whether or not we should have the days we’ve gone over added on the end of the year. However, I disagree with think andtink we shouldn't have to make up any school. People can’t control what the weather is going to be like, why add on the extra time that we wouldn’t have had otherwise that could cut into peoples summer plans?

Admitidley, having school an extra 2 days would allow us to study for finals longer.This year we’ve had a total of six snow days, but our school district only planned for four days. An extra 2 days of schools gives teachers an opportunity to give us more review over subjects, but it would be pointless because most students are usually alread perpared for their tests. And if we didn't have school it woud give students a chance to become more responsible in what they do.

What exactly is a snowday? A snowwday is when the district decides to cancle certain schools because it’s either, snowing really badly; or it’s way to cold for students to wait outside for buses. The snow can also freeze and the rodes become slick. We have snow days for safety reasons. It wouldn't be fair if students and teachers got hurt trying to get to the school while trying to arrive on time and while deaing with the crazy weather. We can’t control when we’re going to have a blizzard, rain, sunshine, ect, so I don’t think we should have a consequence for something we can’t control.

Another reason we shouldn't add school days to the end to the year is because many people already have plans. Big trips that may have taken weeks to plan could be ruined by this decsion. Along with camps, trips, and other various activities people usually have already taken the liberty to preplan their summers before it has started. Any why shouldn't they? The summer is our time to get away from the demands of schoolwork and shouldn't be cut into because the district decided to give us snowdays.

Outside reading #1

The book I'm reading called Burger Wuss. So far, it's about a teenager named Anthony who feel in love with this girl he works with and they ended up dating, but then one night at a party his girlfriend Diana cheats on him with anoher guy that he works with named Turner. Anthony and Diana then break up and Anthony plots ways to get back at Turner. So far Turner has tricked Anthony twice by getting Anthony beat up by people who work at Burger Queen and by getting Anthony to poisin all the food at work on accident. While all this is happening Anthony is still trying to get back together with Diana.

"Don't you want to be the kind of person things happen to?" (Diana)
This quote is important because Anthony wants to be one of the kids that parties and is always having fun, and he feels like Diana  is one of those kids, so when they start dating Anthony feels like a new person.


The way I'm going to rate my book is by using hearts, and a picture describing how I feel about the book so far. So right now I'll rate my book ♥♥ because I feel like it's a little predictable.

 it's a little bit boring now.

One question I have for the author about the book is when exactly does he meet Diana, because in the begining he starts off at an interview, and then it just starts talking about him liking Diana which is a little confusing.

POW#2: Snapshots

I don't have a photo of the picture I'd like to talk about, but a photo that means a lot to me is a picture of my dad, sister, brother, and me when we were all really young. In the picture my dad is holding us all together and he has a broad smile across his face while me and my siblings are all laughing in his arms being squished together. I really like this picture because it reminds me of my dad, and everytime I look at it  I just feel really fortunate to have somebody that cares about me and my brother and sister so much. I'm extremely close to my father and I don't think I could ever really type enough or say enough to explain how much I respect my dad, love him, and enjoy his company. My dad recently took a job in Arkansas so that my entire family could be more comfortable. While he has moved away my parents are still together, but I only get to see my dad on weekends now. And sometimes work keeps him from comming up every weekend, so sometimes I only see my dad a few times a month. It's actually very difficult for me not to be able to see him so much, but I need to remember that however hard it is for us, it's harder for him. He constanstly calls and texts my siblings and I just to see how we're doing and just trys to check up on us like he was here. But it's no secret to my family that my dad really misses us and I know it cause him a lot of stress to work down there. So I feel like my dad makes a lot of sacrafices for my family. But relating this to the picture, anytime I see the photo it's a reminder to me to show how much my dad cares about us, misses us, wants to come back, and just in general what a wonderful father he is. So I wish I had the picture to upload, but I'm not sure where it is now.

AOW#1 nursing student

Ms. Byrnes should be readmitted to JCCC immediatley because she was unaware she was doing anything wrong, there is nothing listed in the code of conduct about posting a picture to facebook, and she never receieved any type of warning the in past. It is unfair and in a sense cruel, to rob a student of a professional degree just a few short months prior to graduation. When Ms. Brynes and her fellow collegues asked if it was alright for them to take a picture with the placenta the teacher never warned the students that there was a possible punishment or expulsion, so therefore the students were unaware of doing anything wrong. There are no rules in the code of conduct saying anything about posting something to facebook, it's not fair to be expelled for something when it's not even a rule. And lastly, Ms. Byrnes has always been an excellent student in the past and 1 mistake should not result in such a harsh and unfair punishment. Although her behavoir wasn't professional, her flaws don't out weigh her virtues. Ms. Byrnes should be admitted back into school as soon as possible.

POW#1 my name is

My name is Rachel, and the orgins of Rachel are hebrew. It means little lamb, and my parents named me that because both my brother and my sister have names that are hebrew and my parents wanted all of our names to relate to God some how. I don't like my name just becuase it's generic, and it sounds chunky. The only nickname I really have is Rach (rAY-ch). That's basically everything about my name.

Blog

I made a blog today. Here it is.