Summer Reading Blog #2

                        The Time Machine 
                                             By: H. G. Wells

Writing Prompt:

• Explain what kind of reader would like this book most.

• Explain why somebody should or should not read this?

• How would you explain the plot of this story to somebody interested in reading

it? 

               What kind of reader that will enjoy this book the most would probably be a patient reader. I say this because in the beginning of what I've read it didn't become that interesting. Although, this book requires people to think which many people might enjoy, I enjoy that myself. For instance in the book it has many things I didn't even know what they were talking about. Therefore, I looked everything up I had questions about and it all made sense on how the time machine might work. If you are into those kind of requirements to understand this book than this book is a great selection for those readers. 

               The reason why people should read this book is because how intriguing this book is. For instance this isn't really likely to actually happen. I don't think we will actually have to fight off a whole bunch of creatures who live underground to get our time machine but that is why it is interesting. If they didn't end up loosing their time machine there wouldn't be a plot in this book. That is why it is interesting because of the whole plot of them losing the time machine and and having to take it back from evil creatures from the future. 

               I think the plot is clever but also predictable in a novel like this. Usually in books that are in the future or taken back in time the characters ended up losing something important and end up taking it back. However, if it wasn't for the plot I may not have enjoyed this book as much as I did. I am into unique plots but kind of original to keep the value of reading involved. Anyways, that is basically the plot. A bunch of evil creatures that live underground are surrounding the time machine. Then the characters in the book have to get it back to get back to their regular time period.

Summer Reading Blog #1

                        The Time Machine 
                                             By: H. G. Wells

Writing Prompt:

• Evaluate whether the title fits the story.

• Evaluate the quality of the writing.

• Evaluate whether the main character would be worthy of your friendship.

           The title of the book does fit the story because the title is " The Time Machine" and that is basically what the whole book is about. In my opinion that is the best title for this book because that can draw the readers towards the book. That is kind of what happened to me but I also read the back cover. Even though this book is mainly about the time machine it is also about the characters in the book and that doesn't necessarily fit the title. I feel like they could've made a more original idea then something so simple as " The Time Machine". They should change the title but that is nothing other than my opinion. Anyways it is a okay title for a great book. The title shouldn't even matter though never judge a book by it's cover.

           The quality of the writing is great. It uses a lot of substitution words which I enjoy. Instead of saying a full sentence it uses one word to explain it all. That is a terrific quality in my eyes. Also a good quality in the writing is that it doesn't rush to the point. All of the writing builds up to the plot of the book which keeps the readers interest alive. If that wasn't included I don't think I would've wanted to continue my reading. I enjoy the suspense of a book. That is another terrific quality that is included in the book. 

           The main character of this book would be worthy of my friendship because he has the qualities I like in a friend. The qualities that he has is that he is smart, clever, an inventor and wants to see what the future is like. I am into all of those qualities he has. For example I love to create things and I always wanted to see when technology advances or if it crashes in the future. I say the smart and cleverness from The Time Traveler are a good quality also so you can trust them and be able to help you with a homework assignment you don't understand. The Time Traveler is worthy of my friendship but the real question is if I'm worthy of his friendship.

OMAM Conflict Blog

Conflict Blog

          The conflict that I want to look closer to is the relationship between Lennie and Curley. Curley already hates Lennie because of his size and his intelligence. The reason Lennie doesn't like Curley is because the way he treats people and because he is mean. There is a lot of tension between them two and it can get Lennie in trouble. All of the pressure is on Lennie because if he were to do something to Curley he can get fired. Another way Lennie can get in trouble is because Curley would want to get revenge on him because of the fight when he broke his hand. Curley does need to look out too because people underestimate him and think he is a weak link. The thing is Lennie can seriously hurt someone and you shouldn't mess around with him.

          The second conflict is between George and Curley. They end up having beef between each other and not like each other. They never agree on anything and Curley just wants Lennie and George to leave. Curley feels like he might lose his power over the other people and they'll like George and Lennie more. The main reason George doesn't like Curley is because he hates Lennie and is always talking bad about him. They both really need to cool it because the more beef they have the more tension the Bunkhouse will have. All of the pressure is on George of course because if he does something wrong he'll risk getting fired but, if Curley does something nothing would happen because his dad is the Boss.

          The last conflict is about George feels guilt on not helping Lennie and always telling him what to do. He is starting to regret yelling at Lennie when it is unnecessary. George just feels like he needs t yell at him so Lennie will never do it again. Another reason he feels guilt is because he made Lennie hurt Curley when he really didn't want to and he feels like it's his fault when it isn't. He is just doing it out of love because he doesn't want anything bad to happen to Lennie. George feels like he is his responsibility because Lennie doesn't have anyone else to help him out in life. I don't think George should feel guilt he is doing it just to keep Lennie safe.

Paradox and Dream

                 "Americans are remarkably kind and hospitable and open with both guests and strangers; and yet they will make a wide circle around the man dying on the pavement. Fortunes are spent getting cats out of trees and dogs out of sewer pipes; but a girl screaming for help in the street draws only slammed doors, closed windows, and silence. What this paradox means is that we care more about the smaller things more the things that actually matter. The use the examples to show what is mainly true we would do anything to save an animal but barely try to save a human being in need. This is overall an opinion but it seems like it does happens.

                  I connected to this because I notice this all the time. We always make a huge deal over some animal and when someone dies it isn't as big of a deal. It is just terrible in my opinion, like what  they said in the story that "Fortunes are spent getting cats out of trees and dogs out of sewer pipes; but a girl screaming for help in the street draws only slammed doors, closed windows, and silence." We sometimes think of the least important things and care about them. Something can be happening to a a little girl and they hear her scream and they just look, these are terrible bystanders. This is like what we always talk about at school when we learn about bullying don't be a bystander.

                  "We fancy ourselves as hardheaded realists, but we will buy anything we see advertised, particularly on television; and we buy it not with reference to the quality or the value of the product, but directly as a result of the number of times we have heard it mentioned." What this paradox means is that we always buy items that we don't need. All of the items that we regularly buy are nearly all luxury items. We are easily persuaded by products that we see advertised and purchase it and we end up not enjoying it.

                  I connected to that paradox especially because I've done it before. I saw something that was advertised and they made it seem amazing, then it was terrible and I didn't even use it. Overall we make bad decisions and mistakes but everyone does and that connects to me also. Without mistakes such as the ones in the paradox we wouldn't be humans everyone has made mistakes in their lives and especially me. I always do things that I knew wasn't right or didn't think through the consequences but it's because I'm human.

Final Reflection Blog

                 End of the Year Reflection                   

          The most important things I've learned this year was how to properly right a paragraph, how to make sure I have no errors in my writing and all the different kinds of poetry there is. How to right a paragraph now is what I will for sure remember for the rest of my life it is one of the most important thing in my opinion. It's important because without knowing this I would not be prepared for my future years in school. It is a great life skill that is really good to know. Also what Mrs. Larson taught me was how to proof read my own work. I use to just write something and not read over it thoroughly but, she gave me a knew perspective on it and showed me how important it is.

          The nicest thing that someone did for me in class was guide me throughout the class because I was a new kid in the class when I came. The person who helped me out was Devin he basically explained the whole class to me and the way it works. I really remember that day too, I was so shy to be in a new class but with Devin's' help he changed my thoughts on the class. I actually taught some people things coming into this class. What I taught someone was that if you are using a picture and it isn't coming out clear you have to drag it to your desktop and then insert it to your work. This helped them a lot because none of the picture looked as well as iit was suppose to.

          Where I really made improvements in was test taking. I was terrible at tests and I never really did to well on them because i never knew how to properly study. However, once I came here I have never got a lower grade than a B, except for one time because I didn't study but I retook it and got an A. It is all thanks to Quizlet because the studying methods that it uses helps me out a lot and is a fun way to do it. Therefore, I use it all the time for every test I take and I do a lot better and my confidence is increasing. I am proud to be in this class because I wasn't in it for the first two quarters but for the last two. It isn't to come into this class and stay above a B in it. I shrived through it and started to feel comfortable. That was the biggest challenge too to keep up with all of these amazing kids and their talents. I am not the brightest but I still try my best and I believe if I keep on believing I will succeed. I overcame that challenge and it feels like I made it.

           The best piece of writing that I did was the "Nonsense Poem" because I could really take out my humor and put it into a poem. I also was able to make up words in the poem which was amazing because I always make up words and it basically fit my style of writing. My goofy yet effective type of writing. My personal favorite thing we did while reading this year was reading "Of Mice and Men" it is the best book that I've read ever. It is my favorite because the whole book is left in suspense and the book really requires you to think. I'm not going to spoil anything but the ending is the craziest ending ever I honestly didn't expect that. 

           My advice to the kids who come into Mrs. Larson's class is good luck. It is one of the toughest class I've ever took and to have two classes with her! I mean but, you've already made it this far into her class so why not "Just keep swimming." The class isn't as bad as I just explained it is as good as you make it because if you make it a bad time then that's on you, but if you make it a great time it'll eventually be your favorite class. After a lot of people told me it is really hard and it is difficult to get an A in her class, I just ignored them because that is only their opinion. The first month in her class was rough because I was still being taught the way her class works and other things like that but after that it was all uphill from there. Three key things you need to follow in her class is always be prepared. What I mean is have your homework done at all times and study for all tests. The last and final thing to do is HAVE FUN! The class is only as fun as you make it. My final advice for you is GOOD LUCK! :)

What Symbolizes me

                  A Basketball 

           What Item symbolizes me is a basketball, not only do I like to play it but I also relate to it. A basketball symbolizes me because I love to bring joy to others, play around and be there for someone. A basketball brings joy to others because when people play it with it they have a very enjoyable time with it. A basketball also is there for anyone in need of it. If you are bored or not in the mood for anything you can pick it up and have a great time. This relates to me because I have those similar qualities all day everyday. This the only object that I have special connection too as weird as it sounds. This why a basketball symbolizes me.

I commented on these blogs: Jared's , John's, Devin's, Omar's and Sam's

Of Mice and Men: The Movie

Analyze the ending of the book versus the ending of the movie 

What are your general thoughts, feelings, reactions of Of Mice and Men? What had the most profound impact on you or your understanding of the novella? Who would you recommend this book to and why? 

              What the flashback shows in the movie is that even though George shot Lennie he still did it out of love. That shows the whole mood of the movie and to let us know that George did the right choice. Also to remember how much he truly loved Lennie as much as he treated him badly he did it to keep Lennie safe. The way that this flashback changes the mood for the is really smart. They added that part to basically say we may have killed Lennie but we did it to make sure he didn't suffer.

              At the end of the book the feeling or mood was set in suspense and sadness. I say sadness because Lennie ends up dying and no one really care about it. Then I say suspense because it ends at a point that a new book might be able to start. The director chose that to end the movie to show some sort of twist in the audiences mind. If you end it the same way they wouldn't be able to see the different sides of how the characters reacted to Lennie's death. This makes the audience even more emotional if they read the book because they wouldn't actually be expected the ending of how lonely George was going to be and how other characters felt. The director did a great job also by allowing George and Lennie to have alone time at the whole end of the movie to express their true friendship.

              The line at the end of the book is "'Now what the hell ya suppose is eatin' them to guys?'" What this line tells us about the speaker is that he is trying to make a different mood and make it seem like no one cared that Lennie died except for George deep down. Also it leaves us in confusion and awe because we didn't know as an audience what the ending meant. That is why they made the movie to basically explain to us what the ending meant to us and it left us in sadness and happiness. 

               I really enjoyed this book overall and loved how it was set up. I really wasn't all that excited to read this book because I knew nothing about it at all and I never read a novella before. I was surprised with the outcome of my reading and how much enjoyment I had when it was over. I really got into this book and wanted to keep on reading. I would definitely recommend this book to other people with similar interests towards this book. The thing is in order for them to enjoy the book in my opinion is if you don't tell them anything about it and explain things. If you explain things to them they wouldn't want to keep reading to find out. What had the most profound impact on me was the love hate relationship between Lennie and George. It makes me connect a lot to this world and to myself. I say it connects to myself because that is how I am with my brother after all we've put each other through we still love each other. Then I say this connects to the world because almost everyone has this kind of relationship with someone.