Colin’s English Blog

 I used to believe in Santa when I was a little kid. It was a story that my parents had told me when I was very young and it always stuck with me. Every Christmas I would get milk and cookies ready just waiting for Santa's arrival. Sometimes I would even get carrots for the reindeer. I continued to believe this until I got older and my parents told me the truth.  Summary: Today we worked on claims more. Reflection: I bettered my understand of claims and the different types of claims.

 When I was younger, I used to fear what would happen when I die. I used to think about it a good bit and it would always scare me. In my more recent years of life, I have found God and the fear of death is something that I no longer fear. I still want to live my life out and live a full, happy and healthy life. Overcoming this fear has been a great journey and I have learned a lot from it. Summary: Today in class we worked on claims more. Reflection: I learned more about different types of claims and what they mean.

 When I grow older and face new experiences I'll probably have to debate my faith the most. It is the most important thing in my life and I can see that being an issue for other people. I am prepared for this battle though, for I know that the testing of my faith produces perseverance. I know that standing up for my faith will be worth the battle. Summary: Today in class we finished learning about pathos, ethos and logos. We also learned about claims. Reflection: I bettered my knowledge on different types of claims. I learned how to differ the different types of claims.

 A truth that I was afraid to accept was a truth that I found when I was a little kid. I used to hope for my dogs to live forever and always dreaded the thought of their death. Eventually time came around and I lost one of my dogs. I realized that death is something beyond my power and I can't control it. It hurt to accept the truth that death is inevitable, but it eventually settled in with me. Summary: Today we learned about arguments. We also learned about pathos, ethos and logos. Reflection: I learned how to better my arguments using pathos, ethos and logos. I also learned that everything is an argument.

There have been many times I have been judged unfairly due to my faith. People have and continue to make fun of my faith and make hateful comments towards me about it. This doesn't bother me at all though. I know that being hated is part of the cost that comes with the great reward of walking with Christ. This unfair judgement that I receive only pushes me to do better. Summary: Today in class we read a commonlit and answered questions. It was fairly easy. Reflection: I bettered my reading comprehension skills. 

If I was learning about Hispanic/Latino heritage,  I would be curious to know the history of their foods. I want to know how the food relates to their culture. I would also love to know the history of their music as I really enjoy it and think it is very impressive. Along with all of this I would like to know more about the history of the languages they speak. Summary: Today we took notes about planning before an essay. I learned how important planning really is. Reflection: I learned how to better use my planning time. I also learned how to better effectively brainstorm.

 I really liked Davyon's Poem. The way he presented really caught my ear and eye. His confidence and tone while speaking is something I look up to. In the poem itself, It was well put together and written very well. He had great themes and uses of images. Summary: Today in class we presented our poems. I got 3rd and received a assignment coupon. Reflection: I got better at presenting In front of others. Public speaking is a skill that I want to get good at and I am glad that we got to work on it.

My situation when I felt like others were interlopers in my life affected me heavily. It led me to do things I shouldn't do and influenced me in bad ways. Though it was a rough time period I learned a lot. From those experiences I learned how to better myself and those around me. I am very thankful for having learned new things and lessons from these experiences I've been through.  Summary: Today in class we read "The Interlopers" on commonlit. We answered questions on them. Reflection: I learned how to better relay information from something I read and answer questions with it. I also learned how to connect my experiences to the text.

 Of today's 15 vocabulary words, I will most likely use affinity, altruism and animosity the most. Affinity is a word that I had heard of before but never knew the true meaning of it, I find it to be a good and fitting word for many situations and writings. Altruism is a word I had never heard before but its meaning caught my eye. Animosity is a word that I had heard before, it contradicts altruism and I feel that both of these words could be put to good use in my speaking and writing this semester. Summary: Today in class we learned 15 new vocab words. We did activities with them to better understand their meaning and purpose. Reflection: I bettered my vocabulary. I also learned how to incorporate new vocabulary into my writing.

 I love how unique the Lakeside community is. Everyone has a very different story and origins. My favorite homecoming tradition is the football game. Homecoming football games are always really fun and exciting. To show off my school spirit I will often go along with the theme for that day during homecoming week. Summary: Today in class we took a quiz on "Constantly Risking Absurdity" by Lawrence Ferlinghetti. The quiz was fairly easy. Reflection: I learned how to better take quizzes. I also learned how to better relay info that I learned to them.

 I enjoy class discussions the most. I am able to see other people's point of view on things. This helps me better understand whatever we are discussing or learning about. Class discussions also help me get to know more people and learn more about who they are and what they think. Overall, class discussions are my favorite method of learning. Summary: Today in class we worked on our poems and poems posters. They are both interesting and fun assignments. Reflection: I learned how to better understand poetry as I make one myself. Turing my poem into a poster also helps me learn how to relay information better.

 I like the aspect of searching in your heart. I love that poetry comes from the heart, and there is no need to lie. The truth can be stretched to better your point. I especially like how genuine poems often are. Most poems I read are how a writer truly feels and the way that they express that throughout the poem is very fascinating. Summary: Today in class we read "Constantly Risking Absurdity" by Lawrence Ferlinghetti. I thought the poem was very well written and it says a lot. Reflection: I learned how to better understand the poet's point of view. This helps me better understand poems as a whole.

 A moment in my life that was absurd was when I tired to climb across a tree to get across a river. It was pretty high above the water and I had my shoes off. As I was walking across I felt my feet begin to slip, still I did not go back. I kept going and fells into the water. I wasn’t hurt at all but it was an experience worth learning from. Summary: Today in class we read a Lawrence Derlinghetti poem. It was fun as we learned more about analyzing poems. Reflection: I learned how to better analyze poem. I also learned how to go slower and be more detailed with my reading. 

 If I were to compose a poem about one aspect of my life, I would choose the topic of truly finding yourself. My overall life message is that true love, peace and understanding lies in Jesus. Jesus is what brings me all of these things in my life, throughout the good and bad. Recently within the last year I've found my place in the Lord Jesus, his love is true and life changing. If I were to compose a poem about one aspect of my life it would be finding delight in the Lord. Summary: Today I was not in class, I was at stone mountain for the yellow daisy festival. I had a solo and it was fun. Reflection: This prompt has really made me think about and analyze my life. I enjoy this prompt and it was fun to answer.

 The class has been very good. I find each class period to be electric and fun. I have learned a lot about origin myths, themes, and poems. At the beginning of this course, I did not know much about any of these but my knowledge on these topics has greatly grown. I like how Mr. Rease teaches and I am excited for the rest of the course. Summary: Today we read a poem and analyzed it. After analyzing the poem we drew hearts to represent the logical and emotional side of the heart. Reflection: I learned how to better analyze a poem and find the theme. I also learned more on how poems are structured and that each poem is very different.

 One thing that makes me different from other people is my faith. My faith is the foundation of my life and the light that shines upon my path. I often put my faith above anything else in my life, which I find is uncommon in some people today. To sum it up, my faith and trust in God is what sets me apart from other people. Summary: I was not at school this day. I drove to Virginia instead. Reflection: I thought this prompt was very good. It challenged me to set myself apart from others and analyze what is different about me.