Two Decisions, Two Worlds

Two Decisions, Two Worlds

In the book “Rules”, by Cynthia Lord, a 12 year old girl named Catherine, has to deal with a brother, David who has autism. Unfortunately, Catherine’s family revolves around his disability, and she has trouble making new friends. Wanting her brother to learn the rules she has written for him when he just so happens to become “normal,” she also wants to start making new friends. But having a brother with autism and making new friends just don’t mix well. Catherine deals with the struggles of taking care of her brother, and taking care of her own life with friends. In the end, Catherine meets two new friends, learns to deal with how her life is with David, and decides what was right for her own life.

In this section, from the middle of the book. Catherine realises how Kristi feels about her life, which helps her realise that her life is split down the middle too. Catherine wanted to tell Kristi how it was like for her, being torn between two worlds, the regular world and David’s world. But never had the guts to open up because she was too embarrassed to share about her life with her brother. “...I wanted to tell her I know how it feels to be split down the middle, too. Pulled between the regular world of school and friends, and David’s world where none of the same things matter.” (pg. 135) This quote shows that Catherine keeps everything inside and doesn’t like to open up to people about how she feels. It also shows that she doesn’t have much freedom, from always taking care of her brother and barely having time to take care of herself, friends, and her life.

I represented this scene with my collage by showing a girl walking on the road, and suddenly having to decide which direction to go since the road go two different directions. The girl of course represents Catherine, while the roads that are split into two are leading her to two different places represents the two worlds that Catherine is torn between. The yellow dashes on the roads represents the different fears she has when both her “worlds” collide, and the fear of David embarrassing her in front of her friends and acquaintances.

The girl stands in the middle of the road, looking at the roads in front of her, trying to decided which path she should go. This represents Catherine, making decisions that are always leaving her thinking which “world” is more important to me, which life should I take care of more? Deciding between taking care of David or her own life and friends. One road in the collage would represent David’s world while the other would represent her regular world. The blue background represents the sadness she develops throughout the book, or the sadness she has whenever her friends make fun of David or when David embarrasses her. The color of the roads are black to represent the dark times she goes through whenever she just wants to breakdown. I made the lines of the roads diagonal, to represent how sometimes Catherine’s life can be a bit unstable with all the drama that happens between her and David. Finally, I decided instead of having the girl facing forward, you just see the back of her head to represent the choices that shes making. But with all the drama, chaos, and struggles in her life, Catherine continues to push on to live a happy life and finds a escape to let her calm down.

This is important because in life, we get torn in between two things, but we just usually give up and find a way to forget about it. We get torn in two but we don’t try to make things right and make those things stick together. So next time you’re in this situation where you’re torn because of fear, just remember Catherine and how she pushed on to make her two “worlds” work out and balancing it out to lead up to having a happy life.   

World Religions

Do's and Don'ts of a Book Club

Types of Switches

Never Give Up

When lighting up the wicks on this candle, I decided to take a picture of it. Not only does it smell good and brighten up somebodys day, but to me, it has a meaning behind it. This picture of the candle represents never giving up. You just have to keep on burning, even when times are rough. Sometimes the flame is strong, and sometimes it's weak, but we always seem to keep on burning. When giving up, it seems like the flame is getting weaker and weaker, but when you keep on fighting for what you're doing the flame gets stronger and stronger, just like us. It shows that we have to work and persevere to get the outcome we want, and if we want the flame to keep on burning we can't let the struggles or the people blow them out.  

Never giving up - We give up from time to time, but we always seem to grow that confidence, and perseverance to push ourselves to work harder and to not give up no matter what struggles bring you. We all have to watch out for the flame, because sometimes it just won't stop burning. 

Literary Essay - Something to Hold

In life, we always have to face changes, it may be hard, but we all have to go through them. Whether is moving to a new country, moving to a new school, meeting new people, changes in family and friends, forgetting about the past. These are some of the changes the characters in Something to Hold by Katherine Schlick Noe. The author wrote Something to Hold by having characters facing many social issues, but continued on showing change for the better in each character after a turning point.

One character, Jewel, was before known to everybody as a bully; no matter who you were she bullied them. Jewel never opened up to anybody about her past, not even about the troubles she had with her alcoholic and abusive stepfather. With the story starting off with Kitty and her brothers being new to a place full of Indians, Jewel was always the one teasing them about their race. She hung out with the wrong crowd, and didn’t have true friends. Until one day, “Jewel rises up from her desk. Mr. Nute swivels his head and narrows his eyes at her. "What about the courage," "she says, looking around the room,” of the people who were already here?" "I am stunned that Jewel is standing up for me." (pg. 65) This shows the change of Jewel because she stood up to Kitty, the main character who was treated differently than everybody else. As a result of this, Jewel treated Kitty and everybody differently and even started to open up about her past, and stopped hanging out with the other bullies.

Another character that showed change is the main character, Kitty. This middle school girl, who constantly moves due to her dad’s job, just recently moved to the Warm Springs Reservation in Oregon. Her family is one out of a couple of other white families to live in this area. This makes Kitty have a tough time fitting in, having confidence, and not sticking up to the bullies. With being a different race than everybody else, Jewel, Raymond and other kids tease her. When one of Kitty’s brother’s friend, Howie was being made fun of by Raymond, Kitty sticks up for Howie by saying, “Why do you do things like that?” I yell at Raymond before I can stop myself.”Howie never hurt anybody.” I can feel my throat close up. Oh, God what am I doing?” (pg. 72) It is because of what she has seen bullies do, she decided to stick up for Howie after she realizes that nobody, including him deserved being bullied. She showed change by sticking up for not only herself but for other people. She grew confidence and wasn’t afraid to speak out.

Finally, Katherine Schlick Noe introduces the readers to Raymond, Jewel’s brother. Raymond does the same things as Jewel, bullying and teasing people, and treating Kitty and her brothers differently. One thing that affects Raymond the most is his abusive and alcoholic stepfather (Walter,) Raymond can never forget his past, and finds a way to get rid of his stepfather. One day when Raymond, Jewel, Kathla, and Kitty were walking on the streets, they soon were in a situation they never wanted to be in with Raymond and Jewel’s stepfather. This was the turning point that showed somewhat of a different side of Raymond. “A sudden movement catches my eye, and I’m startled by an explosion of shattering glass. The car. I spin around to see Raymond swing the bat high over his shoulder and blast out the second headlight.”(pg. 205.) And after Mr.Walters was caught by the tribal police, “Mr. Wewa studies Raymond, his face serious. “That was a dangerous thing to do,” he says. Then his eyes soften. “But it was also very brave.” (pg. 206.) After this turning point, Raymond has a different perspective on Kitty. And showed change in Raymond by letting him let go of his past, and not being afraid of his stepfather and the things that he has done to him. He also stood up to one of his biggest fears, that he had tried and tried to get rid of in the past, but finally had the boost of confidence to get rid of it forever.

To sum it all up, through her characters, Katherine Schlick Noe tells the readers how change can help you overcome your biggest social issues. It is important because if we don’t, without a turning point in our lives, without change, our lives would be very different. So lets let these turning points leave an impact on our lives, and make it a wake up call that this change is for the better, for not only you, but also for the world around you.

Dirty Money

Dirty Money

What interested you the most about this article? 

Something that I found really interesting from this article is that dollar bills trace amounts of drugs. Another things that I found very interesting is that one dollar bill carries about 3,000 types of bacteria on it's surface. These things interested me a lot because I never knew that something we use every single day could have traces of drugs, illnesses, and many other things we never knew it could have on it.

Poetry By Me

What do you know now about poetry that you didn't know before?
 One thing that I know now about poetry is that poetry has no rules, that means you can do whatever you want in your poems, so long it's appropriate. Another thing that I learned from this poetry unit is the exact meanings of the poetry terms, such as assonance. I also learned that inspiration for your poems can come from anywhere, for example I didn't know that after we visited the Memory Garden that I would have a whole poem done. An example of something else I learned is that using stanzas, refrains, etc. can help the flow of your poem smoother. I think another thing I learned that really helped me improve my poems, is not to list things that fit the topic, for example on my on - demand I wrote about happiness, and I listed things that people do when they are happy. But now I learned to expand the topic and add more details to help the message stand out, create a vivid image, and make it more interesting.

Pick one of your poems and explain it.
The poem I decided to explain was the poem called, "Days That Amaze Me." I came up with this poem when one of the visiting poets were talking to our class. That day we also came up with poems that start out with one word. For example, I decided to write a poem about the word "Amazing," then using our five senses we described what seemed "amazing" to us and wrote about it. While writing this poem I used my five senses, and used ideas from my experiences that seemed amazing. I started off writing a first version, then carried on to writing a second version with more details. Some of the feelings or ideas that I hope to instill in my reader is that even though some days might be rough, we will soon or already have had that one amazing day that stood out to us, that makes us forget about the tough things about life, and just enjoy the moment.

Something To Hold Book Club

Water Project Update Week #3

We've made a lot of progress in raising money, we've sold baked goods, gotten donations, and started selling the different items on our store. For the bake sale, Renee baked brownies and cookies, and we've managed to make around $63.50. At the moment we have raise around $259.30. We are still continuing to sell items on our store, and are still raising awareness on our other blog. We have made a presentation to show to the class. We're still continuing on reaching our goal.

Plant Cell

My Cheek Cell

                                                                   My Cheek Cell

Water Project Week #2

My partner and I have made a bit more progress at the moment. We've sold a few items such as custom made notebook covers ($8.) Right now, my partner and I are trying our best to post more on our Instagram store, selling homemade items, and to sell/make more items. If you have an Instagram, please follow and shop at @waterprojectsasstore. We are still trying our best and our goal is still the same. We're hopping we can accomplish this in time for the due date. We're also trying our best to update the website. I hope we can accomplish it in time!

One of the notebooks made :) 

"Later" By Avis Harley

Poetry can tell stories, or just information. A word we won't stop using is "Later" we use it when we get lazy and when we don't want to do something. With this word, we keep on procrastinating until the last minute. In "Later," Avis Harley tells a story about a kid who was meant to search the word "procrastinate" up, but ends up procrastinating and doing it later.

To begin with, Avis Harley uses details to help you create images in your head by using different words we don't really use often (like "bleak".) Another thing the author does is that instead of having Procrastinate in quotation marks, he makes procrastinate like this: PROCRASTINATE. With this action, it really hooks my attention, since its the only word formatted like that.

Later, Avis Harley also makes each paragraph a different time of the child's schedule. In the middle paragraph he talks about how the child spends his time after school with friends and that he doesn't have time to check the word out, while in the last paragraph they end the poem with what he does at night, making him to check out "PROCRASTINATE" next week.

In the end, even though this poem doesn't have a very serious meaning, but it does have a fun meaning. I chose this poem because I could really relate to the situation with wanting to be lazy and doing things later. It shows that Avis Harley really knew how readers could relate to this poem, and left us maybe thinking that we shouldn't always do things later.

The Water Project Week #1

This week my partner, Renee and I started working on our water project. The goal for our water project in science is to buy a well from Tabitha and to raise awareness about the sanitation of water in developing countries. To reach this goal, we will make a website and give off information about the water crisis in developing countries. To raise money to buy a well for those developing countries, we will have a bake sale and start an Instagram store selling homemade items, to get enough money to buy one or two wells. Throughout the process we will be blogging about our process/progress in this project, if you want to see more progress and information here is the link. Check it out, and help the water crisis!

Social Studies Digital Presentation

This is a digital video/presentation that Heleen and I worked on in Social Studies class about the ancient Greek fashion of the Social Classes. The process went a little like this, we researched about the fashion of the classes, then we started it on a Google Presentation, then we did a voice over for the whole presentation on iMovie. We hope you learned about the many fashion styles of the social classes in ancient Greece. Enjoy!

Measles Project

Microorganisms in Pond Water

In science, we were able to use microscopes to look at microorganisms in pond water. In the first video below, it shows an up close view of worms in the water. The second video below, shows an up close view of the air bubbles and the algae in the turtle pond water.

Fight of The Arrogance

Fight of The Arrogance

Colette, a young girl, had a passion for sword fighting. Fighting since a young age, at fourteen she was brilliant. As Spartans, fighting was second nature to Colette. She would sword fight in the front of her one-story marble house with her older brother,  Calum, who was best known as his sister’s trainer. They had a spectacular sibling relationship.

Sweating faces, swords clashing, Collette and Calum had been practicing for hours and hours. “Its just a little healthy competition isn’t that right, Colette?” Calum explained their passion for sword fighting to their parents.

“Perhaps so, but it’s still a very dangerous activity,” replied mother. Their parents weren’t as supportive at first, but had soon realize that it’s just all fun and games. Collette had a dream of being the world’s best sword fighter, but that didn’t stop her from practicing.  

“If you could battle any god in a sword fight, who would it be?” asked Calum, while trying not to get hurt with the blade near him.

“Well, since Ares is the god of war, I’m pretty sure I can defeat him any day.” Colette admitted with such confidence. But I’m pretty sure I could beat any of the gods! I’m that great! She thought to herself secretly.

"You have got to be kidding me, Ares is the god of war! He would beat you in any battle!” Calum said trying to lower her confidence, while walking away from the practice to take a break. She seriously couldn’t beat him, he’s battled all the other arrogant people and has won every single time. Thought Calum.

What is he saying? I could beat him and Ares any day, maybe with just a bit more practice, she thought defending herself

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ares, god of war, stood there thinking. “Well what do I have here? Another child questioning my ability… Not the first time and hopefully not the last time that I’ll be able to defeat these arrogant mortals,” mumbling Ares. “I must accept this challenge, I must set off to Sparta to defeat this arrogant mortal.” Soon Ares set off in his chariot.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was around three PM, Colette and her brother were practicing outside. Dust sprang from the ground, a gold shiny beautiful chariot with beautiful carvings landed in front of the one-story marble house. In the chariot, stood a god like figure.   ”Well, you must be Collette,” said Ares while getting out of the chariot.

“Yes, and you must be Ares. And what brings such a god here in front of me?” replied Collette, hands on her hips, chin held up high.

“I have heard that you have decided to challenge me. May I just remind you that with arrogance a consequence is involved,” reminding Ares, confident as ever, with his chin held high.

“Bring it on, I will make sure I’ll win.” she exclaimed without a doubt, I know this could mean a dangerous consequence but I know I can beat the god of war! While this whole conversation was going on, Colette’s brother stood there worriedly, “what am I going to do if I lose my precious sister?”

The days passed by faster than they reasoned. They had been training to make sure she would win. “I know I can win! But practicing will never hurt!” Collette exclaimed.  Finally, it was the day of the challenge. Colette was ready! I can do this! Thought Collette. Leaving Calum, with a sick feeling in the bottom of his stomach, he has been dreading this day ever since Ares came to visit Sparta. Soon, people filed into the arena, hollering and screaming, there was nervousness everywhere.

“Ready? You’re going down big guy,” declared Colette in the middle of the small arena with her long dark hair pulled back into a ponytail. Ares putting on his helmet, without saying anything had flung his sword. Heart pounding, sword in hand twitching, she had realized what had happened and shielded the hit with her sword. With each sound of clashing of swords, the yelling of people in the audience got louder. Sounds of clanging every minute, heavy breathing, it’s been hours and hours of this battle.

“It’s time you have learned your lesson,” yelled Ares before nearly wounding Colette with his sword. Suddenly, a huge male figure shielded Colette from the sharp blade, leading the male figure being wounded in the chest. The male figure turned out to be Calum.  Weaken, Colette laid in his arms before himself had gotten weaker and weaker.

“NO!” yelled Colette breathing heavily. That should’ve been me! Why did he do that? Colette thinking, blaming herself. Dust sprang from the ground, Ares spinning in circles, and in a matter of seconds he was gone. Calum, eyes fluttering, face pale, sword in chest. His body lowered and lowered down to the ground. Holding Colette in his arms, with ragged breathing, taking his last breath, he laid on the ground leaving Colette thinking I know this was a punishment, but you didn’t need to take away my brother! Collette had no choice but to live a guilty life, having to remember the mistake, which lead to a death of a loved one. From that day forward, Collette learned that with too much arrogance comes a penalty.