Dear Ms Galang and 811,
A project that was valuable to me was our book groups. I read the book "13 Reasons Why," which is now one of my favorite books of all time. I have read it twice now and it's still just as interesting now to me. I read with JJ and Alex and Steven and we all were on time and had great discussion about this book. Not only did I read a great book, but I also developed my note-taking and reading in a group skills. Also we then made a synthesis page about the different reasons in the book and we worked very well together, and overall this was just a very valuable lesson for me as an ELA student.
Another lesson that was valuable to me was reading Romeo and Juliet. This was valuable to me because it was my first piece of classic literature. I learned a bunch of new language, and grammar from the old days from William Shakespeare. Also I love the acting aspect of it, as the whole lesson is really an all around improver, as I feel like i can act, memorize, read, and write better. I really liked watching the movie too as that gave me a good visual. I like working in a group and it was really enjoyable to see a play really go.
My goals for reading and writing when I graduate is to do both more over the summer and in high school. Over the summer I want to read three books, and in high school I want to continue to read a book a month. For writing I want to try and keep a journal and write maybe weekly or so. Also I want to write more poetry.
Sincerley,
Max
Summer Reading List/Book Shelf
Books to Finish:
I. Glass Castle
II. Ribblestrop
III. Lorien Legacies
Books to Read:
I. Maze Runner
II. Next Lorien Legacy
III.Blindness
IV.Never Let Me Go
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Friday, March 6, 2015
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Draft for Author's Note
Max
Kessler Class 811
According
to nbpc.com nearly one-third of students report being bullied during or
throughout the school year. Another staggering stat about bullying, according
to mbnd.com 86% of gay or student unclear on their sexuality are bullied. Even
more 84% of overweight students report to being bullied during physical
activity. Stats like these and other experiences have made me want to speak out
against bullying. I wish for bullying to end, but I know that is not possible,
but the best way to stop it or at least limiting it is to stand up for yourself
and others.
I
chose this topic because I am exposed to it in my life. Being in middle school,
I and all my other peers are exposed to poor and unruly behavior, and I personally
haven’t been bullied, but I have always wanted to do something to help those
who are. To research this I will look up images and articles to further
understand this very real and upsetting issue in today’s world.
I
wrote this to promote awareness and show how if you stand up for yourself you
can stop bullies. By taking action you can prove to yourself and the bully that
you are a person with feelings and emotions and that what they are doing is not
okay. According to mdnb.com if you stand up for yourself 57 percent of the time
the bully stops. And even if standing up for yourself doesn’t work there are
other ways to help such as telling an adult.
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
The book, "Unbroken," by Laura Hillenbrand is about an olympic runner, Louie Zamperini, who is forced to join the second world war, and how after getting his plane shot down he is stuck on a raft for the next three months and is forced to fend for himself. There are many different people and groups who have the power in this text at different scenarios.
One person who has power in this text is Louie. When Louie is a child he is an absolute terror to his family and no one can stop him. "He [Louie] was often chased by people he robbed, and at least two people threatened to shoot him." Louie is an utter terror and whether its stealing money or food he has done it, also he is only six years old at this time. He has the power because he doesnt care what his family says or does to him, he just keeps doing the crimes over and over, "You could beat him to death," said his mother Louise, " and he wouldnt say ouch or even cry out." "The next day he would be back and stealing things." This shows how Louie was just impossible to deal with and could pretty much do whatever he wanted because he didnt care. Through the book Louie does grow up and become more mature as he puts all the effort from crime into running. He is a character that is easy to cheer for and he now uses his power in mischief in something useful and legal.
Another person who has power in this book is Glenn Cunningham. Glenn Cunningham is a man who got into an extreme car accident and has scars all over his body, but still contests in running. He has power because he is so accomplished and has all of these unbelievable stories to go along with it, and this gives him an edge over other runners. "When he [Louie] and all other young athletes saw Glenn Cunningham standing in front of them they were shocked." This shows how even without doing much of anything he has the power to make people's jaw drop and make them respect him. Cunningham doesnt end up doing very well in the Olympics yet he still has many more people than most come up to him congradulating him.
A group of people who have power in this text is the Japanese. They have the power because slowly, but progressively they are taking over continent after continent killing millions of innocent people. They are a strong army with huge numbers and destroy tiny countries easily. "Over decades, it [the Japanese army] had crafted a muscular, technologically sophisticated army and navy, it had shaped its people for a war." And as trained, Japan takes over almost the entire western hemisphere not losing much of its army. When Louie goes to war, he and all of his crew is intimidated by this monster of an army. In different parts of the book different people and groups have power over others, such as how the Japanese have power over Louie but he has power over his family.
A fourth and final example of a group who has power in this text is the Germans. This book is in the Hitler era, and like the Japanese the Germans are taking over portions of the world and making them Nazi. They are killing thousands of Jews and non-arians just because. All reigons in their way are terrified and people are fleeing everywhere. The governments cannot do anything to stop them, they have nearly unlimited power to do as they please. At the olympic running ground, "Each time Hitler entered, the entire crowd [of 100,000] got up with the Nazi salute." This is an example of how Hitler has control over almost all Germans and how 100,000 people are willing to kill millions of Jews. The Germans are really down for the cause and wont stop at anything to take over the world.
These are four examples of people and groups who have power throughout this books. The power shifts throughout the book and goes to many people. Also many people have power over others. Power and the upper hand is a major theme throughout this book.
One person who has power in this text is Louie. When Louie is a child he is an absolute terror to his family and no one can stop him. "He [Louie] was often chased by people he robbed, and at least two people threatened to shoot him." Louie is an utter terror and whether its stealing money or food he has done it, also he is only six years old at this time. He has the power because he doesnt care what his family says or does to him, he just keeps doing the crimes over and over, "You could beat him to death," said his mother Louise, " and he wouldnt say ouch or even cry out." "The next day he would be back and stealing things." This shows how Louie was just impossible to deal with and could pretty much do whatever he wanted because he didnt care. Through the book Louie does grow up and become more mature as he puts all the effort from crime into running. He is a character that is easy to cheer for and he now uses his power in mischief in something useful and legal.
Another person who has power in this book is Glenn Cunningham. Glenn Cunningham is a man who got into an extreme car accident and has scars all over his body, but still contests in running. He has power because he is so accomplished and has all of these unbelievable stories to go along with it, and this gives him an edge over other runners. "When he [Louie] and all other young athletes saw Glenn Cunningham standing in front of them they were shocked." This shows how even without doing much of anything he has the power to make people's jaw drop and make them respect him. Cunningham doesnt end up doing very well in the Olympics yet he still has many more people than most come up to him congradulating him.
A group of people who have power in this text is the Japanese. They have the power because slowly, but progressively they are taking over continent after continent killing millions of innocent people. They are a strong army with huge numbers and destroy tiny countries easily. "Over decades, it [the Japanese army] had crafted a muscular, technologically sophisticated army and navy, it had shaped its people for a war." And as trained, Japan takes over almost the entire western hemisphere not losing much of its army. When Louie goes to war, he and all of his crew is intimidated by this monster of an army. In different parts of the book different people and groups have power over others, such as how the Japanese have power over Louie but he has power over his family.
A fourth and final example of a group who has power in this text is the Germans. This book is in the Hitler era, and like the Japanese the Germans are taking over portions of the world and making them Nazi. They are killing thousands of Jews and non-arians just because. All reigons in their way are terrified and people are fleeing everywhere. The governments cannot do anything to stop them, they have nearly unlimited power to do as they please. At the olympic running ground, "Each time Hitler entered, the entire crowd [of 100,000] got up with the Nazi salute." This is an example of how Hitler has control over almost all Germans and how 100,000 people are willing to kill millions of Jews. The Germans are really down for the cause and wont stop at anything to take over the world.
These are four examples of people and groups who have power throughout this books. The power shifts throughout the book and goes to many people. Also many people have power over others. Power and the upper hand is a major theme throughout this book.
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Social Awareness Project Class 811 Max Kessler
Reading Response Option #4
The text, "To Kill or Not to Kill,"by Patricia Smith is about the ongoing debate about whether or not to ban capital punishment, better known as the death penalty.The author talks about how recent polls have shown a great decrease in backing of the death penalty. The author does not have a strong opinion on the issue but shows some signs of not supporting capital punishment. In the artivle the author speaks about how the general way to perform the execution is to give them a lethal injection but recently some of them have malfunctioned leaving the victim writhing around suffocating for half an hour before finally resting, this is not what is wanted, obviously.
In this passage the author wants the reader to see both sides of the argument, and with this Smith does a great job. She shows the anti injection side when she talks about the "significant problems" of the death penalty. In which segment of the article, Smith interviews some anti-death penalty people. They say talk about the fundamental issues such as, "racial bias, uneven application of the death penalty, situations in which there were individuals on death row who were later found innocent." The author also shows the supportive side of capital punishment when she talks about some high up authority figures opinions and what they think. For example when she talks about how Obama supported it for "the most heinous of crimes." Or when she talks about Kent Scheidegger and how according to him, "There are some crimes for which any less punishment is unjust."
I think the author does not have a bias. I say this because they keep their opinion out of the article, and shows both sides of the argument, leaving all bias or evidence of it out of the article. The author also quotes both types of people, pro capital punishment, and against it. I think the purpose of writing this article was to show the reader an important issue in today's society and to show some facts, to help the reader make a choice about which side they back up and support.
This article has really deepened my thinking on this specific issue. It shows me to deep arguments and interpetations of both sides of the issue. I would like to learn more about this topic, such as how many people have had botched executions, or what is the specifics someone looks for to sentence to someone to death. After reading this article I have decided to be anti-death penalty, and don't back it.
Reading an article like this really made me question our beliefs as the human race. Not because I have a strong opinion on the article but because this is a very big issue. People's lives are ended for sometimes incorrect reasons, or just they are innocent. I believe that this issue should have one final answer and not a foggy line of how to do it and who we do it to.
Poem Option #5
Suffragettes wanted women's voting rights
They would do anything for it including including fights
They marched through streets and malls
Sometimes even breaking down walls
For many days even through some nights
For this poem I did some research first and looked up some facts on the Suffragettes and thought about which ones would fit with the poem scheme and rhyming. Also in this topic there were many things I could have wrote about, their beliefs, their ideas, but I thought it would make for the most interesting poem if it was about their marches. Marches were a big part of their campaign for womens suffrage as thousands of people would march through streets protesting and complaining for their rights.
The issue in this poem is women's rights. Women's suffrage was a big issue in the late 1800's and the early 1900's as women felt like they were used by men and wanted to stand up for their rights. Women held marches and gatherings to help protest and fight against the sexist laws. They would march through streets protesting holding home made signs with clever slogans. Eventualy the womens brave actions carried through and they got the right to vote.
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Reading Response to Non-Fiction by Max Kessler 811
The text, "To Kill or Not to Kill,"by Patricia Smith is about the ongoing debate about whether or not to ban capital punishment, better known as the death penalty.The author talks about how recent polls have shown a great decrease in backing of the death penalty. The author does not have a strong opinion on the issue but shows some signs of not supporting capital punishment. In the artivle the author speaks about how the general way to perform the execution is to give them a lethal injection but recently some of them have malfunctioned leaving the victim writhing around suffocating for half an hour before finally resting, this is not what is wanted, obviously.
In this passage the author wants the reader to see both sides of the argument, and with this Smith does a great job. She shows the anti injection side when she talks about the "significant problems" of the death penalty. In which segment of the article, Smith interviews some anti-death penalty people. They say talk about the fundamental issues such as, "racial bias, uneven application of the death penalty, situations in which there were individuals on death row who were later found innocent." The author also shows the supportive side of capital punishment when she talks about some high up authority figures opinions and what they think. For example when she talks about how Obama supported it for "the most heinous of crimes." Or when she talks about Kent Scheidegger and how according to him, "There are some crimes for which any less punishment is unjust."
I think the author does not have a bias. I say this because they keep their opinion out of the article, and shows both sides of the argument, leaving all bias or evidence of it out of the article. The author also quotes both types of people, pro capital punishment, and against it. I think the purpose of writing this article was to show the reader an important issue in today's society and to show some facts, to help the reader make a choice about which side they back up and support.
This article has really deepened my thinking on this specific issue. It shows me to deep arguments and interpetations of both sides of the issue. I would like to learn more about this topic, such as how many people have had botched executions, or what is the specifics someone looks for to sentence to someone to death. After reading this article I have decided to be anti-death penalty, and don't back it.
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