Final Assessment

A8 - Speak and Listen to make personal responses to texts by

making connections with prior knowledge and experiences

relating reactions and emotions to understanding of the text

generating thoughtful questions

making inferences

explaining opinions using reasons and evidence

B4 - Independently Select and Read, for sustained periods of times, texts for enjoyment and to increase fluency

C3 - Write effective imaginative texts to develop ideas and information to 

 strengthen connections and insights 

explore and adapt literary forms and techniques 

experiment with increasingly sophisticated language and style 

engage and entertain

This is my Final Assessment. In this post I’ll be telling you how I think I did in this school semester in this class. I’ll be grading myself on three different sections; Self Regulation, Quality of Communication Skills, and Contribution to the Learning Environment. The teacher might very well disagree on how I think I did, but that’s why I call this my self assessment; I’m assessing myself on how I think I did.

First, I have to grade myself in Self Regulation. I think I did fairly well in Self Regulation; I kept on task, I ignored messages and notifications I received, and tried to keep any talk with friends on task. When we went to the library, I had a bit of trouble though; considering for the majority of the time we were at the library I had no way of actually writing on the computer, it was a bit of a temptation to just do normal computer things. But then I finally made a gmail account, therefore I had access to google docs and was able to actually write on the computers, and was able to stay on task.

Final Assessment; 21/33

The first PLO I chose was A8; Speak and Listen to make personal responses to texts by making connections with prior knowledge and experiences, relating reactions and emotions to understanding of the text, generating thoughtful questions, making inferences, and explaining opinions using reasons and evidence.

I feel I do well at this PLO because I do all that it describes, and I do it without even realizing that I am. Some proof I have of this is in my essay where I tried to predict who killed Wellington;

“My proof of this is that when Mrs. Shears came over that first time, she pulled Mr. Boone's head to her bosom. This does not often happen between neighbours unless there's something between them.”

This example demonstrates ‘making connections with prior knowledge’, ‘generating thoughtful questions’, and ‘making inferences’. It shows making connections with prior knowledge by my understanding that neighbours don’t ordinarily act that way towards each other. It demonstrates generating thoughtful questions by showing that I considered if this behaviour was acceptable for neighbours or not. It then showed me making an inference of stating that there was something off about the two of them simply by their behaviours, which can also count as explaining opinions using reasons and evidence. In such a small section of an essay I demonstrated all the requirements for this PLO.

 The second PLO I chose was B4 - Independently Select and Read, for sustained periods of times, texts for enjoyment and to increase fluency.

As mentioned in my very first blog post, I have read and still continue to read various different novels in my spare time;

“,”But I've read tons and tons of books, like the Inheritance (Eragon) series, all four of them, and I've read the Ranger's Apprentice Series, the Chronicles of Narnia, and many others,” 

This section of the post is self-explanatory; it displays the fact that not only do I read outside of class, but that I also explicitly enjoyed them and have looked to a variety of different types. This shows that this PLO describes me perfectly.

The third and final PLO I chose was C3 - Write effective imaginative texts to develop ideas and information, to strengthen connections and insights, explore and adapt literary forms and techniques, experiment with increasingly sophisticated language and style, and engage and entertain.

Yet again, let me take an example from my first post;

“I also spend huge amounts of my time writing various random little stories in Microsoft Word, some of them ranging to around 34-37 pages, one even at 64 pgs!”

I write not only to get better at it, but because I enjoy it, and because maybe if I get better at it I might be able to actually publish a book one day. Because of writing I’ve learned a larger variety of descriptive, conversation, and other types of words. I hope that if I ever publish something I wrote, that people enjoy them.

Those were the three PLOs I chose, and I think I did them well.

Final Assessment; 30/33

The third section I have to go over is my Contribution to the Learning Environment. I think I did well in this section; I often comment on topics going around, try to contribute to figuring out predictions or issues, I’ve been known to help with tech if I know the solution/help to try and find the solution. I discuss things with those at my table, and raise my hand if I have a point to add to a verbal discussion amongst the class. I attempt to be helpful in comments on others’ blogs, and encourage them with their writing. All in all, I think I did fairly well in this section.

Final Assessment 29/33

The Betrayal

I woke up this morning after the most delightful dream about my dear Lovine. Though, I guess I should introduce who I am, first. My name is Protag Anist, and I'm heir to the Kingdom of Plot'Vice. Well, I guess I'm ONE of the heirs; I have an older brother named Antag that might very well inherit the throne instead of me. But, let's talk about my dream, instead. It was about my amazing Lovine Terest, the one whom I'd give my life for, the one that I want for the rest of my life. She is the heir to the Kingdom of Climaxia, which is just past our neighbouring Kingdom of En'Mee. She is beautiful, with long, flowing hair the color of sunflowers, and amazing sapphire eyes that shine brighter than a crystal clear lake. She has such grace that a swan would feel clumsy beside her. I have repeated those thoughts to my brother before, but he doesn't seem to really care for my words. Ah, well, to each their own, he'll never understand the feelings that Lovine and I share for each other.

Speaking of my brother, I should probably get out of bed and go find him before he comes in to get me himself, he's rather rude about waking me. So I climb out of bed lazily, get my clothes for the day and get changed, going about my normal morning routine and finally head downstairs to the dining hall, knowing that my brother would already be there waiting. And I was right,

"Antag! Good morning! How did you sleep?" I say cheerfully. I could only see the back of his medium-length black hair before he turned around to look at me with those sharp green eyes of his. He then smiled in return.

"Good morning, Protag, I slept well, and you?" he asked, turning to face me fully and crossing his arms.

"I slept brilliantly! I had another dream about my dear Lovine!" I beamed. Antag then frowned and sighed, obviously not amused at the sudden topic change.

"Really, Protag, must you speak of her at all hours of the day? She's much older than you! Are you even certain that she reciprocates he feelings you have?!" He exclaims, an annoyed look apparent on his face. My face fell and I looked at him with a rather down-trodden look.

"But Antag, I am sure that she reciprocates the feelings!" I drone, "She's told me she does!" 

It was a small white lie, but it was just so he wouldn't argue with me on this topic any more. He raised an eyebrow at what I said, before sighing and shaking his head in resignation. 

"Let's just eat breakfast and train, alright? I'm not too fond of talking about this," he says. I shrug.

"If that is what you wish," I say simply. And we do just that. After we eat breakfast, we go and train with our swords, and horseback riding, and archery. Though, right before dinner was started, a courier arrived bearing grim news. 

"En'Mee is attacking our borders?!" I exclaimed incredulously. Antag, however, was calm and collected. 

"I shall leave at once, leading a party of our best warriors," he says, standing abruptly from the table and walking off without another word. I sat there in a state of shock. He just left, without another word? Well, he has been known to rush into things, but I would've thought he'd at least say good-bye...

-----

It's been almost a month since Antag had left. We haven't heard a word from the party yet, and it worries me greatly. Suddenly, though, one of the pages bursts into the room where I was reading,

"Sire! Grave news from En'Mee's border!" He exclaims. I look to him in worried confusion,

"What is it?" I ask.

"Antag is dead!" He cries. I froze, I am stunned, and horrified. I dismissed the page with a simple hand gesture, and when he was finally gone, I sat there in wide-eyes silence, taking everything in. My brother is... Dead? How... How could this be? He was one of three best fighters I've ever known! He wouldn't be able to be taken down by a border skirmish! But... Evidently he was...

This was grave news indeed...

-----

When news of Antag's death reached the Kingdom of Climaxia, I received news that Lovine was coming with a party of guards to my Kingdom, and that practically immediately alleviated the pain I was in by the knowledge that my lady was coming to comfort me. She was to reach here in a week's time.

-----

It has been over a week's time, almost double it! Where could my lady be? Maybe her party was intercepted, maybe she was captured! I have to go find her! I take my finest horse and my armor, and my sword, and I ride out, leaving my advisor in charge until I returned. I must find my lady!

-----

It was difficult to find it, but finally I found the scene of the event; there were at least ten dead warriors, one or two of their mounts gone with them, but no sign of my lady. That left me both relieved and worried; that meant she was still alive, but she was also captured! I must go find her! Thankfully, I see tracks leading away from the scene, into the forest. How convenient! I decide to follow them.

-----

I'd been travelling all day before I finally saw the ones I had been following; there was my lovely lady Lovine, following a masked villain. How dare he take my lady from me?! I had my horse go at a full gallop, running swiftly to the two. 

"Fiend! Stop at once and leave my lady be!" I roar, rage obvious on my face. They both turned to look at me, Lovine in shock and the villain in calm silence. Once I had arrived I dismounted and pulled out my blade, glaring at the heinous man. He appeared to resign himself to the fact that he'd have to fight and pulled out his blade as well. Odd, the blade looks quite familiar... 

Before I could ponder that thought anymore he was upon me, slashing and swiping with grace and skill. I matched each sword stroke, not allowing him to get an advantage. Then, I started getting the upper hand. After several minutes of intense fighting, I finally knocked the sword out of his hand and forced him to the ground. I decided that it would be best to reveal his identity, and knocking the mask off with my sword revealed a horrifyingly shocking truth.

It was Antag.

"Antag?! How are you alive?! Why are you doing this?!" I spluttered in shock and horror. My brother was alive! He was capturing my lady?! Why?! My rage flared and I raised the blade to end the mongrel that dared try to steal my lady from me, but I was stopped by a shrill cry.

"Protag, stop!" Lovine cried, running to stand in front of my blade. I looked at her in confusion.

"Lovine..?" I asked tentatively. There were tears running down her face. She glared at me, attempting to look intimidating.

"Stop! Why would you kill your brother?!" She asks.

"Because he was trying to capture you! Trying to take you from me!" I exclaimed.

"To take me from you?! What, do you honestly still think that I like you as more than a brother?! You're insane! I love Antag, not you! We planned this entire thing, we were running away together!" She explains. I blanched; what...?

"It's true, Protag," Antag said, standing up slowly and looking at me in exasperation, "Why else wouldn't I want to talk to you about a girl that you have a crush on?" He sighs. I look between them both in horror, before tears build up in my eyes and I turn swiftly, walking away with my head bowed, ignoring them calling for me to come back.

It's funny how deep betrayal can make you hate the ones you love.

Major Plot Elements from the Man from the South

1) plot

-introduction;

The introduction was all of the main character first sitting at the pool and revealing the scenery of the location.

-conflict (man vs man/man vs himself) (internal/external);

The conflict is man vs man (American boy vs man in white) and man vs himself (American boy vs his common sense)

-rising action

The rising action is when the man in white initially makes the bet

-climax

The climax is when they are counting the lighter strikes

-falling action

The falling action is when the lady comes in and scolds the man in white

-denouement

The denouement/ending is definitely when it is revealed that the lady only has a finger and a thumb on her hand, for that definitely closes the whole story

2) Character

- protagonist (main character)

The man whose perspective we're reading from

- antagonist (force opposing the main character) 

The man in white

-static (remains the same)

The english girl who followed the American, for she didn't change much at all

-round (complex with many characteristics) 

The man in white, for he had some characteristics not seen til the end

- flat (single or simple characteristics) 

The main protagonist; he didn't really have much about him

- stock character (stereotype) 

The American; he was very stereotypical

- dynamic (changes throughout)

The American; his decisions and personality changed throughout 

3) Setting

-atmosphere

The atmosphere was a very serene setting, until we got into the room, then it became very tense

-time

It seems to be around modern times, generally, unless it might take place around the time of some sort of war

- place

At a hotel which has a pool, then in one of the hotel rooms

4) Theme

I am unsure as to the theme of this short story

5) Point of View

-first person

-third person (omniscient, limited omniscient, objective/limited) 

The point of view is first person, from the point of view of the main protagonist

6) Foreshadowing

It was definitely foreshadowing when the man in white started questioning the American about the lighter 'never failing'

Walking a Mile In Someone's Shoes

Walking A Mile In Someone’s Shoes Can Change The Way You Feel About Them And Perhaps Change How You Feel About Yourself. 

If you ever have the opportunity to walk in someone's shoes, take it. It's something that can show you all the personal things that make someone who they are, and you should know more about them by the end.

Like when in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, Christopher's dad was trying to get Chris to do the normal hand-gesture that they do to show affection. It shows the audience that although he may have done bad things, he still honestly wishes for Chris to know that he loves him and would never harm him. Take this quote for an example;

"And then he held up his right hand and spread his fingers out in a fan so that I could touch his fingers, but I didn't because I was frightened.

And Father said, "Shit. Christopher, please." 

And there were tears dripping off his face."

This scene shows the audience just how desperate he was for Christopher to understand.

And also like in Romeo and Juliet, the audience is lead to believe that Juliet's mother is just as cruel as the father can be, but there are two scenes which might've changed their perspective on this woman, one being when the mother and the nurse were first informing Juliet of Paris, a possible suitor;

"I was your mother much upon these years That you are now a maid"

This reveals the fact that by the age that Juliet is now, which is fourteen, Lady Capulet had already had Juliet. Another scene that twists our thoughts is when Mr Capulet was raging and ranting at Juliet;

"You are too hot" 

Besides the modern way that this phrase would mean, in this play it's saying that he is getting too angry, therefore insinuating that she's sticking up for her daughter. Then, after she does so she is yelled at and therefore put down, showing the audience that her marriage actually isn't as good as they at first assumed.

I, myself, have taken the opportunity to walk in a close friend of mine's shoes. Her and another friend of mine were over at my house, and she decided to tell a story. She spoke of how before she came to our elementary school, she went to another school. She was bullied there, and generally felt really bad at that school. When she moved to the new school, and met some new friends (including me, who she says she considers one of her best friends, which I'm honoured for) she felt a lot better. This explained to me why she was so quiet and reserved at the beginning when I met her. I felt very honoured to be able to hear such a personal story, and it helped me learn of one of my close friends.

And so, hopefully what you've taken from this is that not everyone is entirely what they might seem to be. Learn a little, walk in their shoes for a bit, see if something might've happened to make them that way.

Novel Study Essay

Mr. Boone snuck into the garden and killed Wellington

Wife 'died' (she was cheating on him with Mr. Shears)

Presumably he and Mrs. Shears had a thing after their spouses were gone

He had access to the tool shed since he did the gardening 

Mr. Boone killed Wellington, it's a simple indisputable fact. 

Two years ago, at the same time as when  it was found out that Mrs. Boone was having an affair with Mr. Shears, Chris was told that his Mother was in the hospital and died after a week. This is what I believe to be a Red Herring. But during the week that she was in the hospital, Chris wasn't allowed to visit her. We also never really see Mr. Shears during the book, meaning he probably left as well. This leads me to believe that Mr. Shears and Mrs. Boone both left their spouses together and are living together somewhere.

After they left, the spouses they left behind got together from shared grief and feelings of betrayal. My proof of this is that when Mrs. Shears came over that first time, she pulled Mr. Boone's head to her bosom. This does not often happen between neighbours unless there's something between them. And also, Mrs. Shears would come and 'sleep over' at their house, which is unusual because she has a perfectly good house just next door.

The father killed Wellington on a night where he was drunk, feeling mournful about remembering his lost spouse and the combined feeling with his special needs child. While Chris was 'detaching his mind', as Chris claims he can do which is akin to what Sherlock Holmes can do, he couldn't hear that Wellington was baying loudly and annoyingly, but Mr. Boone could hear him perfectly fine. So, in his drunken irritatedness, he grabbed the keys to Mrs. Shears' tool shed (he does her gardening, after all) and took the pitch fork from the shed, then impaled the dog.

This is the reasoning and methods behind Mr. Boone killing Wellington.

A Song That Represents Stress

http://youtu.be/ebAKoRcYFTA

Romeo and Juliet Formal Write

IE) The "language" of love is an important part of the relationships in the play. Choose your favourite passage/s on love and discuss how the words of the characters influence your opinion of their "love". Include characters other than Romeo and Juliet... and "love" in various versions. Why do you think HOW something is said is so important to validating the quality/worth of a relationship? What kind of language exists today that makes something romantic or "real love" and not just a crush? Find examples from modern stories or real world examples to connect to.

I chose this certain topic because it sounds like something simple, but interesting, to do. I could include things like phrases said by Juliet's mother to show how she cares for the father, and how Romeo and Juliet talk to or about each other to portray their love for each other. I could also mention some newer love stories(which is have to look up, as I'm not really into reading those kinds of stories... Yet)

My favourite passage with words of life;

Sweet flower, with flowers thy bridal bed I strew,— O woe! thy canopy is dust and stones;— Which with sweet water nightly I will dew, Or, wanting that, with tears distill’d by moans: The obsequies that I for thee will keep Nightly shall be to strew thy grave and weep.

The Page whistles

The boy gives warning something doth approach. What cursed foot wanders this way to-night, To cross my obsequies and true love’s rite? What with a torch! muffle me, night, awhile.

The language of love in this story can be confusing, but some like this one can completely turn the tables on your thoughts.

Initially he appeared to be a creepy, obsessive man, always watching Juliet and making her feel uncomfortable. He tended to make rather awkward or even possessive statements like in the moment where Juliet went to confront the Friar about her plans since Romeo got himself banished;

(Paris

Come you to make confession to this father?

Juliet

To answer that, I should confess to you.

Paris

Do not deny to him that you love me.

Juliet

I will confess to you that I love him.

Paris

So will ye, I am sure, that you love me.

Juliet

If I do so, it will be of more price, Being spoke behind your back, than to your face.

Paris

Poor soul, thy face is much abused with tears.

Juliet

The tears have got small victory by that; For it was bad enough before their spite.

Paris

Thou wrong’st it, more than tears, with that report.

Juliet

That is no slander, sir, which is a truth; And what I spake, I spake it to my face.

Paris

Thy face is mine, and thou hast slander’d it.)

Because of such, this doesn't make his actual love for her all too clear.

He might be doing this all for a show. Some people might argue that he was marrying her purely because of her lineage, and the wealth and fame to be found there. He seemed to make it well known that he was now related, calling her father his father already (as mentioned in the above quote). Juliet's family is quite rich and well known, so it would be good for his wealth and fame to be associated with them, and the fact that Juliet is a beautiful young lady would most definitely contribute to that.

But he is doing it quietly, secretly, sincerely. He puts the effort in to make sure no one sees him lamenting Juliet's death, while he could show it all for the world to see to prove his love. He shows that he loves her even without all of the people there for him to put an act up for. He's showing his sorrows for only her, to show that it is true.

(Paris

Give me thy torch, boy: hence, and stand aloof: Yet put it out, for I would not be seen. Under yond yew-trees lay thee all along, Holding thine ear close to the hollow ground; So shall no foot upon the churchyard tread, Being loose, unfirm, with digging up of graves, But thou shalt hear it: whistle then to me, As signal that thou hear’st something approach. Give me those flowers. Do as I bid thee, go.)

Doing this puts a twist on your thoughts about him, confusing how we think, therefore the language is important.