This is a response to Miss Pollock's post.
Miss Pollock organized a couple of sessions with professional slam poets. It's really cool working with them. So far we have had 2 sessions with them. Here's a response to the first session we had with them:
3 things that you are looking forward to learning, developing or using in your poetry over the course of our Slam workshops.
- Well, by the end of these sessions I want to be able to make my ideas more organized. I want to be able to make my poems more organized and get better at poetry.
- I want to learn a new way of presenting my poems. I want to be able to project my voice when I'm talking in front of an audience. Hopefully they'll give us some tips about performing and how to make your performance more interesting.
- I like how Beth Anne had a good way of saying her poem and how it all flowed. Greg also did it too with his poem that he sung. I'm hoping to make my poetry have a good flow in it.
2 things that Greg or Beth Anne reinforced that we have already been doing in class, or you are already using in your own writing.
- Well, I like how Greg said that anything you write is a poem because poetry is your thoughts and creativity written on paper. Also, he reinforced that there are only two types of poems in this world, poems that rhyme and poems that don't rhyme.
- They also talked about brainstorming and how you just write a bunch of things that you think are related to the topic. It doesn't matter how weird it sounds, it's just a place to start thinking about your poem.
1 poem that you wrote yesterday.
For the first session we had to write a noun or adjective on a piece of paper and then switch your paper with someone else. The word that I got when I switched papers with someone was the word "blank". That word made my mind go blank and it was really hard to work with, but eventually it came to me. Here's my poem:
Blank
Imagine if the world lost its colour
All the beauty drained out
No more waking up to a chorus of chirping birds
How boring would it be?
Take time to observe the beauty around you
Listen to all the sounds around you and breathe in the rich oxygen
Don't take it for granted
Who knows, it might disappear one day
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Assignment #14:Poetry of Hope with Reading Buddies
In class we read a poem about the Holocaust. Here's one poem that we read in class about someone that lived in the ghetto:
The Butterfly
Pavel Friedmann was born in Prague on January 7, 1921. He was deported to Terezin on April 26, 1942 and later to Auschwitz, where he died on September 29, 1944
For this assignment we had to do research about the ghetto and write a poem about living in the ghetto with our reading buddies. Me and my reading buddy, Emily, wrote the poem below together:
Here in the Ghetto:
Here in the ghetto,
Life's so hard,
I can never sleep at night,
It's too crowded and the space is tight
Whatever happened to our houses?
Now we're trapped in here like mice,
Trapped in a hole
Disease spreading everywhere
Oh how I wish I can go back home
Yet,
We still have hope because we still have dreams
That will not be demolished
Until they are accomplished
One day this nightmare will stop
Someone, something, will stand up to these bullies
...
One day
- By Sara and Emily
Hope you enjoyed it! (:
The Butterfly
- The last, the very last,
- So richly, brightly, dazzlingly yellow.
- Perhaps if the sun’s tears would sing
- against a white stone. . . .
- Such, such a yellow
- Is carried lightly ‘way up high.
- It went away I’m sure because it wished to
- kiss the world good-bye.
- For seven weeks I’ve lived in here,
- Penned up inside this ghetto.
- But I have found what I love here.
- The dandelions call to me
- And the white chestnut branches in the court.
- Only I never saw another butterfly.
- That butterfly was the last one.
- Butterflies don’t live in here,
- in the ghetto.
Pavel Friedmann was born in Prague on January 7, 1921. He was deported to Terezin on April 26, 1942 and later to Auschwitz, where he died on September 29, 1944
For this assignment we had to do research about the ghetto and write a poem about living in the ghetto with our reading buddies. Me and my reading buddy, Emily, wrote the poem below together:
Here in the Ghetto:
Here in the ghetto,
Life's so hard,
I can never sleep at night,
It's too crowded and the space is tight
Whatever happened to our houses?
Now we're trapped in here like mice,
Trapped in a hole
Disease spreading everywhere
Oh how I wish I can go back home
Yet,
We still have hope because we still have dreams
That will not be demolished
Until they are accomplished
One day this nightmare will stop
Someone, something, will stand up to these bullies
...
One day
- By Sara and Emily
Hope you enjoyed it! (:
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Professor Scott's Visit
This is a reflection about Professor Scott's second visit. He's a retired history professor and he sits with us and talks to us about history, mostly about technology in the past. If you want more information about my post click here. Here's my reflection for his second visit:
1. What did you learn? (3 marks)
I learned that all of the new technology that was created in the 1800s led to new jobs because to create those technologies you needed to make it, so more people were needed and there weren't only farmers anymore. Therefore, more people had money and became wealthier. Another thing I learned was the first steamboat was built by John Molson. He also started a beer company called Molson's Brewery in 1809. I learned the reason for why there were so many Irish people migrating to Canada that caused a huge population growth. It was because of the potato famine in Ireland. Potatoes were one of the staple foods in Ireland and when the potato crops weren't growing many people went hungry.
2. Which technology interested you? (1 mark)
The technology that interested me most was the telegraph which included Morse code. There were these codes with only dots and dashes and to me it seems really confusing and complicated. I cannot imagine using it. It would probably take me so long that I wouldn't want to even send the message anymore!
3. How did it impact society? (3 marks)
The telegraph was one of the greatest inventions at that time, in my opinion. Even though people were very fond of it they probably wanted an easier and faster way to communicate. That's what got some people thinking and having ideas. Then, eventually the telephone was created, but I'm not sure who invented it. The whole point is, without the telegraph there would not be any telephones or cell phones.One technology leads to another new technology and it keeps on going. Like how the telegraph led to a telephone, which led to a wireless telephone, which led to a cell phone, which led to a touch screen cell phone and so forth. The telegraph also made sending messages faster and easier. Someone didn't have to go on a long journey just to send a message anymore. They were able to easily send them in their own home.
4. What questions do you have? (2 marks)
Well, I was wondering who invented the first telephone? I also wanted to know when the first printing press was invented and if it was first used in Canada, if not, who invented it and where was it invented?
5. Tie into a big history idea. (1 mark)
This ties into the big history idea about knowing the past to understand the present and prepare for the future. All the new technologies( in the 1800s) were like the older technologies, but an improved and more modern version. Even now people look at technology in the past to help them create new technology, which will help people in the future. An example is the telegraph and how people used that to help create the telephone, which was easier for people.
1. What did you learn? (3 marks)
I learned that all of the new technology that was created in the 1800s led to new jobs because to create those technologies you needed to make it, so more people were needed and there weren't only farmers anymore. Therefore, more people had money and became wealthier. Another thing I learned was the first steamboat was built by John Molson. He also started a beer company called Molson's Brewery in 1809. I learned the reason for why there were so many Irish people migrating to Canada that caused a huge population growth. It was because of the potato famine in Ireland. Potatoes were one of the staple foods in Ireland and when the potato crops weren't growing many people went hungry.
2. Which technology interested you? (1 mark)
The technology that interested me most was the telegraph which included Morse code. There were these codes with only dots and dashes and to me it seems really confusing and complicated. I cannot imagine using it. It would probably take me so long that I wouldn't want to even send the message anymore!
3. How did it impact society? (3 marks)
The telegraph was one of the greatest inventions at that time, in my opinion. Even though people were very fond of it they probably wanted an easier and faster way to communicate. That's what got some people thinking and having ideas. Then, eventually the telephone was created, but I'm not sure who invented it. The whole point is, without the telegraph there would not be any telephones or cell phones.One technology leads to another new technology and it keeps on going. Like how the telegraph led to a telephone, which led to a wireless telephone, which led to a cell phone, which led to a touch screen cell phone and so forth. The telegraph also made sending messages faster and easier. Someone didn't have to go on a long journey just to send a message anymore. They were able to easily send them in their own home.
4. What questions do you have? (2 marks)
Well, I was wondering who invented the first telephone? I also wanted to know when the first printing press was invented and if it was first used in Canada, if not, who invented it and where was it invented?
5. Tie into a big history idea. (1 mark)
This ties into the big history idea about knowing the past to understand the present and prepare for the future. All the new technologies( in the 1800s) were like the older technologies, but an improved and more modern version. Even now people look at technology in the past to help them create new technology, which will help people in the future. An example is the telegraph and how people used that to help create the telephone, which was easier for people.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Assignment # 12: Awesome
For a list of more awesome things click here.
For the link to Ms.Pollock's post about this blog click here.
For this assignment we had to read a list of awesome things from a website that I linked to above. It's a really cool and funny list, you should check it out if you haven't done so already!
Here are three awesome things from the list that I really liked and related to strongly:
Awesome Thing #412: The air just before a thunderstorm.
Right before a thunderstorm the sky goes all dark. The wind starts to howl and you hear the noises from the leaves on trees.The sky looks really beautiful. It's especially soothing when you step outside and just watch the sky as it turns into a thunderstorm. Most of the time I go outside and watch the sky right before a thunderstorm. I always like to read a good book during loud thunderstorms.
When you listen to a song enough times to have the guitar solo memorized is awesome! Sometimes my sisters and I play this game where you have to imitate the guitar solo and guess which song it's from. It sounds really lame but, it's something to do when you're bored and it's quite funny. One of us imitates the guitar solo and the other has to guess which song the guitar solo is from. It's a really funny game because sometimes the imitations we make of guitar solos fail and the other person has no clue of what guitar solo you're imitating.
Awesome Thing #539: When you open a book to the exact page you were looking for.
This is really awesome because you don't have to flip through the entire book to find that one page. Also, the feeling of accomplishment after you open a book to the exact page you were looking for. It feels like you've just done magic, but when you tell the nearest person to you what just happened they don't really care.
Miss Pollock told us to make up one awesome thing that was not on the list. My awesome thing is about one of my own experiences.
Awesome Thing #1001: Finish reading the entire list of awesome things!
I find this really awesome because when I read the whole list it was just plain awesome! Every time I read the list it makes me laugh or it puts a smile on my face. I think everyone should read that list. That's why it's on my list of awesome things!
For the link to Ms.Pollock's post about this blog click here.
For this assignment we had to read a list of awesome things from a website that I linked to above. It's a really cool and funny list, you should check it out if you haven't done so already!
Here are three awesome things from the list that I really liked and related to strongly:
Right before a thunderstorm the sky goes all dark. The wind starts to howl and you hear the noises from the leaves on trees.The sky looks really beautiful. It's especially soothing when you step outside and just watch the sky as it turns into a thunderstorm. Most of the time I go outside and watch the sky right before a thunderstorm. I always like to read a good book during loud thunderstorms.
When you listen to a song enough times to have the guitar solo memorized is awesome! Sometimes my sisters and I play this game where you have to imitate the guitar solo and guess which song it's from. It sounds really lame but, it's something to do when you're bored and it's quite funny. One of us imitates the guitar solo and the other has to guess which song the guitar solo is from. It's a really funny game because sometimes the imitations we make of guitar solos fail and the other person has no clue of what guitar solo you're imitating.
Awesome Thing #539: When you open a book to the exact page you were looking for.
This is really awesome because you don't have to flip through the entire book to find that one page. Also, the feeling of accomplishment after you open a book to the exact page you were looking for. It feels like you've just done magic, but when you tell the nearest person to you what just happened they don't really care.
Miss Pollock told us to make up one awesome thing that was not on the list. My awesome thing is about one of my own experiences.
Awesome Thing #1001: Finish reading the entire list of awesome things!
I find this really awesome because when I read the whole list it was just plain awesome! Every time I read the list it makes me laugh or it puts a smile on my face. I think everyone should read that list. That's why it's on my list of awesome things!
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Assignment # 11: Letters of Remembrance
For the link to Miss Pollock's post about this blog click here.
To read letters from real soldiers click here.
September 17th, 1916
Dear Mother,
I am terribly sorry for not writing back in so long. My best friend, Stephen Woodsworth, died recently. He got a serious injury and I spent all of my free time kneeling beside him and comforting him. One day while we were conversing, he stopped talking abruptly and it was then that I realized that I will never hear one of his jokes ever again. My emotions got the better of me and there was a big lump in my throat that I couldn't swallow and my eyes started to water. I cannot stand the fact that he died. He was a loyal friend, one that I will never forget and keep in my heart always.
Enough about me, how is my dearest little sister? Does she still worry about me? Tell her that I am alright. How I miss her joyous laughter. I miss your cooking, especially your wonderful blueberry pie. All the food here tastes like nothing. I really enjoyed the batch of cookies you sent me, even though they were stale by the time they arrived, they were still better than the food here. I would really like a new pair of trousers and maybe a new shirt because it's really hard to do laundry here, I have been wearing the same clothes for about a month.
Apart from the food,the worst thing about living here is the trenches! There are millions of rats, some the size of cats! They eat everything and are really irritating. I got lice from other men and feel itchy all the time. I never get proper sleep these days. Some men think that the war will be over soon, I hope so too. Now I wonder why I ever agreed to go to war. Maybe it was because of all the fame and glory. Now that I think of it I might die before the war is even over!
Well, it is 10.00pm and I'm very exhausted. The guys are telling me to hurry and blow out the light. There are no words to describe my sadness of all this death around me and how much I miss home and all of you!May God protect us!
Loving Wishes,
From Your Dearest Son,
Matthew Dickinson
To read letters from real soldiers click here.
September 17th, 1916
Dear Mother,
I am terribly sorry for not writing back in so long. My best friend, Stephen Woodsworth, died recently. He got a serious injury and I spent all of my free time kneeling beside him and comforting him. One day while we were conversing, he stopped talking abruptly and it was then that I realized that I will never hear one of his jokes ever again. My emotions got the better of me and there was a big lump in my throat that I couldn't swallow and my eyes started to water. I cannot stand the fact that he died. He was a loyal friend, one that I will never forget and keep in my heart always.
Enough about me, how is my dearest little sister? Does she still worry about me? Tell her that I am alright. How I miss her joyous laughter. I miss your cooking, especially your wonderful blueberry pie. All the food here tastes like nothing. I really enjoyed the batch of cookies you sent me, even though they were stale by the time they arrived, they were still better than the food here. I would really like a new pair of trousers and maybe a new shirt because it's really hard to do laundry here, I have been wearing the same clothes for about a month.
Apart from the food,the worst thing about living here is the trenches! There are millions of rats, some the size of cats! They eat everything and are really irritating. I got lice from other men and feel itchy all the time. I never get proper sleep these days. Some men think that the war will be over soon, I hope so too. Now I wonder why I ever agreed to go to war. Maybe it was because of all the fame and glory. Now that I think of it I might die before the war is even over!
Well, it is 10.00pm and I'm very exhausted. The guys are telling me to hurry and blow out the light. There are no words to describe my sadness of all this death around me and how much I miss home and all of you!May God protect us!
Loving Wishes,
From Your Dearest Son,
Matthew Dickinson
Friday, November 12, 2010
Assignment # 8: How Are You Creative?
For the link to Miss Pollock's post about this blog click here.
Some things I like to do are:
-Reading
-Writing
-Listening to Music
-The Clothes I Wear
Now here's how they show my creativity:
Reading: It lets me use my imagination and use a description of a character to put together a picture of that person in my mind. I also do that to imagine a landscape and other things in any book I read. It also helps me learn new vocabulary to express myself with, as well as to describe things better.
Writing: This one lets me use my imagination becuase I can write anything I want down on some paper. I can make a story, a poem (even though poetry isn't one of my strongest areas in literature). You can write anything at all and there are no limits! Writing can also express your emotions. You can do anything with it, that's what makes it so great.
Listening to Music: I think it's one of the things that show my creativity because I really like to listen to music! It also helps me with my writing because the songs I listen to use some words that I don't fully understand so I search them up and then I learn a new word! I also think music is one of the best things in the world!
The Clothes I Wear: Some of my creativity is shown in the clothes I wear. It's a way of showing my creativity because I choose my own clothes and no one else tells me what to wear, I just wear what I want to wear. Most people have their own unique style, even though some people might think it's weird, it's still their own cool, unique style and they don't really care about what people might say to them. It's one way that everyone uses to express their creativity, well that's what I think. I use it as one way to show my creativity.
Some things I like to do are:
-Reading
-Writing
-Listening to Music
-The Clothes I Wear
Now here's how they show my creativity:
Reading: It lets me use my imagination and use a description of a character to put together a picture of that person in my mind. I also do that to imagine a landscape and other things in any book I read. It also helps me learn new vocabulary to express myself with, as well as to describe things better.
Writing: This one lets me use my imagination becuase I can write anything I want down on some paper. I can make a story, a poem (even though poetry isn't one of my strongest areas in literature). You can write anything at all and there are no limits! Writing can also express your emotions. You can do anything with it, that's what makes it so great.
Listening to Music: I think it's one of the things that show my creativity because I really like to listen to music! It also helps me with my writing because the songs I listen to use some words that I don't fully understand so I search them up and then I learn a new word! I also think music is one of the best things in the world!
The Clothes I Wear: Some of my creativity is shown in the clothes I wear. It's a way of showing my creativity because I choose my own clothes and no one else tells me what to wear, I just wear what I want to wear. Most people have their own unique style, even though some people might think it's weird, it's still their own cool, unique style and they don't really care about what people might say to them. It's one way that everyone uses to express their creativity, well that's what I think. I use it as one way to show my creativity.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Assignment # 10: Mystery History Maker
For the link to Miss Pollock's post about this blog click here
To play the Mystery History Maker Game click here
My Mystery History Maker match is...Laura Secord! I think she was a pretty cool person because she had the guts to go and warn people about an attack, without knowing that she would get a reward for it! I kind of knew who she was, but I mostly guessed. The things we have in common are the love for books! I would've dopne what she did and warn the army about the attack, so maybe that's something else we have in common! This person is historically significant in Canada becuase she walked for kilometres and kilometres so she could warn the army of an attrack that she overheard. Thanks to Laura Secord the attack failed and the British army were able to defend themselves. Laura Secord is a really courageous person and I'm really glad that she was my match!
To play the Mystery History Maker Game click here
My Mystery History Maker match is...Laura Secord! I think she was a pretty cool person because she had the guts to go and warn people about an attack, without knowing that she would get a reward for it! I kind of knew who she was, but I mostly guessed. The things we have in common are the love for books! I would've dopne what she did and warn the army about the attack, so maybe that's something else we have in common! This person is historically significant in Canada becuase she walked for kilometres and kilometres so she could warn the army of an attrack that she overheard. Thanks to Laura Secord the attack failed and the British army were able to defend themselves. Laura Secord is a really courageous person and I'm really glad that she was my match!
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