Assessment

December 19,2011

(TS) Nervously, frigidly, and unfamiliarly, I walked through the automatic sliding doors into an area unknown to me. (SD) This was how I felt on my first day at High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center. (CM) I was pleased to meet the volunteer coordinator, Courtney Bernard, whom I had talked to over the phone, and I learned about the different people that come to High Hopes as a place to de-stress and exercise for people of all ages with disabilities such as Down syndrome and autism. (CM) On the physical aspect of my visit, I felt overly tense and nervous, but when I began walking next to the horse for side-walking, every bit of anxious stiffness danced out of me like maple leaves floating down from the trees to the ground during autumn. (CM) I learned how mount and dismount the children, and to do the arm over and ankle holds for different people with different needs, because many of them may need repositioning and support. (CM) The horses are also very old, and some of them are fatigued and have arthritis, so I am also giving the animals exercise and helping maintain their health. (SD) My emotions were scattered and mixed during my visit. (CM) For some reason, I was not as relaxed as I will be on my next visit, because today I felt new and clueless. (CM) It felt good to know that I was helping others that have special needs, and that I can do something to change their lives, or at least make them enjoyable. (CM) Meeting one of the horses was nice for me, because I didn’t know much about horses and now I have attained more knowledge about the beautiful animals. (CM) Also, I left feeling more comfortable and excited to become more involved with the staff members, horses and especially the riders the next time around. (CS) Even though the temperature was low, the expectations are high at High Hopes, and I feel prepared to take on the tasks that lie ahead for my service-learning project.

Essay #6

Fire, Flames, “And Then It Goes Back”:

       The Connections Between Quotes from a Song and a Book

An Essay by Mia Perry
8th Grade
      December 15, 2011

Who knew that an anthem for the World Cup could be related to a house burning down? In the book To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Miss Maudie Atkinson’s house is consumed in flames. On the other hand, there is a song by K’naan called “Wavin’ Flag” that is about overcoming and going back. There are interpretations of the connections between the quote and song that no others have ever thought about.

(TS) In the end, everything goes back to its beginning. (SD) Like in the song “Wavin’ Flag”  by K’naan, everything repeats itself, which is the same when I play basketball. (CM) At the start of a basketball game, you have an adrenaline rush and become hyperactive, which is the same in the final quarter of the game when you are determined to win, like the sports aspect of “Wavin’ Flag”. (CM)  When you lose, and even when you win, you have to go back to square one, and learn how to improve on your skills of handling and passing the basketball. (SD) Another repetition is found when the year ends and a new year begins, not many people can comprehend how life repeats itself. (CM) You start again with a clean slate, and new goals that you set for yourself, which may be the same ones that you hadn’t accomplished the previous year. (CM) Laughing and celebrating, people all over the world gather with their family and friends to celebrate the birth of a new year, but never think about how the years have patterns of repetition. (CS) Things go back as the song “Wavin’ Flag” says, and sometimes without you even realizing it.

Miss Maudie Atkinson

(TS) In addition, in To Kill A Mockingbird, there is a quote that talks about things “going back” without you realizing it; “Don’t you worry about me, Jean Louise Finch. There are ways of doing things you don’t know about”. (SD) Miss Maudie Atkinson said that gleefully to Scout after her house had burned down. (CM) This quote made me think about how Miss Maudie is forced to start over, or go back, to her beginning without a home. (CM) Also, she lost all of her memories that were in her house, and now she has to find a new place to make memories in. (SD) On the other hand, Miss Maudie losing her house has a good side to it. (CM) She clearly stated that she was pleased that her house burned down, because it was old and tired and that she would’ve burnt it down herself. (CM) She can start new adventures in her life without worrying about her old crumbling house, which means she has a copious amounts of journeys to look forward to. (CS) Things can re-occur without you even realizing, but just because you don’t realize it, doesn’t mean that other people will not recognize the repetitions.
Miss Maudie’s house burning down surprisingly reminds me of a forest fire. This situation reminds me of a forest fire, because the inhabitants of the forest must relocate and start their lives over in a new place where they can stay out of harms way. Miss Maudie also had to begin again when her home went ablaze. The quote from To Kill A Mockingbird made me think about how many different songs and situations.

      Self Assessment
1) One writing issue that I am continuing to work on is making sure that my commentaries make sense and connect to the supporting details.
2) A possible strong point in my essay is the flow of my sentences, and including FAST words.
3) One possible weak point in my writing may be that I have a few short sentences, and some longer sentences that I could even out so they are both full, long sentences.

Essay #5

           Capital Senses:

An Essay By Mia P.

  8th Grade English

                                                  Pine Point School

 November 30, 2011

This November, I went on the best trip our school has to offer. This particular trip was to Washington DC, our nation’s capital that is filled with all types of memorials, monuments and museums. During this class adventure, you are able to become friends with people that you never used to talk to, practice your poetry, and learn about America’s history. Our two main senses, hearing and seeing, were used the most on my our adventures through Washington DC.

George Washington's Mount Vernon Home

(TS) The 8th grade trip to Washington D.C. had many extremely extravagant objects and sounds that we were able to hear and see. (SD) One place that we visited was Mount Vernon, George Washington’s old home. (CM) At Mount Vernon, we were able to get a full tour of the mansion, including the attic and underground basement that other visitors do not usually get to see. (CM) Our group was also able to see George Washington’s tomb where he and Mrs. Washington’s  are placed, and it was such an honor to be standing next to George Washington’s grave remains along side one of my peers. (CM) Finally, we visited the archeological department where many pottery pieces that were thrown out of the mansion are kept. (SD)We also saw many sights at the World War Two Memorial. (CM) At the memorial, there was a large service held to honor and commemorate the veterans of World War II, which included a colorful flag march at the beginning of the ceremony. (CM) I observed many veterans, and talked to ten of them. Two of the veterans had interesting stories about their part in helping us win the war that. (CM) In addition, I saw the stone wreath for Connecticut, which was extremely fascinating. (CS) Besides my senses of taste, feeling,

(TS) Not only did I see many things in Washington D.C., but I also heard many different words and sounds during the trip. (SD) We visited and attained information about life during the Holocaust from a survivor named Regina Gutman-Spiegel on the second day of the trip. (CM) During our talk with Regina, she explained the rations of watery soup and a small scrap of a potato if they were fortunate. (CM) She also shared a story with us that can be related to the song “Lean on Me”, about how one of her friends helped her in the concentration camp so that she was did not get into trouble for not knowing her number. (CM) In addition, Regina told us an immensely important lesson about not taking others for granted, no matter what circumstances you are coping with. 
(SD) On a different note, at the World War II memorial service that we attended, and there was a large amount to learn by hearing along with the things that we saw. (CM) There was marvelous music played by the United States Marine band, that was very patriotic. (CM) Furthermore, the keynote speaker, Julius W. Beckton Jr., focused on the African American veterans of World War two, and how they impacted the war in a good way. (CM) The sounds from the civilians that were cheering for different branches of the Military that served during the war. (CS) I was surprised at how much that I learned from just using my ears to listen around Washington D.C.

Although we have other senses, taking trips like this help you excersise certain ones that you never take into perspective. On a journey to the woods, you would use more of your sense of feeling. In Washington DC, we saw and heard many more things than I was able to share in this essay, such as the National Art Gallery where we saw the Andy Warhol Headlines exhibit. Many excellent experiences occurred on this trip, that my class will never forget because of the many wonderful things that we saw and heard on this trip of November 2011.

Self Assessment
1) An issue that I am continuing to work on is making my sentences longer by adding words.
2) One strong point in my writing is the flow of my sentences using FAST words.
3) A possible weak point that can be found in my writing is making better music.

Essay #3

Help For The Heavy Brothers:

Comparing “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” by The Hollies To My Life And George and Lennie From Of Mice And Men

An Essay By Mia Perry

8th Grade English

October 26, 2011

        (TS) Flora Edwards once said, “In helping others, we shall help ourselves, for whatever good we give out completes the circle and comes back to us.” (CM) I find this quote truthful and I always take pleasure in assisting others, because I know that I can make some one’s day better, and one day I will need the same help in return. (CM) Sometimes you commit acts of kindness that help other people without even noticing; for example you might hold the door for someone, lend them a pencil, or help them understand homework. (CS) Helping others is the main idea of the song “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” by The Hollies, and is also represented in George from Of Mice And Men and in my life.    
           (TS) A person in my life that I have helped a lot is my brother. (SD) For example, when I was four years old, I physically helped Emmanuel when we went to a pool party. (CM) At this party, Emmanuel had decided to go swimming in the dreaded deep end, the abyss of chlorine that no child had dared to venture through. (CM) After he dove into the turquoise water, he surfaced, and then slowly began to sink, and shout as he sank. (CM) Being the only one to hear him, I leaned over the edge of the pool and grabbed his arms and brought him out of the water, which displays the physical part of the song “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother”. (SD) Furthermore, in the song “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” by The Hollies, one line states, “So long we go, his welfare is my concern”. (CM) This line reminds me of how I occasionally help Emmanuel with his math homework, and how making sure he understands material is very important to me. (CM) Many times, E will become very frustrated, and I help him to settle down and assist him in figuring out how to find the answer. (SD) “While we're on the way to there, why not share?” is another line from the song that I could relate to with Emmanuel. (CM) Sharing various objects that someone else needs can be very helpful, and one day the favor may be returned to you. (CM) Quite frequently, I aid Emmanuel by simply sharing my umbrella with him in rainstorms, like a mother hen covering her fledglings under her wing to keep them dry. (CS) Helping each other is displayed by animals and humans alike, but is the element of sharing similar with book characters?

George and Lennie from Of Mice and Men

(TS) Even a fictional character, such as George in the novella Of Mice And Men, was very good at assisting Lennie throughout the entire story. (SD) Towards the beginning of the novella, George directed Lennie to meet him back at the same spot that they were located in case he got in trouble with the farm hands. (CM) On page 14 George says to Lennie, “Well, look. Lennie- if you jus’ happen to get in trouble like you always done before, I want you come right here an’ hide in the brush.” (CM) This was considerate of George to give Lennie the instruction to keep Lennie’s life out of risk, and also helped him at the end of the story. (SD) Conversely, Lennie never achieved this goal, but George was able to aid him in creating the goal that Lennie did strive to reach during his entire life, “But not us! An’ why? Because... because I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you, and that’s why.”  (CM) Even though this might not seem like helping Lennie, George actually did assist him in attaining a reason for him to work and a reason to live. (CM) This goal of the perfect life with plenty of farmland was brought up many times during the novella, and George was often asked by Lennie to re-tell what life would be like when they accomplished their goal. (SD) Similarly, George killed his best friend. (CM) Although this may seem absurd and inhuman, he made Lennie’s death comfortable by visualizing what he had wanted his whole life. (CM) Lennie was going to be killed in a drastically painful way, but his best friend put him to rest in a peaceful manner, which made me feel better than Lennie being brutally killed. (CS) Lennie looked up to George because he gave him hope for the future, but George took Lennie’s life just to put him into a happier place by sacrificing his own happiness.

(TS) Earlier this week, I was returning home from a long hard sports practice after school. As we were driving down the road, there was a family of deer eating on the border of the street, and the parent of the young baby deers stopped and looked at the car. As soon as the he noticed that the car was driving in their direction, he stomped his foot three times and signaled the fawns so that they would run to safety. This reminded me of how in Of Mice And Men, George warned Lennie of where to go if he got into trouble, just like the family of deer.

Self Assessment:

1) An issue that I am continuing to work on is using commas to help the reader better understand the point/idea of the sentence

2) One strong point in my essay is the transition words that I use, and the wording of my sentences that make music.

3) A possible weak point in my writing is combining sentences in my writing that can be conjoined to make a longer yet smoother flow.

Essay #4

Advice For a Scholar Like Me:

Discussing a Quote From William Ellery Channing
                                            An Essay By Mia Perry
                                                8th Grade English
                                               November 7, 2011

        “Study hard, think quietly, talk gently.”  William Ellery Channing once stated these words as advice to scholar in the 19th century. All of the elements discussed are studying, thinking and talking or sharing knowledge, which helps you to understand material more thoroughly as a student. In the essay below, I will “talk gently” about the quote from William Ellery Channing.
        (TS) The trio of helpful advice can be applied to almost every student including myself.

Studying Hard

(SD) “Study hard” is the first key component in the quote that helps you understand material further than you have previously learned in class. (CM) Quizzes and tests require serious studying, so that you are able know material well enough to recite what you know. (CM) In order to have the ability to keep hold the information for a long period of your life time, you must be able to memorize anything that you learn in school. (CM) William Ellery Channing believes studying hard is very helpful to learners, and this remains true, as long as you do not over study in a way that can affect you with an outcome that you did not want. (SD) “Think quietly” is another important piece in the quote that does apply to me. (CM) I have observed that having thorough thoughts is necessary just to know what you are thinking about, because you cannot think clearly if you are in a very noise filled area. (CM) Many times I am studying or doing homework and my family begins to begin making loud noises, so I go upstairs to find peace and quiet to be able to think clearly. (SD) Finally, “talking gently” is the last component in this quote. (CM) When you discuss your knowledge you shouldn’t yell or attempt to over power others. (CM) Sometimes I have to talk gently to my mom because she does not understand what I am learning in school, and by talking to her, I gain even more knowledge by sharing my knowledge. (CS) These keys to learning are extremely helpful, even if you do not notice it now.

Talking Gently

Being a good scholar is hard work, but isn’t too hard with the helpful advice of people such as William Ellery Channing. There are many ways to find different quotes that can help you become a better scholar, such as this one. Animals may not study, but they do think quietly and communicate with each other about their knowledge and help each other grow and attain more knowledge. Animals and humans alike can learn a lot from others.

Essay #2

Change and Worry Affects Us? :

An Essay On Change And Worry In My Life And In The Novella Of Mice and Men

An Essay By Mia Perry

8th Grade English

Pine Point School

10-16-11

(TS) Worry and change are key elements in your life, even though you may not realize it. (SD) The song “Love Will Keep Us Alive” by The Eagles says, “Don’t you worry, sometimes you’ve just got to let it ride. The world is changing right before your eyes.” (CM) These lyrics are saying that instead of worrying about everything, just relax, and that there is change happening around you all the time.

        (TS) When I searched for change in my life to relate to the song, I found many more examples than I expected, and I realized that there was plenty of change in my life; even if it seemed bad at the time it turned out for the better. (SD) When I was 5 years old, we got a wonderful aquarium made for a wall of my house that I loved very much, and my brother and I spent a lot of our time naming the fish, feeding them, and finding the temperature of the fresh water. (CM) As many years went by, it was saddening to see various (FAST) fish pass away, and we would have to get used to the new types of fish that would be placed in our tank. (CM) In the summer of 2009, we donated the aquarium to the Coginchaug Regional High School. (CM) This experience was very tough to go through, saying farewell to the fish that I’d seen for five years, but this prepared me for greater losses and changes that have happened. (SD) This song also relates to my life, because one of the lines that says “Don’t you worry, Sometimes you’ve just gotta let it ride. The world is changing right before your eyes,” reminds me of how I sometimes worry about having too much homework. (CM) Having heaps of homework after school is a huge issue because I have after school sports, then I go to martial arts, and I still haven’t showered or eaten dinner. (CM) Furthermore, sometimes after school I go to SSAT prep, away sports games, and Dance Ensemble in the winter. (CM) This line of the song usually relates when I have to let go of my anxiety (FAST), and just “let it ride” so that I can quickly and easily relax and do my homework. (CS) Worry in your life is not as obvious as you think it is, until you take the time to figure out how it has changed you.
(TS) The novella Of Mice and Men is surprisingly centered on worry and change. (SD) George and Lennie’s life changes with every ranch relocation they make. (CM) George and Lennie have to make new friends and acquaintances (FAST) each time they move, which means meeting and getting along with many new people. (CM) Also, when they change locations they have to get used to the new surroundings and living space. (CM) This also relates to the same line of the song “Love Will Keep Us Alive”, because when they move to different ranches they just have to adjust to the settings and let themselves calm down. (SD) Moreover, George always worries about Lennie getting in trouble at the ranch. (CM) George being worried has a good impact on Lennie, because that keeps Lennie alert so that he knows where to go if he does upset any of the farm hands. (CM) In addition, even though this can be good it also places a huge amount of responsibility and even more worry on Lennie, since he knows that if he does disturb the ranch owner he has to know exactly what to do. (CM) This also places more worry on George, because he knows that Lennie has trouble remembering things, so he has to hope that if Lennie has any complications (FAST)  that he will remember to go to the woods. (CM) Since George has to keep reminding Lennie of what he needs to remember to say, George becomes very stressed out. (CS) I think that George has a lot more worry and change in his life than Lennie does, even if it isn’t very obvious.
(TS)   Everyday I worry about something, whether it is if I will have a lot of homework, what the weather will be like, how I will do in a cross country race, or even if I have Ocean Blue Catering for lunch or not. (SD) Worry is not the only obstacle that I come upon in my life. (CM) Change also plays a part in every one’s lives. (CM) Not only do these two elements exist in real life situations, they also play a part in books, such as the novella Of Mice and Men. (CM) As said in the song “Love Will Keep Us Alive”, sometimes we just have to relax when we stumble upon something to worry about.  

Self Assessment

1) One issue that I am continuing to work on is making better music by combining short sentences together to make longer and more complex sentences.

2) Some of the strong points in my writing are the vocabulary and FAST words that I use.
3) A possible weak point that I need to improve are my introductory an concluding paragraphs. I need to make more music in my introduction to hook the reader, and I need to not make a long summary out of my conclusion.

Reflection on Of Mice And Men Review

Summary Of A Movie Review About Of Mice And Men

This article was by Frank S. Nugent in The New York Times. At first glance, this movie review sounded quite similar to the novella, as if the movie was taken straight from the book. The dreaded and pathetic lives of the two drifters moving from place to place and getting into trouble was a main point of this movie review. When I looked very closely into the piece about Curley's wife, I noticed that they gave her the name Mae in the movie. In the novella, she was not given a name, which implied that she was a piece of Curely's property and that feminism was not really around during the time period of the book, but the movie tells otherwise. In addition, the way that the author of this article described Lennie's death sounded as if George was going to kill Lennie because he wanted to, not because he didn't want his friend to have to die a long, painful death. "So the posse went out to hunt him down, and George knew he had to find Lennie first to tell him again about the time they'd have their own little place—and to hold a gun to the back of his happily nodding head." This movie review discussed points that were different than in the actual book, but some of the main concepts were still the same.

2 Favorite Sentences:

"Mr. Steinbeck wrote, as you probably are aware, the pathetic, fateridden drama of two bundle stiffs who dreamed, and kindled other men's dreams, of owning their' own little ranch and living off "the fatta the lan'." " I enjoyed this sentence from the article, because in one sentence, the author summarized many of the basic components of the novella. I also like this sentence because of the many FAST words that really enhanced the writing.

"Doom takes its course and bides its moment; there is hysteria in waiting for the crisis to come." To me, this sentence is very descriptive and does a very good job of emphasizing the panic and sense of doom that occurs very often in the novella.

Essay #1

A Song With Many Meanings:

Comparing The Song ‘Lean on Me’ to My Life And a Novella

An Essay by Mia Perry

8th Grade English

Pine Point School

September 27, 2011

        (TS) “Sometimes in our lives, we all have pain, we all have sorrow. But if we are wise we know that there's always tomorrow”. (SD) Have you ever heard the song ‘Lean On Me’? (CM) Have you ever thought to relate a song to the novella Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck and to your own life? (CM) Steinbeck’s way of writing in that novella really portrays the need of friends to help you through hard times. (CS) In this essay, I will discuss the connections between them.
        (TS) ‘Lean on Me’ is a song by Bill Withers that was written and released in 1972 with a strong message that can relate to the novella Of Mice and Men, and to my personal life. (SD) In the novella Of Mice and Men, the main characters, Lennie and George, depend on each other for support, because they have no other friends. (CM) For example, on page 32, George said, “We kinda look after each other”, which shows only a slight amount of how much they care for each other. (CM) Since Lennie isn’t very smart, George is always there to provide for Lennie’s needs. (CM) Although it sounds as if Lennie is just laying his troubles on George, George also needs Lennie to help him get employed. (SD) Moreover, this song relates to my life when I need to lean on my teachers, family and friends for support. (CM) In school, I lean on my teachers for help when I don’t understand certain material, and at home I lean on my family for support quite frequently. (CM) I also lean on my family for support when I am participating at sports games. (CS)I wonder if Bill Withers was thinking about his life when he wrote this song, because the song can relate to your life in many ways.

        (TS) Although this song may seem like just a couple of notes and a few words, it has a very inspirational message. (SD) There is a lot of meaning behind each lyric of the song. (CM) Like in the book Of Mice and Men, the concept of looking out for each other is brought up repeatedly. (CM) ‘Lean On Me’ by Bill Withers can be interpreted and compared in many different ways, and can relate to your own personal life if you just search deep enough into the lyrics of this song. (CS) Leaning on others is a huge part of my everyday life.