Semester test (OC)

What would you do if you went out on the street to get your dog and all the sudden you were in a magical like land? The musical I am going to talk about is The Wiz. The three points I am going to talk about are the plot, compare/contrast to other musicals, and what I like and dislike about this musical.

The plot begins one day Dorothy and her family were having a dinner. Auntie Em told her something about needing to get a family of her own and a place of her own. Toto went out and Dorothy chased after him. A blizzard was coming and and a tornado like part of the blizzard swept her up and took her and Toto to Oz. The sign fell down and crushed the wicked witch of the east Evermean. Thus she sets free the munchkins, who have been turned into graffiti by Evermean for tagging the park walls, who populate the park in which she and Toto land. Miss One, the good witch of the north, gives Dorothy the powerful silver slippers of Evermean. Miss One urges Dorothy to find the Yellow Brick Road and follow it to the Emerald City and find the mysterious "Wizard" who she believes can get Dorothy back home. The good witch and the munchkins disappear, leaving Dorothy to find the Yellow Brick Road on her own. The next morning she meets the Scarecrow who she befriends and they travel the Yellow Brick Road together. The scarecrow hopes that the "Wizard" might give him the brain, he feels he lacks. The happen across the Tin Man and Lion who they befriend. The Tin Man hopes the "Wizard" can give him a heart and the Lion wants courage from the "Wizard". They come across the "Poppy" Girls who attempt to put Dorothy, Toto, and Lion to sleep. When they finally reach the Emerald City, the "Wizard" says he will only grant their wishes if they kill Evillene, the wicked witch of the west. Evillene sends the flying monkeys out to kill her. Evillene tortures the Lion, dismembers the scarecrow, and flattens the Tin Man in hopes of getting the silver shoes. Dorothy nearly gives in when the witch nearly throws Toto in a cauldron, but the Scarecrow points out the fire sprinkler switch which she flips and it nearly destroys Evillene. Everyone in the witch's sweatshop rejoices at that. The flying monkeys give Dorothy and her friends a ride back to the wizard. They realize the back door is open and head in that way. It it then realized that the wizard is a phony. Dorothy convinces her friends they had the things they were longing for all the time. Glenda, good witch of the south, tells her to look inside and use the silver slippers and she can get back home to Harlem.

The Wiz compares and contrasts with Wizard of Oz and Sound of Music. In all of these there is someone who is finding out something about themselves or basically finding out new things about themselves. The Wiz and Wizard of Oz both have a person who has been transported to Oz. In Sound of Music, Maria finds herself and this is similiar to Dorothy in The Wiz finding new things about herself. The differences in The Wiz and the Wizard of Oz are that The Wiz is more modern day and the Wizard of Oz is more or less in a longer ago time period. Also humans play all the roles in The Wiz and seems like actually animals play some of the roles in the Wizard of Oz. The differences in The Wiz and Sound of Music are that Maria doesn't get transported to a magical land and Dorothy does. Also, the time period in The Wiz is the seventies and the time period in Sound of Music is in the fourties.

What I like and disliked about this musical. I liked that Dorothy went to Oz and got to be a hero. I also liked that the train station scene where the trash cans and walls came alive. I like that Dorothy did not think she would be able to make it home and learned she had what it took all along. I disliked the fact that the Wiz was a phony. I also disliked the storm being a blizzard that took her to Oz.

In conclusion, I talked about the plot, compared and contrasted to other musicals, and told what i liked and disliked about The Whiz.

Analysis of Of Mice and Men

Analysis Detail

From his first paragraph, John Steinbeck sets the scene in Of Mice and Men through his use of imagery as he describes the natural world as a parallel to later events in the novella."The Salinas River drops in close to the hillside bank and runs deep and green." Runs deep means strong solid foundation goes beyond. Green means young, fresh, healthy vegetation. Runs deep symbolizes George. Green symbolizes Lennie."Slopes curve up to the strong and rocky Gabilan mountains." Strong means to have a strong foundation. Rocky means to have a shaky foundation. Mountains means obstacles. Strong symbolizes George. Rocky symbolizes Lennie. Mountains symbolize the obstacles Lennie and George will face."Under the trees the leaves lie deep and so crisp." Leaves lie deep means to have roots in. So crisp stands for new people coming in. Under trees means where an occurrence is. Leaves lie deep symbolizes Curley.So crisp symbolizes Lennie.Under trees symbolizes the safety that Curley feels because of the fight being where he has roots. "The limb is worn smooth by men who have sat on it." Limb worn smooth means to wear something down until it breaks and smoothes. Who have sat on it means someone has pushed someone until they break.Limb worn smooth symbolizes the torture Lennie has endured because of Curley. Who have sat on it means Curley pushed Lennie until he broke. The author used detail to adequately symbolize and get his message across.

Analysis Of Point of View

The third-person objective point of view solidifies the solitary lives these men lead. "It was Saturday night. Through the open door...came the sound of moving horses, of feet stirring, of teeth champing on hay, of the rattle of halter chains."(pg. 67) This might indicate the troubles of the times and, the horses getting all worked up.This might foreshadow the events of Lennie petting Curley's wife and ending up killing her. "Crooks did not see him...on raising his eyes...a scowl came on his face." This might be because he keeps to himself and has no people friends.Crooks likes his privacy probably because he does not want to be viewed as weak and also because he is the only black person on the ranch."Lennie smiled helplessly in an attempt to make friends." (pg.68) This might indicate that Lennie is lonely and wants to make friends that are people. Lennie wants friendship, this is hard for him because he hurts just about everyone he comes in contact with."Lennie was in a panic. His face contorted.She screamed then, and then Lennie's other hand closed over her mouth and nose." Lennie is in a panic due to the screaming of Curley's wife. Her reaction was to scream. Her screaming caused Lennie to use more force.Lennie would not have attacked Curley's wife most likely if she had not screamed. When she screamed that made his reaction worse."She struggled violently under his hands. Her feet battered on the hay and she writhed free; and from under Lennie's hand came a muffled screaming." (pg. 91)This may indicate that she struggled because of the pain of the attack. Also she was panicked because of Lennie smothering her.Curley's wife struggled because pf the attack she had endured by Lennie's hand. She struggled till she got free. She screamed from under his hand to be able to try to get help. The author used the previous quotes to reflect his point of view.
Analysis of Tone

The obligation and sorrow, tones in Steinbeck's passage reflect the troubles that are faced by the main characters, Lennie and George, in the book, Of Mice and Men. The tone word number one is obligation. "No-look! I was jus' foolin', Lennie.'Cause I want you to stay with me. Trouble with mice is you always kill 'em." He paused." Tell you what I'll do, Lennie. First chance I get I'll give you a pup. Maybe you won't kill it. That'd be better than mice. And you coulc pet it harder."(pg. 13)The quote, on page 13, shows George's obligation to Lennie because George tells Lennie he wants him to stay when Lennie makes the comment that he can go to a cave leave George. Also it shows that George cares for Lennie because he explains he will get Lennie a pup instead of a mouse to pet.'George stepped close."Couldn' we may bring him in an' they'll lock him up? He's nuts, Slim. He never done this to be mean."(pg.97)The quote, on page 97, show the obligation George has for Lennie because George feels like Lennie should be locked up and not killed, for killing Curley's wife.'George shook his head again. "No," he said."I want you to stay with me here."(pg.104)The quote, on page 104, shows the obligation George has for Lennie because he tells him he wants him to stay with him when Lennie offers to leave. The second tone word is sorrow. "Oh! Please don't do none of that,"Lennie begged. "George gonna say I done a bad thing. He ain't gonna let me tend the rabbits." (pg.91)The quote, on page 91, Lennie's sorrow because 'George gonna say I done a bad thing. He realized that now that he killed Curley's wife George would not let him tend the rabbits and that made him sad."I done a real bad thing," he said."I shouldn't of did that. George'll be mad. An'... he said... an' hide in the bushes till he come. He's gonna be mad. In the brush till he come. Tha's what he said."(pg.92)The quote, on page 92, show the sorrow felt by Lennie because he seems all frazzled about the bad thing he did and thought George would be mad at him. He also kept repeating that he should hide in the bushes and that George would be mad. It is easy to tell that he feels like he will make George mad because of his killing Curley's wife. The tone words obligation and sorrow are adequately represented in the above quotes.

Analysis of Theme

We are our brother's keeper. " I wisht I could put you in a cage with about a million mice an' let you have fun."(p.11) George said this to Lennie. When he said this he suddenly had no anger and he felt ashamed of hisself. This shows how George is Lennie's keeper because he cannot stay mad at Lennie and he wants what is best for Lennie."Lennie was jus' scairt," he explained. " He didn't know what to do. I told you nobody ought to never fight him. No, I guess it was Candy I told." (p.65) This proves that George is Lennie's keeper because he is defending George. When you are someone's keeper you defend them. This all proves that we are our brother's keeper.

Migrant Mother Photographs Reflection

The woman in the migrant mother photographs looks sad that she has to live that way. She seems to reflect all the horrible stories of what happened in the Great Depression. She seems a lot older than she actually is, maybe this is because of the stress she had to endure being homeless and having to raise small children. It seems almost as though she was trying to cling to all the belongings she had left during homelessness. The woman makes me sad, being that she does not have a home and is having to deal with raising small children on top of that. I honestly cannot understand how the woman, in the photographs, can stand to endure being homeless.

Fictional Acceptance Speech (OC)

Could it be plausible that such a boring article got me this award?I thought it was not, but apparently it was. Thanks for giving me the honor of receiving the Pulitzer Prize. I am going to tell you about the article I received the award for, what the award means to me, and how thankful I am to those who gave me the award.

First off, I am going to tell you about the article I received the award for. One day i was thinking about the elections and I thought, 'Oh I have the perfect idea for an article.' The article I wrote was about elections being like a divorce case of he said she said. One opponent will invent propaganda about the other opponent, sort of like a husband and wife that get divorced saying different things about the other to make the other sound bad. Well it is like a he said she said thing except the commercials air on the television.

Next, I am going to tell you what the award means to me. I never thought in a million years I would receive such an honor. I thought all my articles were garbage until this award. This award means that all my hardwork writing that article paid off. Also, it means that I have succeeded in getting my point across for my article. This artcle means that I have done something worth all the time and effort it spent on doing it.

Finally, I am to tell you how thankful I am to those who gave me the award. I am really happy that the committee chose me to win this award. I nefver thought that the committee would pick my article for such an honor.

Let's review. The three things I talked about were: the article I received the award for, what the award means to me, and how thankful I am to those who gave me the award. Apparently it was plausible that such a boring story could get me this award.

School Year 2009-10 (OC)

This school year has been full of interesting memories that I will cherish forever. Many acquaintances have been made. Acquaintances from other countries in the form of exchange students and immigrants. One of them will remain my friend, I hope even when she goes back to Germany. I have enjoyed the classes this year. Though, in some classes I have not agreed with everything. This year is the first year I have kept all A's. I have enjoyed the assignments and such at school this year. This was the first year my twin sister and I have had totally different schedules from each other. I came to the realization that it was okay to ask for help. I learned that a bus full of annoying kids is not the best thing to hear first thing in the morning. I learned that taking an ACT is not as bad as I thought. I also learned that sometimes I get carried away when I do certain things. I learned that you do not have to decide the rest of your life in the tenth grade, that it is okay not to know what you want to do with your life. One bad grade on an assignment, may seem like the end of the world, and parents may think this too, but I have come to the realization that one bad grade is not worth getting upset over. This year I also learned it is not as scary as I thought to ask teachers and the principal for recommendations for an application. This year I was glad that I had the opportunity to apply for ASMSA and got in. I learned at the orientation that what I thought difficult here will seem like a piece of cake compared to some of the stuff that they will teach there. I am so happy about going there, but I am not so happy about having to start the fourth of August, because my summer will be cut short. I learned that sometimes do your schoolwork pays off. I also learned that I am glad I came to Batesville because otherwise I would not have some of the friends I have now.

The Giver Book Review

In a community where there are no emotions, everything is good, right? Wrong, the memories of pain and suffering all have to be somewhere or with someone. Lois Lowry's The Giver astonished me with the lack of exicitement within the characters lives.

The characters are Jonas, Lily, the Giver, Jonas's mom and dad, and Gabriel. Jonas, a new twelve, was selected to be the receiver of memory. When a person turns twelve, the elders of the community chose their position in the community. Lily, Jonas's little sister, a new eight, was excited about starting her volunteer hours. The Giver, being the previous receiver of memory, transfers memories to Jonas as training. Jonas's mom and dad helped make up the rest of the family unit. Gabriel was the new child that needed extra nurturing from Jonas's dad, because he had trouble sleeping through the night.

I recommend this book to people who like utopia with a little bit of dystopia. I also recommend this book to Lois Lowery fans.

Last Exit to Normal Book Review

Life can be rough when you are a a kid with two dads, hair spikes, and a skateboard habit in a small town, but it can be harder when something terrible is going on next door. Michael Harmon's Last Exit to Normal interested me with struggles between Ben and the rest of the town.

The plot begins. When Ben was fourteen his father came out, his mother left, and his dad's boyfriend moved in. After a few years of trouble, Ben's dad and step dad, uproot him and they go to Rough Butte, Montana. They end up living with Edward's mom, Miss Mae. Ben starts learning physical work. He develops an attraction for Kimberly Johan a girl who lives four houses down from him. She invites him on a work date, baling hay. His stepfather takes him to by the right clothes for the job. Then he goes home and his father asks what on earth has happened to to my son, is he sick? His stepfather says no, just in love. They go on a date and get caught up in a terrible storm and have to save Kimberly's uncle Morgan. When Ben steals antlers from Mr. Hinks, the dad of Billy, he does it because no one seems to care for Billy. His dad does not talk to him when he is quote homophobic. When Hinks and Paul, Ben's dad, get into a fight, Ben attempts to make it right, because the fight was over him. Will the struggles in the town be fixed? Read the book and find out.

I recommend to people who enjoy stories about people coming into their own. I also think this book would be good for people to read who are having struggles with a parent.

Animal Farm's Use of Animals to Portray Utopia vs. Dystopia

In the book, Animal Farm, George Orwell uses animals to portray views of utopia versus dystopia. The animals adequately represent a way in which there are utopias, and there are also dystopia's mixed in.

The pigs are getting their version of a utopia. Throughout the novel the pigs are getting way getting it way bettter than the rest of the animals. The pigs seem to turn almost human throughout the course of the novel. When the rest o fthe animals rations are decreased, at seems as though the pigs rations are increased. The pigs are convincing the other animals of their ideas.

The other animals, besides the pigs, are experiencing a dystopia. The pigs utopia led to a dystopia for the rest of the animals. The animals have to work hard to build the windmill. These animals rations are cut down. These animals are going through a version of hell only Napoleon can give.

George Orwell artfully uses animals to portray his views of utopia versus dystopia. The animals portray utopia and dystopia intertwined.

Westside Story (OC)

Set in the 1950's the musical explores the rivalry of the sharks and the jets. They come from different ethnicities and cultural backgrounds. The sharks are first generation Americans from Puerto Rico. The Jets are working-class white group wo consider themselves true Americans.
The young protagonist Tony ,of the Jets ,falls in love with Maria, sister of Bernando, leader of the Sharks. Maria and Tony begin to plan to runaway. The Sharks and Jets plan a rumble under the highway and whoever wins gains control of the streets. Maria sends Tony to stop it and it goes terribly wrong. Before the lovers know it tragedy strikes and doesn't stop until the end. Tony has killed Bernando. The tomboy anybodys who wishes she could be a Jet, tells Tony to flee the scene of the crime at the las minute. Chino brings the news that Tony has killed Bernando. She flings her fists hoping that he is mistaken. When Tony gets there she throws her fists at him and he calms her down and plans to runaway. Anybodys gets accepted into the Jets. She also falls in love with action. Anita gets killed going out a store. She had claimed that Chino was going to kill Maria in a jealous rage. Tony is shot and dies in Maria's arms. Maria takes the gun and threatens to shoot herself but collapses in her grief.

On What I might be Cross-Examined

Being cross-examined and getting questions asked of me is something I am not to sure about. I have no clue what I might be cross-examined for. Though, I do think if I ever break a rule or a law, then I will be cross-examined.

Also if there is any doubt in someones mind that I know something and am not sharing it then I will be cross-examined. If a person knows something that will set another person free, cross-examination takes place. Many events can cause a person to have to be cross-examined, and I hope that I never have to be cross-examined for any reason that would be bad. As long as someone is being cross-examined for a good reason it is okay.

Actually, I may could get cross-examined on the amount of shoes I own. This is because I have an excess of shoes and I constantly want more.

Fiddler on the Roof (OC)

About traditions following in the past and leading into the future. Tevye has five daughters and no sons. Without their traditions their lives would be as shaky as a fiddler on the roof. A matchmaker matches couples. In the eyes of the matchmaker even a bad husband is better than no husband. Lazar Wolf has his eye set for Tzeital. Tzeital wants to marry Motol her childhood friend, but they have no choice when it comes to who the match maker picks for them. Tevye realizes it is no shame to be poor but is not very popular either. When a curse has been said they spit it out and that is how they get rid of the bad. Perchik wants to teach Tevye's daughters some lessons.
Perchik has some new ideas. When Tevye meets with Lazar he assumes he wants to buy his cow. After things are cleared up Tevye agrees to let Lazar marry Tzeital thinking she will not anything again. Lazar is an old man. He promise Tevye he would be good to her. Then after Tevye agreed they went to a bar and celebrated with drinks. Even the Russians seemed happy for them. After he left the bar, Tevye ran into a Russian constable who spoke of a demonstration that the community was going to have, that way when the inspector comes through he will see they did their job. The Russians were going to do some mischeif in the Jewish community. Pershik tried to explain to the two youngest daughters of Tevye that they should never trust an employer in his first lesson. Tzeital told Tevye that she did not want to marry Lazar when he told her that she was to marry Lazar. She begged him not to make her marry him. He decided not to make her marry Lazar. Motol asked Tevye that he could marry Tzeital. He seemed to think it was crazy. Tevye decided to let Motol and Tzeital marry. Overjoyed Motel celebrates with Tzeital. Tevye convinces Golde he has waken from a nightmare in which Lazar's dead wife will retribute if Lazar and Tzeital marry and where the grandmother wants Tzeital to marry Motol. Tevye's third daughter Chava is getting teased by some Russians, but one of them Fyedka protects her, loans her a book, and a secret relationship begins. The demonstration occurs of the wedding day of Motol and Tzeital and Tevye advises everyone to clean up. When Perchik needs to go back to Kiev proposes to Hodel and she agrees. They ask for the blessing of her father not his permission and he relunctantly gives his permission and blessing. Yente tells Tzeital that she has seen Chava with Fyedka.Motol has purchased a new sewinf machine and he and Tzeital have a baby. When Chava is forbidden to speak with Fyedka they elope. Jews are being expelled by Russians. When Chava and Fyedka stop to say their leaving, Tevye doesn't talk but prompts Tzeital to say
God be with you.

The Bracelet

The bracelet with the gleaming rubber
on the wrist one will wear
to make all bad feelings go.
The hope the bracelet brings
wipes the pain of a thousand memories.
The sorrows of the day go away
with the bracelet.
The bracelet makes everything okay.

Celebration

Celebration has many reasons. There are many things we should celebrate. Life is one thing we should celebrate. Happiness and opportunities are other things we should celebrate, as well as, freedom.

We should celebrate life because without life we would not be doing what we are doing right now. We also would have no cause to celebrate if we did not have life.

We should celebrate happiness because with out happiness there would be nothing worth living for. To truelly live a full life one should live happily. Happiness is the best thing in the world to celebrate.

Opportunities should also be celebrated. Without opportunities we would not be able to get to do some of the things we get to do.

We should celebrate freedom. Men and women fight so that we can be free. We should celebrate freedom because without freedom there would be no cause to celebrate. Also without freedom we would have nothing and no reason to be able to celebrate or get happy.

Nonverbal communication (OC)

winking and flaring nostrils are two examples of nonverbal communication.
constantly shakin head and pulling things from pockets are two more examples.
showing people tow you keep in your bag are two more examples of nonverbal communcation.
putting your thumb up is another example of nonverbal communication.
scratching your head and freakin out are examples on nonverbal communication.
sticking your tongue out and moving it from side to side is an example of nonverbal communication. lifting your eyebrows, scratching you chin, moving closer to someone, and putting your head down are examples of non verbal communication. sticking up your finger is an example of nonverbal communication. jumping up and down and grabbing pencils are examples of nonverbal communication. writing is an example of nonverbal communication. putting your hands on you hips is an example of nonverbal communication. frowning is an example of nonverbal communication. jerking crazily at pants is an example of nonverbal communication. looking around is an example of non verbal communication. messing with hands is an example of nonvebal communincation. yawning is an example of nonverbal communication. putting your hand to your nose is an example of nonverbal communication. twitching your nose is an example of nonverbal communication. falling asleep while someone is talking is an example of nonverbal communication. putting your head on someone else and bending over are examples of nonverbal communication. making antlers out of your hands to hold your eyes open is an example of nonverbal communication. elbowing someone in the side is an example of nonverbal communication. when someone trys to look at something of yours and you jerk it back that is an exampleof nonverbal communication. jigging is an example of nonverbal communication. messing with your pants is an example of non verbal commnincation. dancing is an example of nonverbal communication. smiling is an example of nonvebal communication. choking is an example of nonverbal communication. putting your hand on someones shoulder is an example of nonverbal communication. pointing is an exampe of non verbal communication. staring blankly is an example of nonverbal communication. picking up things is an example of non verbal communication. stealing is an example of nonverbal communication. using something before buying it is an example of nonverbal communication. shoving someone out of your way is an exmaple of non verbal communication. picking up somone elses card is an example of nonverbal communication. staring at someone is an example of nonverbal communication. ringing your hands is an example of nonverbal communication. moving lips around together is an example of nonverbal communication. scrunching your eyebrows together is an example of nonverbal communication. shaking your head and making steering wheel gestures is an example of non verbal communication.hitting objects wth a utensil is an example of nonverbal communication. sniffing objects and putting them to your ear are examples of non verbal communication. turning your head sideways is an example of non verbal communication. stuffing your face is an example of nonverbal communication. playing music is an example of nonverbal communication. pulling on someone else's pants is an example of non verbal communication. dropping things is an example of non verbal communication. tugging at a tie is an example of nonverbal communication. bowing and fidgeting are examples of nonverbal communication. looking down is an example of nonverbal communication. checking your breath is an example of non verbal communication. putting your hands over your mouth is an example of nonverbal communication. opening your mouth and leaning your head toward someone is an example of nonverbal communication. making your eyes get real big is an example of nonverbal communcation. sticking out your hand is an example of nonverbal communication. pulling at someones suit is an example of nonverbal communication. wringing hands is an example of nonvervbal communication. putting your fingers together is an example of nonverbal communication. knocking someone over is an example of non verbal communication. running and flailing arms are examples of nonverbal communication. getting a big googy grin on your face is an example of nonverbal communication. crawling is an example of nonverbal communication. putting your arm on your side is an exmaple of nonverbal communication. putting your hand over your mouth and shaking your head is an exmple of nonverbal communication. mouthing is an example of nonverbal communication. rubbing eyes is an example of nonverbal communication. sneaking around is an example of nonverbal communication. stomping is an example of nonverbal communication. moving your hands is an example of nonverbal communication. grabbing things ot of your jacket are examples of nonverbal communication. staring at someone and rolling your eyes is an example of nonverbal communication. shaking things up in a sock while someone else is watching is an example of nonverbal communication. putting fingers up is an example of nonverbal communication. moving your hand to your mouth and away is an example of nonverbal communication. offering someone something just by holding it out to them is an example of nonverbal communication. smacking someone's hand is an example of nonvebal communication. moving your arm is an example of nonverbal communication. moving hands around mouth is an example of nonverbal communication. holding chest is an example of nonverbal communication. lowering yourself in your seat is an example of nonverbal communication. shaking is an example of nonverbal communication. putting your hands in front of your face or your shirt over your head is an example of nonverbal communication. putting a bag over your head is an example of nonverbal communication. putting your hand in your shirt and jerking around is an example of nonverbal communication.

Grade Scale Change (OC)

Grade scale change makes what is referred to as "What in previous decades would have been referred to as "a gentleman's C" is now barely enough to get passed on to the next grade" in some schools. Grade scale changes have many bad effects. I am going to write about the affect of the grade scale change in schools in comparison to schools where there is still no grade scale change. Also about the effect grade scale change has on both ends of the spectrum. Also, about the disadvantage the gradescale change has on students when applying for college.

First in schools where grade scale has changed the comparison with other students from schools who have yet to make the change is tricky. What would be considered a B in a school where grade scale change has not occurred could be considereda C in a school where grade scale change has occurred. This could make students who have average grades in school's where no grade scale change has occured barely pass in school's where it has.

Second grade scale change could effect students on both ends of the spectrum could be affected. In some school's a person needs a seventy-five to pass. This could cause average students to fail. Students who make ninetys and call them A's would no longer be able to do that.

Third grade scale change puts students at a disadvantage when applying for college. Most college grade on the ten point scale. When a college receives an application the college does not always know if the student had come from a grade scale changed school. A student who makes C's at one school may be just as good as a student who makes B's at another.

I wrote about comparison of student at grade scale change schools with other schools, can affect students on both ends of the spectrum, and puts students at a disadvantage when applying for college. Grade scale changes are not good.
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The Mask I Wear

The mask I wear helps me hide,
my true feelings deep inside,
my constant struggle for control,
my interanl fights are hidden by the mask.
The mask hides the constant tug-o'-war,
members of friends constantly fighting with me,
my family constantly fighting over me.
The mask I wear helps me hide,
my feelings of despair,
the feeling of being cut up with a knife,
divided to share amongst everyone else,
sometimes I feel as though others ask too much of me.
The mask I wear helps me hide.
Others may not would like the person I am inside.
Some might not understand my feelings of conflict.
Some might not understand me feelings of confusion.
The mask I wear helps me hide,
the feelings of hurt and sorrow,
the feelings of pain.
The mask I wear helps me hide,
who I am inside.
The mask I wear helps me hide,
my abyss of feelings deep inside.

What Saint Patricks Day Means to Me

Saint Patrick's day means that we wear green or else get pinched. Everybody of all ages dress in green. People who do not wear green put on something green. Putting anything green on is considered pinch-free territory. Some go all out for Saint Patrick's day. Saint Patrick's day means on the 17 of March that if you do not wear green you will get pinched. Several people collect clovers for Saint Patrick's day. Some people believe that you find a four leaf clover you will be lucky. For the Irish, Saint Patrick's day is considered lucky. Ever heard of the luck of the Irish. For some Saint Patrick's day is highly overrated. For me Saint Patrick's day means I have to wear green or else get pinched.

Call of The Wild

Buck goes through many stands. Jack London’s Call of The Wild interested me with the story of a dog who seemed very human.

Buck had many instances where he took a stand. He decided to steal food and it got blamed on Dub. He decided to fight Spitz and eventually overtook him. He decided to not move and was cut out of his traces.

Buck was not the only one who took stands. Hal, Charles, and Mercedes took stands and piled the sled to full, causing them the need of more sled dogs. Thornton took a stand and rescued Buck from Hal, Charles, and Mercedes.

I recommend this book to people who love Jack London books. Also I recommend this book to people who like books with doggy heroes.

Persuasion

Persuasion is convincing others of what you think should be done. I am not a good master of persuasion. However, I do try to utilize the effects of persuasion. Persuasion can be a good thing when something good is being persuaded and just the opposite when something bad is being persuaded. I once tried to persuade someone to stop doing something and it did not work. I am not a good persuader.

To Be A Winner

Being a winner means achieving a goal. Also being a winner means feeling a sense of accomplishment.In order to be a winner most people believe you have to beat someone else out for something. Being a winner means having a sense of pride in one’s self. In order to be a winner some believe that you need a tangible award, but I believe that the simple good comments are all one needs to be a winner.

Something I Could do with Olympic Determination

Something I could do with determination such as the people in the Olympics, is work to try to achieve all A’s. This might would take hard work. But it would be good in the long run.

In order to achieve this goal through determination I could set a strict study schedule. I could study several hours a week. I could also try to do the reading for each chapter. I could also try to keep extra notes. In the long run the hard work for maintaining this goal would pay off.

Shadowland Book Review

Ever and Damen can never touch or Damen will die. Alyson Noel’s Shadowland astonished me with the story that was within in it.

The theme of the of the book basically is where there is a will, there is a way. Ever and Damen cannot touch each other or else Damen will die. At first, Damen and here send each other telepathic affections. Soon after Damen decides to wear a glove so that he and ever can touch. Then Damen perfects an invisible veil, that will only separate Damen and Ever by a sliver of energy.

The book connects to Antigone in a way. Antigone seemed to have a where there is a will there is a way attitude when it came to burying her brother.

I recommend this book to people who like Twilight. I recommend this book to people who liked the other two books in the series.

To Live Again Book

Dawn Rochelle has been through cancer, at age thirteen, a bone marrow transplant, at age fourteen, and now a stroke, at age seventeen. Lurlene McDaniel’s To Live Again amazed me with the story inside.

The plot begins. Dawn is now a senior in high school. She has won her fight with leukemia. Just when thing s are starting to look up, the unthinkable happens, a stroke at age seventeen. The stroke leaves Dawn’s left side paralyzed and here unable to talk. Dawn works hard at therapy and begins to relearn standing and talking. Dawn tries to train her other brain cells to make up for the ones she lost. She hopes to be able to graduate with her class, but she has missed almost two grading periods. Her chances of finishing with her class seem slim, but through determination, can she make it and graduate with her class in June?

I recommend this book to people who like Lurlene McDaniel’s other books and the people who have read the other four books in the Dawn Rochelle series. I recommend this book to people who like tear jerkers with some funny parts.

Banning Ipods in Schools (OC)

The principal of a Mountain View high school, Mr. Maybon, banned ipods in the school after learning that students cheated with them. After hearing some kids, discussing using ipods to cheat, he decided that it was time to ban them. Students found ways encrypt test answers into the lyrics of songs.

I believe that Ipods should not be banned in schools, but they should be banned during tests and while teachers are talking. I mean what is the harm of using an ipod in school as long as the student pays attention during dicussion. Also, as long as the student gets everything down. If schools allowed ipods and a massive number of grades went down, then sure ipods should be banned. Also, even if ipods are banned some students will find a way to use them anyway.
Banning ipods in school

Weather Events that can Destroy the Earth (OC)

The earthquake in Chile killed hundreds of people including a bus fill of retirees. The magnitude of the earthquake was 8.8. Some looting occurred until troops came and enforced a curfew. Thousands were left homeless due to inhabitable and destroyed homes. Had the warning been sooner maybe more would have survived.

How do you convince people of global warming in a snow storm? It was reported that January 2000 to December 2009 was the hottest decade on record. 2009 tied for the second hottest year on modern record. Supporters of global warming are trying to convince people of long term weather rather than weather events. Even though it has been a very wintry winter people believe the consensus on global warming should remain unchanged.

European storm death tolls at 62. 51 of the deaths were in France. Six of the deaths were in Germany. Spain, Belgium, and Portugal had one fatality each. 21st Century families can end up drowning in their sleep. A school bus swept off a street and into a ravine. Two kids were sent to a hospital and another has yet to be found.

These stories have similarities. One similarity of these stories is that all the stories provide a way in which the earth can be ways to destroy parts of the earth. In all the stories if the system is kind of flawed whether it be through not giving the warning soon enough or not giving enough evidence to support it. All of these involve some storms that seem to catch people off guard.

The main idea in the passage about global warming is to convince people that global warming is actually happening and that people may actually believe it if people look at the big picture as opposed to little weather events. I believe it is important to look at the big picture as opposed to little weather events because if people looked at the big picture then they may actually believe in global warming.

Left Brained or Right Brained

Ever wondered which side of the brain it is you use more of. Some say a person is equally left and right brained. Turns out that this may be a wrong statement.

You are left brain if you are more creative. People who are left brained tend to do more imagitative things. People left brained seem to be more artistic. Right brained people are more intellectual. Right people try to think what's the right thing to do, rather than the thing they would like to do. Right brain people seem not to go with their gut. Then there are those who are equally left and right brained. Those people who dor the right thing as well as the artistic stuff.

So what do you think, are you left or right brained, or a happy medium between the two. An easy test is would you prefer to do the thing that your logic tells you or go with your gut or a happy medium.

Parents Who Murder Their Children

Why would a parent murder a child? Does the parents who murder children kill them out of rage? Do the parents who murder children kill them because they have a mental condition? In some cases of children being murdered by parents the answer is yes to the preceding questions.

In many cases where parents murdered children,murdered them in a fit of rage. "The mother who throws the child against the wall" is the most common perpetrator. This type of murder may possibly have not happened, had the murder seen a psychologist. This type of murder happens in an uncontrolled rage,usually.

In other cases, parents have killed their children because of mental issues. A mother in Texas, suffering from post partum depression, drowned all five of her children in a bathtub. Some murders of children have been done do to an ongoing mental condition in the parent.

Murdering children, one of the worst crimes, by parents only makes the situation worse. Parents who desire murdering their children should see a psychiatrist or pyschologist instead of finishing the act of murdering their children. For more information go to why do parents kill their children.

A Stand I Would Like to Take

Is it possible for anyone to take a stand? I will be honest and say that I never have taken a stand, but I would like the opportunity to be able to take a stand. If I could take a stand on anything, it would be drunk driving.

I would take a stand on drunk driving because I have known a few people who have lost their lives to drunk drivers. I have also know a few drunk drivers who I deem stupid, because usually these drivers get into wrecks. Drunk driving endangers all those on the road with them.

Why would anyone want to get behind the wheel drunk? This is a question I have, because usually the drunk does not die. Usually, in wrecks with drunk drivers the people who suffer the most are the sober ones who are in the wreck with the drunk drivers. The drunks do not seem to think about the fact they may rid families of the lives of loved ones they hold so dear.

In conclusion, I know I have never taken a stand on anything. I would love to be able to take a stand against drunk drivers. Drunks do not deserve to be able to get behind the wheel of a car.

A Stand I Admire Someone for Taking

Would you take a stand for against an injustice you witness? Many would probably hope they would take a stand against an injustice. The person I most admire for taking a stand is Martin Luther King Jr.

King took a stand for the civil rights of his people the African Americans. You see they were not allowed many of the priveledges of the white folks. He stood up for their rights to be able to use the same facilities as the white people did. He also stood up for the rights of the African Americans to be able to ride in the front of the bus.

King led marches and aided in boycotts. He got arrested for his cause. He wanted to give his people the assurance that they would have the same freedoms as the white folks did. He took a stand against the segregation of his people from the white folks. He gave speeches that were attempts to get his point across. He helped lead a bus boycott in which the African Americans, as well as some of the whites, refused to use the buses.

In conclusion, I believe King’s stand put some head way as far as civil rights go. King is the person I most admire for taking a stand. He was willing to do what it took for his cause. How many can say that?

Blue Moon Book Review

Ever and Damen have the rest of eternity together or do they. When the new kid Roman shows up he seams charming to most, even Damen, but not so much Ever. Alyson Noel’s Blue Moon shocked me with its tale of sort of magical occurrences.

Ever takes a stand against Roman. When Roman seems to have everyone else under his spell, Ever senses something is not right. Ever thinks it could be possible that Roman is an immortal rogue, out to get her and Damen, but there is no Ouboros tattoo on his wrist. The weirdest thing happens after Roman is there for a little while. The jocks start hanging out with the drama geeks. The goths and the A-list girls start gossiping. Ever realizes this just happened after Roman showed up. As Roman tries to pull her into his wing, she pulls away.

Ever thought she and Damen would be together forever. But not long after Roman shows up Damen starts acting strange. One day Ever and Damen were all for each other, the next Damen was completely unaware of her existence it seemed. Ever suspicioned that Damen had been poisoned by Roman because he was acting mortal. He had an aura, and it was clear he was having horny thoughts about other girls. This would have been okay accept Damen does not have an aura usually or think in horny thoughts about anybody,especially when he and Ever have been together for four hundred years and through out many of Ever's incarnations.

If you want to find out what happens to Damen and Ever’s relationship, and what’s up with Roman you have to read the book. I recommend that those who like the possibility of living forever and mystical lands read the book.