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Thursday, May 7, 2009

WebQuest Two



EvErYoNe'S a StOrY tElLeR:

I decided to search the web for some interesting folk tales from a lot of different countries. After searching for a very long time I finally found a story that would be a nice challenge for me. I have chosen to rewrite a story from the Chinese culture. The story is called "The Scholar and the Headless ghost". I have changed the main characters name, and I have also changed a lot of the text. This was all apart of the assignment though, and I will list the original name below among other things.

Ji Kang- main character. Kang was a scholar, and I also learned that he was a great poet and musician in his time (224-262 A.D). He was also the leader of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Forest School. (I have changed his name to Jay King to make it easier for younger children to read and understand.)
Seven Sages Bamboo forest school- I looked this up on the Internet and found: When things weren't going well in their government people would come together and discuss different things. These discussions included poetry and music. Some people were actually in the government, but were so disgusted with it that they abandoned it and chose to learn other things. This group also consisted of seven men, Ji Kang was one of them.
Lyre- Musical instrument that Ji Kang was originally playing. This is a stringed instrument in the shape of a U. It belongs to the harp family, and was used mostly by Greeks. (I changed it to where Ji Kang is playing a harp in my story. I thought it would be easier to explain a harp than a lyre in a story.)


The Scholar and the Headless ghost:
Jay King was smart in many ways, and liked to venture into the country every so often. One evening, when the sun was slowly setting, Jay decided to rest under a tree. He was all alone, and there was no one around. Jay took out his small harp and began to play a few songs.
Suddenly Jay King heard someone clapping. When he turned around he found that no one was there.
"Who is it?" He called into the darkness. A low moaning voice answered him and said, "I am a ghost. I have lived here for thousands of years, and when I heard you playing on your harp I couldn't help but clap."
"Will you come closer so that I can see your face?" Jay King asked.
"No," said the ghost, "I am an ugly ghost, and you wouldn't like the way that I look. Can I listen to you play for awhile?"
Jay King nodded and started to play a few more songs on his harp. His curiosity over came him though.
"You can come out now. It's dark, and I promise not to make fun of your looks." Jay King said. The ghost sighed and drifted out of the shadows. His looks weren't perfect at all. He in fact was a headless ghost, and as white as the moon that was above them.
"May I play your harp?" The headless ghost asked. Jay nodded and handed his harp over to the ghost. The Headless ghost played a few familiar songs, but Jay King noticed one song that interested him. The ghost agreed to teach Jay King this song if he promised never to teach anyone else.
"Thank you." Jay King finally said. The ghost's head smiled.
"Don't tell anyone about me. It's getting late now I think I should go. Thank you very much for bringing my dead heart back to life with your music."
"I'm sorry you have to go." Jay King replied.
"We've only known each other for awhile now, but it feels like we've been friends for years. Good bye." The ghost waved a white hand, and disappeared.
The End.
The message that this story is trying to put out is hard to understand, but if you think about it for awhile like I did it will make sense.
Notice that Ji Kang was very understanding about the ghost, and because of his kindness he was able to learn something valuable.

Monday, May 4, 2009

FYI

I couldn't figure out how to put my poetry book on my blog as a slide show.... Mainly because I couldn't find anyone to do it for me.... ANYWAYS I posted it all on one post and I hope you're happy!!
-mickie c

Response to WebQuest: Poetry Book












Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Response to WebQuest

PoEtRy QuEsT:

I decided to pick the poetry quest and challenge myself a little bit. The project was a little difficult to figure out since I had to post all my work on my blog, but I figured it out in the end. I've decided to give you a little bit of information on what a poem is and what I've learned about poems. I will list all the different kinds of poems and will even write a few of my own at the end. All of the example poems by the way are my own. I didn't copy, while I was learning I made them all on my own. That seems pretty simple right? Let's get started.

What is a Poem? A poem is basically a form of writing. Poems can represent something, tell a story, or have information in them. To sum it all up a poem can have whatever you want in it. Not all poems have to rhyme either. There are also many different kinds of poems.

Different kinds of poems: Hardly anything in life is the same, for example things come in different shapes and sizes. Poems are the same way.
Acrostic Poem- An Acrostic Poem is very fun to make. This is a poem that forms a word down the page. For example:

  • Helen
    And
    Paul
    Picked
  • Yellow roses.

Normally you wouldn't have the little dots next to your poem but this is how it goes.

Couplets- Yes, it has a very weird name but it is in fact a poem. This is a simple two lined poem that rhymes. Also an easy way to remember how to write this poem is think of the word couple, which means two.

  • I love flowers but I hate bees.
  • I love rivers and climbing trees.

Triplets- This poem is very similar to a Couplet but instead of two rhyming lines it has three. This poem matches its name as well.

  • I call my grandpa pappy
  • Because he is so happy
  • Except when he acts crappy.

Quatrains- I learned that a Quatrain is a poem that has two Couplets in it. That is what makes it a Quatrain. (Your poem should make sense though.)

  • Andy went to school today
  • Down in the mouth and not wanting to play.
  • Lisa went and sat with him
  • And this made Andy grin.

I also have to add that it took me a few minutes to understand this poem. Notice that the two Couplets rhyme differently. After practicing it for a few minutes though I understood it.

Cinquain- Even though Cinquain kind of rhymes with Quatrain they are in fact two very different kinds of poems. A Cinquain is a five lined poem that doesn't necessarily rhyme. I got on the internet and studied a few of these poems and noticed that they are written in a diamond shape. They also have adjectives and adverbs in them, depending on how you write it.

  • Rain
  • Cold, damp
  • Dripping, freezing, splashing
  • I'm wet.


If you pay attention you will see that this poem starts with rain. It then goes on to describe the rain, and after that it describes what 'I' did in the rain. Finally ending with what 'I' am. I think the best way to sum up this poem is basically telling you to start with a subject, describe it, say what the subject does, and end with something that the subject means to you.



Free verse- The name of this poem says it all. I found out that this poem doesn't really have any rules to follow. You can set it up in any format that you want, and it doesn't have to rhyme.
You can do anything you want with this poem. (I chose to write it in a diamond format because that is how I saw it written most often.)

  • One day,
  • I will grow to be tall and strong.
  • No one will be able to tear me down or make me cry
  • I will make a name for myself
  • And I won't let anyone take my dreams from me.

Limerick- I have to be honest with you. A Limerick is a little bit tricky. I had to look at the format a few times to understand it. This poem combines a Couplet and a Triplet. Lines 1,2, and 5 rhyme with each other. Lines 3, and 4 rhyme with eachother too. You CAN'T mix this up though or it won't be a Limerick. (Honestly I'm not sure if my example is quite right, but I tried.)

  • I love to climb my trees.
  • I enjoy rolling in thier leaves.
  • But when their branches broke in a storm,
  • I couldn't climb them anymore.
  • Now all I can do is listen to the breeze.

In my defense though I would like to say that I did follow the form for my limerick. :)

Haiku- The Haiku poem is another intersting one. This poem has to have a whopping 17 syllables and you have to write it in three lines. Rhyming isn't necessary in this poem. The only thing you really need to focus on is the syllables. When I was writing mine I went through half of my note book...

  • When I was young
  • My mother would sing to me
  • Until sleep finally came.

With my Haiku poem if you count all the syllables you would get 17. It takes awhile but in the end its worth it.

Other things you put in Poems: When ever I hear the word 'poem' I automatically think about similies and metaphors. Well, these are only a few of the things I would need to know before actually starting my poems.

Similies- A similie is very easy to work with. Similies aren't just used in poems though, they can be used in regular sentences too. When using a similie you are comparing things with the words like or as.

  • He smelled as bad as a pig.
  • She gazed at me like a hawk.

That wasn't very hard was it? I like working with them, but if you do get mixed up that's ok.

Metaphor- I have always forgotten how to properly use a metaphor. YOU DO NOT USE LIKE OR AS WHEN YOU'RE WRITING A METAPHOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! With a metaphor you're just describing or comparing things.

  • Angie was a leopard on the track.
  • Mark is a pig when it comes to his room.

In my first sentence Angie was a leopard, NOT like a leopard. In the next sentence Mark is a pig, NOT like a pig. (I would just like to say that Mark needs SERIOUS help........... just kidding.)

Alliteration- This is one of the other things that you should always keep in the back of your mind. An alliteration is where all the sounds in the beginning letters match.

Don't ditch detention Dave.

Remeber though that when using an alliteration it's about the SOUND matching not just the letters.

Personification- This is very fun. The name really says it all. Personification is basically describing something that isn't alive, like it really is alive.

The sun smiled down on us that day.

This isn't hard at all to get the hang of. Sun's don't smile.... That is so obvious.

Well now that I'm done telling you about all that I learned I'll write down a few more poems. You can try to guess which technique I used. :)

  • Math is so very boring
  • Especially in the morning
  • Even though my eyes grow weak
  • I try to fight the sleep.

  • Today I met the funniest man
  • And this funny man called himself Dan.
  • His arms wiggled like jello
  • And his hair was bright yellow.
  • But when Dan saw me... he ran...


Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Response to Part Two: My plan

Like my sister was at my age I am very confused about what I truely want to be. Deep down I have always wanted to major in english, and become a writer. My opinions have always had a way of flowing out of my mouth uncontrollably, as you may already know. My family suggested I put it all on paper a few years ago and I've been passionate about it ever since. I think that whatever I write could inspire people to follow they're dreams. Of course I'm not saying that I'm perfect at this. Writing is just something that I enjoy, and it's really the only thing that makes sense. Being a writer isn't all about writing fiction stories. I could write about the important things, like what we can do as a nation to help eachother. Ever since I started reading I loved the idea of being able to put something amazing on paper. After reading the article I started thinking about how small ideas can make big changes. Every person in this country should at least attempt to help. They just don't know it yet. Maybe my ideas will create ideas in other people. Every successful person living and breathing has had a dream some what like this. Every great plan begins with a dream, or an idea. All it takes is a little push and something amazing will happen. Writing probably seems really dull to some people, but it's the world to me. If I ever get the chance to help someone make a difficult discision then it will be worth it. Yes, it's going to take a lot of practice, but maybe someday what I write will make a difference. To me a single sentence can inspire millions of people. You never know... That could be my sentence.
If that doesn't work out for me I was thinking about public speaking or something like that. I've always had a problem with argueing and wanting my voice to be heard. Why fight it? I could argue about so many important things that obviously aren't being done. For example when George Bush was in office I used to say "I just want to walk up to the white house and tell him he's old, dumb, and sounds funny!" :) To bad I never got the chance. ANYWAY... If I decide to follow this maybe I'll be able to reach the hearts of people and make them listen. Let's face it americans aren't good listeners.... Just kidding.
AND IF THAT DOESN'T WORK..... I might study law. I've been thinking about it lately and it sounds interesting. Look at it this way, if we didn't have people inforcing law and order we would be a mess, and that's all we need right now! All of my career ideas are alike in the same ways. It involves helping people, and making a difference. I know that if this is going to be my career I'm going to have to work extra hard, but who knows it might not be. I know that I should be thinking about a single career but hey this is me we're talking about here. Desicion making hurts my brain, but I do take things seriously. Like that article... I know I take things for granted like I said before. I also know that I should have changed my ways a long time ago. I suppose that every kid needs a wake up call. Personally I think have back up plans for my future is great, even though writing is what I'm aiming for. I hope that whatever I decide I will make a difference. Who knows...I could be famous someday. If so I'll send you a postcard.

Response to Part One: Someone to look up to

The assignment we were given was to write about someone who was making a difference. The second I read that I immediately thought of my sister. I know that we were told to write about somebody ALREADY making a difference, but she's GOING to make a difference someday.
For several years now my sister hasn't been able to decide what she wanted to do as a career. She went back and forth with so many different ideas which were all equally great. We called it her personal road block.
When my Grandfather died of cancer Dj over came her road block and decided to become a doctor. I know that in the article it stated doctors were probably one of the things that were being affected by our economy in a way. If people can't pay then docotor's can't help. Well the idea of my sister wanting to be around people who were going to die anyways confused me. I asked her why she chose this and she said, "I want to show people that a simple test is not the final answer. I want to save them because I couldn't save him." She was talking about my grandpa of course. To sum it all up, my sister wants to 'fix' people, and I think that's something to look up to.

To have that kind of goal takes a lot of thought and it isn't going to be easy for. She already knows that of course. Dj is the kind of person that finds problems and fixes them with no questions asked. I look up to her everyday, because everyday she teaches me something new. I know someday I'm going to have to grow up and find a way to help too... I hope that when I do decide she will be there guiding me. She's got the kind of spunk every 17 year old should have, and many of them do. The thing that makes her desicion special is the fact that her career choice is all about making people better, helping them, and succeeding in life. I also know that doctors are needed everywhere.
I have to be honest about the article... It got a little boring towards the end BUT I PAID ATTENTION. I remember it mentioning something about how the only way to fix all of our problems is starting from the bottom and working our way up. Well that screamed DJ to me. She's a senior and not yet starting her studies, I know, but she has a plan. And in that plan she wants to be somebody. If everyone was as driven as my sister then maybe that would be the beginning of fixing whatever problems we have.
I believe that Dj could make an impact on several people. She could show them that just because she comes from a small town she can still accomplish a goal. If you think about it America could do the same thing. Just because we have a bad economy now doesn't mean we can't work hard, set a goal, and get better later. Dj is going to give so many people a second chance at life, and that's worth writing about. I'm not just saying this because she's my sister. I'm writing about this because the whole idea is interesting to me.
I know that a lot of kids at the moment aren't even thinking of college or any kind of future. Mainly because they don't believe in themselves and its to expensive. I agree. It's a problem that needs to be dealt with. My sister mentioned something about President Obama to me today. She said that he had a lot of good ideas to help the U.S., and it also involved younger kids that can't afford medical care to get it all for free.
I'm probably way off base here but I think that what my older sister wants to do is the right thing. Not a lot of kids her age are willing to go that far and make that kind of commitment. Who knows what will happen in the next 4 years. Things could get worse or better. I've always thought that this country walks on thin ice every day. We will just have to see if we make it by a slide or break through the ice. What can anyone expect. America could have fixed this problem years ago, or prevented it from happening. I suppose we're the original procrastinators
.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009


Paragraphs Below

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Point Of View Types

1st person: I could feels my knees start to give in as I make my way around the last corner of the track. All I had to do was sprint to the finish line and the first place ribbon would be mine. I let myself imagine the crowd screaming my name, “Emily!” Unfortunately it wasn’t that easy. My legs were beginning to cramp and sweat poured down off my brow, into my eyes. I couldn’t rub the sweat out of my eyes with out losing focus and allowing my competitors to get ahead of me, so I left my eyes to sting and blink uncontrollably. My white jersey stuck to my chest as I struggled to breath. The finish line was less than a foot away… Will I be able to make it?

3rd person: The girls were running quickly, feet pounding on the track. Angie was struggling for first. Next to her the girl in the white, Emily, was breathing heavily. Her struggled breathing could be heard a mile away. Sam's sweat began to make her yellow jersey stick to her skin and she couldn't get it off. All of the runners were very tired by the time they were on they're last lap. They had been fighting eachother for first for forever it seemed.

3rd person omniscient: It was up to the three runners in front. Only one girl could get that blue ribbon and all of the girls wanted it. Angie began to wheeze and her stomach was moving up and down rapidly under her orange jersey. She had never lost a race in her high school career and she knew that this race wasn’t going to be easy. Next to her Emily was struggling to get a lead in the race. Every time she got ahead somebody else would pop up next to her. Tears of pain slid down her cheeks. Meanwhile Sam was running steadily in her yellow uniform trying to make up a plan. How was she going to get ahead? She had been training for this moment for weeks, and she was waiting for the perfect moment to pick up speed. All three girls were waiting for that moment, watching they’re competitors losing energy slowly.

3rd person limited: Angie had never felt so tired. It was her senior year and her last race was so important to her. She glanced towards the bleachers and saw her coach shaking his head. She had to get ahead fast. After all that training she couldn't settle for anything but first. Her throat felt like it had been rubbed with sand paper. She began to breathe in and out slowly. She thought that maybe if she could get enough air she'd be able to sprint that last few feet. She was running out of time to decide. She could sense the other girls wanting to do the same thing. If she was going to win she had to move...NOW!

Journal Response

Journal: 3/5/09

I just finished the book. Yes Prim and Katniss were cool names. After reading awhile i'm guessing the book isn't based in present time but actually future. The hunger games was a really good book though. The Hunger games is all about all of the Districts having to send two kids each to the Capitol to fight to the death. The last child standing is the winner. One girl and one boy are taken from all the districts but they don't have a choice they have to send them to the games. They pick they're names out of kind of a raffle thing. Unfortunately noone wants to be picked. Prim's name gets chosen though! And Katniss volunteers to take her place, which eventually leads to her and her Peeta,who is the boy from her district, to win the Hunger Games!Anyways if i keep going i won't be able to stop :) really good book. But it's in a series so i'm going to try to find Book Two.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Reading Journal Response

Journal: 2/26/09

Book title-The Hunger Game by Suzanne Collins


So far the main character is Katniss and she lives in a small area called District 12. In her country I guess they have districts. She lives there with her little sister Prim and her mother. The main thing that they seem to live for is hunting but the setting is in present time. Their country doesn't seem at all like ours, and they seem to be suffering from poverty. I guess i'll find out more later.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Group Story

Didget
By:
Heidi Thompson
Jacquee Giovo
Micaela Costanzo

It was a normal day for Didget while he walked to school. Most of the teenagers by now had their own cars. Didget didn’t have anything but his walking shoes. Bits of trash were always thrown at him while he walked along the sidewalk. He looked up half heartedly and noticed Bridget and Alana walking ahead of him. This was rather odd considering they never walked to school. Didget began to quicken his pace just to see how close he could get to Bridget. He had always had a crush on Bridget from the start, never quite enjoyed Alana though. Bridget reminded him of one of those olden day movie stars. She was perfect in every way. Her hair was just the right shade of blonde, and the only thing sweeter than her was powdered sugar. Alana was a completely different story. She was beautiful but the only thing that spoiled it was her attitude towards everyone. She loved herself more than anyone else and the only thing that really mattered to her was her popularity, and Bridget. Didget had to admit though she looked like she popped right out of a magazine.
He bowed his head when he realized he wouldn’t be able to catch up. Girls walked surprisingly fast in high heels. He could hear Bridget’s joyful laughter up ahead and for the rest of the walk he imagined her smiling at him.
Hi High School was a pretty nice looking school considering it was public. The only thing that made Didget’s school horrible was the fact that it was divided. It was divided into cliques. Bridget and Alana belonged to the highest one when it came to popularity. Next came of course the regular acting people, then the nerds, then the class pets, then the bugs stuck to your windshield, then there came Didget.
If you hadn’t already noticed he wasn’t exactly the most liked person at his high school. That’s what made liking Bridget so difficult. She was normal… In fact she was above normal, she was perfect. Didget was odd looking, he never had any friends, and his teachers had completely given up on him. They claimed he was crazy so they just pass him to get him out of the way, even if he’s failing. That’s how low he was on the food chain.
Didget walked through the front doors and immediately was shoved into lockers and pushed out of the way. He should have gone through the back doors instead of the front. When you walk into the high school you walk right into the danger zone. At least that’s the way it was for Didget. His locker was the very last one in the back of the school right next to the exit.
Didget looked over his shoulder and saw Bridget and Alana parked right in front of their lockers. They were surrounded by the entire football team. Those jocks were probably the people Bridget wanted to go out with. Didget knew that but it never hurt to use his imagination. Alana suddenly looked up and noticed Didget was still lingering in their hall way.
“WHAT’S HE STILL DOING HERE?!” Alana shouted over all of the noise. Instantly the hall was quiet and everyone was staring down at the short, scrawny form of Didget.
“I was just standing here minding my own business…” Didget mumbled. Of course he knew that the second the words had come out of his mouth he was in deep trouble.
Alana stomped her way over to him.
“Just slap yourself, you don’t belong here in the real world.” Alana scolded. Didget went red with embarrassment. He looked up to defend himself and saw a slender hand on Alana’s shoulder. Beside her, Bridget was speaking in a whisper and frowning. He wondered what she had said that made Alana stop. Alana rolled her eyes and turned to walk away.
“Sorry about my friend here, she’s just having a bad day.” Bridget whispered quickly. Didget just looked at her not knowing how to react. She was actually talking to him… Before he could think of anything to say she turned and glided back to her locker. Didget sighed and moved on down the hallway to his banged up locker on the other side. His finger barely touched his lock when the bell rang, announcing it was time for class.
The day went on like it always did for him. His teachers ignored him as well as all his classmates. The only thing different about his day was the fact that Bridget kept glancing at him with curious eyes. It was almost like she had never quite noticed him before.
Lunch came faster than Didget thought. It was probably the worst part of the day for him and the best part of the day for everyone else. He sat alone at his own little table away from everyone else. Normally Bridget would sit at her regular table with Alana, but today she turned abruptly towards Didget’s table. Alana stared in shock as her best friend took a seat next to the weirdest boy in school.
“Is it alright if I sit here today?” Bridget asked politely. It was sort of an odd question to ask since she had already sat down and began eating her lunch.
Didget smiled and said, “Is that a fat joke?” He couldn’t believe Bridget would even want to sit ten feet away from him let alone ten inches. Bridget raised her eyebrow and laughed a little even though it wasn’t funny. None of Didget’s jokes were very funny, except to him of course.
“I noticed you aren’t in any of my classes.” Bridget said with a sweet smile.
Didget stared at his carrots and said, “Actually I’m in your last hour class. I sit in the back.” Bridget nodded and they sat there for awhile just talking about things that didn’t exactly matter. It felt like the first day of kindergarten for both of them. Neither of them knew each other but it didn’t seem to matter.
Mean while, Alana wasn’t touching her lunch. All she could do was look at Bridget talking to that outcast. She had to do something about this before it was too late. She stood and walked over to them.
“Bridget what on earth are you doing?” Alana asked. She looked Didget up, then down, then up again. His clothes didn’t even match what was she thinking?
“I’m eating actually, want some?” Bridget laughed. She raised her spoon full of applesauce towards Alana’s mouth.
“No thank you…” Alana muttered. Didget looked at her and analyzed what she was wearing just like she had done to him. There was nothing negative about Alana, except the attitude of course. She would never be able to be ‘Bridget perfect’ though.
“You can sit down if you want.” Didget managed to stutter. Alana’s face showed it all. She was absolutely disgusted with him.
The bell rang and lunch ended even though Didget and Bridget weren’t ready to leave. For the rest of the week they ate lunch together and talked about anything that came to mind. Bridget talked the most, probably because she had a bigger mind. Didget just sat and listened. That was ok though, he liked the sound of her voice.
The more they talked the more Alana tried to sabotage them. She would interrupt their conversations, push Didget away, and tell Bridget she was losing her marbles. Nothing seemed to work. It didn’t matter what she did, they spent more and more time together. Secretly they were both feeling the same things. Didget and Bridget liked each other, and there was nothing Alana or any of her friends could do about it.
Before they knew it Bridget and Didget spent every second of the day together. Bridget still talked to her old friends when they actually wanted to have something to do with her. Alana was convinced that once you start dating a freak you become a freak. Bridget wasn’t bothered by it at all. A true friend would understand, and Alana was obviously only concerned about herself.
One day Bridget tried to talk to her friends again but they pretended she didn’t exist. She walked back to Didget and he looked up at her feeling very guilty.
“I’m sorry I ruined your friendship with all of those people.” He sighed. Bridget then did something so strange but so wonderful that it nearly gave Didget a heart attack.
“Aw… That’s ok.” She said as she bent over and kissed his abnormally pointed nose. The spot she had kissed tingled a little. He realized that he could now see her smiling at him. He had wanted her to smile at him like that for so long, and now it was had happened.
Even though Alana wasn't friends with Bridget anymore she still occasionally attempted to ruin their relationship. She still cared about Bridget's former reputation. She would start rumors about Didget doing horrible things. For example, she tried to convince their science teacher that Didget was stealing H2O out of the storage closet. Alana wasn't very smart for her age... They were all hoping she would grow up. Unfortunately the only reaction she got from Bridget and Didget was their laughter. They even laughed in harmony, and it annoyed her. How could two different people from two different worlds have so much in common? It didn't make any sense to her.
One day after school Didget offered to walk Bridget home. Bridget giggled and told him she would just drive HIM home since she had a car. They talked for awhile about school and how everyone was acting so weird.
"I feel like this is my fault." Didget said.
Bridget, hands clutching the steering wheel looked at him and said, "Well I don't see what the big deal is. If we like eachother why should they want to get in the way?"
"Have you looked at me lately?" Didget raised his bushy eyebrows and she roared with laughter.
"Looks have never mattered to me and will never matter to me. I like personality." Bridget said.
"Well personally I think you should have stayed with your friends." He whispered.
"No. My old friends only care about how they look on the outside. You care about different things." She replied.
And so the outcast and the beauty lived happily ever after... Alana lived alone.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Story Mapping

CHARACTER MAP:
Character name: Sam (one of the characters)
What does the character look like: He's a kid around 10 years old, he has dirty blonde hair, and he is kind of short.
How does the character act: He doesn't talk much anymore since his mom passed away but if i were to sum up his actions I would say he is a loner.
How do the other characters in the story react to this character: Everyone in his life is trying to help him with the one thing he will talk about... His crush on a girl at school.

CONFLICT MAP:
What is the conflict: All of the people in the movie have the same thing in common, they're unhappy and they don't know what to do about it.
Why does this conflict occur: They all neglected the fact that if they want something, like love, they can't be afraid to go out and get it.
What are some ways the conflict could be resolved: Some ways the conflict could or could have been resolved is-they all could have faced their fears and confronted who they loved the most. Another way is that some of the characters could have been more cautious with their actions and how they affected them.

RESOLUTION MAP:
How is the conflict resolved: Every one in the movie ends up with who they want to be with because they took a chance and got what they thought they'd never have.
What happens after the conflict is resolved: In the end all of the characters are happy and their lives are much easier.
How does the conflict and its resolution affect the character: If I was talking about one of the characters, lets say Sam, I think that the conflict affected him because it taught him how to talk to people about his problems and not keep it bottled up. The resolution affected him because it made him happier and showed him that not every story has a bad ending.

SETTING MAP:
Place: London, England
Time: Present time, December around Christmas.
Environment: The weather was very cold and very snowy because it's in the middle of winter. The noises you would hear are all the noises you would hear in a city (cars, trucks, people, etc..).
The colors that I saw were all the Christmas colors (reds, greens), white from the snow, also gray because in winter its so dull looking.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Response to Friday the 13th

FRIDAY THE THIRTEENTH:


Did you ever notice how the closer it gets to the end of the school day the slower the clock is? Well I was definitely noticing it today. I was sitting in math class just waiting for the last five minutes to fly by even though I knew deep down that they wouldn’t.
“So everyone,” Mrs. Andrews sighed, “have you all been careful today?” She said this with a sly grin on her face. I rolled my eyes. I knew she was going to ask that stupid question, she just couldn’t resist.
“I saw someone walk under a ladder today!” Anna shouted from across the room. A few people laughed, while the rest of us just looked away in annoyance.
“Well not everyone believes in Friday the Thirteenth…” Mrs. Andrews began.
“What’s the point? This holiday is ridiculous.” I muttered under my breath, secretly hoping no one would hear me. Another thing that I knew wouldn’t happen…
“Do you know what happens to non-believers Jean?” Anna whispered.
“I hear they disappear.” Charlie laughed… I hope he chokes on that laugh.
“Now children, that’s enough.” Mrs. Andrews finally said. She looked across the room at me, but I refused to meet her gaze. She was one of those superstitious nuts and I was afraid to even look at her. Every year this happens to me. Someone brings up this subject, I tell them my opinion, and they take it the wrong way.
“Jean,” Mrs. Andrews said, “You don’t think you have anything to worry about?”
“I’ve never had to worry before. Why should I choose to believe now?” I replied. I could hear Anna pitching a fit behind me.
“Why does she have to spoil everything..?” She whispered. I turned around and said,
“Be quiet we all know why you PRETEND to believe. It’s just so you can make teachers, like Mrs. Andrews, give you an A.”
Before we knew it the bell rang and the weekend was finally here. I was the first one out the door but I realized I had left my math book on my desk and was forced to slump back to class.
Mrs. Andrews was erasing the black board when I opened the door.
“I forgot my math book… I’ll just get it and be on my way.” I mumbled. I grabbed my book but before my finger tips even touched the knob of the class room door she called my name.
“Jean, could you come here for a second.” Mrs. Andrews asked. I groaned. The weekend was in the palm of my hands and she wanted me to ‘come here for a second’.
“Yes?” I asked, not even bothering to hide my disappointment. She looked at me with those eyes again and said,
“You should be careful for the rest of the day. You never know what could happen.”
“For heavens sakes Mrs. Andrews it’s just Friday the Thirteenth! Why does everyone insist on making such a big deal about it?” I shouted, then without even saying good bye I stomped out of the class room.
The walk home was just as bad. Half my class lived by me, including Anna, so the entire time I could hear them whispering about me. Ridiculous! All of them were acting like children. I ignored them until I finally reached my house.
“Hey Jean how was school?” Mom asked as I slammed the door shut.
“Lousy.” I answered. Suddenly my little brother Tommy ran into the room wearing a plastic medallion around his neck. As usual he was covered in glitter and glue.
“What on earth are you wearing around your scrawny neck today?” I asked, grabbing the medallion and pulling him closer so I could have a better look.
“My teacher handed them out to the class for good luck today.” He squeaked.
“Mom what is the elementary school teaching these kids?” I flicked the medallion so it flung around his neck once or twice as I leaned against the kitchen counter.
“Jean come on it’s just for fun.” Mom laughed. Tommy stuck his tongue at me and hissed,
“I hope a safe falls on your head or something…”
“You don’t even know what you’re talking about that only happens in those silly cartoons that you insist on watching. Besides Friday the Thirteenth is about killers and all of that crazy garbage. It has nothing to do with good luck or bad luck."

"You're wrong Jean! My teacher said that if a person doesn't watch out ANYTHING could happen. Friday the Thirteenth can be about BOTH bad luck and killers." Tommy argued.
"Some day you're going to have to grow up." I said as I made my way to my bedroom.
I sat on my bed and looked at the floor. That’s when I saw Tommy’s baseball next to my dresser.
“TOMMY!” I yelled, “HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU TO STAY OUT OF MY ROOM!”
“I wasn’t in your room!” Tommy yelled.
I picked up the baseball, opened my door, and threw the ball as hard as I could. That’s when I heard the shattering sound of glass. Perfect, I thought. I walked out into the hallway and saw what was left of the mirror that had been hanging on the wall.
"What's going on?" Mom yelled, in a matter of seconds she was standing next to me. I could hear Tommy giggling behind me.
"What's so funny?" I growled at him.
"Oh your going to get it now!" Tommy laughed pointing at the glass on the floor.
"It was an accident. Besides it's only bad luck if you're looking at the mirror and it breaks. I wasn't looking..." I said. That was a lie. I was looking at the mirror when I threw the baseball. So what? I don't believe in any of that anyways...
"Enough! I want this cleaned up right now!" Mom yelled. Wow, talk about overreacting. She didn't even like that mirror.
I spent the rest of the day in my room. Tommy kept knocking on my door asking if I was dead yet. Ever since I broke the mirror everything was going wrong. Mom grounded me for a week... For no apparent reason. Whenever I needed something I couldn't find it, and everything that was breakable I managed to break. I'm being clumsy, I told myself, it's nothing...
"Jean!" Tommy burst into my room looking excited and scared at the same time.
"What do YOU want?" I groaned.
"There's... You're never going to believe this but..." Tommy stumbled over his words so much you would think he didn't even know how to talk.
"Spit it out what is it?" I yelled.
"There's a DEAD BLACK CAT right outside your window!" Tommy pointed to my window and put his hand over his mouth. I could feel my face losing color. I ran to my window, opened it... And right there on the lawn was a black cat... It wasn't moving... At first. I swear it was dead I SWEAR IT, but it just got right back up! It stared at me for a moment and I thought I saw Mrs. Andrews eyes staring at me.
"OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!!" I screamed and shut the window as hard as I could.
"What did it do?" Tommy ran to the window and tried to open it.
"Get out of my room! This is all your fault!" I shoved him away from me.
"It's not my fault! Your the one that broke the mirror, and this is happening to you because you don't believe in any of this stuff." Tommy stuck his nose so far up he almost looked like Anna.
"I'm pretty sure you were looking at that mirror when I broke it too!" I screamed. Tommy grabbed his plastic medallion and said,
"I don't have to worry about anything." I grabbed his medallion and threw it across the floor.
"Go walk under a ladder or something." I glared at him while he picked up his medallion and left.
That night I couldn't sleep. Every dark corner in my room scared me, and every sound echoed in my head. Why was I letting all of this get to me? Suddenly I saw something move in the darkness. A shadow moving silently out of my closet, moving like a snake ready to attack. I tried closing my eyes, but it wouldn't go away.
"Who.. Whose there?" I whined.
"We've come for you Jean...." I'd never heard such a raspy voice before. Chills ran down my spine and my teeth began to chatter.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to break the mirror! I'm sorry!" I cried. Tears rolled down my cheeks and blurred my vision so much that I couldn't even see the shadow anymore. This couldn't be happening! This had never happened before...
"Please..." I whispered, "Please leave me alone." When there was no reply I wiped my tears and looked around. The shadow was gone. Just like that? Gone? If my heart had legs it would be miles away by now, every heart beat felt like a foot on the ground.
I walked slowly into Mrs. Andrews class on Monday. I hadn't slept the entire weekend. Friday night scared me half to death, but I didn't dare tell anyone about it.
"How was YOUR weekend Jean." Charlie asked. The room went quiet.
"It was fine... I told you guys Friday the Thirteenth was stupid." My voice shaked no matter how hard I tried to stop it. When the bell rang I walked up to Mrs. Andrews desk. She had been looking at me occasionally all day, and had asked me to stay after. Friday had already passed and she was still on my case.
"How was the rest of your Friday?" She asked. I couldn't look at her. Her eyes reminded me of that cat.
"I told you it was fine." I murmured.
"Jean you should just admit that you believe in all that superstitious stuff that everyone talks about." Mrs. Andrews sighed. I walked to the door slowly, and before I left I turned back and said,
"I don't know what you're talking about."
I will never admit it, and I will never tell anyone about what happened that night... That frightening Friday the Thirteenth. As I walked home I began think of the seven years bad luck that I would have for breaking that mirror.
THE END.


Thursday, February 12, 2009

response to mini bio

Hey, my name is Micaela Costanzo. I'm 14 years old and I've been living in West Wendover most of my life with my mom and my older sister D.J. School and sports have always been a big part of my life, but family has always been the most important to me.
I've always enjoyed learning new things at school. Since i was little I have been taught to learn and take in as much as I can, and that is what i intend to do. College is a goal for me. I'm also hoping on majoring in English and becoming a writer.
My sister D.J. introduced me to sports when I was in third grade and I've been playing Basketball and participating in track ever since.
I have two older sisters. D.J. is 17 years old and she is graduating this year. My other sister Kristina is 27. My parents have been divorced for many years and at the moment I live with my mom.
Believe it or not this school has given me a lot of opportunities and being apart of it means a lot to me. All of my family and friends are here, so this is the place for me.