Brandon’s English Blog

 

 Today, we read a simple cultural poem called The Red Wheelbarrow. I liked this poem because it was simple and short, while also providing a deep message. I learned that the small stuff in life is often overlooked, shown in the poem being 4 stanzas about a red wheelbarrow. It taught me that the simple stuff in life can have deep meanings and uses for someone, even if you don't see it that way. Today, I feel good. I have practice after school, but I don't feel tired today.

 Today, we continued reading another poem, called Incident by Countee Cullen. I enjoyed this poem and assignment, as it made us think about terms that were offensive to us and explain why they offended us. Many terms stated were a shared opinion between the class, showing that they were offensive for a reason. I learned that although many terms don't offend me, the tone and context of them being used can change my perception of the word. Today, I am okay. I have nothing after school, so I am going to go home and sleep like always. 

 Today, we began creating our cultural poems and a visual representation on Mural. I like this lesson, as it gets us to be creative while also explaining our culture in poem form. You also get to visually represent yourself through the images you choose on the Mural. Today, I am tired. I want to go home but I have marching band practice and a concert I forgot I agreed to do. 

 Today, we read the cultural poem Mother to Son  by Langston Hughes. We learn about a mother's advice and lesson to her son who is at a point of giving up during an important milestone in his life. I liked this poem, because the advice is applicable to our own life, as well as a way to view life from a different perspective, just like stairs or a story. Today, I feel tired. I need sleep as I don't want to be at school anymore and am getting annoyed. Over the break, I went to Netherworld with my friends, attended college classes at GSU, and performed at a Halloween parade with the marching band.

 

 Today, we took our test over Fences. We answered questions about the values, gender norms, and themes of the play as well as general questions about the characters and our understanding. I enjoyed the formatting of it, as it made us show our knowledge of the book and what we perceived about the characters, messages, etc. Today, I am okay. I have marching band practice today, so I am getting home real tired.

 Today, we began on a Fences project to finish out the unit. I chose the Soundtrack, as it covers the overall book and lets me display my music knowledge and what songs made me think of certain scenes. I like this project because it lets us display our creativity to show our knowledge and understanding of the story. Today, I am okay. I have marching band practice, but it should be more calm as our final competition was this Saturday. 

 Today, we finished the final scene of Fences. We learned about Troy's death and the aftermath on the Maxson family. Corey returns after 7 years, reuniting as a man who is eerily similar to Troy. We also learn about Raynell and her personality growing up being raised by Troy. I enjoyed this play as a whole, because it covered all the topics we currently learned about, such as gender roles, traditional norms, etc. Today, I am tired but happy, as Monday rehearsals are over and I get to go home now.

 Today, we continued our reading on Fences. We learned about Troy's daughter being born while his mistresses died as well as his snaking of Gabriel. This ultimately leads to him and Rose's relationship ending, with them only being with each other to take care of the kids. We also learn that Corey lost all respect for Troy, leading to their final altercation before Corey leaves the house. I liked this because we get to see Troy got what he deserved, allowing Rose to become more free in life. Corey also finally gets to say what he's felt towards Troy for the longest time, although losing his scuffle with Troy. Today, I am tired. I have a competition tomorrow in Alabama, so I'm going to practice to do my best.

 Today, we presented our characterization posters of the 5 main characters in the story. I learned the viewpoints of my classmates as well as the shared perceptions of the way the characters are written using the STEAL method. I enjoyed this because everyone had to explain their individual characters and use STEAL in order to help the class understand them better as well. We also continued Fences, reading Scene 2, Act 1. I enjoyed this part because it is the climax of the book and revealed Troy's affair as well as the confrontation between Troy and Rose, with Corey intervening at the end. Today, I am tired. I slept for 2 hours and then had to take Precalc at 7am. However, there is no practice today, so I am going home and sleeping for a long time.