Dear Ms. Galang and 812,

         We had some pretty good times in our english class that I enjoyed. Some of our lessons were fun and made us, as students think deeper. One of the units that I loved was our poetry one. I think poetry is a great was to express the way people felt and are feeling. As a reserved person, poetry was a way to let people see the inside of me. I had fun listening to music and free versing most of my writing. At the same time I got a book about poetry that I now carry with my everywhere. One of my favorite lessons was when we described the atmosphere of paintings and photographs. 

        Another lesson that I found surprisingly fun was the latest one, Romeo and Juliet. I thought that reading and acting as we went through the book was a smart way to have a better understanding of what was going on. I was a bit hesitant about the acting part but I soon played along. I was always interested of the shakespeare language but never committed to reading a book. I am now reading A Midsummer´s Night Dream which I am still trying to read. 

        My hopes and goals for high school literature is to be better at having a deeper understanding on texts and write with more thought and elaboration. Maybe even write a book of poetry.

                                                                                                  Sincerely, 

                                                                                                        Fransheska S. 

Reading Response: The Book Thief

Fransheksa Sermeno                                                               2/12/15                          812                                                                                 ELA                                                               
                                 Reading Response                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

                           As we grow up we experience many issues and problems and learn to deal with them. In the story The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak the character Liesel manages to face and deal with her dilemmas in school and at home. Liesel goes through some complicated issues in her childhood like poverty and education.

                           Liesel is a young girl who has been living in a small town where her parents do the jobs that nobody wants to do like iron/ washing clothes and playing the accordion for a few coins. Because of this they are tight with money. The book mentions a short scene on Christmas... "I just wanted to know how you found the money to buy my books." “You really want to know?" Papa said... "That saukerl," Mama said “You know what he did? He rolled up all of his filthy cigarettes, went to the market, and traded them with some gypsies." (89) Papa tried his very best to get Liesel what she really wanted. He went out of his way to get her something even though they were short on money. Liesel knew that this was a lot for her parents who didn't always have the money. 

                          All throughout your childhood education is very important and you must attend school. For Liesel school wasn't easy, it was a 'terrific failure'. She couldn't read or write so she was forced to go down with the younger kids at the age of 4 or 5. The book states "Even though she was thin-boned and pale, she felt gigantic among the midget children in her class…"(39) Liesel seemed to have to deal with this complication. Over time she and Papa would practice reading and would learn to write complicated words together. Soon school resumed and Liesel moved up to her rightful reading level. However, she still had trouble reading by herself. “Her blood loudened. The sentences blurred. The white page was suddenly written in another tongue…"(77) Liesel then decided to repeat what she learned from reading with Papa. Based on this readers can conclude she had a hard time in class an couldn't read from a book. 

                         Although Liesel had a few struggles in her childhood like not having money to buy whatever she wanted/ needed and struggling in her class because of her reading and writing level. Many people have been shaped and defined by how the deal with issues and it can turn out great or terrible. Liesel has been defined by how she manages her problems and has learned from them.

Authors Note

Fransheska Sermeño                                                                                    1-20-15

812                                                                                                                     ELA

                                     Authors Note

Teenage years are tough and it´s ok to feel sad or down every now and then. But if these feelings stay around for a while and won´t go away it can mean that your headed for depression. Depression is a mood disorder that causes a constant feeling of sadness and loss of interest it affects how you feel, think, or behave. Most of the time people report feeling worthless and unmotivated. Hopefully there is something that can be done.

As a teenager I know how stressful things like school or friends can be. Depression can be caused for many things like divorce or a death. I know many friends and peers who have been depressed or are depressed. This topic should be a concern for some teens and they should know how to help their friends or themselfs. The purpose for this book is to show how to treat others who may not know what it´s like to feel like this or how to get out of depression. A very helpful tip is to confort them and to be there when they need someone to talk to.

Synthesis Page The Outsiders by S.E.Hinton

Argument Essay on Banned Books

Fransheska Sermeno                                                                                       12/17/14          812                                                                                                                  ELA

Essay

            We have the capability to learn and understand what goes on not just in the world but in books too. Books shouldn’t be banned from us teenagers and kids; we should be able to have access to books with mature context so teens can be better educated on these topics. Banning books have been a solemn and immense topic for students and teachers. Some people say it is necessary to ban books like Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi so that kids don’t have to be exposed to certain topics while some argue that it doesn’t allow kids to express themselves and to learn more about these topics in the book like war and violence. Even though the text Persepolis includes scenes of people being sliced up and bombing in neighborhoods, middle school students should have access to it and stay in the 8^th grade curriculum because it shows the reality of the world we live in.

            Persepolis should not be removed and students should have access to it because it can give the opportunity for them to learn about advanced or mature topics. In fact, the article “Darkness too Visible” Gurdon argues that the young adult books ‘Scars’ by Cheryl Rainfield, which contain context about cutting and rape have questionable context but have  “…Provided teachable moments for family”(3).  Even though parents don’t take the time to teach their kids on topics like these, teenagers should be able to access these books to learn about certain topics they might want to know about. Parents believe that teenagers are too young and aren’t ready for these types of topics; The article “Can Book Censorship Save Our Children and Their Innocence?” .Rich indicates that “Rather than banning the book for its sexual content, a better solution would be for parents to put such subjects into perspective for the children who may want to read the book. However, even if parents feel that their children are simply too young for such information then a guardian’s permission would be far better solution.” (1) Parents shouldn’t forbid their kids to read the book but should find a solution where both parties are happy.

            Others debate, learning about mature topics can make kids do harmful things when it actually teaches and makes them feel better. The article “Darkness too Visible” Gurdon describes the book by the famous teen author called Judy Blume who wrote then-daring books like Are You There God its Me Margret? And Then Again Maybe I Won’t which, according to parents had ‘questionable material…’ (3) These books have made other teens know its ok to learn about these new things occurring in your life as a teen. Some argue that books like Go Ask Alice and Rage contain gruesome material that can make kids scared or cause self harm to them; They would even go as far as to say it can endanger young people. However, in the article “Banned Books” Finan argues, “Books don’t turn kids into murderers, or rapists, or alcoholics. Books open hearts and minds, and help teenagers make sense of a dark and confusing world,”(2) and “I write for teens because I vividly remember what it felt like to be a teen, facing everyday and epic dangers. I write to give them weapons-in the form of words-that will help them fight their monsters.”(2) The author suggests that they mean no harm and just wish to write books to open their eyes.

            By banning Persepolis, teens and kids won’t be able to understand what really happens in the world and about what people have to go through to survive and can relate to such topics in theses books. The article “High School Students on the CPS Banning of Persepolis” discuses the issue of banning the book Persepolis from schools” High school students demonstrate their opinion on banning the book, this is what they said:

"Persepolis is not inappropriate, it may have violence, but violence is in the everyday life of a seventh grader." (2) and "Teachers know what their students are capable of handling, so if they feel their students couldn't take the book -- they wouldn't let them read it.” (2) and "This book shows a lot of emotions such as love, hate and struggle. It is important to know the true events surrounding the life of this girl.” (2)  and "Teachers should be able to decide at what age to teach this book, because teachers know if their students are mature enough for the book” “Students shouldn't be disrupted of their education because CPS thinks they are not mature enough. The teachers know what the kids can and cannot handle." This reveals students opinion towards banning important books like Persepolis.

            Even though books contain mature context and can include gruesome material, they provide a chance for teens to be informed on topics like war, violence, abuse, etc. which are in some teen books. The book Persepolis should not be one of the books that are banned because it can show important real life problems that people have to go through.

Works Cited

Finan, Christopher M., Joan E. Bertin. “Banned Books.” Courier-Journal. 23 Sep. 2012:    H.1. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web.20 Nov. 2014

Gourdon, Meghan Cox. “Darkness Too Visible.” The Wall Street Journal. 04 June. 2011: WSJ. Web. 02 Oct. 2014

Rich, Jake. “Can Book Censorship Save Our Children and Their Innocence?” University   Wire. 07 Oct. 2014: n.p. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 20 Nov. 2014.

Social Awareness Project

Fransheska Sermeño                                                                                    12-02-14                   ELA                                                                                                     812

Interview

1. What do you do as a paraprofessional and what you do on a daily basis.

As a Paraprofessional, I work in a self-contain class that has twelve students and I work one to one with an autistic student. On a daily basis I try to give the academic support that the student needs. Basically help the student with their problem as an autistic kid like behaveriol problems, health problems, etc and to acheive the goals that the student I work with has in his or her IEP (Individualized Education Program ).

2. Why do you work with these kids and how has this experience changed your point of view on autistic kids?

I like to work with kids in the smaller grades like kindergarden thru second grade. Living and being with these kids everyday, step by step has made me know and see the struggle they have. Knowing that the parent also has to deal with the struggle of these kids makers me give sympathy to them. Also, it makes me think about how the parents feel and how important it is to work together so that they both can help the kid.

3. Why do you think it is important to help autistic kids for the future?

Everyone needs the opportunity to learn no matter if they have a physical or mental condition.

4.Do you enjoy your job? Why or why not.

It really depends on the class and the student you have because there are sometimes where it is stressful and other days when im happy to work with the student.

5. What is the hardest part of your job?

The hardest part would be trying to find the right stratagies for helping the kid because every Little thing can effect him or her that dayñ helping the kid learn the most simplest theing can be the hardest thing for a paraprofessional.

6. What fullfills you most about your job?

What makes me happy is to see the improvments little by little the student makes. Knowing that you had an impact on their education and their life is a really great feeling by the end of the school year.

7. What advice would you give fututre paraprofessionals?

I would tell them to get to know more about the student you work with and to ask as much questions as you need.

Poem

My mother loves me,

even though I repeat the same old things.

You may not understand me,

or the way I feel.

She is patent with me

when I am not.

My mom is there for me

There to hold my hand

and to be with me.

            The procces of writing this poem wasnt too hard as I thought it was going to be. I first thought a bit about how autistic kids would act and feel toward their mom who is there to help them out through this and I also tried to make a limmrik or a haiku but I thought that that a simple poem would get me point through. The social issue/ problem was to show how greatful this kid is about her mom and to I wanted it to show how an autistic kid would act.

                                                   Reading Response

In the book The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime by Mark Haddon

                 The book is mostly about an autistic boy named Christopher who wants to solve the mystery of who murded the neighboor´s dog. Most mystery books are about people who have been killed or murdered, but this book is about a murder of a dog that nobody would find interseting; Chistopher however is intriged. The social issue of the book is about forgiveness and subjectivity. The book is describes how Christopher percives the world. Other issuse like coping with loss and autisum also playa n important part in the book because they show how kids with autisum deal with things.

                The author wants his readers to get that Christopher is a different person and sees people the way he wants to. He can be very good at certain things like math and science but has trouble with easy things like having a conversation or meeting strangers. He also deals with his problems in a bad way, he punches people and has tantrums. Also he seems to not have a reaction to certain and surprising things. Here the author shows that he can act normal but can also act like a completety different person.

                I observed that the author doesnt make his family all nice and happy. He shows the truth of parents with autistic childeren. Not all familys are broken apart and treat there kids harshly but the author describes the trouble of rasing a kid with autisum. I think the book is very interesting with Christopher as the main character because you get to see the reaction and the analysis in his mind.

Reading Response: Malala's Mission by Alessandra Potenza

Fransheska Sermeño                                                                                    11-18-14                   812                                                                                                     ELA

                                           Reading Response

The article Malala's Mission by Alessandra Potenza wants her readers to know about Malala Yousafzai a 17 year old girl who speaks out for girls rights for education and basic rights and why she is so important to us. The article shows me that teens should speak for themselfs and say what is on their mind. The article taught me that Malala risked her life to do this, she got shot by the Taliban who disagreed with what she is fighting for. Malala speaks up for girls who dont have basic rights like to go to school or to work and wants everyone to be aware of this problem so that it can be improved.

 The author implies that Malala's home Pakistan has effected her in many ways and has made her want to speak up for human and women rights all over the world. The author conveys her message by writing the interview they has with Malala. Some of the questions that were asked were “Pakistan face many challenges. Why do you think girls, education is an important issue to focus on?” Malala replies by stating that “In Pakistan she has seen many situations in which girls are denied their basic human rights. I realized girls, education is something important and thats why terrorist are afraid of it…” The author shows bias by stating that girls education is important for them and shouldn't be denied by others. it makes me think why would anyone want to take away their basic human right.

Malala is a very passionate person when it comes to debating whether or not girls should have the same equal rights and get an education. I think that everyone should have the same equal rights even if it is just to get and education. Everyone should have the option to say what they need to say. Malala thought that it was necessary to do so and thats why she is speaking out to teenagers and to everybody about it. In the interview she mentions that every teenager thinks that they are not the ones who need to say something when they should take action in speaking up against injustice and inequality. This illustrates she is doing something about the problems. They even awarded her with a Nobel Peace Prize for speaking up  about girls rights.

Not only has Malala encouraged many other teens to speak up for their rights but she even wrote a book descirbing her life before she was shot by the Taliban. She hopes that in her effort of trying to get equal rights that other teens like her who want to have equal rights will help her voice be heard. After Reading this article, I have come to understand that education is valuable and everyone ought to have a right to it.