Elliot English Blog

  Prompt:  In the poem, the speaker and his neighbor meet each year to repair a wall. Describe a time when you had to set or respect a boundary with a friend, family member, or classmate. How did it help or hurt your connection with that person? Reflection: There was a time where I had to set a boundary with an ex of mine. There was once a big boundary that he broke of mine so I broke up with him because of it. I think that my boundaries are the top of my priorities when it comes to dating, so it needed to be stated. It broke our relationship, but it was a healthy thing to do. If I continued to stay with that person then it would've only worsened, so it was a good thing.  Summary:  We worked on a CommonLit assignment in class.  Reflection: I reflected on my "Birches" presentation. 

  Prompt:  Both poems by Robert Frost explore the passage of time and life’s changing moments. Write about a time when something in your life changed more quickly than you expected. How does this experience connect to Frost’s idea that “Nothing gold can stay”? Response: When I moved to Atlanta, it was a big change in my life. I had grew up around Atlanta before when I went to my dad's house on weekends, but now I've lived in Atlanta for 5 years now. It was a moment that took a lot of time to get adjusted to. As someone who grew up in the south for most of their life, it was a lot more diverse than I was used to. It was a nice change but it goes to show that nothing good from the past will stay. New memories and moments will form that are worth it.  Summary:  We started to read the poem "The Road Not Taken" and did a worksheet about it. Reflection:  I reflected on the different times I read this poem before in my other literature classes. 

  Prompt:  As we think about our upcoming Vocabulary Monday, tell me what is your favorite word RIGHT NOW? Why is it your favorite word and how often do you use it?  Response: My favorite word currently is "brah". I've been using it frequently around my friends as a joke. I've been using the word because I've been re-watching "Rick and Morty", where they use the word a lot. I think that the word is funny. It's funny to use in a sarcastic manner. To add on, I also find it funny that people unironically say "brah" in a serious setting.  Summary:  In class, we worked on our presentations for the poem "Birches".  Reflection:  I reflected on how I can make an interesting presentation. 

  Prompt:  In “Birches,” Robert Frost celebrates imagination as a way to escape life’s difficulties and reconnect with innocence. The speaker wishes to “get away from earth awhile” but also understands that he must eventually return to reality. Think about the role of imagination in your own life. How does imagination help you cope with challenges, boredom, or stress?  Response: I personally use my imagination through my art and fashion sense. It's something I'm passionate about and it's a relaxing activity for me. Usually it's something I like to think about or do when I'm stressed. Although I love those two things, I reconnect with reality and set my priorities. I know when I need to put my work and needs first vs my wants. Sometimes I like to use my imagination in my work as a balance, but I don't use my imagination all the time.  Summary:  We started to read the poem "Birches", written by Robert Frost, which is about childhood.  Reflection:  I refl...

  Prompt:  After reading “Out, Out—” by Robert Frost, reflect on a time when you faced a dangerous or high-pressure situation that demanded your complete focus. What made the situation risky, and how did your concentration affect the outcome? Response: There was a time where I was climbing abandoned trains with some old friends of mine that was a risky situation for me. My biggest fear is heights, so the moment was pressuring for me. I wanted to join my friends at the top and had to climb a tall ladder in order to meet up with them. I was scared of slipping or falling. Eventually, I pushed through my fear and my determination to be with my friends overcame me. I managed to overcome my fear and get to the top safely. It's something I'm proud of doing because I was able to have fun in the end. Summary:  We started to read a poem called "Out Out", which was about a little boy who sawed his arm off. Reflection:  I wondered if something like that would ever happen to me....

  Prompt:  What did you do over the break? Response: Over the break, I mostly relaxed and didn't do much. Although, I got to celebrate my best friend's birthday with her at her house. We had a sleepover where I got her a gift and we watched a movie. That was fun, but no other plans were made. I was lazy over the break and took the chance to sleep in.  Summary: We started working a comic strip using new vocabulary we learned. Reflection: I wondered how I can improve my art.

  Prompt:  How do  you find time to enjoy your day, even when you have a lot going on? Write about at least three specific things you do to enjoy small moments throughout your day. Response: I like to relax a lot during my free time. One thing I enjoy doing is watching TV, particularly films. I also enjoy playing video games like The Walking Dead game. I also like to paint things like my dresser or lamp shades from time to time. I listen to a lot of music in my time during most of the things I do.  Summary:  We had to finish and revise our final claim and write in our Blog. Reflection:  I reflected on how I can stay organized with assignments. 

  Prompt:  Describe a time when someone’s words had a lasting impact on you. Response: There was one time a friend of mine told me "a friend to everyone is a friend to no one" and that stuck with me. I was having complications with an old friend of mine who wasn't loyal and would befriend problematic people. There are types of people like this that are common, where they put popularity above loyalty or what's right in friendships. When I notice this behavior I always remember  this quote. It's commonly used between me and my friend.  Summary:  We wrote the rest of our claim on Writable.  Reflection:  I reflected on how I can explain things better. 

  Prompt:  Write about a moment when you had to step out of your comfort zone Response: I used to have a bad fear of spiders before I stepped outside of my comfort zone. There was a time there was a small jumping spider in the classroom by my desk in middle school. I decided to step out of my comfort zone by picking it up and releasing it outside. That moment was a moment of exposure therapy for me, and it helped me feel more comfortable around certain spiders. I think moments like that are important in order to get rid of a fear.  Summary:  In class we reviewed an article and wrote down a claim. Reflection:  I wonder how there are ways to defend yourself without hurting the aggressor. 

  Prompt:  Write about a dream that felt real.  Response: There was a time I had a dream that predicted what was happening in real life. While I was sleeping, I had a dream where I was laying in bed. I could hear my mother in the kitchen moving around pots and I got up to investigate what was happening. I saw that she was making instant ramen. When I woke up from my dream, I could hear my mom in the kitchen. When I went into the kitchen, she was making instant ramen just like my dream. It was a strange experience that I had.  Summary:  In class we explored new vocabulary and read an online article. Reflection:  I reflected on how I can write faster while keeping it neat. 

  Prompt:  Write about something you’ve always been curious about Response: I've always been curious about the future. I often wonder how different things are going to be when I'm an adult and if anything with progress as far as human rights and politics. I also wonder how far technology will advance and if AI will ever get stopped. There's certain things that I wonder if it'll be nostalgic in the future or a thing that is still is around. Many things can be different but it's hard to predict what will truly happen.  Summary:  In class we went over the parts of an argumentative paragraph. Reflection:  I reflected on how I can be more creative with coming up with claims. 

  Prompt:  Write about the best gift you have received Response: The best gift that I have received was my first pet when I was 12. My first pet was a leopard gecko named Geico that was given to me as a gift from my mom as a chance to prove that I had responsibility. Ever since I had my first gecko, it began my passion for reptiles and amphibians. I loved him a lot and he was my favorite pet that I've had. Because of him, I started my lifelong goal to become a herpetologist. Although he passed away around 2 years ago, he will always be a core memory and important to me.  Summary: In class we explored different arguments and the parts of writing one. Reflection: I reflected on how I can use broader vocabulary in my arguments.