April 23rd, 2014 Quick Write and Classwork

To me, imagination is your sense of creativity. Imagination is the word that can be used to describe all of the things that makes no logical sense in reality but perfect sense in your mind. Imagination is the way that we can escape our problems, feelings, thoughts, work, school, family, friends, etc. One's imagination can take them very far. You can imagine the things that you want or the things that you have wanted in the past. You can dream of something and your imagination can make it become a reality for you. Your imagination, to me, is your sanity. One's purpose in life is what their goal is. Whatever you dream to become is what you spend your life working towards. Without your imagination, that dream won't be present and your life would be obsolete. Memory, similar to your imagination, is also important. If you can't remember the things or places that your imagination took you, then your life is nonetheless meaningless.Your imagination is a critical thing, that deserves to never be wasted or taken for granted. Cherish your imagination and you may see a positive change in your life.

Quick Write- April 9th, 2014

Do I believe that animals have souls? I would say that I have never thought about that before. Now that I have to think about it, I would say that I do think that animals have souls. The same way that animals can communicate with other animals like humans do with humans, I believe that animals have souls the way humans have souls. I think that we as humans just don't understand an animals' souls the way we do.

April 3rd, 2014 Quick Write and Classwork

There are a plethora of things that make life worth living for me. My family, my life, God, and myself (Not in any particular order). Without these people I would have nothing to live for.

3 Observations:
-A man who lost his life.
-A man who just began his life.
-A mixture of emotions

2 Questions:
-How does this man feel about the technology that helps him communicate his thoughts to others?
-What (besides what the technology displays) does this man think about when the different nurses, doctors, family etc. move him around?

1 Feeling:
-Bittersweet


1. How did Bauby write his book if he was paralyzed (especially with the use of only one eye)?
2. What do you think was Bayby's motivation to continue to stay alive and write his memoir as opposed to committing suicide or giving up on his life?
3. Although some may think that this is obvious, do you think Bauby is in a current state of depression? Explain why or why not.

I think what makes life worth living is knowing that someone out there can live their life the way that you can. Knowing that someone out there has it worse than you. Knowing that someone wishes to have a chance at life the way that you do is moving to me.

March 24th, 2014 Quick Write and Classwork

So far, I have collected a good amount of supporting details for my claim in my argumentative essay. I support the establishment of selective schools for "smart kids". I have found university research studies conducted by professors, quotes and statistics on "smart kids" in selective schools averages. I also have some opinions from local critics and other teachers from other schools. On top of all of that, I will input my own personal opinion and prior knowledge to assist in supporting my claim.

March 20th, 2014 Quick Write and Classwork

I believe that selective schools for "smart kids" is a very important topic to talk about. I don't think it is often brought up in society. Many, and I too fall victim to this, have not really put too much thought into whether or not selective schools are bias. Sure, I believe that if the subject is brought up then people will give their opinion on it or take the time to become more aware of the issue, but if not brought up, then I believe that people, such as myself, will continue to walk around ignoring it because they feel that that's just a natural part of society.

March 18th, 2014-Quick Write

I still believe that students should not be categorized by their academic ability. However I still support the establishment of selective schools for children with higher academic averages and higher tests scores. I do believe that it is wrong for students to be separated from other students just because of their IQ score or their learning style in school.

I tweaked the essay question a little bit but the position I will be taking in the argument essay will be that I support the establishment of selective schools however I do not support the term "smart kids" and what is used to define one.

March 13th, 2014- Quick Write and Classwork

In my opinion, do I think that smart kids should have their own schools?

I honestly feel that it is discrimination to say that smart kids should have their own schools. I feel like asking this question: What is a "smart kid"? According to that same definition, what would the children that don't fit into the "smart kid" category be considered, "dumb kids"?

However (and I may be contradicting myself when I say this), I agree with there being specialized high schools. I feel as if those schools are put into place for those students who preform exceptionally well on the specialized high school admissions test.


Step 2: My Summary of What I Learned From My Research Thus Far....

Today I realized that there are more counterclaims against educational tracking then there are claims supporting it. I learned that more and more educators are denouncing educational tracking because of the fear that the discriminatory labels that are put on students with a lower educational ability will follow them from grade to grade. Some teachers support educational tracking because they feel that the students put there are "gifted" and will be better accommodated to continue their extremely high levels of academic achievement without getting "distracted" by students that are not considered gifted. I also learned that some people do not support tracking because they find that the students not accepted into specialized high schools lose motivation in regular public schools to strive to do well.