First video for Mrs. Merrit:
<object id="vp13aaHw" width="432" height="240" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000"><param name="movie" value="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1337224129&f=3aaHww47Ug6k0ctnXBqOOQ&d=38&m=b&r=360p&volume=100&start_res=360p&i=m&options="></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed id="vp13aaHw" src="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1337224129&f=3aaHww47Ug6k0ctnXBqOOQ&d=38&m=b&r=360p&volume=100&start_res=360p&i=m&options=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="432" height="240"></embed></object><p>Make your own <a href='http://animoto.com'>photo slideshow</a> at Animoto.</p>
Second video for Mrs. Merrit:
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Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Friday, May 11, 2012
The Dream Keeper
The Dream Keeper
Being me all your dreams,
You dreamers,
Bring me all of your
Heart melodies
That I may wrap them
In a blue cloud-cloth
Away from the too-rough fingers
Of the world.
This is Langston Hughes poem called the Dream Keeper. It's out of his book,'The Dream Keeper and other poems'. I personally think that the poem has a lot of different meanings that Hughes is trying to say. But I personally think this poem has his interpretation of his own dreams growing up. How he wished someone would encourage him with his dreams and put them together. He made it a poem so other people could know that their dreams don't have to die because of bad outcomes. That they can dream and work for as long as they want so they can achieve whatever they so please.
How do you feel about the meaning of this poem? Feel free to comment below!
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Image Chef
Langston Hughes and Poetry
On February 1, 1902, a poet was born, James Langston Hughes. Best known for his work during the Harlem Renaissance. Born in Joplin, Missouri, his parents divorced when he was a small child. He ended up moving all the way to Mexico with his father. Brought up by his grandmother until he was thirteen, he lived a very normal life. Soon he moved to Lincoln, Illinois with his mother and her new husband. It was there in Lincoln that he began writing his poetry. Staying with his mother til after graduation, then moving to Mexico for a year and studying at Columbia University for a year. Having odd jobs here and there he managed to look after himself. In 1924 Hughes moved to Washington, D.C. , and by 1926 his book of poetry, Weary Blues, was published.
By 1930 his first novel, Not Without Laughter, was published and won the Harmon gold medal for literature. Hughes was known for his colorful portrayals of black life in America from the twenties to the sixties. Some of his primary influences were: Paul Lawrence Dunbar, Carl Sanburg, and Walt Witman. He wrote novels, short stories and plays, as well as poetry that portrayed the life of the blacks in America. Hughes was known for telling stories that reflected their actual culture, music,language, and laughter itself. Hughes contribution to the Renaissancee in the twenties was extremely important to the poetry community and poetry itself. He was one of the best poets and authors of his time.
By 1930 his first novel, Not Without Laughter, was published and won the Harmon gold medal for literature. Hughes was known for his colorful portrayals of black life in America from the twenties to the sixties. Some of his primary influences were: Paul Lawrence Dunbar, Carl Sanburg, and Walt Witman. He wrote novels, short stories and plays, as well as poetry that portrayed the life of the blacks in America. Hughes was known for telling stories that reflected their actual culture, music,language, and laughter itself. Hughes contribution to the Renaissancee in the twenties was extremely important to the poetry community and poetry itself. He was one of the best poets and authors of his time.
Langston Hughes Animoto
This is my Animot for Langston Hughes. Enjoy!
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<object id="vp103iwk" width="432" height="240" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000"><param name="movie" value="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1336072496&f=03iwkEZDrhg7eKS12wbvzw&d=28&m=b&r=360p&volume=100&start_res=360p&i=m&options="></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed id="vp103iwk" src="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1336072496&f=03iwkEZDrhg7eKS12wbvzw&d=28&m=b&r=360p&volume=100&start_res=360p&i=m&options=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="432" height="240"></embed></object><p>Try our <a href='http://animoto.com'>slideshow maker</a> at Animoto.</p>
Thursday, March 22, 2012
It's almost over!!
Hey guys!! Here I am in the fourth quarter of the school year making in my final blog. I must say that blogging has become much easier than I would of thought at the beginning of the year. I have come to see that it makes explaining the book a whole lot easier. Last quarter was the highest grade I have gotten on my blogs, a 100% =). I have never been so happy with them!! So now I'm going to try for the same grade on these final blogs. We are using the same format and requirements for the blogs this quarter so I will try and switch up the blogs for you guys. Wish me luck!
The book I picked for my fourth quarter blogs is called: The Dream Keeper and other poems by Langston Hughes. I finished this book in about an hour, yes it is that short. The poems are about life and slavery mostly, but he does throw in love and dreams also. I chose this book because this quarter we are also doing a huge research paper on The Adventures of Huckleberry Fin by Mark Twain. I didnt want to be swammped with reading the book and trying to give my all in a research paper. The Dream Keeper is Hughes way of showing the struggle that most slave and black people went through in 1932. Now that is is 2012 the words really have a whole new meaning to people who read it. I would say that Hughes wanted his poems to be timeless and he did an amazing job doing so. In this book there are also wonderful sketches of the poems themselves. It gives a wonderful image to each and every poem.
The last quarter goes by really fast , as usual, so I will try my best to focus and not daydream about being outside in the sun during school. Otherwise I hope I can come up with ideas to make the last book the best of them all!
The book I picked for my fourth quarter blogs is called: The Dream Keeper and other poems by Langston Hughes. I finished this book in about an hour, yes it is that short. The poems are about life and slavery mostly, but he does throw in love and dreams also. I chose this book because this quarter we are also doing a huge research paper on The Adventures of Huckleberry Fin by Mark Twain. I didnt want to be swammped with reading the book and trying to give my all in a research paper. The Dream Keeper is Hughes way of showing the struggle that most slave and black people went through in 1932. Now that is is 2012 the words really have a whole new meaning to people who read it. I would say that Hughes wanted his poems to be timeless and he did an amazing job doing so. In this book there are also wonderful sketches of the poems themselves. It gives a wonderful image to each and every poem.
The last quarter goes by really fast , as usual, so I will try my best to focus and not daydream about being outside in the sun during school. Otherwise I hope I can come up with ideas to make the last book the best of them all!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Blog Block!
So here I am, sitting in English trying to figure out what my last few blog posts should be about. It is the worst feeling in the world when you have to get something done and your brain just goes blank. When you feel like your brain cant even make a full sentence without giving you a headache. I, Arielle Jackson, have blog block. Yes, I said blog block. Have you ever had it?? You may of heard of writers block, when a author cant finish or even start his/her book because they cant come up with and idea about what to write. Blog block is somewhat worse if you ask me. Its where you are getting graded for your blogs, and have the freedom to do what you want with them, but nothing comes to mind. From a students point of view that is absoulutley awful! So I am going to come up with some ideas of how you can un-block blog block.
One thing that you obviously work is to get opinions from other people. You dont necessairly have to use their exact idea but maybe you can make an even better version of their ideas and call them your own. Another thing that could un-block your brain is to not stress yourself out. If you make unrealistic goals that say " I'm going to finish all 10 blogs in 1day." then you may be pulling you hair out soon. You should space out your priorities and give yourself enough time for each blog. If you dont, all your writing abilities will stay on blog block island for quite awhile. My last tip from blog block would be to let your mind free itself. Go for a run and listen to music while you do it. Or draw and color a picture. Anything that helps you clear you mind is for the better. This way you can come back and see your writing in a completly new light.
Now that I have freed my mind from other blogs, the rest should be quite easy!! Hopefully I never have blog block again.
One thing that you obviously work is to get opinions from other people. You dont necessairly have to use their exact idea but maybe you can make an even better version of their ideas and call them your own. Another thing that could un-block your brain is to not stress yourself out. If you make unrealistic goals that say " I'm going to finish all 10 blogs in 1day." then you may be pulling you hair out soon. You should space out your priorities and give yourself enough time for each blog. If you dont, all your writing abilities will stay on blog block island for quite awhile. My last tip from blog block would be to let your mind free itself. Go for a run and listen to music while you do it. Or draw and color a picture. Anything that helps you clear you mind is for the better. This way you can come back and see your writing in a completly new light.
Now that I have freed my mind from other blogs, the rest should be quite easy!! Hopefully I never have blog block again.
Letter to the Author!!
Dear A.S. King,
My name is Arielle Jackson from Carbondale Community High School. In my English class we are reading from a list of books called Read for a Lifetime. The program promotes reading in teens but my class is using it as an assignment also. We choose a book off of this list and read it, then blog about it here, on blog spot. I will be honest and say that I really didn't read the cover of your book when I first picked it out but after starting it, I fell in love. You have a very special way of making sure your readers feel what the characters in the book feel. Your detail is amazing and I love the story in general. I would say it was the best book I have read off the list this whole year. I'm glad I picked it.
Of the characters that you wrote about in Please Ignore Vera Dietz, I liked the main characters the most; Charlie and Vera. I did like Ken Dietz however, but he didn't have that much of an impact on me like Charlie and Vera did. I would like to ask a few questions about your writing and this story. What gave you the inspiration to write a story like this? From reading it, I would only imagine that you put a lot of work and thought into creating the story. Did you have a life experience like Vera's or Charlie's? I know that some authors actually have life experiences like those and that's usually what helps them write amazing stories like these. My last question is something I'm sure you get asked a lot; When and how did you start writing? I think people who just somehow got inspired are pretty amazing. Especially when they can put their feelings on paper and make a book or short story out of them. Anyway, I really enjoyed Please Ignore Vera Dietz, and I hope to read more of your writing in the future.
Sincerely,
Arielle Jackson
My name is Arielle Jackson from Carbondale Community High School. In my English class we are reading from a list of books called Read for a Lifetime. The program promotes reading in teens but my class is using it as an assignment also. We choose a book off of this list and read it, then blog about it here, on blog spot. I will be honest and say that I really didn't read the cover of your book when I first picked it out but after starting it, I fell in love. You have a very special way of making sure your readers feel what the characters in the book feel. Your detail is amazing and I love the story in general. I would say it was the best book I have read off the list this whole year. I'm glad I picked it.
Of the characters that you wrote about in Please Ignore Vera Dietz, I liked the main characters the most; Charlie and Vera. I did like Ken Dietz however, but he didn't have that much of an impact on me like Charlie and Vera did. I would like to ask a few questions about your writing and this story. What gave you the inspiration to write a story like this? From reading it, I would only imagine that you put a lot of work and thought into creating the story. Did you have a life experience like Vera's or Charlie's? I know that some authors actually have life experiences like those and that's usually what helps them write amazing stories like these. My last question is something I'm sure you get asked a lot; When and how did you start writing? I think people who just somehow got inspired are pretty amazing. Especially when they can put their feelings on paper and make a book or short story out of them. Anyway, I really enjoyed Please Ignore Vera Dietz, and I hope to read more of your writing in the future.
Sincerely,
Arielle Jackson
Thursday, February 23, 2012
A Word From Ken Dietz
So here I am 20 years old with a knocked up 18 year old girlfriend. My mom wouldnt let me stay in her house once she found out Cindy was pregnant, so off we went to her parents house. They werent so thrilled.
My mom has never been very fond of me being her child. She always did prefer my older brothers. Both of them went thru school and didnt drink and smoke, like me. By the time I was in the 11th grade I was a full blown alcoholic. I was practically failing school, and my hypocritical mother was bugging me to do something with my life; while she drank and smoked a cigarette right in front of me. I dropped outta school at the beginning of my senior year and became the worst person I have ever known. All I did was work and stay up all night drinking, only to sleep til noon and do it all over again the next day. I got a job at a grocery store where the manager would buy me drinks, but the money would come out of my paycheck. My idea was to steal the money, but of course that would get me fired and in jail; so I found another way. I decided to steal the money thru change at the register. It was easier to do it to moms with kids and other distractions, but I couldnt do it on the old men who actually count their change.
So now here I am, a full blown alcoholic and have a child on the way in a few months. Little did I know that Vera would change my life around. Once she was born I had to watch her while Cindy went off to dance as a striper at the near by bar. I remember being so drunk I had forgot to feed Vera for a few hours, so I walked around drunkenly wondering why she stopped crying. I was so upset I started crying with her til Cindy came home late that night. " Geez Ken, your more of a baby that Vera!!" she said. Right then I changed my game.
The next night I was in a AA meeting getting help and within a week I had enrolled in the near by community college. I was going to become an accountant. Soon Cindy left me and Vera and went to live in Las Vegas with some dentist or something. She sends Vera a card with $50 on her birthday and has no other contact. What a mother. Now I'm scared Vera is going to inherit my drinking and her mothers slutty abilities. I would like her to have a better future than what I did and go somewhere in life. She may think I'm being and ass but all in all I'm protecting her way more than she knows.
My mom has never been very fond of me being her child. She always did prefer my older brothers. Both of them went thru school and didnt drink and smoke, like me. By the time I was in the 11th grade I was a full blown alcoholic. I was practically failing school, and my hypocritical mother was bugging me to do something with my life; while she drank and smoked a cigarette right in front of me. I dropped outta school at the beginning of my senior year and became the worst person I have ever known. All I did was work and stay up all night drinking, only to sleep til noon and do it all over again the next day. I got a job at a grocery store where the manager would buy me drinks, but the money would come out of my paycheck. My idea was to steal the money, but of course that would get me fired and in jail; so I found another way. I decided to steal the money thru change at the register. It was easier to do it to moms with kids and other distractions, but I couldnt do it on the old men who actually count their change.
So now here I am, a full blown alcoholic and have a child on the way in a few months. Little did I know that Vera would change my life around. Once she was born I had to watch her while Cindy went off to dance as a striper at the near by bar. I remember being so drunk I had forgot to feed Vera for a few hours, so I walked around drunkenly wondering why she stopped crying. I was so upset I started crying with her til Cindy came home late that night. " Geez Ken, your more of a baby that Vera!!" she said. Right then I changed my game.
The next night I was in a AA meeting getting help and within a week I had enrolled in the near by community college. I was going to become an accountant. Soon Cindy left me and Vera and went to live in Las Vegas with some dentist or something. She sends Vera a card with $50 on her birthday and has no other contact. What a mother. Now I'm scared Vera is going to inherit my drinking and her mothers slutty abilities. I would like her to have a better future than what I did and go somewhere in life. She may think I'm being and ass but all in all I'm protecting her way more than she knows.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Animoto!!
http://animoto.com/play/pPjM0ngEYfxVq2k6Vvn6mg
Above is a link that will take you to an Animoto I did for my book, Please Ignore Vera Dietz. Enjoy!
Above is a link that will take you to an Animoto I did for my book, Please Ignore Vera Dietz. Enjoy!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
In Vera's Words
Dear Diary,
I am extrmely overwhelmed and emotional at this point in my life!! It is the summer before Charlie and I's freshman year of high school. I'm beginning to feel things for him that i have never felt before. This summer Charlies dad let him build a tree house and bought him everything he needs. Since Charlie is the Great Hunter, he took 2 weeks just to pick out a tree. While he was busy running around the woods, Dad made me get a job. He belives that being a teenager is unnecessary and that I should be saving for college tuition. So I get a job at a local diner as a bus girl. I clean tables all day while old men try and look up my short skirt. I hate that we have to wear these stupid uniforms. Personally, I dont see the point of me even having a job when I can't drive. I can only work on the days that Dad can drop me off and pick my back up. I cannot wait until I can drive.
Finally, Charlie picks a tree for his treehouse. He names it the Great Oak and starts drawing up plans for the build. He takes it to a carpenter so he can check the dimensions and other things. We make the ladder and the base , then start building up from there. Soon the tree house is done and Charlie told me he wanted to make this his summer getaway. I would too if my parents were as crazy as his. A dad who does nothing but beat on your mom, and a mom who sits there and lets him do it. I can hear the yelling and screaming sometimes but when I tell Dad all he says is " Keep your head down, and ignore it Vera.". I never understand him, and I guess I never will. Little did I know this would be the last time I actually know Charlie. Because he is about to change dramatically when Jenny Flick comes into the picture. If only I could go back and change fate. Oh well...
Sincerely,
Vera
I am extrmely overwhelmed and emotional at this point in my life!! It is the summer before Charlie and I's freshman year of high school. I'm beginning to feel things for him that i have never felt before. This summer Charlies dad let him build a tree house and bought him everything he needs. Since Charlie is the Great Hunter, he took 2 weeks just to pick out a tree. While he was busy running around the woods, Dad made me get a job. He belives that being a teenager is unnecessary and that I should be saving for college tuition. So I get a job at a local diner as a bus girl. I clean tables all day while old men try and look up my short skirt. I hate that we have to wear these stupid uniforms. Personally, I dont see the point of me even having a job when I can't drive. I can only work on the days that Dad can drop me off and pick my back up. I cannot wait until I can drive.
Finally, Charlie picks a tree for his treehouse. He names it the Great Oak and starts drawing up plans for the build. He takes it to a carpenter so he can check the dimensions and other things. We make the ladder and the base , then start building up from there. Soon the tree house is done and Charlie told me he wanted to make this his summer getaway. I would too if my parents were as crazy as his. A dad who does nothing but beat on your mom, and a mom who sits there and lets him do it. I can hear the yelling and screaming sometimes but when I tell Dad all he says is " Keep your head down, and ignore it Vera.". I never understand him, and I guess I never will. Little did I know this would be the last time I actually know Charlie. Because he is about to change dramatically when Jenny Flick comes into the picture. If only I could go back and change fate. Oh well...
Sincerely,
Vera
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Oh My God!! It's 2012!!!!
Hi everyone!! Here I am in the new year reading a new book for my English class. First I'm going to catch everyone up on the new changes my English teacher has made to the types of blogs. My teacher pretty much put everything in our own hands when it comes to blogging. As long as there is some good length to the blog, along with some type of media, its good! We as students have the freedom to pretty much do as we please. My thinking has been a little slow because of my long winter break but I hope to come up with some new and interesting ideas. I have a few in mind but I'm not sure how to develop them just yet.
The book I'm reading for the third quarter is called : Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King. I am happy to report that this book is actually very interesting and dramatic. It is the kind of book that will keep your attention for a long time. You could really never get bored with it. I picked this book for a couple of reasons. One was that almost all my friends from the other English classes have read this book and given it a very well review. They loved the story and how the book was set up in general. My friends like the same kinds of books I do, so when hearing about them liking this book I wanted to read it even more. My second reason for picking this book out of all the others was the cover. I'm the person who likes book covers and titles. I will read a whole book just because the title caught my attention. On this book cover there is a lighter and the smoke from it make the title appear. When seeing this I automatically picked it up and read the back which was even more interesting. The back cover had a to-do list on it with each main characters name. It told about what their purpose was in the story.
I hope to come up with some blog posts that reflect each character in some way. One post might be of a diary from the main characters. This way I can tell about what's happening and do it in a more creative way than just rambling on like I do now. When this is all over I hope I entertained and kept my readers interested in the book. Wish me luck!!!!
The book I'm reading for the third quarter is called : Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King. I am happy to report that this book is actually very interesting and dramatic. It is the kind of book that will keep your attention for a long time. You could really never get bored with it. I picked this book for a couple of reasons. One was that almost all my friends from the other English classes have read this book and given it a very well review. They loved the story and how the book was set up in general. My friends like the same kinds of books I do, so when hearing about them liking this book I wanted to read it even more. My second reason for picking this book out of all the others was the cover. I'm the person who likes book covers and titles. I will read a whole book just because the title caught my attention. On this book cover there is a lighter and the smoke from it make the title appear. When seeing this I automatically picked it up and read the back which was even more interesting. The back cover had a to-do list on it with each main characters name. It told about what their purpose was in the story.
I hope to come up with some blog posts that reflect each character in some way. One post might be of a diary from the main characters. This way I can tell about what's happening and do it in a more creative way than just rambling on like I do now. When this is all over I hope I entertained and kept my readers interested in the book. Wish me luck!!!!
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