Have Come Along Way..

Fifteen weeks of school have flown by, and the end of the semester is approaching. I reflect back on my first blog about my course goals and how my writing has changed this semester. Also, what goals I have achieved and what goals I want to set for the new semester in the Spring.

My writing has changed since coming to college, because of this class. During this class we did a lot of writing. We worked on four major writing projects with revisions, and we have blog every week of school. We have learned different ways and techniques to write papers. Also by reading and using a rubric to grade other peers papers we are helping ourselves become better writers.

Reflecting on my goals from the first semester of English 101 which was to enhance my writing skills, and to become more confident in my writing. I believe as something I worked very hard for, my knowledge in writing has grown and I am more confident in my writing. For the next semester to come, I still plan on strengthening my writing skills. I plan on finding more creative ways of writing, and figuring out what I can do to make my papers better. I will work hard and effectively to attain my goals. I believe nothing is impossible and if your mind is set then the sky is the limit!

UNDERSTANDING GENERATIONAL DIFFERENCES

Do we really see the world differently than older or younger generations do? On Wednesday November 18, 2009 at 7pm in Student Center, we discussed this question. The Excellence in Leadership Program, The Career Center, and Freshman Connections put together a session on Understanding Generational Differences to explore these very issues. The objectives of the evening were to be introduced to the four generations and to compare and contrast each generation. As an icebreaker we were all given an Intergenerational Dialogue, this was a sheet of paper that had 18 different small pictures on them. These pictures consisted of various famous people and objects throughout time. It was our job to look at them and decipher who and what they are. Some of these pictures were quit difficult because they were from a different generation then what we were familiar with. Some of these pictures included; Pong, World of War crafts, I love Lucy, South Park, and Twilight. After this exercise Mitch explained to us about the four generations which include; The Veterans (1922-1945), The Baby Boomers 91946-1964), Generation X (1965-1980), and The Millennials (1981-2000). We then discussed and debated how each is different and how they change throughout the years. With there being a large amount of Boomers and Millennals in the room is was fun, and interesting to watch the debate of how the two different generations view life. One topic debated was how Boomers would prefer to call, and Millennas feel more comfortable texting.
I was very pleased I was able to attend this event. I now better understand the shared and diverging views and values, of each generations.

Critical Reading

During our previous class, we looked at a student example found in BallPoint. This type of work we looked at is considered "critical thinking," which is a skills we are learning and developing in class. When we participate in reading we are actively engaging ourselves with what we are reading. As a critical reader, I enjoyed this paper written by Pamela Gardner. It has great meaning behind her mission trip to Brazil. The paper goes into great detail about what she learns, and how this experience has changed her life. She tells us how she found who she is by traveling outside the United States, and truly making a difference in this world. After reading such a moving paper it makes you want to go and participate, and give back to the world. Besides having good content the paper itself was very good. According to the NWP Holistic Scoring Rubric that we discussed and learned in class, I would have to grade this paper with a six. We have worked with this rubric in class and have peer graded our own classmates using the scoring. This paper from start to finish consistently focuses on the purpose. Grammatically the paper is well written having very minor flaws. The sentences are sophisticated in rhythm and flow.

Sean Lovelace

On November 11 at 7:30pm Sean Lovelace was reading from his new chapbook, How Some People Like Their Eggs.. When I heard about this I thought it would be intreasting to attend because I did not get to attend when Ishmael Beah came to Ball State. But the first question I asked myself is, "who is Sean Lovelace?". After doing a little research I fought out, Sean Lovelace is an English professor at Ball State University. His publications include Tartts: Incisive Fiction from Emerging Writers, Grass: A Fiction Chapbook, and stories and essays in various literary journals, including New Orleans Review, Crazyhorse, Black Warrior Review, and Sycamore Review. His latest book is How Some People Like Their Eggs, and was the winner of the Third Annual Rose Metal Press Short Short Chapbook Contest. Not only is Sean a talented writer but also a great runner, and always seems to be pushing himself to go that extra mile.
Right before entering room 125 on Wednesday evening there was a table of refreshments, which included punch, Starbucks coffee, and cookies. As I walked in I noticed it was a full house but lucky I was able to find a seat near the back. Jill Christman is the director of creative writing, and told us about the upcoming reading/writing competition. Next she tells us how she first met Sean Lovelace, and gives a warm welcome as Sean walks up to the podium. I stopped to look around the room, there was a camera man, and two photographer. As Sean reads from his book he had everyone at the edge of our seat, we all felt as if we were a part of the story. All of his story's were every funny and had us all laughing. He is a very talented person, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to listen to him read parts of his masterpiece.

No Class

Well of course it's important to go to class, pay attention, and learn. Sometimes though it may be even more beneficial to have the non regular classroom setting. During a normal class you don't have that one-on-one interaction with your teacher. Plus with all the other students in the class you are more easily distracted. This week we only met one day instead of our regular three times a week. This was helpful, for it took a lot of stress off me and allowed me to focus and devote more time to other classes that need the extra help. Also meeting with your teacher is a perfect way to make sure you are on the right track in class. Everyone want to succeed and here is when you find out what you need to do to improve, or what you can do to keep your grade. This time also gives you the perfect opportunity to talk to the teacher, about any problems you may be having or to ask any questions you may not feeling comfortable asking in class. Although this method would be quiet hard to do for a larger classroom size, I found it very helpful and it should be done in more classes.

Timed Writing

When we came to class today we thought we knew exactly what to expect, but we were a little wrong. We have prepared tips and went over ways to successful go about our timed writing. We were told we would have forty-five minutes to write a response to the prompt about the common reader we read this first half of the mid term A Long Way Gone. With only forty-five minutes we knew we had to manage our time properly right? Not exactly. The prompt asked us to think what does a successful community consist of? And how it relates to the book. Throughout the whole book Beah describes being forced to move from one community to the next, just to stay alive. To me the most important way to benefit one community is by volunteering. Volunteering is the idea of people working without being motivated by financial or material gain. Just as we where deep into our writing we heard a loud noise over the intercom, and are told it is a fire dire and we are to exit the building. Not the greatest way to end a paper, but we are now a lot more familiar with timed writing.

Writing

I myself am not a huge fan of writing, but I can say my interest in the subject is increasing due to this class. After viewing the video "Why I hate writing", you really understand why so many students dread writing. Students think that writing is too time consuming, or that it's hard, or even that it's boring and pointless when you're forced to write about something you have no interest in. I was surprised when I saw the statics. 95% of people have negative view of their ability. You will never like something if you don't practice and give it a chance. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but the more often you write, the better and easier it will be to sit down and write. Not everyone can just sit down and take off writing a novel. Most of us need to brainstorm. It's important to jot down everything that comes to mind. You might want to think about the topic: your audience, what they need, what you can offer them, what's in it for them, etc. After you have come up will all your ideas and thoughts it's time to organize those thoughts into a rough outline, most important information first, and so on. For me brainstorm is the most difficult part, but once I have an outline of what I'm writing about its a breeze!

Earlier this week in class, we had a guest speaker come in and talk to us relating to our freshman reader A Long Way Gone. His name was Fred Wright and In November of 1989 he went to Sierra Leone on a mission trip with Operation Classroom. Wright and he's group was there to work and put roofs back on the schools. It was so interesting to see how his time was, and how it was so related the Beah's Book. Wright told us all about his experience and how it changed his life. We were shown pictures of his visit. While looking at the photos you could tell Wright was being brought back to that time in his life. The photos were of people he had met there, and places he visited. He even brought in a few things he bought back from this trip to show us. He said that ti-die was a very popular thing and that before he left He bought some for all his family. He showed us a hat, that was made for him, in exchange fro his leather gloves that he had brought with him there. He brought a cloth that was made for him, to remember his time there in Sierra Leone. Also was a very unique instrument that was all you heard there. I found his speech so interesting to watch, and made me really want to help out and give back to this world. I think Operation Classroom is such a great organization, that helps out underprivileged areas, and I would love to be involved in a organization such as this one.

Operation Classroom also went to Sierra Leone November 2008, and here is an interesting video I watch.

Violence

Page 140 of Ishmael Beah's book, "We cannot allow a civilian to talk to us like that." They unleashed blows at him, and then one of the boys had stabbed him in the foot, and once he feel down they kicked him relentlessly and left him lying on the floor bleeding and unconscious. They shouted in excitement, and walked back to the veranda. After this Beah says to himself "I missed my squad and needed more violence" This paragraph leaves me in shock to think how young Beah has change from the beginning of the book. In the beginning he didn't understand why the war was happening and why innocent people were dying, now sixteen chapters into the book he is the one killing, and wishing for more violence. How could anyone not care about ones emotions and that everyone is human, but I guess all Beah could care and think about was just staying alive!

Art Connections

When visited the Ball State Art Museum, there is one painting that stuck in my memory. From the moment I first glanced at this gruesome, detailed piece of art I quickly made a connection to Ishmael Beah's "a long way gone". This artwork was a little painful to look at, and imagine such a horrifying scene. It upsets me to see how this painting shows a pale, young man being roasted alive, and looking for an answer from the heavens above. The other young men in this painting that were forcing him down, seemed as if it didn't bother them to watch another human being die. This painting was know as "The Martyrdom Of Saint Lawrence". Being a boy solider, Beah would witness deaths right before his very eyes. Murders and deaths to him became a common everyday thing. No child should be in war and kill other innocent people. I could never began to imagine how I would feel, to watch this happen day after day, it would leave you traumatized. What a difficult life, to be constantly reminded of a unimaginable nightmare you were once living in.

Untraditional class

When you think of class the first thing that comes to mind is the traditional classroom setting, which includes a deck, chair, chalkboard, and ect. Today September 18, 2009, was a little different then your ordinary class. In Lafollette, there was a fire drill and everyone was to evacuate. We were unable to enter the building for a half hour, so we decided to hold class outside. It was unlike any class I have ever been in. It was very relaxing to sit in the sun, and discuss our agenda in english. Although class was shortened, and we didn't get done as much as we would of if we were able to be in class, but It was a great start to my Friday morning, and the start of a good weekend!

Can't Imagine Myself...

During Beah's journey he does some pretty unimaginable things. To relate how he feels I looked at a few clubs and organizations here on campus of things I would never imagine myself being apart of. Tonight was the night I stepped out of my comfort zone. The Ballroom Dancing League (BSBDL) met tonight at 7:00pm in Irving Gym 200D. The Ball State Ballroom Dance League educates members in the styles of ballroom dancing. At first I was quite nervous and scared to see what this new experience was about. Within five minutes I felt very comfortable and ready to learn some new moves! Only being there an hour, I felt like I learn a lot. I feel ten times more confident on the dance floor. This organization meets every Thursday, and I'm excited to see what the following weeks hold.

September 15, Ishmael Beah

It is estimated that there are some 300,000 child soldiers. Ishmael Beah used to be one of them. On September 15 Ishmael Beah is coming to Ball State to talk about his book, a long way gone, memoirs of a boy solider. Ishmael Beah was born in Sierra Leone in 1980, and lived the life as a boy solider fighting everyday just to see the next. I am every upset that I have class 6-9 and will not be able to attend. I wish I could see Beah and watch as he tells us about he's experience, and the powerfully gripping story he was once a part of. I wish I could ask him so many questions like: What does war look like through the eyes of a child soldier? How does one become a killer? How does one stop?

Boy Solider

To even begin to think of what a boy solider went through is to think the unthinkable. Most children at the age of eleven are trying to fit in, make friends, and find out their meaning in life. The last thing they should ever have to consider in there life is war. Just to think of anyone going through what a boy soldier went through leaves me at a feeling of disgust. Deep in my stomach I get the feeling of hurt and sadness. If ever being in such a situation as this on, would make me want to run and hide for things in my life. They were so young, and don't even understand why this horrifying war is even going on. Just to imagine how hard it would be to watch your family and friends die right before your very eyes makes me shiver. These first four chapters of this book leaves you shocked with how anyone could over come the horrible nightmare of a memory!

My Course Goals

According to the dictionary, college is an institution of higher learning. It’s an undergraduate division or school of a university offering courses and granting degrees in a particular field. To me it’s so much more. College is a start of a new chapter in my life. This once in a lifetime experience means a new atmosphere, new people, new classes, and new goals.

It’s important to set a high ambition for all your classes. A goal is something you set your mind to, and plan on working towards. Remember that every goal must be achievable and realistic. On the other hand a goal should still be something to have to go that extra mile for.

My goal for English 101 this year is to enhance my writing skills. At the end on this class I hope to have become more confident in my writing. To attain my goal I will work hard to develop better writing skills. I will be focusing on the development of effective composition and grammar. By reading great works by different authors I can learn how to construct more effective writing. By paying close attention to this my reading and writing will both expand. I will do my hardest to put 100% effort. With a positive attitude, impossible is nothing!