semester reflection part 1

The hardest challenge for me this year was trying to work around my disability. Every year it gets harder to keep up with my class, this year especially the first semester I was really struggling, I was also having a lot of trouble in engineering. My disability prevents me from memorizing things, so its harder for me to study for tests and memorize vocabulary or equations. In engineering I had to do both, there was one test we took about tools. There were 50 or so tools we had to memorize, meaning name, picture, and description of what they are. This would normally take me about an hour a day for 2 weeks, but I only had 4 days. I started freaking out but I realised that I could ask Karl for extra time to study. Since I took control of the situation and realised that I would need extra help and told him ahead of time I was granted the weekend and the next Monday to study before I had to take the test. In comparison, for example in Randy's class we had to create multiple photo essays. I found that this is much easier for me to do as well as I enjoy it more. I love to take pictures and it comes easier to me then memorizing for a vocabulary test, I am able to finish these photo essays feeling better about myself and wanting to show them off to people.

Some challenges I face with a project based school is having multiple projects all due around the same time. Some times I will focus on one project more then another and totally forget about it, that other one most likely wont turn out very well.

My greatest strength in a project based school is that there aren't very many tests, which means I don't need to study or memorize as much as I did at my old school. I like going to a project based school better then a normal public school it is easier for me to complete a project rather then study and take a test, that's just how my brain works.

Writing Reflection

At the beginning of the year I wrote about my American icon, Ryan Hall. looking back on this now I realize how far I have come in just one year as a writer. I had learned a lot of "rules" or ways to make my writing better, or writing tips. When I write now I have that list right next to me so I can compare as I am writing. That way I am able to go write down the list and make sure that I am using each one. Also when I write now, I have multiple drafts and go through each one thoroughly to try to make it the best it can be. My 1st draft is usually the worst and then they gradually get better. Now if only I had that dedication to writing blogs...

A goal that I have for my future writing is to not leave everything until the last minute. I usually leave my writing until the last night, because I don't really like writing, and I am not very good at it. My goal is it try to start drafting early on or at least 2 nights before its due so I can just revise the little things, like spelling and grammar.

historical reflections

In college I would like to have a lecture from Franklin D. Roosevelt, when we were studying him earlier this year he really captured my interest and I thought he was a pretty cool president. I really admired his inauguration speech on March 4, 1933. He stated "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself."I thought that that was a really inspirational statement to give courage to the people of America.

1. http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/franklindroosevelt
2. http://millercenter.org/academic/americanpresident/fdroosevelt
3. http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/5057/
   

literary reflection

I'm not really sure but I think I would bring Ma Joad to college with me because she can cook for me. I will not be able to feed myself I will be living off of Ramen Instant noodles! If I have Ma Joad with me I will be well fed and wont have to worry about cooking meals everyday. I will have Ma Joad be my house mother and take care of me and my roommate!

Be sure to include specific evidence from the character, the book/novel, or other relevant sources.

Trial Reflection

The prosecution reflected on the McDonald's immigrant incident. When Ben was talking to the witnesses he would talk about either the incident, constitution, and he reflected on what the defendant side was arguing. One witness that the prosecution had was John Adams, what he talked about was natural rights, all people should have rights, and how Arizona is racial profiling to catch immigrants(even thought they tried to downplay it). They used a lot of small short and straight to the point, strong facts from the U.S. constitution.

The Defense used a lot of facts from the House and the Senate bill that they were defending. They also had facts such as a nationwide survey. They also had some moral and logical things put into theirs such as what the people on bordering towns would think and how it can be dangerous for the illegal immigrants and the citizens. They mostly tried to just convince everybody that they didn't use racial profiling to catch immigrants.

I think that the most significant piece of evidence from the trial was in the closing statement in which the prosecute read out from the amendment.

The story about the McDonald indecent. The entire story just was gut wrenching and a bad example of our government laws.

I do agree with the jury, I think that Ben and D'vaughn made a compelling case, they were better prepared and had more evidence to support their side. Even though I was writing as though I was on the defensive side I felt that the prosecution did a better job presenting their evidence in a compelling case.


I think I deserve a 45 out of 50 points because I was attentive throughout the entire trial and I wrote my 2 days worth of blogs during the trial while it was still fresh in my mind. I collaborated with Lisbeth and we helped each other write the blogs. When I saw something that my side could have done better, I pointed it out to her, just as she did for me. I think Randy was expecting more from us, as in a paragraphed version of our notes but it was kind of hard to do that when all we had were short sentences. I could have worked on it after the first day, but I had a crises and didn't have much free time that day to do my homework.

The second day in court begins.
Swears in Jan B.
Was the holocaust popular? It wasn’t popular in the United States.
Is Child labor popular? It is popular in one part of the nation.
Are they a federation law? Yes.
It does not promote racial profiling.
D’vaughn seems to be talking very quiet, I cant really understand her.
They spot someone if they are committing a crime. Its not by skin color or nationality.
The only piece of solid evidence that the defense side has is about the woman who was arrested even after she showed her papers…it makes them seem unprepared and lazy that they always have to go back to that one woman.

Swears in john Adams
How can we stop the illegal imagrents from crossing the border? Protect borders more. Make it harder to cross the border.
Do you favor the immigrants more? No. I am for equal rights.
(Objection. Overruled)
Reads a passage from…a book about John Adams

Swears in Russell Pierce-Senator of Arizona
Carries drivers license, seems easy enough.
We are trying to look out for the greater people of America
(They both read really fast, it’s hard to catch what they are saying.)
We would not be refusing the immigrant medical service.
Is there a time when you don’t carry identification? No.
Working out? No I need to drive there.
What about someone who is just taking a walk? I’m sure that they would still have a wallet with them.
I’m not sure every police officer follows the rules.
Objection. Argumentative.

RECESS

Ben read a part of the amendments and the constitution of the United States.
Dorian read a statement from Senate Bill 1070 and House Bill 2162.

Mock trial day 1

The following is just my notes I took down during the court, I hurriedly rushed to get everything down as it was being said:

The defence side is very disorganized and not ready, we are waiting for the bailiff to swear us in.

The jury is on my right side, somehow 1/3 of them didn’t bother to show up on time, and were consequently kicked out of the court.

The prosecution side looks very good, neat and sitting quietly, defense!

We begin with the prosecutions opening statement. The prosecution left their manners at home, they slurp their water.

He judge explains the rules to the court, prosecution is fidgety and rude.

“The court is now in session”

“We are all immigrant in the beginning…immigrants come to America to purse a better light…your tired your huddled masses yearning to be free…it is clearly welcoming the immigrants to the united states of America…liberty and justice for all…we do not want to make the same mistakes again…life, liberty, pursue of happiness…(she is fidgety and never makes eye contact with the audience, reads directly from the paper) meant for every person who sets foot in the united states.

(Addresses the court, makes eye contact, reads clearly and loud,) it is unjust and unfair, we have to think about our citizen’s…legal representatives…120’…do we want people to live with out homes in?

Calls first witness

Bailiff swears in john Adams-kind of shaky, doesn’t know what she is saying, does not even know his own birthday!

Defended British shoulders, defended

He is a person life liberty and happiness, America is a free country. (Looks kind of bored) more important to protect innocent people then to punish guilty people, goes against the laws of immigrants, no state shall deprive the needy, dose more to punish people then it does help needy,

(Somehow the defense does not need to ask questions to the witness)

Swears in James Madison.

(Laughing as she says yes, chewing gum, VERY RUDE, reads off paper)

Just restates the constitution of America, no new knowledge, restates 5^th amendment

Swears in Raul

Born in America, father came to united states., operation wetback? Was the united states attempt to spot immigrants, US tried to weed out the immigrants, (embarrassing) prop 187 is a statement to forbid health care for immigrants has an issue with Latinos, filing law suits against Arizona, enforce the law or be fired.

PROSECUTION:

(very intimidating)

(maybe? Laughs from witnesses)

does not know common knowledge, must be reminded of the law! That’s just embarrassing…

(looks scared to object!)

Dorian looks very smug…for some reason?

Would you always bring a passport and visa? Yes.

You need to be a citizen to come into the united states.

Do you have a better system? No…I could

The jury is fighting..as well as the audience behind me. I think the bailiff may need to step in soon.

Always addresses the judge as “your honor”

Challenges Hallie with a rude question. Hallie smartly answers!

Would you carry your passport everywhere you go? Even to the grocery store? No. I don’t think that is acceptable.

Do American citizens cause displacement to the city? Yes.

(never looks up from paper)

gives jury time to ask questions…blank stares, nothing, not even a peep.

Mele steps into give recourse's to prosecution

Jury is being very rude.

RECESS

Swears in Jan B. Governor

(Very prepared.)

Do you like living in Arizona? Yea I do.

Racial profiling in illegal in Arizona, make sure that they honor the natural laws and uphold a person rights.

Will they be held accountable? Yes.

270,000 people crossing the border and caught.

When released from jail, they commit violent crimes.

The bill means that we will not be judging people souley on their race. We are going to hold our police officers accountable for their actions.

Are our own citizens killing? Yea, they are people, but they are not citizens.

Can state declare war? No.

A state cannot make laws that go against the court.

Do you think this is the proper way to fix the immigration problem? It’s the only way we have.

(very quiet..always)

I think that this way is constitutional.

I don’t believe we are taking constitutional laws into our own hands.

Whatever the Constitution say we have to follow.

(Dorian fix’s his tie)

Dorian seems to be very well prepared.

Richard leaves the court without asking)

Hallie is asking Jan questions, Jan is very calm and answers clearly and loud.

The defence looks out of order and dysfunctional.

Is Arizona one of the main funnels in to the united states? Yes. It gets very hot for the citizens to live in. if citizens don't have homes, they will not be able to survive. Immigrants are taking the homes of citizens.

Swears in Robert Washborn-commissioner at Ellis Island

20% were rejected from Ellis Island.

Very serious disease going around and did not want that in our country.

Asked 29 questions, name, where from, occupation, how much money….

Statue of liberty is a home for the poor.

(laughing, not very prepared)

do we racially profile? No. its just an of coincident.

(objection, never mind.) (objection overruled)

most males work in docks or warehouses

woman worked in homes or sweatshops

Ben is very dysfunctional, calls objection, then cancels it. Judge is getting mad.

Ben is not very prepared, just called objection, speculation. And was overruled!

Every one in Ellis island in documented, nobody is documented now.

We don’t even know who they are anymore, it is impossible to tell who is who.

Do you agree that they need to have documentation and legal proof to be a legal citizen? Yes. They need to be.

No proof with him about EVERYBODY who came through.

Checked for disease and money.

These immigrants helped process society. True? Yes.

Recalling Jan tomorrow. In exchange for John and James.

Jury questions:

Grant- who supported you with your bill?

Steve-what is Roberts ethnic background? British. Former minor

Akari-how long is a process for illegal immigrants in Ellis island? It depends, 1^st class went through fast, some had to be held for questioning, it could take any amount of time. Determined by economical status.

Steven-How long does the process take now? About 50 questions.

Jury is very quiet. Blank stares. Not very prepared.

RECESS until tomorrow.

letter outline

my name is Frank Lenor.
I am an African American Tuskegee airman.
i trained at Tuskegee Army Air Field (TAAF) in Tuskegee Alabama.
i am a single engine pilot.
my letter takes place on February 28th, 1944.
i am excited but nervous at the same time, it is right before i am about to leave for WWII.

i wanted to be a pilot and i really don't care what gender i am, i think it might be cool to be a guy!

http://www.tuskegeeairmen.org/Tuskegee_Airmen_History.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuskegee_Airmen
http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1749.html

Semester 2 blog 15

World War 2 seems interesting from what I have just recently learned in the past few days. I don't know very much about World War 2, all I know is Germany was very powerful. I hope I can learn about why everyone thinks it very the most interesting war of all. I also want to know how Germany became so powerful and always came out on top. I also would like to learn about the new woman's rights that came into play after World War 2.

Semester blog 14

1. What are the most interesting aspects of World Wars 1 and 2?
world war 1: There was a book made from world war one called all quiet on the western front, its all about the war and diseases in the trenches that these men had to go through.
world war 2:The youngest US serviceman was 12 year old Calvin Graham. He was wounded in combat and given a Dishonorable Discharge for lying about his age.

2. What do you hope to learn about these wars?
I basically want to know why it started, what caused these countries to slaughter so many humans just to solve some little dispute.

3. How/Why are these wars important today? How do they impact and/or inform our world today? hint: think about alliances, democracies around the world, cultures, international institutions, nuclear (and other) technologies, etc.
These wars are important, they have shaped our current economy. our weapons today are much more advanced and we have much more knowledge about technology today from these 2 world wars.

semester 2 blog 13 (GOW ESSAY)

Throughout the entire book I was just waiting to see who died next, the setting and characters make the whole story seem dramatic and over done. The book starts out miserable, desperate for the reader's sadness and sympathy, mentioning how children and women are looking for their man's reassurance and how there is nothing truly there. Throughout the entire book three people and one dog die and one person runs away. Rose of Sharon’s baby dies and is stillborn.

In the 13th chapter two characters die, the dog and grandpa, the first of many, "a big swift car whisked near, tires squealed. The dog dodged helplessly, and with a shriek, cut off in the middle, went under the wheels. The dog, a blot of blood and tangles, burst intestines, kicked slowly in the road." (pg 130) grandpa was the first out of the Joad family to die “Grandpa seemed to be struggling; all his muscles twitched. And suddenly he jarred as though under a heavy blow. He lay still and his breath was stopped.” (pg 137) So many people are suffering that the death count is very high, no one is getting money in California to pay for food so people are dying of starvation.

Grandma died shortly after grandpa did; at this point it seems like every other chapter a character dies. “I wisht I could wait an’ not tell you. I wisht it could be all-nice…granma’s dead.” The book is really playing on the deaths and misery of the Joad family. The tone that the book is setting is really trying to get sympathy for the Joad family, if so they are emphasizing it way too much.

Tom is on parole so he wasn’t allowed to leave the state, but he still did anyway. If Tom does not cause any trouble then the police won’t catch him, but being tom he gets into a fight with the cops. Casy steps in and takes the blame and says that he knocked the cop out, he went to jail, we lose track of him for a while until Tom runs into him later on at the farm where they are working picking cotton, they get into another fight and Casy ends up being smashed in the head and he dies. “Casy dodged down into the swing. The heavy club crashed into the side of his head with a dull crunch of bone, and Casy fell sideways out of the light.” (pg 386)

Throughout the entire book Rose of Sharon is pregnant, she is weighted down with the burden of a child, but towards the end of the picking season they start to run out of money and food, and Rose of Sharon is starting to get hints of malnutrition so when the baby is born, it turns out to be a stillborn. “She picked up a lantern and held it over an apple box in the corner. On a news paper lay a blue shriveled little mummy.” There is not much else that can happen to the Joad family they have gone through just about everything that a family can.

Being able to connect with the Joad family, and read about their lives crossing America, this book gives me the perspective that when you try to cross the America in a car with little money and 10 people, you don’t always end up with 10 people in the end. With people dying and starving and driving through the desert in the hot weather, it doesn’t always end up like you imagined. I think this book is asking for a lot of sympathy with 3 people dying, Connie running away and Rose of Sharons stillborn baby.

Semester 2 Blog 13

Describe how Steinbeck's description of the characters and setting establish a specific tone for the novel.


through out the entire book i was just waiting to see who died next. the setting and charecters make the whole story seem dramatic and over done. 3 people and 1 dog die and one person runs away. rose of sharons baby dies and

in the 13th chapter the dog dies, the first of many, "a big swift car whisked near, tires squealed. the dog dodged helplessly, and with a shriek, cut off in the middle, went under the wheels. the dog, a blot of blood and tangles, burst intestines, kicked slowly in the road."

character sketch

Tom Joad

· “ever’body’s goin’ west, I got me a parole to keep. Can’t leave the state.” – That he is trying to be a good person and stay out of trouble, by not breaking parole.

· “I figgered her out. They’s lots a fellas out on parole an’ they’s more goin’ in all the time. If I get caught for anything else out west, well, then they got my pitcher an’ my prints in Washington. They’ll sen’ me back. But if I don’t do no crimes, they won’t give a damn.” – His plan is to leave but then not make any trouble, he is slowly going downhill and breaking his parole at the same time.

· “never seen so many guys with guns. Don’ know if they’ll even let a fella talk. An folks don’ pass no time of day. They jus’ hang down their heads an’ won’t even give a fella a howdy.” – This clearly explains how the other people in california are feeling, they are worn out and are just trying to get money to keep moving.

· “they killed ‘im. Busted his head. I was sandin’ there. I went nuts. Grabbed the pick handle. I-I clubbed a guy.” – He broke his parole. If Tom gets caught he will go back to jail for injuring a cop.

· “he says it makes him feel lonesome out there in the open having to think what to do next.”-toms not sure what he is going to do after he gets out of jail, so he went to find his family in oklahoma.

· “ever’body knowed it wasn’t no fault of yours, ol’ man turnbull said he was gonna get you when ya come out. Sayd nobody can kill one a his boys.”-when the guy that tom killed, his dad is gonna go after tom if he gets the chance.

· “’we aint gonna have no goddamn Okies in this town’…Toms shoulders and arms were rigid and a shiver went through him. Ma clung to his arm.”-Tom had a temper but Ma can control him, he gets mad easily.

Physical appearance:

· Is muscular and well built-has good strength to pick crops in California.

· Wears overalls-make from anything easy to keep clean, and easy to patch if ripped.

· Has short cropped hair, usually messy-shows lack of cleanliness and not very many baths in his routine.

· Has a short temper-reason why he went to jail in the first place, he was drunk and got riled up.

Significant moment-he was talking to Casy and some patrol men walked in on them, one clubbed casy and killed him. Tom smashed him with a pick ax and knocked him out; if he gets caught he will go back to jail.

My ideas about Tom:

· He is a strong family guy; he likes to keep them together and help bring income to the family.

· He really does try hard to not fight, but he gets riled up.

· Likes to be good for is ma. Tries to stay out of trouble to please her.

Ma Joad

· “We don’t know yet. Go out and play. But don’t go near your father. He might whale you if you go near him. “– she is protective about the children but at the same time understands the father, and knows when not to bother him when he is under stress.

· “ma’s eyes passed Rose of Sharon’s eyes, and then came back to them. And the two women looked deep into each other. The girl’s breath came short and gasping.”-the woman can have conversations just by looking at each other.

· “you could use your stick, an’ women folks’d sniffle their nose an’ creep-mouse aroun’. But you jus get you a stick now an’ you ain’t lickin’ no women; you’re a-fightin’, ‘cause I got a stick all laid out too.”-she can be a fighter when needed to protect her family.

· The committee, theys a committee-a ladies’ committee a-comin’ to visit. Git up now, an git washed. An’ while we was a-sleepin’ an’ a-snorin’, tom’s went out an got work. Git up, now.”-she takes pride in her family and wants to show them off to the ladies committee.

· “The shadow of a buzzard slid across the earth, and the family all looked up at the sailing black bird.” The buzzard represents their luck in finding jobs, they hasn’t had much luck. Buzzards live on dead animals; the Joad family sees this as dying hope.

· “I wisht I could wait and not tell you. I wisht it could be all-nice”-Ma is trying to protect them from reality and does not want to tell the family that the second family member had died.

· “he headed back the way he had come. Ma released his[Tom] arm and patted it softly. And tom tried to restrain his hard smothered sobbing.”-Ma can keep tom under control and is trying to make sure he doesn’t get sent back to jail.

Physical Appearance:

· She is a good woman in the kitchen and has good strong hand so do cooking and cleaning for the family-can keep everyone in line and doing work and chores.

· Wears an apron-she is good in the kitchen and takes care of the family.

· Usually has her hair up in a bun-a working woman, does not want her hair in her way.

· Her eyes are weary and she looks tired-tired from taking care of everyone, and always moving around trying to settle.

Significant moment-they were driving to California and she was lying in the back with grandma. Grandpa had died so grandma was slowly becoming dysfunctional. The car got to the boarder and they needed to be checked but ma lied and said that grandma was sick when she was already dead. She tried to protect her family and was getting them across the border faster.

My ideas about Ma Joad:

· She is all about family, does not want anyone to split up.

· Tries to keep everyone together no matter what.

· Loves her family, especially Tom.

· Takes care of everything, cooking, cleaning, packing, and children.

Rose of Sharon

· “Ma, Connies gonna study an get to be sompin.”-Rose of Sharon relies on Connie way too much, she puts complete trust in him to get her through this.

· “Connie was no good I seen that a long time. Didn’t have no guts just too big for his overalls”-pa is trying to explain to Rose of Sharon why Connie left in the first place.

· “Maybe he went to get them books to study up, maybe he was a-gonna surprise us.”-she is still holding on to the hope that Connie will come back and they will get a house to live in.

· “Wasn’t new, but they give it a coat a pink paint, an’ it was jus’ like new. An’ they give the baby a name, an’ had a cake. Oh, Lord!”-she is really excited to have this baby, especially in the government camp.

· “No-no-‘course not. But-I didn’ know they was places like this we got to live in…got to get on my feet. Get a little money.”-Connie is making excuses so that rose of Sharon won’t worry and so he doesn’t have to start work right away,

· “He went out of the tent…Rose of Sharon rolled on her back and stared at the top of the tent. And then she put her thumb in her mouth for a gag and she cried silently”-Rose of Sharons pregnancy is finally getting to her, and she is becoming emotional and weak without Connie by her side.

Physical details:

· Is pregnant-makes her weaker than the other characters.

· Connie left her-she is going through a tough time in her life without a husband.

· Is very pretty-all the guys wanted to dance with her.

· Wears a dress and apron-similar to Ma Joad, she is always ready to help unless she does not feel good.

Significant moment-rose of Sharon was pregnant and she was getting sick so I think that made her go into labor faster and when she had the baby it was dead already, so they had to bury it. Since she was pregnant she had milk so she was able to save a man who was dying of hunger with the milk meant for the baby.

My ideas about Rose of Sharon:

· She is pregnant for most of the book, and seems weak with the burden of a baby.

· She does not seem like a good person for Connie he is always whispering in her ear about running away, and then he leaves her.

· Can’t really think for herself, she has to have someone else decide things for her.