Blog Review - English Assignment

Blog Review

I found the blog, Bookalicious Babe, and I enjoyed reading it. Her name on her blog is Ms. Caboo. She blogs book reviews. From her description I could tell that she reads at least once a day or otherwise she gets crabby! In this way, she is just like me! She works at a library because she enjoys reading so much. She also likes cooking, gardening, and spending time with her husband. In her reviews she gives her rating of the book and a short description. Also, she tells whether it is worth reading or if she can't wait for a second one! 

I suggest reading her blog if you need advice on which books to spend your time on and which ones to skip!If you want to check it out to go to, http://bookaliciousbabe.blogspot.com/ and enjoy! 

Compare & Contrast - English Assignment

Compare & Contrast 

"Harrison Bergeron," by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. is a book and a film. Both the book and film have the story line that all above average citizens are given handicaps so that everyone is equal at the lowest level. Like every story; someone rebels. The two have many similarities but also many differences. Some big similarities of the book and film are that all the names of the characters were the same. Also, another one was that in the end Harrison danced with the ballerina without weights to rebel. 

Some smaller details that were different between the book and the film were that George was crying instead of Hazel when Harrison's death was on air. Another difference was that Harrison and the ballerina did not kiss the ceiling when they were dancing. The two major differences were that Harrison did not threaten the crowd with a bomb. Also, he did not have a trigger to turn the air back on when it was shut off. In the book the air was never shut off. 

The film and the book were, for the most part, the same and I thought the film captured the most important parts of the book. It was easy to follow along and surprisingly exactly what I had imagined in my head when I was reading the story. I thought this was a good book with an inspiring message. 

Should Teachers Have To Wear Uniforms or Have Dress Codes? - English Essay

Emily Avdem
Ms. Fordahl
English 10
12 November 2013

 

Should Teachers Have To Wear Uniforms or Have Dress Codes?

Imagine that a class is sitting at their desks waiting for their class to begin when their teacher walks in wearing old sweatpants and a stained tank-top. Would you imagine that those students would listen to the teacher or take the teacher seriously? In my essay I am going to tell you what the dress code or uniform should look like or consist of. Next, I will tell you how the dress code or uniform will increase a student’s listening and obedience. Lastly, I will tell you why it is important to dress business-like.

Teachers should be required to have a dress code at school. The dress code should consist of dress pants that do not have holes in them. Also, an appropriate top that isn't too low and doesn't have any inappropriate words or signs on it. The dress code should consist of dresses or skirts but they have to end just above the knee, no shorter. Teachers do have a hard and tiring job so they do deserve some comfortability and because of that on Fridays, teachers can wear jeans. Although, the jeans shouldn't have a ton of rips and holes in them. What can dress pants and a stainless shirt do?

If a teacher does not have authority of their classroom, it is likely that things will not get done and the students will not listen or learn anything. If a teacher is dressed like a student, a student will treat the teacher like one. Vice versa, if a teacher is dressed like a grown up or an authority figure, a student will treat them like one. A student is more likely to listen to a teacher who is wearing a professional-like outfit than a teacher who is dressed sloppy. Also, if students see a teacher dressed professionally they will assume the teacher will take their job seriously, correct papers, and have strict discipline. Why is it so important to have a dress code or to dress professionally?

Like most other jobs, you have to dress professionally during work hours. Statistics say that 93% of executives believe that an employee’s style of dress at work influences his or her chances of promotion. The most jobs that require a professional attire are ones that deal with people throughout their work day. If one is dressed business-like, one could assume that they take their job seriously. It is also said that dressing nice for work can boost your self-confidence level. If one dresses clean, neat, and professional, it shows that one takes pride in himself/herself and their position. Also, when most people get home they change into comfortable clothes to sit around and do nothing. The way you dress affects the way you think, look, and act. When you dress down, one will feel down and most likely not be productive and vice versa.

In conclusion, teachers should have a dress code. Although, they should have a casual day once a week. Having a dress code will increase a student’s listening and obedience because students will look at them as an authority figure. The dress code should consist of dress pants and a nice shirt. Also, dressing professional has a lot of positive effects, including, higher confidence level, better work performance, and respect. Teachers should have a dress code, what do you think?

Heritage\Culture - Sophomore English Project

Emily Avdem

English 10

November 18, 2013

Heritage\Culture

Have you been named after a relative? Do you eat lefse every year near Christmas time? Those are a few things that would be a part of a person’s heritage or culture. Have you ever been confused about what your heritage or culture is? A short story called, “Everyday Use” is exactly about that. The author, Alice Walker, that wrote “Everyday Use” is saying that knowing and understanding your heritage and culture is very important. Some key points in the story are Dee’s name, the yard, and the quilt.

The yard is a very essential part of African heritage. They take care of their yard as we would take care of our cell phones. Also, they consider their yard apart of their house, if not more important. This is made clear in Mama’s statement, “It is not just a yard, it is like an extended living room.” Mama says, “I will wait for her in the yard that Maggie and I made so clean and wavy yesterday afternoon,” which makes the yard seem more beautiful and interesting. All of this shows that in the African heritage they like being outside and they take making their yard neat and welcoming very seriously. Another key point is, Dee’s name.

In the African heritage, you are usually named after an ancestor. Being named after an ancestor is a big part of the culture and has a lot of meaning to it. Usually the names are traced all the way back to years and years ago. Mama backs this up when she says, “That’s about as far back as I can trace it. Though, in fact, I probably could have carried it back beyond the Civil War through the branches.” The last key point in the story is, the quilt.

In African heritage they don’t really use things for decorations or put a lot of hard work into something just to have it sit out and get dusty. They put to use what they have. This is shown when Dee makes the comment of Maggie being unappreciative of the quilt and putting it to everyday use and Mama replies, “I reckon she would, God knows I been saving ‘em for long enough with nobody using ‘em.”

In conclusion, an African heritage is about taking good care of the important things, knowing about your ancestors, and making good use of the things you have. Do you know and understand the importance of your heritage and culture?