Gabe's Post

One time my dad and i went to Boston to go see the Celtics play and when we reached the subway station that lead to what was then known as the Fleet Center, we saw an elderly woman crying. My dad asked her what was wrong and she said she had just been mugged and all of her money was gone. The appearance of the woman suggested she wasn't doing so well physically and financially so my dad gave her $10 to go get some food.

Kyle's Post

Considering that we all go to Pine Point I don't think there is a day that goes by that any of us DON'T witness an act of kindness. There is always a younger student willing to hold the door open for others, or one of us helping with tables or chairs, and all of us try our best to present everyone we pass on the walkway with a smile. I think that Pine Point will be the reminder for me to be mindful and kind to others for the rest of my life.

Wendell's Post

One of the times that I helped someone was during a snow storm last year. Our neighbor is an older women whose driveway was filled with snow. My brother, my father, and I trekked over to her house and shoveled out her driveway and the walkway leading to her house. We then shoveled out the sidewalks in front of her house, so people would be able to get by.

Hannah's Post

A time in my life where I helped an animal was when the pound almost put my cats down. The pound usually keeps animals for a certain period of time and then if they are still unadopted the pound puts them to rest. But luckily for my cats Buddy and Sunflower, we came just in time and now they are with me in a loving home. 

I agree with Zack, Ms. Olsen's story reminds me of Soldiers Home. Here she is, a woman who because of a unchangeable thing like her sexuality, can never return home again. In the story, the main character is never truly a part of society again, he lived a life of fear and tragedy. While Ms. Olsen overcame her struggles with her sexuality in her life, all until the time she went to college, she also lived a life full with misery and pain. Krebs lost his love, lost his family, and lost his life, while Ms. Olsen, whom even though shes lost greatly in life, has shown to us that if you fight hard and laugh a little, life might turn around,

Annas post

I agree with Timmy. Ms. Olsens talk really reminded me of the Emily Dickinson poem "Exultation is the going". While this poem speaks about somthing "divine" and the bullying that Stump experienced was far from beautiful, both of these things talk about misunderstanding. Misundersatnding is something that goes "into deep eternity," simple and full of acceptance for the sailors in Emily's poem, and unortunate and painful for a victimized Stump Olsen.

Zachary's Post

Nobody as talked about this yet, but I thought that Olsen and her talk were sort of like "Soldier's Home" by Hemmingway. I don't have the book in front of me so I can't remember his name, but the soldier and Olsen both had to live lives of deception, putting on false pretenses to make other people happy. The soldier couldn't tell his family or even his comrades in arms about the stresses that had been left with him and the changes wrought since returning home. Olsen simply had to spend fifteen years unable to tell anyone that she was fundementaly different. Was the soldier's name Kats or something with a "K" atleast?

Eleanor's Post

Our talk with Ms. Olsen reminded me most of the essay "How it Feels to be Colored Me". First, both Zora Neale Hurston and Ms. Olsen have the same sort of story. In their younger years they both didn't care what they were like, and life just kept going. However when Ms. Olsen was abused, and Zora Neale Hurston was moved to a new school, they're lives took a change for the worse. Ms. Olsen was hurt with words and fights, so much so that she joined the basketball team to have a reason to say where her wounds came from. Ms. Hurston wasn't used to thenew setting she was in making it harder for her also. However, after school was done, and their real life began, they both emerged different but happy.

Parker's Post

Ms. Olsen's talk relates to "The Way to Rainy Mountain" by N. Scott Momaday because his grandmother and her were not treated that differently. Momaday's grandmother was told to stop being what she was-a native American- and Ms. Olsen was told to sop being who she was- a homosexual. Momaday's grandmother's Kiowa tribe had to leave where they were, and were not allowed to carry on traditions that have been held since their ancestors roamed the same land. Ms. Olsen was also treated horribly due to her sexuality, getting beaten up twice a week by the time she was a sophomore in high school. Overall, Native americans and homosexuals have been discriminated against just for being themselves, which I think is wrong and unjust.

Timmy's Post

I think that Ms. Olsen's talk relates to the poem "Exultation is the going" by Emily Dickinson. Ms. Olsen said that the people who had never experience being queer made fun of her because of their misunderstanding. This relates to the part of the poem talking about sailors understanding the "divine intoxication of the first league out for land." The sailors cannot understand something they have not encountered just as straight people cannot understand how queer people feel.

Kate

I think the talk with Stump Olsen relates to Shakespeare passage, "King Richard".  When King Richard realized he was going to die, and loose his kingdom, relates to Stump when she resized that she lost her family when she "came out".  They both realized that their thoughts were the only ones that truly mattered.

Julie's Post

I think Stump Olsen's talk related to "The Way to Rainy  Mountain" because in this essay, Mr. Momaday talks about what his grandmother went through when she was a little girl. Mr. Momaday described how much his grandmother suffered because she wasn't accepted the way she was. Stump Olsen also described what her life was like because she was different and was treated unfairly. Both stories and both women suffered, and they will deffinetly be remembered.

Sarahs Post =]

I think Ms. Olsen's talk related a lot to the poem "We Are Seven". Stump and the little girl in the poem both lost their biological family, although Stump didn't physically loose hers. Also, Stump and the little girl were both very open to sharing their feelings and harsh emotions with a smile on there face.

Lydia's Post

Like some of the posts below, I think Stump's experience related a lot to "Sonny's Blues." Sonny was struggling to break free of his addiction and when he finally did, his life was dramatically different. He became more dedicated to his music and began to see the world in a different way. Similarly, when Stump was in high school, she went through a lot of bullying and harassment, but when she finally came out and told people she was gay, she was finally able to be who she truly was and express herself in ways she didn't even know.

Ceilie's Post

I think Stump Olsen's lecture relates most to the story "Sonny's Blues" because they are about powering through the pain and struggling in your life. Sonny was abandoned by his brother to go through his teen years alone, an often difficult part of someone's life. Sonny got sucked into a world of drugs and had to find away out. As he fought his battle with addiction, there were people in his life that honestly believed he couldn't achieve his dreams to be a sober musician. Stump also went through a difficult time in high school, trying to find her place in the world while being constantly judged by her classmates. She was being put down every day and literally beat down at least once a week. Once she confessed to her true identity to her parents, they turned their backs on her, not agreeing with the life she wanted to live. Both Sonny and Stump went through a difficult time in their lives and lost a lot of friends and even family members, but in the end, they ended up happy with who they were. 

Hannah's Post

I think that Ms. Olsen's talk relates most to the short story "Sonny's Blues." Her story and message realtes to "Sonny's Blues" because it shows how even when you go through the toughest of times, you will survive and you will have good people surrounding you. Also, the theme/message in "Sonny's Blues" could be growing up and Ms. Olsen definitely had to grow up much quicker than she was hoping too. Even though Sonny and Ms. Olsen went through tough times they ended up also finding the things they love. For Sonny that was playing the piano and for Ms. Olsen that was educating kids about being gay and straight and how you can prevent bullying.

Scarlet's Post

I think that Ms. Olsen's story reminds me most of Winter Dreams. When Ms. Olsen knew that she was gay it was a lot like when Dexter found Judy Jones. He knew his life was going to change forever and so did Ms. Olsen. When Dexter loses Judy he is so upset and he can't express his feelings anymore. When Ms. Olsen went to high school if she told anyone she was gay the would have hurt her, so she couldn't express herself. Lastly, Ms. Olsen lost touch with her family and no longer talks to them just like Dexter does with Judy. Dexter does have his own wife and kids and Ms. Olsen has her good friends that support her but she still carries around those names and awful memories of kids beating her up just like Dexter will never forget Judy Jones.

Wendell's Post

I agree with Caroline. Her story is just like "How to be Colored Me" by Zora Neale Hurston. Zora was black, in a time of African American abusiveness and hatred. She wanted to blend in with everybody else, to be like them, and act like them. Ms. Olsen wanted to blend in with everyone else, too. She wanted to have friends and be liked, but she was abused and ganged up on. As Caroline said, "they were not like other kids."

Caroline's Post

Although I was not there to see her talk, Ms. Olsen’s life story reminds me of Zora Neale Hursten’s story “How it Feels to be Colored Me.” Growing up, she was always just a little bit different. For Ms. Hursten, it was her skin, but both topics are about racists. When she finally moved, or in Ms. Olsen’s case, when to high school, she was treated differently. They both didn’t seem to understand why, but they knew that they were not like other kids. They were both called names and treated differently. To me, the two stories are very similar.

Tristan's Post!

I think that Ms. Olsen's talk reminded me most of Sonny's Blues, because of her own story, and how she was kind of like Sonny. Just like Sonny, she had a tough time early in her life, and just like Sonny she eventually sorts it all out. One big difference between the two, is that Ms. Olsen had no way of releasing that storm inside of her, and her family was against her rather than trying to help her. I think that both Sonny, and Ms. Olsen went through tough times, and I only wish that we could get Sonny to come in and talk to us.

Gabe's Post

Ms. Olsen's talk reminded me of "How It Feels To Be Colored Me" by Zora Neale Hurston. The main reason is because many people have trouble accepting her for who she is. Ms. Olsen is an incredibly nice, intelligent, and funny person. People discriminate against her and don't want to hang out with her because of her orientation, much like they did to Ms. Hurston but because of her race.

Olivia's post

Sorry this is late, I totally forgot!!!Since the theme is Journey's I think we should do something about traveling. Maybe We can go to different places from our childhood and write about what happened there and how we felt when we were there. Then agin this might not work, it's a possibility though.

Rashad's Post

To agree with most of the posts below I believe a one act play would enable us to express our writing ability and also symbolize journeys along with it. This way we could incorporate english class and one of Mr. Salsich's favorite writers William Shakespeare. This may also help people get ready for the Middle School Play and our 9th Grade Speeches.

Julie's Post

I think for our next collaboration project, we should write a song about journeys. There is so many things we could write about this theme and I think a song would deffinetly give us a chance to express ourselves. Who knows, maybe some of us will find ourselves "through music just like in Sonny's Blues"! With writing a song, we could show our creativity and at the same time, show our writing skills.

Hannah's Post!!

I agree with the post's below. I think that a one act play would be fun and interesting. A play would also give us more ways to express ourselves. Finally, when we did the website/blog I think that we all found it a little uninteresting whereas a play would show our creative side!

Timmy's Post

I agree with everyone before me who has said that a One Act play would be a very good way to express a journey. I agree with Caroline in that it would be very difficult for two groups to find the same concept of a journey in a topic and then express that concept in the same way. I think the play would produce a diverse, fun, and worthwhile set of projects.

Caroline's Post

I feel that the best idea to represent a journey would be through a play. There are so many different ways to express a journey, and we would not have to worry about repeats. Although this would be difficult with my three person group, I think that it would make the collaboration project a little more fun.

Tristan's Post!

I like the idea of a one-act play, I think all music should be preformed or created and should be origional. I also think that we should be given the genre of our play, be it musical, tradgedy, or comedy, I think everyone should do a different one. We should perform them in the gym or anywhere else with a fitting stage.

Ty's post

I think that we should play a song and say how it relates to the theme of journey for this next collaboration project.  Maybe, we could also sing the song for a little extra credit.  It would also be hard for all 6 groups (I think) to do the same song.  I think this would be a good idea for our next project.

Eleanor's Post

I agree with Anna, a play is just too specific. What about maybe some sort of dance type thing, and then Mrs. Williams could give us some tips. I also agree with Kyle, an art project would be fun to. What about a collage of a giant painting with some sort of writing to go with it, that would give us something to talk about. 

Anna's Post

I'm not sure that a play is a good idea. I agree with Scarlet, and think that it is a good idea to present an opportunity to perform, because its a whole different area of talent that some of us thrive in. However, I think a play is too specific. What if the assignment was to use the arts (dance, music, visual art, theater) to represent journeys in literature? This would allow us to explore whatever form of art we prefer, and would create more opportunities for people who are good at different things. It is open ended, yet still possesses enough structure to let us understand the assignment.

Kyle's Post

I'm really don't have any specifics about what I think would be a good project, but I think it would be educational and fun if we did something including art. I think that maybe if we did a collage project with pictures representing some kind of journey of ours wold be a challenge to relate to the literature we have read. Or we could possibly draw an abstract picture and talk about how it relates to our own journeys and the journeys of the characters from the books we have read. I really don't know what would be a good idea, but I think that including some form of art would make it challenging and fun regardless.

Kate's Post

I like the idea of a play for the next project.  I'm not sure if I like the idea of a musical but a play would be fine.  I think this project we should only have to relate a journey to two poems, or short stories in stead of five like the last project.  That way we can really focus on the two things we are relating the topic to, to make them the best.  

Parker's Post

I agree with everyone so far about the play idea. It seems like it would be an effective and educational way to get our point across. It will be interesting to see everyones interpretations of it . It will also be fun to write it ourselves and incorporate the archetype- the journey - as well

Ceilie's Post

I really like the idea of incorporating the arts into our next project. I like the idea of doing a play because, as previous posts state, it would be very unique and there is a slim chance one play would be just like another. I also like the idea of maybe us incorporating actual art whether it's a painting or a piece. I think because the artistic approach to this project is sort of difficult, it is a great opportunity for each group to have to think outside the box and get creative. 

Gabe's Post

A music or play like presentation would be an excellent idea for several reasons. For one, it allows us a lot more freedom for what we want to accomplish. With the previous collaboration behind us, it is safe to say there were a lot of boundaries. There was a certain way that you could phrase and you had to relate the theme to what you wrote. With music or a play, you are given the freedom to express the theme any way you want. Overall, the idea of using a play or song for our next collaboration presentation would be a good idea in my eyes

Collab #2 according to KIMO

WIth a performance for our next collaboration project, I think we would all have great room to explore and imagine. I know that my group would be well up to the challenge, and that we would all work hard on something that would really speak to us as a musically driven generation. If you did choose a play though, I would ask that there can be a slight amount of silliness in our act, though we will present these ruses with great dignity. Once again I think a performance would be a great choice for our next project and, who knows? Maybe we even could do some morning meeting presentations!

Lydia's Post

There could be a lot of really good potential ideas for the next project. The play seems like a really fun idea and one that we could approach from a number of angles. If we used this idea, it would be very possible for every presentation to be unique and I know we would all have fun working on it. I don't know about the musical aspect but the play itself sounds like a really cool idea.

Sarahs Post =]

I agree with Wendell, that if we wrote some sort of play it would not only be fun, but a good way to get information across to others. It would be difficult to write a 'musical' but that could be a challenge each collaboration group must be willing to take on.

Wendell's Post

I thin that if we wrote a play on the theme of journeys it would be fun but quite challenging. I don't think that any of us have any experience writing a play and it would tedious. And some of the groups have only three people in their group and the groups of four might have a bit of an advantage. As for the fun part, acting out a play is something that we would probably all enjoy.

Scarlet's Post

I think that if we wrote a serious one act play it would be a great way to creatively express ourselves. I think it would give a chance for us to get prepared to have to perform at the schools we will go to next year. Also it would be easier for us people who can do better when we can perform rather than writing a paragraph. Lastly it would be very fun to work with our groups and performing and creating a play.

Kimo Gray

Marvelous. That word which describes awe, not just beauty, that word which can be interpreted many different ways. Laura may not have been praising the greatness of life, she may just have been shocked by the power we still protrude, even in death. The power to spread love, to create tears, to impose belief, to find peace. Laura may have seen or felt if not one than all of these things. In that, she found the man and his death, "marvelous."

Annas Post

I think Laura's words at the end of the book were not strange or confusing, but entirely filled with wisdom. Life is indescribable. She can not think of the words to say because there simply are none worthy of complimenting such a noun. Most of us go through life wondering about its point, about its meaning or origin, when really the answer is nonexistent. Life is everything and life is nothing. Life can not be defined. Life simply is.

Kate's post

I think what she said wasnt strange at all. When Laura was going in to the house she didnt know what to excpect. She thought it would be scary becuase she was in a poor neighbor hood, but it wasnt. it turned out to be peacefull and she was shocked. If I was Laura I would not say it was "marvelous" but I would have the same reaction.

Gabe's Post

No answer can really be considered strange in a situation such as death because the amount of emotions running through a persons body are so numerous. When Laura said "it was simply marvelous" I think she was referring to how at peace the man was. All her life she has been exposed to so stress and extraneous labor and to now see a man so at peace, with nothing to care about and no troubles to plague him simply lying there, she realized how "marvelous" can be to some people. 

Olivia's post

I agree with Zack that I really don't know what Mansfield was trying to say. I don't find this to be a strange response because I can picture the relief on Laura's face when she first walked into the dead mans room and saw him lying there. His face calm like he was dreaming, almost happy and content, even though he is dead. I almost think she wishes she could be like him, like that, because if she was she would not have the burden of marrying someone of her families standards she could be happy with one of the men who came to set up the marquee.

Ceilie's Post

I think what Laura was referring to when she said was that it was simply "marvelous" to experience something so different from what she is used to. Laura comes from a family where garden parties are a regular occurance and some of the most important decisions she has to make is what flowers to put in the centerpiece or which fancy hat would match her party dress. But when she stepped into that house and saw the widow and the dead man, it was kind of a culture shock, experiencing death and how it affects average people. She never really knew before this how other people react to death because there's never been an instance where it really affects her. 

Eleanor's Post

I think that the response Laura answered with is perfectly acceptable. Her whole weekend, infact probably even her whole life, she has been planning the parties, dressing up for them, and trying to impress her 'friends', but when she saw the dead man it all disappeared. She realized what life was really about, and that not everyone cares where the marquee goes or how many flowers there are at the dinner table. When she said "marvelous" she was probably tring to say, wow, I didn't think of all those people that work and live round here. Perhaps now, she'll hang around and eat with the people she wants to, not just becasue she trying to impress them, life is just too short for that.

Hannah's Post

I think that Laura's reaction was completely valid. When I saw my grandfather during his funeral, I didnt really find it "marvelous" but it was interesting since I had never experienced anything like it. And as Sarah said, she was most likely in a state of shock. It's probably a very uneasy feeling for her since just that morning she was getting ready for a party and then was thrown an unexpected curveball.

Timmy's Post

I think that this was a perfectly respectable response, and that she can think whatever she wants about this dead man she thinks. I think she thought it was "marvelous" because on the way to the Scott's house she remarked on how badly their style of life was. She might think that, because this man died, he has been released from poverty and this poor village -- that death was a blessing rather than a curse.

Wendell's Post

I think that when Laura saw the dead man, she thought that he was so peaceful and at rest with the world. He didn't have to worry about what he was going to do the next day and if he would have a meal. When she said to Laurie "Isn't life..." she probably meant that life is wonderful and when she saw the dead man, she appreciated her life more.

Julie's Post

I think that when Laura said that she thought "it was marvelous", she meant that when she saw the dead man, she saw peace and simplicity in the man's face. There was nothing, but a scratch of peacefulness on his face that explained nothing, but a well lived life. Maybe Laura's life wasn't so wonderful after all. Maybe behind her smile, she wasn't so happy, and that peacefulness that she saw on the man's face, changed her. Maybe the dead man was not just a "dead man" after all.

Caroline's Post

I think that when Laura saw the dead man, she thought that he looked so calm and serene. He did not have to worry about garden parties or any of the things that Laura did. Possibly, she could be thinking that life is so cruel and harsh to those less fortunate than she. I did not think that she was saying that it was a good thing he was dead, but more of a relief from the suffering he would have felt.

Kyle's Post

I agree with Zack, I really have no idea what could be so wonderful about seeing a dead man. Personally if I ever had to see a dead person I would probably not feel anything at all towards him, but Laura seemed happy. Laura described him as some sort of sleeping god, but in reality he's well, dead and theres really nothing interesting about him. Maybe if you knew him while he was alive and he had good humar and such then it would be a reason to cry, but otherwise I really didn't understand why Laura acted the way she did.

Zachary's Post

I really have no idea what Mansfield meant when she wrote this passage, but, if I had to hazard a guess, I would say that Laura is thinking that life must be incredibly wonderful or "marvelous" for a dead man of all people to be smiling. When she says "it was marvelous" she wasn't strictly talking about life but the this sort of epiphany would have seeped into everything so that even the dead man would appear more peaceful than usual, and his smile would become marvelous. It is a somewhat roundabout idea but I think that we can all say that at one point or another our thoughts have been backward like this.

Scarlet

Laura saw this man that looked like he had no worries. She couldn't believe how peaceful he looked, he was so peaceful it seemed marvelous. Maybe it was the perfect word to describe what it feels to see someone in that state. What Laura saw was something she had never seen before and when you experience something for the first time it is exciting. So maybe he statement was not really that strange but perfectly apt for the situation.

Sarahs Post =]

I think this is a very strange response, but I think Laura was basically in a state of shock. I think she was expecting to see a poor dead mans body, but instead she saw a peaceful, serene man simply stuck in his dream. I think she subsided to the word "marvellous" because she was so astonished, and had no other words to say.

Tristan's Post!

I think that the best part of English class would be the break, because it really helps me clear my head and prepare for the oncoming lesson. Even though they are short, they definitely help me stay focused for longer. One little thing that I think could be improved would be the lesson blog. I think if we had all of our lessons posted on the blog, we would be able to look back at old lessons, and be able to maybe see the next day's lesson to see what we would need to bring to class.

I cannot even begin to thank you for being such a great teacher. As I visit schools today, I see that next year and the upcoming years, there will be lots of essays to write and lots of books to read, but I feel like it's not going to be as difficult to do all those things because we know how to do them already. You are always in a good mood and it makes English class so much better. I agree with Anna. The literary discussions are a great help and I think we should do more of them. They really help me understand every detail of the book.
Julie

Kate's Post

First I would like to say how much I enjoy english class. During the day I always look forward to 7 minutes of quite reading in the english call room. I agree with some of the posts below, having english class online is very helpfull. Its much easier to have your assinments not only in your planbook but online. One thing to think about is not having a class journal. It is a good idea, and I know it only takes a couple of minutes but we alreaddy take class notes and know what happend that day.

Timmy's Post

Dear Mr. Salsich,

Thank you so much a wonderful 2 months of English class. One thing I find very helpful is the rubrics for grading. Last year I got a grade, but I didn't understand why I received it. Now I can understand what I did wrong and try to fix it. One suggestion I have for English class is to stop the class journal. We already take Daily Class Notes, so it just provides an extra job that is not always necessary. Anyway, thank you very much.

~Timmy

Olivia's post

I really like how you are always saying good job and encouraging us to do our best in and out of class. The thing that I don't like though is , is how we have to write notes. I know you say it's good practice, but I just don't know what to write down sometimes and then I get a bad grade on my in class notes because I have no clue what I'm doing.

Lydia's Post

A lot of people have been talking about how they like the fact that everything is online and I agree. It is very helpful to be able to go on the blog every night and see the assignment details. However, I think it might be better if we didnt have assignments due on the blog over the weekend. Sometimes people  go away for the weekend and might not be able to get to a computer in which case they might be late on an assignment due saturday night. Other than that, english class is going great this year

Anna's Post

Dear Mr. Salsich,

The most useful part of English class, more than the in-depth study of literature or exposure to some of the world's best writers, is the life lessons you teach us. Perhaps you don't even notice you're doing it, but when we walk through the door to your classroom each day, we get so much more than a study of English. The little things you do, like serving crackers and giving us breaks and listening to every opinion we have, teach us dignity and respect for the world in a way that no other teacher shows us. You teach us not only to read and write like no other, but to forgive ourselves when we make mistakes, learn from those around us, and grow as individuals while still maintaining an appreciation for formality. Your wisdom shows us how to write the best essay a 14 year old can, and also how to live with happiness and dignity. One thing I would change about English class is the discussion length. I agree with Zach and think that a lot of times we do not have enough time for a discussion, and are often cut off by a time limit.
Gratefully,
Anna

Eleanor's Post

Dear Mr. Salsich

I agree with all the posts below, and will add that your class is the best. I love how we have very intense discussions about essays and books in class, it really gets me thinking about the book and whats really inside. One suggestion is that you should stop putting yourself down so much. Telling yourself that you have made mistakes is fine because we all do, and it shows how wise we are when we acknowlage them. However, your jokes really are great and so are your "something strange[s]" that you show us in class. I also agree with Kyle, part of a class outside with our refreshments just watching the world and talking about english sounds very intriguing.

Ty's post

I like the fact how you say things like "don't be discouraged" and saying that it is a mistake and that just makes me feel a lot better about doing something wrong. For suggestions, I would suggest that you maybe could give a few more job options like maybe a cleanup job where someone picks up any materials left behind afterclass. Also, maybe give us a few reminders to post on the forum throughout the week because I and maybe a few other people forget to post every once in a while.