Dylan's English blog

  Prompt: Write about a truth you were afraid to accept. There was a time I was afraid to accept that I wasn’t good at something I cared about, like video games or school. I kept telling myself I just needed more time, but deep down, I knew I wasn’t improving. Accepting that truth was hard, but once I did, I was able to focus on what I was really good at and feel better about myself. Summary: I was afraid to admit I wasn’t good at something important to me. I avoided the truth by hoping I would get better with time. Reflection:   I was afraid to admit I wasn’t good at something important to me. I avoided the truth by hoping I would get better with time.

  Prompt: Troy’s complaint about the unfair job system shows his frustration with racial discrimination. How did this conversation make you think about fairness and opportunity in society today? If you were in Troy’s position, what would you do? Troy’s complaint made me think about how some people still don’t get fair chances today. It shows that being mistreated because of race is still a problem. If I were Troy, I would keep trying to get a good job and help others who are treated unfairly Summary:  Troy talks about how the job system is unfair to Black people, and this shows how hard it is for them to get good opportunities. Reflection:  This made me realize that unfairness still happens today, and some people have to work harder just to get the same chances.

  Act 1, Scene 2: How does Rose’s role as a wife and mother reflect societal expectations of women, particularly African American women, in the 1950s, and how does her sense of duty impact her relationship with Troy? Rose acts the way many people expected women to in the 1950s—she takes care of the home and supports her family. She stays loyal to Troy even when he hurts her. Her strong sense of duty makes her put others before herself.   Act 1, Scene 3: In what ways do Troy’s interaction with Corey reveals the complexities of masculinity and fatherhood in African American culture, and how does his past shape his expectations of manhood? Troy talks to Cory strictly and seriously, showing he believes being a father means being tough. He doesn’t support Cory’s dreams because of his own past struggles. This illustrates how being a man and a father can be challenging, especially when shaped by pain.

  Prompt:  Write about a time when you were judged unfairly. One time at school, I forgot to bring my homework. The teacher thought I didn’t do it because I was lazy, but I had actually finished it and left it at home. I felt sad because I always try my best. The next day, I showed her the homework, and she said Sorry. I learned that people can judge you without knowing the whole story. Summary: I forgot my homework, and my teacher got mad at me and assumed I was lazy  This experience taught me that people can make quick judgments without knowing the truth. It felt unfair

  After hearing your classmates’ storymap presentations, choose one classmate’s story that stood out to you. Write about what you liked or learned from their journey and explain why it was meaningful to you. Neko’s story stood out to me because they shared their journey of overcoming fear and learning to believe in themselves. It reminded me that everyone has struggles we don’t always see, and it inspired me to be more confident, too. Summary:  Neko’s story showed how they overcame fear and learned self-confidence, which inspired me to be more confident too. Reflection: it allowed me to understand my classmates better and learned what they went through 

  Reflect on a time when you discovered a new perspective that completely changed how you viewed a person, group, or place. How did your previous “single story” shape your thoughts or actions? I used to think extroverts were just loud and always wanted attention. But after getting to know one of my outgoing classmates, I realized some could be really kind, thoughtful, and a great listener too. They just had a different way of showing their energy. That changed how I saw them and made me stop judging people so quickly. Summary: I used to think that extroverts were just loud and always wanted attention, but that all changed when I met one Reflection:  I used to think extroverts were just loud and attention-seeking, but getting to know one showed me they could be thoughtful and kind, too. It taught me not to judge people based on first impressions.

  Prompt:  Recall a specific incident when someone’s words offended you. Describe what was said, how it made you feel, and what actions you took in response. Reflect on whether your response helped resolve the situation or altered your perspective on communication. One time during a group project, a classmate said, “Some people are just lazy,” and looked at me. I felt terrible because I was trying, but had been sick. After class, I told him how I felt. He said sorry and didn’t know I was ill. I learned it’s good to talk when someone says something that hurts you. A classmate called me lazy during a project, which hurt because I was sick and trying my best. I talked to him after class, and he apologized. I learned it's important to speak up when someone’s words hurt. Reflection: I liked this assignment because it allowed me to reflect on my early memories 

  Consider Edna Pontellier’s decision to pursue love and desire beyond her marriage in  The Awakening . To what extent do you think the pressures of gender role expectations excuse, or fail to excuse, her affair with another man? Edna Pontellier’s decision to have an affair is partly because of the strict rules about how women should behave. These rules make her feel trapped, but they don’t completely excuse her actions. She still chooses to act, even if the pressure is strong. Summary:  Edna’s affair happens because strict gender rules make her feel stuck, but she is still responsible for her choices Reflection:  This shows how unfair expectations can push people to make hard decisions, but they don’t take away personal responsibility. .

   What do you love most about being part of the Lakeside community? How do you show off your school spirit? What is your favorite Homecoming tradition or event? I love being part of Lakeside because everyone is kind and supportive. I show school spirit by wearing school colors and cheering at games. My favorite Homecoming event is the pep rally because it’s fun and brings us all together. Summary:  I enjoy Lakeside because of its friendly community. I show school spirit by wearing colors and cheering, and I love the fun pep rally during Homecoming.\ Reflection:  Being part of Lakeside makes me feel connected and supported. 

Which learning method do you enjoy the most? Class discussions, worksheet work, or hands-on activities. Select one and tell why. My learning style is class discussion, because talking and listening during discussions keep me engaged and help me remember the material better. These discussions encourage me to analyze, question, and explain my thoughts Summary:   My learning style is class discussion because it helps me stay focused, remember better, and think more deeply about the topic.   Reflection:  Class discussions help me learn by keeping me active and involved. They make it easier for me to understand the topic and share my thoughts with others.

  Reflect on a specific gender expectation imposed by your culture that has been the most challenging to navigate. In 2-3 sentences, describe one clear example of this expectation and explain why it has been difficult for you. Ensure your response is concise, vivid, and focused on personal experience. In my culture, boys are told not to show feelings or cry. At my grandpa’s funeral, someone told me to “be a man” when I started crying. It hurt because I just wanted to feel sad and be myself. Summary: In my culture, boys are expected not to show emotions. When I cried at my grandpa’s funeral, I was told to “be a man,” which made me feel like I couldn’t be myself. Reflection:  This was hard for me because I needed to express my sadness, but felt judged for it. It taught me that these expectations can make it harder for people to heal and be honest about their feelings .

Think about a moment when you challenged your parent(s)’ rules or expectations. How did you feel, and what was the outcome? My parents had a rule that we had to eat at the dining table every night, but one night I had to finish a project due the next morning, and my parents s aid no. I felt annoyed because I thought they didn’t understand how important my work was, but I explained why I needed the extra time. In the end, they let me eat in my room that night, and we agreed that as long as I communicated. Summary:  I challenged my parents’ rule about always eating dinner at the table because I needed more time to finish a school project. After explaining my reasons, they allowed me to eat in my room and became more lenient about the rule. Reflection: This prompt had me realize that speaking up respectfully can make a difference. At first, I was frustrated, but once I explained my perspective my parents listened. 

  You’ve been in Multicultural Literature for about 4.5 weeks. How has the class been going for you so far? The class has been going really well for me so far. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I've enjoyed the mix of poems and   perspectives we’ve been reading. One of the highlights was when we read a short story about immigration, and it made me think about my own family and how culture shapes identity. Summary:  So far, Multicultural Literature has been engaging. We’ve read stories that explore themes like immigration and cultural identity, and class discussions have helped me understand the texts more deeply . Reflection:  The class has opened my eyes to different perspectives and made me think about how culture shapes people’s experiences

  Prompt:  You are working on your storymap, which is a reflection on your past. Thinking about your future, as you graduate from high school, what role does the Atlanta metro area play in your life? Do you plan to stay or move away? Explain your reasoning. When I graduate from high school, I plan to move to New York, as it has been my dream since childhood. The role the Atlanta metro area played was giving me unforgettable memories, and giving me my closest friends that I hold dear to me. Summary:  After graduating from high school, I plan to move to New York, which has been my dream since childhood. Living in the Atlanta metro area gave me special memories and close friendships. Reflection: I'm grateful for what Atlanta has given me, and the great past it has given to me 

  Judith Ortiz Cofer says,  “The Island travels with you.”  What part of your culture, family, or identity do you feel “travels” with you everywhere you go? The part of my culture that travels with me is the way I look; people often tell me that I am Mexican-American by my appearance, and it shapes how others see me before they even know me. Even in new places, my appearance is a part of my identity. Summary:  My appearance reflects my Mexican American heritage and travels with me everywhere, reminding me of my family and culture. Reflection:  Sometimes being aware of how my appearance reflects my Mexican American heritage makes me feel self-conscious, especially around people who might judge me

  Prompt:  Write about a time when you did something out of the norm. What was it and how did others react? One time I'd act out of the norm is when I started to speak with others; I'd keep my thoughts to myself, but one day I started to speak with others. At first, people were surprised and put off by it, but soon, people got used to it and made new friends through it  Summary: I stepped out of my comfort zone by speaking more with others, which helped me make new friends. Reflection:  This experience taught me that stepping out of my comfort zone can lead to positive connections. It showed me that being open and sharing my thoughts allows me to build relationships I might have missed if I stayed quiet.

  Prompt: Write about an experience when someone assumed something about you because of a stereotype. What was the situation, and what did you do? Someone assumed that I couldn't speak English well because I'm a little tanned and have black curly hair, so they spoke to me slowly, as if I couldn't understand English, even though it is my first language. I was annoyed and angry. Instead of lashing out, I just walked away  Summary: Someone assumed I couldn't speak English because of my skin color   Reflection: This experience taught me how stereotypes can lead people to judge without knowing the truth.