Dylan's English blog

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.