Noa's Halloween Blog

AGENDA 

blog corrections

Creatober - Book Projects

Week 12: Song - Lines

NaNo Prep 

HW: Get ready to novel!

Happy Halloween!

I am considering myself lucky to write on Halloween. 

 Today started off differently than usual. When we first walked in Ms Nakada surprised us with candy, everyone got a piece! I then sat down, trying to get Emily's 100 Grand, (I didn't). Eli then went through the usual routine of asking me for a pencil. I gave him one, and then remembered Emily is reading her blog and choosing someone new. I knew that there was a slight possibility she would choose me, so I didn't take that much stuff out. We then wrote down the agenda and Emily got up to read her blog. She then of course chose me. I got up and went to the desk, ready to start writing my second blog of the year. Eli called me back and asked for colored pencils, I mean really Eli, get your own stuff. Ms. Nakada corrected Emily's blog and told us to start Creatober. 

Ms Nakada then asked Riley why she was in the wrong class on the NaNoWriMo website. After that was figured out, we did another unexpected thing. Today is full of surprises. We are doing a Creatober walk around. Everyone put their masterpieces out on the desk and walked around to see our classmates. My friends came and visited me at my desk, and Alejandro of course corrected a grammar mistake I had made. Ms Nakada told us she is going to put up a display of all of our Creatober. 

We then got out our notebooks, to write down week 12's song and lines.  I will admit that my multitasking skills in this area of typing while doing work is not great so let's see how this goes. Our song this week "The Story of My Life" By One Direction. A song that I know and notice that others know too from hearing people quietly humming and singing along. We talked about what the song is about, and how it is a passage of time in someones life and how it shifts depending on time, such as relationships.  Ms. Nakada told us about how this can also be used in novel writing. I have a feeling everything is gonna link back to NaNoWriMo this month. 

For lines this week we are talking about first lines in books. We talk about a book called 1984, and how the world in the book might be different than ours. Another first line we talk about is in the book Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews. How it is in third person, and even though it is simple it sets a tone. Ms. Nakada then told us to look up our favorite book and see what the first line is. People shared what first lines they liked in their favorite book. This of course linked back to our novel and how we should start our book, and how that is important. (Told you everything is gonna be about NaNoWriMo.) 

We flipped to our NaNoWriMo page in our English notebooks. We have to pick a model novel, and Otem asked what a good one is for his mystery, thriller, novel, but before we could pick a good one for him the bell suddenly rang. A minute early too! Everyone started to pack up and another surprise happened... Ms. Nakada let us go all in one group. 

I hope everyone had a good Halloween! 

Emily's Second Blog

AGENDA

blog-corrections

CreaTober

Week 12: Q.Q

Essay Prep

NaNo Prep

HW - Set-up your NaNoWriMo Account!

    I sat down today in English peacefully not knowing that I would soon be chosen to write today's blog. I took out my binder reminder and started writing down the agenda. We then went over Ronan's blog and corrected any mistakes he made. As Ronan sat down he was reminded he needed to choose someone to write the next blog. Ronan told everyone who hasn't gone for the second time yet to raise their hands. At first I kept my hand low hoping he wouldn't see me. Charles told everyone to raise their hands higher. Then, after raising my hand higher I knew all I could do was hope he wouldn't choose me. Then he said my name. I took all my stuff to the desk and settled in knowing that I would be here for the next 40-50 minutes. 

    Ms. Nakada told everyone to start drawing their CreaTober for today. After everyone finished their drawings she asked who wanted to share. Riley, Milan, Charles, Kingsley, and Noa all came up to share. Ms. Nakada then said to get your English notebooks and go to your Essay Basics. We then added a few more writing structures to our list. We finished our Essay Basics page and went back to our table of contents to write down Week 12 Quote-Questions-Song-Lines. We wrote down the Quote by Roxanne Gay that said, "This is your novel and only you know how to write it." We talked about what she means and how it's your story and your the only one who decides how it goes. Ms. Nakada then shared a bit about her story that she has been working on for a few years now for NaNoWriMo. Then, we went over the Question for this week which is "What do you want more than anything else?" Ms. Nakada talked about how yesterday all her daughter wanted was ice cream. We all started talking about candy after Ms. Nakada mentioned how much she would love it if everyone would give her Twix. 

    Ms. Nakada then had us write a little bit about what NaNoWriMo is in our English notebooks. She then helped us set up our NaNoWriMo accounts and accept the challenge. After everybody set up their accounts we went back to our English notebooks and added to our description of NaNoWri Mo. Before anyone could write down anything else we were interrupted by the bell. 

- Emily 

I'm Not Very Fond of Renard, Grosky, and Cardinez. I Love My Pookie, Juan, Tho (Ronan's Second Blog)

Agenda:

blog corrections

Creatober

RJ

essay organization

week 11: Lines

week 11: Quiz

HW: Enjoy the weekend

We came into class after Nutrition had finished. The air was not excited nor was it bored. I personally was nervous because I knew that Demarcus Jequavion was planning something for me. We sat down and took down the agenda and talked for a bit, then Marcus was ready to present his blog. The blog was filled with yapping, Marcus's voice making it slightly bearable (I love my Pookie Bear). The blog lasted for around five minutes, due to the heavy text in the blog. FINALLY, Marcus neared the end of his yapping, however this spelled the end for me. I read the text saying "I will not be picking Schugrenator" A feeling of relief washed over me, thank goodness. Hatred began to brew inside Renard. You could almost feel it radiating from his very being. When Marcus finished the blog, he needed to choose someone, but who could it be? Grosky and Renard screamed out my name, begging for me to be chosen. I expected this from Renard, but Grosky? My mind could barely deal with the betrayal. With their begging, Marcus chose ME!!! I slowly gathered my things and got up, slowly trudging towards the desk to write the blog. 

Once I sat down, the other students were allowed to present if they wished. Lucas went first. Naturally, it was the best. The slideshow changed the way I viewed the very world. The rest came and went (Since Lucas went first they aren't important). We then got out our computers and waited for Ms. Nakada to open the test. We all began the test a minute after, I knew most of the answers up until the final question (I got an 8/10).

Once we all finished the test, Ms. Nakada told the class to bring out their English notebooks. We began to write down our essay basics. Those were the introduction: the thesis and claim, and our lead/ hook, and our reasons/plan. We then got to our body paragraphs, it included Reasons(again), Evidence, explanation, and how to connect it back to the thesis. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, the prompt is whether Ponyboy can stay gold. The bell then rung, we packed up our things, and exited the class. 

Marquidle's Second Blog

Agenda

Blog corrections

CreaTober

Book Project Collection

Essay Basics

HW: RJ 11.3 Read for 20 - 30 minutes or IXL. 

Today off just like most of the days. Charles dramatically read his "very sad blog" claiming that God must not like him, and then took ages to pick someone for the next blog. With the intention of picking someone who will pick the one and only Schugrenator, who could not make it to class today, Renard attempted to narrow the class down to just a few students. Unfortunately, nobody would budge, keeping their hands laid low. Then he told everyone who hadn't done the blog twice to raise their hands up high, and I was almost certain he couldn't spot me with my head crouching behind Akira in the way back of the class. But Renard, with his sharp eagle eyes, spotted me hand through the crowd of the class, settling to a random choice of Eenie-Meenie-Mynie-Moe. Still tense, but partially relieved, having a false sense of not getting chosen, I went back to doing what I was doing. "Eeenie-Meenie-Mynie-Moe, catch a tiger by the toe, if he hollers let him go, Eenie-Meenie-Mynie-MARCUS!"Suddenly, from the back of the room, the words of Renard had pierced my ears as my heart stopped upon the sound of hearing my name. I grabbed my backpack, having to put all of my materials back into it, and glumly walked to the front of the class. Just kidding, it wasn't that bad. 

Ms. Nakada then went over the Creatober prompts: Remove, Emu, Crystal ball, white hair, cob web, cozy, creature, and hug. Renard, as usual, walked up to the stage of the class, presenting his Crystal ball, white hair, and cob web. Akira also walked up to the front of the class showing off her Texas Emu, and Ms. Nakada had drawn the same thing, presenting her Birdtober. Kingsley had drawn the same as Akira and Ms. Nakada, except the Emu from the insurance company. We then turned on the movie to the part where Ponyboy and Dally go visit Johnny after the rumble, as Johnny whispers in Ponyboy's ear, "Stay gold, Ponyboy, Stay gold." His head slumps back into his pillow as he dies, and Dally starts to cry storming out of the room. He suffers a breakdown, whipping out his heater, and leaves the hospital in tears. Ponyboy arrives back home, and breaks the news to his brothers, and about how Dally's gone, unable to take it. In a store, Dally tears up a magazine and flashes his heater again to the store owner, robbing the place. He tells the gang to meet him at the park as the cops are after him. He tries to run from the cars but they stop and fire their shots at Dally who crawls back to the terrified gang, and becomes the second person to die that day. Ponyboy reads Johnny's good-bye letter, who talked about how it was worth saving those kids as their lives were worth more than his. After Ponyboy finishes reading the letter, the movie ends. Ms. Nakada tells the class to get out their book vs. Movie notes. We discussed a few things that departed from the book in the end, such as the fact that there was no unreliable narrator, no court scene, and no Randy conversation. Some things that remained faithful to the book was the event of Dally robbing the store, as well as both his and Johnny's deaths.

The class then shifted to book project collections as a few people went up to present. The class took a while to set up for presentations so there isn't much to write about during this period of time besides the random sound of Leo's devious laugh. I was able to gain some company in my seclusion as Juan Diego takes a visit to my desk and the sound of Leo's maniacal laughter continues to ring in my ears. The first to present was Otem, who showed his slideshow on the book on the atomic bomb called Bomb. Basically, it's about how the Manhattan Project started in the summer of 1942, through a gathering of scientists to New Mexico in a race against Germany to build the world's first nuclear weapons. He then talked about the complicated sciences of the atomic bomb and some images from the actual testing site of the bomb. The U.S then decided to drop the bomb in Hiroshima. Also, the Great Debate was discussed as the government faced a controversial decision. Anyways, writing the blog wasn't as dreadful as everybody makes it to be, but I won't pick the Schrugenator for the next blog, so I can get Renard peeved. Noa kindly gave me some snickerdoodles as well which was pretty cool.

Charles's Very Very Sad Blog :(

       Agenda 

• Blog Corrections
• Creatober
• Week 11: Q Q S L
• T.O. Book v. Movie

       Homework

• RJ 11.2 Read for 20 - 30 min. or IXL

    The date was 10/24/23, as soon as I entered Ms. Nakada's classroom I felt something was off. I went along not thinking about. We started by copying the agenda like any other day. Once we finished, Tali read her 1 / 10 horrid blog, do not recommend. She then asked, "Who hasn't done the blog yet?" Many were too scared to raise their hand, yet I still did. In my mind I was hoping and praying that she wouldn't pick me, but I guess God hates me because I was chosen.

    Once I reached my throne of dread my fellow peers continued the day with Creatober. Many brave men and women came up to present their pieces of art, including Riley. While this was happening Ms. Nakada went around to check Binder Reminders and RJ. Ms. Nakada also talks a little about tomorrow and the scary PSAT.

    Then, we moved onto Week 11: Q Q S L where we listened to the song, "Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman. Ms. Nakada and many other of my peers found this song to be very deep. When we discussed this song, Shugrain had a very strong voice disagreeing with Ms. Nakada's opinion that when the song was remade by a different person with a different perspective the whole sound and meaning of the song changed.

    After the discussion, we continued The Outsiders movie. We saw the scene where Cherry and Ponyboy argue, and Cherry said Bob was different which made Ponyboy get even more mad. Luckily, they then ended on good terms thanks to Ponyboy connecting again using the sunset. Then the scene cut to the greasers preparing to fight the Socs in the rumble. The rumble started soon after with a short fight scene in my opinion. The rumble ended with the greasers "winning." 

    Tomorrows blog writer is Ronan.  

Tali's Second Blog

AGENDA

Blog corrections

CreaTober

RJ set-up

Week 11: QQSL

T.O. book vs movie

HW

RJ 11.1 read for 20-30 mins or IXL

Book projects are due Wednesday

Today was like any other normal third period English. We came in from nutrition and immediately started writing down the agenda. Milan went up to read her blog, and then made the very random choice to choose me as the next blog writer. I was unprepared and therefore had taken all of my stuff out, so I had to put it all back in my backpack and squeeze through the chairs and to the front. 

Ms. Nakada then told us the CreaTober prompts for the day. Just like that the classroom was silent as students were scribbling away madly, their creative juices flowing  Kingsley, Riley, and of course Charles and Ms. Nakada shared their CreaTober drawings for the day. Ms. Nakada announced that the people who went to Catalina (including me) would have until the next day (Tuesday) to finish their Reading Journals and QQSL from last week.  We set up this week's Reading Journal and updated the Book vs Movie page in our English Notebooks. We wrote about how The Outsiders movie remained faithful to the book when Cherry threw the Coke and said "things are rough all over," and that Johnny kills Bob. The movie, however, did not include the opening chapter of the book when Ponyboy gets jumped, or the entire Soda/Sandy subplot. 

We started this week's Quote and Question. The Quote was "If there is a book you really want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it." - Toni Morrison. The class talked about how this American author means that if you really want something, you need to make it happen. The Question of the week was "Do teachers assign too much homework?" We all had mixed emotions, mentioning how Ms. Dillmore scarred us for life with IXLs last year, but we've had plenty of teachers who went easy on the homework. Ms. Nakada then talked a little about National Novel Writing Month and how it is coming up soon. Everyone is going to have to work a lot next month if they want to write 20,000 words. Ms. Nakada started The Outsiders movie from the scene with Ponyboy in the hospital and we watched until the scene where Sodapop and Two-Bit visited Dally in the hospital. Then the bell rang and everyone went off to fourth period. 

- Tali

Milan's Super-Good Second Blog

 AGENDA

blog corrections

creatober 

rj check brv

collect slc letters

week 10 quiz

The Outsiders book vs. movie

HW: have a good weekend

After we came into the class and sat down, Ms. Nakada told us to take out our binder reminders and our reading journals. After complementing my outfit, Sammy came up and read the blog. The blog was very, Very, VERY dark and sad, and after Sammy finished the blog, Sammy finally decided who would do the blog AND IT WAS ME?! I was in shock, disbelief, distress! I pleaded, begged Sammy to choose someone else, but sadly I was chosen to do the blog.

After Sammy was done torturing me, I went up and started to write the blog and I started to think about how when I read my blog the Catalina people will probably be back! It was calm, peaceful without them but now we can get back to chaos! The CreaTober for today was frost and Ms. Nakada told us in her creepy, grumpy, scary voice to turn in our Student Led Conference Letters and keep our binder reminders and reading journals out.

We started THE OUTSIDERS movie and the "Iconic Duo" and Dally were at Dairy Queen and Dally yelled at a poor little girl. I can't stop thinking about how UGLY PonyBoy looks with blonde hair. The fire started and PonyBoy and Johnny ran into save the kids and personally if some kid bit me I would throw them into the fire. Then, Ms. Nakada screamed in her creepy, grumpy, scary voice (Just kidding guys Ms. Nakada is really nice) we packed up and left the classroom to go to nutrition. I am picking someone who went to Catalina (hopefully).