First Quarter Reflection

          I have multiple goals for the following three quarters in ELA. For instance, I would like to improve on determining the theme of a story and enhancing my writing. I am familiar with the idea of determining the theme of a narrative thanks to my seventh grade ELA class. However, this year, in our short story unit, I somewhat struggled with the idea of finding and analyzing the theme of a story due to how superficial I was. Like I said previously, I would also like to improve my writing format and grammar throughout this year. I am not completely satisfied with it, yet and I probably never will. This is because I want to keep exceeding this skill by learning new words, such as the words we are tested on in our vocabulary exams, and reading stories more frequently.

          Personally, I believe my greatest success in ELA was this year. One such accomplishment was my dramatic change in word choice. It wasn’t till last year in seventh grade when I truly had a passion for ELA due to the great teacher I had. This benefitted me to become more of a frequent reader and wanting to exceed in my vocabulary. Which also meant the dictionary was my best friend at the time because it helped enhance my grammar, memory skills, and have a phenomenal essay. However, since I and another very little amount of peers that also volunteered to do this, I wasn’t as committed to it as I am now. I have personally seen a huge difference in my vocabulary due to the tests that are held every Friday. These quizzes made a huge impact on my speech and writing, which I am truly thankful of.

          Like I said before, I would say my personal struggles throughout the first quarter was determining the theme of a story. Personally, I believe I understood and found the accurate theme of a narrative for most of the stories I’ve read. However I had difficulties with some specific tales that were quite complex to understand in my opinion. It is not simple to understand, not because of authors grammar and vocabulary throughout the narrative, but because of how explicit the author writes the plot of the story. If the author is not the most clear and lacks explanation while writing the narrative, I on the other hand would have quite of a hard time determining the theme of a tale. A good example for a story that was easy to understand its theme was “The Lady or The Tiger” because the author explained most of the narrative clearly and in detail. However, there were stories, which I can’t see to recall the name of, were not as explicit and easy to understand. Wich will and has effected me throughout last quarter, and explains why I should practice more frequently with this skill.

The Giver Book Blog

          While reading The Giver by Lois Lowry, the main characters little sister, Lily, realizes and tries to understand many scenarios that happen throughout the novel. One such as the time she finally perceives the fact of how unfortunate it is be allocated into a Birthmother as an assignment. In chapter three, Lily and her parents gaze upon the infant, Gabriel, then thinks to herself how adorable newborns are. She then desires, in an instant, to receive a Birthmother  as an assignment for when she promotes herself into a Twelve. Her mother than infers on how ignominious and obsolete it is to be a Birthmother and asks Lily if she still desires for the same future. Lily then realizes and responds, "Well, no, I guess not," Lily acknowledged reluctantly Father turned… "Anyway, Lily-billy," he said affectionately, "the Birthmothers never even get to see newchildren. If you enjoy the little ones so much, you should hope for an Assignment as Nurturer." "When you're an Eight and start your volunteer hour, you can try some at the Nurturing Center," Mother suggested. "Yes, I think I will,” This might change the way on how Lily judges individuals based on their assignment, especially Birthmothers, making her feel either superior, inferior, or pitiful because she was influenced by her mothers beliefs.

          A various amount of memories have been shared by the main character Jonas from the novel The Giver, by Lois Lowry. One such as the time Jonas being impressed by his peer, Benjamin, for his phenomenal and mature accomplishments. In chapter four, we are introduced to the character, Benjamin who has always been one of Jonas’s groupmates. He has, for nearly four years volunteered at a Rehabilitation Center, working with citizens who have been in peril. It was rumored that this effected Benjamin to have the skills of a Rehabilitation Director and he has also developed machines and techniques to quicken rehabilitation. So, “There was no doubt that Benjamin would receive his Assignment to that field and would probably be permitted to bypass most of the training. Jonas was impressed by the things Benjamin had achieved… they had never talked about the boy's accomplishments because such a conversation would have been awkward for Benjamin. There was never any comfortable way to mention or discuss one's successes without breaking the rule against bragging, even if one didn't mean to. It was a minor rule, rather like rudeness, punishable”. This memory might be important because Jonas would not be able to touch upon or discuss over one's talents without accidentally bragging. This will not only affect Jonas and Benjamin, but could also make an impact on others social conversations. Though, if someone does happen to brag in an accidental matter, they will have to face the consequences from the law.