Letter to Classmates

The school year is almost over, and I'm sure all of you are just as excited as I am. No more tests, except for exams, no more papers, and no more projects. We will still have summer reading but that won't be too bad, I hope.  The books sound pretty good, but I'm still confused about what In Defense of Food could be about because I have not looked and it has a strange title. I have heard that the diary of a part time Indian book is good so that makes me feel better.

I don't know if any of you are thinking the same thing as I am, but I am really wondering which English class I will be in and who else will be in it. I think it would be funny if most of us from this class were in the same class next year. I am also wondering which teacher I will have. I have heard about both of the teachers and they both sound like they have a challenging class. I suppose though that I won't have to worry about that until a few months from now.

Macbeth as Macbeth (Play then Character)

I used to be one of Duncan's most trusted friends, oh the fool. I killed him in his sleep because I wanted to be the king. I am now a traitor no better than the old Thane of Cawdor. The only difference is hat no one knows what I have done. This fault lies with those accursed witches and their prophecies. They told me I would be the Thane of Cawdor and king, and a short while later I was the Thane. I thought to myself, if I did not do anything to become thane then I need not do a thing to be king.

All was fine until Duncan named an heir to the throne. Then my patience was gone and I was split between my loyalty to Duncan and my lust to be king. I did not have a clue of what to do until that "lovely" wife of mine decided for me. We went to his chamber in the night. I had to do the deed. I became delusional as a tried to kill my ruler, but I did it. We framed the guards and I though it was over until Lennox and Macduff came to get the king. To protect my story I had to go see the body again with Lennox. Now I can't get the image of Duncan lying there dead covered in his golden blood. I haven't a clue of how I am going to get away with this.

Me as a reader

I have learned over the course of this year that I like reading more than I wish to admit. Most people in our grade hate reading so others, like myself, tend to agree even if it is not true. I think I am similar to the way I was reading at the beginning of the year (this is irrelevant but beginning is such a strange word with the double n in the middle). What has surprised me though, is what I think about when I am reading.

At the beginning (there it is again) of the year, I would read a book and only see the plot. A great example is that when I was in 7th grade, I read The Catcher in the Rye. My sister was in 10th grade at the time and was reading it too. One time we were talking about it and she kept pointing out things like symbolism and hidden meanings that I had never noticed. Now ever time I read I keep thinking of these things. Just like in Macbeth, when I see cesuras I think to myself, " Oh look, a cesura." I would have never done something like that before.

Participation

General Procedures: C
I am usually prepared for class every day. I always wait to be dismissed, and I don't think I ever needed to go to my locker or the bathroom during class. Sometimes I don't check e-mail every day, and recently I have not been turning things in on time.

Lecture, announcements, and whole class discussion: B
I always listen and take notes, but rarely ever comment because I don't like talking in fear of being wrong. I usually don't ask questions because I either understand everything or someone else asks my question. I always listen to what my peers are saying and don't have side conversations.

Individual and group work: A
I always try to get the work done and stay focused on the task without distracting others. I try not to get off task. I sometime try to keep others focused on the task, but I have learned that they usually don't like to listen to me. I do my best to follow instructions, but I don't try to go past the minimum often.

Growth: C
I participated at about the same level all year. The only thing that really changed is my turning in homework, which got worse, but that usually happens to me in the second semester. Third quarter is always worst and fourth is better, at least better than third.

Outside Reading

 After talking with Brom, who is kind of an expert on dragons, Eragon decides to name his dragon Saphira. One day while in town he see two hooded figures who are looking for the stone he had. The same stone that was actually a dragon's egg. he hurries home so they don't see him. When he gets back he tells Saphira about the men. She starts telling Eragon, through their mental connection, that they are murders and thiefs.

Obviously disturbed by this knowledge of them, Saphira takes Eragon and flies away.  Despite Eragon's attempts to stop her, she flies far away. When they land Eragon angrily demands to be taken back. When he tries to walk he realizes he injured his legs. He finds out that his legs had been rubbing up against Saphira's scales the whole flight and the skin was rubbed away. They have to spend the night in the forest and Eragon sleeps under Saphira's wing to keep warm. Through out this whole part of the book, it is clear that Eragon's relationship with Saphira is growing.

Harry Potter= 80 min
Eragon=85 min