Sawyer's English Blog

Prompt Response:  I would tell myself to not spend so much time on technology and to enjoy the world around me. Also to not get distracted by technology and while technology is important in the society we live it is to be able to do other things, to work towards goals.  Summary: Today we continued to work on our "A Lesson Before Dying" project. Reflection:  I was grateful for the time I took to work on the project in class and stay on top of my work. 

Prompt Response:  When I approach creativity I like to be organized so I can see everything clearly I can focus in my mind. I follow simple steps that are manageable when completing a project to ensure I am satisfied with my work and also to make sure I complete the project.  Summary: Today in class we started a project on "A Lesson Before Dying."   Reflection:  The project is creative and allows me not to answer questions but rather to understand the characters in the book more deeply. 

Prompt Response:  I took a hiatus from something important when I took a break from swimming over the summer of 2024. I took a hiatus from swimming year-round because I was burnt out. I was tired of swimming and wanted to enjoy my break. I knew that it would negatively affect me making me slower in the water. But I'm glad I did that because I have found my passion for the sport again.  Summary: Today in class we looked at new vocab works and did a worksheet.  Reflection:  There are not a lot of nice words, but they are words I have never seen before, which challenged me a little. 

Prompt Response:  Something I wish that I could unhear is when my parents told me that my brother Eli had cancer. When I heard it I was scared and hoped that he did have cancer. That was one of the worst things I have ever heard. And something I wish I could have unheard.  Summary: Today in class we did a semester reflection and checked our grades for any missing assignments.  Reflection: I like the reflection giving me time to keep up with all my assignments. 

Prompt Response:   A moment when I felt like I had the power to make a difference was when I had the opportunity to travel to Florida for hurricane relief service. Each house I went to to help the people living there I was helping their life out tremendously. Every person was so thankful I felt like I was making a difference in their life.  Summary: Today we had a virtual learning day and read chapters 23-25 of "A Lesson Before Dying" and answered questions about the chapters. Reflection:  The questions were short which l liked and the reading wasn't that much. 

  Prompt Response:  A place where I felt peace was in a college dorm. It was the end of June and I went to a swim camp at a college. On the first night, I just felt peace. I had a beautiful view of the mountains, the weather was perfect and the was quiet. I spent a least an hour looking out the window with no worries and just felt peace.  Summary: Today we had a virtual learning day and worked on reading chapters 20-22 and answering questions.  Reflection:  I'm glad the assignment was short. Although I woke up exhausted, I was able to complete the work. 

  Prompt Response:  A time when someone's words had a lasting impact on me was when my parents said they loved me. It always gives me the reassurance I need to know that I can rely on my parents to care for me even If I do something dumb or disappoint them.  Summary: Today we had a virtual learning day and we read chapters 16-19 and answered questions  Reflection:  The assignment was simple but the reading felt long. 

  Prompt Response:  A time when I had to rely on someone else was Jonah. We went rock climbing with some other friends when we realized that Jonah was the only one  belay-certified. I had to trust Jonah to catch my fall if I fell. But he is a great friend and I knew that I could trust him. I felt good knowing that my friend was trustworthy.  Summary: Absent Reflection: Absent 

  Prompt Response:   An object that holds sentimental value to me is my baby blankets. These blankets were a gift to me when I was born and I still have them. I have become attached to them and if I can not find them then I will not fall asleep until I find them. They have been with me for so long that they remind me of the good and bad memories in my life.  Summary: In class today we had a short lesson on how the author reveals things about characters then did a short worksheet on what we learned about a character in the story we have been reading. Reflection:  The lesson was a good refresher because I learned the same thing a while ago.

  Prompt Response:  A moment when I stepped out of my comfort zone was at a very hard swim practice. This was a Saturday practice and we were doing a test set. A test set is a practice where you swim a set but every time the time interval drops you have to swim faster and faster. You do this until you can't. This particular one was hard and I had to push my self beyond what I was used to. I was able to make it to the end with a few other people.  Summary: Today in class we had two assignments. The first was to read chapters 10-11 of "A Lesson Before Dying," and then answer discussion questions about each chapter. The second assignment was writing a letter from the pov of one of the characters asking for advice.  Reflection:  I liked class the assignments were not too difficult and I was able to work independently. 

  Prompt Response:   If I were president I would go bowling in the Whitehouse with my family, I would erect a giant statue of myself for other presidents to look at, next I would try to lower the salaries of politicians so tax money would be put to more important causes. After that, I would make free public health care because I care about our nation. And the last thing I would do is raise public serves personnel like firefighters and police men.  Summary:  Today in class we had an assignment on Newsela where we read a passage on the late President Jimmy Carter and answered comprehension questions along with a writing response question  Reflection:  I liked today's assignment because it allowed me to work independently and at my own pace.  

  Prompt Response:  A real dream happened when I was in middle school. In the dream remember it was a holiday and that I received an iPhone. I was so happy and did not realize it was a dream till I woke up. That is one dream that has felt real.  Summary: Today in class we watched a video on the late President Carter to commemorate him.  Reflection:  I liked the class and the video was interesting. It was a good way to tell of his accomplishments as the president and as a person. 

  Prompt Response:  My holiday break was more tiring than restful. Every day I had double practices. I would wake up early for morning practice then after that I would go home for a couple of hours and go to afternoon practice. This was mainly my break except for Christmas. I had a great Christmas spending time with my family and opening presents. Two personal goals I have this year that I want to achieve a sub-minute 100 breaststroke and get a 32 or 1400 on the SAT or ACT. I think these goals will challenge me but I can accomplish them with hard work.  Summary: Today we covered the new class rules, and answered questions about last semester.  Reflection:  I liked class today it was a good start to the new semester so I'm ready for what the semester holds.