Noah´s english blog

A major fear I've overcome is my fear of heights. I used to freeze up even looking down from a second-story balcony because the feeling of being high up made me dizzy and terrified of falling. My breakthrough happened on a family vacation when I was talked into riding a ski lift up a mountain. I couldn't get off halfway, so I had no choice but to sit and watch the ground get farther away. I realized that despite the height, I was totally safe. Facing that fear showed me that the scariest part was just the feeling in my stomach, not any real danger, and now I can enjoy great views without panic. Summary: Today we did a worksheet about claims and opposing claims. Reflection: I learned how to find claims in a text and find opposing claims.

 I think one topic I'll totally have to stand up and argue about is school rules, like the dress code or the cell phone policy. I mean, they are always changing stuff, and sometimes the rules just don't make any sense for us. I already hear everyone complaining about how strict they are. It seems like it's a topic nobody can ignore because it affects us every single day right here at school. I bet the arguments about whether we should be able to use our phones in the hallways or wear hats are going to get even louder as we get older and want more freedom. Summary: We took more notes and did an activity. Reflection: I learned the different ways to create a claim.

A truth I had to face was that I am just not good at math, like, at all. For so long, I totally thought if I just tried hard enough, I could be one of those geniuses who understands calculus easily. I mean, I would study for hours and hours to get ready for a test. But then I totally bombed this huge math test, even though I did nothing but study for two weeks straight! That's when I finally realized that my effort wasn't enough to make me a math whiz. It was super annoying and sad to admit, but now I can focus on stuff I'm actually awesome at instead of stressing out over something that just isn't my thing. Summary: We took notes about arguments. Reflection: I learned about different parts of an arugmentative essay.

 I learned how self-doubt is the worst when I had to give this presentation in class. I was super prepared, like, I practiced a bunch, but then I saw a couple of people whispering and laughing and I instantly thought they were trashing me. It made me, like, freak out and forget everything. Even though they probably weren't even talking about me, that feeling of being judged was so powerful that it ruined my confidence. It really taught me how much my brain can make things way bigger than they actually are. Summary: We did a commonlit in class. Reflection: I learned the different ways you could view fear.

 Learning about Hispanic/Latino heritage for the first time would be fascinating. I'd want to understand the unique characteristics of different music genres like salsa and mariachi and what instruments are typically used. Also, I'd wonder about the staple foods and how ingredients like corn, beans, and chilies are incorporated into the diverse regional cuisines. It's clear there's a deep richness to the culture, and I'd be eager to learn about its many forms of artistic expression. Summary: Today in class we took notes on themes and how to set up a paragraph. Reflections: I learned how to get my point across in your first paragraph of an essay.

 I wasn't at school that day, so I couldn't tell you about anyone's poster.

 Entering my freshman year of high school was a shock to the system. I went from being one of the oldest in my middle school to the youngest in a massive, overwhelming new environment. The hallways were a sea of unfamiliar faces and seniors who seemed a decade older than me. I spent a lot of my first few weeks feeling completely out of place, as if I was walking around with a giant target on my back. It was a tough adjustment, but eventually, I started finding my footing, discovering new friends and interests that made the school feel a little less intimidating. Summary: Today in class we completed a common lit since Mr. Rease was out. Reflection: I learned what the definition of Interloper was from the story "The Interlopers".

This semester, I plan to use the word ambiguous often, especially when describing unclear homework assignments in physics. I'll also frequently use aesthetic to talk about the visual appeal of things, like the look of Mr. Rease's classroom, which I find very pleasing. Finally, I think the word affinity will be common since we often discuss poetry, and a main theme is love. Since affinity means a natural liking for something, it fits perfectly. Overall, these three words will be a great addition to my vocabulary. Summary: Today in class we wrote 15 sentences using our new vocabulary words. Reflection: I learned a lot of new words and improved my vocabulary greatly.

 At Lakeside, the best part is my friends. Hanging out with them at school is so much fun, and I just love being around everyone. The teachers are a huge plus, too, because they genuinely care and want what's best for us. That support is what makes me want to come to school and learn. That's all you really need to feel motivated and want to learn. Summary: We took a test on Constantly Risking Absurdity. Reflection: I need to annotate and make better notes.

 I've found that hands-on activities are the best way for me to learn because they keep me engaged and mentally focused. It's tough for me to sit still for long, so I need to be actively doing something, not just listening to a teacher lecture. I don't know how others learn that way, especially when a topic I'm interested in, like AP Physics, is taught so boringly. My teacher just talks and reads off a PowerPoint the whole time, and I'd much rather be doing labs and other activities. These kinds of activities would keep me engaged and excited to learn more. Summary: Today in class we finished up our poems visual graphic. Reflection: I learned how to get an animated character to talk for me in Adobe.

 I really love creating poems because I get to have fun with rhyming words, and it makes me feel like a DJ coming up with new lyrics. I often listen to my favorite artists' verses to get inspiration and ideas for my own work. Whether it's a country song or a rap beat, the music helps me find a creative flow that I can transfer to my poem. Writing poems is my favorite kind of writing because it's the easiest and the most enjoyable for me. I can just get into the zone and create something from nothing. Summary: Today in class we started working on our own poems. Reflection: I learned how to start a poem and create a metaphor.  Comments

 Our most wild adventure happen last summer, when me and my friends try to sneak in to the empty auditorium. The plan was simple: wait for a janitor to open the door, and then slip inside real quiet. I was the first one, and it was a success. I made it inside, but my friends got catch. I didn't want to leave them, so I run back and try to talk to the janitor. He was mad at first, but then he let them in for five minute. It was the best five minute of our life's. We didn't get to see a show, but we had a story that was way more better. Summary: Today in class, we analyzed a poem that we are being tested on Friday about. We also watched a video of a man walking on a typerope over the Grand Canyon. Review: I learned about the man who walked on a rope across the Grand Canyon's family and reaosning for persuing what he does.

 My life right now feels like the song "Here Comes the Sun. " I'm in a period of transition, leaving behind some shadows and feeling a new sense of hope and energy. This  connection is particularly evident in Dickinson's poetry, where her focus on hope is  a powerful force. She wrote about "Hope" being "the thing with feathers" that perches in the soul, and that's exactly what this song feels like to me. It's a gentle but persistent reminder that even after a long, dark winter, the light will return. The song’s message of patience and the promise of brighter days ahead perfectly mirrors the quiet resilience found in so much of her work. Summary: Today we took our Emily Dickinson assessment. Reflection: I learned how to analyze poems at a quick pace to answer questions with that information.

 My life's theme would be about the importance of accepting and learning from failure, a lesson best illustrated through the world of sports. Everyone experiences setbacks, but what truly matters is how you respond and grow from them. Failure isn't the end; it's a chance to adapt and show resilience. Through sports, you can see firsthand how athletes learn from losses, improve their skills, and come back stronger. My message is that it's okay to fail, as long as you use it as a stepping stone toward success. Summary: We read 2 more poems and made our soundtrack. Reflection: I learned even more skills on analyzing poems.

The class has been going very well for me, and I've been learning everything quite smoothly. The material is easy for me to grasp, and I feel that I'm being taught effectively. The assignments and material make a lot of sense. If the rest of the year continues as it has for the first four and a half weeks, it should be an easy year. I hope this continues for the remainder of the year. It's a great feeling when everything clicks into place. I'm optimistic about the rest of the school year. Summary: Today we read and analyzed the poem, "Because I could not stop for Death." Reflection: I learned that I shouldn't fear death and should live life to the fullest.

One thing that makes me feel different is the intense focus and energy I get from playing sports. I also enjoy the physical challenge and pushing my limits. It's the best when I get to be part of a team, working together and building trust with my teammates. I find a unique kind of happiness in the shared effort and the feeling of accomplishment we get from a hard-fought game. The camaraderie and support are so valuable. Building more and more memories on and off the field with these people is something that makes me feel different. It's a feeling of belonging that's hard to beat. Summary - today in class, we finished up our heart drawings and turned them in. Reflection - I learned about how I can also do more than what I have already done, and not the minimum

 Something out of the norm that I have done is become a huge fan of Formula 1 racing. I got into it in middle school after watching a race with my dad. I was hooked by the speed and how skilled the drivers were. I told all my friends at school that I was a fan but they didn't get it. I was teased because no one knew what it was. Even though everyone made fun of me, I never stopped loving it. Through the years I will always support the sport. Summary: Today in class we finished up our heart visual representations. Reflection: I learned to wear a jacket and close toed shoes when coming to 7th period

 My mind is like a busy library. It's not loud and crazy like a concert but there's a lot going on. Every thought and memory has its own section. There's the history aisle for old memories and a big pile of new ideas waiting to be checked out. Sometimes a thought comes along that's too loud but mostly things are humming along. It can get overwhelming with so many thoughts but it's also cool because there's always something to think about. It's a place where a lot of stuff is happening all at once. Summary: We read another Emily Dickinson poem and started our hearts visual representation paper. Reflection: I learned what Emily's poems were really about and how meaningful they were. Comments

One adventure I've always wanted to go on is a road trip across the country. There's just something about hitting the open road with your friends, no set plans, and just seeing where you end up. I'd love to see the Grand Canyon in person, and maybe grab some classic diner food in a small town somewhere. It feels like the ultimate freedom, just exploring everything the US has to offer. I've seen so many pictures and videos online of people doing it, and every time I do, I get this major itch to pack up a car and go. It just seems like the perfect way to make some amazing memories and eat some incredible food along the way. Summary: Today in class we analyzed a poem from Emily Dickinson Reflection: I learned who Emily Dickinson was.

Something I'll never fully grasp is why some professional athletes are paid such insane salaries. I get that they're talented, but it feels so out of whack when you think about it. You've got people like teachers, nurses, and firefighters who are genuinely making a difference in our daily lives, and their paychecks are a tiny fraction of what a guy who throws a ball for a living makes. It's just a crazy imbalance that I can't wrap my head around. It feels like we've got our priorities backward, and it's something I just don't understand. Summary: We presented our Myth posters in class. Reflection: I learned the right times to talk and go to the bathroom while people are presenting.