What is important about friendship? Discuss what is so important about it in terms of the novel and your life.
Friendship is one of the things that make a life worth having. Just knowing that you have people you can trust and confide in is a comfort no matter where you are. It is the way we communicate and build bonds that defines us as humans. By letting others around us be involved in our lives we can develop a part of ourselves that would otherwise be untouched. I think that it is one of the greatest gifts we have been given. It is amazing how natural it can become and how much we can take for granted.
Choosing friends that help us get to where we want to be is also very important. We are going where their going. If we choose to be friends with people who slack off in school, it is likely we will too. I think it is important that we aim for what we want to become and through the help of friends who share similar goals as us we can succeed. I find that to be really important in my life because I know what I want my life to be like five or ten years from now. I want to be able to say that I didn't fail to reach my goals. I do not want to have any regrets and the path I take now will determine whether I will succeed.
Friendship is a really big aspect of October Sky. Through Sonny, O'Dell, Sherman, Billy, Quentin and Roy Lee's friendship they were able to support each other to such an extent that they were able to build unimaginable rockets. Each of one of them is different and I thought that that was really interesting. They may not have seen eye to eye on every decision but they stuck together and endured . They achieved so many things and I think that influenced so many people in Coalwood and all over the world. They were able to accept their individual faults and they learned life lessons from each other without even knowing it.
I can apply this to my own life because I do not often think about what consequences- good or bad- may come from the friends I choose. I also do not take as much time as I should to think about how lucky I am to have so many close friends! I need to remember not to take it for granted and to be the same kind of supporter in their lives as they are in mine. I have so many wonderful people all around me and I can learn a lot from them. They are great examples for me and I think that there is beauty in everyone and everything- we just need to find it.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Chapter 15 Question
Who's support do you think is most valuable in a students life? Which affected the course of the Rocket boys lives the most?
Being supported in the things that we aim to do is a really important part of individual development. I have found that as a student, I need to be pushed beyond my limits to truly do the best I can. I think that our parents have a big influence on the way we view work. My mother has always pushed me really hard to do well in school. Even though it bothers me sometimes, I think that her expectations have really helped me develop talents that I would not of had otherwise. After parents, I think teachers have the next most influence. They can encourage us, push us out of our comfort zone and help us develop our individual voices. I have been inspired by some teachers and I find that if they have passion for what they teach I become much more interested.
I think the Rocket Boys were supported in many ways by many people. There were strong supporters like Elsie Hickam. There were those who helped silently like Homer Senior and there where people like Barry who spread the news of the Rocket Boys. I think that Miss Riley was a big influence on their success as well because of the initiative she took in providing them with the book that lead them to creating bigger and better rockets. Each one of these people did their part in the space race by helping these boys push forward with their dreams.
Being supported in the things that we aim to do is a really important part of individual development. I have found that as a student, I need to be pushed beyond my limits to truly do the best I can. I think that our parents have a big influence on the way we view work. My mother has always pushed me really hard to do well in school. Even though it bothers me sometimes, I think that her expectations have really helped me develop talents that I would not of had otherwise. After parents, I think teachers have the next most influence. They can encourage us, push us out of our comfort zone and help us develop our individual voices. I have been inspired by some teachers and I find that if they have passion for what they teach I become much more interested.
I think the Rocket Boys were supported in many ways by many people. There were strong supporters like Elsie Hickam. There were those who helped silently like Homer Senior and there where people like Barry who spread the news of the Rocket Boys. I think that Miss Riley was a big influence on their success as well because of the initiative she took in providing them with the book that lead them to creating bigger and better rockets. Each one of these people did their part in the space race by helping these boys push forward with their dreams.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Blog Entry #3
Do some research on photo essays on the internet. Once you understand the concept of a photo essay, write a brief description of what it is in your blog. Follow this by a short photo essay of at least 5 photos related to a theme from October Sky. For each image you find on the internet, you must include the following information:
1. the complete URL for where you found the photo
2. the name or title of the site you found it on.
Like the flowing water in a river, we have many obsticles. However, we have to progress and charting our own course may be the only way. Their are ups and downs, and often we move backwards instead of forwards. Occasionally we cross other rivers, and our paths are shared with them. Our ideas and views mix together for a short while. In the end, the paths we forge shape our identity.
Articles.art.com
1. the complete URL for where you found the photo
2. the name or title of the site you found it on.
A photo essay is a combination of pictures that are joined together by a simular theme. The pictures are intended to tell a story, produce an emotion and/or show someones view. The photos can be in a specific order or in randomly organized. Photo essays adress issues or thoughts that the author finds important.
Photo Essay- The Universal Hope: Dreams
SLEEPzine.com
The pursuit of dreams is something very personal. All of our ambitions are unique and fit our own personalities- who we are and who we would like to be. What one person thinks is a big goal to aim for might not seem hard for someone else. Each one of us is like a star, we are all different and more complex than it may appear.
ClaudiaDose.com
There are many elements that effect us and who we become. Our culture, were we are from, those we associate with and our access to resources effects our future. We live in a country with many opportunities for learning and improvement. No matter who we are, we all have something in common: our ability to make our future what we want it to be. We are free choose which elements will shape us.
New observor- Blogspot
Goals are the propellants for dreams. They are like a tunnel with a brilliant light at the end. We move forwards with hope, waiting for the moment when we will emerge and finally see the progress we have made. With determination and focus we can steadily move towards the dreams we want to acheive, breaking down the daunting into the attainable.
Lizareef.com
Like the flowing water in a river, we have many obsticles. However, we have to progress and charting our own course may be the only way. Their are ups and downs, and often we move backwards instead of forwards. Occasionally we cross other rivers, and our paths are shared with them. Our ideas and views mix together for a short while. In the end, the paths we forge shape our identity.
Articles.art.com
There is always a way. Our dreams are only limited by our desire to move forwards and our dedication. It may seem like when we reach dead ends and road blocks, there is no other way. There are multiple roads to success. We may just have to search a bit harder or ask for directions and the road may be faded and the signs might be gone. Dreams are the hope for a future and as human-beings we strive on their existence.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Blog Entry #2
Discuss how you think you will do with the assignments and reading of this novel. Discuss any strategies you have for getting more out of the novel and how you can help yourself get motivated to complete all your assignments.
October Sky is a novel that continuously motivates me. From the very beginning I found it interesting and very easy to get into. I love the style used to illustrate the author's memories and thoughts. Since I can relate to this book and I enjoyed it, I think that I will be more motivated to do well on the assignments. I find that when I seriously consider the words on the pages and think of what it would be like to live in Coalwood, I can put myself in the shoes of each of the characters.
I have not had much of a strategy for reading this book so far. It has been really easy for me to read because I like the diversity it contains. The story of October Sky is not only about rockets to me but about growing up and developing our unique personalities. Since this book is like an autobiography, I liked learning about history in this format. From the perspective of Homer jr. I was able to explore his world and understand how the lessons he learned in his youth can influence me.
I think that writing blogs has been a really good way to reflect back on the novel so far. I have been able to go over the highlights and the morals of the novel and I have been able to study each character better than I would have otherwise. I once read a quote that says, " Books are not men and yet they are still alive." I thought this quote described this book perfectly. Though the past is long gone, Homer H. Hickam jr. revived it this memoir.
Over all, October Sky might have been a challenge to read if I had not found an interest in it. I can see how many people may not like it because of its length. I'm glad that I found the topic to be interesting. My motivation definately helped me with the quality of my assignments. I have learned a lot from Sonny and the characters in this book. It made me stop to think about my own life and I think that any good book should be able to do that.
October Sky is a novel that continuously motivates me. From the very beginning I found it interesting and very easy to get into. I love the style used to illustrate the author's memories and thoughts. Since I can relate to this book and I enjoyed it, I think that I will be more motivated to do well on the assignments. I find that when I seriously consider the words on the pages and think of what it would be like to live in Coalwood, I can put myself in the shoes of each of the characters.
I have not had much of a strategy for reading this book so far. It has been really easy for me to read because I like the diversity it contains. The story of October Sky is not only about rockets to me but about growing up and developing our unique personalities. Since this book is like an autobiography, I liked learning about history in this format. From the perspective of Homer jr. I was able to explore his world and understand how the lessons he learned in his youth can influence me.
I think that writing blogs has been a really good way to reflect back on the novel so far. I have been able to go over the highlights and the morals of the novel and I have been able to study each character better than I would have otherwise. I once read a quote that says, " Books are not men and yet they are still alive." I thought this quote described this book perfectly. Though the past is long gone, Homer H. Hickam jr. revived it this memoir.
Over all, October Sky might have been a challenge to read if I had not found an interest in it. I can see how many people may not like it because of its length. I'm glad that I found the topic to be interesting. My motivation definately helped me with the quality of my assignments. I have learned a lot from Sonny and the characters in this book. It made me stop to think about my own life and I think that any good book should be able to do that.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Blog Entry #1
Throughout this semester I feel like I have grown by listening closely to the directions and advice of my teachers and my peers. By consulting others, I learned to evaluate my work more critically. By using my creativity efficiently, I developed an individual tone to my work. Through learning about proper formats, I was able to connect my ideas in better ways. Writing a blog helped me to maintain focus and review my assignments. Now that the course is over I will remember the amount of effort it takes to complete excellent work.
I feel that as the semester progressed I was able to improve in many ways. From analyzing and comprehending literary works to writing my own compositions, I am now able to say that I can distinguish the different kinds of figurative language. I learned to edit properly. I can also say that I more fully understand the elements of a plot. I increased my love for writing and creating artistic literary pieces by putting all my efforts into assignments that i can be proud of. I learned so much more about exploring, understanding and expressing my thought and ideas.
The course as a whole taught me to respect and explore the opinions of others. I was able to view the thoughts of my peers and compare them with my own. I was also able to comprehend the thoughts of the authors with a more open mind. By learning to open my mind to others around me, I grew to love new kinds of literature and to share my opinions more openly about the things I am passionate about. This taught me that the lessons I learn in English do not only apply to literature, but to also to my life.
With the semester at an end, I know that I have expanded my knowledge. I have reached the end of the course with a mark of ninety percent. I feel that through my hard work and diligence I now deserve that mark. I did this by using my unique thoughts, the advice of my peers and by listening to the councel provided by my teachers. I put more effort into my editing and into comprehending literature. I loved this course and it furthered my interest in continuing on with English.
I feel that as the semester progressed I was able to improve in many ways. From analyzing and comprehending literary works to writing my own compositions, I am now able to say that I can distinguish the different kinds of figurative language. I learned to edit properly. I can also say that I more fully understand the elements of a plot. I increased my love for writing and creating artistic literary pieces by putting all my efforts into assignments that i can be proud of. I learned so much more about exploring, understanding and expressing my thought and ideas.
The course as a whole taught me to respect and explore the opinions of others. I was able to view the thoughts of my peers and compare them with my own. I was also able to comprehend the thoughts of the authors with a more open mind. By learning to open my mind to others around me, I grew to love new kinds of literature and to share my opinions more openly about the things I am passionate about. This taught me that the lessons I learn in English do not only apply to literature, but to also to my life.
With the semester at an end, I know that I have expanded my knowledge. I have reached the end of the course with a mark of ninety percent. I feel that through my hard work and diligence I now deserve that mark. I did this by using my unique thoughts, the advice of my peers and by listening to the councel provided by my teachers. I put more effort into my editing and into comprehending literature. I loved this course and it furthered my interest in continuing on with English.
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