"This I Beleive" Speech

“Perception”

By James Furbeck

          “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change” was once said by Wayne Dyer. I believe that if you are constantly thinking about something happening, it will happen. Thinking that you can't do something will make it harder for you to do that thing. I believe your thoughts create reality. This belief is constantly taking part in people’s lives, including my own.

          One day when I was 10 years old, some friends from school and I had our last soccer game of the season. This game was against the third place team in the division. We were at seven losses and zero wins so according to the statistics we were most likely going to lose. But, my friends and I thought we still had a chance in winning and with our positive attitude we tried our best, and we won 3 to 4.

          On the other hand if we would have thought we were going to lose, like the statistics said, the whole story would've been different. We would’ve ended up not trying our best and then ultimately we would have lost. This event showed me that your thoughts really do change the world around you. So, stay positive to live in a positive world.

Final Reflection Blog 5/19/16

1- What are the three most important things you learned this year?

          Throughout the year I have learned some really important things. If I had to tie it down to three things it would be TIQA format, annotations techniques, and life lessons. The TIQA format has helped me organize my informational writing and as I use it more, the easier I found it to follow. The annotating text guide was very important because it helped me look for what to annotate in the text which is vital for good discussions. Life lessons from Tuesdays with Morrie are important things I learned because I learned many aphorisms that I now take into consideration everyday.

2- What is something we did this year that you think you will remember for the rest of your life?

          I think that the Holocaust unit we had will stay in my mind for the rest of my life. I say this because of all of the horrifying things that happened to people during that time. What helped me visualize all of it was Night by Elie Wiesel. In this book I was able to see the perspective of a Jew, around my age. He was separated from his mom and sister and he also had to witness babies being thrown into a fire-filled pit.

3- What was the nicest thing someone in our class did for you this year?

          The nicest thing someone in our class did for me this year was informing me on what I missed when I was sick. One day I was really sick and I could not come to school so I looked on Edmodo to see if there were any assignments and I didn't see anything. Later, I receive a phone call from a student in our class and s/he told me what we did in class and the homework. Thanks to this student I was prepared for school the next day with all of my work done.

4- What is something you taught your teacher or classmates this year?

         I don't think I really taught my classmates anything this year. I guess you could say I taught them that you should always ask questions when you have them. I tend to ask a lot of question to clarify what is going on and no matter what if I have a question I ask it. Sometimes I look funny going up 2-3 times but its ok because by the end I will know exactly what to do.

5- In what area do you feel you made your biggest improvements? What is something you accomplished this year that you are proud of?

         I feel I have made my biggest improvement in researching this year. I say this because we did a lot of research with the Holocaust unit, argumentative essay, and all of the AoWs. I am actually pretty proud that I know how to use commas more effectively/correctly. Before, I only knew a few comma rules now I know ten. I am also pretty proud that I know AAAWWUBBIS because I know that it'll come in handy when writing papers.

6- What was the most challenging part of this year for you?

         I would have to say that reading To Kill a Mockingbird was the most challenging part of this year for me. I say this because I had trouble answering questions, annotating, writing down a summary after each chapter, and reading at the same time. I just found it a bit overwhelming, otherwise I really enjoyed the book. Actually all of the books I have read I this class have been really good. The only book I would have to say I strongly disliked was Of Beetles and Angels.

7- What was the best piece of writing that you did this year? Why do you think it is your best?

         The best piece of writing I have done this year I would have to say is the argumentative essay. I think this is my best piece of writing because we revised it multiple times and by the end I was able to successfully use the TIQA format correctly. I also feel it was my best piece of writing because I put forth a lot of effort. I did this because I was very interested in the fact that labs kill and abuse animals to find new medicine. I also think that this was my best piece of writing because all of my sources, I felt, were very reliable which helped me create a strong/valid essay.

8- Of the books you read this year, which was your favorite? Why?

         Of all three books we read as a class my favorite by far was Tuesdays with Morrie By Mitch Albom. This book was my favorite because it really made me think. It made me think about life and how I need to be living a better one. The aphorisms found in the book are now things that I look up to. I just found Morrie's story very inspirational in general because he was able to be very optimistic knowing that his end was near.

9- What advice would you give students who will be in this class next year?

         First of all, turn in all of work (if possible) ahead of time. I say this because you will find yourself with more free time and you will have time to revise. Second of all, are the most you can out of this class because next year is high school and you are going to need to be as prepared as possible. Third of all, if you find your self struggling at first time management is key in this class and every class. For example, instead of going home and procrastinating (playing on your phone) go and do your work then play all the games without thinking about that AoW/blog you didn't do. It is also very hard to do work late at night, so try to do your work right after school. Good Luck!

Morrie's Aphorisms Project

Book: Tuesdays with Morrie

Author: Mitch Albom

Pages: 0-199 (End)

Prompts:

1-Explain the aphorism in detail. what was Morrie's main message?

2-Relate the aphorism to a movie, song, historical event, current event, personal experience, etc. and explain in detail how the example you have chosen relates to the aphorism.

3-Evaluate the aphorism by explaining why you agree/disagree with it. Give specific reasons for your position and specific evidence from the text to support your position.

4-Take a picture of your aphorism to use as your graphic.

5-Include your own aphorism regarding life.

          Throughout the book Morrie's words have showed us observations embodying general truths, also known as aphorisms. My favorite aphorism is when Morrie says, "Death ends a life, not a relationship." (p.174) In this aphorism Morrie is saying that if someone dies their life is over but the relationships that they had keep on going. In a way he is saying that once someone dies they live on in others hearts and minds. I enjoy thinking about this aphorism because it makes me less afraid of death because I know that I will live on in others hearts and minds.

          The aphorism, "Death ends a life, not a relationship" (p.174) reminds me of "Up" the movie by Pete Doctor. The reason I say this is because in the movie the older male character, even after his wife's death cherishes all of her possessions. For example after she is dead he continues his routine like he is still with her. To be more precise, he talks to her photograph and leaves her seat empty when he is drinking coffee in the morning. In other words the husband's wife died but the relationship they had kept going.

          I agree with the aphorism, "Death ends a life, not a relationship." (p.174) I say this because even after someone close dies you still can hear the voice in your head and the relationship you have with that person doesn't go away because you still love them. Another reason I agree it's this aphorism I because in book after Morrie (Mitch's very close friend) dies he still goes on and visits his grave to talk to him about what is going on. The exact words Mitch uses are, "I am now his eternal graduate student, coming back every fall, spring, and summer for he same class, over and over." (p. 195) In this quote he is basically saying he will be Morrie's everlasting student and his relationship will go on as he visits him every season (besides winter). 

Graphic: 

My aphorism: Your thoughts create reality

Example of logic behind my aphorism: If you think you won't make it past try outs then you will probably try less and make the outcome bad but if you're sure that you are going to make it past try outs then you will end up doing your best and succeeding. 

Socratic Seminar Morrie Reflection

Book: Tuesdays with Morrie

Author: Mitch Albom

Pages: 0-199 (End)

Prompts:

-Explain how the past four Socratic Seminars have influenced your thinking about Tuesdays with Morrie and life in general.

-What trends did you notice with yourself and your personal goals for each seminar? How did your personal goal(s) change and what did you actively do to change throughout our last four discussions?

-What trends did you notice with the class for each seminar? What did you notice that helped or hindered a specific seminar?

          The past four Socratic Seminars have influenced my thinking about Tuesdays with Morrie and life in general. The first Socratic Seminar started to get me to think, "How is this man that knows how is going to die soon, so optimistic?" I was thinking this way because be mentioned how he felt he was "Lucky" to be able to know that he is going to die, I also thought that I honestly would be very upset if I knew when I was going to die. By the fourth Socratic Seminar my thoughts completely changed, I even thought that Morrie was indeed lucky because he was able to say goodbye instead of just dying on the spot, like most people do. I also started to think after the fourth Socratic Seminar that others and I need to start helping our community because as Morrie explained, "The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.” (43)

          I noticed a trend with myself and my personal goals for each seminar. At first I was simply wanting to share more of my ideas, but then later on I started wanting to draw other people in, and then be the one who changes the topic that has been over discussed. My personal goals helped me drive me to do better and better each seminar. For intance, the goal that I made to talk more helped me because for the next three seminars I was able to drive myself into sharing more ideas. What also helped was that I had my goal from the previous Seminar set down next to me so I can glance at it to know if I am meeting what I wanted to meet so far.

          I noticed a trend in the class during each seminar. At first a lot of people, including myself, were to shy to share their ideas. Every seminar after the first one almost everyone had ideas they wanted to share and the number of people participating went up every seminar. I also noticed that having a page number ready to back up your explanation really helped in the third and fourth seminar. I think having a page number helped because while you are explaining others can read what you are refering to and make a comment connecting to what you just said. 

Tuesdays with Morrie (Impact Blog)

Book: Tuesdays with Morrie

Author: Mitch Albom

Pages: 0-163

Prompt:

Based on the 6 Tuesdays you have read about in Tuesdays with Morrie, choose which topic (The World, Feeling Sorry For Yourself, Regrets, Death, Family, or Emotions) that has had the most impact on you or inspired you. On your blog discuss the importance of this topic with your own opinions, including textual evidence (direct quotes) from the book. 

          The Tuesday that impacted me the most was the fifth Tuesday where Morrie and Mitch talk about family. I say this because in this Tuesday Morrie says, "Love eachother or perish" (91). This made me think of an instance where you either loved eachother or perished. I though of the instance where you get assigned partners that you do not like for a long term project. In this case if you don't learn to love and get along well with your partners then you and your partners will perish and get a bad final grade for getting nothing done.

          Another reason that the fifth Tuesday has impacted me the most is because it made me think about how valuable my family is. What made me think this is when Morrie says, "If you don't have the support and love and caring and concern that you get from a family, you don't have much at all" (91). This made me think about how valuable my family is because when Morrie talks about the support you get from a family this reminded me that whenever I couldn't do something. And it also reminded me that whenever I couldn't do something my parents would show me support and how to do it better. Like reading a clock for instance, I used to struggle a lot in 1st grade when I tried to read a analog clock but after they saw my test results they helped me comprehend how to read the clock.

          My final reason that the fifth Tuesday has by far impacted me the most is because the way Morrie reacted when his children wanted to stop their lives to enjoy every last minute with their dad. Morrie said not to stop their lives, "Otherwise, this disease will have ruined three of us instead of one" (93). He is basically saying he doesn't want his children to suffer with him. This impacted me so much because he is looking out for his children when a large amount of the population would have rather had  their children by their side suffering while they battle death. Overall, this has been the most meaningful Tuesday because it has impacted and changed the way I think about family.

Bucket List Blog

Book: Tuesdays with Morrie

Author: Mitch Albom

Pages: 0-54

Prompt:

What are your initial reactions to what you have read in Tuesdays with Morrie thus far? One of the main themes developing in Tuesdays with Morrie is not to take your life for granted. Based on this premise, what is on your Bucketlist? You can write a paragraph leading up to a bulleted list of what you would like to do/accomplish in your life.

          From what we have read so far I feel that Tuesdays with Morrie is going to be and is a very sad book. The thing I find great about this book is that it makes me think about the concept of life. Morrie even though he knows he is going to die he is completely positive. He even has a living funeral because he says that it is a waste if he is dead hearing all of the amazing things that his companions have to say. I also think it is really cool of Mitch to go visit his professor because it's always nice to visit someone rather than call them on the phone.

          An example of when this book made me think is when Morrie said, "The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.” When Morrie says this I start to think that I need to devote my self more to the community around me. Another example of when this book made me think is when Morrie said, “...if you really want it, then you’ll make your dream happen.” This made me think that anything is possible and that everyone can follow their dreams, as long as they really and truly want it to happen. I think that as I read this book I will find more and more ways to live life better.

          A Bucket lists is a list of things you want to do before you die. Some of these things can be unrealistic like living with the sharks and some can be very real like shaking the presidents hand. While neither of those things are on my bucket list, here is my bucket list...

Bucket List

-get a high school diploma

-get a doctorate degree

-be an othopedic surgeon or orthodontist

-own an island

-own a rover on another planet

-own a planet

-win a big contest

-hike a volcano

-wear a life suit

-test drive an expensive car when I am 16-18

-find the cure to procrastination

-find a Netflix show nobody else knows about (so it won't be spoiled)

-fly in first class

-find a vending machine that takes twenties

-bungee jump off the golden state bridge

-sky dive like in the with 20 other people (like on the wii)

-win the lottery

-don't waste the lottery money on unecessary expenses

-go to Sydney with my family

-visit all 7 wonders of the world

-have no regrets

3rd Quarter Reflection

Prompts:

-In what area do you think you made your biggest improvements in English Language Arts?

-What is something you have accomplished this quarter that you are proud of?

-What has been the most challenging part of 3rd Quarter for you and what did/can you do to help overcome this?

          I think I made my biggest improvements in English/LA this quarter in writing. This is because we wrote a arguementative essay. I felt that every draft that we revised my paper got better and using the TIQA strategy to write the paper help me practice that format. I also learned how to in text citate. I feel after writing this paper that I have been able to write more effectively and straight to the point.

          One thing that accomplished this quarter that I am proud of is doing my tasks when they are given. What I mean by this is that for example, an AoW is given on Monday and due on Thursday, I would do the AoW on Monday. I am proud of this because I learned to not wait until the last minute to do things because then I would stress out and write something that wasn't worth writing. Instead I have learned that if I do the assignment right away I find myself having more time and being more relaxed. This in a way adds on to my biggest improvement in writing because with more time I find myself going back and checking on my work.

          The most challenging part of third quarter has been writing the argumentative essay. This is because there were a lot of steps and I had to change some of my sources. To overcome this whenever I had some extra time at home I tried to look at my essay and I tried to revise it. I even put the essay into a website where they dictate what is written. At the end, the argumentative essay was the most challenging part of the third quarter.