Essay 13

Respect, Thoughtfulness, and Being Careful

Three ways I have grown to become an eighth grade scholar

Pine Point School

8th Grade

May 17, 2012

Elizabeth Griffin

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Throughout this year as an eighth grader, I have fully developed as a student. I have transformed in many ways, but the changes I notice the most are that I have become increasingly respectful, thoughtful, and careful. By blossoming in these areas, my eighth grade year  has been rewarding.

I have changed this year through learning the full meaning of respect. In English class, we have been taught the kind way, the proper way, and the polite way  to act in class. In the beginning of each class, each student must hold the chair for the person on their left, then be seated, and remind one another to be  good scholars. From completing  this simple act of respect every day this year, I have learned that a little effort  can go a long way. I have also developed admiration for the literature that we have read. In the novel To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus Finch, an older brave man, accepted a challenging court case and commanded respect throughout this difficult situation. By taking our time to read this exciting and thrilling book, I have gained a higher respect for books in general. Lastly, I have developed more appreciation for my fellow scholars. When in class, I have learned that if you look at the speakers while they are talking, it gives them a boost of confidence. All these acts have helped me become a more serious English scholar.

By growing as an eighth grader, I have become a more thoughtful person. One way that I have become progressively  mindful is by listening more attentively. In English class we use SLANTS, which is an acronym for sitting up straight, lean forward, nodding, tracking the speaker, and say back. By performing these behaviors every day in class, my brain naturally activates  my listening skills. Being a watchful listener, has helped me develop greater awareness for  my surroundings . This new skill, resulting in my understanding of literature and writing essays, has increased my achievements in Mr. Salsich’s class. I am also more alert to the points and ideas that my fellow scholars contribute. In addition, this year I have gained more confidence in and out of school, which helps me be more observant of other people’s feelings. From working with determination to complete perfect essays, I have realized if you try your hardest, and work on each assessment a little everyday,  you can achieve success.  In addition, I have had some support this year from my talented tutors, two very special women.  These women, Mrs. Fritzsche and Mrs. Champagne, boost my confidence because they keep telling me that I can do it, if I put my mind to it. From becoming a more thoughtful person, I have become a more conscientious learner.

Along with becoming a respectful and thoughtful person, I have also become extraordinarily careful. Studying the book we are reading, I have learned the right way to read a classic novel.  One way that I have become a cautious reader is by annotating each and every single page we read. This reading technique has forced me to understand everything I am reading.  Learning how to write picture perfect essays, can be challenging as well, but from this I have noticed that you have to take your time writing. To receive an A in English class, you need to  write an essay with absolutely no mistakes. In order to receive this grade, I have to take my time and look over my work very carefully to make sure I have done the very best that I can do. In addition to being careful in my writing , I am also extremely cautious in the words I choose. I try my best to make sure I do not repeat words, that I do not over use words, and that I do not place anything in my essay that is not needed.  This can be challenging sometimes, but I always find a way to make it happen, even if it is extremely hard to complete. Becoming a more careful person this year, I feel that I have done the best that I can do.

Being  respectful, thoughtful, and careful are all actions that have helped me tremendously throughout my eighth grade year. Applying these words each day in school, I feel that I have not only become a better scholar and a more appreciative learner, but also a better classmate. From learning the true meaning of these words throughout the year I feel as if I did the best I could do this year.

Self Assessment:
1. One writing issue I am continuing to work on is that I think I could use more participles in my writing, to make my sentences longer.
2. A strong point I see in my writing, is that I believe that I am using very good FAST words, as well as alliteration, to enhance my writing.
3. One possible weak spot I see is that  some sentences are a bit awkward to say.

Essay 12

      Love All Around

A Connection From a Touching Song To The World Today

April 23,2012

Pine Point School

8th Grade

Eliza Griffin

     People don’t often take the time to look carefully and think about a song’s lyrics. However, song lyrics usually have great meaning and often relate to the world around you. In the Black Eyed Peas popular song “ Where Is The Love”, I see the lyrics connect to two historic events and to my life.

    (TS) The lyrics  “People killin’, people dyin’ children hurt and you hear them cryin’ can you practice what you preach and would you turn the other cheek” from the Black Eyed Peas song “ Where Is The Love” relate to some of the worst maritime disasters of this century. (S.D) When the Titanic sunk, the captain, Edward Smith, went down with the ocean liner. (C.M) Edward Smith, a strong brave man, believed that because he was the captain and in charge of the vessel, he needed to be sure that as many passengers  as possible would be saved, even if that meant that he had to go down with the ship, making the safety of his passengers his priority. In a way, he “practiced what he preached”. (C.M) Captain Smith could have gotten off the ship with many of the other passengers, but he chose to stay behind with the steamship.(S.D) Recently, there was a Carnival cruise ship,the Costa Concordia, that hit a rock and ran aground off the coast of  Italy. (C.M) The captain, Francesco Schettino, was one of the first people off the ship, because he claims, “ I only left because I fell in lifeboat.” (C.M) Captain  Schettino could have been more honorable like Captain Smith by staying with the Costa Concordia and ensuring that all his passengers were safely off the boat before he was. (C.M) Captain Schettino did not make the right decision, instead he turned his cheek. (C.S) These two real world tragedies are great examples of the Black Eyed Peas upbeat lyrics.

     (T.S) The lyrics, “ Most of us only care about money makin’ selfishness got us followin’ our wrong direction” relates to my own life. (S.D)  I see many people making wrong decisions with money, spending it place that don’t require it was much as others. (C.M) Whether spending their money carelessly, or spending their earnings selfishly, people could be donating their well earned money to a charitable organization that helps the less fortunate. (C.M) This type of selfless act often brings more satisfaction to the donor than just spending money on a new outfit.  (S.D) However, there are some people in the world that only care about working and making as much money as possible . (C.M) Although they may not spend their earnings on themselves or frivolous items, they are missing out on something in life that is very important and that is helping others. (C.M) People who do work excessively, do not know how to take the time to enjoy life, a beautiful and mysterious phenomenon.(C.S) This  lyric shows that money cannot buy everything.

The lyrics of a song can sometimes signify several meanings. The Black Eyed Peas  song “Where Is The Love” represents many beliefs. The ship disasters, the Titanic and the Costa Concordia, and the behavior of the captains relate to the songs lyrics. I have witnessed examples of these lyrics meaning in my life as well through my observations of the ways that people spend money.

Self Assessment:

1. One writing issue that I am continuing to work on is making my sentences longer, and having my sentences make better music.

2.  One strong point I see in my writing, is in my first body paragraph. I think that this is a strong  point because  I am using different words to say ship.

3. One possible weak part I see in my writing is in the conclusion paragraph. This is because I feel as if the sentences are a bit awkward.

Essay 11

Two Different Men Acting With Kind Hearts

A Shared Pattern Between My Life and To Kill A Mockingbird

April 5,2012

8th Grade

Pine Point School

Eliza Griffin

A definition of patterns is an example for others to follow: he set the pattern for subsequent study. Atticus Finch and my grandfather both strongly represent a pattern of kindness in their day to day lives. Whether it is a character in a novel or a living person, thoughtfulness makes a large impact on others’ lives.

(T.S.) Throughout the entire novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, there is a pattern of kindness. (S.D.) Atticus Finch, a caring man, a kind man, demonstrates this pattern several times. (C.M.) When Mr. Ewell spits on him, Atticus takes the high road, becoming the bigger person by simply wiping the spit away. (C.M.) Even when someone treats Atticus unfairly, he remains calm, responding respectfully and with kindness. (S.D.) Atticus also approaches everyone with  an  equal and favorable manner, no matter what their actions are. (C.M) If a man was poor, Atticus would not look at him any differently than how he would look at a rich man. (C.M.) The motto that   Atticus lives by, from the Declaration of Independence states, “ All men are created equal.” (S.D.) Lastly, Atticus does not judge anyone, no matter who they are. (C.M.) He agrees to represent Tom Robinson because Atticus believes that Tom deserves a fair trial. (C.M.) Atticus  believes that the color of someone's skin should not determine how they are judged in a crime.(C.S) Atticus’s consistent fair and kind behavior  quickly makes the citizens of Maycomb respect him.

(T.S.) I also see a pattern of kindness in my life. (S.D.) My grandfather, a compassionate man, is one of the friendliest people I have ever known. (C.M.) Whenever my grandfather sees someone walking or biking by him, he greets them, by saying hello, even if he does not know them. (S.D.) My grandfather, like Atticus, treats everyone the same, always respecting them and caring and listening carefully to what they say. (C.M.) If you have done something wrong, my grandfather won’t look at you differently, he will look at you like he always has. (S.D.) He takes the time to discuss your misbehavior with you,  acting in a compassionate way, his tone is continually kind even if there is a punishment involved. (C.M.) This is because my grandfather does not judge people, but consistently looks for the best in them. (S.D.) Lastly, my grandfather is a great listener. (.C.M) If the topic you are talking about  does not  interest him, he will still sit and pretend it does (C.M). He will ask you questions and will always try to give you some positive feedback .(C.S) All of these acts represent my grandfather’s generosity and patience.

Although these simple acts of kindness may not be recognized everyday as an obvious pattern, they do make a grand impact on the lives of many. By realizing  that I witness considerate people every day in my life, I recognize that kindness is a huge pattern in my life. This existing pattern has helped me find more examples of similar patterns in my life. Atticus and my grandfather are two great  examples of patterns of commendable behavior.

Self Assessment:

1. One writing issue I am continuing to work on is making my sentences longer by adding more description to them.

2. A strong point see in my writing is when I use FAST words. This is because I think they make my writing better.

3. One possible weak point I see is in my closing paragraph, this is because I feel