Getahun’s English Blog

Today, we read and analyzed a poem called "The Red Wheelbarrow," and answered four questions pertaining to the message of the poem. The poem describes a red wheelbarrow and its utter necessity yet simplicity. By analyzing the poem, I reflected on simple yet important tools and objects in my everyday life such as a clock, bookbag, or shoes, and how these items are often overlooked but definitely essential. I liked this lesson because it gives food for thought and encourages appreciation and even gratitude for things we usually don't think twice about. Today, I'm thinking about how to present my cultural poem project.

 Today we read and analyzed a poem called "Incident" by Countee Cullen. It describes a situation of what we can assume to be a very young black boy in Baltimore who recounts an incident in the same city, in which another young white boy called him the n-word. In the poem the narrator (black boy) describes it as the only thing he remembers in Baltimore after staying there from May to December. I learned a few messages to take away from this poem including that words have power, and that memories can be tainted by hurtful things. I thought it was interesting to think about where the white boy learned to use the n-word, in that he most likely learned it from a family member or friend, given there was no internet or cell phones at the time. After analyzing the poem, we made a list that we personally found the most offensive, and continued writing our own version of the poem, where the white kid calls the black kid something else. I'm feeling conflicted about what to do for Ha...

 

 Today, we played a Kahoot game in class on current events. I liked that the quiz was easy, and that I got the minor work coupon for placing top 3. I learned that Michael Jackson was friends with Chris Tucker. Today, I'm feeling ready to go home after the pep rally because I'm tired.

Today, we began working on a new project where we create a poster with a poem about our culture. We will be using a website called Mural to help build the project. I learned that this assignment should come from the heart, and not require much critical thinking. I was interested in seeing past completed projects for this assignment and the creative ways that created their own project. Today was a boring day for me so far, but that can still change.

 

 Absent this day.

Today, we took our final test on "Fences" by August Wilson. It was a lot of questions (45) but the questions weren't that hard, and I got a 91. I learned that I got 4 questions wrong out of 45. I liked that how each character in the story represented certain ideals or morals, such as Bono with loyalty and Troy with hard work. I feel like today is Friday, because the different block schedule messed up my perception of the week. 

 Today, we finished up our reading of "Fences" by August Wilson. I liked how it ended because it left many things up to interpretation without solid conclusions. I learned that there has been a time jump from where we last left, where Cory came back from the marines, Troy passed, and a Cory now has a sister named Raynell. We also reviewed a new project we will be working on. The project is a PowerPoint on a certain character in the story with descriptions and explanations of websites they visited, things they've thrown away, and a soundtrack for the novel. Today I'm feeling ready for the week.