Sample Art Response - "Everything Will Be Okay

This drawing is a visual representation of James's struggles fending off life's anvil.  The anvil represents the enormous pressures he feels from his brothers and father "to be a man."

James is a very empathetic, loving boy who is confronted with life's realities. James is hopeful and wants to save the kitten, but it isn’t to be so. The red represents his sense of love and devotion for all animals.The dark shadows represents his grief and confusion about having a different view about how animals should be treated from his family.

The expression on his face represented by the jagged lines demonstrates his determination to not let his family determine what he thinks is important. He makes the decision to to what is best for him.

At the end of the story James says, "I will never work for Dr. Milk. I will not go hunting with my father. I will decide for myself what kind of boy I am, what kind of man I will become." (pg. 4) By doing this he unburdens himself of the anvil and he is finally free to be the person he wants to be. Unfortunately he also loses his innocence or a part of his childhood.

This is important because in life sometimes we feel so much pressure that we’re trapped underneath it. We need to take charge in these situations and throw it off of our self.

Growing Up

I asked for this photo to be taken to mark a special occasion.  Taylor, my beautiful daughter, was all dressed up to go to the prom.

This picture represents much more to me than a special occasion. It is about growing up, and taking the next steps. In less then a month my little girl will be graduating from high school and then off to college. Before that she will be entering the adult world as an intern at the Straits Times here in Singapore. I wanted to capture this moment in time, to mark a significant milestone in her life and mine. Next year, will be different without her living with us.

Growing up - it is a part of life. As a parent, I worked hard for this day that I would see my daughter spread her wings and fly away. Watch out world my daughter is all grown up and heading your way.

A Race of Arrogance

Hermes, messenger of the gods, was filled with rage. His face burned bright red and he clenched his fists with fury.  How dare a mere human contest my running abilities. I shall teach Pheidippides a lesson. He needed revenge.

Pheidippides, an Olympian known for his running abilities, was needed by King Aegeus, the military power of Athens. Persian King Darius had already conquered Thrace in the north and his army was moving closer and closer to the city of Athens. “Pheidippides I need you to run as fast as you can to the city. General Miltiades was able to chase the Persian army away at Marathon, but now they are headed to Athens. We need to warn the people in the city. Please, run quickly and may the gods be in your favor,” ordered King Aegeus.

“I will do it, my king. You can count on me,” Pheidippides bowed as he responded. Feet pounding, heart pumping, running the entire way, Pheidippides delivered the warning allowing Miltiades and his army time to reach the city in order to defend it.

www.military-history.org

 “Pheidippides, you have saved the day. You indeed are a great runner,” boasted King Aegeus.  With this compliment, Pheidippides thought to himself, I am the best runner in the entire world. Even the leader of Athens said so. In reality I am better than Hermes. Unluckily for Pheidippides, Hermes heard what he had said and would not let anyone berate him. He was furious. No one is better than me, and that is the real truth, Hermes thought.

That night Hermes appeared to Pheidippides in a dream. “You proclaim that you are better than I,” Hermes angry demanded.

Pheidippides trembled, “I didn’t… I didn’t… I didn’t mean it.”

“You have challenged me and I accept the challenge. Tomorrow at sundown we will race from the plains of Sparta to the coast and we will see who is the swiftest runner,” then he disappeared.

www.marvunapp.com 

The next morning Pheidippides awoke knowing it wasn’t just a dream. Ready for the challenge and knowing he was sure to win, Pheidippides greeted Hermes at the prearranged meeting spot. “On the count of three,” Hermes commanded. “One, two three,” and they took off running. Blurring the view of the spectators, only a cloud of dust could be seen as they flew across the plain with their feet barely touching the ground. For the first stadion, it appeared to be a close race as they were neck and neck. But then, Hermes pulled slightly ahead of Pheidippides, glanced over his shoulder and almost felt sorry for him. He thought, I am impressed with this mortal, and yet, he shall be severely punished for his outrageous and shocking arrogance. Suddenly, Hermes dashed further ahead. Barely visible to the human eye, he was running at supersonic speed, the speed of sound.

Lagging far behind Pheidippides was thinking; this wasn’t the best idea I’d ever had. I shouldn’t have challenged a god. My boasting will surely cost me my life. Oh, Hermes please don’t let me die. Hermes heard Pheidippides; he decided it would be a shame to kill him. Instead he would allow him to live, but never forget his crime.

Pheidippides shrinking slowly, ever so slowly eventually was the size of a watermelon. A hard crust appeared on his back and his gait gradually slowed. Coming to a halt, he gazed at his limbs.  He saw in their place, scaly flippers.  He tried to run, but with great effort he only slightly edged forward. Standing motionless, he realized Hermes turned him into a slow moving turtle.

commons.wikimedia.org 

Hermes was nowhere in sight, but was looking down from Mt. Olympus proud of his deed and his lenience in sparing Pheidippides’ life.  From that day on, Pheidippides was a dawdling turtle on land. But alas, Hermes was also compassionate and allowed him to swim at great speeds and grace in the sea.

Images: Pheidippides

Personal Essay - Time to Process

       We have been reading personal essays for the past three weeks. By reading mentor text, we can better understand how to write this new powerful genre. From reading Tony Hawk's "Do What you Love,"  Macklin Levine's "The Beatles Live On," and YingYing Yu's "Duty to Family, Country," we have learned that a personal essay is best when it has meaning that is of personal significance. Personal essay topics vary as they give a glimpse to the reader into your life experiences. We generated ideas using our reading, from our past notebook ideas, and from what we have experience or faced in our own lives.

One topic I have been grabbling with is the idea of free time and how society is not understanding it's importance. Take a look at the four drafts and see how I raised the level of writing each time.

My Pick - Fire Girl

       After seeing and hearing Ainsley's book talk on Fire Girl by Tony Abott, I got so excited that I decided to reread this book. My take away from this book was that when we do even the smallest act of kindness toward someone we never know what impact we may have on someone. So be kind!

Book Talks - Presents to Ourselves

     

Tis the season to be jolly and giving gifts. And what wonderful gifts we have

given each other with our book talks. Such gifts as Fire Girl, The One and Only Ivan, Toby Alone, The Miraculous Adventures of Edward Tulane, Turtle in Paradise, Found, Mockingbird, Red Kayak, Out of My Mind, So B. It, Mick Harte Was Here, Esperanza Raising, and Revolution is Not a Dinner Party to name a few.

     Do you have a favorite? There are so many to chose from. Which one are you going to choose to take with you on your holiday to read? Maybe you can take two or three. What a fantastic gift.

   Did I mention that I was so proud of your book talks? Take a look at our I can statements and see which ones you are able to complete. I realized that some of you have never given a book talk before, while some of you are regular pros at it. It was great to see your confidence, clarity, and eye contact come through. Overall I was impressed with your enthusiasm as you delivered your hooks and gave wonderful succinct summaries. The excerpts that you read were well chosen and most picked a stand out idea to share. I can't wait to pick up one of these amazing books.

Character Extension Project - Freak the Mighty

Let’s face it - everyone has pressures in their lives. True, some people’s burdens are heavier than others, but it is how we deal with these pressures that matters. Dealing with these difficulties can define us and make a difference in how we see life. When we meet these stressors head on we can learn about ourselves, others, and life in general. In Freak the Mighty, by Rodman Philbrick, Kevin has several pressures in his life, but one is so extremely difficult and yet, he deals with it so eloquently that he ends up teaching those around him life lessons.

In this book Maxwell Kane, a large, slow, kind-hearted eighth grader, meets his new neighbor, Kevin Avery, an extremely intelligent physically disabled boy (nicknamed Freak), and the two become fast friends.  Max just wants to live a normal life, while Kevin is looking to make a friend and make the best of his situation. Perhaps it is their oddities, Max’s learning disabilities, and Kevin’s physical disability- that bring them together, but these two misfits set out on many grand adventures together conquering anything put in their path. It is through the obstacles and pressures that they both face that we learn what it means to be strong.

Kevin’s has many pressure that afflict him. First of all, his father skipped out on him and his mom, the Fair Gwen, right after he was born. Loretta said, “Right after you was born. He (referring to his dad) must be a magician, because as soon as he heard the words ‘birth defect,’ he disappeared.” (pg. 71)  Another pressure for Kevin is that he struggles to make friends and is often bullied by others. When Max and Kevin are walking to watch the fireworks works on the 4th of July , Tony D and his gang start bullying them. Tony says, “Hey you! Mutt and Jeff! Frankenstein and Igor! Don’t look around, I’m talking to you, bone heads. What is this, a freak show?” (pg. 29) A third pressure for Kevin is his mother constantly worrying about him. The Fair Gwen is hugging Freak and she is saying, “I told you to stay in that car, didn’t I? Didn’t I? (pg. 134).

But those pressure are not even the worst of what Kevin has to handle. Kevin’s main pressure is that he suffers from Morquio Syndrome - a rare hereditary disease that causes deformity of the bones or skeleton and dwarfing. So how does Kevin deal with all of these pressures? He lives each day to the fullest using his imagination. It all started when Max puts Kevin on his shoulder - the two become Freak the Mighty - and go on quests slaying dragons and fools and walking high above the world(pg 40). But Kevin also creates this elaborate idea that he shares with Max. “I will enter that lab and become the first bionically improved human.” (pg 51)  After Kevin dies, Dr. Spivak explains to Max Kevin’s motivation behind the idea. She said, “I think he needed something to hope for and so he invented this rather remarkable fantasy you describe. Everybody needs something to hope for. Don’t call it a lie. Kevin wasn’t a liar.” (pg 157).
When examining how Kevin deals with these pressures, he serves as a mentor for all of us.  Even though he has a life more difficult than most can imagine, he sees the glass full and lives life to its fullest. We need to learn from Kevin and see all the possibilities life has to offer. We need to use our imagination and be the best that we can be.

Kevin's Pressures: Glogster

Max's Makeover: I-Movie

Max's Turning Points: Fakebook