Lucy's English Blog

  Prompt Response:  A phrase I find myself constantly using is "I don't know." This phrase indicates that a person lacks information or certainty about a topic. It has become a part of my everyday vocabulary because it is sometimes an easy way out of a conversation or I just don't have the knowledge. Over time relying on this phrase, it has become an automatic response for me that prevents deeper engagement sometimes. I typically use this phrase when I need to make a hard decision. This shows that I am a very indecisive person so I use this phrase as a crutch.  Summary: Today in class we copied down fifteen vocabulary words and then completed 3 exercises using those words.  Reflection:  This will help me improve my communication skills by giving me more precise words too express my thoughts and help with comprehending complex texts.

  Prompt Response:  Something that has been challenging for me is managing my stress. I am constantly worried about all the work I have for this year, especially since junior year is the most challenging. I need to improve my outlook and perspective for this year, and realize that everything will work out. I should be enjoying my high school experience, not constantly worrying about my future. Something that has been going well for me is my amount of homework. Compared to sophomore year I have considerably less homework.  Summary: Today in class we read an article on Writable and created an argumentative paragraph about whether taking a life can ever be considered a "good" thing. Reflection:  This will prepare me by improving my skills in analyzing articles and helped me work on making my writing for concise. 

 Prompt Response: One time, my friend and I were trying to decide on the best movie to watch, and I told her that the first movie in the series was definitely the best one. Right away she said, "That's not true". To support my claim, I brought up specific evidence. For example, how the original felt nostalgic, how it introduced all the best characters, and showed her the ratings online from movie critics. Explaining my evidence was just as important as giving it because just giving facts isn't always enough to convince someone. Explaining how the points proved my argument helped my friend understand from my perspective.  Summary: I was absent today in class. I heard that we read a short story and discussed it.  Reflection: I was absent today in class.

Prompt Response:  I enjoy hands-on activities the most because getting to actually build or test things makes the lessons more interesting and memorable. Instead of just reading a textbook or filling out a paper, doing experiments and physical projects helps me understand how things really work. I remember information much better when I can touch and see what I am learning about, and it makes my whole day more fun and exciting. It also keeps me focused because I am actively participating instead of just sitting back and listening.  Summary: Today in class, we received another practice free response question and created 5 claims to support our position on the topic of owning objects, and then used evidence to defend our claims. Reflection:    Working through the practice prompt showed me how important it is to match each point with clear reasoning so my position stays logical and convincing. I can use this skill whenever I write timed essays or need to build a persua...

  Prompt Response:   I will never fully comprehend space. We have so much of it left to explore, it is still all a mystery. We have only sent spacecrafts to a few places in the solar system. Beyond that are billions of other stars, planets, and galaxies that no one has ever seen up close. Then there are black holes. Scientists know they exist, but nobody really knows what happens inside one or what it would feel like to fall into one. Time even works so differently in space. That means a minute near a black hole could be years back on Earth, which is crazy to think about. It feels like we are just scratching the surface, and we will never fully comprehend it. Summary: Today in class, we reviewed the different types of claims and started practicing creating our claims while using observations, experiences, and readings to support them.  Reflection:   Understanding how to support an argument using claims and evidence makes my writing feel much clearer and more convinc...

  Prompt Response:  What sets me apart from most people is how deeply I feel things. If a friend is stressed, angry, or excited I react to that as if it were happening to me. This is not a choice or kindness but an automatic reaction. Because of this, social environments take a lot of energy out of me. I think this is why I love movies, because I can put myself in the character's situation and truly understand what they are going through. Sometimes this is a negative thing though. For example, if a friend is sad then there is no way for me to make them feel better because I will feel the same way they do. Summary: Today in class we took a quiz of 10 multiple choice questions and 1 free response on AP Classroom.  Reflection:  I learned from this quiz how to read passages thoroughly and analyze them to find their claim. I also learned how to find what certain sentences contribute to the meaning of the passages. I can use this knowledge to improve my writing by making s...

     As a junior, my main academic goals for this year are to build strong study habits, stay organized, and prepare for college. First, I want to maintain a high GPA and high grades in my challenging classes by participating in discussions and seeking help if I struggle with any material. Next, I plan to improve my time management by using a calendar to keep track of homework, extracurriculars, and exams. I also would like to plan out time for me to hang out with my friends. Finally, my goal is to get a head start on my future by researching universities and starting to write my college essays. I realize that this year can be extremely overwhelming, so I want to make sure that I am doing all that I can to achieve my goals.