RichardMorales

  Prompt Response:   The conversation that truly changed my life was when my mom sat me down and taught me the real difference between right and wrong. That talk didn't just give me a lesson it became the moral compass that has steered every big decision I've made. I don't follow it like some strict rulebook, but I live by that core principle, always reflecting and improving my choices so I can be a little better than I was the day before. Summary:  Today in class we continued reading Fences and started planning our posters. Reflection:   I got better reading comprehension and analyzing skills.

  Prompt Response:   When I was younger, I truly believed Santa was real. I remember staying up late on Christmas Eve, trying to listen for the sound of reindeer hooves on the roof. Waking up to presents under the tree felt like magic, and I never questioned how they got there. Looking back, it was such a simple and exciting kind of joy that only childhood can bring. Summary:  Today in class we read scene 3 of Fences and discussed a poem about dreams. Reflection:    I got better reading comprehension and poetry analysis skills.

  Prompt Response:   Rose's character perfectly highlights the traditional pressure put on women she feels an obligation to care for everyone around her. She's always offering food to people like Lyons and Gabriel, showing how much she embraces the expected role of cooking for family and guests. This powerful sense of duty actually causes friction with Troy, who's come to rely on her fulfilling that role. He gets visibly upset when she tries to step outside of being just his caretaker and wife by speaking her mind. Summary:  Today in class we discussed more about connotation and read Scene 3. Reflection:  I got better skills discussing in a group and a better understanding of the play.

  Prompt Response:  Troy's conversation immediately highlights how deeply systemic racial discrimination can limit opportunity, making "fairness" feel like a myth when the rules are rigged against you from the start. It made me reflect on how today's social structures still require marginalized groups to work twice as hard for the same recognition. If I were in Troy's position, I would likely channel that frustration into community organizing to advocate for equitable labor practices or pursue formal education to create more leverage and access to different career paths, rather than accepting the injustice. Summary:  Today in class we finished Scene 1 of Fences and discussed characterization and connotation. Reflection:  I got a better understanding of the play and practiced analyzing characters and the connotations of words.

  Prompt Response:  Watching my mom deal with the loss of her older family members was a difficult but necessary wake-up call that life is fragile and temporary. It forced me to finally face a fear I'd carried since childhood: that my time with my grandparents and older relatives is limited. Now, instead of avoiding that difficult truth, I use it to make sure I never take a single moment for granted when we are together. Summary:  Today in class we were introduced to the play Fences and began reading it. Reflection:   I got better skills reading out loud and understanding of play structure.

  Prompt Response:  My heart sank when my high school math teacher, Ms. Miles, looked right at me and said she didn't think I had a chance of passing the upcoming advanced algebra test. That judgment fueled a quiet determination; I spent every evening for the next week focused solely on mastering the material. When the results came back, I not only passed, but stunned both of us by earning a 92%, proving that her low expectations were a powerful, unintended motivator. Summary:  Today in class we completed the Common Lit assignment about what makes people do bad things. Reflection:   I got better reading comprehension skills and question answering skills.

  Prompt Response:   As someone learning about Hispanic/Latino heritage for the first time, I would be most curious about the diversity within the cultures. I'd want to know how the traditions, foods, and music vary from one country to another, like Mexico versus Colombia or Peru. I'd also be interested in understanding the significance of major celebrations like Day of the Dead or Carnival, and how these events connect communities and preserve their history. Summary:  Today in class we took our common assessment, watched a short film and answered questions. Reflection:  I got better test taking skills and a better understanding of immigrant families and their struggles.

  Prompt Response:   Donovan's story map was the most meaningful for me because we share the same culture. When he started talking about fried plantain, it immediately grabbed my attention and made me feel a personal connection to his topic. It was a simple detail, but hearing him speak about something so familiar and cherished from our shared background made me feel seen. His presentation was a powerful reminder that our unique cultural experiences have a place in the classroom. Summary:  Today in class we finished presenting our Story Map projects. Reflection:   :  I got a better understanding of my classmate's stories and their culture. 

  Prompt Response:   For a long time, I saw the gym as a waste of time and an exhausting chore. I thought it was just a place for people to show off or mindlessly lift weights. However, once I started going myself, my entire perspective shifted. I discovered it was a place for mental clarity and personal growth, and I learned to appreciate the dedication and discipline that everyone there shared. Summary:  Today in class we completed the Common Lit assignment about single stories. Reflection:   I gained better reading comprehension skills and better understanding of how stereotypes can shape your internal story about a group of people.

  Prompt Response:   Last year's advanced algebra was a struggle for me, and my teacher made a tough subject even harder. When I asked a simple question, they wouldn't just answer; they'd turn to the entire class and re-explain a basic concept in an exaggeratedly simplistic way. They never called me "stupid," but the public performance made me feel humiliated and completely discouraged me from ever asking for help again. Summary:  Today in class we read, analyzed and discussed themes of the poem "Incident." Reflection:  I got a better understanding of offensive words and the effects they can have.

  Prompt Response:   One thing I really enjoy about Lakeside's spirit week is how many students go all out with their outfits and confidently express themselves without worrying about others' opinions. Even though I might not be as creative as some, I still make an effort to participate by dressing according to the daily themes. One of my favorite days this year was Adam Sandler Dayseeing everyone in oversized clothes and relaxed fits made the school day feel more fun and laid-back. Overall, my favorite homecoming tradition is the pep rally. The shorter classes give the whole day a more exciting vibe, and the energy at the rally is always a highlight of the week. Summary:  Today in class we started presenting our Story Maps. Reflection:   I learned more about my classmates background and culture.

Prompt Response:  While the pressures of gender role expectations do not justify Edna’s decision to engage in an extramarital affair, her actions are understandable given her circumstances. Morally, pursuing a relationship outside of her marriage was wrong. However, the dissatisfaction she felt in her role as a mother and wife signaled a deeper need for personal transformation. The affair, along with her summer vacation, served as a catalyst for self-discovery, allowing Edna to see herself as more than just a caretaker. Though the path she chose was ethically questionable, the personal growth she experienced as a result was ultimately beneficial to her sense of identity and autonomy. Summary:  Today in class we completed discussion questions for 'I don't want a wife" and we read The Awakening and answered questions. Reflection:  Today in class we completed discussion questions for 'I don't want a wife" and we read The Awakening and answered questions.

  Prompt Response:    I like hands-on activities the most because they give you a chance to apply the skills and topics you learn to real world, tangible purposes. I think it allows you to get a more well rounded understanding of the topic and prove that you know what you're talking about. It also gives you a chance to broaden the scope of the issue and practice problem solving skills that might not come up in other learning methods. Summary:  Today in class we discussed our "Why I Want a Husband" lists and talked about the discussion questions for I Want a Wife Reflection:  I got better discussion skills and understanding of gender expectations.

Prompt Response:  As a man in my culture, the expectation to not show emotions has been the most challenging to navigate. This is particularly true in situations of grief or sadness, where I feel pressure to maintain a stoic and composed demeanor. It has been difficult because suppressing my feelings often leads to a sense of isolation and prevents me from seeking the support I need from others. Summary:  Today in class we read "I Want a Wife" and created our own "I Want A Husband" lists. Reflection:   I got a better understanding of gender norms and the expectations for men and women in families and marriages.

Prompt Response:  As I get ready to graduate from high school, I've been thinking a lot about my next steps, and for me, the answer is to stay right here in the Atlanta metro area. My decision is really centered on two things that are incredibly important to me: my family and the vibrant culture of the city. With my entire family here, I feel a strong sense of community and support that I don't want to leave behind. On top of that, Atlanta's bustling arts and culture scene, from its street art to its music and diverse festivals, is something that I've grown up with and truly love. It's a place where I feel at home, with endless opportunities to grow and learn, and it's where I can build my future without sacrificing the connections that mean the most to me. Summary:  Today in class we worked on our plan for our story map. Reflection:  I practiced recalling stories from my childhood and answering prompts.

  Prompt Response:  For as long as I can remember, I've always been the "good kid," the one who followed the rules without question. It wasn't out of fear or a lack of personal opinion, but more a deep-seated respect for the sacrifices my parents made for me. They built our lives on a foundation of hard work and quiet determination, and I always felt a responsibility to not add to their worries. This meant I never pushed back on their expectations, never had that rebellious phase you hear so much about. Even when I disagreed with them, I'd usually just find a way to make it work, silently compromising my own desires for the sake of family harmony. Looking back, I sometimes wonder what it would have been like to stand my ground, to really fight for something I wanted, but in the end, I think this path was just a quiet reflection of their own values. Summary:  Today, we read a short story called "Two Kinds" by Amy Tan. Reflection:  I got better analysis sk...

 Prompt Response:  After four and a half weeks in the class, I think Multicultural Literature is going relatively well. I am doing well keeping up with daily blog posts, in-class assignments and homework. I still struggle during class presentations but I expect that to get easier as the year progresses. This is the first English class that makes me feel responsible. In the past, I've had strict, boring, talkative, overassigning, rude, uninterested, overly laid back, and awful teachers. Summary:  Today in class, we reviewed the vocabulary and started working on our vocabulary assignment Reflection:  I improved my familiarity with the words and stayed on task to get most of the assignment completed.