RichardMorales

   Prompt Response:  I don't really have a favorite word but more of a favorite phrase and it goes like "That's why we clash." I like this phrase because it is part of my favorite video game Clash  Royale.  Summary:  Today in class we went over our poetry explications and made a comic strip with vocabulary words. Reflection:  I got better poetry analysis skills and a stronger vocabulary.

    Prompt Response:   If we look at something we accept today that future generations might judge, we can focus on the traditional K-12 school structure. The idea that all students in a grade must learn the same material at the exact same time, simply because they are the same age, could soon be seen as outdated and wasteful. Future societies might view the rigid daily schedule and reliance on large-group, lecture-style teaching as a strange way to stifle individual talent and personalized progress. They might wonder why we didn't focus more on what each student was actually ready to learn, instead of just what chapter they were on. Summary:  Today in class we completed the Common Lit assignment on child labor. Reflection:  I got better reading comprehension and analysis skills.

    Prompt Response:  The feeling of unfairness is when your middle school teacher excessively praised one student for "hard work," despite everyone putting in equal effort, strongly connects to the selective indifference Blake exposes. Just as the teacher chose to praised the effort of one student while ignoring the efforts of the rest, wealthy society in Blake's poems chose to focus only on their clean chimneys, allowing them to ignore the brutal suffering of the young sweeps. This dynamic reveals how those with power often fixate on a convenient, narrow narrative like a "hardworking" favorite which allows them to rationalize or simply overlook the deserving efforts and basic humanity of others.  Summary:  Today in class we read poems about child chimney sweeps and worked on the worksheet analyzing one of the poems. Reflection:  I got better teamwork skills and poetry analysis skills.

Prompt Response:   I remember watching the movie Grown Ups 1 and 2 and absolutely losing it. Seriously, I was laughing so hard that I almost couldn't breathe and definitely had tears streaming down my face at one point. It's one of those comedies that just completely broke me, and I couldn't stop giggling for hours afterward. Summary:  Today in class we completed and submitted our One Pagers on a poem comparison. Reflection:  I got better skills putting my ideas into a format with visuals that can fit on a single page.

Prompt Response:   Taking weight lifting class junior year was definitely a mixed. I felt awesome because my strength was really taking off, and it was super satisfying to see myself lift heavier and heavier. But honestly, it was also a ton of pressure. Every time I stepped up to the bar, I was so excited to perform well, but deep down, I was also terrified of failing a lift in front of everyone. It just goes to show how something can be equally exciting and scary at the exact same time. Summary:  Today in class we read the poems "The Lamb" and "The Tyger" and started working on our one pagers. Reflection:  I got better poetry analysis skills and practice putting information into a one page format.   

  Prompt: M y birth happened right at home! My mom told me things moved so fast that the doctor had to rush to the house since there wasn't time to make it to the hospital. Despite the unexpected setting, everything went smoothly, making for a memorable and wonderful start. Summary:  Today in class we read the poems Infant Sorrow and Infant Joy by William Blake. Reflection:  I got better poetry analysis skills and critical thinking skills.

  Prompt Response:  My fall break was refreshingly, a much-needed break from school I focused on a straightforward routine: heading to work during the day, hitting the gym in the evenings, and dedicating the rest of my time to just relaxing. It was a quiet, restorative week that successfully recharged me without the stress of travel or elaborate plans.

  Prompt Response:  When I have a lot to do I try to cut it down to where I can handle it. I take breaks between each assignment for example when I have homework I make myself a drink and some snacks to relax me down. If I am stuck on an assignment I take a break and watch a video that explains the topic more clearly. Lastly, I always make time for the gym and I use it as a way to reduce stress and improve motivation. This is how I enjoy my day, even when I have a lot going on. Summary:  Today in class we took the Fences assessment.  Reflection:  I gained a lot of skills from reading Fences, including public speaking skills by reading out loud to the class, reading comprehension and analysis skills from class discussions, and character analysis and presentations skills from our characterization posters.

  Prompt Response:   During my ninth-grade biology class, a moment with my teacher about the End-of-Course (EOC) exam truly had a lasting impact. I was feeling anxious about the test, but she pulled me aside and didn't just tell me to study harder. Instead, she said something like, "The EOC isn't a measure of how smart you are, it's a chance to show yourself how much you've already mastered." That framing completely changed my perspective from fear of failure to excitement about proving my competence. It became a key lesson for me: I learned to view tough challenges, not as obstacles designed to trip me up, but as opportunities to showcase the knowledge and skills I already possess. That encouragement helped me focus and perform well, and I still carry that positive outlook into major tests and projects today. Summary:  Today in class we presented our characterization posters for Fences. Reflection:   I got better presentation skills and analysis skills.

Prompt Response:   The return to in-person school after the COVID-19 pandemic was a huge moment where I had to step way out of my comfort zone. I honestly thrived during virtual learning; I stayed on top of my schoolwork and was able to avoid all the stressful and often awkward social dynamics that come with middle school. However, going back was truly overwhelming, being suddenly surrounded by people again. That necessary discomfort pushed me to grow a lot socially, and I recognize it as a pivotal moment for my personal development. Summary:   Today in class we finished our characterization posters. Reflection:   I got better posting making skills and character analysis skills.

  Prompt Response:   I had a vivid, unsettling dream where my teeth suddenly crumbled and fell out, which felt terrifyingly real. Dreams about losing teeth often symbolize a feeling of being powerless or out of control in your waking life. It can also reflect anxiety about your appearance, or worry over how you are communicating or expressing yourself to others. Basically, it's a common sign that you're stressed and feel like something is slipping away from you. Summary:  Today in class we finished Fences and we continued working on our character posters. Reflection:  I got better reading comprehension skills and poster making skills.

  Prompt Response:   I've always been fascinated by the Hollow Earth theory, the idea that an unknown world or even a civilization could exist right beneath our feet. It's a truly captivating thought to imagine people living in a massive, hidden cavern, perhaps warmed by a central sun or core. The concept challenges everything we think we know about geology and geography. It just makes me wonder if there's a whole, unexplored history lying deep beneath the surface. Summary:  Today in class we continued working on our characterization posters. Reflection:  I got better reading comprehension and practice organizing our points into poster form.

  Prompt Response:   It's a clear cut choice for me: I'd first pressure my friend to confess immediately. If they wouldn't, then I'd tell their partner myself. Loyalty, as shown by Bono's relationship with Troy in Fences, is important, but a friend's serious betrayal is a moral issue I can't ignore. I'd rather lose the friendship than be complicit in a lie that could destroy the partner's life. While the truth will hurt everyone in the short term, it forces my friend to face the consequences of their actions and frees the partner to find a truly loyal relationship. Summary:  Today in class we continued reading Fences and began working on our character posters. Reflection:  I got better reading comprehension skills and practice using textual evidence      nn