Reflection

              Over the coarse of the semester, we have done some very interesting things, in our High School English class.  This English class, in my opinion, has been the most unconventional English class, that I have ever been in.  In this class, we do not follow the norm.  Reading a book, then writing a 5 paragraph essay, on some stupid topic that really we don't even care about.  Yes we have had to write one or two of those boring papers , but we have also got to do some more interesting things as well.  These things, that we have done, besides writing a paper, is making a power point and doing this blog.  These two projects, have been really fun, and they have gotten the same thing, that our teacher wants out of us, as writing one of those stupid papers.  Throughout the year we have read articles and books, that to me, have been really good.  We started of the year, by doing a power point on education.  We read all of these different kinds of articles about the topic, and became very knowledgeable, on the subject.  Then we were asked to do a project.  You could do the boring paper, make a video, or make a power point.  My group, chose to do the power point.  Our group, did a project on the different types of education, where they were found around the world, and what we thought was the best.  This was so out of the norm for me, at least in English class, so it took some time and some thinking.  I really liked doing this, because this project really made me think, and when I went out, and found the answers myself, I felt like i learned a lot more.  I am positive, that if we would have just written a paper, that i would have forgotten about this project for ever.  Another project that we did, was making this Blog.  We were asked to read a book, and then each week, we would come in, and then type a blog.  This was one of my favorite projects, for a few reasons.  One reason is that I really loved the book that I read.  I mean it was one of the best books i have ever read.  Next, I have never created a blog before, so it was a great learning experience.  So when you put those two things together, it was probably one of my favorite projects.  I mean I have never done this in any of my other English class, so it was a change( I was getting burned out on the same thing every time). The last thing that we did, that I really liked, was all of the books that we have read.  I don't think that I have ever liked to read so many books in my life, until I have gotten to this class.  We read a book called Night which was about a boy that survived the Holocaust.  This was a really good book, and I really felt like I had a good idea what he went through, since he was about our age. We also read a book called I am the Cheese, and this was a weird book.  It was told in three  different points of view, but i really like it because there was a lot of mystery, and you didn't know what would happen next.  Then we read our independent reading book called Outliers, and this was probably one of my favorite books.  This book talked about success, and that you do not earn success by yourself and dedication, but it has a lot to do with were you were from, and what year you were born in, and your family background.  The reason that I liked it so much, was because the author, really proved his case, and everyone that he showed that was successful, really had some very good advantages.  So to in reviewing this year, we have done a lot of awesome things, things that i would have never guessed you would do in an English class, and all I can say, is I cant wait for next semester!!!

In the book Outliers,  there seems to be to themes that arise every time that I read the book.
1. People do not achieve success on their own.  It depends on when they were born, were they were from and  the family that they lived in.  People are given special opportunities, that they might not recognize, that lead to them being very successful at what they do.
Quote: "They had to look beyond the individual.  They had to understand the culture he or she was apart of, who their friends and family were and what town their families came from.  They had to appreciate the idea that the value of the world we inhabit and the people we surround ourselves with, have profound effect on who we are."
2. Another reason that people, become successful, is their family history, were they grew up, what customs they shared with their family, and basically their whole world around them.
Quote: "Their world- their culture and generation and family history- gave them the greatest opportunities."

Going further......
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=10246894n?tag=bnetdomain
The reason why, that i picked this link, is because Malcolm Gladwell, is talking about how some people have lots of potential, and what they do with that potential, and how they capitalize on that, can determine how successful they are. The main point of this video, is capitalization on potential.

http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-achieve-success-2
The reason that I picked this video, was because this is how a typical person, would view success.  In his book, Malcolm Gladwell, wants us to think of success in a different way. Instead of some one that is a hard worker, and some one who sets goals, doesn't mean they will be successful, but where they were born, or the date of their birthday, might have more to do with it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-C8Rtmqofas&feature=fvwrel
 The reason that I picked this as my last and final video, is because this is an actual interview, of Malcolm Gladwell, talking about his book.  This interview, basically sums up the book in a nut shell, and I think that he does a very good job, of explaining his book.  This is a great interview, and I thought that it was a very good way to end my Blog.


      

Extending the Conversation

Mr. Dunn must think that we are geniuses, because he a gave us a very difficult task.  We are to respond to the comments of our classmates responses on another classmates blog.

 Response to  Morgans, who responded to Callie's


How would you deal with the pain of losing a family member If I lost a family member, I would be very upset and probably be in a stage of not knowing what to do anymore. Eventually, I would start to accept the fact and move on. It isn't easy losing a loved one, but sometime, you just have to let go and go on with your life. It would be tough, but we have to realize they're in a better place. To deal with the pain, I'd think about all of the good times we had together and then start to move on because there is nothing I could do anymore to make them be with us still.
 My response
I agree with Morgans Response.  If I lost a family member, I also be very upset and I would be devastated as well.  I would probably feel lost for awhile, and wouldn't know what to do.  But like Morgan, I would eventually get over the pain, and be able to accept what happened to that person, and know that she is in a better place.  I have lost two of my grandparents, and I know how losing someone feels, it sucks, but after awhile you start to accept it.
Response to Mckenna's, who responded on Ben's, who Responded on Emily's

"When they talked about how kids used their parents to get to go to McDonald's, do you ever remember doing that to your own parents?"
Ben responded:
Yes i do. I would always ask to go to McDonalds because of the Playplace. And then inevitably i would say "im hungry" and we would get food. And thats how McDonald's makes their money.
Makenna's response. :

Ben, it's funny you say that, because I know kids our age that go to McDonald's just for the play land... STILL. It's kind of ridiculous, but yes, that's how that corporation makes their money. I was never one of those kids who cared for the play land, but I absolutely loved McDonald's food when I was younger, and I still do!! I remember pitching fits and having my sisters join in on it just so we can get a small fry from the McDonald's drive through. I think that all kids have attempted this scheme at least once in their lives!

 My response
I remember asking my parents to go to McDonald's just like Ben and Mckenna did.  I loved the play land, and always getting a toy with my happy meal.  When my parents ask if I was hungry, the first thing that popped into my mind was McDonald's.  But I think that McDonald's plays a role, in kids wanting to go their.  I mean they get a toy, and are able to play in the play land, and plus the food taste good.  So I think that McDonald's persuades the kids, and the kids persuade their parents.
Response to Emily's, who responded on Mykel's
What kind of affect does fast food have on your everyday life?
Emily response:There are so many ways that fast food plays into your everyday life.  Whether it is sitting at home watching T.V or driving through town going by all of the restaurants.  There have been many times that I have wanted to stop by and grab a bit to eat at one of the fast food places since their food and drinks are so cheep.  I try and stop myself by realizing how bad it is for you.  It is also very convenient  if you are in a hurry and are needing some food just to pull into one of the many restaurants along the side of the road. So yes fast food does effect me everyday, and I know that it effects many other people in the same ways it effects me.
 My Response
I understand, that fast food has many effects on the people who eat it.  Most of these effects are negative.  It obviously is very bad for someone to eat.  I also think that it effects the person eating it, by making them more tired.  I don't know if it is just me, but every time that I eat fast food, I feel tired afterwords.  I understand what Emily is saying, that it is fast, and cheap, and might save you a few bucks in the long run, but overall, I agree with Emily, when she says that it is bad for you. I think if you have it once a month or so, it won't be to bad though, just not all the time.

Response to Jay, who Responded on Jasons
Jason asked, "Do you enjoy high school?"
Jay responded, "I do enjoy high school for the most part. I believe this is one of the better high schools, because we are allowed to have some say in what we want to learn about and that makes it a much more enjoyable experience. Friends also help make the high school years that much better because the friends you make here help shape who you become and how the time her goes. But on the other side sometimes stress can get to you and it can come from anywhere such as over zealous parent, school work, peers, teachers, and even the sometimes overwhelming idea of the future." 



My response 
I agree with Jay, when she is saying, that we have one of the better highschools.  In our school, it seems to me, that a lot of the teachers really care about their students, and want them to do good in school.  Also a lot of the people in our school, are very nice.  I remember, when i moved here to years ago, and everyone was so nice to me, and i almost felt like I have always been there.  I think that our school is overall, a very good school.  I mean they give us lots of homework, bu thats typical for a school.  So yes, to answer the question, "Do I enjoy School", then I would have to anwser that question with a yes.

DED Blog

So this week, we were told to find some interesting quotes from the Book Outliers...... So here they are!

Quote 1:" The particular skill that allows you to talk your way out of a murder rap, or convince your professor from the morning to the afternoon sections, is what the psychologist Robert Sternberg calls "practical intelligence"... and it includes things like "knowing what to say to whom, knowing when to say it, and knowing how to say it with maximum effect".
  - I think this is a very interesting quote, that makes a lot of sense.  Having this type of intelligence is very beneficial to the person who has it.  If you know what to say, and who to say it to, you will get a lot more advantages that play into your favor.  With this skill, you could be one of the dumbest person in the world, and still be more successful than an educated person.  I think that I do not have this type of intelligence.  I cannot persuade my mom to do anything, but on the other hand, my brother is amazing at this, and always seems to persuade her in the way that benefits us.

Quote 2: " And once you get the reputation for doing that kind of work, the business comes to you first."
  -This quote is very true, and one that a very much agree with.  If you have a good reputation, for anything, whether it be for fixing something, or doing good on your homework, people come to you first.  Why would anyone go to a person that was known for doing terrible work, and being lazy all the time, when you could go to someone that you know will do it right.  I hope I have a good reputation, but I don't think that I should be the one to answer that.

Quote 3: " The most important consequence of the miracle of the garment industry, though, was what happened to the children growing up in those homes where meaningful work was practiced."
   - This is an awesome quote from my book.  I think that when the kids of parents see how hard their parents work, it makes them want to be as hard workers as they are.  They might not have the same job, but they will sure have it instilled in them that hard work pays off. I see my father get up every morning for work, and I see how tired he is when he gets home, and I know that he worked very hard, and that makes me want to be just like him.                                                                                                      

Respond to Maliks Blog:
Question: have you ever done hat could drasticaly change your life and the lives if many others? I have done something, that could have drastically changed my life, and my families.  It may sound stupid, but one thing that I do a lot, is ride my bike without my helmet.  This may not sound like a big deal, but if for some reason I was riding, and were to fall, and hit my head, I could be in serious trouble.  I could possibly even have brain damage, if the fall was serious enough.  If this were to Happening to me it would definitely effect me and my family. I guess in a way, I'm being kind of selfish.   

Reason for Success

I've read a lot since the last time that we talked.  I started out by reading the first chapter called the Matthew Effect.  Basically this chapter talks about birthdates, and how that is so important to acheving success.  He uses the example of a hockey player and cut off dates. He says that kids that are close to the cut off date, have a better chance to get on the team, because they might be bigger or stronger, then the kids that are born later in the year.  In the chapter two, The 10,000 Hour Rule, talks about how it takes about 10,000 hours for someone to be a master at that skill.  He gives lots of examples, from musicians to chess champions.  He also ties this chapter in with the last chapter.  He says, the bigger kids who are closer to the cut off date have a greater chance to be accepted on the better team, which means that they will practice longer, which helps them achive the 10,000 hours.  In the next chapter, The Trouble With Geniuses, one of the main point is that your IQ only matters to a certain extent.  It talks about Chris Langan the smartest man in the world.  He has an IQ of 195.  Einstein had an IQ of 150.  Just because he IQ is higher, doesnt mean that he is smarter.
               So that is what i have read so far.  Hope you enjoy the book and please check it out if you haven't


Questions
Level 2
Why are there so many different levels of hockey?
How can your Birthdate effect your success in a lot of things?
How are Bill Gates and the Beatles alike?
Why did Chris Langan drop out of College?
How many uses can you think of for a book?


Level 3
How do you measure success?
Have you ever worked really hard for something, and didnt get the outcome that you wanted?

Introduction to my Blog

Hello everyone, my name is Brad.  I am a high school student, and in the 10th grade.  The reason that I am creating a blog, is for my English II.  We were told that we should create this, and share our opinion and our experiences with a new book that we are reading.  The easiest way for this goal to be achieved, is by creating this blog.
     So lets start discussing the book that I'm reading.  It is called Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell.  So far, I have read about 30 pages, and I was profoundly surprised, that i liked the book so much.  Basically the Intro to the Book talks about a small town in Pennsylvania called Roseto. Most of the people from this town were from Italy, and stayed together all the way to the new world.  Gladwell talks about how in this small town there is no one dying of heart disease.  In 1950 there were lots of people dying from this disease.  Doctors tried to find out why they did have heart disease.  He said they eat poorly, and were over weight, and hardly exercised but they still didn't have any trace of this disease.  Doctors tried to prove that being a close knit community that talked to each other a lot might be a reason for preventing heart disease.  He says that maybe the way we think of being healthy, by eating right, and exercising, but there might be something else to it as well.  He uses this to tie into the topic of the book Success