Letter to Block 3

Block 3,
   We've had a pretty interesting year in English. It was a little rough at the beginning, but I think we've grown closer as a group from it. Our class had some trouble starting off, but that's just because we are a very sociable group!! As we got use to Dr. D's class, we calmed down a bit which made it easier to learn. I enjoyed being in a class where people enjoyed talking about the subject and learning together. In some other classes, everyone is just silent and the teacher gives a lecture the entire class. English is different because we actually get to be a part of class, not just listen to it. I also like how if one person in the class understands something, they help others too. We all just share what we understand and learn together as a class.
   Before this year, I've never had an English class that I enjoyed being in. We learn and still have fun with each other. I think our class has grown to be more enthusiastic (mostly when we reenact Macbeth) and it's always entertaining. It's going to be weird not being in English class with yall, but I think we've been well prepared for sophomore year.

Participation Evaluation

   My participation in the 4th quarter has gotten a little bit better. I speak more in class conversations and volunteer, but my only problem is side conversations. I'm usually prepared and rarely have to go out of the room to get anything. I've forgotten my outside reading book once or twice, but that's all. I usually wait to be dismissed before I pack up, but I've packed up early for lunch before. I rarely leave the room to go to the bathroom, go to my locker, or get water. I check my email and the ehs website at least once a day if not more. I think I email appropriately and formally, but I may forget to enter in a subject from time to time.  I turn in everything on time and I try to stay consistent in that. My attitude has gotten better in class since the beginning of the year.
    I try to listen to Dr. D, but I get distracted at times. I always take notes in class and I try to contribute relevant comments into the conversation. I never ask irrelevant questions that have nothing to do with what we're talking about because that would mean I wasn't thinking about the topic at hand. If someone is talking I try to listen and think of a response. My biggest  problem is side conversation and that's why I've tried not to sit by someone that I know I will talk to and will get in trouble with. I've been trying to sit by people who will stay on track, but it is still difficult.
   I think I do better in individual work because I focus more and get my work done faster. Although, I do enjoy working with other friends because they make the experience more enjoyable. When I do work in a group, I try not to distract people and stay focused, but again, it is not easy. In the end, we usually get the work done and still have fun with it.
   I think my participation in the 4th quarter has gotten better because I've gotten use to the class and the people so I talk more. Since we've been acting out scenes in Macbeth, I've volunteered multiple times and try to stay in the discussion. For next year, I will try not to get involved in side-conversation and stayed focused in class.

Outside Reading 2011-2012

   At the beginning of this year, I wasn't too excited about having to read 150+ minutes weekly, but it's not so bad as I thought it would be and taught me a bit about myself. I've become used to the weekly reading and slowly I started to like it more and more. Throughout the year, I got to explore all sorts of different genres and see which ones I preferred. I read mystery, autobiography, and romance! I enjoyed all of the books and plan to read more of them. I'm already planning to read the other Ellen Degeneres books and the Hunger Games series in the future.
  The outside reading also helped me develop my reading comprehension skills. Now, I can pick out details in a book that couldn't have without learning how to annotate. It comes easier now that I've done it for a while. I think I've become a more encouraged reader and I have a good idea of which books I'm interested in.
Outside Reading
Macbeth- 30 min
Biology textbook- 2 hours
 

From Macbeth's view...

   I'm still in shock from what happened. The Thane of Cawdor has been sentenced to death after being called a traitor and the King has now given me the position! Then three weird women told me that I was to be king!! Maybe it's just because I came back from a bloody war or just my wild imagination. I told my wife, Lady Macbeth, about the witches and their prophecy and she started to frighten me with her plan to fulfill the scheme. She kept telling me that I had to murder the king and anyone else who stood in the way. Of course, I never wanted to kill anyone, but she kept questioning my desire to be king and my manliness which bothered me a whole lot. I always wanted to be king, but not this way. But I did it. I killed Duncan and now I'm one step closer the being crowned king.
   After all of this, the guilt has been slowly growing inside of me and my wife has been trying to calm me down while still seeming very crazy to me. I feel like sometimes she wants to be queen more than I want to be king. After all, Duncan was a kind friend to me, but it's too late...Now that the plan has started, it can't be stopped. I will soon be king.