The Case Against Algebra 2

I completely agree with Mr. Baker! Algebra 2 should not be a REQUIRED course! It is stressful and extremely difficult for some students. While other students grasp the concept quickly, this is not the case for all students. I took algebra 2 as a freshman in high school. I took "honors" because I know that I am a level 1 student. I worked my butt off in that class to receive an 81 for the year. I understand that a B is not the worst grade in the world, but after never receiving anything less than an A, I was terribly disappointed in myself. People tell me "You should have just taken Level 2" But a level 2 class would bring down my GPA and my weighted class rank. If only they had a math class without all those levels and for students who know that they do not want to be in the math field. I have always known that I wanted to do fashion journalism and no math is required to enter that field yet there I was sitting in an honors algebra 2 class struggling. Mr. Baker's idea would eliminate the amount of stress students go through and eliminate the lack of esteem felt by students when they can't do the material.  

A Tale of Two Cities

I found some sarcasm!!!! I was very excited when I stumbled upon this passage and actually laughed aloud which is always good with a book. It took place when Miss Manette goes into shock about the news she is receiving from Mr. Lorry and when "a wild-looking woman, whom even in his agitation, Mr.Lorry observed to be all of a red colour, and to have red hair, and to be dressed in some extraordinary tight-fitting fashion, and to have on her head a most wonderful bonnet like a Grenadier wooden measure, and good measure too, or a great Stilton cheese, came running into the room inadvance of the inn servants, and soon settled the question of his detachment from the poor young lady, by laying a brawny hand upon his chest, and sending him flying back against the nearest wall. ("I really think this must be a man!" was Mr.Lorry's breathless reflection, simultaneously with his coming against the wall.)" Hahahahahahaha!! Even typing the passage again made me laugh. Dicken's description of the woman is already funny and I could tell that she was already crazy looking but then to go on and say he was unsure if the person was a man or a woman made me actually laugh aloud. This was an awesome passage.

A Tale of Two Cities

So far I would not say that I have a favorite character, but I do like Mr.Lorry. He seems like the type of guy to be all tough and scary on the outside but in reality he is a big and soft teddy bear. It's quite clear that he cares about Miss Manette even though he never admitted it (or at least not so far). I think that after I read about him some more I might like him but then again, if he really is a business business man and always puts that first then he could lose some points with me.

A Tale of Two Cities

I am so confused!!!! After reading the opening lines of this book, I knew I was in some trouble. It took me a good fifteen minutes to look up the meaning behind it and after I understood (or at least I think I do) I moved on to only become more and more perplexed. I am not even understaning the plot. The one thing I do understand is that Dicken's is supposed to be extremely sarcastic in this novel yet I am missing it completey. To be honest though, I am only on page 38 and should probably continue reading so that I can understand what is going on. 

Doll House

I really liked this book! The main character, Nora, really irritated me in the beginning of the novel because I thought she was weak and dumb but as the author Henrik Ibsen developed her character, I found her to be fascinating. She was actually strong and independent and although I didn't like the fact that she left her children at the end of the play, she did it for her. She needed to better herself and find out who she really was which was completely understandable.  

The Sun Also Rises

I did not like this book while I was reading it for the simple fact that I did not give myself enough time to read it and had to cram it in in one night for AP Lit BUT after discussing the novel in class, I've come to actually like The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway. The symbolism in the book is so subtle yet so powerful and I loved that about it. Also, Hemingway's style of writing allowed the reader to come to conclusions on their own and figure things out for themselves like figuring out that Jake's wound from the war is the reason him and Brett are not together. I'm not sure if I liked the characters in the book due to the fact that they were so loose and wild but then again that was the point of the Lost Generation so I could appreciate the character development. Overall, it was a good book that I did enjoy reading.

Are Kids Too Coddled?

Yes, yes, yes! Kids are way too coddled now and are unable to see the world for what it really is.  In a couple of years when these kids head off to college and eventually into the real world, their moms are not going to be able to "file a formal complaint of bullying against a coach" or exempt their child from a certain test that they have deemed "too difficult". These kids need to suck it up and rise to the occasion not run to mommy and complain. I wish I could run home to my mother and complain about a test being too hard or something ridiculous like that. Her only response would be to work harder and do better which is the type of parenting needed.