Journal May 9

What was the most fun/engaging activity that you did in ELA this year? Why was it fun/engaging?

I really enjoyed reading A Raisin in the Sun, partly because it was a great book but more because we acted it out. I think that acting out the play really helped me to understand it much more than I would have if we had read it out of class.What was the most boring activity that you did this year? Why was it boring?

I can't really remember any times being bored in ELA.What was your favorite book this year? Why?

I loved reading Maus, The Great Gatsby, and A Raisin in the Sun. I enjoyed Maus because I thought that the story was great and the way the story was displayed was unique and engaging. I enjoyed The Great Gatsby because I loved the detail and the imagery found in the book. Finally, I enjoyed A Raisin in the Sun because it was a great play, which told a great story that was enhanced by the way we read it.What was your least favorite book this year? Why?

I think my least favorite book of the year was The Odyssey; this wasn't because the book was bad or not interesting. It was just because I had already read the book, so I knew what was going to happen throughout the book.What should I definitely keep the same for next year's ELA curriculum? Why?

I would keep the response projects open to student choice. I would also keep peer editing because that was helpful.What should I definitely change for next year's ELA curriculum? Why?

One time, we had our first draft of a paper edited through a meeting with you, Ms. Harrison. I really enjoyed that and found it extremely helpful. I would like to have that happen more, possibly every time we write a paper.Is there anything else that you would like to tell me about your experience in ELA? If so - please put it here

Nothing else, other than ELA class was great.

Journal May 3

I would like to talk about the plant that Mama seemingly obsessed over in A Raisin in the Sun. Although this plant was old and dilapidated, this plant traveled with the family when they moved houses. We see this as the play ends with Mama running back into their first house to grab the plant before they move. This plant symbolizes hope and persistence. Throughout A Raisin in the Sun, this plant is struggling to survive; however, it pulls through and stays alive. The same is for the family. Mama and her family are struggling to survive; however, they pull through and stay alive. I believe that this plant helps keep the family strong. The family looks at the plant and sees its struggle, yet how it persists. I believe that the family relates to the plant and sees how it stays alive through all the struggle. This encourages them to stay alive through their struggle.