Threats, beatings, and other harsh punishments, these are a few example of what some parents do to get their kids to obey them. Can they do that? Yes. Is it right? No. This is wrong because they only rule by fear, set a bad example as a parent, and make their children more prone to violence.
First, their abuse does not make the kids listen to them. It is the fear that comes from it that makes them obey. The parents gain no respect from their children, only hatred. At the beginning of chapter 6 in Huckleberry Finn, Pa threatens to beat Huck and makes him get money for beer. This only makes Huck hate him and run away.
Second, it is just setting a bad example as a parent. They are showing their children the wrong way to treat their future children. It’s the whole ‘monkey see, monkey do’ thing coming into play. Children learn from their parents and act the same way because that is the way things were done in their house. They’re teaching them that it is okay to use violence over any little thing. Inflicting pain is the only way they think they can make someone listen.
Finally, it makes the children more prone to violence. They don’t learn to stop and talk things out. By causing them pain, they get angry. In order to release their anger, they get into trouble and get beat again. It’s an endless, vicious cycle.
As you can see, no good comes from it. The only things that come from beating your children is being feared, setting a bad example, and having your kids cause trouble. Stop, think, and try every other alternative you can think of before you lay a hand on them. You’ll all be happier in the long run. I know from experience.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Should Huckleberry Finn Be Taught In Schools
What is the big to do about this book? Why does everyone say it should be banned? It is full of very important lessons. This book teaches us about the South from a historic point of view, encourages individual thought, and shows people can change.
First, it’s historical because it shows what life was like back then, In one part, the book says ‘soon as the river begins to rise, here comes pieces of log rafts; so all you have to do is catch them and sell them to the wood yards.’ Another part talks about how slavery was acceptable. Life was very simple and different from what it is now. Reading this book, written by someone who was actually there, helps us to understand that.
Second, it encourages individual thought. Huck has a father who was a horrible influence and decided to escape by faking his own murder. ‘They’ll hunt the river for my dead carcass, get tired of that, and won’t bother me no more’ he thinks at one point. Jim, a slave turned friend, runs away from his owner when he hears that she is planning to sell him.
Finally, it teaches us that people can grow and change. Raised, practically in the woods, Huck learns to like school. ‘At first I hated school, but by and by I got so I could stand it’. He also befriends a slave, though it goes against everything he was raised to believe.
Obviously, Huck Finn isn’t as bad as everyone seems to think it is. All of these vitally important lessons are taught in it. We are taught to learn from mistakes, being an individual, and about the past. Would you really want to stop your kids from learning these? Check this book from your local library and give it a read.
First, it’s historical because it shows what life was like back then, In one part, the book says ‘soon as the river begins to rise, here comes pieces of log rafts; so all you have to do is catch them and sell them to the wood yards.’ Another part talks about how slavery was acceptable. Life was very simple and different from what it is now. Reading this book, written by someone who was actually there, helps us to understand that.
Second, it encourages individual thought. Huck has a father who was a horrible influence and decided to escape by faking his own murder. ‘They’ll hunt the river for my dead carcass, get tired of that, and won’t bother me no more’ he thinks at one point. Jim, a slave turned friend, runs away from his owner when he hears that she is planning to sell him.
Finally, it teaches us that people can grow and change. Raised, practically in the woods, Huck learns to like school. ‘At first I hated school, but by and by I got so I could stand it’. He also befriends a slave, though it goes against everything he was raised to believe.
Obviously, Huck Finn isn’t as bad as everyone seems to think it is. All of these vitally important lessons are taught in it. We are taught to learn from mistakes, being an individual, and about the past. Would you really want to stop your kids from learning these? Check this book from your local library and give it a read.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Thursday, November 8, 2007
The Bluest Eye By: Toni Morrison Personal Note
Hello my public,
This is my essay about the characters in Toni Morrison's book The Bluest Eye. I wanted to show that there are more to characters, and people, than what you see. You just have to stop and think. Why don't you give it a try?
-Kris
This is my essay about the characters in Toni Morrison's book The Bluest Eye. I wanted to show that there are more to characters, and people, than what you see. You just have to stop and think. Why don't you give it a try?
-Kris
The Bluest Eye By: Toni Morrison
No one ever tries to see beyond the surface anymore. They take what they are given without question. Every person, every character, has more to them than what you see. Stop, breathe, and think. Is there more to these people than meets the eye? The answer is usually ‘yes’. Let’s take a look at the stars of The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison.
Claudia will be our first topic. When you look at her you probably see a small girl, dark skinned and wearing old clothes. She goes to school, comes home, does her chores, and gets sick. Truth is, she’s a hard worker who is eager to please. She works, without complaint, seeking approval from her mother. Easily hurt by her minor denouncements, she simply wishes for her mother to be proud of her.
Her sister Frieda is our next subject. You probably see her as a slightly taller version of Claudia. Even though she has only played the most minor of minor roles so far, she is still important. When she comes to check on Claudia, she shows how much she cares about her sister. The tears in her eyes, when she sings to her, indicates her empathy. She relates to her so closely it is almost as if Claudia’s pain is her own.
Now to the source of all this, the mother . Mother is the one who puts them through all this work and pain, but she doesn’t do it to be mean. They do not live a privileged life. Chores need to be done and she can’t do it alone. She needs help and is trying to teach her children how to take care of themselves. It is because she cares about them that she tries to teach them all these lessons.
Since we are done with our ‘heroes’, so to say, let’s move o to the ‘villains’, Rosemary and Maureen. These are two rich, beautiful, white girls. They both have things that Claudia and Frieda wants, such as clothes, food, cars, and other material goods.
However, there is a huge difference between them. Maureen is a harmless girl who minds her own business. Rosemary takes what she has and rubs it in your face to make you feel as though she is better than you. Rosemary is a snot nosed brat while Maureen is just passing through. Just because they are in the same categories doesn’t mean they deserve the same treatment.
Like I said before, there is more to everyone than what you may think. Claudia is a very sensitive young girl. Frieda is a caring, strong older sister. Mother is trying to guide her children to a better future. Rosemary deserves all the hatred they give her, but Maureen is innocent. Surprised you, right? All you have to do is read between the lines.
Claudia will be our first topic. When you look at her you probably see a small girl, dark skinned and wearing old clothes. She goes to school, comes home, does her chores, and gets sick. Truth is, she’s a hard worker who is eager to please. She works, without complaint, seeking approval from her mother. Easily hurt by her minor denouncements, she simply wishes for her mother to be proud of her.
Her sister Frieda is our next subject. You probably see her as a slightly taller version of Claudia. Even though she has only played the most minor of minor roles so far, she is still important. When she comes to check on Claudia, she shows how much she cares about her sister. The tears in her eyes, when she sings to her, indicates her empathy. She relates to her so closely it is almost as if Claudia’s pain is her own.
Now to the source of all this, the mother . Mother is the one who puts them through all this work and pain, but she doesn’t do it to be mean. They do not live a privileged life. Chores need to be done and she can’t do it alone. She needs help and is trying to teach her children how to take care of themselves. It is because she cares about them that she tries to teach them all these lessons.
Since we are done with our ‘heroes’, so to say, let’s move o to the ‘villains’, Rosemary and Maureen. These are two rich, beautiful, white girls. They both have things that Claudia and Frieda wants, such as clothes, food, cars, and other material goods.
However, there is a huge difference between them. Maureen is a harmless girl who minds her own business. Rosemary takes what she has and rubs it in your face to make you feel as though she is better than you. Rosemary is a snot nosed brat while Maureen is just passing through. Just because they are in the same categories doesn’t mean they deserve the same treatment.
Like I said before, there is more to everyone than what you may think. Claudia is a very sensitive young girl. Frieda is a caring, strong older sister. Mother is trying to guide her children to a better future. Rosemary deserves all the hatred they give her, but Maureen is innocent. Surprised you, right? All you have to do is read between the lines.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
'From Now On' Story
This is a short story i wrote for English class. Please read and enjoy. Comments of all kinds are VERY welcome!
-Kris
-Kris
From Now On
She had no other choice. She had tried every other way she could think of. None of them had worked. She didn’t want to do this, but she was worried. Jen had been acting differently. She was staying out late, doing poorly in school, and putting as much distance between them as possible. It wasn’t like her.
She hesitated to open the drawer. This didn’t feel right. It went against everything she believed, but she knew she had to. It was for Jen’s own good.
She opened the drawer and pulled out the book. It was small and had no lock. She opened it to the last entry and began to read.
Just before she could finish, the tears in her eyes almost making it impossible to read, the door opened. Jen was standing there, disbelief on her face, staring at her mother. She looked as she always did every time her mother saw her. Rumpled, tired, upset, a complete stranger. This girl was nothing like her beloved daughter.
Jen suddenly changed. She was no longer surprised, but angry. She jumped across the room, snatched the book out of her mother’s hands, and screamed, “What are you doing in my room? And reading my diary, how could you?”
Her mother looked at her, tears still in her eyes, and reached for her daughter’s arm. At her touch, Jen began to struggle. Pulling this way and that, trying to get free. Her mother kept hold and twisted her wrist, palm up, and pushed back Jen’s sleeve.
There they were. The raised scars. The angry red welts. Dried blood from the last slice was still there. Dozens of them lined Jen’s arm from wrist to elbow. This wasn’t something new. This had started a long time ago.
Jen had stopped struggling. She, too, was staring at the self-inflicted wounds. They seemed different now, with her mother holding her arm. No longer a release from the pain, but more of a chain holding her to it.
Neither spoke a word. Simply looked at the scars. When Jen raised her head, her mother had done the same, and she saw her reflection in her mother’s eyes. She looked cold, distant, pale, and most of all, frightened. She couldn’t take it any longer. She fell to the floor, sobbing. Her mother knelt beside her, holding her, stroking her hair, and saying over and over again, “It’s all right. From now on, everything will be all right.”
She hesitated to open the drawer. This didn’t feel right. It went against everything she believed, but she knew she had to. It was for Jen’s own good.
She opened the drawer and pulled out the book. It was small and had no lock. She opened it to the last entry and began to read.
Just before she could finish, the tears in her eyes almost making it impossible to read, the door opened. Jen was standing there, disbelief on her face, staring at her mother. She looked as she always did every time her mother saw her. Rumpled, tired, upset, a complete stranger. This girl was nothing like her beloved daughter.
Jen suddenly changed. She was no longer surprised, but angry. She jumped across the room, snatched the book out of her mother’s hands, and screamed, “What are you doing in my room? And reading my diary, how could you?”
Her mother looked at her, tears still in her eyes, and reached for her daughter’s arm. At her touch, Jen began to struggle. Pulling this way and that, trying to get free. Her mother kept hold and twisted her wrist, palm up, and pushed back Jen’s sleeve.
There they were. The raised scars. The angry red welts. Dried blood from the last slice was still there. Dozens of them lined Jen’s arm from wrist to elbow. This wasn’t something new. This had started a long time ago.
Jen had stopped struggling. She, too, was staring at the self-inflicted wounds. They seemed different now, with her mother holding her arm. No longer a release from the pain, but more of a chain holding her to it.
Neither spoke a word. Simply looked at the scars. When Jen raised her head, her mother had done the same, and she saw her reflection in her mother’s eyes. She looked cold, distant, pale, and most of all, frightened. She couldn’t take it any longer. She fell to the floor, sobbing. Her mother knelt beside her, holding her, stroking her hair, and saying over and over again, “It’s all right. From now on, everything will be all right.”
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Personal Feedback
Hey everybody,
I just want to say a few things about my essay (see below). I think I did a pretty good job, and i don't give myself compliments. The best part of it would have to be that is has my everyday voice in it. Whenever I had to write an essay before, it always sounded stiff and boring, but now people might want to read it! Yay!
Another good thing would have to be all my different details. I think that I had at least three different kinds. That's pretty good for me.
So, please grade me on my voice and my details. Thanks!
I just want to say a few things about my essay (see below). I think I did a pretty good job, and i don't give myself compliments. The best part of it would have to be that is has my everyday voice in it. Whenever I had to write an essay before, it always sounded stiff and boring, but now people might want to read it! Yay!
Another good thing would have to be all my different details. I think that I had at least three different kinds. That's pretty good for me.
So, please grade me on my voice and my details. Thanks!
Cat in the Hat Essay
Have you ever read the Cat in the Hat? I bet you thought it was just another kid’s story. Read between the lines and take a closer look at the fish. Think about what he looks like, how he acts, and how he influences those around him.
Let’s start with his looks. He is a little fish in a little bowl. Notice how many times I said ‘little’. Compared to the Cat, and the kids, he’s pretty tiny. You wouldn’t really pay much attention to him because of that, would you? Kind of like an ant and an elephant, right? Where does he live? In a bowl in the house. He is trapped and can’t go outside. Whatever happens in there is all he knows. He has no idea of any other way for things to be done.
Let’s move on to how he acts. He seems to be the policeman in the home and tries to make everyone follow the rules. The reason he follows them so diligently and believes in them so strongly because they are they only thing he has been exposed to. Faced with this new creature and his ways, he is resistant to change. Too worried about the consequences that are set by the rules he knows to try something new, and maybe better.
Now, lets go to how the other characters relate to him. In the beginning, it seemed like no one is listening to him. Does that stop him? No, he continuously reminds them of the rules. They start listening to him toward the middle and begin to understand that he is right. Sally and the narrator doubt the cat and return to the straight and narrow. The cat, knowing he has been defeated, like an evil villain by the shining knight, packs up his bags and leaves after helping put everything back in order.
Obviously, the fish is more important than you think. Without him, who knows what kind of trouble the children could be in? Everything about him had a huge affect on the story. His physical appearance, his actions, and how he persuades the other characters, all contributed to the end result. Take another look at some of the minor characters in other books you have read, you might be surprised that they’re not so minor at all.
Let’s start with his looks. He is a little fish in a little bowl. Notice how many times I said ‘little’. Compared to the Cat, and the kids, he’s pretty tiny. You wouldn’t really pay much attention to him because of that, would you? Kind of like an ant and an elephant, right? Where does he live? In a bowl in the house. He is trapped and can’t go outside. Whatever happens in there is all he knows. He has no idea of any other way for things to be done.
Let’s move on to how he acts. He seems to be the policeman in the home and tries to make everyone follow the rules. The reason he follows them so diligently and believes in them so strongly because they are they only thing he has been exposed to. Faced with this new creature and his ways, he is resistant to change. Too worried about the consequences that are set by the rules he knows to try something new, and maybe better.
Now, lets go to how the other characters relate to him. In the beginning, it seemed like no one is listening to him. Does that stop him? No, he continuously reminds them of the rules. They start listening to him toward the middle and begin to understand that he is right. Sally and the narrator doubt the cat and return to the straight and narrow. The cat, knowing he has been defeated, like an evil villain by the shining knight, packs up his bags and leaves after helping put everything back in order.
Obviously, the fish is more important than you think. Without him, who knows what kind of trouble the children could be in? Everything about him had a huge affect on the story. His physical appearance, his actions, and how he persuades the other characters, all contributed to the end result. Take another look at some of the minor characters in other books you have read, you might be surprised that they’re not so minor at all.
Monday, October 22, 2007
POG 2.0
This essay was much harder to write than the last one. The way we did the iDeal society was a little confusing. We dealt with a ton of details, but didn't really finish much.
As I said in my last POG essay, I still think that individual freedom is the key to everything. It was because of our freedom that we were able to have the power that we did and without that power nothing would have been accomplished.
As I said in my last POG essay, I still think that individual freedom is the key to everything. It was because of our freedom that we were able to have the power that we did and without that power nothing would have been accomplished.
Egyptian Arithmetic (Math Project)
I learned so much about Math in Ancient Egypt. I was already interested in Egyptian History, so this was just something to add. There system was very straight forward and easy to understand. They were very intelligent for their time and this just goes to prove it.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Photo Analysis Blog
I think that the picture is about Kira with her image split in two like a reciprocal. She is in the library because I can see the book shelves behind her. She seems happy because she is smiling and bored because she has a dazed look in her eyes. I think it was just taken for fun. Before it was taken, she posed and made herslef look nice. After, she probably got ready for another one if ashe didn't like it. If I had to give it a name, I would call it 'Bored Siamese Twin'.
I believe it is telling the truth. She is bored. It might not be telling the full story, but a big part of it. It is only manipulating her physical self a tiny bitr. It can only tell a small part of the story. You can only see through your eyes, not through their's.
I believe it is telling the truth. She is bored. It might not be telling the full story, but a big part of it. It is only manipulating her physical self a tiny bitr. It can only tell a small part of the story. You can only see through your eyes, not through their's.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Limitations for Technology
I do not believe that some sites, Myspace and YouTube for example, should be used in schools. I know that there are very many useful videos on there, but that isn't what students will be watching. I just don't see the point of Myspace in the first place. There should be limitations on sites that have inappropriate content, no educationsal purpose or use in schools. There have been thousands of children and teens all across the country who have been abducted due to internet related incidents. Met someone in a chat room, saw their Myspace, watched their YouTube video, and somehow found out where they were or gain their trust enough to meet them. I do not think that any of these sites have any point to them and, personally, don't use them. However, what site you are allowed on at home are a different story. The government can block these sites and many more for use in schools, but outside of it is the user's choice. As I have said before, it is your choice, and once you make it YOU have to live with it.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Constitution
The interactive learning system on the Constitution Center website is one of the most helpful tools that I have had this school year. I was able to get an easy to understand translation. As a part of the Senate in our class simulation, I was able to better understand my part of the government. My restrictions, my duties, and my power in our society. I believe that by having gone to this website, I will be able to better contribute to my society.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Say no to Crack Blog
as soon as you enter it,right under the title, it says 'Humor for all ages'. They were right. LOL funny. ....That is all.
Pitchfork Blog
It had very interesting reviews on the latest music. I was even thinking about checking some of the bands out. Go see it.
FlickrBlog
This is a fantastic Blog. The pictures are amazing, and some are just funny or stupid. i love how they were from all over for many different occasions.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Go Fug Yourself Blog
Can't find a better celebrity bashing site anywhere. The 'Ask Aunt Fugly' column is hilarious.
Cute Overload Blog
It has to be one of the cutest things I have ever seen. There was a story called cat town which is so stupid, it's funny. Check it out.
My Philosophy
I believe that everyone has the freedom to make their own choices. I may not agree with their choices, but it is their decision. I will live my life the way I believe is right. You make the choice, you live with it. If choose to break the law or do something that will hurt those around you, be ready to accept the consequences.
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