Throughout this semester, I have really focused on my ability to write. When I write, I feel a sense of happiness and relaxation. It let's me get my thoughts out and let my opinion stand out. When writing my blogs I really like to dig deep into my thoughts and really speak my mind. I tend to keep my thoughts inside and many people do not know what or how I feel. When taking this class, I had no idea what was to come, and no idea how this class would benefit me. As we are half way through, I have realized that this class has helped me to become a better writer and to really share my thoughts and feelings when I'm writing. I look back on some of my work and I look at how my work is now and see a difference with my writing style and my honest opinions throughout the paper. I'm very appreciative to be able to go through this class knowing that nobody is perfect and that there is always room for improvement. I can always make my writing better and I think taking this class had really impacted me as a writer and as a reader. As for the blogs, I think it is one of the best ways to stay connected and involved with classmates and really read and hear what they have to say about a similar topic you are writing about. Seeing classmates opinions has really opened my eyes and has shown me that I am not the only one struggling with certain situations. I have classmates going through even harder and rougher times then me. It's always a good thing to know that someone is listening to you and that your not alone. I am optimistic to see what the future has in store for me and I am open to new opportunities on how to help me with my writing skills and writing process and reflection.
Purpose: Persuade Audience: Children like Dale and Brenna who feel like they have a sense of entitlement. Parents like Nancy and Robert. Focus: Figure out the problem in a particular situation and identify a solution,in which, benefits all. Style: To discuss and inform, which has no need for MLA format. During our English class last week, we watched a movie called Step Brothers. The movie stars Will Ferrell as Brennan Huff, John Reilly as Dale Doback, Mary Steenburgen as Nancy Huff (Brennan's mother) and Richard Jenkins as Robert Doback (Dale's father.) The summary of the story is about two men named Brennan and Dale, who are 40 years old still living under their parents roof. When both parents (Robert and Nancy) meet at a convention they "hit it off" right from the start. They got married and moved in with each-other and their son's. Brennan and Dale had a pretty rough start. Let's just say, there was no brotherly love. Dale and Brennan were not happy with the situation at all. "I'm not gonna call him Dad!"- Brennan. They fought so much, outside on the front lawn and in the house. After many torturous nights with constant sleep walking, fighting and stress, Nancy and Robert decide that it is time to "push them out of the nest." They were angry and often blamed each-other, until they met Derek (Brennan's brother.) He was cruel and loved to make life hard for Brennan. After a rough night of name calling and embarrassment from Derek, Brennan and Dale find out they have a lot in common and become best friends. Eventually, they were forced to go to Job interview's and grow up! They decide they want to make a business called Prestigious Worldwide, but it all went down hill after they destroyed their dad's boat. Nancy and Robert were so fed up with everything that they decided to separate and get a divorce. Brennan and Dale were forced to move out and get a job. "I'm so fucking miserable, I had to get up at 10 o'clock this morning. -Dale. When Brennan got a promotion at his job, he got to run the "Cantilena wine mixer" where his whole family was attending. Everything was going great for Brennan until the band for the party quit. He did not know what to do. Robert told them to go up there and sing and play the drums, but they gave up childish things. Robert told them that his dad once told him "Bobby, you are 17, it's time to throw childish things aside." His point was that even though I was forced to grow up, I always have that child deep down inside. Brennan and Dale go up on stage and "save the day!" It all ends with re-marriage and to 40 year old men who finally grew up but never let their inner child die. This movie, although very funny, had some real life lesson's and left me with questions such as, when is to old for childish adventures? What age should you stop relying on your parents? These are serious topics to think about.
During this assignment, I worked independently. I feel more involved and focused when working in a quiet, independent working environment. I believe it was a very good approach because I really dived deep into my writing. I think the most difficult part of the writing process was having to give ideas about parenting when I do not have kids myself. I based my writing off of how I was raised and what I think society says about how kids should be raised or taught. This week, I wrote my assignment last minute and I do not recommend it. I do not think it was a good approach because then I feel rushed to get it done. Next time I will start ahead and really think about what I am writing (full-on.) When I write, I like to go into a quiet place with no distractions. If the tv is on or the radio, I rather jam out or watch then write and that is when I start to procrastinate. Same thing goes for my phone. If my phone is next to me, I am more tempted to play on it then finish my assignment. When I am in a quiet working environment, I work hard and really focus on what needs to be done and how to make it my best work. I chose to write about everyone's "inner child" and when it is appropriate to use it. I mentioned that everyone, whether they admit it or not, has an inner child deep inside of them. For some, they act like a child to often and are often called irresponsible or childish. For other's they could be so responsible that they stored their inner child so deep, it barely see's the light off day. In the future, I will get a head start on my writing and really get involved and detailed as to what I write.
. When writing my Academic mindset assignment, I found it interesting at the fact that I struggled to choose who I agreed with more. Both Dweck and Kohn had very valid points when it came to student success. I agree with Dweck on the fact that intelligence always has room to grow. Overall I chose Kohn because he really explains in great detail how the system is failing! Kids tend to struggle and get cramed with school work and expected to immediately know what to do. For some students, it could be very easy to learn that way, but unfortunately for others it is not so easy. I chose to write this assignment by myself. I feel that I accomplish more and work better when I'm focused and on my own. I am proud of my assignment and I feel like I made a pretty good argument. Being a former child who struggled with tests and homework, I really felt a personal connection to what Kohn had to
say. He made it very clear that he was not choosing a mindset but he was telling readers that effort needs to be a major role in how students will succeed. When choosing my argument, one thought in mind was how and why did I struggle in school and how was I raised? My parents always taught me right and wrong and always had time to teach me new things. When I would play sports and I made a play, my mom and dad would always tell me great job or way to go, but my dad would always tell me ways I could do better. Now, as I am an adult in college, I have realized that by reading these articles that I have grown up in a growth mindset. If you put effort into what you do and you have determination for what you believe in, you will succeed. Whether you win or lose, you will succeed by putting effort into what you do. One of my all time favorite movies is Ferris Bueller's Day Off. This movie is about a teenage boy who fake's a sick day and has an adventure with his girlfriend Sloane and best friend Cameron. His principal Ed Rooney is determined to prove that he is faking it and get him busted by his parents. They decide to have one fun filled day by taking Cameron's dad's 1961 gorgeous red Ferrari and go to Chicago. They do many random extravagant things such as go to the top of the sears tower, visit a stock market, see a cubs game, and have lunch at a very expensive fancy restaurant called Chez Quiz. They even went to a parade where Ferris Bueller a.k.a Matthew Broderick performed in a real live parade. Nobody including the governor knew what was going on. They put their float in the parade and joined in. When the day was coming to an end, he had to race his parents home, meanwhile a petition is going around for a "get well soon Ferris" donation/ fundraiser. He races to the finish line and finally gets home. Does he make it before his parents get there? That would be a spoiler alert, you'll have to watch it to find out!
Growth and fixed mindsets; two different ways of thinking. A growth mindset is the belief that with hard work and dedication, basic abilities can grow and develop. A fixed mindset is a belief that qualities like intelligence and talent are simply fixed traits. The difference between them is growth mindsets are trying to develop their everyday abilities and intelligence instead of documenting what they already have. A fixed mindset is someone who simply does not think their intelligence can grow and expand with hard work. In the article "Parents often misuse growth mindset research" Carol Dweck says, Praising effort is useless when the child is not making progress. What she means is that when kids are constantly told that they are doing great when they are not, it will affect them in the future. When they think they were great at something for so long and then they were hit with reality that they are not, they will never see appraisal the same way. In the article, "The perils of Growth Mindset," they say that kids do better when their intelligence and abilities are not fixed traits. When kids use different strategies to find a solution to their problem, there will be a better outcome and they will put more effort into their work. Instead of telling kids to try harder, we can have them look at what their doing and see how we can make it better. Personally I believe in a growth mindset. I believe with the ability to work hard and the determination to succeed, they can do anything they put their minds too.
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