Something New; Something Interesting; Something Puzzling
Share with us your thoughts on new, interesting and puzzling things you've encountered since we began our study. Write no more than 200 words in a single or multiple paragraphs. Due before class on Friday, November 13.
21 comments:
Something I wrote for last year's fall class:
Poetry shakes people up. That’s what I learned. It may seem simple to read a poem. Poems are short, after all, and although densely written, they at least offer the chance of understanding “something important.” There you go. Szymborska gets in your ear, doesn’t she? Szymborska challenges you every time. A dog’s “warm fur”! Doesn’t stroking its fur sound lovely? But what does it mean to “squeeze inside events”? I imagine a tight place, uncomfortable and unsettling and then ponder conversations with “the lamp switched off.” An old fashioned “lamp” — not the more familiar “light.” The translation is good; Szymborska betrays her age. She has the jaded eye of a long-lived woman. So I noted a look on students’ faces today that seemed to say, does she really mean what she says? As for me, I’m happy to follow her “spark on the wind” with my eyes.
Where to begin? It’s been an interesting term. My two classes are different, but share the same enthusiasm for learning. To learn a language well, students need to play with ideas and discuss interesting topics. That will, I hope, motivate them to learn the vocabulary to better express themselves. Doctorow’s story got us off to a good start. It was a challenging read and full of anger directed towards those who govern our lives and have power over the conditions under which we live. Who can ever forget poor Roberto Guzman’s “bulging eyes”?
New students equal new conditions and challenges. At least for me it does, and my students’ devotion to their own challenges is awe inspiring. I know it is difficult to follow my curriculum; it’s a new way to learn for many of you. But as Canadians like to say: “A change is as good as a rest.” It’s only this week that I truly feel I am starting to know you well. Thus the newness fades, but the best of the course is yet to come!
I am glad that I could make it half way in the course, and had some new, interesting and
puzzling experiences. Writing annotation is a new thing from this term. It really helps when I go back and see what each paragraph is really about. It is a very efficient way to understand the articles, because every time I wrote an annotation, I have to think again and write it in my own words. Picking favorite parts from classmates’ poems is interesting. Although we had the same topic, followed the same structure and had same number of words, I discovered so many different attitudes toward life and the variety of descriptions. Most of the time, I can get what Brad tries to teach us. Until now, only one thing I don’t know is why we have to put away our 1000-words- narrative essay so long? It has been a month since we wrote the first draft and I almost forgot what I wrote about. Will it help to improve our writing? I hope so. Until now, I have enjoyed having lessons with my classmates, and hope to make the course meaningful to me.
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This is the best English class I’ve had, so far. My co-students, coming from various walks of life, sharing different point of views on certain topics, are a great help, not only academically, but also personally. To learn things from their country of origin, culture and experiences, for me, is as important—or more, perhaps—as formulas used in Mathematics, or the structure of an essay. From Africa to India, Mexico, Afghanistan and China, every class has been an incrdible encounter with different parts of the world. In addition to that, they inspire me. To see them so eager to learn, despite of their priorities—work, family—have proved to me that nothing can stop us from learning. Eve, for example, as well as the other great mothers in our class, has shown me the importance of education. I can somehow see her carefully stitching her time just so she can attend to every class. Most of my friends have already finished school and are now enjoying their careers, and I somehow felt left-out. But when I saw Kenny, so enthusiastic, I was challenged. No offence to him, but the moment I saw him participate in the class with an energy tantamount to mine, I thought, if the old man can do it (is doing it!)—so can I! I signed-up for the class to know more about the English language, however, it has improved not only my English skills, but myself as a person.
This course is really attention-grabbing because there are many things I am practicing.
It is my new chapter of life to be in this class and there are many interesting topics I learnt. For example: poems, poetries, essays, and group discussions. I’m getting a lot of educations which I never knew and the group work is reasonably motivating. The other interesting thing is about the stories of “Biker Brad Hyde,” by ‘Brad teacher;’ “Child, Dead, In the Rose Garden,” by ‘E.L. Doctorow;’ who explained the hidden secret of White House and its authorities to public. The story of “A Spoiled Man” by ‘Daniyal Mueenuddin’ has an interesting message of irony, metaphor, and hidden meanings of Rezak”s life and how it spoiled However, it is a testing for the reason that working and at the time studying is very hard and also the curriculum is quite different from the bases I had. For example, it is my first time to face a challenging in school since I was seven. It is not unusual to face hardship while going through learning procedure. That is why I like the challenge I am in it and believe that it will be end up with good result. So this mid term seems very nice but to give final judgment will requires time.
The time flies, but my memories dwell on the beginning of this semester-the new classmates and curriculums. I prefer to learn the newness rather than chew away on the oldness. At least for me, “Child, Dead, In the Rose Garden” by E.L. Doctorow and “A spoiled Man” by Daniyal Mueenuddin are challenging. Doctorow causes me to ponder over some social issues, wherein the bureaucracy is contemptuous of poor people; however, Guzman’s body deprecates the cynical abuse of power. Otherwise, Daniyal Mueenuddin evokes my unflagging pity for Rezak’s humble feelings. Thankfully, these two fictional stories are helpful to improve my reading comprehension and vocabulary.
Obviously, I am not shaken by Szymborska, because I read several of her poems in English 11. When I learned her poem-“A Note” again, and followed her poem to write my poem, I felt genial. “Life is the only way to get covered in the leaves,” between life and nature, they fuse into one. “Keep on not knowing something important,” draws me into a carefree life. In fact, following Szymborska’s poem style, comparing my feelings to hers to write my list poem, was an interesting experience. Of course, I am frequently perplexed by Szymborska’s poems.
(198 words)
Something interesting that I learned in this class is that something new may be something puzzling sometimes. Brad’s role is most important to select the material for the class in terms of literary level and suitability for class discussions. This course requires no books; exams need no prior preparation. However, we are still learning and being evaluated – something interesting.
The journey started with introducing ourselves. Then we chopped and analyzed the Doctorow’s story before digesting it into our starving intellects. Regular discussions on topics from essays to Al Gore’s lecture gave me an opportunity to learn about conglomerated ideas of my talented classmates – something new.
Afterwards, we demystified and presented our captivating viewpoints about “A Spoiled Man” and Szymborska's poems. Some simple sentences narrated us the enthralling storey of Rezak, forming a vivid picture in our minds. Szymborska was able to convey us the emotional message using only a few words that lead us to write our own meaningful poems. It compelled me to think about the power of words and the language – something puzzling.
Each class session is unfolding like an episode of a live play, with everybody playing an important role and climax yet to come. (198 words)
This English class is the most interesting one I have ever attended. It is interesting because for the first time, I must have a more positive attitude towards learning English - not just focusing on how THEY (the native English speakers) read and speak, but how WE complete the writing assignments. Each time, there is a limit in the number of words used. This is not only interesting but challenging. True enough write carefully and succinctly is much more difficult than just write, for it forces me to better organize my ideas and choose the words; thus improves my vocabulary.
As well, there are many new things I experienced in this class so far. I would not believe that I could be able to write an English poem, but following Brad’s instruction, I managed to write something! Using blog as an active learning tool is new to me. It motivates me work harder, submit assignments on time and get opportunities to learn from my classmates writing. I had thought blogs are places for casual social chatters only.
One thing this is puzzling to me is that I have not figured out how to improve my spoken English through class discussion.
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This term, I found a few new things while learning. Recital my poem and sharing the writing experience before the class was a definitely new thing, and it was an awkward adventure. However, I enjoyed witnessing different interpretations of life through other students’ poem. A vibrant atmosphere of the class is another new thing that I found this term; a strong passion and enthusiasm for learning can be seen from each class and it motivates me not to be slothful but to catch up with others. I often amazed at some class mates who work full time and wondered how they squeeze their time to do both. Through blogging I have read the other’s writings, especially writings of my previous class mates’ — what an incredible improvement! I can see an obvious progress in their work. Nonetheless, I don’t see too much change in mine (in terms of quality), however, my speed of writing has improved a little and that’s very good news.
Wow! Are we really half way through this course? Time does fly! I’m planning to enjoy the rest of the course that is likely the best according to what Brad said, “The best of the course is yet to come.” (204 words)
Personally I found the English 12 class to be somewhat varied and challenging, while at the same time stimulating and exciting. After reading “When bad luck is really good luck”, and “Brad Biker” essays, I went on to become familiar with narrative essays - which I had not done during my previous classes. Initially, the task seemed somewhat problematic - to write 1000 words. However, after following the description of the narrative essay, I quickly gained confidence and motivation to begin my essay.
Additionally, using annotation (explanatory or critical comments) for the story of “Child, dead, in the rose garden”, it helped me understand the concept of the story, in addition to learning some new vocabulary along the way. In fact, it was interesting to share and discuss our personal opinion pertaining the actual article by E. L. Doctrow. As a result, the course has proven to be a great learning experiencing via short stories, essays, documentary and presently with Szymborska’s marvelous poetry. Additionally, I’ve really enjoyed the ambiance of my class too!
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I had studied English 12 for two months, and I also found something new, interesting, and puzzling experiences. Everything is new for me: new classmates, new teacher, and new learning. Especially, writing comment or annotation is new thing for me this term. Before I wrote some comments for story, I must read carefully every paragraph. If I want to write a good comment, I need learn the story step by step. I never had done this way before.
Otherwise, I also found lots of fun and interests because Brad gave us chance to speak English every day, and separated different groups to discuss story or poem. I learned some new ideas and found some interests from my classmates. This is a practical way to learn English for me. Studying poetry is another interesting thing for me. Szymborska wrote a lot of immaculate poems, and she used polished language to express a state of mind or a powerful emotion toward the audience. I love this poetry.
How to improve my English writing? This term, I open blog, and I enjoy my classmate wonderful writing. Wow, they are amazing, but I just stay primary level. So, writing was made me puzzling.
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The temptation to write about current curriculum was too much to ignore for me. I was never impressed with the previews curriculum for English 12. I believe the study plan was outdated and more traditional which did not meet today’s challenges for students. Not everyone in our society has a chance to go to college, university or any other academic schools to upgrade and get more English language trainings. Learning the basic skills to write, to read, to communicate your ideas clearly and to express your point of views are essential for today’s world. Although traditional reading activities are important in life whether it is a novel or the work of William Shakespeare, What students lacked the most was the ability to constructs their opinions and make proper analysis about current issues in life. I have enthusiastically been able to express my point of view in response to many of the assignments in class since we started. Having a concrete opinion about certain issues takes hard thinking, and this new curriculum has the potential to teach students how to think for themselves and have a clear understanding of the issue. I have greatly enjoyed this new study plan so far.
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Having been half way through this course, I would say I am not really proud of my performance at all. The anxiety of this system of things has really set me back on my studies. Anxious and disturbed about many things which I can not mentioned and trying to juggle homework and a full time job have really affected my performance. I feel like I am trapped in a dense dark jungle right now. Other than that this semester is been great. Learning poetry and writing a poem is something that I am very proud of. I especially enjoyed the group work in the poetry class, as I listen and learned from other experienced student on their argument and understanding of the sample poem. It motivated me to seek help in learning how to write a poem. It’s a really practical way of learning.
Hopefully before the end this semester things will fall in the right place for me and I will be able to gain strength in my weaknesses—performing better as I would.
This class has been fun. Ive enjoyed meeting the new people in my class and finding who they are and where they come from. Ive never had and English class like this before. So much group work and little individual work, which is what i like about it the most.
In high school we never did this much group work. I like doing stuff where you can share the load.
I also wrote my first actual poem. Which was pretty cool. Never done that before. It felt pretty good, but never doing that again. Don't think I can make another masterpiece about hockey.
I was reluctant taking this English 12 class; different thoughts (not the most positive) just went through my mind prior to starting. I wasn’t sure if I’d be committed, that all changed. I met new people. I met Brad, a helpful teacher who taught me my strengths and weaknesses in writing, thank you. I met my classmates; one of the nicest groups I have ever got educated with, your will to succeed drove me to strive harder in class.
This class has been far more interesting than my prior English 12 class in high school. In the short 2 and a half months, I can say, I have learned far more. Everything I was given, I tried to give it my all. But, I was hesitant about the blog; I didn’t want my work shared up online where my classmates could see it, what if I made a mistake? Brad’s idea of the online blog was actually pretty good, which has helped me tremendous amounts along the way. On the other note, the one thing I keep finding puzzling, how we did not do Shakespeare, can’t complain, no need to recite skits and dress up.
The new thing I have learned this semester is how to write narrative essay. I always thought only the writer can write a story. After I read the essay written by a retired special agent in the story “Child, Dead, In the Rose Garden”, I found that by narrating a simple story happened in his life could make an excellent story. Some writers wrote stories that are not actually his or her own personal experiences, but they have the skills as a writer to draw reader’s attention to re-experience the story. However, who could write better story other than yourself who actually experience it. By learning how to write narrative essay, it inspired me to write my own personal story. I don’t have many skills, but I just need to know how to write a narrative essay. Writing what happened to me is really very powerful, it allowed me to tell my own story and inspire people to learn something special within it.
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There were some new things I learned in our class so far. First, I’ve never written a 1000 words narrative essay before. When I first heard that we were going to write a narrative essay that was 1000 words long, I was shocked. I didn’t know where to start, I spent quite a bit of time thinking what I should write about. I spent a lot of time writing and erasing, and later came close to 1000 words. I really don’t like writing essay, but I felt a sense of more accomplishment after I finished it. Also writing a poem was another new thing for me. Writing a poem wasn’t hard, but the hardest part was to use the same number of words and structure as “Life is the only way.” I wasn’t really satisfied with my poem, I think I could’ve done better if I started my poem earlier and took my time. I’m looking forward to learn and do more new things in this course.
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I like English 12 class because there is always new, interesting and puzzle. Every story, it is a new knowledge. I could learn from the writer’s message, the teacher’s and my classmate’s opinion. I enjoyed the time when we discuss the story in class. It is very interesting to hear different reactions to the stories. Particularly, the story “A Spoiled man,” I think it was very polemic when Rezak said, “God gave so much more than I deserve,” these words left open the multicultural minds, and different reaction to them. I love that!
In addition, I think this kind of stories gives the motivation to express ourselves and improve our oral communication. Another thing I like about this class is the blog. It gives me the opportunity to read and learn more trough my teacher and classmates’ writing.
It has been a challenge to continue this class: I want to break the barrier of language, and become a good writer –as I am in my own language. Something Puzzling? Of course, how to improve my grammar, I hope one-day; I could write without grammar mistakes to make my ideas more clear.
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I have gone through many interesting experiences in this class. However, annotation was a new and one of the most appealing to me. I was proud of what I had done on the day we were to make notes on the “Child Dead in the Rose Garden” story. When Brad was walking around the tables, he picked up the story from my table and said, “Thanks, Jamileh is the only who annotated at the edges of the pages. See, she wrote discrimination and in front of the word in parentheses, she wrote: nationality, skin colour, believe and place of birth.” For the next day, our homework was to write an answer to one of the questions posted on the blog. I chose “Explore a social or ethical issue raised in the writing”, and posted, probably the latest answer, the annotated idea on blog. Brad wrote, “I will give your answer only a passing mark (thus had an advantage over others).” This happening brought my confidence down and discouraged me. Nevertheless, I did learn from this to always be careful with your writing and responses and always read the answers of the other students before posting your own. Hopefully, this will help me with my grades in the future.
After all these months, I feel very appreciate that I can be in this English class. Thanks to the teacher, Brad, I have the opportunity to experience a complete different style of English 12 class, giving me a new impression toward English class. I never directly praise an English teacher because the English teachers I know always tend to make the class follows certain criteria and making things bland. The classmates do not interact with each other much unless a group project was assigned. I also find that, instead of reviewing for a certain material and having a test on it, our class emphasizes more on expressing own ideas of our personal experience. Nevertheless, I also appreciate of the opportunity to listen opinions ranged from different ages, from young adults to parents to seniors. Some opinions involved deeper meaning of certain things due to their longer life experience. They are completely different from what a young adult like me could think of, and I even feel amazed by certain ideas sometimes. I also experienced certain events that I have never experienced in my high school life, such as writing a 1000 words narrative story (which I yet find too limited to write a good story), and creating a poem based on another poem, following a certain format. Overall, I enjoy the class very much. I am glad that something which many high school graduates considered “waste of time” turns out to be much better than I expected.
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Improving writing skill is the first priority for me; I am interested in writing a variety of topic – although writing skill isn’t good enough for me. Through English 11, writing becomes a challenging and interesting rather than boring and scaring. This semester, there are so many new students to join this class. It is different experience for me that discussed some ideas and topics with the new younger ones. I had handled some projects with younger persons, but it was new experience to equally exchange concepts with younger persons. After university, I always thought my English ability was poor and weak. Last week, I went to Surrey night school to evaluate Math and English ability (before studying Math 12 in Surrey), the president of night school asked me whether I wanted to have a class of English 12 after evaluated. It surprised and puzzled to me that he thought my English ability was good. Is it is truth that my English ability have improved a lot? I just took one year to study English. Currently, it puzzles me a lot, but make me very happy.
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