Jonah’s English Blog

Prompt Response:  To prepare for tests, I like to review what the teacher has provided us and watch videos on YouTube that go over the most important details of the test. Along with studying that material, I also utilize practice tests to solidify the information that I just reviewed. This helps me to learn and memorize the material so that I can do my best on the test.  Summary: Today in class we went over tips on how to do better in the EOC writing section and we practiced writing an informational essay.  Reflection:  I thought that this lesson was very helpful because it allowed me to review and learn how to write informational essays. 

  Prompt Response:  The most challenging part of writing an informational essay is organizing my ideas and writing in a way that flows together and makes sense. I find it easy to locate evidence and connect it to the prompt, but when I begin the writing process, I find it hard to make everything come together. I think that to overcome this struggle I need to practice more and learn to utilize grammar strategies. This will help me get more comfortable with the writing process.  Summary: Today in class we worked on an assignment in Writable about informational essays.  Reflection:  I thought that today's lesson was interesting and it definitely helped me get more comfortable with the writing process. 

  Prompt Response:   I think that near-death experiences are real, but that they are mainly unexplainable by science. I think that we just have to trust those who have experienced them. We can then take the stories of the NDEs and use them to gather information about what occurs during the process. That way we can study them and compare them to find out what is true or real.  Summary: Today in class we read an informational text about near-death experiences and then we worked on a worksheet about the evidence backing up the claims.  Reflection:  I enjoyed the lesson today because I thought that it was a very interesting and thought-provoking topic. 

  Prompt Response:  If you can master precise vocabulary, you will be able to communicate what you want to say more fluidly and clearly. It can also boost your confidence when talking, as well as make you sound smarter. Academics-wise, you will be able to utilize your vocabulary in your school work to improve the quality of your work.  Summary: Today in class we worked on the Lesson 14 Vocabulary assignment.  Reflection:  I enjoyed today's lesson because I was able to work independently and get my work done quickly.   

  Prompt Response:  When I become an adult, I would prefer to live in the suburbs because of the community you can build there. Because it is much more secluded and life is slower paced, you can have more time to connect with your neighbors and form meaningful relationships. Also, in general, suburbs are safer than cities. I would want a safe neighborhood to create and live in with my family.  Summary: Today we read an article that talked about the negative effects of having to travel between suburbs and cities.  Reflection:  I thought that the article was very informational, it opened my eyes to the benefits of city life. However, I think that I still would prefer to live in the suburbs. 

  Prompt Response:  After reading the information passages this week, I plan to get a job to help save up for college, and then also work a job while I am in college to help pay for housing, food, and other necessities. I am also lucky to have parents who can assist me in paying for college, so I will also partly rely on them to help me avoid student debt.  Summary: Today in class we read an article about picking the right college for you to avoid as much student debt as possible.  Reflection:  I thought that this was very helpful to me. I am definitely going to use this information to help me plan for my future. 

  Prompt Response:  The word "onus" resonates the most with me out of all the other words in the list. I think that it is because of the responsibilities that I feel due to my position as the oldest sibling. Having to be a role model, example, and teacher to my younger siblings is sometimes a burden. However, it is also a good thing because it helps me pay more attention to my actions and decisions. After all, I want to be a good example for my siblings.  Summary: Today in class we worked on our Lesson 13 Vocabulary and completed vocab exercises for it.  Reflection: I enjoyed working on the vocab because it allowed me to work independently. 

  Prompt Response:  When I shop, I don't really check where the products come from, I buy them for their quality and price. I would be willing to pay a little more for a product from the US, but only if it was from a smaller business. I think that it is important to support small businesses in your community. If it is from a large business that doesn't need the support, I wouldn't really be willing to pay extra just because the product if made in the US.  Summary: Today in class we read a NEWELA article about President Trump's tariffs, and then we answered several questions about the reading.  Reflection:  I enjoyed the lesson because it gave me a better understanding of what is going on in our economy. 

  Prompt Response:  In 7th grade, I decided to try out for the school baseball team. I went to the tryouts, and I was definitely the worst player. After it was over, I was sure that I wasn't going to make the team, and I was right. This made me realize that I needed to work and practice a lot more if I wanted to make it the next year. I began practicing almost every day after school. I worked on my batting, pitching, fielding, and more. When the next tryouts came up, I was sure that I was going to make the team. I felt really good about my performance and I was proud of the work I had put in. When the coaches sent the email out, my dad surprised me when I got home by telling me that I made the team. I was so excited and happy. I definitely needed that initial rejection to motivate me to get better.  Summary: Today we took a benchmark test.  Reflection:  I thought that the test was overall not too hard, and that I did well. 

  Prompt Response:  I can think of several people who work on cars and all of their journies started with gaining experience and knowledge of the job. I can learn from them and try to work on cars, learn a lot about how they work, and pursue connections that will allow me to gain insight into the world of woking on cars.  Summary: Today we read a poem by Langston Hughes about deferring dreams. Then we worked on a worksheet where we talked about our own dreams and plans to achieve them.  Reflection:  I enjoyed today's lesson because it allowed me to think about my own dreams and plan for my future.   

  Prompt Response:  Necromancy is the practice of using magic to communicate with the dead and gain knowledge. I have encountered this word in many books, movies, and shows. Before reading the exact definition of the word, I thought that it meant to revive people from the dead and possess them and utilize them. Now that I know the correct definition I can correctly use it in sentences and conversations.  Summary: Today in class we worked on our Lesson 12 Vocabulary. Reflection:  I enjoyed working on the vocabulary because it allows me to work independently. 

  Prompt Response:  I prefer Daylight Savings Time. This is because it symbolizes that summer is getting closer, which is exciting. I also enjoy having a change in my routine that makes life a little more interesting for a little bit. I also enjoy having more daylight that lasts for longer. That is why I prefer Daylight Savings Time over Standard Time.  Summary: Today was a virtual day, so I worked on the NEWSELA assignment on Daylight Savings Time.  Reflection:  I enjoyed reading the article and learning about the reason and history behind Daylight Savings Time. I also thought that the questions weren't that difficult, but they still offered a challenge.   

Prompt Response:  One of the best cooks in my family is my uncle. At every family reunion, he cooks Japanese curry, as well as chicken katsu. It is always very delicious and filling. There are potatoes, chicken, and carrots, and the curry sauce is delicious. I always look forward to this meal after a long day on the lake or hiking.  Summary: Today we finished our Cultural Food posters.  Reflection:  I enjoyed thinking about what food would represent my culture and identity. 

  Prompt Response:  Cow-tongue stew is the most disgusting food I have ever had. One day, for a youth group activity, we went to an African restaurant to eat food from that country and learn about someone's religious mission there. We ate some of the worst food that I have ever had there, including catfish stew, fufu, and cow-tongue stew. The reason that the cow-tongue stew was so bad was because of its texture. It was bumpy, chewy, and very gross tasting in general.  Summary: Today in class we started working on a poster about our culture represented through food.  Reflection:  I enjoyed this lesson because I have never really thought about my culture through food, and it was an interesting this to think about. 

  Prompt Response: My favorite word right now is "massive." I use this word multiple times every day because of its extreme usefulness. I like it because it is a simple word, but it can add a lot of character to whatever you might be describing or talking about. I enjoy words like this that you can use to easily make something more interesting or fun when describing. That is why my favorite word right now is "massive."  Summary: Today in class we worked on our Lesson 11 vocabulary words. We did a worksheet where we had to put the words into their correct sentences, write a short story using the words, identify words that we associate with the vocabulary, and write our own sentences using the words.  Reflection: I enjoyed the lesson today because it was fairly simple and easy. I was able to work independently and finish my work quickly.