Anthony's Poem "My Sister"

My sister likes to cook.
My sister cooks every week.
My sister fixes me and my mom a plate of dinner.
I feel good about my sister cooking for me and my mom.
She is a perfect dinner cooker.

She is in college.
She studies hard.
She likes college.
I'm so proud of her working hard to find a job.

She likes to go on a computer.
She likes to go on the internet.
She likes to chat with her friends online.
Sometimes I feel good using her laptop.

We share a room together.
Our room is small.
I really don't like to be in a room with her.

I love my sister because she cares about me. She cares about my health and my benefits.
Sometimes we argue about things. Well it happens, but it doesn't happen often.
Sometimes she helps me with fraction on my math homework.

Does Yolen endorse Columbus Day

I think Jane Hyatt Yolen doesn't endorse Columbus Day for many reasons.

To begin with a reason why Yolen doesn't endorse Columbus Day because Christopher Columbus did such bad things as carring Tainos to Spain as slaves. Yolen learned that Christopher Columbus set the spanish flag on the uninhabited island because he had to claim the beautiful little green island for his king and queen and country where the Tainos live. Yolen knows Christopher Columbus was a mean guy.

Secondally, Yolen learned that Christopher Columbus called the tribespeople "Indians" mistaking of India because he thought he was in India. Yolen knew that Christopher Columbus wrote in his journal that were "well made", with fine shapes and shapes.

Finally, the island were colonized by the spanish, native religions languages, and lifestyles were changed forever.

More than 50 years later, less than 500 Tainos remained. Now there are no Tainos alive.

Does Yolen tinks Christopher Columbus is evil to the Tainos?

Do you think the author endorses Columbus day? (homework)

I don't think the author Jane Yolen endorses Columbus day.
From the author's note, first , Yolen describe Columbus was self-esteem , because he
claimed the beautiful litttle green island for his king and queen and country; Scond, Columbus mistaked the land for India , he called the tribespeople "Indians". Furthermore, the Columbus's
sailors asked in sign where the native gold rings and armbands came from, he was very greedy
said it was the gold that interested them the most when the Taino exchange gift in friendship with sailors; In addiotin, Columbus very ridiculously to cart Tiano people to Spain as slaves and
finally cause no full-bollded Taino.
I enjoy the Columbus day every year, howere, I counfuse Christopher Columbus the way
he had done in the history. Before reading author Yolen note, I only know Columbus sailed into
the unknown without fear, I don't know that more about the entire process, I am very sorry for
the native indian american.

To Karen

From reading the article, I think what Christopher Columbus did was very wrong for coming to America and just taking over the Taino culture and their home.

I believe that he should have worked together with the Taino men and woman and found a way to live together and work. Making the Taino men and women slaves was the worst decision Columbus treated them like they did not even exist he wanted to just find a way to eliminate everything about the Taino culture,which was something he has accomplished. Columbus seemed greedy because it seemed like he was talking to the Taino men and women to find out information on how they lived and other information about Taino people such as where there gold came from.

I believe we should celebrate Columbus day because he discovered america but we all should know and realize all the wrong he has done also.

The treasure I seek..

The treasure I seek can't be found in the largest pyramid. Nor the deep end of The sahara desert or the dark end of the forests. My treasure can be found on 15th street . His name is Justin Jr. my grandson. His pretty blond hair that glows in the sunlight ,his eyes that sparkle like marbles went he smiles at me. He is truly my teasure , my hero , my superstar. He is the one who makes me feel like a kid again ,filling my life with happieness and joy . I especially love the way he greets me at the door smilling ear to ear , with an high piched hi following after. The time we spend together means the world to me , we always seem to have fun, even on the rainny, gloomy days. I love to take him the park and see him grow right before my eye. seeing how every is new to him , it makes me want to show him every beautiful thing that the world will soon offer him . One my favorite memories with Justin and me , was just this summer , me and him at the beach making sand castles, even if he thought throwing sand was help , he was happy , so i was aswell. As he gets older its sometimes crazy to see what he learns even if it was not tought to him, for example he loves football but im not to sure how at 15 monthes he gets it , he love to yell touch down with is little arms aboves his head , he amazes me every day. I truly treasure our cartoon time together, i love to see him dance at " YO GABBA GABBA'. And sing along with "DORA AND DIAGO". I love my grandson alot he means everything to me , helping and reminding me about the important things in life . He has changed the meaning of " BABY SITTING " and turned it into a joy . Justin Jr. is my treasure.

Do you think the author endorses Columbus

Do you think the author endorses Columbus Day. Why or Why not.

No I do not that the author endorses Columbus Day.
The author feels it was more of a tragedy then a celebration.

The Author Jane Yolen also speaks about the destruction
of the native people. When the spaniards colonized the island.
the native religion, languages, and lifestyles were changed
forever. She also states that 300,000 Taino Indians has de-
minished to a mere 500 in less than 60 years.

Columbus was a man of greed. He did not care much for the
natives. He was more interested in what had value which was
the gold, in addition he carried away 6 to 10 Taino men and
women according to different sources, then carting them back to
Spain as slaves.

The Taino Indians were gentle people. Sometimes they even.
painted their faces and bodies, to greet the strangers, furthermore
to share their bounty with a feast with them.

The author does not endorse Columbus day, she does not glorify
the destruction and the diminishing cultures of the natives. In which
he participated in, and changed the course of history. In my opinion
Columbus Day should not be celebrated, it should be day of rememberence
of the Taino Indians.

Essays Due on Monday, November 1st

Hello, everyone!

It was another productive class today. Louis, we missed you! Hope you're feeling better.

Please make sure that you post your final Columbus essay on the blog by Monday and bring
in the typed-version to class on that day as well. Also, don't forget to respond to your classmates' posts.

Happy Halloween, everyone. I see you all working very hard, and can't wait to finally read your finished essays.

Karen

Happy halloween!

I hope everyone enjoys their holidays,Furthermore i hope everyone stays safe.

P.S Unitylou

Three Parts of an Essay

Introduction-
*Remember your topic sentence by restating the question

Body-
*Use transition words
Sequence/order words (first, next, finally...)
Words that mean "and"/"also" (furthermore, moreover, in addition, additionally)

Conclusion-
*end with your opinion
*end with a question

Good times

Today I am having a healthy day. The weather is fair.And i had a good weekend.One of my favorite football teams won which is also good.

Unitylou

Does Uolen endorse Columbus Day

No Yolen does not endorse Columbus Day. She studies and learn about Columbus Day. Yolen is the writer of thee Christopher Columbus story. Yolen knows that Christopher Columbus carried away the Tainos and carting them back to spain as slaves. Yolen knows the three ships. Yolen is the author of the story. Yolen learn that Christopher Columbus landed on San Salvador, his first in the New world on October 12, 1942

Grammar Website

Hi everyone,

Per Louis's request, here is a website on grammar for writing. There are self-tests to practice too.

Enjoy:
http://aliscot.com/bigdog/index.htm

Also, you are doing an awesome job posting and commenting. I love seeing our online community growing!

See you all tomorrow,
Karen

My Weekend

Well my weekend was good I went to queen to spend some time with my nephew. He was so happy see me so was I. He means the world to me and he make me feel happy inside. Whenever I go to see him I love the way he put a smile on my face and warm my heart with his laugh. my nephew is the reason why I wanna do better for my life and get my education some time I do feel like giving up but what good will I be if my one and only nephew ask me about his homework and I dont know the answer to the question. My problem is not getting the help I need there are something I dont understand and it really bother me but all I do is try to focus.

It is a soultion for the janitor finally quits

I feel that It is a soultion for the janitor finally quits after I read the poem. Janitor is a
cleaner couldn't get people appreciated in the church ,even the guests complain about toilet paper, it is another way to say he doesn't do his job well, but his does his effort, he has always
mopped the floor, but on one can speak his name.he could't keep somthing that he doesn't like ;
therefor he quit even nobody know, I feel worry for him , I guess people will realize that he had done a great job for the church after he not there, you can imagine if no body doing clean, how dirty with the rest room and the floor, does the mop can push on without hands.
from this poem , people will be learned how to apprciated by the janitor in the church.

Good News

I got hired at Citibank so now i got a job. I'm so happy. Yaaaaaaay.

MTA NYC Subway R68 D Train Terminating at Herald Square-34 St/6 Av

To Maria

Good work, yesterday. It was pleasure to work with you & melo.

Jane Hyatt Yolen

Jane Hyatt Yolen is an american author and editor of almost 300 books. These include folklore, sciencefiction , fantasy. Did you know she was born in New York City

Jorge's Job (Homework)Unitylou

Jorge seems to be tired (Tone) of his job.This shows in the poem were he states "I have a bad attitude." Also I personally have been their so I am aware that physical labor can take it's toll.The reason for the poem and why? Is because of the fact that he wants a better job.Surly I do not blame him at all having the same experiance. As a reader my feet are exactly were his used to be.

2-day

Hey class! It's me unitylou I am having a good day thus far,I also think that i need some practice on my grammar.oops! Did you hear that Karen? (ha ha) peace.

P.S seriously

verbatim meaning word for word

The GED tests your thinking skills, not your memory. It tests the analysis and problem-solving abilities that you have been developing all along in school and in life. You've got what it takes to pass the GED,

Homework Assignments

Hello, everyone--

Just a reminder, the homework due this Wednesday is to please:
1) post and comment at least once on the blog
2) read the poem by Martin Espada and answer the following questions:
a) What is the tone?
b) What is the purpose?

By Monday, everyone is expected to have posted at least one of their writing pieces onto the blog.

Please let me know if you have any questions.
Best,
Karen

Columbus

You lied to us about discovering something you didn't find. You tried to make everyone believe your lies. You said it once you said it twice by the third time it wasn't nice. You came here and took the land of Indians then salves to spain. How dare you? You should be embarressed about it. You know american have already been discover yet you acted like you found it. When you come to this New World people already lived there. How you gonna find a place when civitization had already existed here?

Hello

It is interesting, that all us have different backrounds and cultures, but we are here for the same reason.

Losing a love one

Its true what they say, you can never really understand what's it like until it happen to you. I once described losing a loved one. My mother carried me for 9 months, she gave birth to me, she was the first sight I ever set my eyes upon, she fed me when I was hungry, she got no sleep for months when I woke her up crying at night. She changed my diaper and watched me smile when I recognized her face. She watched me crawl and take my first steps and say my first word. She was always there. Memory I ever had growing up has her in it. When I was upset she was there to cheer me up. When I needed advice it was her who sought it out. When I stepped out of line it was her who put me back in step. She was a strong loving mother who I always knew was on my side and would do anything for me and my brothers. She gave us the perfect upbringing that made me the women I am today. I known her as my mother and as I become an adult I knew her as the women with a devilish sense of humor. She have always been a huge part of my life and now that she gone, I realize that I always assumed she would be. When the doctor phoned me early one morning to tell me my mother has past away. I was numb in the stage of depression. After months of her death I just couldn't grasp that she was really gone, like my brain just wouldn't accept that she was gone forever. Whenever i'm at home i come down in the morning before anyone else was up. I would watch t.v in the living room like I always did, I be sitting there waiting for her to wake a up. She would make us breakfast like she always did we were early rises. I cried for her more when she was suffering then after she died I couldn't hold back my tears. I learn to accept that she was gone but she kept turning up in my dreams. Sometime the dream would be set in my childhood and it was only when until I woke up to start feeling sad that it was just a dream. My other dream i would be telling her how much i miss her, waking up would just take me away from her. I woke up with tears on my pillow but then to leave all my sadness in the dream. My dream start to fade away although they do come back from time to time, I found that my mind seem to understand that she was gone. Its was as though in the preceding years and took it that long , it a good job I didn't take it all at once because it such an utterly terrible thing to have to get use to and live with it. I have to carry the pain and burden for the rest of my life, The only thing that changed is that I learn to live with it in my own way. As i said at the start It not a day goes by that I don't miss her I still get upset from time to time, but my mother never hid her tears from us and as a result we were brought up knowing that it was perfectly normal to miss some one we love , and it nothing to be ashamed of. She always admired my positive out look on life and to make the most of life as its so precious every day that goes by that exactly what I try to do.

Events of my weekend

This weekend was a bust for me.I stepped outside into a heavy breeze unaware of the change of weather.I was cold so i ran back into the house too change into pants and a long sleeved shirt.

My trip to Virginia and North Carolina

My family and I went to Williamsburg, Virginia from 10/3/10 through 10/10/10. In Virginia, We had a time share. During a time share, I watched television and played my wii console. On 10/5/10, My family and I went to the historic area to see old houses and stores. On 10/8/10, we went to Busch Gardens. I went to the haunted house. Some people tried to scare me but I jumped at them at a haunted house. I had a lot of fun in Busch Gardens.



On 10/10/10, we went to North Carolina to see my uncle and my grandmother until Columbus Day. It was a really nice vacation.
On Columbus Day we came to New York City. When I was coming to New York from Burlington, North Carolina, Near Newark, New Jersey it started thundering, lightning and raining.

A letter to Maria

Dear Maria
I think Columbus day it a big fraud. Because people don't know what he really did.
He went to a land were he met some Indians and made friends with them only to take
there land and turn them in to slaves, and took advantage of woman,children,and there man.
But all he really did was rob them of the gold and there pride that why I think they should not celebrate Columbus day.
They him seem like hero but he was a con man . That why people should read up on there history so they can learn
What they don't know . What kind of man you think he was.






Sincerely


Batman

my weekend

Well on Thursday I started to feel sick with a cold and asthma and chest pain. As you may know I have a heart problem so I'm always getting sick with the weather changing. So I was in bed this weekend but with the help of my boyfriend who took care of me and took me to the doctor. I'm now feeling a little better.

i want to thank all the people at the library for helping us with the computer, Elizabeth, Karen, and Stephanie.

Flowers

I like flowers all kinds of flowers.
Flowers makes everything look nice.
Like a wedding I went to . The had red and whit flower all over the church.
The bride had a bouquet of Jasmine flowers and all the bride's maid's .
I like flowers because the go with every occasion, like on mother's day and Valentine day, or when you visit family and friends,
or give flowers just because. I like flowers because the clean the air and makes the house smell fresh.
I't is also good for the environment. FLOWERS

my atlantic city trip

I went to atlantic city on friday Oct. 9th, 2010 I meet my sister and her husband and we were together , The next day my other sister came down with her husband and we all just chill out on saturday, They left sunday morning but we stayed until tuesday

Writing Homework Assignment Due 10/18

Hello, everyone!

AMAZING class last Wednesday. I am so impressed by the level of engagement, critical thinking, questioning, and citing of the text. You are doing high level work, dissecting and analyzing text-- if you can do this, questions on the GED will be quite simple for you. I applaud your commitment to the class and toward reaching your goals.

Remember that the week's writing assignment is to answer the following question:

Do you think that the author (Jane Yolen) endorses Columbus Day, based on the Author's Note at the end of Encounter? Why or why not (give evidence from the text)?

Your answer to this question should take up at least ONE COMPLETE PAGE OF PAPER. If you know how to write in essay format, even better.

We will share on Monday (I promise!)
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone.
Karen

Reconsider Columbus Day 2010

No Class Monday 10/11 and Homework Due 10/13

Hello, everyone!

Just a reminder- there is no class on Monday, 10/11, as the library will be closed due to Columbus Day.

As a follow-up to our class discussion about Columbus Day and the book, Encounter, I have assigned the following homework writing assignment:

Choose someone to address your poem.
For example:
"To Columbus..."
or "To The State of New York..." (great idea, Victor!)
"To my former teachers..."

Then, write a poem to this person telling how you feel about Christopher Columbus and Columbus Day and how you think they should feel about him/it.

Use the poem, "Coaches," as a guide if you're stuck. Think about tone (sarcasm is one way to give a cynical or bitter tone), which we discussed in class.

Good luck, and have fun with the assignment. We will share these poems as well as our stories from the other week on Wednesday.

Please call/email if you are having trouble.

Have a wonderful long weekend, everyone!
Karen

Reminders: Homework and Monday Math Test

Hello, everyone!

Just a reminder that you are expected to finish the stories you wrote about your illustration by this Monday. We will share our stories with the class on Monday. Also, remember that all new students will be taking the Math TABE assessment this Monday as well.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend, and it was lovely to meet you last Wednesday!

Karen