My Hero

       My hero is someone who is a teacher in the town where I used to live. They are humorous, and that is one of the greatest qualities that I find admireable in people. Many of my friends are my friends because we can laugh together. I also admire the kindness and understanding of that teacher. That is another good quality that I look for  in friends. My hero is someone that I am like in many ways, but I would still like to be more like them.

If I had one year left to live

       If I had one year left to live, I would make sure that I visit all my friends, family, and everyone I have ever met. I would travel to many places that I have wanted to go, like Washington D.C. I would go to Florida with my whole family. I would go to as many places that I could. I would go back to where I used to live to visit everybody. I would do everything I have ever wanted to do. I would have a big party with all of my friends from both ACMS and the school I used to go to. Then, I would say goodbye.

Spring Break

Spring Break

Over spring break, I did a lot. Over the first weekend, I went back to Illinois, to the town where I used to live. My grandparents were visiting my cousins at the time, so my family was alone at their house. We visited friends and family. We drove back on Sunday, and spent the week being lazy and sleeping at home. The next weekend, we drove back down to see my grandma and grandpa in Illinois, and had Easter gatherings. I visited my cousins and friends, and had a good time. It was a sad drive back home last night.

Going down in History

Going Down In History

    I do think that I will remember this school and the people and teachers here because I have a good memory for things like that. I will remember a lot about this new town and school even though I just moved here in January. I hope that many people will remember me, whether as a friend or just as the "new kid", as long as it is in a good way.

Reflection on historical fiction

In my historical fiction, the easiest thing to do was the first chapter because it didn't seem like I even was having to think about what I was wrighting. It just seemed to go directly from my brain to my paper. The most challenging part of my writing was trying to find places to put my facts in. I do think that I used my class time wisely for this assignment. I think that I could right a Part 2 to my historical fiction.

Interview with main character from historical fiction

Question #1: What made you want to join the Union?

Response: I wanted to fight for my country and against slavery, just like my grandfather fought in the war for freedom against Great Britain.

Question #2: Are you glad that you joined the war?

Response : I am because I met lots of people, fought for what I believed in, and won.

Question #3: Would you go back to fight again?

Response : I really am looking forward to spend some time with my family, but in the future, if they need me, I will go back and fight.

Historical Fiction Story

Should I?

Chapter One

Just Thinking

      I had been thinking about it. I had been thinking about it for a long time. The blue uniform, the guns, the many bullets, and the people; they just kept flooding through my head. And then, there were the rumors. Oh, the numerous rumors, about how being a soldier in the Civil War was simply a horrible spot to be in. The yelling and screaming of the injured and dying, the sound of the soldiers as they hit the ground, and biggest of all, the risk of getting shot. Though it seemed like a bad dream, I felt like I had to join, to fight for my country. We also needed the money quite badly as well, for my father had just passed away with Pneumonia. He had worked as a General Store owner for 30 years, which had met the family’s needs in terms of income. It was like losing your money tree, that is, if we even had one. My mom, twelve year old sister, and three year old brother all needed support.                           
      Of course I had not told anyone that I have thinking about joining yet, but since the war had started on April 12 and it was already May 12, I decided that it was time to ask Mom for her opinion. Besides, people were saying that the war would only last a few months anyway.

Chapter Two

An argument with Mom

      I knew how Mom would respond. After all, I had been alive and with her for eighteen years now. My mom has always been the “over-protective” type, and was always hesitant to let any of us kids do anything. From getting the first bicycle to climbing above the fifth branch in the old oak tree, Mom has always been as cautious about us as a mouse hiding from a cat. So as I walked into the kitchen where my mom stood washing the dishes, I decided to take the conversation slowly. “Hey Mom, do you need some help with the dishes?” “Sure,” said my mom, “But why? I mean yes, but you never ask to help with the house chores. Is something wrong?” “Well, kind of,” I started. “I’ve been thinking about joining the war to fight, like grandpa fought in that war against Britain. I want to fight for the Union.” “And what,” said my mom, “You expect me just to say yes? I mean you weren’t even drafted or anything, but you just volunteered?” “Well…. yes,” I stuttered, “But…” “No, definitely not,” my mom said. “But Mom! Why can't I go?” “Well honey, what if you don't come back?” “Mom, why would you even think like that?” “Well....I am just considering the possibilities.” “But don't you think that it should be my decision?” I asked. “Yes, Jim, I love you very much and respect your choice, but I should have some input too, don't you think?” “Yes, but..... it’s my life, and I should be able to choose what I do with it regardless of what you say. Because after all, I am 18 now.” ”So that's what you think, that when you’re 18 you can do what you want.” “Yes mom, that's what I think.” “Fine then.” That was the end of the conversation, for after eighteen years of living with someone, you know when to stop arguing.

Chapter Three

Cooling Down

     After the argument with mom, I decided to take a walk. I always know two things after mom says, “Fine then.” First is that she doesn’t want to talk about it anymore, and so if I would have continued to talk, it would have been like arguing with a rock. Second is that she gave up, and that means that I won the conversation. I could join the war. Being able to say those words was like a dream come true. I went back home and decided to write a letter to the only general that I have met, William T. Sherman, asking to join the Union.

Chapter Four

A Response from General Sherman

     General Sherman was born the same year as my father, 1820, and went to school with him. They were very good friends while growing up, and my father helped him through some tough times. A response soon came from him thanking me for wanting to join in order to fight for our country and against slavery. The letter also stated what equipment and supplies I would need. This included items such as brushes, blankets, food, clothes, and many other personal materials. It also stated where I could mail a letter to requesting supplies such as guns, gunpowder, bullets, and other fighting equipment that would be necessary. Lastly, the letter said that I would receive my uniform soon, and start a short training on June 20^th. 

      I was excited about joining, and Mom had learned to accept my decision. She said that she was happy that I was fulfilling my dream, and trying to help the family with the money problem. She said that she knew that it would all work out well in the end. The best part was that I knew that she meant it.

Chapter Five

Later

     I soon received my uniform, and collected the equipment that I need. When the day came, I waved farewell to my family, and went on my way. My mother and I wrote letters all of the time, and I visited as often as I could. I stayed and fought until the end of the war, and made it home safely. On that wonderful ninth of April in 1865, I hung up that blue uniform for good, and happily settled in back home with the family. Life went well from then on. General Sherman became a full general after the war, and lived a good life until 1891. Thanks to President Abraham Lincoln and all of the other Union leaders, non-slavery laws changed the United States for good.

Bibliography

"Civil War Battle Timeline and Statistics." Gary's Personal Web Site. Web. 04 Apr. 2011. <http://gary.appenzeller.net/CivilWarTimeline.html>.

"Civil War Draft." Portage County Historical Society - Wisconsin: Home Page. Web. 03 Apr. 2011. <http://www.pchswi.org/archives/misc/cwdraft.html>.

"Civil War Union Generals." American Civil War History Timelines Battle Map Pictures. Web. 03 Apr. 2011. <http://americancivilwar.com/north/Union_Generals/>.

Civil War. Web. 04 Apr. 2011. <http://www.civilwar.com/components/index.php?option=com_battlemap>.

Hakim, Joy. War, Terrible War. New York: Oxford UP, 1994. Print.

"How The Civil War Soldiers Lived." The American Civil War Home Page. Web. 01 Apr. 2011. <http://www.civilwarhome.com/soldierslife.htm>.

Kelly, Martin. "Top Five Causes of the Civil War." American History From About. Web. 03 Apr. 2011. <http://americanhistory.about.com/od/civilwarmenu/a/cause_civil_war.htm>.

 "Leaders of the Civil War." Pocantico Hills Central School. Web. 03 Apr. 2011. <http://www.pocanticohills.org/civilwar/leaders.htm>.

"SOLDIER'S LIFE." The WTV Zone - A WebTV Friendly Homepage and Website Provider Where Webtv Users Can Build Websites and Homepages with Little Restriction - Web Tv Users Welcome! Web. 01 Apr. 2011. <http://www.wtv-zone.com/civilwar/soldier.html>.

"U.S. Civil War 1861-1865." The History Place. Web. 03 Apr. 2011. <http://www.historyplace.com/civilwar/>.

"William Tecumseh Sherman Biography." The American Civil War Home Page. Web. 03 Apr. 2011. <http://www.civilwarhome.com/sherbio.htm>.

"WORLD WAR NOW AS LONG AS CIVIL WAR - Article - NYTimes.com." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. 21 July 1918. Web. 03 Apr. 2011. <http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10C17FB3F5A11738DDDA80A94DF405B888DF1D3>.

Strange Creatures

I am puzzled about where I am. These creatures all look the same with pale, fleshy skin, and fur on the top of their heads. There are also many furry creatures that seem to dwell in some of the alien's homes. The last thing that I remember before the boom was getting in the machine and taking off. A big, domeshaped, metal machine that scientists just came up with. I volunteered to test it out for the first time because I am interested in learning about the outer worlds. I hope that someday, I can return to Neptune.

What four letter term am I?

I am sometimes fun and entertaining

About me sometimes, you don't care

I am sometimes sad and depressing

I am sometimes too much to bear

I am sometimes cheerful and joyful

I am sometimes delightful and content

I am sometimes miserable and gloomy

I am sometimes lucky and fortunate

Sometimes people hate me

Sometimes people love me

And I am sometimes what people dread

I am not a person, nor living thing,

but am part of one instead

I am life.

Essay on “The Hundredth Dove”

            “In honor of my bride, the Lady Columbia, whose name means dove and whose beauty is celebrated in all the world, I wish to serve one hundred of the birds at our wedding feast” (Yolen). That was the task given to Hugh, the fowler; to gather one hundred doves and bring them to the king. He had no problem getting ninety-nine gray doves. It was just the ultimate desire to have the beautiful white dove with sparkling black eyes in his possession. This is a fictional romance written by Jane Yolen. During “The Hundredth Dove”, Hugh is a loyal bird hunter who has trouble capturing a white dove, which escapes from the net like a mouse from a cat. He finally is able to catch it, but has a man vs. self conflict trying to determine whether or not to kill it while he has the chance. He certainly makes the correct decision by being faithful to the king.    

           While Hugh has a controversy with the dove, he is able to make a good resolution. It teaches him a good lesson, and causes him to start a new beginning with his relationship to birds. This is what makes this short story a romance. It all starts out with a mild conflict, which is his difficulty with catching the gorgeous, white dove. The problem increases slightly, and Hugh is considering whether or not to take the dove to the king’s wedding with the other ninety-nine gray doves. The conflict turns quite large, and the white dove begins to speak to Hugh. It tells him that if he lets it go, the queen will be his true love. The fowler wants this badly, but knows that his loyalty to the king should be even greater. Hugh decides what is right, kills the white dove, and sends it to the wedding with the rest of the doves. A new beginning takes place, and Hugh treats all birds with respect.

     Hugh is very committed to pleasing the king, and tries to help carry out his requests. An example is when he gives up an option to have the queen as his own true love, in order to please the king. That took a lot of nobility for him to do that, and it was very difficult for him. Many people today wouldn’t give up the option to be with the person they love to get something for their leader. Hugh is also very determined, for when he decides what he wants, he will keep trying until he gets it. When Hugh sees the magnificent white dove, he knows that he must get it. He spends days trying to catch it, and it is easy to see that he has a lot of patience. He finally succeeds, and holds his prized possession.                                                                                    

     Hugh certainly thinks that the dove is beautiful, but he also has strong feelings for the queen. It is clearly recognizable when he first sees her, and kisses her golden ring. Is this magnificent queen the white dove? After all, Hugh notices the same ring that was on the queen’s finger on the white dove’s leg. The dove also has the same sparkling black eyes as the queen. Later in the story, the dove begins to talk in the queen’s voice, and this tells you that the white dove is definitely the queen.

      Hugh has a hard time with the difficult decision on whether to follow the king’s orders to take the white dove to the feast, or to let the dove go and fall in love with the queen. He knows what he wants but also knows what is right. In the end, he makes a good decision. From then on, Hugh is very kind to all birds, but never saw another dove. He, without doubt, learned a good lesson, and became a better person.

Bibliography

Yolen, Jane. The Hundredth Dove. n.d.

Dialogue for Historical Fiction essay

Mom
Son

     "But Mom! Why can't I go?" "Well honey, what if you don't come back?" "Mom, why would you even think like that?" "Well....I am just considering the possibilities." "But don't you think that it should be my decision?" "Yes, but honey I love you very much and respect your choice, but I should have some input too, don't you think?" "Yes, but..... its my life, and I should be able to choose what I do with it regardless of what you say. Becuase after all, I am 18 now." "So that's what you think." "Yes mom, that's what I think." "Fine then."

10 things you should know about Asa Clark

1. You should never game.

2. It is sometimes ok to eat, drink, and chew gum in class.

3. It is one of the top schools in the nation.

4. You shouldn't do homework in other classes unless given permission.

5. Know your lunch options.

6. It is OK not to know every name of every person in the school.

7. Make sure to keep track of ALL of your passwords.

8. You can always go to Student Services if you have a question.

9. Keep track of all of your work and what you have to do.

10. Take lots of notes.