Welcome to English 12! It's been a long summer, so I am assuming you are ready to get back in the swing of things, right? :)
We will be covering various pieces of British Literature, including Beowulf, Macbeth, and Canterbury Tales. These pieces of literature are classic, and I hope that we together can find ways to make them interesting and relevant.
Not only does English 12 cover British Literature, but we will also tackle the research paper as well as various modes of writing. Being a well-developed writer is essential to your future, no matter what profession you choose.
I look forward to getting to know each of you!
Matt Kennedy
ReplyDeleteEnglish 12
Ms. Windle
21 August 2012
Nature is the world’s best alarm clock. Waking up in a sleeping bag with the constant drone of the waterfall spilling over the edge onto the rocks below, the trees rustling in the cool and never ending breeze, and the small tributaries flowing off into the distance is the best feeling in the world. Waking up to the noises of Caney Creek Falls makes me realize that I should go out and explore everything I possibly can while I still have the abilities and freedom to do so.
Throughout my life I have had this urge to go out and explore. If it is in my car, on my mountain or road bike, or while hiking I want to go somewhere I have never been. It all started in North Carolina on my first hiking trip with my family on the Appalachian Trail when I was six, and then my love for the outdoors began to flourish. In all the camping, hiking, and canoeing trips I’ve been on I have come to the realization of how import it is to not only enjoy but also to preserve the outdoors.
Joe Cagle
ReplyDeleteEnglish 12
Ms. Windle
21 August 2012
Refugee. A word that most of America does not associate with. Most don’t even realize what a “refugee” is! Duerme, a five year old boy from Somalia, was kidnapped by his biological father then exiled by his country. Hasan, A seven year old Muslim boy who once lived in Iran, was exiled by his own government. These two children along with many other families were banished from their own government.
These “refugees” had no choice. They had no choice leaving. They even had no choice in what country they wanted to live! Luckily our country, The United States, took these refugees in as our own. The group of refugees I met ended up in Tucson, Arizona, and there were hundreds of them. They were young, and they were old. Some were from Somalia, Iran, Iraq, Ethiopia, and many other places. Most were Muslims and the minority was Christian or Catholic.
Darby Williams
ReplyDeleteEnglish 12
Ms. Windle
21 August 2012
A sea of purple and yellow stretched before me for what seemed like miles. The thought of the changes to come slowly weighted down on my mind. This day seemed so far away. Now it was here.
August 17 was the day we moved my brother into his new home at UNA. I realized what i had, only after it was gone. When did such a simple move become so difficult.
Something as simple as my brother going to college taught me about change. As I saw what had become normal to me in the rear view mirror, I realized that this is a part of life. Change is what is normal. All that is certain in this life is that it, life, will not stay the same. There is no way around this truth, so why fight it. Embrace the changes that you face and make the best of the situation that you are in. For every door closed another door opens. If you focus on what you once had, you may never realize the opportunities that are before you. This new chapter in my life may seem unsure, but all these event are preparation for the changes that I will face in the near future.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nP_Iagp2WhKFjDENE_z7eU_sfME40Q13bHhk4LGt8dk/edit
ReplyDeleteThe aroma of sunscreen filled the air as the rays of sun beat down on the exposed skin on the bathers. I may have only spent three days in Florida but it felt like a lifetime. The Florida sun shone almost 24/7 from early morning to late night. There was not a dull moment in those three short days. The sea rose and fell depending on the time of day. It started to seem like we did not have enough time to do everything we wanted to do but time flies when you are having fun. In those three days i realized how big of an impact my family and my hometown had on me.
ReplyDeleteBeing in a bigger city helped me to see how easy i had it while other people stressed over money and family situations. After finally coming home, I had more of a passion to help my mom more than I was. I began searching for a job, but had no luck, and taking more responsibility around the house. My trip to Florida, Atlanta and Six Flags showed me that the outside world was very scary and dangerous. There were multiple times where somebody almost caused an accident by not paying attention. I have become more aware of my surroundings and pay more attention to the littlest things. I learned that being with my family made me more happy than any material item could.
The dark blue waves crashed onto the beach shore. The sunset looking over the ocean, seagulls squaking as the pedestrians toss food in the air. The sand on my feet constantly being washed away as the ocean water pulled at my feet. These are a few experiences I remember from my trip to the beach.
ReplyDeleteCaitlin Yarbrough
ReplyDeleteMs. Windle
English 12
21 August 2012
As a young girl, I grew up on an eight acre pecan grove in Arkansas with my grandparents. We had lots of cats and dogs. When I turned seven my mother and I moved to Kansas. I had a lot of good times and a lot of bad times there. When I turned fifteen, mother and I moved back in with my grandparents, who were living in Alabama at the time. That’s how I came to live here. Throughout my childhood I’ve lived in many different places and met many different kinds of people. Those people have made me who I am today.
When I was younger I was really shy because the environment that I was raised in was always really loud and crazy. I didn’t like that very much it was scary for me as a young child. As I got older I got used to it and then along came Austin, my little brother. My mother wasn’t really around a lot when I was younger and my stepdad was an alcoholic so I more or less raised my little brother which gave me a lot of independence. When we moved out of Kansas and down to Alabama I was really into singing and playing guitar, I also played clarinet in the band. While I was in elementary school I was bullied a lot so I don’t put up with it anymore. A lot of people say they don’t like me, but that’s just because I am who I am and I don’t let anyone else tell me different, or try and change me.
This summer has really defined me in ways I had not known before. This summer I took a trip to Gulf Shores during this trip I realized that I appreciate everything about the beach from the sites to the sounds. For example, I love hearing the wave’s crash against the shore, I love watching the birds fly around and fight over food and I enjoy devouring the food the most. These experiences have helped me decide that I want live and work in this kind of setting. I have finally decided what I really want to do with my life after high school and college.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletehttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1eP_ND292EPjaF8BNy207IDSazCp5SMxe4cfoS4qQYBg/edit
ReplyDeleteJohnathan Smith
ReplyDeleteMs. Windle
English 12
22 August 2012
“PRESENT...ARMS!”, the drill commander screamed, ordering his drill team to solute the drill inspector. I was where I found myself to be the most comfortable, with my fellow JROTC cadets, at the yearly district competition. I had been in JROTC a little under three years now, and having the drill inspector get just inches from my face was still the most frightening sight I had ever seen. Feeling his hot breath shooting around my neck didn’t bother me much, considering I was already fitted into a 100 degree, military ‘Class A’ uniform. His face was one to remember, and I feared I would have thrown up my guts before the days ending.
JROTC has changed who I am personally over the years. It has taught me things such as strict leadership up to keeping my uniform in tip-top inspection presentation. JROTC has shown me how self-respect plays a big role in how others see me. My new learned self-respect ability causes others to admire me and look up to me. You know what they say. “If there is something wrong with yourself then change it.” The best way to perfect yourself is through the JROTC program.
In the future I have considered a military career and JROTC is helping me prepare myself to accomplish this goal. JROTC has been teaching me the leadership and responsibility I will need to be a leader and motivator in any branch of the U.S. military. This program is a major importance in my life toward preparing myself for the near future as a United States soldier. Not only am I being taught to be a better person, but I am also learning how to respect not only others, but myself as well. Sticking with JROTC has shown me a completely new lifestyle and has overall changed who I am today. I joined thinking it was all fun and games, but it was way more than that. It was a life changing experience that I am sure will stay with me for a lifetime.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletehttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1FwBDhM1wgCFvnE5dQGF9ii7bRdF-X7srILRpGk9CQH8/edit
ReplyDeleteArienna McElroy
ReplyDeleteMs. Windle
4th English 12
21 August 2012
The fluttering in my tummy, the shaking in my hands. Ahhh, I heard Katherine shrieking; “Ok Arienna if you don’t make it at least you tried and stepped out of your shy zone”, I was saying in my head. Thump, thump, boom, boom my heart started to speed up as I walked closer to the window on the door, all of a sudden everything stopped and gotten quiet; the wind softly hit me in my face. “Here I go”, whispering to myself looking for my name.
“Oh My gosh, mama i made it !” While I was on the phone crying tears of joy and screaming, I never had this much excitement and joy in my life. I really couldn’t believe that i made the Walker Dance Team. I mean I was over exaggerating like I made the cheer squad. “What’s the big deal Arienna?” Furiously looking into the phone and replied, “Mom you don’t understand, this is Walkers’ first dance team and for me to on it on my last year of high school is a big step up to me.” While being in the state of mind of being over dramatic, I didn’t realize that i had to surrender my summer for dance camp. “Oh fiddlesticks I’m going to have a big working summer”, I said to myself. Now that I’m on the dance team it has helped me accomplish a lot in my life; dancing help me express myself and I got to meet new people, made a few new friends, and I’m not scared to talk to people anymore.
I pray and hope that i can make a difference in my life and in my family life with my decision I make in my future. Everyone in my family never finished school or went to college, I plan on going into the Air Force for the nursing process; I want to be a pediatrician when i get out.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/16E1g2l3pH9u31uCnKzyBmy3_vraIJuGRrrBr2KB_M-s/edit
ReplyDeleteYou feel exhausted. The sun’s heat is beating down on the back of your exposed neck. There is nothing you would enjoy more right now than a cold drink of water, but you’re much too busy for such a luxury. Your muscles are giving out and you just want to go home, but the day had just begun. This summer. I have attended several different football camps. Even though the camps are hard and rarely fun, you know you need to go to better yourself and your team. At the camps, you perfect your skills in preparation of the season. You get too see how teams operate from different schools, some of which may be on your schedule. The camps bring you close as a team and help you trust each other; your also come to learn your teammates strengths and weaknesses.
ReplyDeleteOver the summer, these camps have helped defined me in different ways. First and foremost, they define me as an athlete. They teach you new skills, get you in shape, and hone what you already know. They teach you when things get rough on the field and you’re tired and ready to quit, to persevere and push through. The camps also instill morals and basic fundamentals associated with life. The give you a good work ethic, teaching you that you have to work to reach a goal. You learn to respect other players and coaches through the sacrifices they are making to better themselves. You also learn about pride, pride about your team and being proud about yourself and your accomplishments.
The life lessons and morals I learn from these football camps will help me accomplish my goals later in life.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Yio_bKaKco-9wz9-bbuc0sJLPfT8iOXItJAD3QSGG1k/edit?pli=1
ReplyDelete