ELA Year Reflection

Dear 811 and Ms Galang,

          As I sit here typing this, it truly dawns on me that the year is ending. I remember the first day of school like it was yesterday, 30 something nervous 8th graders who barely knew each other, all awkward and unsure. It's almost funny to me now to think back on that, because we have all grown so comfortable with each other. During ELA class this year, we have done many meaningful projects and units, and I feel like I have really learned a lot. 

          One unit that really stood out to me was when we did our book clubs where we read about social issues. Me, Sophie, Ella and Olivia read To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee. It was so interesting to read the book through a lense where we closely examined the social issues discussed in the story, because I learned so much and enjoyed it a lot. I feel like I vastly improved my annotation skills, as well as my ability to discuss the text in a group. 

           Another unit that was valuable to me was reading Romeo and Juliet. It was my first exposure to Shakespeare, and at the beginning of the book, I felt like I couldn't understand anything. However, as we continued through the story, my ability to decode and understand the text improved so much. I completely developed my language skills, and I learned the meanings of many new words. Although the text was intimidating, I was really proud when I finished it. Our class visit to the Met really enhanced the experience of the text as well. In terms of the acting aspect, performing scenes and especially doing the final project was so helpful, simply because it made the story easier to understand. The acting exercises we did in class helped me to visualize the setting and the scene. Romeo and Juliet was very challenging, but I feel like I learned a lot and truly improved as a reader.
            I would have to say my favorite thing we did as a class was the picture book unit. It was really fun to reread old childhood classics as a class together, and although I'm definitely not the most artistically inclined, I loved getting to share my work with kids I knew it could influence. Seeing their reactions to all of our stories was super incredible.  

           My goals for ELA in high school are to continue exploring social issues, read increasingly challenging texts, and write more fiction. I would like to maybe keep a journal, and read 150 minutes a week. 

          From our sometimes painful Friday triples to Am I Blue, I won't forget anything we did in 8th grade ELA. I know that everyone in this class is going on to do amazing things. Thanks for a great year!!

Sincerely, 

Jane

My Ideal High School/Summer Bookshelf:

1. The Glass Castle 

2. Where'd You Go Bernadette 

3. The Heir 

4. Yes Please (Amy Poehler) 

5. Water for Elephants