Famous Last Words week 14

This week was my last week to add a story to my storybook. I really struggled with this one because I did not have any ideas that came to mind. I’m kind of a perfectionist so sometimes that enables me to start my work because I don’t have a clear idea in my head. I thought about just trying to revist all the character I had talked about in my introduction, which is what I ended up doing. It turns out that once I started I was really able to run with the idea. I then started rereading the stories about snow white and adjusting some of the details to fit my story’s needs. I always like to have a big finish and I think I did because the final story ties my introduction up nicely, in my opinion. I can only hope that others see it the same way. A lot of what helped me was actually making myself start the project. That is always the worst part for me. I am actually very satisfied with how my story book turned out. It is something that I don’t mind reading to my roommates or my family members because it is something I am proud of. I also put several hours of effort into these stories. Not only my story book, but also the ones on my blog. I am very happy to share those with anyone (especially the ones that I think are some of my best work). I did not know how I would do in this class at first, but I do like to write. I am glad that I was able to do that freely and not be judge strictly by the book but instead by creativity. I have enjoyed this class and would recommend it to anyone. 

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Week 14 Growth Mindset: It works!

I started off my growth mindset challenege with my children at school. I currently run a “homework club” (at an afterschool program) where for 30 minutes they do their homework and then go to an activity. I wanted to see if having a positive attitude from all of the staff and being overly excited would help. I have to say I think it has. We really struggled with the kids not wanting to do worksheets if they did not have homework. There was a level of disrespect I was receiving from them. I feel like I have given them speeches until I am blue in the face. They have finally gotten to a state in which they accept that they have to get their work done. We also established a reward system with prizes and getting to do a different activity earlier for good behavior. I am proud to say that a positive attitude means everything! 

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Storytelling Week 14: The Rivalry

He was the star athlete on the basketball team. He never worried about how he was going to perform because he averaged at least twenty points a game at a high school level. This week was a big game against their rival and Cody was not even a bit worried. Neither were Cody’s teammates because they knew they had him for a point guard.

All week at school there had been pep assemblies and rally lunches to bring excitement for the big game. Of course, what is a good rivalry game without a prank? The boys had decided that the night before the big game they were going to travel to Checotah, their rivalry town, and teepee their gym.

Thursday night came and Cody and his buddies, John and Landon, headed towards Checotah to do the deed. Checotah had just built a new school and gymnasium while Eufaula was in need of a new gym but could not get a bond to pass for one. The boys were jealous of the nice facility that Checotah had with their high quality locker room and workout equipment.

When they arrived it was around 2 a.m. and not a soul was lurking around the school. The boys gave each other a boost and managed to get into a window in the locker room. After they were inside they through all of the boys things that were in the lockers down on the ground such as, uniforms, shoes, and warm up clothes. The boys then decided to poor water all over them.  Next was the gym. The boys started throwing toilet paper over the goals and sprayed silly string all over the bleachers.

Finally the place look like a disaster and Cody and his friends took a step back to look at their accomplishment.

“That ought to do it,” Cody said as he rubbed his hands together.

The boys all laughed when suddenly they heard a noise.

They looked at each other and suddenly all took off separate ways.

Cody went back to the locker room and jumped out of the window and ran back to the truck to wait for his friends. It seemed like an eternity before Landon and John showed up.

“Where have you been?” said Cody.

“We were hiding from the cops and the principal. We thought we were in the clear, but the principal is pretty mad. We heard him say something about how he was glad they had installed cameras now.”

“Cameras?” said Cody.

“Yeah, hopefully it will be too dark to see our faces because they said if it was one of us we would be suspended from the game.” said John.

Cody could not sleep that night. He knew he needed rest for the big game but it was not possible. The next day at school the players had a meeting. The coach told the boys that the game would be played at their gym instead due to vandalism. He said that they were working on finding out who was responsible. After the players were dismissed coach told Cody to stay behind.

“I sure hope you had nothing to do with this son, but if you did you will be benched for the game,” said Coach Campbell.

“I understand,” said Cody as he felt a lump grow in his throat.

That evening right before the game the principal from Checotah talked with Coach Campbell and told him what they found on the tape. His star player and two of his best post players were guilty. They were then forced to sit out and Checotah ended up winning the game.

Author’s Note:

I wrote this story from the idea of The Fox and the Cat. The fox thought that he could do no wrong and that he was smarter than the cat. However his confidence ended up costing him in the end. Just like Cody’s did. He was the king of the school and he cost the game for his team and the school. It is good to have confidence but sometimes it can be too much and it is better to be humble.  The Rivalry is real in my hometown and there are pranks, some of them have involved severe punishment but most of them are just for fun.

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Reading Diary B:Brothers Grimm (Ashliman)

I chose the Brothers’ Grimm Unit for my reading this week. I thought it might help me figure out who my next villain in my storybook should be because I am having a hard time choosing.

The Fox and the Cat

Characters:

The Fox

The cat

The dogs

Setting: In the woods

The cat seems to have looked up to the fox until she meets him and figures out his true colors. I think we can apply that scenario to people in today’s world. The cat was able to be smarter than the fox and get away from the enemy. I think that the moral of this story is something several people have witnessed before; someone that is over confident and ends up crashing and burning.

The Little Lamb and the Little Fish

Characters:

Stepmother

Brother

Sister

Cook

Peasant woman

The stepmother did not agree with the children’s happiness. After all they had been through at least they had each other. Once they were separated they were no longer happy. In this story the evil villain was clear to see, the stepmother. The cook saved the life of the brother and sister by listening to them when they would speak. I was happy to see that the brother and sister were turned back into human form and lived happy afterward.

One thing I noticed is that these stories were more like the ones at the beginning of the semester. They showed a moral and were not just entertainment. That is something I liked to replicate in my own stories.

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Famous Last Words: Week 13 What I am Thankful for

This week has been busy for most of us I am sure! The holidays always cause havoc on my schedule. I was able to travel home to spend the holidays with my family and for that I am very thankful! I enjoyed my much needed time off. My nephew’s birthday is this week and I was able to stay home to celebrate with him. I am thankful that I have got to watch him grow into a kind hearted little man. Even if he is only six, there is so much to say about the amazing things he has done. I learn from each and every day, nothing like a child’s perspective! He has conquered a diaphragmatic hernia, adhesions from the first surgery, and doctor’s appointments on doctor’s appointments. He was in the hospital for 3 weeks after he was born. His first surgery was at four days old. We were unable to hold him until after he was 17 days old. He fought for life each and every day during those three weeks. That is a big reason of why he is my inspiration for several things. Any time I think going to the doctor doesn’t sound like fun I just think of what all he had to go through and how one doctor’s appointment is meaningless. He was put through another surgery at four years old. The adhesions from the first surgery were wrapped around his bowel and it was 12 hours from bursting when he was transported to his surgeon at OU children’s hospital. Another reason OU holds a place close in my heart. They have taken awesome care of the one that is most important to me in life.

 I was also relieved that we were able to pull another bedlam win this weekend! Boomer Sooner!  

Baker for Heisman! 

Growth Mindset: Memes Week 13

One of the Growth Mindset challenges I have completed is finding memes. I have found several inspiring memes. I like the ones that have to animals. I have found that people really like to do commentary on their own cat or dog, which makes me happy because I do that with my own dog. I think memes are a quick way to tell someone to keep going or to give someone a quick laugh. I have liked using memes throughout my blog. Here are a few of my favorites.

 

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Storytelling Week 12: Tribe 321

Lauren is putting up the tree,

Hoping that underneath soon there will be,

Presents for her and all of us to see.

She has asked day and night,

Waiting for all of us to say without a fight,

Yes we will put up the Christmas tree tonight!

She claims to be Cindy lou hoo,

But the Christmas lights she chose were the color blue.

However, you won’t see a frown from Lauren

Not unless you catch her snoring

After all, a moment with her is never boring.

Then there is Hannah,

Who really likes to eat bananas,

Never does she swear,

Because after all she really does care.

She really likes to dance,

In her Mario Pajama pants,

She also likes to do hand stands,

Even though she can barely land.

She often causes a clatter

Which makes our downstairs neighbor wonder what’s the matter.

Occasionally she ends up on the bar

Because she thinks she is a star

Last but not least there is Shelbi

You never know where she will be,

Often she is hiding behind a dark corner

Ready to scare the living daylights out of a foreigner,

She too likes to dance,

Usually late at night,

Is the best time to see such a sight.

Watch out for her on the floor,

there she sleeps but she will never snore,

However when she is awake,

Everyone knows she is not fake.

Upstairs there is one that doesn’t belong,

He bangs and clangs all day long,

His steps are heavy,

His name is probably something like eddy,

We often bang on the ceiling,

Trying to make him understand our feeling,

We put up with the noise,

At least until august,

We’ve made our self that promise,

In our moments of despair,

We just have to scream it is not fair!

Now that you have met the tribe of 321,

You know how these rhymes once begun.

It all started from scratch,

That is when this sisterhood began to hatch,

For each other we would fight,

Against each other sometimes we just might,

Through burnt dinners and undone laundry,

We have learned to just laugh and have a party,

Different paths we may take,

Because after all life is no cupcake,

However I know that I can always count on my tribe,

Even without a bribe.

Author's Note:

I had a hard time trying to retell a nursery rhyme so I decided to make my own rhymes. The rhymes are about my roommates. Don't worry I read them all out loud to them so they know exactly what they say. While trying to write the rhymes I realized how difficult it can be. I also included what we go through with our upstairs neighbor. I hope that my rhymes at least give someone a good laugh!

Personal Photo of Tribe 321

Since one story did not inspire me more than the other here is the link to the Nursery Rhymes

Bibliography 

The Nursery Rhyme Book by Andrew Lang (1897).