Nates English blog

  Prompt Response:   One time I realized I had to look out for myself was when I almost forgot to submit an assignment that was due at midnight. I was just relaxing and scrolling on my phone when I suddenly remembered it at 11:57 p.m. My heart basically exploded, and I sprinted to my laptop like it was a life-or-death situation. I managed to upload it with literally seconds left, and the relief I felt was unreal. Choosing to stop messing around and get it done definitely saved me from a zero and a very awkward conversation with my teacher the next day. Summary: We read new parts of the story.  Reflection:  I learned the new parts.

  Prompt Response:   One time, I was walking downtown with my friend when we passed a man sitting on the sidewalk with a cardboard sign. He looked tired and cold, and I could tell he had been out there for a while. He wasn’t asking for much, just a little help, but my first instinct was to feel a bit uneasy. At the same time, I felt bad for him because it’s hard to imagine being in that position, having to rely on strangers for anything. It made me realize how quickly things can change for anyone, and it left me thinking about how we often overlook people who are struggling, even if they’re right in front of us. Summary: We read a new part of a story.  Reflection:  I learned a new part of the story.

  Prompt Response:   I'm really thankful for my family because they always have my back no matter what. I’m also grateful for my friends who make life so much more fun, and they’re always there to support me. School might be tough sometimes, but I’m thankful for the opportunities to learn and grow. I’m lucky to have a roof over my head and food to eat every day, something a lot of people don't have. Finally, I’m grateful for my health and the ability to do the things I love, like playing sports and hanging out with my friends. Summary: In class we did vocabulary  Reflection:  I learned new vocabulary words.

 Prompt Response: The most unforgettable meal was Thanksgiving last year. I was unforgettable because I had one of the best mac and cheeses I've ever had. It was so cheesy, and the texture was perfect. It was like no other, and I enjoyed it. We also had steaks and im not really a big ham or turkey person so I loved that we had steak. Summary: We took a group quiz. Reflection: I learned how to use my reading comprehension skills on the quiz.

 Prompt Response: I once had a moment when new information completely changed how I saw one of my friends. I always thought he didn’t really care about basketball because he never played with us during lunch or after school. Later, I found out he had been going to early morning practices at a local gym because he was training to make the school team. Suddenly, all the times he said he was “busy" made a lot more sense. When he finally made the team, he told everyone, and we were all surprised in a good way. That little “plot twist” showed me that people can be working hard behind the scenes without anyone noticing, just like how the ending of A Rose for Emily changes how we understand Emily’s whole story. Summary: We took a collaborative test. Reflection: I learned how to use process of elimination in a group setting.

Prompt Response:  One of the most shocking news stories I ever heard was about a woman who was stealing packages from her own neighborhood. For months, people thought their deliveries were just getting lost, but eventually a doorbell camera caught her taking boxes right off her neighbors’ porches. What made the story stand out to me was that she lived on the same street as the people she was stealing from, so no one suspected her at first. When the story spread, people reacted with frustration and surprise because it felt like a major breach of trust. It showed how people sometimes make bad choices even when they know others rely on them. It also revealed how quickly trust can break when someone in a community acts dishonestly. Summary: We continued to read the story and answer questions on it. Reflection: I learned new parts of the story.

 Prompt Response: I remember hearing the word brigand in a movie I watched a while ago. The characters mentioned it while they were traveling somewhere that seemed a little unsafe. They didn’t clearly explain what a brigand was, but the way they said it made it sound like someone to avoid. The scene showed them looking around nervously, which made me think the person was trouble. Even without a definition, I could tell it meant someone who might cause harm. Hearing the word used in that moment helped me understand it better than just reading it in class. Summary: We completed new vocabulary. Reflection: I learned new vocabulary words.  

Prompt Response:   A place that holds deep memories for me is my grandmother’s old front porch, which used to feel bright and full of life when my whole family gathered there. When I was younger, it represented comfort, safety, and the feeling that everyone I loved was close by. Over the years, though, the porch has grown quieter as people moved away and life became more complicated. Now, when I visit, it feels a little worn down and strangely empty, almost like a reminder of how quickly things change. Even though it looks different, it still reflects an important part of who I am because it reminds me of the value of family and how much I’ve grown since those early days. The porch’s shift from lively to quiet mirrors how I’ve learned to handle change and independence in my own life. In that way, the place still carries both comfort and sadness, shaping the way I think about where I come from and who I’m becoming. Summary: We analyzed and read more of the poem. Reflection:   ...

Prompt Response: My mom has been the strictest when it comes to discipline. She has instilled strong values of discipline, shaping me into the person I am today. Her approach is to correct me when I make a mistake on something. This makes it a habit to correct my mistakes, not just forget about them and repeat them. This has made me a better person as I have become more organised, and I feel like, in a way, I have been less of a stressor to my parents. I am glad I have someone like her in my life because it gives me a sense of reality, and sometimes that's what I need to be successful. Summary: We took a group quiz on the poem we read Reflection:  I learned how to effectively use the process of elimination.

Prompt Response: When I was a kid, my parents would forbid me from using screens for an extended period of time. At the time, I would live to hate the rule as I would only get one hour of screen time a day, but looking back, it was probably the best thing that could have possibly happened to me. I was able to learn so much about the outdoors, and it made me love nature. It also forced me to do things to pass the time, like practice sports outside. The no-screens rule shaped me to be the athlete I am today. I can just remember myself shooting hoops in the driveway for hours, imagining that I was in the NBA. I think they set this rule to make sure that I had a memorable childhood that was like theirs, and I am grateful for it. Summary: We read a new poem and took notes Reflection: I learned the new poem.

Prompt Response: One word that I learned that has put an everlasting effect on my life would be "Bro". The word Bro is so versiltile and in my opinion has so many meainng and a great way to express an idea. I undertand that it is not a very formal word but I think its a word that has changed me forever and I use it probably 100 time a day at least. I dont remeber the exact moment that I learned the word but once I started to get older it just found its way into my vocabulary and I havent looked back since. I feel like it has made me the person I am today and I cant imgaine a world where I couldnt say bro. Summary: We did the new vocabulary and read new poems. Reflection: I learned new vocabulary words and poems.