Doc Hill

http://animoto.com/play/h73qAsruR9EjuJ0RbVGB9Q
http://animoto.com/play/PIcdc8M2fksffA7vZwg6tQ
<object id="vp11sHJu" width="432" height="240" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000"><param name="movie" value="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1337230833&f=1sHJu0flqlOEd5GOC71QXQ&d=24&m=b&r=360p&volume=100&start_res=360p&i=m&options="></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed id="vp11sHJu" src="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1337230833&f=1sHJu0flqlOEd5GOC71QXQ&d=24&m=b&r=360p&volume=100&start_res=360p&i=m&options=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="432" height="240"></embed></object><p>Make your own <a href='http://animoto.com'>slide show</a> at Animoto.</p>

<object id="vp1PIcdc" width="432" height="240" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000"><param name="movie" value="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1337230688&f=PIcdc8M2fksffA7vZwg6tQ&d=38&m=b&r=360p&volume=100&start_res=360p&i=m&options="></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed id="vp1PIcdc" src="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1337230688&f=PIcdc8M2fksffA7vZwg6tQ&d=38&m=b&r=360p&volume=100&start_res=360p&i=m&options=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="432" height="240"></embed></object><p>Make your own <a href='http://animoto.com'>photo slideshow</a> at Animoto.</p>

Word Image!

A word image from www.imagechef.com using the words Langston Hughes, Harlem Renaissance, life, dreams, African American, writer and poet. All these words describe the writer and writing in my fourth quarter book " Dream Keeper". I used the heart shape not only because I thought it was pretty but also because I personally love his poems and the people of his time and even now still think of him as an inspiration

Hughes Animoto

This animoto is about Langston Hughes and his writting in his book of poems.

<object id="vp11rSfi" width="432" height="240" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000"><param name="movie" value="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1336073539&f=1rSfipiT0eSYBbTLFzThXQ&d=29&m=b&r=360p&volume=100&start_res=360p&i=m&options="></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed id="vp11rSfi" src="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1336073539&f=1rSfipiT0eSYBbTLFzThXQ&d=29&m=b&r=360p&volume=100&start_res=360p&i=m&options=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="432" height="240"></embed></object><p>Make your own <a href='http://animoto.com'>photo slideshow</a> at Animoto.</p>

Understanding Langston Hughes

James Langston Hughes was born February 1902 in Joplin Missouri and his whole childhood he spent trying to escape the racism found in the United States. His mother was the one to raise him and instill a great passion for racial pride which can be seen greatly in the poems, stories, and plays he has written. In one of the poems in the book The Dream Keeper called When Sue Wears Red was written when he was in his Ohio high school just starting his collection of writings. Through out his life he came very educated and used his everyday life along with the stories his mother and grandmother told him about the times of harsh slavery to help him create his beautifully illustrated poems. He is know as one of the founders of the cultural movement known as the Harlem Renaissance and was an inspiration to many black writer then by the 1980s he was being reappraised and was newly appreciated as a significant voice of African-Americans. He died May 22, 1967 after cancer complications and his ashes lay in under the middle of the foyer in the Arthur Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem.

Last Round!

Just like the previous three quarters of this year we are starting this one just the same way, blogging, with a new book. I'm so glad that this is our last quarter and then I'll finally be done with this blogging stuff. I’ve never blogged before this class and though I can now say I have my feelings about it are pretty much the same as the start. It’s better than writing papers or daily journals but very easy to forget about and end up doing all the night before because it is all on computers.

            Any who, like I said, new quarter means new book and I decided to choose a short and easy book. Well, it’s more of just a book of scattered poems called The Dream Keeper and Other Poems. They were all written by Langston Hughes. I love readying poetry so I had hoped to love this book and maybe that would make blogging some what more fun or interesting. So far I greatly enjoy the poems he has created. The beautifully descriptive poems help illustrate his life as an African American during the racial times of slaves. I’d have to agree with the quote from The Horn Book when it describes it as “ A splendid combination of timeless works and timely illustrations.”  I also like the little sketches Brian Pinkney the illustrator has added to each poem.

 I know this quarter will go by really fast, it usually always does all though that means summers on its way that also means I’ve go to stay on top of these blogs and keep ready then finish my book, which I don’t think will be a problem, but you never know. Wish me luck…Here we go, last round!

Clarie

Hello, my name is Claire I'm from Connecticut and I’m the cousin Missy has probably talked about. My life is also different from the others. My family was chill and peaceful before this news had come up and made a big scene. I would never regret the choices I’ve made by meeting my other sisters and I always thought Missy more of one than a cousin but I could never say that I was completely on board with Missy plan. When she called me that day and told me her science project I was a little skittish. To know my true feelings alone was hard but to know that they could be true and to think of all the question I had for my parents was too much. Then when Genevieve called Missy and they wanted us all to meet up, that was so over whelming.  Even through that I caught a taxi and we chased that train to the meeting place and I will never forget the first time we all held hand and knew right there we were sisters. We didn’t know how it was possible but we just knew. We never had met before but I loved her just as much as I had always loved Missy. My life has changed so much but I can definitely say it’s been for the better.

Genevieve Candler

Hey, I'm Genevieve Candler and my story has the same ending as my newly found sisters but the start is much different. Growing up I was alone much of the time. My mom and dad had jobs they loved and always were coming home late for. On the weekends they loved to visit party’s and goes dancing. I kept to myself and didn't mind too much because I still loved my parents. Independence is fun. After school I would go see my grandma and teach the swimming class at her old folk home. I love my grandma very much, that’s why when I saw the YouTube video my friend sent me and wondered about not being related to my parents I became worried that she wouldn't love me the same way. That's was not the case. Seeing that video I knew I had to meet those two girls. I friended them on Facebook and Missy was the one to call me and speak about this new information about our lives. The other girl Claire was worried that this would ruin her family and she was scared, I understood but wanted nothing more than to meet her. So Missy and I arranged plans to meet so we could know for sure if we were sisters. I was so excited and nervous I could barely stand it. I wondered how this would affect my life. A part of me was filled with shame because I was almost glad not to be related to my parent’s because we were so different and have sisters, someone to talk to and hang out with. Now in the end I still love my parents and am glad I have them along with my new for real sister. Life is just getting brighter and brighter.

Letter to the Author

Dear Caroline B. Cooney,

            My name is Emalee Meyerhoff and I’m a junior at a high school in Southern Illinois. I have just finished your book called Three Black Swans for English class and have been doing frequent blog post about your book. I have never read anything like your book and that is one of the reasons I decided to indulge my self in your writing. I liked the way you showed multiple views of what was happening and I got to be inside everyone’s head almost the exact same time. I could never be a writer because I would want to do like you and have everyone’s thoughts in it and I would get so confused or ever forget who was saying what.

 Through out the whole book I have wondered on why and how you decided to write about this choice of topic and if you are pleased with the out come of you success with it? Do you ever wonder if this could turn into a movie or if one of your readers has had a type of experience like this? Have you been asked these questions before? Do you have a new book coming out soon or are you working on a new book? I’m excited for a new book to read from you. I wish you luck on your on going career.

Sincerely,

Emalee Meyerhoff

Visual for "Three Black Swans"

<object id="vp10S8gz" width="432" height="240" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000"><param name="movie" value="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1329338911&f=0S8gzZQaua999mpj1LtHAQ&d=36&m=b&r=240p&volume=100&start_res=240p&i=m&options="></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed id="vp10S8gz" src="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1329338911&f=0S8gzZQaua999mpj1LtHAQ&d=36&m=b&r=240p&volume=100&start_res=240p&i=m&options=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="432" height="240"></embed></object><p>Make your own <a href='http://animoto.com'>slide show</a> at Animoto.</p>

This animoto is to give just a little of what the book "Three Black Swans" is about and whats in store if you read it. I wish the animoto was longer so I could tell more but I guess if you really want to find out, you'll have to read this book yourself.

Missy Vianello

Hello, my name is Missy Vianello.  I'm a junior at my local high school and in my science class we were learning about hoaxes. We had an assignment to create our own one and I had the perfect idea. My best friend and closest cousin looked exactly alike. My parents just said that it was a strong family resemblance. So for my project me and my cousin would show up at my school and  during the morning announcements I would come out with the great news that I had found my long lost twin. I had everything planed out; it was going to be great. My cousin on the other hand was a little nervous and didn't know what to think about it. We went through with it anyways. What I didn't know was how much more this project would affect me and my cousin than just a funny prank and a good grade. The video went viral and was posted all over YouTube and soon some girl added me on Facebook saying it was a manner of "life and birth". Who says that? Come to find out she look just like me and my cousin. We met and turns out we all are sisters in a weird and crazy story. My life has been a crazy ride but at least now I've found my two sisters that will help me through whatever happens.

Beginning of Third Quarter

With a New Year and new quarter brings once again a new book to read and to blog about. This time I am reading the book “Three Black Swans” by Caroline B. Cooney. I really didn’t put much thought in choosing this book so I hope it keeps my attention and that I enjoy it. I’ve heard many different things from lots of different people about this book, things like the beginning is really slow and very predictable, for this blogs sake I hope these are not true for me. Have you or do you know of someone who has read this book? If so what did you think about it? Maybe at the after I read the book our opinions might relate or they might even be completely opposite. Either way this quarter our blogs and the way they are set up is almost completely up to us. I say almost completely because we are still graded on these and our teacher has given us a checklist to sort of go by. I am in a way happy about this fact and in another not so much. I like having the freedom of doing what we want just because I hate being told what to do and this also gives us a way to let our creative side to come out and be useful. Then again you have to have a creative side and sometimes its easier just to have it all laid out for us and just follow directions but I’m sure this new way will be great so I’m hoping that my blog will become more creative and more pleasing to the eye! Any suggestions about being more creative are always welcome. Wish me luck!