Walter0910

 6th Grade Timed Writing-June 15, 2010 Dear new 6th graders, Changing schools is something that isn’t solely a like/dislike process. It has many aspects involved, including some fears, but also some things to enjoy and look forward to. There is also some important advice you must follow in order to succeed. Everyone, including me, had some qualms about going to middle school. I know my biggest fear was being in the lowest grade. You would plunge from the top of the totem pole to the bottom just by switching schools. A constant uncertainty was that the 8th graders would pick on us. Also, another fear was having new teachers. We had a new teacher every year, but this time we had a whole slew of them. My last fear was switching classes. Having the concept of “periods” was new and strange to all of us. It wasn’t simple elementary school anymore. What do you look forward to? I know I wanted a new school itself. It just made me feel…new. Also, 6th grade band and student government were organizations I was eager to participate in. Student government was a top priority because I wanted to make important decisions and to be in charge. You need good advice to get anywhere in life. These are some tips for 6th grade at MMS. Make a good first impression on the teachers. You might find some of them to be very judgmental. Also, don’t be late for class. Many teachers give out important information at the beginning of class and get extremely irritated if they have to repeat it. My final piece of advice is to USE YOUR AGENDA. Many students, including myself, did not think much of it in elementary school and did not utilize it effectively, but in 6th grade, it becomes hard to remember everything. Some teachers go so far as to actually check it and grade you on copying assignments down. I hope I helped you with the topic of 6th grade. Everyone has reservations about going to middle school, but those are evenly balanced with things to look forward to. Follow good advice and you will do well and go far.

Original Poem-June 12, 2010

**War! ** Freedom comes with a steep price-War! Soldiers die by the thousands in that atrocious act-War! Politicians sit and strategize, but most have no idea of that great catastrophe -War! Children lose their fathers, mothers lose their sons, all claimed by-War! A gun and uniform is a deadly thing in-War! Will there ever be an end to-War!

Memoir-May 20, 2010 Importance of memories is a hard thing to judge. But in 2005, I would have to conclude that my trip to Cancun, Mexico was #1 that year. I did not go there merely to relax, but had a great learning experience as well. My prime interest was the ruins of Chichen Itza. Chichen Itza has a great history to it. It is, more or less, an ancient Mayan temple ruin. The temple and actually a pyramid, named El Castillo. It has 365 steps for each day of the year. My personal visit was breathtaking! I climbed up all 365 steps and saw the sacrificial chamber up at the top. Some side attractions were the Temple of Warriors and the Ball Court (loser is sacrificed). I will never forget my trip to Mexico and what I learned about the Mayan civilization. 

Remington Essay-May 6, 2010

One of the greatest American artists was Frederic Sackrider Remington. His specialty was the Wild West, particuarly the cowboys, soldiers, and Native American who comprised it. He was born in Canton, NY during the first year of the Civil War (1861) but moved 11 years later to Ogdensburg, where the Frederic Remington Art Museum is currently located. Remington first attended 2 military schools before attending Yale for his real passion-art. In 1886, Remington was sent out to the West by his employer, //Harper Weekly //, wher he started his art career. Later, Remington was invited by the U.S. Officers, who were fighting the last Native Americans, giving him the chance to draw strikingly realistic pictures. He continued to paint and sculpt about the U.S. army in action, briefly covering the Spanish-American War and working with President Theodore Roosevelt (formerly a U.S.calvary volunteer himself). He died of an appendectomy that went wrong in 1909. Frederic Remington will be always remembered for his portrayal of late 1800s America.

Poem Comments-April 28, 2010

I thought the poem I read, Politics by Yeats, was a very nice piece of literature. It was rather fitting to have it narrated by a U.S. Marine. The content of the poem was very true. I encourage others to listen to it.

Topic- School- almost a Limerick
 * //Poem April 5, 2010

A very smart boy went to school He thought it was extremely cool The first class he had was math He thought he had algebra down pat Social Studies was the second to be The pyramids were a sight to see Science of course, was the next class There he learned about mass After that came scrumptious lunch The cafeteria served brunch Reading was definitely next Where the students' vocabulary was read in context The final class was L.A. There he wrote an essay The smart little boy went home that day Unable to wait for Tuesday! //**

Wiki Comments January 7, 2010

The wiki works well and is fun to use. It is, in a way, easier than the ordinary alternatives. For example, using the discussion page is a lot easier than, perhaps, passing writing pieces around and having everyone write down thoughts on a piece of paper. Being able to change your profile picture is also another plus. I find it extremely interactive.

Discussion Feedback January 7, 2010

I appreciate the good feedback that everyone gave me; and their time and effort. I was a bit surprised (not in a bad way necessarily) by the fact that there were no negative comments. I guess I acheived my goals in writing the story because everyone said so.