Giver #3

I commented on:

- Tiffanys blog (blogpost #1)

- Alexandra's blog (blogpost #2)

Why does Jonas find the instruction about lying so disturbing?

In the novel I am currently reading called The Giver by Lois Lowry, Jonas was given the job

of becoming the new Receiver of Memories. The question I chose got me thinking about the

book in a different sense, that is why I chose it. Enjoy!

Why does Jonas find the instruction about lying so disturbing?

I believe that Jonas found the instruction to lie so disturbing for a couple of reasons.

The first reason is because Jonas lives in an Utopian society, which means lying is a strict rule, that is not mean't to be broken. Jonas probably has never experienced lying or it's consequences. The second reason is because of a personal opinion. I think that Jonas' was bought up to believe lying is a horrible thing to do. For example Jonas said, "He had never, within his memory, been tempted to lie. Asher did not lie. Lily did not lie. His parents did not lie. No one did." (Pg. 71).

The first reason is because Jonas lives in an Utopian society, which means lying is a strict rule, that is not mean't to be broken. "What if they had all been instructed: You may lie?"(Pg. 71). I also said that Jonas has never lied. I think Jonas doesn't understand that there is something called a white lie. A white lie is a small lie that hopefully doesn't hurt anyone, plus it can be for a good cause. All Jonas knew was the lying (in general) was bad-and against the law. Thats just the way he was raised. Jonas thought that lying was rude, disrespectful and above all against the rules. That is probably why Jonas was a little startled when reading the list of instructions, that told him, lying was okay. Although, I can't see the point of lying in such a perfect community, but to everything perfect there is a flaw. I don't think Jonas will use the advantage of lying, because Jonas seems like the kind of person who, no matter how hard they try, can't break a law.

The second reason of a personal opinion. I think that Jonas' was bought up to believe lying is a horrible thing to do. Jonas probably thinks that lying is like committing a crime. "Finally he steeled himself to read the final rule again. He had been trained since earliest childhood, since his earliest learning of language, never to lie."(Pg. 70). The best way to describe something is by making a connection, so I am going to connect Jonas' society and ours. In our community when we break a law, there are consequences, the same goes for Jonas' society. I think Jonas is still scared to lie, even though he was given a free pass. For example, if someone told you that you could do anything against the law, without facing any consequences, would you take up the offer? Or would you politely deny?

All in all, I think Jonas was disturbed by the instruction to lie at times. "Now, empowered to ask questions of utmost rudeness..."(Pg. 71). Mainly because it was against the rules and no one else did it. I also think Jonas doesn't believe there is anything to lie about. Jonas was raised to stick with community rule and doesn't feel the need to go rebellious now.

All sources:

~ middlegradeninja.blogspot.com

The Giver Reflection: Would you want your future to be decided by others ? Why or Why not?

The Giver by Lois Lowry displays a perfect community, or an Utopian society: A place ideal for perfection. The rules in the community are strict, everything is orderly and the community is very predictable. The citizens futures are chosen for them. When picked up the novel for the first time and started reading, my initial reaction was, wow, depressing much? I thought this because every single thing was controlled. This prompt: Would you want your future to be decided by others ? Why or Why not? stood out to me and got my thinking, thats why I chose it.

I think that it depends. In life you either want to decide or don't. Sometimes you don't have the power to decide, like Jonas. In all honesty, life isn't easy. Life isn't served to you on a silver platter. Nor is kicked to you. Life is like a cave. Caves can have multiple paths sometimes. When life does this, you can either guess, decide, or let someone chose for you. Whichever one happens you will follow that cave path you have chosen. It dosen't matter what path you choose, there will be consequences, whether they are good or bad.

No. I wouldn't like to have my future decide. Why? Life is about learning. It doesn't matter if you learn from your mistakes or from others, you learn something new everyday. Life is also about making decisions. Without us making our own decisions we could never learn and we would have to follow others commands. Everyone in The Giver has their jobs assigned to them by the Elder. These are a few examples of how jobs are chosen. If you are gentle and kind then you are either a Nurturer or the Director of the House of Old. If you are imaginative then you are an architect. I think that if learning and decision making were taken away from life then the life as we know it will become dull, grey and lifeless.

Grading rubric (Pharaohs)

https://docs.google.com/a/iskl.edu.my/Doc?docid=0ARcmhba_7bKbZGQzMmJxY3NfNTNmY3Q2am1nZg&hl=en

This is a link to the grades I gave my peers on their Pharaoh imovie.

Hatshepsut Documentary

City Connections Reflection :D

1) What you believe you did well on the project?

I believe that I did a good job at putting my slide presentation together and making the pictures and text complement each other using design elements. I used the advance image search feature on google and made sure that I found the best quality pictures in order to make my presentation stand out visually. Next, I took the time at home and practiced my presentation many times, so that I was prepared when I presented in class. I also spoke clearly and loudly, so that everyone in the back of the class could hear me. I reviewed the rubric and made sure that the information on the presentation matched the rubric 100%, in the end I know that the information I presented was educational. Even though I was pleased with the work I had accomplished, there was still room for improvement.

2) What you would improve for future presentations/projects?

When presenting my project I hesitated and stumbled with my speech, I got really nervous and I sped up trying to get the presentation over and done with. Now thinking about it, there was no reason in the first place to even be nervous. This was a learning lesson for me, so I need to remember next time I present in front of the class , to take a deep breath, stay cool, calm and collected or else I will have a memory blank (which I occasionally do under pressure). I think I needed better eye contact with my audience. Even though I had memorized my script when the nerves hit, I became focused on my notecards and the smartboard.

3) What did you learn from your preparation (for your presentation) in addition to the presentations of others?

I learned a lot about my classmates countries and civilizations during this unit. For example, I didn't even know the history of Sydney, Australia but little did I know that after I had finished my presentation and gone through it about a billion times, I would find myself being a Sydney history wiz! I am very greatful that I am able to keep this knowledge forever. I have also learnt that the main reason the country that I am from developed not only because of geographical luck but also England needed a place to send its convicts.! All in all, I was intrigued to find out everything that everyone had to offer about their home country.

4) What is your analysis of your performance?

I think it was good all together, even though there is need for improvement. I think that my presentation was appealing to the eye and my information left some people interested and curious. I believe I put in all the required, if not more and I put forth 100% dedication. I am happy with my finished product and think that I did a good job all together.

Heres a link to my presentation:

Sydney, Australia by Abhi

Profile C

 On January 12th 2011, my humanities class (period 3/4) had a lesson in order to figure out our learning profile. Mr. Whiting taught this lesson. I found it very interesting to find out that I am Profile C. This meant that my dominant side was the right side for mostly everything except for my dominant eye and dominant side of the brain. I found out the I am a logical thinker and that I use the left side of my brain. After we determined what learning profile we were we got the chance to actually decipher it (with the help of a piece of paper that talked all about your profile). In other words I found it very interesting.


I learn best when I sit a few rows back on the left side so it is easier for me to access my right ear (my dominant ear). We know this because we did a cool experiment were we had to imagine your parents were in the next room discussing what surprise present to give you and you really want to know. In order to find out what the present was you had to press your ear up against the wall to eavesdrop and which ever ear you use to find out your "surprise" present was your dominant ear. My profile says that I learn best when I concentrate all my eye muscles on something like by drawing or blinking. A suggested activity for me during class is Lazy 8's from Brian Gym. I also learn best when people explain things to me through speaking (audio), because I pay attention to the detail in the auditory explanation.

I need to try and look at the big picture more often. "...Understand and synthesize information from a whole perspective..." This is what my learning profile piece of paper told me. And I completely agree. Sometimes I only look at a fraction of the picture but I click into place somewhere along the line (thankfully). I think I need to try and take more notes, I know on the piece of paper it did not mention this but I feel that I can understand people when they read out a list in great detail and that I can "...follow step-by-step visual instructions." I think that my note taking skill could be improved and that I need to try and improve these things.


 The strategies that will aid my learning are activities such as:
- art
- music
- freeform movement
- interpersonal/intrapersonal skills with cognitive endeavors


There is also a list of skills that help me relax:
- Lazy 8's from Brain Gym
- three dimensional art
- blinking whilst looking around an object
These are all strategies that will help me learn.


 I would like my teachers to know that I prefer to sit in the back with my right ear facing the teacher or speaker. And that even though I think logically I can become creative and I don't mind what sort of project I get because I guaranty that I will put 150% into it. That's basically all I would like my teachers to take note of. :)