Saturday, February 12, 2011

Response to The Lottery

Questions for the Short Story:

1) What would you call this story? (Title) Why?
I would call this story the lottery because it is the main issue in this booklet.

2) What did you think was going to happen? What clues in the text led you to think this?
I had a feeling the person who got the black dot would be killed. I thought this because of the lack of excitement of the villagers in the story.

3) How did you feel when the end of the story was given to you?
I didn't know the booklet didn't have the ending, so I had no feelings about the ending.

4) How did you feel when you were handed the mystery paper? What did you think was in it? did you follow the instructions? Why/ why not?
I felt curious when I was handed the paper. I thought it would be involved in some game during class to show what the villagers felt like. I waited until I got home to open the paper because the teacher told me to!

5) How did you feel about the black box and the black spot/ blank paper? explain.
The black box gave me no emotions, but the black dot on my paper scared me a bit because of the villagers reaction to it during the story.

6) How did you feel when you read the end of the story? Explain.
The ending made me feel depressed and horrified that this village's tradition involved killing people with a cruel game.

7) Were your predictions correct? How did you feel about that?
My predictions were correct. I had kind of wished that they weren't because the story would've been a lot more happy.

8) What would have helped you to make a better prediction?
My predictions would've improved if I had known we were making them, instead of being given doubt until we reached home.

9) Why did the author leave these voids in the story?
I think the author left unexplained parts in the story to add suspense.

10) Explain the power of the void in this experience:
a. No title/ author information
Made the story seem like it was written by the villagers.

b. No ending
Added mystery to the outcome of the lottery.

c. Text clues and foreshadowing throughout the story
Made you image the story more than it was told.

d. Mystery paper
It made me think about what the villagers had felt like.

e. Delayed ending
I didn't know about the delayed ending.

f. Anything else that created tension and conflict for you...
N/A

Monday, February 7, 2011

DomiKnow Profile

DomiKnow is a way to find one's profile. A profile is a way to show which side of your brain is dominant. The right side of the brain is Gestalt, or the creative side of the brain. The Left side of the brain is the logical side.

I learn best when I sit in the back of the room so I can stand and move around without disturbing others. I am a natural auditory and kinesthetic learner, so using my ears are vital during class. Metaphors and examples are good ways for me successfully complete problem solving questions. Because my ear receives information more accurately than my eyes, closing my eyes is no disadvantage as long as my ears are pointing toward the speaker.

I need to move constantly in order to release stress and grasp the concept. I also need to be reminded to use step by step learning because my profile focuses on the main idea and forgets how to get there. It is important for my teacher to explain the future use of the knowledge given to me in order for me to accept it.

The strategies that would help me in my learning are brain gym activities, such as lazy eights, cross crawl, and three dimensional art. I become focused while moving my hands or legs in a repetitive pattern.

I would like my teachers to know this about me because many educators all over the world do not realize that one school plan doesn't work for the every student. We all have different brains and ways of learning. The best way for teachers to crack open our will to learn is to relate to the student and create a way of teaching them best by understanding our profile and preferences of teaching styles.