TRUE GRIT: PUSHING BEYOND THAT FORTY PERCENT

To this day, I believe the most incredible speech ever given by a human being is McRaven's inspiring commencement speech at the University of Texas:  "If You Want to Change the World, Start by Making Your Bed."  That has become my favorite pep talk to rewatch - even though I still struggle with making my bed on a daily basis.  I had the opportunity to read an interview with McRaven and others, and once again, I was stunned.  When training the future SEALS, McRaven said something to the effect that his job was not to teach them things they didn't know how to do. These guys are the best of the best when it came to physical conditioning and athleticism.  His job was to push them beyond that forty percent.

What does that mean?  Well, earlier in the interview, McRaven said that when we, as humans reach the point of exhaustion, we still have only used about sixty percent of our capacity.  That means, we have forty percent left. Forty percent!  That's a lot, when you really think about it!  So, what is it that holds us back from pushing harder?  What is it that keeps us from accessing that power that we have in our own reserve tank?  How do we learn to push beyond to achieve that result we so desire?

I have thought a lot about this over the years.  I have watched individuals and teams achieve what many had said was impossible.  I have seen people shut down incredible odds to realize their dreams. What is it, exactly, that enables them to do that?  I believe it is that same thing that sets the SEALS apart in their training as elites:  They manage to push beyond into that extra forty percent.

In my own experience and observation, and in listening to those who have coached and achieved the impossible, here is what I have learned:

1.  "Any team can win on any given day" (Terry Bradshaw).  It all comes down to gumption.  How badly do you want this?  How far are you willing to push yourself to get it?  My mother used to say all the time, "Is this a mountain you want to die on?"  Same thing.  How important is it?  Your mind is king when it comes to pushing your physical limits.  Many think it is the condition of the body.  It is, to a degree.  But even more powerful is the will of your mind.  It is profound.  In short, passion is just about everything.

2.  "Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment" (Jim Rohn).  My dad called this work ethic.  Achieving the impossible requires discipline.  Discipline requires denying yourself things that you want now for the ultimate goal you dream to achieve then.  I have been very hard on my kids when it comes to this one.  Maybe your parents have, too.  You can play later.  Work and chores first.  It's a lesson I started learning very young.  My own father lived in poverty in South Dakota.  His home didn't even have actual flooring - it was dirt.  They lost their farm once, and had to work hard to get it back.  He had to set out on his own at thirteen because he didn't want to be a farmer like his father. He lived at a boarding house, trading a place to live for cooking breakfast, cleaning, and other chores. He worked three  jobs in high school, and went ROTC to pay for university.  After serving his country in the Korean War and landing a job with a huge retailing company, he promised loyalty as an executive with that company in exchange for them financing his Masters at NYU.  He was a self-made millionaire.  When dad told us to finish our work and honor our commitments, we didn't challenge him!

3.  "I like criticism.  It makes you strong" (LeBron James).  Another thing that separates the wildly

successful from the moderately successful is their ability to take and apply criticism.  If I may be perfectly candid, our society has, in SO many ways, gone soft.  We have spent so much time focused on making everyone feel good about themselves, we have lost that art of offering and seeking constructive criticism.  If you cannot take criticism, you cannot grow.  You cannot develop.  You cannot challenge yourself to push harder.  Character is built through adversity, not compliments and fluff.  I like this metaphor:  Adversity is a knife that carves out character.  Embrace opportunities that come disguised as challenges.  They make you strong.  They make you better.

4.  "Have patience.  Everything is difficult before it is easy" (Saadi).  Sometimes, the fastest way to something is far from the best way.  I have found in my life that anything that is worth having requires both hard work AND patience.  You may hear a thousand no's, but all you need is that one yes!  Instead of hearing no, hear "Not Now."  Waiting is SO hard....but anyone who has had to endure waiting knows it takes a lot of energy.  Patience is the art of enduring the wait and keeping the upbeat, will do (not can do) attitude.

5.  "Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail" (Ralph Waldo

Emerson).  Closely related to patience (I call it patience's twin) is persistence.  You must have the endurance to persevere.  At the risk of using a corny runner's metaphor, Life is a marathon, not a sprint.  To those with big dreams, it is a race.  You need to tackle it as such.  Looking forward to what lies ahead is much more productive than looking back.  Use the hard lessons, pain and hurt to propel you forward. You'll be a better person with a stronger character and lots of wisdom that way when you do reach your summit!

In all of this, be kind.  Accept the help and support of others, and when you have achieved, offer what you have learned to those who are in the midst of the storms of struggle.  Inspire others!  And always, above all things, be grateful.  Nobody reaches beyond that forty percent without someone shouting encouragement and urging them on along the sidelines.

I hope this is helpful in some small way.  At the very least, maybe it will give you something to think about as you assess your goals and dreams, your gifts and talents, and your willingness to push beyond that forty percent.

Attached, are two articles about pushing beyond limits.  As our theme this year is Perseverance, I have also attached a very interesting Ted Talk about Grit and how it is really our "Grittiness" not our natural intelligence, that is the best predictor of future success.

After you read the articles below,  listen to the Ted Talk, and take the Grit test, respond to this blog by giving YOUR advice for pushing beyond that 40%.  What was your Grit Score?  What does grit and determination look like for you?

Article #1:  https://hbr.org/2012/07/how-hard-are-you-willing-to-pu.html
Article #2:  http://dereklauber.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-summiting-everest-running-inventing-light-bulbs/

Grit and Perseverance Ted Talk  https://www.ted.com/talks/angela_lee_duckworth_grit_the_power_of_passion_and_perseverance?language=en
Grit Test:  https://sasupenn.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_06f6QSOS2pZW9qR?Q_JFE=qdg   

KNOW THYSELF: 2018

Communication break-down can occur at any time and in many different settings.  There's Group
Project Anxiety: everyone has great ideas at discussion meetings, but you feel like the only one with a sense of urgency to get any actual work done.  There's Discussion Frustration:  whenever you engage in a discussion with your group, you feel as if your thoughts and ideas are not valued or brushed aside with no regard to your feelings.  And finally, there is just sheer information overload: why is it that after a full day of school, you feel completely zapped of energy, consumed by an overwhelming need to be where people are not?

We all realize that we are social creatures.  We seek out and thrive within interpersonal relationships.

We long to be heard and appreciated, to create and explore.  This is probably not new information.  Rewarding as they may be, however, relationships of every type are complex and not without their difficulties.  People are different.  Where we come from, our experiences, our beliefs, and our DNA all go into who we are, how we see and interpret the world, and how we communicate.

Many corporations have invested large sums of money on consultants with one goal in mind:  to improve inter-office communication and efficiency.  Where do you begin?  The communicators, themselves!  Knowing who you are helps you to better understand how and why you communicate the way that you do.  Knowing who your co-workers are can help you better understand how to communicate with them more effectively and efficiently.

So, as Aristotle taught centuries ago, we will begin by seeking the wisdom that comes from knowing ourselves.  Here is a link to a personality inventory:  http://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test  Once you complete the test, you can have your results emailed to yourself and you can read all about your personality type: how you relate to others, how others see you, how you work, etc.

The test takes about 20 minutes, but it provides a wealth of information as it analyzes four distinct areas of personality and then adds a fifth area that analyzes overall identity.  It is created from a combination of the infamous Myers/Briggs and Carl Jung's Theory of Psychological Types.  The four areas are explained as follows:

1.  Introversion vs Extroversion: (I vs. E) This is more than just "shy" vs. "outgoing."  In fact,

according to Jung, it is really not about that at all.  It has to do more with where you get your energy.  Do you find yourself getting energized when you are around others, or do you find that you need to be away from people to re-energize?
2.  Intuitive vs. Sensing: (N vs. S) Intuitives are creative, imaginative and curious individuals who are open-minded.  They tend to go with novelty over stability and see/feel possibilities.  They tend to have strong discernment in new situations.  Sensing or Observant individuals are practical, pragmatic and down to earth.  They tend to have strong habits and rather than going with their gut, they are more focused on what has happened or what is happening.

3.  Feeling vs. Thinking: (F vs. T) Feeling individuals are sensitive and emotionally expressive.  They are more empathetic and tend to be less competitive than T's.  They tend to focus on social harmony

and cooperation.   Thinkers focus on objectivity and rationality, prioritizing logic over emotion.  They tend to hide their feelings and value efficiency over cooperation.

4.  Judging vs. Perceiving or Prospecting: (J vs. P)  Judging personalities are decisive, thorough and highly organized.  They value clarity, predictability and closure preferring structure and planning to spontaneity.  Perceiving individuals are good at improvising and spotting opportunities.  They are flexible, relaxed, non-conformists who prefer to keep their options open.

Identity Variables of Assertive vs. Turbulent: (A vs. T)Assertive types are confident, self-assured and pretty resistant to stress.  They do not push themselves too hard.  The turbulent types are self-conscious and sensitive to stress. They are perfectionistic types who experience a wide array of emotions.

So, test away, and then....
1.  IDENTIFY YOUR FOUR LETTER PERSONALITY, then put a dash, and A OR T.
2.  COMMENT ON ANY SURPRISES OR EXPECTATIONS.
3.  NOW, as a BONUS, click this link, and find out if you are more left or right brained, and let me know your results!  https://www.arealme.com/left-right-brain/en/

 For example:  I am an INFJ - T.   This was absolutely no surprise to me, but a big surprise to those who know me, as I come across as an extrovert (SO not true!)   I think this is because I am a people pleaser, a trait I am working hard on to mellow.  I am also a J, but BARELY.  I need to feel organized in my environment, but DO NOT open any drawers!  They show my true, right-brained, messy creativity!  Now, it's your turn!


*Images by:  Kim Anderson Photography,  All rights reserved.

STOP! And Take Time to Smell the Roses

A rose by any other name...

It is one of the most iconic flowers in the garden, recognized as a symbol of love, beauty, innocence and purity. As some of the most popular flowers around the globe, roses are often considered the grandest, most fragrant, most important and beautiful--proved by their expansive presence in history, literature, and the arts.

It's no wonder that, with the variety of colors and sizes, they are the flower of choice for birthdays, budding romances (pun intended!), anniversaries, special occasions,  parades, and holidays.  The Society of American Florists estimated that 198 million roses were produced for Valentine's Day, alone in 2010 (1).  

Like most flowers that decorate our world, the rose's worth is deeper than lush outward beauty.   Rose hips are high in vitamin C.  Rose oil is reported to act as an antidepressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, aphrodisiac, and astringent, among other benefits (2).  In India and Italy, rose water is used as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, as well as a fine liquor (3).  In the world of science, the rose is supposedly a very old flower in fossil records, showing up in deposits in Colorado, Oregon, Montana, and China.  Many scientists date these fossils back millions of years!  And let's not forget the value of the rose in our finest works of literature: Juliet's infamous monologue ("A rose by any other name would smell as sweet") in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, and Turkish delight, a rose-flavored dessert made very popular by C.S. Lewis's The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe!  

As beautiful as they are to see and smell, roses also sport some pretty nasty, thorny defense-attack structures that can cut and scrape if you get close enough to reach for them.  But perhaps these, too, are precious reminders--timeless metaphors, if you will--that pain and sorrow are necessary companions to beauty and joy.  Such is the nature of contrast.

Okay, we get it.  Roses are beautiful, fragrant, and should be appreciated as such.  But where did this notion--this cliché or idiom--come from in the first place, and what does it mean to us with respect to this week's blog message? According to the Free Dictionary, to "stop and smell the roses" means to "become calm, and reflect upon the finer or more enjoyable aspects of life, especially when one has become overworked or overly stressed." As far as its origins, the phrase "Stop and smell the roses" traces its roots back to a similar saying, "Stop and smell the flowers," which is attributed to golfer Walter Hagen.  It appeared in a 1956 book entitled, The Walter Hagen Story as such:  "You're only here for a short visit.  Don't hurry,  Don't worry.  And be sure to smell the flowers along the way."    

Therein lies our meaning for this blog.  We are embarking on a brand new school year.  For half of you reading this blog, it is a milestone year:  you are culminating your high school experience--getting ready to close one very significant chapter of your life, and move on to another that will form the bridge into adulthood with all its multifarious responsibilities, challenges, and opportunities.  You will, as we have discussed in class, be tired.  You will also, at times, find yourselves in the grip of fear and anxiety.  You will have tough days and long nights.  You will make mistakes, say things you don't mean, upset people you don't mean to upset, and, in turn, be hurt and slighted by others.  You will feel pressured and tested, and yes, sometimes, you will even fail.  But you will also discover, as you stand back up again to face another day, that you are stronger than you thought.  You will learn that you are capable of a great deal more than you believed, and you will persevere.  

This is where character is shaped and refined, that is to be sure.  But it is also where we learn what it

really means to be grateful, and we start to understand the precious gift of grace: the grace we receive from others, and the grace we learn to give ourselves.  Never in your life has it been more important for you to stop from time to time--amid the papers and proms, tests and trials, athletics and activities, expectations and events--to take in the beautiful view and sweet fragrance that is this time in your life.  It will never come again.  It is here...right now.  How important it is in the rat race of life to breathe it all in and live, truly, in the moment that is now! Take a few extra minutes to savor a profound line in literature; take another long look at that painting in the art room; marvel at the complexities of that math equation; and linger in the lab as you walk through the steps of your experiment.  You are here.  You are young.  You are ALIVE.  And just like that rose in the garden, it's a beautiful thing.  

So this blog, the first for the seniors, and the second for the juniors is meant as a time for you to reflect.  Take a moment to think about all the things you treasure most, all the dreams you hope to fulfill.  Look around your room--I mean, really look.  Drink it all in.  Page through that scrapbook or sort through some of those pictures that can still stir up some wistful nostalgia! Hit replay on your favorite song! Take a long walk in December and enjoy the sparkling glow of  the Christmas lights!   Wish on a star!  This is your time!  Give it your all, work hard, take that IB exam and test your limits, to be sure!  But don't forget to take time out to... (you guessed it) smell those roses.  They are classic...timeless...beautiful...and they are truly something to appreciate!

I have attached a link here of some really amazing, mystifying, awe-inspiring photos captured by some pretty gifted photographers.  Enjoy looking through each of them, and then choose one or two that really catch your eye and tickle your fancy.  Describe them, and tell me below what captured you about them:   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iXh7CDvDJU2GTrL8SSaACSgxz2E8l-9Y/view?usp=sharing

I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I did.  My mother actually sent them to me in an email over the summer.  Her accompanying message read: "Thinking of you...thought you might enjoy these.  They are really something to see!"  

As usual, my mother is right.  There truly is a lot to see in this world, and we can find some lovely views, often in unexpected places.  

I would like to close with the infamous wisdom of Ferris Bueller:  "Life moves pretty fast.  If you don't stop and look around once in awhile, you just might miss it!"  As you go throughout this, your junior or senior year, don't forget to look around once in awhile.  Take some time to stop and smell the roses!  

(As the research above suggests, it is literally good for you!) 

Footnotes

1.  "How Many Roses Are Sold on Valentine's Day,"  ProFlowers.com, January 25, 2016, https://www.proflowers.com/blog/how-many-roses-are-sold-valentines-day.

2.  "19 Surprising Benefits of Rose Essential Oil"  Organic Facts, February 14, 2018, https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/health-benefits-of-rose-essential-oit.html.

3.  Aashna Ahuja, "10 Rose Water Benefits:  From Anti-oxidants to Anti aging,"  NDTV Food, April 30, 2018.

WORDS TO THE WISE: Sage Advice from the Class of 2018 to a future generation of IB Diploma Program Language and Literature Scholars

Well, it is hard to believe, but we are almost to the close of another year at Odyssey.  Soon, our third graduating class, the Class of 2018, will be zipping up their gowns, donning their cords, and looking forward to the next phase of their exciting life journey:  college, career, military service...wherever their dreams take them...

They have, no doubt, learned a great deal over these past four years; not just academically, mind you, but also in the realms of life skills, cultivating and nurturing relationships, and learning from both mistakes and triumphs.

It is for this reason that I thought reflection was in order:  reflection that can help our next generation of upperclassmen, juniors and seniors, as they navigate through similar waters and build upon their knowledge as IB scholars.  So, here it is:  advice from your seniors to you...those who have successfully reached the summit of IB Language and Literature in the DP program.  They have officially finished both years of study, so really take their words to heart!  And to you seniors who are quoted here, please know that I have learned just as much, if not more, from working with you as you did in this classroom.  I will miss you terribly, but I am ALWAYS and FOREVER in your corner, cheering you on, through all of life's challenges and celebrations!  LOTS of love, gratitude, prayer and pride to YOU from me!

Buckle up, here we go...

To the kids who have not yet been through their first year of IB Language and Literature, and those about to begin their second, we have some advice that will help you get through the two years…

1. Be prepared for ANYTHING.
   
2. Find a motivation buddy.
3. Set aside time to relax.
4. Get a change of scenery every once in awhile.
5. Start your work as soon as you get it.
6. Actually get a good night’s rest.
7. Don’t wait until Sunday night to do your work.
8. Have a recuperation day on the weekends.
9. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
10. Be friendly to your fellow DP students.
11. Make shared class study guides.
12. Always check the website if you are absent.
13. Work on the weekends not school days. 
14. Get earphones or headphones, you'll need them.

-GO TO CLASS it's pointless to just miss school because you don't feel like it. 

-Try your best, it feels good to turn in your work knowing you did the best you good. And good work pays off :)

-Participate in class and bond with you classmates. Class is so much more meaningful when you care about the book, topic, character etc and you can build relationships with you class. 

-Enjoy the class. This is has overall been my favorite class, being with my friends and talking about amazing works of literature has become a relaxing class where we can express our thoughts and emotions in a safe and comfortable environment. 

-Appreciate Mrs. Caraway. Mrs. Caraway cares for each one of you more than you know. Ask her questions, ask her for assistance, and tell her how much you appreciate her. :)

Do not let your work pile up. You will struggle to complete it and catch up, causing you undue stress. Just do it when you get it.

Learn to love "Critical Friends."  Although the first time doing it can be hard and scary, because who am I kidding, who wants to sit in silence and listen to your friends tear apart your essay?  But with all the great feedback they give, it is something you most likely would never have thought to add.  Therefore, you are able to add to your word count and come out with a better written task.

Avoid procrastinating when at all possible. However if you do procrastinate and you find yourself behind in work, don't let big assignments and getting behind discourage you from working hard to get back on track. You'll be grateful in the future to be caught up on everything.

Definitely the right choice to take this class.  Even if you don't like English or writing...TRUST ME!  I hated English, especially writing, but this is the only DP class I take.  Mostly because of how amazing a teacher Mrs. Caraway is, but also the fun and important things I learn in class everyday!  SHOW UP.  I can barely do it sometimes, but it was so important.  And when Mrs. Caraway gets on to you about it, it's because she CARES about you and wants you to be here.  She loves her students!  

Find enjoyment in the stories and experiences that IB English will provide you with and don't take them for granted. There is no need to stress about any work this class gives you. You will be more than prepared for every assignment. If you feel you aren't, just ask for help! This class will prepare you for more than you know, so pay attention, absorb information and READ THE BOOKS! ALWAYS!

One piece of advice I would offer is to not procrastinate at all. A lot of the work that we do in class can be finished in class, so it is best to use your time wisely and finish it then. One thing that can happen if you procrastinate is you can fall behind on your reading and depending on the book, that can be really hard to catch back up on. I know it can be done, but writing a written task and doing an FOA in one night is so stressful so it's best to do it all on time and make sure that whatever you do, don't procrastinate.

Just read the assignment given...it's a hell of a lot easier than being lost in class trying to shmoop your way through the class. 

Put your best foot forward on all of your QPA's.  They may seem restrictive, but you'll learn to love the structure. 

The main advice I have for you is to cherish these days. This class in particular has allowed me to see the beauty in literature and given me a new perspective on many things. A note for you incoming IB scholars: presence is the most useful tool you have,  you'll be lost if you don't show up and you'll feel the wrath of IB teachers. 

Commit.  Commit to your work, because it will show, and it matters. Enjoy your time because it goes by fast. Support each other, and always give your best!

To begin I would like to say I have no idea what I'm doing. Even as I'm writing this I have no clue what I should say but I've learned that it's okay. Whatever happens it's going to be okay. The sun will still come up, and you will still wake up. So my advice is to live in the moment. Soak up every experience and lesson. Try to become as knowledgeable as possible. Be spontaneous because you never know what tomorrow is going to hold for you. Don't live in animosity because life is too short to be feeling negative. Someone once told me that every minute you spend feeling bad is sixty seconds you could be spending happy. A whole sixty seconds! Your life will be full of surprises (good and bad) so the best thing to do is just accept it, learn from it, and move on to the next surprise. This year I have learned that no matter how hard you plan and nurse every possible outcome nothing will ever turn out exactly as you want it.  Of course don't just do nothing, that's definitely not what I'm saying.  Just remember that whatever happens, everything will work out.

Act like it's okay when you're stressed. You're not the only one who is suffering, your friends and classmates are too. Be stressed together. Create a cult. Call it the stressed club and cry. You'll make it. 

High school is one of the best and one of the most stressful times of your life. You will meet new people and gain and lose friends throughout this time. It’s an experience that makes you, you and it’s something that certainly shapes you as a person and who you will become in the future. It’s important to always put in your best efforts in order to achieve what you want in the future. Even if you don’t have any idea on what you want to do or what you plan to do, it’s always important to do your best. My advice is to study hard and prioritize things wisely. Be balanced and think of things in advance, it’s important to do. Don’t procrastinate. Do not. If you’re stressed, procrastinating only makes things worse, I know it because I do it all the time. Also be sure to sleep a lot during this time if you have the chance. Nap when you can or sleep early because some assignments will leave you up late at night and tired as heck in the morning. I lived off coffee for most of my senior year. Also, senioritis is very real and it tackles everyone. E v e r y o n e. But don’t let that be what stops you. Push hard through the tough times in life and you’ll get through it. Good luck and stay strong! :) 

These two years in DP Language and Literature have seemingly flown by and has ended before I was even able to realize. The best advice I can give to you is to get things over with; do not procrastinate whatsoever. The sooner things are finished the better. If you’re aim is to sit for the DP exams, which I recommend everyone do, then you’ll want to be able to put in your best work on all the assignments because it all makes a difference in preparing you for the exams. Get your Written Tasks done ASAP so you can receive critique sooner and have more time to act upon it. Not only that, but you’ll be able to enjoy your free time more if all the stinky Written Tasks and QPAs are out of the way. This goes hand in hand with the warning I have for you: do not slack on your reading. If you’re going to sit for DP exams, you’ll want to have really read into and analyzed the books, especially the year two ones. Paper 2 is supposed to be a written comparison of two books you’ve read in class. If you really want to get them spicy discount college credits you better read the books in depth. All in all, godspeed to all of you getting after it next year.

For those of you doing this class that signed up for the DP papers, God bless you and good luck. There’s no need to stress about the papers, if there is one thing that Mrs. Caraway does wonderfully is prepare you for the papers. Your best friend throughout this class is gonna be spark notes, but I’m sure you’ve all figured that much out by now. With that being said, we actually read some pretty cool books this year, so don’t get caught lackin. You’re going to have a great time in this class although it will take a little work. I encourage you all to take the test, and you won’t regret it at all. I guarantee if you pay attention in class and apply yourselves you will pass the test beyond a shadow of a doubt. Y’all are gonna bool in this class, and shmeak this test easy peasy. Y’all got this.

My advice to both Junior and Seniors is to do your work and turn it in. Pay attention in class and participate during class. It worked for me. Some advice for the juniors is to be present in class!! Mrs. Caraway does not like it when you are not in class. Always read the book, it will really help you when it comes to writing the written task. Seniors enjoy your last year in this class, you get to go over some fun and interesting topics through out the year. 

Ask questions! Seriously!

My advice to future scholars in DP Language and Literature would be: to make sure they breathe, and to not overwhelm themselves. There’s always a lot going on in high school and much to focus on, but it’s important to know that everything will work out, and that these students are perfectly capable of achieving all they feel they need.  Second, I would tell them to make sure they focus, and pay attention. It’s important to just be present and give all of your focus on learning to be able to support yourself later. Always ask questions, and seek any help you need. There’s absolutely no shame. Your friends sometimes can be so helpful and extremely supportive too, so never hesitate to turn to them. You’d be surprised:)  Third, I would just say to be present. High school moves extremely fast (even when classes seem so slow) it’s important to make sure you’re taking in the moment. As much as we look forward to what’s next, it’s just as important to notice what’s great about now. There’s so many joyful things around if you take the time to look.  I wish you and your classes the best of luck these next few years, and I know I’ve learned things within your class I will take with me moving forward. Thank you for a wonderful two years that have made me grow immensely as a person.

This is your last year, your best year, your toughest year, but never forget get that this is YOUR year.

- Avoid missing class AT ALL COSTS.

- Ask others to read over your work and give you honest feedback.

- Read the assigned books. You will save yourself a huge amount of time if you know the context of each works when it comes to your IOC and Paper 2.

- Do not add excessive words into your writing to make it sound more intellectual.

- Make sure your writing has purpose.

- Do not be scared to share your ideas or interpretations of a text.

- Pay attention and contribute in class discussions to gain insight.

- Ask questions if you are ever confused, chances are there are many other kids in the class who are also lost.

- Work hard when writing a written task. There is a chance it will be the one you submit to IB if you decide to test out. 

Hey all,

Language is not a big source of stress if you don't make it one. My personal experience is that when I actually tried, I did well. So actually try, and do your best not to procrastinate. Otherwise you will end up skipping class to finish and that is a BIG no no.

Also, actually read the books. Reading books is good. They make you smarter. They allow you to actually understand what is going on. Recommendation: Combine reading the books with reading the CliffNotes or SparkNotes of the parts you are reading so that you can glean things from the text you may not have understood or thought of the first time around. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. Good luck! - Nathan "Byrdman" Byrd

Make sure to pay attention closely to her website and read her blogs. They supply a fair amount of not only study advice but important life advice.

This class will push you to the limit. This course will assess where you are in English and language comprehension.  You will learn through multiple critical perspectives, and it will honestly change your perspective on life, in general.

This last year of high school is going to go by really fast, even if it doesn't always feel like it is.  Take the time to not only appreciate your teachers and friends, but also the amazing education you are getting here.  As I'm sure you already know, you get to read some really awesome books and plays in the class and have wonderful discussions; don't abuse this precious time you have been given!

Advice:

Throughout high school, don’t commit yourself to things you aren’t passionate about just for some external benefit. Try your best to do the things you KNOW on the inside is what you should be doing with your life at every moment.

Warning:

Don't forget to prioritize your friends and family as you work through these last one or two years of work so you have a strong support system for when school can become overwhelming.

Encouragement:

Within everyone of you is the potential to learn and grow and try somethings you never thought possible before. Don’t let labels define who you are, especially the ones you put on yourself. You can always learn from your mistakes and improve upon yourself, so do so!

I know you are going to be reading a lot of these and based on when we read these last year, you probably won't listen to any of this advice until it's already to late. I'm going to give it anyway, this way I can at least say I told you so when you make the same mistakes I did. The first bit of advice I have is to come to terms with procrastination. Don't lie, you are going to procrastinate, literally everyone does. The important bit is to learn that it has to be done eventually, and realize that putting it off just creates a larger pile to do late. Secondly, read the books! Yes you could just sparknote it, but it will be so much easier if you just read the book. It will help you on your tests, you will understand it better and Mrs Caraway won't be upset. Win win situation. Finally remember to have fun. High school is only 4 years long and if you aren't careful you might miss the chance to make some memories. Go to parties, hang out with your friends, take up a new hobby. Finding balance doesn't mean working yourself to death to maintain your grades, find time to enjoy yourself.  Good luck, you'll probably need it. - Mable Barcala

For the love of your grades (and everything holy) please re-read your writing BEFORE you turn it in!  Better yet, have another person read your writing, because I can assure you, it will save you time in the long run, and earn a better grade!

You will succeed in all of your classes if you manage your time and make what you do count. The next two years will fly by, so make every day count and leave nothing unsaid or undone. Savor all of high school while you still can, because these are the times you will remember for the rest of your lives. 

The worst thing you can do to yourself is not show up.  

Some advice I would give is to enjoy and learn everything you can, make sure to read the books and take good notes on them, make sure to stay organized especially if you plan on taking the DP tests! What I really enjoyed about this class is that Mrs. Caraway does NOT give busy work everything she teaches and all the worksheets she hands out, trust me you'll need them again later on because its all going to benefit you at some point; everything teaches you something. I overall loved taking DP English I enjoyed it very much and I recommend making the most of everything you not only in English but in life.  :)

Advice to Incoming Seniors - If you wanna get on Mrs.Caraway’s Good Side…

Always come to class on time and come everyday.  Notice the little things that aren't super obvious.  They help you with your Paper 2, Paper 1 and other things.  When doing a paper or an FOA always answer the question, "Why is this important," or "What impact does this have on the reader/audience."  She'll love you forever.  Do this blog.  All the time.  It's easy to forget, but can do wonders for your grade.  When reading the novels, please take notes on characters and themes, etc when you read, it's especially good in Senior year when you take the Paper 1 and Paper 2.  Be yourself; seriously.  This is a safe space--it's ok to be yourself.  Always be open-minded to other people's points of view.  You can use their thoughts, and mix them with your own.  Learn to read CURSIVE!!  Seriously, do it!  Mrs. Caraway's cursive is pretty.  Appreciate it and learn to read it.  It's not hard!  And, finally, when taking the IOC, remember to take it AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.  Trust me.  The more times you can do it, the better score you will get!  

Dear scholars, I am about to tell you something so extremely insightful and deep that you will be

absolutely awestruck. Do your work. Crazy! I know! Just one missing blog can drop you multiple points in your overall grade. The work in this class is not extremely hard and Mrs Caraway gives you all the tools in class to succeed. So, if your grade drops it is just because you aren't doing the work or aren't doing the work right. This leads me into another truth. Attend class. Please. Mrs Caraway works so hard to provide you with helpful material that is beyond useful. You might not see it now, but you will. If you don't go to class you miss so much that will not only help you get a better grade in this class, but every other class. Her material is useful in countless situations and if you aren't there to learn it you are cheating both Mrs Caraway and yourself. Listen to her. She has interesting and important things to say. Don't zone out in class or skip it entirely. This class has taught me more than all other classes combined. So, please, PLEASE, pay attention. It would be a shame to go through this course and brush it off. 

Have a fantastic year and learn to ENJOY learning... Mrs Caraway makes it easy! 

Good luck, my friends! 
Now, respond by sharing which pieces of advice resonated most with you.  Then, tell me what you are most anxious about, and what you are most excited about in year 1 or year 2 next year....

HOW TO PLAY THE WRITING GAME...AND WIN!

Your teacher has just assigned you the one thing you dread, but know you will face several times during the school year in several of your classes.  Yes, that's right, kids, it's time to write

THE WRITTEN TASK I  and THE PAPER 1 COMPARATIVE ESSAY.  

You let out a deep sigh as you feel the heavy weight of dread in your gut, and your entire attitude fades to black.  It's as if someone has pulled a dark veil over your formerly sunny outlook.

Okay, maybe that's a BIT dramatic.  But for many of us, writing the essay is a task that takes more gumption just to begin than to actually complete.

Year one scholars, we are now in the process of writing our final WT1, which is anything but the formal essay.  If that isn't punishment enough, we also must include a rationale with it to clarify for ourselves and our reader just what it is we are doing, and how this great idea meets the course criteria (thus providing a possible highlight of where we have fallen short!)

Year two scholars, you are preparing for the Paper 1 final, which is a comparative (gulp!) essay!  It involves looking at two strange texts you have possibly never seen or encountered before, and comparing them--attempting to discover every possible important detail from word choice to purpose/theme....all in just two hours.

Now, now, now.  Writing an essay or a WT1 doesn't have to be such a downer.  In fact, it can become something you look forward to!  (Okay, maybe that's taking it a bit too far).  At the very least, it can be a challenge you are ready and able to meet.

Like anything else worth doing, writing takes what I like to refer to as the three P's:  perseverance, passion and patience.  You need to eliminate the idea of "trying my best" and substitute that notion with "I will DO my best."  Do not even entertain the notion of "this will be hard" or "I cannot do this well," or "my teacher will hate this."  Do not put it off until the last minute or it will be a self-fulfilling prophecy of doom.

Instead, set aside a quiet space, do some relaxation breathing like we learned in class, and ELIMINATE DISTRACTIONS.  Silence your phone.  Do not allow yourself to text friends or scope out Facebook.  It's just you, some paper (or a screen) and words.  Take some time to go through your notes and quotes, and begin the process of writing.  Don't put the pressure of editing or grammar on yourself at this stage.  Writing is a process.  Allow your subconscious creativity to flow first, uninhibited.  You can fix it all later.

Be patient with yourself and your thoughts.  Wait for the right words or search them out until you find the one you truly feel is best.  Use a thesaurus for inspiration.  DON'T SURRENDER.

In the case of the WT1, write something YOU like.  Don't think about me (aka your teacher), or anyone else.  Take your topic, and write about it in an interesting way that appeals to you and reflects your writing style.

With the Paper 1, start with an organizational plan, even before you truly begin to attack the prompt and write.  Use what you know and have practiced in writing all year long.  Start simply with TAP and funnel down towards the nitty gritty details in the creation of the texts.  Go deep.  Again, revision and editing will come in the final stages.  The first stage of the writing process is....wait for it....PLANNING!  When you do begin to put your ideas and plans to paper and write, find something fun in it...something that stirs your creative passion.

Writing the essay or anything, for that matter, may never be your favorite thing to do, but at the very least it doesn't have to be a punishment.  Take some time to read these articles about "Writing" and specifically "Writing the Essay."  The tips are awesome, I think.  Drink them in, and come ready to attack ALL your writing challenges....

AND WIN.

Here are the links to writing tips for the essay, and just writing in general.  Read through them--some of the tips in them may be repeated, but reworded in a different way.  Sometimes, hearing the same thing multiple times and in different ways is key in helping to cement your understanding!  Then, in your post, tell me the tips you found the most helpful or enlightening.


1.  https://www.chegg.com/play/student-life/10-tips-for-writing-the-perfect-paper/

2.  http://thewritepractice.com/writing-an-essay/

3.  https://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/advice-for-students-10-steps-toward-better-writing.html

PLOT TWIST: The Writer's Art of Misdirection

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED.  

That's a lesson that life will teach you...eventually.  I think that's why as readers, we appreciate and even revel in a well-written plot twist.  It's not just that they surprise and challenge us, it's that they make us realize that even when we think we've got everything figured out, the track can shift, and we may find ourselves moving in an entirely new (yet not completely unforeseeable provided we are blessed with enlightened powers of observation) direction.

Literature's goal, as an art form, is to imitate life.  Even if a book is written in the realm of fantasy, it needs to feel, at its heart, possible.  We want characters we can relate to:  protagonists who are perfectly flawed, and antagonists that aren't without some redeeming qualities.  A good story can assure us that we are not alone...even when we are.  Our stories can intersect on some strange and cosmic level, connecting us to our favorite authors; even if we are separated by space, time, or both.  Stories are very much like the soul:  timeless and eternal.

So...what's the big deal about the plot twist?  Well, like complex characters, they add depth and texture.  Also, they are very real - life is full of them!  They can be good or bad; surprising or terrifying; but they definitely exist, and our fascination with them transcends cultures, just like great characters and themes.

Consider this story from the halls of American history... 

He was known as Easy Eddie, and he lacked for nothing.  He was the slickest of the slick lawyers and was already a big success when he started working for the most powerful man in 1920's Chicago:  Al Capone.  One of his most lucrative responsibilities for the Mob Boss was to run the dog track gambling ring. (Eddie mastered the simple technique of fixing the race by overfeeding seven dogs and then betting on the eighth!  Clever!)  Eddie became one of Capone's most trusted lawyers and legal advisors who helped keep his empire-- which was built on racketeering, bootlegging, gambling, and prostitution--out of trouble. 

So...why did he turn himself in?   Why did he offer to squeal on Capone to the Feds?  Didn't Eddie understand the ramifications of "ratting" on the mob?  He knew, to be sure.  Maybe he saw the writing on the wall.  Maybe he sensed that the carefully constructed empire of "Scarface" and his cronies was about to crumble.  Maybe he thought by being on the right side of the law when the dust cleared, he'd be able to continue breathing the fresh air of freedom instead of the stale air behind bars with all the rest of them.  Maybe.

Or maybe there was another hitch.  You see, Eddie had a son. 

Eddie had spent most of his own life with the deplorable.  He had smelled the stench of the underground long enough.  He wanted more than that for his son:  solid friends, respectable education, and a name to be revered, not just "remembered."  In order to do this, he would have to clear his own slate first, and so he did.

The tragedy here was that Easy Eddie never saw his dream come true.  After he squealed, Capone went to jail, but the mob remembered.  Two shotgun blasts would silence him forever.  We saw that coming, didn't we?  Nothing surprising about finding yourself six feet under after taking the mob to the table.

But...that's not the end of the story.  

For reasons still disputed, Eddie did the right thing.  Was it worth it?  I believe that if Eddie had lived to see his son; Edward, Jr., or "Butch," as he came to be called; grow up, he would have answered with a resounding "YES!"  I believe he would have been proud of Butch's appointment to the Naval Academy in Annapolis.  I think he would also have been proud of the young man's commissioning as a World War II Navy Ace pilot.  I think he would have been proud as he read about his son's downing of five Japanese bombers one night over the Pacific, and his saving the lives of hundreds of crewmen on the carrier Lexington.  I think the biggest twist of all that would have made Eddie proud, however, was when his son officially cleared the family name and became the first pilot ever to be decorated with the Medal of Honor. 

Sadly, in 1943, Butch led a squadron of night fighters and never returned home.  He died at the young age of 29, a hero serving his country.  Tragic as it was, I think that Butch's father, Easy Eddie, would have been proud of that, too.

Ready for the final one two punch in this real life story?  You most likely KNOW the name that Eddie was trying so hard to save--the name his son Butch so readily redeemed.  Ever been to Chicago?  If you have, you probably flew into O'Hare Airport.  Easy Eddie's famous son was named Edward "Butch" O'Hare, and Chicago's O'Hare International Airport bears their family name!

See? Wasn't that fun? 

In literature, just as in life, we enjoy a good plot twist.  What are some of your favorite titles or movies?  Do they have a plot twist that turned your world even just a little bit upside down? 

If so, please share...and then, watch the video about the art of the plot twist misdirection by clicking on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuorsbghT5M    

Aspiring writers and readers alike, please also enjoy this article entitled, "Ten Simple Tricks for Writing Clever Plot Twists:"  https://writersedit.com/fiction-writing/10-simple-tips-writing-clever-plot-twists/ 

Share your thoughts on the video and article, as well.

Next time you pick up a new book, sit down with your favorite snack in the darkened movie theater, or just step out the door into the world to start a new day, don't take anything for granted.  Remember to keep your eyes peeled, watch your step, and never underestimate anybody you meet.  The path of a good story has many a twist and turn...

And you never really know where the adventure will take you!