All My Sons Bridging - P. 117

The playwright, Arthur Miller, was living a comfortable and wealthy lifestyle, until his family lost everything in 1929. Ever since, his life has changed forever. Eventhough it was a difficult point in his life, he didn't forget to mention the importance of personal and social responsibility, especially in his play "All My Sons".

Just like Miller's father, Keller had felt like he was losing everything.  During the play, he was very close to lose his business, since he took part in(ww.-caused) the death of 21 pilots by shipping cracked cylinder heads. However, he tried his best to prevent it for the sake of his family(this is not very clearly explained). Miller used Keller and Chris, in order to represent the values he believed in and the ones he didn't. Chris is the idealist, who has morals and values, while his father, Keller, gave up on his values and on his responsibility for the society for materialistic benefits.  As I see it, Miller emphasizes the importance of personal and social responsibility through Chris' character, and the moral corruption and materialism through Keller's character.

To conclude, I would say that the information about Arthur Miller's life added to my understanding of the play "All My Sons".  Through this information, I understood better the behavior of the main characters as well as the message of the play. Miller tries to emphasize how important it is to take responsibility and be moral even when its very difficult, if not, you'll get hurt. Just like in the play, Keller killed himself after not taking responsibility for too long.

God work
(95)
Daphna

A Letter of Complaint

                                                                                                                   

14 Sun street

Tel Aviv, 52345, Israel

November 2, 2013

Mrs. Adams
The Manager
Forever 21 fashion
POB 14457
Tel Aviv

Dear Mrs. Adams,

Lately, I was very disappointed to see that your store, "Forever 21", has raised its prices by more than 30%. I am writing this letter(sp.) in the hope of changing the prices range and making them affordable again. 

I have been shopping at your store for more than 5 years. I used to love shopping at "Forever 21" since the prices were affordable and clothing items were always fashionable. Ever since the store increased its prices I can barley find one item which is in my price range. As a result, I can no longer shop there as frequently as I used to and buy the items I love. 

First of all, most of the store's customers are teenage girls that usually can't afford to buy expensive clothing items. By raising the prices range by more than 30%, the store would probably lose most of their customers since they won't be able to shop there anymore. Therefore, increasing the prices can harm the store's popularity and entry.

To conclude, I would appreciate it if you consider my suggestion to lower the clothes' prices to normal. You can see clearly from the above, that increasing the prices harm both the costumes and the store itself. In order to satisfy everyone, please think deeply about what I wrote and make the right decision. 

Yours faithfully,

Emma Smith

Very good work!
(94)
Daphna

Community Service

Our society consists of many people that could have used a little bit of help. As teenagers, we have so much to offer to our own communities, however, most of us rather stay home and do nothing. Becoming involved in the community can be very easy and even fun, and I'm going to show you how simple it is. 

First of all, you should be active, and offer people from your community help. You can start by helping your own neighbors from the youngest to the oldest. For example, you can help kids with their homework and play with them, or get to know your older neighbors better by listening to their fascinating stories. If you feel like you're up for a challenge, go farther, and offer your help to other houses in your neighborhood. 

In addition, introduce your school to community service activities. Find information on-line, through newspapers or just by asking people you know, about community service activities which are appropriate  for your school. Let the principle(sp.-principal) know about these activities, and he might agree to take part in them with the whole school. I believe, that it's a wonderful way to encourage students to become more active in the community.

To conclude, I would say that it's possible to make a change in your community. You can do so much for the people you are surrounded by and make them happier. As I see it, there are no excuses, no matter how old you are or where you live you can always do something to make others feel better- and it starts with you.  

Excellent work! Well done!
(100)
Daphna

"All The Years Of Her Life"- Post Reading

Every now and then I think about the day I was caught red-handed. From that moment my life has changed forever, and I  became a different person, more responsible than I have ever been. I was caught red-handed after driving over the speed limit.

It all started a week after I got my license, when my friends and I drove to a cinema outside of town. We were listening to our favorite music full-volume, singing and having fun when we realized we were late. As a result, my friends rushed me to drive faster until I crossed the speed limit. It felt so wrong to me, but at the same time so right. I enjoyed that feeling so much, therefore, crossing the speed limit became a habit of mine.

One time I was driving at night with my friends to a party. While I was driving, over the speed limit, I didn't notice a kid who was crossing the road and I almost ran into him. I stopped the car at the last minute after all my friends were shouting and crying out of fear. Unfortunately,  a cop caught me red-handed, asked me to stop at the side of the road and handed me a ticket. At that moment I realized that I was doing something wrong.

To conclude, I would say that having fun isn't an excuse to risk someone's life. The moment I was caught red-handed was also the moment I grew up. Driving isn't a game, it can be very dangerous when you don't follow the rules and when you take risks. Ever since, I have been driving at speed limit only, stopped playing loud music that disturbs me while driving and became more responsible on the road.  

Very good.
(100)
Daphna

A poem - All the years of her life- Pre reading

I ask her to do the dishes and answer my calls,
Clean the room and later the halls,
When she's listening to music we can't talk,
she wants to be driven and never walk
I wish that I won't have to put her clothes in place,
and talk to her again, face to face
All she wants is to be with her friends and go to a party,
So why won't you grow up honey?

I Love it!!!!
Great!

A Formal Letter

                                                                                                    14 Sun street

                                                                                                           Tel Aviv, 52345, Israel                                                                                                                             September 7,2013

The Editor
Haaretz 
POB 14457
Jerusalem

Dear Editor,

Recently, I read the article "Israel suspends standardized tests" in your newspaper, "Haaretz". 
The writer of the article, seems to support the postponement of the external Meitzav test in the Israeli schools. I agree with him, and  want to support his opinion by sharing my own.

First of all, the Meitzav isn't a fair test.This test doesn't necessarily check students' knowledge and intelligence, but their economic condition. As the writer said, low-performing schools can't provide their students the best teachers and the best equipment to succeed in the test. Therefore, these kind of schools probably won't pass the test successfully just because of their economic condition. 


Moreover, the Meitzav prevents teachers from spending teaching time wisely. Schools put a lot of time and effort preparing their students for the Meitzav, rather than teaching them important values, and giving them more knowledge. The preparation for the Meitzav, can give the students nothing but a good grade in that specific test.

I believe that after so many years of taking a Meitzav test, it's time to give it a break. I support the Education Ministry's decision, and believe the test should be canceled officially as soon as possible. The test isn't beneficial for the students and for the schools as one, so why do we still have it? 

Yours faithfully,

Emma Smith 

Excellent!
(100)
Daphna

As I grew older- Bridging- p-54

Lately I read the poem "As I grew older", who(ww.) deals with racism and equality. The poet, Langston Hughes, was an African-American who tried to capture the experience, emotions and voices of the society he was surrounded by. In addition, he was a member of the African-American artistic movement called "Harlem Renaissance", that fought against racism and for equal right(s),  through art.

This information is reflected in the poem "As I grew older". When the poet was younger and naive, he had a hopeful dream about his future, that unfortunately was crushed by the reality of life. The poet grew up and realized that people in the real world, need to face cruel things in life, such as racism and stereotypes that might change their future plans. However, in the poem the poet seems to rebel against it, in the hope of bringing his dream back and changing the situation of African-Americans in the early 1920's and 1930's. 

To conclude, I would say that poet's and his movement's the "Harlem Renaissance" point of view, is reflected in the poem. The poet tries to rebel in an artistic way, he used his "dark hand" to metaphorically break "the wall", which refers to the difficulties in life. The poet tries to make a change by writing, with his hands, through art, in order to make a difference.

Excellent.
(100)
Daphna

"Introduction To Poetry"- Post Reading

Poetry lessons these days, usually include poems that aren't modern or poems  that don't have a subject which is suitable for the students' age group.  I believe poetry should be taught in a way that students would find entertaining and fun. Therefore, I think schools should let students choose at least two poems that will be taught during the year, as well as poems that the students would enjoy more.

High school experience might be confusing for some kids, and poetry could be a great way to solve their everyday problems. High school students face a lot of problems when they try to make the right decisions in life. Poems which deals(gr.) with these kinds of problems, can give students a new perspective on their problems. I believe that students can not only relate to these poems, but they can actually learn something from them.

In addition, students' grades might improve once they study a poem that they can relate to. These kinds of poems could be enjoyable for the students, to read and to work on them(ww.). Once you do something with love and enjoy(ww.-pleasure), it automatically takes off the pressure and brings out your best. Therefore, I believe that poems that the student find fun to study, can have a huge impact on his grade.

To conclude, I would say that I wish poetry would be taught that way in my school. I think it could be fun to choose some of the poems, and to be taught poems which are relevant to the problems I'm facing as a high school student. It would have an influence on my grades, and might solve some of my everyday problems. After all, the students are the ones that are tested on these poems, so why not make a change for their own good?

Excellent.
(100)
Daphna

A Summer's Reading- Reflection- p.49

1. I enjoyed the story, since the ideas expressed in it are relevant to my own life. During the story, George did a huge change, and realized that if he wants to improve his life, he first needs to change his attitude. He became a responsible man who takes his future to his own hands. It taught me, that it's never too late to make a change in your life. Eventhough people may not support you, you can reach your goals by your will power. I related to the moral of the story, and it motivated me to work hard in order to reach my goals.  

2. The thinking skills of Explaining cause and effect and Uncovering Motives, influence my understanding of the story in some ways. In the story, Mr. Cattanzara says to George "George, don't do what I did". Thanks to the skill of Uncovering Motives we can understand, that Mr. Cattanzara probably acted like George when he was younger. He loves and cares about George, therefore, he wants him to substance his potential and have a successful life. In addition, I also used the skill of Explaining cause and effect. "George knew he looked passable on the outside, but inside he was crumbling apart." In that part of the story, George's lie was discovered by Mr. Cattanzara and he was very ashamed. As a result, George tried to stay calm so Mr. Cattanzara wouldn't notice he actually lied. These thinking skills, actually helped me understand the characters' behavior in parts on the story.

3. Awareness of characterization can add to my enjoyment of future stories. Once you are aware to characterization, you can understand the character's behavior in the story and her/his motives to do so. In addition, it will help you understand the message, or the moral of the story. As a result, the story will be clearer to you and you'll probably enjoy it more. 

Post Reading- "A Summer's Reading"- p.49

I chose option number 2.

Dear Mr. Cattanzara,

Ten years ago my life were(gr.) so different. I was a lazy person, who wanted to make a change in his life, however, I wasn't motivated to do it. My family barely supported me, and so does(gr.) the people in the neighborhood that insulted me. Until I met you, my change maker.(Start a new sentence) you opened up my eyes and made me realize that I was wrong. I was used to blame(gr.-blaming) everybody or everything but myself over my own actions in life. Thanks to you, I realized that unless I take responsibility over my own actions, my life isn't going to change. The moment I did so, my life has changed.

One of the books I read that fall, was about film production. I found that subject very interesting, and decided to study it. Therefore, I went to the university and signed up for a film production class. I was afraid to run out of patience during classes, or to hate the teachers for telling me what to do. However, the classes were interesting, fun and not boring at all. I actually enjoyed doing the assignments the teachers gave, since I learned new things and got to meet new people that were nice to me. 

Today, I am happily married to a wonderful wife and we have three kids together. I am working right now on a film about my life in order to motivate people to make changes in their lives, and I am dedicating it to you. You are the one who changed my life for the better, and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. In addition, I would like you to come and visit me so we can talk face to face. I seriously can't thank you enough, and want you to know that I wouldn't be here without your endless concern and support.

Can't wait to meet you,

George.

Great letter and very interesting!
Well done!
(96)
Daphna

Bridging- A Summer's Reading- p.49 (מתוקן וצריך להיבדק)

Bernard Malamud, who wrote the story "A Summer's Reading", wrote about ordinary people, mostly immigrants. He wrote about the difficulties they face in their new world, country and society, while emphasizing their will to attain the American middle-class dream. In addition, the story is included in a collection of stories about people that search after hope in their poor life.

The information is reflected in the story "A Summer's Reading". The story, took place in a poor immigrant neighborhood in New York City. The main character of the story, George, wanted to attain the American middle-class dream by having a good job, a private house, money to be able to live on his own and people who will love and respect him. However, he has no support from his family and from the people in his neighborhood that always isolate him (phr.).

To conclude, the information helped me understand better the character of George, his behavior in parts of the story, his dreams and his goals in life (Give an example more specifically of you understood better about his character). In addition, the writer wrote a lot about immigrants. Therefore, the story was written in such an authentic, realistic and professional way (This is too vague. What do you mean by that?)  that helped me identify with the characters of the story.

Very good. Still needs abit of work.
(93)
Daphna