The Cursed Slip of Paper

In class, we all received a story which had no background information. We split up into two groups, and read it. The story was quite confusing, as I wasn't quite sure as to where it would lead. It was about a gathering called the lottery, where men would take a slip of paper from a black box. One man called Bill Hutchinson got a paper with a black dot on it, while everybody else got a blank paper. His family was forced to draw papers again, and his wife, Tessie Hutchinson, got a black dot. Then the story ended abruptly, leaving me confused. I thought that the story was going to continue, and I really wanted to see what the fuss over the 'black dot' was.

Later, we were given slips of paper with our names on it, just like the story. I was surprised, yet slightly afraid. Then Mrs. Psillides told us that we could only open it at home. All of my curiosity was urging me to open it, but my self-conscience was telling me to follow the rules. My paper didn't have a black dot on it like others did. I was slightly excited by this, as I wondered if my paper had something different than the others.In the end, I didn't open it at school. I followed the rules and opened it at home. It had the much-awaited end of the story on it. Apparently, Tessie Hutchinson was shoved onto a clear space, where people had began to stone her. The last words she said was; "It isn't fair, it isn't right."

The ending scared me, as I wasn't sure what really happened. Then I was informed that people had killed her by throwing stones at her. It left me frozen, feeling quite shocked. The author was great at creating questions for the reader. I felt like I was hanging off a cliff due to the author's suspense over the black box and dot. They probably did this on purpose. The text was full of foreshadowing. It left me guessing. The ending was so suspenseful that I almost felt a little angry. The fact that Mrs. Psillides gave it to us randomly was extremely confusing. I felt lost.

My Dominknow Profile; A is for Ash

In class, I learnt about my Dominknow profile. I found that a Dominknow profile is type of way you learn. Knowing what profile you are will help you learn best, and see the ways that you can improve. We all found out what kind of learners we are, and I was revealed as logic brained. My profile was profile A. These are a couple facts that I've uncovered while finding out my learning style.

I learn best when things are done sequentially. This is due to me being logic brained. Many times in class I feel that things need to be written down for me to see and do step-by-step. I also learn well when I'm able to get up and interact with others to encourage learning. Instructions are very helpful and simple for me, as I sometimes cannot be able to think in many levels.

I need to try and see the 'big picture', because for 'A' profile learners, it's often hard to access the gestalt side of the brain. Doing simple Brain gym is great for getting rid of stress, and having a larger thinking capacity.

The strategies that would help me in my learning would be to understand and analyze information to it's fullest. It would help me under stress. It helps me to do lazy 8's on my palm to reconnect my 'super thinking highway'. This can relieve my stress, while also allowing me to see the 'big picture'. I often fidget with things in class, like squeezing my rubber, twirling my pencil, and doodling. It helps me relax, and open up.

I would like my teachers to know that I prefer visual learning. It helps me greatly to see steps written down on the board or somewhere else. Also, I like moving around in class and interacting with others in activities. It benefits me by allowing me to fully understand to concept by acting it out. Speaking aloud is one of my strengths.