All My Sons - Bridging Text and Context - p.117

The information given is a biography of Arthur Miller, the playwright of "All My Sons". It says that Miller lived a wealthy and comfortable life, until his family lost the garment factory they owned and his life had changed .Furthermore, Miller wanted to criticize the moral corruption and lack of social responsibility he claimed are caused by materialism and greed. This criticism, as well as other burning issues, is expressed in his first successful play, "All My Sons". 

In the play, Joe Keller is a successful businessman who built himself out of nothing. He is living the American dream, a situation he is willing to do anything to preserve - even in (at the) price of (loosing) his integrity. This situation is probably not strange to Miller. Since his family lost their wealth and financial stability, we can assume his own experience inspired him to write Joe's character. In addition, Miller uses Joe's character and actions to criticize the judicial system of that time, in which the strong people can get away from punishment and the simple people are often forced to take the blame instead.  

Moreover, Miller's social and political criticism is reflected in the constant conflict between Joe and his idealist son, Chris. Joe believes that family loyalty is the most important value and according to that, expects his family to excuse his war crimes, because he committed them to save them from destruction and poverty. Chris, on the other hand, believes in social responsibility: that we must care about the society and the country we live in, and not only about ourselves and our close environment. Miller keeps asking the reader the million dollar question throughout the play: What is more important - family loyalty or social responsibility? 

In conclusion, the information given about Miller's life and social criticism gave me a wider picture of the message he wanted to deliver in "All My Sons": take care of yourself and your family as long as you also care about others and take responsibility for your actions. Besides, it helped me understand that Joe's fear of losing his metrialism comfort (ww) overshadowed his inner compass and led to what he was afraid of in the first place - the ruin of his own family.  

Excellent!
(100)
Daphna

Writing Task No.4 - A Letter of Complaint

26 Gefen St.
Tel Aviv
58431
November 2, 2013

The Manager
Fashion Forward Ltd.
34 Menachem Begin St.
Tel Aviv
50324

Dear Sir/Madam,

I'm a regular costumer at your store in the local mall of Tel Aviv, and I noticed the prices of multiple items were highly increased(phr.) during the last few weeks. As much as I love the products you are selling, I am truly disappointed by that unreasonable increase in the prices. 

As many of us know, buying fashionable clothes in high quality(phr.) and in affordable prices is not an easy task. It takes endless hours spent in the mall looking for the right pair of jeans or the suitable dress for a party. I like this kind of searches, because it makes me happy when I find what I was looking for. However, I'm even happier when I buy the item I wanted for a normal amount of money.

I love your store very much and I always find something I like in it, but recently I feel like I'm being cheated. A simple black dress that last week was sold at(ww.) 199.99 shekels is now sold at(ww.) 259.99 shekels. A pair of skinny jeans I bought from you last month at(ww.) 299.99 shekels is now sold at(ww.) 369.99 shekels, and the list of products continues. 

To sum up, I really hope you'll consider my complaint and do something to improve(ww.) the prices of items in your store, because if nothing can be done I'm sure you'll lose some major regular costumers like me, who can't afford shopping at your store anymore. Moreover, I recommend that you'll(מיותר) do a survey in which you'll ask your costumers what kind of prices they consider affordable, to prevent this kind of situation from happening again.

Yours sincerely, 

Clara Gray

Very good letter!But the grade remains the same.
(96)
Daphna 

Writing Assignment – p. 12 - Opinion Essay

Being involved in the community

No person in the world could survive alone, without being supported by any kind of society. In my opinion, donating(ww.-contributing) to the community should be a major subject in schools, so children would learn from (an) early age how significant that is. Therefore, it is of importance that schools  include a commutative activity every once in a while in their curriculum.

 In my high school, there is a mandatory program for all ninth and tenth grade students. They must volunteer in the local community for 60 hours a year in order to get their diploma at the end of each semester. They can choose where they would like to volunteer and when, from a specific list of places. For instance, students can choose to help younger students with difficulties in their homework, send packages of donated food to poor families during the holidays or volunteer at the animal shelter.

(If) Your school doesn't have this program but you still want to be more involved in your community, You can always volunteer in public organizations such as,  Magen David Adom, the local vigilante or the local firefighter's station. Another option is to take a(מיותר) part in a youth movement like the Scouts – where you can get involved in the community and even make new friends.

In conclusion, teenagers ought to be more involved in their community and care for the people around them. In order for that to happen schools should offer their students an option to help the community and encourage them to do so even in their free time. Just remember: if you are a significant part in the community, the community will be a part of you, too!
Very good work! Well done.
(100)
Daphna

All The Years Of Her Life – Post Reading

In the story "All the Years of Her Life" by Morley Callaghan, Alfred Higgins was caught red handed when he was stealing from his own workplace. When I was twelve, something like that had happened to me. Since then I have learned valuable lessons that are still very significant in my life.  

At the age of twelve I had a best friend called Danna, who was a friend of mine since kindergarten.  Danna and I did everything together: we were sitting(gr.) side by side at school, doing(gr.) homework together and even hanging(gr.) out after school hours. 

At the middle of the first semester, we were studying together to(ww.) a major Math exam – which I was good at but Danna wasn't. As her best friend, of course I was willing to help her get ready for the exam. But the problem was that I didn’t know at the time that Danna planned(gr.) that I would do(phr) the exam for her. 

We were sitting in her bedroom, going over some Math problems, when Danna offered the idea that she would copy my answers during the test, without our teacher noticing. 

At first, I hated the idea, but then she started to cry that her parents would be mad at her for not succeeding at the test and forbid our friendship, blaming it to be the cause(phr.) of her failure. So I agreed, and the result was that our teacher caught us red handed and took us in the middle of the test to the principal office. We explained to the principal what had happened and she punished the both of us that we would get an F on that test and do a lecture in class, telling them what we learned from the situation. 

When I got home my parents already knew about it, and they weren't as mad as I thought they would be. They just told me that they understood why I wanted to help Danna, but I shouldn't choose an immoral way to do so. They also talked with Danna's parents and agreed that Danna and I should talk about the issue so that such a thing wouldn't happen again. Luckily, it hasn't happened again, because I learned that cheating, even if done innocently, is a wrong and immoral thing.

Very good!But your grade remains the same
(95)
Daphna 

Being a Parent...

Being a parent isn't a child's game.
You need to be responsible
and don't expect any fame.
You have to be strict,
but also light,
You have to put boundaries,
but also be nice.
Being a parent isn't a child's game,
but the hardest part is
to let go of them. 

This is wonderful! You are quite a talent!
Daphna

Letter to the Editor

26 Gefen St 

Tel Aviv

58431

August 22, 2013

The Editor
Ha’aretz Daily Newspaper Ltd.
21 Salman Schocken St.

Tel Aviv 

61001

Dear Editor, 

I am writing in response to an article I just read called "Israel suspends standardized tests", which was posted in the weekend edition of your newspaper. The article was about The Ministry of Education's decision on cancelling the Meitzav tests. I fully agree with what you're saying in the article and think it's about time someone made that decision.   

As all of us, students, know what happens during the preparations for the Meitzav tests: all the schools in Israel hold their breathes, the teachers teach full speed and we collapse under the pressure of succeeding in the exams. 

Well, as someone who had to live through it for twelve years, let me say how relieved I am that my younger siblings won't have to go through what I did.

The adults reading this article and this letter are probably wondering why these tests are so stressful for their children. Well, I say it's more than just this one test – it's about the whole attitude towards education in this country, reflected in this test. Education in Israel has become about measuring different students with the same ineffective, stressful tool. All of us are different people with different skills and different points of view, so why evaluate us in the same way?  

Like the quote of the Minister of Finance, Yair Lapid, in your article said: "Education isn't about measurement, but about learning…knowledge and intellect shouldn't be graded". It's clear that The Meitzav tests are just another way to grade the students, not a way to improve the education system in Israel. In fact, they even cause unhealthy competition between schools in the race for the best results in the country.

To sum up, I want to give The Ministry of Education my support in their decision and hope for more changes in  favor of the students in the education system. 

Sincerely yours, 

Clara Gray  

Excellent!!!!
(100)
Dahna

  

As I Grew Older

Bridging Text and Context 
p. 54 

How is the information above reflected in the poem "As I Grew Older"?
Based on the information above, do you think that the speaker in the poem is really the poet? Could the events in the poem reflect events in the life of the poet? Why or why not?

 The information given is about Langston Hughes, the poet of "As I Grew Older". It says that Hughes tried to capture the African Americans' experiences and culture in his writings. He was proud of his African heritage and believed that through art, such as literature and music, he can challenge racial stereotypes and work for equal civil rights for African Americans in the US.

In the poem "As I Grew Older", the speaker describes a childhood dream which is being kept away from him by a dark wall. After struggles, the speaker tries to break through the wall with his dark hands, and smash it "into a thousand lights of sun". The wall is probably a metaphor for the racism in the United States of the 20's, which was created by the Segregation Laws that discriminated African Americans and prevented them from getting equal rights.

Hughes was a member of an artistic movement called the "Harlem Renaissance", that had the same goals as he had in his writing. They wanted to introduce their culture to the white people, and therefore, overcome the ignorance that led people to fear  them and ban them from the society. Considering this, it makes sense that the poem "As I Grew Older" is about Hughes himself, who had to fight for his freedom through his poems.

In conclusion, the poem "As I Grew Older" reflects the reality of the African Americans in the 20's, that overshadowed their lives and depressed them. Moreover,  Hughes' life story and ideals makes me think that he wrote this poem about his own experiences in life and about his determination to fight for his beliefs instead of being a victim. 

Excellent!
(100)
Daphna

Introduction To Poetry - Post Reading

Post Reading Activity
How can poetry (or literature) be taught? State which way you would prefer to read poetry.

 The Best Way To Teach Literature

Lots of schools nowadays teach literature in the old fashion way. Teachers usually introduce to their students what the literary piece is about, read it once or twice and then go straight to analyzing it. Sometimes the teacher asks the students to analyze the literary piece themselves, which is  supposed to force the students into actual effort, trying to understand the meaning of the poem or the story they study. I keep asking myself: Is it the best way to teach literature?

Well, I think the final answer is no. This teaching way is cold, unhelpful and guarantees students will learn little about literature except that it’s boring. Literature is a wide subject with many different angles, which anyone can find something to connect to. I think that most students would find literature very interesting if it was taught in the right way. Some will ask the question: why is it so important that students find interest in Literature? Well, I think Literature can help students solve their problems in life, because lots of poems and stories are about facing the dificulties in life. Therefore, if students are taught Litretuare the right way, most of them will find it interesting and ,perhaps, learn from it and gain new perspectives about situations in life.

Then, what is the right way? I am not exactly sure but it certainly has to be more fun and creative than it is now. Moreover, teachers should try to simplify literature in order to make students relate to it more, and therefore, understand it better and maybe even like it. Also, I think students would appreciate literature more if they learn to enjoy it. If you enjoy learning something you'll have better achievements in that subject than in a subject you dislike. 

To sum up, the way literature is taught in schools these days doesn't accomplish the main goal of helping students succeed in literature and learning to enjoy it at the same time. In my point of view, literature should be taught more creatively and in a way that gives  students the tools to deal with every literary piece they encounter in the best way. 

Very good! Nicely written!
97
Daphna       

A Summer's Reading - Reflection

Reflection – p.49

1. Did you enjoy reading the story? Why or why not? 
I enjoyed reading the story "A Summer's Reading" because I liked the way George's life and  George's personality are described in it. George has a certain goal but he doesn't have the mental and environmental tools to reach it.  Therefore, it is interesting to go through George's learning process, which begins with the lie he told Mr. Cattanzara. 

2. How did learning about the skills of Explaining Cause and Effect and Uncovering Motives influence your understanding of the story? Give examples. 
Learning about the skill of Explaining Cause and Effect helped me understand George's cause by lying to Mr. Cattanzara. He wanted Mr. Cattanzara to respect him and when Mr. Cattanzara asked him about what he is doing these days, he panicked and lied to him. 
The skill of Uncovering Motives helped me guess what could be Mr. Cattanzara's motives for trying to make George understand the importance of education as a key to succeed in life. 
His motive might be that he cares about George and wants him to succeed in his life.

3. How might awareness to characterization add to your enjoyment of future stories?
Awareness to characterization may add to my enjoyment of future stories because I'll know how the author builds characters in the story. First of all, he describes the character's appearance and then goes on to describing the personality and the characteristics. In future stories I will read, I will know to pay attention to every single detail about a character and then I'll know how to understand the character better. 

A Summer's Reading - Post Reading

Post Reading - p. 49

I chose task number 2: Write a letter from George to Mr. Cattanzara ten years after the   story ends.

 November 1st, 1930                                                                       

Dear Mr. Cattanzara,

I haven't seen you in the past five years but I wanted you to know how grateful I am. I am proud to say that my lying to you was the best thing that ever happened to me, since I wouldn't have the guts to get up and start living my life, as I always wanted, if it weren't for your support and belief in me. Now I know that what I needed to do was to leave my laziness behind and start reading in order to pick up my education.

In the first year I had to constantly remind myself why I was doing it and I had your support and Sophie's that kept me going. I would never forget how excited I was when I finished reading my first book, "The Magic of Oz". I ran straight to your apartment and we talked about it during the whole night. That's when I first felt like I could do this. And I will owe you for that for the rest of my life.

Another day that I would never forget is the day I left the neighborhood for my new job as a factory worker. This wasn't the best job ever, but it was more than I had ever had in my life. I lived with four roommates in a little apartment in the middle of New York City. Even though it was hard, it was a lifetime experience. From that point, I continued to work until a better offer came along, and after it a better offer. 

Now, I am happy to say that I have achieved my goal. I'm living with my wife, Christina
 (if you want to know how we met, it is a story for a different time…), at a cottage in the middle of New York City. We are expecting a boy that will keep us busy for a while. I work as a lawyer's assistant and hope to become a lawyer myself in a couple of years. But right now, I cannot be happier. The only thing that is missing in my life is you and Sophie, and I would like us to be in touch and visit each other.

Please tell me how you're doing in your next letter and send my love to Sophie and to your family as well. 

Love, 

George Stoyonovich (or Georgie for you…)

Very good letter.

(94)

Daphna

A Summer's Reading - Bridging Text and Context - FIXED

Bridging Text and Context - P. 49 

The information given in addition to the story helped me understand it better by notifying me about the author of the story. It says that Bernard Malamud used to write about how ordinary people, often immigrants, tried to fulfill the American middle class dream in their poor life circumstances. Moreover, almost all of his characters were isolated and had to face their problems by themselves with almost no moral support from their environment.  

The story "A Summer's Reading" is one of the author's collections of short stories, which include characters who search for hope in their miserable lives. In our story, nineteen-year-old George Stoyonvich is a son of an immigrant family, who lives in New York in the twenties, during the heavy depression in the United States. George dropped out of school at the age of sixteen and has a hard time getting a job due to the depression and his lack of education. He dreams of having a permanent job, living in a nice house, having a loving wife and family and be respected by others. However, George knows that he will never achieve his goals unless he picks up his education, but tends to find excuses for not doing so.
 

All of a sudden, George meets Mr. Cattanzara, "the change maker" whom he respects and appreciates. George, who wanted to win Mr. Cattanzara's respect as well, lies to him by telling him that he plans on reading a hundred books during the summer. This lie grows along the story and leads George to feel ashamed about himself more than ever, but not enough to make him change his situation. We can learn that George is one of Malamud's typical characters. He has a hard time facing his problems by himself in order to achieve his goals in life. George knows that proper education is the most important thing that can help him move forward in his life, although he doesn't have the motivation to pick up his education.

In conclusion, George had to overcome some major obstacles in his life, like his environment, his lack of moral support and his personality in order to start acting to pick up his education and, eventually, achieve his goals. We can learn that getting a good education is necessary if you want to succeed in your life, especially if you are an immigrant, who wants to live the American dream which you left your country for - like lots of Malamud's characters, including George.  

This is better, although it is still too long.  However, well done.

(92)

Daphna