The Game of Your Life

Catching Fire
By: Suzanne Collins

Experience the thrills and adventure of Katniss while she fights for her life.

The romances of Katniss will entangle you in a plot so enticing that the only way to stop is to finish.

Katniss's every move leads to the collapse of a huge conspiracy within the oppressive  government.

Green

Jonathan Kolson

Mrs. Zurkowski

Honors English

10/28/10

The Green Room of Edgar Allan Poe’s Story “Masque of the Red Death”

            The Green room in “Masque of the Red Death”, by Edgar Allan Poe, has many different interpretations.  The first of the three is a stage of life, adolescence in this case.  The second is time of day relative to life span.  The last is related to the seasons of your life.

            Green is the third room of the seven in Poe’s story, being the third room means that it would be the third title given to you.  First title is baby, second is child, and third is teen.  Teens seem to try and rebel and fight against the other colors. Green is outstanding against the earlier blue and purple and the later orange.  It seems fitting for green to be associated with teens.

            The time of day for green is morning along with blue and purple.  Green is the latest in the morning when everything is becoming green again.  It is not hot yet but it is not cold either.  It is the best time for things to grow.  Relating this to age, teens grow maturely and physically during this time.  Green seems to be the most vibrant time of the day, and teens are extremely vibrant too.

            Green, in the form of seasons, is summer.  It fits with summer because summer is a fun time and teens just want to have fun.  Summer is also very green.  Summer is full of green leaves and grass.  If spring is the time of new life, then summer is the time of learning and growing.

Some Notes of O. Henry

Image from: www.shirleyassociation.com

• O. Henry was an amazing short story writer who included a plot twist in many of his stories.
• William Sydney Porter was O. Henry's real name, O. Henry was just a pen name.
• He was born in Greensboro, South Carolina.
• He moved to Houston, Texas when he was fifteen.
• He moved to Austin, Texas in 1882.
• During 1897, William was accused of embezzling money.
• He moved to New York City, New York, in 1902, after completing three years of his five year sentence.
• O. Henry published over 600 short stories.
• He married Sara Lindsay Coleman in 1907.
• O. Henry died of cirrhosis of the liver during June 5, 1910.

Sources:
http://www.online-literature.com/o_henry/

Edgar Allan Poe

1. Edgar Allan Poe was born January 19, 1809, in Boston, Massachusetts.  He died October 7, 1849.
2. Poe's father left the family, and, shortly after, his mother died.
3. The cause of Poe's death is unsure, here are five theories: Cholera, congestion of the brain, heart disease, epilepsy, and syphilis.
4. According to the Poe museum, Poe's home state was Virginia.
5. The Baltimore Poe Society says that Poe's home is in Baltimore.
6. Poe was expelled from the United States Military Academy in West Point, South Carolina.
7. Poe married his 13 year old cousin, Virginia Clemm.
8. I think that Poe's marriage was not right, it may have been back then but it is against my morals.
9. "Murders in the Rue Morgue" was the first of the Poe scary stories.
12. I envision Poe as a twisted old man.

Welcome Back!

Welcome back readers!  I have many more stories to blog about this season.  There are so many short stories for me to choose, but I have a select few to write about.  Edgar Allen Poe is my first topic.  His foreboding themes always spark intrest in readers.  I also will blog about the famous writer, Shakespear.  More specifically, I will talk about Shakespears love comedy, "A Mid Summers' Night Dream".

Picture from: http://img.listal.com/

Extra curricular activities help children

Jonathan Kolson

Mrs. Zurkowski

Honors English 1

October 3, 2010

Essay

            High School activities prevent crime rate.  Every high school has extracurricular activities that parents have their kids get involved with.  Parents sometimes use it to prevent their kid from becoming a criminal.  Many researchers have said it is true.

            Extracurricular sports reduce delinquency in guys.  Guys are less likely to get into drug and alcohol abuse because their sport team is relying on him.  Girls have different experiences so that the sports cause them to be less likely to commit crime or be delinquent.  Different things have different effects on teens.

            Guys have been proven to be less likely to commit crime if they are in other non-school activities.  Sports do not have a relatively positive influence.  The opposite is true for girls.  They have positive influence from sports, and less from church and other activities.  “Other activities, such as church and after-school community activities, decreased the risk of delinquency in boys, but not for girls” (Northeastern).

            Non-school activities are very important for decreasing the rate of delinquency.  “Involvement in church and non-school activities, for both young men and women, significantly protected them from serious delinquent behavior, which includes fighting, carrying a weapon or violence” (Northeastern).  Church does not reduce delinquency but it helps prevent crime.

            Teens also use all their extra time on the activities so that they cannot be bored and want to do something bad.  If the teen spends too much time in the extracurricular it may be a bad thing.  The teen will be around bad influences more than their good influences, like their parents.  Then the teen will develop feelings like-minded to their peers.  Their thoughts may be that delinquency is fine.  Then the teen will think that and might drink or do stupid things.

            “If the teenager feels they are making a difference to the group or team they are part of, their personal self-esteem will be higher. Elevated self-esteem will make it less likely that a teenager will get involved in substance abuse or other illegal activities” (Angel). The teen will feel like they can do something to the world in a positive way.  They will not want to do crime because they want to help the world. 

            Adults will bond with the teens and will give them good advice.   They will not feel isolated being with their friends if their parents are always working.  “It is also advisable for parents to be supportive of any after school activities that the teenager chooses to be involved with so that the positive energy that comes from the after school activity can carry over into the teenager’s home life” (Angel).

            The teens will have something to look forward to.  If it is every month the teen will be more excited and energized waiting the last few days.  If it is every week then the teen will be waiting for that day every day.  They will always be looking forward to that and will be practicing for the activity.  They will have a reason to stay out of trouble.

            Every teen is different and every teen should be treated differently.  Every teen should be respected.  If they are respected they will feel better about themselves.  The teen should have your trust until they show you specifically that you should not.  Many teens are doubted before they are given a chance to lose it.  They are always pushed out before they get in.

Works Cited

Angel, Grace.  Why after school activities reduce crime rates for teens.     http://www.helium.com. Accessed 22 September 2010.

Northeastern University. "Can Involvement In Extra-Curricular Activities Help Prevent Juvenile                            Delinquency?." ScienceDaily 23 March 2008. 23 September 2010                                                   <http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2008/03/080321174211.htm>.

Aguilar, Azalea. “Teens, Crime, and Brain Development”.

Website Two

Jonathan Kolson

Mrs. Zurkowski

Yellows

23 September 2010



Northeastern University. "Can Involvement In Extra-Curricular Activities Help Prevent Juvenile   Delinquency?." ScienceDaily 23 March 2008. 23 September                                                      <http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2008/03/080321174211.htm>.

Can Involvement In Extra-Curricular Activities Help Prevent Juvenile Delinquency?

ScienceDaily (Mar. 23, 2008) —  Parents concerned about their teens' involvement in risky and criminal behavior have traditionally involved their kids in sports, church and community activities. Do those activities really help prevent risky behaviors in youth? And do the activities affect boys and girls differently?

Previous research has shown that participating in extracurricular activities protects young men and women from risky behaviors and delinquency. This theory was confirmed in a recent study from researchers at Northeastern University’s College of Criminal Justice, but the results also offered a different perspective on how the same activities affect young men and women differently. 

While it was previously believed that participation in sports would decrease delinquency in boys, it actually did not have a significant protective effect. However, the reverse was true for girls, whose risk for delinquent behavior was reduced significantly if they took part in sports. Other activities, such as church and after-school community activities, decreased the risk of delinquency in boys, but not for girls.

“This study set out to identify the factors that lead young men and women to fall into serious delinquency and risky behaviors,” said Sean Varano, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at Northeastern. “We know that girls and boys have a number of different experiences as they mature, and it is important to understand those differences so that informed decisions can be made on how to protect them.”

The study, completed by Sean Varano, Ph.D., Amy Farrell, Ph.D., both from Northeastern, and Jeb Booth, Ph.D., formerly of Northeastern, examined the self-reported data from 1,400 teens from an upper middle class suburban neighborhood. By looking at both young men and women independently of one another, examining the social controls (parental, academic, etc.) and bonds developed inside the home, in the classroom and during extracurricular activities, it has become clear that they respond differently to certain social controls and activities.

Involvement in church and nonschool activities, for both young men and women, significantly protected them from serious delinquent behavior, which includes fighting, carrying a weapon or violence. However, it did not protect them from risky behavior, such as drinking, smoking or drunk driving.

The researchers also found that how students feel about their school environment also impact their risk of delinquent and risky behavior. Students who view their academic environment as positive are less like to be involved in serious delinquency or risky behavior. The converse is also true – when students feel negatively about their school, they are more likely to exhibit negative behavior. “The fact that this idea was confirmed by our research shows that positive and negative school environments are important for both urban and suburban schools,” said Amy Farrell, Principal Research Scientist and Associate Director of the Institute on Race and Justice at Northeastern.

This study also indicated that a “tipping point” may exist, a point at which too much involvement in extracurricular activities could actually increase levels of risky behavior and serious delinquency. What this may suggest is that the lack of time spent with parents and family might intensify the negative peer influences that the students are exposed to.

“The data clearly shows the need for a balance in students’ lives to best protect them from serious delinquency and risky behaviors,” added Varano. “With continued gender-specific research, better programs can be implemented with the goal of improving the school environment and reducing the incidence of risky behavior and delinquency for all students.”

The Crime & Delinquency article, "Social Control, Serious Delinquency, and Risky Behavior: A Gendered Analysis," written by Jeb A. Booth, Ph.D., formerly of Northeastern, Amy Farrell, Ph.D., and Sean P. Varano, Ph.D., both currently at Northeastern University.

·         Extracurricular activities does reduce delinquency

·         Sports do not have a significant positive effect on boys

·         Opposite is true for girls

·         “Other activities, such as church and after-school community activities, decreased the risk of delinquency in boys, but not for girls.” (Northeastern)

·         Bonds at home, to teachers, and extracurricular instructors affects the teens

·         “Involvement in church and nonschool activities, for both young men and women, significantly protected them from serious delinquent behavior, which includes fighting, carrying a weapon or violence.” (Northeastern)

·         Church does not keep teens from risky behavior like drinking

·         Students’ feelings towards their school also affects them greatly

·         Converse is also true

·         Too much extracurricular activities is a bad thing because the students will not be with their parents  


Picture from: https://www.ocps.net/

Website One

Jonathan Kolson

Mrs. Zurkowski

Yellows

22 September 2010

Works Cited

Angel, Grace.  Why after school activities reduce crime rates for teens. http://www.helium.com. Accessed 22 September 2010.

Why after school activities reduce crime rates for teens

By Grace Angel

There are many ways that after school activities could reduce teenage crime rates. This is because if the teenager has something that they are interested in, they are less likely to be influenced by peer pressure to engage in negative activities.

If a teenager has a group of like-minded peers with whom they can spend time after school, they will be less likely to suffer from depression and other destructive thought patterns.

This happens when teenagers have the strength of knowing that they can count on each other when their emotions get out of control to come up with positive outlets to solve problems together.

If the teenager is committed to an after school activity, they are less likely to experience boredom. Furthermore, if the after school activity is something that requires a consistent commitment of time, the teenager will be more likely to remain interested in the activity because they have something to look forward to during the week.

If the teenager feels they are making a difference to the group or team they are part of, their personal self-esteem will be higher. Elevated self-esteem will make it less likely that a teenager will get involved in substance abuse or other illegal activities.

Normally after school activities lead to the formation of friendships that encourage personal accountability from the teenagers in question. Furthermore, there are normally adult advisors that are helping to organize the activities that often will bond very closely with the teenagers.

Therefore, if the teenager starts to show signs that they are headed down the wrong track in life; the advisor can offer advice or send the teenager in the direction of a counselor that can provide emotional support.

When a teenager feels like people are counting on them they are more conscientious about the actions that they take.

Provided the teenager feels that they can make a difference in the world around them, they will be more likely to be concerned with the decisions they make on a regular basis.

Teenagers that do not feel isolated are less likely to look for self-destructive behaviors to fill an emotional void in their life. It is also advisable for parents to be supportive of any after school activities that the teenager chooses to be involved with so that the positive energy that comes from the after school activity can carry over into the teenager’s home life.

·         Influenced by good people

·         Like minded with good people

·         They know that they have their friends to rely on

·         Teens will not be bored because they will be busy with the extracurricular

·         Teens will have something to look forward to

·         “If the teenager feels they are making a difference to the group or team they are part of, their personal self-esteem will be higher. Elevated self-esteem will make it less likely that a teenager will get involved in substance abuse or other illegal activities.” (Angel)

·         Adults will bond with the teens

·         They don’t feel isolated

·         “It is also advisable for parents to be supportive of any after school activities that the teenager chooses to be involved with so that the positive energy that comes from the after school activity can carry over into the teenager’s home life.” (Angel)

·         Teens feel like they can make a difference in the world

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Issue Questions

How much time should teens do extracurricular activities?

Do extra-curricular activities affect crime-rate in high school?

Do different ethnic groups commit more crimes in high school?

Picture from: http://jiulongjournal.com/

Social Issue, How Do Extracuricular Activities Affect Crime Rate in Highschool

In my book, Black and White by: Volponi, sports caused the two friends to commit a crime to go an a retreat, both extracurriculars. The extras caused them to commit a felony. My question is whether extracurriculars cause teens to commit more crimes or less.

Image from: http://www.wdun.com/images/highschoolsports2.jpg

Letter to Summer Reading Character

703 Churchville Road

Bel Air, Maryland 21014

September 6, 2010

Dear Marcus,

My name is Jonathan, and I am a student at John Carroll School. I enjoyed your book, Black and White by Paul Volponi. I live in Bel Air Maryland two states down from New York. You had a crazy summer, but so did I. I went to St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands with my family. My family and I did all sorts of things. We snorkeled, we attempted to surf, and my sisters and mom took a whole day just for shopping. This is a picture of me on the ferry ride over to St. John, an island right next to St. Thomas’s. I also had a few awesome parties over the summer. Like my neighbors’ awesome block party.

I loved your novel, Black and White. When the police came and arrested you, you kept a level head and stayed calm. You never lost it and went haywire or did something you thought could not worsen your state anymore, like smoking. When the police asked you to reveal Eddie, your best friend, to take blame off you, you held your bond with Eddie so closely that you would not give him up..

The author kept the book real, and down to Earth. Everything that happened in the book could happen to anyone who’s committed a crime with a friend. You were very realistic to me. You had all the problems and worries a normal teenage boy would have. You worried about fashion trends and how your appearance was and other superficial things.

What did it feel like when Eddie cared for himself more than you? Did you ever cry when thinking about what happened? Do you think the justice system was racist? I thought the court system was racist, but in a way that was under the radar.

This book made me think twice about the racist issue. Today, racism is against the law and you could be sued. Racism is still a big problem though. People stereotype blacks to use slang, be criminals, or they see blacks as having to be great at a sport. Blacks could be anything they want to be, like a doctor, or a lawyer.

I would try to fix your relationship with Eddie through letters while you are serving your time in jail. Your friendship with Eddie is far greater than almost anything the world may throw at you. Goodbye and good luck.

Sincerely,
Jonathan K

Summer Reading Questions

Black and White


By: Paul Volponi

The Affects of Crime on Your Life

The Main characters of Black and White are Marcus Brown, a black teen, and Eddie Russo, a white teen, who are best friends. Both Eddie and Marcus are very athletic, they both play for their school’s basketball team and football team. Eddie is more selfish as he shows when he hides from the law instead of taking half the blame for the robberies. Marcus is responsible; he shows this by taking charge of his life and taking his punishment for his crimes. Both Eddie and Marcus are extremely loyal to their friends, even though they go through different experiences and hardships they both seem to want to remain friends at the end of the book.

The beginning of the book explains the center of the conflict, the rest of the book revolves around the consequences of the robbery. Halfway through the book Marcus is busted for the robbery he committed with Eddie. Eddie got away because the victim could not remember his face. The end of the book is explaining that Marcus went to jail, and Eddie did not. Eddie and Marcus have a tense relationship but at the very end it shows that the two basketball players want to remain friends.

Marcus knows what it feels like to take the full blame for something he could give to someone else. Eddie learns what it is like to have your life in the hands of another person. Both experience the life changing effects of the crime they committed.

Eddie is changed by the generosity of Marcus whom takes the blame for the crime. Marcus is changed by the selfishness of Eddie whom does not reveal himself as part of the crime. Marcus is changed by the crime because he will not get into a good college easily and may not have a good rest of his life.

The author, Paul Volponi, creates a real-life situation where greed causes teenagers to break the law to get what they want. He then follows up with experiences of guilt and trust for Eddie while Marcus, who could reveal Eddie’s part in the robbery to get lenience, is being tried for the crime.

My Unique Profile

Me


I am Jonathan (Jon) I love to do all sorts of things. I am going to try for track, I have gone skydiving once, and I like to try extreme sports like snowboarding, or surfing. I don’t do those exciting things too often though so I am not very good yet. I am great at games, I played soccer, and I was very good, I like Aerosmith, Iron Maiden, AC/DC, the Beatles, and the Rolling Stones. I do not have a favorite and could not pick one if you asked me to. My goals for my freshman year are to get good grades, make new friends, and not to embarrass myself in any big way. I have three sisters, Lauren, the oldest, Kelly, the second, and Julie, the youngest. Each one of them annoys me in a different way. Julie hits me, Kelly is over protective, and Lauren is pigheaded, but my life is very fun.