McLean first states it was Sam’s lie that ends up, “rescu[ing] his mother and father,” (139) from this I infer McLean is implying that Sam’s actions significantly increased all character’s overall happiness. He is stating that this lie positively impacted their lives for the better; this is true. There were many outcomes of this lie that make it beneficial to everybody. For Sam’s lie to “rescue” his mother and father, they would have to have troubles in the first place. For example, Dave was getting older and his well-being and self esteem was low. “All Dave saw in the light of spring were new wrinkles. The wrinkles made him worry. The worry made his stomach ache. He lost his appetite, he felt faint. Before long he was engulfed in a full-blown hypochondriacal funk” (139). Morley’s troubles lied at word. She had no time for herself or anyone she cared about. “She was so busy, in fact, that this spring Morley had no time for her garden, not time for her family, and no time for herself” (139). The first positive effects of the lie was when Dave received compliments from Carl. Carl said, “you look…great, Dave” (145). Dave didn’t know that he was ‘dying’, so when Carl said that he looked good, he had no idea Carl was talking about his nonexistent sickness. Dave did also say that ”[He’s] not contagious,” which also make Carl believe he really is ill. Another thing Carl gave him is a jar of spirulina which Dave thought was an input into everybody saying he looks great. “There was something in Carl Lowbeer’s herbal tonic after all” (153). Morley on the other hand, got a break from work. People frequently came to her house and took the time to talk to her. Morley was oblivious to the fact that they were talking about Dave, not Arthur whom she was referencing. It was not just Morley and Dave who got positively impacted by Sam’s lie, but others in the story. Like Sam himself. He got lasagna and a book from a second grader. “Jordy handed Sam a plastic bag. There was a wild mushroom lasagna and a book in the bag. The book was called Comfort in the Arms of the Angels” (152). He got two free ice-creams and large servings at that. There was a point in the story that made the readers think that Sam’s disclosure, that his father is dying, was negative. Sam felt guilty, but only for a short amount of time. He eventually succumbed to his guilt and told the councillor that it was his dog that was dying and not his father. Nobody believed him, and they thought he was mentally ill or distraught in some way. “He’s in denial. He wont even admit his father is sick. He says it’s the dog” (156). When he was about to reveal to his parents the reason for all the compliments and sympathy was because of his lies, he stopped. Arthur was healed, and all was well. When he got asked if either his dad, or dog is “all right”, he avoided the question and just said, “Yes, he isn’t going to die after all. He’s all better now. It wasn’t so bad as we thought. They gave him pills” (157). No matter who was talking to, that sentence would apply and make sense. At the end, we see that every character in the story is now happy. It’s due to Arthur getting healed, Morley’s off time from work, and Dave’s new-found morale. All the other characters have been positively impacted too. Their happiness is like a comeback football game. At the beginning the team is struggling, or in this case, feeling bad for Dave and Sam. They are emotionally torn during the game, or the story. At the end, the team wins! Or rather, Dave doesn’t die! The tables are turned, and how grieved they were before has become how ecstatic they are at the end. So, in conclusion, although the lie hadn’t been a good plan initially, it worked for the better at the end.

How your digital footprint affects your future

The mark you leave behind on the internet can have a major impact on your future. For example, when you apply for a job, your employer might search your name up. They might find your name, social media account, or other information about you somewhere on the internet. Whether they find positive or negative information can affect whether you get the job or not. Another example is college or university. They can easily check and find out who you are if you’re applying. That also depends if you get in or not. Well then you might be thinking, “How do I keep my digital footprint positive and safe?” That’s a good question. One thing you should always do before you post is T.H.I.N.K. That means you should ask yourself these questions: Is the post true? Could it hurt others? Is it illegal? Is it necessary? Are you being kind? Also, before you post, always make sure you change the privacy settings on your social networking account so that only your real life friends or people you know can see it. You should never disclose any personal information as well. This includes phone number, address, passwords, etc. If I could go back in time and change anything I did online, I would not change anything but the advice I would give myself or other students is, always think before you say or do anything online and a good rule of thumb is to ask yourself if your grandmother would approve.

Having various interests that are or like mine, I believe Alex is the best roommate for me. We could not only talk about and do things that we both already like and know but we could also build upon each other and discovering new things. As an avid basketball player, Alex is not only good at playing basketball but skills that he needs to play basketball. Like communication. Because basketball is a team sport, it demands communication. I think this will lead us to having engaging and fun conversations. But the thing with Alex is he not such a straightforward character with just basketball as his only interest. He has other interests like art and reading which are some of my interests as well. Also, with art and reading being quiet activities, it means Alex and I could have quiet time as well. Which I can appreciate. So, not only does Alex have diverse skill sets and passions but he is also a friend I can talk to which makes him the best roommate for me.

English/Socials Assignment #1: Novel Study: First response to THE HATE U GIVE

As part of one of our English assignments, each student was required to read and study a book of our choice. After conducting an independent investigation on the novel, THE HATE U GIVE, I had to use the digital workspace of my blog to write and post my responses. Writing in the digital space not only allowed me to format my writing in a different way from writing by hand but also allowed me write from anywhere. With pencil and paper, you are unable to move the writing from one space to another. However, with technology, you can do it on a computer. The ability to do this made my writing easier to format.

Communication and Collaboration

• I tailor my work to appeal to my intended audience and use language and visual design elements appropriate for them.

This assignment was made to demonstrate my learning and interpretation of the book. I had to format it so it would be visually appealing, and I had to use appropriate/best language when describing certain parts.

Creativity, Innovation, Technology Operations and Concepts

• I enhance the impact of my research or presentation through creative use of technology

As I said before, using the digital environment meant that formatting and writing in general was easier to do.

Digital Citizenship

• My work demonstrates a positive, productive, and empathetic worldview.

The assignment had us examine the piece of literature from an outside perspective, allowing us to empathize from wherever we stood, and connecting ourselves to the main character. Also, my closely examining it, I had to show her wants and fears and how she was a positive character in the situation.

English/Socials Assignment #2: Indigenous Women’s Rights

For this project, we were required to make a petcha kucha about Indigenous women’s rights. I had never done any kind powerpoint presentations except standard ones so this was a first for me. To conduct research, we used CRAP tested websites. To present this project, we used powerpoint and used the timer function to make the slides move every 20 seconds. The digital workspace in the cloud allowed us to all work together at the same time.

Creativity, Innovation, Technology Operations

• I design my work with consideration given to aesthetics and design, such as consistent colour schemes, symmetry or organization of visual elements, and overall layout

Since we had 4 different people working on the same project, we had to all stick to one theme to make all look appealing. The way we had organized the slides made the format synchronized and “well-flowing”.

Communication and Collaboration

• I use digital spaces to plan and execute collaborative projects with others.

The digital environment of Office 365 allowed us to collaboratively work together on 1 project to execute a single task. First we had to plan what we would say after doing our CRAP tested research. We planned online so we had access to everyone’s ideas. Then we made the presentation, making use of its digital features to finish the presentation.

Creativity, Innovation, Technology Operations and Concepts

• I enhance the impact of my research or presentation through creative use of technology

For this project, we used a powerpoint to get our points and ideas across. We did not have many words on our powerpoint, and our communication was mostly verbal. Additionally, we used special functions in powerpoint, such as timer, to make sure our petcha kucha was within the allotted time frame.

English/Socials Assignment #2: Current Events: Carbon tax

For this assignment, each pair of students was asked to do research and present a current issue or event happening in the world. My partner and I decided to look at the recent controversies surrounding Canada and whether or not to implement a carbon tax. We used the digital environment to plan our presentation, write our scripts and do research.

Research and Information Literacy

• I critically assess research sources for Currency, Reliability, Authority, and Purpose

In order for us to be able to use the articles we used to conduct our research and gather information, we had to CRAP test our articles. Because the assignment’s name is, “Current events,” we have to make sure that they were current. The articles we used were reliable because we checked with other sources. The Authority and Purpose tie into the next point.

• I identify and discuss bias in research sources

For part of the assignment, we had to identify the biases prevalent in each of the articles. We had to find the authors who wrote them, and study their backgrounds, who they work for, why they are writing, etc.

Science Assignment #1: Parts of a cell Presentation

For this assignment, each member of our class was asked to research a part of a cell. We used the digital environment to make the presentations individually. We used Microsoft teams to share the project and communicate. We also used other platforms like different social medias to communicate as well.

• I use digital spaces to plan and execute collaborative projects with others.

This project proved difficult especially because of the multiple communication errors I had with my peers. Throughout this project, I learned how to effectively communicate with my peers through the use of social media and Microsoft teams.

• I determine and use the most effective medium to present my work.

I used a powerpoint as my medium for this presentation. This proved effective, as it allowed me to be able to work on it with my peers. Additionally, it allowed the class to work together on different slides all at once.

• I tailor my work to appeal to my intended audience and use language and use visual design elements

I tailored my project into the form of a powerpoint presentation. This was aesthetically appealing to my peers, as there was not much text and many pictures. This made my peers focus on my presentation instead of reading the slides. Finally, the language I used during the presentation was not too complicated so everybody was able to understand “hidden” complicated information.

Science Assignment #2: Prostate Cancer

For this Assignment, each person in our class had to research a type of cancer. He had to CRAP test several articles which I have linked in the assignment itself. I used Microsoft Word to take notes and answer questions given to us.

• I constructively build upon or synthesize the ideas of others

My assignment was built upon my peer’s edits and suggestions in order to make it even better. Additionally, I also helped edit my peer’s work, synthesizing their data and making and improving their overall work. To conclude, we gave each other information that we think will be useful and improve their project.

• I use databases to find scholarly research sources

For this assignment, I used databases suggested by my teacher to conduct my research.  Instead of going onto google to find potentially unreliable and biased articles, I decided to base my research off of the reliable articles in the databases

• I determine and use the most effective medium to present my work

I used word as I was comfortable with it and it was the most simple to use. It allowed me to take notes, and answer questions thoughtfully and based on research. It kept it organized and since it was online, I could access it from anywhere.

Plubigla

• Reading
• Playing video games
• Badminton
• Association football
•  Sleeping
• Laughing

 

Favourite Links

• https://www.google.ca/
• https://animepahe.com/

 

Pictures