This Time It's Personal This past Fall 2024 we published our classification essays. The idea of assigning a classification essay first came to me when I shared a short video of a Marilyn Monroe collector to my English composition classes In our reading of William Inge's play Bus Stop, I showed a few clips from Marilyn Monroe's film version, and then a lttle later, I shared interesting tidbits about Marilyn's life and work (see above). The collector in the video had amassed a collection of Marilyn Memorabilia over fifty years, and he was now ready to sell on the open market. He had bought Marilyn's refrigerator at a yard sale. He could identify it with a photo from the crime scene published in the newspaper the day after Marilyn's death. He had a Marilyn dress he bought in the sixties for a few hundred dollars that he was now going... Read more →
12/11/2024
Jay's IT'S CLASSIFIED! Post - End-of-the-Semester Classification Essay - Students Break Down Their Passions
To conclude our fall semester, we developed classification essays. I asked my students to break down their real-life interests/passions/pastimes into distinct, meaningful categories. First, we jotted down our ideas. When I thought of "Classification" I came up with "Classified," you know, like ads in the newspaper. When I thought of "Classified," I came up with "Personals." That's It! THIS TIME IT WOULD PERSONAL. In their classification essays, students shared their own personal interests and passions. This is what I told them: * In a classification essay, a writer organizes, or sorts, things into categories. Classification is a method of developing an essay by arranging people, objects, or ideas with shared characteristics into particular classes or groups. For example, say you need to sort the pile of papers on your desk. Before you would put them in random piles, you would decide what useful categories might be: papers that can be... Read more →
Jay's FEMALE ROCK STARS Post - See Jay's Sample Classification Essay Below
I hope this works! Below I share my Classification Essay for Female Rock Stars - I tried to follow my instructions the best I could. Writing this essay was FUN for ME. My hope is for my students to have FUN writing THEIRS. BASIC REQUIREMENTS: A. 1200 words minimum - 12 font in Times New Roman or Arial/Double-Spaced or 1.5 spaced B. Three separate classifications (one per each body paragraph) C. Five paragraphs overall (introduction, 3 body paragraphs, and conclusion) D. Appropriate title E. An attention-getting introduction that has a THESIS which clearly establishes direction for the paper F. A good topic sentence for each body paragraph AVOID topic sentences like this: “Another type of winter sport I’m going to discuss is snowboarding.” INSTEAD, write topic sentences that say something significant about the topic and avoid announcements like this: “Although snowboarding is one of the more expensive winter sports, it... Read more →
Unraveling the Mind: Exploring Psychological Disorders - By Sophia Lemus - Classification Essay - English 1A
The human mind is such an intricate and intriguing topic of discussion. To gain a full understanding and grasp the entirety of how it works, is without a doubt difficult. Back when we were little kids, until now being mature adults, we experience all sorts of encounters with other people throughout our daily lives without even acknowledging what they might be enduring. Some are more noticeable and severe, while some are mild. Psychological disorders are a range of disorders that affect an individual's thoughts, emotions, or behaviors. You could have an interaction with someone that has trouble maintaining eye contact when conversing or being tense. At the moment, most people don’t take into account the mannerisms or actions the person with a psychological disorder does. Personally, my brother has suffered from social anxiety. Whether it's a big social gathering or just a meetup for a group project, my brother would... Read more →
Baseball Bats : My Heart, My Soul - by Bradley Blankenship - Classification Essay - English 1a
Baseball bats help to create core memories that impact us for life. The love of the game is why a collection of them or balls are hung on a wall forever. These are long lasting memories whether they are bad or good, we learn and grow from them. This starts as little as t ball all the way through college. You choose a bat with the thought in mind that it will hit hard and far. You research online and talk to other players, parents and coaches about their experience with different options and styles. You ask other teammates about how many hits they got and what kind of pop it has. Which bat is their favorite? You consider the price you want to pay; they range anywhere from $50-$500. Do you go basic or top of the line? How long will it really last? You chose the grip, the... Read more →
Scents for Every Occasion: Casual, Special, and Professional Moments by Karla Calderon - Classification Essay - Engloish 1A
Perfumes can bring out emotions and memories, they are a powerful tool in our daily lives. They can change how we feel and how others see us, add a little something to our presence. Yes, there's scientific evidence that specific scents can affect our mood. Studies have shown that “essential oils like lavender, peppermint, and citrus can reduce anxiety, enhance mood, and improve cognitive function” (De Feo & Labbozzetta, 2023). These findings show the powerful connection between our sense of smell and emotional wellbeing. Whether it’s a light, fresh scent for a casual day out, an exited, seductive fragrance for a special occasion or a calm, classy fragrance for the office or meetings, perfumes play a big role in our experiences and interactions. For me, the world of perfumes is a fun journey through different scents and emotions. I love sweet and sophisticated perfumes. My collection is filled with perfumes... Read more →
Postcards of Time: A Collection of Historical Memories - by Izela Garcia - English 1A
My collection of vintage postcards began as a simple hobby but has grown into a passion that holds significant personal value. These postcards, each a tiny window into the past, offer a glimpse into different eras and places, making them invaluable to me. They are more than just pieces of paper; they are stories, memories, and pieces of history that I cherish deeply. The collection consists of postcards from various periods, primarily from the early 1900s to the 1980s. They are neatly organized in albums, each categorized by theme, location, and time period. My collection boasts over 500 postcards, each carefully preserved in plastic sleeves to protect them from wear and tear. They are stored in a dedicated cabinet in my room, where I often spend time organizing and admiring them. The postcards are categorized into three main groups: historical landmarks, cultural events, and personal messages. The historical landmarks category... Read more →
The Photography of My Heart - by Angel Barraza - Classification Essay - English 1A
Fig. 1: Woman taking photosOne click at a time: To be Bold, Innovative, and Contemporary. Whenever I walk around my neighborhood, park, or supermarket, I always look for a way to create a story with my camera. Ever since high school, my interest in photography began to rise since it felt to me as if it was the only way to express how I felt toward the world and share my perspective. As I took more photos, my work went unnoticed until the yearbook teacher in my school saw my work, the potential I had to improve, and the creativity that came with my photos. He took me under his wing the next year and showed me the basics, and as I expanded my knowledge in the field, you could see the vast improvement in my workflow. It had gone from mediocre to something that could enchant the viewer's perspective... Read more →
The Vinyl Experience: How Classic Rock, Jazz, and Movie Soundtracks Bring Music to Life - by Valeria Castenada - Classification Essay - English 1A
Fig 1. The Vinyl Record as a Time Capsule: A Musical Metaphor Vinyl records are not just music; they are a portal to different eras and emotions, a tangible connection to the past that digital formats simply cannot replicate. As I reflect on my modest collection of 80 vinyl records, I see each one as more than just an album—it’s a piece of history, a personal time capsule that brings back memories of childhood, family road trips, and cherished films. My collection is categorized into three distinct groups: classic rock, jazz, and movie soundtracks. Each genre offers a unique experience, from the nostalgic rock anthems that evoke the spirit of road trips to the soothing, intimate sounds of jazz, and the cinematic magic that movie soundtracks bring into my home. Whether it's the crackle of the needle hitting the groove or the deep, rich sound that fills the room, vinyl... Read more →
Record Stores and Rebellion- by Megan Liner - Classification Essay - English 1A
I grew up in Arizona, with the sound of my mother's old static box T.V turned on to her favorite playlist, blasting songs that I knew would be ingrained in my head for the years to come. From Fiona Apple to Fleetwood Mac, I feel incredibly grateful to say I grew up listening to some of the best music that a kid could listen to. What piqued my interest most was moving to Ocean Beach, San Diego, and seeing all the buskers on the sidewalk, playing their songs that would always end up getting stuck in my head. When I was 13, I ended up discovering an artist who was pretty small at the time named Cavetown, an indie artist I had found on Soundcloud, an older streaming service. Although I don't listen to him anymore, I resonated with his music very deeply, and some of my fondest memories come... Read more →
Stylish Success: Carry Your Deams Everywhere - by Johana Leon - Classification Essay - Englsih 1A
I am obsessed with purses. I always get excited to buy a new bag whether it’s a tote bag, mini purse, handbag, or a crossbody. It has become a hobby for me to buy purses. They all look different and can be an expression of who we are or how we are feeling. I started collecting bags about two years ago. I now have 11 bags in total. My bags are either from the brands Tory Burch, Kate Spates, or Marc Jacobs. I was motivated to start this collection when I watched the show Gossip Girl. Two of the main characters were two rich girls who bought Chanel bags or Hermes bags for fun. I love Chanel bags but I can’t afford them. I also love Tory Burch handbags because of the elegance they give off and they fill the void of not having a Chanel bag. One day I... Read more →
Parental Expectations in Latino Families: Navigating Mental Health Challenges with Cultural Resilience - Montserrat Perez - English 110
Growing up the children in my family including myself all had a pretty idealized childhood. However as we became teenagers this all shifted, my parents and my cousins parents began to set high expectations from us in their own way. I saw it first hand with myself but more heavily with my cousin who was the same age as me. When he started middle school his momnoticed that when he’d get home he’d want to go play video games as a form of relaxation after a long day of school. She slowly started limiting him to video games and would punish him bytaking it away if he didn’t do his chores or didn’t get home and immediately do his homework. One day she decided to finally rid him of the game and replaced it with a violin. She enforced it onto him almost religiously and made him practice all the... Read more →
Bling: The Diversity of Jewelry - by Ataliah Espinoza - Classification Essay - English 1A
In medieval Europe, rings were used as a form of identification. The sort of ring a person wore provided information about an individual's occupation, social standing, and lineage (Frimer). The first drawer in my vanity holds every type of jewelry. Ranging from rings to bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. In diverse materials such as silver and gold. Every piece of jewelry I have collected or been given over the years is extremely valuable to me since every single one tells a story. They are each unique in terms of how and when they were created. Additionally, almost all of the jewelry I own is secondhand, and each has its own history from its prior owner. They are more than simply an accessory; they are a form of self-expression. They are a bold and evident approach to express who you are as a person and who you wish to be. Jewelry helps... Read more →
Looking Into the Past with Trading Cards: An Investment in the Future - by Edward McColgan - Classification Essay - English 1A
When I am not collecting shoes or hats, I collect sports cards. People would ask me, what makes it worth collecting sports cards? Some cards are in the five-figure range as to how much they are worth. I have seen cards that are worth over a million dollars, I do not have one, but it would be nice. When buying a card, the purchase price can start as low as a couple of dollars, to a hundred dollars or more, just for one card. Overall, sports cards are an investment. When Covid hit, in 2020, and California was on a lockdown, the only thing I could do from home was go on the internet and start buying sports cards. When I want something to do, I will take the cards out and check on the internet the value of a card on the open market. Most of the cards in... Read more →
This Spring 2025, I plan to read a novel with my classes I recently plucked off my shelf here in Mexicali. It's called Paradise Travel, and it is written by Jorge Franco. I'm not giving any spoiler alerts, but it focuses upon the American Dream - two teen-age lovers, Marlon and Reina from Medellín, Colombia, who successfully make the long, ardous journey to New York City but learn tough, life-changing lessons along the way. I like this novel, for the CHANGE in characters that happens right before our eyes. Both Marlon and Reina become Hard and Knowing. They are entirely different people at the end of the novel. Did their journey to the U.S. change the way they saw each other? How did their struggle to fit in, to find their place, to define their identities...Affect Their Love?
In my English 105 classes we read a sixties novel, Motorcycle on the Sea of Tranquility. Take a look at the cover, and amidst the mosaic of bright and happy colors you‘ll catch the blast of a street bike and a young girl’s naked thigh. What you don´t get is a frightening story that takes place along the mean streets of an East San Diego Barrio. Yoli is 14 and is feeling it - emotion, culture and sex – on the verge of her coming out party. For Chuy, her favourite brother and returning Vietnam veteran, the party is over. Patricia Santana paints a picture of a young girl´s innoncence that she will never get back. You see, her brother has changed since returning from overseas. His voice is distant. The gleam in his eye is violent. The picture is dark and brooding. Chuy’s soul has gone up in smoke like the exhaust out of a tailpipe.