March 24, 2020

Prompt 1: How will “distance learning” be different from traditional school? What are

some of the benefits and challenges we will face as a community? In your journaling,

describe how we got to this day, what transpired in the world and in our local community,

and especially how you are feeling about all of these events, and the impact on your life.

The world is currently in the midst of a pandemic. Everyone is either plagued with the

disease, or plagued with fear. There is mass hysteria which affects a myriad of things in our

society. People who are infected are struggling, and have to suffer alone so as to not infect

anyone. Others are isolating themselves and are trapped in their homes. Medical professionals

are working hard throughout the days and nights in order to provide people with the care that

they need. Some people can't go out to have fun, go to work, or obtain basic necessities. Students

can't go to school. College students are fearing that their credits for certain classes might not

count, parents are worrying about not making enough money or being able to purchase enough

food because of how many people are mass-purchasing items. It is a difficult time, but it is

universal. Everyone around the world is feeling it at the same time.

Quarantining and self-isolating has its pros and cons. Sleeping in, less exhaustion, more

time with family. However for some people, being around their family is a struggle for them, and

being at work or school was their only escape. Other people rely on school for their meals. Not

being able to socialize with people or be close to others may take a toll on people's mental health.
 Having online classes will be incredibly stressful. It's hard to stay engaged especially

when you have responsibilities and other things going on at home. However, it can also be really

fun and beneficial. Connecting with peers through different programs adds an element of

socializing which is memorable. Looking back at what we are currently doing will be enjoyable.

Being able to do our assignments for certain classes at different times allows us to prioritize

certain work that may be harder. We also are able to connect with our teachers and ask questions.

It is a new experience but it is going well so far. At first, I was skeptical about it and thought I

would struggle a lot. However, I'm starting to like it a lot. I'm sure it will get more difficult as

time passes, but I prefer this over waking up early in the mornings for school. At home, I am

more relaxed and at peace.

The fun experience doesn't erase the fact that we are in the middle of a pandemic, but we

are making the most of it. There are two types of pandemics: slow and fast. Slow pandemics do

not kill many people or overwhelm healthcare facilities. However, fast pandemics do. It is up to

us to decide whether we want to make this a slow or fast pandemic.It is a stressful and chaotic

time, but if we continue to social distance, wash our hands, stay inside, and have hope, we will

be able to overcome it slowly.

Tell me what’s on your mind. What do you need? What’s making you laugh? What’s
frustrating you? What’s giving you hope?

Dear Mrs. K,

I am incredibly stressed. Sometimes I almost miss assignments, just like I almost missed this

one. However, I would definitely rather have online classes than go to school. It is a fun learning

experience. I like that we can connect with our peers through technology in an educational way.

It's interesting to see the alternatives that teachers are coming up with. I'm still processing the

fact that we are in a pandemic. We are currently witnessing what will be in history books in a

decade. If they will still be using books, that is. I hope they'll also include all the memes and

viral trends that went around out of the boredom of teenagers. The memes, as well as zoom calls

and my friends are the things that are making me laugh. It is good to have some lighthearted

humor in times like this. I realize that I should come up with a more efficient plan for the day for

distance learning. For the past two days I’ve tried to finish my work by 2:30 and succeeded.

However, i'm still waking up late. If I try waking up earlier, I could finish my work earlier. Yet, I

continued to shut off my alarm and then ended up getting up at 9:30 or 10:30. Over the weekend

I will devise a better plan so that I am able to get my work done and review it all to make sure it's

done properly. My work and the fact that I can't really go outside is what is currently frustrating

me. But what gives me hope is having more time to focus on positive things such as shows,

music, and my friends. My teachers who continue to work hard and make sure we all understand

what is going on and remain on task are also very admirable. It must be tough on them too as
they most likely spent a while planning lessons and digitizing them.

March 26, 2020

What are your overall thoughts? Was it relevant to your own life? Do you empathize with
any of it? What specific lines did you find impactful?

I think this poem holds a lot of power and sincere feelings. It is something that many

students can relate to and resonate with. At the beginning, Malik put words to the thoughts that

almost every student has had about school. Not liking classes, teachers taking away phones, tests

being difficult. I relate to these things and have definitely felt them before. Although I do well in

school regarding grades, I still dislike it and don't really want to be there. It's incredibly

exhausting, both physically and mentally. As the poem progresses, his tone switches. He begins

to talk about how all of these negative feelings about school diminished when he had an

epiphany. Teachers work hard to expand students' knowledge and lead them onto a path for their

future. They spend time planning out lessons to “build” their students and shape their knowledge.

All these years he spent were leading up to Malik’s future. He recognizes that those 12 years

sitting in a classroom are going to be worth it someday.

Education is important and essential, but there is no doubt that the education system is

flawed. School settings are not always the best for the mental health of a teenager. There is

immense pressure and stress. It may depend on the person or on the school but I have seen many

of my friends struggle greatly with their mental health due to their school and work. Education

is important but mental health is more important. Some students believe that they have to

prioritize education over mental health because their future depends on it, but that ends up

making their mental health struggles get worse.

that should be considered. Disregarding them, I believe that our teachers put forth their best

effort in order to make sure that we are getting the help and education that we need. A line that

stuck out to me was “I wasn't a big fan of me” because I think that it's very crucial to believe in

oneself. People should realize their potential and work on themselves. If they believe that they

can attain good grades and work hard towards that goal, it will be achieved.

S: Aadil Malik, an American poet who is in school

P: To share his experience and thoughts on education and how his perspective changed

A: Students (mostly those in highschool)

C: Students struggling in school or complaining

E: An epiphany he had regarding school, education, andi future

C: Metaphors, parallels, juxtaposition

A: Pathos, Ethos, Kairos

T: Strong, hopeful, motivational

Lee notes that “Joy isn’t some superfluous extra. It is directly connected to our
fundamental instinct for survival.” Do you agree? Do you think of yourself as someone who
seeks joy? Do you think being joyful can improve your health and wellbeing?

Joy comes in many ways which can vary from person to person. I agree that things in

nature and our instincts influence what we find joyous. Colorful things, an abundance of things,

and round things exude an emotional warmth in some people. These simple things are valuable,

but they usually bring small moments of joy that don’t really last. They can definitely lighten up

someone's mood in the moment, but they are not a constant serotonin boost. Being joyful and

finding joy in things can definitely improve one's well being. It's hard to function when you're

unhappy and miserable all the time. Sometimes, little things do have a large effect on us. Small

things like the color of the sky changing or a warm breeze bring me peace and joy, and can be

seen as therapeutic as well. One thing that makes me really happy is making others happy. There

are many things that can jeopardize someone's happiness. It could be because of a person or a

major incident or even a small inconvenience. It all comes down to chemicals in one's brain. I

find it fascinating how our emotions are a result of chemicals within us.

Lee’s story about joy and how she ended up researching it and devoting her time to

discovering the roots of it was interesting to hear. She discovered that people seemed to be drawn

towards round objects, an abundance of objects, symmetry, and color. She labeled these things as

aesthetics. She also mentioned an incredibly important point. In schools, work offices, hospitals,

and other similar facilities, there seems to be a lack of color and joy-inducing objects. This

observation is important because these places are supposed to encourage people and assist them,
yet they exude negative ambiances and produce unwelcoming atmospheres.