Finalization on the Draft

      I am so excited for our National History Day papers, to be finalized. I love how in my article I tell it in kind of a story form. Starting with a description of the Civil Rights Movement and a small insight into some of the important people, then I tell the story of the Plessy vs. Ferguson case and explain its importance. After that I talk on the Brown vs. Board cases, series 1 and 2. Finally I land on my topic Little Rock Nine and explain their importance to the Movement and what they have done to change our world today.
    One of the things I am worried on is that my citations aren't fully correct. We spent a lot of time talking about these but since my paper is considered common knowledge to some and then not to others, I am not sure I put enough citations in my paper. Having somebody look over those and letting me know if I should know more would be wonderful help.

The Pro-Player

When you look around Dr. Hawking’s classroom, you might notice the not-so-subtle hint of a tennis obsession. A stack of Wilson balls next to the row of sinks. A green, blue and white racket sitting in the front of the room. A tennis schedule taped to his white board.  Or even his electric ball hitter, for if you’re feeling lazy one day. If that didn’t give you a hint, then maybe it’s the stories he tells of being on the pro circuit.

            “I started playing tennis when I was little because I was such a hyper child, that my mother thought sticking me in a 100 foot square I would eventually run out of energy…Which I did. So she kept sending me back day after day and refusing to pick me up until I was manageable. So one day I decided to pick up a racket and play, and its been an amazing ride ever since.”

“I played on the Pro Circuit from 1980 to 1980. Nine months to be specific. My only goal was to be able to say I played in the circuit and had a great time doing it.” His biggest aspiration was to play against John McEnroe, one of the top ten players in the world at that time. But if they had played, “He would have made a fool of me. I really wanted to play him, though. Just so I could stick him in his place because he was always being a big brat on the courts.”

Having to give up his love of the Pro-Circuit wasn’t that hard because, ”It was very demanding, people think it’s all fun and games but it isn’t. My group was playing tennis for 8-10 hours a day and we weren’t even near the best there.  I also had recently gotten married and was starting a family, and I would come home for two weeks and then be gone for eight. We couldn’t afford to bring my wife with me because we didn’t have the spare cash. Everyone assumes you make a lot of money playing pro sports, which you do but you also have a lot of expenses. I mean if my wife had joined me at the time we would have been losing money. So I guess you could say I made a fair trade, Pro-Circuit for a family.”

Reading and Work Times: 2/3

Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie:
1/29-Page 215-230 (15 Minutes)

Allegiant by Veronica Roth:
1/30-Pages 1-60 (60 minutes)

Sneaux Day #1
20 Minutes-Drafting Video
60 minutes- Rough Draft (Topic #1)

Sneaux Day #2
60 Minutes-Rough Draft (Topic #2)
20 Minutes-Rough Draft (Citations)

Sneaux Day #3
80 Minutes-Rough Draft (Topic #3, Opening and Closing Paragraphs and Citations)

Total Time:285

*Explaining Topic to My Mother*
 "Hey, Mom! You know that research paper I am writing in English?
"Yes, Honey. It's the one about that movement group Rock Nine, right?"
"Sort of, it''s about the desegregation group Little Rock Nine. Remember how I told you about the group of students in Little Rock, Arkansas that was escorted by the national guard, like we saw in the Butler? It's those guys. These were the first group of African American students that wanted to go to an all Caucasian school, but weren't allowed in the first couple days."
"Right, I remember. These were the kids that started the desegregation process in all of our lives. The ones that truly brought meaning to the Civil Rights Movement."

*Formally Explaining my Topic*
For my National History Day research paper, I have chosen to write about the process of desegregation in the United States of America. Primarily focusing on the group called Little Rock Nine. These students were the first ones chosen to break through the white-barriers and apply to and attend a caucasian public school. Through bravery and dedication, Little Rock Nine were the first African American students to be accepted into an all white school, therefore leading the real desegregation process in all areas of the American Life. In my research already conducted, I have found two large cases that were also a huge part of getting African-Americans' equal rights. These were Plessy vs. Ferguson and All five of the Brow vs. Board's in series One and Two. I will be using some of these cases' information to further improve my research paper.

Reading Times: 1/27

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
1/20- Pages 124-144 (15 minutes)
1/22- Pages 145-159 (10 minutes)
1/23- Pages 160-188 (20 minutes)
1/24- Pages 189-215 (30 minutes)

Size 12 and Ready to Rock by Meg Cabot
1/22- Pages 1-24 (10 minutes)
1/23- Pages 25-78 (40 minutes)

Total Time:125 minutes

Reading Times: 1/21

Big Boned by Meg Cabot
1/14-Pages 161-200 (30 minutes)
1/15-Pages 201-224 (15 minutes)
1/16-Pages 225-249 (15 minutes)
1/17-Pages 250-280 (20 minutes)

The Absolutelty True Diary of a Part Time Indian Boy by Sherman Alexie
1/14-Pages 1-20 (10 minutes)
1/15-Pages 21-35 (10 minutes)
1/16-Pages 36-80 (40 minutes)
1/17-Pages 80-123 (40 minutes)

Total Time:180 minutes

Reading Times: 1/13

Big Boned by Meg Cabot:
1/6-Pages 1-26 (25 minutes)
1/7-Pages 27-42 (10 minutes)
1/8-Pages 43-75 (30 minutes)
1/9-Pages 76-92 (10 minutes)
1/10-Pages 93-112 (15 minutes)
1/11-Pages 113-160 (45 minutes)

Total Time: 135 minutes