Katie's Portfolio Blog

I have recently read Don't Overlook LGBTQ History in High School,  written by Alexandra Pannoni in the US News. The state of California was the first state to incorporate LGBTQ history into their curriculum, with other states showing interest in making the same change. Learning about history helps students better understand the overall picture of their history and how society has been shaped to the way they experience it. Incorporating history of LGBTQ into the curriculum will have a tremendous impact on LGBTQ students. In the article it says, " Research has made clear that LGBTQ students who see themselves reflected in the curriculum do better in school, are more likely to feel connected and invested, and have a better and clearer sense of themselves". School can be difficult for LGBTQ students because they feel as though they always have to have some sort of guard up. Being able to learn about people like them in History will give the students a sense that the school...

For my second novel I read Beneath a Meth Moon  by Jacqueline Woodson. This novel is powerful, moving, and relevant. I think the novel does a wonderful job at writing about a topic that can easily be swept under the rug because people are afraid to talk about it. Addiction has become a controversial topic in our society today leaving those who face addiction feeling like a burden to society.   For Laurel meth became an escape from her life, upon her first try she was under the meth spell. Laurel was facing many internal battles with her feelings and all that she was facing on the outside as well. She had moved to a new town, started at a new school, and on top of that was still grieving the death of her mother. When one of her new friends introduced her to meth Laurel's life was changed. It provided an escape for Laurel from the current situations she was in and the past. Even if the escape was short lived at the time Laurel craved it. In a classroom I think I would reco...