After seeing Ben Mikaelsen speak to students about writing and his life, please refelect on one thing he talked about that inspired you or caught your attention in a personal level AND in terms of writing. Why? Feel free to watch his video again so that your response is thorough and accurate. Make sure you meet both requirements and you respond to your peers as detailed in my main page.
Michael25
10/16/2012 08:35:57 am

Something that caught my attention during the video was when Ben Mikaelsen started to talk about how some people try to fit in by not being themselves. I feel that we are all a little different from each other and we should not be afraid to be ourselves. Like Ben Mikaelsen said, being different is okay. Being different is what makes us who we are. We all should strive to be the best person we can be. In writing, we should not be afraid to honestly express how we feel or what we believe in.

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Nilusha
10/17/2012 07:49:12 am

I agree with Michael. Every person is different, and shouldn't be afraid to show it. If you try to act like everyone else, then you won't be able to express yourself or show your unique abilities and talents.

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Skylar 27
10/18/2012 02:33:23 pm

If you never spread your wings and fly you will never know the true you. You should be able to say and think whatever that is appropriate find your true you. GO YOURSELF!!

Adriana 32
10/17/2012 12:43:22 pm

I agree with both Nilusha and Michael that every person is different and also it doesn't matter who you are you are you. That is the quality that only you have on the inside it is you that can choose your future not somebody else or somebody else's personality it can only be you!

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Nathan #5
10/18/2012 07:05:40 am

I agree with Michael, Adriana, and Nilusha. I agree that you should be the person God created you as. By not showing who you really are you can not express your feelings and beliefs, and nobody would know the real you.

Sean 19
10/18/2012 01:12:41 pm

I totally agree Michael that we should not be someone else. It only makes feel worse. It is also impossible to be exactly like another person. The thing about me is that I don't like trying to be someone else and the whole purpose about it. I also enjoy being weird. If I'm not weird what am I? I like being weird because its different from the personalities of my friends and they enjoy it. If I stop being weird and be someone my friends are not going to like me. In total trying to be someone else just ruins you.

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Cammie
10/16/2012 10:01:48 am

I feel that ben mikealsen would always do his best. Ben never gave up and that's part of the reason why he's such a good writer. I think one of the reasons he chose to profess in writing was because of the compliments and encouragement his teacher gave him. I believe that encouragement can really change a persons point of view of something. Ben mikealsen inspired me to always try my best and work my hardest!

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Andrew
10/17/2012 07:30:32 am

I agree with Cammy because I think Ben Mikealsen always tried his best in whatever he did and that is what made him a good writer, and also the inspiration from his teachers gave him a positive attitude about writing.

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Katherine
10/17/2012 08:37:11 am

I agree with Cammie because I believe that Ben Mikaelson encouragement can change someone's point of view and way to express them selves. Also He always did his best and worked hard to pursue his dreams.

Good job Cammie!!!

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Andrew
10/17/2012 07:26:56 am

I think that Ben Mikealsen is a good influence on children and even parents. He inspires people to try to be themselves and to never be what they are not. He is always trying to be his best at whatever he does. What really inspired me about his video was that even after havering tried his best and even after having so many mistakes on his essay the teacher still said he was the best writer he had ever seen.

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Nilusha 34
10/17/2012 07:46:16 am

One thing that Ben Mikaelsen talked about that caught my attention was when he said that he used to hold a flashlight under the blanket at bedtime and write things. One of the problems that he faced in his life was always being judged by the fact that he couldn't read or write very well. He always writes about kids with problems because everyone has problems, like he did. This inspired me to think of ways to influence my writing with my experiences and feelings.

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Shelanee
10/17/2012 08:45:11 am

I agree Nilusha. I think you're right when you said that everyone has problems. I think that no one should be judged by the way they look or the way they do things.
Great job Nilusha.

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Liezel 26
10/17/2012 10:02:56 am

I agree with Nilusha. I bet he influences everyone even adults to write a interesting story. Even if you fall down stand back up and continue on.

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Nathan #5
10/17/2012 07:49:07 am

Ben Mikaelsen's video about his life has captured my attention in a personal level and a writing level. But only one message that he said captured my attention the most. This message was to not be afraid. Ben's message has taught me that everybody has fears and we should try to tackle our fears. From this message I have learned that you should be who we are, you should not be afraid to express our feelings or emotions in writing, you should not let fear take you down, you should participate in class, and you should not be afraid to stand up for ourselves. You should not be afraid of being different because no human being in the world is alike. Ben's message of not being afraid intrigues me the most because it can be applied to anybody's life in both, person and in writing.

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Bryan 8
10/17/2012 08:45:20 am

I agree Nathan from the message Ben Mikaelsen said in the video. Not to be afraid and never fear of expressing your feelings. Your answer is very good and I appreciate you mentioning to never fear writing or in any aspect way of you life

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Bryan 8
10/17/2012 08:46:00 am

Sorry, there is a period at the end.

Isabella29
10/17/2012 09:36:06 am

I agree with Nathan in saying that you shouldn't be afraid that you might be different from other people that's what makes you, you! Goooooood job Nathan

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Tony #23
10/18/2012 02:32:41 pm

I agree with Nathan we should never be afraid of our fears because if we run away from them, we know they are going to come right back.

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Katherine
10/17/2012 08:19:10 am

Hi, my name is Katherine Lund and this is just a little about me and my family. I was born in Pasadena as the second child to Mary and Kenny Lund, but I was soon to realize that it was not just me, my mom, my dad, and my older sister Clare in the family. I ended up being the second of five children, starting with Clare, then me, Megan, Elizabeth, and last but not least Joseph. Through my family I have become what I am today. Along with my large family of seven I have twenty-seven first cousins. My family and I are very athletic and love to be outdoors. This year I am playing club volleyball, swimming, and school volleyball, basketball, and track. Whenever I am with my cousins we are always outside playing a game in the yard. My family and I are all very united and love hanging out and being together.

My family is very unique. They make me who I am and snow me the right and wrong things to do

































I think that since Ben Mikaelson was teased so much it actually created him into becoming a better writer and a stronger person. It was awful for him to get teased but I think that it made him express himself to the fullest on the paper and he created stories that he made himself the all star of the smartest kid in school and it helped him to realize that he could be who he was and stop trying to be something different. In his books the main character always has a problem going on in their life. By putting this detail in the book it can help people going through problems relate to the character in the book and it can help people then move forward in their dreams and help them to look past their problems. Ben Mikaelson shows that even if people have put you down or tried to make you who your not, to be who you are and express yourself in the best way possible.

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Audrey 25
10/17/2012 10:51:08 am

I agree with Kate because her answer is very reasonable and interesting. I strongly support the part mentioning that the stories he created helped him realize that there is nothing wrong with being different and that being different is what got him to become a better writer and a stronger person.
Great job Kate!

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Katherine
10/17/2012 08:32:50 am

Sorry, don't mind the top of my answer because I had the answers on the same paper and accidentally copied and pasted both of them. Does anyone know how to delete a post and if not just don't mind the top part.

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Bryan 8
10/17/2012 08:42:57 am

Something that caught my attention when Ben Mikaelsen was speaking to the students that every one is an author. He told me that every day after school we tell stories. Every day we are authors, and each day we tell a better story. No matter how much we do not realize it, we are a story teller of great knowledge. He inspired me to become a better author as well as a better person. Though sometimes we never have thought of it, each one of us has a story to tell, and each day are reading skills improve and our abilities to become an author is phenomenal. Telling stories can help is in every aspect way of life, and it inspired me to become a child of great interest due to this video. Writing, reading, and telling are the three main words to becoming an author or a write, there are many things in life we want to be, but what we do not realize is that we are have a career already

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Shelanee 21
10/17/2012 09:46:19 am

In my opinion, Ben Mikaelson was really inspiring he taught me that being different isn't a bad thing because I am who I am. I agree with Ben Mikaelson that no one should be judged by the way they look or by the way they are. As a writer, he taught me to be creative and to connect with your audience. When Ben Mikaelson was in college, he still couldn't spell the word "the" but still his head master told him that he was an amazing writer. Ben Mikaelson told us to go on the most outrageous and creative journey, and then everyday write about it.

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Caroline #9
10/17/2012 09:50:40 am

I agree Shelanee. I believe that being different person isn't a bad thing because you are who you are and that no me could change you. I also agree when you said that Ben Mikaelsen didn't know how to spell the word "the" but the headmaster said he was an amazing writer.

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Claire 12
10/17/2012 11:18:55 am

I agree with Shelanee, everyone is their own person and there's nothing wrong with being different. Awesome job Shelanee!

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Caroline #9
10/17/2012 09:46:24 am

What caught my attention in the Ben Mikaelsen video is when he always tried his best. Even if he was bullied he still had the courage to write the one page story. Ben knew that he put capitalization in the middle of the words and put periods where he wasn't supposed to, but he knew he tried his best. Ben Mikaelsen said that people shouldn't be afraid to be different because what makes you different is what makes you unique. People shouldn't be judged by other people because we are all different in every way. What also caught my attention is how he told us that we are all authors. Even if it doesn't seem like it, we all have the knowledge to express our emotions in writing. Reading and writing can help influence in our lives because it could help us become better authors. Due to this video every child knows that it's ok to be different because it could lead you to become a better person, just like what it did to Ben Mikaelsen.

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Liezel 26
10/17/2012 09:47:33 am

Ben Michaelson caught my attention. He told me that it's okay being different. Everyone is not the same in style, looks, and personality. Also, he had taught me that everyone is good at something. He had also caught my attention when he had talked about his childhood. Such as bullying, and his school. He also said that we should not be scared of things. We should just face it and then we wouldn't be scared of it. That really help me face my fears and as he said to walk off and you wouldn't be scared, the next day. Ben Michaelson spoke about trying to be someone else, is not a good idea. Trying to be someone else, that person will be bullying you. Just try to be yourself.

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Valerie 28
10/17/2012 11:14:38 am

I agree Liezel. That we shouldn't be afraid of things and that we should face it. I also agree when you said that we shouldn't trying to be someone else isn't a good idea. That we should just be ourselves. Good job Liezel,

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Isabella29
10/17/2012 09:56:17 am

I was truly inspire by this video about Ben Mikaelsen, during the video Ben Mikaelsen started explaining to us about how some people try to fit in because they are not comfortable with themselves or maybe the way they look. I feel that we are all a lot different from each other and we should not be afraid to show our real selves. Like Ben Mikaelsen said, "Being different is okay." Its ok to be different, being different is what makes us. We all should try to be the best person we can be and want to be. In school and out of school we should not be afraid express our feelings or even what's on our mind.

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Thomas #22
10/17/2012 01:10:29 pm

I agree with you Valerie. This is because even if we have fears of something, you should go on one step at a time until you completely forgot you had a fear.

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Paula #33
10/17/2012 02:01:53 pm

I agree with Isabella. Maybe, some people are afraid to show their real self but that is what makes us unique and when you show people who you really are, you know that your friend like you for who you are, not who you try to be. (Good job Isabella)

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Valerie 28
10/17/2012 11:10:37 am

Something that caught my attention is that we shouldn't let our fears take over us and we should tackle our fears. In addition, he taught me not to be afraid of being different. That being different is what makes us special. We should go out into the world and be the best us that we could be. He inspired me I shouldn't be afraid to express our feelings or expressions in writing. He taught me we should stand up for ourselves. That it doesn't take one step to get where you need to be, you have to take one everyday of our lives.

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Claire 12
10/17/2012 11:25:18 am

After watching the video, I was truly inspired when Ben Mikaelson said that everyone is an author and is smart enough to be one. I was also inspired when he was explaining that its ok to be different and that being different is good. Even if your not the smartest you can be an amazing person. Lastly something that inspired me was when he said he was bullied as a child because he wasn't very smart. He said that we should face things like that that we fear because they will make us a stronger person. Ben Mikealson is a true inspiration, he teaches us never to be someone your not, just be you and that everyone is smart enough to be a writer.

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10/17/2012 11:53:13 am

I do agree with Claire. Ben truly is an inspirational guy. Each one of us is a different person. People are amazing by being yourself. Also to stand up and not be afraid. Face your fears for it can make you stronger inside. That's what I always try to do.

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Michael25
10/18/2012 11:09:20 am

I agree with Claire. Ben is an inspiration to all of us and we should strive to keep a good attitude like his. Being yourself is the greatest thing that we could do. Stand up for what you believe in and don't back down.

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10/17/2012 12:15:40 pm

After seeing the video I was truly inspired by Ben. Being yourself makes you a better person. Never judge people by the way they look or bully them because they look different. No one can be exactly like the other. We are different in some ways and that makes us special and who we really are. Never be afraid for what you are good at. Stand up for yourself. For standing up can make you stronger and conquer the fears inside.

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Skye henry
10/17/2012 12:46:39 pm

I agree with you that everyone is different and standing up for yourself makes you stronger in so many ways.

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Skye henry
10/17/2012 12:43:58 pm

I can tell a lot that Ben M. had been through a lot through his life. You could tell that he had a pretty tough life and all of that shaped him into what he is now. I loved how even though he didn't know how to spell he wrote anyway.He wrote what he felt and that inspires me that there is no reason not to write, if he can do it without knowing anything about grammar or spelling than anybody willing to write, can.

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Thomas #22
10/17/2012 01:04:11 pm

Something that caught my attention during Ben Mikaelsen's video when he said that people try fitting in with a group they are not ready for. Everyone is different and unique in a way, no matter how you look. We should join a group or be in one if you feel comfortable around them. We shouldn't be afraid of who we are because it is okay to be different. We should strive until it is our absolute best because even if you are doing something wrong never give up just try and try again until you succeed.

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Diego3
10/18/2012 06:44:21 am

I agree with Thomas that Ben michalsen tried fitting in with others but the people that you should fit in with are the people you are comfortable with and the ones you call friends. Everyone is different and that is what makes us, us.

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Paula #33
10/17/2012 01:58:36 pm

After watching the Ben Mikaelsen video, the one thing that caught my attention is when he started talking bout how the bullies would call him names and judge him. Not everyone should be the same and people shouldn't judge and pick out everyones differences. People shouldn't try to be exactly the same as others either. Everyone is different and thats what makes us who we are. The same goes for us, we should never judge others because we don't know what they've been through or how it may affect them. Being different is ok and we should all be comfortable with ourself.

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Ryan14
10/18/2012 11:29:26 am

I agree with Paula. Everyone is different. Being different is ok.

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Ryan 14
10/17/2012 02:37:12 pm

After watching the Ben Mikaelsen video, the one thing that stood out and really caught my attention was when he was getting picked on and bullied because he looked different. Just because someone looks different or acts different, doesn't mean you can pick on them. Follow the golden rule. Treat others the way you want to be treated. BEn Mikaelsen also inspired me to become a better writer. He didn't know how to spell the word the or where to place a period but still wrote a fantastic story. He is a very good role model.

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Tyler 35
10/18/2012 10:25:35 am

I definitely agree Ryan. This is a worldwide issue and can be solved in a simple way like you explained it.

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Isaac 7
10/18/2012 02:00:45 am

The thing that really caught my eye during this video was that even though Ben MIkaelsen couldn't even spell the word THE, or knew where to place a period, he still wrote a fantastic story. I brought this part of the video up because it really showed me to try my hardest when I am doing something. I realize that at the end my hard work will pay off. There was one more thing that caught my eye during this video and that was when Ben Mikaelsen said he faced adversity growing up. The one big mistake he made when he was a kid, was that he tried to fit in by being someone he was not. I feel that everyone is different and special in their own way, and we should not be afraid to be ourselves. Everyone is unique and that is what makes life interesting and fun. In my opinion the video was great because there were a lot of scenes that really spoke to me. An especially important scene was when Ben Mikaelsen said that he had many ideas but couldn't tell anyone because no one wanted to listen to Ben express himself anyway. That is the reason he would stay up at night writing his ideas. At the end, his hard work paid off.

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Sophia 13
10/18/2012 05:53:37 am

The thing that caught my eye was the way that he could speak freely about his past without reflecting bad on it. He said it made who he was today. What also caught my eye was the way he talked. He used lots of words that made the speech outstanding and help me visualize what he was talking about.

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Nick
10/18/2012 07:02:42 am

I agree with you Sophia. Ben Mikaelson's past is what made him an outstanding author, and he is a great person for recognizing that. His humorous tone was also a great thing, too. He made the kids laugh while teaching a valuable lesson.

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Nick 31
10/18/2012 07:04:28 am

Sorry I forgot my number I'm 31

Diego3
10/18/2012 06:38:35 am

Ben Mickalsen taught me that everyone is unique in their own way. He said that we were all geniuses but we only try to recognize 4 or 5 and our goal should be to find what makes us geniuse.

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Diego3
10/18/2012 06:48:08 am

Sry, add on. Ben michalsen also said that people should be themselves and not care what others think until extreme cases. He tried to fit in and it did not work for him, and I'm guessing that some, sometimes even me try to fit in.

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Greg 10
10/18/2012 06:57:03 am

I agree with you Diego. Everyone is unique and that is what makes the world great.

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Greg 10
10/18/2012 06:55:28 am

Ben Mickaelson taught me how everybody is smart in their own way. Even if it is not in the classroom

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Grant 17
10/18/2012 07:01:16 am

I agree with you but he mostly taught my to stand up for myself and to try to accomplish everything you can.

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Caroline #9
10/18/2012 07:04:07 am

I agree with grant that you should stand up to yourself if people are putting you down and that you should try to accomplish everything. Just keep on trying and that's what makes life a success.

Nick
10/18/2012 06:59:49 am

I think Ben Mikaelson's own experiences inspired students like us to be motivated in creative writing and in school. He talked about everyone's genius, and explained how we all have a wonderful talent. I think that he really inspired kids to be theirselves and to try their best at whatever they are are good at. He showed us that whatever your talent, there will be someone in the world that appreciates it. He made everyone feel like an author and really inspired us to do the best we can.

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Nick 31
10/18/2012 07:03:50 am

Sorry I forgot to put my number I'm 31

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Nathan #5
10/18/2012 02:10:55 pm

I agree with you Nick that everyone in the world is a genius. I think that everybody has the capability of being a genius or being talented, we just have to strive and work hard to meet our goals.

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Victoria 2
10/18/2012 04:08:18 pm

I agree Nick. Everyone can be a genius in their own ingenious ways. You also should always show your talents to the world.

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Audrey 25
10/18/2012 07:50:10 am

I think that Ben Mikaelsen shared his childhood background to encourage our differences so we can act like ourselves and not pretend to be somebody we are not. He wanted us to know that we are all geniuses in ways that we may have might not discovered yet. His words were very inspiring and they have taught me much that I may have to live up to one day.

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Tyler 35
10/18/2012 10:23:31 am

The thing that touched me most about Ben Mikaelsen was how he said that he felt that he couldn't do anything because of his disability. Kids all around the world feel like they don't belong but Ben Mikaelsen inspired them. Ben didn't know how to spell the word "the" or know how to use punctuation and Capitol letters. Ben was about to give up when his professor said that he was an excellent writer and gave him some and advice as an inspiration. After that Ben tried as hard as he could and became a famous writer. By this he has inspired kids all around the world.

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Adriana 32
10/18/2012 11:39:34 am

I think that Ben Mikalsen knew he could not write of read write away. But he didn't care he never gave up. But Ben told himself to never give up even though he could not spell the word THE he kept moving forward

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Sean
10/18/2012 01:00:11 pm

The thing that intrigued me the most was that he was bullied in South America. It might sound weird but I always thought that bullying was only a big problem in schools in the US. Now I'm aware that bullying is a big problem in schools around.

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Victoria 2
10/18/2012 04:05:51 pm

Sean,
You just made me actually realize that. I like your idea and you really paid attention. Nice job at looking for the details.

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Aoife 6
10/21/2012 06:13:19 pm

I really agree with Sean because bullying is a problem all around and everyone should stand up against it.

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Nick11
10/18/2012 01:27:54 pm

What caught my eye in that video was when he said he raised a black Bear, because I normally thought that black bears were vicous.

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Nick11
10/18/2012 01:29:54 pm

I agree with Sean, bullying is a world problem in every state and country

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Nick11
10/18/2012 01:30:18 pm

.

Isaac 7
10/18/2012 01:44:17 pm

I also agree with Sean bullying is a nationally problem. It is very good that people are standing up to bullies and are trying to stop bullying.

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Andrew30
10/18/2012 02:15:55 pm

I think that Ben Michelson was an amzing person who had an unfortunate life until his professor picked up his talent and helped him get better and better to become the writer he is today

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Tony #23
10/18/2012 02:48:37 pm

Ben Mikaelson's video told a lot of life lessons, like not to be afraid of your fears. But what caught my attention the most was when he said "Just be yourself" when he said he would try one day to just be himself he ended up succeeding and I think that is how everyone should be be yourself not someone else.

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Ben
10/18/2012 03:29:51 pm

In the Ben Michaelsen video, I think that when he said that he was in the teachers office to be told that he was a good writer got my attention because I thought it was great that his teacher said that he was a good writer even though he was not the smartest student, he was still a good writer because of the way he writes about his emotions and stories.

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Victoria 2
10/18/2012 04:03:28 pm

After seeing Ben Mikaelsen speak to students about writing and his life I can say many thing that caught my attention in a personal level and in terms of writing. He taught me to be myself. Being other people will not get them to like me, it probably will just freak them out. After being who he wasn't, he was himself and turned into something pretty good. I feel like being who you are will help to get people to like and know you more. He also taught me to write what I think. We all have a lot of ideas in our mind, and they might turn out to be million dollar books.

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Aoife 6
10/21/2012 06:11:38 pm

This video really taught me to accept myself and never ever lose hope. I learned that we are all worth something. On a writing level I learning to honestly express my feelings.

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