Online Journal Entry #23

And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt. ~Sylvia Plath

Of everything we've done this year, the blogs have always been one of my favorite things to grade. I love to see what you think when you don't have to worry about saying it out loud in class. Oh, the freedom anonymity brings! Your online responses have allowed me to see your dreams, plans, values--your THOUGHTS--and it has been amazing. You all are a bunch of talented, creative, intelligent, and introspective people; and I hope you continue to write--for yourselves--for many years to come.

So, for one last online journal entry, I want you to tell me something you have enjoyed in this class this year. Something we read that stands out in your memory or an activity you enjoyed (something educative, not "that one time you and your friend ..."). Of course, you have the option to say "you've enjoyed nothing," but know that that is equal to the amount of points you will receive for it as well!. I have enjoyed this year--and getting to know you all--more than you know. Thank you for being the wonderful, insightful people you are. Have an awesome summer and an Incredible Junior Year!!

The act of putting pen to paper encourages pause for thought, this in turn makes us think more deeply about life. ~Norbet Platt

Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart. ~William Wordsworth

Online Journal Entry #22

"No kind action ever stops with itself. One kind action leads to another. Good example is followed. A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. The greatest work that kindness does to others is that it makes them kind themselves." ~Amelia Earhart

As we have been studying poetry, this weeks blog is a little more complicated. Archibald MacLeish once said, "A poem should not mean, But be." Similarly, this week, you are not going to sit and think, but get up and DO. So, your blogging assignment is go out and perform a random act of kindness--a kind act for the benefit of someone else which brings no profit or honor to yourself. Then come back here and tell us what you did, how the recipient reacted, and how you felt after you did it. Make a difference to someone today, then see if it makes a difference in you.

Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver. ~Barbara De Angelis

Online Journal Entry #21

Sports is human life in microcosm. ~Howard Cosell
Lately, it seems like there has been Basketball every place you look: TV, newspapers, even facebook! Everybody's got a team, an opinion, a prediction of who deserved to win it all! Now, basketball may not be your thing, but write a journal entry describing what IS your favorite sport (or game of any type) to play? How long have you been playing it? Who taught you to play? How do feel when you're out there? What sort of things do you learn from pushing yourself and competing in general? Is there a sport you love to watch whether or not you play it yourself? A favorite team you follow, perhaps? Tell us all about it! And, by the way, bonus points to anyone who writes down the definition of microcosm and turns it in to me in class! :)

Online Journal Entry #20

Well, spring sprang. We've had our state of grace and our little gift of sanctioned madness, courtesy of Mother Nature. Thanks, Gaia. Much obliged. I guess it's time to get back to that daily routine of living we like to call normal. ~David Assail

I hope you all enjoyed your break. I think you must have enjoyed it as you didn't seem to spend much time blogging or perusing the philosophical concepts in Anthem! Personally, I thought it was lovely to have some time off and--to tell the truth--I didn't do much work either! With Spring, comes longer days, warmer weather, and sunshine--some of my favorite things. What things are you looking forward to experiencing, now that Spring has Sprung? How will you spend your time outside of school in the coming months before summer. Besides, of course, pondering those ideals of collectivism and independence and discovering their importance to your own individual perspective?!! :)
A litte Madness in the Spring Is wholesome even for the King. ~Emily Dickinson

Online Journal Entry #19

The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me. ~Ayn Rand

As we read Anthem, can you imagine how it would be to live in a world where the Council of Vocations determined the path of your future? How would it would feel to live in a world where you could have no preferences, no say at all, in what you would do for the rest of your life? And then, as you consider how important it is to you to have the freedom to choose your own future, share your plans with us. You may already be set on a course for the future and you may as yet have no idea, but give us at least an idea of the direction you are considering right now because as today becomes tomorrow and tomorrow fades into the next day, the future will be here before you know it! And besides, you get no points for just saying you don't know!! :)

Online Journal Entry #18

"I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you. I love you not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me. I love you for the part of me that you bring out. ~Roy Croft
Ahh, Valentine's Day--that special day for everyone to think about true love--whether you want to or not! :) You may or may not have a special person in your life right now, but you can always think about what it is you are looking for in that person. Are you looking for someone who is just like you? Opposite of you? What characteristics are you looking for in the one you love? Ziglar said, “You can't hit a target you cannot see, and you cannot see a target you do not have.” So, what qualities are most important to you? Think about it!

Online Journal Entry #17

Research. Aren't you just LOVING it?!! So many great things to find and read and we haven't even gotten to the WRITING yet!! ;) Remember, those source pages are due at the end of the hour THE DAY we get back to school, so if you don't have five ready yet ... you'd best get to researching!! For this week's blog, write a journal entry describing your research topic and why it was unjust. Some of these topics may be familiar and some may be new to everyone, so give us a brief SUMMARY of the situation and why it fits into the social injustice theme.

And ... for those of you wanting another chance to boost your grade, I have a new blog created by a student looking for opinions on a rather controversial subject. Follow this link http://newagerevolution-newhippies.blogspot.com/2011/01/new-hippie-movement.html and post a comment expressing your opinion one way or another for up to 10 extra-credit points for Term 4. The more thought you put into it and the more thought-provoking your comments are, the higher your grade will be! PS It does not matter whether you agree or disagree with the post; your points are based on your participation in voicing your opinion either way! :)

Enjoy your bonus break and keep warm!!

“Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought.” ~Albert Szent-Gyorgyi