Blogging for Bonus Points!

Constant togetherness is fine--but only for Siamese twins. ~Victoria Billings
Well, I don't know about you all, but I certainly have been enjoying this two week break! Unfortunately, all this fun, free time, and togetherness occaisionally leads to, well, badgering and bickering between my beloved children! Surely it hasn't been like this at your homes?! When they get particularly grouchy with each other, one of my favorite things to do is make each of them say nice things about the others! :) So, for anyone looking to bolster their grade with a few bonus points, write a journal entry describing all the nice things about each member of your family with whom you live! Which things do you enjoy most about your family? Sometimes, we just need to remind ourselves to look for the good! See you in a couple of days!!

Online Journal Entry #13

“There is always one moment in childhood when the door opens and lets the future in.” ~ Deepak Chopra
Bildungsroman: A type of novel concerned with the education, development, and maturing of a young protagonist. To Kill a Mockingbird is just such a 'coming of age' story. As the adult Scout tells us of these events of her childhood, the novel is much more concerned with how she and Jem are affected by them, than describing the events themselves. So, for this weeks journal entry, describe something from your childhood. It can be one adventure that stands out in your memory or a collection of random bits and pieces that collectively represent your childhood in your own mind. Describe your childhood AND how it has affected YOU! And have a GREAT Christmas Break!! :D

Online Journal Entry #12

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

I hope you all had a wonderful break! Now, Friday is midterm and the last three weeks of this term will fly by and we still have a LOT to accomplish!! Someone asked me recently, "What is the point of blogging again?" Well, in case some of the rest of you were wondering as well, as the name of each post implies, these are Online JOURNAL entries. Each blog post is a writing opportunity. But instead of using class time and paper and pencils, you each have a whole week to get online, have some time to yourself, and WRITE! With that in mind, look back at the original rules: One or two sentences is not going to cut it anymore. These are journal entries. Put some thought into them. Tell me about yourself and your life and your thoughts. Open up. Think, for goodness sake. :)

For this week's post, write a journal entry about some experience you had over the break. The dinner itself? Your family traditions? A fun time with your friends? Your crazy family? What-ev. Pick something and WRITE!!

Online Journal Entry #11

Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action.
~W.J. Cameron
Mmm, it's almost Thanksgiving!! Family, food, friends, and three days out of school! Tell me, what are you thankful for this year as we approach the season of giving thanks?

Online Journal Entry #10

All the people like us are 'we,' and everyone else is 'They.' ~Rudyard Kipling

"Separate, but equal." It was a phrase derived from a Louisiana law from 1890, but the thoughts behind it--and the support of it--were predominant in this country for more than 60 years after the fact. What do you think? Where there is "separate," can there be "equal?" Could it be a different answer for differing situations? Why or why not?

Online Journal Entry #9

“What is wonderful about great literature is that it transforms the man who reads it towards the condition of the man who wrote.” ~E. M. Forster
Next week, we will begin a unit on Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird. As I mentioned last week, this novel has been banned frequently throughout our country in the past fifty years since it was published. Even today, it inspires strong feelings in all those who read it--some of whom love it and some of whom hate it. You will be able to decide for yourself in the coming weeks, but for now, tell me about a book that you already love. Is there any book that's had a significant impact on your life to date? What about a favorite novel that you could read again and again anytime you have the time and inclination? Is there a book you have any fond memories of reading in school? Something you had to read for class and found it wasn't as bad as you thought it might be? Come on, whether you love to read or not, tell me about a book you've read (not the one you described two weeks ago for your book review unless you are going to tell me something new about it and how it has changed your life!) and what it has meant to you.

Online Journal Entry #8

An article in the News-Leader recently caught my eye as controversy has divided an area high school over whether or not to remove certain books from the school library. As our next unit covers a novel frequently banned, I thought I would ask your opinion about it. Please visit Mrs. Schreffler's blogsite http://schreffblog.blogspot.com/, read the entry entitled "Banning Books! Are You Crazy?!" Then post a comment here describing your opinion of book banning. BE SURE to come back here to post as I do not grade postings on Mrs. Schreffler's site! :)

The fact is that censorship always defeats its own purpose, for it creates, in the end, the kind of society that is incapable of exercising real discretion. ~Henry Steele Commager

Online Journal Entry #7

The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them. ~Mark Twain
Book Reviews. I haven't forgotten about them, we've just been busy, haven't we? I hope you have been remembering to READ though!! Maybe one day this week, we'll go over the guidelines; but for now, keep reading your book and look for those elements of plot development we've been discussing in class. While you're at it, you might be looking for examples of conflict, figurative language, foreshadowing, and theme!! But, for this week's journal entry, I want you to tell me the name of the book you've chosen, its author, and a brief description of its exposition (what two things make up exposition again?). Also, tell why you chose this particular book and what you think of it so far!! Just give us an overview for now and then go back and read, Read, READ!! And don't forget about those Personal Narrative revisions!! :)

Online Journal Entry #6

It was one of those perfect English autumnal days which occur more frequently in memory than in life. ~P.D. James

Ah, autumn. The air is getting cool and crisp. The leaves are beginning to change. It's as if a whole new spirit is in the air. What is your favorite thing about this time of year? AND ... what would you do, if you had a perfect fall day to spend however you wanted?

Online Journal Entry #5

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. ~Edmund Burke
As we are preparing for our performances of Sophocles' Antigone, we must stop to consider Antigone's actions. Whether out of personal rebellion or moral conviction, Antigone stands up for her beliefs. Have you ever had to make a stand for anything or anyone? Why was it important for you do to so at that time? Tell me about the situation and why you felt the need to take action OR what you wished you would have done when you had the chance, but didn't do for some reason. Why is it important to make a stand for some things, and why is it not important at other times? When is it okay to challenge people or ideas and when is it wrong? Come on, take a stand: Tell me what YOU think!

Online Journal Entry 4

“We know what we are, but know now what we may be.” William Shakespeare
As we read this week, Oedipus has just discovered the shocking truth about his life. On a very different scale, have you ever discovered something surprising about yourself? Maybe a talent or a skill you didn't know you had until you tried something new? Maybe a place you didn't want to go, until you went and found--to your surprise--you liked it?! Or even something that you were anxious to try, only to discover it was not for you!! What about something as simple as getting to know someone you thought you already knew and found they weren't the way they seemed at all? Sometimes you find out whom you ARE by finding out whom you are NOT--like trying on new experiences to see if they will be a good fit for you? Trying something new can be illuminating, so tell me the story of a time you discovered something surprising about yourself (one sentence is not going be enough); and remember what you've learned when the next new opportunity presents itself! :)

Online Journal Entry #3

"Who is wise? He that learns from every One.
Who is powerful? He that governs his Passions.
Who is rich? He that is Content.
Who is that? Nobody." --Benjamin Franklin
Journal entries do not have to be controversial to have purpose. Their purpose is to inspire you to think and incite written expression. Sometimes writing about something can actually help you understand how you feel about it.

Now, consider the quotation above by Benjamin Franklin. Do you agree with what he says? Do you think it's meaning has changed any over the last two hundred years? What does being wise, powerful, and rich mean to you? Post a reply (enter your ID as your email address and the password you set and it will post under your display name or sign in at blogger.com and then come to this blogsite) and check back in a couple of days to make your entry has been posted!! No post, no grade. Now, write, write, WRITE! :)

Online Journal Entry #2

“The four cornerstones of character on which the structure of this nation was built are: Initiative, Imagination, Individuality and Independence.” ~Edward Vernon Rickenbacker
Ah, personal narratives ... aren't they fun?! All that focus on YOU: What YOU think, how YOU feel, how YOU've grown and changed! What would YOU think if I said we were going to share them with the class? Excited? Nervous? Remember, we are a Classroom Community!! We are here to share with each other, support each other, encourage each other, and celebrate with each other!! Hmm, did I say celebrate? How did communities usually celebrate again? ;) So, once again, for this week, tell me: How do you feel with all this focus on YOU? Empowered? Uncomfortable? Terrified? Maybe we can use this experience of showing off our imaginations and individuality to build some of that initiative and independence! What do you think?!
“Every person is the creation of himself, the image of his own thinking and believing. As individuals think and believe, so they are.” ~Claude M. Bristol

Weekly Online Journal Entry

How can I tell what I think until I see what I say? --E.M. Forster

Every week you will be responsible for posting a reply to an online journal question. This response needs to be at least one full paragraph (minimum of 5-6 sentences). Being an online journal, this is somewhat informal in nature but you do need to use complete sentences, watch your spelling, and fully develop your thoughts. Make sure your responses are adhering to the posted rules or they will be deleted. Be open, be creative, be yourself.

Now, for your first online journaling assignment. Consider the following quotation:

Don't do whatever you like; like whatever you do. --Anne M. Jennings

Describe an instance where you have applied this advice in your own life or a situation in which you could give it a try. In the picture, see how any ordinary day in the Snow household can become a great adventure with this bunch a monkeys! Life is full of amazing possibilities. It is our attitude that can lift us up or hold us back if we let it. Consider how our attitudes can be changed if we will try to see the potential in any given situation and, in turn, how different the outcome could be if our attitudes towards the situation are different. What good things could come from having a good attitude about something new? An online journal, for instance ....

Blog Rules!!

"A few strong instincts and a few plain rules suffice us." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
1. This blog site is intended for classroom use but parents and/or guests are welcome to post at any time so long as they adhere to the rules.
2. This site does have public access. Please use screen names only and do not include any personal information such as your name, age, address, phone numbers, etc. (nor that of anyone else's!).
3. No vulgar or obscene posts will be allowed.
4. No disrespectful remarks about another student, teacher, or any person will be allowed.
5. Anything that could be perceived as a threat of physical violence will be punishable according to school policy.
6. Do not use this post to advocate the immediate violation of any law or school rule.
7. The teacher reserves the right to delete any post that does not strictly adhere to these rules.
8. Journal entries are an assignment and will be given a grade for participation.
9. Zero credit will be given on a deleted entry—it is the student’s responsibility to check and make sure their entries have not been deleted and, as needed, replace them with appropriate responses by the due date to get credit.