Period 11, Blog Due 12/16/12

Topic 5:  Personal Goals

Directions: In a comment, respond to the prompt below in 300+ typed words. Also be sure to respond to a classmate's comment so that we can keep our classroom conversation going. 
"You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them." -Michael Jordan (professional basketball player)

Share a time when you asked more of yourself than you thought you could do.  What drove you to fulfill your personal goal, and what steps did you take to fulfill it?  What was the result? 

Be sure to answer all parts of the question fully. Your comment/response to my prompt should be 300+ words. Your comment/response to a friend should be 50+ words. Your blog entries must be completed by 11:59 pm on December 16, 2012.

Period 8/9, Blog Due 12/16/12

Topic 5:  Personal Goals

Directions: In a comment, respond to the prompt below in 300+ typed words. Also be sure to respond to a classmate's comment so that we can keep our classroom conversation going. 
"You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them." -Michael Jordan (professional basketball player)

Share a time when you asked more of yourself than you thought you could do.  What drove you to fulfill your personal goal, and what steps did you take to fulfill it?  What was the result? 

Be sure to answer all parts of the question fully. Your comment/response to my prompt should be 300+ words. Your comment/response to a friend should be 50+ words. Your blog entries must be completed by 11:59 pm on December 16, 2012.

Period 4/5, Blog Due 12/16/12

Topic 5:  Personal Goals

Directions: In a comment, respond to the prompt below in 300+ typed words. Also be sure to respond to a classmate's comment so that we can keep our classroom conversation going. 
"You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them." -Michael Jordan (professional basketball player)

Share a time when you asked more of yourself than you thought you could do.  What drove you to fulfill your personal goal, and what steps did you take to fulfill it?  What was the result? 

Be sure to answer all parts of the question fully. Your comment/response to my prompt should be 300+ words. Your comment/response to a friend should be 50+ words. Your blog entries must be completed by 11:59 pm on December 16, 2012.

Period 3, Blog Due 12/16/12

Topic 5:  Personal Goals

Directions: In a comment, respond to the prompt below in 300+ typed words. Also be sure to respond to a classmate's comment so that we can keep our classroom conversation going. 
"You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them." -Michael Jordan (professional basketball player)

Share a time when you asked more of yourself than you thought you could do.  What drove you to fulfill your personal goal, and what steps did you take to fulfill it?  What was the result? 

Be sure to answer all parts of the question fully. Your comment/response to my prompt should be 300+ words. Your comment/response to a friend should be 50+ words. Your blog entries must be completed by 11:59 pm on December 16, 2012.

Period 2, Blog Due 12/16/12

Topic 5:  Personal Goals

Directions: In a comment, respond to the prompt below in 300+ typed words. Also be sure to respond to a classmate's comment so that we can keep our classroom conversation going. 




"You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them." -Michael Jordan (professional basketball player)

Share a time when you asked more of yourself than you thought you could do.  What drove you to fulfill your personal goal, and what steps did you take to fulfill it?  What was the result? 

Be sure to answer all parts of the question fully. Your comment/response to my prompt should be 300+ words. Your comment/response to a friend should be 50+ words. Your blog entries must be completed by 11:59 pm on December 16, 2012.

Period 11, Blog for Week of 10/21

Topic 3:  The Development of Identity

Directions: In a comment, respond to the prompt below in 300+ typed words. Also be sure to respond to a classmate's comment so that we can keep our classroom conversation going. 

"A person does not simply 'receive' his or her identity.  Identity is much more than the name or features one is born with.  True identity is something people must create for themselves by making choices that are significant and that require a courageous commitment to in the face of challenges.  Identity means having ideas and values that one lives by."  -Thomas Merton, Contemplation in a World of Action

Using examples from literature, history, science, film, and/or your own experiences, write a response in which you develop your point of view as to whether identity is something people are born with or given or if identity is something people create for themselves.

Be sure to answer all parts of the question fully. Your comment/response to my prompt should be 300+ words. Your comment/response to a friend should be 50+ words. Your blog entries must be completed by 11:59 pm on October 21, 2012.

Period 8/9, Blog for Week of 10/21

Topic 3:  The Development of Identity

Directions: In a comment, respond to the prompt below in 300+ typed words. Also be sure to respond to a classmate's comment so that we can keep our classroom conversation going. 

"A person does not simply 'receive' his or her identity.  Identity is much more than the name or features one is born with.  True identity is something people must create for themselves by making choices that are significant and that require a courageous commitment to in the face of challenges.  Identity means having ideas and values that one lives by."  -Thomas Merton, Contemplation in a World of Action

Using examples from literature, history, science, film, and/or your own experiences, write a response in which you develop your point of view as to whether identity is something people are born with or given or if identity is something people create for themselves.

Be sure to answer all parts of the question fully. Your comment/response to my prompt should be 300+ words. Your comment/response to a friend should be 50+ words. Your blog entries must be completed by 11:59 pm on October 21, 2012.

Period 4/5, Blog for Week of 10/21

Topic 3:  The Development of Identity

Directions: In a comment, respond to the prompt below in 300+ typed words. Also be sure to respond to a classmate's comment so that we can keep our classroom conversation going. 

"A person does not simply 'receive' his or her identity.  Identity is much more than the name or features one is born with.  True identity is something people must create for themselves by making choices that are significant and that require a courageous commitment to in the face of challenges.  Identity means having ideas and values that one lives by."  -Thomas Merton, Contemplation in a World of Action

Using examples from literature, history, science, film, and/or your own experiences, write a response in which you develop your point of view as to whether identity is something people are born with or given or if identity is something people create for themselves.

Be sure to answer all parts of the question fully. Your comment/response to my prompt should be 300+ words. Your comment/response to a friend should be 50+ words. Your blog entries must be completed by 11:59 pm on October 21, 2012.

Period 3, Blog for Week of 10/21

Topic 3:  The Development of Identity

Directions: In a comment, respond to the prompt below in 300+ typed words. Also be sure to respond to a classmate's comment so that we can keep our classroom conversation going. 

"A person does not simply 'receive' his or her identity.  Identity is much more than the name or features one is born with.  True identity is something people must create for themselves by making choices that are significant and that require a courageous commitment to in the face of challenges.  Identity means having ideas and values that one lives by."  -Thomas Merton, Contemplation in a World of Action

Using examples from literature, history, science, film, and/or your own experiences, write a response in which you develop your point of view as to whether identity is something people are born with or given or if identity is something people create for themselves.

Be sure to answer all parts of the question fully. Your comment/response to my prompt should be 300+ words. Your comment/response to a friend should be 50+ words. Your blog entries must be completed by 11:59 pm on October 21, 2012.

Period 11. Blog for Week of 10/14

Topic 3:  The Necessity of Structure and Guidelines

Directions: In a comment, respond to the prompt below in 300+ typed words. Also be sure to respond to a classmate's comment so that we can keep our classroom conversation going. 

Some people say that the rules are made to be broken.  Other's say that you have to know the rules expertly before you break them.  This week, we reviewed our classroom rules and procedures.  Share a time you broke a rule and it worked to your advantage.  Share a time you broke a rule and it left you at a disadvantage.  We know that the Golden Rule is that one should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself.  What is your Golden Rule?  Share one personal rule you have developed for yourself that guides you in your existance and your interactions with other.  Finally, are you the type of person who thrives on structure or craves chaos?  Explain.

Be sure to answer all parts of the question fully. Your comment/response to my prompt should be 300+ words. Your comment/response to a friend should be 50+ words. Your blog entries must be completed by 11:59 pm on October 21, 2012.

Period 8/9, Blog for Week of 10/14

Topic 3:  The Necessity of Structure and Guidelines

Directions: In a comment, respond to the prompt below in 300+ typed words. Also be sure to respond to a classmate's comment so that we can keep our classroom conversation going. 

Some people say that the rules are made to be broken.  Other's say that you have to know the rules expertly before you break them.  This week, we reviewed our classroom rules and procedures.  Share a time you broke a rule and it worked to your advantage.  Share a time you broke a rule and it left you at a disadvantage.  We know that the Golden Rule is that one should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself.  What is your Golden Rule?  Share one personal rule you have developed for yourself that guides you in your existance and your interactions with other.  Finally, are you the type of person who thrives on structure or craves chaos?  Explain.

Be sure to answer all parts of the question fully. Your comment/response to my prompt should be 300+ words. Your comment/response to a friend should be 50+ words. Your blog entries must be completed by 11:59 pm on October 21, 2012.

Period 4/5, Blog for Week of 10/14

Topic 3:  The Necessity of Structure and Guidelines

Directions: In a comment, respond to the prompt below in 300+ typed words. Also be sure to respond to a classmate's comment so that we can keep our classroom conversation going. 

Some people say that the rules are made to be broken.  Other's say that you have to know the rules expertly before you break them.  This week, we reviewed our classroom rules and procedures.  Share a time you broke a rule and it worked to your advantage.  Share a time you broke a rule and it left you at a disadvantage.  We know that the Golden Rule is that one should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself.  What is your Golden Rule?  Share one personal rule you have developed for yourself that guides you in your existance and your interactions with other.  Finally, are you the type of person who thrives on structure or craves chaos?  Explain.

Be sure to answer all parts of the question fully. Your comment/response to my prompt should be 300+ words. Your comment/response to a friend should be 50+ words. Your blog entries must be completed by 11:59 pm on October 21, 2012.

Period 3, Blog for Week of 10/14

Topic 3:  The Necessity of Structure and Guidelines

Directions: In a comment, respond to the prompt below in 300+ typed words. Also be sure to respond to a classmate's comment so that we can keep our classroom conversation going. 

Some people say that the rules are made to be broken.  Other's say that you have to know the rules expertly before you break them.  This week, we reviewed our classroom rules and procedures.  Share a time you broke a rule and it worked to your advantage.  Share a time you broke a rule and it left you at a disadvantage.  We know that the Golden Rule is that one should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself.  What is your Golden Rule?  Share one personal rule you have developed for yourself that guides you in your existance and your interactions with other.  Finally, are you the type of person who thrives on structure or craves chaos?  Explain.

Be sure to answer all parts of the question fully. Your comment/response to my prompt should be 300+ words. Your comment/response to a friend should be 50+ words. Your blog entries must be completed by 11:59 pm on October 21, 2012.

Period 2, Blog for Week of 10/14

Topic 3:  The Necessity of Structure and Guidelines

Directions: In a comment, respond to the prompt below in 300+ typed words. Also be sure to respond to a classmate's comment so that we can keep our classroom conversation going. 

Some people say that the rules are made to be broken.  Other's say that you have to know the rules expertly before you break them.  This week, we reviewed our classroom rules and procedures.  Share a time you broke a rule and it worked to your advantage.  Share a time you broke a rule and it left you at a disadvantage.  We know that the Golden Rule is that one should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself.  What is your Golden Rule?  Share one personal rule you have developed for yourself that guides you in your existance and your interactions with other.  Finally, are you the type of person who thrives on structure or craves chaos?  Explain.

Be sure to answer all parts of the question fully. Your comment/response to my prompt should be 300+ words. Your comment/response to a friend should be 50+ words. Your blog entries must be completed by 11:59 pm on October 21, 2012.

Period 11, Blog Entry for Week of 10/07

Topic 2:  The Virtue of Honesty

Directions: In a comment, respond to the prompt below in 300+ typed words. Also be sure to respond to a classmate's comment so that we can keep our classroom conversation going. 

In "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant, Mathilde Loisel goes to great lengths to over compensate for the fact that she misplaced her friend's necklace.  Had Mathilde Loisel come clean and told Madame Forestier that she lost the necklace, she may not have spent most of her life in debt.  However, she chooses to lie to Madame Forestier by omission and live in poverty in order to replace the missing necklace.

Do you think that honesty is the best policy?  Explain why or why not and cite examples from your own experiences and observations.  Have you ever had an experience when honesty has done more harm than good?  If faced with the choice between being dishonest and potentially ruining a friendship or being dishonest and putting yourself in an undesirable situation, which would you choose?  Explain your choice.  

Be sure to answer all parts of the question fully. Your comment/response to my prompt should be 300+ words. Your comment/response to a friend should be 50+ words. Your blog entries must be completed by 11:59 pm on October 14, 2012.

Period 8/9, Blog Entry for Week of 10/07

Topic 2:  The Virtue of Honesty

Directions: In a comment, respond to the prompt below in 300+ typed words. Also be sure to respond to a classmate's comment so that we can keep our classroom conversation going. 

In "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant, Mathilde Loisel goes to great lengths to over compensate for the fact that she misplaced her friend's necklace.  Had Mathilde Loisel come clean and told Madame Forestier that she lost the necklace, she may not have spent most of her life in debt.  However, she chooses to lie to Madame Forestier by omission and live in poverty in order to replace the missing necklace.

Do you think that honesty is the best policy?  Explain why or why not and cite examples from your own experiences and observations.  Have you ever had an experience when honesty has done more harm than good?  If faced with the choice between being dishonest and potentially ruining a friendship or being dishonest and putting yourself in an undesirable situation, which would you choose?  Explain your choice.  

Be sure to answer all parts of the question fully. Your comment/response to my prompt should be 300+ words. Your comment/response to a friend should be 50+ words. Your blog entries must be completed by 11:59 pm on October 14, 2012.

Period 4/5, Blog Entry for Week of 10/07

Topic 2:  The Virtue of Honesty

Directions: In a comment, respond to the prompt below in 300+ typed words. Also be sure to respond to a classmate's comment so that we can keep our classroom conversation going. 

In "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant, Mathilde Loisel goes to great lengths to over compensate for the fact that she misplaced her friend's necklace.  Had Mathilde Loisel come clean and told Madame Forestier that she lost the necklace, she may not have spent most of her life in debt.  However, she chooses to lie to Madame Forestier by omission and live in poverty in order to replace the missing necklace.

Do you think that honesty is the best policy?  Explain why or why not and cite examples from your own experiences and observations.  Have you ever had an experience when honesty has done more harm than good?  If faced with the choice between being dishonest and potentially ruining a friendship or being dishonest and putting yourself in an undesirable situation, which would you choose?  Explain your choice.  

Be sure to answer all parts of the question fully. Your comment/response to my prompt should be 300+ words. Your comment/response to a friend should be 50+ words. Your blog entries must be completed by 11:59 pm on October 14, 2012.

Period 3, Blog Entry for Week of 10/07

Topic 2:  The Virtue of Honesty

Directions: In a comment, respond to the prompt below in 300+ typed words. Also be sure to respond to a classmate's comment so that we can keep our classroom conversation going. 

In "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant, Mathilde Loisel goes to great lengths to over compensate for the fact that she misplaced her friend's necklace.  Had Mathilde Loisel come clean and told Madame Forestier that she lost the necklace, she may not have spent most of her life in debt.  However, she chooses to lie to Madame Forestier by omission and live in poverty in order to replace the missing necklace.

Do you think that honesty is the best policy?  Explain why or why not and cite examples from your own experiences and observations.  Have you ever had an experience when honesty has done more harm than good?  If faced with the choice between being dishonest and potentially ruining a friendship or being dishonest and putting yourself in an undesirable situation, which would you choose?  Explain your choice.  

Be sure to answer all parts of the question fully. Your comment/response to my prompt should be 300+ words. Your comment/response to a friend should be 50+ words. Your blog entries must be completed by 11:59 pm on October 14, 2012.

Period 2, Blog Entry for Week of 10/07

Topic 2:  The Virtue of Honesty

Directions: In a comment, respond to the prompt below in 300+ typed words. Also be sure to respond to a classmate's comment so that we can keep our classroom conversation going. 

In "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant, Mathilde Loisel goes to great lengths to over compensate for the fact that she misplaced her friend's necklace.  Had Mathilde Loisel come clean and told Madame Forestier that she lost the necklace, she may not have spent most of her life in debt.  However, she chooses to lie to Madame Forestier by omission and live in poverty in order to replace the missing necklace.

Do you think that honesty is the best policy?  Explain why or why not and cite examples from your own experiences and observations.  Have you ever had an experience when honesty has done more harm than good?  If faced with the choice between being dishonest and potentially ruining a friendship or being dishonest and putting yourself in an undesirable situation, which would you choose?  Explain your choice.  

Be sure to answer all parts of the question fully. Your comment/response to my prompt should be 300+ words. Your comment/response to a friend should be 50+ words. Your blog entries must be completed by 11:59 pm on October 14, 2012.

Sample Blog Post

Each week, I will post a blog in the form of an open-ended, multi-part question.  The topic will usually be one that we deal with in the texts we are reading.  Some of you are wondering where and how you should respond to my blog posts.  Allow me to show you...

Period 11, Blog Entry for Week of 9/30/12

Topic 1: Conflict in Our Culture

Directions: In a comment, respond to one of the prompts below in 300+ typed words. Also be sure to respond to a classmate's comment so that we can keep our classroom conversation going.

Option 1: Most people have witnessed a friendship fall apart, a family divide, or a global tragedy that spawns feuds that last for several decades. Where do you think hatred begins? What measures do you think can be taken to resolve arguments and alleviate hatred? Cite a feud you have witnessed as evidence to support your argument.

Option 2: In his poem "Mending Wall," Robert Frost repeats the old adage "good fences make good neighbors." The characters in the poem have a stone wall--a literal boundary--between their homes. What types of boundaries do you think need to exist to maintain healthy relationships? Cite examples from your friendships and your relationships with family members to support your argument.

Be sure to answer all parts of the question fully. Your comment/response to my prompt should be 300+ words. Your comment/response to a friend should be 50+ words. Your blog entries must be completed by 11:59 pm on October 7, 2012.

Period 8/9, Blog Entry for Week of 9/30/12

Topic 1:  Conflict in Our Culture

Directions:  In a comment, respond to one of the prompts below in 300+ typed words.  Also be sure to respond to a classmate's comment so that we can keep our classroom conversation going. 

Option 1:  Most people have witnessed a friendship fall apart, a family divide, or a global tragedy that spawns feuds that last for several decades.  Where do you think hatred begins?  What measures do you think can be taken to resolve arguments and alleviate hatred?  Cite a feud you have witnessed as evidence to support your argument.

Option 2:  In his poem "Mending Wall," Robert Frost repeats the old adage "good fences make good neighbors."  The characters in the poem have a stone wall--a literal boundary--between their homes.  What types of boundaries do you think need to exist to maintain healthy relationships?  Cite examples from your friendships and your relationships with family members to support your argument.

Be sure to answer all parts of the question fully.  Your comment/response to my prompt should be 300+ words.  Your comment/response to a friend should be 50+ words.  Your blog entries must be completed by 11:59 pm on October 7, 2012. 

Period 4/5, Blog Entry for Week of 9/30/12

Topic 1:  Conflict in Our Culture

Directions:  In a comment, respond to one of the prompts below in 300+ typed words.  Also be sure to respond to a classmate's comment so that we can keep our classroom conversation going. 

Option 1:  Most people have witnessed a friendship fall apart, a family divide, or a global tragedy that spawns feuds that last for several decades.  Where do you think hatred begins?  What measures do you think can be taken to resolve arguments and alleviate hatred?  Cite a feud you have witnessed as evidence to support your argument.

Option 2:  In his poem "Mending Wall," Robert Frost repeats the old adage "good fences make good neighbors."  The characters in the poem have a stone wall--a literal boundary--between their homes.  What types of boundaries do you think need to exist to maintain healthy relationships?  Cite examples from your friendships and your relationships with family members to support your argument.

Be sure to answer all parts of the question fully.  Your comment/response to my prompt should be 300+ words.  Your comment/response to a friend should be 50+ words.  Your blog entries must be completed by 11:59 pm on October 7, 2012. 

Period 3, Blog Entry for Week of 9/30/12

Topic 1:  Conflict in Our Culture

Directions:  In a comment, respond to one of the prompts below in 300+ typed words.  Also be sure to respond to a classmate's comment so that we can keep our classroom conversation going. 

Option 1:  Most people have witnessed a friendship fall apart, a family divide, or a global tragedy that spawns feuds that last for several decades.  Where do you think hatred begins?  What measures do you think can be taken to resolve arguments and alleviate hatred?  Cite a feud you have witnessed as evidence to support your argument.

Option 2:  In his poem "Mending Wall," Robert Frost repeats the old adage "good fences make good neighbors."  The characters in the poem have a stone wall--a literal boundary--between their homes.  What types of boundaries do you think need to exist to maintain healthy relationships?  Cite examples from your friendships and your relationships with family members to support your argument.

Be sure to answer all parts of the question fully.  Your comment/response to my prompt should be 300+ words.  Your comment/response to a friend should be 50+ words.  Your blog entries must be completed by 11:59 pm on October 7, 2012. 

Period 2, Blog Entry for Week of 9/30/12

Topic 1:  Conflict in Our Culture

Directions:  In a comment, respond to one of the prompts below in 300+ typed words.  Also be sure to respond to a classmate's comment so that we can keep our classroom conversation going. 

Option 1:  Most people have witnessed a friendship fall apart, a family divide, or a global tragedy that spawns feuds that last for several decades.  Where do you think hatred begins?  What measures do you think can be taken to resolve arguments and alleviate hatred?  Cite a feud you have witnessed as evidence to support your argument.

Option 2:  In his poem "Mending Wall," Robert Frost repeats the old adage "good fences make good neighbors."  The characters in the poem have a stone wall--a literal boundary--between their homes.  What types of boundaries do you think need to exist to maintain healthy relationships?  Cite examples from your friendships and your relationships with family members to support your argument.

Be sure to answer all parts of the question fully.  Your comment/response to my prompt should be 300+ words.  Your comment/response to a friend should be 50+ words.  Your blog entries must be completed by 11:59 pm on October 7, 2012.